Chapter Text
There was a white dwarf star drifting through the cosmos. As time passed, another appeared, formed from the core of a fellow dying star.
They circled around one another, in a dance of revolving, spinning intensity.
They inched closer ever so slowly, building speed from each other's orbit and using momentum to finally join.
They collided and a blast of light sent a shockwave throughout the entire cosmos, destroying all it touched. The light grew and grew and twirled and swirled in a kaleidoscope of white and other bright hues. Pinks, blues, greens, yellows and oranges shook every atom in the galaxy.
But the beautiful display did not last forever.
It condensed, shrinking, imploding on its power, solidifying into itself– into a diamond.
This was it’s creation.
It– she, was White Diamond, she realised. When the dust and starlight had condensed, it created her gem.
Her gem, a Diamond, was the reason for her sentience. The centre of her being.
For a moment, she was still. Floating in the light within her gem. Safe. Content. She focused on the sense of awareness and utter life after being unmistakably not for so long.
It was disorienting.
Once she was nothing, and now she was something, and she didn't quite know what to make of being.
It was thrilling .
But she couldn't stay like this forever, as much as she wanted to.
She had an instinct, to use that light, to create form around the centre of her being– her Diamond. If any damage were to befall upon it, she would cease to exist. The form, her form, would create a protective layer that would allow her to defend and attack.
And so she did what any being did after birth, followed her instincts.
Her gem radiated light, as it floated to allow her enough space to create her first form.
It was all white, for she was made of white light. Forming a humanoid figure, for that was what she wished to form as, White carefully crafted slender arms, long legs, a torso, and head. Fingers, toes, eyes, a mouth, a nose. Hair, messily styled into five points, with stray curls framing the diamond gem on her forehead. A simple white dress with a slit down its left side. A shawl made of transparent fabric, sparkling and grey, sat upon her shoulders.
Long black lashes fluttered open as she elegantly floated towards solid ground, the soles of her uncovered feet coming into contact with the hard stone of the floor. She wobbled on unbalanced knees before falling in a heap with a soft yelp, her silk white robes flowing into the vague shape of a dress. Grey irises blinked open with white pupils, soaking up everything it could see. There she layed on the crystal floor, her fall all but forgotten as awe filled her. The being surveyed the room with no small amount of curiosity, eyes sparkling with surprising youth.
She had thought she would have formed in space, around the remnants of the stars that created her. She did not.
The Diamond had taken form in an enclosed space. It was dusty, and seemed to be made of pure white crystals. Crystals that seemed to absorb and reflect light.
Sight was a lovely thing, she decided, as she flexed her fingers on the crystal ground, her natural light reflecting iridescent rays. She couldn't help but trace the colours with a sharply-pointed black nail, mouth slightly agape with wonder and eyes bright with curiosity.
A small muffled cry caught her attention, and White turned her attention slowly to find the source of it. Her eyes latched onto another being, a blue being, with a gem at her chest, like her! She sat huddled to herself, shaking and trembling some distance away, her hands covering her face. Water seemed to drip continuously from her face.
But before she even thought about how seeing the blue gem, leaking, made her gem ache, she was distracted from her train of thought.
Another sound had drawn her attention away from the blue gem, drawing her eyes to another. The movement of exhaling air in the face of something shocking. A gasp .
( Such a silly word, Pink )
This gem, not much bigger than her seemingly blue counterpart, fell to her knees beside the blue gem, gaze locked on White. She was bright, compared to the dark gem next to her. Her yellow gem sat on her chest. She seemed to sag in defeat, tired eyes shedding a single tear, before she looked away. Haunted. The yellow gem clutched the blue gem to her chest, whispering to her.
It only made the blue gem leak more, louder.
White frowned. Why was the blue gem leaking?
There was rubble around the room, dust. It looked destroyed. Did something happen?
Was the being's gem hurt?
A small tap on her knee made her jump from her thoughts, the small stimuli startling her. Blinking curious eyes, White focused on the small being before her.
It was small, barely the size of half her palm. It was brown and tan and red and yellow and blue and the colours were disorienting. A small pink gem sat on its navel. It was doing something with its lips and cheeks, tilting them upwards.
She thought the act was meant to be assuring, calming. It might have worked, if not for how the being's tilted lips didn't quite reach a height that signalled genuineness. How the being's eyes were glossy, and its brows were tilted in a grimace.
How there were dried tracks of liquid on its face.
Finally, after a moment of silent observation, the small being spoke shakily and yelled. “Hello!”
It looked up at her worried. Like it expected something in return. White didn’t know what it wanted from her, she was more curious about the other beings. The yellow and blue gems, who still sat together, huddled. They were both leaking now. Continuously. She noticed that they seemed to radiate energy, light. A quick glimpse at her hand made her realise she had one too. An aura, yes, that's what it was.
The small being spoke again, redirecting her moldable focus. The small being had an aura too, she noted.
She missed what was being said. White was still bewildered by that first word, how it was seemingly formed to fit like a...
Oh, perhaps it was a greeting?
The being was still looking up at her.
Perhaps she was meant to say it as well?
