Dirty Laundry

by Gibslythe

Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender
Relationship: Keith/Lance
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"Two whole months of free laundry in exchange for two weeks of being my fake boyfriend. Deal?”
Keith hesitated for a moment. Was this really worth it? Hardly. Lance was an asshole, and he wasn’t sure what fake dating would entail. But, free laundry was free laundry, right?
“Alright, it’s a deal.”

Or: Lance makes the mistake of telling his Mom he has a boyfriend coming home with him for Christmas. Keith makes the mistake of agreeing to be Lance's 'fake boyfriend'.

Genres: Fan Fiction, Romance, LGBT

245 pages, ebook

Reviews

[effy · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s like the bible but klance

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

klance is endgame

[Izzy Reads The World · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written and a great story. Sure, I can see where there are some issues with the story, but overall it's a solid work.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this is a fanfic but this totally counts as having read a book ok? This was really cute, and I loved the individuality of Lance's family! I wish there was more to read in this 'verse because I'd love to see more fleshing out of their relationship.

[Olimomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you.

You could've written this story without the ties to Klance, as you said it was based off of your own story. But I am so glad that you didn't, because I would never have found your story otherwise.

I came to your story expecting a way to remember Keith and Lance as something more than battlesworn buddies. I did not expect any of this.

You broke me completely and then put me back together like kintsugi. I found in your beautiful fucking story everything that I don't have, everything that I'm afraid of, and everything that I want, all reflected through Keith.

I've never in my life read something that has been able to impact me so profoundly. I'm still living at home in the closet. I know that I will absolutely never have a blood family like Lance's. In fact I will be more like Keith in the fact that when I come out it will be like I don't have a blood family anymore. Which is why I can relate to Keith so much. My family has never been and will never be loving and kind and I want so badly to have what Keith finds with the Sanchez family in your story. I want a Rosa to fill me with warmth from the bottom of my belly to the tips of my hair, to make me feel loved and valued, and to hold me in her arms as I sob until I can't anymore. I want a Cleo to help me face my fears, understand my feelings, and accept them as a part of me. And I want a Lance to be by my side, to watch old movies and listen to Beyoncé, to cuddle with me as we fall asleep to each others' breathing, and to love me, forever and ever, our love only growing as time goes on.

I can't help but think that your story will become to me as The Secret Life of Bees is to Keith. It didn't have to be a perfect story. It gave me exactly what I needed. Hope.

Thank you. So much. I would love to talk to you. (olimomo16@gmail.com)
Until next time, Dirty Laundry.

[tarunya · Rating 5 out of 5]

suCH A BAD IDEA REREADING THIS I ONLY STARTED COZ I THOUFHT ITD BE A NICE COMFORT READ AND FUCK IVE NEVER CRIED SM IN MG LIFE I FORGOT LIKE 50% OF THE PLOT. AS IN ALL THE SAD BITS I FORGOT ABT AND HOLY SHIT IT HURT A LOT HARDER THAN THE FIRST FEW TIMES I READ IT ACC KILL ME IM LIKE SO DELRIOUS NOW IDEK WHY IM WRITING A REVJEW THATS LONGER THAN LIKE FIVE WORDS BUT IM A MESS. AN ABSOLUTE SLOBBERING MESS AND I WANT TO DIE OMG I ACC HAD TO STOP NEAR THE END COZ MY HEART WAS LIKE SO STRAINED FROM TOO MANY EMOTIONS JUST A BIG FAT OUCH AT THE EMOTIONLESS BIT AND FFS IM CRYINF AGAIN I HATE EVERHRHJFN

[L :)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fic is the whole reason why I am in love with the fake darling trope… rereading it made me more emotional than I thought it would

[Adriana C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

How did a Fanfic ended up here? I mean, yeah. It was super famous and important inside the fandom (mostly for the Klance Shippers), but... how!?
Anyways, as much as I love it, it has a lot of narrative issues, and some clichés that end up being too over the top. I’m biased because I really loved the story and the fan art that came from this, but yeah. It could use an upgrade.

(And no starting or ending dates, because I can’t be the only one who reads these more than once)

[Mariana ✨]

i can't believe the most iconic klance fanfic is on goodreads?? perhaps i should re-read it... 👀

[Ayesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

ah first ever klance fic how the time flies🥰🥰

i read this before watchinf so i thought podge was tall and lanky and lance was stocky and short and keith was tall and tan

thehre 20 turninf 21 how fucked is that i was 14 whwb i resd it the first time

mateo 😭😭

so so funny all fhe screeches and mohawks and chickens soo funny

so cute and sweet but seriously?? 9 days?? sit down

forgot that wattpad esque books had a grand gestyre resolution lmaooo

laZERQUEST SCENE. THE PINNACLE OF KLANCE AND FAKE DATINF TROPE. literally the kiss of the century

