Work Text:
Pearl had been working a lot recently, pushing herself to her absolute limits. She would work around her base, planning out big projects, and when she wasn't at her base, she was helping somebody else with something. Between working at the post office, occasionally taking care of Gem, and doing various other tasks, she was kept busy almost all the time. She rarely had time to herself, to be able to wind down and relax. She really didn't like that.
She knew one thing that she really missed and would love to do to be able to take it easy for a while. That would be to just forget about her responsibilities and let her regression soothe her for a little while. But because of how busy she had been, and how anyone could need her at any particular moment, she could never let her guard down, and it had been a while since she had been able to regress. She had lost touch with her little self.
One day, she was just as busy as usual when she was pushed right to the edge. She had received a message from Impulse asking if she could lend a hand with something important. Impulse was unable to go into much detail through simple chat messages, so Pearl quickly exclaimed that she'd be right over.
When Pearl arrived at Impulse's base, she was immediately met with a rather conflicted Impulse. He had called Pearl over for help deciding on what the next building in his city should be, as he had completely ran out of ideas by that point, and thought Pearl might have a good idea.
Upon hearing this, Pearl was a tad bit frustrated to be called over for something that for some may be considered quite menial of a task. But she hid her frustration well and helped Impulse come up with a few ideas, and Impulse showed his appreciation for receiving Pearl's help.
He and all of the other hermits knew how hard Pearl worked with every single thing she had done. They were all appreciative to have Pearl with them on the server, as she is always such a great friend to them. But sometimes they forget that Pearl can be easily overworked at times, and she rarely gets to take a breather. On multiple occasions, Pearl has told other hermits the importance of taking time to relax, but she has been unable to follow through with her own advice because of how much she has on her plate every day.
After leaving Impulse's base, Pearl headed right back to her own projects for a short while. That is, she attempted to, but the longer she tried to push through and finish what needed to be done for the day, the more overwhelmed she got. She desperately wanted a break. Her yearning for reconnection to her regression had grown stronger with every single task. She couldn't take it anymore, and she hid in her base away from everyone, hoping no one else would need her. She was this close to breaking down and crying.
She just wanted to be her carefree, little self again. It had been so long since she had been able to reach that. But at this point, after so long, she knew she wouldn't be able to do it on her own. No amount of alone time would be able to help her reach her regressed headspace. She needed to be helped. She needed for someone to be understanding that she needed a break from how hard she had been working recently. And most importantly, she just needed someone to take care of her.
After a while of Pearl hiding in her base to stay away from everyone and everything, Impulse had stopped by to once again thank Pearl for her help. He really did appreciate it and wanted Pearl to know that, as he knew that was something Pearl had always struggled with. He had arrived at her base to thank her when he realized she was nowhere to be seen. Confused, he looked all around her base trying to find her, and eventually found where she was, and saw her on the verge of a breakdown. This had deeply upset Impulse, and he couldn't help but be worried that he had played a part in overworking her earlier.
"Pearl, are you okay? What's wrong?" Impulse asked, with a concerned tone in his voice.
"No, I'm not," Pearl said, holding back tears. "Please tell me you don't need my help with something else. I can't handle it right now."
"Not at all," Impulse said. "It's quite the opposite, actually. I just came here to thank you again for your help earlier. I really appreciate it. I just wanted you to know that."
"It's no problem," Pearl said, shakily. "I'm happy to help." Pearl was becoming unable to hold back her emotions. She was beginning to have a breakdown.
"You're feeling overwhelmed, I take it?" Impulse asked.
Pearl nodded. "Yes, very much so. I just need a break from doing so much for people." She said, still shakily as tears ran down her cheeks.
"That's okay, I completely understand that," Impulse reassured her. "We all need breaks, especially someone who works as hard as you do all the time."
Pearl nodded once more. She agreed with Impulse's sentiment, but knew she needed help. Nevertheless, she was afraid to ask for it.
"I've been trying so hard," Pearl cries. "But I just can't do it anymore. I need to be able to take a breather. And-" She stopped herself from finishing that sentence, afraid of what Impulse's response could be.
"And what?" Impulse asked, still concerned. "Is there anything I can do to help you be able to relax? I'd like to help you, Pearl. I'll do anything I can, promise."
Pearl paused, and then continued her sentence hesitantly. "I just... I miss being able to regress. It's been so long," Pearl cries. "It really helps me be able to relax and stop worrying for a while..
But I've been so busy I've lost touch with that part of myself. I really miss it. I want it back."
"Aww, Pearl, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Impulse asked. "You know I'd be willing to help you with that. If that would help you, that's exactly what we'll try and do, okay?"
Pearl was relieved. She was scared she wouldn't receive quite that understanding of a response, despite how understanding Impulse had always been of her regression in the past. Impulse had been the closest thing Pearl ever had to a real caregiver. She loved that. But that didn't stop her from being scared sometimes.
"Really?" Pearl said as she tried to wipe her own tears away. "You mean it?"
"I mean it, Pearl," Impulse said with a reassuring smile. "Now how about we get you all nice and relaxed so you'll be able to regress?"
"I'd like that," Pearl said, slightly less shakily. "Thank you."
Pearl and Impulse then proceeded to get Pearl prepared to reconnect with her regressed self. They gathered all of her regression items, and anyrhing that would bring her comfort. Most of these things had been stored away in Pearl's base for a long time now, and she had missed having them.
Impulse helped Pearl get changed into her favorite onesie, which was her bird onesie. This alone was already starting to help her, but there was more to be done.
