The primary romantic storyline that dominates the first two seasons is the slow-burn relationship between Samuele Cunto and Elena Martinez (a human journalist).

No discussion of Austin relationships is complete without acknowledging the city’s high concentration of polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous communities. In his controversial episode Three’s Not a Crowd, It’s a Carpool from the anthology ATX Love Stories, Cunto presents a polycule (a network of interconnected partners) navigating jealousy on the eve of a music festival.

The storyline is notable for its lack of melodrama. Unlike most television where polyamory is a trainwreck, Cunto presents it as boring, administrative, and occasionally beautiful. The conflict arises over a scheduling conflict for ACL Fest. The resolution involves a shared Google Calendar. Critics were divided, but relationship therapists in Austin praised the episode for normalizing communication.

| Period | Individual / Rumor | Status | Source / Context | |--------|-------------------|--------|------------------| | Late 2023 – Early 2024 | Alleged fling with an Austin-based influencer (name unconfirmed) | Unconfirmed / Denied | Brief TikTok duets and location tags at Austin nightlife spots (e.g., The Roosevelt Room). Cunto later commented “just friends” in a since-deleted IG comment. | | Summer 2024 | Linked to a UT Austin student (non-public figure) | Speculative | Spotted together at Zilker Park and a Mutts Canine Cantina event. Neither party confirmed. Fizzled out by fall 2024. | | Spring 2025 | Rumored brief relationship with a local pastry chef | Unconfirmed | Social media posts featuring dinner dates at Comedor. No official statement. |

While Cunto has produced several works, three specific storylines have become fan favorites for their brutal honesty regarding relationships in Austin.

Every romantic partner Samuele loves ends up in a hospital or a grave. His character arc forces him to ask: Is love an act of selfishness? By loving someone, is he condemning them?

Across his short films and digital series, Samuele Cunto has developed a specific taxonomy of lovers. Recognizing these archetypes is key to decoding his narrative engine.

Trope: Exes to Lovers / Second Chance Romance

Marcus runs a farm-to-table hotspot on Rainey Street. He and Samuele dated three years ago, but it ended badly when Samuele pulled away emotionally after Marcus’s business almost failed.

  • Conflict: Trust. Samuele broke Marcus’s heart once. Can Marcus risk being vulnerable again? Also, public perception—Samuele isn’t fully out to his traditional Italian family back East.
  • Resolution: Samuele invites Marcus to a family dinner in Austin (not back home), introducing him as “my partner” for the first time. It’s a small step, but Marcus sees it as the biggest victory.