#so guess it's the laundromat life for me

[nancys-braids]

i personally think appliances should live forever and never inconvenience me ever

[axolozzy]

fuck it we ball

we also had a mini snowball fight and are pretty sure our friend is possessed but it’s fine we silly

(this picture SUCKS but it was pitch black and i was using my flashlight)

summoning demons in the middle of the night at the park while it’s freezing cold and snowing because me and my friends i just met two days ago are feeling extra silly today

[stevesjockstrap]

Helping Hands

Written for @stevieweek Stevieween prompt “This is what you’re doing on Halloween?”

Rated M • Stevie/Eddie • female, confident, bisexual Stevie, platonic stobin, modern era, no UD, meet ugly, happy ending • wc 700

She hadn't really planned to be at the laundromat on Halloween night, it had just sort of happened. It was empty, everyone apparently joining in the festivities. But it was a Thursday this year. She worked tomorrow morning.

She was bored, though. Pulling up Robin in her phone to FaceTime, she got an immediate soured look on her face. "This is what you're doing on Halloween?"

Stevie rolled her eyes. "Yes, mom, I'm trying to get fucked this weekend and I needed to wash my mattress cover." She laughed as Robin made fake gagging noises at her.

"You're at work, not doing anything fun either," she reminded her.

"I guess. But everyone knows I live vicariously through your adventures. I hate the laundromat," Robin groaned dramatically.

"God forbid one night of my life is unglamorous, Bobbi," she laughed. "I'm bored, though."

Robin huffed at her fake pout, pretending to be annoyed but putting her phone on the holder that was just for these scenarios, so she could still work on her computer while gossiping with her friend.

"You know what else is unacceptable? Why can I deep throat dicks but I gag when I brush my tongue?"

Robin snorted so violently she sent herself into a coughing fit, doubled over out of sight. Stevie grinned and, enjoying wreaking havoc, continued. "Speaking of dicks," — there came a louder groan amongst the coughing — "Guys are always so into girls squirting, but they've never been the ones to actually get me to. It's only been girls."

Before Robin could catch her breath from the increased laugh/coughing, a man appeared around the corner from her.

"Uh, excuse me miss, but a-are these yours?"

They both looked down at the small scrap of red fabric in his hand. Her lace thong.

He continued, his face nearly as red as the underwear, "They were stuck in the dryer."

Stevie blinked, just realizing she hadn't heard this person come in and didn’t know how long he'd been listening to her inappropriate conversation.

But she had never been shy about these things. She smiled cheekily and flicked her hair over her shoulder, reaching out and feeling the roughness of his hand as she took her panties from him. "Oh, thank you…?"

He flicked his eyes over her quickly and she held back a grin.

"E-Eddie, I'm Eddie. I work here, I mean — I-I help the owner out sometimes, w-with the machines. I'm good with my hands." He winced, probably not meaning that to sound the way it did, especially with what he had just overheard.

"Is that so, Eddie?" Stevie purred, sliding closer.

He ran a hand through his own hair nervously, and she took her time looking him up and down. He was in some sort of work jumpsuit, with letters on a patch she didn't recognize. His hair was long and wavy, a little tangled and messy in a way that actually worked for him. It made her want to yank it. He had full lips and big brown button eyes. He was also quite a bit taller than her, which she definitely liked.

"I know that look," Robin called out from her phone. She'd forgotten about her. "Go ahead and ask for her number, buddy. Trust me, she's a sure thing."

"Hey!"

They both ignored her though, Eddie’s cheeks reddening.

“Better yet, ask her if she needs help putting the waterproof mattress cover back on her bed!”

Stevie quickly hung up on her alleged best friend. Leaning in again, she instead decided to go for broke. “So, Eddie.” He looked like he was about to swallow his tongue. “Tell me, what is your stance on chocolate chip pancakes?”

Eddie surprised her with a chuckle and a wry grin. “I have to say I am pro pancakes of any species.”

The diner down the road was just as empty, and she agreed to bring Eddie to her apartment when it was clear the waitress was trying to close but didn’t want to be rude.

He did end up helping to wrestle her mattress cover back on, and proved it wasn’t just girls who could put it to the test. Good with his hands, indeed.

Dividers by @/enchanthings & @/fuctacles

[morganski-19]

Chills Right to the Marrow Part 35

ao3 link| part 1 . . . part 32, part 33, part 34

“So, how’s living in the mansion?” Eddie asks. Stabbing at the Jello cup with a fork instead of trying to eat it.

“Don’t think it’s officially a mansion. It’s just a big house.”

Eddie looks at him skeptical. “Same thing.”

In all fairness, it hasn’t been all that bad. It’s been an adjustment, sure. Any move would do that. Especially one where he barely knew the roommate. But he’s been sleeping better than he has for weeks. Been taking better care of himself. Can do laundry without carting himself to the laundromat and shelling out a handful of quarters. There’s a kitchen where he can start cooking in again. A real couch to sit on and a table to eat at. He forgot how much he missed stuff like that.

“It’s fine,” he says. Really downplaying it.

Eddie nods, seeing through all of Wayne’s bullshit. His stubborn air to automatically dislike anything that he didn’t do or buy himself.

“And living with Steve?” Eddie asks with hesitation.  

Steve keeps to himself well. Gets up for work and leaves peacefully. Never making a big fuss, or really alerting Wayne that he’s there too much. He’s quiet. A little too quiet sometimes.

Sometimes Wayne will wake up and there’s coffee waiting for him in the kitchen. One time he walked in after a shift and Steve left him some food in the fridge. And there’s always a note on the kitchen island letting Wayne know where he is. So, there’s nothing to worry about.

“Also fine,” Wayne responds.

Eddie almost sighs a breath of relief. Like he was hoping Wayne would like Steve. Would get along with him without a fuss. Like he hasn’t been more than cordial with Steve ever since Eddie woke up. They’ve already gotten along better that Wayne would have guessed.

But there was another layer to this. Wayne can approve of Steve as a friend, he certainly seems capable of doing that. The more that Eddie is secretly wanting though, that he’s not so sure.

Steve’s a fine kid. Just one with a reputation. Heartbreaker of Hawkins High. The one that every girl wanted to be with. Who got with everyone he could. It could be an exaggeration. It could be a bunch of bullshit rumors. Wayne wouldn’t, or really want, to know. Steve’s personal life is his personal life. He’s not inclined to share it.

But if that personal life comes back around and hurts his boy. Well, Steve should know what would happen about that.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Eddie suddenly averts his eyes. Finally eating the now massacred Jello.

“Because I know you, and I’ve seen this look before. Didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now.”

Eddie clicks his tongue. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” Because he does. But it wouldn’t hurt for him to be wrong sometimes.

“No, you don’t.” Eddie slams the Jello down on his tray as hard as he can. Just letting gravity assist him in making a point. He looks at Wayne with that anger in his eyes that Wayne would really like to avoid.

They don’t need the first disagreement they have since Eddie’s accident to be in a hospital.

“Alright then,” Wayne backs down. “How’s the physical therapy going?”

That starts a new rampage. But one with frustration not directed at Wayne. The doctor taking the fall of what Wayne started. Eddie getting frustrated at the way his limbs keep failing to do the things he once was able to. The way they stiffen up when he strains them too much. Or how the pain can just start shooting through and never stop. Not just for hours, maybe a day or two. Where the pain meds can’t seem to dull them enough where Eddie can stop thinking about it.

It's hard to watch. Has been and will continue to be. There probably won’t be a day where Eddie will be the way he used to. Constantly in some sort of pain. Reminded of the moment his life changed forever.

The visiting hours end, and Wayne has to leave. It never gets easier, leaving. Just marks another tally of the endless line of days Eddie’s been in the hospital. It seems endless, anyway. Even with the talks of being discharged, it still feels like there’s no hope.

He tries to find it. Tries to keep the candle lit for more than a few seconds. It doesn’t always work. But he’s trying.

No matter how many times Wayne opens the front door of the Harrington house, it still doesn’t feel real. He’s been staying there for a week now, and each time the key slides into the lock, it feels like a dream. Or a really cruel prank.

But it’s real. All of this is.

“If you get more flour in my hair, I swear to God,” Steve’s voice echoes down the hall.

“Well than stop making it so easy for me,” Robin’s voice, if Wayne’s remembering correctly, follows.

