Chapter Text
Rouge didn’t know when she started loving the pink hedgehog. For years Amy had just been Sonic’s wannabe beau, chasing him around endlessly for years. Not that Rouge was much better, she was constantly sneaking onto Knuckles island to flirt and steal his emerald. At that time they were still just kids, chasing the idea of what they wanted their life to be. Who they wanted to have in their life. But things had changed as they got older.
After several failed relationships with men, she had come to realize that perhaps she wasn’t as much interested in men as she thought. She felt exhausted at their charades, only really being intimate when it was convenient to her. Loving boys felt more like a chore than a treasure, and she began to dread it when she realized that Knuckles was falling for her. She had been wanting him to for years, but now that he had, Rouge felt nothing but dread. Seeing his cheeks redden, seeing him grow nervous, seeing his hand take hold of hers…she couldn’t do it. She broke it off then and there. Since then she floated aimlessly about, still taking jobs for G.U.N. and working at her club, but her heart wasn’t in it. Nothing seemed to feel right.
That was until Rouge had received an invitation to a girls night at Amy’s house with Blaze, Wave, Tangle, and Whisper. She was surprised that the invitation, at that point Rouge hadn’t really talked to Amy since they were teens. But she didn’t see the harm in going, after all; what helps with boy drama more than a girls night?
Turns out literally anything else. Because as soon as she sat down with everyone to catch up, Tangle had proudly informed them that she and Whisper were getting married. Tangle held up her hand and Whispers proudly, showing off rings encrusted with jewels the color of each other's eyes. Amy and Wave immediately squealed and gushed over the happy couple, while Blaze smiled and clapped.
Rouge smiled as well, but deep down a pit was forming in her stomach. A deep sense of dread as she saw two of her friends prepare the rest of their lives, while she sat with her life in shambles. Ten years ago she thought she’d be with someone by now, if not for love than for financial reasons. But she was alone. Alone and confused as to why when she had everything she wanted, she let it go. That night she stared up at the ceiling as everyone around her slept, too lost in thought to rest. Amy lay beside her, curled up in her sleeping bag, her soft snores filling Rouge's ears.
As Rouge was lost in thought, Amy rolled over, pressing herself into Rouge's side. Rouge's breath catched, and as she looked down at Amy’s sleeping face something in her changed without her knowing. The warmth of her body, her soft breath against her skin, the soft noises she made while she dreamed. Rouge tensed, suddenly unable to move. She stared at her soft pink face, lost in a daze as she memorized the soft pounding of Amy’s heartbeat. For a moment her worries slipped away, distracted by the gentle beauty by her side. Amy huddled closer, wrapping her arm around Rouges, the gentle touch knocking Rouge out of her daze. She sat up, gentle enough to not wake Amy, and fled.
Since then she has been stuck in a constant state of confusion, struggling to grasp just what had happened that night. But one thing was for certain, she was never the same. Maybe that’s when she began to love Amy, or at least began to be interested in her. Nevertheless Rouge now stood at Amy’s door almost a year later, finally accepting Amy’s invitation to hang out. Her heart fluttered faster than her wings had ever done as she rang the doorbell.
Get it together Rouge, you’re a jewel thief, not a schoolgirl. She scolded herself, tapping her hand against her side nervously. Rouge's keen ears heard Amy run towards the door, and she faced Amy with her trademark grin as she opened the door.
“Rouge! Just on time! Usually you’re fashionably late!” Amy beamed, wrapping Rouge up in a hug. Rouge stiffened, patting the pink hedgehog on the back.
“Well I wouldn’t dare to miss a shopping date with my dear friend.” Rouge glanced Amy over, noting that her heart skipped a beat just like that night a year before.
“Ah, you changed your quills!” Rouge held Amy out at arms length to admire her new style. Her usually snappy bob now curled upward at the end, resting on the top of her shoulders. Her bangs were now evenly splayed across her forehead, held in place by her red headband adorned with a bow. She wore a white dress that hung to her knees, with a red sash draped around her waist. Amy grinned excitedly.
