Only In My Dreams | Dr. Harvey | Stardew Valley

Chapter Six: Keep it to Yourself

The smell of morning coffee danced through the air as I propped a pillow up behind my back and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, a yawn escaping my lips. I took a small glance around the room before hearing some clinking noises in the kitchen. I softly smiled to myself, knowing it was Harvey in there making breakfast. It had been a few days since the incident and I couldn't help but feel a little nervous about approaching the day I would have to go back to the farm. Since spring was coming to a complete end, I knew I had to start off the summer season nice and strong to regain any profit I had lost during my stay at the hospital. Though it was no vacation, it was still nice to spend some time away from heavy duty work. Especially when it meant that Harvey and I could spend some time together alone.

"What am I even thinking?" I groaned to myself and faceplanted into a pillow I was squeezing tightly, curling up in a small ball. 

Lately, my thoughts about him had been getting more intense. I knew I had some feeling for him here and there, but it had been so hard to avoid them when I had nothing to distract myself this time. Even my dreams about him were becoming more vivid, leading me into some risky situations. The last thing I needed at the moment was feelings for another guy while I was trying to mentally heal from the trauma I had experienced. I tried convincing myself that this was all just because of the heroic act he had made. A part of me felt like it was definitely something more, but I was afraid of wanting something I couldn't have. Harvey hardly seemed like he was the relationship type. And I could never tell if some of the things he did for me was because I meant something to him, or if it was because I was a very beaten up patient. No matter what all of this was about, I still knew I had to keep this to myself.

"Oh, good! You're awake." Harvey's voice beamed brightly as he made his way over with a tray that carried two plates with scrambled eggs and avocado toes, along with two mugs of coffee. "Before you take your medication, I thought I'd make you something good to put on your stomach first." 

My eyes noticed he was wearing only a pair of grey sweatpants and white socks, leaving him completely shirtless. I couldn't help but stare at the muscular figure he had. It reminded my of the day I had caught him in that fitness class. I could definitely tell that all of his hard work had been paying off. A small rosy blush dusted across my cheeks as he sat down on the bed in front of me, setting the tray in between us.

"Is everything okay?" His voice snapped me out of my deep thinking.

I hadn't realized how long I had been staring at his chest. I shook my head and looked up at him, a little embarrassed. "Yes!" I blurted out. I covered my mouth anxiously and looked away. "I'm sorry. I meant, yeah, I'm okay."

He let out a sweet laugh. "I'm happy to hear that! Is your head feeling alright? How about your leg?" He asked as he placed both hands on my leg, gently feeling up and down my bandages. I gave him a small nod. "Good. I wanted to have you start stretching and trying to move this leg around more. No walking, just more movement." He smiled and pulled away, handing me a mug of coffee.

"Thank you." Is all I could say. I took a small sip of it and closed my eyes, letting the comforting scent and warmth cover my face. "Mmm, this is amazing." 

"I get it shipped in from the city. I love the coffee from the saloon, but it gets pretty expensive after awhile." He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck before scooting the tray of food closer to me. "I heard the coffee shops they have there are worth the travel?" 

I nodded with a big smile. "Oh, yes! I used to go a specific one before work when I used to be an assistant at . . ." I paused for a minute. "JojaMart." I shook my head and continued. "Though it's in the city, it was the only place I found myself at peace. The vibe there is very calm and the coffee there is incredible!" I looked down at the place he handed me and took a quick bite. "Thank you, by the way. You really didn't have to do this for me." I blushed a little.

"It was no trouble at all." Harvey stopped and stared at me for a moment, causing my blush to get slightly redder. "Maybe we should go there sometime?" He sighed rubbed the back of his neck. "I have to head there pretty soon anyways." 

I raised an eyebrow. "What for?" I asked, taking another bite.

His eyes turned gloomy along with his well-kept mustache. "I haven't mentioned it to anyone yet, but there's an exam I have to go into the city for. It's been having me on edge lately because it's a test based on my knowledge." He rubbed his cheeks in frustration. "It could effect my whole career if I don't pass. It could even force me to go back to school, which means I wouldn't be able to continue being a doctor here until I finished and passed." 

I frowned along with him and reached over to grab ahold of his hand. "Harvey, I don't think there is anything you have to worry about." I tried to remain positive for him. "You are the smartest doctor I know, and there is no doubt in my mind that you're going to pass it with flying colors." His eyes met with mine, but still looked completely disappointed. "I always used to panic before taking a test. Though, once I actually started to take the test, all of the answers came back to me." I giggled and set the tray aside, taking his other hand in mine along with the other. "You are going to do great!" 

His face looked sun kissed as he held onto my hands a little tighter. "You always know how to make me feel better." 

