07 | waltzing through elimination

WALTZING THROUGH ELIMINATION

🪩

Diana should have been asleep hours ago.

She knew she needed the rest—Oscar Night was going to be massive, the kind of show that set the tone for the rest of the season—but instead, she lay flat on her stomach, the glow of her phone lighting up her face. The time at the top of the screen made her groan. Nearly 2 a.m.

Her thumb hovered over Malachi Barton's Instagram profile, like it had for the past two hours.

Of course she'd followed him back. And then... well, curiosity got the better of her.

She scrolled through his feed, picture after picture, video after video. Clips of him in interviews. Behind-the-scenes of projects he'd worked on. Goofy reels he filmed with friends. Old Disney photoshoots. He seemed so comfortable in front of the camera—effortless, charming, with that easy smile that clearly drove his fans wild.

She watched edits fans had made, too. Some were dramatic, set to emotional music. Others were lighthearted, highlighting funny moments. She'd fallen down a rabbit hole, one she didn't exactly regret.

She was just... intrigued.

Malachi Barton was magnetic, the kind of person who stood out in a crowded room. She wanted to understand why.

And why he always seemed to be the one to catch her.

But eventually, her eyes grew heavy. She set her phone down on the nightstand, pulled the blanket over her shoulders, and promised herself she'd forget about it in the morning.

The morning came sooner than she liked.

For once, though, it was calm. No alarm blaring, no rush out the door. She sat cross-legged on her bed, hair pulled back messily, sipping from a mug of coffee while her phone balanced on a pillow in front of her. Aspens face filled the screen, framed by the fairy lights strung across her dorm room.

"Girl, you look like you just rolled out of bed," Aspen teased, sipping from a water bottle.

"I did," Diana admitted with a sheepish grin. "It's show day. I'm conserving all my energy for tonight."

Aspen's laugh bubbled through the speaker. "Smart. Okay, tell me everything—how are you feeling? What's the vibe for tonight?"

Diana leaned back against the headboard, exhaling. "Honestly? Nervous, but excited. The song is so beautiful, and the waltz fits it perfectly. Grayson's really been working hard, so I think we're going to deliver something special."

"You are going to deliver something special," Aspen corrected, pointing at her. "Don't downplay it. You're literally living your dream right now, Diana."

Diana smiled softly, warmth spreading through her chest. "Yeah. I guess I am."

They chatted for a while longer—Aspen filling her in on her classes, funny stories from mutual friends, the usual. Diana was mid-laugh when her phone buzzed with a new notification.

She almost ignored it, but then her eyes flicked to the top of the screen.

Instagram: malachibarton sent you a message.

Her heart skipped.

She leaned closer to the screen without meaning to, eyes widening just slightly. Aspen caught the change in her expression.

"Everything okay?" Aspen asked, eyebrows raised.

Diana forced a smile, quickly shifting her eyes to Aspen. "Yeah! Totally fine. I'll tell you about it later, okay?"

Aspen narrowed her eyes like she didn't quite believe her, but she let it go. "Fine, keep your little secrets. I'll be stalking the live stream anyway. Go kill it tonight."

"Love you," Diana said quickly, ending the call before Aspen could press further.

The moment the screen went black, she unlocked her phone again and opened Instagram.

The message was simple, casual—but her stomach still fluttered when she read it.

9:37 AM

good luck tonight can't wait to see u crush it

thank you 😊 will you be there tonight?

obviously 🙄 can't miss it when you're dancing to my song

wow...your song huh??

honestly I thought you'd be too busy

too busy???

you know, being such a heartthrob and all

wait... u think I'm a heartthrob? 👀

didn't say thatyour fans did

mhm. so you've been reading what the fans say about me? interesting 🤔

don't flatter yourselfI just noticed

sure surewell, for the record, I'm glad u followed me back

same

The conversation kept going, flowing easier than she expected. He teased her, she teased him back, and somewhere in the middle of it, the nerves about tonight dulled. For the first time that morning, she felt light. Excited.

By late afternoon, the calm morning had turned into backstage chaos.

Diana sat in the makeup chair, a stylist brushing loose curls into her blonde hair while another dusted shimmer onto her cheeks. The room buzzed with activity—costumes being steamed, makeup bags scattered everywhere, the low hum of blow dryers filling the air.

"Okay, Diana, head up," the stylist said, tilting her chin gently.

"Sorry," Diana mumbled, adjusting.

Beside her, Daniella leaned against the counter, already in her opening number costume—a sleek, glittery silver number that caught the light with every movement.

"Ready to film this TikTok?" Dani asked with a smirk, holding up her phone.

Diana laughed. "Do I have a choice?"

