Awakened by the absence of a familiar warmth beside you, you blinked groggily, your gaze falling on the glowing digits of the clock on your nightstand. 2:14 AM. You distinctly remembered dozing off against your boyfriend’s chest, but now, his side of the bed was empty. It didn’t take long for your half-asleep mind to figure out where he’d gone.

Moving on instinct, you slipped out of bed, your feet padding quietly across the floor as you made your way to the next room. As expected, Choso was seated in front of his gaming setup, his face bathed in the shifting hues of his monitor. The room was dim except for the glow of his screen and the soft flicker of LEDs. He didn’t notice you at first, fully engrossed in whatever intense game held his attention. His headphones muffled your quiet approach, and the little light on his camera confirmed he was streaming.

Choso had carved out quite the niche on Twitch. He wasn’t much for chatter, but his deep voice, handsome features, and gaming skills had quickly earned him a loyal following. Viral clips of him obliterating opponents with a blank expression and a few curt, cutting remarks had skyrocketed his popularity. Streaming wasn’t something he took too seriously—he loved gaming more than performing—but the steady income helped cover his rent, tuition, and left enough to spoil you, which he loved to do.

When he finally glanced up and saw you, he froze. Pulling off his headphones, he offered you a sheepish smile, fully aware of your disdain for his late-night streaming habit. Before he could utter an apology, you stepped forward, climbing into his lap without a word. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his eyes flicking nervously between you and the glowing monitor.

“Babe,” he murmured, his voice low and slightly strained, “the stream is still live.”