Work Text:
It was another normal day on the Hermitcraft server. All day, Gem had been running around her base, working on little chores that needed to get done, as well as planning out bigger builds. She was continuing to work when all of a sudden she got an all too familiar fuzzy feeling in her brain. Sometimes she loved it, sometimes she hated it. Today was one of those days she hated it. She knew exactly what was about to happen, and she wished she could stop it, despite knowing that she can't. She told herself she would get things done today, and up to that point she was doing just fine. But now, the fuzzy feelings had completely interrupted her, and she was not at all happy about it.
Nevertheless, she knew that now, nothing could get done. It was out of her control. She didn't like not having control over when she felt like this, but it was just one of those days. She also understood she couldn't deal with it alone, especially not today. So, she took a deep breath and begrudgingly messaged Pearl.
"What's up, Gem?" Pearl says in response. She knew from Gem's tone in her message that something was wrong.
"Can you come over, please?" Gem says, anxiously. She didn't want to admit she needed someone to take care of her right now, but she really did.
"Of course. On my way, I'll be there soon." Pearl responded swiftly before heading over to Gem's base.
Pearl had always been the first person Gem goes to in situations like this. Pearl always brings her so much comfort, and she trusts her with basically everything. So she felt a little bit better knowing that Pearl was on her way to help her, without hesitation, and without being told what was even going on. Pearl kind of had a sense for it anyways. She knows Gem struggles with her regression often and she's always willing to take good care of her.
When Pearl arrived at Gem's base, she greeted the now mentally younger with a warm smile. Pearl had immediately known what was going on, and was prepared for it.
"Well hello little Gem, are you okay? I got here as fast as I could for you." Pearl said, making sure to speak softly. She knew Gem needed that right now.
"Hewwo Pearlie," Gem said shyly. "I sowwy I needed chu... I no wanna feel like dis."
"Aww, that's okay fawn. Let me help you feel all better, alright? All is well." Pearl says with a smile, trying to comfort Gem as much as she can.
"Was twyin to work and den bwain felt fuzzy... No wike it..." Gem responded, trying to hold back tears. She wasn't really good at holding back emotions, and she knew she shouldn't, but she didn't want to be a bother.
Pearl could tell Gem was feeling stressed out and was trying not to cry. Then she got an idea.
"Would you like a hug, little one?" Pearl asked Gem, wanting to give her that little bit of comfort.
Gem nodded, too shy and anxious to be able to respond out loud. She was going non verbal now, and Pearl could tell.
"Aww, come here then, it's okay," Pearl said reassuringly. "You can have all the hugs you'd like."
Gem really enjoyed Pearl's hugs. Having her there with her, and hugging her as tightly as she now was, was already starting to help her feel a little bit better. She didn't want to let go.
"There you go, little deer," Pearl said softly. "You can stay here as long as you'd like. I'm not going anywhere."
Pearl began to see a slight smile creeping up on Gem's face as they both stayed there hugging each other.
"You know," Pearl says after a bit of silence. "I love taking care of you and making sure you're okay. Sometimes you need that, and that's perfectly fine."
Gem nods, still feeling nonverbal, but now in a less negative way. She was starting to feel better, and she felt comforted hearing Pearl's voice.
"I know that you were trying to do a lot today, and you weren't so happy that your plans were cut short. But that'll happen some days, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's just your brain trying to tell you that you need a break." Pearl reassures Gem. She knew Gem struggled with giving herself time to relax. She was always working on something around her base, and sometimes it was too much for her.
"Breaks are important, little one, and I know it's hard to give yourself them. But I want you to remember there's nothing wrong with needing a break, or with needing someone to take care of you. I'll always be here when you need it, okay?" Pearl continues.
Gem nods once more, feeling better and more relaxed the more Pearl speaks.
"Pearlie?" Gem says quietly.
"Yes, little deer?" Pearl responds with a smile.
"I wub chu so much. Fank chu for bein hewe." Gem says, now with more of a smile than earlier.
"Aww, you're very welcome. I love you too, so much." Pearl smiles, trying to hold back happy tears from Gem's sweetness. She thought that Gem was just the sweetest and cutest little thing, and it made her want to cry.
"I feel better nows dat chu hewe, Gem smiles. "And I pwomise I twy to be better givin myself bweaks. I twy my best for chu."
"That's good, little fawn," Pearl responds happily. "I'm so proud of you."
"Chu da bestest, Pearlie." Gem says happily, now feeling a lot better.
"You're the best too, little one." Pearl says with a big smile, feeling happy that she could help Gem once again in her time of need.