Ilia Malinin x Theatre student
Ilia Malinin as Himself
Mika Abdalla as Athena Watson
Ella Bright as Daisy Tart
Stephen Kalyn as Kyle Rogers
Based on Mutual by Shawn Mendes
"We really need to stop doing this." Ilia muttered with a sigh, his hand reaching up to tuck a strand of fallen hair behind Athena's ear. "Oh but it's so fun." She replied, her voice dipping into that addictive, dangerous tone like it always did.
"I can't keep showing up late, Roman will actually kill me." He rolled onto his back, the sheet barely covering him as he stared at the ceiling. "I'd say it's worth it for this," she trailed off, leaning over him and pulling him into a delicate kiss.
His hand reached up to the back of her head with an intensity that scared him. When they'd started this relationship all those years ago, he hadn't expected to still find himself waking up in her bed at ungodly hours of the night in an attempt to sneak out of her parents house without getting caught.
They'd known each other almost their whole lives, growing up in the same neighbourhood and going to the same schools. Though they had never really interacted until they started college. They'd had no reason to, Ilia was the nerdy athlete who kept mostly to himself and did backflips at lunch for money, Athena was nothing like that.
She was the theatre kid, the girl who'd break out into song any chance she got, the girl who was constantly surrounded by a crowd of 'friends' who didn't even know her favourite colour. Ilia did, though. He knew everything about her, he always had.
From the moment his five-year-old self laid eyes on her for the first time, he was doomed. Helplessly, undeniably in love. Not that he'd ever shared that with anyone, there wasn't much point. He was the scrawny nerd with no friends and she was the town's 'it' girl.
Until they started college, he'd never had the confidence to approach her. And even then, he wasn't the one who struck conversation.
It was their first week attending George Mason University of Virginia, and she was beyond stressed. At least until she finally saw a familiar face.
Not noticing the blush on his cheeks at her presence, Athena walked up to him proudly, her head held high as she began a conversation with him like they'd been besties their whole lives. Surprisingly, though, what Ilia thought would be a one time talk before she settled in, becoming the popular girl once more became late night texts, getting drunk together at 2 am and ultimately their first hook up.
It had been a complete accident, neither of them sober enough to really think about what they were doing. Yet, that next morning, when she woke up naked in his arms, she couldn't stop the small smile from growing on her face. Ilia was no longer the scrawny kid she once knew from afar, he'd grown into his frame and she couldn't deny his attractiveness.
So, when he finally woke, his grip tightening against her bare torso as he came to his senses, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his arm. It was impulsive and he should've stopped her, should've told her he couldn't go down this road with her.
But he didn't have that level of self control, not when it came to Athena and her devilish smile.
And that's how, three years later at 21, they were still rolling around in her sheets. Ilia told himself it was just convenient, that neither of them had time for real relationships given their schedules and that at least this way they were being safe.
But convenient didn't cover the late night drives, the hand-holding through amusement parks or the way she whispered his name in her sleep. It didn't cover the way she took his sister out for girl dates or the way she showed up to his every competition, even if it meant flying across the world. Nor did it cover the fact that she practically spent Christmas with his family.
Pulling out of the kiss, Ilia stared into Athena's dark brown eyes, looking for any sign in which she felt it too, the invisible pull that prevented him from leaving their platonic agreement.
"You're doing it again," she laughed, holding eye contact with a smile, not knowing that her actions were practically undoing him. "How could I not?" He whispered, taking a deep breath before placing one final kiss to her lips and finally getting out of her bed. "You're lame!" She laughed, watching as he walked into her closet to grab some training clothes.
Clothes she'd insisted he keep there for ease.
"Mhm. See you later?" He questioned, pulling a black hoodie over his head, "I thought we were stopping?" She teased, a knowing smile on her face, "you know I'm addicted to you." He muttered with a grin.
"Then, I suppose I'll see you tonight." She laughed.
@thenawats
🎵 girl, so confusing - Charli xcx
Liked by Amberglenn, and 1,369 others
Athena 💐🍸📷
Daisyt I love your attitude problem too 😍
- Athena I love you so much babe
Friend1 it is January why on earth were you at the beach 💀
- Athena do you have no whimsy?
