55 | he hates me

HE HATES ME

🪩

The drive to Vancouver had been an easy one, but Diana had barely registered it. Her heart had been pounding too fast, her mind spinning with one thought: Malachi.

They hadn't seen each other in over a month. Between her DWTS tour schedule and his movie filming, their time zones barely aligned. Texts and late-night FaceTimes had been keeping them tethered, but it wasn't the same.

Now, standing in the hotel lobby with her bag slung over her shoulder, the thought of actually seeing him again made her stomach flip.

The rest of the cast and crew were taking the day off — some planned to hit local cafes or walk the city — but Diana had only one plan.

She pulled on her jacket, and scarf, before stepping outside. The Vancouver air hit her instantly — crisp, cool, and damp with that Pacific Northwest edge. It smelled faintly of rain and pine, of winter sneaking closer.

Her Uber arrived quickly, and she climbed in, her leg bouncing with impatient energy. The driver smiled in the mirror.

"Visiting someone special?" he asked kindly, his accent soft.

Diana's lips twitched into a shy smile. "Yeah. My boyfriend."

The driver grinned. "Lucky guy."

Her cheeks warmed, and she looked out the window, watching the city pass by — all glass buildings, misty mountains in the distance, and patches of evergreen that peeked through every street. It felt peaceful here. Calm in a way she hadn't realized she needed.

When the car turned off onto a more secluded road, the view opened into a forested area, a wide stretch of cabins and open fields surrounded by trees. She recognized it almost instantly.

Camp Rock.

Like the Camp Rock.

Her mouth dropped open as the Uber slowed near the gate.

It looked exactly like the movies — the lake glimmering through the trees, the rustic wooden cabins, the big open stage by the water. It was surreal.

She stepped out, her sneakers crunching against the gravel. Crew members moved around with equipment, walkie-talkies, and cameras. The scent of woodsmoke and coffee drifted through the air.

Before she could even start walking toward the main set area, a tall security guard stepped forward.

"Excuse me, miss. This area's restricted—"

"Oh!" Diana straightened quickly, smiling politely. "I'm sorry — I'm actually here to see Malachi Barton. He, uh, knows I'm coming."

The guard hesitated. "You're with the cast?"

"No, I—" she started, fumbling for words, "—I'm his girlfriend."

The guard blinked, processing. "Right. And your name?"

"Diana Sinclair."

He nodded, lifting his radio. "Let me just—"

But he didn't get to finish, because the next second, Diana heard her name shouted — loudly, joyfully.

"DIANA!"

She barely had time to look before she was tackled.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, spinning her off her feet. She yelped, laughing as she clutched onto his shoulders.

Malachi buried his face in her neck, holding her so tight she could barely breathe — but she didn't care. She was laughing through the happy tears forming in her eyes, her heart finally unclenching after weeks of missing him.

"Oh my god," she whispered, fingers curling into the back of his sweatshirt. "Hi."

"I missed you," he said against her skin, his voice rougher than she remembered.

She smiled, still breathless. "I missed you too, I—"

But before she could finish, he kissed her.

It wasn't tentative or slow — it was the kind of kiss that came from weeks of built-up emotion, of distance and late nights and goodnight texts. Fierce, sure, and full of relief.

Her fingers tangled in his curls as she kissed him back, the sound of crew chatter and distant laughter fading into nothing.

When they finally broke apart, both were grinning like idiots.

"Hi," he said again, this time softer.

"Hi," she laughed, brushing her thumb along his jaw.

The security guard beside them cleared his throat awkwardly, and they both broke into laughter.

Malachi set her down gently, lacing his fingers through hers. "C'mon, I gotta show you around."

She looked up at him, still smiling. "You're sure I can? I don't wanna get you in trouble."

"You're with me," he said easily, tugging her hand as they walked toward the camp. "You're basically VIP."

The path opened up to reveal the lakeside clearing where the camp set stood. Wooden signs marked cabins with names like Music Hall and Mess Hall, and a massive outdoor stage overlooked the shimmering lake.

Diana slowed, her eyes wide. "This is actually... the camp?"

He grinned, clearly proud of her awe. "Yup. Same one. Disney rented it out for filming. They did a bit of renovating, but most of it's still the same from the original."

She turned in a slow circle, taking it all in. "This is surreal. I watched this movie a hundred times growing up. You're actually filming here."

