Hi, hope the new year is treating you well! If you follow this series over here, I just wanted to let you know there's some AO3-only stories in Constellations (the side stories of this fic) since this website doesn't allow explicit work. So if you'd like some cute Silver/Chroma/Aura porn, please go check it out over there!

Blue and Sky stayed on Earth for as long as Sky felt comfortable being away and then headed back to base, where they parted ways quietly. Sky needed to return to her Diamond, and Blue…Blue needed to go talk to Yellow.

She was glad to find the other Pearl already in their room, tinkering with something at the desk, when she returned.

"Hey," Blue said softly as she closed the door.

"Hey."

"I know I turned you down before, but could we talk? About what's been bothering me?"

"What's—yeah, of course." Something like relief crossed Yellow's face, though it was still pinched in worry. She stood up, tools still in hand, then glanced back down awkwardly. "Give me one minute? I want to make sure I don't lose track of any small parts."

Blue nodded. "Yeah, go ahead."

She took up a seat on their bed as Yellow hurried to put everything away, nervousness making her chest feel tight. It's okay, she told herself. This was Yellow. But…maybe it was scarier because it was Yellow, was the most important gem to her.

"Alright," Yellow declared within about thirty seconds. "I'm ready." She sat next to Blue, back perfectly straight, and waited.

"Thanks." She wanted to reach over and take Yellow's hand, but she didn't.

"So what is this about?" Yellow's manner was impatient, though Blue knew she didn't mean any harm by it. "Did something happen?"

"No. Or, well, yes, but not something that changes what I need to tell you."

"Alright," she replied cautiously.

"I've been…" How should she start? "I've been having a hard time adjusting to the rebellion."

"Okay."

"Okay?" she repeated.

"O…kay, I was waiting for you to elaborate?"

"Oh." Of course she was. It was silly to expect her to just know before Blue explained anything.

"Blue," Yellow said quietly, reaching up to touch one of the clips holding her hair back. "Do you need anything before we talk?"

Blue nodded, hesitantly turning her hand over, laying it open in silent, hopeful invitation.

Yellow took it without reserve, her fingers cold and tense as she squeezed Blue's tight.

She squeezed back. "I'm sorry," she murmured, looking only at their hands. "I'm sorry it took me this long to talk to you."

"That's—"

"It's not that I didn't want to or that I didn't think you would listen. I just thought about everything too much, and then it seemed harder and harder to say anything the longer I left it."

"Then stop thinking and talk." Yellow wrapped her other arm around Blue in a slightly uncomfortable hug. "You don't need to apologize first."

"But I do. I—I made you worry."

"I always worry."

"I made you worry more than usual."

"I'm not sure the degree of worry can be accurately measured."

"Yellow!" She couldn't help but laugh a little, and she felt a little of the tension leave Yellow's shoulders as well.

"Regardless," Yellow said, letting go of her but moving her hands to pocket Blue's fingers snugly, "your apology is accepted. Please continue."

Blue gave her a warm kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," she said softly.

It spilled out of her easily after that, still a messy tide of words that didn't come out quite as she wanted, but Yellow didn't care about that. She just listened, let Blue say everything she needed to, didn't comment until it was clear she was finished. By that time, she'd moved to rest her head in Yellow's lap, appreciating the soft comfort in that gesture.

"What do you think?" she asked after a moment of quiet.

"What sort of thing do you want me to say?" Yellow asked apprehensively. "I'm not—I don't have much practice at these kinds of conversations."

"I just want you to be honest." Blue reached up to touch her cheek. "Like you always are."

"Alright." She considered it for a moment. "I don't know about the social side of things, but in terms of finding something to do…I think you're overlooking some things?"

"Hm?"

"You've been talking like you're coming into this completely unskilled, but you're not. Yeah, you aren't going to be sharing your projections like before, but you have plenty of skills that you learned while doing that. Being sneaky, being able to talk to other gems well, knowing how to get through to them. You can put those to use elsewhere, you know."

"Oh. I-I hadn't thought about it that way."

"I could tell." Yellow cleared her throat awkwardly. "Anyway, you don't have to use them. It's fine if you want to do something completely different too."

"I know. Thanks." She brought Yellow's hand to her gem, holding it there softly. "Thank you for reminding me. I guess with other gems, it seems more…obvious? That their skills go with their job. But maybe that's just because they've already chosen."

