Work Text:
Your favorite time of day was the early morning; when the sun was only just creeping out from behind the tall horizons centered around your neighborhood. All of your happy-go-lucky neighbors were usually still locked behind doors, dreaming sweet little dreams about what they would each get up to, later that day.
Without passer-byers, you and your greatest, most favorite neighbor had lots and lots of time to yourselves. Time that never seemed to go to waste.
“We could string lights everywhere! And we could ask Poppy if she’d be alright with baking for the show! Unless we want to keep it a surprise? Oh, actually, actually! Scratch that, we might need a bit of help from Eddie. He can pass out the invitations.”
Sitting beside you, in all of her glory, was Sally Starlet. She sat tall, blathering on about ideas that she had for the neighborhood play that you two decided you would put on.
“What if we had Barnaby do stand-up, as an opening act?” You suggested, flushing at the way Sally’s entire body had jumped at your idea.
“BRILLIANT!”
During your somewhat limited time at Home, you quickly discovered that Sally Starlet was overly-expressive.
From the very moment that she came pattering at your door, suggesting that you two become friends, all the way up to the time that she had thrown you a surprise party, of which she personally performed for you.
Sally was an extremely sweet girl who never failed to show off her abilities. She was a star in more ways than one, and you loved being the one to watch her shine.
“Our neighbors are going to love this!” She chirped out, in a sing-songy voice.
“Ah! But there’s one slight issue, Y/n.”
You watched Sally with wide eyes.
What *ever* could that be?
You both had been discussing things for quite some time, leading you to believe that things were going swimmingly well.
“I don’t have any special outfits for the occasion.” She gave you an embarrassed laugh, before sitting up on her knees. She was fidgeting in place again, (something that she always did whenever she was nervous, or stressed out), seemingly trying to figure out what to do.
Oh? Was that all?
“No worries, neighbor!” You assured, with a warm smile. “I happen to know the perfect solution to that.”
Sally watched you naively. You had piqued her interest.
୨⎯ 🦋 ⎯୧
You held Sally in place, maneuvering around her body to pin swatches of fabric in all sorts of places. You stared at your work intently, moving backwards to assess what you had done.
There!
“When you mentioned being able to help out, I didn’t know that you were referring to hand-making me an outfit!” Sally spoke quickly, with a wide smile. Her cheeks were dusted a rosy red, while she watched you at work.
“Well! Only the best for you, Miss Starlet.” You were used to teasing your friend, as it was a mutual choice that you both made. But there was some truth within your remark.
You really would do anything to spoil your favorite star.
On top of that, your mother had taught you how to sew a while back, and you were happy to put your skills to work.
You watched Sally, extending your hand out towards her.
She took it with a slight curtsy, following after you.
ʚїɞ With a hop, skip, and a jump, Sally found herself standing in front of your full-length-mirror, watching her reflection with a gaping mouth. She turned, and twirled, admiring all of the colorful swatches littered out across the top of her clothes.
“It’s.. I-, woah.” Sally had whispered, before completely facing you. She smiled brightly, fidgeting with the hem of her prototyped dress.
“I went with warmer tones, since I thought that they’d suit you most,” You mentioned, wringing your hands together. “I mean! You would honestly look amazing in anything, but, well… I figured that maybe if we included rhinestones..?”
Sally’s eyes twinkled at that.
“The lights would reflect perfectly off of that!”
“That’s right,” You smiled. “You would shine.”
୨⎯ 🦋 ⎯୧
There was a prompt little knock at your front door, and you raced to open it, already completely aware of who it was.
Three (and a half) weeks ago, you and Sally started plotting all of the details regarding your neighborhood performance – including the details of her handmade dress.
Today was the day you had agreed to completely finish things off!
..
Not even a beat after the front door was opened, Sally was in your arms, smothering you in a tight hug.
“GOOD MORNING, Y/N!” She exclaimed into your shoulder, before glancing up at you from behind her long, bright eyelashes. “You know what day it is?~”
You took a moment to recompose yourself, face warming up to the squeeze, and you nodded your head softly, enveloping your most favorite neighbor into an even tighter embrace.
“Of course,” You stated, as you released your grip on the star.
You cleared your throat with a teasing grin, before starting up again. “It’s the day that you get alll dolled up~”
Sally shook her head with a wide smile, before lightly shoving your shoulder.
You laughed at the slight nudge.
“Not that it’s even necessary! You’re gorgeous, Sally.”
She blushed at the flattery, eyes darting past your own. She was fidgeting again, clearly flustered.
“Shall we?” You began walking off towards your bedroom, and she nodded, following in suit.
“We shall.”
୨⎯ 🦋 ⎯୧
You stood outside the door to your bedroom, lightly tapping your foot against the wooden floorboards.
They creaked accordingly, along with the sound of clothes being ruffled about.
You acknowledged the fact that just a few feet away, separated by the privacy of a door, Sally Starlet was changing into the dress that you had spent weeks on end tailoring for her.
You bit down onto your lip, suddenly left with the dreadful feeling of suspense.
What if she didn’t like it?
“Y/n?” A voice asked, somewhat gingerly. Sally popped her head out from behind the door to your bedroom, blushing at you slightly. “Zip me up?”
“Huh? Oh, sure, Sal!” You moved to push the door out of your way, Sally stepping to face the other direction.
Her back was fixed towards you, covered with the glamorous dress that you had designed.
You gripped onto the head of the zipper, and began to tug at it, all the way up until it stuck.
“There we go,” You smiled, blushing at the intimate-ness of your situation.
It made you happy to know that your neighbor trusted you enough to zip her up.
It felt like the equivalent of slathering sunscreen onto someone’s back. A little awkward, but endearing, nonetheless.
Sally suddenly turned on her heels, facing your direction, and she peered at you shyly. (Something entirely off-brand for her).
Your breath hitched. You were not prepared for the sight that she had blessed you with.
She stood there in the knee-length dress you had accumulated, absolutely shining in it.
Seeing the dress on a mannequin was one thing, but seeing it on Sally was—
God.
Even without the context of you *making* the dress for her, you were sure that anyone would be able to tell that that dress was absolutely made for her.
Everything about it was just so.. Sally!
“Oh, Y/n! This dress fits perfectly!”
“Sally,” Your voice rasped out, as you blushed brightly. “Sally, you look beautiful .”
Sally’s head perked up at that, and she blinked once, then twice, before stuttering back a response.
"..You think so??"
You nodded firmly, stepping around to view all of the different perspectives of your favorite neighbor.
The dress hugged Sally’s body perfectly – light little rhinestones twinkling in the brightness of your room. They illuminated out across her, absolutely brightening her features.
You swallowed softly, visibly turning red.
Sally quickly caught on to your attempts of checking her out, and she flushed at you with a lovesick smile, raising her arms to pull you into another tight hug.
“Thank you for doing all of this for me, Y/n.. I really, really appreciate it.”
You smiled, squeezing her back tightly.
..
“Anything for you, Sally.”
Anything.