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miu-senpaii · 2 years ago

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Not to break Shane's heart but... the chicks turn on him. Peck at his legs. He might have washed the blood off but his children know whose blood has tainted his hands. They know he's the reason they won't see the person who hatched them and kept them fed. I'm making this way too serious

Le gasp, the plot chickens (thickens).

Don't worry anon I'm loving this you should take this seriously because Shane's fight for custody over the chicks is a serious matter 😤

It had been a week since Shane filed for divorce and, well, to put it simply, accidentally not so accidentally murdered the farmer in a fit of rage amidst a bloody battle for custody. Despite trying to start anew and leave his past behind him, the shadow of your presence always seemed to follow in his footsteps, haunting him for his sins. This was most evident in the sudden change in the behavior of the chicks. His children were becoming increasingly restless. Their affectionate snuggling and playful pecking had turned into angry chittering and aggressive nipping at his exposed legs. The chicks were resentful toward him, and no matter how hard he tried to deny it, Shane knew the reason deep down. It was the farmer. Their parent. The one who kept them warm and fed under a comfy coop. He had your blood stained on his hands, and his children could still smell it through the flowery scent of the soap he used to mask the evidence.

One day, Shane awoke to a strangely quiet morning and a peaceful night of sleep.

Too quiet.

He felt an ominous churning in his stomach as he trudged over to check the chicks he had moved to Marnie's coop. They were gone. Not a single chick was to be found in the coop. Shane's eyes darted around the coop until he spotted a tiny gap in the wiring. When did that get there, and how did he not notice it before?

Shane frantically searched around the ranch, peeking inside the bushes, digging through the haybales, and checking in Marnie's other chicken coops. He had searched everywhere yet hadn't seen a speck of yellow fluff or heard a single peep. Shane helplessly leaned against the fence, thinking about all the possible places the chicks could have escaped to and imagining all the danger they could be in at that very moment. Where would he even begin looking? His chicks were so tiny that he might as well be searching for needles in a haystack.

Then, it struck him. There was one place the chicks used to call home. One person.

Shane walked toward the direction he had gone in countless times before. A path he knew like the back of his hand. At first, he used to come with reluctance after the farmer insisted that he check on their chickens in exchange for some pizza and pepper poppers that he couldn't turn down. Then, he came with a budding warmth in his heart and a smile on his face knowing that the farmer, the first real friend he had made in Pelican Town, invited him over for a game night. Eventually, he would come holding a delicate bouquet in hand, his pulse thudding in his ears, checking his breath or wiping his sweaty hands with every step.

Now, he walked with dread, fear, and perhaps...a hint of regret.

Shane arrived on the farmer's doorsteps, looking up to the cottage he once called home. He stopped his hand from knocking on the door, such an instinctive motion as if he half expected the farmer to open it and greet him with a bright smile. He walked through the fields where the farmers' countless crops had now withered, worthless without the care of their owner. Finally, he stopped at the garden. In the center, where he had buried the farmer and made a makeshift grave, were his chicks, their chicks, huddled in a circle around the gravestone.

Shane tentatively walked towards his chicks. He called out to them, but not a single peep was uttered. They ignored him even as he tried to touch them, never shifting their eyes away from the farmer's gravestone.

The overwhelming guilt and grief he had suppressed over the past washed over him like a tidal wave, knocking him down to his feet. Shane sobbed, howled, no longer concerned if the neighbors could hear him. What had he done? He was a monster. A murderer. A filthy sinner who would forever have his spouse's blood on his hands. He had lost his temper and killed the only person who loved him, even at his lowest. The person who encouraged him to raise his chicks, his children, in the first place. He couldn't recall when he had begun loving his chicks more than them, tossing the farmer aside. He was stupid for thinking he could live and provide for his children without them. He was selfish for taking away the farmer, who had raised his chicks as much as he did, from his children.

Shane loved his chicks more than anything in the world, but...he didn't deserve to be their father. Not after the things he did.

He gazed upon his children one last time through glassy eyes and a sad smile, "It's okay. I'll get you guys in a new home, maybe with Aunt Marnie or maybe someone else, but I promise they will love you and take care of you. You won't...have to see me your disgusting, criminal father anymore."