- Friend1 I have whimsy, just not the need to get hypothermia
-Athena we were in LA babe
User1 uhmmm ilia mention??
- User2 yh they're like childhood friends
- user3 I went to school w them, they're not childhood friends. I don't think they ever spoke until college 😭😭
Iliamalinin ✔️ Mysti still loves me more than u
- Athena whatever you say pretty boy
- user4 PRETTY BOY???
User5 who is this girl and why am I in love with her?
Quad Goddess
DUDE
YOURE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS?!?!
That's insane
Omg
I'm so proud of you
Quad God
Thank you
You busy tn?
Quad Goddess
Hmm 🤔
What'll you give me if I say no?
Quad God
I can think of a few things
None of which I can say over
messages
Quad Goddess
Then I suppose I could clear my
very busy schedule for you
After all I do need to celebrate
my boy 😘
Quad God
Oh I'm your boy? 😏
Quad Goddess
Guess I won't come over then 😒
Quad God
You said it not me 🤷
Quad Goddess
😔😔
What time do you want me to
come over?
Quad Goddess
See u @ 11 pretty boy
Quad God
See u @ 11 pretty girl
Quad Goddess
How's it feel mr Olympic gold medalist?
Quad God
Honestly?
Stressful asf
They made me do both the short and free
Lowk not gonna survive the singles 🫠
Quad Goddess
You've got this
I believe in you
And when you return home you'll
have a special present waiting 😉
Oh and the medal stays on
Quad God
Hmm
U should've come to Milan
Could've given me that present now
Quad Goddess
Dude
Ur parents already think we're dating
That would not help 😭😭
Plus I can't miss any auditions 😔
Be there in 2030 tho 🫡
Quad God
Oh so she's a planner now?
What happened to the Thena who
refused to think about what
happens tmrw?
Quad Goddess
She's still here
But if I want to get the best
seats ima have to book tix soon
Gotta plan ahead 4 these things
Quad God
Baby you are not paying
I will get u in for free
Promise 🤞🏻
Quad Goddess
Don't
I am so lonely here
And you're calling me baby
Quad God
Told you to come to Milan 🤷
Quad Goddess
Mhmm
Evil
Yk it's times like this that I wish I
wasn't so loyal to u 😒
Quad God
Oh please
You wouldn't be satisfied with
anyone else
Quad Goddess
You've ruined me, man
Quad Goddess
At least give me some visuals 🫠
Quad Goddess
Already counting down the minutes 😘
Quad Goddess
Oh baby I am so sorry
Quad God
It's fine
I made a mistake
Gotta move on and work harder
for next time
Quad Goddess
It's okay to not be okay
Quad God
I know
I'm fine, promise
Quad Goddess
If you say so 🤨
Quad God
Do I still get that present or...
Quad Goddess
I'll be waiting in ur bed the minute
you land 😘
Quad God
Damn
Why am I not home rn?
Quad Goddess
Bc you're a crazy talented athlete
Quad God
Unfortunately 😔
See you in 2 weeks
Quad Goddess
Counting down the days 🫶🏻
Quad God
I can tell
You're never this nice
Especially over messages
Quad Goddess
I'll see you in two weeks pretty boy
Arriving home in Virginia after the adventure that was the 2026 Olympics, Ilia melted into Athena's arms instantly.
She had accompanied his mother and sister in picking him up and as soon as Ilia laid his eyes on his girl, he practically ran, pulling her into a bear hug so tight she couldn't breathe. "God I've missed you." He muttered, taking a deep breath as he inhaled the soft honey scent of her shampoo lingering in her hair.
"Me too." She replied, squeezing him just as tight though her tone was clipped, like she didn't fully feel comfortable mirroring his statement.
Later, after they'd eaten with his family and disappeared downstairs to have some alone time cuddled up in his bed, Athena could barely keep her eyes open. Ilia, however, was still running on Italian time which kept him wide awake despite his exhaustion from travelling.
"Do you think we'll ever be more?" He questioned, his tone quiet as he stared at the blank ceiling. Athena, who was slowly dozing off, buried her head in his neck at the sound of his voice, "What do you mean?" She whispered.
