Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Spinel stared at the stars. 14,863. 14,864. 14,865. A lot of stars. She can't wait to tell Pink all about them when she comes back. It had been a few decades now, but she hadn't moved at all. Pink will be so proud of her.
………………………
Four centuries have passed. She missed Pink terribly, but she had been very good. She hadn't moved at all. She had named every star in the sky. She could tell Pink about how she came up with each name. She even named a constellation after her best friend. Oh how she'd clap and smile brightly. Some of the plants had overgrown. Maybe she'll count each new weed and vine that sprouts.
……………………………………………
1000 years. Yay, she made it this long, and she still hasn't moved! Her smile is a little strained. She did so good… how long was the game supposed to last? Pink never said. But it had to end soon, right? There was only so much time that could pass before her best friend got bored. She would wait for her right here.

The vines had started to grow around her legs. She hadn't lifted up her arms to fix her hair. Oh well. She will do that when Pink came back and told her to move.

She will come back.
………………………………………
Spinel opened her eyes at the sound of a warp portal. A tall, pink figure appeared. Spinel's eyes widened and she smiled with relief and joy, though weaker than she wanted it to be. Pink came back! It had been 1250 years, but that was okay, she was here now, she came back to play!

Pink took a moment to take in her surroundings, her eyes widening as she covered her mouth when she laid eyes on Spinel.

"Pink, you're back! I didn't move at all, see? Did I win? Are you proud of me? Did you have fun?" The questions spilled out of her mouth almost manically, but she stayed rooted to the spot. Pink didn't say the game was over yet.

Pink lowered her hands, her expression was not one Spinel was hoping for. It was one she had never seen before. "...Spinel, I…" Pink didn't look happy…why wasn't she happy?!

"Did… did I do something wrong?" Spinel wilted for a second, before despondency became panic. "I, I'm sorry, Pinkie! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Please don't go away again, don't leave me alone! Please don't leave me alone!"

She desperately wants to run up to Pink and hold onto her arm and never let go. But she can't. Pink asked her to play a game, and the game isn't over yet.

"Spinel, you won. It's over. You don't have to play this… stupid game anymore." Her Diamond's voice shook at the mention of the game.

Spinel ran up to her, unable to stop the tears as she wrapped her arms around Pink's stomach. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry, please don't leave me alone again! I'll play whatever game you want, anything, just not that! I don't wanna play it again!"

She felt Pink hesitate before hugging her back, putting a hand on her messy hair. "I'm the one who's sorry… I didn't realize you would stay this long. Why didn't you move?"

"Why are you sorry? You… you told me to stand right there. Very still, and wait for you to come back. Moving would be cheating."

Pink hugged her tighter. "I am so, so sorry. I never should have left you like that. I was being selfish. You didn't deserve this. I'm so sorry, Spinel!"

Spinel wasn't sure what was happening, but if her Diamond was apologizing, it must be for a good reason. "I forgive you. Just… please don't leave me alone for so long again? I missed you a lot."

"I promise I won't leave you behind ever again." She let go and pulled Spinel away. "I'm taking you away from this place. We're going to live somewhere else together, okay? I've found a new home with new friends."

"New…friends?" Spinel couldn't stop the feeling of hurt that bubbled up. She left her here alone and made new friends?

"Yes, and I'm sure they'd love to meet you. But I need you to do something for me first."

"What is it, Pink?"

"I want to play a new game. A game that will go on forever." Pink smiled, and Spinel felt her heart warm. This was what she wanted, to make her friend smile. "We are going to play pretend."

"Ooh, pretend, what's that? How do we play?"

"Okay, the rules of the game are very complicated, and must be followed to the letter, otherwise everyone loses, and everyone will be very unhappy, alright? Are you listening closely?"

Spinel nods quickly, eager to play this new game.

Pink spoke in a dramatic tone, as if telling a story. "Rule number one: Never, ever refer to me as Pink Diamond in any way, shape or form. In this game, Pink Diamond was shattered years ago, during the end of the Gem War."

Spinel gasped. "Pink Diamond was shattered? That's horrible!"

"Yes, it is sad, but it was necessary for the gems to be free." She doesn't sound quite so certain, but she continues. "I will be the rebel Rose Quartz, who led the Crystal Gems on a journey to become their own gems, and free the planet Earth from Pink Diamond's Colony."

"Can I call you Rosie?"

Rosie laughed lightly. "Yes, you can."

"Yippee!" Spinel cheered. It sounded so cute!

"Rule number 2: You can never tell anyone else that you are playing a game. If you must, you can confide in Pearl, but only Pearl. No one else, ever. Understood?"

"Yes Rosie, I understand."

"Rule number 3: You can play other games, they can start and end whenever they need to, but you can never, ever stop playing this game. This is my last order to you as your diamond."

Spinel nods slowly. "Only refer to you as Rose Quartz, never tell anyone else besides maybe Pearl about the game, and never stop playing the game even if I play other ones. Did I get it all?"

She got a smile in response. Spinel watched in awe as Pi-Rosie changed her form, looking like a rose quartz gem. She was very different, but in her gem she was still her best friend. Rosie held out her hand. "Come on, let's go home."

Home. Rosie was taking her home. Spinel grasped Rose's hand and walked with her to the warp pad. She laughed in delight at the feeling, and left the garden behind with her best friend.

Chapter Text

The warp pad brought them to a temple. Spinel gasped, eyes growing wide, running ahead to see everything. She hadn't left the garden her entire life. Everything was new and wonderful, not a star in sight. She relished the change in scenery. She did backflips and bounces and her laughter echoed off the walls. Her eyes immediately turned to the sound of two gems entering the temple.

"Rose, what's going on?" A tall gem with a dark pink and black color palate spoke in concern. Following right behind her was a vaguely familiar looking pearl. She had seen her once before, when Pink introduced her as her old pearl's replacement. She looked unhappy as she said that. Spinel wondered why Rosie kept her around if she made her unhappy.

"It's alright, she's with us." Rosie assured them. Pearl's eyes widen at the sight of Spinel before she masks her face, keeping her composure. "I found her while I was destroying the warp portals. She was… Pink Diamond's playmate. She abandoned her when she started her colony."

Abandoned? Pinkie didn't abandon her, she came back for her. Oh wait, maybe that's part of the game! Okay, Spinel could play along then. She looked down sadly. "I was alone for so long. I didn't move at all for over a thousand years. But Rosie told me that it was going to be okay, and she was bringing me home to meet her friends." She looked back up with a smile on her face. "I'm Spinel, I'm so happy to meet you! We're gonna be great friends!"

The dual colored gem covered her mouth. Her expression was hard to read with that silly visor, but it was similar enough to Pink's reaction that Spinel figured it was the same. "Oh, you poor thing. How could she be so cruel?"

"She wasn't cruel! She got shattered, she was gonna come back for me eventually, I know it!" Spinel snapped, anger surfacing for a brief moment before coming back to her senses. Where did that come from?

"...I'm sorry, I see this is a touchy subject for you. I am Garnet."

Spinel relaxed, smiling again. "Hiya Garnet, it's nice to meet you!"

Rose smiled, looking at her friends. "Pearl, could you take Spinel to get cleaned up? She's a little messy."

"Of course, Rose." Pearl reached out to grab Spinel, who let her touch her. "We'll have you feeling better in no time."

"Okie dokie!" Spinel giggled, just happy to have other gems to talk to in so long.

Garnet stayed behind with Rose. "Are you sure we can trust her? She was loyal to Pink Diamond. She could turn against us."

"She won't. She's lonely. She's been left behind. Once she accepts that, she'll turn to us to be her new friends. We need to be there for her like Pink Diamond should have." Rose assured her.

"Alright, I trust your judgment."

"Thank you, Garnet. You'll see. She'll be a wonderful friend and ally. I can feel it."
……………………………………
Spinel splashed in the river, laughing and making silly noises. Getting clean was second to having fun. She felt so free. Every moment of waiting in that garden felt worth it to experience something as simple as playing in the water for the first time.

Pearl was watching her with mild annoyance. She remembered that Pink left Spinel behind because she was too immature. It seems that Rose had changed her mind and went back for her, despite the fact that she hadn't changed at all. But she will respect Rose's wishes. If having Spinel around is what she wanted, then she will do her best to make the excitable gem feel welcome.

"Come on Pearl, jump in, the water's great!"

"I'll pass." Pearl told her, waiting for her to get done.

"You sure? It's really fun!"

"I don't have time for fun. Rose asked me to help you clean up, and that's what I'm doing. You're just making a bigger mess."

"Okay, but you're welcome to hop in if you change your mind!" And off she went, diving and playing and splashing in the river.

When Pearl deemed her clean enough, she fixed Spinel's hair back into perfect hearts. "There, now you look presentable."

"What's that?" She points to the star shaped symbol on Pearl's pale blue shirt.

"That is the symbol of the Crystal gems. The star shows our loyalty to Earth and Rose Quartz."

"Really? I want one!"

"You'll get yours eventually. Now come along, we need to get you back to the temple."

Spinel happily followed along, walking in a goofy way. Rose and Garnet were sitting outside of the temple. Spinel looked up at the sky. Her mouth opened in wonder. The sky was getting brighter, more colorful. She stared, transfixed, at the sunrise.

After living her entire existence in a small garden under a never ending expanse of stars, she never could have imagined something so simple and beautiful as a rising sun.

