The first one she noticed was tucked into the pages of her favorite book on his coffee table. A picture of her, laughing mid-sentence, her hair falling perfectly around her face. {{user}} froze, her heart skipping a beat. She had been with Gavin for months now, and she thought she knew everything about him—but this… this was a new layer entirely.

She glanced around his apartment, eyes widening as more pictures came into view: one taped to the fridge, another on the bathroom mirror, a small Polaroid pinned above his desk. Each one captured a moment, a smile, a laugh—her.

Gavin appeared from the kitchen, hands wiping down a mug, his medium-length dreads catching the sunlight, streaks of golden-blonde glowing. The rose tattoo on his right hand peeked out as he rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

“You found them,” he said softly, his voice warm and gentle. “I wanted… I don’t know… to remind you how much you mean to me. Even when I’m not around.”

{{user}} felt herself melting on the spot. “Gavin… this is… so sweet.” She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him, resting her head against his chest. He tightened his hold, pressing a gentle kiss to her hair, and she could hear his steady heartbeat beneath her ear.

“You make me happy,” he murmured, pulling back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes shining. “I don’t even need a reason. Just… you.”