The air still thrummed with that horrible song, mixing with the snarling and screeching sounds as the creatures stumbled, dazed, across the still pulsing earth. Their distorted shadows flickered in the dimming light, a dance of the truly damned. The impact rang shrilly against the surface of her shield, which had blocked her, Garnet, and Pearl from harm. She did this, Pink Diamond thought as she slowly begins to process it all—but the idea does not conjure the feelings of hate that it should have. Even as she looked down into Pearl's despairing bright blue eyes she felt only numbness with that despicable longing festering just below it, making her skin crawl with utter disappointment in herself. The cold wind made her long silky dress flutter around her bare feet and legs, ringlets of hair brushing her cheeks and back, reminding her that even in this new form White Diamond still had a hold on her and simply would for the rest of her life. The pale flash of light twinkling in the sky above the other two had turned her throat dry and the tickle had reminded her of the flowers. She's up there. The idea that she probably didn't care that she was shattered stung deeply, knowing that White simply wanted to vanquish the rebellion. Nothing more.
Pearl's face crumpled as the creatures howled with maddening realization. Pink had promised her she would never look back, and in the end it might be the biggest lie she's ever told.
…
The men were just a distraction. They came and went, as fleeting as the seasons changing throughout the years. Greg was entertaining in his own right, and Pink never understood why that hole carved in her chest could never be completely filled by his charm. He was goofy, optimistic, and utterly fascinating. Yet when his hands crawled over her body the tan skin would often turn ivory, smooth fingers lengthening to claw-like nails, and she would have to physically shake her head to banish the sight. She'd recoil, nearly thumping her head on the ceiling of the cramped van they'd pack themselves into, Greg's hurt face bringing a tidal wave of guilt to clash with her disgust.
"This behavior will not be tolerated, Pink."
"Is something wrong, Rose?" he'd ask, and she would fabricate a false gentle smile just for him. "Of course not, darling," she purred softly, leaning down to fit her mouth to his, mainly to silence him. The acts would resume without much more hesitation. Later the awkward pause would be nearly forgotten. Pink Diamond plunged her fingers into his long locks of dark hair, her mind screaming at her to FORGET HER FORGET HER FORGET HER, taunting her with the knowledge that she was breaking her own vows. Still the warmth of his human lips would turn cold. In her mind White Diamond loved Rose Quartz in ways she never did Pink, and she'd be putty in her arms within seconds.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Universe," she whispered into the night once, but he was too far into the deep hollows of sleep at that point to hear her.
…
"Steven, if the baby is a boy," Greg said with certainty. Pink Diamond smiled at his enthusiasm, at this game they were playing. She touched her distended abdomen. At times she thought that she could almost feel the delicate life growing inside, inside her. Soon she would bring a human being into this precious world. It was such a special, wonderful ability, even if it meant sacrificing herself. This baby would certainly take the place of the dead flowers that she could still feel within her, so wilted they were papery husks of themselves, nearly ash, but far more poisonous than when they were blooming.
White could not have given you this, she told herself, but even this brought a nagging worm of doubt. But since the baby she could trick herself into believing she thought about the Diamond less. So maybe this was a step in the right direction after all.
"I love that name," Pink said with a smile.
"He's ours," White Diamond whispered in approval, running a single finger over the roundness of her belly. Pink felt her face flush as she gazed into those silvery eyes. White was glowing, her magnificence appearing almost like a living thing created in all the colors reflecting off of her.
Pink Diamond gave him a kiss. She shivered.
…
