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Stelle didn’t notice him at first.
She was too busy complaining about the quest design, gesturing wildly with one hand while the other clicked through dialogue options. The LED lights lining her wall glowed a lazy blue, pulsing softly to the lo-fi track she had looping in the background. Chat scrolled fast — greetings, emotes, the usual late-night crowd settling in.
It wasn’t until the chat stuttered, just for a second, that she glanced sideways at the monitor.
localhermit: HEY HELLOO??
sparklefw: WHOS THAT
stellenoticeme: waaaiiit is that a man in the bck
Stelle blinked. “What?”
She kept playing. Behind her, the apartment shifted quietly — footsteps, familiar and unhurried. Someone passed through the frame, out of focus, hoodie dark against the low light. A hand paused briefly to set a mug down beside her keyboard before disappearing off-screen again.
Chat froze.
Then it detonated.
streamclps: REWIND. BACK UP. HUH
phaisfish: WHO
stillwater4r: hi hello who is that guy
nunofyabuss: HUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHH
typeshi: oh would you look at that a hand
Stelle laughed, the sound light and automatic. “Oh. That?” She waved a hand dismissively, eyes still on the game. “He’s just my roommate.”
The mug was warm. Exactly the way she liked it.
“Thank you, roommate!”
The same hand that appeared seconds ago entered the frame again — only to flick her forehead, then disappeared once again. “Just ‘roommate’, huh?”
Stelle stared at the off-screen person, baffled. “Hey, that was mean!”
pcny4evaaah: “roommate” my ASS I’VE PLAYED THESE GAMES B4
streamclps: HE TALKS HE SPEAKS
phainsimp: THAT VOICE THO- don’t mind if I do<.<
She shot the camera a grin. It was absolutely smug. “Yes. Roommate. You guys see one guy in a hoodie and immediately forget how apartments work.”
The chat did not calm down.
Clips started appearing within minutes — grainy screenshots zoomed in far too much, red circles drawn with reckless abandon. Someone slowed the footage down frame by frame like it might reveal state secrets.
Stelle pretended not to notice.
She always did.
━━━━━━━ ⟡ ━━━━━━━
Off-stream, later, she kicked her chair back with a satisfied sigh and ended the broadcast. The room fell quiet.
Dan Heng leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed loosely. “You didn’t warn me,” he said.
“You were barely on screen,” she replied, spinning to face him. “Chat’s dramatic.”
“They’re… thorough.”
She grinned, standing up and heading towards the kitchen. “You love that about them.”
“I tolerate it,” he said, uncrossing his arms.
He stepped closer, picked up the mug she’d abandoned, and followed her out of the room to rinse it in the sink. Stelle watched him for a moment, chin in her palm, fond in that lazy way that came from knowing she didn’t have to hide anything.
“Think they’ll figure it out?” she asked casually.
Dan Heng glanced back at her. “Eventually.”
“Good,” she said, pleased. “I was getting bored.”
Stelle unlocked her phone, scrolling through social media by habit.
Stelle the GOAT @stellestreamclps
mysterious background man spotted at 24:47 👀
[attached video clip]
why are we here @justtosuffer replying to @stellestreamclips
well hello there fine shyt (and it’s just his hand lmao I SWEAR I’M NORMAL)
ilosttheplot @nobraincells replying to @justtosuffer
I know what you are. TO THE JAIL WITH YOU.
why are we here @justtosuffer replying to @nobraincells
-.. --- -. .----. - / --- ..- - / -- . / .-.. .. -.- . / - .... .. ... --..-- / -- .- - . / - --- -
ilosttheplot @nobraincells replying to @justtosuffer
.-- . / .- .-.. .-.. / .-.. .. ...- . / .. -. / .... --- .-. -. -.-- / .--- .- .. .-.. / .- - .--. / .-.. -- .- ---
team frogs @frogs4ever
“roommate” I’VE SEEN THIS PLAY BEFORE (y’all see the vision, right?)
endmeplease @endmepls replying to @frogs4ever
New ship just dropped?? (We’re talking about Stelle’s stream, right? ToT)
team frogs @frogs4ever replying to @endmepls
NEW SHIP JUST DROPPED!! let us be delusional lmao (yes btw)
Fishes r superior @fishiieeess replying to @frogs4ever and @endmepls
you guys need hobbies. touch grass.
Stelle grinned to herself and shoved her phone in Dan Heng’s face. “Look!” she said between giggles.
