Pepper was sure he could account the migraine in his head to the fact his phone had been constantly buzzing for the past five minutes, with messages from his boss, possibly from his mother, Seth, in fact it seemed like anybody and everyone who had his number had decided to message him at the same time, simultaneously.

And at work, no less. Of all the damn places to be bothered, it just had to be work.

It was like someone in the universe was purposefully conspiring again him, continually, and unending. Part of him always wondered if it was karma getting back at him for some events in the past, even though some events, in his opinion, hadn't been his fault entirely.

Still. He'd heard people always say karma was a bitch, maybe this what they meant by that.

Or maybe he was just overthinking and being dramatic, that was always a possibility.

Whatever it was, karma or not, the messages continued to blow up his phone and the work area around him remained as monotonous and dull as ever. Same phone ringing, same copying machines buzzing, the same sound of typing on a computer, the same loud voices coming from the boss's office which was unfortunately too close to Pepper's cubicle.

His lips almost blubbered, as he blew out a sigh, and ceased work on the sales report he'd been editing and scooted his chair back, rubbing his temples. His birthday, his work on the weekend, had all subsided, and now another week had begun. Well, technically, it had been the previous day, given that this was a Tuesday, but he couldn't tell when every day always felt like a Monday for the past several years.

Nothing felt different, as expected. Nothing except, that his mind was somewhere else. Not in the same use that it used to be. No, where he used to be imagining other possible scenarios, scenarios he'd rather be in than here, or the random stories he enjoyed writing out of stress, his thoughts were instead on a certain little letter he'd opened the night of his birthday.

Yeah, it'd been a few days since he'd first opened it, he knew that. Yet, it'd been on his mind from the minute he'd finished reading it. It stuck to his mind like the jelly his mom would put on the sandwiches she used to pack him for school, as much as he had hated that stuff...always preferred peanut and butter alone rather having jelly accompany it.

But that was beside the point right now. Sandwiches were the last thing on his mind, the letter was the first. He'd read it over at least two times now, and had discovered it stashed away in his back pocket, when he sat at his desk and reached for his phone.

It'd been shoved there the night he read, even then, he could still feel it burning a hole in the fabric. Like it was begging to be looked at it again, just for validation, just to remind him of the pressing matter in his mind.

Swaying slightly at his desk, no thanks to the wheels on the chair he was currently sitting in. Leaning his head back, he checked, making sure at first that no one was paying attention, or that his boss wasn't coming to make another unexpected visit to ask about the sales report. Thankfully, everyone seemed just as enslaved as usual, so he quickly pulled out the paper again, it now very crinkled from having spent two hours underneath the weight of his bum.

Inhaling deeply, he closed his eyes, opened them, and unfolded the letter for perhaps the sixth time this week, the third time today. He scanned the words carefully, to make sure he was reading everything correctly, that what he was reading was actually not just a figment of his deprived imagination.

But it was all there, there was no doubt about it. Besides, he knew his grandpa's handwriting, he'd know if it was fake. Even if he'd just been four years old when his grandpa wrote this, had barely known the man except for those years, he knew his handwriting. He remembered distinctly, he remembered finding letters that the man had exchanged with his mother, he remembered how much his handwriting had diminished the year he became sick...

The words, all there, in that careful, curvy handwriting of his. A bit slurred, but clear enough to read.

"Dear Pepper, if you're reading this, you must be in dire need of a change. The same thing happened to me, long ago. I'd lost sight of what mattered most in life...real connections with other people and nature."

Pepper sucked in his lower lip, rubbing his thumb against the rough paper as his eyes darted across the words.

Me too, Grandpa, me too...

It wasn't a lie. He didn't really feel connections to anybody anymore, let alone his own family. Nature, huh. Well, it was hard to do that when you lived in a city with polluted air and traffic jams.

"So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truely belonged," the letter continued to read. "I've enclosed the deed to that place; my pride and joy, Mousey Farm. It's located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast. It's the perfect place for you to start your new life."

Even though he'd read this letter a few times by now, he felt a small tear as he came to the last words on the back of the page.

"This was my most precious gift of all, and now it's yours. I know you'll honor the family name, my dear. Love, Grandpa."

