Buried Love

Welcome to your next big adventure. Buried Love. The show where we test whether romance really is dead. When your friends entered you into this dating show you never thought you'd get selected, but here you are, a moment away from potentially meeting the love of your life

Fed up with seeing you get picked up and dropped by a long line of emotionally deficient partners of the human variety, your friends decided to take your fate in their own hands and enter you into a dating show with a supernatural and mythical twist. It's been years since the doors were thrown wide open and everyone realised that the creatures of myth, fantasy and legend were real, but appear on reality television...now that's new.

Play the Demo

Buried Love is an interactive fiction project, and you can currently play the demo of the first part of the game here .

It’s free to play, and I intend to keep it that way. I love working on this story and I hope you love going on an adventure with the characters.

The version of the game linked to above is the first 3 days (out of a total of 20).

Comments/ thoughts/ feedback/ asks are always welcome on this blog!

My plan is to release a new day for the game towards the end of every month - next release will be August ‘21.

The Characters

Character Introductions: Rota | Aayush | Alex | Eli | Abe | Zein | Cerri| Catarina|Fleur|Lily

Character posters for all characters can be found here.

The Playlist

Want your ears getting into the Buried Love mood? You can find the playlists so far here.

How are you all? Just a message to say I’m still here, still writing, but taking specific days off work to focus on it so it’s as slow as ever. I love my new job and it doesn’t cause me unhappiness like my old one, but it definitely keeps me busy! Still committed to 2024 being ‘the’ year it’s finished!

I also just wanted to post about Love Island the Game - some of you know me from that fandom, and it was that game that inspired me to start looking into interactive stories in the first place, and then Buried Love was born one lonely lockdown.

Anyone in the fan community will have seen that the developers have taken down Seasons 1-3 and I’m so sad about that. The characters in Seasons 1 and 2 are hands down my favourite dating game characters. Hell, they’re probably some of my favourite game characters. It feels kind of devastating to have them just taken away. They helped to distract my mind during some pretty difficult times and they’ll always hold a place in my heart for that. So now seasons 1-3 belong to the fanfic writers, and they’re doing a great job of keeping those characters alive.

For me it’s definitely made me commit more than ever to overcoming the challenges of getting Buried Love completed - I love the characters so much and I want to see their stories play out.

I want everyone who has invested time and a little bit of their heart into the story and characters to get their happy ever after.

This was a Halloween party unlike any other. A party held in a celestial realm. A vast and shimmering space filled with stars, planets, and nebulae. There were floating islands made of moonstone and crystal, and waterfalls of moonlight cascaded into the abyss below.

The guests at the party were a diverse group of beings from all over the cosmos. There were fairies, elves, aliens, and even a few other deities. Everyone was dressed in their finest costumes, which ranged from ethereal moonbeams to glittering galaxies. A more diverse group of ethereal beings had never been gathered in one party, but there was only one person the host was trying to find in the crowd, their eyes shining and reflecting the stars around them, shifting from blue to green and back again, with flecks of gold brighter than the moon.

And then the eyes landed on the person they’d been searching for. The stars in the sky suddenly seemed to pulse with a bright light, as if supercharged by a new energy.

The host moved across the crowds towards them and the pair immediately embraced. They then spent the evening dancing among the stars and feasting on celestial delicacies. It was a truly magical evening, almost like living in a dream.

Towards the end of the night the host gently stroked their love’s hair before kissing them on the forehead.

“From the first moment I saw you I knew. It felt like a thousand galaxies exploded in my chest that first time we met. I would have travelled through time and space to find you.”

They opened up a small box which contained the most beautiful moonstone. It seemed to shimmer and swirl in the light.

“This is my way of promising you the moon. The stars too, if they make you happy. I promise you my now and my future.”

They smiled softly and shook their head. “I’m sorry to get so deep at a party, I just have so many things I want to say when I see you. For now shall we just enjoy ourselves? We have the rest of our lives, after all.”

Rota’s Halloween Party

Rota dusted sugar over the sweetcorn she’d poured into a bowl and frowned at a list she had clutched in her other hand. “Ok, that’s the candy corn finish. It seems like a weird combination but the tastes of mortals are not for me to question.”

She cast her eye over the banquet in front of her. A giant punch bowl of mead sat in the centre, surrounded by a truly puzzling collection of food. Bowls of raw pumpkin flesh were scattered around the table, their cases discarded to the crows instead of being carved.

Rota shook her head in dismay she looked at the orange substance with a scattering of seeds still mixed in. “I don’t understand how I was supposed to carve shapes into these.” It had been so difficult to get the pumpkins from Earth to Asgard. Balancing three pumpkins I her arms while riding a Pegasus had proven more challenging than some of her battles. But the arms of her love around her waist had definitely helped.

