Y/N's POV

The sun streamed through the kitchen windows, illuminating the cozy space where I sat, still basking in the lingering warmth of yesterday. Steven was bustling around, preparing breakfast with a cheerful hum, his excitement palpable. "I was thinking we could hang out on the beach today!" he called out, flipping pancakes with a practiced flick of his wrist.

As I contemplated the idea, I felt a familiar warmth against my leg. Amethyst had fallen asleep as a cat on my lap, her purring a gentle vibration that soothed my nerves. I couldn't help but chuckle; it was hard to believe this was the same gem who could shift from playful to protective in the blink of an eye.

Just then, Amethyst stirred and stretched, shapeshifting back into her humanoid form. "Ugh, what time is it?" she yawned, rubbing her eyes. Her gaze landed on Steven and me, and her expression shifted to playful mischief. "Hope I didn't miss breakfast!"

"Almost ready!" Steven replied, grinning. "But it looks like you need to help Peridot with something. You can't just laze around all day."

Amethyst rolled her eyes but still leaned down to plant a quick kiss on my cheek, her lips warm against my skin. I felt my heart flutter with surprise, but it wasn't in the anxious way I'd expected.

It was a flutter of warmth that made everything feel just right. Everything was perfect. A little too perfect, even for me, but who was I to question it?

With a playful smirk, she sauntered out of the beach house, leaving me momentarily breathless. The moment she was gone, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

I forced my attention back to Steven, who was pouring syrup over a stack of pancakes, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Don't let her get to you, Y/N. She just has her way of showing affection."

"Right..." I muttered, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Just then, Pearl stepped out of her room in the temple, her expression brightening as she spotted us. "Good morning!" she greeted, her voice soft and melodic.

She approached, concern flickering across her features as she checked my injuries. "How are you feeling today? I hope Steven's powers helped heal you."

"They did," I replied, relieved to feel mostly back to normal. "Thanks for checking, Pearl."

She smiled, a genuine warmth that spread through me. "If you're both heading out today, I'd love to join you."

The thought of spending more time with Pearl sent a rush of nervous energy through me.

"Sure! The more, the merrier," Steven chimed in, grinning widely. "We can do something fun and relaxing on the beach, maybe even check out the boardwalk later!"

Pearl nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "That sounds lovely. I've been wanting to explore the area more."

As the three of us finished preparing for the day ahead, a sense of anticipation filled the air. What could happen on this trip?

. . .

As we stepped onto the warm, golden sand, I felt a wave of excitement wash over me. The beach was alive with vibrant colors and laughter, a stark contrast to the intense catching up of the past few days. Steven and I wasted no time getting into the spirit of things.

"Alright, ready?" I shouted, tossing a bright beach ball into the air. I gave it a solid throw, aiming for Steven's side.

He effortlessly floated up, his powers giving him an unfair advantage as he caught the ball with one hand, grinning from ear to ear. "Nice try, Y/N!" he called out, tossing it back with a playful flick of his wrist.

"Hey, that's cheating!" I laughed, lunging forward to catch the ball, but it sailed just past my fingertips and landed in the sand. "You're not even playing fair!"

Steven chuckled, his laughter infectious as he floated a few feet above the ground, tossing the ball back into the air. "What's fair when you can float? You just need to throw it harder next time!"

With a smirk, I readied myself, winding up for a dramatic throw. "Alright, you asked for it!" I hurled the ball as hard as I could, feeling the wind rush past me.

The ball shot through the air, and for a moment, I thought I'd finally gotten him. But just as it was about to hit him, Steven floated even higher, reaching out to catch it again. "Too easy!" he teased, still grinning.

"Ugh, this is infuriating!" I yelled, trying to suppress my laughter. "I swear you're just doing this to annoy me!"

"Maybe a little," he admitted, chuckling as he tossed the ball back to me again. "But come on, it's all in good fun!"