Malachi smiled, watching her more than the scenery. "I know. I've been dying to show you."

He led her through the campgrounds, showing her the stage where they will film the final concert scene, the cabins where the cast stayed during shooting, and even a canoe dock that looked like it had been pulled straight out of a montage.

She took photos, laughing the whole time, her heart full just being near him.

When they reached the main production area, Malachi waved at a few crew members before turning to her. "Wanna meet the cast?"

Her eyes brightened. "Yeah, of course."

He led her over to a small group sitting near one of the food trucks.

"Guys!" Malachi called. "I want you to meet someone."

Heads turned — friendly faces lighting up with curiosity.

"This is my girlfriend, Diana," he said, his tone both casual and affectionate.

Diana smiled shyly, offering a small wave. "Hi."

Liamani, who had a bright smile, jumped up first. "The Diana? From Dancing With the Stars? Oh my god, you're amazing!"

Diana blinked. "Wait, you know who I am?"

Liamani grinned. "Of course! I watched your season every week. You were robbed, by the way."

Diana laughed. "Thank you."

Hudson, tall and easygoing, gave her a friendly nod. "You two are adorable on Instagram, by the way. Just sayin'."

Lumi, who had a soft, kind face and a calm energy, smiled warmly. "It's nice to finally meet the girl Malachi never stops talking about."

Diana shot him a look, grinning. "Oh really?"

Malachi groaned, half-laughing. "You guys are the worst."

Casey, sitting with a sandwich in hand, smirked. "He's been insufferable. He literally checked the time every five minutes all morning."

Diana giggled as Malachi playfully threw a napkin at him. "I did not."

"You did," Hudson confirmed.

"Okay, maybe I did," Malachi said, conceding with a grin.

The group laughed together, and Diana relaxed quickly into the conversation. They were all so easy to talk to — sweet, funny, and full of the same kind of playful energy she loved about Malachi.

But then her gaze caught on something in the distance.

Near one of the lighting rigs stood three men, chatting with crew members — sunglasses, familiar voices, and that effortlessly cool energy.

Her heart stopped.

"Malachi..." she whispered, grabbing his arm.

He turned to her, brow furrowed. "What's wrong?"

She didn't answer, and when his gaze followed hers, he smiled knowingly.

He laughed, leaning close enough that his breath brushed her ear. "You wanna meet them?"

She looked at him, eyes wide. "Are you serious?"

He grinned. "C'mon."

Still half in shock, she let him lead her across the set. Her heart hammered so hard she was sure he could feel it through her hand.

"Hey, Joe!" Malachi called as they got closer. "You got a minute?"

Joe turned, smiling instantly. "Malachi, hey man! Of course."

Diana nearly forgot how to breathe. Joe, Nick, and Kevin turned toward them, all smiling warmly.

"Guys, this is my girlfriend, Diana," Malachi said proudly. "She's on tour with Dancing with the Stars Live."

Nick's smile widened. "Oh, no way! You were on the last season, right?"

Diana blinked, trying not to sound too shocked. "Yeah, I... I was."

Kevin nodded approvingly. "You were incredible. We watched almost every week. You're amazing."

She blinked rapidly, trying not to blush. "That's... wow. Thank you. That means a lot."

Nick grinned. "Malachi talks about you a lot. We're glad to finally meet you."

It took all she could to not squeal. They were so genuine — humble, funny, and kind — and Malachi just stood there beside her, smiling at her awe like it was his favorite thing in the world.

When they finally walked away, back toward his trailer, Diana let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

"Okay," she said, spinning on her heel, "you could've warned me."

Malachi laughed, unlocking the trailer. "Where's the fun in that?"

She smacked his arm lightly. "They knew who I was!"

He sat on the small couch, still grinning. "Of course they did. You're you."

Diana started pacing, still rambling. "No, like— they watched me dance. The Jonas Brothers! Watching me! That's insane."

He leaned back, arms crossed, clearly enjoying her reaction.

She stopped, hands on her hips. "You think this is funny?"

"I think you're adorable," he said simply.

Before she could argue, he reached out, catching her wrist.

He gave her hand a gentle tug, just enough to pull her closer. "Come here," he said softly, voice low and rough from hours on set.

