T 🌙

play to win (my heart) - THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

lies face down on the floor

it’s happening besties… the end is near 😭💕

after [checks notes] TOO MANY months of pouring my entire soul into this gaming au, i can officially announce that…

🎮 PLAY TO WIN (MY HEART) IS COMPLETE! 🎮

muffled sobbing

that’s right folks - the entire fic is WRITTEN. FINISHED. DONE.

i’ve been sitting on this secret for WEEKS while i edit and now i can finally tell you all that i’ve typed “THE END” on this labor of love!

📝 what this means for you, my beloved readers:

• i’m pacing out the final few chapters for maximum emotional damage

• updates will continue on the regular schedule

• there will be NO unexpected hiatus (i see you, serial wip abandoners)

• the tournament WILL conclude

• all your burning questions WILL be answered

• you WILL find out if they win the finals

• emotional closure WILL be provided

• tissues WILL be required

🥹 how am i feeling about this? EXTREMELY COMPLICATED THANKS FOR ASKING

the pros of finishing:

• i can finally SLEEP

• my browser history is no longer 90% esports terminology

• i can stop dreaming about gaming mechanics

• the validation of actually completing a longfic

• the sweet release of resolution

the cons of finishing:

• what do i DO with myself now???

• i’ve spent so long with these idiots in my head

• letting go of regulus and james feels like saying goodbye to friends (for very little time)

• post-fic depression is ALREADY setting in

• what if i never write anything this good again?? 🙃

💌 a genuine thank you from the bottom of my heart:

i genuinely wouldn’t have made it through writing this beast without:

• your comments that i’ve read approximately 6000 times each

• your enthusiasm when i thought nobody would care about a niche gaming au

• your patience during that month-long hiatus when last semester tried to kill me

• your welcome back messages when i emerged from finals week like a feral gremlin

🔮 what’s next?

• once this is complete, i’ll be taking a short break

• MORE JEGULUS FICS are absolutely coming!! this is not the end of my jegulus era

• but this specific story will be completely wrapped up - no bonus content/epilogues planned

• this gaming universe is getting its definitive ending (pour one out for marlene’s gaming romance that will remain in our imaginations)

clutches chest dramatically

i’m equal parts relieved and devastated to be wrapping this up. writing this fic has been one of the most rewarding creative experiences of my life and watching you all fall in love with these characters alongside me has been EVERYTHING.

please continue screaming in the comments as the final chapters drop - your reactions are what make this whole journey worth it 💖

now excuse me while i go have an existential crisis about what to write next!

play to win (my heart) chapters 23-24 UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT

screaming crying throwing up sliding down the wall

OKAY SO—

🎮 previously on "these idiots are STILL being professional":

james and regulus were being Very Normal About Each Other™

the tournament was tournamenTING

everyone had eyes except our main characters

professional partnership my ASS

we were all suffering

✨ WHAT'S IN THIS UPDATE YOU ASK??? ✨

vibrating at frequencies that could shatter glass

💬 actual quotes that made me astral project:

"I'm falling for you. Like I have been since that night in my hotel room after the exhibition match"

"I want you. I have for longer than I care to admit."

"Just us. No cameras, no commentators, no analysts tracking our every move."

"Together."

incoherent keysmashing

🏆 THE FINALS ARE TOMORROW AND THEY'RE:

in LOVE your honor

still have to WIN A TOURNAMENT

but they're doing it ✨together✨

alice is Tired™️

marlene is Living Her Best Life

frank is calculating their kiss probability stats

if you're not reading this fic what are you even DOING with your life??? go read it NOW the slow burn has officially BURNED and we're all LIVING FOR IT

Chap. 24 <- GO FORTH AND SUFFER (in the best way)

Play to Win (My Heart) - Chapter 23 is now LIVE!

"Today we're inseparable."

In which Slytherin Elite discovers what happens when you underestimate Potter & Black, Regulus proves the Ice Prince has fire underneath, and a victory hug breaks the internet (and possibly management's sanity).

Chapter 23: Underhanded Tactics

The semifinals showdown we've all been waiting for! Old wounds, new strengths, and a partnership that transcends professional boundaries (no matter what they claim)... 💙🖤

Featuring:

Lucius Malfoy being deliciously villainous

Regulus laughing in the face of intimidation (character growth!)

Mind-blowing gameplay synchronicity

THE HUG™ that's now trending

Media vultures sensing blood in the water

Eight o'clock hotel room plans that are "acceptable"

"The air between them seemed to thicken with unspoken words. James leaned in slightly, drawn by the vulnerability in Regulus's eyes."

TOURNAMENT STATUS: Day Two Complete. Potter & Black ADVANCE TO FINALS!

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: "Nobody's business but our own." (But definitely headed for that promised conversation)

.　. • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

Sorry guys I know i said i would give an update before my semesters up (next week is my last) but all my professors decided to overload a lot of projects last minute so unfortunately im absolutely swamped!

Next chapter soon, please stay patient!

I just wanted to give a little update, to just confirm im not abandoning this fic just taking a little break while i finish school up for the summer!

Thank you again,

Thank you all again for your patience, im nearing the end of my semester at uni so ive been cramming my final assignments and working a fuck ton at work :(

3 more weeks, trust 🤞

I will post before the three weeks though, i am currently writing.

Thank you again!

Play to Win (My Heart)

"Ready?" James asked through their private channel.

