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A new farmer had moved into town; the mayor was quite excited. Jules didn’t know the last farmer, and he was sure that he would get to know the new one. For the first couple of days, he didn’t even see the man. Until one day, he heard his door open. Checking the time, it was to early for Derek that he saw a man with fiery red hair walk in. The man smiled shyly before putting out a hand.
“Hello! Sorry to just kinda, walk in like this. I’m the new farmer, and I’ve been trying to go around and introduce myself to everyone. You’re Jules, right? I’ve talked to Derek about you and knew I would have to come over rather than trying to catch you before you left for work”
Jules took the man’s hand, returning the smile “That makes perfect sense to me, of course. I am Jules, my younger brother Derek and I live together. I hope you and I can become friends.”
“I do think we will be, I see your bookshelves. If I find the time, I might have to borrow a couple books or so.”
“Oh! I would love that! I don’t have many people I can talk to about books, having heard it all from me already.”
“Sounds like we should start a book club or something. But we can talk about that at another time, I have others to meet. Let’s link up soon, alright?”
The farmer waved as he left and Jules found himself smiling. He would indeed get to know the new farmer.
`~`~`~`~`
The farm was a hassle, but he was having fun with it. Especially after he got Derik who helped with the animals. He really needed to get a horse as he made his way down the hill and into town. Stopping to talk with the people was one of the reasons he reminds himself that he is staying here. Back home, the farmer was a bit of a shut in. He had his books, for sure, but they weren’t the same as real people. It added that the community was very welcoming.
He was on his way to see what the setup was for his Bazaar with the new upgrades when he spotted Jules. He knew the man liked to read and ever since meeting him, well, let’s just say that the farmer had a very small, itty bity crush on the man. He seemed so ingrained in his book that the farmer was going to just pass by but… he wasn’t sure he would make it to their book club and that book really did look interesting.
Placing his hands on his hips to silence his tools on his hips, he walks over. “That book seems to get you captivated, what is it about?”
He hides his smile a bit when Jules jumps a bit, his eyes staring up at the farmers in shock. The farmer sits down next to him, moving his ankle to his other knee as he looks at the cover. “From Sea to Land? Leaves a question to what it is about.” He leans on his hand as he focuses his full attention on the man. “Tell me?”
The farmer smiles as Jules does, indeed tell him, quite enthusiastically, about the story. He smiles softly as the man talks. He was lying to himself. He really liked this man, but it had only been about two months, not enough for the man to like him back. He wanted to get closer to him and it seemed like books wer the way to go. Smiling as Jules got flustered with how much he was talking. After Jules ran home and Derrick asked him to keep talking to his brother, well, who was he to ignore an honest ask from a caring brother?
`~`~`~`~`
It took a bit of planning, some back and forth with parents but Jules had finally been able to plan a field trip to the Farmers with two of his students. When he brought up the idea with the Farmer to actually plan it, he seemed very eager about it.
As the three of them walked through town, they wondered at the quaint way of it.
“You really live in such a small place? And you walk everywhere? There are no cars?” Kit, one of his 7-year-old students asked.
“We do walk, the Farmer we are going to meet does own a horse which he uses to get around town, but it is small enough that there is no need for cars.”
“No one else is able to afford a horse?” Jane wondered “But I thought the big sale thing your town had was getting bigger again?”
“It is more to do with space. The farmer is the only one with the space to properly care for the horse.”
“Oh… Well I am sure he can just start a horse farm if anyone wants a horse!”
He smiles at the two of them as they move up the mountain and to the edge of the farm. Jules let his eyes wonder over the large crops that were swaying in the wind. He had never really come up here, the farmer was always meeting people in the town. The farmer waved over to them, a chicken in his arms.
“Howdy there! I am the farmer here, what are your names?”
After introductions, the farmer lets the chicken down before first showing off the crops, some of the green bean and tomato stalks were as tall as the children. From there they moved over to all of the animals.
Petting the horse, Jules looked over at the Farmer. “And what is this one’s name?” He watched as the farmers’ ears went pink and coughed into his hand before answering.
“Jewel, her name is Jewel.”
“She is the same color as Mr. Jules hair! And their names sound that same, funny!” Jane giggles and Jules watches as the farmer goes from pink to red.
“I thought the same thing…” The farmer confirms, not looking his way.
“Can I ride her?” Jane asks, turning her puppy eyes towards the Farmer.
