Together, Garnet and Pearl had faced down ferocious monsters, obliterated armies of Homeworld soldiers as Sardonyx, and had in all shared too many fraught moments to count. But this was their greatest challenge yet by far.
Garnet and Pearl took a step towards Rose as she stood with her back to them, then another. Pearl glanced behind her, every instinct screaming for her to flee, but set her jaw and continued forward with Garnet. They all stood atop the cliff above the Temple, in front of the lighthouse. The cool sea air made them acutely aware of the sweat accumulating on their brows. The fusion and the former servant looked at each other. The white Pearl took a deep breath.
"What are you two doing here? I thought you two and Amethyst went looking for Snowflake," Rose asked as she turned around, a hint of pain coming through her voice as she mentioned her fallen comrade.
"We… we couldn't find her, Rose. I'm sorry. But… but that's not what this is about." Garnet took a moment to collect herself. "Pearl and I would like to know what you think you're doing with… him," Garnet said, her tone leaving no doubt as to whom she was referring to. "Please, Rose, I know he appears to be a child, but it's insane to think that giving him access to the Temple and bringing him on crucial missions is a good idea."
"He's our enemy, Rose! Don't you remember that?" the white Pearl added, conviction shining in her eyes.
"Steven isn't Blue Diamond," Rose said calmly. "He's something more, something great. Something extraordinary."
"He could easily be a she. There's no telling if we'll be attacked by them! The Diamonds have lived for millions of years, they know how to play the long game better than anyone!" Pearl snapped, gesticulating wildly.
"He's not and he won't," Rose told them, turning back towards the ocean. "You two have always trusted my intuition. Why is this any different?"
Garnet took a deep breath. "Rose, the boy has been evading my future vision for the past few weeks. Everything surrounding him is a blur. There are too many possibilities to count. For the first time in millenia I feel… vulnerable. A-and afraid. No matter how many times Sapphire- I mean, I- decide something about him, he completely changes Ruby's- I mean, my- decisions. He frightens me," the stoic Gem said, her voice quavering slightly.
"No, Garnet," the Quartz shook her head. "You're afraid of Blue Diamond. That is something he is not. I know it's hard for us Gems to change, but you'll have to accept the fact that he's a human boy. I… don't have to have your foresight to know you'll come to terms with him eventually. I promise you will, Garnet."
"Rose, I-" Garnet saw the iron in Rose's eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. "Fine. I hope you're right. I'll… I'll try to see the good in him myself, if I can't trust Sapphy's Future Vision." Shaking her head, the fusion trod down the hill, leaving Pearl alone with Rose.
"There's… there's something else," Pearl muttered, fidgeting.
"Yes, Pearl?"
She gulped. "I- we need to talk. About Greg," Pearl said, struggling to remain calm. Her turquoise cheeks betrayed her stern expression.
Rose breathed a long, drawn-out sigh. "I was hoping we wouldn't have to. But I suppose it's for the best."
"He's-"
"I know, Pearl," she interrupted. "This… is difficult. I was hoping that I could have a bit longer to find a good way to say it, but… I can't do this anymore. We can't do this anymore."
Pearl could feel Rose's blade piercing her chest. Her arms fell limp as she stared at the uncountable blades of grass swaying in the wind. "P-pardon?" she asked in barely a whisper.
"Pearl. My Pearl. You're passionate, dedicated, loyal, my closest confidante. Those are only some of the hundreds of reasons I fell in love with you," Rose told her, smiling. Pearl's mind raced as she registered Rose's words. "But… You live for me, not yourself. Stars, I've lost count of the number of times you nearly got shattered because you threw yourself in front of a blow that would've barely scratched me!" Rose's voice had risen throughout her speech. She took a deep breath, trying and failing to calm herself. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "That's all you've been doing since you were freed, serving me in everything like you're some aristocrat's pet. That isn't love, that's blind devotion! Willing servitude!
