Chapter 0 - Ten of Hearts

 "Joshua, Let's go camping!  Meet me in the secret woods after 10pm. Love, Emily"

Stardew Valley's resident farmer didn't think he'd read such a letter from his girlfriend. Sure, she was the type who loved nature, but he always had her figured for an art and crafts lover. Still, he had no reason not to go. He was even excited at the prospect.

The day itself wasn't the greatest-he lost a melon seed to a crow, accidentally gave Pale Ale to Penny instead of a Red Plate and nearly collapsed in the mines after getting swarmed by insects. He wondered if not watching that fortune teller program every day was bringing him bad luck.

He felt glad to have the camping trip to look forward to. He was heading south of the farm at 8 to do some last minute fishing and saw Shane by the boardwalk. He was looking down into the water, sipping from a beer can. Deciding to join him, Joshua headed over to him.

"Up late, huh? Here, have a cold one." Shane handed him a can and Josh nodded a thank you.

The two stood in silence for a few seconds.

Shane spoke. "Buh... Life. You ever feel like... no matter what you do, you're gonna fail? ...Like you're stuck in some miserable abyss and you're so deep you can't even see the light of day?"

A few more seconds of silence.

"I just feel like no matter how hard I try... I'm not strong enough to climb out of that hole."

Unable to think of anything to say, Joshua just drank the whole can of beer in one go.

"Heh... fast drinker, huh? Man after my own heart. Just don't make it a habit... you got a future ahead of you still."

Joshua still had no words to reply with. He wasn't even sure what he was feeling.

"Welp.. My liver's beggin' me to stop. Better call it a night. See you around, Joshua."

Josh just nodded in answer, feeling the effects of the beer. He spent an hour or so fishing, though it seemed to only take a few minutes. He suspected nerves. Him and Emily sharing a tent together... the thought made his heart stir.

Putting his rod and fish away, he headed northwest into the secret woods. Emily was already there with a bright purple tent set up and a campfire roaring in front of it.

"Hey Joshua!" She waved, wearing her usual smile.

"Hey, Emily." Joshua smiled back. His day always looked a little brighter upon seeing her smile and hearing her cheerful voice. "Before anything else: close your eyes and hold your hand out..."

Emily obeyed, looking excited to see what gift Joshua had for her. He reached into his pocket and grabbed it before placing it in her outstretched hand. A sizable piece of Topaz. She opened her eyes and looked at it.

She gasped-her smile became wider. "This is fabulous! Thank you so much!" She hugged him tightly, and he was glad the only light came from the fire, lest she notice him blushing.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the sounds of owls and other nightlife around them. Well, that's what Emily was doing. Joshua was sneaking glance sover at his girlfriend every few seconds and thinking about how lucky he was. Of all the men in the world, he'd been the one who got Emily. None of the other bachelors in town seemed interested in her, which Joshua found odd. Beautiful, kind, compassionate and optimistic to boot. What wasn't to like about her?

Emily spoke, dragging him out of his reverie. "Well, this is fun, isn't it?" Emily smiled widely, but it faltered slightly a second later. "Kind of spooky, actually..."

A low rumble sounded from the north of them. Emily looked towards it with a puzzled look on her face and walked a little around the campfire, but said no more. Joshua headed around the campfire to join her.

Emily began to shiver slightly. "Heh... it's chilly out here..." she commented, rather needlessly. Joshua saw her shuffle towards him before she rested her head on his shoulder. Her fingers entwined with his as well. He closed his eyes and relished the feeling of her there. Her warm weight, her soft skin, her sweet smell...

Another sound to the north caused Joshua to open his eyes. It sounded like twigs snapping and leaves rustling. He just realized he hadn't brought his sword... Oh, no...

He looked to the right and the rumble sounded again. That was when the two realized what it was. A huge figure stood mere feet away from them. A bear.

Joshua grabbed Emily's hand and dragged her into the tent before zipping it closed. The two stood completely still. They heard some sniffing at the tent and another growl that made Emily jump slightly. Joshua felt himself shaking with both fear and anger at his own idiocy. He always brought his sword to the secret woods. Why had he left it behind this time?

Emily spoke in a whisper "A bear! I hope he's not hungry..."

What made her so sure the bear was a 'he'?

"Oh... the other sleeping bag is still outside..."

Ah, sh-

"No way am I going back out there!"

There were a few seconds of silence as the penny dropped.

"Um... Joshua? You don't mind sharing a blanket with me, do you?" Emily tentatively asked.

