Archive of Our Own

The universe was saved. Things were alright.

Pearl told himself that. Repeatedly, often, in needing to make himself really believe it. The universe was saved, and things were alright, and he needed to remember that it was true.

It wasn't that something made him doubt the credibility of his own memory, but... more so, the fact that it all was just so much. So much had happened in the past year. None of it he could have ever even imagined could happen to him, and not like it did.

Pearl was used to a pretty predictable life before everything. Not to say that it wasn't without the occasional exciting events, of course, but it was comfortable enough for him as it had been. He often knew what was coming next. He was able to take whatever might be thrown at him.

Most of the time, Pearl could expect a day of loudly waking up his life-long comedy partner that lived across from him, spending a good hour or so enthusing him about his routines he thought of the previous night, spending another good hour or few practicing said routines together-- and spending the rest of the evening having fun after good practice.

On other days, he could expect to do a bit of the same of waking up his partner, bossing him around about the specifics of their routine he expected from him-- No, see here, the joke is this.. No no, not like this, after that…

And although they might've not won anything special at the end of the day for their jokes, they still did their best in a team effort. And it never stopped them. It was always enough to just get to do it all, together.

Pearl just never thought that finally winning something, as a part of something so usual for his previously daily life, would lead to possibly the most eventful year of his life. Was it meant to be? Was it for the best that it happened this way?

Was it worth what he went through? The things that he had to see? Should he have seen that?

... Hellooo? Pearl? Are you there?

Pearl blinked several times and suddenly turned his head to look at the boy waving his hand in front of his face, Diamond. He realized he'd been obviously staring into space.

I think that's the third time I've seen you do that this week, Pearl.

Pearl comes back to his senses, and shakes his head a bit. Yeah, yeah, sorry about that. I'm alright.

Well, I didn't ask, but... Are you sure? Diamond furrows his brow in visible worry for him.

Pearl feels a bit of guilt creep up his neck. Jeez, I really need to get myself together like this...

Yeah... Yeah, I promise. It might just be the heat getting to me... Um, when did you come back?

Diamond scratches the back of his neck in an awkward gesture. I left for maybe about 5 minutes to get some water. I told you before I got up that I would because it's getting kind of warm, like you said.

Oh. Pearl quickly remembers as Diamond is retelling him those immediate recent events where he is, and what he was doing, after being left with his own thoughts to dwell on where he used to be for a bit too long.

The events at the Spear Pillar, and the uprising of Giratina was many months ago. It was during the peak of winter. Now, it was nearly the midst of summer.

Why did he need to remind himself of such basic facts sometimes?

Diamond continues speaking to him, a little hesitantly, concern present in his voice. Are you sure you're feeling well, Pearl? Are you having a heat stroke?

What? What do you mean, 'am I a having a heat stroke'!? We're in your bedroom! I'm sure you have air conditioning!... Don't you?

I-I don't know, I mean... You seem a little out of it. And you look a little sweaty.

Pearl realized Diamond was right as he was made to think about it. His palms felt moist. It was definitely a bit warm in the evening-time even when inside, but he didn't start sweating until he got anxious over another bout of memories resurfacing. He also realized that another suggested that this has happened several times, which it has-- which was more distressing to realize than how bad of a liar he was.

Instead of responding immediately, Pearl held his face in his hands for a moment and sighed with some exasperation, taking that moment to try and recollect himself the best that he was able to in that moment.

Dia... No, Diamond... I'm okay. I mean it. He looked up at the other boy once again. I-I'm just a little shocked by how warm it's suddenly been lately, I guess.

Diamond isn't so sure for a second, but he does buy that explanation. Well, why didn't you say so? Here, water helps a lot, Diamond offers, sitting down next to him and gesturing his water bottle to him. I put ice cubes in it, too. It keeps it cold longer, but brings back more water when the ice cubes eventually melt, too.

Didn't I just see you drink from that?

Yeah. What about it?

Pearl quirks an eyebrow at him disdainfully, like he always has. Gross.

Huh!? What d'you mean, 'gross'? It's just water!

The blonde boy upheld his playful disgust for another moment, before his expression cracked, and he bust out laughing, genuinely.

Diamond had always been this way. He just is, naturally. And he's still here, right now. Somehow, nothing was more stabilizing to Pearl than realizing this.

As long as Diamond was there, he was fine.

Diamond seemed confused as to why Pearl suddenly began laughing at him so much, but Pearl reached an arm behind him and grabbed his shoulder, a bit abruptly.

Don't you worry about it, Dia.

Diamond looked at Pearl cluelessly, but began smiling after a moment, seeing him happy.