“Not today. She may seem gentle, but she bucked me off of her a couple times before we got used to each other. How about we –“
He was interrupted as the Kit rushed up to him “Mr. Farmer! Crops and animals are fine, but what can you do?” Kit asked, clearly unimpressed. Jules shook his head, an apology to the farmer on his lips as he saw the farmer smile down at the boy.
“I can do quite a lot. It takes a strong hand to keep the plants alive and a gentle one to care for animals. But I hear ya, I don’t look like much, do I?” The farmer laughed and oh how Jules loved to hear that sound. “Now, step back a moment, all of you. In order to do this trick, I need some room.”
The three of them all back up, eagerness in their eyes. The farmer moves up to a higher hill of his land, winking at Jules before he jumps off of it, flipping in the air before landing gracefully like he didn’t just give Jules a heart attack.
“I am also quite an equestrian, but that is more of a hike to get to the training grounds, and I am sure we don’t have time for that. Why don’t you each spend some more time with my animals?” He stood by Jules, watching as the kids went to chase his chickens. “Sorry for scaring you,” He apologized “I jump around in town quite often; thought you had seen it already.”
“I haven’t, you really do it that often?” Jules wasn’t sure if he could take it if he saw the Farmer do so.
“Mhm, it’s how I am able to make it on time on Bazaar days when I spend my whole morning working. It’s also how I can make it back to yours for our afternoon book club on Saturdays. Oh! Careful there!”
Jules watches as he catches a kid with ease who tripped before getting dragged into playing with the children and his animals. His heart skipped a beat when the Farmer glanced over his shoulder with a smile. Oh. Jules thought to himself. I’m in love with the Farmer.
`~`~`~`~`
Jules was freaking out. He had always liked romance in books, but when it came to him, he didn’t think he would get it. But ever since he realized that he loved the Farmer, he couldn’t stop and think about the day to day he had with the man. They didn’t see each other very often, since the man had gotten busier with the Bazaar. However, Jules liked to think that when the farmer did see him, he lit up with happiness. He always seemed interested in listening when he ranted about his books- nearly seeking him out to ask. When they had their book clubs, the farmer always stayed later to hang out with him.
The farmer had also become good friends with his brother, one that was not missed by either of them. He knew that Derek had complained about him to the farmer, but he knew that the farmer would take his side. Why did he know that? Was it the way that whenever the farmer looked at him, his eyes softened. Was it that when the farmer had learned his favorite color was blue; he was suddenly getting blue flowers. He was shocked when the farmer changed his hair color to blue, but the farmer waved off his questions. His horse’s name was Jewel, after him. He stopped washing the dishes, his hands freezing. The farmer had named his horse since it reminded him of Jules’ hair color.
He didn’t know what to do. He loved the farmer, and he had an inkling that the farmer liked him back at least. But what to do about it?! He was sure that the farmer could act nonchalant about it, but he sure couldn’t! Not after all the books he has read about this could help him. The characters realized and it was such a nice realization that they softly confessed and moved on with the plot. He would be fine. He would just ignore the feelings for now. Wait until he saw the farmer next, then he would decide how he would react. Yeah, that sounded like a swell idea. As he finished the dishes, he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back for much longer.
`~`~`~`~`
The Farmer sighed as he delivered more items to the mayor, ignoring his voice as he left. He liked this town, but the small things were starting to get to him. He needed Saturday to come sooner but also not at all. He hasn’t been able to see Jules, and he is realizing how much it is grading on his nerves. He needed to see his friend. The last time they saw each other was for their students to see the farm.
He had quite enjoyed that. He loved children, always stopping to play with them. He knew that Jules liked them too, given his job. He had dreams about kids helping on his farm, a certain brunette laughing with them.
He shook his head, trying to get his head out of the clouds. He passes into the plaza but freezes as his name is called. Looking up, he sees Jules. His crush was placing his book down as he stood to cross the distance between them.
“Just the man I wanted to see!” Jules smiled at him as he continued “I am finishing up ‘From Sea to Land’, since I saw the next book in the city. It is so good, let me tell you!”
The farmer let a gentle smile grace his lips as he listened to Jules tant about his favorite book. When he crosses his arms, that shakes Jules from his rant.
“O-Oh! I am sorry, I was ranting again, wasn’t I? But I actually have to go home, I need to start dinner…” As Jules rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment, the farmer wants to grab his wrist. Both are interrupted when Derrick calls out to both of them.
