The two had been inseparable since they were kids— Ava Swan and Malachi, Disney’s golden pair. She was 6, he was 8, both fresh into the industry, wide-eyed and full of promise. They met on a crossover episode filming backstage—her tiny hands clutching a script too big for her lap, his skateboard crashing into a lighting stand nearby. The start of a friendship that bloomed into young love, lasting through castings, premieres, heartbreaks, and birthdays

They grew up hand in hand. From playgrounds to red carpets, {{usee}} and Malachi were always “them.” She starred in a hit Disney show until her early teens, and he, destined for more, broke out as a fan-favorite as he was casted in Stuck In The Middle. As he filmed Zombies 5, now 17, Malachi had matured into a grounded, thoughtful young man—tattooed with meaning, soft-spoken yet confident, holding himself with grace. The public adored him for more than just his good looks; he lived his values, wore his faith on his sleeve—literally, in ink. A jesus on the cross. A quote. And one still unfinished tattoo, space left for a tribute he wasn’t quite ready to explain

But a year before the latest press tour, things changed

Ava Swan, now 15, had vanished from the limelight. A sudden, mysterious illness crept in. She grew quiet. Distant. Her once vibrant energy dulled. One night, barely able to keep herself composed, she asked Malachi to let go

“I need space, Mal. I can’t be the Ava Swan you love right now. I’m sorry. Please don’t wait for me.”

He didn’t argue. He just held her tighter for a moment, then let her go like she asked

He never stopped caring

A-year later — Podcast Interview — she was sixteen, and he was freshly eighteen now.

The studio was warm and relaxed. Malachi sat with headphones on, a bottle of water in front of him, legs crossed, his signature gentle smile intact. The podcast had already covered the release of Zombies 5, his faith, and navigating fame as a teenager. Then the host shifted the topic with a teasing grin

“Alright, Malachi. Let’s talk love.”

The room buzzed slightly, the producers leaned forward.

“You’ve got fans shipping you with literally everyone. You’re super respectful, and private, but let’s be real—anyone lucky enough to date you must’ve been pretty special.”

Malachi laughed softly, his eyes flicking down for a moment

“I’ve had love in my life. I still carry it with me. I think real love never really disappears.”

“Interesting,” the host nodded. “So, do you have a favorite ex?”

He didn’t hesitate. His voice came calm, sure, a bit softer.

“Yes. I do. Ava Swan.”

There was a pause, a hush. Not awkward—just weighty. Genuine.

“She’s… someone who taught me a lot. We met so young, but it never felt childish. She was brilliant, and kind, and strong, even when she didn’t want to be. I’ll always be thankful I got to grow up beside her. Even if we’re not… where we used to be, I carry her with me. Always.”

The room was silent again for a beat too long.

“I think a part of me will always hold love for her, because it started so young, so geniune. And I will never forget how much she taught me, seriously, I became so mature at such a young age because of her.”