Pearl : White Diamond's

nine.

Our first romantic date was wonderful. 

It was a little confusing to me at first because I questioned what made it different than the times we've already spent together? The difference is the romance that became more prevalent due to our communication.

Pearl knows we don't have to eat but she took me to a tea place. She wanted me to experience something similar to what we did in her bedroom except she wanted it at an actual tea house. She wanted me to gain a better understanding as to what piqued her interest in having tea time in the first place. When we arrived, Pearl took the lead and spoke with one of the humans who worked for the establishment. He directed us to a free table. It was a white table for two with lovely designs on the legs and on the top was protected with a glass barrier. It was nice to look at. Pearl held my chair out for me and I questioned why she did so. She told me it was chivalrous to; she wanted to make me feel special. I needed her to explain this to me and when I finally understood, she chuckled.

"I apologize Pearl. I've inherited many of Earth's mannerisms. Please forgive me."

"It's quite alright. I don't mind learning new things. I'm new to Earth so I want to learn all you want to teach me."

The employee gave us menus and said he would return in a short amount of time. That was when Pearl shared with me that she practically had everything on the menu and had an idea of what she wanted to recommend to me. It made me smile. She looked so excited to lean over on my side of the table to point to the items on the menu she thought I would like. I got caught up in her happiness that I didn't even process what she recommended to me.

"Pearl? Are you listening to me?"

"Oh?! Excuse me, Pearl. I didn't mean to not listen to you. You just looked so happy explaining."

She expressed her happiness with a warm smile.

"I understand. Would you like to try Hibiscus tea? It's on the floral side and the tea I had you tried from before was floral and you seemed to like it."

"Hmm... I want to try something not floral..."

She pondered for a bit.

" How about Jasmine green tea? It's a recommended choice and is very popular. It's more of a bolder flavor but still very refreshing for most."

"Hmm...I'll give it a try. I also want to try a different cookie."

"Ooo! I've been told that some green teas pair nicely with chocolate! Willing to give it a try?"

She pointed to the chocolate section and there were so many to try from. Another thing I was not very familiar with and only carried an expression of confusion. She looked so enthusiastic though. How could I say no to her suggestions? Worse case is that I don't like it and purchase something else.

The employee came back and took our orders. We also ended up ordering some small platters because she explained it is all apart of the experience. According to Steven and Garnet. I agreed with her. The humans created these combinations of foods with teas in order to have a pleasant experience while eating their food and drinking their beverages. I didn't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did but I was glad Pearl decided to share something of hers with me.

It made me feel very special.

After we finished our tea time, we decided to go for a walk by the beach. Pearl explained to me that many humans consider walking by the beach for an extremely romantic experience. Of course, I asked her why? All they do is walk on the sand while listening to loud and crashing salt water. 

What could make that so special?

She chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"Because I asked the same thing. Even while being so far apart for so long, we were still so much alike."

I slightly felt my face warm up.

"Humans considering the beach romantic because of the scenery. It's a perfect location to view their sunsets and sunrises."

It was beginning to get late now and soon enough, we were going to see their sunset. Something I haven't bothered to see and still honestly wasn't interested in. But, Pearl wanted me to see it so of course, I wanted to give it a chance. She slowly held onto my hand and our fingers intertwined. It was such a nice feeling of being able to have this kind of privacy with her. 

All the hardships; having to deal with her leaving to have the life she wanted, me staying behind because I thought I had nowhere else to go, being abused by White Diamond, her, more than likely, having me replaced the same day I disappeared, making the long journey to Earth with a practical stranger that encouraged me to leave in the first place and after, becoming more honest about my longing feelings for Pearl, were events I did not think I could overcome.

I finally received the time I needed to pay attention to my emotions and validate them.

These moments, walking hand in hand with her made all the hardships feel less hard. I can start accepting how tough it all was before. Due to everything being as challenging as they were, I am now able to appreciate these nicer moments more. I used to think I didn't deserve them but being here now, with her, showed me the opposite.

 I deserve the best I can give to myself and to others.

We discussed me staying with her and the Crystal Gems. As for Pearl, who came with me, decided to also join the Crystal Gems but he decided to live at a nearby location. He wanted to be able to explore the city and beyond on his own. He always dreamt of coming to Earth and now that he's here, he wants to see as much of it as he can.

While we were still speaking, Pearl said we should take a break since the sun is officially setting.  I still felt a little puzzled by it but I sat down with her. We sat very close. We put our arms around each other. Our cheeks pressed each other from time to time. Then, she made a blanket appear from her gem. 

"Pearl, we don't experience temperature changes."

"We don't but, it's all apart of the experience. I want to be close to you and this is a very romantic and calming way to do so."

"Hmm. Pearl...Earth made you...different. But, in a nice way."

"It did. We've fought for such a long time. Being here on Earth taught me so much. It taught me to let go of my feelings from the past that were rotting me from within. That it was okay to feel all that pain from before but not let it define who I am. That is it all apart of living your life. You have to experience the good and the bad in order to appreciate your present because who will for you?"

"Pearl..." While I was gazing at her, I felt the shine of the sun hit the side of my eyes a little causing me to look towards it. It was nothing how I thought the scene would look. It was a mix of so many colors. Interconnecting somehow. How is a planet able to have such a magnificent view as this? I've never seen anything like this on Homeworld. Everything was bleak but this...this was beautiful. 

"I'm now glad that you took me to such places, Pearl. It helped me understand your new life better. I want to be a part of it more. I want us to keep being together now that we can." I said with a growing smile.

"Now that we can. We are going to keep being together. I don't want to be with anyone else but you anymore." She said to me while slowly leaning in to give me a deep kiss. I still felt the shine on my cheek. We held each other closer as we laid on the sand.

These moments are something to remember. It helped make the terrible moments not feel so terrible anymore.