Maybe the chicks understood him because they seemed to disperse, walking back toward the direction of Marnie's ranch on their tiny legs. Shane stayed for a while longer, staring back at the gravestone longingly.

"Farmer, I'm so sorry. I realized that I really do love you just as much, maybe even a little more than my chickens."

This started off as crack but ended up depressing I'm sorry 😭

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miu-senpaii · 2 years ago

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Depressed Chicken Man Sketch

My take on my beloved husband Shane (I’m probably never going to finish this sketch 🙃)

#sdv shane #stardew shane #stardew valley shane #stardew valley #stardew fanart #stardew valley fanart #stardew valley art #sdv fanart #sdv art #stardew art #stardew valley shane fanart #shane fanart

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miu-senpaii · 2 years ago

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Shane: I'm getting a divorce

Farmer: Yeah well, I'm taking the chicks

Farmer must have the biggest balls on the planet because that's a death wish. You know Shane would literally initiate World War III right there.

You know how Shane says he's out of shape and misses his glory days on the gridball team? Well, he won't have to miss it any longer cause all that strength and training from his high school days comes right back the moment those words leave your mouth. The tension in the air is so thick it can be sliced through with a knife as he prepares his super saiyan transformation high school sports team edition. It'll be a full-on final boss battle between billionaire farmer who is single-handedly holding up the local economy of Pelican Town vs the chicken Lorax (I speak for the chickens) with experience as a former sports team star player.

Farmer: Yeah well, I'm taking the chicks why do I suddenly hear boss music

Shane: Slowly sets Charlie down on the ground, whispering words for him to go play in the yard as to not witness the bloody crime scene that was about to take place Hold my chickens

Shane: Charges up and lunges at you full force, putting all his power into tackling you down onto the ground YOU WILL NEVER TAKE MY CHICKS MY CHILDREN. EVEN IF WE FIGHT TO THE DEATH YOU SHALL NEVER PUT YOUR GRIMY HANDS ON THEM

Farmer: Laughs sadistically as blood drips down their forehead If I'm going down...I'M TAKING THE ECONOMY DOWN WITH ME. YOU WONT EVEN HAVE THE MONEY TO FEED YOUR CHICKENS, NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM A SINGULAR GRAIN OF CHICKEN FEED MUAHAHAH

Shane: No...NO, I DON'T CARE! WE WILL FIND A WAY, USING THE POWER OF LOVE AND CHICKENS! A POWER YOU COULD NEVER POSSESS YOU DAMNED CAPITALIST

Farmer: We'll see about that Shane continues laughing as they slowly pass away

Shane stands up with his head spinning, looking at the blood on his shaking hands. He quickly walks over to the sink to rinse his hands, too ashamed to have his children, his chickens, see him in this state. He barely recognizes the man in the mirror staring back at him, a monster, a murderer. When the farmer threatened to take his chicks, he had seen red and jumped them without a second thought. He killed the farmer. His ex-spouse. Damn that’s gonna be an awkward divorce explanation. Now he truly had no one. But that’s ok, he knew he was going to make it through because he had his one true love—his chickens—by his side.

Maybe had a lil too much fun with this one

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miu-senpaii · 2 years ago

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Shane's One True Love-(Shane x Reader) Oneshot

Synopsis: Shane calls for a divorce after you insult his chicken

Notes: Totally not satire (because I 100% see Shane doing this), features cursing and mommy and daddy fighting 😔

When you walk in sweaty from a long day of working your ass off on the farm, you are greeted by the sight of your husband cuddled up on the couch with his chicken Charlie while munching on pizza rolls. I feel a pang of jealousy in your heart towards his feathered friend at being able to live your dream of snuggling up in Shane's beefy, warm arms every day. Meanwhile, you're outside getting your butt scorched by the sun with sweat uncomfortably dripping into your asscrack. Talk about unfair.

You suddenly feel the urge to ask your husband him a very life-changing question, so you walked over and sat next to him on the couch.

"Shane, would you still love me if I were a chicken?" you asked with wide, innocent eyes.

Shane slowly turns to face you with a puzzled expression, and you swear you see the chicken side-eye you.

"Aww, of course," he coos, "I would feed you the best corn every day and cuddle you just like I'm doing with Charlie."

