Pearl POV

It was here.

The battlefield stretches out before me and I can see it. I can see them. And I can remember.

It was here.

And the gems that I knew are gone. Shattered. Corrupted. Just gone. Gone in some irreversible way. I feel like I cheated them. Why did I survive? Why was I here when they weren't? I was a liar, keeping secrets from them. So how did I deserve to be in this place?

I didn't know that I started crying. It only comes to my attention when I feel Rose's hand against my face.

"My pearl, why are you crying?"

I sniff. "No reason, my dia— Rose,"

She sits next to me. I feel a million things. She has lowered herself to my level and deemed me worthy of conversation. I appreciate her. Because I know I don't deserve her.

She smiles gently. "They died for all of us,"

"I know. It doesn't always make it easier, though,"

She strokes my hair. I always thought it was an odd movement, but she has adopted it and I would let her do anything with me. I was hers, after all, and I would follow her to the edge of the stars.

"I know, my pearl,"

And I end up spilling everything to her. "Why am I alive where they have perished? It's not enough for me to return ever once in a while and reminisce! I need them to be here, I need to be with them. They were the body of the rebellion and they are gone. I'm just a pearl! So how can I ever take their place?" I lifted a handful of the dusty earth. "How can I be enough?"

"How can you not, my pearl?"

I look up in her eyes. Bright and forgiving and loving and entrancing and beautiful. "I am weak,"

"You are stunning,"

I folded into myself and fixed my eyes on the ground. "I am small,"

"Your heart is big,"

"I am insignificant,"

"No!" Rose yelps. I look up in surprise, she continues. "You are not! You are the greatest thing to ever fall to Earth, and I can't imagine anyone else by my side! Pearl, don't speak of yourself that way. One day, when you are alone with this planet, you will understand why I love you. At least, I hope you will,"

"How can you love me?"

She looks into my eyes and I see tears on her face. I wipe them away gently. "Oh, my darling Pearl, you deserve this world and more,"

"This world?"

"And every star,"

And I smiled.