That was the whole point of this party. To celebrate their first Halloween together. Rota looked again at the list. She hadn’t been able to get fake cobwebs but luckily the eight legged inhabitants of the large hall had spun their own additions to the party. Rota beamed as she saw one scuttle its way across the table. Surely that would only add to the atmosphere?

Rota quickly changed into her costume. A white t-shirt and jeans and a pair of crocs. She roared with laughter as she looked at herself. She was going to the party as a mortal, of course. It was the most obscure thing she could think of.

In that moment her beloved walked into the hall and took in the sights in front of them.

Rota ran over and wrapped her arms around them in a warm embrace. “Is this ok? Is it a Halloween party in keeping with one on Earth?” Her love watched in horror as a giant spider climbed up the wall, but then looked at Rota and saw her hopeful face.

“It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

Aayush’s Halloween party

Aayush stood in the corner of the grand ballroom that had been his penthouse apartment only hours earlier, watching his friends dance and laugh. He had spared no expense in throwing this Halloween party, the best in town. But despite the festivities, he couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness that had plagued him for centuries.

He’d always felt different from other vampires, and had longed for human connection . He’d tried to find solace in the company of others, but each attempt had added another fresh wound of loss.

As he watched his friends dance and laugh with each other, he felt a wave of sadness wash over him. Each person represented another wound, another chasm in his chest at some point in the future.

He tried to push his thoughts away. He’d thrown this party to celebrate Halloween and to be with his friends, and he didn't want to let his loneliness ruin it. This should be a perfect Halloween party. One to remember.

But it was no use. The feeling only grew stronger with each passing moment.

Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He slipped out of the ballroom and into the night. He wandered the empty streets, wondering if he would ever find someone who could truly understand him, someone who could love him for who he was.

He sat down on a bench and closed his eyes. He listened to the wind whistling through the trees. He felt a sense of peace wash over him. He realised that he was not truly alone. He was part of something much larger than himself, part of life.

He opened his eyes and stood up. He could find someone who would love him for who he was. No. He will find someone.

Alex’s Halloween Party

Alex smiled to himself as he looked at everything laid out in front of him. Invitations had been sent. Well, one invitation. To a romantic Halloween party for one. The night was perfect, with the moon illuminating the sea. Alex had set up a blanket on the sand, with candles, wine, and every type of food that he’d been able to pack into his backpack. Well, plus the two additional bags he was carrying in one hand. And the cool box in the other. Alex firmly believed a party could never have enough food options. He’d also decorated the area with pumpkins with tealights softly glowing inside them. He’d carved shapes into each pumpkin that he knew would mean something special to his guest. A childhood favourite cartoon character. Favourite flower. Their star sign. A heart.

His guest arrived, walking onto the beach, taking in the sight in front of them and smiling.

"Where is everyone else?" they asked, although the smile and the sparkle in their eyes suggested the answer was already clear.

Alex smiled. "I wanted this night to be just for us," he said. "I know you don't like big parties, so I thought we could have a romantic Halloween party for two."

The pair sat down on the blanket. They ate and drank, and they talked about everything and nothing. They planned the rest of the night. And what they’d do next week. They planned an unspoken forever.

Happy Halloween Buried Lovers!

Eli’s Halloween Party

Eli spun the decks in the heart of the forest, adrenalin pumping as he played some of his favourite tunes to a crowd of ghouls, goblins, and other creatures of the night. The forest was transformed into a magical wonderland, with decorations that transported guests to another world.

Towering trees were wrapped in glittering fairy lights, and giant mushrooms glowed with an eerie phosphorescence. Cobwebs hung from the branches like silver curtains, and bats fluttered overhead. Jack-o'-lanterns carved into all shapes and sizes lined the forest path, their flickering candles casting eerie shadows on the ground. Every detail had been planned by the Prince. Every decoration. Every drink. Eli knew how to throw a party that people would always remember, and this Halloween was no exception.

The party guests danced the night away under the canopy of trees, their costumes shimmering in the moonlight.

But even with the whole party happening in front of him Eli only had eyes for one person. The person he was really playing every song for. The person he’d hung every decoration for. He needed this to be their best night ever. He wanted every night with him to be their best night ever.

And as they smiled up at him, eyes sparkling, the crowd melting away around them, he knew that this was so much more than a Halloween party.

Abe’s Halloween Party

Abe had never thrown a party before. A combination of social anxiety and the fear that no one would actually turn up had meant that the concept of actually organising a party had always seemed very abstract. A vague notion that always left his brain as quickly as it arrived. But this Halloween was different. There was someone special he wanted to see and maybe this would be the way to achieve that. Maybe even speak to them. He smiled wryly to himself when he imagined that and shook his head. He knew he probably shouldn’t try to run before he could walk when it came to social occasions.