Dan Heng squinted as he read through the posts and comments, sighing. “They’re fast. It’s not even been ten minutes.”
He might have feigned annoyance, but fondness was transparent on his face as he ruffled her hair.
“That’s social media for you,” she said, leaning into his hand. “You’re not upset, right?”
“No, I’m not.”
━━━━━━━ ⟡ ━━━━━━━
Stelle had titled the stream “waiting room + killing time” and meant it with her whole chest.
The game on-screen was paused at a loading menu, the download bar creeping along at an agonizing pace. Soft lo-fi music hummed in the background. The lights in the room were dimmer than usual, warmer — less content creator, more it’s midnight and I’m comfy.
“Chat,” Stelle said, chin propped on her hand, “I swear this download is personal.”
galactictrashpanda: it always is
hermitthefrog: broke wifi core got the streamers nooo *evaporates*
touchgrass: lol
touchgrass: lmao even
She huffed a laugh. “March is still setting up, so we’re just… vibing.”
As if on cue, a familiar voice crackled through her headphones.
“Don’t ‘vibing’ me,” March 7th said. “You’re the one who said ‘ten minutes’ half an hour ago.”
“Time is fake,” Stelle replied immediately. “You know this.”
“Uh-huh.”
The download ticked up another single percent.
Behind Stelle, the door creaked open softly.
Dan Heng stepped into frame without a word, carrying a small tray: two mugs, a bowl of cut fruit, and something suspiciously chocolate based. He wore one of Stelle’s oversized hoodies — too big on him, sleeves pushed up — and his hair was slightly damp like he’d just washed it.
Chat noticed instantly.
streamclps: ITS HIM ITS HIM
ilosttheplot: hold the f up ISNT THAT HER HOODIE WHAT
caeenjoyer: oh hello there
m7thspotter: IS THAT MY GLORIOUS QUEEN MARCH 7TH I JUST HEARD??
ilosttheplot: SOME1 PLS TELL ME IM NOT DELUSIONAL
stillwaterenjoyer: guys can we act normal for one (1) second
stillwaterenjoyer: it’s not that deep
stellenoticeme: there’s no word for ‘normal’ in the kremnoan language
stellesleftsock: LMAO
Stelle glanced back and grinned. “Oh. There he is.”
Dan Heng set the tray down carefully on her desk, sliding one mug toward her. “You forgot to eat.”
“I had dinner.”
“You had three bites of dinner.”
“That’s still dinner.”
March made an exaggerated gagging noise through the call. “I can’t believe I’m third-wheeling through discord.”
“You love us,” Stelle said sweetly, already reaching for the mug.
Dan Heng watched until she took a sip. Only then did he relax, leaning against the wall just off to the side of the camera.
nothoughtsheadampty: he’s just there. probs glaring at us. menacingly.
streamclps: he HE- DID HE JUST
streamclps: sorry I gotta go reboot my brain
hermitthefrog: ooohh that looks yummy
endmepls: when is *my* “roommate” gonna bring me food I’m hungry damnit;(
frogs4ever: there there
stellesleftsock: we can’t all be Stelle :(((
The game chimed — another percent downloaded.
Stelle groaned. “We’re gonna be here forever.”
Dan Heng glanced at the screen. “Two minutes.”
She looked at him, impressed. “You timed it?”
“I always time it.”
March laughed. “Of course you do.”
Stelle grabbed a chocolate piece from the tray and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes lit up. “Oh my god. Chat. He made these.”
wecanbedonutstrust: HE COOKS OMG
streamclps: what fever dream is this and how do I stay
Dan Heng shrugged. “They were easy.”
She spun her chair just enough to look up at him. “You say that about everything.”
A beat.
He reached out and brushed a crumb from the corner of her mouth without thinking.
The room went very, very still.
Then chat detonated.
stellesimpsunite: OMFG?????
ilosttheplot: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
stillwaterenjoyer: oh
stillwaterenjoyer: oh my
stellenoticeme: @stillwaterenjoyer DO U SEE THE VISION WE SEE??
stellesleftsock: letsgooooooo
frogs4ever: SOMEONE CLIP THIS
streamclps: IM CLIPPING IM CLIPPING
Stelle blinked once, then burst out laughing. “Oh my god, you guys are so dramatic.”
March, meanwhile, had gone silent.
“…March?” Stelle asked.