"Are you… alright, Spinel?" Pearl asked her.

Spinel didn't look away from the light. "...Yeah. I think I'm gonna be okay."

Chapter Text

Spinel prided herself on her quick learning. As a special gem made to be a personal companion to a diamond, ranked higher than a common Pearl, great care was put into her making. She was made from a small but nutrient rich moon, with no other gems to take away from her. She was watched during her formation, making sure she came out at just the right time, and ensured that her cut was perfect and beautifully pink.

That made her much more capable than a common gem, despite not being made for fighting or information gathering. Her elasticity was beyond compare, she remembered what she was told the first time, and as a gem made to be a best friend, she had an emotional intelligence that most gems didn't buried under her childlike nature. She was one of a kind.

Now if only she would stop fooling around. Pearl couldn't believe how much trouble one gem could cause from base curiosity alone. Spinel wanted to learn everything, from the gem war and how a male human was different from a female one. That was one that they couldn't answer her, not sure themselves. The centuries blended together, the three of them exploring the earth and protecting it.

Garnet taught her all about fusion. How Homeworld gems only used it to make stronger versions of themselves. But how it was so much more than that. It was a deep, strong connection between two or more gems. The healthier the relationship, the more stable the fusion. Garnet held out her hands, and Spinel touched them with wonder. Two gems. She was a fusion.

"How do you hold your form for so long? I've never seen you apart."

Garnet smiled. "I'm happy this way. Ruby and Sapphire are happy. They love being me."

This made Spinel smile brightly. That was amazing! "Could I fuse?"

Pearl watched them from a distance, turning away as the two glowed. She didn't dislike Spinel, per say. She just couldn't understand her. She would go from bright and bubbly one moment, to snippy and closed off another if someone said or did the wrong thing. And she couldn't bear being alone for even a few minutes. It sent the poor gem into a panic. When she wasn't with Rose, hanging onto her every word like a gospel, she was with Garnet, listening to her about Fusion and Homeworld.

Spinel tried to be friends with Pearl, listening to her interests and making chores into games, but they never clicked very well. Maybe Rose could help her understand.

Pearl sat next to Rose on the edge of a cliff, looking out at a growing village.

Rose looked at her fondly. "Hello Pearl. What brings you here?"

"... It's Spinel. I just… I don't know how to get through to her. We're nothing alike. She keeps trying to be helpful but she keeps making things harder for me. I don't know what to do."

"Hm… Have you thought about teaching her ways to use that energy to help defend earth from the corrupted gems?"

"You want me to teach her how to fight?"

"It could be good for you two. You could help her be a little more disciplined, and she could help us on the field instead of needing one of us to stay behind. I want you to bond. She only wants you to like her. Just, show her that you enjoy her company."

Pearl's smile wavered. Spinel was… too much for her. She spent too much time playing and latching onto Rose. Her neverending questions grated at times. But…she couldn't help how she was made. She only wanted to please. Maybe… "Alright, I'll teach her."

Rose clasped her hands together with grateful eyes. "Thank you Pearl!"

"Anything for you, Rose."
……………………………………
Spinel watched with attentive eyes, kicking her feet back and forth as Pearl began her lecture.

"Now, summoning your own weapon will be very difficult for you. You and I were not made for combat, so we were not made with our own weapons. It will be something you have to discover for yourself in time." Pearl demonstrated by summoning her spear from her gem. Spinel oohed and watched with starstruck attention. Pearl put the spear back, drawing two sabers, holding one out to Spinel.

Spinel grasped the handle. She mimicked Pearl's movements like a copycat, taking in her words and instructions as easily as she memorized games. But that was all it was, mimicry.

"Okay that was… good. But you will need to learn how to think on your feet during a battle. Keep practicing and we'll meet back here tomorrow."

Spinel squeals in delight and hugs her, wrapping her arms around her multiple times. "I had so much fun today! I can't remember the last time we hung out together!"

Pearl awkwardly patted her head. "Alright, put me down please."

Spinel was just happy to finally be spending time with Pearl, who Rosie seemed to care about a lot. With her fusion with Garnet, her training with Pearl, and the beauty of earth on her mind, she could almost forget about her time in the garden.
…………………………………………
Over the decades her abandonment became little more than a background thought, hovering just below the surface of her subconscious, only remerging when something brought it to the front, causing a reaction that worried or scared the other gems.

200 years is such a short time for gems, but Spinel didn't waste a second of that time, living each day like it was her first. Fond memories of training and playing and getting to know the gems Rosie called friends made her life so much brighter.

She found a fighting style that worked for her, leaping around and dodging, becoming basically untouchable. What she lacked in pure strength, she more than made for it in flexibility. A weapon that matched her personality, a giant pink, white and gold mallet with a dark pink star on both ends of the double sided weapon.

She hadn't been poofed yet, so she didn't have her star. But she spent a lot of time thinking about it. Where would she put it? How would she change her appearance? She wasn't Pinkie's jester anymore, should she change her outfit entirely? Change her hair? She had so many amazing ideas she couldn't imagine picking just one. Oh well, she could be patient a while longer.

Humans were such fun, delightful creatures. They were inquisitive and funny looking. The smaller ones were her favorites. Not the ones that looked like vegetables, the ones that ran around together with toys and games. They were so full of life. She was glad Rosie saved them.

Rosie once told her she wondered how the different sub species of humans lived together, but after years of observing the village, Spinel got the impression that they weren't sub species. They were just… smaller ones that got bigger over time.

The bigger ones were mean sometimes. Always bossing around the little ones. Always chasing her away with fire and sharp sticks. They couldn't keep her away though, and slowly, over the years, they learned to tolerate her presence. Spinel even got to play games with the little ones. Children.

She hated it when they got bigger, only to stop existing, their version of shattering. It made her sad when that happened. Humans were such a short-lived species. But at least they liked her better as time went on. And she played with the children they had. And the children's children. She grinned excitedly when she saw a book made of paper with her drawing in it. She was a celebrity. Toloration had made way for adoration.

The Crystal Gems were glad she found a way around her aversion to solitude. They liked her, she was their friend. But there was only so much Spinel they could handle before needing some quiet time, and handing her off when they got annoyed always made them feel a little guilty.

She often disappeared for days at a time. So it was two weeks before they realized she left for the village and hadn't come back.
……………………………..
Anthony tearfully held out Spinel's heart shaped gem to his mother. "Can you fix her? Please?"

Mary took the gem carefully in her hands, checking it for damage. The gem itself was pristine and perfect, not a scratch on it.

The mountain lion got too close to the village, and Anthony strayed too far into the woods. Her heart nearly shattered at the thought of what would have happened to her son if Spinel wasn't there.

He said she grabbed him right as the creature pounced and pulled a giant hammer out of her gem. He couldn't remember much of the fight, only that she had trouble moving around with her holding onto him too. That got her back scratched up really bad. The lion ran away after being slammed into a tree.

"Are you okay?" Spinel had asked weakly.

Anthony gave a weak nod.

"That's good. I'm just gonna… I'm gonna rest for a while, kay kiddo? I'll be fi-"

And just like that, she poofed into a cloud of smoke, leaving only her gem behind.

Mary sighed, setting the gem down on a pillow. "I remember a story she told about her kind. When their bodies are badly damaged, they retreat into their gems to get better. Like when you get sick and need to stay in bed to rest. I'm sure she'll be okay. She just needs some time."

He nods, wiping his eyes. He hoped she'd be okay. He'd be heartbroken if she never woke up again.
…………..
It was a little over a week when they got new visitors. It was the other gems. They sometimes came to their village, but they weren't a constant like Spinel. The one with thick curly pink hair, Rose, approached her while she was farming.

"Hello, I'm looking for a friend of mine, Spinel. Have you seen her? She's never been gone this long and we're starting to get worried."

Mary nods. "Spinel is… do you call it sleeping? She's in that gem thing that's on her chest."

"She's been poofed?" Garnet asked.

"Is that what you call it? Yes, unfortunately. She saved my boy, so I sat her somewhere comfortable until she woke up."

"Thank you very much, miss." Pearl told her. "Can you show us where she is?"

Mary welcomed them into her home, showing the small basket on the windowsill with Spinel's gem sitting in the sunlight.

"Thank you, we'll take her home. She'll be safe with us until she reforms." Rose assured her.

"Tell her thank you for saving my son."

"We'll make sure she knows." Garnet answered as she picked up the gem carefully.

The three gems leave with Spinel. The villagers count the days as they wait for the bubbly girl to return.
……………………………………………
Under normal circumstances, the Crystal Gems would be worried about how long their friend was taking. Three weeks was an awfully long time to be in her gem, especially considering how perfect her cut was. But they knew they had to be patient. This was her first reformation, and she likely wanted to make it perfect.

The light brought them all away from their activities, standing in front of her gem as she reformed.

"Hiya, everybody! Guess who's back!"

Her hair was no longer in perfect hearts. Instead, her hair was put up in short voluminous pigtails. Her outfit didn't change too much, but a cute star on her right pant leg marked her as an official Crystal Gem. She looked more mature, but still looked young and playful, keeping the essence of who she was. She beamed. "What'd I miss?"

Chapter Text

Spinel had been on Earth with the Crystal gems for a thousand years. Give or take a few decades. Garnet would know for sure, she kept track of every moment Ruby and Sapphire had been together. Spinel stopped asking years ago. It didn't seem as important now. She was here on Earth with her friends for good. That's what mattered now.