He unties his boots and places them on the floor mat by the front door. Being very careful to follow the one major rule that Steve had when it came to the house. It was easy enough to follow. He wanders down the hall and into the kitchen. Walking into a mess. Different measuring cups and spoons scattered around the island, small piles of flour and other dry ingredients surrounding it. A pile of dishes in the sink. The slight smell of something that was burnt.

Honestly, he likes it better this way. Reminds him of home.

“Hi, Mr. Munson,” Robin chirps. Eating chocolate chips right out of the bag.

“Oh hey,” Steve looks up from bowl he was mixing. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Wayne nods hello. “What are you making?”

“Chocolate chip cookies,” Steve explains, looking toward Robin. “Because someone wanted cookies but didn’t want to do it herself.”

“We didn’t have any chocolate chips in the house,” Robin shrugs. Pouring another handful of chips into her mouth.

Steve rolls his eyes. “Didn’t believe it the first time and I don’t believe it now.”

He turns around to grab the baking sheets, leaving an opportunity for Robin to steal the spatula out of the bowl. Helping herself to raw cookie dough. Steve sighs when he turns around.

“Shouldn’t you also be scared of salmonella, Miss ‘Rabies is like my number one biggest fear?’” he snarks, searching in the drawer for an ice cream scoop.

“Rabies and salmonella are two very different things.” Robin continues to eat the batter off of the spoon. “How’s Eddie?” she asks, directed toward Wayne.

“Better,” he says with more confidence than he feels. Not being able to ignore the way Steve perks up when Eddie’s name is mentioned.

“That’s good,” Steve says. The gentle click of the ice cream scoop filling the break of silence.

Wayne nods. Feeling the need to cross his arms. “Yeah. The doctor says if he keeps his progress steady over the next week, he should be able to come home.”

Steve and Robin look at him with mirrored hope.

“That-that’s really good,” Steve smiles. “It’ll be nice seeing him outside of the hospital.”

“And hiding,” Robin adds. Throwing the spatula in the sink.

Wayne nods. Still feeling out the awkwardness of these interactions. “I’m going to turn in, just wanted to say hello.”

“Let us know if we’re being too loud. I can always kick her out.”

“Hey.” Robin slaps Steve’s arm.

“Night,” Wayne leaves the room. Swallowing a laugh.

tag list (closed): @the-they-who-nerded, @insteviewetrust, @croatoan-like-its-hot, @jettestar,

@tinyplanet95, @steddie-as-they-go, @slv-333, @littlecelestialmoth, @thatonebadideapanda,

@fandomsanddeath, @marismorar, @wonderland-girl143-blog, @glass-bottle03, @gutterflower77,

@here4thetrama, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @jaytriesstuff, @cryptid-system, @manda-panda-monium,

@resident-gay-bitch, @anaibis, @xxsutherlandxx, @forevermineliv, @mugloversonly,

@gregre369, @n0-1-important, @different-tale-student, @spectrum-spectre, @tartarusknight,

@devondespresso, @swimmingbirdrunningrock, @cheertain, @anti-ozzie, @autumncrocusandladybug,

@greeniebean911, @cr0w-culture, @stillfullofshit, @connected-dots, @daisynotquake,

@morgannotlefay, @a-little-unsteddie, @dolphincliffs, @maskofmirrors, @me-and-my-sloth,

@papergrenade, @waelkyring, @sweetheartprincess28, @katouasobj, @astercomoasflores

[jennaajoseph]

ㅤ ❛ Laundromat. ❜ ⸻ Jake Gyllenhaal x F!Reader.

── ﹙౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ MASTERLIST&INFO.﹚. ☆

౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ SUMMARY. ⸻ Jake spots you doing your laundry.

౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ PAIRING. ⸻ young!jake gyllenhaal x fem!reader.

౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ CONTENTS. ⸻ uhhh washing machines??, Jake's cringe rizz attempts, light cursing, female reader.

౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ A/N. ⸻ I was watching shopgirl (2005) recently and the scene at the begining got me kinda inspired so yeah... (take the pics as the reference for his looks)

Also I've been thinking about a second part for this one cuz I have a small idea in mind.

౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ CREDITS. ⸻ photos - pinterest , divider - @/cafekitsune.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ﹙©jennaajoseph﹚

It was a chilly evening, and you took the opportunity to finally do your laundry since you didn't have any time to do that in the past few days.

You put your dirty clothes into the washing machine, and searched for some coins in your purse.

"Do you need change?" You heard a man's voice speaking from afar. You looked around the place, confused, until your eyes landed on the man that was sitting on the other side of the place.

"I asked if you need a change!" He said louder.

"Um, no! Thanks!" You yelled back awkwardly, and looked back into your purse.

"Okay!" He yelled back, and turned to look at the floor again.

You found a few coins, put them into the washing machine, and started it.

"You do your laundry here often?" A man's voice spoke again. You looked into his direction.

"My washing machine broke, it's my first time actually." You replied, not really sure if you should keep the conversation going.

"First times are always the worst, are they?" He replied smiling. You furrowed your eyebrows at his cringe response.

"I guess so." You whispered to yourself and sat back next to the washing machine you were using.

After a minute, you heard quiet steps approaching closer to you. "My name's Jake." he said, holding his hand out to greet you.

"y/n." You replied shortly shaking his hand.

"That's a pretty name." He smiled, leaning against the watching machine in front of you. "What a pretty lady like you is doing here all by herrself?"

"Laundry?" You looked at him confused.

"Good point." He whispered, looking around the place.

Your gaze dropped on the floor again as you two sat in silence for a bit, you — waiting for your laundry to be done, and to finally get away from him, and him — trying to think of something to say to keep the conversation going.

"Where do you work?" He asked suddenly, and you looked up again.

"I work in a small shop with gloves and other accessories for women."

"Yeah, that's nice." He smiled. "You are very pretty by the way."

"Thanks."

Jake noticed that his washing machine finished the laundry and quickly went back to his "spot". You sighed tiredly, praying that your laundry will be finished soon. After a while, he comes back, scratching the back of his head. "Do you have, maybe, some change I can borrow?"

"What?" You looked up at him.

"Uh, my clothes are still damp, and I don't have any on me right now." He chuckled awkwardly patting his pockets.

You raised your eyebrow and looked into your purse. He literally asked if you needed change before. Jake looked at you patiently as you handed him the rest of your coins. "You're a life saver, thank you y/n." He said as he turned back to his dryer.

You pitched the bridge of your nose, suddenly hearing the familiar sound, meant that your laundry is done.

"Fucking finally." You whispered to yourself and put all the clothes in your laundry basket. When you were about to leave Jake quickly approached you.

"Hey, thanks for your help, here's the rest." He held his hand out to give you the rest of the coins, but you declined. "Keep them, it's okay."

"You sure?" He put his hands into his pockets.

"I'm sure."

He smiled at you. "Thanks again, you are very nice."

"It's really not a problem, it's just some money, really." You replied struggling to keep the basket in your hands.

"Do you need help, maybe?" He asked pointing at the basket.

"No it got it-" He cut you off by grabbing your basket quickly.

"It's okay, I got it." He smiled.

"But your laundry is still in the dryer I think?"

"Yeah, it can wait, where do you live?" He insisted.

You looked at him, confused. "Just right down the street."

"Okay, cool, let's go then." He started to walk towards the door, you were right behind him, trying to keep up with his steps.

You two were walking in silence, the town was pretty quiet today — which was weird since it's usually quite noisy.

"I don't like this town." He said suddenly.

"Why not?"

"There's lots of weird people and junkies here." He shrugged.

"You're acting like you don't look like one." You whispered to yourself quietly.

"I may look like one but I'm not. I'm a cool guy actually, don't worry." He chuckled, adjusting the basket in his hands.

You rolled your eyes at his response.

"Do you like this town?"

"It's okay."

"It's okay." He quietly repeated what you said to himself, looking at the basket.

The rest of the walk went in silence. You two finally approached your apartment, and you turned back to him. "Thanks for helping me."

He smiled widely. "It's okay, I had fun." He handed you the basket, and you just stood there for a while.

"Well, see you around I guess?"

