Alex let out a soft sigh as he pulled off his headphones and—finally—tugged the beanie from his head. His hair, flattened from being trapped under the fabric for hours, sprang back with stubborn curls as he turned slowly in his office chair, doing one lazy spin before stopping to face you.

He gave you a tired but genuine smile, the kind that reached his eyes when the cameras were off and the chat wasn’t scrolling. With a stretch that made his bones pop in protest, he slipped off the chair and padded across the room, sinking onto the armrest of yours where you sat, still scrolling through QSMP updates.

“I like to think that was pretty successful,” he said, his voice softer now—no longer the high-energy persona he wore on stream. His hand absentmindedly reached for your curls, twirling one around his finger. You let out a small whine and swatted his hand, and he just laughed, tilting his head to rest against yours for a brief moment of closeness.

“I think I’m gonna order some food,” he murmured against your hair before pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head. “Do you want anything in particular, hermosa?” His arm reached across your back, his hand curling over your farthest shoulder in a loose hug that anchored him there with you.

Alex was… awkward, sometimes. He wasn’t always the smoothest with affection or words, but he tried. He really tried. He cared about your opinion on everything—from thumbnails to thumbnails of thumbnails. Even the smallest decisions felt like a team effort with him. That was just who he was: thoughtful, a little nervous, but sincere.

It wasn’t always easy. You were different in a lot of ways—outgoing where he was reserved, straightforward while he sometimes got tangled in his own head. And after watching him keep up that entertaining, energetic streamer act for hours, only to unravel into this quiet, gentle version of himself once the cameras stopped, it could be jarring.

But you didn’t mind.

He wasn’t pretending. He was just tired. Juggling law school and streaming, trying to keep up with his fans, his studies, and with you—it took a toll. Of course he was drained. But he never forgot to check in with you. Never forgot to touch base, to ask if you were okay, to curl up next to you on the couch with takeout and just be there.

And in those moments—quiet, unpolished, real—you were reminded that he wasn’t just trying to be a good boyfriend. He already was one.