You’ve tried it all—apps, setups, chance encounters—but nothing’s stuck. So what’s one more bad idea? In a moment of desperation (or brilliance), you say yes to reality TV.
Welcome to Warm Me Up, Snap Studio’s very first dating experiment.
You were expecting sunshine and swimsuits. Instead? You’re stranded in a luxury chalet with eleven strangers and one rule: pair up or freeze out. Fail to make a connection, and you’re headed straight to the Cold Zone.
Warm Me Up is an interactive fiction rated 18+ for explicit language, explicit sexual themes, alcohol use, and moral ambiguity.
Customize your MC. From appearance, personality, to motivations. Your character is yours to make.
Rich relationship dynamics. With eleven other contestants and the cameras always rolling, things are bound to get messy. It's up to you whether you want to keep it platonic, find your person, or hook up in the pantry. Nobody's judging...except the audience.
Multiple endings. Your time in the mountains can leave quite an impression. How will your story end?
Polished, poised, and unapologetically high-maintenance, Anjali doesn’t suffer fools or wrinkles. Her sharp tongue and cold exterior might scare some off, but if you make her crack, she just might surprise you. [FULL BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Outwardly, Dmitry comes off as too perfect. But he’s more than just good manners and a strong jawline. Quietly protective and endlessly thoughtful, he’ll always strive to put you first. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Jong-woo Kim | He/Him, 23, Fitness Influencer
Bubbly, bright, and built like a Greek statue, Jong-woo brings the sunshine wherever he goes. He’s a little awkward, endlessly enthusiastic, and surprisingly wise for someone who still calls his mom every day. Whether he’s working out or working the room, you can’t help but smile when he’s around. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Kailee Blake | She/Her, 26, Interior Designer
Kailee's all smiles and sweet touches, but it's clear she knows how to play the game. While her affection might feel genuine at times, her true motives stay tucked behind that charming facade. If you’re not careful, you’ll think she’s on your side right up until she twists the knife with a smile. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Kalea Mahelona | She/Her, 22, Student
Kalea is candy personified: sweet, soft, and easy to break if you’re not careful. She’s clumsy, shy, and easily flustered, but once she warms up to you, she’s all in. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Linden Craft | They/Them, 31, Café Owner
Grounded and honest, Linden is the breath of fresh air you didn’t know you needed. A little quiet and unreadable, they offer comfort by simply being. With their steady presence and emotional maturity, they make it easy to be exactly who you are. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Luca/Lucia Gigliotti | He/Him OR She/Her, 28, Luxury Art Curator
Cunning, cultured, seductive: Lu thrives on tension and desire. With them, love—if it exists at all—is a just game. Whether you join in is your choice. Either way, you’re in for one hell of a ride. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD - Lucia / Luca]
Makai Jones | He/Him, 27, High School History Teacher
Aloof, unreadable, and hard to impress, Makai keeps his guard sky-high. He’s cautious and most people don’t get past the walls he’s built. But if you do manage to earn his trust, you’ll find someone loyal, grounded, and quietly ride-or-die in a way that never asks for recognition. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Marcel Toussaint | They/He, 29, Mixologist
Flamboyant, passionate, and just a touch unhinged, Marcel refuses to be ignored. They flirt for sport and love watching people fall for them, whether or not they plan to catch them. But sometimes, even a wildcard wants something real…it just might take a while. A very long while. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Misty Delgado | She/Her, 26, Park Ranger
Misty is the epitome of cool and always in control. She takes life one day at a time and is definitely not one to rise to the drama. Sometimes, she’s so laid-back it makes you wonder if she’s here to make a real connection…or just enjoy the view. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD]
Santiago/Santina Reyes | He/Him OR She/Her, 28, Tattoo Artist/Small Business Owner
Smooth, unflappable, and devastatingly charismatic, Santi is hard to resist. They’ve got a magnetic presence and always seem to know the perfect moment to tease, to comfort, or to challenge you. And their heart? It’s big. So big, you start to wonder if there might be room in there for you, too. [BIO] | [PINTEREST BOARD - Santina / Santiago]
Not sure who to romance? Try this compatibility quiz!
how long did you spend looking up images of sex positions and being like "hmmm...yeah...that works for [insert character name]" Cause my incognito search engine was OUT! shoutout to Lu
lmaoo it was definitely an enlightening couple of weeks.