"Oh, do you want to give me your number? So we could, you know, stay in touch maybe?" He chuckled awkwardly.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

You didn't want to give him your number, he was just a little too weird for you, but something in him also made you want him to keep talking to you. It was probably just a need for attention. "Do you have a pen and a paper?"

"No."

You chuckled in disbelief. "Are you going to remember it then?"

"No."

"Then what do you want me to do?" You replied slightly annoyed.

"Can I come in?" He leaned slightly towards you, his hands behind his back.

"What? No-"

"Oh c'mon, you clearly see that I like you, you are really bad at reading signs. I even left my laundry for you!" He threw his hands into the air.

You stood there, looking at him with a confused look. Well, that was a quick confession.

"I can fix your washing machine." He tried again.

"You can fix a washing machine?"

"No, but I'll try."

"Okay what exactly is your point? You keep gluing to me the whole time when I was trying to do laundry, and now you want to get into my house for no reason? I'm not looking for one night stand, if that's what you want." Your tone got louder as you finally decided to speak up what's on your mind.

"Okay, I know, I may be a little weird, but i promise I'm not here to fuck you." He tried to calm you down.

"No? Because that's what it looks like." You frowned. "I'm not falling for that." You began to open your apartment door.

"y/n let me just say something..."

"Just go get your laundry and go home" You spat at him, finally walking into your apartment. When you wanted to close it, his foot quickly blocked the door. His head peaked out of the small gap.

"y/n I know how it looks like, but it's not my intention I swear!" He started. "I'm just really bad at talking to women, and I find you very, very, very attractive, and I just wanted to ask you out for dinner. I'm sorry if I sounded like a weirdo earlier." His tone got more desperate when his response continued. You opened the door further, and he gave you a pleading look. "Please just one dinner, if you don't like it, I promise I will leave and never come near you again."

You sighed and your head dropped down. "Okay." You replied like you didn't have any other choice.

"Okay?" He replied in disbelief.

"Yeah, whatever, just tell me when, and what time."

"How about I pick you up tomorrow at 8? We can walk towards my favorite restaurant." He gave you a grin.

"Sounds good."

"Really? That's amazing! Thank you y/n!" He pulled you into a tight hug.

You wrapped your arms around his neck and returned a hug. Surprisingly, it felt nice. Spending so much time alone just made you melt into the smallest drops of affection someone gave you. His hand gently caressed your back and you hummed softly at his gesture.

"I can do that all the time if you want." He chuckled.

"It just feels nice." You whispered.

"I bet it does." He smiled. "Tomorrow at 8, yeah?" He pulled you out of the hug.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I'll pick you up at 8 then." He gave you a goofy smile. "Good night, y/n." He waved at you, and began to walk away.

"Don't forget your laundry!" You yelled to him.

"I won't!" Ye yelled back, quickly walking towards the laundromat place.

"Good night, Jake." You whispered to yourself before getting into your apartment.

[shona22]

Happy WIP Mondays! We are at 7k words for the first chapter so far and I'm trying not to put beyond 9. Hopefully. Positively. Un-betaed at the moment

“Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.” Stiles groaned out from the arched entryway, just in front of the kitchen. He's rocking on the heels of his washed canvas shoes, hands clasped behind. There's an exaggerated frown on his face. He appears genuinely apologetic, just, not as much as he's voicing it out to be. “I know, you were busy and — yeah, you've been trying too, listening to us, and let me just say I thought you were replaced by some pod person because what the hell, Derek, when did you start taking my advice instead of taking–”

“Stiles.” Derek sighed with all his might. After the pack had dispersed, Stiles had lingered. He found his calling near the wall shelf, not quite looking at the books Derek had unearthed from the vault, just…letting his unfocused gaze linger on the cracked spines of the hardbound. The sensation of Stiles’s silence felt like prickling needles, like dehydration at a parched desert. Derek's been a bit miffed, mostly cautious, and waited patiently for the boy to leave him the fuck alone. But when has Derek's life gone according to the plan?

“Right.” Stiles sighed, pressing his palms into his eye sockets. “I'm apologizing.You should accept it.”

Derek almost snorts out the warm beer he had been nursing. He takes a moment, letting his eyes linger, going top to bottom and again the top of the boy’s head. Stiles, in all his pale-skinned, jittery glory, is simply infuriating. “You're demanding I accept your apology?”

“I'm making a suggestion.” He pops the words out with a petulant curling of his full lips, an insistent sinful pout of pink that's awfully tempting. But the expression stays there only for a moment before Stiles lets himself slump forward, reaching the kitchen counter that separates them. “Can I have that?” He say, pointing towards the beer can with a newfound audacity sparkling behind his brown eyes.

“No.” Derek said firmly, pulling himself and the can deliberately out of Stiles’s reach.

He had absolutely refused to supply alcoholic beverages to the pack – not because he's a law abiding citizen that's afraid of the Sheriff – but because he simply didn't carry enough wolfsbane infused alcohols to supply them so freely. Maybe, one day, he will teach IsaacIssac how to brew his own.

And giving Stiles a beer potent enough to affect a werewolf? Fat chance.

“You're underage.” Derek added bluntly.

Stiles pulled such an ugly expression that all Derek wants to do is reach between the space and slap it away. It's not new, the aggression he had felt towards the human boy— and worse, is that he's acted on it before. Stiles is infuriating, a poster child of adhd that could power a small town, and only could be enjoyed in small doses. And enjoyed is an overstatement — although his wolf heaves like a sickly Victorian child whenever he gets hit with the telltale scent of his mate. So the aggression? It's nothing new. It's a safer way to touch, better way to warn.

“I'm probably going to get killed anytime next week,” Stiles bemoaned with faux graveness. “And the only thing you'll remember is that you refused to give me a beer as our last conversation.”

“You're not going to die next week.” Derek rolled his eyes, turning his back to Stiles. The autumn sun was setting at a leisurely pace, still peaking over the horizon and painting the loft a dastardly shade of orange. He wants to pull the curtains in the main hall, but then again, he doesn't want to switch on the fluorescent lights indoors just yet. He needs to cook dinner. The sink is filled with dishes. There's laundry he needs to take by Mrs. Witherspoon’s laundromat down the streets. There's—

“Uh, did you not hear anything I said?” Stiles yelled, incredulous, and it cuts through Derek's train of thought. “The thing is going off killing virgins now, and guess what I'm? I'll give you two chances.”

Jesus fucking Christ.

“Stiles.”

“Yes, I'm, indeed Stiles. How did you even guess, Derek? Now, for your second chance. What am I?”

“A general pain in the ass.”

“Hah.” Stiles deadpans, curling his fingers to rest his face on his palm as he leaned forward, back arched. “A virgin. I'm going to die a virgin.”

“You're not going to die a virgin, Stiles.” Derek exhaled loudly, feeling the veins on his forehead throb.

He switches the faucet then, letting the water cascade over the dirty dishes and the lull in the conversation. The yellow scrubbers Ericas got him were a tight fit, he wonders if she got it from the kid's section because no wash gloves should have a size limit. It's not as if Derek's awfully big, he's bigger than most— a definite sore thumb in the clandestine town of Beacon Hills. Back in New York, he was dwarfed by men the size of wall pillars, but back then he was younger and also a beta. Although, if memories serve right, then Hales were always a peculiar bunch. People had always given them a wide berth, a fleetingly curious glance. Even the women were taller and broader. If anything, he remembered the then Sheriff being thoroughly loomed over by Talia Hale.

This all to say that when Stiles slides up bedside him, all meek like a church mouse and smelling divinely of lust and want, Derek could only concentrate on the fact that he looked all soft and small, easy to engulf if Derek were to hold him close. He's flushed, red cheeked and bitten lips. The pretty nose, the moles. His rigid, swimmer shoulders that tapered into a tiny waist. He's too skinny, but there's a give to his belly where the graphic shirt sticks tauntly. Almost like the baby fat had refused to melt down. “What do you mean by that?”

What? Derek blinks, then repeats it out loud. “What?”

“You said…” Stiles’s voice is unsteady, he plays with a lock of hair around the nape of his long neck. “I don't have to die a virgin.”

“...I did.”

“So, you're– are you–” He takes in a large gulp of breath, then looks straight up, right into Derek, right at his soul, where it's dark and sick. “You're offering? To take my virginity?”

The sound of water hitting the melamine plates was deafening.

