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A land where no humans existed would sound like the plot of a fantasy tale to some. To the gems habitating the remains of Earth, it was reality.
The sun shined bright, travelling through the windows of the school, lighting up every room its beams reached.
Hope's Peak was the name of the school assigned by their teacher. Aside from providing education and training, Hope's Peak also served as a home to a vast group of gems.
Ruby, or Kiyotaka, was one of those lucky gems.
Taka was a hard-working gem. He was in charge of making sure the other gems were able to realize their jobs correctly, as well as organizing daily meetings during the day and patrolling around the area when needed. He was a busy one.
At the morning assembly, Taka reminded everyone that winter was fast approaching, and ordered everyone to keep up with their respective tasks before then.
His job for today was to check up on his classmates to make sure they had no trouble preparing for the upcoming hibernation.
As gems need sunlight to survive, they are forced to sleep and hibernate in winter. While the other gems rest, two of them would usually stay awake to work until the end of the season. It was a shame they couldn't join, but they volunteered to keep everyone safe. Taka admired that.
Clipboard and pencil in hand, the Ruby headed for the seamstress' room.
Mahogany Obsidian, now known as Celeste, was the school's tailor. She had provided all the students with uniforms designed uniquely for every gem, trying her best to meet everyone's personalized requests.
This was notable for Taka's uniform. His pristine white clothes stood out from the other white and black uniforms.
Celeste's attire was also rather unique. As a gem who was not suited for fighting, she would spend most of the time working on beautiful dresses that she displayed daily.
"Celeste." Taka called as he entered.
The frills from her black dress swayed as she turned to face Taka.
"Ah, Kiyotaka. What do I owe the pleasure?" A kind smile from the pale gem.
"I've come to check on the hibernation attire you have designed! As you know, the-"
"Why of course, they're done. Would you like to see?"
Oh. She worked fast. "R-Really? Yes, I'd love to!" Taka exclaimed as Celeste searched through a set of clothes.
"Please, let me know how it looks." The tailor handed Taka what seemed to be his hibernation clothes.
The clothes consisted of a kimono, hakama and a haori with elegant floral designs. White layers of fabric similar to snow, both in color and in feeling. It was very formal attire for someone that would wear it while sleeping through the winter.
"Wow! This is incredible, Celeste! Your work is amazing as always!" Taka praised as he handed back the clothes. "It's perfect! I'd say your work is pretty much finished!"
"Yes, there's a few changes to be made, but it will be done by the time hibernation arrives, no need to worry." The Ruby nodded, noting the progress on the clipboard. "If we're done, I'd prefer to get back to work, if you don't mind."
"Ah, of course! Thank you, Celeste." Taka exited the room and headed for the other gems.
The next few hours consisted of Taka visiting each gem at their current work places, noting their progress and helping with what they needed.
There was only one gem left unchecked now.
His partner, Purple Diamond. Or Mondo, as he preferred to be called.
An efficient fighter with top-level toughness and hardness, Mondo was one of the most powerful gems at the school. Only the other Diamond in their class, Sakura, matched his strength.
Mondo was not present at today's meeting, so Taka figured he was out patrolling.
It was a surprise to everyone when the Ruby and the Diamond had suddenly become very friendly and affectionate with each other.
Despite their early rivalry, they quickly grew close to each other. Both gems then discovered they weren't as different as they thought, and developed a deep bond together.
He loved Mondo dearly. And Mondo loved him in return.
After an exhausting search, Taka finally spotted his partner, sitting near the cliff of the beach. He walked towards him, grass rustling with his every move.
"Mondo?" The Diamond flinched, quite uncharacteristic of him. "What are you doing out here? I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Yeah, sorry. I uh, got busy." His gloved hands scrambled with an unknown object, now out of Taka's vision to figure out.
"With?" Taka sat beside him, putting his clipboard aside.
The Diamond made brief eye contact before looking to the side, a hand messing with the back of his head.
"Don't laugh at me, 'kay?"
"Of course not!" Taka said firmly, almost offended at the assumption.
Mondo breathed in and out before handing something to Taka.
On his hands, he held a small, wooden version of their school. The detail was incredibly impressive for a seemingly hand-made job, no pillar or window misplaced, and even included tiny versions of their classmates all around. The Ruby was mostly focused on two specific ones that resembled him and his partner, at the very front of the school.
He was too amazed to talk, so Mondo did instead.
"I, uh, always wanted to start crafting things. And I wasn't sure what to make first, so I picked the school." His head lowered a bit, toying with a carving stake between his hands. "I've always been known for destroying things; I wanted to start building them instead."
He had loosely mentioned the topic before, but Mondo was never confident enough in starting a different job, other than patrolling. Diamonds were known for their strength and skills on the battlefield after all. Even so, anyone would get tired of doing the same thing for centuries. He was proud of his partner.
"Oh, Mondo, that is so wonderful! Your dedication seeps through your work! And you made it all by yourself?!" He rotated the sculpture, tracing every curve with his index figure.
"Heh, yeah." The compliment caused a small lavender blush and a smile on the Diamond's face. "You like it?"
"I love it!" The Ruby grinned. "Please, show me whenever you make more of them!"
