Fandom Oneshots

Pearlescent Knows Best - Pearlescentmoon

Throwing a small pile of thinner branches and sticks into the fire, the flames ignite brighter around the materials. Brushing off my arms and hands, I retake my previous seat diagonal from my soulmate, Mumbo, who stares into the fire, wringing his hands.

"So how have things been going with you?" I ask, attempting to start a conversation. He smiles,

"It'd be a lot better if I was partnered with you..." I sigh, shaking my head.

"Mumbo..."

"I know. I just- I'm sorry Y/N...I really didn't mean to hurt you like that, it's just that-."

"Grian offered you an opportunity...and you took it without a second though."

"And I've regretted it ever since." I look at him semi shocked.

"...What..?"

"I've been meaning to talk to you, to tell you...but I couldn't get anywhere near you without Pearl threatening me."

"Oh."

"But I swear, I've been trying, and I'm going to continue to!" I study his face, knowing he's being genuine.

"Mumbo...you know I want to be partnered with you...but I can't just leave Pearl...she's already lonely and frankly unstable..." He stands, coming to kneel in front of me, taking my hands into his gently, rubbing the backs with his thumbs.

"I know...but please, just try and maybe reason with her? You know she listens to you..." I nod, smiling at him as he smiles back, squeezing my hands. He slowly gets to his feet.

"I'll be right back, I promise." I nod at him again, watching his suited figure disappear into the foliage around us, giggling softly.

"Well! I thought he'd never leave!" A high pitched and slightly threatening voice rings out from behind me. I turn spotting Pearl, clad in her red cape, followed by Tilly.

"Pearl?" I stand, gaping at her.

"Hello Y/N!"

"W-why, wha- , how did you find me?" I ask as she rounds the log beside mine coming closer.
"Oh it was easy, really. Tilly here just sniffed out the scent of complete and utter betrayal and followed that." I sigh deeply.

"Pearl-."

"We're going home Y/N." She states firmly, grabbing my hand and pulling. "Now."

"Pearl, you don't understand. I've been on this incredible journey and I've seen and learned so much. I've even reconnected with my soulmate!"

"Yes, the mustached man. I'm so very proud, now come on Y/N." She pulls harder, dragging me behind her, Tilly following at her feet.

"No, wait!" I pull away. "I think he likes me."
"Likes you? Please, Y/N, that's deemented!"

"But Pearl-" She sighs, coming to stand behind me, squeezing my shoulders and resting her chin on my shoulder. "This is why you never should have left! Dear, this whole romance that you've invented, just proves you're too naive to be out here." She comes around front, gently tilting my chin upwards. "Why would he like you? Come on now, really!" She gestures to my dirty and semi ripped clothing. "Look at you, you think that he's impressed?" She walks away backwards, opening her arms to me. "Don't be a dummy! Come with me deary. Pearl-"

"No!" I shout, silencing her. She freezes, raising an eyebrow.

"No? Oh, I see how it is then." She slowly walks up to me. "So Y/N knows best, Y/N's so mature now." She pinches my cheek, shaking it. "Such a clever grown-up Miss!" Turning sharply, she paces away, before stopping.

"Now Y/N knows best, fine, if you're so sure now..." she reaches into the darkness of her cloak. "Go ahead, then give him this!" She pulls out a dark brown leather satchel, my eyes going wide in realization.

"How did you-?"

"This is why he's here! Don't let him deceive you!" She throws it to me, myself barely catching it, feeling the rods of sugar cane get shuffled around. "Give it to him, watch, you'll see!"

"I will!"

"Trust me, my dear," she snaps, "that's how fast he'll leave you! I won't say I told you so." She comes closer to me once again, fury burning in her eyes. "No, Y/N knows best! So if he's such a dreamboat, go and put him to the test!"

"Pearl wait-!" She points her finger at me.

"If he's lying! Don't come crying!" She backs away. "Pearl knows best!" And with her final word, she disappears into the darkness surrounding. I stand frozen, clutching the bag tightly. Glancing down, I open the top, peering at the dark green sweet bamboo, tears brimming in my eyes.

"Hey, so, I may or may not have gotten a bit lost!" I hurriedly stuff the satchel into my own bag, carefully rearranging back to its original spot. Mumbo breaks through the forest, back into the clearing.

"Everything alright..?" I wipe my eyes quickly.

"Of course! Just a bit tired is all." He nods.

"Well I know for a fact that Dubs and Impulse live not too far away, and they're always offering a place to stay?"

"Yeah, that sounds perfect!" He walks closer, picking up his own pack, grabbing his water canteen and emptying it over the fire, dousing it. I grab my own bag, as he replaces it to his pack, hesitantly offering me a hand, and I accept it, allowing him to walk beside me, our fingers interlaced.