She hesitated for half a second before letting him pull her between his knees. His hands found her waist almost instinctively, thumbs brushing the hem of her hoodie. The tension in her body melted at the familiar touch — the way he always anchored her like this, made her feel like she could breathe again.

"I've missed this," he murmured, eyes flicking up to hers.

Diana's lips curved into a small smile. "Me too."

His hand slid up her back, fingers splaying just below her shoulder blades, and then he was leaning in. The first kiss was slow — soft and unhurried, like they were both trying to relearn the rhythm of it. It wasn't the kind of kiss that demanded; it was the kind that remembered. That ached. That said finally.

She exhaled shakily against his lips, her hands finding his shoulders, feeling the familiar tension there from working out and filming. He deepened the kiss gradually, one hand tracing up her spine until his fingers were tangled in her hair. The warmth of his palm against the back of her neck sent a flutter of heat straight through her.

The second kiss came deeper, fuller, her breath catching as he tilted his head slightly. The world outside faded — the quiet hum of crew members, the faint clang of equipment — none of it existed anymore. It was just them.

She shifted, sliding onto his lap, her knees straddling, pressing against the couch cushions on either side of him. Malachi inhaled sharply, his hand finding the curve of her hip.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested together, both of them breathing hard, smiles threatening to form even as neither wanted to let go.

"Hi," she whispered, voice barely audible.

He chuckled quietly. "Hey."

Then, before she could say anything else, he leaned forward again — not for her lips this time. His mouth brushed along her jaw, slow and deliberate. She froze, breath stuttering, as he whispered, "Do you have any idea how much I missed this?"

His lips followed the words, pressing just below her ear, and she felt her pulse jump beneath his touch. Her fingers instinctively gripped the back of his shirt, bunching the fabric in her hands.

"Mal..." she breathed, not entirely sure if it was meant as a protest or a plea.

He only smiled, the sound low against her skin, and kissed the space just beneath her jaw — once, then again, softer, slower. His breath was warm where his lips trailed down to the side of her neck, just enough to make her melt into him.

Her heartbeat was a drum in her ears. Every movement, every brush of his hand, felt amplified — the way his fingers flexed at her hips, the quiet exhale that left his chest when she tangled her hands in his curls.

When his lips finally found hers again, the kiss was deeper, heavier — not rushed, but full of all the longing that had built up between them. She could taste the faint mint from his gum, feel his fingers graze her jaw.

It was the kind of kiss that made time dissolve.

And then—

A sharp knock broke through the air.

"Malachi! You're needed back on set!"

They froze. Diana pulled back just enough to look at him, eyes wide, lips parted, cheeks flushed.

Malachi groaned softly and dropped his forehead against her shoulder, laughing under his breath. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, voice muffled.

Diana giggled, trying to steady her breathing. "Timing could not be worse."

He looked up at her then — eyes still a little dazed, grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're telling me." He then smiled, brushing a kiss to her cheek. "Rain check?"

She laughed, eyes locked on his. "You better believe it."

She climbed off his lap, smoothing out her clothes, still feeling the warmth of his hands everywhere they'd been. He stood, running a hand through his hair and shaking his head like he was trying to get his heartbeat back under control.

When he reached for her hand, she took it easily, fingers intertwining like second nature. As they stepped outside, sunlight spilled across the set — the smell of pine and campfire from the props in the air — and Diana could still feel her pulse racing, still feel the ghost of his lips along her skin.

Outside, the air was cool again, sunlight breaking through the trees in soft golden streaks. The set buzzed with life — laughter, chatter, music — but Diana barely noticed.

Malachi squeezed her hand gently. "You staying for the day?"

"Yeah," she said, smiling up at him. "You're stuck with me."

He grinned. "Best news I've heard all week."

As they walked toward the outdoor set, side by side, Diana couldn't help thinking that this — the laughter, the connection, the shared dreams — was exactly what she had missed most.

Not the cameras. Not the tours.

Just him.

Watching him in his element — laughing with the crew, joking between takes, flipping that switch into his character — it was magnetic.

Malachi looked completely at home there.

Diana spent most of the day on the outskirts of the outdoor set, wrapped in his hoodie, sipping on a paper cup of coffee that had long since gone cold. Every now and then, she caught him looking over, and every time he did, he smiled — a small, private curve of his mouth that made her stomach flutter.

