Garnet swallows multiple times, trying to get rid of the lump that's taken residence in her throat. She feels her whole mouth clenched, in an effort to keep that straight-lipped, seriousness. She's all too keenly aware of everything, how slowly Pearl moves, the way the cushions dip as she shifts her weight, the feel of her stomach and chest on her thighs.

Pearl wants this, she repeats to herself. Pearl asked for this. She wants to be what Pearl needs right now. She wants her mistakes to be acknowledged, to have a firm hand acknowledge her mistakes. Garnet wants to be a little kinder, that is her instinct.

It's those contradictions that make her bring her hand first, softly, between Pearl's shoulders. She doesn't caress or massage, simply touches. Makes Pearl aware of where her hand is. She moves it down her back slowly, so Pearl will know where it's going, when it's coming. She follows the slight dip at her waist, then the curve of her behind, and then her hand stops. Not cupping, not kneading, just acknowledging. "Your behavior recently is unacceptable, Pearl."

Garnet feels her chest heavy, her breaths coming a little quicker.

"You were late to school." She raises her hand and brings it back down with a smack. Not too hard, to start, keeping her hand against Pearl to alleviate the initial sting. "You spilled coffee on your boss." Then again. Once more.