Time seemed to slow and to fast all at once. The days without Rose stretched out, an empty space of confusion.

Garnet had led them as best as she could, but she would find herself turning to an empty space for feedback.

It was worst for Amethyst and Pearl though.

Pearl would switch between three states: crying, arguing, and silence. All that Garnet could do was be there when she finally decided to come around. And even then her support would only help so much. Pearl needed to overcome this in her own time and by her own means.

Garnet would be lying if she said it didn't make her feel helpless to her friend's pain. But it was the best course of action she could see, when she looked at all possible futures.

When it came to Amethyst something clenched painfully in Garnet.

Amethyst had increased in hostility picking fights with Pearl. But the first fight after Rose was gone was the worst. Garnet could remember how Amethyst and Pearl had started arguing.

And like always it play out like the millions of times it had gone before. When Amethyst thought Pearl was completely wrong, right before she bolted to the door. Yells of "Rose!" echoing through the cave, But unlike those times Rose wasn't here. The door to her room wouldn't open this time, Amethyst couldn't cling to her skirt and tell her how unfair Pearl was. Pearl couldn't go over and explain what was wrong on her end. Garnet wouldn't be able to give her own accounts of what happened.

There would be no more gentle smiles from Rose as she combed her fingers through Amethyst's hair. They no longer had Rose to help them through these little fights or keep the peace.

So when Amethyst realize this, staring up at the pink gem on the door that wouldn't be lighting up. Both Garnet and Pearl watched as her shoulders dropped and a few seconds later a sob broke out.

The fight was easily forgotten as they huddled around the smaller gem.