Watty's 2024 shortlist, Watty's 2024 Best Characters winner A story of boxing, drugs, and love Tyreek Nixon is a 26 year old underground boxer who goes by the alias Pretty Boy. He's known he was attracted to boys for as long as he could remember, but one man really catches his attention during one of his fights. All he wants is even the chance to get to know this man better, no matter how many fights he has to win to impress him. DeAndre Kingston is a 28 year old New York native who is known around the city for his product- weed and pills. One day when DeAndre is selling at an underground boxing event, he finds himself suddenly enraptured by one of the fighters. DeAndre may have never felt an attraction for a man before but that sure didn't stop him from wanting this "Pretty Boy" The two embark on an intertwining story of romance, blood, and drama, enduring it all for the sake of being able to call each other "mine"

[ boyxboy ] Noah Summerville is broken when his long forgotten uncle comes to his rescue and takes him to a small town of Alaska in a search of a new life. Then he sees Dylan McKenna with his man bun, thick thighs and intense stare. There is something about this man that makes him think coming to Alaska wasn't such a bad idea after all. However, Noah's demons follow him even as far as the coldest, darkest wilderness. He can't keep up, he's slipping and Dylan is right there in the middle of it all. Dylan McKenna has a motto: never commit and never fall in love. He revels in his solitude... Until a gorgeous, young man ends up as his new employee. He's trying really hard to keep things professional but the draw he feels for him goes beyond mild interest. Soon enough priorities shift, shields come down and truths get exposed. They might survive the harsh winter in Alaska. But will that be enough? Started: May 2024 Finished: December 2024

[This story will become free on DECEMBER 13TH, 2024] Isaiah always had his focus set on school and baseball, but when he meets August, he suddenly begins questioning more than just his lack of a social life. ***** As the star of his high school baseball team, Isaiah Carr is looking forward to senior year. While not the most popular of guys, he's got his friends, he's a shoo-in for a baseball scholarship, and he's perfectly content sitting on the sidelines when it comes to his social life. However, when he meets August, a strange but cute boy with a prosthetic leg, there's no denying the connection between them. From friends to more, the two begin to grow a relationship that balances the troubles of their pasts with the hopefulness and acceptance of a future. [[word count: 90,000-100,000 words]] Cover designed by Eva I. WATTY'S 2020 YA WINNER

"When I first saw you, I thought I'd have to kill you." "Uh, excuse me?" "But now I'll kill anyone that even thinks of laying a finger on you," he said, a dry laugh escaping his lips. "How times change, huh?" ~~~ Atlas, a young chef, was simply trying to survive in the big city. When a mysterious intruder, Emil, breaks into his apartment, Atlas is thrust into a life completely different from his. As Emil takes a liking to Atlas, will the chef run away? Or will the crime boss give him a reason to stay? ~~~ [mxm]

when Jaylen Park and Cassian Bergman cross the fine line between rivals and lovers they have to reevaluate everything they have ever known because straight guys don't kiss other guys, especially their teammates, and they sure as hell don't sleep with them either. It doesn't help that the two boys have this underlying sexual tension that they both can't explain because at the end of the day no matter what connection still lingers between them, they can't act on their urges because Jaylen is 100% straight and so is Cassian or maybe the two are just a little confused but it's okay because no matter how many kisses they share behind closed doors as long as they remember to say "no homo" afterward it simply doesn't count as love, right? [EXTENDED SYNOPSIS INSIDE]

Sam and Sage are next-door neighbors with an almost-four-year strong rivalry that peaks when they both apply to be Professor Olekev's Research Assistant. Unlike other professors, Olekev only chooses one student to study under her for their last two semesters, and every student that does transitions from college to the workforce seamlessly. You're almost guaranteed your dream job with a recommendation letter from Olekev. Which is why Sam needs that letter. And he'll do anything to get it. Even share the position with his stupidly pretty arch nemesis. ( © saeglopur )

"Why are you staring at me like that?" "Like what?" "Like you want to tear off my clothes." "And what if I do?" ~~~ Kingsley didn't believe in love. All he wanted was a single night with his incredibly hot boss, Lorenzo, that he had spent a year lusting over. When Lorenzo starts reciprocating Kingsley's advances, the man believes his fantasy will finally come true. But the corporate world isn't forgiving, and there are many roadblocks on the way. Read how their lives get complicated as things start getting steamy. ~~~ [mxm] [marked mature for sexual content]

COMPLETED [boyxboy] After his religious mother kicks him out for being gay, Elijah Ellis moves in with his father, where his step-mother, step-brother, and half-sister also welcome him. Elijah aspires to continue doing what he loves and play hockey for his new school, but his past hookup with the closeted hockey captain, Fox Ridley, complicates things. While Elijah just wants to get through the season unscathed, Fox is hellbent on hating him. Elijah is unsure whether he will ever overcome Fox's hatred, or if he will remain on thin ice. ~171k words

[This story will become free on August 15, 2023] Season 1 of The Moonlight Cafe Failed writer Isaac Billingsley manages the Moonlight Café, a small-town haven for artists and misfits. When a breakup leaves him single on Valentine's Day just before his first couples' therapy session, August, an actor/musician and café regular, offers to play the part of his boyfriend to help Isaac heal. But is it just roleplay, or will their little game become the real deal? WARNING: This story contains strong language that may not be suitable to some readers.

Elliot Warren has a chronic disease. It all started back at the end of middle school. He started losing his steps in places no one else would. Then, he had problems moving his legs properly, he couldn't run, walk and eventually stand anymore... It went that far that it bound him to a wheel chair in the beginning of his high school years. His parents Bianca and Robert thought at first that he'd be able to make it alone. But not all the things were going as they wished they were. Elliot needed help and they knew he did. He needed someone. Someone who could stay by his side when they couldn't. And for once, one thing went right as soon as they get to know George and Livia Martinez, parents of the oh so delinquent son: Ricky Martinez _____________ Started: March 17th 2020 Released: June 2st 2020 Finished: August 12th 2020