Those words flowed through my head a million times as we sat there for a brief moment, just holding onto each other and looking into each other's eyes. The feelings I had been trying so hard to suppress came flowing back. It almost scared me to be this close with him. I could only wonder if he had any of those same feelings for me, but I just deemed it as wishful thinking. Our relationship with each other was nothing more than a friendship, and I knew I had to accept that. Though, it was hard when he looked at me with those eyes the way he was right now. A part of me wanted to believe he only treated me like this, but I couldn't help wonder if it's because he had very few friends here. I had no way of knowing if this was truly how he treats everyone he cares about, or if something inside of him felt that I was somehow special to him. Either way, I knew that now was too soon to act on any emotions I had for him. I didn't want any chance of running him off. I don't think I would be able to work nearly as hard as I did before if I left here with a broken heart. That thought made my stomach feel sick. 

"You are beautiful." I heard his voice break my romantic thinking.

I shook my head, snapping out of it. "What did you say?"

"I asked if you were full?" His answer only proved more to me that I was living inside of my head. "If you are, I wanted to go ahead and get started with those exercises for you." His smile was so innocent and warm. There was no doubt that this was out of friendliness. 

"Oh . . ." I set my plate and mug back onto the tray beside me. "That sounds great! Let's go ahead and start." I put on my typical fake smile. 

"Great! I went ahead and got a mat set up on the ground this morning for you, so it won't be too uncomfortable for you." He helped me off of the bed and watched my leg carefully. "Let's try making our way over without the crutches. Let me know if you feel any pain." He informed.

My mind was too busy to feel anything as I limped my way over to the mat, Harvey's hands wrapped around my waist in case I would fall. A part of me wanted to like it, but I knew that it would only cause more distress. I tried to shake it off as he helped me sit down onto the matt. He slid his hand up my back and started to lay me backwards onto the floor, my hands instinctively sliding to his shoulders to keep from falling. My eyes never left his and I could feel my cheeks getting warm. I felt the back of my head land on a fluffy pillow that he had placed down for me as he stayed hovering on top of me. My heart was thumping fast and my hands started to feel clammy. An intense fluttering feeling filled my stomach. Though, he looked completely focused on his task, unfazed by any of this. It almost hurt. 

His hands then made their way down to my injured leg. One resting on my outer thigh and the other on my lower calf. "I'm going to start bend your knee. Let me know when this begins to be too much for you." He said as he lifted my leg and started bringing it against my chest. "Do you feel anything?" 

I was in too much awe to feel anything at all. "N-No . . . it actually feel great." I blushed harder when I realized how intimate our words were sounding. I knew it was only me who was thinking this way.

"That's good news. How about this?" He then stretched my leg out towards him and lifted it up a little. I winced a little. "Okay, so that hurts?" I nodded, biting my tongue. He bent is back towards me and continued to push my leg back and forth slowly. "I'll make sure to be careful. It's important we get the blood flowing and flex these muscles before they become weak. It can slow the healing process down. And with being a farmer and all, I'm sure you rely on your strength." He hovered above me again and slid his hand down my thigh to my hip. I could see him hesitate a little, which caught my attention. He cleared his throat and looked away nervously. "Just let me know when this gets to be too much for you." 

"Harvey?" I placed my hands onto his chest as he hovered over me. 

"Yes?" His eyes looked back at mine in curiosity. 

"I . . ." I paused and decided that now wasn't a good time. "I think I'm finished for now. Could you help me back up for a minute?" 

He took a minute before standing up and helping me along with him, keeping me close. "Of course. I can tell you're starting to be able to stand a lot better than before. That's great!" He smiled and anxiously rubbed the back of his neck. "Man, I don't know how physical therapists do it. Imagine having to do those awkward positions with a grumpy old man!" He laughed, maybe a little too hard at his own joke. 

I giggled with him. "I could only imagine how George would react." I covered my mouth out of politeness. "It's probably wrong to joke about that." 

He chuckled and shook his head. "I know exactly what you mean." He sighed and smiled, crossing his arms.

While he continued to speak, I couldn't help but check out his figure. His forearms were resting beneath his chest and made my eyes wander to the pecks that he had been maintaining very well. He was stronger and had more muscle than I ever imagined he'd have, but I guess that suit just hid it so well. The feeling I was starting to feel for him weren't all physical, though. There was this deep emotional connection I didn't feel with anyone else before. He was so caring. He complimented on things that nobody ever seemed to notice, and it made me feel something different inside. He was the first person to show any concern when I needed help. Maybe it was because he was a doctor, but I would like to think it was because he was also my friend. Something about him brought out an entirely different side to me. A happy side. 

". . . But that's when I realized, the old man isn't ever going to listen to me." Harvey's voice came back to me, the poor thing having to laugh by himself. He slowly stopped and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Mae? Are you alright?" 

I looked at him, in a daze. I placed my hand on my cheek, feeling it almost turn red hot. "I think the medication is just making me a little odd. I'm sorry for spacing out so much." I smiled at him.

He helped me over to the couch and urged me to sit down. "I'll got fetch you a glass of iced water. You get yourself comfortable in the meantime." He offered as he handed me the remote and made his way into the kitchen. I watched him longingly. 

I wish the medication was the problem . . .