Note: Requested by UltimateCCC.

Chapter 2: Cute Couples Get in Free

"Are you sure there's nothing else I can do?" Tangle asked as Jewel walked with her to the stage. "I could help rebuild. Or run messages. Or something else."

"No, we have enough people for that." She signaled to the control booth, overlooking the auditorium from the back wall, to be ready for her. "Calm down, it won't be that bad."

"I don't get it though. Was there really a demand for me?"

"Well," Jewel couldn't look her in the eye, "not necessarily, no. But Sonic was such a big hit and people seemed to like the idea. So we promised we'd bring another hero to auction off."

Tangle rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I wouldn't call myself a hero. What about the others? Like Tails? Or Knuckles?"

"Tails is busy elsewhere and Knuckles wouldn't leave Angel Island."

"Amy?"

"Busy with Sonic. Er, well, you know what I mean!" she stuttered as Tangle bit back a laugh.

"Silver?"

"Went to the future."

"Shadow?"

Jewel frowned. "Rouge was the only one who was able to find him. She said 'he emphatically declined.' " She smoothed her dress down as she headed up the steps on the side of the stage. "It'll be fine. You'll go first so you don't have to wait, alright?"

With a profound sigh, the lemur followed her and stood in the center of the stage as the spotlight clicked on. It blinded her for a few moments before swinging wildly over to Jewel at her podium. In the darkened auditorium, the general chatter died down as everyone's expectant eyes turned to the two on stage.

Suddenly, Tangle felt very self-conscious of herself and had the urge to swing about the place. One look from Jewel though told her that was out of the question and that she needed to stay still for a change. She wondered if Sonic had gone through the same predicament when he was up here. How did he handle it? Just relax, be cool like he is, she thought. Planting her tail's end flat on the floor and propping her body up, she leaned back, arms crossed, acting calm and confident.

Until she leaned too far backwards and fell flat on the stage before Jewel even introduced her. She popped back up, waved to the crowd, and looked anywhere else as Jewel covered the microphone, mouthing if she was okay. Tangle gave her a thumbs-up and a nervous smile. Yeah, cool move there, she scolded herself.

Jewel tapped the microphone and cleared her throat. "Thank you all for returning. We have plenty of items to bid for today and as always, all proceeds go towards helping the Restoration's rebuilding efforts. Our starting bid this time is to spend the day with one of the Restoration's very own Diamond Cutters."

The spotlight shifted over to Tangle, blinding her once more and making the audience vanish into indistinct black blobs. "Do I hear an opening bid today? How about ten rings?"

Big smile. Give it your all. She flashed a grin and pumped her fist, hoping it swayed some people. There was some soft murmuring among the crowd that felt like it lasted a long while. Finally, someone moved near the front.

"Ten rings!" Jewel said, pointing to the bidder with her gavel. "Do I hear more?"

Ten rings was a little low. She also couldn't stand still with all those silent eyes on her any longer. "C'mon people," Tangle said, stepping to the front of the stage. "It's for a good cause. And I promise, you won't be disappointed. We'll have a good time together." She gave the crowd a thumbs-up, forming her tail into one as well, and eyed Jewel for support.

Her friend nodded. "Right, what she said. Any more bidders?"

Some more muttering from the crowd. "Fifteen," someone called.

"Fifteen. Do I hear twenty?" The pair on stage waited for any others, but the crowd only stared back at them.

Tangle deflated and moved away from the edge. So much for helping out the Restoration. She knew she wasn't exactly world-renowned, but she thought she made for good enough company that she could earn the Restoration some much-needed income.

"Going once," Jewel raised her gavel. "Going-Wait, yes? You in the back."

Tangle perked up and shielded her eyes against the light, trying to spot the new bidder. Someone was shuffling around out there, but she couldn't see who.

"I'm sorry, could you speak up, please?" Jewel said. "We can't hear you."

Some whispers floated through the crowd, then one of the members spoke. "She said sixty rings!"