Abe had spent weeks planning the party. He’d decorated his apartment so that it felt like walking into a gothic manor. He’d invited everyone he knew, including a few regular customers from his book shop. They’d seemed surprised but pleased when he’d handed them an invitation. The bookshop gang weren’t always the most sociable. That was part of why he was so fond of them. No pressure. No expectation for conversation unless it was about a book. Then he could happily talk for hours.

Abe had chosen the theme of Edgar Allan Poe for the party and had handmade raven shaped cookies, as well as mixed some non-alcoholic Poe themed cocktails. He took a sip of the ‘Cask of Amontillado’ and wondered how many people would know the theme. The bookshop gang would. He could count on them.

The guests started arriving. Well. Some of them. The bookshop gang.

Abe’s heart sank. What if they were the only people who came? But as they started to explore the decorations and food, and exclaimed ‘Poe!’ with happiness he realised that maybe that was ok.

But then someone else stepped through the open door. The person he was hoping for.

And suddenly Abe’s costume changed.

Thump thump.

Thump thump.

He was the living embodiment of the Tell-Tale Heart.

Thump thump.

Thump thump.

He had no words. No greeting. Instead he gestured awkwardly towards the food and drinks.

Thump thump.

Why wouldn’t his heart settle? How was he going to start a conversation? He couldn’t even move from the spot he was standing in. One of the bookshop customers approached him, a concerned frown on his face.

“Are you ok, Abe?”

Abe nodded slowly. “I am. I will be. I think I just need to let my heart settle.”

As he watched the person that made it beat so loud, saw them admiring the decorations. Chatting and laughing with the customers who were the closest thing he had to friends he suddenly realised that he might be ok. Next Halloween he might even be able to speak. As long as his heart didn’t give away his crush.

Cerri’s Halloween Party

Cerri hated parties with a burning passion. They were always loud, crowded and full of people she didn’t particularly like. And then there were people getting drunk in an effort to forget the misery of their lives. Werewolf parties were even worse. Any simmering tensions between the pack members would come to the surface after a few beers and fists would fly. But here she was, organising a Halloween party at her parent’s orders. It was Werewolves only, of course. That rule meant that Cerri hadn’t been able to invite the one and only person she’d wanted to see.

The guests started to arrive and Cerri greeted them with a scowl, annoyed at each person for not being the one person she wanted to see. As the night passed Cerri became more and more frustrated at being trapped at this boring hell of a party. She looked around at all of the people laughing, chatting, flirting, shouting. She could see tensions brewing and she knew she had no interest in being there when they erupted. She sighed and knew what she had to do. Her parents had told her to organise a party. She’d done that. They didn’t say how long it had to last. She walked around and quietly picked up every can and bottle of drink she could find, before pouring them away. The food was thrown into the bin. Cerri could moving such stealth that noone noticed her dismantling the party around them. Cerri put the music on so loud that no one could hear themselves think, let alone talk, and the track list suddenly morphed from Rock to 1990’s Euro pop.

One by one the guests started to leave, grumbling about how it was the worst party they’d been to. By the end of the night, Cerri was the only person left. Her parents hadn’t even bothered to show up. They were probably out hunting.

As it’s almost my most favourite holiday I’ll be posting up a little Halloween Drabble for each of the BL love interests over the next 8 days. Day 8 will be the first piece of writing I’ve shared for the LI who hasn’t been introduced in the game yet. I’ve been writing some of their scenes this week, and I just can’t leave them out because I’m obsessed. It’s Catarina’s turn first, so welcome to her Halloween party…

Catarina’s Halloween Party

As you walk up to the old wooden door of Catarina’s home it feels like you’re being drawn towards it by a magnet. Something… or someone, is pulling you in, enticing you to step through the door. When you reach the doorstep you see the door is very slightly open. Should you knock or just walk in? Why is your stomach doing somersaults?

In answer Catarina appears, holding the largest glass of red wine you’ve ever seen, and wearing a black velvet dress with a plunging neckline. Her normally wavy hair is straight and sleek. She looks at you cooly at first, and then snaps her fingers, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Morticia is a goddess isn’t she?” It seems to be a rhetorical question because she doesn’t wait for an answer, instead leading you into her home. She’s decorated it with dried herbs, candles, and flickering jack-o'-lanterns. The air is filled with the intoxicating aromas of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and cloves.

A table is covered with blood-red punch, pumpkin-shaped cookies, and cupcakes decorated with black spiderwebs. She also has a selection of her own herbal concoctions, which she offers to you with a wink.

Catarina draws you towards the music, where people are dancing and laughing. A mix of sultry beats flows through you and you realise that Catarina’s eyes are fixed only on you. The night passes in a blur of dancing, laughing, bubbling herbal concoctions (what is even in them?) and… her.

At midnight, Catarina takes your hand and gathers the guests in the garden. She’s prepared a bonfire, and you watch the flames as they dance, reaching up to the sky. Catarina raises her glass and looks deep into your eyes as she says, "To Halloween! The night when the veil between the worlds is thin, and anything is possible."

