Mike Needs A Firm Hand To Ground Him And Harvey Needs Someone To Care For, Devote Himself To— Keeping

Mike needs a firm hand to ground him and Harvey needs someone to care for, devote himself to— keeping him tethered to the earth.

The Holidays and The Lonely Farmer

Part One

Next: Part Two

When the Farmer has been radio silent all Winter, Shane grows concerned and goes to the Farm to check on them.

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AO3 : https://archiveofourown.org/works/52672798/chapters/133234471

Tags :

Gender Neutral Player (Stardew Valley) - Player Referred to as 'The Farmer' - Age Regression/De-Aging - Non-Sexual Age Play - Shane is Bad at Feelings (Stardew Valley) - Recovered/Recovering Shane (Stardew Valley) - sfw age regression - Age Regressor Farmer/Player - Shane Gets Therapy (Stardew Valley) - Soft Shane (Stardew Valley)

Also my first work :) Any Advice is appreciated

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The Farmer had arrived in Stardew Valley on the First of Spring three years ago and had become an integral part of the community. Throwing themselves wholeheartedly into every event, becoming close with all of the townsfolk (even those not so pleasant) and even fixed up the community centre. Something Mayor Lewis seemingly didn’t even attempt before the Farmer's heart of gold and go-lucky attitude.

Shane despite his stony exterior and general attitude had developed a soft spot for the farmer. Shane had been a mess for years but when things truly began to spiral out of control the Farmer was there to help him pick up the pieces, something he would forever be grateful for. When the Community Centre re-opened and Shane lost his job with Joja the Farmer helped him pick up an evening job in the Saloon, they helped him get sober and there’s not much else to do in the valley anyway and if he’s not gonna drink he might as well make some cash from it. The Farmer has become somewhat of a constant in Shane's life, not only his but Jas and Marnie’s also, frequenting the Ranch to give gifts to Jas and discuss the Farm with Marnie.

On the Farmer's third Winter in the Valley, they had gone silent. Nobody had seen or heard from them for the first week of Winter. When Shane brought it up in the Saloon Gus and the others brushed it off. “There’s not much work for a Farmer in Winter, they deserve the break anyway.” Still, unease sat in the pit of Shane's stomach.

Missing the Festival of Ice was something the Farmer hadn’t done before, but again was brushed off. “Well, the shine of all these events has to wear off eventually, don’t worry they’ll show up.” Shane tried to focus on polishing but the back of his mind couldn’t let it go.

Maybe they’re visiting family or friends in the city for the Winter, there’s no point causing a bother, especially for the Farmer, they do deserve the break. Shane lay in bed each night and told himself, it’s not like they’re best friends or anything. It would be weird to go knock down the door if they’re just trying to rest.

It’s only on the day of the Feast of the Winter Star that murmurs of concern begin amongst the others. The Farmer doesn’t come to collect their present and Shane doesn’t receive one. Mayor Lewis assures Marnie that he sent the invitation to the Farmer the same day as everyone else’s.

When the Feast ends, Shane gives both Marnie and Jas a hug and decides he’ll swing by the Farm to drop off the Farmer’s presents. Promising Marnie he would check on the farm animals also he sets off. Trudging through the thick snow to the farm and his heartbeat in his ears, Shane starts to catastrophise. At least that’s what his therapist says it is, really he’s just considering the possibilities.

The Farmer did always know what to say, that night at the pond, their first real conversation the farmer seemed to understand. It wasn’t just sadness in their eyes but an understanding Shane hadn’t seen before. Then on the cliff, the Farmer was there and wasn’t angry or upset with him but talked to him, listened and comforted. What if the Farmer didn’t just understand but related? What if the Farmer had spent all this time helping him while he neglected their problems? His boots started moving quicker in the snow.

Coming into the Farm his breath caught in his lungs. The pathing is cracked and the stone walls are practically collapsing, they don’t look like they have been maintained if not for weeks but for the entire season. The layer of snow on the front porch was thick enough to have been there for at least a week, with no sign of footsteps or shovelling. He places the Farmer's gift on the snowy steps and heads towards the Barn and Coop. Part of him knows he’s avoiding knocking in case something terrible has happened, the blood is still loud in his ears and the air is having difficulty getting to his lungs.

The Chickens don’t seem happy to see him, they squawk angrily at his touch, their food storage and water are full as well and the radiators are on. It’s clear that the Farmer hasn’t been in for a while, Shane picks up the eggs and feathers left on the floor and places them neatly into the chest at the door. He doesn’t count them for fear of knowing for sure how long it has been since the Farmer has been out. The Cows have much the same reaction to him, mooing unhappily and moving away from his touch. They have enough food and water also.

He hovers at the door of the barn, the longer he spends in here the longer it will be until he has to knock on the farmer's door. His chest is tight, and he berates himself for being selfish but still hesitates to leave the barn and move back towards the house.

From the porch, he can’t see anything inside of the house. The curtains are drawn tight enough that he can’t even see the light inside of the home. He knocks on the door. Nothing. He takes a step back and considers just heading home, maybe the Farmer isn’t in. After a couple of minutes too long he takes a deep breath and tries the handle.

The door creaks open loudly from disuse, Shanes's eyes have to adjust to the darkness of the house. The only light was a faint glow coming from under the door on his right. The dog Marnie gifted the farmer on their very first Spring is on the armchair in the corner and only blinks at him before drifting back to sleep. Shane places the present on the kitchen table and steps towards the door.

“Farmer… are you in there?” He says softly through the door, silence for a second and he feels his heart rate pick up. A small sniffling sound is heard, he almost couldn’t hear it over the sound of his heartbeat, “Hey, I’m coming in, okay?” Pushing the door open gently and taking a deep breath, Shane steps into the room not expecting the sight before him.

The Farmer, only lit by a soft lamp in the corner sitting in the middle of the bed clutching a soft stuffed bear that’s seen better days, a blanket draped over their shoulders and tears streaming down their face.