AN: Post Super Watermelon Island / Gem Drill, canon divergence from there. Background Lapidot. Mainly Jaspearl. Tons of feels.
Pearl
One second too late.
The difference, in her mind, between victory and letting everyone down.
Her mistake.
Garnet had Steven, Amethyst had grabbed Lapis, and her?
One second too late.
She had missed.
Her mistake.
Jasper had fallen into the ocean, despite her best efforts, and now she was gone.
It was her fault.
Gone to regain strength, and come back one day to kill them, and it was all her fault.
Her fault.
She put the thought into the back of her mind for the next few days, congratulating Steven on bubbling the Cluster, and the relationship he had healed between Lapis and Peridot.
One second too late.
But that one, constant, nagging idea still came to her.
It was her fault.
Jasper was missing.
It was her fault.
Jasper would be back.
It was her fault.
Jasper would destroy everyone.
It was her fault.
This continued for weeks on end, until she could stand it no longer, and she sneaked out of the temple one night.
It was her fault.
She looked out over the ocean, surveying the waters, searching for the best entry point.
Her fault.
She dove into the sea, ignoring the cold, lighting up her gem to lead the way.
Her fault.
She scoured the ocean floor, searching for her enemy, determined to fix what she saw as her mistake.
Her fault.
When she did eventually find Jasper, ready to capture her, a thought jolted through her mind.
One second too late
The quartz warrior lay there, motionless, hair slowly waving in the current.
One second too late.
A crack ran down her Gem, dark against the pale skin, highlighting the injury.
One second too late.
Pearl grabbed Jasper by the arm, still steadfast, and started to pull her towards the surface.
One second too late.
They surfaced into the chilled night air, Pearl gasping for breath, despite not needing to breathe.
One second too late.
Almost an hour of swimming landed them on what was left of a small island, and they lay on the beach, finally somewhat safe.
One second too late.
Pearl shot up and checked on her companion, hardly daring to hope that maybe, just maybe she was still able to fight.
One second too late.
Pearl sighed and curled her arms around her legs, drawing them up to her body, her last dregs of honor preventing her from finishing Jasper off.
One second too late.
Now all she could do was wait, for there was no warp pad, and prepare to interrogate Jasper once she woke up.
One second too late.
She looked up at the stars, hoping, that she wouldn't mess up this time.
Her fault.
She hoped the others wouldn't be upset with her later.
Her mistake.
She would have to explain why she did what she did.
Her fault.
They had to understand, didn't they?
One second too late.