I love you too, Grandpa...I always will.

There was another sentence, the typical P.S. one you'd see on most letters. Something about saying hi to a guy named Lewis, whoever he was, if he was still around. Unlike the other times, Pepper did not close it. He instead brushed the tear that had escaped his eye, and swallowed hard, letting the words truely simmer in his mind this time.

Aside from not closing the letter, this was how he had reacted the various times he'd read it. This time though, he looked back several times. Mousey Farm...a funny name, he had to admit, but he vaguely remembered it. Visiting, as a child, one summer...then during the next spring, when...

Yes, he vaguely remembered it. So much blue sky, green grass...trees...god, when was the last time he'd seen a real tree?

Odd that it was only coming back to him now, but he had had too much to think about and focus on in the recent years. The memory, slow as it was, came back, bits and pieces albeit considering he was only a small child the last time he had even set foot in that place. Twenty years, to be exact. What did it even look like now, or better yet, what if someone had moved in there already?

No, no they wouldn't have. That deed was in his name, he hadn't changed it, even after his transition. He had a right to it, didn't he?

This, was the exact reason he'd read the letter constantly. Couldn't sleep, couldn't focus on work, all he could think about was the fact that there was a farm, located somewhere in a small town, that was in his name...it was legally, all his...all he had to do was claim it.

So the real question was, what was stopping him? Himself? The fact his family lived close and he couldn't stand being that far from them?

But possibly, just maybe, the true question, the truly real question, was what was keeping him here? Aside from his family, he had nothing. No friends, a crap job, an asshole of an ex who couldn't take a hint...not much, not much at all. What exactly was keeping him from going? What was stopping him?

Both very good questions in their own right, and he had the answer to both.

He'd been thinking about this whole deal from the first minute the farm was even mentioned in writing, debated it, thought it over...been yelled at by his boss at least once yesterday for being too in thought over it to focus on the files he was supposed to be sorting.

A new start...it'd mean a new start. He'd needed one for a long, long time. Maybe since he was sixteen, come to think of it. Weird how Grandpa had seemed to know he'd need this, but then again, his mother had always said his grandfather was a wise and learned man, that he'd seen a lot of the world and knew too much for one person to comprehend. He always just seemed to know what people needed.

Pressing the letter against his chest, he let a picture of the farm enter his mindspace, of what he could remember. He could hear birds chirping, could almost smell the fresh, country air...gosh, it-it sounded appealing. It sounded much more appealing the more he thought about it.

But his family...his mother, Jude, Jamie...heck, even Cole, who he had not seen in ages...could he just leave them like that? To just drop everything like his grandpa had and just...start over? Could he really do that?

Unintentionally, the paper crumpled in his hands and he gasped, shoving back into his pocket before he did anymore damage to it. He tried to put his hands back at the keyboard, to start work again, but he couldn't bring himself to. Not after thinking this much, not after that envisioning he'd done...not after picturing that farm. Picturing a better life...something he really, honest to God, needed.

"Babe...text me sometime..."

The phone buzzed again, louder, the ambience seemed to heighten the more he stayed still.

"He was wondering if you still liked collecting those little porcelain birds or not...why don't you go see him, Pep? He misses you, honey."

A finger pressed onto the keyboard, but he found it moving to his mouse, and exiting out of the sales report still up.

"If you value your paycheck, you'll have those reports to me when I want them. Got it?"

Click. It was gone.

"That doesn't mean you have to worry all the time though...hey, I'll be fine, we'll be fine, just wait and see..."

He found himself turning off the computer as well, found himself pushing his chair back. Picking up an empty crate from underneath his desk, he began to pull various knick knacks from his desk...the mug Jamie had gotten for Christmas, a family picture, the porcelain birds, which he hesistated at, but continued. Some co-workers looked over as he picked his briefcase up, filing through it, most with confused expressions, but no one questioned him, given that they'd possibly get in trouble if they risked stepping away from their cubicles.

Soon, the entire desk was empty. No files left, no books, no pictures. Nothing but the computer.

His feet hit the floor at a rapid pace, running straight past standing co-workers, past security officers patrolling the area for slacking employees, and straight to his boss's office. A paper was gripped tightly in one hand, a pen in the other.