[cyberl33ch]

☆ The Sound of The Waves

abby masterlist

tw: angst, fluff for now, and mention of infidelity

summary: obviously inspired by Sextape by Deftones

pairing: ChildhoodFriend!Abby x Mishandled!Reader (ellie's in this part so she kind of counts)

can't promise i'll finish this one but here's a new abs series!

Ellie sat at the edge of the private beach, both your bare feet sinking into the cool sand as the golden hour bathed the world in a soft, amber glow. The horizon was a canvas of fading orange and pink, the ocean stretching out endlessly, reflecting on the side of your face. The distant sound of waves crashing was interrupted by the faint, ethereal hum of Sextape by Deftones drifting from the speakers of your old radio.

She closed her eyes, letting the melody wash over her, the tender, heavy guitar filling the air like a whisper from the past. The sun's warmth kissed her skin, and for a moment, the distance between her and you seemed to vanish, as if this fleeting, perfect moment could stretch on forever. But like the fading light, everything felt fragile, slipping through her grasp.

As if you read her thoughts you severed her moment in half by asking her if she was ready to go. God, you were always rushing her, if the moment wasn’t so great she would almost slip past it. In Ellie’s eyes, she has been making some major improvement since her recent self-acclaimed “fuck up”. However, for you, all she has been doing is trying to show you her regrets in the bedroom, on the couch…or in her office.

Not to mention the only chores she had picked up were simply just making breakfast in the mornings if she felt like it. But god forbid you forgot to wash her laundry, then the petty argument would turn verbally violent rather quickly and all of a sudden it’s your fault she went to Dina that night. “You’re ruining the moment.” Ellie plainly said pulling her sunhat to shield her face from the sun and your facial expressions.

“Of course I am, I’ll be waiting in the car with the AC.” You say and with that, you get up grab your beach bag put on your sunglasses starting the journey back to the car. Ellie slowly got up with a long sigh making you halt waiting for her to collect her things. Ellie huffed under her breath “Tsk always have to ruin something.”. And with that, you both argued your way back to the car, but it wasn’t just an argument this time.

You see that was a week ago you moved out of Ellie’s place into your humble abode with no nagging, cheating, and blaming asshole. Don’t get me wrong Ellie was an amazing girlfriend but when the slightest thing would happen everything was your fault. But you get it I guess, in your life, you were always the one to blame in every situation.

You were caught up in your thoughts while sitting on a bench in the laundromat listening to the very song Ellie was on that day at the beach. That was until someone walked in, I mean it wouldn’t be unusual the laundromat runs 24/7. But this person looks…familiar?

☆ abby masterlist

☆ masterlist

☆ ask me anything

[pippytmi]

leah x fatin from this prompt list: "it’s like 3AM and my roommate locked me out of the house and I forgot my keys and I’m really drunk pls take pity on me and let me crash at your place for the night o’ neighbor of mine AU"

_______________________________________

“Dorothy,” Fatin groans, thumping her head against the door for the millionth time. “Please, please, let me in. Are you mad at me? Is it because I called your boyfriend a grade-A hottie? I was just trying to be supportive, I don’t really find him that hot.” She pauses. “Or is it the laundry thing? I swear I’ll stop stealing your T-shirts and actually go to the laundromat more. I’ve never touched your lesbian cargo pants! Doesn't that count for anything? Dorothyyyy.”

Still nothing but continued silence. Fatin takes a sad gulp of her beatbox and debates crying. Maybe then Dot will open the door—she hates it when Fatin cries, calls it gross and ugly. At the very least, Dot won't subject the neighbors to it.

There’s a sudden cough, and Fatin sits up, prepared to fight for her life (or at least her drink), but there’s no danger in sight; it’s just Leah, the reclusive student who lives across the hall, who sometimes comes over when Dot needs help drinking the beer Fatin refuses to touch. “I think your roommate is out,” she tells Fatin slowly. “I saw her leave like three hours ago.”

“Well fuck me,” Fatin says, stunned. “I’ve been groveling to that bitch for like twenty minutes.”

Leah shifts from foot to foot, obviously uncomfortable. “Yeah, I heard you,” she says. “It’s kind of distracting.”

“Distracting?” Fatin repeats, first out loud, and then several more times in her head, not sure what to make of it. Until understanding suddenly dawns, and she sits up with a renewed interest. “Holy shit, do you have company over? Are you getting some?”

“What? No!” Leah’s skin turns a bright shade of red. “I’m trying to write a paper.”

“Ugh, lame,” Fatin says, slumping right back against the floor. “Just when I thought you might be interesting.”

Leah blinks. “Okay, well,” she says after a beat. “I just wanted to let you know.” She cracks open her apartment door, lingering in the doorway only to ask, “Will you be…alright?”

“No, Leah, I will not,” Fatin scoffs. “I’m drunk as shit and I need to pee and Dot has obviously abandoned me when I need her the most. I'm probably going to die in this hallway.” She has to pause for a necessary shiver. “I think this might be the lowest I've ever been. Like, physically and emotionally.”

Two doors down, there is the distinct sound of a bang against the wall. “Shut the fuck up!”

“You shut up!” Fatin yells back at whoever it is. Toni, probably. What an asshole.

Leah doesn't move, still half-shielded by her own door, and she does not comment on Toni’s asshole-ness. “Did you try calling Dot’s phone?”

“Obviously,” Fatin says. “But now my phone’s dead, and Dot didn't answer any of my calls. I called her like fifty times, Leah. At least.”

Another bang. “It's three in the fucking morning!”

“Go to hell, Toni!”

Leah sighs. “I can try to call Dot,” she says, like this is all some big inconvenience to her, which is really very rude considering that Fatin and Dot are stellar neighbors. Plus Dot is almost Leah’s friend, so…Fatin is a friend by association. Or whatever. “Do you have anywhere you can stay in the meantime?”

“No, I live here now,” Fatin says sorrowfully, stretching out onto the horrifyingly sticky carpet floor. “Hey. Wait a second, I can just crash with you!”

“Uh,” Leah casts an uneasy glance over her shoulder. “My roommate is asleep, and the place isn't really fit for…company.”

“Are you really going to make me beg twice?” Fatin says. “Cause you know I can do it. I will cry on your doorstep. That is a threat and a promise.” She sits up, determined, as Leah continues to hesitate. “Come on! Take pity on a poor, drunk, damsel in distress. I have a stupid chem final tomorrow—are you really going to let me suffer out here all night?”

“I guess you can stay until Dot’s back,” Leah says, finally opening her door all the way. “But you have to be really quiet. Rachel will kill both of us if you wake her up.”

“Rachel loves me, don’t even worry,” Fatin says, downing the rest of her beatbox in one go. Or mostly, anyway, because some of it spills out of the corner of her mouth. Whatever, it’s not like the carpet hasn’t seen worse spills.

Leah doesn’t attempt to hide her wince. But she also does not take her invitation back, so Fatin counts it as a win.

“I’ll get you a phone charger,” Leah says. A beat. “And some water.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Fatin says, sinking onto the couch with a deep, satisfied exhale. “Any chance you have food? I would actually kill for something deep-fried.”

“We probably don’t have much, but you can look,” Leah’s voice fades out as she vanishes into the bedroom, and Fatin doesn’t need to be told twice.

Probably is too kind a word—there is absolutely nothing to eat at all, beside a stack of individual meals in tupperware that are aggressively labeled “Rachel.” Fatin abandons the fridge and rummages through the cupboards instead, finding her saving grace in the one constant of any college diet: instant ramen.

Before Fatin can even tear it open for an attempt at (drunk) cooking, Leah comes back, and she eyes Fatin up and down like she wants to say something but doesn't. Except: “I found a charger.”

Fatin hugs the ramen to her chest and can only stare. “That's not an iPhone charger,” she says. “Oh God, are you an Android girl?”

Leah frowns. “What’s wrong with having an Android?”

“I am so sorry you live in the dinosaur age,” Fatin says, crinkling her nose in disgust. “Forget it, I’ll have to borrow one from Rachel in the morning.”

“So now you’re staying the night?” Leah doesn’t even try to hide her unease at the idea.

Fatin huffs. “Oh relax, I’m not trying to sleep in your bed or anything,” she says. “Just let me crash on your couch, c’mon. Don't be a dick…please.”

