You were sprawled across the couch, scrolling through TikTok with a sly little grin tugging at your lips.

Malachi was in the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets in search of snacks, completely unaware of the plan forming in your head.

The “current boyfriend” trend had been popping up all over your For You page, and the idea of trying it on him was just too good to pass up.

You quietly opened the camera app, switched to front-facing, and angled it so Malachi was in the background, still busy with his snack hunt.

"Filming me without warning? Dangerous game,” he teased when he noticed the phone.

You ignored him and started the trend’s script, smiling sweetly into the camera.“This is my current boyfriend—”

Malachi froze mid-step, a bag of chips dangling from his hand. “Your what?”

You kept going, pretending not to notice. “We’ve been together for—”

He walked over, eyebrows furrowed but a smirk forming. “Current? Like… temporary? Current as in… about to expire?”

You bit your lip to hide a laugh and kept filming, holding the camera so his confused face was in frame.

He put the chips down, crouched in front of you, and tilted his head like a puppy trying to understand human words. “Wait–wait–wait. Current boyfriend? No, no, no. I’m your permanent boyfriend. Lifetime subscription. No trial here.”

You snorted, the camera shaking. “Lifetime subscription?”

“Yes,” he said seriously, pointing to himself. “Non-refundable, forever warranty. If you call me ‘current’ again, I might have to put a ring on your finger just to prove my point.”

Your cheeks heated instantly. “Malachi—”

He leaned in until his forehead rested against yours, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. “Say it with me. Permanent.”