“Do you like it? I’ve had my hair the same for years, I thought it was time for a change.”
“It’s beautiful darling. Come on, give me a twirl.” Rouge purred, taking Amy’s hand as she spun around. “Marvelous.”
“I’m so glad you like it. Out of all our friends you definitely have the best taste in fashion.” Rouge's cheeks warmed slightly at the compliment, but she quickly pushed past it.
“Well I am a jewel thief, it’s only natural that I shine just as bright as them. Though it seems you’ve outshone me today.” Rouge said in her usually flirty tone, though it felt much different with Amy than anyone else.
“Oh, you tease! Now come on, there’s a new boutique that I’ve been dying to show you!” Amy laughed, taking Rouge's hand and pulling her along. Rouge followed, trying to push her feelings aside. It’s just shopping with a friend, nothing more, nothing less.
The boutique in Solaris was a quaint shop in the city's robust downtown. The window bore a painted sign reading “Laughter and Lace”, with a window display full of mannequins wearing frilly dresses of varying styles. The inside of the store was bursting with personality, full of hand drawn clothing designs framed on the walls, and racks of beautiful clothes. An older cow greeted them at the door, wearing a stunning green dress that she proudly bragged she styled herself. Rouge could already tell this store was going to be a favorite. Amy immediately beelined for the section with reds, one of her favorite colors to wear. Rouge followed, but then took her hand.
“Why don’t we try some in magenta instead? It would match your complexion better.” She offered. Amy seemed hesitant. She was always drawn to red, as it reminded her of Sonic’s red shoes. For years she had adorned herself in the color, despite Rouge's insistence that it really didn’t match her.
“Oh, alright.” Amy followed her to a section of darker pink clothes. Rouge pulled a sleeveless slip dress off the rack.
“What do you think of this?” She asked. Amy hummed.
“It’s not my usual style, but I am trying to branch out more… do you think it’ll look good on me?”
“Pinkie, you would look good in nothing but a potato sack.” Rouge fought the urge to stop at nothing, surprising herself at the vulgar thought. Amy grinned.
“Oh alright, I’ll try it on.” She giggled. Rouge followed her to the dressing room, standing outside it as Amy tried on the dress.
“Hey Rouge?” Amy called from inside.
“Yes hun?” Rouge answered the door
“Can you help zip me up?”
“Of course.”
Rouge opened the door and slipped inside. She looked over at Amy, who was attempting to grab the small zipper to no avail.
“Oh thank goodness, I’m really struggling here.” Amy laughed, turning to rouge as she entered.
“I got you, lemme try.” Rouge gently turned her around so she could zip Amy up, but stopped in her tracks when she saw Amy’s white lacy bra. She swallowed hard, trying hard to ignore it as she felt for the zipper. Amy’s fur felt soft as silk to the touch, and Rouge couldn’t help but imagine how it would feel pressed up against her bare hands. Rouges hands found the zipper, fumbling it as she pulled it up.
“Suck it in.” She instructed Amy, who took a comically large breath in. Rouge fully zipped the dress up, gently turning Amy towards the mirror. “There we go.”
The dress fit her perfectly, hugging her curves just enough to show off her figure without restricting it.
“What do you think?” Amy asked, turning to Rouge.
“Honey, you are drop dead gorgeous.” Rouge was thankful for the red lighting in the fitting room, as she wouldn’t be able to hide the deep blush blanketing her face.
“I feel drop dead gorgeous. Should I get it?”
“Definitely.”
Amy looked into the mirror again, lips turned upward in a full, genuine smile. She nodded.
“I’ll definitely get it. Can you unzip me?” She turned her back to Rouge, who gently pulled the zipper down, taking her time. Stop it. She scolded herself. Amy was her friend. Nothing more. After she was unzipped Amy promptly began undressing, eliciting a surprise screech from Rouge.
“What? We’re both girls.” Amy looked over at her in confusion.