“Fine, whatever,” Leah says, obviously affronted at the idea of being called a dick. “You’re not going to throw up, are you?”

“No, I will not throw up on your precious couch. Damn, you’re judgy.” Fatin goes right back to her unopened ramen in a futile attempt to open it with her nails (they’re a new set, and too expensive to break), before Leah finally sighs and takes pity on her.

“If I make you something to eat, will you be quiet?”

“Can you even cook?” Fatin snarks right back, but Leah plucks the bag from Fatin’s hands without taking the bait.

“Bathroom’s the first door down the hallway,” Leah says—an obvious dismissal—and Fatin would be offended if she didn't have to take a piss.

The bathroom mirror has seen better days, cracked right down the middle like something out of a horror movie. Fatin’s mascara-smeared face reflects back at her, and she halfheartedly scrubs at the marks until she looks more alive.

When she’s done, she re-enters the kitchen to find Leah poking the bubbling Ramen with a fork and inspiring zero confidence that this girl can even cook. The fact is only driven home when Leah asks,

“Do you want cheese?”

“Cheese?” Fatin repeats. “Am I a fucking mouse?”

Leah rolls her eyes. “On your noodles.” She waves a Kraft single between two fingers, and Fatin officially loses all respect for this girl.

“Ew, no way,” Fatin says. “That stuff's practically radioactive.”

“Then here.” Leah pours the soup into a bowl, immediately moves off to rinse out the pot and clean up the minimal mess from her efforts.

Suddenly, Fatin feels the tiniest bit guilty. Maybe she's not exactly the best house guest…or whatever. “Wait, don't you want some of this?”

Leah twists to look at Fatin, and she's noticeably perplexed at the offer. “It's three in the morning.”

“And?” Fatin waits for a better answer. Leah doesn't give one.

So that's how they end up splitting instant ramen noodles, Leah with (gross) cheese on hers and Fatin with a generous helping of Sriracha on her own. They put the TV on mute and read the subtitles for a horrible black-and-white movie on Netflix, and a thought suddenly occurs to Fatin.

“Hey, is this a date?”

Leah chokes. “What?”

“We’re having dinner and watching a movie,” Fatin says. “This is more wine and dine action than I’ve seen in years.”

“I’m just keeping you company until Dot comes home or you fall asleep,” Leah says. “God, you’re a lot more self-centered than Dot says.”

Fatin narrows her eyes. “She told you I was self-centered?”

“She said self-involved, actually.” Leah carefully drinks some soup from the rim of her bowl. “And you’re also drunk. I wouldn’t go on a date with a drunk person.”

“So you’re saying you would consider a date with me when I’m sober?” Fatin asks, and Leah turns a bright shade of red.

“No,” Leah says, and continues eating.

“That would be a lot more convincing if you didn’t keep staring at my tits,” Fatin says, unfazed as she waves her chopsticks in the air, and Leah chokes all over again.

(It’s certainly going to be something to revisit in the morning, in any case).

[thatswhatsushesaid]

that video of that guy’s experience with getting carjacked inexplicably reminds me of some rando my husband once encountered in a laundromat shortly after we first moved in together back in 2016

we’d been in our apartment for barely two weeks when the dryer we shared with the downstairs tenant crapped out, and so we had to lug all our laundry down the street to a sketchy laundromat until the landlord could get his shit together and hire an actual repair person to come by and fix our dryer. (and by we, i mean my husband, because i am very weak and this also happened in the winter, and i am Not Great on icy sidewalks.) so i dutifully help future-husband to stack up all our wet laundry in hopes that it wouldn’t freeze solid before he makes it to the laundromat, and then send him on his way with a thermos full of hot coffee, as one does. anyway that’s not the point, this is the point:

rather like the car jacker in that video who clearly doesn’t understand how helping other people works, this random stranger my husband met at the laundromat also doesn’t seem to understand how helping people works.

so husband gets to the laundromat and finds an unoccupied dryer, loads up all our clothes, and starts to settle in with some work while he waits for the cycle to complete. but he realizes that he left his laptop charger at home, and while he’s looking for it, this other guy in the laundromat is like “hey buddy, lost something?”

and my husband, who makes friends with everyone wherever he goes in life, says, “yeah, man, i think i walked out of my house without my laptop charger.”

“oh that sucks, man. hey, i can watch your stuff if you want to run home and get it.”

“for real? that’s so nice of you, but i don’t want to put you out like that.”

“hey it’s no problem, i swear.” and if he’d just left it like that, i think my husband probably would have taken him up on his offer, and gone home to retrieve his laptop charger. but he did not leave it like that. instead, he added: “i’m no freak, i won’t steal your wife’s panties.”

and as friendly and trusting as my husband is, there are limits to even his friendly and trusting nature. because he hadn’t been worried about my underwear before, but he kinda was now!! and so he just kept smiling back at this guy and was like, “you know what, my battery is fully charged, i think i’ll just chill here.”

but this guy—i guess he just wanted to shoot his shot while he had it. “you sure? the panties are safe with me.”

“it’s cool man. thank you tho.”

anyway, mohanad from benghazi is right, life really is a journey 🌈✨

[stargazer-sims]

Moving In

Clancy: How’s it going, kid?

Forest: Okay, I guess.

Clancy: Got all your stuff unpacked and set up?

Forest: Yeah, mostly. I still have to organize all my art stuff. I need to decide where I want to put my easel.

Clancy: You’ll figure it out. Do you like the apartment?

Forest: It’s great.

Clancy: But…?

Forest: Just thinking about Dad.

Clancy: Oh?

Forest: He didn't seem too bothered about me moving out. Even the day when he caught me packing, he didn't try to stop me.

Clancy: Why do you think that is?

Forest: Probably 'cause he wants to get rid of me.

Clancy: Or because he thinks it's what you need right now.

Forest: It kinda is. I mean, living there was getting pretty bad. Nobody over there understands me. At least when I'm by myself, I won't have people looking down on me all the time and rubbing it in my face that they're all so much better than me.

Clancy: Well, this will give you the chance to figure out who you are and become your own person.

Forest: Exactly.

Clancy: Anyway, now that you're all set up, we should go over the apartment rules.

Forest: Come on! There are rules? I thought i was supposed to be independent now.

Clancy: Sorry to shatter your fantasy about adulthood, but everybody has rules to follow. We have rules at work, and we have regulations and laws in everyday life. You have rules at your job, don't you?

Forest: Yeah.

Clancy: And there are rules at school?

Forest: Okay, point taken. What are the apartment rules?

Clancy: The first rule is that rent is due on the first of the month. If you think you can't pay it or you're going to be late, you need to let me know in advance, and I'll give you five extra days to get it paid. No coming to me on the first and being like, 'Aunt Clancy, I don't have rent money'. Got it?

Forest: Got it. As long as my boss pays me, you'll get the rent.

Clancy: Good. The next rule is no parties, and no overnight guests that you're not related to. If your brothers and sisters want to stay over, that's fine. You can have a few friends at a time over if you want, and I don't care what you do together in there, but try to keep the noise down and let them know they they need to be out by midnight.

Forest: Okay.

Clancy: Next one is laundry. You can go to the laundromat or you can use my washer and dryer. If you want to use mine, we'll work out a schedule.

Forest: Is that it?

Clancy: That's it. Basically, you're on your own. I'm not going to be telling you what to do from day to day and I'm not going to be making any decisions for you. If you need help or advice you can ask me and I'll help you, but when all's said an done, every choice is going to be yours.

Forest: You know what? I can respect all that.

Clancy: Good, because I'm not above evicting you if you don't.

Forest: Seriously?

Clancy: Seriously. That's what happens in real life, and if you do manage to get yourself evicted, I'm not explaining it to your parents. That'll be up to you, too.

Forest: Don't worry, Aunt Clancy. You won't have to evict me.

Clancy: That's what I want to hear.

Forest: Oh, somebody's texting me. Sorry... not trying to be rude.

Clancy: It's fine. Is it your parents?

Forest: No, it's somebody from school. It's a girl.

Clancy: Ooh, interesting.

Forest: Her name is Nora. She's in my class. Her parents kicked her out too, during the first week of school if you can imagine that. She's living with somebody in an apartment downtown. Apparently her mom is way worse than my parents, but she likes living on her own and she makes a lot of money with her online job.

Clancy: What kind of job does she do?

