Compassion and Oblivion

Epilogue

It was a great start to your third spring in Stardew Valley. You'd gotten everything done that needed to be done that day - ground tilled, seeds planted, fertilizer spread. The whole day was hazy, it felt like the hours flew by. Regardless, you were beyond ready to turn in. Even though each spring came with its own set of challenges, this one felt a lot less heavy since completing the Junimo's tasks in the Community Center last night.

It was sad to see your little friends go. Even Sebastian said he'd miss seeing the little guys. He'd been a huge help in completing the project, and you always went to drop off their requests together. It quickly became like a game - Who Can Find The Item First? At long last, you had purchased a piece of Void Essence from your new friend Krobus last night, and you hurried to the Community Center together to make your final offering to the Junimo spirits.

Strangely enough, nothing happened.

They had promised you that they'd assist the valley in some way. They frequently gave you little gifts in return for your donations, the reward for this one being an ancient ring with strange magnetic abilities. You expected something magical and otherworldly to happen, now that their final request had been met. However, they skipped back into their hut after rewarding you with the ring, waved goodbye, and disappeared for good.

You had too much work to do today to give it much thought.

After staring out across your fields, satisfied with your work, you jogged up the porch steps and dusted your hands onto your overalls. You were eager to get inside to your husband so you can discuss your dinner plans.

Upon swinging the door open, you were taken aback by what you saw inside.

This house wasn't the home you've built with Sebastian, though you know it like the back of your hand. It wasn't your furniture, though you've sat in it many times. The man perched in the cushy armchair beside the fireplace was not your husband, though you loved him with your whole heart.

He was dressed in a familiar attire, khaki cargo pants and a flannel button-up shirt. His weathered hands, calloused much like your own, held a newspaper out in front of him to effectively obstruct his face from your sight. Regardless, you didn't need to see his face. You already knew it was him.

"Grandpa?" you called curiously.

He lowered his newspaper, peering at you over his reading glasses. A wide grin spread across his wrinkled face as he swiftly folded up the paper and rose from the chair to greet you.

"(Y/N)!" he exclaimed, his voice sounding just the way it did when you were a child. You hadn't heard his voice in over a decade, and the sound was sweeter than honey. He met you in the doorway and gave you a hug and kiss on the forehead. "Welcome home, my dear! Oh, how you've grown! Are you ready to have a great summer?"

You wrapped your arms around him tightly. "Yes, Grandpa! I missed you so much!"

This is exactly how he used to greet me when I was a kid. What is this? A memory?

As you wracked your brain, you don't remember a time that grandpa was ever relaxing in the house when you would arrive. He would either wait for you at the bus stop, or you'd find him out wandering the fields.

This can't be a memory. I must be dreaming.

The details from your morning were only getting fuzzier and fuzzier. The day had been a blur to begin with, and now you're convinced it didn't even actually happen.