However, you have yet to be satisfied with his answer. There has been one question you've been hesitant to ask all these years in your marriage. You trail your eyes down to the chicken in his arms. Its beady eyes stare into your soul, taunting you with the fact that you could never compete with it no matter how hard you tried. It was the one that owned Shane's heart, held him by a leash, getting your husband to heed to its every cluck.

Your hands ball into fists, and your body tremors as you ask the big question, "Shane...do you love me more than Charlie?"

Your husband instantly freezes. His eyes nervously dart around the room, looking everywhere except into your firey orbs. Cold sweat drips down his face as the seconds pass, and the tension thickens.

Finally, Shane breaks the silence with an awkward chuckle, "Haha, that's a silly question...how could I compare two things that are so different?"

You let out a warning growl through clenched teeth, "Don't play with me, Shane. Answer. The. Question."

Shane sighs, "Well, Charlie is cute, cuddly, playful, loving, amazing, extraordinary, and you are...well, you."

You leap from the couch, seething in anger as you shout, "Are you kidding me?! I work my ass off all day long to support you! What does Charlie do?! All that little shit does his poop and eat, and he gets pampered by you! How could you love a fucking bird more than me?!"

Shane looked up in a rage, pressing both hands to the sides of Charlie's tiny head, presumably to cover his ears, "Blasphemy! Charlie's mere existence is a gift from Yoba! Just looking at him fills my heart with warmth like the springtime sun! Every feather on his body, every claw is carved to perfection by the greatest sculptor! He moves with grace, each step with his tiny talons puts runway models to shame! Even his poop is shaped like perfectly round pellets resembling the heavenly spheres in the early Greek models of the universe!"

Your jaw drops, momentarily stunned at how your husband suddenly transformed into Elliot with the words that spilled out of his mouth.

Shane's chest heaves up and down as he faces you with narrowed eyes.

"You've gone too far," he pauses before uttering the words that shatter your world, "I'm getting a fucking divorce."

You stop breathing. The entire room feels like it's spinning as you barely register Shane picking up Charlie and pushing past you toward the door. You call out to him before he leaves, "Wait! Are you really throwing all of this away? Just because of this?!"

Shane turns his head to give you one last glance with those same icy, emotionless eyes you saw when you first met him. "I know how you feel now. You insulted my chickens, my blood, my life. I'll manage on my own without you, but I can't without my chickens."

The last thing you hear is the slam of the door and Charlie's happy cluck. You're left standing alone in your home, which is now eerily silent. You feel wetness run down your cheeks as you watch Shane's retreating figure, walking in the direction of the Mayor's Manor. At that moment, your heart aches, not just because of the divorce but because you knew...

Shane loved his chickens more than he had and could ever love you.

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miu-senpaii · 2 years ago

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I have the sudden urge to write a really melodramatic oneshot about Shane divorcing the farmer/reader after they insult his chicken Charlie (which is something I 100% Shane would do)

#stardew shane #stardew valley shane x reader #stardew valley shane #sdv shane #sdv shane x reader #stardew valley shane x farmer #sdv x farmer #sdv x reader

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miu-senpaii · 2 years ago

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Stick Together | Shane x depressed!Reader Oneshot

TW: Mentions of depression, suicide (it is our angsty boi we talking about), reader smokes

You've always felt like a rock floating through empty space. Despite being surrounded by people and welcomed into a caring community, you've never felt more alien and alone.

Everyone else had dreams, desires, hobbies, people to go home to, a purpose in life. Something to live for. What did you have? Nothing except misery, exhaustion, and pain. They were like comets that occasionally collided with you on their path to some faraway planet, meanwhile, you are left there falling deeper and deeper into a bottomless void.

Each day felt like dragging your feet through quicksand. With each step you took, you only sunk deeper into the pit of depression. There was a perpetual emptiness in your chest. You hated that you were drained of everything--your energy, your motivation, your happiness. Even getting up each morning has become such a chore that there are days you wish you could just rot away into the Earth.

To others, your statements seemed ludicrous. Why can't you just stop being lazy and do something? Don't we all feel sad some days? Why can't you just be happy?

You gave up on explaining. Gave up on trying to be heard. Gave up on the hope that someone someday would understand how you feel.