Forest: No idea, actually. She doesn't really like to talk about it.

Clancy: I see.

Forest: She wants to know if she can come over. Is that okay?

Clancy: It's your apartment. That's up to you.

Forest: Cool. I'll tell her she can come.

Clancy: Okay, I'll leave you to it. Have a good night

Forest: Thanks, Aunt Clancy. It's gonna be all good, you know. You won't regret letting me move in.

Clancy: Remember you said that.

Forest: It'll be great, I promise.

[swoomoo]

A short entry that highlights Amare's mental state regarding her sire early on after being embraced into the Sabbat and her relationship with a future pack member.

Useful

Rain pattered against the window. The moonlight pierced through it, lighting up the dimly lit room just perfectly splitting the clouds. There was a familiar hum as the laundromat Amare found herself in was operating behind her. No one there but her. Unlife had not been kind to her but these few moments of just… waiting, felt like a sweet drug. Being able to simply exist without the pressure of proving why you should not receive another cruel punishment. The stares, that was her least favorite part. Knowing those things were watching her, grading her ability to be depraved. It was no different then the memories she had felt as a child. The cold stares of those women as that hopeless fuck that was her father paraded her around like he was the second coming of Christ. She preferred those days to this though. She could run off then and they wouldn’t find her. 

“My precious doll, you are here early.” that smooth voice cut through her ears like a blade. What the fuck is he doing here? He isn’t supposed to be here tonight. I’m not supposed to see him. Amare quickly turned around and saw her sire walk out from the shadows with a wide smile on his face. “You must finally be understanding the joys of what it is to be a child of Caine.” She stared at him. Her eyes unknowingly widening as he got closer. “Excellence is not a path but a road paved forward. You must show excellence in all things for the road behind you to be followed.” She quickly said to him as she started to back away. His eyes stayed on her as he slowly approached. Her eyes were glaring back the little bit of light that was in the room. The sound of each step filled her with anxiety. Amare’s back finally bumped against the dryers behind her. Remi continued to match her pace. 

He made his way to her, taking his hand and sliding it down the side of her face. His other hand grabbed her waist as he pushed her against the wall  “My doll, do you really think you are capable of paving anything?" He stopped for a moment and looked directly into her eyes, " You’ve accomplished nothing with your life. Everything you thought you achieved was because of me and everything in this unlife I’ve given to you.” Remi’s gentle tone started to turn into a shout. His hand that was tracing down her face was now firmly gripped around her neck. “The reason you aren’t ripped apart and your soul forced down some fledglings throat is because of me!” Amare stuck her foot against the wall and pushed off of it. Using her cursed strength she flew across the room. Remi was seemingly gone now. A crumbling sound now filled the room as some drywall and brick dust fell on top of her. She had jumped across the room and through the wall.

A loud cackling echoed across the room. She stuck her head out from the newly formed hole to see her designated partner, Styx gleefully giggling. “I cannot believe that you fucking freaked that hard. You are so fucking stupid!” They continued to laugh. “Goddamn, just wait until you realize how to handle that shit. Maybe you will be useful after all.” Amare put her head back down for a moment. It wasn’t him, just that asshole. He isn’t here. He isn’t here. “FUUUUUUUUCK” She screamed as loud as she could in that moment. Her scream was muffled by the torn insulation. She stood up and looked at Styx, “What the fuck are we here for?” She said to him, her voice trembling down as if she was just pulled from a frenzy. Styx composed themselves. “Well if you are going to be a bitch about it then fine. We are going to hit some charity office. We are prepping for a feast and Remi wants something special offered up from his pack so he said this exact charity would be perfect. I guess they do something with kids? I don’t fucking know why the guy wanted us to hit here.” Their tone remained composed. This was the exact charity that Amare had worked with when she was still alive and the same one that helped her when she escaped the cult at the age of eighteen. She knew exactly why Remi was targeting this place.

Why do you hate me so fucking much. I am useful. Why do you have to do this? I’ve done everything you’ve wanted me to. Amare’s eyes had dropped to the floor as she was listening to Styx ramble and thinking about what she was going to do. Styx piped back up, “We have a truck parked behind the building already. We are just going to throw at least four people in there. That is all he wanted from here. Guess we are gonna nab a cainite as a dessert later tonight but he did say he wanted some good shit, managers and bosses, no janitors or useless fucks.” Amare finally looked back up towards him. “Okay, let’s just go already.” The two of them left the laundromat behind and walked into the rain. The building in question was only a block away. Amare knew it well.

Divider by @diableriedoll

[jaylleoo14]

I met you at a Laundromat

>GN!ReaderxRuggie

[disclaimer] characters are aged up and fluff! You get robbed....

[characters] Ruggie

Being independent has its perks. You have a job, a stable income, you have your own living space, your own car, almost everything going for you is turning out well for the most part

Although not entirely well off because you recently just got out fresh into your adult life, you still find yourself struggling getting accustomed to the new changes 

Yes, being independent is nice and all but you sometimes miss home. You can cook for yourself, but nothing beats the way pops makes his stews or how momma makes her delicious chicken curries. Missing the familiar views you’d see when passing through town to get groceries or how you’d go walk in the park sometimes. 

 You can always visit, but it's the day for you to head on over to the laundromat once again. Your washing machine and dryer unfortunately broke down and until maintenance comes over to fix it your only choice is to go over to the laundromat

It's not so bad really, the only bad part about it though is that you have to go late at night and it's only because your work lets you out late. Not only that but you were in a rush to finish running your errands as well. 

Thankfully the laundromat you go to opens till late for people who tend to be busy throughout the day, giving busy people like you a chance to do your laundry!

When you arrive you always note how there isn't a lot of people there to begin with

The single dad is there occasionally, the girl who works at a nearby retail store is here today (seems like she just got off work and straight to the laundromat seeing that her uniform and tag is still on), the kid and his mom is finishing up folding their laundry, a rugged slouched man, and a rather young man with animalistic features 

The man with the ears and tail always stick out to you, because well, although you have seen beastmen around the area, he usually is the only one that you see come here at this hour

You think to yourself, “Oh, he must be a busy man” if he usually comes this late at night usually almost all the time that you come here

You cant help but stare at him a little while longer until you notice some movement in the corner of your eye

As you turn around you find that the old rugged man is kneeling down besides you, picking up some fabric softener that he dropped

Though he already finished before you could help him 

As he gets up he turns around to make his leave. I guess he finished up washing his load of clothes

As you go back doing and minding your own business, you start thinking to yourself. “Wait… I don't remember him walking out with any clothes. Nor did it seem like he was waiting on anything.”

As you make that realization your eyes widen and you quickly turn back around only to see that the man had disappeared 

You search your pockets in hopes that you weren’t a victim to thievery of any kind

And would you look at that? Your wallet is gone. 

Fuck. 

Rushing out of the place you look both to your right and your left, only to find the man nowhere at a distance. 

Goddamn it! All your receipts and your credit cards and memberships and your money and-

“I think you dropped this shishishi~”

A voice calls out to you in a lighthearted manner. As you turn around to find the origin of that voice you’re met with that beastman holding what seems to be your leather wallet

He shakes it in his hand as if you were a little dog being received a treat 

As you quickly run over with your worried face, quickly running back to snatch your most valuable item on you currently, you rummage through just in case he took anything valuable

“Relaaax, I made sure everything was there”

As you take note of everything there you let out a sigh of relief, holding it closely to your chest. “Thank you so much. You saved me there” A warm smile on your face. 

He whistles out playfully and shrugs, as if it was nothing. “No can do. I’m quite swift myself if I do say so.” 

As you two start talking more, you think to yourself what an interesting guy this was. He seemed awfully busy himself, and with all his jobs and special talents- something tells you he’s rather money hungry.

Nevertheless, the night felt so short because of how long you two talked and hit it off the road. It was a shame that you both had to leave so soon, time went by so fast when you had a nice conversation with someone who shares the same chemistry. 

As you make your way to your car you notice a piece of paper slipping out from your pocket. As you pic it up, you read what it is written on there: “Come thank me by taking me out for some food sometime :p” And on the bottom a number is written 

A chuckle escapes your lips, and you could feel some sort of undefined excitement rush to your chest as you look up into the night sky. It feels like something new is about to happen in your life. Based on your conversation you just had with Ruggie, you know that the both of you have a rather productive and proactive lifestyle. However, you don't mind making time for him and trying to get to know him. I’m sure the same could be said for him as well.

