The Unlikely Confidant

A/N: It has been a long time; how have you all been? I assure everyone that I have not abandoned 'The Unlikely Confidant'. This is a story I intent to continue, although as I am extremely busy I will update infrequently.

In the meantime I may try (note, 'may') try to create one-shots in between. I already have made one titled 'There's No Going Back' that coincides with 'A Single Pale Rose'. I have many ideas for many one-shots so there may be some to come.

Chapter 8: Between the Classes

"Ohhh, I haven't worked out like that in such a long time!"

Greg groaned tiredly as he collapsed on his back atop the open tube-bed with his arms slung across his stomach. His entire body ached in misery; his muscles tears must have tears themselves! On top of that he smelled quite repulsively. None of the quartzes had complained about a putrid smell of him sweating from the physical labour of lifting the cargo. Could gems even smell? As he recalled from experience with the Crystal Gems, mainly Pearl in how she chagrined Amethyst for how she never cleaned the Temple, they were capable of smell. Maybe there was a possibility that he could have a shower? Perhaps he could convince Marina that he needed one for 'decontamination' reasons.

"Are you broken?"

He completely forgot about the pearl that was tasked to look after him. With the little strength he could muster, he ignored the pain as he tilted his head up to eye the blue pearl.

"Just sore is all," Greg assured with a strained smile and thumbs up. Immediately after his assurance his head and thumbs-up collapsed. "I just need to rest for a while."

"That will have to wait," the servant spoke solemnly. "The two amethysts that go by, uh, Sharky and Curls, wish to speak with you."

Brown eyes lit up at this. For a brief moment he pondered what those two wanted to speak with him about, only for the answer to quickly come to him at the speed of light. They wanted to elaborate on what they spoke with Blue Diamond about! As the confidant of the matriarch it was his sworn duty to listen to anyone regarding the gigantic gem so to bless her with much needed advice. He tried to get up, only for his muscles to explode and for him to collapse back on his back. Well, this would be a problem though with the amount of muscle spasms that coursed and pulsed through his body.

"Do you request assistance, Greg?" The pearl inquired with her head cocked to the side, clearly incapable of processing the concept of muscles spasms.

The best thing for him to do would be to have a shower or bath or anything that could ease his aching body. Marina would be the best gem to consult with. "C-Could you get Marina, the aquamarine designated with me? I think she could help me out."

With a light bow the pearl left to fetch Marina, which left the unfit Greg to clutch his aching stomach and to wheeze tiredly. Gemkind was certainly going to be the death of him, in some shape or form.

Marina burst out laughing and mocked the poor human's condition. Greg's cheeks turned red in embarrassment at the sardonic sounding maniacal laughter from the cyan gem. Pearl held a hand to her mouth, with her head turning between the two figures to try to figure what to make of the situation: humorous or serious? Once the cyan gem's laughter died out she eyed him knowingly and thoughtfully.

"Typical for flesh bags to grow tired from simple tasks. That's the beauty of being a gem!" Marina remarked with a sneer. A pout from Greg faltered her smirk and she waved her hand to calm him. "But yeah it would be best for you to be cleaned, as I wouldn't want to be blamed by the Blue D that you smell."

Greg let out a low sigh of relief. At least he could ease his muscles, as well as take a break from all the hectic events that have been going on. This would be per-

"Well let's take you somewhere to be cleaned, as I'd like to get it over and done with when I clean you," Marina declared.

As if he was electrocuted his hair, beard and the hairs on the back of his neck shot up in flabbergast. A blush as red as a cherry exploded across his face and sweat poured down against his skin as if rain had pelted against him.

"I can clean myself!" Greg squeaked as his hands waved around as if to show he was innocent of a crime committed.

"Us gems have the technology and materials to use to make you as clean as a gemstone, and only we can use it," Marina explained solemnly. She cocked an eyebrow. "I've cleaned many humans for millennia so I bet you got nothing surprising to show."

If it were more possible to blush then Greg would be as red as a ruby. "That-that's not the point!" He yelped. "Humans need pri-"

"Pearl, fetch me a quartz to take him to the cleaning chambers," Marina ordered curtly.

Greg turned to call to the servant to please not go, only for him to see that the svelte gem dashed off and left. He then turned with pleading eyes to Marina, only to see that the cyan gem went to fetch some cleaning equipment for him. All that was left was a blushing human hiding his face and groaning in incomprehensible mortification. All he wanted was to relax his state of being. Now it seemed he was going to get the opposite.

