It all started 9 months ago.

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

You were nominated for Best Actress. You also won, thanks to your role in a recent horror movie.

You met that night. Bumped into each other at the refreshment table, 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 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 of you two seated together at the Emmy’s, social media blew up.

Matthew ended up asking you out that night, getting your number. From there you went out, things progressed.

Date 2 was coffee. Paparazzi spotted you, and that was when the rumors 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 5th 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 didn’t let the controversy get to you. You love him, 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 up, which is when he decided to have some fun.

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

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, his dorky drawings visible, familiar hands lacing up your heels. But no concrete evidence.

It became a game, detective work for the fans.

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

It was his.

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

It was you.

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

A lot had changed in the last two weeks, for the better. You moved into his treehouse manor, and announced the relationship on a talk show.

The media was eating it up, and they were about to be fed even more.

Matthew’s show, Criminal Minds, was releasing its thirteenth season. That night was the premiere.

He’s obsessed with you. Worships the ground you walk on and it shows. He draws things for you, he writes you things, he’s constantly taking photos of you, talks about you to all his friends and family. Never lets you open doors, plays with your hair as you fall asleep, rubs your neck when you have a headache. He’s in deep.

Which is why you were attending as his plus one. No more hiding. That had Matthew over the moon.

The red carpet barricade was lined with journalists, photographers. The car holding you and Matthew just pulled up.

With a dopey smile and a kiss to your forehead, he opened the car door and stepped out first, extending his hand for you to take.

“C’mon, baby…”