"Pearl, I'm so very sorry. I'm sorry that I've let you become more of a slave than you ever were to Homeworld. I'm sorry that I couldn't see that your master's mark hasn't faded, even thousands of years after you were freed. I'm sorry I've ignored it, ignored what you were doing to yourself, for so long. I just… I can't do this anymore. I can't flip-flop between caring for you and going to some dashing human because I feel too guilty to dedicate my love wholly to you. Pearl, I just can't do this anymore. I'm… I'm sorry. It's over."
Pearl had no words at first. She simply stuttered and blinked. She felt as if her Gem was about to crack, as if she was about to shatter into a million pieces. "I- I see," she mumbled, regaining her composure. Tears were still streaming down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," Rose closed her eyes as she heard Pearl run away.
OxOxO
"Yeah-ha-ha!" Steven whooped, riding a wave onto the shore. The early morning sea was a great place to have fun, in his opinion. The waves were just high and strong enough to be like a rollercoaster, reminding Steven of all the times that Greg had taken him to water parks for his birthday.
Connie snickered, standing on the sandy beach in her yellow one-piece swimsuit. Steven also took steps to preserve his modesty, wearing bright green swim trunks."That was a good one!"
He laid down on his back, staring up at her. "Yeah! I'm glad your mom said you could come to the beach with me."
"Well, I told her we had a very responsible adult supervising us," Connie said, motioning to Pearl.
The blue gem was clinging to an inner tube, being tossed about by the choppy waves. She appeared as if she was holding her breath, with her inflated cheeks and frowning face. She wasn't having fun, at the very least.
"Uh, if you don't like the water, you can get out!" Steven shouted over the roar of the waves, his brow crinkling in puzzlement. He couldn't recall a time in all of his watery adventures where Pearl had expressed anything other than muted joy. But Connie had never been to the Ocean Town Memorial Water Park with him before, either. Steven pursed his lips.
As soon as the words left his mouth, she sprang to her feet and hurried out of the water. He didn't miss the look of disgust on her face as her toes squished in the wet sand. Pearl had foregone her skirt and slippers today in favor of attire similar to Connie's. "My thanks."
Steven sighed, frowning. "You don't have to do anything you don't like."
'Yes I do…' she thought. "Yes, my Diamond," she said.
He resisted sighing again. Steven couldn't get Pearl to stop calling him that since… since that night. The situation felt hopeless to him.
Connie quickly broke the ensuing awkward silence. "Hey, why don't we get a snack or something?"
"That's the best idea I've heard today! Maybe some good grub'll help me get the hang of my water powers," Steven said, rolling over and standing up. He dusted the wet clumps of sand off of him as Pearl offered him a crisp, freshly-washed shirt, which he graciously accepted. "You coming, Pearl?" he asked as he pulled the shirt over his head.
Pearl nodded, falling in behind the children. "I do carry the currency, my Diamond," she pointed out.
"So what sounds good, Connie?" Steven asked, jogging to catch up with his friend.
"Anything," she said. "Well, anything as long as you don't tell my parents," she added.
"Why, you dirty rapscallion!" Steven said, his voice full of mock indignance. Connie and the boy narrowed their eyes at each other, then began to giggle uncontrollably.
As the two continued to joke and talk, Pearl saw similar scenes, but with different actors, play out in her mind. If Connie's hair was a little longer, and Steven far, far taller… She pushed the intrusive thoughts out of her mind, although they still left her frowning slightly and walking stiffly.
The girl walked up to Steven, whispering in his ear. "Is there something bothering Pearl?"
"Yes," was his quiet reply.
"Why does she stick around if it just makes her sad?" she asked with a frown. "I feel badly for her."
"I don't know," he answered truthfully. "Maybe she…" He didn't want to say it.
"Maybe she's got a crush on your mom, like Mister Epnas from Spirit Morph!" Connie quietly exclaimed. "And she sticks around because of her love."
"That would be so… sweet," Steven said with a smile. But… no, that couldn't be true. Could it? That would be too tragic. Pearl wouldn't just stay with him because of that, right?
