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The laundrette felt too bright after the dark street. He squinted his eyes against it’s offensive neon glare. It looked empty inside, the machines standing quiet waiting to be brought to life.
Yoongi hefted the bag he clutched in his hand and pushed open the door. Faint music played in the background, some faceless ballad he’d heard a million times in stores. The strip lights above him hummed like a swarm of bees resided within them. The air was filled with the scent of washing powder and a slight hint of dampness that no matter how much the place was cleaned, Yoongi feared would never go away.
He dropped the bag in front of the nearest machine and began loading the contents into it’s deep barrel. Sleep still clung to his edges, and he would’ve given anything to still be in bed. But alas, his kitten had decided tonight was the perfect night to throw up on his only set of bedsheets. He loved the little fur ball, but in that moment he wasn’t her biggest fan. Little shit, she was probably tucked up snoozing in her little bed, not a care in the world. Whereas Yoongi was hungover, tired, and wishing he was anywhere but under the white light of the laundrette. He fumbled in his pocket for the coins and slotted them in place before pushing the buttons to set the machine away.
His job done, he leaned forward resting his head on his arms folded on top of the machine, letting his eyes flutter closed, willing time to go by quickly so he could return to the comfortable cocoon of his bed.
Yoongi didn’t know how long he’d been stood there when he head footsteps behind him, but he chose to ignore whoever had entered the laundrette, content on resting his head. That was until he felt movement closer to himself, and he turned his head slightly to see an arm reaching past him.
‘You need to push the coins in to make it go.’ A soft voice said, and through the one eye he’d cracked open, he saw a small hand push the coin slot inward, the metal clicking, and the machine below him rumbled to life.
The stranger pulled back and Yoongi waited a moment before standing up straight and turning to look at them. He found a young man, pastel pink hair crouched down in front of another machine as he pulled wet clothes from it. He hadn’t seen anyone when he first came into the laundrette, but going off the freshly washed clothes, this guy must’ve been here all along. Maybe in the toilet at the back of the place.
Yoongi watched as he moved the wet clothes from the washing machine into a basket and then along to the wall off dryers. Even in his half asleep state Yoongi could see how pretty the guy was and he was finding it hard not to stare. Yoongi had always been weak for pretty boys, and this one might be the prettiest he’d ever seen. He looked down at himself, at his scruffy jeans with the stain on from where he’d spilled coffee on himself the day before. The stretched out sweater that had a loose thread hanging from the cuff. He looked a mess, he could only imagine the dark circles under his eyes and the puffiness of his skin.
In comparison the pink haired guy looked like perfection walking. His tan skin seemed to glow under the bright lights. His jeans hugged his curves perfectly and the sweater he wore made him look soft and comfortable, not messy and haphazard like Yoongi’s did. And when he turned back to Yoongi, a smile stretching across his pretty face… well that could’ve had anyone swooning, and Yoongi was no exception.
‘You okay?’ He asked.
‘Uh, yeah. Thanks. Not quite awake.’ Yoongi said, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.
‘Well it is 1am.’ The guy said, with a laugh. ‘I was pretty surprised to hear someone else come in.’
‘Cat threw up on my bedding.’ Yoongi said, and cringed at his own bluntness. No one needed to hear about cat vomit.
‘Oh that sucks, I hope your cat is okay?’
‘Yeah she’s fine, just orange.’ Yoongi said with a shrug. The guy laughed again, and it was like music to Yoongi’s ears and he couldn’t help but smile. ‘What brings you here at this time?’
‘Ah, I tend to come here when my roommate is, shall we say… ‘entertaining’.’ He told Yoongi, the finger quotes telling him everything he needed to know about this guy’s roommate’s activities.
‘I used to go to the all night cafe near our old place when I had a roommate.’ Yoongi told him.
‘That would be better, but unfortunately we’re stuck with the machine stuff in here as no where else is open late enough in this neighbourhood.’
‘Is the machine stuff that bad?’
‘Oh it’s terrible, but I drink it anyway.’ He said laughing again.
‘Any coffee is better than no coffee?’
‘Exactly.’