You built up walls around yourself. You hid your pain behind a beaming smile and outgoing personality. Despite being polar opposites on the outside, you felt like you were looking into a mirror the moment you saw Shane. You recognized the facade: his cold exterior and dismissive attitude, his blunt responses, his drinking habits, his messy appearance, and his avoidance of talking to others were all ways to shut people out. This was his defense mechanism, a wall he put up to hide his true emotions. You could sense the hurt and vulnerable man underneath his hardened expression and narrowed gaze--a feeling you understood all too well yourself.

It's funny how birds of a feather flock together. Over time, an unspoken mutual understanding formed between the two of you.

On the docks late at night, there was Shane, drowning his sorrows through piles of emptied beer cans, and you, with smoke in your breath and cigarette butts littered at your feet. Few words were exchanged, with the exception of an occasional remark or two about how life sucked, followed by a nod in agreement. Neither of you felt the need to make conversation when each other's silent company spoke more than enough. Through these late nights, a shared sentiment lingered in the air: Let's keep trying tomorrow.

Your relationship with Shane might seem strange to an onlooker, but in your own special ways, the two of you were always there for each other.

When you heard that Shane was missing, you desperately searched for him in the pouring rain, chest tightening at the thought of what Shane might have done. Your heart shattered when you found him collapsed on the ground near the cliff, his tears mixing with the rainwater. You wordlessly kneeled down on the muddy ground, holding him in your arms as you both sobbed, releasing all the agony you had kept inside for so long. It hit you like a truck when he asked why he should even go on, as that was a question you had been asking yourself all these years. You couldn't pledge that things would get better, only that you would be there to support him through whatever he was struggling with.

When Shane showed up at your door the next day after recovering in the hospital, you had thrown your arms around him, and he returned the gesture. That day, a silent vow was exchanged: No matter how bad life got, you always had each other.

Shane did end up returning the favor a few months later. The waters had tempted you with the promise of eternal sleep, freed from all the burdens and pain in your life. Before you could sink into the bottomless abyss, strong arms pulled you up to the surface. You noticed Shane's heaving breaths, his thumping heart, and his glossy eyes as he pulled you into a tight embrace. That day, there was a mutual realization that you needed one another, and needed to change for the better because of that.

It's ironic how two people without a reason to live became each other's reason.

Both of your lives changed dramatically in the following months. You joined Shane in his therapy sessions. You both agreed to help one another cut back on your unhealthy coping mechanisms. You had bought sparkling water and Joja Cola in bulk so that whenever Shane was tempted to pour himself a cold one, you replaced it with a non-alcoholic beverage. Meanwhile, when you found yourself itching for a smoke, Shane would take away your cigarette and pop a lollipop into your mouth. As a plus, your kisses also tasted a lot sweeter when there was no longer the stink of cigarettes in your mouth.

You had both grown to be much happier. Shane found his calling raising chickens, which was something you found quite cute. On the other hand, you had found fulfillment working on your farm and even began to enjoy your old hobbies again.

Neither of you was perfect by any means. There were still days when you felt like you were sinking in quicksand, sometimes only down to the ankles and other times all the way up to your neck. Except, now you were no longer traversing through it alone. With Shane by your side, you were confident that he be there to pull you up as would you for him. Together, you would keep pushing forward in hopes for a better tomorrow.

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miu-senpaii · 2 years ago

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Late Bloomer | Shane x reader- Chapter 1: Life is a Series of Paths

Life.

You absentmindedly pondered about life as you watched the scenery outside the window change from a familiar dull, gray blur into green pastures and clear skies. The road ahead seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon, and the low hum of the bus tires rolling across the pavement brought you a rare moment of serenity.

What is life? What is the purpose of life? Is there even a point in trying to find a purpose?

Sometimes, you like to picture life as a series of paths and forks in a giant forest. The foliage seems to block your view of what lies ahead on each path. Thus, you can only blindly push forward and never look back. Some roads are harder to traverse than others; you might have to climb over rocky slopes, cut through vines, or pass through poison ivy. At times like these, some may choose to lie down in a clearing and stay there forever. After all, all the paths lead to the same destination...death, do they not? Why even try? Why does it matter if you never progress, if you miss out on the beautiful scenery that lies ahead on certain roads?