My search history has gotten significantly more interesting within the last year and a half writing this story 😭😭😭
how would our ros propose/want to be proposed to?? 🥺
for those who don't want to get married how would they react to one of those fake proposals for free ice cream or something lol
Anjali: Would want to be proposed to, and she'd want it done during a holiday or family gathering. She doesn't necessarily want a grand spectacle. But there's something very satisfying to her about the people who matter witnessing that moment of official approval. Hers, yours, and to some extent, theirs.
Dmitry: Would want to be the one to propose. He'd do something classic: a nice date, good food, maybe a walk afterward somewhere quiet and pretty. Nothing flashy or designed to make other people look over. Just the two of you, somewhere intimate, with him probably a little nervous even though he's known for ages that he wants to ask.
Jong-woo: Doesn't mind being proposed to, but if he's the one doing it, he's making it sentimental. He'd take you through a whole trip down memory lane, asking if you remembered all the sweet or silly things that happened. Each stop is tied to some cute little moment in your relationship. Then he'd bring you somewhere new, grin like he's about to burst, and say, "Remember when I proposed to you? And you said yes? Please say yes."
Kailee: She's getting proposed to, dammit! She wants the moment. She wants the romance. She wants the lighting. Something in the summer, at the beach in the early evening, right as the sun is about to set. Also, you have to give her some kind of warning disguised as not-warning so she can make sure her outfit is right and her nails are done.
Kalea: Doesn't mind who proposes, but she'd want it to be lowkey and deeply personal. At home, maybe with a scrapbook, a handwritten letter, or some small keepsake tied to your relationship. Something sweet enough to make her cry, but private enough that she doesn't have to cry in front of strangers.
Linden: Doesn't want to get married, and they also wouldn't be interested in faking a proposal for free stuff. They may not be a fan of the institution, but they wouldn't want to be disingenuous about it or turn someone else's idea of commitment into a joke. They'd probably just buy you the ice cream themselves and call that the better deal.
Lu: They have expensive taste, obviously, but they wouldn't make the proposal into a giant spectacle. If anything, they'd already have the ring picked out ages before they actually asked. They'd carry it around because they're waiting for the version of themself that can say it without flinching. Then, one day, with very little warning, they’d look at you and say, "I don't want anyone else. I don't want you with anyone else. I want you with me."
Makai: Would propose with something very him, like a mini lesson at home titled "The History of Us." There'd be a chalkboard and notes and a timeline. He'd make you raise your hand to answer questions while he very matter-of-factly, but sincerely went through the moments he fell more in love with you.
Marcel: Doesn't want to get married. However, if free things are involved? You're about to receive the most extravagant fake proposal of your life. Of course, you can't do it too often or people might start recognizing you, but when the moment calls, Marcel will commit fully. And if you ever travel together, they're definitely telling everyone you're newlyweds on your honeymoon so they can continue reaping the rewards.
Misty: She'd keep it simple, but meaningful. Stargazing, maybe a meteor shower if she can time it right. A blanket in the bed of a truck, cold drinks, the sky wide open overhead.
Santi: They'd do a playful scavenger hunt. Little notes, inside jokes, places that mean something to both of you, maybe a few gifts along the way. They'd want you laughing before you realized you were about to cry happy tears.
Hurry up, Guppies, you're going to miss your train!