"Sixty! Alright then," Jewel raised her gavel. Tangle looked over the audience, wondering who the mystery bidder was. Thankfully, Jewel decided not to prolong the auction, as it was clear that Tangle couldn't take any more of it. "If there's no others, then going once, twice, sold! To the lady in the back for sixty rings. Congratulations."

With that, Tangle hopped off stage and rushed through the crowd, following the pointing fingers to the rear. She had a sneaking suspicion who her savior from the awkward situation was before she even reached them. The silent figure standing against the wall, cloak draped around her body and trying to disappear into the deepest shadows of the auditorium confirmed it.

"I owe you one," Tangle told Whisper.

Her fellow Diamond Cutter cracked open an eye and gave her a wry smile. "Yes. You did look like you were struggling up there." Her voice was barely audible over the nearby discussion of the crowd, who speculated on the next item that one of the stagehands wheeled out.

They left the auditorium behind as Jewel resumed the bidding. The reception hall was vast and devoid of people. Tangle stretched and spun around, enjoying the freedom and serenity with her favorite person. "Last time I do that," she said. As she pulled one arm over her head, yanking it until she heard a pop, she asked, "So, you bought me. What do you want to do?"

Whisper shrugged under her cloak. "I don't know. I was trying to get you offstage before you were bouncing off the walls."

"Let me repay you then," she said, an idea forming. "I'll show you a good time."

Whisper lowered her head for a moment, appeared to consider it, then nodded. "Okay."

Tangle offered her hand and once Whisper tentatively accepted it, she pulled her along. "I know the perfect place."

The Restoration was overwhelmed with projects and chose where to focus its efforts on a combination of factors, including the amount of effort and funds needed, the area affected, and the benefits to the surrounding community. Most of their work went to the essentials such as housing and utilities, although they had splurged on a few recreational projects to lift people's spirits during the rebuilding.

One such area was Twinkle Park, a rebuilt amusement park centered in the middle of town and not far from the auction. From a few blocks away, a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, and all sorts of rides rose above the tall fence and flashing sign welcoming people to Twinkle Park.

"I've heard this is supposed to be really fun. And," Tangle turned to Whisper to reassure her, "since it's the middle of the day, it shouldn't be too crowded."

That didn't exactly encourage the wolf, but she did stop dragging her feet as much.

Tangle neglected to tell her friend that she heard all this from Amy, who had dragged Sonic there a few times in her younger days. According to her, it was supposed to have a romantic atmosphere that strengthened the bond between couples and allowed love to flourish. She was a little doubtful of Amy's description, but she desperately wanted to take hers and Whisper's relationship to the next level, move beyond best friends. So she had searched for an opportunity and excuse to bring Whisper with her to try it ever since.

Today's the day. She could imagine it already, the two of them together in the park. Tangle finally able to express her actual feelings for her friend.

At the entrance, a bored attendant watched Tangle approach and stood up a little straighter. "Welcome to Twinkle Park. Fifty rings per ticket. Thirty rings for children under ten."

Tangle stopped short and mentally slapped herself. Amy had mentioned there was a fee to the park and she forgot all about it. She quickly checked one pocket, then the other for any money that she already knew wasn't there. She glanced to Whisper for help, but a small shrug indicated she was tapped out too.

So much for that idea. Maybe she could appeal with their status as heroes of the Restoration? That didn't feel right though.

Then she noticed the attendant studying her and Whisper, before he realized something that neither of the friends did. He jerked a thumb to the gate. "Okay, you can go in."

"What? Why?" Had he actually recognized them?

He tapped one of the signs on the glass of his booth. Tangle peered up at the CUTE COUPLES GET IN FREE pasted there and caught on. "Oh, we're not-"

"Don't refuse a gift," Whisper said and nodded her thanks to the attendant. She pulled Tangle through the turnstile gate and into the park.

They were immediately assaulted with the smell of popcorn and cotton candy, flashing lights advertising rides here and there, and the rumbling click -clack of the roller coaster as it rose, then plummeted, making its passengers scream in delight. Whisper took it all in, marveling at the attractions, her attention hopping from one to the next. Any newcomer would've been spoiled for choices and unsure where to start.