"Nope," Dani said cheerfully.

A few minutes later, the two of them stood side by side in full glam, filming a quick transition video. It started with them in sweats, no makeup, hair undone, then with one clap they appeared in their sparkly costumes, grinning at the camera. Dani added a playful twirl at the end, and Diana copied, nearly tripping.

"Classic Diana," Dani teased, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they laughed.

The video was posted within minutes, and the two of them hurried backstage to join the other pros.

As Diana moved into her spot for the opening number, her eyes drifted toward the audience—just for a second.

And there he was. Malachi Barton, seated a few rows back, dressed casually but still managing to stand out. He caught her eye, and when he smiled at her, it was impossible not to smile back.

The announcer's booming voice filled the ballroom.

"LIVE from Hollywood, this is Oscar Night on Dancing with the Stars!"

The crowd erupted, the music kicked in, and Diana snapped into performance mode.

The music swelled, a sweeping medley of Oscar-winning classics. The stage lights burst to life, bathing the ballroom in gold as the pros glided across the floor in their glittering costumes.

Diana hit her first pose flawlessly, the nervous energy buzzing in her veins shifting into pure adrenaline. This was where she belonged—on the floor, in sync with the rhythm, part of something larger than herself.

She twirled past Ezra, who gave her a cheeky wink mid-spin. He grabbed her hand for a synchronized flourish before releasing her back into formation. Every step, every beat, every smile was rehearsed to perfection, but the energy of the live crowd made it electric.

The opening number ended with a triumphant pose, the pros lined across the floor as the audience roared. Diana's heart raced, breathless but exhilarated.

As the cast dispersed, she darted backstage with the others, laughter and chatter filling the air. Diana changed into her costume for their waltz. But her time to breathe was short—Grayson was already waiting in their rehearsal corner, dressed in his sleek tuxedo-like costume.

"Hey," he said, offering a hand to help her down the small step. His eyes swept over her waltz dress, a flowing light pink gown that shimmered softly under the lights. "Wow. You look... perfect."

Diana smiled, a light blush coating her cheeks, smoothing her skirt nervously. "Thanks. You look pretty sharp yourself."

They squeezed in a final quick run-through, their movements fluid but punctuated with whispered reminders.

"Don't rush that spin," Diana murmured.

"Got it," Grayson replied, steadying her hand.

Then, it was time.

The screen above the ballroom lit up with their rehearsal package. Clips played of them practicing in the studio: Diana correcting Grayson's posture with playful frustration, Grayson joking about tripping over his own feet, both of them collapsing into laughter during bloopers.

"We really wanted to show a softer, more elegant side this week," Diana's voiceover explained.

The package ended on a shot of the two hugging tightly after a rehearsal run, both of them grinning ear to ear. The audience "aww"ed, and Diana felt her cheeks warm.

"Dancing the Waltz, with his partner Diana Sinclair, it's Grayson Holt!"

The crowd erupted as the first delicate notes of A Million Dreams filled the ballroom.

Grayson extended his hand, and Diana placed hers in his. The world shrank to just them and the music.

They moved together across the floor, sweeping into long, graceful turns. The choreography flowed like water—gentle rises and falls, effortless spins, a sense of wonder threaded through every step.

Grayson was doing well. His frame only dropped a few times and she would quickly remind him. He was steady, guiding her with surprising strength. He lifted her into a turn, her dress billowing around them like a blush-colored cloud. For a moment, she forgot the judges, the cameras, even the audience.

The final dip came, Grayson holding her low and strong as the music faded. Diana's hair brushed the floor, her chest heaving, eyes locked with his just long enough to feel the weight of the moment.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

As the applause washed over them, Diana rose, hugging Grayson tightly. He kissed the top of her head and the moment sent another ripple of "aww"s through the ballroom.

Together, they walked to Alfonso, who was grinning. "Wow! That was beautiful. So elegant."

Diana and Grayson laughed softly, still catching their breaths. "Thank you."

"Let's hear from the judges," Alfonso said, gesturing toward the panel.

Bruno leaned forward dramatically, his arms already flailing. "Oh, darling! That was like a dream—floaty, romantic, like something straight from the silver screen. Grayson, you have the charm for ballroom, but you need to keep the frame. There were a few moments where you dropped your elbow. But still, great work!"

Carrie Ann chimed in next, nodding thoughtfully. "You both looked lovely, but... I have to say, Grayson, you felt a little less in the zone this week. I didn't see the same spark I saw last time."

Grayson gave a sheepish smile, nodding.

Then Derek leaned in. "I actually liked seeing a softer side of you tonight, Grayson. It was elegant, understated, but Bruno is right. There were a few problems with your frame. You want to maintain it through the whole routine."