We continued our playful back-and-forth, my frustration dissolving into laughter as the beach atmosphere enveloped us. Each throw and catch brought with it a renewed sense of freedom, a chance to forget the heaviness of the past.

Just then, Pearl joined in, her presence radiating a calm energy. "Do you mind if I play too?" she asked, her voice sweet yet firm, as if she was seeking permission to join our little game.

"Of course! The more, the merrier!" I replied, tossing her the ball.

She caught it with grace, her movements fluid as she prepared to throw it back. "Just don't blame me if I outshine both of you!" she teased, and I couldn't help but smile at her playful confidence.

As we continued to toss the ball around, the sun shining brightly overhead, I felt a genuine happiness swelling within me. It was moments like these, filled with laughter and camaraderie, that reminded me of the bonds we shared.

"Okay, okay," Steven panted between laughs, "let's see how well you can handle a real challenge!" He floated back a bit, eyeing us mischievously.

Steven was showing off, performing a flashy flip and floating in mid-air with his powers. He spun around dramatically before tossing the beach ball toward me and Pearl.

"Catch!" he shouted, grinning from ear to ear.

"I got it!" I yelled, jumping up to intercept the ball. But it flew right past my fingers, landing with a soft thud in the sand and bouncing.

"I don't got it!- Oof!" I groaned, falling back to the ground and eliciting a laugh from Pearl.

"Looks like it's my turn!" Pearl chimed in, a playful smile on her face as she readied herself to catch the ball.

Just as she was about to grab it, I noticed her gaze drift to something in the distance. Curious, I followed her line of sight, it was a woman with pink hair standing at the edge of the beach. She looked strikingly familiar, and I could sense that she had captivated Pearl's attention.

"Hey, Pearl, you alright?" I called out, still focused on the mysterious woman who seemed to be drawing Pearl in.

Pearl's POV:

I was poised to catch the ball, my body coiled with focus, but then the flash of pink hair caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.

My heart raced as I recognized the woman from years ago-the same one I had admired from a distance. Memories of Rose Quartz flooded my mind, and I felt a rush of emotions.

Before I knew it, the beach ball smacked into me, jolting me back to reality. I winced slightly, and the ball rolled away into the sand. My heart sank as I watched it tumble, my thoughts consumed by the woman standing nearby.

She noticed the ball and bent down to pick it up. Our eyes met, and I felt the world fade away around us. I was instantly drawn to her, a connection I couldn't ignore.

"Is this yours?" she asked, her voice sweet and melodic.

"Y-yes," I stammered, my cheeks flushing. As she handed me the ball, our fingertips brushed, sending an electric thrill through me.

"I remember you," she said, a hint of recognition in her eyes. "You were at the Big Donut a couple of years back, right? You still look amazing."

I felt a flutter in my chest at her words, a mix of surprise and delight. "Thank you! I... um, I remember you too," I replied, trying to keep my composure.

Before I could say anything else, a group of people arrived at the beach, their laughter and voices filling the air. The mysterious woman glanced back at them, her smile fading slightly.

"I should probably get going," she said, her tone regretful. "But it was nice to see you again, Pearl."

With that, she waved goodbye and walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart racing and longing for more. As she faded into the distance, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something I needed to explore.

Y/N's Pov.

As Steven floated back down to the sand, he landed beside me, dusting off my face with a triumphant grin. "Did you see that? I totally nailed the flip!"

"Yeah, but you also totally distracted Pearl," I chuckled, glancing over my shoulder at her.

"Who was that girl?" I asked, still curious about the mysterious woman.

Steven's expression turned thoughtful. "Oh, that's someone Pearl met a couple of years ago at the Big Donut. She's basically Pearl's crush."

Before I could respond, I heard a familiar voice behind us. "I do not!" Pearl exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with a light blue blush, making us both laugh.

"Sure, you don't," I teased, sharing a knowing look with Steven as we continued our walk toward the boardwalk.

Transitioning to the Boardwalk

With the sounds of the beach behind us, I nudged Steven lightly. "Hey, what if we help Pearl hook up with the mystery girl?"