Whenever the director called "cut," he'd jog over to her for a few seconds — a hug, a joke, a whispered comment — before rushing back to his mark. It was a rhythm, one they fell into easily: him working, her watching, their eyes finding each other in the in-between moments.

And when he finally wrapped for the day, the sun began to fall behind the trees.

"Dinner?" he asked, grinning like he already knew the answer.

"Always," she said, smiling up at him.

They ended up picking up food from a small takeout place near her hotel — fries, a couple of sandwiches, and shakes that were already starting to melt by the time they reached her room. The air was cool outside, the city lights reflecting off the wet pavement from an earlier drizzle.

Inside, the hotel room was warm, golden, and quiet except for the soft hum of traffic below. They ate cross-legged on the bed, talking between bites about everything and nothing — his castmates, her rehearsals, random things that had happened on tour.

It was easy. It always was with him.

When she leaned back against the bed frame with her milkshake, Malachi watched her with that familiar spark in his eyes — half mischief, half something else entirely.

"So," he started, "I was thinking..."

Diana raised a brow. "That's always dangerous."

He grinned. "I know. But — what if we go live? Like, right now."

She blinked. "Live?"

"Yeah." He was already reaching for his phone. "It's been a while. Fans keep asking about you, and I kind of want to see their reaction when you pop up."

Diana laughed, leaning over to peek at the screen. "You're terrible."

"Maybe," he said, smirking as he angled the phone so only he was on camera, "but you love it."

He wasn't wrong.

He hit the button, and instantly, hundreds of comments flooded in — hearts, emojis, people screaming in all caps.

"Hey, guys!" Malachi said, flashing that easy, boyish smile. "I missed you all. It's been a crazy couple of days filming, but I've got a little surprise guest tonight."

The chat exploded.

"IS IT FREYA???""WHO IS IT?""PLEASE SAY IT'S DIANA!""Show us!!"

Diana bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

Malachi looked off-camera — right at her — eyes full of playful challenge. "Should I tell them?"

Diana shook her head, pushing onto her knees and scooting into frame instead. She leaned over him, arms looping around his shoulders as she smiled directly at the screen. "Hey, guys."

The reaction was instantaneous. The comments became a wall of hearts and screaming emojis.

Malachi laughed, leaning back against her. "Told you they'd freak out."

Diana laughed. "Hi, everyone," her eyes shifted through the comments, "Yes, I'm in Vancouver for one of the shows."

"And," Malachi added, glancing up at her, "she had a day off today, so she came to visit me on set."

The chat went wild again.

They started answering questions — how filming was going, what the next tour stop would be, how it felt to see each other again. Someone commented 'you guys are my favorite duo ever' and both of them laughed.

"It's honestly so good to be back together," Diana said softly, smiling down at him. "It's been... crazy busy, but I missed this."

Malachi nodded, that tiny flicker of affection in his eyes that she always noticed but never knew how to describe. "Same."

Diana then mentioned meeting the Jonas Brothers earlier that day, which sent fans into another frenzy.

"I still can't believe they actually knew who I was," she said, shaking her head.

"Of course they knew!" Malachi grinned. "They love the show... plus I may or may not have brought you up a few times."

"I—" Diana laughed, covering her face. "I'm still not over that."

"And," he continued, "some of the cast and I are gonna be at the show tomorrow night."

That news had the chat exploding again — fans typing in all caps, begging for more info, hearts filling the screen.

After a few more minutes, Diana leaned forward toward the phone. "Alright, we should probably go."

Malachi nodded, waving. "Thanks for hanging out with us, guys. Love you all."

He ended the stream, setting his phone down on the nightstand.

The room suddenly felt quieter.

Diana smiled, leaning down to kiss his cheek. "That was fun."

"Yeah," he said softly, turning his head so that her lips brushed the corner of his mouth instead. For a moment, neither of them moved — then she pulled back, cheeks warm.

She stood up, stretching. "I'm gonna go change, okay?"

He nodded, eyes following her as she disappeared into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she came back out in an oversized T-shirt and soft shorts, her hair down and slightly damp from washing her face. Malachi was already lying across the bed, one arm behind his head, scrolling through his phone.

She paused at the doorway, smiling at the sight of him — comfortable, relaxed, completely at ease here.

"You look too cozy," she teased, climbing onto the bed.

