What's Freedom? (Yellow Pearl x Human Reader)

Earth Things

"It's really okay," you told Pearl again as you got in the car with her. She was still sweating as she sat down and folded her hands in her lap. Her eyes closed and she tensed up, as if she still expected to be scolded.

You paused in thought, hands on the wheel. "Maybe you'd feel more at home in a less populated area? I can show you Earth things from the yard."

Face still scrunched, she peeped one eye open. "As you wish."

You stored your new tools away in the garage upon return, Pearl standing silently and dutifully at your side. Gesturing her out into the open expanse of the backyard, you wandered aimlessly through the overgrown weeds until you just plopped down in a random spot.

"Sooo...grass!" You picked a blade of it, not knowing where to start.

"...Yes...?" She said expectantly.

"That's uh--what this stuff is. Any questions?"

"What is it for?"

"It covers the Earth, I guess." You noticed she was still standing, and you patted the ground next to you. She squatted down gracefully and ran her fingers through this "grass".

"Why do humans use such a different flooring for inside and outside their buildings?" She noted with her hands the varying lengths and shapes of plants around her.

"If you don't mind my opinion, this type of floor is rather erratic and--oh! Eek! Oh stars, get it off!"

You grabbed the hand she was shaking and flicked the ant off it. "Yeah, creepy little things like that are everywhere. Mostly mindless and harmless, so no need for concern. And humans didn't really make this 'flooring'; it naturally occurs."

"You mean..." A hand to her mouth, the Gem looked at her environment, appraising it with this new information and finding that it ever the more revolted her. "This planet is not yet terraformed?"

"Te--what"

"Terraformed! Resurfaced and remade as a suitable habitat for your society?"

You blinked. "Oh uh, we don't really do that here. I mean, in some places we do, but we don't want to totally get rid of this beautiful..." You looked around for a good example amongst the debris of an unkempt lawn. "...stuff...like this!" You plucked a dazzling yellow tulip, likely the result of one of your bulbs the wind had taken months earlier.

"See? We wouldn't want to go without this." You happily presented the flower to Pearl, noticing that the soft yellow petals that rounded and came to a point seemed familiar.

"It looks like you, doesn't it"

She took the tulip and stared at it, uninspired. You knew, truly you knew, that it was no fault of yours that she was dissatisfied with every aspect of Earth thus far, but you had a deep longing to impress her. To whisk her through the glories and intricacies of your planet; to watch her marvel and gush over things you had taken for granted...Maybe she just needed time.

Maybe you were going about this all wrong. You remembered how Pearl had swooned over her leader, that diamond lady, and wondered if that was a way you could connect with her.

"Would you rather tell me about your world, Pearl? About...Yellow Diamond?"

The light in those vivid ochre eyes returned. "Why no description can do my luminous Diamond justice! Keen, confident, admired by all; she orchestrated campaigns and oversaw colonies with ease. My every action was for her, and her every action is for Homeworld." Pearl's interlaced fingers caught her gaze. "Everything she does...is what's best for Gemkind."

You swallowed. "You loved it there on your planet, huh?" You braced yourself for a possible outburst, if you happened to dredge up some of the pain she was holding back.

"Why, how could I not? Everyone had a place; all that transpired was perfectly planned."

"It was safe." You bit your lip and looked around, trying to imagine what a change this must be for one who had only ever known a controlled environment.

"Yes," Pearl confirmed. "So long as a Gem stayed in her place, all was fine. We were all facets of a force greater than us all."

You pictured a planet; faceless figures bearing various gemstones on their bodies, filing in and out of hallways and walkways. Performing a finely-tuned and harmonized dance, day in and day out. Your vision of them melted into a flawless ball of light, gradually spreading through the universe--colonizing planets, you believed she had mentioned, but for...?

"So what's the end goal of it all? You take other planets for--living space? Resources?"

"Yes, both. My Diamond was not particularly interested in remodeling this place; the Cluster that your Crystal Gems subdued was meant to destroy it."

You gulped sharply. You knew that what your family did was important, but such a close call--You shivered the thought away.

Yellow Pearl noticed and fidgeted. "Um, of course Blue Diamond was not opposed to keeping humans. We have a perfect habitat for your kind off-planet."

"I'll take my home, thanks. It's kinda grown on me."

When the cry of a passing eagle startled her, you elaborated. "It may seem unpredictable, but there's so much freedom here." You spread your arms to embrace the breeze and gag on some pollen. "I know this lack of boundaries seems scary, but you have my protection. Let's start with small choices. What do you want to do now?"

Pearl noticed the wind picking up. "I'd prefer to go inside."

You agreed, and upon re-entering the house you presented her with a vase filled with fresh water. You were thrilled when she opted to hang on to the tulip for hours afterward...that is, you were thrilled until you remembered you had not told her to put it down.