“Yo, yo! I knew I would find you both out here!” Derrick stops in front of them and has a knowing look at the both of them. “Bro, it’s my turn to cook remember?” Before letting his brother respond he shakes his head. “That’s OK! Take your time coming home, I know the two of you haven’t been able to see each other.” With a wink, he waves and heads off.
Watching him go, the farmer can’t help thinking that something is coming. When Jules clears his throat, he is proven right. Jules is looking quite nervous, but he squares his shoulders and looks at the farmer.
“Farmer… I have come to realize that I have feelings for you. I have quite enjoyed our conversations, but I need to know. Do you share my feelings, or would you rather forget about them and remain friends?
The farmer takes his Jules hands, pulling him closer. He lays a hand on Jules’s cheek and smiles. “I quite enjoy your company as well, my jewel. I do share your feelings; I am so glad that you noticed.”
Jules turned a beautiful shade of red and covered his face with his hands once the farmer let them go. “I- I am so glad. I was freaking out about it.”
“Ever the calm exterior though, I never would have guessed.”
He pulled Jules into his arms and kissed his cheek. He really was glad that Jules confessed to him. He was able to finally to give the man the attention that he deserved.
`~`~`~`~`
“Damnit!”
Jules looked up, surprised to see the farmer in the park so late at night. He himself couldn’t sleep so he had thought a small walk would help. The farmer was panting, his hammer in his hand. To his surprise, he saw tears in the man’s eyes.
“Farmer?” He asked carefully, walking closer. The man startles, shock on his face as he looks up.
“J-Jules… I am sorry, I didn’t realize you were here.” He strapped his hammer to his belt, his other tools clanking against his thigh as he moved back slightly. “Are you alright? Why are you out so late?”
Jules shook his head, of course the Farmer would turn his surprise into concern for him. This man always worried for others than himself. “I just couldn’t sleep; you seem to be busy with something.”
The farmer shook his head, wiping his tears, embarrassed his partner had caught him out here. “Nothing major. Lloyd asked for ore to open his Bazaar stall, and I cannot seem to get what he is looking for as I used my remaining copper to upgrade my tools… He depends on me, and it has already been a week. Then Nadine is asking for 30 bottles of chestnut, but I can only find about 3 a day and I am busy with the farm, and it feels like I am the one that is rising the Bazaar up, no one else in this town is helping! It’s always “Hey Farmer, I need this!” He gestures wildly, his tools clanking noisily “Farmer, can you fetch me this item?” His face twists in anger “Farmer, why didn’t you help with the last Bazaar Day? We really needed your sales to help us raise the rank!” He grabs his axe hastily, swinging it down sharply so that it embeds itself in the ground, frustrated tears streaming down his face.
Jules is startled, but it makes sense to see how angry the farmer was. He has asked for some things from the Farmer, but he always had a smile on his face when he gave them. He knew now it was because the farmer was trying to make his intentions clear. They had been dating for nearly a month, and it had been a great month.
But thinking back, the Farmer was always on the move. Even when he heard about the man passing out, the man was always back up on his feet, running or riding through town. He had heard how much the Farmer had helped the Bazaar, but it seemed that everyone in town was expecting him to solve their problems. He moved deliberately, reaching for the farmer before pulling the shorter man into a hug.
The farmer immediately hugged him back, taking deep breaths as his shoulders shook with sobs. “I am only one man, yet I cannot disappoint anyone here. I must keep up with it, I have too.”
Jules pulled away slightly, holding his farmer’s face in his hands. He wiped the tears away with his thumbs and spoke softly. “You deserve breaks too. No one will be disappointed in you and honestly, any request you have now can wait. Come home with me, it’s closer than your farm is. You look like you are about to pass out, and I do not need you to be the talk of the town again.”
The farmer stared at him for a long moment before slamming their lips together. It was far from their first kiss, they exchanged kisses whenever they greeted each other, but this felt different. Charged with emotion that made Jules’s head spin. The moment tensed as the farmer pulled back for a quick breath before pulling Jules body against his own, deepening the kiss. A rough, calloused hand moving from his back into his hair, his other hand wrapping around his waist. Jules placed steady hands on the farmers’ shoulders, returning the kiss in the same rapid fervor.
Jules reluctantly pulled back to be able to breathe. He panted as his eyes searched his farmer’s face, noticing the lidded dark eyes. He licked his lips, and the farmer loosened his grip on him.