White licked her black-painted lips. Moving them in an exact replica of the being, she spoke with a level of elegance, like a type of song. “Hel-lo?” White tilted her head. Was that right?
The small being beamed back at her, his smile a bit more genuine, a bit less forced . “I’m Steven, it's nice to meet you!” the being with a gem– Steven– smiled wider.
White blinked again. She spared a glance at the large, huddled colourful gems.
The yellow gem and blue gem were looking at her now, too.
There were more beings, more gems around. She could feel it. Their aura, small, like their small bodies, with a variety of colour. Unlike her own or the other larger gems, or the apparently small special being, whose aura was unique.
A tap. The tiny being was focusing on her again. Looking up at her with expectant eyes. No, not quite expectant, hopeful .
Hopeful towards what, she did not know.
Yet she pursed her lips, her displeasure shown. Did she have to repeat everything that was said? That did not seem like an effective way of communication, and pointless. Steven seemed to deflate a bit. His smile shrunk by the minute. His eyes not as bright as they once were.
She obliged.
After all, what else was she to do?
White Diamond opened her mouth, and closed it. Lips pressing together, she remembered how Steven’s lips danced with the sound of words. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Steven.” she tilted her head to the side, this time looking expectantly at the small not-quite-gem before her.
There was a moment of silence. White’s expression shifted from expectant to pinched. Had she not done that right? Had she said it wrong? She must have, as the silence widened, and the small not-quite-gem did not respond.
Before she could wonder what went wrong, a giggle moved through the room.
At first it was a small thing. Soft and delicate. But soon enough it morphed into a fit of laughter, with hands clutching the pit of his stomach.
White’s delicate lips frowned. She didn't understand. She had not said anything that deserved such a reaction, she had thought. She huffed and looked pointedly away from the laughing creature. Instead focusing on a far away wall.
Steven shook his head, tears of laughter stuck in the corners of his eyes. “No no, wait!” he huffed a final chuckle before continuing. “I’m sorry, that was a bit mean, I shouldn't have laughed. You don't really understand words yet, do you?” He stared at her, before looking away with a sigh.
“Yeah, that checks out, technically you would have been the one to create it, huh?” Steven scratched at his scalp.
I’m sorry . That had sounded like an apology. It made her feel a bit better, and she turned back to gaze at Steven as he talked.
“Okay, let's try this,” Steven mumbled under his breath. “I am Steven,” He patted his chest, looking pointedly at White. Then he pointed at her, and tilted his head, curls bouncing at the movement.
Oh. She had simply misunderstood. White knows what the small not-quite-gem wants.
This time, White’s onyx black lips moved without the needed prompt of memory. White laid a hand on her chest, and in a voice that danced with music, spoke clearly. “I am White Diamond.” She paused for a moment. “It's nice to meet you?” she said, voice almost uncertain. Worried that that may have also been incorrect.
But Steven beamed, smiled wide with stars in his eyes, and White felt herself relax in the comfort of success.
Steven had wandered off, leaving White alone. She used the time to examine her surroundings and take note of the other life forms.
The crystal walls were beautiful, intricate designs of elegant pillars and tunnelled passage ways. Although the dust and rubble of crystal and marble was currently dulling its usual glow, she could tell it radiated light in its usual conditions.
It all felt peculiarly familiar. Like a distant thought, lost in the storm of wayward thoughts. It made her chest tighten, and her mouth dry. She swallowed the unwanted feeling, and moved on.
Steven had collected most of the gems, and they were all closely huddled. The group, that couldn't have consisted of more than 10, was a wide array of colours. At first glance, White didn't know anything about these Gems. They were Gems, she knew. They had a variety of size, colour, and attitude, she knew. But that was it.
Then, slowly, she felt information worm its way into her mind. Like a slowly flowing stream of liquid hydrogen.
Through the haze of colourful auras around the group, she identified a Pearl, a Peridot. A Lapis Lazuli, a Bismuth, and a small Amethyst that carried an aura twice as large as herself. Quite peculiar, and very intriguing, but her attention was more focused on something else. A Gem that is both red-and-blue, yet purple-and-violet. Its aura traveled and melded with two separate colours into a mesmerising swirl of emotion. But they all paled to compare to the wide mass of pink-rose-peach aura that covered them in a thick fog.
Steven, much like herself and the other larger Gems, had an aura that seemed to take up most of the room. Though it seemed smaller than her own, it was still quite the interesting contrast to his tiny form…
Drip, drip, drip.
The sound that had since faded into background noise, had finally halted, and White remembered the other large beings that were there. Soft footsteps made the dust fly in small clouds.
She felt herself blink slowly at the large Gems, her head tilted back to gaze up at them as they stood before her, eyes wide and glowing with sparkles of innocence.
The pair of them clasped their arms together tightly, sharing a quick glance of unspoken words. She watched as that one single glance seemed to allow their entire form to go limp and a small, sad smile graced their faces.
They each offered her a hand. One for her left, the other for her right. Their light and dark contrast so starkly and beautifully. For a moment, she just stared at the awaiting hands.