The human species had evolved a lot since then, for better and worse. The humans who knew about them treated them as equals, while the ones that didn't treated them like they were monsters, calling them "demons" and "devils spawn". They weren't sure what that was, but they got the feeling it was very bad.

One day, during one of the not so welcoming communities rants, Pearl could have sworn she heard them say "that damn purple one."

Spinel put the fire out on her head, sad that they didn't like her but used to it by now. Some humans were just scared and angry beings. She could understand why, but it still hurt. "You think there's another sane gem out there?"

"It's… possible. There was a functioning kindergarten for Amethyst soldiers. They all were moved to Pink Diamond's Human Zoo. There's a chance, however small, that one was left behind." Pearl explained.

"But how did she avoid the corruption?" Garnet wondered.

Rose stood up, smiling at them. "Only one way to know for sure. We need to find her."

It was Pearl's turn to walk right beside Rose. Spinel claimed that she deserved to because she was Rose's best friend, while Pearl insisted she deserved to because she was Rose's right hand during the war. They bickered about it for months, before reluctantly agreeing on a rotation system. Garnet didn't know if she found it funny or not. Pearl was head over heels for Rose, and Spinel adored her. Those two would fall apart without her. She did find it amusing that they didn't just both walk beside her. Logic went right out of the window when it came to Rose.

They searched for two weeks, but in the end, Amethyst came to them. They were resting under the stars when they heard a snapping branch. Spinel popped up, watching the movement in the trees. She grinned and pointed up at one of the branches. "I found her!"
……………………………….
"Hello. It's nice to meet you. I'm Rose Quartz. Are you an Amethyst?"

The Amethyst was small and had short hair, looking a little lost. She looked nothing like what a normal Amethyst should. But she was uncorrupted and anyone with common sense could tell she wasn't from Homeworld. Homeworld wouldn't have tolerated such an imperfect soldier gem. But Rose greeted her like a new friend.

"I…think so." The purple gem replied. "Who are you?"

"I am Rose Quartz. These are my friends, the Crystal Gems. Garnet, Pearl, and Spinel."

Garnet nods, Pearl smiles, and Spinel walks forward, remembering humans and gems alike don't enjoy getting immediately jumped with affection, especially strangers. She knelt down and held out her hand to shake. "It's so nice to meet you. I love meeting new people." She learned to temper her joy, showing warmth and sincerity without overwhelming others.

Amethyst glanced between her and her hand before holding out her own. Spinel grasped it and gave it a shake. Amethyst smiled, shaking back.

"Where did you come from?" Pearl asked, knowing the answer but hoping to be wrong.

"A hole in the ground. Somewhere far away." She answered, confirming Pearl's fears. But she was clearly overcooked, and she wasn't from Homeworld. That meant that she had nowhere to go.

"How long has it been since you emerged?" Garnet wondered.

"Donno. A while?" Amethyst answered.

"How would you like to stay with us?" Rose asked, eager to have more gems by her side.

"Well, I don't have anything better to do…sure!"

Spinel pulled back, jumping high into the air, grabbing a tree branch so she wouldn't crash into anything else. "Yippee!"

Pearl waved her hand dismissively. "Don't mind her, she's excitable."

Amethyst watches Spinel before grabbing a tree and climbing up, following the pink gem who was swinging back and forth on a limb.

Garnet smiled. "I think those two will get along nicely."

"I hope so. Spinel needs a good friend who will last." Rose watched them, finding a seat on the ground. "We should let them have fun before we return to the temple."
…………………………………
At first, Amethyst simply went along with whatever the Crystal Gems were doing. Her agency seemed to be lacking, possibly a glitch in her programming from coming out of the ground too late. But as time went on, she found that she enjoyed Spinel's games. The two would laugh and joke and play.

The years together had made their bond strong, and so was their fusion. After one too many "accidents", they were banned from fusing unless they were supervised or it was an emergency. Their fusion was simply too much for anyone to handle. Spinel and Amethyst agreed, but Pearl, Garnet, and Rose got to know exactly how much they didn't like it.

Amethyst had found her place with the Crystal Gems. When she doubted her purpose, Rose simply hugged her and told her how perfect she was, just the way she is. Garnet and Pearl looked out for her, and she watched their backs. She may not be able to find her Amethyst sisters, but at least she had her friends here on Earth.

Chapter Text

Pearl loved Rose. Garnet knew it. Spinel knew it. Even Amethyst knew it. The only one who didn't seem to know it, or simply ignored it, was Rose herself.

Rose adored humans, but not in the same way as Spinel did. Though Spinel hadn't been to that village in centuries, she learned a lot about their culture and how they grew and learned and played. Rose saw them as precious beings who needed to be protected, but more like how humans see their pets. Adored? Absolutely. Cared for? Of course. But never as equals. A novelty.

Like Spinel was.

Spinel shook that thought away. Most gems weren't like her. They didn't understand that human life was just as precious as their own. They were fragile, but resilient. Weak, but persevering. They had poor memories, but strong minds. Short lived, but full of dreams that expand lifetimes. Rose tried, but she didn't understand like she did.

She was a diamond, after all. Diamonds weren't made to be empathetic.

Spinel shook her head again.

"You okay, Spinnie?" Amethyst asked her.

"Huh?" Spinel snapped out of her thoughts, looking at her friend. "Oh yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure? Cause you kinda looked mad there for a second."

"Mad? Hahaha, why would I be mad at my best friend?"

Amethyst looked at her with narrowed eyes, clearly on to her. "You mean Rose or me?"

"I'm not mad at either of you!" Spinel waved her hands and shook her head. "I'm just, I'm thinkin', is all."

Amethyst turned back to watching Rose flirt with the human man. He flirted back. Pearl had been watching with a frown, clearly just waiting for her to get bored with this one too.

"She really likes this one." Spinel said, glancing at Pearl, who was trying to hide her dislike for the human.

"She'll get over him soon enough. Then we can move on."

"Jealousy isn't a good look for you." Spinel quipped, earning a glare from Pearl.

"Oh, like you're not upset this human is getting all of her attention. I can see it on your face."

"I'm not mad about that. I know Rosie still cares about us."

"Then what are you mad about?" Amethyst asked.

Spinel tapped her shoe on the ground repeatedly, not sure she wanted to say it out loud.

"...Two truths, one lie?" Amethyst asked, hoping to get her to confide in her.

"...I think Pearl needs to stop taking her frustrations out on the humans Rosie likes, I don't like the hokie pokie, and I wish Rosie would stop playing with human emotions."

There's a beat of silence. Amethyst gives Spinel a hug. "Hey, it'll be okay, Spinnie."

Pearl growls in frustration. "I am not taking out my frustrations on them! What does it matter if she does what she does? They're the ones that agree to date her."

"You're really mean to them for no reason. And she leaves them behind when she gets bored with them." Spinel's voice quivers and Pearl's annoyed expression turns regretful, realizing where this mood is coming from. Not that she can just say it out loud.

"...I'm sorry, Spinel. I know you care about how the humans feel. I suppose it makes sense why you care so much. But… you know Rose doesn't do this to hurt them, right?"

"...I know, she's not mean." She pauses, looking back up. "But you are."

"...I'll do what I please. It's my life, it's my choices. If they really cared about Rose, then what I say shouldn't matter."

Spinel leans back with a frown, unimpressed with her doubling down. But that was Pearl for you. So devoted to Rose, understanding her actions better than even Spinel could. She knew her longer, after all.

It was only a few more weeks before Rose inevitably got bored of this man. Spinel put on a reassuring smile, hating the look of confusion and devastation on his face.

At first, Spinel didn't think much of it. Rosie was just having fun, bonding with different humans. But over time, Spinel felt a pit of familiarity.

Stand very still, right here for me, alright?

NO! Don't think about it. It was so long ago. She can't be mad. It wasn't fair. She came back for her!

Rosie just… hadn't found the human that would make her happiest yet. There was no sense in leading the humans on when she didn't love them. It was only a matter of time until she found one that made her truly happy. And when that day came, Spinel would welcome them to the Crystal Gems with open arms.

Pearl thought that it was all just a silly game. Spinel wanted to prove her wrong. Rosie wouldn't do that.

Not again.
………………………………
Greg Universe was an amazing human being. He was funny, understanding, musically inclined, and free. He and Rose got along so well. Spinel bounded around, happy to get to know him, Pearl enjoyed teasing him and making him feel unworthy of her love. Pearl wasn't heartless about it, but she was needlessly cruel.

After an amazing music video, courtesy of Rainbow Quartz, Pearl confronted Greg about fusion. Spinel felt bad for him as she listened, feeling worse because in a way, Pearl had a point. A human being could never fuse with a gem. Which meant that Greg will never feel the deep connection that Pearl and Spinel shared with Rosie. He was not a gem. He was a human.

Spinel smiled. She would cheer him up. She really liked Greg, he was a good friend. And friends cheer other friends up. She sat next to him with a sigh and a smile. "Pearl's a real piece of work sometimes, huh?"

"Ugh, what is her problem with me?" He exclaims in frustration, looking more lost than angry.

"Pfft, that's Pearl for ya." Spinel kept her tone light. She would have to talk with Pearl another time, get her to understand that Rosie still loved them, even if she was dating a human.

"But I didn't do anything to her, why is she acting like I spat in her coffee?!"