Alright, Pearl.

The smaller boy took another sip of water while Pearl was busy staring at the floor in his thoughts again, sitting next to him.

Diamond didn't think much of it, but he reached over to set his water bottle on the floor, and returned to his upright position next to Pearl-- and leaned his head into his shoulder.

Pearl has to consciously keep his shoulders from jolting upward at the sudden closeness. Dia?

Diamond takes a moment to think before he speaks, and it's quieter than before.

Pearl, I know you've said that you're okay, but... I can tell that something has been bothering you. You've been a little different.

Pearl's smile faltered.

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, really. But I just hope you know that you can always tell me anything.

The usually louder, more abrupt and straightfoward boy of the two continued to sit silent for a moment. He avoided talking about it on purpose, because... he just couldn't tell anymore if he was crazy for the amount of ruminating he'd been doing. He realized more and more over time recently that, above all, he just didn't want Diamond to worry too much about him. It wasn't good for either of them. It hadn't led to good things.

But, Diamond had always been so caring. He was the most empathetic person Pearl had ever known, and it continuously surprised him each time that he was reminded of it. And it showed even in that soft, specific way he spoke to Pearl when he was worried about him.

Pearl's nervous swallow is audible, and his voice cracks. Yeah...

Yeah? Diamond questions, softly.

Yeah. I've had a lot on my mind. Tons, actually.

Diamond stayed quiet, leaving it open-ended for Pearl to speak. He knew that whenever Pearl began saying something, he almost always made sure to finish it.

Do you feel like a lot happened, last year?

Like, the journey with Lady to Mt. Coronet?

Pearl fidgets with one hand, nervously. Yeah. That, everything. I'm still... trying to process it, I think. But, it just feels like... we faced so much as kids that we shouldn't have had to.

Diamond raised his eyebrows slightly. He hadn't really considered that much himself.

And so many changes were made. Lots of new things. Like, being together with Platinum, the gyms, the Pokemon we caught, all the places we went... Being separated... It was a lot on me, to be honest.

Why are you thinking about that now? Diamond asks him earnestly.

Because... Things are normal now. We're back in Twinleaf, hanging out at your house like nothing happened, or nothing has changed. Pearl's voice begins to sound broken up, like he's holding back something threatening to come up that he can't help.

As if we didn't have to save time and space, you know? We're just kids. We were supposed to be just a comedy duo. And... I thought I was going to lose you.

Diamond moves from his position leaning against Pearl to turn and look at him, concerned. What? When Pearl is turned away, he gently grabs Pearl's arms to persuade him into turning to face him. Pearl, what do you mean?

Pearl followed through with turning on the bed to look at him straight, and.. he can't stand just how concerned Diamond looks for him.

I said, I thought I was going to lose you.

Diamond grabs Pearl's hands to hold in his own, truly worried. When? When did you think I was going to leave, Pearl?

The other boy opens his mouth to speak again, and, as he does, his willpower just isn't enough to hold back the tears in his eyes threatening to fall.

Dia... No, I mean, Diamond... It wasn't that I thought you were going to leave. When you tried to protect me, when-- Giratina got you, I-I thought--...

Diamond recalled what event Pearl was referring to, quite suddenly. Of course, he was there for it, mostly, but it was something that was a little blocked out of his memory.

He hardly remembered that moment just before he was impaled by the Shadow Force attack Giratina had sent out to get Pearl in it's rampage, in Diamond's attempt to get him out of the way, and... he did remember that Pearl's look of utter disbelief was the last thing he saw.

He didn't know what else Pearl could've gone through in that event, seeing his best friend lifeless like that. And Diamond hardly thought about it.

He just felt guilty that he never considered that side of it, until now.

Oh, Pearl, Diamond sighed, holding the boy's hands tighter in his own.

Pearl momentarily paused his sputtering of an explanation to look down at how they were holding hands-- and choked out a heavy sob. One that Diamond had never heard from him, not like this.

Diamond's lip quivered. Pearl... Come here. It's alright.

Pearl followed through almost naturally, like he knew nothing else to do like this, and leaned into his partner's embrace, wrapping his arms around him and clenching the fabric of his shirt tightly as he cried. Diamond let him, and in return hugged him just as tight, trying to comfort him the best that he could.

It was for a little while or so that this went on, and Pearl's sobs eventually quieted down. The two of them held eachother close, and Pearl hid his face behind Diamond's shoulder as the boy gently rocked them together in place.

Dia, Pearl croaked quietly.

Yes, Pearl?

Please, j-just... Tell me that won't happen again. Please say you'll still be here.

