Steven frowned at the door to the temple.

He could probably get it open if he tried hard enough, but he wanted to talk to Pearl. So even if he did get the door open, he would have to go into his room, and then make his way through the temple to get to Pearl's. Which sounded like a lot of work.

Maybe texting her would be easier.

'Pearl, can you please let me into your room?'

Steven fidgeted as he waited for a response. There was no answer on screen, but after a few minutes the door in front of him began to glow, and then opened. Steven stepped inside.

Pearl's room was essentially a giant fountain. The floor was a pool of water, contained by a kind of basin on all sides. Pillars of water stood throughout, and ribbons of water flowed overhead.

Steven took a moment to take in his surroundings, and appreciate the calming effect of the water. The movement of it was graceful as it flowed around him, and the sound of it was soothing as it lapped at the stone at his feet.

When Steven finally looked up, he noticed Pearl standing atop the tallest fountain in the center of the room.

"Pearl?" He called.

"Steven," Pearl easily leapt down to the stone on which he stood. She gave him a smile but something about it seemed strained. "I'm sorry for running off. You must have so many questions."

"No." Steven said. "I don't want to talk about Mom." He suddenly felt timid as his eyes met hers. "I want to talk about you."

"Me?" Pearl's expression turned to something between a frown and a tired smile. "What about me?"

"Do other gems have to obey the diamonds?"

"I-" Pearl's hands started for her mouth, then stopped. "Yes?" She asked. "If given a direct order, yes."

Steven frowned down at his hands, and looked up at her nervously.

"Does this mean… I'm Pink Diamond?" He asked softly.

Pearl gave a smile that was somehow proud and heartbroken.

"Just as much as you are Rose Quartz."

Steven gave a smile that was half wince.

"So... I can give you orders?"

"Steven!"

Pearl crossed her arms, embarrassed and insulted.

"Yes or no?" Steven asked.

Pearl sighed.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean-"

Steven held up his hands in surrender, cutting her off as gently as possible.

"I want to give you an order." He said quietly. "Just one. My last one."

Pearl gave an annoyed huff of laughter, which came out much more sad than annoyed.

"That's what you said last time."

"I know." He said softly. "Pearl, I'm so sorry." Steven drooped with guilt. "She shouldn't have done that to you."

Pearl shook her head, and managed a sad smile.

"Rose didn't order me to shatter Pink Diamond."

"But she ordered you not to tell anyone." Steven whined. "You've kept this terrible secret bottled up for thousands of years. You didn't deserve that. You came here to be free." Pearl's hands once again covered her mouth, and Steven covered them with his. "So, I want to give you one last order, as your diamond." As gently as possible, Steven peeled Pearl's hands away from her mouth. "I want you to be free." Pearl gaped at him through tears, and he smiled at her through his. "You're free to say whatever you want to say. Free to do whatever you want to do. And… any other orders that 'Pink Diamond,' or Rose Quartz, or anyone else has given you in the past- you don't have to follow them anymore if you don't want to." Steven laughed weakly. "You don't even have to follow this one if you don't want to."

Pearl choked out a laugh, still crying. Steven gave a surprised little laugh as she pulled him into a hug, and held him there.

"Steven," Pearl couldn't find the words, now for a very different reason. "Thank you."