He turned around, waiting for Pearl to catch up. "My apologies, my Diamond…" she said with a bow.
"Pearl, did you love my mother?" he bluntly queried. Connie's jaw dropped.
"Why, yes. The luminous Blue Diamond was the most merciful, wonderful, magical being in the universe," Pearl whispered, clasping her hands.
"No," Steven said. "Did you love her? Like she loved Dad," he clarified.
Pearl sputtered like a dying automobile, her mouth falling open. "What? No! Such feelings would be highly inappropriate!"
"Gotcha. Sorry, Pearl, I'll drop it," He said sheepishly, glancing at Connie. "Guess not."
Pearl fell back, avoiding their conversation as her mind alternated between spinning itself dizzy and screaming. The group walked inside the Big Donut, Steven and Connie bounding in with pep in their step while Pearl followed behind, dazed. Sadie waved at the group, resting her head on her other arm. "Hey, guys. What can I get for you today?"
"Two donuts, please," Steven said matter-of-factly. Lars emerged from the backroom, and his confidence dissipated. "Uh, a jelly filled raspberry and a Boston cream, please," he muttered.
They got them quickly, Pearl paying for them with money from her gem a few moments and a gentle elbow jab after Steven prompted her. The trio stepped outside, and were immediately approached by a trio of teenagers.
The one with the red jacket and sunglasses, who Steven assumed was the mayor's son Buck, pointed at the boy. "That's an awesome bedazzle job."
Steven glanced down at his Diamond, looking up and rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh, thanks. I… grew it myself."
The teenagers, save for Buck, burst into snickering and giggles. Slapping her knee, the only girl in their group, Jenny, spoke up. "That is so funny!"
"Yeah, you're a real card, for a kid." Sour Cream said in a complete monotone.
"Oh, um, thanks," Steven quietly said. "I guess I'm a joker, huh?"
A smile finally crept onto Buck's stoic visage as he began to chuckle. "That's some good wordplay. What's your name? I'm Buck, he's Sour Cream, and she's Jenny."
His confidence slowly trickled in. "Uh, my name is Steven Universe, this is Connie and Pearl." Pearl bowed slightly, and the girl waved.
Jenny gasped. "I just had the greatest idea! Why don't you three join us for a day out?!"
Steven began to twiddle his fingers. "M-maybe?"
Connie leaned in close, whispering in his ear. "Maybe we should go? It could be an adventure road trip. Like in Dogcopter: Reckoning!"
"Yeah, alright. I-it could be fun!" Steven said, nodding.
Pearl nervously fidgeted. "Oh, um-"
"No worries, Pearl," Steven assured her. "You can stay if you don't want to come. In fact, I… order you to stay if you aren't interested?"
"I don't believe you should go with these strangers," Pearl meekly told him, closing her eyes to avoid his gaze.
"Yeah, that's fair. We're not exactly the least shady people in Beach City. And you're just kids, no offense. Stranger danger and all that," Buck said. "Alright. Have fun on your own. But, we should totally hang at some point. Later," he said, offering them a wave. The children and Pearl watched as they entered the Fish Stew Pizza delivery car.
"Good choice."
Steven and Connie turned around, jumping with fear. "G-Garnet! I didn't see you come up on us!" the boy exclaimed, holding a hand to his swiftly beating heart.
"I'm very quiet," the fusion told them, her voice neutral with great effort on her part. "So, Bl- Steven, what are you doing today?"
"Can't you just use your future powers to find out?" Steven cheekily asked, poking a finger at her with a goofy smile.
Garnet adjusted her visor, frowning ever so slightly and folding her arms. "No."
Steven pursed his lips. It was as if half the time Garnet was terrified of him, the other half she was stoic and uncaring. Fitting, he supposed, since she was a fusion. Many things had to be going on in her head, what with two people being in there.
"So, can we help you or something?" he asked, belatedly remembering his manners.
"I realized something," Garnet said. "You and I are going to spend time until we're able to get along properly. Now, how can I join in on the fun?"
