#i went after class yesterday to get it sorted cus i have some health forms that need signing for summer work cus the gp is next to uni

[nerdie-faerie]

Yeah sure I'll wake up 3 hours before I need to to book a doctors appointment in person only to be told they only have one slot available and I'll have to come back again tomorrow cus they can't prebook

[ronyxfic]

Educating the Victim - Act V, Chapter XVI

Pairing: Pearl/Amethyst, Pearl/Rose, Ruby/Sapphire

Rating: Teens and up

Warnings/Tags: discussions of manipulation and non-explicit sexual content.

Read it on AO3!

Educating the Victim Masterpost

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CHAPTER 16: The First

When Amethyst woke up, it was still dark.

She was still with Pearl, and she remembered what had happened in perfect clarity.

Shit.

She'd actually slept with her. Had kissed her and touched her and -

She couldn't stay. Couldn't face Pearl after this.

She got up as quietly as she could. Pearl was still asleep.

She looked so beautiful. Amethyst sighed. Covered her with the blanket and brushed her hair out of her face.

She didn't regret it. She didn't. But now that she was sober, her anxieties were no longer held at bay.

So she grabbed her clothes and shoes and left without even saying goodbye.

A few hours later, Pearl awoke. It was odd, as if something had been torn from her arms. She felt her face, her neck had a dull ache.

Oh, yes, Amethyst had been around.

Her behind reminded her of another dull ache. Oh.

Amethyst.

She held her head in her hands before realising she'd slept with the plug still in. Ouch. She frowned. She needed to talk to her, and made a mental note to text her after meeting with Ruby and Sapphire. She'd planned on possibly asking to sleep over the weekend.

Carefully, she picked herself up and began to get ready.

A few miles away, Ruby and Sapphire were entertaining another guest.

"Are you sure you want to stay when Pearl comes over, Kai?" Sapphire asked.

Kai nodded. "Yeah, man, she sounds cool," he said. "I'd love to meet her. From what you've said, I'm sure there's a few things we can talk about."

"If you're sure," Sapphire said.

Ruby bounced at the doorbell. "Oh, that's probably her now. I'll go and let her in." They made their way to the door and opened it before bursting into giggles. "HOLY shit, did you fuck dracula? Guys - the baby queer got laid."

Pearl was not amused. "I've had my hand down Sapphire's shirt at dance comp after parties."

It worked it shutting Ruby up.

Sapphire rolled her eyes. "It was one time, Pearl," she said. "So who's the lucky person?" She threw Pearl a meaningful look.

If it was Rose, today might get... interesting.

"This is Kai," she then introduced their other guest.

"Hi. Pearl, I assume?" Kai gave a small, slightly awkward wave. "I, ah. Used to go to your school."

"It's not what you think it is." Pearl sighed as she took off her shoes. "Got high with a friend." She then faced Kai. "You're okay with me talking about drugs, right?"

Kai shrugged. "I don't really mind. Don't do them myself but you do you."

Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "A friend, huh? Not your... gal pal, then?"

"No. It wasn't her. I don't think I'm ever getting laid in that direction." Another sigh. She then looked at Kai with a raised brow, frowning at him. "...You went to an all girls school?"

"Yup. Nobody knew I was a boy until sixth form. It's not that unusual, right?" He gave a half-smile. "I mean, I know for a fact I wasn't the first trans guy to come out at our school."

Lars. Pearl swallowed a thick heaping of guilt. "Yes, I suppose so. One of the students in my year tried to come out recently. I don't think he's had much progress with the register. Diamond seems to have her foot down on accepting birth certificates only."

"Oh, good ol' Diamond," Kai said. "Still no better in that department, I see."

"Do you want tea?" Sapphire chimed in. "You can go through to the living room, if you want."

"Oh, please. Green tea, if you have it!" She followed Ruby's way in. Ruby, still, it seemed, wasn't done with poking fun at the newcomer. "So, your year, huh? She sure did a number on your neck." "She was a virgin and probably didn't know it would show up." Pearl furrowed her brows. "I tried coating it in foundation but it's not working."