“Thank you, Jules,” The farmer spoke softly, afraid to bring up how much he needed to not be alone today. “Sorry that I sort of dumped this on you, I should walk you home.” He pulled his axe from the ground with only a slight grunt before taking Jules’s hand.
Jules insisted that the Farmer stay the night, or what was left of it. He tried not to stare as his boyfriend took off his jacket and sat on the bed. “I can, um, sleep on the couch if that would be more comfortable- “his farmer started before Jules shook his head.
“No, we are partners, we can share a bed. We are just going to be sleeping”
“If you are sure, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
They settle down together and Jules watches as his boyfriend seemed to fall asleep immediately after he wrapped Jules in his strong arms. He was nearly passing out after all. Jules tried not to be amazed as he let his hands hesitantly ran over his farmer’s arms, not realizing just how buff his boyfriend was. He really shouldn’t be surprised, with how often his man was seen breaking rocks and, well, farming. He let his head rest on the farmers chest, the man sleeping soundly. He wondered how much sleep his farmer got on a daily basis, he really should force his man to rest more. He was planning on talking to the mayor about how much pressure he has been putting on his farmer. With that last thought, he let sleep over take him.
`~`~`~`~`
He woke up slowly, surprised that the howl of Derik and Cedrik didn’t wake him up. He blinked as he felt a weight that was more than his pom or his cat would be. Glancing down, he remembered. Jules had caught his frustration last night and had all but forced him to sleep. A small smile worked its way to his lips, and he moved his arm slightly to be able to run his hand through Jules’s hair. Maybe he should start to grow his natural hair out, he always dyed it. It had started red, then once he learned that a certain scholar’s favorite color was blue, he dyed it again. But maybe he wanted to have his natural hair. Jules had never seen it, and he deserved too. (A small, vain part of him hoped that his boyfriend would like him more with his natural dark brown hair.)
He did need to get up though; he had animals and crops to care for. He was pretty sure his tomatoes were ready to harvest, and it was Saturday. He had missed the last Bazaar Day and did not need the mayor breathing down his neck again. But… He looked down at his boyfriend curled up against him and, well, he could sleep in for a little bit.
`~`~`~`~`
When Jules awoke, he was alone in bed. However, his farmer was close-by, readjusting his tools back to his belt. Hearing Jules move he glanced up and smiled.
“Hello, sleeping beauty, did you sleep well?”
“Yes, much better. What time is it?”
“About 9:30”
“Oh! I never usually sleep this late.” Jules is surprised he didn’t get up sooner as he stood and stretched.
“Me neither, without my animals hounding me, I was able to sleep in until 730! I haven’t done that in ages.” His farmer laughs, pulling Jules into a hug. He rests his head on the mans shoulder. “I am skipping the bazaar today. Will you come with me to my farm? I need to tend to the crops and animals, but once I do, we should have a proper date.” He nuzzles Jules’s neck, breathing in deeply. He feels the man stiffen a moment before he hears the man sigh.
“Let me get dressed and we can go”
The farmer doesn’t let go for a moment, laughing as his boyfriend has to pry him away in order to get ready.
‘~’~’~’~’
After all the chores were completed, they were ready to go. (The farmer swore that he never moved so quickly before.) He helped Jules’s mount Jewel and hopped up behind the man. Pulling his back flush with his chest, he kissed the back of his neck. “I am going to make up for all of the lack-luster dates that I have taken you on before now.”
Leading Jewel slowly, they made their way towards the mountains. Dismounting Jewel, he kept his hands on Jules’ hips, pulling him in for a quick kiss.
“Now, I know that you don’t come into the mountains very often, so I want us to relax here.”
“A perfect place to avoid the mayor as well?”
The farmer chuckles, taking Jules’s hand. “Am I truly that easy to read?”
“To me at least, I am quite skilled in reading after all.”
They simply relax towards the top of the mountain, the farmer getting a bit more handsy as he pulls Jules into another kiss.
After a moment, Jules pulled away. “Not that I am complaining, but you seem a lot more physical than you have been. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I just… I realized how bad of a boyfriend I have been. I know you probably don’t care, you know how busy I am. But I hate to fall into the same pattern of when we were just friends. It sometimes seems that the only thing that has changed is that we kiss and hug for a bit longer than before. I don’t want it to seem that I am just going through the motions with you.” He reaches up, cupping Jules’s face in his hands. “You are my treasure, Jules; I just want to be able to properly show it”
Jules blinked rapidly to ward of the tears that filled his eyes. He placed a hand over the farmers. “I have never thought that you were lacking. You are the busiest man in this town and yet you make sure to show how much you lo- how much you appreciate me.”