"You can't really force yourself to get along with us," Steven said, taking note of the lingering hint of aggression. "Friendships take time and work to develop." Steven's words resonated within Garnet's fiery and icy halves, even though the whole didn't quite trust the boy.
"Yeah!" Connie added. "Steven and I have been hanging out for weeks. We didn't force ourselves to get along either. It just happened!"
Garnet sighed, considering the human child's words as she argued with Ruby and Sapphire internally. "Fine, Blue- Steven. Let me know when you are willing to..." she searched for the proper word for a moment, "...hang out." The trio watched as she stomped away, confusion the only thing on their minds.
"I… I will retrieve the groceries! Yes, we need groceries," Pearl muttered to herself, scurrying away. She idly wondered if the universe itself was conspiring to keep her off balance.
"That was…" Steven began.
"Weird. Like, super weird. Is she like that all the time?" Connie finished.
"What, Pearl or Garnet?"
"Garnet."
"Yeah, pretty much. She's either super confusing or really twitchy around me," Steven explained.
"So that was Garnet. She's, um, a fusion, right?" Connie stated more than asked as soon as Pearl was away. She cocked her head at the boy. "It just doesn't make sense that someone that scary is so afraid of you."
"Nah, it's not me she's afraid of. She and Pearl - no, not my Pearl, wait, that was poor phrasing, sorry, the Crystal Gem Pearl - are usually very… weird when I'm around. You noticed she called me Blue?" Steven asked. The girl nodded. He grimaced. "I'm pretty sure what I used to be- my mom- is what they're afraid of. Since I met the Crystal Gems, I just- Gah, nevermind. I don't want to stress you out."
"It's okay, you can tell me," Connie said, concern and curiosity in equal parts creeping into her voice.
He shook his head. "I don't want to lay something heavy on you. It'd be selfish of me."
"No it's not," she said in response, a twitch of annoyance tugging at her mind summoned by how the boy seemed to mirror her in most aspects. Sometimes, it seemed that even discounting their shared shyness, that Steven lacked some necessary social skills. Which made sense when she thought about it, seeing as he was raised by a space rock and a rock star. Connie could force herself to be nice when it counted, but Steven had a tendency to retreat into his shell at even the slightest bit of negativity from strangers. He was such a kind and caring kid when you got to know him, but… that was just it. Getting to know him was a near impossible feat. Connie probably would've never befriended Steven had he not chosen to swallow his fear and talk to her himself. Not that she was complaining. "Steven, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't let you vent to me?"
Steven smiled wanly, looking down at the sand. "Uh, if you're sure. I just can't stop getting this feeling that my mom was something more than what I've heard from Pearl and my dad. Not necessarily something… good."
Connie paused, taking a moment to analyze his words. "Steven, you're not your mom. You're you, and you're perfect. I know that everybody's expecting you to grow up to be like her and take up her legacy and some junk, but that's just not you! Which goes double if she wasn't all that she's cracked up to be, because you're the kindest, friendliest, warmest, happiest person I know. It has to be really hard, but I'll always be here for you. Always."
Both children's cheeks reddened. "Thanks Connie. That really-"
"GET DOWN!" Garnet roared, shoving them both into the sand. She very shortly joined them, pinning the children to the ground.
Steven peeked his head up just in time to see a roaring jet of water sail over their heads, slamming onto the boardwalk right where they'd been standing. "OH GEEZ!" he exclaimed as shards of wood exploded in all directions. "We almost got power washed!"
"Don't move!" Garnet ordered, rushing toward the water, where the tendrils of some blue monster whipping the surface into a frothing frenzy. The fusion grabbed a tentacle, dragging the beast to the sandy beach. Steven was expecting something like a kraken, maybe a giant snake. But the water bear was far more terrifying than anything his imagination could bring to bear.
Just as Garnet was winding up for an earth-shattering punch, the water bear moved its gelatinous mass with frightening swiftness to capture Garnet with its stubby appendages.
