Sea Breeze (Elliott x Reader)

♤ Spring Robin ♤

 The very last stop along this bus route is Stardew Valley. I tightened my grip on my bag and took a deep breath. It was strange to find yourself the only person on a bus when you're used to them being overcrowded at every point in the day. What's more odd is to step off into a little town- to an unfamiliar face waiting for you specifically. Well, at least her bright smile was welcoming. Warm orange hair in a ponytail, with a strong yet soft face. She looked like she probably worked out or something.

"Hello! You must be Y/n."

 Ok, having a stranger know your name is unsettling, no matter how kind their voice is.

"Yeah, that's me...?" I said awkwardly, shoving my hands in my pockets. "Uh... who, um, who are you?"

 She waved a hand with a slightly apologetic expression. "Ah, sorry. My name's Robin, the local carpenter. Mayor Lewis said you'd be arriving soon, so he sent me to show you the way over while he finished tidying up the old cottage."

 The slight wind from the city bus taking off ruffled my hair, the sound of waking birds hitting my ears. It was so... quiet, and peaceful. The air smelled fresh and crisp, the light coldness of the breeze telling me my coat wasn't a bad idea after all. There was the name I recognized- putting me a bit more at ease. "Ah, alright. Um, nice to meet you, Robin."

 She smiled, I feel like she's got to be a mother or something. She just has that vibe. "Well, it's just this way, down the road." She gestured for me to follow. She pointed down the other side of the road, saying it was the town. I think I remember this road, it used to feel so long- I'd be asking Gramps if we were there yet. But now, it seems like a brisk walk. I felt a shiver run down my spine as the brick siding of the wooden house was in view. Excitement, nerves, and... just being a little cold racking through me. I thought I was prepared, ready to see the overgrown fields and rickety barn and coop, ready for the memories to come flooding back-

"Here is Westwood farm."

Turns out, time had treated this place worse than I thought.

 I practically jumped in shock as my eyes lay upon... well, it looked like an overgrown forest! I guess 'Westwood' really was accurate now... Seeing the concern plastered across my face, Robin patted my shoulder. 

"Hey, no need to look so worried! There's some good soil underneath all that mess." She said enthusiastically. "The real question is how to get to it..." I mumbled as we walked a bit further in, stopping at the steps of Gramps' old house. It felt small, or maybe I'd just gotten much bigger since I'd last seen it. 

"Here we are, your new home." She said with a wide gesture as the door opened, an older man stepping out. His eyes seemed to brighten up when he saw me, walking down the small porch next to me "Ah, the new farmer! You've grown quite a bit, haven't you?" I tensed a little as I saw him... yeah, I didn't remember him at all- but with the power of context clues I could guess who it was. "...Lewis?" I said uncertainly, praying I got it right. He smiled, shaking my hand for some reason. 

"That's me. You were so small when you visited before, weren't you? Your face always brightened up the town- at least I thought so. You know, everyone's been asking about you! It's not often someone moves in, it's quite a big deal!" He said to my horror. Well, I guess that's not too surprising, this is a small town... but still, I didn't exactly feel good about a whole town of people having expectations of me already!

Lewis turned to the cabin and sighed, while Robin seemed a touch confused as she looked at me. All I could offer her was a stiff smile and wave.

"So... you're moving into your grandfather's old cottage. It's a good house... very 'rustic'." He said, his voice thick with nostalgia. A moment of silence passed as we looked at it, and a small smile crept on my face. Well, maybe it was nothing fancy, and looked a bit like every floorboard creaked- but it was his, and now it's mine.

"...'Crusty' might be a bit more apt." Robin laughed suddenly. I had to stifle a small laugh myself when I heard Lewis scoff with a "Rude!" She wasn't exactly wrong, as much as I tried to look on the bright side. He brushed it off, putting his hand on my shoulder with a determined look. "Don't listen to her, Y/n. She's just trying to make you dissatisfied so you'll go to her for an upgrade." Robin stepped back "Hey!" She crossed her arms and huffed "I was just saying."

"Well, I'll give you some time to settle in. You must be tired from such a long journey- and you probably have a bit of unpacking to do." He said, and I nodded. "Yeah, th... thanks for everything." I said awkwardly as he started walking back down the road as Robin still glared at him. He suddenly paused to turn around. "You see that box here, by the side of your home?" He pointed to the tall-ish wooden box and I gave him a small nod. "If you have anything to sell, I'll come in the night to grab it, you'll find your payment there in the morning." "Oh, ok." I gave a thumbs up. "Good luck!" He said with a smile.

 Robin sighed a little "I should get going too. My home is up the hill that way if you need anything, or have trouble with the house. You shouldn't have too much trouble though, I spent all week patching up holes. I also run my shop from there, open every day but Tuesday." She spoke as she set off down the road as well with a wave. I waved back. Then... I was alone.

I looked up to the sky, it was already a bit past evening. It feels like it got late fast, the blue turning into a darker shade by the minute. I took a moment to look at what's left of Gramps' farm- or, I guess mine. I don't know if that feels quite right yet. Trees, rocks, branches, grass, bushes... I suppose the soil must be good if it brought all of this. There was a small pond nearby that I could get water from, so that's good. 

I put in my mind, where things used to be. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I think of the tall Silo the chickens pecking around, breaking their way into the seeds kept in that old shed and spilling them everywhere. Petting the cows, and the big herding dog Casey. Seeing if I could run down the entire farm, or camping in the fields with some other kids.

 My reminiscing was interrupted as the wind made its way through my coat and into my skin, it was late and not exactly warm enough to be standing out here like this...

Stepping into Gramps' old house- right, my house. That'll take some serious getting used to. I stepped into my house and looked around a little. It was quaint, there was a nicely wrapped box with a bow on it in the middle of the room, though I think I'll leave that for tomorrow. Not too dusty- likely thanks to the efforts of Robin and Lewis. An old-looking tv was set up in the corner with a table nearby and a shelf full of books to the side of it- I hope some of those will help tell me what to do. The fireplace was in the other corner of the room, and I quickly went to light it, warming up the building. The bed was made neat against the wall, With a wooden chest at the end. I set my bag down next to it and flopped onto it, the bedframe creaking.

I tossed off my coat and stretched a little. If I put my clothes away now, I won't have to tomorrow.

Hey, gramps. Can you see me, wherever you are? I'm here. I came. And...

Everything will be ok now, won't it?

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I don't dream often. But I did.

Though, it was more of a memory than a dream.

I told my dad that we should get a garden, that I'd take really good care of it.

He told me we didn't have the space for one- but I was insistent.

I bought a bunch of books about farming with my allowance, and year after year I tried to convince him.

And then, I got a tiny 'garden'

It was a wooden box full of dirt pressed against the window.

I planted my seeds and watered them diligently every day.

Grandpa gave me tips.

it was nice.