Grayson nodded and thanked the judges.

Alfonso turned back to them. "All right, head on up to the skybox, you two!"

They ran hand in hand, nerves and excitement flowing through them. They hugged their fellow celebrities and pros before walking over to the camera.

Julianne greeted them warmly, her smile radiant. "Grayson, Diana—how are you feeling right now?" "This week was a lot more difficult. I just wanted to give it my all and leave it all out there," Grayson said and turned to look at Diana. "I was nervous, but she kept me calm. She's amazing."

"You're amazing," Diana spoke with a smile. "It felt so good out there. I couldn't be prouder!"

Julianne beamed. "Well, let's see how amazing the judges thought you were."

"Carrie Ann Inaba..."

Carrie Ann held up her paddle: "Six!"

Diana clapped politely, hiding her slight disappointment.

"Derek Hough..."

Derek smiled: "Seven!"

The audience cheered, and Diana's smile brightened.

"Bruno Tonioli..."

Bruno, with flare: "Seven!"

"Twenty out of thirty for Diana and Grayson!" Julianne announced.

Diana and Grayson both cheered, hugging tightly.

"Yes!" Diana exclaimed. "That's two points higher than last week!"

Grayson fist-pumped. "We're moving up!"

The crowd applauded, and Julianne leaned in. "Congratulations, you two." She then looked at the camera, "Remember, no one can survive elimination on judges scores alone. You at home have to use your votes. Let's keep it rolling—back to you, Alfonso!"

As the show continued, Diana perched beside Grayson, still buzzing from their performance. He scrolled through his phone, grinning.

"People loved it," he whispered, tilting the screen toward her. Twitter and Instagram feeds flashed with clips of their waltz, edits already circulating. One trending tag caught Diana's eye: #Grayana.

Her eyes widened. "Wait... they're shipping us?"

Grayson smirked, clearly amused. "Looks like it."

Ezra, seated nearby with Jordan, leaned over with a grin. "You know, that's not a bad thing. When the audience feels like there's something special between you two, they're more likely to vote."

Diana gave a helpless shrug, though her cheeks warmed. "If you say so."

Grayson, on the other hand, seemed intrigued by the idea. He glanced at her, almost like he was entertaining the possibility.

The rest of the show flew by in a blur.

Each couple delivered their dances, the judges handed out critiques, and the leaderboard steadily filled. Diana tried to stay focused, but the nerves in her stomach coiled tighter as the elimination segment crept closer. A double elimination.

By the time Alfonso and Julianne walked to the center of the stage, the ballroom had gone quiet. The pros and celebrities moved to their spots on the stairs.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Alfonso began, "it's time to find out who will be moving on, and which two couples will unfortunately be leaving us tonight."

"Good luck to all of you," Julianne said as she looked back at the couples.

Diana squeezed Grayson's hand, her heart hammering in her chest.

"The first safe couple is..." Alfonso paused dramatically, "Alix and Val!"

The crowd cheered, and Val lifted his partner into the air in celebration.

"The next safe couple is..." Julianne smiled, "Jordan and Ezra!"

Diana clapped so hard her palms stung. "Yes! Go Ezra!"

Ezra caught her eye from across the stage and grinned, mouthing, thanks, sis.

The announcements continued. "The next safe couple... Danielle and Pasha!"

"The fourth couple safe is... Dylan and Daniella!"

Diana swallowed hard, her nerves spiking. Only six couples remained.

Her grip on Grayson's hand tightened. He glanced at her, offering a reassuring squeeze. "We got this."

But her stomach twisted anyway.

"The next safe couple is..." Alfonso's voice rang out, "Grayson and Diana!"

Diana's knees gave out before she even realized it. Tears stung her eyes as she launched herself into Grayson's arms, clinging tightly. Relief washed over her in a wave so strong it made her dizzy.

The crowd erupted, and she whispered against Grayson's shoulder, "I'm so proud of us."

"Me too," he murmured back, voice thick with emotion.

They set back down as the final couples awaited their fate, and Diana's heart ached when two pairs were sent home. As always, the ballroom filled with bittersweet applause as the eliminated couples gave their goodbyes, the remaining dancers offering hugs and words of encouragement.

The leaderboard flashed on the screen: Grayson and Diana sat in 6th place. Solidly middle, but still climbing.

When filming wrapped, the ballroom didn't empty right away. Friends, family, and crew lingered, chatting in the aisles or snapping celebratory photos.

Diana slipped out of her heels, carrying them in one hand as she maneuvered through the crowd. She barely had a moment to breathe before a gentle hand caught her arm.

She turned—and there he was. Malachi.

