Chapter Text
Rose didn't mean for it to happen. All she knows is that ever since the World Cup her thoughts have been clouded where Sonnett was concerned.
At first Rose was just enjoying her partner in crime. The month spent in France was filled with pranks and laughter, all innocent fun. It wasn't until one night when she and Sonnett were hidden in Sam and Abby's bathroom, trying to suppress their laughter, that Rose felt it for the first time. Emily's face was one of pure joy and slight mischief, and Rose realized she always wanted to be the recipient of that bright smile. Yet, she chalked this up to the fact that she enjoyed having someone just as crazy as she was around.
Then they became roommates. Mal, Kelley, and Sonnett had been deemed too rowdy to room together, so Sonnett had been switched into Rose's room. It was then that Rose became acutely aware of the feelings Sonnett caused her. One on one time without pranks was not their thing. And even worse, this opportunity excited Rose and she didn't know why. There was something about seeing Emily so soft and calm, the complete opposite of her normally chaotic self, that gave Rose a tight feeling in her chest. This Sonny was cozy and warm and gave the softest smiles you've ever seen. It wasn't just the soft look that was getting to her though, it was the way that Sonnett opted to walk around and sleep shirtless, the way she made funny faces at her in the mirror as they shared the sink while brushing teeth, it was the way that everything felt so oddly normal. Slowly, Rose was coming to the conclusion than this was more than just admiration of a friend. But it was World Cup time, and World Cup time meant no feelings, so whatever this little crush was would have to wait.
One night in between the England and Netherlands game the pair were watching a movie in their room. Rose's thoughts were running rampant, and Emily could tell. "Dude will you stop thinking so loud? I can't even hear the movie" she said with a teasing smile, but when she looked at Rose her smile fell. Rose was tearing up, trying to hide it, but with a look of concern Emily moved quickly to the edge of Rose's bed and said "hey whats wrong?" "What if my hamstring is too much of a liability and Jill decides I'm not worth it?" Rose muttered. With a look of sympathy, Emily said "Rose you know that's not gonna happen. Why are you thinking like that?" Without eye contact Rose began to let all of her pent up emotions spill. "I had to leave the semis because of it. I feel like eventually my dumb paranoia is going to cause the staff to decide that I'm not worth it. I mean I'm not Alex or Pinoe. If they decide they don't want to put up with my injury proneness anymore I'm easily replaceable. Jill was so patient with me for over a year and what if it was all for nothing?" By this point, Rose was letting the tears flow, feeling overwhelmed. Sonnett's brows furrowed and her heart broke watching this, and she reached out to pull Rose into a hug. Sonnett took a moment to just hold her as Rose buried her face into her neck, then she continued, "you're not expendable, Rose. Don't ever think you are because you're a God damn rockstar." This got a weak laugh out of the crying girl. "And you already know they plan on starting you in the final. Do you really think they would start you in the largest game on the biggest stage if they intended on getting rid of you? There's a reason Jill was patient with you Rosie, you're worth the time and effort. Both you as a player and just you." Even through her crying, Rose didn't miss the slip of the nickname and it made her heart flutter. Sonnett had nicknames for everyone, but Rosie just seemed too sweet and intimate. Yet she loved it. They sat there for what felt like forever, Sonnett stroking Rose's back as her sobs settled. Then finally the tears subsided. Emily pulled back and gave her a soft smile, one that caused a pull at her own lips. Rose expected Emily to get up and return to her own bed, but instead she made herself comfortable in Rose's bed, then pat her chest as if to tell Rose to lay there. For a moment, Rose just stared, awestruck at the idea of laying with Sonnett like that. Finally her trance was broken and teasing Sonnett was back. With a smug smile, she quipped "you gonna leave me hanging after I just gave the single greatest hug and speech known to man?" Rose couldn't help the way her eyes rolled and cheeks flushed as she settled down with her head on Sonnett's chest.
At first Rose was stiff as a board, but then Sonnett gave a huff, jammed her leg between Roses, and said "it's just me Rose." That was the issue though. It was just Sonnett. Sonnett who she didn't lay like this with, Sonnett who she never got emotional and vulnerable with, Sonnett who was slowly becoming the center of her attention. Despite the inner turmoil, Rose relaxed into her. With a bit of an inner pep talk and a deep breath, Rose rushed out a "thank you Sonny." Rose looked up when she felt Emily shift below her, and when she met the kind eyes and smile looking back at her she nearly turned to mush. "Anytime Rosie, anytime." There was something in Sonnett's voice that told Rose she truly meant it.
They spent the next thirty minutes like this, Emily running her fingers through Rose's hair and Rose secretly soaking up every second of it. As the movie credits began to roll, Rose noticed that Sonnett's breathing had evened out and her hand had stilled, indicating she had fallen asleep. Rose considered waking her to send her back to her own bed not knowing how she would feel about waking in this position, but she decided against it. She thought maybe it was selfish of her, but eventually she was too tired to care as she fell asleep.