“I’m processing,” March said faintly. “You didn’t even flinch.”
Dan Heng tilted his head slightly. “Should she have?”
“No!” March yelped. “I mean— no. It’s just— wow.”
Stelle reached back blindly and hooked a finger into Dan Heng’s sleeve, tugging him closer until he leaned over her chair, chin hovering near her shoulder.
“Anyway,” she said brightly, “once this finishes downloading, we’re starting.”
Dan Heng hummed in agreement. “I’ll be here.”
“For moral support,” Stelle added.
“For snacks,” March muttered.
“For commentary,” Dan Heng finished.
Chat was unreadable at this point; just a blur of hearts, screaming, and keysmashes.
“Chat,” Stelle said mildly, “relax. We’re literally just waiting.”
Dan Heng hummed. “They don’t seem capable of that.”
She tilted her head up to look at him. “You having fun?”
He considered it. “Yes.”
Her smile softened, just a little.
March cleared her throat loudly through the call. “I am still here, by the way.”
Stelle laughed. “Sorry, sorry. You’re almost in. Promise.”
Ninety percent.
Dan Heng reached into the bowl again, offering her the last piece. She took it, then — without hesitation — broke it in half and handed the other piece back to him.
He blinked, then accepted it.
Chat was beyond saving at this point.
The download hit 100%.
Stelle clapped once. “Okay! Let’s go!”
And just like that, the playthrough began — March’s laughter crackling through the call, Stelle’s focus back on the game, and Dan Heng a quiet, steady presence at her side, refilling her drink when it got low, offering dry observations that made her laugh at the worst possible moments.
It wasn’t a big moment.
It wasn’t a confirmation.
It was just another night.
And somehow, that made it everything.
Stelle the GOAT @stellestreamclps
late night “waiting room” stream was 90% download bar 10% DOMESTIC TELEVISION. ABSOLUT(E) CINEMA.
[attached video clip]
DID I STUTTER @shrek replying to @stellestreamclps
why did he hand her that bottle like he’s done it a thousand times. WHY WAS IT SO NATURAL.
no_thoughts @brainempty replying to @shrek and @stellestreamclps
the way she didn’t even look up. muscle memory ahh relationship.
team frogs @frogs4ever
the knee bump + hand around his shoulders combo at 1:12:43 i am NOT OKAY
endmeplease @endmepls replying to @frogs4ever
HOLD MY HAND BESTIE OUR VISION IS NOT JUST A VISION ANYMORE (I rewatched their moments in slowmotion IM SCREAMINGGGG)
team frogs @frogs4ever replying to @endmepls
LMAO OFC YOU WOULD (hey so, send those clips over)
Fishes r superior @fishiieeess replying to @frogs4ever and @endmepls
you people need to get a life
march7thIRL @itsmarch7th
i was in that call and i STILL felt like a third wheel ToT
Stelle the GOAT @stellestreamclps replying to @march7thIRL
thank you for your service o7
Stelle @stelleofficial
you people are insane.
(it was just snacks.)
Dan Heng @dh replying to @stelleofficial
They were good snacks.
endmeplease @endmepls replying to @stelleofficial and @dh
HELLOOO???? @frogs4ever WIFE COME LOOK AT THIS
team frogs @frogs4ever replying to @endmepls
I AM DECEASED WHAT
━━━━━━━ ⟡ ━━━━━━━
Stelle titled the stream “we’re cooking (don’t panic)” and immediately regretted it.
The camera was set up on the kitchen counter this time, angled just enough to catch the stove, the prep space, and the two of them moving in and out of frame. The lighting was warm and soft, evening settling in through the windows.
“Okay,” Stelle said, clapping her hands together. “This is cooking stream number… 6. You guys know the established ground rule. I am not allowed near knives.”
Dan Heng, already washing his hands at the sink, didn’t look up. “For everyone’s safety.”
wetnoodles: every time I remember that one scene from the first kitchen stream when Stelle was handling the knifes a part of me dies inside
ilovecas: lmao
stellesimp: JUSTICE FOR MY GIRL </3
She scoffed. “Chat, I’ve been wronged.”
“You almost set a cutting board on fire once,” he added calmly.
“That was one time.”
“And it was plastic.”
March’s voice chimed in through the tablet propped on the counter. “Why am I not surprised.”
Stelle shot the screen a grin. “You’re just mad you’re not here to eat this.”
