Take This To Heart || ImmortalFox

Epilogue.

Aleks never made it to surgery.

Eddie never got to run away with the man he loved.

And all Eddie could do was hold onto the memory and never let him go. He would live on with Aleks' memory and every embrace they shared.

The nurses did CPR for a little while, though he was already too far gone. He was dying and it was obvious. It was just something that he couldn't really bear to witness. Now his Aleks was gone.

He found the letter. Aleksandr's dying wish for him to have it. 

It was the last thing Eddie Cardona had to reminisce over him. It was something he would hold close, as well.

Now he felt the same way as Aleks did when Kevin died in surgery. 

Distant. Depressed. Dying on the inside. Everything came spiraling down soon after.

But he would never let go of the memory. He would eventually smile again. He would soon be happy once more. 

He never went to Support Group meetings anymore and he ignored those who asked about his Aleks. Eddie also pushed his family away.

But he would be happy again in time. 

Some wounds ran too deep to fully heal. Nothing would ever be the same again. But the time the shared together was enough to keep him going.

He wasn't afraid of death. He became immune to it, just like Aleks was. He no longer welcomed it, but instead, lived it. And now he has found other forms of release. He had ways to keep himself strong.

He wasn't afraid of the dark. Aleks was the light that kept him moving.

---

Dearest Eddie,

I meant to propose to you today. I wanted you to be happy, and I wanted to be the one to make you happy. 

If you found this letter, it means that I lost my battle and that I am no longer with you. I am so fucking sorry this happened to you. I wish I was never diagnosed with Leukemia, even though then I never would have met you. You have made me the happiest man alive.

I wish I never had to die.

I had our entire future planned and I am so sorry it had to end this way. I hope you can find someone who makes you almost as happy as I did.

I love you so much. I will continue loving you forever. Take this ring in my memory.

Your love, Aleksandr Marchant.