"Us. This. It's been three years and we still can't admit it." He sighed, though his efforts were pointless. After receiving no answer, he turned his head to look at her sleeping state. "I wish you were mine." He muttered, placing a gentle kiss to her temple before turning to look at the ceiling once more.
@thenawats
🎵 U + Ur Hand - P!nk
Liked by alysaliu, and 1,425 others
Athena NYC + Prague = heaven
User1 I'm so jealous of her life
User2 so she's going to his competitions now???
- user3 do you live under a rock? She's been going to his comps for like 2 years
Daisyt MY GIRLLL I miss u
- Athena I miss you more babe
User5 okay but that face card she teaaaa
- user6 face card never decline & body tea fr
Friend1 I miss u queen
- Athena omg I miss u 2 bae
User7 SHE WEARS LOUBOUTINSSS
Iliamalinin ✔️ damn get my good angle next time 😒😒
- Athena like you have one
- daisyt CLOCKED
- iliamalinin ✔️ oh shut it glasses
- user8 ilia around his friends is a different beast and im obsessed
Friend2 did you get the part???
- Athena I DIDDDD well not the one I told u abt but a diff character 😋😋
- friend2 that's amazing girl!! Can't wait to see u on stage again
Alysaliu ✔️ I miss u & that pizza
- Athena I miss you like a wife waiting for her husband to return from war
- user9 you have such a way with words
"Y'know I don't think it's normal for fuck buddies to show up at theatre practice with flowers." Daisy teased as she and Athena sat on the edge of the stage in the auditorium, their legs swinging back and fourth as they reviewed their scripts for an upcoming production of Hadestown.
"Oh fuck off, you know he's my friend." Athena rolled her eyes, jokingly hitting her best friend on the head with her folded script. "He's staring at us like a sad puppy." She laughed, looking to where Ilia was sitting in the stands. "He is not."
"He so is." A deep voice cut in making both girls turn around to see their friend, Kyle squatting to be the same height as them. "No he isn't, please just shut up." Thena groaned, letting her head fall into her hands as her friends laughed.
"Oo, loverboy's coming over." Kyle jokingly sang, the expression on his face was pure amusement as she looked at him in annoyance for the millionth time.
"Don't you two have a scene to rehearse?"
"You just wanna be alone with your boyfriend." Daisy laughed but got up anyway, ruffling Kyle's hair before dragging him to stand by his collar and pulling him away.
"Not true!" Athena called after them as Ilia approached her for the first time since he arrived an hour ago. "What's not true?" He furrowed his eyebrows, reaching forward to take hold of her hands. "Nothing you need to worry about, pretty boy." She smiled, flashing her usual charismatic grin.
"So, assuming you didn't come all the way to the stage just to hold my hands, what's up?"
"That's a dangerous assumption, your hands are very nice." He smiled, leaning close to her ear to whisper, "Especially when they're around my d-"
"Shut up." She laughed as a soft blush coated her cheeks. "Not what you said last night." Ilia grinned, leaning away from her once more, their hands still intertwined. "Ilia!" Athena groaned, her head falling forwards to rest against his shoulder.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop!" He raised his hands in defence.
"I came here to wish you luck for the rest of rehearsal but I have to get to the rink, apparently my parents wanted me to coach Liza today but they never told me." He rolled his eyes, placing a kiss to the top of her head which was still buried in his neck.
"If you wait ten minutes I can go with you?" She offered, knowing she'd end up going to his later that night anyway. "You sure?" He furrowed his brows. Usually rehearsals lasted at least three hours and they'd only been there for an hour and a half. "Mhm, They're only running through the songs today and I already know them all."
"I should hope you do with the amount of times you've made me watch it." He laughed. "Just because you can't see the magnificence in it doesn't mean that it's not a cinematic masterpiece."
"You say that about every musical."
"I do not! I would never say that about Cats." Athena scoffed in disbelief, her eyes widening at the accusation that she loved every musical. I mean, sure, she had watched like 98% of musicals ever made and out of that 98% there was only like ten that she didn't like... but still, she didn't like every musical.
"How dare you disrespect the only good musical like that!" Ilia raised his hand to his chest in mock hurt. "You've never even seen Cats so you can't comment on it. And don't start acting like you don't sing along to Heathers every time I watch it." She shook her head , her expression reeking of disappointment.