"Now little birdie, I'll be here as long as you need for you to feel relaxed and cared for, okay?" Impulse said. "I have nothing more to do today."
Pearl was already beginning to feel her regression come back to her. Her brain began to feel fuzzy, in a good way, and she felt more relaxed as she began to feel smaller. She knew now she could relax properly, Impulse was there to take good care of her.
"Mmm..." Pearl hummed softly, beginning to feel nonverbal as she got smaller. She didn't mind it though, and neither did Impulse.
"Aww, is the little birdie feeling all nice and relaxed now?" Impulse said softly. "I sure hope so, little one."
Pearl nodded and clung onto Impulse. He knew there was one thing that could mean. "Do you want cuddles, sweetie?" He asked, curiously. His question was met with a slow but still visibly happy nod from the now mentally younger Pearl. She wanted Impulse to stay there with her, this moment was the most relaxed she had been in a very long time.
"Then it is cuddles you shall get, little one," Impulse said softly. "Come here with me."
The two got into Pearl's bed and relaxed for a while, simply cuddling and enjoying each other's company. Impulse was happy to be there, as he could tell how much it was helping Pearl. He knew she must've been so stressed out lately, and he wanted to do anything he could to help her out.
Pearl quietly let out more little hums and other simple noises, which made Impulse smile. He thought she was so adorable and was so happy to help her reconnect with her regression, as he knew how much happiness it brought her when she needed a break from everything.
After a while of laying in bed, Pearl did her best to speak up in order to get Impulse's attention. All this stress had made her hungry, and she hadn't had time to get something to eat up until that point in the day. She thought she would be able to now that Impulse was here to help her.
"Impy... I hungwy." Pearl says quietly.
"Aww, that's okay, little birdie," Impulse responds. "How about we get you something to eat then, hmm? You must be very hungry after working so hard all day."
Pearl smiled slightly, and nodded. She was surprised that Impulse was able to understand how she felt so well. He had basically just said her exact thoughts right back to her.
Impulse and Pearl then made their way to Pearl's kitchen together to see what she could have to eat. "Hmm let's see, what could we make for you?" Impulse asked as he searched through the kitchen looking for something to give Pearl.
After a bit more searching, Impulse found a box of macaroni and cheese. "Ooh, I think I've got something for you, little one," Impulse said. "How does mac and cheese sound?"
Pearl gasped and nodded happily, forgetting that she had bought herself that. She was happy to finally get the chance to have it.
"Well then, I'll get right to making it for you, sweet birdie. Just wait there." Impulse said with a smile.
Pearl sat down at her kitchen table and watched intently and happily as Impulse made the mac and cheese for her to enjoy. When it was done, he presented it in front of her.
"Now sweetheart, are you able to feed yourself or would you like me to help you?" Impulse asked. "I'll gladly help you if you're too small to do it on your own."
"Needs help pwease." Pearl said. She was happy to have Impulse there to help her.
"Gotcha," Impulse said. "Open up little birdie. I'll make sure you're well fed."
Pearl did just that and after a short amount of time, Impulse had successfully fed Pearl all of the mac and cheese.
"Fank chu Impy." Pearl said happily, showing her gratitude.
"You're very welcome, little one. I'm happy to help you," Impulse responded with a smile. "Now, is there anything else you'd like me to help you with while you're small right now?"
"Hmm..." Pearl gave this question some thought for a minute, but not too much for her little brain to handle.
After a little bit of thought, she responded. "I fink maybe I just wan cuddle again."
"Okay little one, sure thing. Let's head back into your bedroom then, sweetie." Impulse replied.
Before long, they were in Pearl's bed cuddling once more, just like before. They were both so happy to be in each other's company, and Pearl especially was much happier and more relaxed than she was before. This was just what she needed after everything she had been doing recently. She was finally at peace, and she was very grateful Impulse was willing to help her reconnect with her little self. No amount of words could express how much she appreciated his help, she thought to herself.
"I wub chu Impy... Fank chu so much for evewyfin today," Pearl said quietly. "I weally needed it."
"Aww, you're very welcome, little birdie. I'm so happy I could help you regress again. I know how long it's been," Impulse responded with a warm smile. "I want you to know I'll be here to help take care of you absolutely any time you need to regress, okay? You can always come to me. I love you so much."
"Otay Impy... Fank chu." Pearl said quietly, but happily.
At this point, the day was coming to an end, and the two couldn't possibly be any happier than they were now.
"Impy?" Pearl asked after a little bit of peaceful silence.
"Yes, sweet birdie?" Impulse responded softly.
"Can chu stay hewe for da night? If das no too much to ask..." Pearl asked nervously. "I would weally like dat."
"Of course I can," Impulse replied reassuringly. "It's no problem at all. Are you getting tired?"
"Mhm. I gettin eepy." Pearl said quietly and nodded, and then let out a little yawn.
"That's okay, sweetie. You can rest, you have nothing more to do right now," Impulse said. "I'll stay here with you for tonight. It's all okay, I promise."
"Fank chu Impy," Pearl said through another little yawn.
"Of course. Anything to help you feel comfortable and relaxed," Impulse said, happily. "Let's both get some rest now, okay little birdie?"
"Otay, Impy." Pearl said, sleepily. "Ni ni, I wub chu so muchies. Fank chu again for evewyfin."
"You're very welcome, sweet little birdie. Goodnight now, sweet dreams, I love you so much." Impulse replied softly, and then the two of them peacefully fell asleep.