Yoongi watched as the guy lifted himself up onto of the row of washing machines opposite him, siting cross legged as Yoongi leaned back against the one beside the one washing his bedsheets.
‘I don't actually mind coming here that much, there’s something strangely peaceful about it.’ The guy continued. ‘It’s like time stops for a while, and it’s just you and the laundry.’
Yoongi considered that for a moment, he liked the idea. That the laundrette was a vacuum of existence. A world within itself.
‘That’s a nice way to look at it.’ He said, ‘kind of like how airport terminals feel in the dead hours.’
‘Yeah, or a gas station in the middle of nowhere. They’re like pockets of different worlds, only existing in that moment.’
Yoongi smiled. It was probably too late, or too early to be talking so philosophically, but he liked it. He liked that him and this stranger shared similar thoughts about those quiet places during still hours. He liked that they’d forgone the usual small talk, and went straight to theorising about dead hours and liminal places.
‘What’s your cat’s name?’
The question came after they’d both fallen into silence. Yoongi zoning out as he stared at a poster on the wall about a long since passed summer festival.
‘Kimbap.’
‘Cute.’
‘I found her outside of a convenience store where I’d just bought some kimbap. It felt fitting.’
‘Oh so you rescued her?’
‘Yeah, or rather she followed me home and I couldn’t just leave her.’ Yoongi said, thinking back to the night a few months ago when he’d been stumbling home after a night out and stopped by the convenience store on his way only to be stalked by the tiny orange meow machine.
Yoongi looked up to see the guy, one elbow on his knee he rested his chin in his hand, looking at him with the most puppy-like eyes,.
‘That’s so cute.’ He said, ‘I’m sure Kimbap is very happy you decided to adopt her.’
‘I’d be happier if she didn’t throw up on my bed.’ Yoongi said, huffing out a laugh.
‘Poor baby, I’m sure she didn’t mean it. She probably just wanted some comfort if she was feeling unwell, and of course she’d go to her human.’
‘Or she’s a little shit and wanted me to suffer.’ Yoongi said dramatically.
The guy laughed, and Yoongi was happy his misery could at least bring forth that angelic sound.
‘I’m Jimin by the way.’
‘Yoongi.’
‘Yoongi and Kimbap, what a formidable pair.’ Jimin said, smiling.
God he was pretty. Ridiculously so and it was making Yoongi feel a little flustered. It had been a while since he’d been so caught up in a guy. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted to talk to someone so much. But this guy, Jimin, was drawing him in fast and hard.
Yoongi pushed off from where he was leaning and stretched a little, he knew if he stood there any longer he’d just end up staring at Jimin in an embarrassing and possibly creepy way.
‘I’m gonna grab a terrible coffee, d’you want one?’ He said, heading towards the door that led into the back where the vending machines lived.
‘I’m good thanks.’ Jimin said, though Yoongi couldn’t help but notice the way Jimin’s gaze followed him as he walked by.
Yoongi rubbed at his eyes as he waited for the machine to spit out his coffee. It’s whirring strangely comforting. He looked back towards the door in which Jimin sat beyond. Jimin. A pretty boy Yoongi hadn’t anticipated meeting on this middle of the night venture to clean his sheets. He’d felt drained, void of life, when he’d arrived. But now a hum of energy stirred beneath his skin, like each of his synapses was slowly coming to life with every breath. He had planned to nap while the washer did it’s job, but now he wanted to stay awake. He wanted to talk to Jimin, to learn his secrets and spend this weird dead time with him.
Jimin was softly singling along to the song that was playing out from the hidden radio when Yoongi returned. His voice sweet like honey, airy and light, like a summer’s breeze. He could’ve listened to it all night.
When Jimin noticed him walk in, he smiled, the lyrics continuing to flow. Most people would’ve felt embarrassed to be caught singing along to the radio like that, or at least Yoongi would have. But Jimin didn’t seem to mind, happy to have Yoongi as his audience as he sang along to words of heartache.
‘Have you ever been in love?’ He asked, when the song came to an end.
‘Huh?’ Yoongi hadn’t been expecting the question. It wasn’t something strangers usually asked one another, ‘I don’t know.’