[bea ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i HAD NO IDEA THERE WERE FANFICS ON GOODREADS????????
OKAY SO I'M ADDING THIS FIC I READ BACK IN 2017 TO MY LIST BECUASE IT WAS SUCH A CULTURAL RESET TO ME. THIS WAS THE HEAT WAVES FOR THE VOLTRON FANDOM

it ended up getting deleted by the author and replaced with the bee movie script but it was cool

[Meena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was cute. The writing style was not my taste, a bit cringy in some parts. At some points it felt like fairy tale narration. Like "you see here kids, this is when Keith realized yada yada." Overlooking that (albeit difficult), I did love reading Keith's thoughts. There was something very real, honest, visceral, and frankly just damn cute about em'. There were certain parts that made my heart ache, a part where I teared and then sobbed. In the desolate setting of the cold desert, the warmth and love of Lance's family stood center. Honestly, the genuine love in Lance's family and the way it affected Keith, was just beautiful. I only expected domestic fluff, but was pleasantly surprised with lessons on forgiveness, gratitude, the dangers of toxic masculinity, honesty, and understanding.

Spoilers:

My favorite scenes:
1. The night Lance tells Keith about his scar. So damn cute on both sides. Keith holding back his own sob story since he doesn't feel he deserves expressing himself :'(.
2. Obviously, Papa Sanchez's secret rant about Lance's bisexuality, Keith dragging a sobbing Lance out, and the run into the woods following Keith's nose punch. They both needed that! Keith grabbing Lance's face and giving him the best talk ever, then the hug. Uugghh my heart.
3. The kiss in laser tag. WOOOHOOOOO bitches, it was epic!
4. ANYTIME KEITH OBSESSES OVER LANCE'S HIPS. YAAAS.
5. I was a bit cringed out by the cd Keith made for Lance, even though Keith himself admitted how cringe it was (lol), until I found an awesome tracklist on 8tracks that captured every mood possible. It's the CD Keith definitely made for Lance: https://8tracks.com/moon-prince/dirty....

Anyways, other recs if you like this is "Call Me, Beep Me" by orpah_account on A03.

KLANCE IS KANON.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Lord. Where to start...
So, we all know this was one hell of a fanfic to be honest. When the fic was first released, I wasn't even that in Voltron but only Klance, and I remember back on those days that everyone on Tumblr would be talking about it: so I gave it a shot one night and, oh boy I do not regret anything. The way it's written got me since the first sentence, and all the drama just hitted me. This is just a really beautiful piece of art.

[Jhenna Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY I KNOW THIS IS A FANFIC BUT LISTEN.

THIS IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER READ. AND THAT IS SAYING A LOT.

this was really well-written it made me jealous. the author paid attention to details. the story has morals and the building blocks for a good relationship, one that involves *clap* CONSENT. *clap*

it's such a shame that the original author had to take this story down bc of the super super toxic voltron fandom. there was another user on wattpad who republished it without claiming copyright.

[Kelsey]

I found this story back when it was on Archive of Our Own. I have read and experienced many, many works in my lifetime (and hopefully many more), but few stories have stayed with me like Gibslythe’s novel. It’s exploration into the struggles of ordinary life, family, vulnerability, and identity is a beautifully raw, authentic experience that few stories ever achieve.

This novel — a fan fiction of a rebooted television show originally designed in the 1980s to sell toys, a work that checks off nearly every trait publishing companies and gate-keepers use to diminish “amateur” authors and their work — this story is why I read.

[jellyttea · Rating 3 out of 5]

At 85K words, Dirty Laundry is an easy read for all types of readers. It is considered a classic among Klance shippers.

3 Stars due to the comfort of this fanfiction and how it meets all my favourite tropes. The last few chapters seemed rushed. (though understandable given the controversy the author faced) The plot could be predictible at times but this didn’t necessarily take away from the joy this piece of work gives you.

[floralteacupps · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my god babies 🥺

[lili ‧⁺ ⊹˚. · Rating 4 out of 5]

probably one of the best fanfics i’ve read. made me cry, homophobia is a rough topic to write on and get it right, but the scene felt so real. i loved it.

[katie Knows]

it was 85k words i spent too much energy on this to not add it to gr

[Sofía · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I recomend this story to every Klance shipper and nonshippers; it's that good.

[Shannon]

LOL WHY IS THIS ON HERE

[Jojo :3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an ancient piece of online history that i want to forget

[Charlize · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is literally the best book ever <3
(it made me cry swimming pools of tears)

dirty laundry is beautifully written and i love every single part.
110% recommend :)

[Ana Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely Deserves it’s fandom Bible status

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌌

[gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’ll never recover from this; mentally and emotionally. i love them so much wtf <3

[Porter Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’d sell my soul to forget every last detail and read it again for the first time

[sarah quadrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

this being taken off of wattpad and ao3 is the equivalent of the burning of the library of alexandria

this is a timeless RELIC from 2016 that still eats today.

stream gasolina

[Keya R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought about syncing its timeline with real life but then I looked up and I was already reading the 20th so… too late

[eilonwhy ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 earth shattering life changing mind numbingly incredible idc what anyone says