From afar, standing by the back curtains, Daisy and Kyle stood watching the pair interact whilst sharing a bag of popcorn that they'd stolen from Athena without telling her. "They even argue like an old married couple." Kyle laughed making Daisy nod in agreement.
@thenawats
🎵 Pon de Replay- Rihanna
Liked by daisyt, and 1,964 others
Athena can it be opening night alreadyyy
User1 BODY TEAAA
- Athena all u babe
Friend1 caption 2 true
- Athena likeee I wanna sing my lil heart out on stage again
User3 WAIT SO HER N ILIA R LIKE DATING???
- user4 that's a stretch
- user3 they're lit holding hands on ice
Friend2 I see you girl 😉
- Athena oh shut uppp 🫣
User5 oh so his girlfriend is a divaaa
- Athena Help I am not in a relationship????
- User5 the post says otherwise babe
Daisyt Come home the kids miss you
- Athena The kids or you?
Iliamalinin ✔️ you just had to post that picture? 😔
- Athena Oh shut up you look cute, pretty boy
- user5 SEE!!!
Quad God
U free now?
My parents aren't home 😉
Quad Goddess
Sorry I can't I'm at rehearsal
Quad God
I'm fine
just haven't seen u in a while
Quad Goddess
Ik I'm sorry 😔😔
I'm just stressed af abt this show
Playing Eurydice is nooottt easy 🫠
Quad God
ik
I just miss you
Quad Goddess
I'll make it upto u later?
Quad Goddess
dw I will 😋
As soon as we're like a week into
shows I'll be fine
then u'll get all of my attention,
pretty boy
Quad God
I fear by then I'll be on tour
Quad Goddess
Oh
R u still coming to the opening show?
Quad God
yeah, I'll be there for the first three
Quad Goddess
Thank God
Thought I was gonna lose my
GL charm then
Quad Goddess
You're dipping into dangerous
territory, Mr. Malinin
Quad God
Oh? And what is that territory
Quad Goddess
The relationship kind
Such horror
Quad God
Would that be so bad?
We've practically been dating
for 3 years 🫠
Quad Goddess
we've been over this, Ilia
It wouldn't work
Quad God
Would it really hurt to try, though?
Quad Goddess
I don't do relationships
They never work out
And I can't ruin this
You're my favourite person, I
can't lose you bc I make a dumb
mistake like I always do
Quad God
Baby, you wouldn't lose me
Quad Goddess
I would though
I always fuck up relationships
You're too important
Quad God
you're losing me anyway
Quad God
You think I wanted to be FWB?
Thena I've liked you since I was
fucking five
Quad Goddess
Why didn't you tell me
Why are you telling me this now?
And why over text?
Quad God
Bc everytime I try in person I
chicken out
And I can't keep doing this
You show up at my door at 2
am begging me to love you
and then you leave and I feel like
shit but I don't say anything
bc I have the girl of my dreams
Even if it's not in the way I crave most
I just can't keep going anymore
I don't want to leave but half
of you isn't enough for me
Quad Goddess
Why're you doing this?
We have a good thing going
please don't ruin it
Quad God
I'm sorry that you have had
shitty relationships in the past
But you're everything to me
I used to walk past you in the
halls and hope that one day I'd
get the courage to talk to you
And then you talked to me and I
thought 'this is my chance'
but then we started this thing
And I didn't know how to tell u
the truth
And I didn't want u to think I
just slept w u to get close to u
Bc I didn't
I swear
But sometimes it feels like this
is all a game to u
Like 'lets just fuck and pretend
we haven't caught feelings even
though we've been exclusive
for three years'
I mean fuck
You take my sister on girl dates
You give my family Christmas presents
And you're telling me the
feeling isn't mutual?
Quad Goddess
I'm sorry
This is just a lot
I just
I can't go there
not again
Not after last time
Quad God
Baby please
Just one date?
If you hate it we can be platonic
Or go back to strangers
But I love you, and I'm not
letting this go without a fight
Quad Goddess
You can't love me
You barely know me
Quad God
Barely know you?