Joshua felt his heart thumping in his chest. It might burst out of it's cage and he wouldn't be surprised. Somehow his voice remained calm as he answered "Certainly not, Emily."

Her smile was all the answer he needed. It faltered a little again though. "But I also left the bag with my pajamas outside..." she sighed. "So I'm either sleeping in this dress or in my bra and panties."

"Well, don't worry. I don't really have a preference." Joshua joked, making Emily laugh.

"I... I don't really want it to get sweaty, and it -is- Summer, so I'll just..." Emily began to unbutton the top of her dress. She wriggled slightly as she pulled her arms out of her sleeves-Joshua could see them poking from the bottom as pulled the dress above her knees before getting onto them.

Joshua started talking, mainly so he'd have something to do other than study her figure."Y'know, seeing you moving like that kind of reminds me of that dance you gave me."

"Oh, really?" Emily asked, hoisting the dress over her head. Her bra and panties were both the same dark blue as her hair. Her body was surprisingly curvy considering her exotic diet and job as a barmaid. "I'm glad to know you still remember it." she smiled.

"Are you kidding? I think that dance was one of the best experiences of my life."

"Better than beating Journey with Abigail?" Emily joked.

"That was more satisfying, but it wasn't as... Um..." He felt his cheeks flush red.

Emily's eyebrow raised "As what?"

"Erm... Ugh, I can't bring myself to say it."

"You know I'm pretty big on self expression, right?" Emily asked.

"Yeah, but..."

"Just say it quick! Like ripping off a plaster!" she encouraged him.

"Okay..." the farmer took a deep breath and spoke quickly "It wasn't as beautiful or sensual."
Now it was Emily's turn to blush. There was a few seconds of silence. "You..."

"Yes." Joshua knew what the question was.

"Well... I'm sorry that I can't give you another dance in here." Emily joked. "...Do you mind if I ask you why you chose me? All the other girls are so much more..." But she clearly couldn't think of the word. It didn't matter, though.

"Would any of them have asked me to come here camping? Would any of them have taken the parrot in?" Joshua asked simply. "Would any of them have held that clothing therapy session? All the other girls might be so much more whatever it is, but they're not you."

Emily's face was red as a beetroot. Her breathing was a little heavier too. "That's... nobody's ever..." she stammered.

"Ever told you the truth?" Joshua asked. "Ever told you that you're a beautiful, wonderful person? That you're an excellent example of what children should learn to be as they grow up? Namely humble, kind, honest and mostly content."

"St-stop! You're getting me... Um..." If her face went any redder, she'd look like a ruby.

"Getting you wha..." But Joshua had noticed the damp patch in her panties. An eyebrow raised "Y-You get off from compliments?"

She nodded slightly "Well, when you start piling them on like that..."

There was a pause while Joshua digested this new knowledge. "That is... adorable."

"What?"

"That is both one of the weirdest and cutest things I've ever heard. I hope you realize I'll be throwing compliments at you all the time now." Joshua chuckled.

"Please don't when I'm at the saloon." Emily squirmed a little.

"Heh... So Emily, do you mind if we..." Joshua swallowed. "keep going?"

"Um... Well, you've gotten me worked up already... I guess so..." Emily smiled a little nervously. It was apparent she'd never let someone do this before. She lay down on the sleeping bag and Joshua shuffled over to her, beginning to explore her body with his hands.

He started with her torso-running his hands along her stomach, waist and abdomen. Her skin felt both soft and warm to the touch. His right hand moved to her arm and he took hold of her hand, bringing it up to his lips and kissing it. She gave a soft sigh in answer.

Joshua's hands moved upwards and he touched her erect nipples through her cloth bra. He gave her a questioning look, and she nodded, sitting up. He undid the velcro at the back of her bra and she slid it down her arms slightly. Her breasts weren't large, but they were perky and rather cute.

"Beautiful..." Joshua whispered sincerely. Emily blushed a little again, but smiled.

The farmer teased her nipples with his thumbs for a few second before moving to the breasts themselves. Joshua gently squeezed her breasts together rhythmically. Her soft moans, her little squirms, her heavy panting... All were beautiful to hear and see. Joshua cupped her breasts and-

"W-Wait." Emily piped up.

Joshua stopped his treatment of her breasts instantly, lifting his hands away. "Yes, Emily?"

"Joshua, I-I do like you that much, but..."

Joshua stayed silent, letting her gather her thoughts.

"Well, you know the saying 'All things in due time.'?" she asked.

"I understand. You want to save that kind of thing for the future."

"Yes... I'm sorry." she looked a little put out.

"No, no, it's okay." Joshua assured her.