Your thoughts were interrupted when the bus slowed to a halt, and the doors opened with a slight creak. You hear the bus driver call to you, "Miss, you've arrived at Stardew Valley." You take a deep breath as you get up, grazing your hand over your pocket to check that your grandfather's letter is still securely tucked away. As you take your first steps into a new chapter of your life, you remind yourself that life is a series of paths, and you hope the path you chose is the right one this time.

When you step out of the bus, the first thing that hits you is the freshness of the air. It takes a moment for your lungs to adjust to consuming this much oxygen in each breath, a feeling entirely foreign to you due to spending most of your life in the city breathing in all the fumes and pollution. Next, you take in your surroundings. You see more shades of green around you than you've ever seen in your entire life. The trees stand tall and strong, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The fragrance of flowers and grass fills your nose, and for the first time, you learn what the phrase "spring is in the air" truly means. Above, birds soar freely through the brilliant blue sky, and big, puffy clouds--real clouds, not ones coming from factories--float by idly. The entire scenery around you takes your breath away. It feels straight out of those paintings of perfect green pastures and blue, blue skies you would make as a kid.

While you admired the view with wide eyes like an excited child, you noticed a red-haired woman approaching you. You regain your composure and muster an awkward smile as the woman greets you, "Hello! You must be Y/N."

"I'm Robin, the local carpenter," she continued with a kind smile, "Mayor Lewis sent me here to fetch you and show you the way to your new home. He's there right now, tidying things up for your arrival. The farm's right over here if you'll follow me."

She beckons for you to follow her, and you trail behind, listening to your soles crunching on small pebbles littered across the dirt path. You start to feel nervous doubts crawl into your mind. Were you even suited for farming when you had spent most of your days sitting at a desk for more than 8 hours a day slaving away for Joja Corporation? You couldn't even recall the last time you were able to properly work out or take care of your body since your soul was getting sucked out daily by Joja Corp and...him.

You shake your head in an attempt to suppress your bad memories. You decided to come here for a fresh start, something your beloved grandfather would've wanted you to do, and you couldn't give up just yet without trying for him.

After what feels like an eternity, Robin stops in her tracks and turns to face you, "This is Sunnyside farm."

Your negative thoughts resurface as soon as you lay eyes on the state of your grandfather's farm. Well, your farm now and sunny is certainly not one of the adjectives you would use to describe it. Your mouth visibly drops open in shock as you see the overgrown weeds in the yard, the twigs littered everywhere, and the generally poor state of the farm that looked like it had been abandoned for years--which was likely the reality. At that moment, you started wondering if it was too late to turn around and buy a ticket for the next bus back to Zuzu City and beg the devils overseeing Joja to take you back.

Your distress seemed evident to the woman standing beside you as Robin shoots you a concerned look, "What's the matter?"

You're still too shocked to answer, and Robin tries to reassure you with an optimistic expression, "Sure, it's a bit overgrown, but there's some good soil underneath that mess! With a little dedication, you'll have it cleaned up in no time."

"Of course...haha," you nod slowly, trying to convince yourself with your words.

Just then, a neatly dressed old man walks out of the cottage. He gives you a crinkly-eyed smile upon seeing your face and introduces himself, "Welcome, you must be the new farmer! I'm Lewis, mayor of Pelican Town."

You instinctively give a polite nod in greeting, not wanting to make a poor first impression on the mayor. Lewis studies you for a moment before continuing his speech with a chuckle, "You know, everyone's been asking about you. It's not every day that someone moves in. It's quite a big deal!"

You try to muster up as big of a smile as you can at the statement. Truthfully, the idea of being the center of attention has always made you quite uncomfortable. After all, it's way easier for your every mistake and flaw to be noticed when you're put under the spotlight. You were hoping that it would be easier to avoid other people in a smaller town, but you guessed you were wrong.

Thankfully, the mayor seems to change the topic, "So...you're moving into your grandfather's old cottage. It's a good house...very 'rustic.'"

Next to you, Robin lets out an amused laugh and voices out your exact thoughts, "Rustic? That's one way to put it...'crusty' might be a little more apt, though."

Lewis snaps his head around to face her with an offended expression, "Rude!"

Robin doesn't seem to mind as she giggles in response.

"Don't listen to her, Y/N. She's just trying to make you dissatisfied so you can buy one of her house upgrades," the mayor huffed.

