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!