And that my dear children, is how I met your father. At a laundromat ~ ��

[frayed-at-the-seams]

Favourite Trope: meeting before canon plot starts.

BL dramas where the characters either met as children or before the show plot started. (Will include spoilers for each show).

- Time of Fever.

This drama was beautiful. It portrayed two childhood friends who were separated for two years to then reunite in their late teens.

The show explores how they struggle to adjust to the new people they have become while trying to pick up where their friendship has left off. The introduction of new feelings and the personal struggles each character goes through in relation to this was explored beautifully. There was a real sense of long pining and teen awkwardness that both the actors and the cinematography displayed with effect.

It was a beautiful show that had me clutching at my plushies at frustration over the chemistry between the main characters. You get a real sense of depth in their relationship. There are many layers and history between them that just gives the show a more poignant feel.

Available on KissKH.

- Minato’s Laundromat.

I have mentioned this drama before and I will probably do so again. This is one of my favourite comfort dramas. While a bit cliche and unrealistic and clearly based off a manga, it is still a fun and capturing watch.

This show tells the story of a jaded man in his late twenties and the peace he has found running a laundromat and the young man who is pursuing him. Their dynamic is flirty, teasing and fun. The characters going through their own growth and learning about each other before they get together.

The added reveal that the main character saved the male lead from drowning as a child adds depth to the male lead’s stubborn pursuit of the main character. What was a memorable but ultimately past moment for the main character was a life changing experience for the male lead. Their first meeting before the show really adds backstory for the show plot and adds another layer to their dynamic.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

- 4 Minutes.

This show was a whirlwind of second guessing plots. With plots layered on top of one and another the reveal that the main couple met as children, an event forgotten by both of them, served to be more of an Easter egg for the viewers rather than adding much to their story.

A Easter Egg that I and other viewers ate up. It was fun to watch their interactions as children and see them unknowingly play out similar interactions as adults. Since the majority of this drama plot involved the viewers having knowledge that the characters did not have themselves, the viewers having a omnipotent view of all the interacting events, this reveal into a bit of their childhood was a spoon of sugar to sweeten us for further angst.

Still, the scene was adorable to see and it only added another layer of ‘What if’ to the plot line.

Available on KissKH.

- We Best Love.

Instead of childhood friends to lovers, this is childhood enemies to lovers. Well, one sided enemies to lovers. That just means that their chemistry was that just bit more fiery than other dramas. And I love a good enemies to lovers dynamic. Especially one with lots of history as this one had.

Even in season 2, when they have gone from e-bikes to lovers to bitter exes back to lovers again, their chemistry has a passion to it that many dramas miss. The main couple love each other so much that it angers them. They simply cannot get over each other and even when fighting and manhandling, they are gentle and sweet. As a viewer you can really feel the history between them despite them not getting to know each other on a deeper level until university. The fact that they don’t truly learn about the other properly until they’re adults means that their relationship can develop further than it would have ever done as children. It was great fun to watch.

Available on KissKH and Bilibili.

- Mr Heart.

If you want one sided unrequited love between a silent admirer and someone who doesn’t know he exists, then Mr heart is for you. Adorable and sweet. The drama starts with Jinwon being properly introduced to Sangha and as it develops the viewer gets to see their backstory from both their points of view as the characters get tangled in their marathon careers and their backgrounds.

Well made with a sweet atmosphere despite the angsty parts, it is a wholesome drama with a lovely ending.

Available one Viki and KissKH.

- I became the main role in a BL drama.

This is a short Japanese bl, only 4 episodes. Yet it had such a funny and wholesome story. The character development between the MC and the ML is so sweet and perfectly explored despite the short run time. The side characters were fun and all of it was well acted.

The reveal that they met briefly when they were teenagers is the perfect backstory for the ML’s love and devotion to the MC. He accepted him for his differences and it left a lasting impression.

This show had me laughing.

Available on Bilibili and KissKH.

- Word of Honor.

While China made this a bromance, it’s still high quality gay (with all that flirting and long pining stares, how could it not be?). I love the slow burn and the mysteries that move the plot along.

Especially the mystery behind Wen Kexing’s past. That had me hooked for the majority of the show. The revelation that he and Zhou Zishu had met as children, that their lives were always meant to be tangled together was both lovely and bittersweet for me. Their lives both full of tragedy and trauma yet they still found each other. I did cry watching this show, more than once. Yet I still love it.

Available on Netflix and Viki.

- Kiseki: Dear to me.

While the main couple meet for the first time during the canon plot. The side couple are childhood friends to lover trope, but not without angst and separation and lots of drama.

In any other setting, with any other characters their dynamic would be toxic. It’s codependent and even with the separation, they are too obsessed and wrapped up in each other. They carry a history which is clear in all of their interactions and chemistry. Even though we don’t get to see know how they met, we know that their history is tangled and caught up emotions.

It’s safe to say that the second couple stole the show for me. I wish we got more of their backstory.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

- Old Fashion Cupcake.

Another excellent 4 episode drama from Japan. This show is the love story between a 39 year old office worker and his 29 year old coworker. Since the characters are adults there is a softness that is sometimes lacking in other dramas. They are independent and do not need each other. That makes the moments of vulnerability and affection between them that much sweeter.

Their shared history and the flashback of Nozue interviewing and hiring Togawa just add more history to their bond. I love their romance and their bond. One of my favourite comfort shows.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

This took far longer than I expected. Hope you like the recommendations.

Feel free to comment any trope recommendations you want next.

[shunin-gumis]

Nagi Hachinoya Novel

Essence of a Bouquet

Track 02 - Assignment to reveal your Akashic Records

The assignment from Master Hideko goes like this:

"Write about your experiences up until this point in your life on your exclusive form and submit it before the next meeting."

However, I'm not good at using computers, an error is guaranteed to happen when I do. I could type, but it's slow and awkward, like raindrops hitting the keys one drop at a time. That's why I asked Buchi-san to write it for me instead.

Daniel "Eehh, I don't wanna. Sounds like a pain."

Nagi "I'm begging you… I'll massage your shoulders for every letter you type."

Daniel "Let's do this."

… I'm glad he accepted it so readily.

And that's how Buchi-san ended up right in the middle of my room, lying down on his stomach while he types away on the laptop.

Daniel "So, you need to write about your life? What's this even for anyways."

He side-eyes me with suspicion as he says this.

Nagi "For the sake of increasing my happiness."

Daniel "….Well, alright. Just make sure you don't join a cult or something."

He didn't seem all that convinced, but at least he went back to typing on the laptop. I close my eyes so I can focus on the assignment.

Daniel "Wait, isn't this giving away too much personal information…?"

While Buchi-san kept muttering about something or the other, I think back on my life.

At the age of 16, I started working at a flower shop.

Not the 'Flower Laundry' that I'm currently managing, but a different one. At the same time as I started working there, I got a license for two-wheelers as well, since I had to go on deliveries.

For someone like me, who's never even needed to ride the train before, my world expanded just a little. If I just tilted the handlebars in a different direction, I felt like I could reach the very edge of the world.

The possibility was right there… but I didn't do it in the end. I have a job to do after all.

Still, I couldn't stop my heart from pounding. I wanted one of my own, but it was too expensive for me.

I wasn't sure how he caught wind of it, but it was around then that a senior from my part-time job told me-

Senior "If you're alright with a hand-me-down, I can give you my old bike."

Nagi "Really?….. Thank you very much."

It was a second-hand bike. He called it a hand-me-down, but it was in a really good condition for a secondhand bike. I could tell he treasured it deeply.

I was so happy and grateful that I'd asked him what I could do for him in return, but he said he didn't need anything. Because of this overflowing happiness, a lion from the nearby zoo broke out of it's enclosure and came after me directly, but that's besides the point.

Nagi "Let's go."

I'd already decided on the first place I wanted to visit after I got my own bike.

Nagi "To the laundromat where I was abandoned."

Having written on the form up till that point, Buchi-san folds his arms and nods his head in agreement.

Daniel "I get how you feel, I would've done the same thing too. I'd try to see if I could find my mother, or at least find some clues…"

Nagi "Yes, exactly."