The carpenter's eyes go wide for a moment before she turns her head away with a visible pout on her face and her arms crossed around her chest.

You look back and forth at their banter in awe. It was amazing how naturally they conversed and joked with one another, completely setting aside their differences in age and status. Back in the city, you hardly knew the neighbor you had lived next to for years in such close proximity. Everyone mindlessly went about their days, struggling to keep up with the corporate rat race. You guess this is what your grandpa meant by making connections with people in his letter.

Your train of thought was interrupted as the mayor turned his attention back to you, "Anyway...you must be tired from the long journey. You should get some rest. Tomorrow you ought to explore the town a bit and introduce yourself. The townspeople would appreciate that."

You feel relieved that he brought that to your attention, as you just notice how sore your legs are from all the walking. You sighed internally. You were tired and hadn't even begun a day of farm work yet.

You bid Robin and Lewis goodbye and enter the cottage. Surprisingly, the interior is pretty well-kept and as cozy as you remember from your childhood memories of visiting the farm. The house had only one room, but you didn't mind. It was similar to the one-room apartments you lived in except a whole lot cheaper. The room had only the essentials: a bed, a fireplace, a table, a drawer, a TV, and...a fake potted plant in the corner.

You settle in and unpack what little things you brought with you in your backpack. After you finish, you sprawl out across the bed and stare at the ceiling.

The faint, musky scent of wood in the room causes you to reminisce about the time you spent with your grandfather, one of the few joyful memories you have from childhood. Despite how others treated you, your grandfather was the only one who never expected anything of you and loved you unconditionally. He would pull you away during the summers to escape from the constant studying you were forced to do at home and just let you be a kid for once. As you grew up, you were pushed further and further away from him, being told that you had to focus on your "future" and couldn't waste your time on something as unproductive as seeing your dying grandfather. You were devastated when he passed away. You had lost the one true light in your life, and you regret never getting the chance to keep him company in his last moments and return the love he had so selflessly gifted you.

Nevertheless, he left his farm, his life, in your hands, and you wouldn't let him down.

Before you get ahead of yourself, you need to rest. Tomorrow, you plan to wake up early to remove all the weeds in the yard and plow the soil. Then, you would go into town to buy some seeds and possibly introduce yourself to some residents. With your game plan in mind, you shut your eyes and start counting sheep.

One sheep, two sheep, three sheep...

...

...nine hundred thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine sheep

You pry open your eyes in frustration, the faintest hues of purple already appearing in the sky outside your window. Maybe you were so used to your f*cked-up sleep schedule that it has become physically impossible to fall asleep earlier than 2 a.m. You've tried every possible sleeping position by now and know there's only one solution to your sleepless night...

...alcohol.

You wouldn't consider yourself an alcoholic by any means. As a Joja Corp slave, it was reasonable enough to get a drink or two every time you were overworked and exhausted...which was basically every day. Okay, maybe you're not making a very good case for yourself here.

You trudge over to your drawer and throw on a black jacket with your favorite band back in high school printed on the back. One thing you know for sure is that no matter where you go, there's got to be some alcohol somewhere, and this town is no exception. You aren't sure if you have mentally prepared yourself to socialize with anyone in this town yet, but hey, since you winged this whole farming thing, you're sure you can wing that too.

You are met with the warm night air outside when you leave the cottage. You rarely get a chance to take night strolls like this in the city, so you take your time to admire the view of the stars that were usually blocked by light pollution. In the silence of the night, you can hear the chirping chorus of cicadas, small critters rustling in the bushes, and your own steady footsteps crunching on the ground. You're starting to see the appeal of farm life, how it allows you to slow down and really appreciate the small things around you in contrast to the constant hustle and bustle of the big city.

You wander around the town for a bit, searching for a place that sells alcohol before you hear lively chatter coming from a certain direction. You walk towards it and find yourself face to face with a giant sign reading "Stardrop Saloon" hanging in front of a brick building. Perfect.

As you enter the saloon, the chatter dies down a bit as you become hyper-aware of people's eyes on you. You know it's just harmless curiosity at a new face in town, but you feel your palms becoming sweaty and your pulse rising nonetheless. You quicken your footsteps to reach the bar across the room, avoiding eye contact by staring down at your shoes.