Steven shook his head, looking a bit skeptical. "We already tried that. Pearl didn't want to."

But I couldn't shake the image of Pearl gazing out at the sea, looking a little lost, her blush still evident on her cheeks. "Come on, look at her! She seems so taken by that girl. Maybe we should give it another shot," I urged.

I glanced back at Pearl, who was now staring wistfully at the waves, her expression softening with every crash against the shore. Seeing her like this made my heart ache, and I was determined to do something.

"Fine," Steven relented, rolling his eyes playfully. "But if this goes south, you owe me a milkshake."

"Deal!" I grinned, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of helping Pearl find happiness.

As we continued walking, I could already envision the perfect plan to get Pearl and the mystery girl together. It was time to play matchmaker, and I was ready to make it happen.

. . .

After a quick walk along the boardwalk, we found ourselves in front of Beach City Walk Fries. The smell of freshly fried potatoes wafted through the air, making my stomach growl.

"Let's grab some fries first," Steven suggested, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Pearl had settled onto a nearby bench, looking out at the bustling beach, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

As we stepped inside, Steven turned to me. "First things first, we need to know a bit more about that girl. Let's check in with Ronaldo."

We made our way to the back room, where Ronaldo was hunched over his laptop, furiously typing away. His blog, Keep Beach City Cool, was well known in the area, especially after his latest piece on Garnet rescuing another planet.

"Steven!" he exclaimed, leaping up from his chair to give Steven a massive hug. "Dude! It's been forever! How are you?"

"Hey, Ronaldo! I'm good! Just hanging out, you know?" Steven replied, returning the hug with equal enthusiasm.

As Ronaldo pulled away, his eyes fell on me, a hint of confusion in his gaze. "Uh, who's this?"

"This is Y/N," Steven introduced me. "He's new around here."

"Cool! Nice to meet you, man," Ronaldo said, flashing a wide smile. "So, what brings you guys here?"

"Actually," Steven began, "we need your help. We're trying to find out more about this girl Pearl likes-the one with the pink hair."

Ronaldo's interest piqued. "Oh, I can help with that! Let's see what we can dig up." He gestured for us to sit down, opening a tab on his laptop. "What does she look like?"

Steven described her features, focusing on the pink hair and unique piercings. As he spoke, I watched Ronaldo's fingers dance across the keyboard. It wasn't long before he paused, a look of recognition crossing his face.

"Aha! I think I found her," he said, clicking on a profile. "Her name's Sabina, Looks like she's into rock music, roller skating, skateboards, and she's a biker."

I leaned in, intrigued by the information. "A biker?" I echoed.

"Yeah! It says here she rides a pretty sweet motorcycle," Ronaldo replied, looking pleased with his findings. "She's definitely got a cool vibe. I bet Pearl would love that!"

"Thanks, Ronaldo!" Steven said, looking excited. "This is perfect!"

As Ronaldo went back to typing away at his blog, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Maybe we were finally getting somewhere in helping Pearl with her crush.

"Let's get back to Pearl and figure out how to set this up," I said, already plotting our next move.

- - -

With a small mountain of fries in front of us, Steven and I dug in, both of us enjoying the salty, crispy goodness. As we munched away, a brilliant idea struck Steven. "Hey, what if we check out that new roller rink that just opened? It could be a fun way for Pearl and Sabina to hang out!"

I nodded, the thought of gliding around on skates bringing a grin to my face. "That sounds awesome! And what if you played a concert there? You could totally get Sabina to come."

Steven's eyes lit up. "That's genius! You know, Beach City's very own band, Sadie and the Suspects, are back in town. I should call up Sadie and see if they can perform tonight at the beach."

He pulled out his phone, his excitement contagious as he punched in the number. I couldn't help but chuckle, watching him bounce on his toes, his enthusiasm radiating. "This is going to be epic!"

