Stars, Roses, and Scars (a Steven Universe Fanfic)

Chapter 7

(Above is the main base and Rose's Healing Fountain)

Agate awoke to someone lightly patting her face and a shouting voice she couldn't recognize. Her vision was blurred and she couldn't make out what the gem hovering over her was saying.
Where am I? What happened?
She blinked trying to see. She could somewhat understand what the gem was saying.
"I think she's waking up!" She exclaimed, and all went quiet. Agate blinked and saw a Blueberry Quartz and a Peridot holding her over the Fountain water. The Peridot was observing Agate's gem.
"Her gem seems to have healed. She'll survive," the Peridot stated. "But her form is still too small. She should be a Blue Lace Agate."
"She's defective, Peridot." The Quartz reminded her.
"Right. Her form must not be the only thing defective if she did this to herself. Is she another Crystal Gem?"
What is she talking about? Agate thought. She tried to speak, but she made no sound.
"She is. She's been known to be reclusive."
"Has she ever lead a battle?" The Peridot was aking as if Agate was a foreign object.
"I don't think so. She only fought battles for about 500 years or so, if I'm right."
Agate's vision was clearing. She'd seen the Quartz a few times and may have sparred with her once, but she didn't recognize the Peridot. She must be a new member.
"Okay, first of all, I'm just fine the way I am. Second of all, whatever you mean by my form not being the only thing defective, I'll have you know my brain functions just fine." Agate protested. It hurt to talk, but the Fountain was fixing that.
"We don't exactly have brains," The Peridot informed.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." She wriggled out of the Blueberry Quartz arms. "What happened anyway?"
"We found you in the Forge with a sword in your gem. You're lucky you weren't shattered. Your gem was nearly split in half." The Blueberry explained.
Agate remembered a sword. But she didn't remember doing that to herself. She was attacked by someone she knew, but she couldn't remember who.
"...Oh. I must have tripped over something. Thanks for the help," she said, making her way across the Fountain. The Peridot and Quartz exchanged worrying glances.
She yelped in surprise when Milky scooped her up from behind. "Don't scare me like that again!" Milky yelled, squeezing Agate in a hug. "What were you thinking!? You can't just-" Milky huffed, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "You scared me!"
"What did I do?" Why should Milky worry about her? She was fine.
"You cracked yourself! You almost broke yourself! Literally!" Milky was on the verge of tears.
Agate patted her back trying to calm her. "Relax, relax! I'm okay! Let's just go somewhere private and talk about it!" This was confusing. She's seen Milky in distress during battle, and she saw her thinking too much about battle plans. She saw Milky wounded before, but she never saw her cry. Even a little. And over something as pointless as her.
Milky wasted no time in carrying Agate to their stargazing spot. "You have explaining to do!" she half demanded, half wailed like a human baby.
Once they were there and settled, Milky watched her expectantly. "Okay, first of all, why did you think a sword to the gem was a good idea?"
"That wasn't me," she mumbled. "Someone else did that."
"Then who?"
"...I don't know."
Agate patted Milky's shoulder when she saw how distressed she looked. She didn't understand. She shouldn't have to worry about her. They only knew each other for a little less than 500 years. That wasn't long to a gem.
"...Why have you been pushing us away? I don't get it." Milky asked.
Agate may not have remembered what happened before she cracked, but she did remember shutting out everyone she cared about. She remembered fearing Hessonite would hurt them if she didn't.
"...I can't tell you that."
"Why not!? You won't tell us why you're acting so off! First off, you're always alone, unless it's Hessonite! You seem terrified of her, but you don't actually talk to anyone but her! Second, you always come back hurt, whether its a bruise or a swollen eye, and you won't tell us what's causing it! You don't tell us anything! Third, on those rare occasions you are around gems, you completely shut down! You don't even squirm when they hold you! Normally, I'd think that would mean you're healing and getting better, but I can tell you're not! You just- You just let them do what they want. You'd let them walk all over you if they asked." She ranted.
Agate was taken by surprise. "...Why are you so worried about me? I'm not worth it."
Milky looked shocked. "What kind of question is that? Don't you ever think about the battles we won together? Or that time we played Chicken in the Fountain? Or about all those times we watch the stars?"
Agate nodded, averting her eyes. "I just don't see what the big deal is."
Milky stared in disbelief. "The big- the big deal is you could have died! You could have been shattered and gone forever, and no one would know why! I wouldn't know why! This isn't like getting poofed; you'd come back sooner or later! But you could have actually been gone!"
Agate looked down. There was no reason for Milky to get so worked up.
Milky sighed. "...Sorry I yelled. I'm just a little upset."
"It's alright. I get worked up like this all the time. I get it."
"What I'm trying to say is..." Agate flinched and held back a whimper when Milky layed her hand over hers. "...I care about you."