You approach the bar and notice a girl with short, bright blue hair (that reminds you of one of those K-pop boy band members) working behind the counter. When she sees you, she flashes you a bright smile and walks over to you.

"Hey, it's good to see you! You must be the new farmer, right? I'm Emily, I work here as a bartender at the Stardrop Saloon. What can I get for you?"

Right away, you could see that she was one of those genuinely friendly and positive people. You know that you should have more of those people in your life, but it still feels a bit overwhelming at times to face someone with a beaming smile when you yourself were so much more withdrawn and awkward at times. It only reminds you of your shortcomings, and perhaps this way of thinking is a reflection of your parents' influence on you.

"It's nice to meet you Emily, I'm Y/N. I just moved here but you know that already..." you stumbled awkwardly, realizing that you were a lot more socially inept than you previously imagined. To prevent any further embarrassment, you had to cut your introduction short.

"Uh...and could I have a beer, please?" you smiled sheepishly.

"Drinking on the first day, huh?" the bartender asks while cracking a teasing smile.

You feel your face grow hot, and before you can formulate a coherent explanation, Emily lets out a soft laugh and pats your shoulder in reassurance, "I'm just joking. I won't judge, don't worry."

You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding as you watched her return to work. You let your eyes wander around the saloon to take mental notes of all the people here that you would most likely have to meet someday.

You recognize your bus driver, an older lady with curly auburn hair, drinking the night away on the other side of the bar.

Behind the counter, there is a man with a fairly large mustache chatting with the other customers, who you assume to be the owner of the establishment.

You spot an interesting trio of teenagers playing pool in the other room. On one end of the pool table, you see a kid with raven hair styled into an emo shag while adorning black from head to toe, reminding you of your high school days. The dark-haired kid keeps calm and cool, lining up the cue stick with sharp precision and never betraying a single emotion on his face throughout the game. On the other end is a blonde kid with his hair sticking up so straight it makes you wonder how many pounds of hair gel he uses when getting ready in the morning. Unlike his emo counterpart, he freely expresses whatever he is feeling, whining with every loss and pumping his fists in excitement whenever he sees a chance to beat his opponent. On the couch, a girl with long purple hair observes their game with an amused grin. All three of them look like they could be members of some kind of rock band, and you wonder if you could bond with them using what little knowledge you have left of the alternative rock bands you were crazy about in high school. The girl's eyes eventually trail over to yours, meeting your gaze with slightly furrowed brows as if asking, "what are you looking at?" and you immediately snap your head the other way.

You internally scold yourself for staring too long, probably seeming like a creep. Thankfully, Emily unknowingly saves you by handing you your beer. You take a shot and feel the warm, bitter liquid pouring down your throat. It takes a few more sips to feel a slight buzz course through your bloodstream.

As the night grows on, the saloon grows livelier, with more unfamiliar people pouring through the door. You had already met a few of the townspeople that came up to you tonight. There was a man named Clint who introduced himself as the town blacksmith, but you did notice that he was a bit distracted throughout your conversation as he kept stealing glances at the blue-haired bartender. Next, there was Pierre, the general store owner who offered to do business with you by purchasing your crops in exchange for buying his seeds. Robin had approached you accompanied by a man you assumed to be her husband. Finally, a beautiful woman named Leah tried to initiate small talk by asking why you decided to become a farmer. You gave a vague response of wanting some change in your life since you didn't quite know the reason yourself, but the woman seemed satisfied with your answer.

By the end, you had to admit that your social battery was draining out. Sitting in the middle of the bar, you start to feel overwhelmed as more patrons crowd around you, chatting away. Your eyes dart around the room, desperately in search of a quieter corner to continue your drinking.

That's when you spot him. Leaning up against the wall next to the fireplace is a man with side-swept purple hair and a bit of stubble on his chin. He has a short and burly stature and seems to be at least in his late twenties. His appearance is messy and unkept, likely due to exhaustion, as evident by the dark circles under his eyes. He wears a neon green and white jersey that you recognize as the Zuzu City Tunnelers uniform with a wrinkly, blue jacket on top that nearly makes you gag when you catch a glimpse of the ugly Joja logo plastered on it. Unlike the other residents of Pelican Town, he gives off a glum and unapproachable aura. Strangely, you feel drawn to the mysterious man and his dark nature, maybe because he reminds you of how you used to be.