Chapter One is officially live HERE! 🩵
In this chapter, you’ll:
Meet Ambrósio
Moon an entire street
Fight for a taxi (and your life)
Meet the cast and dive into their history with Guppy
Unlock deeper customization for your MC
Arrive at Costa Sul
As always, please drop your thoughts, bugs, and favorite moments in the ask box. Happy playing! 🐟
Ramblings down below
Some notes about the author
First of all, I want to apologize for the delay. I hate not meeting deadlines, but I'm pretty happy I managed to keep a good editing rhythm even when life was… lifeing.
Getting sick, writing a thesis, being an intern... add all of that to a perfectionist who spends hours agonizing over a single paragraph, and you get a delayed passion project 😅
Some notes about the story
In some parts, this chapter is heavier on descriptions than the rest of the story will be, so some scenes might have fewer choices than usual.
Don't worry, it will balance out as we go, pinky promise 🩵
And yes, you read it right; this is the full chapter one. I decided to release the whole of chapter one in one go and push the RO reunions to chapter two instead.
Ooohhhh now I wanna know how the ROs would react to the MC walking in on them pleasuring themselves?
Lol okay, let's say this is also crush-stage! Under the cut, friends~
Anjali: At the crush stage, she'd never admit how much it rattles her that it's you who walked in. She's freshly showered, fully bared, lost in the slow drag of her own hand...until your shadow crosses the doorway and her whole body goes still. She doesn't grab for her towel. She's too proud to let you see her scramble. Instead she holds your eyes, chin lifting, voice clipped and far too composed for someone who just got caught. "Has anyone ever taught you to knock?" The steadiness in her tone doesn't quite reach her breathing, which hasn't slowed down at all.
Dmitry: You catch him in the shower, where he's sure no one would find him. Steam curls around him, his forehead pressed to the glass, one palm flat against the door, hips canted into his other hand. When he lifts his head and finds you on the other side of the glass, his eyes go wide...but not before they drag over you first. Then the panic catches up. "I'm sorry--I didn't--" He fumbles for the water knob, missing it twice before he manages to shut it off, ears (and apparently more than his ears) flushed red. The worst part isn't getting caught. It's how long he replays the way you looked at him before he noticed you noticing.
Jong-woo: He's flat on the bed, chest rising hard with every stroke, arm thrown over his face...until the door creaks and he drops it to look. The moment his eyes find yours, his whole body stutters, and then, before a single coherent thought can form, it's already too late. He makes the most undignified sound, hips jerking up once as he helplessly finishes into his palm. It doesn't take long before his brain finally catches up to the situation. "Ah! I wasn't--" He scrambles upright too fast, misses the edge of the bed entirely, and lands in a mortified heap on the floor, blurting out half-apologies in two languages at once.
Kailee: You open the door to find her on her knees, face pressed into the pillow, hips rocking back into her own hand. Her eyes flutter open, finding yours over her shoulder, a slow smile spreading on her face. She doesn't stop. The sight of you in the doorway makes her slow down on purpose, just enough to make sure you're watching properly. "Took you long enough." She doesn't invite you to leave. She doesn't invite you to stay, either. She just keeps going, and lets you decide which one you'd rather be.
Kalea: You don't see anything at first. She's buried beneath the blankets, face hidden, but the sounds coming from underneath are anything but innocent. When she finally shifts to catch her breath, her eyes meet yours over the edge of the comforter, and her whole face goes scarlet. She shrieks, yanking the blanket clean over her head. "What are you doing here?!" Muffled, mortified, apologizing profusely. But underneath the panic is a small, helpless thread of disappointment that you didn't get to see more.
Lu: Doesn't bother stopping, doesn't even bother covering up. Their gaze drags over you, hand never breaking rhythm. "Door's open for a reason," they huff through a pleased smile. "You can stand there and stare, or you can come do something useful with that open mouth of yours."
Makai: He's sitting against the headboard, eyes shut, jaw tight with concentration, one hand working slow and deliberate beneath the sheet...until the door creaks and his eyes snap open mid-stroke. He yanks the sheet up so fast he knocks the lamp off the nightstand. "It's not--I wasn't--" He drags a hand down his face, ears burning, refusing to look anywhere near you. The panic isn't just about being caught. It's the half-second before he noticed you, when whatever he'd been picturing was close enough to home that he can't meet your eyes for the rest of the night.