We laughed like a couple of idiots, throwing around ideas for the concert and how to get Pearl and Sabina to meet. We scribbled down plans, dreaming up scenarios where everything would come together perfectly, completely oblivious to our surroundings.

Suddenly, I heard soft footsteps approaching. I looked up just in time to see Pearl walking toward us, her expression curious. "What are you two laughing about?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

In a panic, Steven gasped, and I quickly shoved a handful of fries into his mouth to stop him from answering. His cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, and I grabbed our hastily scribbled notes, trying to hide them.

"Um, we were having an eating contest!" I blurted out, trying to sound nonchalant.

Pearl raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical but amused. "An eating contest?" she repeated, crossing her arms.

"Yeah! You know, the classic fries-eating contest!" I continued, feeling a little ridiculous. "Who can eat the most fries in under a minute!"

Steven nodded vigorously, finally managing to chew and swallow enough to join in. "Yeah! You should join us, Pearl! It's a blast!"

She looked at us, her smile growing wider as she chuckled. "Alright, alright. Just don't choke on those fries, Steven."

As she sat down next to us, I exchanged a glance with Steven, both of us stifling laughter. I could feel the excitement building for the day ahead, and I had a good feeling about where it might lead for Pearl and the mysterious girl.

Timeskip. . .

The retro neon lights glowed in soft pinks and blues, casting a cool hue over the brand-new roller rink. The steady beat of the music pulsed in the background, and the rink was already full of people gliding around like pros. Steven and I, however, were glued to the outer rails, both of us fumbling with our skates like baby deer. Neither of us had any clue how to roller skate.

"Okay, this is harder than it looks," I muttered, gripping the rail like my life depended on it.

Steven chuckled beside me, wobbling as he clung to the rail too. "Yeah, who knew wheels on shoes would be so tough?"

Just as I was about to make another failed attempt at moving, Pearl gracefully passed us, skating with an effortless flow. She twirled and spun as if the rink was her stage, gliding across the floor like a ballerina. Steven's eyes lit up like stars as he cheered her on.

"Go, Pearl!" Steven shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth.

I joined in, watching in awe as she continued her graceful dance around the rink. "Yeah, Pearl! Show us how it's done!"

She smiled at us, a soft blush coloring her cheeks as she skated back around. Meanwhile, Steven and I shared a glance, knowing we'd be stuck hugging the rail if we didn't take a break.

"Hot dog time?" Steven suggested.

I nodded eagerly. "Please."

We shuffled our way to the benches, where we could properly sit down and finally remove ourselves from the horror of roller skating. As we grabbed hot dogs, I couldn't help but grumble, annoyed that we were the only ones who didn't know how to skate.

"You know," I began between bites, "next time, we should practice before coming to one of these places."

Steven grinned. "Totally. I feel like I'm glued to the wall."

Pearl approached, still smiling from her graceful laps. I shot her a compliment. "Seriously, Pearl, you were amazing out there."

She smiled, but I noticed her eyes wandering, glancing toward the rink as if something - or someone - had caught her attention. And just like Steven and I had guessed, there she was. The mysterious girl with the pink hair, skating effortlessly with her friends around the rink.

Steven nudged me, eyes wide with excitement. "It's her!"

I nodded, watching Pearl's gaze linger on the girl. She was clearly flustered, her usual composed demeanor slipping for just a second. That's when Steven had an idea. His mischievous smile was all the warning I needed as he slowly made his way to the DJ booth.

Before I knew it, the upbeat retro music shifted into something more mellow, but still catchy enough to keep people moving. Steven returned with a grin plastered on his face and without warning, pulled Pearl and me back into the rink.

"Steven!" I exclaimed, trying not to trip over my skates.

He just laughed, dragging us into the rink as the new music set a softer, more intimate vibe. Pearl looked surprised but didn't protest.

She caught on to what Steven was doing, a blush creeping back onto her face as the mystery girl skated by again, the lights highlighting her in soft pink hues.

