**WATTYS 2025 SHORTLIST** Sixteen-year-old Cas is clever, sporty, and on the brink of a bright future at university. His best friend Vish has no such prospects. A painfully shy artist, Vish's future won't go further than his daily routine of pills, sensory issues and panicking parents. Cas and Vish celebrate what could be their final summer together by painting wildlife and swimming at a secret wetland that they've discovered hidden in the Fens. But something ancient and sinister lurks in the beautiful marsh that Cas and Vish have claimed as their summer retreat. Vish's childhood imaginary friend, Charlie, has returned, and this time Charlie wants Vish's body and soul. The only thing standing in Charlie's way is Cas, and he won't give up on his best friend, even if it means a fight to the death. --- WELCOME TO MY ONC 2025 STORY! This incorporates the following prompt: 105. Your childhood imaginary friend who disappeared years ago returns - only this time they're real. I'll add in some of the other prompts as I go along. Not sure if I'll make it to the end but we'll see how we go!

"But you're my dad's boss, what would happen if he found out?" "Doesn't matter. All that matters is that we're here, alone, now, no interruptions." He placed a hand on my cheek and moved closer to me, leaving no space in between us. I stared into his beautiful ice blue eyes. He placed a hand on my hip and pulled me that little bit closer, before pressing his soft lips against mine. This is how it was supposed to go. - Alex and Lukas couldn't be more opposite; Alex is a famous millionaire who owns a huge company, while Lukas is just an average person only just navigating the real world. But you know what they say, opposites attract. The story follows Lukas, who is forced to join his dad at work, where he meets the rich and famous Alex Woods. After their friendship begins with a disaster, the both of them work to slowly build their bond, their innocent friendship evolving into something more passionate. Unfortunately, it's never that easy. In order to keep his strong image of being a rich and successful businessman, Alex cannot let the secret about his sexuality out, in fear of it affecting his career and life. Will Lukas and Alex's relationship survive all that is thrown their way? Find out in Dad's Boss. - Best ranks - #1 in #bxb, #1 in #manxman, #1 in #company, #1 in #boyxboy

Luca was a victim of Old Alpha's Lust. He was a child sold, raped and broken beyond imagining. Every scar, every secret, he carried alone... until Aiden came. The alpha who sees him, claims him and shows him light in a world that tried to destroy him. But Luca's past is far from silent. When the truth surfaces, the world will finally meet the monster they forged in blood and cruelty.

{BxB}. A whisper of panic grazed the back of his mind as he contemplated the implications of Aries's threats. "No," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "This isn't how love works." "Love? This isn't love?" Aries challenged, his voice piercing through the claustrophobic air between them. "This is a bond, Kai. We escaped our lives for just a moment, and now you want to pretend it never meant anything. I won't allow you to just cast me away." "But it was a mistake," Kai insisted, desperation clawing at his heart. "This isn't... you can't think that-" Aries's expression transformed, morphing into a veneer of sadistic glee. "I can assure you, Kai, you're the one who needs to recalibrate how you see yourself in this twisted little dance. You want to push me away?" He inched closer, his tone laced with a seething undercurrent. "I promise, you'll realize soon that you'll never be free of me." Kai turned away, heart thumping against his ribcage. This wasn't just misguided passion-it was a smothering force bearing down on him. Panic coursed through his veins while he grasped for his footing, searching for a way out of this unexpected hell. What would you do when your son's new friend becomes obsessed with you?, read and find out :) ........ Aries(one of the main characters) was inspired by Joe from YOU and Joker I do not support cheating. Dec 12th-Jan 15th

After being expelled from his previous school, Jayden Hayes, a boy whose personality is almost as troublesome as his traumatic past, is sent off to an all boys boarding school, where he meets his almost as troublesome roommate, Ashton Creed. As Jayden struggles to get over his trauma, he finds an odd comfort in the daily arguments, or the subtle teasing, that happens with Ashton. Soon enough, he realizes that what he feels might be a little more than friendship. And that scares the shit out of him. (Cover pic is not my pic i don't know creds but pls tell me so I can give credit!!)