“R-right. You just caught me off guard, that’s all.” Rouge stammered, turning away.
Amy laughed. “I didn’t expect you of all people to be shy.”
*Only with you*. Rouge bit back the words. She peaked over her shoulder to see if Amy was finished, only to see her still half dressed. She paused a moment, looking at her bare waist in amazement, before quickly turning back around.
*I’m no better than a man.* Rouge thought sorrowfully. She steered Amy away from any dresses that would be hard for her to put on herself, not wanting to repeat any more fitting room mishaps. At the end of the day Rouge only bought a teal blouse, while Amy ended up leaving with three dresses. At the checkout Rouge quickly swiped her card, covering Amy’s purchases.
“Rouge!” Amy protested. Rouge shook her head.
“My treat, you deserve it.”
“But they were expensive!”
“And I’m a hardworking bat who wants to treat her friend.” Friend. The word tasted bitter on Rouge's tongue.
“Hmph! Well, if you’re gonna pay then you're staying for dinner. And don’t you dare try to get out of it!” Amy huffed, stomping her foot. Rouge laughed.
“Dinner with you? My, how can I refuse?”
“That’s the spirit! Cmon, I have a bucket of strawberries from my garden that we can use for cupcakes!” Amy linked her arm with Rouge and pulled her along. Rouge waved goodbye to the shop owner, who grinned and winked at her. For a brief moment Rouge wondered if she had noticed Rouge's crush. If she did, then she was kind enough to stay silent.
Back at the house Amy practically flew around the kitchen, gathering materials for dinner. Rouge attempted to help, but was immediately shooed out of the kitchen.
“Nuh uh! You’ve done enough today! It’s my turn to treat you!” She insisted, chasing her away with the spatula every time Rouge tried to sneak back in. Rouge's cheeks ached from smiling, unable to hold back her grin whenever Amy burst into a fit of giggles after chasing her away. Somehow Amy was able to finish the food, serving club sandwiches with fruit salad and strawberry cupcakes. Rouge's favorite. They sat down at Amy’s porch, eating their food as the sun's last warm rays washed over them. As always with Amy’s cooking, it tasted heavenly.
“Pinkie, I have no idea how but you always make the simplest things taste divine.” Rouge sighed, pushing her empty plate away. Amy beamed.
“That’s because I use my secret ingredient!”
“And what’s that?”
“Love!”
“Of course.” Rouge sighed, laughing at Amy’s pouty face.
“It’s true! Making food with love makes everything taste better!” Amy protested.
“I think it’s your fresh garden ingredients, but whatever you say hun.”
“Well that definitely helps. But the easiest way into a man’s heart is his stomach, and making food with love is a sure way to win someone’s heart!” Amy’s ears drooped slightly.
“Though…it never works on Sonic.” Amy looked sad for a moment, and Rouge's heart ached. Amy quickly shook her head, her frown replaced with a tight smile.
“But that just means I need to try harder! And with your help I have the perfect outfit to wear for our date!” Rouge looked up in shock
“You’re going on a date with Sonic? When?” Rouge exclaimed.
“This weekend! Thank you so much for helping me, I know with my new dress and my cooking I’ll finally win him over!” Amy got up and wrapped her arms around Rouge, holding her tight.
“You're the bestest friend ever!”
Rouge felt her face grow numb, her heart falling into her stomach as she hugged Amy back.
“You’ll do wonderful Amy.” She murmured, choking slightly on her words. She held on for a few more moments before gently pushing her away.
“I’m gonna fly off now Rosebud, but you call me right after to tell me how it went.”
“I will! I can’t wait!” Amy waved her goodbye as Rouge flew off, and as soon as Rouge knew she was out of sight she landed in the woods, tears streaming down her face.
“Fuck.” She gasped, wrapping her arms around herself as she knelt on the ground.
“Fuck, fuck fuck!” She screeched, her voice higher than any person could hear. Rouge sobbed, digging her claws into her arms.
“I’m such a fucking idiot.”