"Do I.. love you?" Pearl repeated the question to herself, letting the words sink in. What did Amethyst mean? "Well, of course I do. You're my friend, a valuable member of our team.." The pristine gem had a feeling that's not what Amethyst meant, but she didn't want to embarrass herself with assumptions.

"No, P.." Amethyst brought her other hand forward, placing it on top of Pearl's own second hand. Was this why they were acting toward each other so differently lately? "I mean.. do you love me like.. like you-" The purple gem cut herself off. She didn't want to bring Rose up, not in this moment. "Like Garnet loves herself? You know.. Ruby and Sapphire?"

Pearl was quiet for a moment. Her head was spinning with the actuality of the question that her friend was asking. Did she love Amethyst in that way?

"I.." Pearl couldn't speak. Not when the smaller gem was staring at her so intently, with her hands held tightly by the same being. She needed to be free, she had to look away. And she did, pulling her hands from under Amethyst's to hug herself at her arms.

"I don't know.."

One could say that Amethyst was a little.. disappointed. After all, the smaller gem loved the feeling of being loved herself. That's why she took a shine to Steven right off the bat, why she felt comfortable around Garnet, and why she was always arguing with Pearl. Maybe because she knew love from everyone she's encountered except for the pristine gem, she wanted it even more? It didn't matter, either way. With her usual snort of laughter, she fell back on the couch, kicking her feet on it as she laughed.

"W-what's so funny?" Pearl asked, dumbstruck by Amethyst's actions. Was this all just some big joke, and she was caught in it? Pearl stared, waiting for an answer as Amethyst tried to quiet her laughter. When the purple gem finally calmed down to light chuckles, she put an arm over her eyes, her face looking toward the ceiling.

"I'm sorry.." Amethyst finally said, still chuckling. "I just thought it was pretty funny, you know?" As she spoke, tears could be seen flowing down the sides of Amethyst's face, and Pearl put a hand to her own mouth. "Liking you, loving you.. Pearl, Queen of the Kingdom of Boresville.."

Amethyst had finally realized why she was so afraid of Pearl's hatred. She was afraid, because she was in love with the pristine gem. When did this happen? Kindergarten? Even before that? She didn't know, but she knew now how she finally felt. But would her feelings be returned?

Pearl was speechless, to say the least. So it wasn't some sick joke? This is actually what Amethyst feels like? She slowly brought her hand down from her mouth, her own tears threatening to fall. Was this okay? What about Rose? No.. not Rose. She doesn't exist anymore. Only Steven. Slowly, almost shyly, Pearl wrapped her hands around Amethyst's wrist. In one motion, she pulled the purple gem into a sitting hug, her arms wrapped around her dear friend. Amethyst, of course, was surprised at such a forward action, especially from Pearl.

"I'm not saying anything for certain.." Pearl started, her voice muffled by Amethyst's hair. "I still don't know.. And, I'm still not sure if I'm over my feelings for Rose."

"P, we don't hav-"

"But if you're willing to help me.." Pearl cut off Amethyst's interruption, pushing her away to look her in the eyes. "I.. I can try to love again. I can try.. to love you, Amethyst.."

Try..? Amethyst wasn't too fond of that word, not when it came to something like this. But if there was any excuse to spend some time with Pearl, learning to be a couple.. she would definitely try. She clung to the object of her affection once more, holding her tightly with closed eyes. Pearl, feeling a bit more than a little squeezed, wrapped her arms around Amethyst in return.

"..Thanks Pearl.."

The next morning, Garnet walked through the temple door to find Amethyst asleep on top of Pearl, who was on her back and also, surprisingly, asleep. A small smile formed on the stoic gem's expression, and she decided to leave the two alone as she walked up to Steven's room to help him start his first day of staying off his feet.

"Wake up, sleepy head." Garnet said gently as she shook Steven by his stomach. Steven woke slowly, his vision blurry as he yawned. Once he realized that Garnet was the one shaking him awake, he smiled, though had a look of confusion on his face.

"Good morning Garnet! But isn't Pearl usually the one that wakes me up?"

"She's.. occupied." To further explain what she was saying, the tallest gem picked Steven up, placed him on top of her hair, and walked him to the top of the stairs.

Steven's first word seeing Amethyst snoring on top of a sleeping Pearl was 'Awwww~!' As Garnet walked, carrying Steven to the bathroom, his eyes were full of stars as he stared at the sleeping gems.

"They had a little slumber party!"

"They sure did Steven.." One Garnet opened the bathroom door, she took Steven from her hair and gently set him on the tiled floor of the bathroom. He tested his feet, genuinely surprised and excited when they didn't hurt.

"That's only because Pearl treated your feet so well." Garnet stated, as if reading the boy's mind. Well, knew what he was going to say in the first place, really. "You are only allowed to walk when you're in here. When you're ready, you call me. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am!" Steven said diligently, giving a salute with a serious expression.

"That's my little soldier.." Garnet said with a chuckle before closing the door.

Garnet walked back to the two sleeping gems, hands on her hips as she looked down at them. The tallest gem sometimes hated her future vision.. It spoiled the possible happy endings that these two were maybe going to have. She just hoped that it was indeed the happy endings that played out. She's terrified of one ending, in particular.. but hopefully, that wouldn't happen.

"Alright, you two.." Garnet reached down and gently shook Amethyst first, who's face was buried in Pearl's chest. The smaller gem only let out a grunt in response, slipping her hands under Pearl's body to stay tightly against her. This was by far her favorite bed.

"Mm, Garnet..?" Pearl opened her eyes slightly, having been stirred by Amethyst's hug, and looked up at the gem standing above them. Then she looked down at the head of hair currently under her chin. Remembering the acts of the previous night, Pearl smiled, placing a hand on top of Amethyst's head. "Good morning, Amethyst."