𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 norenmin

22: detachment & reunion

•*'¨'*•.¸¸.•*'¨'*•.¸¸.•*'¨'*•.¸¸.•*

55 years later

NA JAEMIN.

"Goodnight my loves." I say softly to the framed pictures beside my bed - one of Renjun, the other a photograph of Jeno. A single tear forms in my eye, which I quickly wipe away, sighing heavily.

It's been two months since Jeno left this world, and I haven't been the same since. We were the last ones left of our little friend group, but I saw it coming - we are eighty now after all.

It's hard going to bed when all I can picture is waking up next to a still, lifeless body, but part of me is glad his parting was peaceful.

I hope that when my time comes, I at least get to go in my sleep.

I can feel my bones getting weaker - death will surely be knocking on my door any day now. But I'm not scared of death, not anymore; I've decided to welcome it with open arms.

I've lived well, despite the ups and downs; death seems like a nice rest from the weight of life. Of course, I would hate to leave my beautiful adopted daughter Jia, as well as my lovely grandchildren, but I feel like a burden.

I can barely remember anything anymore. I pray they don't grieve over me for too long, for I wouldn't wish that type of suffering upon anyone.

I sigh, shutting off my thoughts abruptly in the hopes that I'll enjoy my sleep more than I did the previous night. As I close my eyes, my surroundings slowly fade to black and I can sense it.

Tonight is the night my suffering ends.

When I open my eyes, I'm standing on a bridge, situated over cascading waterfalls that reflect the gentle sunlight and rushing currents which sweep past below me.

Pfft. Could they be any more cliché?

A figure appears before me, wearing a bright orange Hawaiian shirt and ridiculously large green goggles.

They squint at me before "ahhh-ing" and opening up a rather thick book, flipping the pages rapidly until they find the one they want, all the while humming a bizarre little tune.

I take that back... this was certainly not what I expected death to look like.

"No one expects it." The figure answers my thoughts as if they can hear them, startling me out of the trance I was in.

"What, do you want me to wear a black cape with a great big scythe to wave at you and act all creepy and mysterious? Sorry to burst your bubble hun, but that's too boring for an immortal superior such as me. This is the twenty-first century."

The figure huffs at me and their sassy nature makes me giggle to myself a little, bringing a smile to their face as well.

I'm not entirely sure what to call him - Death sounds a little too simple now.

"Death is fine by me."

I simply smile and nod, still slightly terrified by the fact that he can indeed hearing my thoughts.

"Ah, Na Jaemin." He states, after finally finding my name in the book. "We've been expecting you, you held on for a lot longer than we thought. You've had quite an eventful life, haven't you?"

I sigh, agreeing wholeheartedly with him. His next words leave my eyes widening in shock.

"So, are you ready to meet him again? Your first love... he's been waiting every day since he arrived here - I'm sure you two have a lot to catch up on."

Renjun...?

"The one and only." Death confirms, grinning at the stunned expression I'm wearing.

So I do what any normal person would do - burst into tears, severely embarrass myself in front of an immortal being and then beg to know where Renjun is.

"Well, we're currently in the gateway - the place between life and afterlife. Follow through that door on the other side of the bridge and you will find your lover."

I thank him hurriedly and all but run towards the door, my heart pounding in my chest. It's then that I realize realistically I should be having a heart attack - eighty-year-old men aren't supposed to sprint.

But as I look down at my hands and spot no wrinkles, I realize this place has returned my youth to me.

Thank god, I'll still look hot.

I reach with shaky hands for the door, before flinging it open.

And there he is.

"Renjun?" I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. He turns around to face me and it's like coming home at last.

"I've missed you, love." He says, smiling his achingly beautiful smile at me and my feet subconsciously drag me towards him.

Finally, I can hug him. I burst into tears yet again, crying harder when I feel his very real and solid hand rubbing up and down my back comfortingly.

"Shh, love it's okay. I'm right here. I promise, I'm not leaving you. Never again." He tilts my head up and I stare into his tear-filled eyes, swirling with emotion.

He looks at my lips, then back at me as if asking for permission. Without hesitation, I press my lips softly to his and all but melt into his embrace. After a few seconds, we pull away.

I can't look away from him, even for a second - for I am afraid that if I turn around he might vanish and turn out to be a figment of my imagination after all. He seems to sense this and takes a hold of my hand softly.

In a perfect world, Renjun would have stayed by my side.

But now that he's here, it doesn't matter that my life wasn't perfect, because life never can be.

I'm so very grateful for the joy that I managed to have - with my beloved Jeno and my friends and family. None of the hurt, the grief and the pain is here. None of it matters anymore.

All that matters is right here, right now, in a perfect afterlife.

•*'¨'*•.¸¸.•*'¨'*•.¸¸.•*'¨'*•.¸¸.•*