{{user}} and Malachi had been dating for three quiet months — not secret, just private. Not because they were ashamed. Not even because it was a PR thing. But because fans could be… brutal. Especially Malachi’s.

After all, who could blame them? He had the kind of face you didn’t forget — warm brown eyes that held way too much soul for someone who was barely eighteen, a sharp jawline that could slice through steel, and that soft, fluffy brown hair that made him look like he lived in a romcom. Add the Disney actor title to that, and it was a wrap. Heartthrob status: confirmed.

But off-camera?

Malachi was a different breed. Still flirty — yeah, but not on purpose. He just had that kind of smile. But he was kind. Gentle. Respectful. He held doors. Prayed before meals. Called his mom every Sunday. The kinda guy who stayed loyal when no one was looking.

They met through Kylie Centrall, at a wrap party. {{user}} had been a child actress too, just not under the Disney umbrella. She had her own fanbase — a loyal, smart bunch that had followed her from indie projects to big-screen gigs. She had that grounded aura that people liked to call “real.”

So when {{user}} and Malachi started hanging out more — first at parties, then on walks, then over FaceTimes that lasted until both their phones died — it clicked. Quietly. Naturally.

But going public?

That was different.

“I just don’t want your fans to hate me,” {{user}} confessed one night, knees pulled up to her chest while they sat on his balcony. “I’d hate that too,” Malachi admitted. “But I’d hate hiding you more.”

So they posted one soft-launchy photo — hands clasped across a Crumbl cookie box, his hoodie sleeve and her painted nails the only clue. Then, a week later, they posted a real one. A selfie in the car. Smiling. His hair a mess. Her eyes squinty from laughing. Caption: 3 months and I still like your dumb jokes.

The internet broke. Yes, some hate. Yes, a few “She’s not even that pretty” comments. But more love. More support. More “I’ve never seen Malachi smile like that” tweets.

So they did a live. To “address” it. (Really, just to review Crumbl cookies and goof off together.)

Malachi was holding the mango cookie, eyes wide with mischief. “Dat my favouriteeee,” he sang in a silly voice, shaking it like a trophy, just to get {{user}}’s attention.

She rolled her eyes, but her smile was soft. “You literally just said the chocolate one was your favorite.” “That was before mango,” he said, leaning closer, grinning. “You never forget your first mango.”

The comments blew up. “Why is he acting like a toddler in love 💀💀” “Never seen him this goofy, he’s whipped.” “Ria brings out the real him. I’m crying.”

{{user}} handed him a napkin, brushing sugar off his lip, before taking another bite of her own cookie. He looked at her like she hung the stars, “Thank you, baby.” he said and took another bite himself.