I know that you scrunch your
nose when you get anxious, I
know that no matter how
confident you pretend to be
you still hear your fathers
voice in the back of your mind
telling you you're not good enough
I know that your favourite
colour is red even though you
tell people you don't have one
And I know that you want this just
as much as me even if your brain is
telling you not to
I know everything about you
Please
Just one chance?
Quad Goddess
Baby please
You're my pretty girl
I'm your pretty boy
Just give us a chance
Quad Goddess
Okay
Fine
One chance
But if you break my heart, Malinin
I'll never forgive you
Quad God
I'm more worried about you breaking mine
*read*
@thenawats
🎵wait for me - hadestown
Liked by Iliamalinin, and 2,194 others
Athena opening night was a blast, ty all for coming!!
User1 girl u were so good
User3 I find it so ironic that she's playing Eurydice when her names Athena
- Athena is it worse that I auditioned for Persephone?
- user3 GIRL-
Friend1 u were so perfect
Iliamalinin ✔️ endlessly proud of u
- Athena right back at u, pretty boy
User4 dude ilia clapped so hard
- user5 really???
- user4 yh he like stood and yelled at the end of it
Daisyt THATS MY BEST FRIEND
- Athena THATS MY PERSEPHONE!!
@thenawats
🎵Fame is a gun - Addison Rae
Liked by Amberglenn, and 1,972 others
Athena Sumer on tour
User1 wait she's touring w him??
- user2 she was but it's finished now
User3 on tour w him yet not a single photo 😔
- user4 bud that's him on pic 8
Daisyt you're finally home 🤗🤗
- Athena I've missed my girlfriend 😌
- Iliamalinin ✔️ am I chopped liver??
- Daisyt yes.
- Iliamalinin ✔️ glasses, be nice to your elders
- Daisyt I'm not gonna be nice to u grandpa lutzboi
- user5 god I love their banter
User6 you're so pretty I can't
Friend1 girl we needdddd to catch up
Amberglenn ✔️ that is too much information about my little brother 😳
- Athena ur brother is a lil freak
- user7 not Athena exposing him on main 😭
Iliamalinin ✔️ my pretty girl
- Athena my pretty boy
User8 if there's one thing Ilias gonna do it's flirt w his gf
Quad God
Okay so
Date
Tonight
You can't say no
Quad Goddess
You're lucky I love you
Quad God
I'm aware
Luckiest guy on the planet actually
Quad Goddess
Don't say stuff like that
Makes me wanna do things
Quad God
I can't stop, pretty girl
I am a man in love
Quad Goddess
Oh shut up
So what are we doing?
Wait
I though u had practice w Jacob
Isn't that like the whole reason
we came to NY?
Quad God
Perhaps that was a lil small white lie
So
Me n u
Dinner
Then we're going to Broadway
Bc
I got us tickets to see...
HAMILTON
Quad Goddess
???????
REALLY
PLEASE TELL ME UR NOT JOKING
I CANR TAKE THAT
THAT WOYKD BE VERY CRUEL
Quad God
*screenshot*
I wouldn't lie about that baby
Quad Goddess
OH MY GOD
I LOVE U
WAUT
LESLIE
IS
ON
RN
I GET RO SEE THE AARON BURR
IN PWRSIN
I MIGHR DIE
THIS ISNR DUNNY
OMFG
Quad God
Thought you'd react like that
Quad Goddess
I LOVE TOU SO MUXH
HOLY FUCKING SHIT
BRO
WTF
Quad God
I know I'm the best 💪
Also
I might've also reached out to him
So you get a tour of the backstage
And you get to like talk to him
Quad Goddess
WHAT THE FYCKING FUCK
YOU ARE JOKUNC
TELL ME YOURE JOKING
Quad God
Damn
If id have known you would've
reacted like this I would've
done it years ago
Quad Goddess
HOLY SHIT UR NOR JOKING?
Quad God
No
Very serious rn
Quad Goddess
OMG
this is insane
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I'm gonna go cry now
You're too sweet to me
Quad God
Perks of having a famous bf ig
Tho soon I'll be saying that abt u
My lil star
Quad Goddess
I am going to kiss u so hard
when u get to the hotel
Quad God
I'll be there in like 20
Quad Goddess
God I love you
Quad God
I love you so much