"Cute," Kai said, grinning at Pearl. He followed Sapphire as she went into the kitchen to make tea for everyone.

"You want food as well?" Sapphire called into the living room. "We got, uh. Frozen pizzas."

"Only if everyone else is gonna snack as well," Pearl replied, settling down on the sofa. "This place is so nice!"

Ruby rushed to Sapphire. "Gimme the pepperoni with the jalapeño."

"Of course." Sapphire threw her partner an adoring look. "Kai?"

"Something vegetarian," he said. "I'm not that hungry, I could share one with Pearl."

Half a pizza would ease her guilt. Pearl shot him a grateful look. "I wouldn't mind that. You guys got drinks, or should I go and buy some later?"

"Alcoholic or not?" Sapphire asked, opening a cupboard to reveal a large variety of drinks of either sort. "You're in a student home, Pearl, we always have stuff around."

Kai sat down on the sofa next to Pearl.

"So, Pearl," he said, "I heard about your accident last year from these guys."

Pearl spied a six pack of dark berry cider. "Still recovering from yesterday, so I'm not going too heavy. Could I maybe have a Strongbow?" She then turned to Kai. "Oh God, don't tell me they told you all the embarrassing stuff."

Sapphire got Pearl the requested drink. "Pizzas will be a few minutes," she announced cheerfully and then returned to the kitchen, presumably to make out with Ruby where Pearl and Kai wouldn't see. (They tried their best not to be too gross in front of other people.)

Kai smiled at Pearl. "They mostly just mentioned you in passing. You wanted to be a professional dancer, right?"

"Yeah. Doing a major in Biology now. I think it's a lot better for me. Getting into less fights."

"Oh, yeah," Kai said. "Rose is very helpful, isn't she?"

Pearl swallowed, cheeks turning red. "Yes. We're very close."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Close, huh?"

"Dating." It wouldn't cause any harm to let him know, right?

Kai's face fell. So it was true. "Oh dear. Let me guess, you're her favourite student, severe mental health issues that she's been helping with, meetings outside of classes, that kind of stuff?"

Pearl froze. "...Yes. How did you... Know?"

"Lucky guess." His voice was bitter.

"She's... she's my partner. I mean... she has another partner and I don't know how I feel about that but I can't change that, either."

Kai closed his eyes, breathed a sigh.

"You're not the first student she's done this with," he said, opening his eyes again and looking at Pearl. "You know that. Right?"

Pearl looked taken aback. "Principal Diamond mentioned it but... I don't believe it. She's not taking advantage of me."

Kai laughed bitterly.

"Sure she's not. Just like she wasn't taking advantage of me, couple of years ago."

"You... dated her?"

"If you can call it that," he said. "You wanna hear the whole story?"

Pearl took a sip. "... Yes."

"Alright."

He leaned back. "It started when I came out as trans, start of my final year. Rose hadn't really taken much of an interest in me before but suddenly she was all - protective of me. And kind of rightfully so, cus I had Principal Diamond all up my ass." He shrugged. "Nothing I can't handle, though. I knew what happened to Lars, I wouldn't have come out if I hadn't been sure I could handle it. But Rose... well. I had a crush on her. So her attention was really not unwelcome. I'll spare you the details, I mean, you're probably getting a very intimate play-by-play from Rose herself just now."

"I... thought Principal Diamond was lying." No. No, what she and Rose had was special. "How did things... end?"

"Diamond is many despicable things, but she's usually telling the truth when trying to drag people through the mud," Kai said. "She's far too careful to be spreading lies. But anyway - yeah. We weren't really dating until my graduation, but it was always clear that there was something there. I was crazy for her, and she did nothing but encourage that. A few kisses. Meetings. She made me feel like she was one of the only people I could rely on. And on graduation night, she took me home with her and..." His eyebrows raised, his gaze flickered to the love bite on Pearl's neck. "You can imagine what happened. And all was well, we were a couple, I was happier than ever. Until she lost interest in me."