It was a miracle that he hasn't suffered a heart attack yet.

Much to the poor humiliated man's fortune Marina agreed to never speak of this event. He'll never bring this incident up to the Crystal Gems or Steven. Amethyst's hysterical laughter filled his head at the idea of telling her what happened. In the very least, outside the sworn to secrecy from Marina, he was cleaned, with his muscles feeling good as new (due to some gem tech), and his clothes in perfect condition.

Currently he was being escorted by the blue pearl (whom thankfully did not have to 'assist' him when he was cleaned) to meet up with Sharky and Curls. That brought a sense of excitement after his mortifying wash experience as he followed after the nonchalant pearl. Curls and Sharky had only briefly mentioned that the stories Blue Diamond told regarding Pink Diamond made the pink matriarch appear quirky. It was important that he listens from the perspectives of people that were not the blue giant ruler, as they could give an unbiased view of what to make of their deceased pink ruler. Realistically speaking he was no expert on what it was like to be a proper confidant, but he figured that listening to others' opinions would assist him in helping Blue Diamond.

When he went around the corner he noticed the two familiar faces of the sharp teethed Sharky, and the curly Rose-like hair of Curls. To his genuine surprise there was also others with them: the tall skinny orange patterned one, Skinnys, and the small red one, Carnelian. With a grin on his face he yelled out a 'hello' and waved to the group of quartzes. They heard him and all offered smiles and grins of greetings as he went on over to them.

"Still with us, free human! I got to say, I'm quite shocked," Skinnys, who was pressed against the wall with her arms crossed, said with a light smile. "Thought Holly would have gotten rid of you by now."

"The human is too important to Blue Diamond to be disposed of," Pearl answered bluntly, which made Greg flinch at how expendable he appeared to be.

"Thank the stars for that!" Carnelian exclaimed excitedly. She gave a powerful hug that managed to lift Greg off his feet for a second and crack his back. "I want to know more about humans and Earth!"

Greg wheezed when he was placed back to the floor and whined at his aching back. After recovering from the surprising iron-grip hug from Carnelian he chuckled lightly and watched the smaller quartz with an auspicious smile.

"Yeah, I'd be happy to tell you more about Earth!" Greg affirmed jubilantly.

Before Carnelian could open her mouth she felt the weight of Sharky's elbow plop on the crown of her head. "But before you do, you gotta listen to what Blue Diamond told us!"

Skinnys rolled her yellow eyes in scepticism. "Oh right, because Blue Diamond willingly approached two amethysts to talk about her personal affairs about another diamond," she remarked dryly, with a wry smile etched on her face.

Curls turned to the cynical jasper with a look of determination flickering in her eyes. She clenched her fists up with passion. "It's true though! I was there too!"

"Then how come she hasn't come to see any other quartzes, hmm?" Skinnys inquired with a cocked eyebrow.

Curls did a double take and huffed defensively. "Well, uh… because we're different…?" She mumbled with uncertainty.

"Ok, ok everyone, let's all not get rowdy over this," Greg spoke to clear the air, even though he knew there was nothing sinister in the atmosphere. He looked over at everyone. "How about we listen to what Curls and Sharky have to say, and then I'll tell you all about Earth."

The four quartzes glanced inquisitively over one another for confirmation. They all came to an agreement and everyone's attention turned to the two amethysts. Both amethysts grinned jubilantly and hopped on the spot in uncontained excitement.

"Ok, so we were just minding our business-"

"Then Blue Diamond, the Blue Diamond, came to us-"

"And spoke about Pink Diamon-"

"Whoa, whoa, you guys, slow down," Greg kindly interrupted. The two stopped to eye him curiously. "How about we start slowly from the top. One of you tells one thing, then the other tells another, and rinse and repeat! How does that sound?"

"Yeah, 'cause you're gonna skip the good bits!" Carnelian added with a pout.

Curls and Sharky looked over at each other to figure out who should speak first. Sharky informed that Curls could, but then Curls answered that she was happy if Sharky could, and then Sharky insisted, and the two started to argue about who should go first. Skinnys snorted at the two buffoons and shook her head in mock dismay, whereas Carnelian pulled at Greg's shirt to attract that man's attention to tell her about Earth as he was trying to ease the two arguing amethysts. Skinnys turned over to the completely dumbstruck pearl.

"Can you believe that Prime Kindergarteners are related to Beta Kindergarteners like myself and Carnelian?" She inquired, knowing that the servant gem would have no answer.