Alek Rivers (23): Tall, masculine, devastatingly handsome. A final-year business student from a billionaire family. Next in line to inherit the Rivers empire. Confident, flirtatious, and popular-he's dated both girls and boys for fun but never taken anyone seriously. Used to getting what he wants... until he meets him. Eliot Reyes (18): A soft-spoken, graceful fresher. Comes from a modest middle-class background. Smart and careful-just wants to survive college drama. He's feminine, introverted, and has a rare condition: he was born intersex and has a functional womb. It's a secret he guards with his life.

The same cliche story of a nerd and jock falling in love. But what happens when the nerd turns out to be a boy that doesn't take shit from anybody and plays hard to get. And the jock a little too trusting. ⬇️⬇️Sneak peak⬇️⬇️ "Fine, we will do the project together." He said throwing his hands in the air, as he surrendered. I just smirked with my victory. "But in one condition; we do it outside the school. I don't want people knowing I'm hanging out with you." He said giving me a disgusted look. "Don't worry, I don't want people knowing I'm hanging out with a dumbass either." I snapped back. "Listen here you." He said while grabbing my collar. "Your little mouth is going to get you in trouble someday." He said between gritted teeth. "I'm sorry, my mouth can't control itself when it's presented to stupidity as low as yours." I said with a smirk crafted on my face. His face turned red and you could see a small vein pop out of his empty head. .......... Find out what happens next.

When Desmond Mellow transfers to an elite all-boys high school, he immediately gets a bad impression of his new deskmate, Ivan Moonrich. Gorgeous, mysterious, and menacing, Ivan is exactly what Desmond doesn't need in his life - or so he thinks... ***** After causing trouble in his previous high school, Desmond is struggling to adapt to his new environment at Ivory High and to stop living in the shadow of his perfect older brother. As usual, trouble follows Desmond wherever he goes and nothing is going well. To make matters worse, he seems to have attracted the attention of The Class Prince, aka the infamous Ivan Moonrich. But despite their rocky start, Desmond begins to grow feelings for Ivan, discovering a new side of his identity that he never thought to experience. [[word count: 50,000 - 60,000]] Cover designed by Joe Resch

Tian's life was a masterpiece-a canvas filled with vibrant colors, each brushstroke telling a story. His world was perfect, a beautiful palette of dreams. But one tragic event shattered that perfection, plunging him into darkness. Then, like a light at the end of the tunnel, fate led him to someone unexpected. What began as an unfortunate encounter between two strangers quickly turned into mutual disdain. Yet, destiny had already woven their paths together, as if the red strings of fate had long been tied. Their first meeting was anything but pleasant, and every encounter that followed was filled with bickering and sharp retorts. But as time passed, something unexpected bloomed between them-an undeniable love. In each other's arms, they found solace, a place to call home. However, just as their love began to flourish, fate intervened once more. A buried truth surfaces, threatening to unravel everything they've built. Will their love withstand the storm, or will the truth shatter them beyond repair?

*COMPLETED* (Y.O.L.O stands for: YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE) *** Carter Jones, the school nerd, and Killian Henderson, the reputated troublemaker, somehow end up getting detention together. "How about we make a bet?" Offered Killian, his pistachio-green eyes drilling into mine as a playful smile lingered on his lips. "A bet?" I gulped, intimidated by how close he was sitting next to me. He nodded and raised four fingers, the ones with the letters "Y.O.L.O" tattooed on them, wriggling them in front of me with his ever-so-confident grin. "Four dares, Jones, just you and me." And that's how it all started. *** Rankings: #fiction #featured #queer #gay #depression #bl #youngadult #featured #comedy #bisexual #manxman #teen fiction #boyxboy #bxb #LGBT #romance Cover designed by Holly Thurston