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The strawberry patch was getting ready for another harvest. Vi could see from the window of her home that the small, sweet, fruits were becoming a nice shade of red. Luckily the weather was also on her side as she walked towards her straw hat and gloves. As she reached where she had left them the night before, she was greeted by air.
“Huh.” said Vi as she looked around. Not on their table. Not on the ground. No way she had taken them to her bedroom. “Sunscreen it is.”
She reached over to the shelf by her window when she saw movement in the patches. ‘A crow? No, the rarecrows are great at keeping them away. Cheeto? No, cat hates being over there. Maybe-”
She was cut off when a figure rose from beside the small plants. Normally, no one would ever question what was besides a berry plant, but from where the patch was to the window, the hill hid the farther plants lower.
And thanks to that, her Amor was completely hidden from her.
Her beautiful orange locks were tied back into a ponytail, different from her usual braid. She watched sculpted arms wipe sweat from her brow as the other held her berry basket. Luckily for Vi, she decided that her arm wasn’t enough and lifted her shirt to her face, giving her a perfect look at her abs.
“...and she said the farm work had given ME a sculpted figure.” Said Vi as she watched her wife make eye contact with her. A quick wave between the two and Vi watched her straw hat fall back and her Amor follow behind it.
As she reached her, Leah held up the fruits (literal) of her labor.
“Wanted to surprise you Honey.” Said Leah. “You talked about the strawberries ripening today and you were tired from the mines so I got up early.”
A smile spread on Vi’s face. Oh how she loved this woman with all her heart. Leah responded with a smile of her own as the pair shared a quick kiss.
“Thank you Amor. You are the sweetest.” said Vi as she looked over the patch. “Only a few left. How about I get these back to the house and get started on making breakfast?”
“Pancakes?” Leah asked as her eyes widened.
“Pancakes.” Confirmed Vi.
“Yes!” Said Leah as she handed the basket to Vi, giving her a kiss on the cheek as a thank you.
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“This painting is going to be the death of me.”
Her wife’s voice reached the living room easily when the TV was off. Vi set down her book and walked over to Leah’s art studio. The room was filled with paintings, sculptures, and the one attempt at pottery that Vi was never allowed to bring up again. (don’t ask)
“Art block?”
Leah shook her head. “I know what I want to draw, it’s more of a disconnect from my brain to my hand.”
“Hmmm…” Vi looked over the painting. Besides a few sketches and a finger painting class, Vi was never one to dabble in her wife’s career. She didn’t have Leah’s eye for art, but she knew her wife. Vi lifted up the brush Leah had set down with her right hand and placed Leah’s hand over it with her left.
“Use my hand then. Guide me to your vision.” She said with a smile.
Leah let out an amused sigh. “Violetta, dear. I can’t take you away from your work over this.”
“Animals are tended to, greenhouse is humid. Nothing left besides to check on the fishponds. I doubt the lava eels and sturgeon are going to mind me being a little late.” Argued Vi. “Plus…” Vi closed the small distance between their bodies. “I much prefer being with you.”
Leah, seeing no way of convincing her wife, continued on the painting. While her hands have stains from paint and clammy from work, her wife's hands are strong. Weathered from long days in the sun and calloused by her tools, she couldn’t help but appreciate them. These hands, much stronger than she will ever be, were also the hands she holds when they walk through the forest. Hands that destroy unknown monsters yet lift little chicks to gush about their cuteness. These hands, the ones she held as they shared their vows….
“I didn't expect this. The painting looked more like a bird before.”
Leah blinked, focus returning to their task as she saw Vi’s hands were on full display, down to the little scar on her pointer finger.
Leah sighed. “I think I’ll just take a break.”
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Night at the farm had taken Vi a few weeks to get used to.
The sounds of the forest were less compared to her old studio apartment, but she had been used to those sounds. The shift from music and car horns to bats and slimes had made nights long and sleepless.
Now though?
“Hey… You in there Vi?”
Vi zoned back into her current situation. Leah was beside her, looking at her with a loving yet worried look.
“Sorry, mind wandered.” Explained Vi.
“What were you thinking about?” asked Leah.
“Thinking about how different things are now. How this compared to my first nights in the valley.” Explained Vi.
Leah nodded. “Moving halfway across the state does that to you, Honey. I know that from experience.”
“Those days had been the worst. I had just quit Joja. My father talking to me for the first time in years. Not knowing if I'd be able to do all this.” Vi said as she felt tears prick at her eyes.
“Ruin Sweetwater’s reputation, disappoint grandpa…”
Leah lifted her arm, an offer of warmth and love that Vi would never be able to refuse. She snuggled into her wife’s chest relishing the scent of wood and strawberries that her wife carried with her.
“You built this farm from the ground up. You planted every crop, chopped every tree and cared for every animal in this place.” Leah rubbed her back as she spoke. “You rebuilt the community center, brought joy and happiness to the people of this town and made a life here Violetta.”
Vi looked up to her wife’s eyes, which showered her with love and care.
“Your grandfather would be so proud of you Vi.”
Vi didn’t dare speak, less she start crying, as she hugged Leah tighter.
“I love you Honey. Goodnight.”
“Te quiero mi Amor, goodnight.”