"Thank you. But... I -would- like to start this part of our lives off properly..." Emily continued.

"What do you mean?"

"Lie down." He did so, and felt Emily grip either side of his pants. He lifted her waist up, hardly believing what was happening. She slid his pants a little way down his thighs. He knew she was looking directly at his hard shaft, but wasn't sure whether the silence was of the good or bad kind.

"So this is what they look like in person..." She muttered, before her voice picked up. "Are they usually... this big?"

Big? Joshua always thought he was average sized. "Well, it completely depends. You can get ones that are less than an inch to ones over 10 inches long, or more. Those are pretty extreme though."

"Hmm." Emily pondered for a second. "Well, I like yours. It's not small, but it's not gigantic either."

Joshua chuckled "That may be the first time I've ever been complimented on being average."

Emily let out a laugh and her soft hand wrapped around his shaft. She looked as red as he felt. She ran her hand down his shaft and he let out a grunt of pain from the friction.

"Oh! Did I hurt you? I'm sorry!" She apologized, taking her hand off of his shaft.

"No, it's just a bit dry, is all. If you lick your hand and then use it, that'll lube it up and reduce the friction." Joshua answered.

Emily blushed again, but licked her hand. She looked a bit confused at the taste. Her hand slid around his shaft, wettening it. She licked her hand a second time and finished the coating off. It glistened slightly with her spit.

"Okay, that should be enough." Joshua told her "Try to take it slowly though. And please, don't grip too hard."

"Okay..." Emily blushed.

Her hand wrapped around his shaft again, surprisingly softly, and she slowly stroked from the base of the head to the bottom. She returned to the tip and repeated her action. She licked her hand and seemed more used to the taste now. Slowly, very slowly, she began to get into a slow and steady rhythm. She gripped the tip with her left hand while her right stroked him a little faster. She also kept licking her hand every few strokes to keep his shaft lubed.

Seeming to get an idea, Emily bent forwards slightly and took hold of the bottom of his shaft with her right hand. She rubbed the tip against her left nipple, smiling slightly. She rotated it around her breast before rubbing it against her right nipple instead. After a few seconds she moved it in a circle around her right breast and went back to just stroking him.

Emily seemed to have renewed vigour, or maybe just more confidence. Her pace had certainly quickened. She even began to alternate between her hands, licking the one that wasn't stroking him off, then switching hands when she felt her current one drying up.

The farmer could feel himself getting close, but Emily's stroking had become so quick he barely had time to warn her. "Emily, I'm-unh!"

"Yes! Do it!" Emily told him, not slowing down her rapid strokes.

Joshua was unable to hold himself back further, and he could only stifled his cry of "Ah!"

Emily stroked his full length one last time and Joshua moaned softly as his shaft spurted one, two, three thick loads upwards. All three landed on his crotch or abdomen. Emily took a handkerchief from nearby and wiped it all off of him.

"That was..." Joshua panted. But Emily put a finger to his lips.

"Your eyes already say everything." she replied, smiling. "Shall we go to bed? It's getting late."

Joshua pulled his pants back up. Emily had already wrung the last few drops out of him into the handkerchief, so there wouldn't be any staining. After unzipping the sleeping bag and letting Emily climb in first, he slipped in himself. The bag wasn't meant for two people, but they still fit rather snugly together.

Joshua's arms moved around Emily's front and he spooned her, hugging her tightly. Her soft sigh of contentment was all he needed to hear. "Sweet dreams, Emily." he told her.

"Mmm... I don't expect any other kind of them..." she whispered back "Sweet dreams, Joshua..." The farmer smiled as his conciousness faded and he journeyed into the dreamscape.

The next morning, Joshua woke up still spooning his girlfriend. He kissed the back of her neck and she squirmed a little bit. "Mmm..."

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead." Joshua whispered, unzipping the sleeping bag's side.

Besides a cheek kiss and packing up the camping equipment, the day wasn't out of the ordinary. Manually watering the 23 melons he had left (he really needed to start crafting some sprinklers), clearing out the farm of junk, doing some fishing by the mountain lake and heading to the Stardrop once it began to get dark. He saw Emily behind the bar, but she was pretty busy and he didn't want to interrupt her work.

When Joshua got back to Cottage Hill Farm after chatting with the townspeople a bit, he found a new letter in his mailbox. He spotted Emily's signature handwriting on the envelope. After opening it and reading what she'd put, Joshua smiled widely as his eyes looked over her words.

"Thanks for joining me last night... I had a great time. I'm actually glad that bear showed up! See you soon. Love, Emily"