“You can finish that sentence love. I do love you. I love you with every fiber of my being,” the farmer closed the distance between them, the kiss less intense than the one they shared last night. However, it felt more full, more correct. Pulling back, the farmer lays his forehead against Jules. “Shall we head into town? The bazaar should be going, so we should have some peace at the café. From there we can meet for our book club.”
“That sounds perfect.”
With a smile, they rode back down into town. They dismount before the bridge to the plaza so Jewel can graze while they eat.
However, as they are leaving, the mayor calls out “Farmer! We missed you today at the Bazaar! This is the second week in a row, are you doing alright?”
Squeezing Jules’ hand, he plasters a fake smile on his face and looks over. “I am! Just making sure that I spend quality time with those that I love. Sorry that I missed again, but surely this town can keep the bazaar running without my help, right?” He knew he didn’t leave the sarcasm out of his voice when the mayor’s smile falls and Jules’s pulls him away.
“Is he always like that?” Jules asks quietly as they slowly make their way back to Jules’s house.
“He is, but I know why he is acting like that. I can’t fault him. I am the one who does not set boundaries with him. But this isn’t about him, is it?”
Jules frowns at him and lets the conversation go.
`~`~`~`~`
Jules was worried. The farmer was acting weird and a little standoffish. He was still coming over for dinner once a week, even cooking for him and Derrick sometimes. He seemed distracted and Jules was trying really hard not to let it show how much it bothered him. It was different when the farmer was busy. When he was busy, he would pay some of the kids to give him gifts or even pop in to say hello and a kiss, but it was like he was being actively ignored.
It came to a head when the farmer planned a date for them. He was acting nervous and as they made their way to the mountain, Jules couldn’t help but feel dread in his stomach. The farmer was going to break up with him, wasn’t he? He thought they were ok, but he didn’t have much to offer.
“Jules,”
At his farmer’s voice, he looks up. The farmer was blushing and he took Jules’ hands. “I know you are nervous. Me too. I want to apologize for being standoffish these past couple weeks. I know I have made you nervous, but I knew myself well enough. I wouldn’t be able to keep quiet until I had it. Jules, my love, will you marry me?”
Jules startles, as he looks from the farmer’s purple eyes to the blue feather in his hands. His mouth goes dry and he feels tears run down his cheeks. He gulps as his farmers’ thumbs dry his tears.
“Oh, my jewel. I am sorry if I scared you before. Derrik knows that I was going to propose, and he does approve of us. Am I forgiven for being off standish?”
Jules nods and lets himself get pulled into his boyfriends- no, his fiancés arms.
`~`~`~`~`
The farmer brushes his hair as the town gets ready for the wedding. He had been wearing wigs to hid his actual hair color as it grew out the past year. He and Jules’ engagement had lasted longer than most. But he wanted it to be perfect and for his husband to marry a man who was fully himself, no dye to hide behind. He smiles as he puts it into his braid and steps out. Jules is waiting for him and he looks so radiant.
“My jewel,” the farmer smiles as Jules eyes widen at him. “You like it? Happy marriage my love, I wanted to surprise you. Did I do well?”
Jules doesn’t speak and simply takes in the sight. He smiles, taking the farmer’s hand. “I love it. As much as I liked the red, and especially the blue. I like this the best. Shall we get married then?”
“We shall.”
`~`~`~`~`
EPILOGUE
Laughter filled the farm as well as barks. The farmer and his daughter look up from their spot in the plots. They were setting for the storm, but his son and husband were setting up for the storm in their own way. With a pleading look, his daughter begs to leave. Sighing, albeit in good humor, he nods. Watching is son run towards his husband. He leans against a tree as his animals and family fill the farm with laughter. His daughter grabbed her younger brother and had him ride on her back. Jules had picked him out, knowing that his shy vibe would fit in fine with them.
Jules glanced back at him and came over to him. “What is this? My husband is just going to watch as his family enjoys a bit of a break. Don’t you want to join us?”
With a smile, he takes his husband’s hand and lets him pull him towards the pasture. He loved his farm life, but he especially loved his family jewels.