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Snow is falling heavily, making it almost completely impossible for anyone to be outside right now. The sheer cold and the fact that it is not possible to see very far out there is enough reason for anyone to spend their time in the comfort of their own homes.
It‘s the same for Harvey.
He‘s sitting at the clinic's front desk, catching himself staring out of the window where the storm rages on instead of working on the big pile of paperwork he‘s got next to him. The Doctor can hear the snowstorm raging outside and he is reminded of how cold the clinic is, making him shiver.
Today is his birthday, Winter 14, and he‘ll be spending it alone, working. Not that it‘s any different than last year and the year before. It‘s the same as every year since he‘s moved to the Valley. While this sounds quite lonesome, the Doctor doesn‘t mind - for the most part, at least.
He isn‘t quite an outsider to the community of Pelican Town, there are multiple people he‘s gotten close to over the years, but sometimes he feels like he doesn‘t belong.
Most people had already settled when he moved here, it was basically impossible for him to pursue a romantic relationship, as all the Bachelors and Bachelorettes were all a bit younger and also so very different from him. This hasn‘t changed since.
'Not again…' Harvey thinks, catching his drifting thoughts anew and fixing his eyes on the papers on his desk.
Finally, he‘s working again, scribbling away on the yet to be filled out paperwork. Silence settles over the clinic; it is so quiet that the sounds his pen makes almost appear loud.
But the quiet atmosphere is soon to be disturbed by a sharp knock on the front door before it opens slowly. The bell above it rings, signalling the entrance of someone unexpected.
Harvey's brain immediately falls into his doctor-panic mode.
What happened? Had someone been hurt?
He shoots up from his chair and comes around the front desk, making his way to the door in a hurry.
Meanwhile, the farmer slips inside, watching a panicked Harvey quickly coming closer before he halts in front of them, observing them from top to bottom.
After a bit of silence and some awkward staring, Harvey speaks up.
„Are you alright?", his voice is laced with concern and it becomes more severe when the Farmer just smiles and stares at him.
„Hey Doc“, they answer sheepishly, and their smile gets a little bigger before they continue, „I‘m alright, thanks for asking. I just came here 'cause it‘s your birthday and all… so I, uh… got you a little present…“
Harvey stands there, dumbfounded, and stares at the farmer in confusion, definitely blushing a little.
They remembered his birthday and even got him a present? Hell, they came out in all the snow to give it to him.
No, maybe they just had some business in town to take care of and decided to drop by…yes, that must be it.
„Really? That is very kind, thank you“, Harvey smiles, feeling his cheeks heat up a little.
Since their arrival, Harvey had found them interesting in a way that made him want to know more about the rather mysterious Farmer.
He was almost certain they wouldn‘t feel the same, though. With all the younger and more interesting people in this town, there is no chance for him: a nerdy and plane-obsessed, but scared of heights, doctor. No. Never. In his eyes they could do better than him on every level.
He watches them pull out something wrapped in green wrapping paper that has little planes on it. Surely that is a coincidence. It must be.
„I hope you like it, I made it myself on the farm. I thought I start making these for you…“, the farmer tells him, their voice yet again housing a rather shy undertone. Harvey's heart feels like it‘s about to explode.
Cautiously he takes the present and begins to tear open the wrapping paper. Underneath is a glass of pickles with a little note attached to it.
Harvey quickly scans what‘s written on the paper, noticing the messy handwriting that reminds him of his own.
The note reads: „Happy Birthday! I tried making some pickles because I know you like them :)“. Harvey looks up, scanning their face for any disingenuity, but is instead met with an apprehensive expression. He can feel his heart skip a beat at their look. 'They really do care…' This thought provokes a happy smile, and he clutches the jar in his hands.
"This is my favorite stuff! Thank you!" he replies, excitement overtaking him as he processes the newfound revelation.
The farmer grins, looking more confident than before.
„I was hoping you would like it“, they tell him, their grin not yet fading.
„I do, thank you“, he returns, still feeling a little giddy about the thoughtful gift. Harvey had always percieved them as a quiet person that seems to spend a lot of time with their thoughts so it makes sense thst they would come up with something he likes.
There is a small pause before the farmer speaks up again: „Well, I should probably get going now, I’m sure you already have some plans for today. I hope you have a good rest of your birthday“, they explain to him, while sounding almost a little hopeful. Why do they have that hopeful undertone in their voice? He must be imagining it.
The farmer turns to leave while Harvey is struggling to find he right words. He wants them to stay for multiple reasons, but how should he ask them?
„Oh uhhh… don‘t you want to stay a little? The snowstorm is pretty heavy, and I wouldn‘t want you to get sick“, he can hear himself ask the farmer, but it is unknown to him where the sudden confidence sparked from, he didn‘t expect himself to actually do that, but he comes to find out he won‘t regret his decision when they agree to stay.
This event could very well change the course of their relationship, and both of them are more than okay to with that.