A million different feelings tore Pearl into even more directions. She felt mad, angry that anyone would attack Rose. Angry at Rose. Angry at herself. Upset that... Rose had of course left all this out.

She was also burning with envy. Rose had slept with a student. And it wasn't even her.

"How... did she lose interest?"

"Gradually," he said. "Found a million excuses why she couldn't see me as regularly. She was busy or too tired or feeling ill or had other plans. It took about three months. Then she broke up with me."

He blinked. Swallowed. "She had another partner at the time, too. Lily, I think she was called, I met her a few times. Lovely girl. Rose used her as the reason for the breakup, said Lily wasn't comfortable with Rose dating me. But... but it always felt like the novelty had just worn off. She got bored with me and dropped me as soon as I wasn't interesting anymore."

Pearl was breathing hard. "I'm sorry, I think... Is there a place I can go outside I think I need some air." Her knuckles had turned white around the can.

"Uh, sure." Kai frowned. "Sorry, man, I just wanted you to know. She fucks people over. Don't want that to happen to anyone else. You want me to come with you?"

"I suppose. I just... this relationship has been my only true security for a while..." she said, walking out.

Kai sighed. "Sorry to break it to you, honey, but if your relationship with your teacher is your only security, you probably have bigger issues than her potentially leaving you. Don't you have other people? Family, friends? What about the girl who gave you that?" He gestured to the love bite on her neck.

"I barely have any of those things." Pearl hugged herself. "Amy and I are... complicated. I hate my sister and my best friend now lives with her and constantly takes her side."

"Huh." Kai frowned. "Well, it might be a good idea to work on those things. Just in case. I mean, I'm not saying that Rose will definitely do this to you as well, I mean, for all I know, you could be the love of her life. Or she could just be seeing you as a project. With an expiration date. Like me."

"She's done it before." The words sounded bitter. Cold.

"Oh? Do tell." Kai fumbled with his pockets, getting out a packet of cigarettes, offered them to Pearl silently.

"At least that's what the Principal said. I don't want to believe you. I don't want to believe any of this." Pearl took a cigarette almost instantly.

"It's the sad truth, sister." He took a cigarette for himself as well, lighting it up and then offering his lighter to Pearl as well.

She lit up, eyes glazed. "She just seems like... she's perfect. She's so kind and wonderful and supporting. Why would she... play me like this?"

"Who knows. I'm just the messenger, Pearl." Kai shrugged. "I used to think she was perfect too."

"Oh man. When she butts into your drama, though."

"She finds people that are vulnerable," Kai said. "I thought I'd be fine coming out, but then I wasn't, and she looked after me. You had your accident, and I don't know what else you got going on. You don't have to tell me. But she picked you for a reason, I'm sure of it."

Pearl flinched. "Is that it, then? I'm just a project?"

"Maybe." Kai ashed his cigarette. "I don't know. I'm just telling you how it went down with me. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the first, either."

"No. It seems you probably weren't." Pearl swallowed as if she had a bitter pill. "I have an... eating disorder. She forced me to eat. She'd touch me a lot to keep me in line."

"Ah. Yeah, I had issues like that too." The parallels. "Positive reinforcement, huh? Did she tell you that she knew you had a crush on her?"

"From the second date. Even earlier, probably. I... I thought it... was special. That I was special."

Kai frowned. "That early? Wow, she must've really taken a shining to you. If she tried that hard to get you to this point. Have you kissed her?"

"A few times." Pearl sighed. "I'm phenomenally queer, though."

"So am I." Kai shrugged. "Well, she didn't kiss me more than... like, twice, before I graduated. It might be a sign that it's different with you. But I wouldn't count on it."

"I'm... I don't know what to think. I trusted her. She knew I trusted her."

"Are you gonna tell her you met me?"

"Would you be opposed?"