Tangle herself may have been the same, if not for already knowing ahead of time where she wanted to go first. Off to the side, around a carousel, was the Tunnel of Love. As soon as she heard about it from Amy, she knew she had to get Whisper on the ride.

The only issue was that she didn't want to rush her friend and make her suspicious. She looked around at the attractions, checking the lines and noting the park was a little fuller than she expected. "See anything you want to do first?"

Whisper shook her head and squeezed Tangle's hand. She must've noticed the amount of people too.

"Let's look around then. There's gotta be something here." She walked off with her friend, heading around the carousel and eyeing the Tunnel of Love on the other side. The large heart-shaped tunnel was overdone and garish like it was concocted out of the leftovers of every Valentine's Day decoration, from cute cherubs with bows armed with heart-tipped arrows to all sorts of reds and pink designs for each of the slow-moving boats.

Thankfully, the line for it was rather short. Tangle noted its location and made a big show of going in the opposite direction, circling the park with Whisper. They passed the roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and thrill rides made to shake and rattle every bone in a person's body until they vomited. Whisper wasn't too fond of many and the few that interested her were mobbed by people.

They circled the park and made their way back near the Tunnel of Love, where the line was now empty. Tangle tried to keep the atmosphere light and casual, wondering how to get Whisper on the ride. "Sorry, guess this was a bust," she said. "I didn't expect so many people here."

"It's okay," Whisper said. To Tangle's luck, the quiet wolf noticed the Tunnel of Love ride and nudged her in that direction. "That one's fine."

"You sure?"

She nodded. "We should ride at least one ride. Unless, you don't want to?"

"No!" she shouted too loudly, making Whisper wince, then lowered her voice. "I mean, no, that's good. Let's go on it."

The pair approached the ride attendant, who counted them through, and they climbed into one of the boats. Each boat was small and forced the occupants to sit right beside one another, which was fine with Tangle. She couldn't believe her luck.

The red and pink tunnel loomed above them and they passed through it into the darkness. As dull pink and purple lights shone on the walls and some contemporary love song echoed through the tunnel, Tangle took a deep breath. It was the moment of truth. She needed to confess to Whisper.

The only question was, how to do it while also making sure it didn't damage their relationship? After all, she wasn't sure if Whisper felt the same way and if that were the case, Tangle did still want to remain good friends with her.

"Kinda strange, that guy at the entrance?" she said with a chuckle. "Thinking we're a couple."

"I guess." She couldn't see her face well, but something in Whisper's tone was off.

I already messed it up. No, no, no! "I mean, I understand it, but it's a little funny."

"Why is that?"

"Cause we're not, you know," Tangle trailed off. The conversation wasn't going as well as she hoped. She was crashing and didn't know how to salvage it.

"So you're saying you weren't trying to get me on this ride from the start?" Her head whipped around and in a passing purple light, she saw Whisper's small grin. "You're not too subtle. You only pay attention that hard to what you're focusing on."

"That obvious, huh?" She should've figured. A sniper like Whisper would have full awareness both on and off the battlefield. Figuring out Tangle's intentions must've been child's play to her.

"Yes." Tangle felt a hand on top of hers. "But that's one of the things I love about you."

Her jaw dropped open and before she could stop herself, she kissed Whisper with all her might, rocking the boat dangerously close to tipping. She quickly pulled back, apologizing profusely, and helping dry off Whisper's cloak that dipped in the water. She stopped when she heard a low series of staccato breaths and realized that her friend was laughing to herself.

"Glad you feel the same," Whisper said as the tunnel exit appeared ahead. In the approaching daylight, her cheeks were flushed and her smile was wider than before.

"Of course I do," Tangle said and gave her a delicate kiss, much more suitable for her friend- girlfriend , she corrected herself. "I love you too."

As they exited the ride, Tangle laughed. "Guess now we can get in free all the time, huh? You are pretty cute after all."

Whisper shook her head and pulled her mask down over her face, muttering to herself. It did little to hide her happy face as she squeezed her girlfriend's hand.