You slowly approach him, and he meets your gaze with piercing, dark eyes that send a shiver down your spine. You hesitantly stand next to him and open your mouth to speak, "Hey, do you mind if I stand here? This area feels quieter..."

The man doesn't acknowledge your question and merely continues sipping his beer.

After a few moments of awkward silence and beer sipping, you work up the courage to introduce yourself to the man.

"Hey, I'm Y/N. I just moved into Pelican Town today. What's your na--"

The man bluntly cuts you off before you can even finish your sentence with a harsh voice, "I don't know you. Why are you even talking to me? Just f*ck off."

You look up in shock to see the man glaring at you with a deep scowl.

You know that look well. A look of disgust, disdain, and disappointment like they were looking at some pest crawling up their leg. A look that suddenly makes you feel so small and worthless, reminding you that you are nothing more than an insect to be crushed at people's feet.

You feel a familiar sensation creep up your spine, your body growing hot yet simultaneously breaking out in cold sweat. A wave of nausea washes over you, your stomach twists in fear, tears prickle at the corner of your eyes, breathing starts feeling more difficult, the hands you balled into fists start shaking uncontrollably, and a string of apologies are barely being held back at the tip of your tongue.

"No matter how hard you try, you'll never change," spat the voice inside your head, "you're too weak, scared, and worthless to take control of your life."

"A doormat. That's all you were and all you will be. A doormat for people to step all over, wipe all their dirt and grime on."

Growing up, you were frequently called too nice by your peers, the perfectly obedient daughter by your relatives, the perfectly compliant worker by your boss, and the perfectly submissive partner by your ex. The truth is you were a doormat, a coward. Someone too scared to say no. Too scared to let people down. Too scared to take control of your life, to choose your own happiness.

You've barely made a single decision of your own in all your years of living. First, you were controlled by your parents, then your boss, then your ex. Working hard to become a programmer was never your choice, giving up all your free time to work overtime at Joja was never your choice, and moving in with your ex just to be his personal maid while he went out partying was never your choice. Packing everything up to leave your life in the city was one of your first real instances of autonomy.

No, no, no. You were supposed to leave behind everything you despised, including the person you used to be. This was supposed to be a fresh start, but you feel your old self and your past trauma threatening to swallow you whole again.

You think about your grandfather. What he would've wanted you to do in this moment. He would've told you to stand your ground like the strong girl he knows you are.

You take a deep breath and face the man's glare head-on with defiance in your eyes. Your whole body shakes as you speak the words you have been waiting to say all these years.

"You don't get to speak to me like that," you say, voice steadily growing louder, "I was just introducing myself out of politeness. It's not like I'm thrilled to talk to you either. Even if you don't feel like talking, there's no need to be an a$$ about it."

The conversations around you die down as people turn their attention to the obvious air of tension between the two of you. An indiscernible emotion flickers across his eyes before the man trudges out of the saloon with a grunt.

Your shoulders relax, and you let out a sigh of relief. The relief you feel is short-lived, though, as it quickly turns into embarrassment after noticing all the eyes on you. You internally curse yourself for making a fool of yourself on your first day.

You feel a gentle hand on your shoulder, and you turn to see Emily offering you a soft smile.

"Sorry about that, that's Shane. He usually doesn't like to be bothered by anyone, so it's nothing personal," she gives you a thumbs up, "That was brave of you, though. I think it was something he needed to hear."

You finish your beer and pay the tab, quickly leaving the saloon. On your walk home, you try to sort out the mixed emotions in your chest. On one hand, you feel a bit shameful for causing a scene and killing the mood. On the other hand, you feel a tiny bit proud of yourself for not succumbing to your old habits.

"I did it, gramps," you whisper, gazing up at the twinkling night sky with a smile.

You had just taken a step closer to winning the battle against yourself.

A/N: Hello! I've been absolutely obsessed with Shane as of recent (I love my depressed chicken boi), so I decided to get off my butt and write fanfiction for once in my life. The reader is based off of some of my own traits and struggles in life. I hope she can resonate with some of you, and sorry to others anyone who doesn't like her character, she's less of an optimist and more on the gloomy side like Shane. I hope you all enjoy the story. Writing used to be one of my dreams, and it means a lot to me! :)

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