He pushed the door open, striding in to where Mr. Harris sat at his desk with a cup of coffee. The older man looked surprised to see Pepper entering, but did not get a chance to say anything, as a paper was slapped on his desk.

"What's the meaning of this, Maxwell? I thought I told you to be working on those sales reports-" he started, but the young man also slapped the company pen on the desk as well, standing back. Confused, he looked up, Pepper turning his head up at him. A more, confident look, was on his face, a rare look that he'd not possessed in a long time.

"Get someone else to do that report, Mr. Harris." he stated boldly. He gestured towards the paper he'd sat down. Mr. Harris, still confused, put on his reading glasses, and looked down at the paper. A small smirk came over Pepper's face as the look on the man's face melted into a dismayed expression.

"I-I, what-what do you mean by giving me this?" The lines on his face crinkled as he looked back up, almost looking like he demanded an explanation. But Pepper wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of one, and just crossed his arms, the smirk growing even bigger.

"It's quite simple actually." He nodded towards the paper again, then took off the lanyard around his neck bearing his ID on it. Tossing it towards his boss, he sighed, though it was one of content.

"I quit."

He couldn't hear the protests, or the fussing that came after that statement, because he'd turned around and left, the smirk transitioning into a wide smile as he headed back to his desk to gather his things. Up went the box, down he went in the elevator, and out he stepped into the city outside.

The smile couldn't seem to contain itself, not even as he waited for the bus to show up. Not with the thoughts in his mind right now, no.

No more city, no more Joja.

It was about time he took control again.

Life was going to get better this time, not like the other times where it'd only seemed it would. He was gonna make darn sure things were gonna change this time.

That was a promise he was gonna hold to himself.

Dear Mayor Lewis,

You don't know me, but I'm sure you knew my grandfather. William Keller, had a daughter named Carrie-Anne, lived on Mousey Farm? I hope that rings a bell, I don't know...apparently my grandfather was good enough friends with you that he requested I specfically say hi to you for him.

Anyways...to save even more confusion, my name is Pepper Maxwell, William's grandson. I know if he ever mentioned me, it was probably at a different time...before I knew um, who I really was. So if you're expecting a girl, I'm just gonna go ahead and save you the trouble and tell you what to expect; a skinny, 4'8" guy with red hair and freckles.

That's me.

I'm 24, started transitioning at 13...I hope that's not too confusing, but I just wanna make sure I explain. Just so you don't expect differently of me, haha. I'm sure my grandpa told you many embarrassing stories about me, but I'm an entirely different person than I was back then.

But see, the main reason I am writing this email is for this reason solely; I'm not sure if my grandpa ever mentioned it to you, but he left his farm in my name. And I was just curious...if it was still intact? I'm actually interested in moving onto it, now that I'm older...but I'll understand if you say no. I'm not sure how much of a good friend you were with my grandpa, anyways.

I'd still like to discuss the manners of the farm with you, however, so message me back whenever you can. No rush.

Best wishes, Pepper Maxwell.

Pepper's hands remained clasped on the table, his fingers twiddling out of anxiousness as his mother came over and sat down a tray of cocoa. Jude sat across from him, taking his own cup from the tray, and Jamie was leaned against the table, browsing her phone. She only reached to take a cup of cocoa when Carrie-Anne nudged her, then the other woman took her own seat beside her husband.

They both noted how quiet their son was being, how he hadn't even seemed to notice the prescence of the cocoa, which was odd considering it was his favorite drink. His comfort drink, as he called it. The one thing that would calm his nerves next to Disney music, but even now he seemed too transfixed on whatever thoughts were in his mind to even notice.

It wasn't until his mother cleared her throat did he break from his trance.

"Honey," She smiled, although uncertainly, and gestured towards the cocoa tray with her head, as she was holding her own cup in her hands. "Cocoa's getting cold. C'mon."

He eyed the mug, noting the cheery snowman painted on the side. The one mug he'd drank out of as a kid, of course. Though it made him smile briefly, he only pulled the mug off the tray, yet didn't even bother drinking any of the chocolate beverage inside. The ceramic felt warm in his hands, a comfort to the cold clamminess previously there.

It was quiet; just a little. No one had really said much since he had shown up.