Diamond lightheartedly chuckles a little hmph under his breath. I'm not going anywhere, Pearl.

And yet, its not enough to reassure Pearl as he tightly balls Diamond's shirt in his fists again, like there's still something there for him to lose. I'm serious, Diamond.

... Oh. Well...

Diamond had Pearl ease out of their hug for the first time in a while to look at him. He was a total dewy-eyed, drippy-nosed mess. But Diamond still looked at him with utterly unfiltered compassion and love.

And, Diamond understood that his partner really, really needed to hear it.

Diamond cups his face in his hands. Pearl's cheeks feel warm.

"I'm not going anywhere, Pearl. I promise."

They stared at eachother like that for a moment, as if both trying to really solidify that moment in their heads. Pearl sniffled once or twice.

Diamond just can't stand any longer how much he wishes that the sad, broken look on Pearl's face would leave already, and... closed his eyes, leaned in, and tilt his head to kiss him. Space settles and time falls still.

Pearl's eyes widened in complete shock, but neither of them move. He couldn't understand why he didn't feel like anything should move.

The universe stays the same-- until Diamond eventually, carefully, let go of his lips. It's his turn to feel nervous when he opens his eyes and sees Pearl's completely flabbergasted expression.

Ah.. I-I'm sorry, Pearl... I just wanted you to stop looking so sad. Diamond bashfully averts his gaze away, feeling his cheeks get quite hot.

On the other hand, Pearl was totally and completely flustered. He'd never felt his heartbeat in his chest so violently like that before.

And... for no other reason? he finally spoke, apprehensive.

Diamond giggles quietly. No, silly.

Pearl is unsure how to respond to that. Wha... H-How do you mean?

Even if he was shy to admit to his feelings out loud... Diamond was hardly able to hesitate much with letting Pearl know how much he truly felt for him. He looked back at him again with a soft smile, and proceeded to kiss him on the lips once again.

Somehow Pearl did not expect this a second time, and reacted more physically, falling back with a muffled sound of surprise.

Diamond can't help but giggle louder at him, and Pearl gets truly frustrated. St-Stop this, Dia! I'm not the stooge here, you are! He gasps, desperately.

Diamond sighed amusedly as he got off of Pearl and gave him an opportunity to get up and gather himself, if he really wanted to. But Pearl did not, and instead continued to lie on his back in Diamond's bed, almost completely red-faced, facing the ceiling.

Well... if you really dont know what that means, I'll let you decide for yourself, Diamond teased, albeit lightheartedly.

Diamond.

Yes?

... Do you love me?

Diamond's glee can be heard in his voice. Of course I do.

Pearl huffs, irritated. He appreciates his humor, but...

Dia... You've said that to me before, loads of times... You know what I mean.

Diamond thought about it for a moment. He twiddled with his fingers a little bit.

He says, quieter than usual, I do love you, Pearl... More than anything.

Pearl is still staring at the ceiling, processing that.

... Even more than food?

Yeah.

Ah...

Pearl finally sat up. When Diamond looked at him, Pearl still wasn't making eye contact with him, but, he was finally making an expression that wasn't complete bewilderment.

It was more like how he usually looked, like when he's conflicted about something and really thinking about how he feels about it, except he was blushing, and he looks really pretty like this when you can see his freckles clearly, Diamond briefly thought to himself about the sight.

Dia... I've felt the same way about you for a really long time, I think.

Diamond smiles warmly. I kind of figured, a little bit. I just didn't want to assume anything, or embarrass you, so... I left that to come up later in time, whenever you were ready.

Pearl snirked. Embarrass me? It's a little late for that.

Diamond looks down shyly, a little guilty. Well... I thought I could maybe make you feel better this time, if I showed you that. I'm sorry...

Before the darker haired boy could look at Pearl again to see if he was disappointed in him, he had already moved over to Diamond's side and given him a soft peck on his cheek.

No, no, it's okay. In fact... I-I'm glad you did, honestly.

Diamond is surprised at first that Pearl decided to reciprocate such an affectionate action towards him, and more so pleasantly when he proceeded to wrap an arm around him and gently ruffle his hair.

Thank you for doing that. I do love you, too, Dia... Um, a lot.

Diamond chuckles happily at Pearl's actions and words, almost feeling like he's overflowing with happiness. Of course, Pearl...

Though, I really need you to warn me before you do that...

Hmm?

... You know, the kissing? Like you did earlier-- ACK!

Diamond practically attacked Pearl while he was mid-sentence, turning around and clinging onto his body and fighting to give him relentless kisses, as to which Pearl protested loudly about, of course-- but secretly didn't mind very much at all.