Steven Universe - Yellow Pearl+Pearl - Cling

“But it does matter, Yellow,” Pearl protested weakly, blinking against her tears. “I’m only Pink to you and Blue. No one else has ever known me as that Gem, no one on Homeworld will ever see me as her again. I’ve always… ever since I got here, Yellow, Rose molded me into someone new.” She wiped at her eyes, reaching up to clasp Yellow’s hand. “Who am I, if not the Gem Rose wanted me to be? But that Gem’s someone else. I’m not pretty or demure or quiet, or very obedient, or delicate. I’m not special for the reasons you or I would like.” Hot tears poured down her cheeks again, despite her best efforts. “I’m just a renegade, a defective Pearl… I’m proud of my imperfections, but that doesn’t change that they are imperfections. And I’m lucky, I really am, that the Gems around me don’t see it that way.” Peridot was an exception, but she’d changed her view after their battle of technical prowess, even if her right hook had been more decisive than anything else.

Yellow didn’t have a response at first. She looked down at the ground, thinking on it.

“But… Pearl… Blue and I don’t just see your imperfections. Your status as defective doesn’t mean we don’t still care about you and want the best for you. In fact, that’s all we want.” She looked up, eyes a little guilty.

“We wish you didn’t have to bare that label. It’s unfortunate, because you are so bright, so kind, and so beautiful.” She sighed, wishing she had something to offer Pearl in the way of a tissue to dry her tears. It was her fault she was crying again. Would they ever be able to carry a conversation without this happening? Or was that a lost cause too?

“We have to learn to accept that you’re different now, I suppose.”

Particularly now, Pearl didn’t feel very beautiful or bright, or even kind, forcing her problems on her sister like this. Still, she sniffed piteously, wiping at her eyes, and then rather abruptly threw her arms around Yellow’s shoulders. “I’m sorry I’m not the same,” Pearl choked out, “If I could be two Gems, if I could make you and Blue happy again, I would. I would in an instant. I wish I were who you want me to be, Yellow, but I’m not and I’m so sorry…”

“Pearl, there are worse things that could happen. Far worse.”

The fact that her sister was still alive brought her a joy she didn’t think she could put into words.

“Just knowing that you survived all this time brought Blue and I such happiness. Of course we were frightened by some of the things you told us, and still now I have to disapprove of certain aspects but… Pearl. Never mind the differences. I am just happy to have you again,” she admitted.

The assurance that her survival was a net gain nearly had Pearl breaking down completely. She worried so much—perhaps disproportionately—about her sisters’ opinions of her. Pearl sobbed raggedly into her sister’s shoulder for a long moment, clutching at her desperately, as if letting go for even an instant would tear them apart.