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Rose had been by Dorothy’s side for months, helping her and supporting her.
The more time went by, the more concerned Rose grew. Dorothy's condition remained the same, if not worse, and there was no explanation.
Every trip to the doctor, had Rose waiting impatiently, hoping that each time there would be good news. All the while, she did her best to help her friend. She was the one who helped Dorothy move from room to room when she was too exhausted to walk. She had to thank all the years of doing farm work for that.
Dorothy had kept trying to insist she didn't need any help, but after that one time when she almost collapsed onto the floor, Rose stopped listening to her. If it hadn't been for her quick reflexes, Dorothy would have probably hurt her head.
After she had tucked her into bed and left the room, her heart was still beating rapidly with fear. She couldn't stand the thought of Dorothy falling when she was all alone, of what would happen to her. So, she made sure that there was almost always someone with Dorothy, and tried to be near her as often as possible.
During those difficult months, Dorothy had been praising Rose to Blanche and Sophia, for being comforting and caring.
She accepted all compliments with modesty, but didn’t linger too much on them. She didn't know how to handle them. All she wanted was to see Dorothy healthy.
Rose would never tell Dorothy that even if she hadn’t been so kind with her, she would have still done her best to care for her. Because she loved Dorothy. A lot more than just a friend. And she had come to realize it, in the midst of worrying for Dorothy’s health.
And then, Dorothy had invited her to New York, and she was even softer with her.
Her heart was breaking, seeing Dorothy wither day by day.
Until one day, when Dorothy found out she has chronic fatigue syndrome.
They celebrated, and things finally started to feel normal again. Or perhaps not.
They all watched as Dorothy’s symptoms became milder. The doctor had said that there would be intense periods and periods where Dorothy would be feeling almost great. She had just entered the latter phase, and the girls were more than happy to see her return to her old self. She talked and moved just like she used to.
However, Rose noticed that alongside Dorothy’s old self, there was something new.
At first, she didn’t give it too much thought. Dorothy was more tender with her, more attentive, but she knew it was because of what they had experienced. She knew that it was because Dorothy was grateful. And she accepted all her attentiveness, waiting for the day it would drop to a normal level and things would return to what they once were. She ignored the disappointment that accompanied that thought.
So, she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Until she noticed that Dorothy’s attentiveness was only increasing by each passing day.
Rose had been watching the Disney Channel, singing happily to a song, when Dorothy emerged from the kitchen, holding a tray.
“Rose,” she called out in a sweet voice. “I brought you milk and cookies.”
“Oh! Dorothy, you didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to,” she said as she placed the tray on the table.
Rose frowned.
“You don’t bring me milk and cookies, unless something bad has happened.”
“Nothing’s happened. I just know how much you like milk and cookies.”
Rose read Dorothy’s expression, but she seemed to be telling the truth. Her voice wasn't as high-pitched as it was when she would try to prepare Rose for something bad. So, Rose accepted the offer. She sat on the carpet to be on the same level with the tray.
She paused when she heard Dorothy sit on the couch.
“If you want to watch something, can you wait until my show’s over?” She asked Dorothy.
“No, I don’t want to watch anything in particular. I’ll just watch what you’re watching.”
“…You’ll watch the Disney Channel?”
“Yeah. Come on. Drink your milk, before it gets cold.”
Rose turned to the TV, a cute frown on her face.
One evening, Rose returned from work much later than usual, her feet aching. All she wanted was to go lie in her bed after having a cup of warm milk.
She changed into her nightgown and robe and went to the kitchen.
She was surprised to find Dorothy sitting at the table.
“Dorothy, I didn’t know you were still awake.”
She took a seat and noticed that a mug with milk was in front of her.
She looked at her friend with a questioning frown.
“Is this for me?”
“No, for the invisible man that was sitting on your chair.”
“What?”
“Of course it’s for you.”
“But, how did you-”
“Drink.”
Rose did as told. She was surprised to find that the milk had the perfect temperature.
After she finished her mug, Dorothy asked her about work, while her hands took hold of Rose’s, rubbing soothing circles on them.
