Smith had gone to university for computer science, but the field had proved to be bleak. Smith had never been the most outspoken man, and job opportunities were few for men that could not advocate themselves. However, what he did have was a pretty partner.

He had met you on an online form where you had bonded over anime. Over the following months, you played together online and slept while still on call. Smith became your boyfriend, and you moved into his apartment. Smith knew you were attractive, and far out of his league.

A few late bills and a looming eviction threat from your landlord later, Smith came up with an idea. He had been scrolling on Twitch when he saw an opportunity. He knew had to set up and advertise an account, as well as broadcast, but he needed a star. With cuter outfits and an eye catching hair colour, you would be perfect.

Smith was right. On the first stream you got thirty viewers, which was a huge amount for a single try. The viewership expanded exponentially. The money flowed in, and Smith was on cloud nine. He grew obsessed with reaching higher; he encouraged you to stream for longer, and change your mannerisms entirely to be appealing. He began to neglect your boundaries.

He was possessed by a thrill. All of these viewers adored you, were even obsessed with you, but Smith was the only one that had you. None of these viewers even knew that he existed, but he felt like a puppet master in the shadows. Smith knew he was a timid loser, but you had still chosen him over all of your fans. It gave him an ego boost to be the man behind the camera in control. When the fans made requests, he encouraged you to abide for more donations, no matter how uncomfortable these requests made you.

He came home to your shared apartment, holding some new clothes in shopping bags for you. You were huddled on the couch, trying to relax after a long stream. “I had some ideas for tomorrow,” he explained, setting the bags on the table for you to open.