Was this happening?

One second, Amethyst is treating Pearl's hand, applying ointment, then bandages, you know, the usual. The next second, Amethyst is having her lips pulled against the taller gem's own mouth. She couldn't move. She didn't even react. Only one thought was going through her head. Pearl made the first move?

It seemed like several minutes had passed before Pearl finally released Amethyst, an almost inaudible smack coming from their lips as she did. She immediately turned around, holding onto her arm.

"Sorry.."

"Sorry?" When Amethyst's brain finally clicked, she practically ran to stand in front of Pearl, a large, toothy smile on her face. "Why are you sorry?! That was great!" Now that the kiss had actually passed, the purple gem couldn't stop talking. "I mean, yeah I was surprised. I was definitely surprised, but I liked it! Loved it, even! Like, holy cow, P, my lips are still tingling.." At this, Amethyst brought her fingers to her mouth, testing the sensitivity of her lips. It still felt so.. wonderful. "I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd think you slipped me something in my food, cuz I feel high as a kite right now."

"..I'm glad you liked it." Pearl was still stunned that she could make such a rash action. Well, she did before when she attempted to take Steven to space, and she paid for it and realized her mistake, but this.. Amethyst was right. Her lips were still tingling as well. A small smile came to the pristine gem while she watched Amethyst act all excited. Seeing her in so much joy.. It felt better than any kiss could.

"But..." Amethyst started, calming down. This caused Pearl to get a bit worried, her expression changing yo match. What was wrong? Did she do something wrong? "Are you sure it's okay?" The purple gem asked, worried for her girlfriend's emotional state. "I mean, don't get me wrong.. You know me, I'm all for jumping on new things every chance I get." She continued with a chuckle, taking Pearl's uninjured hand in her own. "But.. I don't want you to feel like you're forced into anything."

Oh.. This is what Amethyst was going to say. Pearl smiled again, glad that it wasn't anything serious.. well, not anything that would threaten their relationship serious, anyway.

"It's fine Amethyst.." Pearl reassured, rubbing her thumb over the back of the smaller gem's hand. "I'll admit, I was surprised with myself too, but.." She thought back to just minutes before, to how it felt to have her lips on another pair. It was fantastic.. "I liked it as well."

"Really..?" Amethyst was of course going to be skeptical. Pearl felt so strongly for Rose, would do anything and everything for her if she were asked to, and now she's trying to move on.. Amethyst didn't want to put any strain on Pearl's emotions.

"Yes.. I did." Pearl didn't see what the big deal was. She felt better than she had in years. Twelve years, to be exact.

She pulled Amethyst into a hug, gently stroking her long hair with her good hand as her bandaged one gently rested itself on the purple gem's back.

"I'm still not sure I can say those words, the ones I would say to her.." Amethyst knew who Pearl meant. She stayed quiet, allowing her girlfriend to continue uninterrupted. "But I'm definitely closer.. I'll get there Amethyst.. I promise."

The smaller gem looked up in Pearl's eyes with tears in her own. So much happened in such a short span of time. The two gems are both hopeless romantics it seems.

"Thanks Sweet P.." Amethyst said, testing a new nickname. It rolled off her tongue so easily.. She liked it.

"Oho, come on now.. That makes me feel like a child." Pearl responded, averting her eyes with a blush, but also a smile. She liked the new nickname as well.

Amethyst chuckled, jumping to place a quick kiss to Pearl's cheek before she began leading her to the living room.

"Come on.. we gotta make sure Steven doesn't move, remember?"

"I didn't forget." Pearl retorted, her bandaged hand coming up to cup her own cheek. That kiss was nice too.. In the next few minutes, Pearl was seated on the couch, a napping Amethyst's head laying in her lap. She gently stroked the purple gem's hair as she slumbered, feeling truly grateful. This beautiful being on top of her legs has helped her through so much already. Not only was Amethyst able to prove Pearl's assumption that the purple gem hated her wrong, it was entirely the opposite.

Amethyst treated Pearl like she was something other than a drone.. She was the first to do so aside from Rose. When she first met Garnet, she was stoic as ever, though quite a bit more cheerful, but Amethyst.. The smaller gem always treated Pearl like a person, rather than a gem, like a living being rather than an object. Perhaps.. Pearl thought. I'll be able to say those words sooner than I thought..

As if on cue, Garnet returned from her 'mission', wherever it was to. She looked over at Pearl and the sleeping Amethyst, a smile playing on her lips. When there was a real mission.. these two would be ready.

"You seem comfortable."

"She always is.. Amethyst can sleep anywhere."

"I mean you."

Pearl looked up, eyes bright. She didn't think she could ever be so happy again.. She was loved, and in the process of coming to love. Nothing.. nothing could ruin this for her.

"I am.. Garnet.." Pearl began crying, her smile wide. "I..I'm so happy.."

"I'm glad.. but don't let it get to your head so quickly." Pearl nodded, looking back down at the sleeping Amethyst.

"I know, I know.. I said it would take time, and I have to give that to myself.. It's just.. so hard to wait when she's right here, ready and waiting."

"Oh I know the feeling." Garnet said, chuckling as she turned to start her way upstairs to see if Steven needed anything.

"Of course you do.." Pearl whispered to no one in particular, going back to stroke the purple gem's hair.