"What is going on here?"

That voice alone halted everyone's actions.

Curls and Sharky, still in position of pointing fingers at one another, turned and tilted their heads back. Skinnys' smirk faltered immediately and her yellow eyes shot up towards her spiky hair. The blue pearl simply turned and bowed. Carnelian looked over Greg and eased her tugging of his shirt. Greg turned around and saw the gigantic elegant blue robe's hem kiss the contrasting pink floor. Diamond pupils stared solemnly from under the hood, eyes that pierced Greg's very soul and made him quiver. He shot a warm smile and waved up at the monarch to ease the tension and uncertainty surrounding everyone.

"Hello Blue Diamond, ma'am!" Greg greeted formally yet auspiciously as he gave a small bow to the regal colossal gem.

A flick from Blue Diamond's hand indicated to him to cease his courtesies. From the corner of his eye Greg noticed the baffled expressions on all the quartzes' faces, including the two amethysts that had spoken to their monarch. An awkward silence befell the peculiar mix classes of gems. To break the silence Greg cleared his throat to attract everyone's attention to him. When everyone shifted focus to him he suddenly felt a feeling he has not felt in such a long time: stage fright. What should he say? How should he begin conversation? He didn't really think about what he was going to do when he gathered everyone's attentions…

He looked to the ground and cowered under the demanding gaze from Blue Diamond. Self-consciously he twiddled his thumbs. "Were you, uh, looking for me?"

"As a matter of fact I was," Blue Diamond answered austerely. She clasped her hands and held them against her stomach. "I was also looking for the two amethysts I spoke with before."

Greg glanced on over at Curls and Sharky, whom turned to each other and back up at their diamond.

"You mean us?" Curls asked stupidly, which resulted in Sharky nudging her to silence her.

Blue Diamond gave a hum, and everyone could not determine if that hum was of irritation or acknowledgment. Greg then noticed from under the hood how Blue Diamond shifted her attention to the two other quartzes. He then took notice of how unnerved Carnelian appeared as she grasped the hem of his shirt as she hid behind him. Skinnys was trying to pretend that she was oblivious of the diamond as she stared up at the ceiling and whistled something to herself.

When Greg turned to interpret the expression of Blue Diamond hidden under her dark hood he caught a glimpse of her eyes narrowing in chagrin. His brows knitted in puzzlement and worry. Did the two non-amethysts insult her? Why? Sure they clumsily expressed honour and commendation to their reverend being, but that was because they were caught off guard when she came.

"You jasper and carnelian are to leave us alone," She ordered abruptly.

Without any control of his mouth Greg asked, "Why?"

He heard squeaks from behind him, most likely having originated from carnelian and the amethysts. A stern expression sketched itself upon the matriarch's carefully concealed face. The once awkward silence dispersed and was replaced with an air of suffocating tension. Somehow though Greg managed to appear unfazed as he blinked questioningly up at Blue Diamond's cold eyes.

"The amethysts will do for now when speaking with other gems," Blue Diamond explained bluntly, although their was something in her tone that implied she was not telling the entire truth.

Greg glanced on over at anxious skinny jasper, then back up at Blue Diamond with a baffled expression. "Would it hurt to speak with them now?"

Blue Diamond's fingers intertwined so her hands were gripping, and what appeared to Greg, out of vehement frustration. Her stern gaze morphed into one of antagonism that brought a contagion across everyone, making them all quiver in unspeakable terror. Somehow Greg managed to remain poised, although he did flinch under the icy gaze of the matriarch.

"They are defects, and know nothing about functioning…"

Those words came out venomous.

Greg's expression morphed into one of mortified flabbergast. His mouth hung slightly agape when the words of Blue Diamond sunk in. He felt Carnelian cease to grip the hem of his shirt, only to feel her head tilt and burry itself behind his back in shame. From the corner of his eye he took notice of Skinnys biting her lips to pretend that she was unfazed by her sovereign's words. Only Greg's thoughts broke through the oppressive silence surrounding everyone. Any sense of warmth he was feeling vanquished. Now he only felt a mixture of intense melancholy and anger.

What was 'broken' about Skinnys and Carnelian?

They are absolutely fine the way they are. How could the blue matriarch sound so disgusted and displeased with them? Who…who did she think she was to think so lowly of them? His fists clenched in vitriolic antagonism. He was told about the treatment of so called 'defect' gems from Garnet once… and that sometimes they were shattered as a result of their imperfection. But he didn't imagine that Blue Diamond would be this… this hostile and full of animosity towards such gems. Yes he was aware that she is a tyrannical being, but he… expected better.