Spinel pondered something. Greg was special. He had lasted longer than any other human Rosie fancied. He clearly cared about Rosie. And Pearl was acting especially mean to him. And he seemed to value honesty. Maybe.

"Hmmmmmmmmmmmm…." Spinel hummed out loud, putting on her thinking face. She gasped and turned her head to smile at him, glancing around all secret-like. "Can I tell ya a secret?

Greg glanced around with a confused frown, not sure where she was going with this. "What kind of secret?"

Spinel smiled, talking in a loud whisper. "A big secret. We're friends now, right? Friends share secrets." She pointed a finger at him. "But you'll have to promise you won't tell Pearl or Rosie."

Greg ponders for a moment. Spinel was nice, but she was like a kid, always saying weird things. "I guess it can't hurt. Okay, I prom-"

"Pinkie Promise!" Spinel spoke more loudly. Thank God they were alone. She really was a little kid.

"Okay okay, I pinkie promise." He holds out his pinke, but she doesn't do the same, accepting him at his word.

She looks around, making doubly sure that the other gems weren't around. "Pearl is in love with Rose." She whispers.

"What?!" Greg looks shocked. Where did that come from. Though, looking back, that did make some kind of sense.

She leans back in a relaxed pose, gripping the stage. "Yep! She gets this way with all the humans Rosie dates. So don't worry about it. You're not special."

You're not special. Was…that meant to be reassurance? She looked like she just said something nice and reassuring.

"Feel better?" She asked him with a friendly smile.

"Not…really." He hesitated before answering.

"Oh." Her smile dropped and she gripped her hands together, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry."

Greg sighs. "It's fine, kid. It's not like I really expected to be the first person she dated."

"Yeah, but I made you feel worse. I was supposed to do the opposite!" She grabbed her pigtails, looking upset. "I wanted to make you feel better!"

"Kid, Spinel it's okay! Really! I know you meant well. But… what does that mean for us if Pearl loves her too?"

Spinel looked at him, her eyes turning from distressed to understanding. "...Rosie… she loves all of us. But not like that. I don't think she ever will. But she really, really likes you. I think… you have a chance at getting through to her. You're her favorite."

"Her favorite, huh?" That was a little better. He sighs. "So, about fusion-"

"If you wanna know about fusion, there's no better gem to ask than Garnet." Spinel cut him off. She could explain it, but she knew Garnet could do it better.

"Right, thanks. I'll see you around, okay kid?"

"Sure thing!" She waves, watching Greg go. She wished him the best of luck. If any human had a chance at getting through to Rosie, this might be the one.
…………………………………
Spinel, Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst watched as Greg and Rose made an emotional connection. It wasn't fusion in the literal sense, but it was heartfelt and real, honest communication. Everything that mattered in a healthy fusion.

"I think this one's my favorite. Amethyst admitted.

Pearl looked sad as Rose and Greg continued to talk and laugh. "I think he's her favorite too."

Spinel watched Pearl, leaning in close and whispering so the other two couldn't hear. "You need to let her go."

"... Can't you see? I can't."

Chapter Text

Rose spent a lot of time with Greg over the four years they were together. Her adoration for him had changed over that time. What was once just a funny pet had become a trusted companion.

Pearl fought and fought for Rose's attention, but in the end it didn't matter. Greg Universe had won. For the rest of his short life, and maybe even beyond it, he held Rose's heart. And it broke hers. But she didn't intervene anymore. Not while Rose was smiling so beautifully. Not while Rose spoke of him all the time like he was something precious, something irreplaceable.

Four years. Four breathtakingly short years. That's all it took for her to make a decision that would shatter their whole worlds.

"I want a baby." Rose told the Crystal Gems with a bright smile.

"A baby? Why would you want one of those?" Pearl asked, confusion evident on her face.

"Spinny and I can get you one." Amethyst offered, nudging the pink gem next to her.

"There's a lot of kids without parents. I think adopting a baby is a great idea!" Spinel came around to the idea instantly, not understanding what exactly she wanted at first, but eager to help her get it. She would love to have a little human running around at her feet again.

Garnet frowned, putting a hand to her visor and not saying anything.

"No no, I don't want to adopt a human baby. I want to have a human baby." Rose clarified, waving off the thought of adoption like it was some ridiculous idea.

Pearl's face contorted. She sighed and smiled anxiously. "Rose, you, can't have a baby. You're not… human, remember?"

"Oh, I know that. But I've been thinking long and hard about this, and I think I know a way to-"

"Don't." Garnet finally spoke.

Rose's bubbly mood dropped as she looked at Garnet. "Why? What's wrong?"

"I don't know if you realize it or not, but… I can't see a future with you and your own baby in it. I see a baby, but I don't see you."

"Oh… well yes, I have considered it. I mean I talked about it with Greg and-"

"Did he put this idea into your head?" Pearl asked, fear spiking. Rose wasn't in Garnet's future vision? What did that mean? Why wasn't she there?! "You don't need to have a baby! It's not ri-"

"Pearl!" Rose said, looking hurt.

Spinel stared at Rose, the cracks in her mind growing little by little. "What are ya… what are ya gonna do, Rosie?"

Rose sighed and smiled softly at Spinel. "I'm going to do something no gem has ever done before. I'm going to have a baby. I think I've finally figured out how to do it."

"Did you not hear me?! You won't exist if you do this! I can't see a future where this goes right!"

"But it can be done?"

Amethyst looks between her friends, anxiety building up inside her. Garnet was angry. Pearl was scared. And Spinel… she was in that headspace again. The one that she went into when she just wasn't doing okay, her body still as a statue. And Rose…Rose just looked oblivious to it all, too focused on the fact that Garnet just confirmed whatever kind of hope she had.

"How will you even do it? You're a gem!" Pearl asked, her tone pleading for her to reconsider.

As Rose explained her plan, the gems grew increasingly worried. The only one who hasn't reacted was Spinel. Garnet's words rang in her ears.

You won't exist if you do this!

Rosie won't exist? She'll vanish? She's going to….

She's going to leave her behind again.

The thought echoed throught her mind, rebounding and screaming and telling her of course she would do something like this. That's what Pink Diamond did, why should Rose be any different?

Rosie was gonna leave her alone again.

"...el, Spinel, Spinel!"

"Huh?" She blinked, noticing her friends surrounding her for the first time.

"Spinnie, snap out of it, please!" Amethyst begged, giving her a shake. Spinel swatted her hands away, wrapping her arms around herself like a spring.

"You're gonna go away?" Her voice cracked.

"Oh Spinel…" Rose knelt down and put her hands on Spinel's shoulders. "I am going to do something amazing. I'm going to make a human being. Someone alive, who will grow and change and be everything I couldn't be. I know you'll love them."

Rose looked so happy at the idea, stars in her eyes and a lightness of her heart. She was so certain, so excited, so bright. It was the look Spinel was made to love, to strive for. Her best friend knew what would happen to her, but she didn't care. She was happy. She wanted this.

Spinel wanted to keep it. She wanted Rosie to be happy more than anything. Even her own attachments. It hurt a lot knowing Rosie was planning on leaving. But she told her this time, didn't she? She wasn't abandoning her, she was just leaving for an indefinite amount of time.

So, Spinel smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes, but a smile nonetheless. Rosie hugged her, and she hugged back.

It would be okay.
…………..............................
It only took a month for Rose's plan to fall into place. She was so, so happy. She had so many theories about who the baby will become, what they'll look like, if they'll be a boy or a girl.

Every day she had a smile on her face, and Spinel did everything in her power to help her keep it on, even as her own heart was begging her to stop, to get away before she could get hurt again. But she couldn't do that. She loved Rosie so much, and her happiness was more important.

Three months in, and Pearl had disappeared. Rose had left to spend time with Greg, and Amethyst was with Garnet fighting off corrupted gems. Spinel paced around the temple, hating how quiet it was, her footsteps seeming to echo off the walls. Oh for stars sake, she'll just go find Pearl.

It didn't take as long as she thought it would. Pearl was much closer than Spinel thought. She was hiding behind a pillar a ways away from the temple, crying her eyes out.

Spinel twisted her hands together before sitting down next to her. "Bad day?"

"What was she thinking? She can't have a baby!" Pearl sobbed, rubbing her eyes. "This is all wrong!"

Spinel watched her with tired, empathetic eyes. She wiped away a tear of her own. "I know you want her to stay, but…this is what she wants."

"Why? Why won't she just stay?"

"I…I don't know." Spinel's voice cracks. "She promised she wouldn't…wouldn't leave me behind again. And she lied."

Pearl looked at her. Spinel so very rarely talked about her time in the garden, preferring to separate that life from this one. And she only ever talked about it to her. Spinel looked so…tired. It felt wrong to see the gem who never ran out of energy look so completely drained.

Pearl just thought that Spinel was fine with what was going on. She acted like everything was fine and that the situation wasn't as dire as it was. But she was only masking her pain.

Pearl sighed and pulled Spinel into a hug. "You don't have to hide your pain from me. I'm hurting too."

Spinel tearfully hugged back tightly, and the two stayed there for the rest of the day, sharing their burdens of secrets and loss.

Chapter Text

Spinel watched the videos for the twentieth time in a row. Rosie telling her future child, Steven or Nora, about what a miracle they will be.