“I am mad,” March said immediately. “Why do you get home-cooked meals and I get instant noodles?”
Dan Heng slid a bowl of chopped vegetables toward Stelle. “You can stir.”
“I can stir,” she said triumphantly, grabbing the spoon.
dailydanstelle: so… we all know who wears the— *gets dragged off stage*
streamclps: there r gonna be fire clips this time too I fear
danstelle_truthers: *drags @dailydanstelle back on stage* I LOVE YOUR WAY OF THINKING YOU’RE HIRED (also, love your user)
dailydanstelle: LMAO TYYYY (omg fellow danstelle enjoyer, hi twin)
He moved around her easily, grabbing spices, checking the heat, entirely at home in the shared space. Every now and then, Stelle leaned too close, and he nudged her aside with a light hand at her waist.
No comment. No reaction.
Chat, predictably, combusted.
frogs4ever: HAND PLACEMENT ALERT. HAND PLACEMENT-
streamclps: HAVE NO FEAR IM CLIPPING
ilosttheplot: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH
endmeplease: …
endmeplease: notice how they never denied the dating allegations
dailydanstelle: ITS CANON YALL THEYRE TOGETHER
Stelle glanced at the screen and laughed. “You guys are unbelievable.”
“You’re the one streaming this,” March said.
“That’s on you,” Stelle replied cheerfully.
Dan Heng tasted the sauce, frowned slightly, then added a pinch of something without explanation. Stelle watched him, chin in her hand.
“You look very serious.”
“It’s important.”
“It’s pasta.”
“It’s dinner.”
She hummed, amused, then — when he wasn’t looking — dipped a finger into the pot.
“Stelle—”
She grinned, licking it off. “Okay yeah, that’s good.”
He sighed, long-suffering, and handed her a spoon instead. “Use this.”
Their fingers brushed again.
Chat stopped being readable.
By the time everything was done, the counter was a mess, the food smelled incredible, and Stelle leaned back against the fridge with a satisfied sigh.
“We survived,” she announced. “Chat, congratulate us.”
Dan Heng plated the food neatly, sliding one dish toward her without a word.
March groaned. “Why does he do everything so naturally. It’s upsetting.”
Stelle picked up her fork. “Jealousy’s not cute, March.”
“I HATE IT HERE,” March yelled.
They wrapped the stream shortly after — promising nothing, delivering exactly what chat wanted anyway.
As the ending screen faded in, Stelle bumped her shoulder lightly against Dan Heng’s.
“Good job, chef.”
He glanced at her, just soft. “You helped.”
“Liar,” she said fondly.
Off-camera, they ate together at the counter, close enough that their knees touched.
And for once, there was no chat to see it.
━━━━━━━ ⟡ ━━━━━━━
“Chat, you’re not ready for this.” Stelle leaned toward her mic with a mischievous grin, her headset slipping slightly askew. Behind her, the LED lights along her wall pulsed with faint blue and yellow, soft against the dark. Let’s Groove was playing in the background, volume low enough to not muffle her voice. “You’ve been begging for a co-op stream for months now… so here you go. My very special guest tonight.”
She swivelled her chair just enough to gesture at the figure already sitting beside her, half-shadowed by the glow of the monitors.
Dan Heng adjusted his headphones like it was the most serious thing in the world. “Hello,” he said, calm, low, almost clinical.
The chat exploded instantly.
starrydreamz: HELLO???? WHO IS THIS???
phaisfish: IS THAT HIM IS THAT THE GUY IS THAT THE BF (I missed the last few streams don’t kill me)
stillwaterenjoyer: he breathes. he LIVES.
stellefanclub: ‘hello’ ok sir marry her then
Stelle slapped a hand over her mouth, but her shoulders shook with barely-contained laughter. “Chat,” she wheezed, “you can’t just lose your minds over him saying hello—”
galactictrashpanda: WE CAN AND WE WILL
drumsticksgod: this man has said like two words and I’m already writing wedding vows
Dan Heng blinked at the chat feed streaming across the second monitor. His expression didn’t shift much, but Stelle caught the faint twitch of his lips.
She smacked his arm lightly. “Don’t you dare laugh. If you laugh, chat will combust.”
“...I’m not laughing,” he replied, eyes still on the screen.