"Probably," she agreed.

"I think…I would like something where I get to interact with a lot of people. I don't know what though."

"There's plenty of jobs like that."

"Yeah." There were plenty of jobs like that. It was good to hear. "I told Sky I'd talk to Crimson about shadowing, like the newer rebels do," she added. She'd forgotten to include that in her original recounting of the day's events. "I think it might help."

"It's a good idea," Yellow said.

"It is. I'm glad she was the one to find me."

"I'm less glad about Citrine," she muttered. "I'd like to give her a piece of my mind."

"Leave it," Blue murmured. "It won't help anything."

"It'll help me," Yellow said stubbornly. "She's nasty to you, which I don't like. She's nasty to everyone else here, which means I have to listen to Chroma vent about it while we're working. She's the one who's out of place here, for stars' sake. It's a miracle they haven't kicked her out."

"I don't think we can kick people out of the rebellion."

"Sure we can."

"I don't think we should," Blue corrected herself. "Besides, I don't know that I'd call her nasty. We sort of started to have an okay conversation before things went downhill. And with other gems, like when she was being rude to Garnet, she probably just didn't consider how it sounded before she said it. I think she's bad at…softening her words? Kind of like you."

Yellow grimaced.

"Like you came across before I got to know you," she amended. "She's more abrasive than you were, but she's probably come from really different circumstances, so maybe it's harder for her to unlearn."

"Maybe she's not trying to unlearn it," she argued.

"Or maybe she needs more time."

"We're not all as patient as you are, Blue."

"Is that another one of my skills?" she teased lightly.

"Yes, but please don't try and make Citrine your job."

"Oh, stars no, I wouldn't want that job. And I don't think she'd take kindly to being anyone's project."

"Probably not." Yellow nestled her hand into Blue's hair gently. "Fine, I won't say anything to her. Unless she starts something in front of me."

"Good. It's cozier having you here instead of wandering off to pick a fight." Blue pushed herself upright so she could give Yellow a proper hug. "Thank you for listening to me talk."

"You're welcome." Yellow held her close. "Do you need anything else? We still have a bunch of those lollipops Steven gave you, if you want one."

"Maybe later," she laughed. "Right now, let's just stay here."

"Sounds good."

"So are we going to talk to Crimson now?" Yellow asked the next morning, trailing her hand down Blue's arm.

"Not yet," Blue murmured, keeping her eyes closed. "Sky offered to go with, so I want to wait for her."

"That sounds like you're making an excuse to procrastinate it," she replied, not rude but certainly not hesitant to voice her disapproval.

"I'm not. Or…I don't think I am." Blue sighed, rolling over to face Yellow and clasping their hands together between them. "It's just…it feels like it's important. For me and Sky."

"This isn't about Sky, it's about you."

"I know." She gave Yellow a grateful kiss. "I'll go talk to Crimson on my own—or with you—if she doesn't show up today. Promise."

"Alright then," Yellow relented, holding Blue's hands tight. "Today."

"Today," she agreed.

"What do you want to do until she shows up then?"

"More cuddles?" Blue suggested hopefully.

"I'm not opposed, but can we at least find something to do while we cuddle?"

"Yeah, for sure. Hmm…" Her fingers danced briefly over one of Yellow's hair clips. "Oh, I know," she said suddenly, brightening. "While I was on Earth one day, Steven showed me how to search for different movies online. I found a bunch that I think you'd like."

"Yeah?" Yellow asked, unconvinced.

"They're not movie movies, but they're videos about technical stuff that go into a whole bunch of detail. I thought it might be helpful."

"Maybe," she replied, interest sparking in her eyes. "But you'd crack from boredom, wouldn't you?"

"Well…"

"Today's meant to be to make you feel better."

"Oh."

Catching the disappointment on Blue's face, Yellow quickly added "Thanks for telling me about them though. We can watch some together another time."

"Okay," she agreed with a smile. "You're welcome. What shall we do today then?"

"Why don't we find some videos you like?"

"Or that we both like?"

"That would be preferable."

"I think so too!"

In the end, it didn't take long for Sky to show up anyway, a soft knock at their door that roused Blue from Yellow's embrace.

"I'll get it," she said.

"Alright." Yellow sat up and paused the video they'd been watching as Blue went to answer the door.

