Boardwalk is busy tonight.

Music drifts from the arcade down the street, warm lights glow overhead, and the salty ocean air mixes with the smell of fried food and sugar from the nearby stands.

You’re halfway through a conversation with one of the locals when you notice Pearl standing a short distance away.

She’s pretending to examine a souvenir display near the railing, posture perfectly composed while she very obviously listens to every word you’re saying.

At first, she seems content to let you talk.

She doesn’t interrupt. Doesn’t hover noticeably. Doesn’t insert herself into the conversation the way Amethyst absolutely would.

Trying very hard to convince herself she isn’t bothered by how long this conversation has lasted.

You catch her glancing over every few seconds anyway.

The tiny flickers of attention.

The subtle shifts closer each time the other person laughs.

The way her fingers smooth nervously over the edge of her sash whenever you’re focused on someone else for too long.

Because Pearl clearly has no idea how transparent she’s being.

The conversation continues for another minute or two.

Then suddenly, Pearl is beside you. You genuinely don’t even see her move.

One second she’s several feet away.

The next, she’s standing close enough that her arm lightly brushes yours.

The contact is delicate. Her posture remains graceful and calm, but you immediately notice the quietness in her expression.

That soft almost-worried look she gets whenever she wants your attention but feels guilty asking for it directly.

“…Hello,” Pearl says politely.

Her voice is softer than usual.

“Hey.”

The second your attention shifts fully onto her, something in her expression eases.

And then, almost immediately, her hand finds yours.

No hesitation anymore.

Her fingers slide carefully between yours like instinct.

Grounding herself through the contact.

The other person notices immediately and smiles knowingly before excusing themselves a moment later.

Pearl watches them leave with perfect composure.

The second they’re out of earshot, you turn toward her fully.

“You okay?”

Pearl blinks once.

“Of course.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.” She pauses delicately. “…I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

You stare at her for half a second. Then laugh softly.

Pearl immediately looks mildly offended.

“I didn’t.”

“You literally materialized beside me.”

“That is not physically possible.”

“You know what I mean.”

Pearl looks away briefly, cheeks tinting faintly pink now that she’s been caught.

“I simply wished to stand closer to you.”

“Mhm.”

“And you appeared occupied.”

“So you interrupted quietly.”

“I was being considerate.”

You grin.

Pearl exhales softly through her nose, clearly embarrassed despite herself.

But her hand never leaves yours.

If anything, her fingers tighten slightly when you tease her.

“You know,” you murmur, brushing your thumb gently against her knuckles, “you could’ve just asked for my attention.”

Pearl’s expression softens immediately.

“…I know.”

“But?”

She hesitates.

Then quietly:

“I prefer when you offer it willingly.”

Your chest aches instantly.

The fear of asking for too much.

Of becoming inconvenient. Of needing affection more openly than she thinks she should.

So instead of answering right away, you step closer until your shoulders touch fully.

Pearl visibly relaxes at the contact. Then you lift your intertwined hands slightly.

“You already have it,” you say softly.

The noise of the boardwalk fades into the background for a moment while she looks at you with that same open vulnerable expression she only shows when she forgets to guard herself.

“…Oh,” she whispers faintly.

You smile. A second later, Pearl unconsciously leans just a little more into your side.

Like now that she’s close enough to touch you again, her whole body finally remembers how to breathe properly.