*My usual disclaimer notice* Thank you again to all my readers and reviewers. :D
Garnet leaned against the temple door watching the warp pad. Before they could talk more about Garnet's proposal, Rose had come over asking for Pearl's help on a mission. Kissing her cheek, Pearl promised to talk more with her when she returned. Since then, the shock and surprise of her question nearly unfused her with the conflict between Ruby and Sapphire. She sighed, partly wishing they'd decide whether to stay fused or not for this conversation. It would be another day before Rose returned with Pearl. She punched the wall, frowning at nothing. The door slid open and Amethyst looked up at her curiously. "Oh. Amethyst."
"Uh, Garnet? What're you doing?" She asked, looking between her and the hole in the stone near the door. "Did you do that?" Garnet grunted embarrassed she'd been caught by the youngest Crystal Gem. She opened the door to the Burning Room, mussing the shorter gem's hair as she passed her. The sound of the purple quartz following her echoed through the room as she used it to wind her way to Pearl's. She would have gone to her own hidden deep in the temple, but she preferred her partner's at the moment. Plus, she didn't want Amethyst knowing where it was yet; Rose only knew in case she was needed.
"This is Pearl's room. You know she doesn't like people in her room when she's not here." Amethyst whispered, looking around as if Pearl would walk through the door at any second. Garnet nodded, jumping to the fountains towards the back. When the other gem didn't follow, she knew Amethyst would leave soon. She'd apologize for being rude to her later; the tension was getting worse, and Ruby and Sapphire were still struggling to reach an understanding. "Hey, Garnet? I'm going back to my room now…" Amethyst backed up running to the waterfall that led directly to her room. She didn't know what was going on with her friends. It didn't feel like their fights, especially not their big one with no shouting.
Alone again, the fusion gem let herself fall apart. Ruby groaned loudly, grabbing fistfuls of her own hair as she paced in circles around Sapphire. Her other half floated in place, her calm demeanor betrayed by the slow forming ice beneath her. The ice gradually thickened, kept from expanding outwards by Ruby's constant circling. She listened to Ruby's ranting for a long time, letting the fiery tantrum burn itself out. Throwing herself down, Ruby glared at the door. "Did you know she was going to ask that? What was Garnet thinking? Why wouldn't Pearl say anything? I don't—It's just so—URGH!"
"No, I didn't. Pearl won't say anything until we talk about this." Sapphire answered, holding Ruby's hands in hers dovetailing their fingers. She smiled at the sight. "We must discuss what to do from here, Ruby."
The red one stared at their intertwined fingers too, water boiling under her. "Yeah, I know. I don't know what to think about all this. We made something new. We made Garnet. Garnet loves Pearl."
"Pearl loves Garnet," added the blue gem. "But she also respects how we feel."
"I KNOW!" Ruby huffed. A giggle drew her from her thoughts.
"They will." At her partner's exasperated look, she said. "You were going to ask if they'll be together whether or not Pearl refuses. They will. And yes, I support Garnet's decision."
"Yeah, me too. It'd be nice, as long as they're happy." The other agreed, holding her love close. "We'll tell her when she gets back." The door slid open revealing a dirty, irritated Pearl who dove into the waters without acknowledging the couple. Meticulously scrubbing at her clothes she muttered about Earth's endless quest to make everything as filthy as possible. A few pointed jabs at Rose reached their ears, and they had to cover their mouths to keep from laughing at loud. They could easily imagine the leader throwing mud at Pearl trying to get her to play along.
Pearl sent them a glare which morphed into surprise. Rinsing off the last bit of mud, she teleported up to the fountains. Worry and panic twitched at the corners of her lips. Had something hurt them to make them split? No, she could see their gems were intact and they wouldn't be in her room. Did they fight again? Was there a problem with Garnet? Her hands raced with her thoughts. Eventually Ruby got dizzy ad stilled them. She opened her mouth to answer what questions she could. Not finding the right words she chose to let Sapphire explain instead.
"We were talking about Garnet's proposal to you." Pearl's eyes widened. She fidgeted, unsure of how to interpret her tone. The monotone way Sapphire tended to use had that effect on her. She winced as Ruby's fist touched her shoulder blinking at her as she realized the red gem had playfully punched, who stood next to them grinning. "Garnet meant it, Pearl."
And you? What do you think? I mean to say, how do you feel? This is serious. Pearl said, waving her hand in a circle at the end as if trying to corral her scattered thoughts.
"ARGH! Why are you so considerate?" Ruby grumbled.
"That's her way of saying we support it, as long as you're both happy. No. You've always been very respectful of our wishes for privacy." Sapphire intervened, seeing the potential for the two others to get in an argument if left be. The white Gem nodded. It was a lot to take in all at once, but she knew the couple who formed her mate would tell her exactly what they thought. This wasn't the first time the three discussed large changes. It likely wouldn't be the last time either. She was aware of Garnet reforming behind her and of the static shock that went through the fountain. A hand landed on her shoulder pressing only enough to announce Garnet's position before she sat.
Yes. Garnet tensed, turning her head to check she'd seen that right. Yes. I would like to, as the humans say, marry you. Before Pearl could say anything else Garnet stood, dragging her to her feet and spinning her around. A huge grin split Garnet's face as she laughed. The hearty sound carried easily in the room and soon the smaller gem was laughing too.
"You're sure?" Garnet asked, still happy from Pearl's earlier answer. "You'll marry me?"
Taking in deep breath in, Pearl smiled back. "Yes!" The star struck gleam in her love's exposed eyes made the tiny tendril of pride at speaking grow more. Encouraged, Pearl tried again. "Yes, Gar…Eht." Another admiring look and another deep breath. "Yes, Garnet!" This time when she looked up, tears were flowing steadily down Garnet's cheeks. Strong arms pulled her into a near-crushing embrace, and Pearl blushed as full lips pressed kisses all over her face. She lifted her head, kissing away the tears.