Like Heavy Rainfall ~ A Steven Universe Short Fanfiction

Pre-War: Damp Blankets

All gems are designed with a purpose.  A job. There's no way around it. Though, what if you try to find one? You'd be shattered the moment the dignitary gems get their "spotless" hands on you. But are those hands really clean? No particles of dirt to speak of?

Of course not. Not in the eyes of rebels, anyway. They're murky with sin. Every gem who follows Homeworld's formulaic ecosystem and hierarchy would guiltlessly snatch so-called trouble makers by their collars so they never experience the rush of adrenaline from rule-breaking again.

Those uptight gems have crystalline blood on their hands. Which is why some vow to right it. "Some" referring to the newly-arisen Crystal Gems. Despite the seemingly black and white viewpoints, there is a grey area. Not quite traitor - but not quite follower, either.

Aristocratic gems have it easy. They're viewed as graceful. Untouchable. Envy-inducing. No-one would bother them, and no-one would ignore them. They may have jobs, but usually the more glamorous of occupations rather than fighting wars and serving any gem they're assigned to. But of course, a few would only serve out of fear. If they could run, they would. However, why risk being caught and brutally executed?

Being free is a ticking time bomb of a life - it's only a matter of time before you're swept away and broken. Just as you should have been before.

                   ————————————

Small chuckles filled the adumbral wildwood, among reticent footsteps through the pasture.

"You must have seen how majorly that Agate hesitated when I approached her from behind. As if she expected a sword-wielding Pearl to bow in respect! 'Oh, I beg your pardon, your clarity, please, take this deep thrust of my weapon as a token of my loyalty!'" the peach-haired Pearl boasted, a smug grin painted across her pale face.

Her pride only increased when the faux Rose Quartz gave a light laugh. A sonorous, sensational sound to Pearl.

"She herself would have been the one bowing if she knew just who you belonged to," Rose jested. "It's baffling just how oblivious they are once you no longer don the insignia of a Pink Diamond on your form."

They shared another chortle of laughter at their  verbal mockery of Homeworld. The mere millisecond the Quartz paused, standing still, Pearl followed suit, completely straight. Glittering black eyes moved to rest on the shorter, slimmer gem. If she had a heart, it would have stopped just at those gorgeous eyes gazing at her.

Her attention was grasped once her owner began to speak, "Pearl, I need to ask you something. And.. for once, answer for yourself. Not as what I myself would want. Could you do that for me?"

Sweet stars, that soft tone. "D-I, well, u-uhhm." Instead of continuing to babble helplessly, Pearl covered her mouth daintily with her hand and nodded.

A gentle smile lit Rose's lips. "Well, it regards what we've been doing. Once we're finished doing this.. protecting this colony.. what do you want to do? We probably won't be able to go back to Yellow, Blue, or.. or even, White, after this.. where would we go?"

The question raced through Pearl's mind for a good moment. Homeworld was where she'd spent a majority of her entire existence over the millennia. It had been countless centuries since she'd ever stepped foot on one of her Diamond's Colonies. And this one was so unique - special, especially to Pink. Considering the fact all she wanted to do was stay by Pink's side, somewhere safe, where no-one could interfere..

Pearl took a deep breath. "I—..I want to—"

What was going to be something of a confession was cut off as a thorough rustle of leaves could be heard, as well as a drip of liquid. Before any rational thought could be conceived, Pearl stepped in front of Rose with her sword readied, pacing carefully towards the shrubbery the sound emitted from.