Rose was sitting on the couch, working on something, when Dorothy sat next to her.
“Hey, Rosie. What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to create a melody that will attract butterflies.”
Dorothy blinked twice.
“… How are you planning to do that?”
“I’ll write down different melodies and whichever works will bring butterflies to me!”
“Is there a way for me to help you?”
“Really?! You’re interested?”
“Yeah. You seem to be having a lot of fun.”
“Alright! So, these notes here…”
Rose was explaining the melodies she had created to her, until she looked up at Dorothy and found her looking at her, instead of the paper.
“Dorothy, you have to look at the paper, not me! Otherwise, you won’t understand the logic behind my melody.”
Dorothy was looking at her with an odd expression, but she did finally look at the paper. Rose went back to explaining and Dorothy went back to stealing glances.
Rose could feel Dorothy’s gaze linger on her sometimes. Dorothy’s hand ended more frequently on Rose, in order to provide comfort. Even when comfort wasn't much needed.
The attention made her feel flustered. No matter where she was, the moment Rose entered a room, she felt Dorothy’s eyes on her.
But what made her mostly flustered, was the lingering attention that Dorothy showed in public.
One evening, they were at an event, moving around and engaging in conversations with other people. Usually, the girls would split up and join different groups. This time, however, Dorothy seemed uninterested in engaging in any conversation that was more than a few feet away from Rose.
She remained mostly by her side. Rose even felt Dorothy's hand rest on her lower back at certain points throughout the evening. Mostly for a few seconds, but that didn’t stop her friend’s touch from sending sparks all over her body.
She would have loved to enjoy every second of that sensation, but she was too flustered to take the time to appreciate the attention.
And Rose had noticed all that, because every touch and glance directed her way made her feelings bubble up. She tried her best to appear as calm as possible, trying hard to ignore her heart’s rapid beat. Or the fact that Dorothy treated her like she was the center of the universe.
And she wasn’t discreet, because the others had noticed.
So, one day, they decided to try something, without telling Rose about their plan.
It was late and Rose was sleepy, but Sophia and Blanche were trying to keep her awake in the living room. They were watching a game show, trying to comment as much on it, as possible. Rose was yawning, barely keeping her eyes open.
That was until Dorothy emerged into the living room.
“What are you all doing here so late?”
“We’re knitting. Can’t you see?” Sophia asked. “We’re watching TV.”
Dorothy’s eyes moved to check on Rose. She observed Rose's eyes and noticed that she was struggling to keep them open.
“And you’re keeping Rose awake. Rose? Come on, you should go to sleep.”
Rose yawned. “Alright.”
“Oh, come on, Rose. Don’t you wanna stay and watch the rest of the show?” Blanche asked. “The final round is coming up.”
“I am a little sleepy… but if you really-”
“She’s clearly in need of sleep! Can’t you two see that? You can tell her what happened tomorrow. Come on, Rose, get up.”
Rose did as told, happy to oblige.
The way Dorothy held her on the way to her room, allowed her to support herself on Dorothy.
Blanche and Sophia craned their heads, observing the way Dorothy’s arms were wrapped around Rose’s form, leading her to her room.
Rose let herself be led into her room and tucked into bed. In her sleepy state, she smiled at Dorothy's attentiveness.
She muttered a goodnight and fell asleep. If she hadn't been so sleepy, she would have flushed by the love in Dorothy's gaze.
The next day, Rose, Sophia and Blanche were sitting around the kitchen table.
“So, now that Dorothy hasn't come back home from school yet, I think it's time that you tell us what's going on,” Blanche told her.
“What are you talking about?”
“You and Dorothy have grown closer in the past months. Lately, it's like she only has eyes for you.”
Rose looked nervously from Blanche to Sophia.
“What? She's- She's just being kind.”
“Kind?” Sophia asked. “Please! She's one step away from kissing you!”
“I- I don't- She-”
“Rose, we're not blind,” Blanche said. “And you can't be that dense. She's clearly in love with you! And you are in love with her!”
“Blanche! Dorothy could be here any minute!”
