#queeradmiral

Today’s relentless flirting is out of hand. It’s Pearl that has been the one to best her. Gem doesn’t know how much more of this she can stand. She hates to admit that Pearl is her weakness. She’s basically “Prince Fucking Charming!” The do-good nature, the self-sacrifices for those around her, and the loyalty. The loyalty to her even when Gem doesn’t deserve it Pearl insists. She's also a fierce protector. Now Gem's come undone hearing Pearl call her “Sweetheart.” So, Gem tries to knock the dirt-eating smirk off Pearl’s face with a wooden sword. “I’m in full armour, sweetheart. You need more than a wooden toy.” “That’s. Not. The. Point!” She takes a swing. “What’s the point?” Pearl blocks the shot and hits her back. “Don’t like getting a taste of your own medicine?” “How dare you flirt so hard today!” After she said it she knew it sounded silly. “Excuse you? I have every right to flirt back! Do you want me or not?” “I want to fling you into the sun!” Gem’s cheeks are flaming hot. She hopelessly wants Pearl. “Then who will torment you for the rest of your life?” “If you stuck around that long I’d be shocked!” “I will. I will stick around that long!” “Oh…” For a moment her brain short-circuits. Pearl wants to commit to her? “Earth to Gem, you okay?” “I’m completely fine!” Her nervous laugh gives her away. How is Pearl winning their silly games today? “You could hit me, or you could kiss me. Whatever helps. But, for goodness sake use a better sword!” “Did you really say you’d be with me forever?” “Yes, I will be with you forever!” “You better sweep me off my feet Prince Charming before someone else does!” “There won’t be anyone else.” To her surprise Pearl picks her up. Gem squeals, wrapping her arms around Pearl’s neck. “Confident and possessive Pearl is really hot.” She laughs. “Thank you, gorgeous! I'm in a good mood to hang out with my favourite gal.” “Your only gal." She catches Pearl’s face in her hands and kisses her. "Mm. I should smack you with a sword more often...”

Gem tugs Pearl through the rift to Empires. When they cross over Gem is transformed. Her hair is pinned back, her clothing has changed into a pretty dress, she's practically radiating sunshine.

They are playing agents vs criminals hosted in the Ballroom. Pearl and Gem paired together as a couple hosting this Gala. Pearl's nearly ready when Gem pulls the secret book letting herself in the room. “Look at you sexy Supermodel! That dress is fire on you!” “Thank you.” Seeing Gem in her black dress Pearl forgets everything. “You look amazing!” “Do you need help zipping up that dress Mrs. Moon?” “Yes, Mrs. Moon, I do.” “Married for the night. This is going to be a fun party.” Gem pulls the zipper up in a way that lets her fingers trail up Pearl’s spine. The softest moan slips from Pearl's lips. “What was that noise? Would you like more of my hands?” “It was nothing! No!” She does, very badly. Pearl swats Gem with her clutch. “Ouch, you’ve bruised my ego. I can’t wait to fake-date the hell out of this. It’s my favourite trope!” “I thought it was enemies to lovers?” “It is but you don’t hit me back enough for that.” “I will knock you into the void if you don’t come on.” “Ooo! Threaten me again, baby! I’m going to milk this for all it’s worth.” “That’s what I'm afraid of!!” Pearl’s stomach flutters at being called baby. She’s already given Gem permission to go all in as her wife. Gem's on her own mission to distract Pearl playing the lovey-dovey wife: compliments, soft touches, kissing her knuckles. Pearl’s sitting at a table, when Gem comes over, she means to press a quick kiss to her lips. Gem’s meant to back-stab her “wife,” killing her with “poison” lipstick. Pearl forgets about the game, she holds Gem’s face, kissing her passionately. After Pearl’s “death” Gem comes barging into the room they started the night in. “What the hell was that kiss?” “Acting? Don’t be mad please.” “Don’t you dare lie to me! I felt that kiss!” “You’re right, I wanted it. But, you don’t want me like that.” “WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS?” “Gem, too loud, honey.” She tries to take Gem’s hand but Gem backs off to go sit down. She knows loud voices scare Pearl, she needs a moment. “How can you think I don’t want you? I’ve been flirting for years.” She turns to the side and covers her face so Pearl doesn’t see her tears. Pearl sits with her resting her head on Gem’s back and wraps an arm around her. “I'm sorry, sweetheart. I thought your flirting was for fun.” “No, not just fun. I have feelings. Why did you kiss me like I’m your entire world?” “Because, I love you. You are my entire world, baby. Come round and let me hold you?” It takes a minute but Gem turns to bury herself in Pearl’s arms.

There's a dinner party. Pearl cooks up a storm with Gem's help. There are enough meatballs to feed half the server.