"No." Kai had one last drag, then stubbed out his cigarette. "Honestly, I'd be more than happy to know she's getting what's coming for her. She can't just keep doing this."

"It's... cruel. To take people who are vulnerable."

"I mean, I don't even know if she ever had any genuine feelings for me," Kai said with a sigh. "Shall we go back inside? The pizza might be ready soon. If you're gonna be okay eating."

"Yeah. I'll... probably switch to harder liquor after all. I eat more when I'm under the influence."

"That's reasonable," Kai said. He held the door open for her.

She nodded her thanks and shakily found her way in, wordlessly sitting back on the sofa, before downing the entire cider.

Kai left her, and instead went into the kitchen. He helped himself to some of Ruby and Sapphire's alcohol.

"How's the pizza coming?" he asked.

"Just about ready," Sapphire said. "You talked to Pearl about Rose, didn't you?"

He just nodded.

"Oh man, I guess it had to be done. If anything, I'm pretty sure you're the right guy to do it." Ruby added, pouring themselves a shot of fireball whiskey. They then turned to Sapphire. "You want any drinks, darling?"

"You know what I like," Sapphire said, blowing them a kiss.

"You guys are disgusting," Kai said. "I'll be in the living room. Unless you need help with the pizzas?"

"No, we'll be okay," Sapphire said.

Ruby nodded, pouring a splash of gin from a blue bottle. "Bombay sapphire gin and tonic, on the rocks. Just for my Laffy-Saffy." They then looked to the living room. "This might be trouble, yanno."

"Of course," Sapphire said. "It's not like I didn't see it coming."

"She'll be okay," Kai said, not missing their exchange. "She just needs some time to think about things."

"We still wanna keep Quartz on our side, though. If she's pissed with us, we're never gonna get to hit the Diamond."

"Is there something going on with Diamond, too?" Kai asked, frowning. "This is the first I've heard of it."

"She has it out for Quartz at the moment," Sapphire explained. "Mostly because she suspects both of them. Quartz is trying to find people to form a group... to fight back."

Ruby punched their hand. "We're gonna finally get something back after all those years of shit. She needs to go down."

"Best of luck with that," Kai said. "I hope you'll forgive me for not getting involved. I want nothing more to do with that school. Aside from warning Pearl about Rose."

"Trust me, we share the sentiment," Sapphire said. "But this is bigger than us. ... Pizza's ready!"

"AYYY!" Ruby took another shot and groaned. "You know... Whisky before pizza is going to be an experience. Do you guys wanna play a drinking game? Maybe get Pearl to forget about Quartz for now."

"Sounds like a plan," Sapphire said. "Kai?"

"I might head off soon," Kai said. "I don't really want to get that drunk - and it might be difficult to distract Pearl with me around."

Ruby nodded. "That's fair, man. We'll see you around uni. You coming to the game this week?"

"Yeah I am! Gonna see you there." He stepped into the living room to say goodbye to Pearl.

Pearl was down to her second can of cider. "Hey, again."

"Hey!" Kai shuffled, a little awkward. "I, uh. I'm gonna leave in a bit, so just wanted to say bye."

She nodded. "Alright. It was... nice to meet you. Thanks."

"Anytime, hun," Kai said. "Sapphire has my number, so if you ever wanna talk, you can just text or call. Even if it's just to be salty about Rose."

"I might... need that. I'll see you around, I guess."

"Well, I'm always here for that," Kai said amicably. "See you!"

Sapphire squeezed past him with the pizzas. "You could at least stay for this, since you basically ordered it," she said in mock-outrage.

Pearl chuckled. "I can't eat an entire one on my own."

"I can!" Ruby pumped their fist.

"Everyone knows that, my darling," Sapphire said and kissed Ruby's cheek.

"Alright then," Kai said with a smile. "I'll stay for a little bit longer. But I'm not participating in your drinking game." He took the pizza from Sapphire and started cutting it in half.

"What sort of drinking game?" Pearl asked, blinking.

"We can watch bad films and take a shot every time we cringe."