Marcel: The moment they meet your eyes, they pick up the pace, head tipping back against the pillow with a pleased little hum, hips rolling into their own hand without a trace of self-consciousness. "Perfect timing," they breathe, running a hand over their chest. "Lock the door, mon chou, and get comfortable--you're going to want a good view."
Misty: She glances over, sees you in the doorway, and her hand stills for a second before she reaches for the nearest pillow and props it behind her head. "Well," she says, perfectly conversational. "This is kinda awkward." She doesn't sound like she thinks it's awkward at all. "Sooo...you can join, you can leave, or you can stand there doing the face you're currently doing. All valid options, but I wouldn't mind if you picked the first one."
Santi: They spot you before you can back out of the doorway, and their first move is to remove their hand and slowly reach for the sheet, pulling it up to their waist. There's not a trace of embarrassment or panic. In fact, they look rather amused to be caught in the act. "Interesting timing, guapa/o/e." They tuck one arm behind their head, gaze drifting over you in a way that makes it hard to tell who's more at ease here. "Are you going to stand there all night, or did you actually need something?" The sheet stays put, but they're not rushing you out, either.
I will lose to you anytime jongwoo as long as you make it up to me with a kiss 🥰
Jong-woo: "Of course I'll give you a kiss." He grins, trying very hard to look confident. "Maybe two, if you were uh...really bad." He spins away, ears red. "Ahhh, sorry! That sounded so embarrassing! Forget I said anything!!"
Summer's heeere!! It's hot as balls! But I'm doing great, hope you all are too! This month was super fun!
We learned who the top WMU RO is (Dmitry cleared by 27. 4%, but I think it was inevitable 😅) You can check out the rankings here!
I also finished the SFW/NSFW ABCs of WMU – if you want to learn more about each RO, you can find all of them linked here.
I made a compatibility quiz for the romantically indecisive!! I'm very surprised to see how many people got Lu 👀 Interesting…veeeeeeeery interesting. You can take the quiz here if you want 😊
AAAND we reached 10K browser plays 🎉
Thank you so much for the support and for joining in the madness with me. Interacting with you all is one of my favorite parts of this whole experience 💗
Alrighty, update time!
HIGHS: One of my favorite things in chapter 2 so far is the beginning of the platonic routes. Of course, a large part of this story is experiencing the romantic side of the ROs, but I want getting to know them platonically to feel just as fulfilling.
You'll become fast friends with some, while others take a little longer to cook. Either way, it'll be nice to have someone on your side when things inevitably get dramatic.
Another thing I finally figured out is how I'm going to track all your sins choices!
WMU is a big game with a lot of ROs, so obviously intimacy is going to play a huge role in that. Is it your first kiss? Your first time having sex? Who was it with? Was that person your partner?! Does anyone else know about it???
And not just physical intimacy either. Emotional cheating is a thing too...you know, in case you forgot...
If you think you're getting away with it...
...Or maybe you've got a bestie who knows when to keep their mouth shut.
LOWS: Maybe this isn't a super low, though it might be for all of you 👀
I often get asked when Santi, Linden, Lu, and Jong-woo are going to show up. I usually avoid answering because I want it to be a surprise 😅
Originally, I was going to have two of them show up in chapter 2, then the other two in chapter 3. But I also imagine people don't want to wait that long to meet their beloveds...so now I'm trying to decide if I should keep my original plan, but extend the next update up to the point where everyone is finally together in chapter 3.
Just so you can have a little taste lol
That would obviously mean the update would take way longer to publish, so I can't make up my mind!!!
At any rate, I'm going to keep plugging away at chapter 2!! Fingers crossed I can reach my deadline 🤞😬
BYYYYYYEEEEE~
Current Word Count: 205K (approx. +83.5K for ch. 2)
ROs reaction if MC comes home to them after a long, rough day and then just collapsing into RO with a hug?
