The air outside was brisk and chilly; Pearl liked these cold days, the ones during the time humans so strangely referred to as 'Winter'. Or perhaps it was just Greg that referred to this time of year by such a term, but the lithe gem did not particularly care. All that mattered to her now was the warm figure she was waiting on - that endearing, amiable partner of hers she had come to love so much. Of course...their relationship was all but quintessential. In fact, it was perhaps a bit more convoluted than one would expect.
Did Rose love her as much as she adored Rose? Were her feelings at all mutual? Was every action Pearl took for nothing?
The gem's train of thought was halted as the woman strolled down the beach, gorgeous as ever. Intricate fuchsia curls bounced upon rounded shoulders as stunning dark eyes came to meet the smaller Pearl's lighter ones. The larger woman's elaborate dress moved with the slight winds; she came to a rapid standstill as she approached the pearl, taking a seat next to her on the unusually warm sands.
"You came." Cerulean eyes trailed up Rose's body before Pearl caught herself, biting her lip and casting sapphire hues to the similarly coloured ocean.
"Of course." The older gem offered a gentle smile; that enticing, tender smile of hers that emitted kindness and pure love.
Silence consumed the beach for several moments, only allowing itself to be interrupted by the occasional incoming wave; the ocean painted the tawny shore pastel blue before the steady oscillations found their way back into the sea.
The silence shattered.
"I have something to tell you, Pearl."
The younger looked aside, anxious to hear whatever the quartz had to say. "Yes?"
"I won't be here much longer, and I'm very sorry."
Time froze. The world stopped. Hands began to tremble.
"What do you mean...Rose...?"
"I've had a nice existence. I think it's time for me to offer the chance to live to another being. I'd like to give my life to someone else...literally."
Azure orbs widened into blue moons as the gem shuddered, unable to process what was being said to her. This could not be happening. This was not real. Rose was not leaving. Rose would never do this to her.
"You don't mean that, do you, Rose? Tell me you're joking. Tell me you're lying. Something."
The grin on Rose's face fell into a grim expression Pearl had never had the chance to see before, and she was hardly perturbed by this. It was unnerving, perhaps distressing, to see Rose Quartz without a friendly beam on her face.
"I'm sorry, Pearl. You'll love the soul I create. I'll let you care for him."
The smaller was still unsure as to how to respond to this situation, and simply fell into the quartz's arms, salty tides forming in her eyes. The other wrapped her arms around her; watching over her, protecting her.
"I know you'll be alright, Pearl. I'll always be with you."
Pearl attempted to get herself together, slowly regaining her composure before pulling away from the one she could perhaps call her saviour. She pulled her head into her knees, cutting off her sense of sight and touch.
"Pearl...?"
"Go away."
Neither of them could comprehend the words that had slipped from the pearl's mouth, nor the venom that dripped from them.
Without another word, Rose steadied herself on her feet, turning away from Pearl. She was not too saddened; she knew the other was simply overreacting to the situation. This was to be expected, she supposed; after all, the news she had just presented so casually was anything but anticipated.
"I love you, Pearl."
"I love you too."
Despite what had happened, the phrase was all but empty as it left Pearl's tongue - she could only regret that she had not meant her words just a bit more, for it was the last time she would ever be able to say them.