He gave her a teasing grin, eyes sparkling. "Hey. You didn't trip this time. I'm almost disappointed."

Diana laughed, rolling her eyes. "The nerves have finally left, thank you very much."

"Seriously though," he added, his tone softening, "you did a beautiful job tonight."

Her cheeks warmed. "Thanks. I just hope I did the song justice."

"You didn't just do it justice," Malachi said earnestly. "You made it better than I ever imagined."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless.

But before she could respond, she felt another hand slide gently onto her waist.

She turned slightly to see Grayson, still in costume, standing close at her side. His arm rested tightly against her. He smiled at her first, then looked at Malachi.

"Hey," Grayson said, extending his hand. "I'm Grayson."

Malachi took it, his grin never faltering. "Malachi."

Recognition flickered in Grayson's eyes. "Oh, right. You're another Disney guy."

Malachi chuckled. "Yeah, guilty as charged."

"Cool," Grayson said smoothly.

Malachi looked between the two as he said, "You guys seriously killed it!"

Grayson's smile tightened slightly, but he nodded. "Thanks, but I couldn't do it without her! She's the best partner I could ask for."

Diana felt her cheeks heat as both boys glanced at her. She shifted, laughing softly to cut through the tension.

Grayson checked his watch, then said, "We should probably go. We've got after-show interviews."

"Right," Diana said, giving Malachi a quick smile. "Thanks for being here tonight. I'll see you around?"

Malachi opened his arms slightly, like he expected a hug, but before Diana could move, Grayson was already tugging her gently toward the hallway.

She laughed lightly, waving to Malachi over her shoulder. He lifted his hand in a small wave, the smile still on his face—but softer now, almost unreadable.

The interviews were quick but lively. Standing beside Grayson in front of the camera, Diana was surprised at how openly flirty he suddenly seemed.

"She makes it easy," Grayson told the reporter when asked about the waltz. "I just hold on and try not to mess up. She's incredible."

Diana blinked, caught off guard, but she forced a smile. "He's exaggerating. He's a great partner—he worked really hard this week."

Still, the warmth in Grayson's eyes lingered, and the way he stood just a little closer to her made her wonder.

When the cameras cut, Diana exhaled, her heart still racing from the night. Relief, excitement, nerves—all of it tangled together.

That night, as she left the ballroom with her dance bag slung over her shoulder, Diana felt good.

Good about the performance. Good about their scores. Good about surviving elimination.

dianasinclair just posted !

liked by aspenbrooks and 372,305 more

dianasinclair week three here we come!! thank you for all your votes, we love you all so much. and grayson, i couldn't be prouder! i'm so excited to see what the future holds for us 🥹

tagged: graysonholt

user stunning!!!

graysonholt can't wait for what's to come ♥️      dianasinclair ♥️

daniellakaragach currently crying 🥹     dianasinclair you and me both

jennajohnson you two were beautiful      liked by creator

user ship ship ship

user THE KISS ON THE HEAD??!!!

aspenbrooks that's my best friend!!!      dianasinclair 🫶🏻

malachibarton great song choice 😉     liked by creator            user hellooo???!!

The moment Diana got back to her apartment, she collapsed on her couch, still in her sweats from the car ride home. Her phone buzzed nonstop—notifications exploding faster than she could clear them.

Out of curiosity, she started swiping through them.

Right at the top, she saw it.#Grayana was trending.

Her eyes widened as she scrolled through the flood of posts:

@dwtsfanatic23: Diana + Grayson = literal fairytale vibes tonight 🥺 #Grayana #DWTS

@shipwarsqueen: not me shipping on the second week bc THEY HAVE CHEMISTRY OKAY?? #Grayana

@disneykidupdates: Grayson and Diana dancing to A Million Dreams >>>>> #DWTS

Her thumb hovered over a video edit already gaining traction. It showed clips of her and Grayson's rehearsal hug, the final dip, and the head kiss, all set to a slowed-down version of their waltz music. The caption read: they're in love your honor.

She groaned, covering her face with one hand. "Oh..."

Switching to Instagram, she noticed the same thing happening. Fans were posting screenshots of her and Grayson, flooding the comments with heart emojis.

Her DMs had exploded too, most of them from fans tagging her in edits. She scrolled through a few, shaking her head at how quickly people could piece things together.

And then, nestled between them, she saw his name.

malachibarton: told you you'd crush it. 👏🔥

Her lips curved into a smile before she even realized it.

🪩

i know i said only fridays, saturdays, and sundays...but i couldn't help myself

we got a little more of malachi they're so cute

i also just finished writing their kiss scene (which is still like 30 chapters away)and AHHH im so excited!!!

😊