Anjali: Her brows lift, but she doesn't ask questions. She looks down at you, takes in whatever expression you're wearing, and moves enough to let you get comfortable. One hand settles at the top of your head, fingers moving slowly against your scalp while she continues reading. "You can talk when you're ready," she says. "Or don't. I'll be here either way."
Dmitry: Frowns the second he sees your face. "Come here." He pulls you in gently, one hand rubbing slow circles over your back. "Are you okay? What happened?" He brings you to the couch, keeps you tucked against him, and listens as long as you need. If you want advice, he'll give it. If you just want to be held, he can do that too.
Jong-woo: Gives you the biggest bear hug immediately. He lifts you off the ground and carries you around even if you object. "Eomeo, eomeo, what happened? Who hurt my baby?" He'll hold you, feed you, wrap you in a blanket, and keep making offended little noises on your behalf while you explain.
Kailee: Hugs you first, long enough to let you sag into her. Then she pulls back, looks at your face, and decides you need something. Water, tea, your favorite drink, a snack, something warm. She brings it back and sits beside you, close enough for your shoulders to touch. "Start from the beginning," she says, already annoyed at whoever upset you.
Kalea: Worries immediately. You collapse into her and she freezes for half a second before wrapping both arms around you. "Oh no. What happened?" Her voice goes soft, her hand rubbing carefully over your back. She might not know how to fix it, but she's very good at making you feel like you don't have to carry it alone.
Linden: They hold you for a while first, giving you space to breathe before asking anything. Then they tuck you into their side and say, "What do you need right now? Comfort, advice, distraction, silence?" Whatever you choose, they follow through.
Lu: Lets you rest back against them, arms loosely wrapping around your middle. Their chin tips near your shoulder while you complain, expression darkening at all the correct points. They don't do empty reassurance. They listen, judge everyone involved, and co-sign your frustration. "No, you're right. That was idiotic."
Makai: Doesn't say much at first. He just curls his arms around you and lets you stand there, breathing against him until some of the tension leaves your body. Then he presses a kiss to the side of your head and mutters, "Bad day?" If you nod, he runs you a bath, gets you something comfortable to wear, and climbs in behind you if you want him there.
Marcel: Immediately wraps you up and makes a scandalized noise. Their first instinct is distraction: kissing, touching, dragging you to bed if that's what you want. If you're not in the mood, that's fine too. They'll pour drinks, pull you onto the couch, and host an extremely committed shit-talking session. "Who do I have to hate? Names, mon coeur. I need names."
Misty: Pulls you into a hug, gives you a second to breathe, then starts trying to make you laugh. She just knows sometimes you need someone to make the day feel less heavy. "Okay," she says, rubbing your back. "Do we need food, a walk, or should I start insulting people I've never met?"
Santi: Takes one look at you and opens their arms. "Ay, ven acá." They hug you first, tight and warm, then drag you to the couch and pull your legs into their lap. You can vent while they rub your feet, their thumbs working slow circles into all the tension you've been carrying. "Tell me everything, mi vida." They listen closely, but every now and then they'll interrupt with a soft, offended, "No. Absolutely not. They said what?"
Very much not letting production turn your vulnerability into a spectacle.
Linden we love you 🥹🫶. You're literally the best 🤧😭‼️‼️
Linden: looks touched, but a little uncomfortable with the praise. "I'm glad you think so, but that's just basic decency." They smile softly. "If someone trusts you when they're vulnerable, the least you can do is protect that."
Hey Echo! I wanted to start by saying I LOVE the demo and this concept is so exciting for me as someone who loves dating shows lol
Anyway, I do have a question, but, forewarning, it is a little specific so feel free to skip. I absolutely love classic toxic dating show couples, but especially when one of the partners realizes it's toxic and leaves (it's so satisfying to me to see someone realize their worth in real time 😍). ANYWAY is that kind of dynamic possible with any (or all 👀) of the routes? Like, can we be an obnoxiously toxic (either one-sided or both) couple then be like, wait i don't have to put up with that bs?