There had been the typical conversation, the greetings, then Pepper had said something about an announcement he had to make. He knew very well what this announcement was, but he found himself too scared to bring it up. Having practiced this conversation in his mind, at the bathroom counter, and even in bed, none of the scenarios had ended particularly well, maybe because he was too used to negative outcomes.

It didn't help that eye contact was nerve-wracking enough as it was; how he'd managed at Joja, he'd never know, especially considering how much eye contact his boss had always insisted on making with him.

Well, ex-boss now.

He wondered what was going through his family's minds right now; given that he wasn't making eye contact and acting very strange. They must've thought something awful was up, something related to Seth, or something that had happened at work.

Carrie-Anne was looking all but ready to spill, the way she nibbled at her lip, as she always did whenever she was nervous.

Jude on the other hand, only looked very suspicious. Both bushy eyebrows had remained pinned down, and he only gave off a condescending stare from underneath his eye glasses, making Pepper a little more anxious than he already was. It was a natural look for Jude though, God knows it'd taken him a long time to get used to it back when he and his mother had first married.

Jamie only remained casually leaned against the table, not even seeming to care. That was just her typical attitude though; she was probably the most caring person that Pepper knew, especially when it came to defending her family members. But he also knew how bored she got easily and him taking his sweet time in telling his family the news he had had obviously drummed down any interest she'd had.

Though, she did spare him a glance every now and then.

He swore, it was almost like being on trial. Maybe they weren't intending to stare at him like they were, but with the way they were acting, you'd think he was getting ready to explode at any minute. Like he was a ticking time bomb just waiting to be set off.

It was definitely not helping the situation any. Not in the slightest.

If was as if they were just waiting for him to crack. At least, he supposed, they weren't pressing him to say anything. When he'd shown hesistance, that was when his mother had left to make cocoa. That had been five minutes ago.

Now, he quietly brought the mug to his lips, taking a small sip. The liquid burnt his tongue, his entire mouth to be exact, yet he swallowed anyways. Setting the mug down, he cleared his throat. His fingers tapped against the wooden table in a rat-a-tat-tat pattern, and he looked absent-mindedly at some family portraits hanging on the wall nearby.

He wondered how long he could get away with not saying anything.

It wasn't like he didn't wanna tell them, he really did! But there was just the fact...he wasn't sure how they'd take to the news that he'd be moving several hours away from them, that he was dropping everything and just moving to a farm he wasn't even sure was still intact.

It's now or never, Pep. His own voice spoke in his head, trying it's best to reassure him. They have to know, it's not like you can just disappear without them knowing. They deserve to know, you have to tell them.

Damn it, he hated it when he was right.

But it was true, he had to tell them. At least, they deserved to know he was leaving. It was only fair.

So after a tenth mental pep talk, he pushed his cocoa aside and cleared his throat again, a little more loudly this time. Everyone seemed to alert at this.

"So...I guess you're all wondering what it is I wanted to talk about..." he started slowly, not sure how to go about explaining the details. Seeing how worried his mother had looked at his tone of voice, he cracked a reassuring smile and held a hand-up.

"Nah, Mom, it's okay. I'm fine, there's nothing wrong with me." Instantly, Carrie-Anne relaxed. "It's just...well, it's kinda about work..."

"What about work?" Jude sat his own mug down, scooting his chair forward. "Did something happen?"

"You weren't fired were you?" Came Jamie's sarcastic voice, earning a shush from her parents. Pepper held a laugh back at this, but shook his head.

"Um, no...the opposite actually..I um, I quit..." His voice lowered at the last word, but this still managed to cause a look of shock on both his mother and step-dad's faces. Jamie only snorted, texting something on her phone before shoving it into the pocket of her jeans.

"Huh, so I was close." She spun around, leaning down on the table with her hands now. "Well halle-fucking-lujah, I say it's about damn time you quit that job. It was sucking the fricking life outta you."

"Jamie, language!" Carrie-Anne hissed, then turned her attention to Pepper. "Pepper, what are you talking about? How could you just quit your own job like that, I thought you needed it!"

"Mom-"

"You know he only took it for the healthcare benefits, Mom." Jamie interrupted, but was promptly shushed again. She rolled her eyes and stood back from the table.

