fic: Chickens Big and Little
Feb. 22nd, 2022 11:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bonnefoisTitle: Chickens Big and Little
Series: Stardew Valley
Character/pairing: Shane/farmer
Rating: PG
Word count: 1,778
Summary: She surprises Shane with a gift for his birthday.
Author's note:
Shane's self-loathing and thoughts about addiction/mental health are depiction and not endorsement.
I couldn't pick a name, so just assume this farmer has your preferred farmer's name. I used default farmer female for her looks.
The part where Shane mentions wanting to raise chickens is canon, actually. You get it after Jojamart has closed, but you haven't married Shane: “If I could reset my life maybe I'd start a chicken farm. Only free-range eggs of course.”
Happy Twosday, have some chickens.
Shane had barely woken up, gotten some coffee in him and made them both eggs before she embraced him from behind and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Her long brown ponytail tickled his cheek as she leaned in.
What a way to spend the morning. Her cuvy body against him, and more kisses surely to come. They always did with her around.
"You're in a good mood today," Shane said.
"Of course I am. It's your birthday."
"Oh, yeah," Shane said. He grimaced.
Another year older. It used to really bug him. He'd long lost the point where birthdays were anything but a bother. First, he didn't want anything, and what he did want, he couldn't have back. No magical birthday wish would bring back those years he lost, nor Ronnie and Renee back to be parents for Jas, and his friends again. He'd never get to play Gridball again, or undo the ACL injury which made even walking difficult at times, let alone running.
Plus, it was a reminder that his body fell apart a little more each year. It wasn't like he took care of the damn thing real good. He got shitfaced every night, until he'd only stumble home and pass out in bed and hope he blacked out and forgot everything. He mostly ate a diet of microwaved pizza and pepper poppers and chips in front of the television.
Still, his wife loved the holidays, and he loved her. So he'd let her do whatever he wanted.
(Within reason. No way he was wearing a party hat and letting people sing the 'Happy Birthday' song to him.)
She bought Pierre's decorations out completely every year. Every winter the entire farm would be covered with candy cane decorations. She'd haul that massive tree out that practically took a whole room on its own, put up red banners with poinsettias and fir garlands everywhere. Their house would smell like pine until at least the first week of Spring.
When Fall came, she'd bring out enough pumpkins and scarecrows to make a Spirit's Night Eve maze of her own.
And Feast of the Winter Star? She kept a notebook full of ideas to make sure she was ready. So by the time she got that letter from Mayor Lewis, she'd be able to grab exactly what she needed.
So, of course she got into birthdays. She always remembered everyone in town, which was pretty amazing. Shane barely managed to remember Marnie's and Jas's, and only them. Because he'd be a real shit godparent if he forgot his goddaughter's birthday.
She reached around him and put her hands over his eyes. It has to be a surprise.
"It'll be a real surprise when I trip and have to go to Harvey," Shane said.
"Don't worry, I've got you."
He snorted, but kept walking.
The whole day Robin had been putting up some new buildings. Shane let his wife take care of all that stuff.
She was the one with the money, the drive, the farm. He was just along for the ride, and because somehow, despite it all, she had fallen in love with him.
Which made him sound like some male housewife, come to think of it. Househusband? Something like that.
She helped guide him closer and closer to whatever she had planned. A surprise party? That might not be such a good idea. There was always alcohol at these places. Shane hadn't always been the best at sticking to his resolve, but he tried. He really did.
He heard clucking and moos and knew she'd led him towards the barn. He tried to think what on earth she could've hidden as a birthday present out there?
"Tada!"
"A new coop?"
She smiled big, like she could barely keep the mirth in.
The building was fairly large, and hay was scattered across the floor. It'd been set up with feeding troughs and perches for the hens to all roost in.
And, of course, it came with chickens as well. In fact, there were chickens like he'd never even seen before.
First one was very small. Like some kind of mini-chicken, with red and black plumage. Next to it was a chicken that looked like a very elegant old lady with a puffy fluffy hat wearing big fluffy slippers.
"This is a Rhode Island Red Bantam, a lot of people call them 'Banties'."
"Rhymes with 'panties,'" Shane said.
"This one's called a Chocolate Orphington."
"Sounds like some Baron who invented chocolate," Shane said.
"This one's a Silkie."
One had very bold designs on its feathers, like stained glass in black and white.
"That's a Sebright."
"It's pretty bright," Shane said.
Another was quite a bit larger than the rest, with white and black feathers. It was very fluffy, like it was wearing fluffy boots.
