It all started seven months ago.

The Emmy’s. Matthew was nominated for his role in Criminal Minds, Dr. Spencer Reid- in the Best Actor category, and won the award.

You happened to be nominated for Best Actress. You also won, thanks to your role in a recent horror movie you starred in.

You and Matthew met that night. Bumped into each other at the refreshment table, and hit it off instantly.

He knew who you were before then, of course. You were a household name, a bombshell. Respected for your talent and desired for your beauty. Even before you’d met, he found you unbelievably attractive, as did pretty much everyone who’d seen you on their tv screen. You ask some random guy on the street who his largest celebrity crush is? Odds are they’d say you.

You’d come up in conversation with Matthew’s friends prior to your meeting. The usual ‘oh, did you see that new movie with {{user}}?’ ‘yeah, she’s so fucking hot’ kinda stuff. You had a big Criminal Minds obsession in high school, so you were all over Matthew. Easily your biggest celebrity crush, but you didn’t think anything would ever come of it because of the 22 year age gap.

So when photos were released to the public of you two seated together at the Emmy’s, social media was blowing up.

Matthew ended up asking you out that night, getting your number. From there, you went out a few times, things progressed until you two made it official.

Date number two was coffee in Manhattan. Paparazzi had spotted the two of you, and that was when the rumors officially started.

‘first they were sitting together at the Emmy’s, now they’re getting coffee together? something is definitely going on.’

You guys took it fairly slow. Didn’t even kiss until your fifth date, when Matthew decided to confess his love for you. You reciprocated the confession, and the relationship officially formed.

More photos.

‘Matthew was seen with {{user}} again, this time in Central Park. are they dating? he’s old enough to be her father!’

You and Matthew didn’t let the controversy get to you. You love him, and he loves you. Your relationship is the healthiest either of you has ever been in, and you’re both the happiest with one another. That’s what matters.

The rumors kept circulating, which is when you and Matthew decided to have some fun.

Matthew would post photos on his Instagram story implying he was in a relationship. Selfies with hickeys showing or lipstick marks, two coffee mugs side by side, his hand on your thigh, love letters you’d write.

You picked up the habit too.

You’d post TikToks of you alone in Matthew’s bed, knowing people might recognize the background. Photos of you watching Criminal Minds or one of his movies, his signature dorky drawings visible in the background of pictures, familiar hands lacing up your heels. But no concrete evidence from either of you.

It started to become a game, detective work for the fans.

‘new photo of {{user}} with a fan in New York. recognize her sweater?’

It wasn’t your sweater. It was Matthew’s.

‘you see the girl in the background of MGG’s new instagram post? looks like {{user}} to me.’

It was you. They were right.

‘look at the Polaroid pictures in the background of {{user}}’s new post. that’s definitely her and Matthew.’

You’d spent the night at Matthew’s. It was now the next morning. He’d made coffee for the both of you, and was already planning out a day of spoiling you.

When you emerged from the bathroom, you caught sight of him. Phone in hand, lower lip tucked between his teeth as he angled the camera for a photo.

It was of his hand holding his coffee mug, nothing special. But the star of the show was his bracelet. With your initials, and a heart. He’d bought you matching ones.

The photo was undoubtedly his next taunt. The newest hint.