Pearl usually wakes up first in the early hours, but it’s their anniversary. Gem has already been up to run errands to clear the day for them. Pearl finds a bundle waiting for her next to the already brewed pot of coffee. It's a bouquet of pickles and coral fans. And a note. "Happy Anniversary Pickle Monster" It makes her smile. Pearl already has all the flowers in the world. She only has one Gem, what her partner gives her she'll cherish. Being having fun makes up a lot of why she fell hard for Gem in the first place. The flower theme doesn't end there. After making dinner together, once the table is clear Gem dumps a bag of flowers and wire on the table declaring they're making flower crowns. She collected flowers herself. “Did you think I would give you pickles and have that be it?” “What do you mean? I loved my sea pickle bouquet! It’s silly and fun like you.” “You’re ridiculous, but I do love you.” “You “Unfortunately” love me, right? So, unfortunate...” “Shut up! I’m trying to be mushy here, and make a pretty crown for you my Queen.” “This is you making up for saying it then?" Pearl laughs. "I think the mighty Gemini Slay has a weakness, and it’s me.” “Trying to! PEARL! I’m soo going to clobber you!” Gem tosses a handful stems across the table at Pearl, who throws them back. “We can wrestle later. Because, I’ve made us bath bombs. Not only that, I’ve also mixed up a bottle of lilac shampoo for you.” With all the flowers Pearl’s become an expert in making crafts.

Travelling through other worlds and dimensions is something she's done in the past, but Pearl likes the stability of being in one place. She likes her solo world. But, it’s lonely. When a travel pod crash lands in her wheat field with a young woman that appears to be her age in it; she doesn't expect where it goes. She takes care of the pod pilot for a few days while she's injured. It was rough and she was scared for the visitor's health but it turned out okay. Gemini's from another dimension as she guessed. They really hit it off. The more time passes, the less Gem cares about going home to her own world. Gem's more interested in gardening, and exploring in this world. (She’s fixed the damage she did on the way in.) The closer they become Gem starts to develop “abilities” when it comes to Pearl. She knows if Pearl is in danger or distress, and can get to her quickly. She’s healed small cuts for Pearl. She’s very locked in on Pearl’s emotional state. The surprise is that Pearl starts to be able to do this as well. Gem has to confess that her empathetic abilities develop because of romantic feelings. She’d been afraid to tell Pearl in case she didn’t want that, and there are ways to make it stop. Pearl sharing this new “sense” with Gem has to point out that if she wasn’t open, Gem wouldn’t have been able to “sense” her at all so quickly. Gem's other confessions is that she's stayed for Pearl, not to be a world builder. Pearl didn't need the new "Gemy senses" to figure that out. Admitting they are in love out loud is the hard part.

Late for the Agent theme. Cleo was a ruthless agent never afraid to get their hands dirty. But, Cleo technically died. There are no rules stating she can't work for the Netherite Syndicate, but having a zombie on the job is a bad look. Now there's a bunker set up for mentoring new recruits. Cleo watches two rookies spar in the gym while blasting “girly pop” music. They’re also flirting with each other as they beat each other silly.  Cleo’s reason to get out of bed in the morning is their partner False, who’s stayed with her through the death incident and on the job. False could have easily broken up with Cleo, and been re-assigned anywhere else in the world, but she chose to stay with them. It was a really unexpected show of commitment. Watching the rookies flirt with each other inspires Cleo to ask False to move in. They're terrified to ask, but False has already made a big show of committing, Cleo can, too. When False shows up with lunch for everyone Cleo asks.

Cleo has been queer for so long it feels like there’s an iron-on patch stuck to their soul that says “QUEER” on it. Gender? Queer, Sexual Preference Queer. Outlook on life? Also very Queer. They’ve done their time in marches and protests in days long past. She's embraced being the cranky old Queer that hangs out with their cats and drinks soda while watching pride events from afar. That is until the three girls come swarming her doorstep to make Cleo play with them during pride events. The first bribe is cupcakes, very delicious looking creepy cupcakes dressed with chocolate cookie “dirt” and rainbow candy worms. This one was Gem’s idea of putting something creepy in with the usual barrage of rainbows in an attempt to persuade Cleo into having fun with them. The second bribe is a really cute tie dye t-shirt Pearl made herself, making sure to get the colours of the non-binary flag just right. Third, False doesn’t have to bribe and knows it, one utterance of “Please, baby?” with big sad pleading eyes will get the job done. But, bribes because it’s fun. This ones a private bribe for behind closed doors just the two of them. Truthfully, none of this is necessary, but it’s so much fun watching the girls scramble to come up with ideas to please Cleo enough into joining in the fun and games. She’ll never let on that they always intended to go play with them. Cleo loves them too much to let them be sad without her.