Gingerly, White Diamond reached out her hands, and gently placed them in the offered palms. Her left hand caressed a thick, gloved yellow hand that was warm and inviting. Her right hand gently squeezed a dark, smooth blue hand, with pale short nails and a cooler temperature to her counterparts.
For a moment she stared at their joined hands, from her place kneeling on the ground. Her own hands, compared to theirs, were thin and long and slender. Dainty, with long black nails filed to a sharp point. She rubbed and turned their joined hands, examining the new touch.
That stream of knowledge was flowing into her again. Much quicker this time, and she looked at the gems at their chest and something clicked.
Yellow. Blue. Blue. Yellow. Yellow and Blue. Blue and Yellow.
Diamonds, they were Diamonds like her, of course that was their names.
Yellow Diamond and Blue Diamond.
How silly of her to not realise that sooner.
Her eyes widened as she was pulled to her feet, and she felt her knees threaten to buckle if not for the gloved hands that held her upper arm and waist, or the soft blue hands that grasped at her fingers and palms. Steadying her. Balancing her. She heard Yellow distantly gasp and Blue squeak as they muttered apologies, which she ignored in the focus of not falling in a heap on the ground. She wobbled for a moment before her eyes narrowed in determination and she straightened, locking her knees into place.
Once she was confident in her ability to stand, her eyes locked on her fellow Diamonds. She blinked at them, and they blinked at her. Oh. Oh! They must be expecting a greeting! She could do that, she thought while licking her lips. “Hello.” White smiled, eyes shining with pride as she stated a simple word.
Blue squeezed her hand tightly, as her eyes filled with tears anew, and she spoke in soft lulls. “Hello, White…” she seemed to choke on her words and White's smile faltered. “It-it is so good to see you.” Soft blue hands tighten around White’s dainty fingers, clinging to them like her gem depended on it. White’s eyes darted to Yellow Diamond, confused, when Blue’s tears fell once again.
Yellow was merely watched in silence. Her face showed no indication of her own thoughts or emotions. Blank, empty, glazed, glassy. White’s faltering smile fell completely and she frowned.
Then the worst occurred.
Droplets of water fell down yellow cheeks, slowly.
Her only thought was that, oh no, Yellow’s leaking too! Before the rate of Yellow’s tears quickened, and soon she was full out sobbing. Yellow clung to White, her golden hands moved to clasp around her upper arm and bury her face in her shoulder. Blue flung herself around the both of them, squishing them together closely. White could only panic, frantically wiping the tears away from Blue’s and Yellow’s faces only for more to arrive in their wake. Blue and Yellow didn't seem to mind White’s fingers gently brushing away their tears, they just couldn't seem to stop crying.
What was she to do? They didn't seem to stop. What if they couldn't? She didn't like how it made her gem feel, how it brought a tightness in her chest, so she knew she should make it stop. The only question was how –
“White? Yellow, Blue?”
Steven! He should know what to do! White turned to him, Blue and Yellow pulled along. Her eyes were wide as she started to gesture at Yellow and Blue, her urgency displayed in every movement despite her silence. Steven, though, was lost. But not for long. His poofy familiar bounced as she jumped into the air, coming to float and sit on her bare shoulder. He smiled up at her reassuringly.
“Oh, no don't worry, White! Those are tears, they appear when someone cries.” Cries? That sounds like an unpleasant sensation, expelling water from one's eyes. Steven must have noticed from White’s expression that she didn't like the sound of that, so he rushed to reassure her. “Crying is normal, it happens when someone is sad, or angry or stressed! It's needed to help us process emotions and our feelings better! Right now, Yellow and Blue are sad, and they need to express themselves to feel better. Just wait, they'll feel better soon!”
White blinked, stopping mid motion of brushing the tears away once again, resting her palms on their cheeks.
Express themselves?
Good for them?
She watched as the tears slowed, leaving a tired Blue and an exhausted Yellow. Yet they seemed lighter. Like they had gotten rid of a heavy burden.
Oh. Perhaps she had jumped to conclusions.
Blue leaned into her touch, but lightly flinched when her sharp nails tapped against her jaw. Oh, she doesn't seem to like the feel of her nails, but that's okay, she can make them less sharp! White squinted, focusing her light to change at the tip of her nails. They glowed a brilliant white light, before dulling and revealing her changed nails. They were slightly shorter, with a smoothened almond-like edge. White grinned at her small success, and looked to see if Blue approved of the change.
Blue seemed shocked at first. Eyes wide. Mouth slightly agape. Then her lips wavered shakily into a weak smile, but it was a smile nevertheless. She chased White’s hand. Her comfort. Her warmth. Like she had been deprived of it for an eternity.
(Really now, moonbeam, cease these tears. I will make everything as right as rain!)
A shift in her right palm. Yellow was nuzzling her cheek into it too. They seemed… peaceful. Perhaps physical touch was a soothing gesture?
(Oh dear sunray, there really is no need to be frightened. You are a Diamond! Thunder and lightning are a part of your domain. You can control it, I know you can!)
She will have to learn more, White decides, when the tightness in her chest went away.
They will feel better soon, if Steven was right.