Chapter Text
Carefully opening the scrapbook he had found earlier whilst cleaning, Shane smiled at the handwritten inscriptions on the first page. He had known as soon as he had picked up the book what it was, if there was one thing he could proudly say about himself it was that his memory had always been pretty good. Exactly one year ago today he and Alizeh had taken the first polaroid that would later provide the inspiration for what he currently held in his hands.
In Alizeh's cursive handwriting were the words 'One day when we're old and senile we'll look back at these images and remember the story of how 'I' became 'us' and 'me' became 'we'. I always wanted to believe in take-your-breath-away romances, tummy butterflies and true love when I was growing up, and when I met you that wish came true. Shane Madej, you are the most beautiful, enlightening, reassuring and encouraging human I have ever had the pleasure to spend time with, and I promise that whilst my beliefs might waver from time to time, I'll never stop believing in us'.
Every time Shane read that, his stomach somersaulted. He knew she had complete faith in them, she had from the start, but to see that she genuinely believed they would grow old together gave him all sorts of crazy feelings he couldn't even begin to put into words.
Underneath her promise was his, less legible but certainly not less heartfelt. It read 'We entered lockdown as best friends and left it as so much more. Alizeh Baskar, words can't describe how much easier, sparklier and cosier my life is with you in it. I cherish every minute we spend together and promise never to stop reminding you how beautiful, witty, cool and utterly wonderful you are. I loved you the day I met you, I love you today as I'm writing this, and I'll still love you when we're old and gray'.
He had always struggled a little bit expressing his feelings but Alizeh made him want to be better at that, and the adoration in her eyes when she had read his entry had made any anxious worries he had had writing that last sentence disappear straight away.
When the country had been thrown into lockdown, they had decided to move in together. Shane had known that Alizeh would struggle on her own, and whilst he had Obi, he had suspected he would struggle without human company as well. It had taken all of ten minutes for Shane to suggest his best friend in the whole world (after Ryan of course) live with him through what was clearly going to be a turbulent, scary chapter of their lives. A chapter that from a work perspective was incredibly difficult, but from a personal perspective turned out to be one of the best and most rewarding.
He re-read the entries before turning over the page and looking back at where their friendship started to change into the wonderful relationship they shared today.