Carter’s setup is fine, but if we’re both logged in, using two systems will make things easier. And Tate’s not wrong, his PC is probably better suited for this kind of thing. Still… Tate’s room. The place Carter has never invited me into. The place I know nothing about. The place where Tate spends all his time, away from everyone, behind a locked door. I exhale, pushing up from Carter’s bed, catching the slight narrowing of his eyes before I shrug. “Alright,” I murmur. “Lead the way.”

Tate grins like he just won something, pushing off the chair and gesturing for me to follow. Carter doesn’t say anything, but I can feel his stare on my back as I step into the hallway.

The second I step into Tate’s space, I realize just how different they really are. His room, It’s nothing like Carter’s. Carter’s room is neat, cozy, warm. Soft lighting, deep blues and grays, a space that feels like a haven.

Tate’s is dark. The walls are lined with shelves, lined with masks. Not just his usual neon masks, but all kinds, full-face, half-face, some from the operators from our game, some from movies. I scan the collection, my fingers twitching slightly, an uneasy energy creeping up my spine.

Tate watches me, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. “You like ‘em?”

I exhale, glancing over my shoulder. “Didn’t realize you were a collector.”

He grins. “Didn’t realize you were into the whole thing, but here we are.” I roll my eyes, stepping deeper into the room, toward his second PC setup.

I settle in, adjusting my headset, fingers moving fluidly as I log into my main stream. And the second I’m in, the chat erupts asking so many questions, mainly where I’ve been the last few days.

I exhale, shaking my head as the messages flood in, fast and relentless, my name lighting up in tags from every direction. Of course. Because it doesn’t matter how low-key I thought I was being, my followers notice everything.

I lean forward, hands flying over my keyboard. “Alright, chill,” I say into my mic, my voice cutting through the chaos. “I know I’ve been off-grid, but no, I’m not dead. And no, I’m not giving you details, so you little gossip gremlins can relax.”

A fresh wave of messages floods in.

I roll my eyes. “Listen, you little weirdos, I actually need you to do me a favor. Carter—yes, that Carter is streaming for the first time tonight, so you better go give him the warmest fucking welcome of his life.” I instantly notice a few asking if they’re officially adopting him.