Spinel was bored. Downright bored.

Steven had decided to help out Sour Cream with something about his "DJ dream"? She didn't know, and Garnet and Amethyst were already out doing their own thing, though she had no idea what Pearl was doing. She had already tended to her Garden yesterday and the next visit was scheduled next week.

All she could do now was lay on the couch with her eyes closed, alone with her imagination.

Honestly, I feel like I could do anything right about now-

"Spinel! There you are!" She heard Pearl speak, "I was looking all over for you!"

Spinel opened her eyes, meeting the pale Gem's gaze, "Hey Pearl. You bored too?"

Pearl nodded gleefully, "Yes! And since we are 'bored', I've decided that this is the best opportunity to spend some time together!"

Spinel perked up, somewhat interested, "Like what?"

"A mission!"

...Okay, when I said anything, I didn't mean ANY-thing.

"A... mission?" Spinel sat up, "Why?"

"Ooooh... It's just..." Pearl laughed halfheartedly, "It just seems that you've been spending a lot of time with Steven, Lapis, and Peridot..."

"Yes... I have..."

"And that's nice and all, but... I was thinking that perhaps you and I could... go on a mission together?"

Spinel was certainly perplexed. Pearl never asked her to go on a mission, let alone 'together'. She only went if she was really needed, and she never really enjoyed missions anyway.

"Are... are you sure? Because Garnet or Amethyst could-"

"Nope! Just you and me! On this mission! Together!"

The Gems continued to stare at each-other for a moment, Spinel noticing a hopeful yet strained look in the other's blue eyes.

She let out a defeated sigh, "Oh alright. I'll come."

"Excellent!" Pearl clapped her hands together, her joy lit up, "We'll be heading out in an hour, so best to get prepared!~" She sang on the last word as she delightfully trotted away, if you could call it that.

Arriving to their destination, Spinel saw that they were in some kind of forest. Except some of the tall, thin pine trees were knocked down, presumably by a monster.

Spinel awkwardly looked around, "So... is there a Corrupted Gem problem?"

"That's right!" Pearl ecstatically replied, wrapping an arm around the pink Gem, "I detected some activity in this area! But we ought to be careful! Some of these Corrupted Gems still have their intelligence, so they could be anywhere in this place, which means we need to stick together and keep a keen eye!"

In response, Spinel slowly nodded, "Riiiight..."

"Then let us go!" Pearl proudly declared, holding Spinel's hand as she dashed forwards, built up with excitement.

"Pearl, are you sure we shouldn't split up-"

"Nope!"

"... Um... You're getting really close to me."

"I just want to make sure you're there!"

"You don't have to- OOF! S-Squeeze me..."

"I like the way your skin feels."

"Pearl... we don't have skin. You keep telling everyone else that we're just holograms with mass-"

"Shhhhhhh..." Pearl slid a finger down the pink Gem's lips, "Let's keep listening for the monster."

Spinel, obviously creeped out, was nearly stretching her neck away from the pale Gem. All she wanted to do was get this mission over with. Not because of her known dislike for them, but Pearl's behavior was seriously concerning.

But she would admit that Pearl was right about one thing; they haven't found the monster in what felt like over an hour. Which pretty much meant that whoever this Corrupted Gem was, it had enough smarts to hide away from them… which was also making Spinel's situation worse.

"... Pearl?"

"Yes?"

"... Did I do or say something? Is that why you're acting so weird right now?"

There was something in Pearl's eyes when she replied, "Nope! I'm good! You didn't do anything wrong. Why do you think I brought you along?"

Spinel glanced away awkwardly, "Gee, I dunno... It's just... It kinda feels like I did something that's making you act this way. I mean, I won't be mad at you if you told me-"

A growl stopped them in their tracks. Pearl finally released Spinel of her side-hug, and stood her ground. Spinel simply rubbed her arm as the ground began to shake, causing both of them to almost fall over.

"Get back!" Pearl held an arm out protectively in front of Spinel as loud footsteps came near.

Soon, a monster three times their size leapt out of the trees, hissing and sticking its forked tongue out. It was certainly a corrupted Gem, but this one was a deep turquoise reptile-like creature, like a chameleon or an iguana.

Without teeth to bite, it had long, black four-toed claws that scraped the dirt beneath it and a long, slender tail. Pale teal pikes ran down from its spine to the end of its tail. Long frills on the sides of its head spasmed as the tiny eyes darted in different directions.

Judging by the cut and shape of the gemstone located on its forehead, it looked like a Helenite.

"Geez!" Spinel gasped, "That Gem's huge!"

Pearl summoned her spear and immediately dashed toward it, even letting out a battle cry. The Corrupted Gem saw her and whipped its tail to slap her away. The force of it caused Pearl to crash into a tree, nearly causing it to fall over.

The Helenite's eyes also caught Spinel and it hissed at her, the frills continuing to spasm and its tail swung towards her. As quick as lightning, Spinel grabbed the tail before it could hit her. Despite that, she struggled to keep it away as the force made her drag her feet across the dirt.

"Spinel!" Pearl shouted after recovering, "Keep that position! I've got this!"

"Obviously!" Spinel called back, watching Pearl charge towards the Corrupted Gem once more. This time, she avoided the monster's snapping jaws and was able to slash it a few times before the damage made the Helenite retreat into its Gem. When Pearl leapt down and panted, Spinel grabbed the gemstone and bubbled it, whispering to it that they'll fix her soon.

"Ha! Excellent catch!" Pearl, still holding her spear, walked over to her, "I tell you, you may be the only Spinel in world, but you're the best out of all of them!"

Spinel sent the bubbled gem away and gave Pearl a stern look. "Pearl. What's going on with you? You've been acting really weird these past couple of days, and it's really bothering me and everybody else. Was it something that I said?"

Taken aback, Pearl held her spear close to her, tensing up.

"I mean, I could blame myself for this, but you've kinda been... I dunno... demanding attention from me. Not from Steven, or Garnet, or Amethyst, or anyone else, but from me."

The pale Gem began to blush, but not just out of embarrassment.

"Pearl..." Spinel became serious, "What's going on? Tell me."

The other Gem gripped her spear closer, anxiously biting her lip. "I... I just want someone to protect again..."

"... What?"

"Spinel... I miss having someone by my side. I just want someone to rely on me, like I did for Rose..."

"Are you saying that I'm a replacement for Rose?"

"NO!" Pearl retorted, "You're not! I know you're not her! But it's just... like Rose, you mean a lot to me. We've known each-other for so long, they don't know you like I do, and you know me better than anyone else. I want to l..."

"What? You want to what?"

"... ... I want to love you," Pearl's voice was hardly above a whisper, but Spinel heard her. They stood quiet for what felt like forever, the wind blowing their air, red chrysanthemum petals blowing around them.

"... ... Pearl."

"... Yes?"

"I think... we need more time to think about this before becoming... more than just friends."

Pearl looked up, eyes full of hope, "You mean...?"

Spinel sighed, "Only if you give me and yourself the time to think about it, then yes."

"... Alright. I'll wait."

Um… Did I make Pearl too creepy?

(plays "Somebody To Love" in the background)