#but yuri really struck a cord with me with how she is

[zeibei]

dont usually post little doodle sketches but recently read alien 9

[welcome-back-to-hoimycraf]

happy @mcyt-summer-of-yuri, kai!! this is my treat for @fragayzeichen, I really hope you enjoy ^^

oops wait forgot credits

thank you to @anonymousacres, @thesillyloverezra, and @garlicbreadcrust for ideas and betaing services!

“You need a what now?”

“A moonstone!” Gem supplies, removing her gaze from her notes and to Pearl’s face instead. The woman’s expression was mildly confused, yet willing to help all the same. Gem had always admired that aspect of the other ruler. Despite whatever qualms she had, she was always happy to help a friend in their endeavors.

The wizard grinned apprehensively as she stashed her notebook away in her bag, still rather uneasy with her decisions- but that could be sorted at a later date. Right now, she needed to explain herself. “It’s for a potion I’m making. Moonstones only form here in Gilded Helianthia, so I was wondering if you could help me find some?”

Pearl hummed to herself for a second, tapping a finger against her crossed arms in thought. “I’m sure I could ask a jeweler for some info on them!” 

Gem nodded a bit too eagerly. “Yes, that sounds perfect! Thank you so much, Pearl.” Before she could stop herself, she’d already reached out to take her friend's hands in her own.

Luckily, she was saved from embarrassment when Pearl squeezed them gently. "'Course, mate! Anything for you."

The genuine, caring smile Pearl broke out in made Gem's stomach twist and her chest tighten. Oh, why did she have to be in love with her best friend?

At least, with Pearl's help, she'd finally be able to act on those feelings.

The notebook in her satchel, containing every detail of how to make herself absolutely perfect for Pearl, practically burned a hole through the cloth of her dress with the guilt it made her feel. She felt bad, manipulating Pearl into helping her without telling her the full truth- but Gem supposed she wasn't lying, which gave some comfort.

“Well, don’t just stand there, silly! We better get goin’ while it’s still daylight!” And with that, Gem was promptly dragged away. 

Squawks of surprise and giggles filled the manor’s rooms as they headed for the main entrance. The wizard knew her way around, as she’d been here countless times throughout her life, yet Pearl led her to the door, anyway. Their hands were still intertwined, Gem realized. She tried to hide the redness sprouting across her face that came with the knowledge. 

Pearl’s hurried pace slowed once they reached the outside, transforming into something more akin to a casual stroll. With the more relaxed stride, Gem was able to take in the scenery a bit more. 

She may be biased, but Gem thought of Gilded Helianthia as one of the most beautiful, detailed empires on the continent. Something about it was so peaceful, so cozy. It felt like home. 

Wheat fields sprawled out across the flat ground of the kingdom, hidden by the shopping street they’d moved to once away from the modest mansion. It was more of a large farmhouse, really, which struck a familiar cord in Gem’s heart. It reminded her of her own small home in the Cliffs. While other emperors prided themselves on their grand, sprawling castles, her and Pearl were of the same mind- preferring their quaint cottages.

Anyway- she was getting ahead of herself. 

The combination of their laid-back gait and the gentle swinging of their hands, clasped together between them, gave off such an air of… domesticity, it almost made Gem sick. She had to stamp these feelings down. They did her no good as she was now. But maybe, just maybe, after this, she’d finally have a chance…

She was quite lost in her own head, which led to her not noticing the rake that had fallen in their path. 

It must have fallen from where it had rested against a shopfront. That made sense- they were in the main area of town. She should have been more careful! Gem could hear Pearl’s sharp gasp as her grasp was ripped from the other woman’s. The wizard shot her hands out to try and catch herself, which she realized backfired when the searing heat and pain that comes with skinning your palms bubbled up. 

All that to say, she landed face-first on the sidewalk. 

The same sensation shot up her cheek as it collided with the rough stone. Gem coughed and spluttered, struggling to get air in through her shock. Distantly, she could hear Pearl asking something. She tried to open her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a questioning, pitiful whine. Pathetic.

“Are you ok?” Pearl’s pinched expression flooded her vision, and Gem soon realized she was crouching over her. A gentle hand, which she realized belonged to her friend, cupped her wounded cheek. Gem gasped sharply, and the hand retreated. “Sorry, sorry,” the ruler apologized, wiping some of Gem’s blood discreetly on her dress- not discreet enough, though, “didn’t realize you’d got your face, too. Need some help?”