‘I haven’t. I mean, I’ve dated, and it’s been fun, but I don’t think it’s ever been real love. Not like in songs like that, where it ending would shatter your heart and soul.’ Jimin told him.
Yoongi shook his head.
He didn’t think he’d ever been in love. He thought back to the partners he’d had over the years, the girl he’d dated in high school, the first boy he’d kissed, the people he’d shared nights with throughout university. No, he’d never been in love. Not like that.
‘I wonder what it feels like.’ Jimin continued. ‘To feel everything for one person, to give them your heart, your trust.’
Yoongi thought it sounded terrifying. To give yourself to another without fully knowing if they would return those feelings, if they would love you back or break your heart.
‘Maybe I’m just a romantic, but I love the idea of it all. Waking up next to the same guy every morning. Holding hands walking along the river. Sharing a life with someone that makes you laugh.’
Yoongi thought it might not be so scary doing it all with someone like Jimin.
‘It sounds nice when you say it like that.’ Yoongi said.
‘Hm, yeah. I suppose it’s a risk, giving your heart to someone like that. But sometimes you’ve gotta take the leap, y’know?’
‘I know.’
Quiet fell over them again and Yoongi sipped at his cheap coffee. It wasn’t so bad, or maybe he was just content in the company he was keeping. Jimin stretched his arms up over his head, his sweater riding up to reveal a slither of tan skin. He felt his face flush with warmth and he averted his eyes as Jimin settled back. He took another sip of coffee to distract himself.
An hour of random conversations passed, talks of dreams and cat distribution systems, theories of the world and everything in between. Until soon enough Yoongi was pulling his clean wet sheets from the washing machine, and dumping them into the dryer. Jimin appeared at his elbow, hands reaching out to help Yoongi insert the coins.
‘Don’t want another repeat of earlier.’ He teased, as he pushed the coin slots into place.
‘I’m claiming exhaustion for messing up.’
‘Hm yeah, must be really tiring being so cute all the time.’ Jimin said, turning around and leaning back against the dryer beside Yoongi.
Yoongi looked over at him, everything about Jimin screamed casual confidence, quite the opposite to how Yoongi was feeling after his flirty comment. Because that was what it had been, and the way Jimin reached out to pluck a stray piece of fluff from Yoongi’s sleeve, his touch lingering, only made him feel more flustered.
‘It’s a tough life.’ Yoongi replied, hoping he sounded cooler than he felt.
Unfortunately the dryer that held Jimin’s laundry decided to beep, sounding the end of it’s cycle. He didn’t move right away, his gaze fixed on Yoongi as if waiting for him to say something else, to keep their moment alive, but Yoongi was fumbling and then Jimin was pushing himself off the dryer and walking away.
Jimin’s laundry was done, that meant their limited time together was over. He would have to watch him walk out, pink hair disappearing into the night. He turned to watch Jimin crouching in front of the dryer, reaching inside and ruffling the clothes a little before declaring, ‘needs a little longer I think.’
Yoongi wondered, or rather hoped that it was a lie. That Jimin was only saying it to stay a little longer in their pocket of time. That he too felt whatever it was that he felt between them. That charged atmosphere that had him clinging to the time he spent there. When he had entered the laundrette, he’d wanted nothing more than for time to go quickly, to have him walking back along the silent streets towards home and his bed. Now though, now he wanted time to slow, to freeze them in place so he could take the time to get to know this mysterious boy with pink hair and a smile that made his heart flutter.
‘Is it weird that I don’t feel tired.’ Jimin said, as he walked back to Yoongi, leaning back against the dryers again.
‘No, I’m not feeling that tired anymore either.’ Yoongi lied.
He still felt it, the heaviness of his eyes, the molasses running through his veins that made his movements slow and a little cumbersome. But he fought it, would fight it, to stay.
‘That coffee must have done the trick then, I thought you were gonna be snoring on me when I first came back through.’ Jimin said, laughing.
‘Yeah, it may not be the best, but it’s doing the job.’
‘Pretty sure I’m immune to caffeine now.’ Jimin said, ‘I’ve drank so much staying up to study that it just doesn’t work anymore.’
‘Yet you still drink it.’