Ik this is such a specific question, and I totally get if you don't want to answer (for specificity or spoilery reasons lol), but I was curious!
Hope you have a great day (or night) and are taking care of yourself 😚
Thank you, anon 💗💗💗 I hope you're enjoying your day too!
How would the ROs react to walking in on the MC pleasuring themselves while saying the ROs name?
Ooh, let's say this is during the crush stage! Under the cut~
Anjali: Her spine goes rigid in the doorway, breath catching. She backs out and shuts the door behind her, careful enough that you never hear the click. She stands there, palm flat against her chest, willing her pulse to behave. When it finally does, she straightens her shoulders, clears her throat, and walks away like nothing happened...even though she's already replaying it three steps down the hall.
Dmitry: Every instinct is telling him to leave and not one of them are listened to. He lets himself watch--three seconds, maybe four--before he catches himself and eases the door shut without a sound. He strides down the hall raking a hand through his hair. If he sees you later, he's composed on the outside. Internally, he's fighting a war to stop every salacious though that dares to pop into his head.
Jong-woo: He gasps and slams the door shut so fast he nearly catches his own fingers. Every inch of him goes hot; he ducks into the nearest bathroom to deal with the very obvious problem currently happening in his pants. He's still mortified by dinner, and spends the rest of the day finding excuses to be literally anywhere else you aren't.
Kailee: Part of her wants to interrupt; but the bigger, louder part wants to stand back and enjoy the show a little longer. She eases back, leaving the door cracked just enough to see through. She watches, memorizing every angle, every sound--material she'll be pulling from the next time she's the one calling out your name for her own little self-pleasure session.
Kalea: "I--oh--" She flinches, tries to close the door, apologize, and flee all at once, and manages none of them. She eventually gives up on the door, leaving it half-shut. She bolts down the hall instead, splashing cold water on her face in the nearest bathroom, trying to blink the image out of her head. It doesn't work.
Linden: They murmur an apology under their breath, hoping they weren't loud enough to be noticed, and quietly take their leave. They don't mind, for the record. Being wanted like that isn't something they need protecting from. They're a bit flattered. It's just not something they expected to see in real time.
Lu: Sends up a silent thank-you to whatever god left that door unlocked. They linger against the frame first, fingers tightening on the handle, before they let themselves all the way into the room. "Don't stop. I want to watch you finish saying my name."
Makai: He goes still in the doorway, eyes fixed on your hands. The moment you moan his name, he cracks and backs out fast. He makes it halfway down the hall before he remembers he left the door open, doubles back for one more look he'll never admit to taking, then quietly pulls it shut. Runs to the library and doesn't resurface for the rest of the day.
Marcel: They lean into the doorframe, eyes dragging slow over you. "Oh...so that's what my name sounds like on your tongue." They tug at their collar, drifting closer instead of leaving. "Even better than I imagined. You know what would be better than that?" Their grin turns wicked. "Both of us. Naked. Indulgent. What do you say, mon chou?"
Misty: She slaps a hand over her mouth and yanks the door shut. That is, hands down, the hottest thing she's ever walked in on. She stays planted right outside the door, biting her lip, mentally arguing with herself: go back in, stay and listen, or pretend this never happened (definitely not that last one). She presses her ear to the door a little longer before she gives up and goes to take care of her own situation.