"What sort of films do you have in mind?" Sapphire asked. She had an idea (it was Ruby, after all, who had suggested this), but Pearl and Kai likely didn't.

"Oh, cringy youtube videos. Lesbian porn for hetero guys is my favourite. Everyone looks related and they all have long ass fingernails."

"What do you think, Pearl?" Sapphire asked their guest. "Kai, I assume you won't be staying for this."

Kai shrugged. "It'd be fun, but I really should be heading off before yain't sober enough to recognise my face anymore."

Pearl bit into the pizza. "I don't usually watch porn with my friends."

"That's because you were a kid!" Ruby sighed. "Live a little."

"Seriously, Pearl, almost nothing about this is actually sexually appealing once you realise it's literally for cishet men," Sapphire said. "Just look at their nails. Instant turn-off, if you ask me."

Kai finished his third slice of pizza. "I'll stay for the first round. No alcohol for me, though."

"Alright." Pearl seemed tentative as she finished her portion of the pie. "I'm game."

"Alright. I'll get Ruby's laptop," Sapphire said and got up.

"Delete my browser history, babe!" Ruby called as she went.

"Will do!"

Sapphire found the laptop easily and did as Ruby had asked her, then brought it back through and handed it to Ruby.

"Would you like to do the honours?" she asked, winking at them.

Ruby nodded and hopped onto an obscene site.

"Holy shit." Pearl whispered. "Is that... Ms. Lazuli?"

"Oh, yeah, that young teacher that came to the school like two or three years back? We've seen her in more than one of these. Don't spread it round at school, though," Sapphire said. "God knows what she did before she was a teacher, and everyone's got to make money somehow."

"Oh, definetly... not. But..." Pearl swallowed. "I think she's dating the coach. Do you think... they uploaded anything together?"

"Why, would you be interested?" Sapphire threw her a smirk.

"I liked her, too."

"Is there anyone you don't have a crush on?" Sapphire said with a grin. "Pearl, the great ladykiller. Who would've thought."

"You're implying that any of my crushes reciprocate my feelings. Turns out... Well. I've got Amy, I guess."

"I'm sure she's not the only one," Sapphire said, her voice soothing.

Kai cleared his throat. "Yeah... I should probably go."

"Oh, she is." Pearl took the last swig of her can of cider, bitterly. "Oh, okay, see you later!"

Sapphire looked at Pearl, sympathetic. "More alcohol?" she offered, pointing to a selection of hard drinks they'd brought from the kitchen.

Kai waved goodbye to everyone and then left.

Pearl managed to make her way and bring over the whisky and a bottle of coke.

Ruby spied over their shoulder. "A mixer? Weak."

"Says the person that up chucks every time we go for drinks." Pearl rolled her eyes. "You guys found anything good?"

"Lazuli is actually gay, so she's too good for us already. I can send you her profile for personal watching, though. But... Here. 'Naughty lesbian threesome...with...mom.'"

"Alright," Sapphire said, "take a shot every time they do something a lesbian would never do. Two if they're scissoring. You ready?" She got her drink.

"Alright." Pearl finished filling the glass.

"Oh! None of those nails are remotely going to feel good. Yikes, mom. Why are they all wearing so much makeup before going to sleep?"

"We can all take a shot for they're all skinny white girls," Sapphire said. "I agree on the nails. Also, three people in a bed that small? They're going to regret that."

Pearl giggled. "Why do they all have the same... everything? Hair, makeup... it's weird."

"It's secretly also an incest kink site," Sapphire said, her face completely unmoved. "We figured it out ages ago."

Pearl coughed out whisky. "Yikes!"

"She's kidding. But let's be real. Would you be that surprised?"

"I would say I foresaw it," Sapphire said, now grinning. "Don't choke on your alcohol, Pearl, neither of us know CPR."

She went back to watching the video, where the girls had reached the making out and undressing each other stage. "I bet it took them forty takes to film this. Nobody can unhook a bra that quickly."