Steven and I clung to each other as we slowly wobbled around the rink, trying our best not to fall over. Every time we took a step, it felt like we were walking on ice. Meanwhile, we kept our eyes on Pearl as she gracefully caught up to the mystery girl.

Steven grinned. "First step of the plan... success!"

I nodded, feeling a wave of pride. "She's got this!"

But just as we were about to high five for our small victory, my foot caught on Steven's skate, and with a loud oof' we both toppled over, landing in a tangled heap on the rink floor.

"Ow..." I groaned, lying there for a moment, staring at the ceiling while Steven giggled beside me.

"At least Pearl's got better moves than us," he chuckled, before we both shifted our attention back to the rink.

Pearl's POV:

I could still feel my heart pounding as I skated closer to her, my focus shifting from my friends back to the woman who had captured my attention once again. The soft music filled the air as I caught up, gliding alongside her, unsure of how to approach. Every inch of me felt like it was back three years ago, when I first saw her at the Big Donut.

She looked over at me, a hint of surprise on her face before she smiled, her pink hair glimmering in the soft rink lights. "Hey, you're pretty good out here," she said, her voice smooth and laid-back.

My heart skipped a beat, my mouth suddenly dry. "Oh, um... thanks," I managed to say, cursing myself for sounding so awkward. I tried to focus on skating, but the only thing I could think about was her presence beside me.

She skated a little closer, her movements easy and relaxed as if she did this all the time. "Didn't expect to see you here," she added. "It's been a while, huh?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice for a moment. Then I found the courage to speak. "Yeah... it has. You're back in town?"

She nodded, still keeping pace with me. "Just for a bit. Figured I'd visit some old spots and see who's still around."

We skated in silence for a few moments, the sound of wheels on the rink was the only noise between us. I could feel my nerves building, memories of Rose flashing in the back of my mind. But this wasn't the same. This was someone new... someone who made me feel the same rush of excitement. My grip on the past felt weaker with every second I spent beside her.

"You still look good," she said casually, catching me off guard. "Like, you haven't changed a bit."

I could feel my face flush, a blue tint coloring my cheeks. "Thank you," I whispered, hoping she didn't notice how flustered I was.

Before I could say anything more, a group of her friends skated over, calling for her to join them. She shot me a look, something soft and maybe even a little regretful.

"Guess I'll catch you later," she said, gliding backward before skating away to her group. But before she disappeared, she called over her shoulder, "See you around!"

I watched as she skated off, my mind swirling with emotions I hadn't let myself feel in so long. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt something stirring in my heart... something I wasn't sure how to deal with.

And then I felt it. That same sensation, like a pull, pulled me back into feelings I hadn't fully let go of.

Timeskip. . .

Y/N's POV:

We stumbled out of the roller rink, rubbing our sore butts from all the falls. Steven was still giggling about our crash earlier, but I couldn't ignore the stinging in my ears from the earful Pearl had just given us. She walked a few paces ahead, her arms crossed, clearly frustrated.

"Do you two have any idea how embarrassing that was?" she huffed, turning around to face us as we shuffled along the boardwalk. The sea breeze ruffled her hair, but she didn't seem as calm as usual. "I've already moved on! You didn't need to go through all of that just for me!"

Steven and I exchanged a glance, both of us looking like scolded puppies. But then something stirred in me. It wasn't just about some awkward crush from years ago. It was about Pearl, and what she meant to us. I straightened up, no longer caring that my legs were sore or my pride had taken a hit from all the skating.

"No, Pearl, we did," I said firmly, surprising even myself. Pearl turned back to me, raising an eyebrow. "We did need to go through all of this. Not because you haven't moved on or whatever. It's because you're our friend."

She opened her mouth to respond, but I didn't let her get a word in. "You've been through a lot, Pearl. More than anyone else I know. You spent years taking care of everyone, being there for Steven, for the gems... and I don't think you've ever really taken the time to just let someone be there for you."

Steven stepped up beside me, nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah, Y/N's right! You always take care of us, Pearl. You're always there. But everyone needs someone, you know? Just like I've got Connie."