"I will." Mondo smiled. As Taka attempted to hand the sculpture back, he gently placed a hand over his. "I made it for you, actually. Keep it.”
...
"Ah- ONLY IF YOU WANT IT! I-IF NOT I CAN- I CAN MAKE A BETTER ONE!” The silence made the Diamond so nervous he might crack by himself.
If not for the restrains of a mineral body, Taka's eyes would be overflowing with tears by now. He truly loved this gem.
"M-Mondo... Of course I want it! This... this is very special. I shall treasure it forever! Thank you!" Taka placed the sculpture down and embraced his partner tightly, causing his lavender blush to spread all over his face with a laugh.
After the hug, Mondo interlaced his fingers with Taka's and pressed their foreheads together, a clink upon touch.
Taka took a moment to admire his partner. Brown locks made from lustrous Tiger's Eye, its shape in an odd "pompadour" style. His fierce lavender eyes, highlighted by black makeup. His unique attire that mirrored "delinquents" they have seen only on ancient magazines.
Everything about him was precious.
After looking at his clipboard, Taka was slightly saddened to cut this sweet moment short.
‘’Mondo.’’
‘’Yeah?’’
‘’Why did you come all the way out here? It is dangerous to be on your own. If… If something happened-‘’
‘’Hey.’’ The Diamond placed his hand on top of the Ruby’s dark, spiky hair. ‘’Nothing will happen as long as I’m here, okay? I won’t go out alone again, I promise.’’
Taka hummed. ‘’Okay. You still have to explain yourself, unless you want me to write a report on you!’’ He was only kidding though. Mostly.
Mondo turned to face the beach. The cool sea breeze lightly ruffling his hair. ‘’It’s nice out here. And, well, it’s easier for me to work here where no one can see me crafting stuff out of wood.’’ He admitted, only a bit embarrassed.
Scarlet eyes moved towards the beach as well, focusing on the rolling waves of the sea. ‘’Are you afraid the others might make fun of you for it?’’ The Diamond simply sighed in response. ‘’I can’t possibly see a scenario where Makoto, or Chihiro, or any of our classmates would do that. Everyone needs a change of pace from time to time, I’m sure they will understand!’’ Taka reassured, a hand resting on Mondo’s shoulder.
‘’I hope so.’’ His eyes turned towards the Ruby again. ‘’Hey Taka?’’
‘’Yes?’’ Deep red eyes met soft lavender ones.
‘’Thanks, for uh, talking with me about this. You’re the reason I finally started this crafting stuff, so, thank you.’’ He gave a bashful smile before placing a hand behind the back of his head.
‘’Of course, Mondo. I am very glad you did! I know you’ll make even more great work in the future.’’ Taka affirmed with a nod.
The Diamond’s smile grew as he pet his partner’s hair, who mirrored his smile.
The sound of grass rustling grew closer and closer, and both gems turned to Emerald, who apparently sprinted all the way there.
Out of breath, the young gem spoke. ‘’Where were you two?! I’ve been looking everywhere! We were starting to get worried when Taka never came back to finish the report.’’
‘’I am deeply sorry, Makoto! Time must have flew by while I was checking up on Mondo.’’ He looked at said gem. ‘’We should head back now.’’ With a nod, Mondo got up, and Taka followed suit, sculpture and clipboard in hand.
The three gems then walked back to the school. Taka giggled as Mondo sneaked a hand around his waist and pulled him closer as they walked.
It was now night time.
As the Ruby prepared to go to sleep, the Diamond showed up at his door.
''Mondo? What are you doing here this late? You should be resting.'' Taka's usually strict tone was affected by his exhaustion.
''I know.'' Mondo walked closer, hiding something behind him. ''I just wanted to give you a final gift.'' He said as he handed out a colorful bouquet of flowers.
The Ruby beamed, cheeks slightly mirroring his crimson eyes. He eagerly took the flowers in hand. ''Ah! How lovely!'' Flowers were something Taka, along with most of the other gems, were naturally very fond of. Handing out a bouquet like this, however, indicated a deeper motive.
''I gathered them while I was at the beach. I was thinking of you all day.'' He confessed, a purple shade growing on his face.
''Well aren't you just the sweetest gem?'' Taka praised as he took a lavender flower out of the bouquet, placing it behind Mondo's ear. This only caused his blush to deepen more. ''Thank you, Mondo. I'll take good care of them. Now go get some rest, okay?'' He caressed his partner's cheek softly before retrieving his hand.
Mondo nodded. ''Night, Taka.''
''Good night, Mondo.''
Both gems shared a hug before Mondo walked out and headed towards his own room.
Taka placed the flowers near the wooden sculpture. He laid down on bed, contemplating both presents before dozing off.
Even if the others did not appreciate Mondo’s work, which he highly doubted, Taka would. He would always support Mondo, especially after seeing how happy it made him.
That was enough of a reward for Taka.
This burning heat inside him was something only Mondo could make him feel. A melting feeling that no amount of mercury could ever replicate. A tight sense of fulfillment deep in his soul. The tender sentiment of being adored.
He didn’t need a heart to know what love felt like.
Because Mondo taught him warmth.