"And that's a Brahma."
And one looked like it had on a very eccentric puffy hat on its head. Its feathers were ruddy and fluffy.
"That's a Polish chicken. Sometimes people call them 'tophats.'"
"I can see why," Shane said.
"And they're all yours!" she said finally, with flourish.
"Though I've got an autofeeder set up, so you don't have to worry about that. Just come in and spend some time with them when you're free."
Shane had to smile at that. Because come on. Most of the time his 'busy schedule' was going to go get supplies from Pierre's, then heading home to watch the Gridball game, play with his kids, his chickens, and kiss his wife.
(Knowing her, 'kiss his wife' would be checked off several times. She'd come in sweaty from work and want a kiss or two before she ran back out to finish watering. It was a new feeling, having someone who was such a workaholic as her not be able to keep to her farmwork because she had to come in for a kiss or two every few hours.)
He helped with the fences sometimes, but she'd automated the farm so much there wasn't much for him to do. The animals all were done with autofeeders, the sprinklers took care of the watering. He'd tried to make breakfast more as a way to give back.
Though his cooking left something to be desired. If it wasn't microwaveable, or involved putting cereal and milk in a bowl, the most he could make was a few simple egg dishes.
"I thought you--and Charlie--could use some friends," she said.
"I didn't even know they made chickens like this," Shane said.
"Oh, there's lots of types of chickens. I could build you whole empire of chickens."
"A floating empire of chickens. Sounds like a television show."
She laughed. "You might be onto something there."
"Not that I'm not grateful, but are you sure you have the money for that?"
She smiled. "Dear, the Ancient Fruit crop came in. I could buy the entire village if I wanted and still have a ton left over with this haul alone."
"Well, good to know you're doing well at this farming thing," Shane said.
He bent down. The chickens eyed him. Several came closer.
"I put them in incubator and raised them from chicks so they'd be more tame than most bought chickens," she said casually.
"That must've taken weeks."
"Whole seasons, actually. But who's counting?"
Here she'd had out planned for his birthday whole seasons ahead.
"You really have a knack for this."
"I like making people happy," she said.
"Well, you sure make me happy. It's pretty amazing how you keep topping yourself when it comes to gifts. I'll have to work extra hard to get you something this year."
Shane smiled faintly.
"You know, I thought maybe I'd try a new dream. Raising chickens...now you've made that a reality, too."
"You mentioned that before. That's why I started you some new breeds for your flock," she said.
"Really? You had this plan for so long?"
"Of course I did. Oh, by the way, Jas will be here soon. So no coop smooches for now. Or at least, no rolls in the hay until she's gone."
Knowing Jas, it might be some clay from the ground, or an egg which she picked from Marnie's. Marnie would probably bring hay.
Shane laughed softly. "Good to have that warning, or I just might have kissed you here."
"One kiss should be fine."
He leaned in, and felt the warmth of her lips. He pulled her close. There was that time when she was pregnant and he was still carrying beer weight, so kissing took a lot of leaning in, and their tummies would touch.
One kiss always led to two, then three... she pulled back and giggled.
"Not too many...at least until Jas and the kids are put to bed. Oh, and Jas will have new friends to meet."
Jas always loved the animals. She came over almost every single day to play in the barns. Shane hung around, usually with a kid in hand to make sure she didn't get hurt.
Of course, the farm animals here were super tame. No wonder as his wife went out and petted them and told them how cute they were at least once a day. If she wasn't so busy, she'd probably spend most of the day petting cows, then running in to give him a kiss.
"You know, I used to really not look forward to my birthday at all. Just bad memories. But, you're kind of making me look forward to it. Because it means it's another day spent with you."
"Only kind of? Next time I'll have to bring more chickens," she said.
They laughed together. Charlie had friends now, and he had whole new chicken breeds to enjoy.
"It's a bit of a corny gift, but I like it," he said.
"Man, I can't believe how little it took before you were telling dad jokes," she said.
"The dad jokes come for us all, apparently," Shane said. "Not even I can resist it."
"The truth is, this might just be the best birthday of my life."
"I'll just have to work even harder to make next year even better."
"We're going to have to build a lot more barns, huh?" Shane said.
"Oh, are chickens on the wish list for every single birthday until you're eighty, now?"
"It's me. I'm always up for more chickens," Shane said.
"You better not be joking, because I'll go and build those barns just for you," she said.
"Bring it."
All around him, the new friends clucked around. Charlie looked happy to have all these new friends.
And he raised his glass, well can. Joja cola, of course. To many more days spent with her, and many more happy birthdays.
