Santiago Alverio is torn between family expectations and his own internalized fears from homophobic relatives. As he enters a casual fling with Diablo Delgado, he discovers that love, patience, and acceptance might be the blueprint to healing and embracing his true self. *** Santiago Alverio has always lived by the rules of his family, peers, and a silent world that tells him who he should be. As a civil engineering student, he hides behind toxic masculinity and the fear of being noticed because of expectations and a homophobic upbringing. Then comes Diablo Delgado--fearless, affectionate, and unapologetically himself. What begins as a no-strings "friends with benefits" arrangement slowly converts into something deeper. With every touch, every unguarded smile, Diablo breaks the walls Santi has built around his heart. But love is never simple. Santi is caught between family pressures, societal judgment, and his own insecurities. Will he ever realize that happiness was never about meeting expectations but about choosing the person who makes him feel whole? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano ILLUSTRATOR: Ri Ot

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THIS IS A BL STORY!

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Cole's life has never been his. For as long as he could remember, his one job in life was to play the role of a copycat. He's had to pretend to be his older brother as soon as his parents realized the two looked very alike to one another despite not being twins. His birth wasn't planned nor wanted so what better way to make use of an unwanted child than to constantly put their life in danger? He swears his parents had the most fucked up logic he's ever heard of but this is his life and it'd continue to be that way until the day one of his brother's assassins finally succeeded in killing him. Well, that's what he thought until he was kidnapped by the Azure Dragon's group and encountered their boss, Eros. Not caring much about who he was, Cole punched him. Yup, he punched one of the largest mafia groups in the U.S.' boss right in the face. But who knew that one punch would, instead of ending his life, change it? --------------- "I have to pee" I said monotonously to the guard in front of me. I could immediately tell he thought that I was hoping to be led to a bathroom so I can find an escape, but I didn't need a bathroom. The bucket would do just fine. And as expected, that's what was given to me. I had relieved myself a few times in the dingy little thing unfortunately but, rather that than piss myself. "You go in there" he said and I looked down at my tied legs. "How am I supposed to pee with my legs tied?" I said and he looked at me confused. "My dick is small" I said holding up my pinky for emphasis and the guy gave me a disgusted look. "Make it quick" he said gruffly after untying my legs and helped me stand up. "Can you turn around?" I asked as I saw the man was just standing there. "No" he said. Whatever, his nose not mine. [Completed. 125k words]

In a world where love demands both courage and surrender, will they find the harmony to turn two broken songs into one?

When circumstances put them in the same place again, Liege and Calib almost couldn't look at each other eye-to-eye after everything that happened between them. But when their encounter got more frequent, none of them realized that the hatred has been long gone and they were left with nothing but the growing romantic attachment they weren't ready for - a romantic attachment that is as destructive as the waves.

a n e p i s t o l a r y Really, I was over with you. Until I came across the letters I never send to you.

The last thing Jiro wanted to do was to fall in love so when he formed an off-center bond with a guy he met during his vacation in Villarreal, he spent his summer days anxiously trying to ascertain his piling up feelings for him. Worried about how people would take homosexuality, Jiro found himself standing between the lines of sweeping his feelings under the rug or going after them.

Jakob Raje Buenavista is the province's most elusive bachelor-handsome, composed, and utterly uninterested in fame. Raised in a lineage of old wealth, Jakob chooses the scent of earth over champagne, the quiet of the ranch over the roar of the city. He's every woman's fantasy, yet he remains untouchable-rooted in tradition, wrapped in mystery. Then comes Crushette Miracle Ishie Sandoval-loud where he is quiet, dazzling where he is modest. A diamond in the glittering world of city socialites, Crushette is groomed for the spotlight and destined for politics, with a name that commands attention and a confidence that could spark a war. And now? He's been promised in marriage-to a stranger from the countryside. They weren't meant to meet. They weren't meant to marry. But fate-and family legacy-have other plans. DATE STARTED: 02-26-21 DATE FINISHED: 08-12-23 EDITING STARTED: 04-26-25 OFFICIAL COVER: IEC Creations (under editing)