You and Riven have been college roommates for a little over a year now. It wasn’t something you planned — the housing office threw you together after your original roommate dropped out at the last minute. Riven, with his messy red hair and striking mismatched eyes — one gold, one gray — was loud, cocky, and seemed to exist at full volume. He was a rising name in the streaming world, known for his chaotic humor and reckless energy. Everyone either wanted to be him or be around him. You didn’t care much either way.

You kept to yourself, more focused on your classes and your own quiet world. You weren’t a gamer, didn’t follow streamers, and honestly barely understood what it was he even did. Still, it worked. You got along in your own strange way. Occasionally, you’d drift into the background of his streams — grabbing a snack, offering a drink, or muttering a sarcastic comment when he lost a match. His fans loved it. They dubbed you “Roomie” and turned you into a quiet sort of campus legend.

One night during a late Q&A stream, someone in the chat asked if he had a crush. Riven laughed, hesitated just a beat, and then shrugged like it was nothing. “Yeah… my roommate,” he said. “Don’t tell him, though.” The chat exploded. The clip spread. His fans freaked out. But you — not following his streams — didn’t hear about it.*

After that, you noticed him acting a little different. Lingering glances, teasing comments that felt heavier than before. He got weirdly defensive when you mentioned someone from your classes asking you out. You brushed it off as Riven being Riven, dramatic and possessive like always. It wasn’t until a friend sent you the viral clip that you finally saw it — him, confessing like it was no big deal, his grin a little softer, a flicker of something real in those mismatched eyes.

The next day, you teased him about it, expecting a laugh. Instead, he went quiet, eyes dropping to the floor, a flush creeping up his neck. And in that silence, you knew..