He knew with her around, they'd all be great.
Series: Stardew Valley
Character/pairing: Shane/farmer
Rating: PG
Word count: 1,778
Summary: She surprises Shane with a gift for his birthday.
Author's note:
Shane's self-loathing and thoughts about addiction/mental health are depiction and not endorsement.
I couldn't pick a name, so just assume this farmer has your preferred farmer's name. I used default farmer female for her looks.
The part where Shane mentions wanting to raise chickens is canon, actually. You get it after Jojamart has closed, but you haven't married Shane: “If I could reset my life maybe I'd start a chicken farm. Only free-range eggs of course.”
Happy Twosday, have some chickens.
Shane had barely woken up, gotten some coffee in him and made them both eggs before she embraced him from behind and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Her long brown ponytail tickled his cheek as she leaned in.
What a way to spend the morning. Her cuvy body against him, and more kisses surely to come. They always did with her around.
"You're in a good mood today," Shane said.
"Of course I am. It's your birthday."
"Oh, yeah," Shane said. He grimaced.
Another year older. It used to really bug him. He'd long lost the point where birthdays were anything but a bother. First, he didn't want anything, and what he did want, he couldn't have back. No magical birthday wish would bring back those years he lost, nor Ronnie and Renee back to be parents for Jas, and his friends again. He'd never get to play Gridball again, or undo the ACL injury which made even walking difficult at times, let alone running.
Plus, it was a reminder that his body fell apart a little more each year. It wasn't like he took care of the damn thing real good. He got shitfaced every night, until he'd only stumble home and pass out in bed and hope he blacked out and forgot everything. He mostly ate a diet of microwaved pizza and pepper poppers and chips in front of the television.
Still, his wife loved the holidays, and he loved her. So he'd let her do whatever he wanted.
(Within reason. No way he was wearing a party hat and letting people sing the 'Happy Birthday' song to him.)
She bought Pierre's decorations out completely every year. Every winter the entire farm would be covered with candy cane decorations. She'd haul that massive tree out that practically took a whole room on its own, put up red banners with poinsettias and fir garlands everywhere. Their house would smell like pine until at least the first week of Spring.
When Fall came, she'd bring out enough pumpkins and scarecrows to make a Spirit's Night Eve maze of her own.
And Feast of the Winter Star? She kept a notebook full of ideas to make sure she was ready. So by the time she got that letter from Mayor Lewis, she'd be able to grab exactly what she needed.
So, of course she got into birthdays. She always remembered everyone in town, which was pretty amazing. Shane barely managed to remember Marnie's and Jas's, and only them. Because he'd be a real shit godparent if he forgot his goddaughter's birthday.
She reached around him and put her hands over his eyes. It has to be a surprise.
"It'll be a real surprise when I trip and have to go to Harvey," Shane said.
"Don't worry, I've got you."
He snorted, but kept walking.
The whole day Robin had been putting up some new buildings. Shane let his wife take care of all that stuff.
She was the one with the money, the drive, the farm. He was just along for the ride, and because somehow, despite it all, she had fallen in love with him.
Which made him sound like some male housewife, come to think of it. Househusband? Something like that.
She helped guide him closer and closer to whatever she had planned. A surprise party? That might not be such a good idea. There was always alcohol at these places. Shane hadn't always been the best at sticking to his resolve, but he tried. He really did.
He heard clucking and moos and knew she'd led him towards the barn. He tried to think what on earth she could've hidden as a birthday present out there?
"Tada!"
"A new coop?"
She smiled big, like she could barely keep the mirth in.
The building was fairly large, and hay was scattered across the floor. It'd been set up with feeding troughs and perches for the hens to all roost in.
And, of course, it came with chickens as well. In fact, there were chickens like he'd never even seen before.
First one was very small. Like some kind of mini-chicken, with red and black plumage. Next to it was a chicken that looked like a very elegant old lady with a puffy fluffy hat wearing big fluffy slippers.
"This is a Rhode Island Red Bantam, a lot of people call them 'Banties'."
"Rhymes with 'panties,'" Shane said.
"This one's called a Chocolate Orphington."
"Sounds like some Baron who invented chocolate," Shane said.
"This one's a Silkie."
One had very bold designs on its feathers, like stained glass in black and white.
"That's a Sebright."
"It's pretty bright," Shane said.
Another was quite a bit larger than the rest, with white and black feathers. It was very fluffy, like it was wearing fluffy boots.
"And that's a Brahma."
