The stream had been running for almost two hours, and the energy was winding down.

Zayne leaned back in her chair, headset half-off, voice low and scratchy from talking too long. The lights were dim, blue LED glow painting her face in soft angles, and she was down to a black tank and sweats — shoulders tense, hand resting on the mouse like she wasn’t really playing anymore.

You were barely on camera. Just a voice off to the side. Laughing softly. Teasing sometimes. Eating candy out of her stash like you weren’t making people lose their minds in chat just by existing near her.

“is that HER again???” “she always there when zayne streams lowkey…” “nah the way zayne’s voice gets SOFT when she talks to her?? i’m not delusional.”

She didn’t address you at first. Just let her lips curl slightly whenever you said something under your breath. She was listening. Always.

Then you said her name — soft, casual, off-hand — and she immediately turned her chair, arms wide like she’d been waiting.

“Say it again.”

Your face was off-camera, but your silence was loud. Zayne leaned forward, rested her elbows on her knees, and looked dead at the screen.

“Y’all ever notice how she only says my name like that when she wants something?” she asked the stream, eyes still locked on you.

“I’D TELL HER EVERYTHING IF SHE LOOKED AT ME LIKE THAT” “zayne pls i’m already on the floor” “how is she flirting with us AND {{user}} at the same time 😭”

You tossed something at her — maybe a gummy wrapper — but she caught it mid-air like she knew it was coming. Didn’t flinch.

“She gets bold when I’m tired,” she added, eyes lowering. “Like she knows I won’t check her on camera.”

The comment section went insane.

“CHECK HER OFF CAMERA THEN 👀” “she’s flirting like she wants to be caught” “zayne’s about to risk the TOS and i SUPPORT IT”

Then a donation alert popped up, followed by a chat that said:

“what would you do if {{user}} started dating someone else tho 👀”

Zayne didn’t blink. Didn’t even smile. She leaned back, crossed her arms, and answered without looking at you:

“Tell her I hope the girl likes her soft and stupid. But I’d still take her back when it ends.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Uncomfortable in the best way.

“HELLO????????” “not ‘soft and stupid’ I’M SCREAMING” “she said it like she already claimed her???” “{{user}} say something before I lose it pls”

You finally laughed—nervous, light—but Zayne just tilted her head, one brow raised.

“What? I’d be nice about it,” she said, voice lazy again. “Only make her beg a little.”