Clocked In (Harvey x Reader)

In Need of Closure

Growing up, roadtrips with dear ol' Grandpa were the highlight of your life; far away from school. Summers were the best time to go, as you always looked forward to going to the ocean.

You would spend countless hours, playing and splashing in the water as Grandpa stood on the same exact ledge, fishing; hoping to catch a spare fish for dinner to feed the both of us.

Younger (Y/N) always stubbornly told your Grandfather to keep the marine life, or at least let it go back into the ocean. But Grandpa won you over countless of times with your favorite type of Ice cream... in order to make his "famous" fish stew for dinner that day.

You couldn't lie, It was good; and deserved to be famous. Everyone in town loved Grandpa.

...

But when Grandpa's health started to deteriorate, the town rapidly began to fell in an endless pit of grief. Time was ticking, counting down the so few days Grandpa had left and you felt completely useless. Your own Grandfather, being emitted to the hospital... felt like a never ending nightmare.

It was hard. Life on the farm did not feel the same as it was. Almost all of the town's people had moved in order to relieve the burden of such a sadness, yet the few who stayed still felt empty.

Could it be they wanted to keep the whole town alive in his spirit? You were glad that people still cared about what Grandfather loved most.

Those long weeks had been the most hardest for (Y/N). Not being able to help in anyway, yet to be there only to visit when you weren't busy made it felt like you were completely useless. There was nothing you could do.

During another one of the countless weeks of studying, a text from Mom found its way onto your phone. You could still remember their words, plastered onto a digital screen.

"The Doctor had informed that Grandpa has passed... he held on for long enough, but It was time to end his suffering."

...

"We will get through this together."

Feelings of different emotions fought to become present. Anger, sadness... denial? This was all too much, you felt your life began to break down and spiral out of control. How could this happen?

Grandpa was the anchor who held the entire farm together, and now that he's gone. Who could fix it?

...

Perhaps, it was the feeling of longing for a connection. A place which had brought you most happiness, a place of rest from this deranged modern world.

A prized possession from whats left of your Grandfather stood heavy in your mind. When the nurses had cleaned up his room, something was brought to attention.

A simple letter with a bright, red label stating your name on the front.

Now, this letter fills the void of one of many drawers that belonged to your handcrafted, wooden desk. This was another on of his gifts you had received from Grandpa just a few years back. Ever since, working on this desk made you think of him.

Opening the drawer with a creak, you looked over and gently took the letter, carefully not to damage it.

Slowly removing the seal that bonded the cover together, (Y/N) pulled out the piece of paper that showed recognizable, hand written words.

"Dear (Y/N)." You began.

...

"If you're reading this, you must be in dire need of a change."

Your eyes perked up. Sitting up more straight, you took a better look.

"The same thing happened to me, long ago. I'd lost sight of what mattered the most in life... real connections with other people and nature. So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong."

"I've enclosed the deed to that place... my pride and joy; Dapper Dell Farm. It's located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast. It's the perfect place to start your new life."

(Y/N) skimmed through his ramblings. Your mouth started to uplift slightly as you remembered his prolong speeches about the techniques of farming. Little you just wanted to get to the fun part and plant the seeds he gave you.

"This was my most precious gift of all, and now it's yours. I know you'll honor the family name, my (Y/N)."

"Good luck."

When (Y/N) finished reading his letter, you looked down further at the bottom of the page. There it wrote, "Love, Grandpa".

(Y/N) set down the letter and leaned back into their chair, pure blissed filled their head. Spinning around as they thought of all the possibilities that they could experience now that (Y/N) was older. As (Y/N) stopped their chair, they picked up the letter once more.

Grandpa had always added a secret message somewhere on the back of each letter he wrote to you. You toyed around with the piece of paper until your eyes wandered upwards onto the back of his letter.

A phone number, and... a last farewell message.

"P.S. If Lewis is still alive say hi to the old guy for me, will ya? Love you Kiddo."

...

As you finished reading, (Y/N) felt their heart fell with heaviness. You slowly sunk deep into your chair, still holding Grandpa's letter deep into your chest.

"Could I be ready for such a commitment as this?" (Y/N) said quietly in their empty room. You looked down at the letter for the last time; rereading and running your finger along with his words.

But Grandpa had always pressured you into pursing your passions, living life to the fullest. Maybe this was the closure you needed.