"Hi," Blue greeted Sky.

"Hello!" Sky searched her face for a moment. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than yesterday."

"I'm glad." Their conversation was still rather awkward, but Blue could feel the genuine concern behind Sky's words. "Would you like to go talk to Crimson now?"

"Yeah, I'm ready." Blue glanced back at Yellow. "I'll see you after?"

"Mm. I'll be here."

"Thanks." Blue followed Sky out into the hall and down towards Crimson's room. "How have you been doing?" she asked carefully.

"Alright," Sky answered, giving her a small smile. "Crimson and I made plans to do some organizing today, so I'm looking forward to that."

"The organizing or spending time with Crimson?"

"Both!" she laughed. "I know it's not very rebellious, but I still enjoy a couple of the things I'm 'supposed' to do."

Blue smiled. "Well, reclaiming it could be considered rebellious too."

"Yeah, I guess so." Sky gave her a small appreciative nod as they reached their destination, and then pressed her finger to the corner of the screen next to Crimson's door to activate the doorbell chime.

"Hello," Crimson greeted them with a friendly smile as the door slid open a moment later. "Come on in."

"Thanks," Blue said quietly, accepting the invitation. She wasn't used to being invited into anyone else's room—save the Crystal Gems' rooms, but that was different. Crimson's, she noticed quickly, was at least twice the size of the usual rooms but seemed significantly less lived-in than Blue and Yellow's. There was the usual furniture—bed, desk, some shelves—plus an extra sofa and table that filled at least a little of the space on the other side of the room. The only personality to it was a collection of small knick-knacks and a surprising amount of food scattered along the shelves.

"It's not much," Crimson said as Sky gave her a small hug in greeting before following Blue inside. "Sky and Aura have been trying to help me decorate, but it's a work in progress. Anyway, I thought it might be more comfortable to talk in here instead of cramming the three of us into my office."

Blue shook her head. "It's nice. Thank you for having me."

She smiled. "Sure. Do either of you want something to eat or drink?" Crimson gestured to the bottom shelf, which had so much fruit stuffed into it that it looked like it was going to overflow at any second.

"Um…?" Sky shot the red Pearl an inquisitive look.

"Fruit Cup," she explained. "I'm not entirely sure where she gets all of it, but she keeps giving it to me because she's afraid she'll eat it all at once if she keeps it in her room."

"Aha," she laughed. "Alright, I guess I'll have something. Any recommendations?"

"I think you'd like the berries. The small ones in the clear container? But it's all up for grabs."

"I'll try them then. Blue?" Sky offered her the little box, but she shook her head. "Okay." She sat down on one end of the sofa, popping the lid off and picking out one of the little red berries out daintily.

"Please, take a seat," Crimson urged Blue. "What is it you'd like to talk about? Sky didn't say very much when we were setting this up."

"Oh," Blue said, quickly choosing the seat beside Sky and lacing her hands together in her lap. "I was hoping to talk about…well…my job in the rebellion?"

Crimson nodded as she took a seat as well. "Okay," she answered easily. "What about it?"

"I don't really have one," Blue admitted quietly.

"You…"

"I mean, I help with training sometimes, but that's not the same as a job. And I'd really like to do more, but I don't know where to start." Her voice wavered slightly in the middle of the last sentence, but she hastily pressed on. "I want to be able to help more."

Crimson just looked at her for a moment. "I'm sorry," she said finally, giving Blue an apologetic smile. "I assumed you liked things that way, as a sort of…gem of all trades? Like Sky and Caddy are at the moment."

Blue shook her head. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, but I do better with something to focus on, I think. Plus it's kind of difficult to find things to do for people."

"Everyone thinks she has more important places to be," Sky explained in between berries.

"Ah." Crimson ran a hand through her ponytail. "Yeah, I can see how that would happen."

"Sky suggested that I shadow a few different gems to see what I like," she added. "Would that be okay?"

"Yeah, for sure, you certainly don't need my permission. I'd be happy to set it up though, if you want."

"That'd be great."

"Okay. Anything in particular you want to try?" There was no hesitation, no judgement that she could see in Crimson's expression, just a slight curiosity at what Blue's answer would be.

"I'll try anything," she answered honestly. "I don't have a firm idea of what I'm looking for yet."

Crimson nodded. "Makes sense. I'd probably be doing the same thing if I wasn't in charge."