“Lies,” she accused, grinning, then turned back to face the camera. “He’s holding back.”
yearnboat: SHE KNOWS HIS LAUGH BY HEART HELP
ilosttheplot: nah bc the *domestic energy* rn is killing me
The game loaded in — some fast-paced co-op shooter that Stelle had promised would be “easy to pick up.” Dan Heng handled the tutorial with the same quiet focus he gave everything. Within five minutes, he’d memorized the controls, figured out weapon combos, and was headshotting enemies with frightening accuracy.
“Wait— how are you this good already?!” Stelle demanded, wheeling toward him.
He spared her a sidelong glance. “It’s pattern recognition. And timing.”
Chat went feral.
stellesimp: SIR ARE YOU A GAMER IN SECRET
galaxyluvr: he practices off stream?? <.<
caeenjoyer: NAH HE JUST WANTS TO IMPRESS HIS GIRL
Stelle let out a dramatic gasp. “Chat, you’re onto something. He’s totally been training behind my back— like some secret e-sports prodigy.”
“I haven’t,” he said flatly.
“You so have.” She leaned back in her chair, cackling. “This is my villain origin story. Betrayed by my own boyfriend. What has the world come to!”
Their avatars onscreen ducked into cover side by side, their movements perfectly in sync. Stelle cracked a grin at the coincidence, but Dan Heng didn’t even blink — he was already scanning for the next wave of enemies.
It was exactly then that chat seized the moment.
starlitfangirl97: not them MOVING TOGETHER IN GAME LIKE THEY DO IN MOVIEESS THIS IS A MOMENT OF HISTORY
stellesleftsock: wait they just instinctively synced up HELP—
danstellarsRISE: #danstelle canon when
wetnoodle: @danstellarsRISE did u just change ur user mid stream
Stelle bit her knuckle to muffle a laugh, tears pricking her eyes. “Oh my god, they’re making edits already, I can feel it.”
Dan Heng finally looked at her, brow faintly raised. “Edits?”
“Don’t worry about it.” She waved him off with a mischievous glint. “You’ll see.”
The chaos hit its peak when Stelle fumbled a jump, sending her character plunging straight into a pit.
She shrieked, “NOOO—” and clutched her face, laughing too hard to breathe.
Dan Heng’s character immediately dropped after hers, deliberate, without hesitation. Both respawned seconds later.
“You… did you just jump after me?!” Stelle turned to him, wide-eyed.
“You sounded upset,” he said simply.
For a full beat, there was silence. Then:
galaxyluvr: I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE
racglam: HE JUMPED AFTER HER WITHOUT THINKING??? THATS LOVE.
phainonsfist: if my man doesn’t throw himself into the abyss after me do i even WANT him
patheticmenlover: and u mean to tell me they’re STILL NOT MARRIED?!?! someone throw them before the altar b4 I do
Stelle completely lost it. She buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with helpless laughter, while Dan Heng sat there with that tiny, secret smile that only appeared when he thought nobody else was watching.
And chat saw everything.
frogs4ever: CLIP THIS CLIP THIS CLIP THIS
danstelle_truthers: we just witnessed history
endmeplease: if you listen closely you can hear me sobbing
ilovecas: HIS SMILE HELLO??
Stelle finally looked up, cheeks pink from laughing so hard. “I hate you,” she said between giggles.
“No, you don’t,” Dan Heng replied evenly.
The grin she gave him could have lit the whole room.
And chat… absolutely lost its collective mind.
iminurwalls: HE JUST—???!? EXCUSE ME
starrydreamz: this is the soft launch we’ve been waiting for
touchcactus: is this corn
The rest of the stream blurred into a chaos of bad jokes, clutch wins, and moments where Stelle’s laughter filled the mic so loudly it peaked the audio. Every time she glanced at him, Dan Heng was already watching her, and every time he smiled, subtle, fleeting, real, the chat erupted like fireworks.
When they finally wrapped up the session, Stelle leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh, the final donation message popped up across the screen:
donator: danstelle4life
this wasn’t a stream. this was a romcom. thank u for your service.
Stelle burst out laughing all over again. Dan Heng shook his head, but he didn’t look away from her, even as the screen faded to the stream’s ending scene.
“Chat’s never letting us live this down,” she managed through her giggles.
“Then let them,” he murmured.
“You totally did everything on purpose.”
“And what if I did?”
And the stream cut — leaving the world buzzing, clipped, edited, meme’d to oblivion.
But offline, in the quiet that followed, her laughter still hung in the air, and his steady gaze lingered, soft and unwavering.