She wondered what kind of person the baby will grow up to be. 8 months had passed since Rosie went through with her decision, which meant that the baby was going to be born in a month, give or take a couple weeks.

"Spinel, may I have them back?" Rose reached out for the tapes. Spinel ejected the one addressed to Nora and gave the two tapes to her best friend. Rose smiled at her. "Thank you. I'm going to put these away now. My baby can watch it when they're old enough."

"That's great." Spinel smiled back, but it felt hollow. Not long now, in a blink of an eye for gems, Rosie will be gone. She felt her heart breaking already. She felt the strain from her other friends. But there was no going back now. The decision has long been made, and Spinel just had to accept it.

Would the baby like her, at least? Would they grow up to be her friend? Would Rosie come back after they lived their life?

Rose's smile faltered. "What's wrong, Spinel?"

"What do you mean? Nothing's wrong." Spinel brushed her off. She had to keep Rose smiling.

"Are you sure? You seem-"

"I'm gonna go find a cute blanket for Steven or Nora. I saw a green one with duckies on it." She leaves before Rosie can press more. She made her frown. She messed up. She had to fix it.

So off to find that blanket, and borrow some money from Greg.
……………………
Garnet sat alone in the temple, perpetually frowning. Any moment now, and Rose will be gone, forever.

But, what if she wasn't? What if this was some new form of fusion, and she and the baby will just be a new permafusion? The thought was soothing, thinking of Rose always being there, the love for her baby keeping them together.

She just…couldn't see a future with Rose still in it anymore. It frustrated her to no end, not knowing the answer.

She hoped that she could keep the Crystal Gems together in Rose's absence.
…………………..
Amethyst played with her newly formed long hair. She liked it, it reminded her of Greg. Of…Rose. Rose wasn't gone yet, but everyone acted like she might as well be. Spinel was hanging on by a thread, and Pearl was acting like her whole world was ending. Garnet was…well, it was hard to tell what Garnet was thinking sometimes. She was probably taking it pretty hard, but she was the one keeping everyone from falling apart.

….Any minute now, huh? She hoped the baby was worth all of this pain. She hoped that her friends stayed together through thick and thin despite it. She hoped the baby would actually be Rose, just in a new shift.

All she could do was hope.
…………………………….
Greg closed the door on the blizzard with his foot, keeping Steven bundled up. He shivers. “Burr, some storm, huh Stuball?”

He hummed the tune of a new song he was working on as he got the house comfortable for his few months old son. He was glad that Vidalia let him house-sit while she was out of town. The van was no place for a baby to be during a blizzard.

After a few tries, he found that Steven preferred having his gem out in the open. He strummed his guitar, trying to soothe his nerves and put Steven to sleep. He stopped when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it, seeing the Crystal Gems.

“Oh hey, are you here to see Steven?”

“We're just here to drop off gifts.” Pearl told him, keeping a professional expression.

“Speak for yourself!” In the blink of an eye, Spinel was right behind Greg, holding her finger out to Steven as she made a silly face, making him giggle.

“Hi little Rose!” Amethyst called out to him, reaching out to touch his hair.

Spinel let Garnet correct her friend, too focused on Steven to really care. She smiled softly when he grasped her finger, despite the tiredness in her eyes. “Babies are so cute.” She cooed. Steven was too young to play a lot of games, but he would grow up in time.

“That's so great of you guys. I could use all the help I can get.”

Spinel listened with mild amusement as the Crystal gems gave their gifts. All well meaning, but utterly useless to infant humans. But after being gently brushed off for the third time, she let them pick out their own gifts.

“Maybe you could use it to look up what a baby is…” Greg told them while holding the dictionary.

Spinel pulled her finger away from Steven and held out her own gift. A stuffed yellow duck. “I love duckies. They’re one of my favorite earth life forms. I thought Steven would like it too.”

“Aww, thanks kid.” Greg took it with relief. Garnet nodded, Amethyst shrugged, and Pearl was mildly annoyed, but said nothing.

The four of them gathered around as Greg shook keys in front of Steven. Pearl gave a tired smile at his joyful giggle. As Amethyst reached over for the keys to have a turn, a bright pink light came from Steven’s gem.

Spinel’s eyes glimmered at the sight, tuning out the other gems. Rosie must be happy because Steven was happy. Greg made Rosie happy. She looked at Greg with excited eyes. “Shake the keys some more!”

Greg on the other hand looked stressed and confused. “I should get his bottle… keep an eye out for him, okay guys? Spinel, can I, uh, talk to you for a minute?”

“Oh, sure!” She coos at Steven. “Now you keep smiling, okay best buddy?” She hands the keys over to Amethyst. “Keep shakin’ ‘em in front of him. I’ll be right back.”

Spinel followed Greg into the kitchen, watching him get the formula and bottle down. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to say thanks. I know the other gems mean well but, you seem to be the only one who actually has a clue about how this whole human thing works.”

“Well, I learned a lot from that human village I visited all the time. It's gone now, but I know how they grow and play.”

“I might just ask you to babysit someday then. It can't be more of a disaster than that time I asked Rose to watch Sour Cream.”

“Oh yeah, that was pretty funny. Kids and Gems can get up to all kinds of stuff when left alone for a minute.” She giggles.

“Not to me.” He sighs and tests the bottle. “Okay, time to feed Steven.”

“I wanna do it!” She takes the bottle from him and bounds out of the room with Greg following her. “Hey guys! I got a-” She froze in place, a feeling of dread flooding her.

Why….

“Steven!” Greg screamed.

The gems were gone, and so was Steven.
………………
Amethyst frowned and looked through the rear window. “Are you sure it was a good idea to leave Spinel behind? You know how she gets.”

“Spinel wouldn't understand. She would insist we all play along with Rose and Greg’s game.” Garnet explained logically.

Amethyst crossed her arms, still feeling guilty. It was a split second decision, but now that they’ve done it she had a feeling that Spinel was going to be deeply upset.

They needed to get Rose to come out. Once she did, maybe Spinel would be too happy to be mad. She hoped.

……………………
The van was long gone, the tire tracks in the ground the only clue to where they went. Spinel wound herself up, and bounced.

Her stretchy limbs made her fast, fast enough to catch up to the van. She just had to be fast enough to get there before the other Crystal gems accidentally hurt Steven. They must have thought the glow was Rosie trying to come back. But that wasn't what Rosie wanted!

They left her behind so they could do what they wanted without her getting in the way.

She pushed that thought to the back of her mind when she heard Greg yell out. “Wait for me!”

She glanced behind her for a second, then stretched out her arm, wrapping it around him and pulling him in. He screamed in surprise as he was rapidly pulled securely at Spinel’s side. She didn't slow down, being just careful enough to not let Greg get hurt.

Please don't let her be too late.

…………………
Ruby and Sapphire fused back into Garnet when he started to cry. “I don't understand, you know us!”

Pearl pulled over, climbing over to the back of the van. “Give him to me.” She takes Steven from Garnet, and holds him in her lap. “She must be trapped, she can't get out on her own while she’s surrounded by…him. We just need to free her gem.” She reaches out and firmly grasps his gem.

Steven giggles, and Pearl releases the gem as if she had been burned, tears filling her eyes. “I can't…I just can't! She wanted this so much. She told us everything should grow, everything should change, and isn't it so great that it’s so natural for humans, but it's not natural for us! It's not natural…for me.”

“...It will be natural, for him.” Garnet assured her.

“But what about-”

The back of the van door is yanked open, the door slamming against the side of the van, interrupting Amethyst’s question. Greg is deposited on the ground as Spinel tackles Garnet onto the floor, tears in her eyes. She looked ticked off. “WHAT WAS THAT?! WHERE’S STEVEN?!”

Amethyst held her hands out in an attempt to appease the emotionally volatile gem. “Spin, it’s not-”

“Just can it, won't ya?!” Spinel’s voice was harsh and she looked at Amethyst in particular with a look of betrayal. Her rage turned to worry in the blink of an eye when she heard a baby’s cry. She released Garnet and took Steven out of Pearl’s arms.

Pearl reached out. “Wait, I-”

“Not now.” Spinel’s anger was a lot more mild now that she was holding Steven. She rocked him as she spoke in a baby talk voice, putting on a happy face. “Did the mean aunties take you away from your daddy? Did they scare you? Don't worry, your bestest friend in the whole wide world is here.”

Greg climbed in, watching as Spinel calmed Steven down and got him to fall asleep. He sighs heavily, closing the door before sitting down beside Spinel. “Why did you guys take the van?”

“We thought we knew what Steven was. But we were mistaken. There's never been someone like him before.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure either. I never glowed when I was a kid.”

“We never were kids.” Pearl smiled sheepishly.

“Could have fooled me with this one.” He puts a hand on Spinel’s head, who doesn't quip back like she usually does. “Are you uh, are you okay, Spinel?”

“...I’ll be fine.” She sounded as tired as she looked.

Amethyst sat down beside her. “Hey…sorry for ditching you like that. It wasn't really thought out.”

“Not like I would have let you leave. Human babies need their parents. Steven needs his dad. You could have hurt him, badly.”

“It won't happen again.” Pearl promised.”

“It better not.” Spinel responded.

Amethyst looked at Steven, who was sound asleep as Spinel passed him over to Greg. “...Things are really different now, huh? With Rose gone?”

“Steven needs us now. It's what Rose would want.” Garnet answered.