Gem shook her head weakly, trying her best to smile through her pain- her embarrassment. “Yeah, I-I’m good! I’m fine!” She let out a strained chuckle as she picked herself up from the brick, waving off Pearl’s silent offer of help. “I’ll fix it, I’ll fix it.”

With the blink of an eye, a little magic, and a slightly heavier weight on her eyelids, Gem’s wounds were closed. Even the rip she’d felt in the leggings below her dress had been mended. She’d never been more thankful to be a wizard. “See? Fixed!”

She ignored the worried glint in Pearl’s eyes, continuing down the sidewalk before she could say whatever she’d been thinking. 

If she were perfect, she wouldn’t be so clumsy. Wouldn’t see the hurt on Pearl’s face…

The jeweler wasn’t far. It didn’t take long for them to enter the shop, greeted by the cheerful man behind the counter. The store was filled to the brim with precious stones and minerals- gold, silver, rubies, diamonds- you name it, it was here. The owner, as he introduced himself, was happy to help esteemed guests such as themselves (his words, not Gem’s). He even seemed proud of the moonstones he brought out when told what they were after, excitedly telling them when and where they were harvested. 

Thankfully, Gem only needed one for her potion. It cost a pretty penny- one Pearl insisted on paying herself, despite Gem’s protests. 

“It’s hospitality, Gem,” the lady laughed easily. Butterflies churned in the wizard’s stomach. “You’re my guest for the day, so I should pay for you, ‘kay?”

Gem could only nod and hide the growing flush she blamed on the warm, humid evening air. 

“Now that we’re out here,” Pearl interrupted the silence, glancing around at the nearly empty streets surrounding them, “may I ask what this is for?” She held up the box containing the precious ingredient, offering it to the other. 

Gem took it in her hands, fiddling with the magnetic latch. She bit her lip- a nervous habit. What does she say to that? ‘Yeah, I’m going to make a potion that’ll change me forever so you can fall in love with me!’ …That didn’t seem like the right course of action. 

“It’s to help me sleep,” the wizard blurted out before she could stop herself. “I’ve been having trouble falling asleep at night! Moonstone- moon- night- makes sense, y’know?” She giggled a bit too high, ignoring Pearl’s raised eyebrow. 

Thankfully, her awful lie seemed to convince her. “Hope you can get that worked out, mate,” she smiled, pulling her friend into a short hug. Though it was brief, the contact left Gem breathless. “You take care of yourself, alright?”

Gem pulled back slightly too fast, nodding quickly. “Mhm! Uh- got to go, bye!” 

Pearl watched her pull out her elytra and a rocket, getting a running start to soar off into the sky. She followed Gem’s path out, sighing when she left her sight. What was she up to?

—----

Gem stood above the bubbling liquid, taking a deep breath. The moonstone trembled in her hand, hovering over the open flask. The last ingredient.

A deep guilt settled in her stomach, twisting and turning what little she’d had for dinner when she’d gotten home. She felt awful about this. She felt awful about lying, about manipulating her best friend into doing something for her own gain, without her knowledge. 

No, the potion didn’t make Pearl fall in love with her, she wasn’t a creep, but it would make her the perfect person for Pearl. The person Pearl dreamed of when she lay awake at night. The person she wanted to kiss, to cherish, to marry someday. 

Gods, she hoped this worked. 

The stone clinked to the bottom, and she watched as the liquid boiled and reacted to the new addition. It fizzed up to the surface, turning the liquid a bright gold. 

The representative of Pearl. Just like the moonstone. 

Well, here goes nothing.

She barely hesitated before downing it in one fell swoop. The potion was oddly earthy, with hints of grain and yeast across her tongue. It reminded her of the woman of her dreams. 

The wizard set the glass back down onto her desk, wiping her mouth as she breathed heavily. She’d done it. She’d done it- and now all she had to do was wait for the changes.

Wait.

Wait…

Gem was... confused when she felt no immediate changes. She was still the same height, same weight, same hair color, same everything. And, when she checked the mirror, her distinct Adam's apple still bobbed when she swallowed. Even the gap between her front teeth hadn't budged. Had the potion even worked?

No, she was sure she'd done it right. She'd followed every instruction down to the tee, double and triple checking each step.

Why hadn't she changed?

As soon as she thought of the question, the answer struck her like a lightning bolt. Gem's breath hitched in her throat. No- no that couldn't be right.

...Pearl already thought of her as perfect?