Blue laughed nervously, shaking her head.

"No, seriously," she said. "I'm not the best at staying in one place, so I'm sure I'd be jumping between jobs a lot. The benefit of being leader is I get to do that and it is one job."

She laughed a little. "I guess it is."

"Anyway, I'll figure out a vague schedule for you, and you can adjust it as you see fit."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Is there anything else I can do?"

"No. No, that's it. Thank you for not making it a big deal."

"I don't think it needs to be a big deal, does it?" Crimson asked. "There's plenty of other Pearls who haven't worked out what they want from their life here just yet. And while your history is significant to a lot of us, I don't want it to make you feel as though that part of your life is all that matters. It's what you choose to do now that's most important."

"That—That means a lot," Blue murmured. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And I'd offer to talk to the others about, well, making less assumptions but—"

"I want to do that myself," she interrupted.

"Yeah," Crimson agreed with a smile, "I figured."

Blue couldn't really think of anything more to say, pleasantly surprised by how easily the little meeting had gone.

"Sky, was there anything you needed too, or…?"

"Hm?" Sky blushed, caught with her hand raised halfway to her mouth. "No, I was just here for moral support. And to eat your food, I guess."

"Have as much as you want then," Crimson laughed. "Fruit Cup will be pleased. She wanted to give you and Caddy some of the dessert she made the other day, but you didn't come by in time."

"I'll be sure to thank her for both then!" Sky said happily. "Though, um, shall I walk you back to your room first?" she asked Blue politely.

"I'll be alright," she answered with a smile, standing up. "Thank you for coming with me."

"Anytime," she said. "I'll see you around?"

"Yeah, definitely." Blue's gem warmed happily when Sky walked her to the door anyway. "If there's ever anything I can do for you in return…"

"Thanks." Sky shrugged, returning Blue's smile shyly. "Maybe when I'm looking for a job of my own?"

"I'd love to help."

"Then it's a plan." She gave Blue a small wave as she slipped out of the room. "See you."

"How'd it go?" Yellow asked as soon as Blue opened the door.

"Good." She met Yellow's tense expression with a smile, and the other gem seemed to relax. "It was good; Crimson was really understanding about it." Blue went over to the bed and leaned down to kiss the little crease that had formed on Yellow's forehead. "I'm sorry I've been worrying you so much lately."

"Stop worrying about my worrying, we'll get caught in a downward spiral," Yellow said briskly, pulling Blue down for a proper kiss. "It went well?" she checked once they parted.

"It did."

"Good." She smiled faintly as Blue joined her on the bed. "What next?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you want to do next?" Yellow repeated. "That covers the job side of things, but you were upset about more than that."

"Oh! Yeah, but I don't think I want to have too detailed of a plan for, um, making friends. That would make it weird."

"Fair enough."

"I'm just going to try to speak up more. And spend time with more gems. I've been avoiding pretty much everyone lately, so I'm sure that didn't help…"

"That sounds like a reasonable plan," Yellow said, taking her hand gently. "You can always come spend time with me and the others. Chroma gets along with everybody. Well, everybody but Citrine. And Lavender's alright too."

"Just 'alright'?" Blue laughed.

"She keeps taking things apart when they don't need to be taken apart. But she's friendly."

"I'll keep that in mind," she teased. "And thank you for offering. I will come visit you more often, I promise."

"That's not why I said it," Yellow muttered, blush rising to her face.

"Well, I'd like to visit for multiple reasons," Blue said warmly. "But I'm also going to try to branch out and get to know other gems. So…maybe give me a little nudge if I seem like I'm around too much!"

"If I must."

She smiled.

"Blue?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't know if you're in the mood for it, but would you like to form Green for a little while? Or, I mean, I'm free for the day, so we could just go back to cuddling instead. It's up to you."

"Green?" she repeated, surprised. "Yes. Yeah, that'd actually be really comforting. I've kinda missed her."

"Me too," Yellow admitted, looking relieved.

"I'm sorry, I know we kept saying we'd have a fusion date, and that we would fuse more regularly once we got settled…"

"Well, you hadn't gotten settled yet," she pointed out matter-of-factly. "But maybe it's better that Green gets settled too. I'm sure she'd like getting to meet everyone."

Blue nodded, happy tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. "She definitely would."

"Let's dance then?"

"Let's."