"You know what, I don't think this conversation involves me. I'm just gonna go work on my English paper." Her footsteps echoed down the hall as she left the kitchen, her parents seeming to wait until she'd left to speak again. Even watching her leave, they then looked back to Pepper, who was regretting breaking the news that he'd quit his job first, above everything.

"Sweetie, look. I know you hated that job, but you needed the money..." His mother started, her face full of concern. The wrinkles under her eyes seemed to increase how old she actually looked, had even done that when she was younger. "I know, it's not the job you wanted but you were actually supporting yourself. You were doing fine, weren't you?"

"Was I doing just fine? Are you serious?" Pepper almost had to laugh, in fact, did not refraining from laughing harshly at his mother's statement. He crossed his arms, falling back in the seat. "Oh yeah, I was doing great. I was the fastest typer in the building, the fastest file sorter. I was the go-to guy to take over when it was supposed to be my day off, just because some other co-worker had conveniently gotten sick-"

"Honey..."

"And it doesn't help, that I can't focus on work because my asshole of an ex is texting me 24/7 and sometimes-even showing up unannounced when I'm trying to get a sales report done." he only continued, not even giving either older adult a chance to interrupt him. "And I only get to sleep for about 5 hours per night because I've otherwise got too much on my mind to even get a decent night's sleep, thus why I walk around a zombie 24/7."

He didn't know why he was acting so blunt, but he couldn't help it. It'd been a long time that he'd help this stuff inside of him, and now, this was the result. Leaning forward, he slammed both hands on the table, not aggressively though, but with force enough to shake it.

"Oh yeah, I'm doing just fantastic. That job, was amazing. That's why I quit it." A smile crossed his face, perhaps one out of smugness or spite. "No, I'm done being someone else's lackey. I've decided I wanna get more out of my life, Mom. Don't you understand that? I don't wanna be stuck at a desk job until I'm fifty-seven."

Carrie-Anne looked stunned her son's words, and she looked down, into her mug.

"Now you're sounding just like your father..." she murmured, Jude frowning and instantly grabbed onto her arm, rubbing his fingers against it gently. Pepper felt a slight prick of regret for his word choice, but who was he to help how he talked? Not that he'd ever had any affection for his father, but if there was anything he'd inherited from the man, it was his spitfire.

"Mom, I'm sorry..."

"No, no. Don't apologize." She looked back up, her face just slightly flushed. "I understand. Your father was the same way at your age...he never liked being tied down. He never liked where he was, he let me know all the time. I thought I was past that."

"Yeah, well he was also a damn jerk. I might not like being tied down, Mom, but I'd never talk to you like he did." Pepper reached across the table, grabbing his mother's hand. "I swear, his outlook on life is all of him that I am, I love you. I love all of you, that's why I was hesitant in telling you guys."

He squeezed her hand, and he felt relief at seeing the small, sad smile coming onto her face. Her other hand overlapped his, patting it.

"I know, honey. And we love you too." Both she and Jude smiled at him now, though both were sad, nervous smiles. "But we just want what's best for you, especially after everything you've been through. If quitting your job..."

"If it makes you happy," Jude continued, as Carrie-Anne had paused mid-speech. "We're not mad at you over it. We just don't want to see back at a negative point in your life, that's all. Just how are you planning to support yourself now, though? That's our main concern, son, that's all we're worried about."

Though they would've expected him to hesitate, he didn't. Instead, his face brightened and he perked up in his seat, giving his mother's hand another reassuring squeeze.

"That's the better part of what I've got to tell you." He licked his lips, noting how dry they actually felt, but squirmed forward in his seat. How he worded these next words were vital; he had to make sure he didn't sound like a rambling idiot. "Mom...do you...uh, do you remember the farm Grandpa had?"

"Do I?" His mother released a short laugh and grabbed her mug. "Honey, you know I grew up there."

"Semi-grew up, you were fourteen when Grandpa moved there."

"Well, yes." Carrie-Anne sipped her cocoa. "Fair point, but what's yours? What does the farm have to do with you quitting your job?"

