Pearl sat tensely on the corner of the couch. Lapis and Peridot were gone; Amethyst and Garnet retreated to their rooms in the temple. She had a lot of time alone to think before her and Bismuth reconnected in the morning to finalize some plans for upcoming classes that week. Rain began to fall outside the window, slowly at first and then all at once like a symphony coming together. It was loud against the roof and it put her at ease while she relaxed against soft cushions. Anxieties about the past came to the forefront of her mind. Her relationship with Pink, the Gem War, and even the last few years before everything finally calmed down. It had been an endless battle and while she felt comfortable right now, she always wondered if something was going to come next.
The morning came and her and Bismuth tried to put their attention on work but easily got distracted by one another. They met a little extra early anticipating that. They were excited and giggly when Garnet entered the room.
"How'd you guys enjoy the movie last night?"
"It was good." Bismuth responded.
"I have a feeling you weren't paying too much attention to the movie." Garnet retorted with a grin.
Pearl laughed and turned back to the binders in front of them, trying to keep on task.
"I just don't see the purpose in making weapons anymore. I think you should put that to the side and teach armor making primarily." Pearl stated.
"Look, I know there probably isn't going to be anyone to fight anymore, at least hopefully not for a while, so if we're taking weapons off the table than you could argue that armor could be taken off too." Bismuth retorted.
"I supposed you're right," Pearl concluded, "So maybe we start teaching furniture making for the new gem's homes. We've still got more coming and we're running out of space so we could probably get gems to assist in building a few larger structures."
"I just hate going and getting those permits from the mayor."
"I know it'll take a while, but it'll be worth it. Strange though, doesn't feel like the government was ever that concerned with what we did with our space before." Pearl reflected.
They shrugged it off and moved across several other topics.
"Seems like we're set for today. Are we still on for later tonight?" Bismuth asked.
"Of course." Pearl smiled.
Once the day was done and classes were over, they met at the temple later that evening.
"That walk you promised me?" Bismuth teased, grabbing Pearl's arm and leading her out towards the shore. Bismuth found a comfortable spot near the water and sat down, joined by her partner.
"I like you Pearl."
"I like you too."
"I really, really like you. I love you." Bismuth added, and then paused. "Would you prefer I stop saying that? I know we're not exactly on the same wavelength yet…. I don't wanna put any pressure on you, but it's hard for me not to tell you."
Pearl looked out at the water, "I don't mind it. It's nice." She leaned on Bismuth's arm.
For a few minutes they sat in silence, enjoying the sound of the water. The moon's reflection created beautiful patterns while the waves moved slowly. They were grateful to be where they were with not only themselves, but each other. They'd both grown a lot, and while there would still be obstacles to overcome, they were confident that their relationship would stand those tests.
"What if I don't know what love is?"
"What do you mean?" Bismuth interrogated.
"I wonder sometimes if I was in love with Pink. It was so good, and then it was so bad. Someone who loves you shouldn't make you feel that way. And how could I love someone if they treated me like that? Was it even love?"
"I don't know Pearl," she answered. "But that's in the past. Sure, it's something that happened to you, but we can't let that effect our relationship. This will be better, I promise you."
"What if I don't fall in love with you?"
Bismuth hesitated. She didn't think that Pearl was incapable of love. She'd seen her love so many people in her lifetime. Not the same kind of love she wanted from Pearl; it was a platonic love. It hadn't crossed her mind that Pearl might not fall in love with her, that she may never love her the same way Bismuth did. Would that be something she could be okay with? Would she be able to be with Pearl if Pearl never fell in love with her? Bismuth couldn't say, but she didn't want to think of it as a possibility.
"Don't get me wrong," Pearl added, "I do love you. I care for you deeply. I can't say that I'm in love with you like you are with me, but you're so important to me and that's all that matters right now. I still have my fears."
"I know," Bismuth consoled her. A few tears came to her eyes, but she wiped them away, not wanting to take the attention from her significant other. "We're happy, let's try not to worry about the past and the future. The present is all we need to think about."
Pearl took a deep breath. "Thank you for listening to me. You've always been so good with that. I feel heard when I'm with you."
Bismuth wrapped her in closer, putting her worries at bay and laughed with Pearl. "I could listen to you all day and would never get tired of it."
They put their faces together, sharing a deep kiss which was shortly followed by a burst of light. Suddenly, Bismuth and Pearl were no longer there.
Instead, taking the place they formerly sat was their fusion, Moonstone.