Rose was gone. Now Steven was Spinel’s new best friend. And she would protect him with her life, even from the other gems if she had to.

Chapter Text

Pearl fumbled to catch the broom she let go of in shock at the sound of a loud shriek of joy, casting an annoyed glance Spinel’s direction.

“I LOVE IT!” Spinel hopped giddily, the baby harness secured on her chest was empty, but it wouldn't be for long. Since the mishap with the gems running off with Steven several months ago, Spinel was designated official babysitter. Steven was just over a year old, and Spinel wanted to take him to the beach.

Greg made a nervous sound as Spinel put Steven in the harness. “Please don't let him get in the water, he can't-”

“He can't breathe underwater. Don't leave him by himself, check his diaper every hour and feed him every three. Don't shake him or move him around too much, and don't let strangers hold him. Come back before dark. Don't worry, I remember the rules!” Spinel waved him off with a cheery grin before walking out the door of the temple. “I'm gonna win.”

“...Win?” Greg questioned as Spinel left him with the other gems. He didn't get an answer.
……………………………………
Spinel spent hours on the beach with Steven, pointing out her favorite shells and showing him how much fun it was to play in the sand and the water. Greg was probably getting close to the end of his work shift, but she wanted to wait until the very last minute of the “be back before dark” rule.

Steven enjoyed the day out, giggling and babbling nonsense. Spinel couldn't wait to hear his first word. Spinel enjoyed the sunset, sighing. She enjoyed the day far more than the night. Night was when most humans went to sleep. Night was when things got quiet. Night still reminded her of the endless darkness and the stars she had seen so much she counted and named them all.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a gleam in her eyes. She turned her head to the source of the light. The light from the setting sun was being reflected off of a silver mirror stuck in the sand, the waves pushing and pulling over it, hiding it from view for a few seconds before revealing it once more.

“Look Steven, treasure!” She grinned in delight at the rare find. Steven babbled some more as he reached out for the shiny object. Spinel dug it out of the sand and pulled it out, turning it around in her hand to get a good look at it. It was pretty, but simple. The most defining feature was a cracked teardrop shaped Gemstone on the back. “Humans really love gems. Not us, exactly, I mean they do, but I meant the ones that grow naturally on this planet. Wonder what kinda gem this one is. Looks broken though.”

Steven grabbed the mirror, bringing it to his mouth.

Spinel quickly pulled it away. “No no Steven, this isn't a toy, it's not for chewing!”

Steven's lip quivered, and he started to cry.

Spinel panicked. She didn't mean to upset him! “I'm sorry, please don't cry, here!” She gave the mirror back to him, and he stopped crying, gnawing on the end of the mirror. She sighs. “At least you're easy to please, huh little buddy?”

He doesn't answer, happily teething on the handle of the mirror.

“Let's keep this our little secret for now, okay? You and me. Pearl would wanna hoard it in her gem like everything else that's fun.”

She makes her way off the beach, when she hears a bike bell ring in her blind spot. She gasps and jumps out of the way just as a teenager rides by.

“WATCH IT, WILL YA?! BABY ON BOARD!” Spinel yells, furious that someone would be so careless around Steven. She was getting stares from the people around her, but she didn't care. The biker was the one who almost ran them over.

The mirror slips from Steven's hands, but just before it hit the ground, Spinel stretched out and caught it. Steven babbled as he reached out to hold it again. She sighs. “You really like this thing, huh? Okay, you can hold it until bedtime.” She hands it back to him.

She passes the time by making silly faces and noises, blowing a raspberry and delighting in Steven’s laughter. She walks him back to the temple, taking the mirror and hiding it in her gem when Steven finally falls asleep.

Meanwhile a solitary gem hopes to finally make her escape from her prison.
………………………
Spinel proudly hands Steven back to Greg, safe and sound. “He loved the beach. Mind if I take him again tomorrow?”

“Sure, Spinel.” He double checks Steven, relieved that he really is alright.

“Great, I love this game.”

“It's not a game, kid. It's a big responsibility.”

“Right, it's NOT a game.” She puts quotation signs around the word not, and Greg sighs.

“Just, take it seriously, okay? You need to be careful” He takes Steven back to the van, and Spinel waves goodbye.

Garnet smiles. “You did very well today.”

“Thanks, I had a lot of fun.”

She helped with the chores for a little bit before going back to her room, pulling out the mirror and looking at her reflection. “I look so cute! No wonder people keep saying I'm adorable.” She giggles. “I wonder if I can give this to Steven when he's older. Mirrors are useful.”

She turned the mirror around and looked at the cracked gem again. Now that she was getting a better look at it, it seemed almost…too perfect, besides the obvious damage. Not something humans could normally do, especially way back then. But if it was a gem, then chances were it wasn't conscious anymore.

It was better than the alternative. Body and mind, frozen in place, unable to call out for help, utterly alone. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. There was nothing to worry about. It wasn't a real gem. Gems got bubbled, not stuck in mirrors, she knew that. She sat the mirror down beside her as she watched cartoons, passing the night away with a constant distraction.

The mirror listened and watched, reflecting the images on it's surface. It was still afraid to reveal itself. Not just yet.
……………………………
It was three days before anything unusual happened. She was holding the mirror up for Steven, staring at both their reflections as they walked through town. But she wasn't paying attention to where.

“WATCH IT, WILL YA?!” She saw the mirror's surface turn into her own furious expression as the words grabbed her attention.

“Huh?” She looked up and saw an oncoming car, and bounded out of the way with not a moment to spare. Steven fussed and she soothed him quickly, relived that he was okay. That was too close, that was…

She held up the mirror, studying it. That was definitely her, and her voice. Normal mirrors didn't do that. “Did you just do something?”

The mirror goes quiet again. Spinel sits on a bench close to the donut shop, and takes a moment to think. Steven whined when Spinel kept the mirror out of his reach, the gem turning the object around. Her eyes land on the cracked gem again. The mirror definitely did something. And if it wasn't technology…

Her eyes widened. “Wait, are you alive?!” Was it really a conscious gem?

A few moments pass, then the mirror shows a reflection of Greg’s worried face. “You need to be careful.”

She gasps dramatically and holds the mirror up in delight, “You ARE alive! You’re a gem, right? Like me?”

Steven waved his little hands at the mirror, the mirror waved back.

“How did you even get in this thing? I didn't even know gems could be put in stuff.”

The mirror showed a hand placing her gem into the mirror, where it was stepped on, then washed away into the ocean by a tidal wave. The sun and moon set over and over and over again, going faster until it's a blur. Then shows the mirror washing up on the beach, with Spinel picking it up.

“You’ve been…down in the ocean? This whole time?” Spinel’s smile faded into an empathetic frown. It was the worst case scenario. This gem was suffering a similar fate that she did, maybe for even longer.

“This whole time?” The mirror echoed.

“That's…awful.” Her voice cracks. No one should ever feel like that. Even if time was nearly meaningless to them, feelings were not. “How can I get you out?”

The mirror shows Spinel turning the mirror around, and pulling the tear shaped gem out. Steven looked up at Spinel, cooing in confusion.

“Wait, that's all? That's easy! Don't worry, I’ll get you out of here.” Spinel turned the mirror around, the cracked gem gleaming in the sunlight. She reached out, her fingers brushing the gem, but pulled away ever so slightly, her hand lingering close, hesitant.

Rosie and the others warned her about homeworld. The gems there were loyal to the diamonds, and would report the location of the Crystal Gems the first chance they got. Home world gems were dangerous, a threat to the safety of Earth, and her friends. She had no way of knowing if this was one of those gems. She had no way of knowing if pulling the gem out would make the cracks worse, or would reveal a corrupted gem. If she pulled the gem out, she was putting everything and everyone she loved at risk.

Maybe she should ask her friends… or just bubble it.

Centuries fly by, her feet rooted to the spot Pink told her to stay. Alone, forgotten, trapped.

She shook off her confliction, determination now set in her expression. She reached out and put her hand around the gem with conviction. Homeworld or not, she will never willingly allow another gem to suffer as she did, consequences be damned!

It took hardly any effort for Spinel to pull the gem free. When the gem was in her hand, it glowed brightly.

And the mirror shattered.

Chapter Text

The gem flew out of Spinel’s hand floating in the air for a few moments before light expelled from it, the gem's body taking form.

“Wowzer…” Spinel couldn't help but say. The gem was lovely, dark blue skin with even darker short blue hair. She had no shoes, and was wearing a flowing dress with an open midsection. The gem fell to her knees, and Spinel rushed over to her.

“Are you okay?” Spinel asked, taking her hands.

The gem looked up. Her eyes were sliver and reflective, like the surface of the mirror, solid without pupils. She gave Spinel a relieved, happy smile. “Spinel…thank you!”

“I couldn't just leave you there.” Spinel held her hands tight. She didn't want to risk the gem running away just yet. Her home was still at risk until they knew more.

Steven reached out to the blue gem, cooing excitedly. The gem smiled softly at the baby. “And you’re Steven, right?”

He burped in response.

“He doesn't talk yet.” Spinel explained. “What's your name?”

“I’m Lapis. Lapis Lazuli.”

“Ooh, sounds fancy.”

“And you…I’ve never met a gem like you before. Why are you here?”

Spinel pondered how much she should tell her. “Earth is, my home. You wouldn't have met a gem like me, I’m a special case. So why were you put in the mirror?”

