Breaking Her Fall
Summary: Set after "A Cry for Help". We all need someone to catch us when we fall...
Pearl was there when Amethyst tripped. The little gem they had rehabilitated from the Kindergarten was always falling or tripping. Not always by accident; she was always so headstrong. The Crystal gems kept a running count of how often Amethyst cracked her gem by her own heedlessness.
But Pearl was there to catch her this time. As Amethyst stumbled backwards from the top of the tower, Pearl, magically in the right place at the right time, threw up her arms to meet her.
Both could have done without the landing. Amethyst wasn't light by any means. But even as Pearl lay on her back, the breath knocked from her lungs, she clasped Amethyst close to her chest.
"Nice catch, P," the little gem chuckled.
Pearl only squeezed her tight in answer.
Amethyst was there when Pearl collapsed. Pearl was sure footed and quick witted. She rarely fell, and when she did, she was quickly on her feet again, ready for action.
But Amethyst was there when Pearl suddenly stumbled. She had tried rushing Garnet, again, to win her forgiveness, acceptance... anything to make up for her fusion deceit...and Garnet had again turned an icy shoulder toward her. As Pearl lost her composure in a sudden rush of tears, Amethyst flung out her arms to catch her. It was an easy catch. Pearl weighed as much as the fries Steven liked chomp down on. But Amethyst took care with the Pearl, hugging her gently.
"Gotcha, P," the little gem reassured her.
Pearl sobbed into her shoulder.