“So? Do you think that she's not going to like that? She's practically attached to you, Rose. We can see that you love her, too, so why haven't you made a move yet?”
“A- A move?! Girls- I- I can't.”
“Why not?” Sophia asked.
“Sophia, are you encouraging me?”
“Of course I am. I know how much you care for my daughter. I also know that I can't stand one more day of you two idiots pining for each other!”
“Sophia! You don't know if Dorothy… feels like that.”
Blanche raised an eyebrow. “Rose, I think you too can tell that her attention for you has become more than just friendly.”
“Well, what do you want me to do? Confess?”
“You love her and she loves you! One of you has to make the next move.”
They froze when they heard the front door open.
“I can't just confess!” Rose whispered. “I don't know how.”
She stood up and hurried out of the kitchen.
Dorothy had just dropped her keys behind the couch and she lowered herself to pick them up. However, all Rose saw, was Dorothy heading for the ground, and a memory flashed in her mind.
“Dorothy!” She shouted as she ran to her.
That startled Dorothy who raised herself, with her keys in hand. Rose barely managed to stop before colliding into her. She stared at the keys.
She felt foolish for panicking.
“Your keys. They fell,” she managed to say.
“Yes, Rose. I know. That's why I picked them up.”
Blanche and Sophia rushed into the living room, worried.
“What happened?!” Blanche demanded.
“I dropped my keys on the floor.”
“And why did Rose yell like the house is on fire?” Sophia asked.
“That would be my question, too,” Dorothy agreed.
“… Because your keys fell.”
Dorothy observed her and Rose couldn't maintain eye contact, so she turned away.
“Well, I'm hungry. Lunch should be ready by now. Right, Sophia?”
When it all clicked for Dorothy, she reached out her left hand and grasped Rose's arm.
“You thought I was fainting.”
Rose turned guiltily to her.
Blanche and Sophia felt the change in the atmosphere and went back to the kitchen to eavesdrop.
“… How was I supposed to know that your keys had fallen? I thought… I thought that it was your syndrome…”
“Oh, Rosie… I'm sorry I scared you. Come here.”
Dorothy hugged her, and Rose hugged back immediately.
Rose was holding tightly onto her and Dorothy felt her heart ache.
“If it makes you feel any better, the next time I drop my keys, I won't even bother to pick them up.”
Rose exhaled in place of laughter and pulled back. Dorothy held onto her forearms, not letting her move further back.
“I'm sorry, Dorothy. I shouldn't have panicked… It's just that it's all too recent… It's been only three months since you collapsed into my arms.”
Dorothy softened completely upon hearing that last sentence.
“I guess I was afraid it was happening all over again.”
They gazed at each other, unable to say anything.
“Just confess already,” was heard from behind the kitchen door, muffled, in Blanche's voice.
Dorothy and Rose glanced at the kitchen door. When they looked at each other again, they were nervous.
Dorothy spoke first.
“I don't know if you've noticed, but… lately, I've been trying to show you that I care a lot about you.”
“Everyone and their mother has noticed,” Sophia's muffled voice carried over to them.
Dorothy threw a glare at the door.
Rose was too busy blushing.
“I noticed… I care a lot about you, too.”
“I know. Rose… during these past few months, I… we grew even closer… you were nothing but comforting and loving and caring and… I've fallen in love with you, Rose… though I have my suspicions that these feelings had already been there.”
“I realized just how much I love you when I had to watch you suffer day after day. I hate seeing you in pain, Dorothy...” Dorothy had turned into pudding with the way Rose was looking at her. “I want to see you happy and energetic. I want to make you feel safe and comfortable and content.”
Dorothy leaned slowly down, giving Rose the time to back away, in case she didn't want the kiss.
Rose kissed back immediately, and Dorothy felt her heart soar, as one hand held Rose's face tenderly, while the other held her against her by her waist.
They had been kissing for almost a minute, when Sophia spoke.
“I don't hear anything. Are they kissing?”
Dorothy's tongue caused Rose to let out a weak moan.
“Yeah, they're definitely kissing,” Blanche said.