‘Hoping for a placebo effect, or maybe I just like the bitter taste.’
‘That’s me, I just like the taste. Nothing better than an iced americano.’
‘Hm, hot or cold. It’s all good to me.’ Jimin agreed.
‘What are you studying?’ Yoongi asked, wanting to keep the conversation flowing and Jimin’s voice in his ears.
‘Contemporary dance and business.’ Jimin told him.
‘Wow, that’s two very different majors.’
‘I want to open my own dance studio, hence the business. Plus it made my parents happier that I had something to fall back on.’
‘That makes sense.’
‘I originally wanted to be a professional dancer, was on my way to it as well, but got an injury and well… the long term effects made professional dancing impossible.’ Jimin told him, his eyes cast down, shoulders slumping with the weight of a lost dream.
‘I’m sorry to hear that. Can’t imagine it was easy to step away from a dream like that.’ Yoongi said, knowing the feeling all too well.
Jimin shrugged, ‘it is, what it is.’
‘Yeah, but it’s brave to walk away from something like that. To accept that things aren’t going the way you initially planned and start again.’
Jimin looked up at him, eyes scanning Yoongi’s face for what he didn’t know, but then he smiled and it wasn’t that bright heart-fluttering smile. It was small, just a gentle upwards curve of his lips.
‘Thank you, you have no idea how much it means to hear that.’ He said softly, a hand reaching out to rest on Yoongi's wrist.
‘It’s what I wished someone had told me when I gave up my dream.’ Yoongi confessed.
‘What did you give up?’
‘Music.’
‘You were a musician?’ Jimin asked.
‘Yeah, I still am in my spare time. But I knew it wasn’t a viable career, and I have bills to pay so I didn’t pursue it.’ Yoongi told him.
‘Life really fucks us over making us have to pay bills.’ Jimin said, squeezing his wrist lightly.
‘Capitalism is a bitch.’
Jimin laughed at that, which lightened the mood that had fallen over them.
‘What do you do now?’
‘Architecture.’ Yoongi told him, ‘and I actually love it. It might not have been my first dream, but it’s something I enjoy and I’m glad I went down that route.’
‘That sounds… hard.’ Jimin said, laughing again. ‘I’m glad you found another passion to follow.’
‘It’s hard, and I suck at maths but I do my best.’
‘Oh yeah, you must have to do a lot of calculations for the technical side of things.’ Yoongi nodded, ‘well if you ever need a tutor, I’m amazing at maths.’
Yoongi raised his eyebrows.
‘Don’t look at me with that scepticism, I may be a dancer, but I’m smart. I was class president throughout high school.’
‘Oh so you’re a nerd.’ Yoongi teased.
‘Yah!’ Jimin slapped him lightly on the arm, ‘but yeah maybe a bit.’
Yoongi laughed, and it felt good. He liked the way Jimin made him feel.
‘Maybe I’ll have you do my geometry homework for me then.’
‘I believe that is academic misconduct.’
‘Are you accusing me of cheating?’
‘You literally just asked me to do your homework for you.’
‘Aish, a nerd and a narc.’
Jimin rolled his eyes, unfazed by Yoongi’s teasing which just made him more attractive. Yoongi liked someone who got his sense of humour. That could give as good as they got.
‘Y’know a pretty boy like you will do well in prison.’
‘Are you going to arrest me for cheating on my homework?’
‘Academic misconduct is just a stepping stone to a life of crime. Soon you’ll be in handcuffs.’
‘Sounds like you want to see me in handcuffs.’
The comment hung in the air for a moment, that charged atmosphere back in full force and Yoongi worried for a moment that he’d crossed the line, then Jimin spoke.
‘Maybe I do.’
He watched as Jimin looked him up and down, watched as he licked his lips as his eyes settled back on Yoongi’s. The invitation was there, and Yoongi’s breathing felt a little more laboured than usual. His heartbeat a little faster. Jimin slid his hand down, from where it still rested on his wrist to his hand, taking hold and pulling him slightly. Guiding him into his orbit, and Yoongi went willingly.