When Rose woke the next morning, they weren't in the same position as the night before. Instead Rose was laid on her side, Sonnett's arm draped over her waist and head buried where her shoulder and neck meet. Rose began to panic, Emily would wake up freaked out and avoid her, she just knew it. But as she began to untangle their legs Emily made a noise from behind her, tightened her grip on her waist, and in a scruffy morning voice muttered "morning sunshine." Rose's cheeks were on fire, but she couldn't help the slight smile that made its way to her lips. "Morning Son. We should probably get going so we're not late for team breakfast. Don't think Jill would appreciate that the day before the final." At this, Sonnett pulled her impossibly closer, and with a frustrated groan released her and got out of bed at once. Rose watched as Sonnett strode into the bathroom. There was something about her walk that Rose was suddenly enamored with. It was a mixture between a confident and sexy and goofy and Rose couldn't get enough of it. Not to mention her exposed, toned back. Rose prayed that Sonnett would put a shirt on, yet simultaneously hoped she never would again. Then she snapped out of her thoughts and scolded herself. They're at the World Cup, and even if they weren't, Sonnett's a friend. A friend that thinks Rose is straight and would probably never see her as more anyway.
The day went on and the team was getting both hyped and nervous at the same time. The vets put on a brave face, but Rose was sure they felt just as sick as she did. There is no possible way you could ever be ready for a World Cup final, regardless of experience. The clock ticked on and they got through film, lunch, strategy and dinner. Finally their night time meeting concluded and Jill sent them off with a very comforting "get some sleep ladies, tomorrow determines it all for us and I don't have to tell you, but we won't see another day like it for four more years."
Though it was relatively early in the evening, everyone split off into their designated rooms, minds clouded with thoughts of what the next day would bring. Rose and Sonnett made their way into their room and began to get ready for bed wordlessly. As they brushed their teeth, Sonnett caught Rose's eyes in the mirror and gave her a wink, her lips curling into a smile around her toothbrush. Rose bent down into the sink and spit her toothpaste out in an effort to hide the blush creeping up on her cheeks.
They spent their time before bed making stupid conversation, laughing, and talking about their experience with the World Cup so far. When the time came to go to sleep, Rose became extremely anxious. She was silently freaking out about the game the next day and couldn't settle her mind. After enough tossing and turning, Sonnett broke the silence, making Rose jump. "Whats going on up there, Rosie?" Rose took a moment, then in the shyest voice Emily had ever heard from her, said "will you come hold me?" Without a word or hesitation Sonnett got up and joined Rose in her bed, wrapping her up from behind. "Is this about tomorrow?" Sonnett asked in a low voice, and through the darkness she could feel more than see Rose nod. "Just remember what I said. You're a rockstar. You're gonna blow them all away tomorrow." And with that the two drifted off to sleep, Rose clinging to Sonnett's arm insistently.
Before Rose new it, it was halftime and the game was scoreless. The dutch goalie was simply phenomenal. The halftime speech was over in a flash, and they began to rally up and head back out to the field. As Rose lined up in the tunnel, Sonnett flashed her a quick thumbs up and bright smile. As cute as it may have been, now was not the time to dwell on it. Then in the 60th minute came Pinoe's goal and Rose felt like she could finally breathe. Just eight minutes later came Crystals steal, then Sam's pass and suddenly the ball was at Rose's feet. When she saw that ball sailing into the back of the net there was a feeling of pure euphoria. She celebrated, she finished out the game, all with her hamstring in perfect health, and then came the final whistle.
When that whistle blew her heart burst and suddenly she was being charged by her teammates. Overwhelming joy came over her, but suddenly she was being lifted off the ground and she came to her senses. When she looked down, there was a glowing Emily Sonnett staring right back at her. "What did I say?" Emily yelled over the roars of the stadium. "You're a God damn..." "rockstar" finished Rose with a splitting smile, wrapping her arms around Sonnet's neck. Emily's eyes crinkled even deeper as she repeated "a God damn rockstar Rose Lavelle."
Of course the night was filled with partying, and Rose stuck to her usual group for most of the time. Sam, Lindsey, Emily, Mal and herself were on the dance floor and as time went on Rose became looser and braver. She was pulling to Sonnett like a magnet and Sonnett didn't seem to mind. Somehow, at some point, Rose found her back pressed into Emily's front. Emily's arms snaked around her waist and Rose's head fell on her shoulder, allowing herself to enjoy the moment. As they swayed to the music, Sonnett turned her head slightly so her mouth was hovering Rose's ear as she said "I'm so incredibly proud of you Rosie." A smile fell to Rose's lips as she said "yeah?" Emily just tightened her grip on the smaller girl and whispered "yeah."
Eventually Rose and Mal made their way off the dance floor and found some desperately needed water. Rose saw Mal smirking at her and in an annoyed voice Rose said "what?" Mal's smirk only grew larger as she said "you know you're gonna have to explain what the hell is going on with you and Sonny, right? I'll let you explain when you're a bit more sober, but I'll be expecting an explanation." And if Rose has ever blushed before, it was nothing compared to the fire burning at her skin now. "It's nothing" Rose mumbled, but Mal just kept that same knowing smirk.
What Rose didn't know was that Sonnett was receiving a very similar talk from Lindsey still on the dance floor.