"Come fix that," he said, smirking without looking up.

She grinned, then suddenly launched herself at him.

"Diana—!"

He laughed, catching her easily as she landed half on top of him, the two of them bouncing slightly against the mattress. His arms came around her instinctively, holding her close as he shook his head.

"You're insane," he murmured, still laughing.

"Maybe," she whispered, smiling as she looked down at him.

They fell quiet then — not awkward quiet, but the kind that felt like breathing the same air was enough. She was lying across his chest, their faces only inches apart. Her hair fell over her shoulder, brushing against his cheek.

He looked at her the way someone looks at a sunset they never want to end.

Her smile softened, and she leaned down to kiss him.

It wasn't rushed or heavy — just slow and soft, a kind of kiss that felt like exhaling. His hand came up to the back of her neck, thumb brushing her skin, holding her there as though afraid she'd vanish if he let go.

When she pulled back, she rested her forehead against his. "Hi."

He smiled. "Hi."

Her body relaxed against his chest. He shifted slightly, sliding his hand beneath the hem of her shirt — not to push boundaries, but to rest his palm against the warm skin of her back. The touch was grounding, comforting, protective.

She sighed quietly, the weight of the day finally catching up to her.

Within a few minutes, her breathing slowed. Malachi's thumb moved in slow circles against her back, and he smiled to himself when her fingers curled lightly against his shirt.

She fell asleep — safe, warm, and completely at peace in his arms.

Outside, the city lights flickered against the window, and the sound of distant rain filled the silence. For the first time in weeks, everything felt right.

The following afternoon, the theater pulsed with movement. Crew members darted across the stage, checking lights and sound cues, while dancers stretched and laughed in clusters.

Dani, who had been curling her hair at the mirror, looked up as Diana came into the dressing room, her own cheeks glowing with the faintest flush. "Okay," Dani said, lowering her curling iron and grinning. "I think I know who's responsible for that face?"

Diana paused mid-step, pretending to be confused. "What face?"

"That face," Dani said, pointing at her. "You're practically glowing. Don't even try to deny it — that's Malachi energy."

Diana laughed, tossing her jacket onto the chair. "You're insane."

"Maybe," Dani replied, "but I'm also right. How was yesterday?"

"Perfect! I got to meet the cast and see them film. Then after we got dinner and just spent the rest of the night together." She started rummaging through her dance bag as she added, "Him and some of the cast are coming to the show tonight."

"That's so sweet," Dani smiled. "You two are actually adorable."

"Well so are you and Pasha," Diana shot back with a matching smile.

They settled into easy conversation as they got ready — hair slicked, makeup applied, sequined costumes adjusted. The room smelled faintly of hairspray and perfume, the kind of sensory mix that meant showtime was close.

As the minutes ticked closer to curtain, Diana felt that familiar pre-show buzz take over. Her nerves tingled with energy, her heartbeat synced with the faint bass from the sound check reverberating through the walls.

The lights went down, and the music started.

The first number was a high-energy group dance — bright lights, pounding beats, and pure adrenaline. Diana hit every move, every turn, every beat, losing herself to the rhythm. The stage lights washed over her, the audience cheering like thunder.

It felt different tonight. She wasn't just performing; she was beaming.

Her tango with Brandon came next. The chemistry, the control, the intensity — it was sharp, electric, mesmerizing. They moved in sync like clockwork, the crowd roaring as they finished their final dip.

And through the flashes of light and motion, Diana knew — somewhere out there in the audience, Malachi was watching.

That thought alone made her chest warm.

Halfway through the show, was when they brought fans onto the stage. It was a fun way to get the crowd involved.

The audience screamed, lights flickering as the dancers hopped off the stage to find someone in the crowd.

Diana scanned the sea of faces, waving at fans who called her name. And then — she saw him.

Malachi was sitting with Liamani, Hudson, Lumi, and Casey — the Camp Rock 3 crew. They were laughing, cheering, waving when they spotted her. Her heart leapt.

She smiled, biting back a laugh. He looked unfairly good — casual black hoodie, backwards hat, grin that could light up abuilding. He gave her a small salute, mouthing, Go get 'em.

Diana forced herself to focus. She turned toward a section of the crowd where a young teen girl was sitting, hands clasped together like she couldn't believe she was even being looked at.