"It has everything to do with that." Pepper brightened even more, the visions of the farm filling his mind again. It excited him to talk about, making him feel his actual age instead of the ancient age that Joja had made him feel like. "You remember how you took me and Cole to visit, on my fourth birthday? You remember the envelope that Grandpa left me?"

"Envelope?" His mother squinted, Jude even looking confused. At last, it had seemed to dawn on her and she nodded. "I think, yeah. What about it?"

Before he answered, her eyes widened and she sat her mug down, placing both hands on the table.

"Wait. Did you finally open it?" He nodded, almost without hesitation, and with eagerness like a child's.

"Yeah. Last week, actually." His hands went back to their previous folded position, though his fingers didn't twiddle out of anxiousness this time, instead, they twiddled with excitement. "Turns out, he left the deed to the farm in my name. It's been mine for nearly twenty years at this rate."

"Are you serious?" Such a question might've been regarded as upset, but instead Carrie-Anne seemed very intrigued, almost sharing her son's excitement. Though Jude looked a little dubious, he still listened as Pepper nodded again.

"Yeah, very serious." he half-chuckled. "It's all mine, Mom. The whole place. I already emailed the mayor of the town already, so basically I'm just waiting for the go-ahead to move in."

"Wait-what?" This changed his mother's mood instantly, as well as his step-dad's. Both of them now looked alarmed. "You're-you're moving? You already decided?"

"Well yeah, I already quit my job." Pepper snorted, but he grew solemn at the looks on his parents' faces. Noting how visibly shocked they were, he scooted his chair as close as he could, and now grabbed onto each of their hands.

"Guys...look. I need this." he said, quietly. "I'm tired, I'm exhausted, I-I need a change of pace. If you want me to be happy, just let me go. I know I'll be far away but...please. I really, really need this. In fact, I want it too."

Well, he'd just said all those words without stumbling over them. He should give himself a pat on the back. Now it seemed to be simmering in both of the older adults' minds. They both remained quiet for a good minute, before Jude exchanged a glance with his wife, speaking first.

"He's grownup, Carrie." he said. "If he wants to leave, I think he should. He already made the decision without us, after all."

Carrie-Anne opened her mouth to speak back at this, but upon realizing her husband had a point, she sullenly nodded. Taking a deep breath, she looked back to the waiting Pepper, and put a shaky smile on her face.

"If it's what you want, sweetie..." Her voice sounded equally as shaky, almost like it was gonna crack. "You have our blessing."

Pepper felt a wave of relief come over him.

"Thanks, guys. Thanks." He let himself smile again, though this time it felt more genuine given that he knew his family was 100 percent supportive of his decision. They always had been supportive; always. When he was transitioning, they'd been there for him, and even when he'd come out as gay after his high school graduation, that hadn't even been as big as an ordeal as he'd feared it would be.

Just a pat on the back from Jude, a smile from his mother, and a laugh from Jamie.

Then they'd all gone out for pizza.

But Cole...

Cole hadn't said anything. He wasn't even there, couldn't have been.

That was a given. That was a thought in the back of his mind.

Dear Mr. Maxwell,

So good to finally hear from you at last! Your grandfather always spoke so fondly of you as a child; it's a pleasure to actually be speaking to you now. William was a wonderful man, someone I was honored to call my friend. We were actually on excellent terms for a long time, I even knew your mother, in fact.

I think I might have even seen you once when you were here a long time ago, like, how many years? Ah, I don't know. But you're different now, you say? Nothing to worry about here, I might be an old timer but I've tried to be more open minded to how society operates nowadays. It's just a little odd to get used to, I suppose, but regardless, I appreciate that you took the time to explain it to me.

So, you're interested in moving onto your grandpa's old farm, huh? Well forgive me for being so blunt, but it's about time! That place has seen better years, but it's not beyond any repair. I still have the legal documents, all you'd have to do is sign them and the place is yours. I've tried to maintain it myself, but you know that is, when you're the mayor and all. Don't get much time for anything else.

But, as I've stated, all you really have to do is move down here and sign the documents. Just a small legal issue, but nothing too complicated. We'd definitely welcome a new farmer down here, in fact, could use one honestly. Pelican Town's a great place, I think you'd fit in just fine here.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Best regards,

Mayor Lewis