forum Up for another one? (Closed~)

Started July 12, 2020 by @Rainy_day_artist_classic group

tune

"Here, I'll set them here while we're getting them ready to wash." He set the shirt down carefully.
"You did very well folding this," he praised softly.

Laura nodded a little, taking another shirt to pull the tags off of.
"Thank you, sir." She mumbled a little, doing the same to this shirt as the last. "How long is washing them going to take?"

"Well, washing said only take about an hour, and drying shouldn't take longer than that. We'll have them folded and in your room in no time." He gave a faint smile as they worked.

"Alright, sir." Laura nodded a little. After a little bit of time, she had finished her job and tossed the stickers away in the trash. With that finished, she curled back up against him, sighing softly.

Ash smiled very slightly when they finished with the tags. He reached up to pat Laura's back gently.
"Thank you," he said, "for your help." He set about putting the clothes in the washer, humming a song softly.

Laura pushed up a smile in response, before nuzzling her face into his shoulder. She kept quiet, listening to his humming. The soft sound was relaxing, clearly putting her in a place of comfort.
"What now, sir?"

Ash pressed a few buttons, closing the washer and starting it.
"Well, we have nothing to do now," Ash said. "We can relax for a bit." He stepped back from the soft purr of the machine, caring Laura to the door.
"Do you want to go to your room?" He asked, not stepping out yet.

"I… um, kinda." Laura pulled back, looking at his face. "If you don't mind me going, that is."
She tucked her hair back out of her face, trying to keep it pushed back out of her face. Though it wasn't staying well, still.

Ash nodded a bit.
"I don't mind. And it's not far from here, so you won't have to be around people for long." With that, Ash stepped out of the room. He made his way through the hall, avoiding people as best he could. He thought to himself as he walked. Maybe he could find a headband for Laura, or a hair tie.

"Thank you, sir." She mumbled a little as they started walking. Laura curled back up close, hiding her face from anyone passing by. As they walked she played with the folds in his shirts, attempting to smooth them down.

Ash started humming again softly. In a few moments, they were to Laura's room. He opened the door, stepping in with Laura.
"Here we are," he said with a gentle smile.

With the announcement, she pulled back to look around the familiar room. She let out a soft sigh, feeling herself completely relax when they were there.
"Is there anything you need from me, sir?" Laura asked softly, before turning her gaze back on him.

"No, nothing at all. Is there anything you need of me?" Ash moved to carefully set Laura down on the bed.

Laura looked up at him, slowly shaking her head.
"I… um, no sir." She replied softly, reaching for his hand. "But… would- would you stay for a couple minutes?"

Ash smiled softly, sitting down.
"I'll stay as long as you need me to." He took Laura's hand lightly, still smiling softly.

Laura smiled softly, scooting back so she was leaning against her pillows.
"Thank you, sir…" She mumbled, still holding onto his hand. "I- I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?"

"No, nothing at all. I have a free day, remember?" He smiled gently, folding his legs as he looked at Laura was a smile. He set his free hand in his lap, the other resting in Laura's.
"How are you doing, adjusting to all of this?"

"I know, but… I mean something you want to be doing." Laura mumbled, drawing her knees up to her chest. She rested her chin on her knees, looking up to him.
"And, I… I think I'm doing okay? I… I don't really know."

"The only thing I want to do right now is make sure you're doing okay." Ash shifted a bit, using his other hand to pat Laura's gently.
"And it's okay not to know right now. It's only been a day, after all."

Laura nodded a little, letting out a soft sigh.
"I… I feel funny when other people are around. I-I think I get nervous?" She mumbled, burying her face in her folded legs. "My tummy feels funny and… and my body freezes. I… that's not normal, is it?"

Ash was quiet a moment.
"It's not normal for other people," Ash started, "at least, not for people who didn't have a life like you. Do you remember the man we saw this morning, the one covered in scratches?"

Laura paused, remembering the tall man behind Mr. Alex in the halls.
"Yes sir, I… I remember…" She responded softly, looking up to him. She wanted to show she was paying attention, so she kept her eyes on him.

"Well, you saw how he was hiding behind Alex? He feels the same way you do whenever he is around other people, too." Ash gently patted Laura's hand. "It's normal for people who went through bad things." He spoke softly.

"Are… are you sure?" Laura asked weakly, holding onto his hand a little tighter. Though she was so small, it would be a surprise if he could even notice the difference.
"I-I don't want to be… different from everyone else… they'll- they'll think I'm weird…"

Ash moved a bit closer to Laura, raising his hand gently to her cheek.
"I'm sure," he said softly. He rubbed her cheek, keeping close. "You might be different, but that's okay, Laura. I don't think you're weird, and all the people here won't think so either."

Her eyes fluttered close at the touch, and she seemed to be leaning in to it.
"Y-you're sure?" Laura asked softly, still leaning into his touch. "I… I really don't… don't want to be." She mumbled as she further pulled closer to him.

"I'm sure," Ash confirmed. "It's okay to be different, Laura. Everyone is. No one is just like anyone else, I promise." Ash moved a bit closer, sittng next to Laura now.

Laura nodded weakly, curling up against him. She nuzzled up into his side, trying not to think about it too much anymore.
"I-I'm… I'm sorry for crying at the store…" She mumbled a little, keeping her face hidden.

Ash took this opportunity to wrap his arms around Laura, rubbing her back now.
"It's okay," he assured softly. "I was asking too much of you too soon, and I'm sorry for that."

Laura looked up at him, shaking her head a little.
“It… it’s fine. I- I shouldn’t have gotten so stressed about it…” She mumbled a bit, continuing to curl up closer.