Well it was his job to help her. Not only was he going to cure her grief, but he will also teach her to respect other gems.

"There's nothing wrong with them."

He heard Skinnys let out a nervous laugh and he felt her place her hands on his shoulders to assure him that everything was fine. Greg kindly ignored her and stared up at Blue Diamond with an uncharacteristic harsh expression. Skinnys was speaking to him in a zip-fast tone to inform him that she and Carnelian will happily leave him and the amethysts with Blue Diamond. But Greg ignored her. He continued to glare trenchantly up at the matriarch. The colossal gem stooped so that she could be eyelevel with the human. At this level Greg could perfectly see her features: the knitted eyebrows, the pursed lips, the frown lines across her cheeks, and the blazing eyes. He sweated with intense petrification, but he remained composed and solemn.

"You dare question my judgment?" Blue Diamond spoke slowly and menacingly.

Greg tried not to flinch and to supress a gulp, but he could not help himself. With an ounce of courage he mustered meekly, "Yes."

He heard the quartzes yelp and felt their deeply concerned eyes upon him. Before the colossal gem could utter, or condemn him, Greg spoke:

"I mean what is wrong with these two?" He stressed.

He moved his weight so that Carnelian could be seen under Blue Diamond's gaze. He also gestured to Skinnys that still stood by him. Both gems seemed completely unsure what they should be feeling: flattered and touched by Greg's words, or be mortified and concerned for his well-being.

"They seem perfectly fine to me," Greg said as if this was factual information. Blue Diamond's hardening gaze implied to the human that she was unconvinced. He then shot her a favourable grin. "Maybe they could help you out!"

Blue Diamond scoffed darkly, which shot out a puff of air that made his long hair and beard wave as if a gush of wind grazed them. A haughty expression etched itself across her face, and her lips pouted as if he had the nerve to suggest something so blasphemous.

"These two defects are a stain to gemkind…" She spoke spitefully. It was as if every word was a drop of venom seeping down upon the jasper and carnelian.

"Well they're clearly not, otherwise they wouldn't be here!" Greg rebutted defensively. He gritted his teeth jadedly and tartly. Without thinking of the repercussions he pointed up accusingly towards Blue Diamond.

"They're just as important as you are!"

That comment destroyed any sense of calmness from the monarch.

In a blink Blue Diamond's expression changed into one of unfathomable belligerent rage. Without warning she pressed a finger up Greg's chin. He grunted in alarm as he felt the strength of the finger attempting to break his temple. Everyone, apart from the diamond, gasped and cowered in horror. The quartzes called out to him in dismay. Ragged breathing coursed through Greg as he stared up with wide eyes at the animus Blue Diamond. He placed his hands against the finger and tried to lower it down. But predictably it was to no avail. Fear engulfed him in a way that he had not felt since his son returned to Beach City to help out the Crystal Gems. His lips quivered uncontrollably as the nail dug into his temple. Tears ran down his eyes as the crushing force of the finger grew unbearable. Through his blurry vision and ringing ears he saw and heard Skinnys and Carnelian pleading to their ruler that they'll leave her be, only when she stops hurting him.

Then, in a split second, she stopped.

Greg wheezed and immediately rubbed his temple. Right after Blue Diamond halted her torturous action, Skinnys and Carnelian gave the diamond salute, praised their merciful leader, and ran off. Recovering from his state of shock Greg stared up at Blue Diamond with incredulous disbelief and sorrow. Blue Diamond, though the vehement rage drained from her expression, still appeared disgusted and offended by him. Both expressed strong disapproval towards one another. Both realized that they were completely different individuals. Both concluded that their relationship as patient and confidant was a strained and challenged one.

"Pearl, take it away."

The pearl, that had not breathed a single word, scuttled sullenly towards the human. She ushered quietly for Greg to follow her. He glanced on over at the perturbed, though relieved, amethysts. They were going to have to listen to Blue Diamond's stories, regardless of the drama that had occurred. He shot a weak and apologetic smile towards them. Without saying anything to Blue Diamond he forlornly followed after the pearl.

All that went through his mind was how was he going to survive being a confidant to a figure that was too full of pride in herself.

A/N: Once more I like to express that words cannot express how flabbergasted I am with the amount of attention, liking and love this fanfiction has gotten. I thank you all for your kind words, constructive criticism and, most of all, for sticking with this story and being patient with it.