Somewhere in the sky, in a sphere of unnavigable space, there is a forest of trees. Apple trees, oak trees, lemon trees, pine trees, cherry blossoms, and more – many fill this forest.

Sometimes, if you look real close, you’ll spot where the roots merge with the clouds, and if you look real long, you’ll see that their leaves never fade color. There is spring all year long, winter all year long, summer and fall all year long, and there is always a rhythm about them. There is always eternity.

A home exists in those clouds, a gentle kind of blessing. There, it is the end.

And there... there, we are able to count forevers.

Dear Baekhyun,

These days, it’s getting harder for me to wake up. There’s an ache in my back that drills into my bones when I move after being idle for too long and my joints creak, too. I think it means I’m getting old; it’s an odd thought.

This weekend, I stopped listening to the very last tape  you left me because I was afraid it would break. All the other ones don’t work anymore – I think I've mentioned that in intervals through my letters – but I’m down to just one now. That's why last night, I put it back in the box where the rest are and I haven't played it since. I just want to keep you alive that way, Baekhyun. Sometimes, I feel like I need to. But it’s a good thing you’ve left so many pieces of you with me because it makes it easier for me to run to you when the pain starts seeping in again.

It comes and goes, the sadness. I’m not depressed all the time but there are moments when I sit still and suddenly, for no reason, I feel a heavy weight settling on top of my shoulders. Everything still reminds me of you; I know I write this every time, but that’s how things are. I look outside my window in the morning and the birds sing songs only you could sing back. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking maybe, if I’m hazy enough, I’ll be able to imagine you in bed with me. I look at the ceiling before I go to sleep and remember we used to lie on our backs and talk a lot, just mull over the little things that run in our heads. My whole world just keeps bringing you back.

Like this.

The wind, that’s your name. In my ear, that's where it whispers.

The sand between my toes, in my hair, that’s your warmth.

The waves, the ocean – that’s your voice. Every step, you're there to walk with me.

And I swear, Baekhyun – I swear you’re still here. You never really left. There's still traces of you everwhere; you’re immortal like that.

I don’t think I hate hurting though, think it makes me feel better, actually. It helps me remember you. And it's funny. I know that people always say that life goes on, and it does, but I don’t think there’s a problem with losing track of time. I think it’s something that people have to realize sometime in their life: no one is obligated to follow the universal clock. I just need you, and that’s it. That's why I haven't moved on; I still run on your time.

I really do hope everyone finds someone special like I found you. Or did you find me? God, it's been a long time.

Anyway, what I wanted to write in this letter was that these days,  I've been getting this feeling that I might not open my eyes again when I close them at night. It's a little frightening, but I still sleep easily.  I think it's because I would be fine with that, not waking up.

I know I'll be all right.

I always think of you,

Park Chanyeol

P.S. Happy Birthday.

A/N: Hey guys, it's been a long, long time. I know, and I'm really sorry about the wait but this is the best I can do for now with school in the way of everything, even my emotions. I hope you understand. /deep sigh.../ As always, I don't know when the full fic is coming, but what you just read now is just the prologue, barely 700 words of intro to the monster fic this epilogue will be. I have about 3k words written out of the full story (if you're wondering), but that's just the beginning. To be honest, I think what I'm most afraid about regarding this whole project is that this epilogue will be longer than the actual story haha;; But oh well, I will write what I wish.
On a side note, I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who's been super supportive of everything I do (especially readers who maxed out subs to the rest of my stories ohmy - it means a lot) and left me such heartwarming comments urging me on. This is an ending we're working on together here, and I'm glad you guys want to finish this journey with me. Thank you for everything, and I will be back when I can.

until next time,
serendipity--