And one looked like it had on a very eccentric puffy hat on its head. Its feathers were ruddy and fluffy.
"That's a Polish chicken. Sometimes people call them 'tophats.'"
"I can see why," Shane said.
"And they're all yours!" she said finally, with flourish.
"Though I've got an autofeeder set up, so you don't have to worry about that. Just come in and spend some time with them when you're free."
Shane had to smile at that. Because come on. Most of the time his 'busy schedule' was going to go get supplies from Pierre's, then heading home to watch the Gridball game, play with his kids, his chickens, and kiss his wife.
(Knowing her, 'kiss his wife' would be checked off several times. She'd come in sweaty from work and want a kiss or two before she ran back out to finish watering. It was a new feeling, having someone who was such a workaholic as her not be able to keep to her farmwork because she had to come in for a kiss or two every few hours.)
He helped with the fences sometimes, but she'd automated the farm so much there wasn't much for him to do. The animals all were done with autofeeders, the sprinklers took care of the watering. He'd tried to make breakfast more as a way to give back.
Though his cooking left something to be desired. If it wasn't microwaveable, or involved putting cereal and milk in a bowl, the most he could make was a few simple egg dishes.
"I thought you--and Charlie--could use some friends," she said.
"I didn't even know they made chickens like this," Shane said.
"Oh, there's lots of types of chickens. I could build you whole empire of chickens."
"A floating empire of chickens. Sounds like a television show."
She laughed. "You might be onto something there."
"Not that I'm not grateful, but are you sure you have the money for that?"
She smiled. "Dear, the Ancient Fruit crop came in. I could buy the entire village if I wanted and still have a ton left over with this haul alone."
"Well, good to know you're doing well at this farming thing," Shane said.
He bent down. The chickens eyed him. Several came closer.
"I put them in incubator and raised them from chicks so they'd be more tame than most bought chickens," she said casually.
"That must've taken weeks."
"Whole seasons, actually. But who's counting?"
Here she'd had out planned for his birthday whole seasons ahead.
"You really have a knack for this."
"I like making people happy," she said.
"Well, you sure make me happy. It's pretty amazing how you keep topping yourself when it comes to gifts. I'll have to work extra hard to get you something this year."
Shane smiled faintly.
"You know, I thought maybe I'd try a new dream. Raising chickens...now you've made that a reality, too."
"You mentioned that before. That's why I started you some new breeds for your flock," she said.
"Really? You had this plan for so long?"
"Of course I did. Oh, by the way, Jas will be here soon. So no coop smooches for now. Or at least, no rolls in the hay until she's gone."
Knowing Jas, it might be some clay from the ground, or an egg which she picked from Marnie's. Marnie would probably bring hay.
Shane laughed softly. "Good to have that warning, or I just might have kissed you here."
"One kiss should be fine."
He leaned in, and felt the warmth of her lips. He pulled her close. There was that time when she was pregnant and he was still carrying beer weight, so kissing took a lot of leaning in, and their tummies would touch.
One kiss always led to two, then three... she pulled back and giggled.
"Not too many...at least until Jas and the kids are put to bed. Oh, and Jas will have new friends to meet."
Jas always loved the animals. She came over almost every single day to play in the barns. Shane hung around, usually with a kid in hand to make sure she didn't get hurt.
Of course, the farm animals here were super tame. No wonder as his wife went out and petted them and told them how cute they were at least once a day. If she wasn't so busy, she'd probably spend most of the day petting cows, then running in to give him a kiss.
"You know, I used to really not look forward to my birthday at all. Just bad memories. But, you're kind of making me look forward to it. Because it means it's another day spent with you."
"Only kind of? Next time I'll have to bring more chickens," she said.
They laughed together. Charlie had friends now, and he had whole new chicken breeds to enjoy.
"It's a bit of a corny gift, but I like it," he said.
"Man, I can't believe how little it took before you were telling dad jokes," she said.
"The dad jokes come for us all, apparently," Shane said. "Not even I can resist it."
"The truth is, this might just be the best birthday of my life."
"I'll just have to work even harder to make next year even better."
"We're going to have to build a lot more barns, huh?" Shane said.
"Oh, are chickens on the wish list for every single birthday until you're eighty, now?"
"It's me. I'm always up for more chickens," Shane said.
"You better not be joking, because I'll go and build those barns just for you," she said.
"Bring it."
All around him, the new friends clucked around. Charlie looked happy to have all these new friends.
And he raised his glass, well can. Joja cola, of course. To many more days spent with her, and many more happy birthdays.
He knew with her around, they'd all be great.