Santi: They tilt their head, eyes slowly tracing the line of your body. Lips rolling between their teeth, they pull the door shut with every ounce of willpower they've got left. They shake their head, smiling, and try to get on with their day. Later, they'll bring it up without ever saying it outright. "You know," they'll murmur, leaning in just enough, "I heard the funniest thing earlier. Somebody saying my name awfully loud. Wonder who that could've been..."
echo, please tell me that jongwoo is a switch my black cat small MC really want to top this himbo 👉👈
on that note, will height be use as flavor text? i know you're dealing with a lot flavor text but i'm curious and it's not a pressure!! i'll be grateful for everything you gave to us!!
i usually stick with one or two ROs but all of the cast are so intriguing that i can't wait to romance them all!! have a nice day, echo!! 🤩
Hiya~
Hmm...I've been trying to keep Jong-woo details pretty lowkey because I think it'll be more fun to experience that side of him during the story, especially if you choose to pursue a sexual relationship with him.
So all I'll say for now is that Jong-woo is still learning what he does and doesn't like 😅
As for height, yes! It's referenced once or twice in ch. 1 so far, and it'll continue to come up when the situation calls for it. I don't want height flavor text to take over every interaction, but I do like sprinkling it in where it feels natural 😉
And thank you so much for reading! I love that the whole cast has you tempted because that is exactly what I wanted 💗💗
I have a platonic ask! How would the ro's react if mc was simply just pyshically affectionate with their friends. Like hand holding, hugs, maybe even cuddles if mc knows the ro doesn't mind being hugged. I wanna be able to hug kalea even if I'm not romancing her maybe my mc could be friends with her?
Yeah, MC can be physically affectionate with their friends! it just depends on their comfort level/how close they are and general preferences, of course.
Welcomes it with open arms (literally)
Jong-woo: It'd take a little time, but once he feels like you're good people, he's happy to dole out as much physical affection as you want. Hugs, leaning on each other, casual hand-holding, cuddling during a movie, he's fine with all of it. It's one of his favorite ways to express love for someone, platonic or otherwise.
Kalea: Once she reaches a certain level of trust and comfort, she's happy to give you all the hugs she can spare. She might be shy about initiating at first, but once she's there, she'd really love having a friend she can be affectionate with.
Marcel: They're a physical person, so this isn't a problem. They're the type to play with your hair or your hands while idle and not think anything of it. If you're close, casual affection is just part of the friendship package.
Misty: She tends to be physically affectionate to a lesser degree. High fives, an arm around your shoulders, bumping into you on purpose, that kind of thing. She wouldn't reject a best friend MC who's more affectionate, though. She'd kind of just let it happen, even if she doesn't always reciprocate at the same level.
Santi: They're already super touchy, so this wouldn't even register as strange to them. They like hugging their friends, holding hands, resting their head in someone's lap, cuddling, all of it.
Has some boundaries
Dmitry: He doesn't mind a hug here or there, especially once you're close, but hand-holding and cuddling would feel more intimate to him. He'd be kind about it, but he'd ask MC to respect that line.
Kailee: She's more of a "rest her head on your shoulder" type of friend. Hugging is nice too, and she'd probably accept casual touches if you're close, but she's not about to fully cuddle with you platonically. She likes affection with a little space to retreat when she wants it.
Linden: They can be affectionate, but they're also very aware of boundaries, theirs and yours. They'd be fine with hugs, leaning together, or a comfortable arm around the shoulders if the friendship is close enough. Cuddling is more case-by-case, like if MC is having a really bad day and that's what they need in the moment.
Makai: He's good with affection in theory, but it takes him a while to relax into it. Hugs are fine once you're close. Shoulder bumps, leaning against him, sitting beside him with your knees touching, that kind of thing would become easier over time.
Affection from a distance, please.
Anjali: She's not really a hugger by nature, and also, no. Her affection comes in calling you an idiot lovingly and insulting someone else on your behalf. If you try to hug her, she'll allow maybe one second before going, "That's enough."
Lu: Cut to Lu trying to pry you off. They're like a cat, body naturally molding away from any attempt at casual physical affection. Verbal affection is more than enough, even if they still cringe a little.
how would the ro's react to an mc who's a bad kisser.. AND bad in bed 😌😌 great personality but not too good in other aspects.
