Chapter 1

The sun was just beginning to rise over Stardew Valley, casting a warm golden hue across the town. The crisp morning air carried the scent of fresh pine and damp earth, a quiet reminder of the forest that surrounded the valley. The cobblestone streets were still empty, save for a few birds fluttering overhead and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. It was peaceful, as it always was in the early hours before the town came to life.

Harvey stood at the window of the clinic, looking out at the town he had come to love. His glasses were perched low on his nose, as usual, and he was absently tapping his pen against the counter. His heart always felt lighter in the mornings, when everything was still and quiet, but today, there was a gnawing feeling in his chest. He wasn’t sure why, but the thought of his appointment with Shane made his stomach flip with nervousness.

Harvey had always been a man of routine—calm, precise, and perhaps a little too meticulous at times. He had been in the valley for several years now, and though he was respected by the townspeople as the town doctor, he always felt like an outsider. There was a gentle melancholy about him, an undercurrent of uncertainty that kept him at arm’s length from truly connecting with anyone. That is, except for Mauru.

Mauru, the nurse at the clinic and his best friend, had been the only one to truly see through Harvey’s professional demeanor. The two of them had grown up together, and despite their different career paths, Mauru was the one person Harvey trusted unconditionally. She was the one who had convinced him to take the position in Stardew Valley, a decision he sometimes questioned, though it had been one of the best choices of his life.

He glanced at the clock, then back at the door, his anxiety rising. Shane was due to arrive any minute. Harvey knew Shane well—his tough exterior, the cynicism that seemed to seep into everything he did. Shane was the kind of person who could push people away without even trying. It was something Harvey respected, though it made his job difficult. As the town’s doctor, Harvey had tried his best to help Shane with his struggles, particularly his drinking problem.

He sighed, pushing up his glasses and straightening his white coat. He wasn’t sure how to approach Shane today. He had noticed a subtle change in him recently—an extra layer of weight that had appeared around his midsection. Harvey didn’t want to be intrusive, but it was hard not to notice. It seemed like the result of long nights of drinking, eating poorly, and a lack of exercise. Harvey had always seen Shane as someone who was in control of his life, despite his rough edges, but the weight gain, combined with his increasing dependence on alcohol, had made Harvey worry.

There was another thought, too—one that caught him off guard whenever he let his guard down. Harvey couldn’t help but notice how the extra weight seemed to suit Shane. The added heft made Shane look different, but in a way that was undeniably attractive. Harvey tried to push the thought aside, reminding himself that he was a professional. He couldn’t allow personal feelings to get in the way of his duties as a doctor.

“Harvey!” Mauru’s voice rang out from the back room, breaking him from his thoughts. “Shane’s here. He’s in the waiting room, looking about as grumpy as ever.”

Harvey smiled nervously. “Thanks, Mauru. I’ll take it from here.”

He opened the door to the waiting room, and sure enough, there was Shane—slumped in a chair, arms crossed over his chest, his usual scowl firmly in place. His hair was a little messier than usual, and the faint smell of alcohol lingered in the air around him. Shane glanced up when Harvey entered, his expression unreadable.

“Harvey,” Shane muttered, not bothering to stand up. “I know, I know. I’m here for my check-up. Can we get this over with?”

Harvey forced a smile, though his hands were clammy. “Of course, Shane. Please, follow me.”

He led Shane into the examination room, and the door clicked shut behind them. The room was sterile but comfortable, with a few plants lining the windowsill to soften the otherwise clinical atmosphere. Harvey gestured for Shane to sit on the examination table, and Shane did so begrudgingly, his posture still rigid.

Harvey took a seat at his desk, trying to keep his focus. He grabbed Shane’s chart and began looking over the notes. “So, Shane,” he began, his voice softer than usual. “How have you been feeling lately? Any issues with—” He hesitated, unsure how to bring up the sensitive subject of Shane’s drinking. “—your health? Anything that’s been bothering you?”

Shane didn’t meet his gaze. He ran a hand through his hair, and for a moment, Harvey could see the exhaustion in his eyes. “I’m fine. Nothing to worry about,” Shane replied, though his voice lacked conviction.

Harvey didn’t push further. He’d learned over time that Shane wasn’t the type to open up easily, especially not when it came to his personal demons. But Harvey couldn’t ignore the concern he felt.

“Alright,” Harvey said, placing the chart back down. “Let’s get a quick physical done, and then we’ll go over the results.”

As he moved around the room, taking Shane’s vitals and performing the necessary tests, Harvey couldn’t help but notice the way Shane’s clothes fit him a little differently now. The extra weight wasn’t alarming, but it was clear that Shane wasn’t taking care of himself as he should. Harvey felt a pang of sympathy, but he kept it hidden behind his professional mask.

When the exam was finished, Harvey turned to Shane, trying his best to sound casual. “So, Shane… I’ve noticed some changes, and I’d like to talk to you about your overall health. Your weight has increased, and I can’t help but think that it’s related to your drinking. I really want to help you with this, if you’ll let me.”

Shane’s eyes hardened. “I don’t need a lecture, Harvey. I’m fine.”

Harvey sighed, his heart heavy. “I’m not lecturing you, Shane. I just care about your well-being. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

There was a long silence before Shane finally spoke. His voice was quieter now, more vulnerable. “I don’t know what to do anymore, Harvey. I’ve been stuck for so long, and I don’t know how to get out of it.”

Harvey’s heart ached. He wanted so badly to reach out, to pull Shane out of the darkness, but he knew that was something Shane had to do for himself.

“I’m here for you, Shane,” Harvey said softly. “Whenever you’re ready to make a change, I’ll be here to help.”

Shane didn’t say anything in response, but for the first time in a long while, Harvey saw a flicker of something in his eyes—a glimmer of hope, perhaps.

As Shane left the clinic, Harvey couldn’t help but watch him walk out the door, a mix of concern and admiration filling his chest. There was still so much Harvey wanted to say, so much he wanted to do for Shane, but he knew it had to come from Shane himself.

And so, Harvey stood in the doorway, watching Shane disappear into the town, his heart a little heavier, but also, strangely, a little lighter.