Hey Buried Lovers,

My job should be getting quieter from next weekend and so I’ll be able to get back to this blog and writing BL again, and I can’t wait!

One thing I have been quietly working on is writing up the mythology/ background of the Buried Love world - so if there’s anything you want to know please send it through and I’ll make sure I include it!

Be back soon!

Hey Buried Lovers,

Just a little birthday something for you. Hope you’re all surviving September - all is busy but good for me - looking forward to some quieter times and getting back to writing! ❤️

The Party

Alex clears his throat and looks around the dome, running his hand through his hair.

“Do you think we’ve got enough balloons?”

Zein snorts and kicks their foot at one of the balloons now bouncing around on the ground. “Alex, if we had any more balloons I think this place would start floating to the surface.”

Alex grins sheepishly. “Ok, I accept I might have gone overboard.”

Balloons are floating around in the air. Some rising to the top of the dome, but others hovering in mid air, or bouncing their way along the ground.

Rota eyes them suspiciously. “Why aren’t these strange orbs following the laws of gravity?”

“That would be one of those questions it’s better not to ask,” Eli playfully bats one of the balloons with his hand as he walks past everyone and makes a beeline to the bar.

“A more important question is what drinks am I going to mix tonight? I feel like trying something new. Something spicy?”

Aayush raises an eyebrow but says nothing, instead walking through the swirling mass of balloons, somehow managing to avoid touching a single one. He lays down on a sun lounger and closes his eyes.

“Aayush!” Fleur calls out, “aren’t you supposed to be on outfit duty? There’s no time for relaxing!”

Aayush smiles and waves his hand. A sea of balloons parts to show a clothing rack with beautiful outfits hanging off of it. Fleur squeals as she runs over and picks up a hanger that has a label with her name written on it. A dress that looks like it’s made from thousands of delicate lilac petals hangs from it. “It’s perfect! Aayush how did you find these…?”

Aayush smiles. “You don’t get to live through all of the ages without getting a certain sense of style. This will be the best dressed party this dome will ever see. Guaranteed.”

Abe appears carrying trays of food. He looks wholly uncomfortable as he looks around the dome. “Where am I putting these?” He looks to Fleur who has assumed the role of party coordinator.

Fleur points to some tables over to the side of the pool. “Over there next to Cerri. While you’re over there could you ask her to go and throw all of the inflatables into the pool? It’s going to look so cute.”

Abe swallows and looks like he’s been asked to fight a bear, but he nods obediently and walks over to Cerri who is glowering at everything happening around her.

“Uh Cerri,” he starts, his deep voice shaking ever so slightly. “Fleur asked if you could get the pool ready? Uh. Please.”

Cerri rolls her eyes but doesn’t protest and wanders over to Cat who is standing proudly surveying a menagerie of inflatable pool animals.

“Cerri! Hey! Help me get these in the water will you?”

Cerri grunts but picks up a giant flamingo and throws it through the air with ease, watching as it lands in the pool with a splash. Cat smiles. “Finally an outlet for all that tension, huh?”

Cerri responds by throwing an inflatable panda.

Cat laughs quietly and walks slowly over to Alex, placing an arm around his shoulder. “Wow, when you were put in charge of balloons you really went for it, huh?”

Rota interjects, “I believe there may be more orbs in here than there are stars in the sky.”

Alex starts to protest but instead closes his mouth and his eyes rest on a point in the distance. Everyone turns to see what he’s seen, their eyes all fixed on one thing that has just entered the party.

Hey Buried Lovers,

How has your week been? I haven't spent anywhere near as much time in the dome as I would have liked. I work in education and September resembles something very close to Lily's home, so I'm just taking each day at a time!

But... the Buried Love poll has closed now and a big thank you to everyone who completed it. It's given me a good steer on how to approach the last couple of points I was unsure of, so thank you ❤️

Most people (71%) were happy with the balance between mystery and romance although 22% would like more romance, so that's something I'll keep in the back of my mind. I love writing romance to be honest, it's my most favourite thing, but I don't want to overload readers with it so I'm glad I've mostly got the balance right!

One aspect I was really happy to see in the results is that 68% wouldn't mind getting locked into an RO route just over half way through the game - and 29% wouldn't mind it. This was one of the things that has been stopping me progressing the most, as the sheer volume of branching that was needed to support constant switching was hurting my brain. Locking in routes earlier will allow me to really focus on the character and relationship developments through the overarching story and that makes me really excited to think about!

Also - to everyone who left a comment, thank you. I don't know what I've done to deserve such a supportive group of readers but I appreciate you all very much ❤️

I'll post when I can over the next couple of weeks, but just a heads-up that things might still be a bit quiet until I've clawed my way through September!