Anjali: Usually prefers subbing, but MC is testing her patience. "Stop. Stop." She places a hand at their chest, breathing out through her nose. She gently slides her hands around the back of their neck. "It seems we need to go at my pace from now on." She considers it a mercy on both their dignities. Fortunately, Anjali has never needed much encouragement to decide she could do something better herself.
Dmitry: Gently stops MC before either of them can get too embarrassed. "How about I take care of you?" He brushes his thumb along their cheek. "Let me show you what I like, and we can keep practicing, okay?" He's patient, encouraging, and very invested in making sure MC doesn't feel unwanted just because they need guidance.
Jong-woo: Spoiler-adjacent, so I'll keep this one a little vague! He's inexperienced himself, so a clumsy or inexperienced MC wouldn't be judged. It'd be less "MC is bad" and more "two people figuring each other out very awkwardly and earnestly."
Kailee: To be honest, she's excited. It's an opportunity for her to mold MC a little, and Kailee does love a project. "Look at me." She catches their chin, smiling sweetly. "You'll do exactly as I say, understand? If you can make me come, I'll make sure to take very good care of you." Lucky for MC, she always keeps her promises.
Kalea: She doesn't want to hurt MC's feelings or make it awkward, so she tries to go along with it for a while. Unfortunately, Kalea isn't a good enough liar to pretend forever. Eventually, she gets brave enough to suggest something different, face burning the whole time. "Um...maybe we should try this instead?"
Linden: They quite like kissing, but if MC isn't great at it, it wouldn't be a dealbreaker. They don't need constant makeouts to feel loved or connected. A kiss to the forehead, cheeks, or hands and a nice long cuddle is more than enough. Still, if the kissing really isn't working, Linden would address it kindly and directly. "Can we slow down a little?" they ask, gently squeezing MC's hand. "I like being close to you, but we don't have to rush through it."
Lu: Needs to be addressed posthaste. Despite how horribly impatient they usually are, they're actually into it. MC being bad gives Lu an excuse to exercise dominance and instruction, and luckily, they're very good at both. "Tilt your head like this. Slower. Use your tongue when I tell you to." Their hand settles at MC's jaw, guiding. "There. Just like that. Very good."
Makai: Feels awkward saying something, so at first, he doesn't. He redirects instead. Pulling back slightly when there's too much tongue in a kiss. Taking the lead during sex so he can control the pace. Moving MC's hands where he wants them without making a whole conversation out of it. He'd hope MC learns through feeling, but if it doesn't get better, he eventually forces himself to be direct. "It's not bad. It's just...we gotta slow down. You're thinking too much."
Marcel: "Oh là là, we have a lot of work to do." They've experienced many things in their life, so this isn't particularly jarring. They're honest about the technique, or lack thereof, but not mean. If anything, they're entertained. "Are you a dentist? Less tongue, mon coeur. You're kissing me, not checking for cavities." It's actually fun for them. More kissing, more practice, more sex. What's not to like?
Misty: "Okay, well. Good thing I've got nothing but time." She's hands-on, more demonstration than conversation. to her, it's all muscle memory: something you build, not something you're doomed to be bad at. "You're not being graded, babe. Unless you're into that sort of thing." She's relaxed enough that it takes the pressure off, which probably helps more than anything.
Santi: "You ever dance with someone who counts the steps out loud the whole time? That's you right now." They'll guide with their hands more than their words. A palm at the hip, a thumb pressing slow against MC's jaw to set the pace. "Stop trying to impress me and just feel it, mi vida. I promise I'm not going anywhere."
I just wanted to say you’re incredible! You always take time to give such detailed responses to all the ask it’s really inspiring to see an author so passionate about connecting with their fan bases. I hope you’re doing well and not overworking yourself. You’re amazing girlie!!! :)
Thank you so much 🥹 You all are wonderful too!!!
It makes it so much easier to show up and keep sharing when there's so much kindness and support. I feel very lucky and very grateful 💗
And I promise I'm trying not to overwork myself! Mostly. 😭