Pearl looked taken aback, her expression softening as we spoke. But I wasn't done yet.

"Even Steven has Connie," I continued, gesturing to Steven who smiled sheepishly. "It's not just about romance or moving on from Rose. It's about you. You deserve to have someone in your life, someone who makes you happy. Whether that's this mysterious girl or someone else, you deserve to feel like you're more than just everyone's guardian."

Pearl was silent, and for a moment, I thought she might argue again. But she didn't. She just looked between the two of us, her arms slowly uncrossing. Her eyes seemed to soften, as if she was finally hearing what we were trying to say.

Steven nodded, stepping forward. "We want you to be happy, Pearl. That's all. You do so much for everyone else, but it's okay to do something for yourself too."

Pearl's eyes glistened for a moment, and she looked down at the sand beneath her feet, as if considering our words. The sound of the waves crashing in the background filled the silence, and I couldn't help but feel like this was one of those rare moments where Pearl was letting her guard down, just a little.

Finally, she sighed softly, her shoulders relaxing. "I appreciate what you two are trying to do," she said, her voice quieter now. "I really do."

Steven and I exchanged a look, both of us relieved that she didn't seem mad anymore.

"But," Pearl continued, lifting her head to meet our eyes, "I don't need anyone to take care of me. I've always been fine on my own. And... maybe I've moved on more than you think."

I smiled at Pearl, knowing full well she was hearing us, even if she didn't want to admit it. Steven grinned too, and we both stood there, waiting for her next move.

Pearl sighed, then stepped forward, catching both of us off guard as she wrapped her arms around us.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice softer than I'd ever heard. I could feel her warmth, the tension leaving her shoulders as she hugged us tight.

Steven blinked in surprise, but quickly smiled and hugged her back, and I followed suit. It felt like a small victory, one we hadn't expected.

After everything Pearl had been through, she wasn't someone who let herself be vulnerable often. This moment felt important, like we were finally breaking through.

She let us go and looked at us with a tender smile. "You two... always know how to make things better," she said softly.

Pearl's POV:

As I pulled away from the hug, I glanced at Steven and Y/N, the two people who somehow always knew how to reach me. They cared, deeply. More than I ever expected anyone to. Steven had always been like that, but Y/N... he was something else. It warmed my heart, more than I was willing to admit.

But as I looked at them, I couldn't help the nagging feeling in the back of my mind. If I've really moved on, then why do I feel this way? Why am I thinking about that girl... someone whose name I don't even know?

I crossed my arms, trying to shake off the feeling. I had moved on from Rose. I was independent now, free to make my own choices, to live my life without needing to cling to the past. I had Steven, the other gems, and now Y/N. That was enough for me. It had to be.

But still... there was this strange feeling. That flutter in my chest when I saw her, the way my mind drifted back to that moment when our fingers touched. I frowned slightly, pushing those thoughts away. I didn't need anyone else. I was happy, wasn't I?

I glanced at Y/N, his eyes full of concern as he watched me. He cared so much. And that alone made my heart swell with a different kind of warmth. A small, fond smile tugged at my lips before I leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Don't worry," I whispered to him. "You can leave it to me. I'll handle... whatever this is." I chuckled quietly, seeing his surprised expression, and straightened up with a bit more confidence.

I wouldn't burden them with my feelings about the mysterious girl. I could handle it. I would handle it.

As we made our way down the boardwalk, I noticed the preparations for the concert at the beach already underway. The stage was being set, lights strung up, and speakers were being tested. Steven had really pulled through on this last step of their plan.

With a grin, I glanced at the two boys beside me. "So, the final step of your plan is the concert, huh?" I teased, feeling lighter than I had earlier.

Steven giggled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I thought it could help... you know, if she shows up."

I just smiled and looked ahead at the beach, feeling a strange mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. Whether the mysterious girl came or not, I'd face it head-on. No more running, no more confusion. It was time to move forward.

To be continued...