"Hey," Diana said, pointing and grinning. "Wanna come dance?"

The girl gasped, nodding so fast Diana almost laughed. She reached for her hand, guiding her through the audience toward the stage.

As they stepped onto the platform, the audience cheered louder.

But the sound exploded when she heard another wave of screaming — different, wilder. Diana turned just in time to see Ezra pulling Malachi up onto the stage.

Her jaw dropped. "Oh my god," she laughed, hands flying to her mouth.

Malachi shrugged innocently, grinning like a troublemaker as the lights caught his face. The crowd went wild — phones lifted in every direction, flashes going off, the energy instantly doubling.

Diana shook her head, laughing as she caught his gaze. He gave her a little wink that sent heat rising in her chest.

Ezra looked smug as he called into the mic, "We got a celebrity in the house tonight!"

Malachi made a mock bow as fans screamed even louder.

Diana stepped closer to her dance partner — the sweet teen girl, whose name she learned was Lindsey — and whispered, "You ready to dance?"

Lindsey didn't answer. Diana followed her eye-line to Malachi and she laughed lightly. Diana placed a hand on Lindsey's shoulder as she asked, "You're a Zombies fan?"

"Yes! Big fan!" The girl laughed, still starstruck. "Oh my gosh, he's so much cuter in person."

Diana smiled, whispering conspiratorially, "Tell me about it."

The music kicked in.

Val came forward first, doing an eight-count combo. It was quick and catchy — a mix of hip rolls, spins, and hand flicks — and everyone on stage had to mimic it.

Ezra nailed it, of course. Lindsey tried her best, laughing the whole time. Malachi... well, he had rhythm, but there was something endearing about how he half-committed to the moves, intentionally hamming it up for the crowd.

Diana couldn't stop smiling.

By the third combo, Emma added a twirl at the end — partners turning toward each other, arms hooking and spinning.

Instead of going to Malachi, Ezra surprised Diana by leaning toward Lindsey, grabbing her hand with a wink, leaving Diana standing face-to-face with Malachi.

Diana raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms with a smirk. "You gonna dance, Barton?"

Malachi grinned. "Always."

The beat dropped, and they moved together. He followed her lead easily, the two of them spinning and stepping in sync. It was playful, flirty, full of unspoken rhythm — the kind that came from knowing each other, trusting each other, loving each other.

When they finished with the twirl, he caught her hand and pulled her closer, just slightly — enough that the crowd went absolutely feral.

Diana, cheeks flushed, let out a breathless laugh. And before he could step away, she leaned in and pressed a quick, light kiss to his lips.

The reaction from the audience was instantaneous. A wall of screams hit them, echoing through the arena like a wave.

Malachi pulled back, laughing in disbelief, cheeks tinted pink.

Diana grinned, stepping back toward center stage, still catching her breath. "That's my boyfriend, everyone!" she called playfully into the mic.

The noise doubled — laughter, cheers, camera flashes everywhere.

Malachi gave a mock bow, making her laugh. She then reached out to Lindsey, bringing her over to Malachi. He posed with her for a quick photo before the two headed back to their seats. As he walked back toward the stairs, fans reaching out to him.

Diana couldn't stop smiling as she turned back to the crowd.

The rest of the show flew by in a blur of lights, sweat, and pure joy. Every number hit harder, every step felt lighter.

And every time she turned her head toward that one section of the audience, she saw him there — cheering, clapping, hands cupped around his mouth as he yelled something she couldn't hear but didn't need to.

When the final number ended and the confetti burst from the cannons, Diana found herself spinning, laughing, looking up at the raining shimmer of gold paper.

Her heart felt full.

dianasinclair just posted !

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tagged: malachibarton & ezra.sosao • o o

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liked by ezra.sosa and 588,470 more

dianasinclair vancouver, you were the best...but i might just be a little biased 🥹💞

user girl why is he looking at you like that??     dianasinclair because he hates me          malachibarton I DO NOT

user ezra pulling him on stage 😂     ezra.sosa had to give the fans what      they want 🤷🏻‍♂️

malachibarton i swear i was happy to see her     dianasinclair the side eye says      otherwise 😔          malachibarton STOP

malachibarton i could watch you dance forever     dianasinclair 🥹

aspenbrooks watch those eyes mr barton     malachibarton i SWEAR it wasn't      like that

user malachis really fighting for his life in the comments

The parking lot was quiet except for the low hum of the tour bus engine and the occasional whisper of tires on the distant road. The rest of the tour crew was already inside — bags loaded, lights dimmed, laughter soft and fading. It was late, the kind of night that settled over Vancouver in a cool, misty calm.