Lapis frowned sadly. “I was sent here to record the progress of the kindergarten. I was only supposed to be here for a short while, but I was caught in the middle of the gem war. I was poofed on the battlefield. Homeworld thought I was a rebel, and so they put me in the mirror to force me to tell them what I knew. How many rebels, where is their base, where is their leader, but I couldn't tell them. Then, they all fled. They dropped me at the warp portal, and the tide washed me away.”

“That's so mean! Don't worry, I won't let Homeworld hurt you ever again.” Spinel tried to pull her to the temple, but Lapis stopped dead in her tracks.

Lapis looks at her with a hopeful smile. “Wait! Spinel, come with me. I'm a Lapis Lazuli, Homeworld would take me back. You can come with me. I’ll vouch for you. We can be safe, off of this horrible planet.”

Spinel felt a pit of dread build up. Lapis seemed so kind, so earnest, like she genuinely wanted to do something good for her new friend. But… “Homeworld is dangerous. They’ll destroy Earth, they'll hurt my friends. They left me… I, I can't…”

Lapis’ face fell, she sounded so disappointed. “...Oh. I…guess this is goodbye, then.” Lapis tried to pull away, but looked down at the vice like grip Spinel had on her hands. Spinel had tears in her eyes, her voice frantic.

“Please don't go! They’ll make you tell them about me! They’ll come here and hurt my friends! They'll hurt Steven! You don't have to go back, you can stay! Earth is a really great place if you give it a chance, just, please don't go! Just give it a chance!”

“Spinel, please let go!” Lapis managed to pull one hand away, but Spinel responded by gripping her other one with both hands. Lapis tried to pull away, but she was physically weaker than Spinel by a large margin.

Spinel cried. “Please don't go!”

“Spinel, I can't stay here!” Lapis lifted her free hand back, almost defensively.

Spinel saw a shadow cover them both coming from the ocean. She looked up, and her jaw dropped.

A big wave was above them. For gems, it would just be enough to separate them, to get Spinel to let go of Lapis, nothing harmful, but for Steven-

“Nonononono, WAIT!” Spinel let go, trying to stop Lapis, but it was too late. The blue gem panicked, bringing the wave down on all three of them.

Spinel wrapped herself defensively around Steven, protecting him as best she could. Unfortunately, while his body avoided damage, that couldn't stop him from breathing in.

Lapis took a few steps back, dividing a pathway through the water. “I, I have to go. Thank you for helping me, I’ll try to convince them-”

She stopped as she heard rough, choking coughing sounds. She turns back to look at Spinel, who was panicking.

“Steven, Steven, STEVEN!” She patted his back roughly, trying to get the water out of his lungs.

“What’s wrong with him?” Lapis asked worriedly.

“He, he can't breathe- can't breathe water! He’ll die!”

Lapis didn't know what ‘die’ meant, but from the looks of the small human in the pink gem’s arms, and the absolute terror and distress on Spinel’s face, Lapis lowered the ocean back down, rushing over to Steven, kneeling down.

“I’m so sorry, Steven, I didn't know, I-” Lapis put her hand in front of Steven’s face, which was turning bluer by the second- were humans supposed to change color?- and focused. She felt for the source of water that was causing the problem. After a few seconds she found it, and gently pulled it out of his body, and out of his mouth, the droplets hovering above Lapis’ fingertips.

Steven coughed a few more times, but the crises seemed to have been averted, from the way he started to breathe more evenly, and Spinel collapsed in on herself in relief.

Lapis looked at the small amount of water in her hands. “All of that over this little? This planet is covered in water, how do humans survive here?”

Spinel doesn't answer right away, holding the baby close, treasuring each even breath, and soon his cries. He was okay. Lapis fixed it. She didn't know.

Lapis sighed. “Spinel, I know you’re scared of Homeworld, but it's where we gems belong. It's where I belong.”

“Please…” Spinel managed to get out, her voice rough. “Please, just give this place a chance.” She looked at the crack on Lapis’ gem. “At least, at least meet my friends. Rosie had a fountain of healing tears. It could fix your gem. Just, please don't tell Homeworld about us. And, don't tell my friends you're trying to go back.”

“You could…heal my gem?” She lowered her head in thought. It would increase her chances of not being rejected if she went back home. Now that she thought about it, Homeworld might not accept her back as she is now. Damaged. She couldn't even fly. Rare or not, if she couldn't do her job because she was broken, then she might not be able to get back in their good graces. She looks back up at Spinel. “...Okay, I promise.”

Spinel nodded, letting Steven cry it out. It has been a rough few minutes for the little guy. Once he fell asleep after tiring himself out, Spinel led the way to the Temple.
………………..
Spinel was in…so much trouble.

“You found a mirror with a gem…and you didn't TELL US?!” Pearl squawked at her audacity.

“I didn't know, and she needed help!” Spinel pleaded.

“You took a huge risk. And it could have backfired, badly.” Garnet told her, as if she didn't already know. Actually that might be part of why they’re so mad.

Amethyst was too busy admiring Lapis to really pitch in on scolding her. Only to immediately step back when Lapis spoke, her tone accusing. “So you would have just left me in there?”

Pearl sighs. “You have to understand, we’re in hiding, if Homeworld found out that we were here, then everything we’ve worked for would be undone. Earth would be in danger.”

“Oh, I understand. And I don't like you.” Lapis told her plainly with a scowl.

Spinel stepped in with an awkward giggle, Steven now safely in his crib instead of the baby harness. “Okay, okay, now that we’ve all met each other, let's go to Rose’s Sanctuary and get her fixed up.”

Amethyst gives her an uncertain look as she whispers to her. “Are you sure, Spinnie? I know you hate that place. And, what if she’s a threat?”

“She’s not a threat.” Spinel promised, despite not knowing if that was true or not. But, she still saved Steven, that had to count for something. Not that the Crystal gems knew that. That was a secret between her and her new friend.

Garnet paused for a few moments, thinking. “...Alright, let's take her to the sanctuary.”

Pearl looked flabbergasted. “WHAT?! You can't be serious!”

“It's the best course of action. Trust me.” Garnet told her without explanation.

“I’d say we go for it!” Amethyst agreed.

Pearl looked anxious, fearful even. But she was outnumbered. “But…” she looked around at her companions, each with various levels of enthusiasm, and the blue gem that was staring at her coldly with those mirror like eyes. Pearl put a hand to her face, her other hand gripping her arm. “Oh…alright.”

She hoped with all of her heart they weren't making a terrible mistake.

Chapter Text

Spinel hated gardens. It didn't matter to her how beautiful they were. The artificial, symmetrical perfection, the paved pathways, the confinement, it had nothing on natural fields of wildflowers. And…it all just brought her back to a time she wished she could just forget.

Rose's garden was no different. Especially so, actually, now that it was overgrown from lack of use, a reminder of the one who left her behind. Even the vines were browning. She stared straight ahead, not even bothering to fake a smile. Just get through this, heal her new friend, and hope it didn't come back to bite her later.

Amethyst gave her hand a squeeze, soothing her from going into a downward spiral. That's right. She wasn't alone. She wasn't trapped. She was helping a new friend get better, with her old friends by her side. She managed a weak smile at the comforting gesture.

Lapis made a point to stick close to Spinel and glare daggers at Pearl's back, making the latter gem shudder. The admittance that they would have left her in the mirror had anyone other than spinel found her put them all on the wrong foot. It seemed like them becoming friends was going to take a while, if they ever did at all.

“So, this is Rose Quartz's Sanctuary? It doesn't look like much.” Lapis pointed out.

“It's a precious place. Don't take the fact that you're allowed here for granted.” Garnet told her.

Lapis frowned, keeping pace with the others. She wasn't sure how Rose Quartz managed to cry enough to fill a fountain, but at this point she didn't care. She just wanted to heal her gem and get out. These Crystal Gems were making her feel like a prisoner all over again.

Pearl in particular was especially upset at the state of the garden, with its overgrown brown vines and crumbling architecture. She whined in distress at how they all failed to care for the garden over the years. If Rose were here she'd be so disappointed. The fact that Rose hadn't come back to tend to it either failed to cross her mind.

Spinel flinched when Pearl screamed. She pulled herself out of her own head to realize that the fountain was completely concealed by vines.

“It's okay, its fine, it's only Rose's most precious sanctuary, it's no big deal!” Pearl unconvincing said out loud as she grasped at her arm and face, grinning widely in barely restrained panic.

Amethyst sighs. “Pearl, get a grip, seriously this is embarrassing even for you.”

“I do have a grip!” Pearl yelled.

“Calm down. We will just cut the vines away.” Garnet soothed her.

As the other Crystal Gems cut away the vines, Lapis moves closer to Spinel. “Is there something about this place I need to know?”

“... It's just a place that rebel gems went to to get healed up, that's all.”

“And that…bothers you?”

“No, I just don't like gardens.”

“Mind if I ask why?”

Spinel watches her feet. “I’d rather not talk about it right now.”

Lapis didn't like how drained Spinel sounded. She always seemed so energetic when she saw her through the mirror. Lapis puts a hand on her shoulder. Spinel looked up at her. Lapis gave her a soft smile, which Spinel returned with a weak one of her own. “I really appreciate this, Spinel.”

“You're welcome. I just want to help you get better so we can get out of-”

The both of them jolted in surprise at Pearl’s horrified scream. Spinel pulled away from Lapis to rush over to Pearl. “What is it?!”