The two children were paralyzed with fear for the eternity of a few seconds, unable to do anything but watch as Garnet struggled within the beast's body. Then, Connie's eyes lit up. "It's made of water!" Connie shouted.
It took a moment for Steven to process her words. "No, no, no! That won't work! I can't use my hydro-whatsit yet, I can't even make a splash!"
"You did it once! I know you can do it again! How many times does someone's untapped well of power come to the surface in a moment of dire need in shounen?!" Connie rebutted.
"All the time!" he screamed. "BUT I'M NOT CAPTAIN LAZER X!"
"GET OUT OF THE WATER!" Garnet yelled, ripping her head free for a few moments before it was enveloped by the beast once again.
Connie locked her gaze with Steven. "Please! You have to try!"
Steven shook his head for a moment, then set his mouth in a firm line. He clapped his palms together and forcefully tore them away from each other, the air feeling like hardening cement. To his shock, monstrosity, after a moment of resistance, collapsed, Garnet and its gem dropping beneath the waves. The boy laughed triumphantly. "Woah, I did it! I did it! I'm Captain Lazer X!"
Garnet surfaced, bubbling the gem away casually. "If you two had taken your feet away from the water, I could've electrocuted it and finished it sooner." Despite her efforts to remain calm, irritation shone through her neutral tone.
"But he killed it!" Connie exclaimed, pumping her fists into the air. "Anime saved the day!"
The fusion scoffed, shaking her head in annoyance. Garnet charged past them, rushing towards the Temple. Steven couldn't help but notice her footsteps left small flames in her wake. "You should listen to me!" she grumbled over her shoulder.
"That was so cool!" Connie said, eyes shining. "Do you have any idea the kind of utility your powers could have? Heck, the human body is- wait, forget I said that. Bloodbending leads to the dark side.
Now that he was out of immediate danger, Steven's anxiety flared up once more. "I just hope my water powers aren't as fickle as everything else. What if I can't control it, and I accidentally make someone go to the bathroom?!"
"Steven, it's fine, I'm sure-" Connie said, attempting to comfort him, but Steven continued ranting.
"I'd never do something to purposefully hurt someone, but- Oh no! What if I accidentally made someone's heart explode, or-"
Connie placed her hand on his shoulder. "Steven. It's fine. As long as I'm around, between the two of us we'll be genre savvy enough to prevent you from slipping into evil, alright? Trust me."
Steven took a deep breath, calming himself down. "But what if I have an accident? I make people cry whenever I get sad, and… I- I just kinda worry sometimes, y'know? I mean, making people sad is one thing, but if this got out of control…" he trailed off.
"Oh, Steven…" Connie offered him a kind smile. "I'll always be here for you, okay? No matter what."
"But what if-"
Connie squeezed Steven's shoulder. "No. Matter. What."
"I just hope that I figure this thing out by Fall, or-" Steven was interrupted by Pearl
"Figure out what, by Autumn, my Diamond?"
Steven craned his head to see Pearl approaching them from the boardwalk. She had apparently collected herself on her brief grocery run, and she no longer looked like she was about to break down in sobs or faint. "My water powers. We just fought a water amoeba flea monster thing with Garnet!"
Pearl immediately dropped the bags, shortly thereafter picking them back up amidst rapidly mumbled apologies. "I- What an adventure I must have missed standing in line," she said, in a tone much more strained than normal. She almost sounded like the white Pearl.
"I don't think it'll be a normal thing. At least hopefully not. But look on the bright side! If all of these monsters keep showing up, you'll get to show off your cool sword moves!" Pearl shivered, images of a Steven mauled by corrupted abominations flashing through her mind.
"Perhaps I'll have to. There is no shortage of cor- monstrosities on this planet." How ironic. The means that Homeworld had used to secure its victory were now threatening to kill her S- her Diamond. It was for the greater good. The chaos surely would've spread throughout the galaxies if the Rebellion continued for much longer. It was for the greater good. Yes, the greater good.
And still, Pearl couldn't stop thinking about how truly fragile Steven was.