Jimin pulled him closer, until they were almost touching, Yoongi standing over him just slightly. It felt like the walls were closing in on them, trapping them in closer. The hum of the dryer that tossed his sheets in it’s warmth the only sound he could make out now.
Jimin looked up at him, so close that Yoongi could see the light dusting of freckles across the apples of his cheeks. His eyes were a deep chocolate brown, and the type of eyes you could get lost in. Yoongi certainly was, he could feel himself slipping, falling into something he didn’t understand or want to stop.
‘So are you gonna keep staring at me, or you gonna kiss me?’ Jimin asked, his voice low.
Yoongi’s heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest, thumping against his rib cage, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was visible like in the cartoons.
He reached up, his hand a little shaky but as he cupped Jimin’s face it stilled, like an anchor coming to rest. He leaned in, closing the gap and the moment he felt Jimin’s lips against his, he was gone.
Jimin’s lips were plush and warm against his own, and Yoongi couldn’t help but chase them when their brief touch ended. He felt Jimin’s smile against his own lips as he kissed him again. Jimin laced his fingers into Yoongi’s hand, pulling him closer still until they were flush against one another, Yoongi’s free hand coming to rest on his hip. He felt a little dizzy as they kissed, lost in the feeling of Jimin’s fingers intertwined with his, and the soft brush of his lips against his own.
He felt more than heard the contented hum that Jimin let slip, as Yoongi slid his hand up under his sweater, his thumb grazing the bare skin just above the waistband of his jeans.
It was strangely intimate, but not heated. Not like those hot and heavy kisses he’d shared in the darkness of nightclubs with the bass of the too loud music rattling his ribs. Not messy and rushed as they tore at each others clothes before falling into bed. This was different, it was soft and gentle, and made Yoongi’s heart sing.
When they finally pulled apart, Jimin’s cheeks were flushed pink and Yoongi couldn’t help but run the pad of his thumb over the rosy hue. He was even prettier somehow, and Yoongi could feel himself falling.
‘I hope you know, I don’t make it a habit of kissing random men in laundrettes.’ Jimin said, smiling. ‘But I wanted to do that the moment I saw you.’
Yoongi didn’t know how to respond, so instead he ducked his head, looking down at their still joined hands. Jimin’s hand was much smaller than his, but seemed to fit perfectly with his, as though they were made for each other. Jigsaw pieces just waiting to be slotted together.
He felt Jimin’s finger under his chin, lifting his gaze back up.
‘Don’t get all shy on me now.’ Jimin said.
‘I’m not shy.’
‘Hm, then why won’t you look me in the eye?’ Jimin asked, and Yoongi knew he was caught. It was true. He was looking at a point just over Jimin’s shoulder, unable to meet those beautiful eyes.
‘The dryer has stopped.’ Yoongi said, desperate to avoid Jimin’s question.
Jimin slipped a hand into his pocket, pulled out a couple of coins and leaning across he put them into the slot on the machine, before starting it again. Never once letting go of Yoongi’s hand.
‘Seems like it’s still going to me.’ He said, when he settled himself back against the dryer he’d been leaning against.
‘Then maybe I should get us some more coffee, looks like we might be here a while.’ Yoongi said.
This time Jimin agreed to the coffee, almost reluctantly letting Yoongi go, his fingers holding on just a little too long before setting Yoongi free to get their coffee. In the sanctuary of the back room, Yoongi took a few deep breaths as he waited for the machine to churn out their coffee. His heart was hammering in his chest, but as he looked back through the open door, he saw Jimin now sitting back on top of the washers, waiting for him.
One last deep breath, a coffee cup in each hand, Yoongi went back to him. Jumping up to sit beside Jimin, their sides pressed together as they sipped at the too hot coffee.
They spent the whole night talking, and sharing soft kisses. Spilling the secrets of their lives, the quiet hopes and dreams for their future. Talking about everything and nothing. It wasn’t until the sky outside began to lighten that they finally parted ways. The hazy morning light as the sun crept up over the horizon left the city feeling like a new world as Yoongi stepped outside. His freshly washed, and doubly dry sheets folded neatly into his bag. Jimin’s number was stored in his phone, a pink heart beside his name and a promise of more made on the cusp of daybreak.