Such a simple question, but loaded with meaning after everything that had happened. Regulus's fingers found his chain briefly—that nervous tell he couldn't quite suppress—before he squared his shoulders.

"Always."

✧ ✧ ✧

NEW CHAPTER ALERT! Tournament Day Two brings our favorite rivals-turned-something-more to the quarterfinals, but the real competition might be happening off-screen. Morning confessions, management meltdowns, and gameplay that has even the commentators losing their professional composure.

"Did you SEE that? The trust in that maneuver! The coordination! The absolute SYNC these two are in!"

Play to Win (My Heart)

"Since when do you care about anything more than the game?" Regulus asked, his voice barely above a whisper. James's laugh was slightly unsteady. "Since when do you break formation to have my back?" "Today," Regulus answered honestly. Then, softer: "Yesterday. Last week."

✧ ✧ ✧

NEW CHAPTER ALERT! Tournament Day One is complete, but the real game is just beginning. Watch as our favorite rivals discover that some matches aren't played on screen, and certain victories mean more than trophies.

Hey beautiful readers! ✨ Can you believe we're already this far into 2025?! I hope this year has been treating you all wonderfully so far.

Just wanted to pop in with a quick update on 'Play To Win (My Heart)' - yes, I'm still here and still writing! These next chapters are taking a bit longer because we're approaching the finale and I really want to make sure I nail the ending you all deserve.

The characters have been living in my head rent-free for so long, and I'm both excited and a little heartbroken that we're nearing the end of their journey together.

Thank you so much for your patience and all your amazing comments that keep me motivated! I promise the wait will be worth it. 💕

What moments from the story have been your favorites so far? I'd love to hear while I'm putting these final pieces together!

With Much Love, And Appreciation,

⋆｡°✩ chapter 19: day one: qualifiers ✩°｡⋆

wherein: ↳ tournament day one continues ↳ slytherin elite makes an appearance ↳ the vip lounge witnesses Things™️ ↳ management continues suffering ↳ marlene provides "professional" commentary in 4k ↳ character development intensifies ↳ the chat remains feral ↳ james and regulus are still Bad At Feelings

feat: ⋆ competitive gaming ⋆ tension™️ ⋆ practicing™️ ⋆ professional growth™️ ⋆ everything is very professional obviously

"Getting soft, Reg?"

"Getting smarter."

status: updated on ao3! ♡ word count: 2.5k next up: "practice session" 👀

Play to Win (My Heart)

chapter 18: under supervision

"Tomorrow would change everything - the tournament, their dynamic, whatever this thing between them was becoming. But for now, in the quiet of their separate streaming rooms, they let themselves acknowledge what they'd been dancing around for weeks.

Some rivalries were meant to evolve."

featuring in this chapter:

⋆ actual tournament practice

⋆ evolving dynamics

⋆ meaningful glances

⋆ working together

⋆ soft realizations

⋆ quiet understanding

⋆ inevitable feelings

chapter includes:

↳ character development

↳ sexual tension

↳ soft moments

↳ private jokes

↳ mutual pining

↳ management approval

Play to Win (My Heart)

chapter 17: after hours

"The city lights painted their shadows on the window, tangled together like a confession neither was ready to make.

Some things were inevitable."

featuring in this chapter: ⋆ late night visits ⋆ stolen jerseys ⋆ city lights and shadows ⋆ almost confessions ⋆ broken contracts ⋆ competitive kissing ⋆ feelings they won't name

chapter summary: in which professional conduct lasts approximately 0.2 seconds, james shows up at regulus's door, and some things are worth breaking contracts for.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 　　 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

Play to Win (My Heart)

chapter 16: the fallout

"By evening, both their phones had effectively melted down. Regulus stared at his dark streaming setup, still wearing Potter's jersey. His neck ached in ways that would be impossible to hide on camera. His perfectly curated aesthetic was in shambles.

Worth it though."

featuring in this chapter: ⋆ existential crises ⋆ questionable hacking attempts ⋆ sibling meltdowns ⋆ management needing drinks ⋆ borrowed clothing ⋆ betting pools ⋆ security footage drama

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 　　 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

Play to Win (My Heart

chapter 15: caught in 4k

"The cameras," James breathed, staring at the blinking red light above them. "Fuck."

"Lanuage, Potter." Regulus's voice was steady, but his hands shook slightly where they were still in James's tank top. "Though accurate."

featuring in this chapter:

⋆ borrowed clothing

⋆ managers needing drinks (as always)

⋆ very "professional" explanations

⋆ hackers being helpful

⋆ evidence of... practice sessions

(or: how to misuse training rooms)

↳ midnight meetings

↳ stolen jerseys

↳ blue lighting aesthetics

↳ security camera footage

↳ management needing therapy (when do they not)

alternatively titled: things that shouldn't be caught on camera

"this isn't just content" he said, forgetting about security cameras

(or: how to get banned from practice rooms)

in which:

↳ james finally fights back with tank tops

↳ regulus has a new necklace

↳ private training room codes are exchanged

↳ midnight practice sessions are arranged

↳ management needs therapy

alternatively titled: things that aren't actually about tournament prep

"just reviewing capabilities. making sure you're... qualified for private training."

when your managers call an emergency meeting but you're still wearing his shirt

↳ emergency protocols

↳ terrible attempts at professionalism

↳ suspicious managers

↳ "this old thing? had it ages"

↳ frank longbottom needing a fucking drink at 10am