𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚈𝚘𝚞

ᴘᴏʟᴀʀᴏɪᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ

The last day of university was bittersweet especially when the last month was filled with a grief-stricken Seungkwan and Paranoid Vernon. It seemed as if the wounds of the kidnap still remained fresh. But  every day, Seungkwan was walking one new step close towards betterment all due to Vernon's constant encouragement and soft words.

 The campus buzzed with excitement and nostalgia as students posed for photos, exchanged promises to stay in touch, and reminisced about late-night cram sessions and unplanned adventures. Vernon leaned against the fountain in the courtyard, watching the chaos with a quiet smile.

Seungkwan was in the thick of it, of course. His laugh rang out above the chatter as he flitted between friend groups, giving dramatic goodbyes and joking about how he'd be "too famous to remember any of them." Vernon chuckled to himself. Seungkwan was the life of the party, as always.

But today, Vernon had a plan—a nerve-wracking, heart-pounding plan he'd been mulling over for weeks.

"Yah, Chwe Hansol!" Seungkwan's voice broke through Vernon's thoughts. He looked up to see Seungkwan marching toward him, hands on his hips.  "Are you just going to sit there all day while the rest of us are out here making memories?"

Vernon smirked, holding up his Polaroid camera. "I am making memories. Come here."

Seungkwan rolled his eyes but complied, plopping down beside Vernon. "Fine. Make me look good, though."

Vernon laughed, lifting the camera. "You don't need my help for that."

Snap.

The Polaroid whirred as the photo slid out, and Seungkwan snatched it before Vernon could. He waved it in the air impatiently, waiting for the image to develop. "Why do you love this thing so much when phones exist?"

Vernon shrugged, taking the picture from him once it was clear. It was a perfect shot—Seungkwan mid-laugh, the sunlight catching in his eyes. "It's more special this way," Vernon said quietly.

They spent the rest of the day wandering around campus, Vernon snapping photos while Seungkwan complained about how "ridiculous" he looked in all of them. Vernon didn't argue—he was too busy memorizing every detail of Seungkwan's face, every nuance of his smile.

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, they ended up in the courtyard, now nearly empty. Seungkwan stretched his arms above his head, sighing. "I can't believe it's over."

Vernon fidgeted with his camera strap. "It's not really over. We'll still see each other."

"Yeah, but it won't be the same," Seungkwan said, looking wistful. "No more random library meet-ups or your handwriting fixes."

Vernon swallowed hard. This was it.

"Hey, Seungkwan," he said, his voice steadier than he felt.

"Hmmm?"

Vernon handed him a small stack of Polaroids, carefully wrapped with a piece of twine. "Here. A graduation gift."

Seungkwan raised an eyebrow but took the bundle, untying it slowly. As he flipped through the photos, his expression softened. They were all pictures of him—laughing, studying, eating, even sleeping during a lecture once.

The last photo stopped him in his tracks. It wasn't a picture of him but of a note written in Vernon's handwriting:

"You make every moment worth capturing. I don't want this to be the end—I want us to be more than just a memory. I'm in love with you, Boo. I always have been."

Seungkwan stared at the photo, his hands trembling slightly. "Vernon..."

Vernon scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks burning. "I know it's cheesy, but... I didn't want to graduate without telling you. You're—"

Before he could finish, Seungkwan threw his arms around him, knocking the breath out of him.

"You idiot!" Seungkwan's voice was muffled against Vernon's shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I—" Vernon started, but Seungkwan pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. His face was flushed, his expression somewhere between exasperation and pure joy.

"I've been waiting for this," Seungkwan said, a little breathlessly.

Vernon blinked. "You have?"

Seungkwan rolled his eyes, but his smile was soft. "Of course, I have. Did you think I just stuck around because of your camera?"

Vernon's laugh was cut off as Seungkwan leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that was equal parts gentle and electric. The Polaroids slipped from Seungkwan's hands, scattering around them as Vernon pulled him closer, his heart soaring.

When they finally pulled apart, Seungkwan grinned. "So... does this mean I get to keep all the Polaroids of me looking ridiculous?"

Vernon chuckled, resting his forehead against Seungkwan's. "You don't look ridiculous. You look perfect."

Seungkwan rolled his eyes again, but the way he tightened his grip on Vernon said everything he didn't need to.

As the sun set, they sat together surrounded by memories—old and new—ready to start their next chapter.

 ~ 🍒💘😇 ~ ~ 🐶💘😺~ ~🐢💘🍊~