"How are they not smearing any lipstick?"

Ruby screamed. "Why is she making out with her MOM?"

"Told you it was an incest site," Sapphire said.

And narrowed her eyes a second later. "Oh - oh, here we go. Going right in. With those nails. And the other girl likes it." She shuddered.

Pearl whispered. "That doesn't belong in a butt. I know what does. That's not... No. Oh my god."

"That looks rather painful," Sapphire said, frowning. "Maybe that's why she's screaming."

"Oh man, I think I know where this is going." Ruby rubbed their hands eagerly. "So, they teach these girls to anal prolapse on command-"

"Turn it OFF!" Pearl screeched.

Sapphire obliged immediately. "Really, Ruby, I don't think Pearl wants to hear about anal prolapse."

Pearl calmed down. "I'm only kidding. I'm kind of interested to see where this goes."

Ruby turned the video on again. Almost instantly, the girl on screen had an anal prolapse.

"I TOLD YOU! WHO'S GOT FUTURE VISION NOW, HUH?"

"Keep your voice down," Sapphire said, grimacing. "This is grim. Do you want to watch something else?"

"Should we... perhaps see something more tame?" Pearl clocked into the discomfort.

"Fart fetish videos?"

"No, Ruby. God. Keep your weird kinks to yourself. Something like a movie."

"I can do that," Sapphire said, exited the porn site and went on Netflix. "So would you like... a bad lesbian movie, a mediocre lesbian movie, or Imagine Me & You?"

"Bad!" Ruby and Pearl both called out.

Sapphire brought up the Gay and Lesbian section on Netflix.

"So what's your fancy?" she asked. "We have a selection of... sad lesbians... more sad lesbians... sad lesbians with weird camera angles... sad lesbians in the wild west... sad German lesbians..."

Pearl tilted her head. "Why are they all so sad?"

"Because lesbians can't have happy endings. Didn't you know that?"

Pearl swallowed. "Huh?"

"Imagine Me & You is just about the only one where they actually get together and are happy in the end," Sapphire explained. "Otherwise it's either they get separated, or can't be together for stupid reasons, or one of them dies, or both of them die, or any combination of the above."

Her mouse hovered over Loving Annabelle, but she hesiated.

Pearl sighed before looking up. "What's that one?"

Sapphire hesitated. "It's... overrated," she said. "It's a student-teacher story."

"Oooh, one for Pearl then?" Ruby punched Pearl's arm.

Pearl looked away. "I don't mind."

"Do you really want to do that to yourself?" Sapphire asked, completely serious this time.

"If it's good, I honestly don't care. Haven't seen many lesbian films. Might be nice to be represented for once."

"It's not... that good," Sapphire said, cautiously. "I mean, it's okay. We can probably still make it a drinking game."

"Make it good, darling. I wanna get hammered before I'm out tonight." Ruby beamed.

Sapphire looked up and frowned. "I didn't know you were going out."

"Oh man, shit! I totally forgot to tell you. You know how the Spanish squad found out I could understand them chatting shit? They've kind of adopted me in and XL is throwing a party." Ruby then turned to Pearl. "Her name is Ellie but she's got literally boulders for knockers."

"Oh, that's fine then. They're okay. Just make sure you're safe. You know you can call me at any point if you need me to pick you up somewhere, right?" Sapphire cast Ruby a smile. "But anyway, back to this. Shall we?"

"What's the drinking game?" Pearl asked, taking a sip. The world had began to spin a little.

Sapphire thought. "Take a shot every time Annabelle mentions she's gay or has slept with girls. Anytime she's rude to someone and anytime she tries to seduce Miss Whatserface, I forgot her name. Haven't seen this movie in ages. But that should do it, really. Oh, wait. Take a shot anytime someone suspects there's something going on."

"Oh no." Pearl looked at the screen. "Looks like this is going to be a play by play of my literal life."

"It's not that bad," Sapphire said and started the movie, sitting back.

> Act V, Chapter XVII