“Rose’s fountain, it's-”

Spinel gasped. The statue of Rose that fed the fountain was crumbling, bits of her hair and arms chipped away. The entire fountain was dry as dust.

Garnet frowned as she turned to the others. “We have to find the source.”

Lapis looked around. “I don't sense any water…”

“You don't know what you’re talking about, it’s fine, everything is fine!” Pearl expressed her denial in a way that didn't inspire confidence.

“Right…”

Spinel felt that Pearl wasn't making the best first impression for Lapis, not that she could blame her. A strange gem was in Rosie’s most sacred sanctuary, and now the pink water that was used to heal gems was nowhere in sight.

“We will just find the source of the clog.” Garnet responded. She kept her voice cool and steady, but on the inside, she was worried. What if…

Lapis sat down daintily on the ground, her expression furrowing into a frown as the rest of the Crystal gems went out in search of the source. Spinel sat down next to her, staring ahead.

“...There's no water here.” Lapis told her once again, sounding certain.

“There has to be. This was where the healing tears were kept. If there's no water then…” Spinel tensed up. Something was wrong. The plants, the ones that always defended Rosie's fountain. They only willingly parted when Rosie came, and attacked any trespassers. Rosie wasn't here, but they didn't attack. How could she have not noticed? The fountain gave them life, but instead of green and vibrant vines, they were dead and wilted, the roses didn't bloom.

No, no she was just overreacting. Lapis must not be able to sense the healing tears because it's buried underground, or outside her range, or maybe she spent so long in the mirror she doesn't know what she's talking about. She was wrong.

She…she had to be wrong.
…………………………
Three hours. Three hours of searching, and nothing. They unclogged every possible source, but came up with nothing. The fountain was dry, barren. Useless.

Their source of healing for their gems was gone, and Pearl was distressed, falling to the ground in defeat. “Rose's Sanctuary, her fountain…everything, it's… gone.”

“What are we gonna tell Lapis?” Amethyst wondered, feeling bad for Pearl and the blue gem, but also worried for the future. What will they do if one of them cracks?

“...The truth.” Garnet said simply.

“Did you know about this?” Pearl whimpered.

“It was one of the futures I had seen. But I thought it one of the most unlikely, and I didn't want to cause unnecessary panic. Regardless, there's nothing we can do now. We need to go back.”

“I swear if that Lapis did this, then, I…I…” Pearl struggled to find the words.

“She didn't. So don't accuse her. She distrusts us enough.” Garnet made her way back to the fountain, with Amethyst close behind. Pearl picked herself up and followed. Rose's Sanctuary, one of the last gifts they still had of her, was nothing more than a crumbling statue and dead vines. What would Rose think if she knew?
…………………
Spinel had been distracting herself by laying on the ground and pointing at clouds, making up funny shapes. Lapis appreciated the attempts to keep the mood light, but as the hours ticked by, the more sure she was that they weren't going to come back with good news. She frowned as she heard them approach. All three of them looked disappointed. Spinel sat up with a smile, that quickly fell when she realized the somber mood.

“...There is no water here.” Lapis told them, her voice defeated. She knew that was the truth, but it didn't stop the disappointment. If what the Crystal Gems said was true, then that meant they couldn't heal her gem. Which meant she was flawed, broken. She couldn't fly home, she wouldn't be accepted back. She was trapped on this miserable planet.

“But…how? Why?” Spinel gripped her pigtails, her plans falling apart.

“It must have evaporated over time, if I were to guess.” Lapis sighed and stood up. “Thanks for trying, Spinel.”

“W-wait, where are you going?” Spinel asked, a striking fear that Lapis was going to abandon her.

“I don't know. I'm not welcome here though, your friends made that quite clear.”

“Hey!” Amethyst protested.

Spinel grabbed Lapis’ arm again, making the blue gem tense up. “You can stay with me in my room! You don't have to go off all by yourself, we can be best friends! I won't leave you alone, I promise! I can show you Earth, and we can play together and have lots of fun. It'll be great, you'll see!”

Lapis sighs in defeat. “You really won't leave me alone, huh? She looks at Spinel with a tired smile. “Fine, I guess I can stay for a little while. It's not like I have anywhere better I can go.”

Spinel squeals with joy and wraps her arms around Lapis like a spring, lifting her in the air with a big hug. Lapis makes a few surprised protests as Spinel spins her around. “Oh thank you thank you Lapis! You won't regret it, I promise! It'll be so much fun, your new best friend, your new best friend, your NEW BEST FRIEND SPINEL IS HERE!”

“She's overdoing it again.” Pearl mumbled. She could never completely get used to Spinel's wild mood swings, no matter how many centuries pass. But she's long since learned how to deal with them.

Garnet nodded, calm on the outside, but internally contemplating the possible consequences of the fountain going dry. “We should return home. Greg and Steven will be worried.”

Chapter Text

"Here we are! Mi Casa, su Casa.” Spinel said with a welcoming smile.

Lapis looked around the room. It was rather small, but it was much better than the mirror. “Um, thanks.”

“This is where I watch TV, and that over there is where I sleep. I don't do it often, too much to do, but Amethyst loves it. She also loves to eat food, but I'm kinda picky about it and Pearl HATES it. Oh, and over there is the chore chart Pearl made. Don't worry about it, she usually does most of them anyway. And Steven comes to visit while Greg is at work, I’m the official babysitter. Which doesn't mean sitting on babies, believe it or not. We spend a lot of time fighting and bubbling corrupted gems and defending the planet from harm. Aaaaaaand, that's all I got for now. But if you have any questions I’m your girl.”

She smiles brightly at Lapis, who continues to frown in confusion. “I…see.”

Spinel taps her foot, feeling antsy at the lack of response. The silence was awkward.

Luckily Amethyst comes in with a clutch, as always. “Hey Lapis, ever seen a monkey sniff its own butt?”

Spinel snorts while Lapis shakes her head. “Uh, no?”

“Then come on, it's hilarious!” She takes Lapis’ hand and pulls her along, the blue gem too tired to fight it.
……………………………
Lapis knelt down in front of the porcelain bowl of water. What was its purpose? Was it for cleaning? She lifted the water out of the bowl, and it made a gurgling sound. She dropped it with a thoughtful hum, splashing some water into the floor. She looked at the knobs on the bowl next to it, higher off the floor, and the ones on the much larger and deeper one. She curiously twists and turns them, and water flows. With a ghost of a smile, she turns the knobs completely, and puts the corks into the drains.
………………………
“Deep breaths, Pearl.” Spinel reassured her as said gem was freaking out over the flooded bathroom. “It's not that big of a deal.”

Lapis was busy cleaning up the mess after muttering an apology.

Amethyst snickers. “Hey, don't worry about it. We’ve all done something like that before. This human stuff is fun. Could be worse, you could have flooded the whole house.”

“Garnet!” Pearl yelled, rushing out of the room to talk with someone sensible before she lost her mind.

Lapis watches her go, putting the last of the water back into the tub as it drains away.
………………………………………
“La-pis!” Steven held his arms up to her, smiling.

“Oh, Steven. Hello again.” She replies politely. Spinel asked her to watch him for a few minutes while she went to make him food.

“La-pis!” He tugged on her skirt, looking up at her. “Up!”

She hums and puts her hands under his arms, picking him up and holding him in her lap like she remembered seeing Spinel do. “Like this?”

He laughed in delight, pulling a rare smile out of Lapis. “I guess you’re kind of cute. In a way.”

She handed the baby off to Spinel, who looked at him like he was her world. Lapis couldn't understand it, but she didn't speak of it. Besides, the human was growing on her. No sense making him think she didn't like him.
………………………
Lapis stared up at the stars, her legs tucked against her comfortably on her spot on the roof. She could see Homeworld, a tiny speck of light in the distance. Her cracked gem reminded her of why it was so far away. She sighed.

“‘Nother late night?” Spinel asked her, climbing up on the roof and finding a spot beside her friend.

“Yeah. The stars are beautiful.”

“...I guess.”

“You don't agree?” Lapis asked, picking up on Spinel’s lackluster response.

Spinel sighs heavily. “I spent centuries counting and naming them. They lose their marvel after a while.”

“...Why did you set me free, when your other friends wanted to keep me trapped?”

“Because, I…I know what it's like to be trapped.”

“...Wanna talk about it?”

Spinel looked at Lapis, considering it, and worked up the energy to share her story once again. Lapis was left speechless.

“But, it's okay now. Rosie saved me, and now I'm free. And so are you.”

Lapis looked down with a saddened expression, then looked up at the stars, the pinpricks of light in the darkness reflected in her mirror eyes, wistful. “I never cared about this place. It was just a job, something Blue Diamond ordered me to do. I was supposed to go back. I was prized for my power. Valued. Here I’m just…someone your friends wanted to keep locked away forever.”

“I wouldn't have let them.” Spinel insisted.

“I know. But they don't care about me. And I don't care about them.” She looks down and closes her eyes, sighs softly, then looks at Spinel with a small smile. “I care about you, though. You understand me.”

“So you’ll stay?” Spinel looked hopeful.

“...I can't.”

Lapis hated the rejected look on Spinel’s face. “But I won't leave without saying goodbye. And I won't betray you or your home. This is only temporary, but I promise, I’m your friend.”

This soothed Spinel’s anxiety, and the two watched the stars until the morning sun poked over the horizon.