Page 46 of Holly Jolly Heat
My alpha purred with satisfaction.
"Focusing on the build," I announced, forcing my attention back to the screen. "Roof section next, then we'll add the decorative elements?—"
The chat suddenly shifted.
CozyFan22: uh oh
HolidayVibes: incoming
StreamSniper: MODS
I frowned at the chat feed on my second monitor. The message flow had changed—faster, more aggressive, unfamiliar usernames flooding in.
FakeCozy47: this wholesome act is so fake
NotBuyingIt23: you're such a fraud
TrollAccount91: imagine being this boring
Oh. Oh no.
A raid. A coordinated troll attack.
I'd dealt with these before, every successful streamer did eventually, but they never got easier. The sudden shift from supportive community to hostile strangers always felt like a gut punch.
"Hey, looks like we've got some new viewers," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Welcome to the Cozy Crew. We're building gingerbread houses and spreading holiday cheer?—"
FakeCozy47: nobody wants your fake positivity
NotBuyingIt23: you're so desperate for attention
TrollAccount91: your content is trash
The donations started next, one dollar amounts with cruel messages that the text-to-speech would read aloud unless I disabled it.
"You know what makes good gingerbread architecture?" I said, talking over the notification sounds. "Strong foundations. Just like good communities. We build each other up here, we don't tear each other down?—"
FakeCozy47: cringe
NotBuyingIt23: you're pathetic
TrollAccount91: no wonder you're lonely
That one hit harder than it should have.
My hands paused. The gingerbread house sat with only half a roof, and suddenly I felt exhausted. Tired of the constant performance, the pressure to stay positive, the loneliness that fame hadn't fixed like I'd hoped it would.
I'd mentioned feeling lonely on stream before, being vulnerable with my viewers was part of my brand, but the trolls had weaponized it.
"I am lonely sometimes," I admitted quietly. "Success doesn't fix that. But you know what helps? Community. Real connection. People who show up and support each other?—"
FakeCozy47: nobody cares about your feelings
NotBuyingIt23: you're a fake wholesome fraud
TrollAccount91: your girlfriend probably doesn't even like you
From across the room, I heard Michelle's chair scrape back.