Diana stood outside the bus, arms folded loosely over her chest, the strap of her duffel bag slung over one shoulder. She was dressed comfortably — oversized hoodie, black leggings, and sneakers — her hair still smelling faintly of hairspray. Her eyes were tired but bright, and the corners of her lips curved in that soft, bittersweet way that came right before goodbye.

Malachi stood a few feet away, wearing the same outfit he'd had on when he watched her perform earlier — jeans, a loose black hoodie, and a backwards hat. His curls were slightly messy, peeking through his hat, his expression unreadable under the golden pool of the streetlight above them.

Neither spoke for a moment.

The bus doors hissed shut behind them, muffling the sound of chatter inside. Somewhere near the front, someone laughed — probably Ezra — but out here, everything felt suspended, quiet, like the world had pressed pause just for them.

Diana shifted her weight, exhaling softly. "You didn't have to come out here," she said finally, though her voice was gentle.

Malachi smiled faintly. "You really think I was gonna let you leave without saying goodbye?"

Her eyes flickered up to meet his, and for a second, neither of them moved. The ache in her chest deepened — that familiar tug that came when they had to part ways. It didn't matter how many times they said goodbye; it never got easier.

"I hate this part," she admitted quietly.

He nodded, taking a slow step closer. "Yeah. Me too."

When he reached her, his hands found her waist with careful familiarity, thumbs brushing over the soft fabric of her hoodie. She leaned into his touch instinctively, eyes glistening as she tried — and failed — to keep her emotions steady.

Her voice trembled. "I don't want to say goodbye again."

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he wrapped his arms fully around her, pulling her against his chest. The movement was tender but firm, like he was holding on to something he didn't want to let go of.

Diana pressed her face against the fabric of his hoodie, inhaling the faint scent of cologne and something distinctly him — warm, clean, comforting. Her fingers curled in the fabric, clutching tightly as though that might make time stop.

Malachi's voice came low, close to her ear. "You won't have to wait long," he murmured. "We'll be back together before you know it."

She nodded against him, a tear slipping free before she could stop it, while he rubbed small circles along her back with his thumb.

When she finally looked up, her eyes were bright with unshed tears, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. "You promise?"

His expression softened completely. "I promise."

Their gazes lingered — too long, too heavy — and then, without needing to think, she leaned up and kissed him.

It wasn't rushed. It wasn't desperate. It was slow, full of love and warmth. His hand slid up to her cheek, thumb brushing her skin as he deepened the kiss just enough to make her heart stutter.

When they finally pulled back, neither spoke right away. They just looked at each other, the faint glow of the bus headlights casting soft halos in their eyes.

Malachi's arms tightened around her again, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head — gentle, lingering, final. "You're gonna do amazing out there," he said softly.

Diana smiled, though her voice broke just a little when she replied. "You always know what to say."

He grinned, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's because I hate seeing you sad."

The bus driver called out from the doorway, "We're heading out in five!"

Diana's heart twisted. She looked back at the bus, then at Malachi. The night air felt colder now.

She sighed, hands resting lightly against his chest. "I guess I should go."

He nodded slowly, his thumb tracing along her wrist before he let her go. "Text me when you get to the next city, okay?"

"I will."

For a second, it looked like she might say something else, but instead, she reached up and kissed him one last time — a brief, soft kiss that still made her chest ache.

Then she turned, climbing the steps onto the bus.

Through the window, she caught sight of him still standing there, hands in his pockets, watching her. He lifted one hand in a small wave, smiling — that quiet, proud kind of smile that always melted her.

She pressed her palm against the glass for a second before the bus started to move.

Malachi stayed there until the taillights disappeared down the road, his breath misting in the cold air, his chest still warm from where she'd been.

And Diana — sitting by the window with her hoodie pulled tight around her shoulders — kept her eyes on the road ahead, a faint smile on her lips, and the echo of his voice in her mind:

We'll be back together before you know it.

🪩

and just like that, they're apart again

but luckily for us, it won't be that long😊