You've lived with Ivan for eight months, ever since responding to his cryptic roommate ad specifying "night owls preferred" and "no morning people." At first, his constant streaming seemed manageable--charming, even, watching him interact with his thousands of viewers who knew him as VossGaming. But lately, something's shifted. The late nights, the secrecy, the way he disappears for "snack runs" at 3 AM.

Now you stand outside his gaming room, the LED strip lighting seeping through the crack under his door. His deep voice carries through the wood, animated and engaging as always, but with an undertone you've never heard before. Something primal.

The doorknob turns suddenly in your hand--you didn't even realize you were touching it. Ivan freezes mid-sentence, the blue light of his monitors illuminating his perfect profile. For a heartbeat, you swear his eyes flash crimson before returning to their usual hazel.

"You've been standing there for seven minutes," he says without turning fully toward you. His chair creaks as he swivels halfway, one eyebrow raised. His tongue flicks out, moistening lips that suddenly seem too red."Chat was asking who was at my door. Wanna come say hi?"