The next day both Cliff and Claire turned up at ten o'clock to assist Duke and Manna with the annual Fall harvest. Duke told them what they had to do before leaving the pair to finish the job.

"Hey Claire?" Cliff turned to her after about ten minutes of silence.

She smiled at him. "Yeah?"

He felt his cheeks burn again, how could he tell her? What if she didn't feel the same way? It had taken him the rest of the previous day to gather enough courage to tell her, if she didn't like him back – no matter how gently she let him down – he'd still be hurt.

"Are you feeling okay?" She asked gently. "If you don't feel well you can go back to the Inn."

"I feel fine." He said quickly. "I just needed to think for a second."

"About what?" She asked, placing another bunch of grapes into the basket that sat between them.

"I...have a crush on you." He said quietly, instantly regretting it.

She cocked her head to one side and giggled. "You make it sound so childish!" She bit her lip to try and stop herself from laughing. "It's really cute!"

"C-cute?" He stammered. "What do you mean?"

"I don't have a crush on you." She giggled.

Cliff shook his head and turned back to his work. He knew it, she didn't care for him. He guessed that her heart had been stolen by Kai, the man who came to Mineral Town only in the summer.

"Cliff, I love you, that's why I don't want you to leave." She took hold of his wrist as he placed a bunch of grapes into the basket.

"What?" A deep crimson tinge rose in his face.

"I love you." She whispered, leaning in close to him, causing him to blush more. "Ah, I'm sorry." She pulled away and went back to her work, blushing furiously, mad at herself. She had just lost control, even though he liked her back she had still made him feel awkward.

"I love you too." She felt Cliff put his arms around her waist and rest his chin on her shoulder.

"I...I..." She was rendered speechless, Cliff was usually so quiet and shy – she hadn't expected him to do this.

"I'm taking you out after this, alright?"

She nodded slowly, still trying to register what was going on. Cliff had just asked her out.

It was five o'clock when the work was done. "Thanks again." Duke handed both Cliff and Claire a small pouch of money. "Just one thing before you go, Cliff, can I speak to you for a second?"

"Uh...okay." Cliff glanced back at Claire before following Duke inside. A few minutes later he came out, a massive grin on his face.

"What happened?" She asked, confused; she hadn't seen Cliff smile so much – ever.

"I don't have to leave anymore." He said. "Duke's letting me work here."

"That's...that's great!"

"It is." He grinned. "It really is."

"I'm so glad you don't have to go!" She hugged him tightly. "If you weren't here..."

"It's alright." He stroked her hair. "I'm not going anymore."