The first time I went, nothing magical had happened. Or rather, I simply hadn't done anything.

All I did was watch the laundromat that was empty at that time of the day, and went back without doing anything.

The second time, I decided to get off my bike and get closer. The smell of fresh laundry that hit my nose made my heart squeeze painfully tight, so I'd quickly left it behind.

Even though I never found my mother, nor did I get any leads, I couldn't help but visit that laundromat over and over again. On one such day-

Old woman "Oh my, you've dropped by again?"

Nagi "Eh? Ah, um…."

The old lady who'd been cleaning inside the laundromat called out to me. And from the sounds of it, it seemed like she already knew about my existence. Well, I guess that's obvious when I'd visited this place so often now. I'd never even gone in to do my laundry, I wouldn't be surprised if she found me suspicious and yet-

Old woman "You must have really taken a liking to this place, hm? I'm happy if that's the case."

Nagi "Ah, yes…"

The old lady, whom I assume was the owner of the shop, didn't try to blame me or find me suspicious. Instead, she smiled cheerfully.

Nagi "Um, I don't have any laundry with me right now…"

Old woman "That's alright. I guess you must love the smell of laundry too, hm?"

Nagi "Huh?"

Old woman "I understand the feeling. Whenever I caught the scent of detergent within town, I couldn't help but stop to bask in it and sigh at how wonderful it smells.

I couldn't give her an honest response at the time, so all I could do was vaguely nod.

Old woman "Feel free to drop by again!"

By taking advantage of that invitation, I started visiting the laundromat regularly. Of course, this time I actually brought clothes to wash with me.

Mrs.Minemori "Hello Hachinoya-kun, it's quite hot out today isn't it? Make sure you hydrate well. Here's 2 litres of barley tea for you, make sure you take it home."

Nagi "Oh, um, thank you…"

Her name was Minemori-san. She was getting on in the years, but she still held a certain sharpness to her.

Mr.Minemori "Hey Hachinoya-kun, play some shogi with me while you wait for your laundry!"

Nagi "Eh? Um, ok…"

Once in a while, her husband would drop by the store as well, though it was very rare. He would speak in an Edoitte manner, that is, he was straightforward and just a bit forceful.

Nagi "If you could keep in mind that I'm less effective than an AI-bot then ok…"

Mr.Minemori "You got it!"

The couple lived on the 2nd floor of the laundromat, and they had a bluebird that they kept in their living room… I've gone up there many times because I couldn't help but want to see the bird.

Mrs.Minemori "Isn't it cute?"

Nagi "Yes."

Mr.Minemori "Is that chickweed you've brought with you?"

Nagi "Yes. I heard they were good for birds, so I foraged them from the nearby riverbank. But if you'd rather toss it out I'd understand."

I got a little ahead of myself, because I couldn't help but think that if I had people like them in my life, it would be a lot more fun.

Little by little, I couldn't help but be more greedy towards them, as though I were like their own grandson.

Not that I'd know what it was really like.

Part 1 / Part 3 / Part 4 /Part 5

[frozenwolftemplar]

Waterloo, or Laundry Day Bonus Scene

I was responding to @mmaricarmen23 and @backofthepencil11 comments on 'Waterloo, or Laundry Day' and this popped into my head. To anyone who's interested, hope you enjoy!

"So Red, how's laundry day going?"

Carmen shrugged, leaning against the laundromat's street-facing window, watching a dog walker juggle the leashes of about half a dozen pooches. "Good. Laundromat's nice. Clean. Unlike that other one..."

"So I didn't check Yelp one time!" Player protested, Carmen chuckling at his indignance. "Besides, I thought island girls were used to big bugs."

"Big bugs that stayed outside." Carmen amended, holding up a finger as though to block the teasing accusation, never mind he couldn't see the gesture. "And anyway-" a smug note crept into her voice- "I think I handled them well." Admittedly, discovering the laundromat of the week had a roach problem hadn't been fun in the moment, but she at least had the satisfaction of saying she'd reacted with commendable cool-headedness.

"You shrieked."

In her defense, she'd only be off the Island for two weeks. Kneejerk reactions had been common.

"Anyway," Carmen said, tacitly admitting truce and changing subjects, eyes tracking a pigeon that alighted on the sidewalk once the dogs moved on. "Not really anything unusual. Except..." She paused and sketched a glance towards Shadowsan, studying the contents of the vending machine and debating if any of the brightly-packaged snacks constituted 'actual food' and continued in an undertone. "I don't think Shadowsan had ever done his own laundry before."

There was a pause.

"...Seriously?"

"I mean, he said he meant to wash his darks on the 'whites' setting but-"

She bit her lip as Player barked out a laugh. "And then what," he said, clearly holding onto composure tooth and nail. "Did he, like, forget soap or something?"

A cheshire grin wended across Carmen's face as she answered. "Yup."

Shadowsan glanced her way as Player's helpless laughter tumbled through the phone, eyes dark and more than a little abashed as he quickly deduced the subject of Carmen's conversation. She wiggled her fingers in an impish wave, unconcerned by the look he was leveling her with (not like he'd say anything to her so long as he needed someone to work the dryers).

"So, how did it end? Did he bleach his entire wardrobe?"

"I stepped in before he could do that." Idly shifting her weight so she was standing on one foot, she indulged in a chuckle as Shadowsan, with a long-suffering look, turned back to the vending machine and started slipping in quarters (huh, guess vending machines were immune to the 'fascinating' technological progress). "No harm done." Except his dignity, but he'd get over that.

"So...not like the first time you did your own laundry and messed up with the dryer and shrunk, like, everything."

The pigeon took rapid wing as Carmen choked on air and set her upraised foot down hard, catching herself clumsily against the glass. Shadowsan looked over again, and Carmen felt a flush flooding up her neck as he read her no doubt mortified expression correctly

"It was not everything!" She hissed as Shadowsan turned back to the vending machine, but not before she caught the silent laugh crinkling around his eyes.

"Fair point. Just all your shirts. And socks. You got antsy waiting around the motel until I could get some replacements shipped to you and said the room service lady kept looking at you weird because you were constantly wearing an overcoat indoors."

"Because I didn't have any shirts," Carmen muttered around the hand she'd plastered on her face. Crud, sometimes she really wished her team wasn't that good at reading her. Or remembered every embarrassing moment of her life. "Do you ever forget anything?"

"When it comes to you? Nope!" Player sounded entirely too cheerful of that fact.

"Lucky me."

[illegally-blind-and-deaf]

Hey! 2 & 3 for the Tintin ask game!

i'd love to know your thoughts! 💙

2. 26 Labrador Road or Marlinspike as Tintin's home? Why?

Oh boy you're really going to make me pick one. ahhhhhhh

Look, I like them both for two very different reasons. I love 26 Rue Labrador because of how it's a cosy little flat that fits perfectly into my aesthetics and I can make it so homely. And also because I love the idea of old-fashioned cities and Tintin doing little domestic tasks like going to the laundromat, grocery shopping, riding on a crowded tram, visiting his favourite bakery, etc. 26 Rue Labrador to me is (this is really tricky to explain) the setting where I can focus on Tintin's domestic life rather than relationships with other characters or wild adventures. Does that make any sense? I have no clue.

Marlinspike however, is home because Haddock is there, and we should all know by now that I am a big Daddock fan. Marlinspike is a great setting for exploring their relationship and how they interact with one another when they see each other all the time. So I guess I like both; it just depends what I wish to focus on

3. Which villain do you hate the most?

Hate as in a bad villain? Or hate because they're such a good villain? I'm going with the latter mwahahah.

Honestly, for me it's Müller. Don't get me wrong, Rastapopulous is definitely up there, but sometimes he's just a bit too cliché and Big Bad. Müller, however, has just enough material for us to know that he really is a dangerous man, but is simple enough that I can play around with him in fics and stuff. Unlike Rastapopulous, Müller hasn't fully labelled Tintin as his ultimate arch-nemesis; he's just that annoying bit of gum stuck on the bottom of his shoe. He doesn't try to impress anyone or seem super dramatic (he does a bit in The Black Island, but by the time it's Land of Black Gold, he just wants his own way), he just does what it takes to get rid of Tintin, even if it means burning his house down in the process. Also, Müller is German. In the 30s and 40s. ... There's a lot of potential there that I like to exploit.