?Vulnerable? jasper x Reader's Daughter

{Flashback}

"Aye, (spineling), quit harassing your brother."

Spinel huffed, peeling the small (color) spinel from the irritated pink (gem), who was squawking in distress at having his face mashed into the soft bedding for the 10th time. The spineling wiggled playfully in the older gem's grip, cooing and squeaking, as she groped for her mother's face. Spinel snickered and pressed a soft kiss into her belly. "You're just full'a energy today, ain't ya?" She asked, not really expecting a straight answer from her. Instead the hyper gemling just squeaked loudly, attempting to swing herself close enough to grab her mother's nose, making the older gem chuckle. "When isn't she full of energy?" Spinel turns and smiles as a burly (color) (gem) strolled in, carrying various bags of supplies from their recent visit to earth. Behind them was a large orange gem with a wild white mane, standing tall and at attention. "Bout time ya showed up." Spinel smirked before sitting up taller, carefully as to not disturb the other two gemlings that were nestled against her. The (gem) rolled their eyes playfully as they set the bags down and dipped their head to meet spinel in a warm kiss. "How were the gemlings today?" They asked, planting another kiss onto her head as they looked over the litter, most of which were sleeping. "Were they good?" Spinel snorted at the question, directing her gaze back to her hyper daughter. "Not all of em, entirely."

She sets her down and watches as she hurriedly crawled over to the sire gem, squeaking in delight. The pink gem snickered, watching as their daughter climbed the large (gem)'s (color) jacket in an attempt to play with their fluffy (color) hair. "Something tells me (spineling) had been causing mayhem again." Spinel snorted as she adjusted the other 3 gemlings into a cozier position against her belly. "Keeps attackin' everything that moves..." She simply states, giving each gemling a soft kiss on the head. "She's got more energy then I did when pink was around.."

She paused for a moment, mulling her words over in her head before sighing, smiling wistfully. "Those were the days. Playing every game under the stars." She looks over to the (gem), stifling a laugh as they struggled to coax the wild spineling off their head. "Don't recall playin' that kind of game, though." The sire gem managed to finally grab hold of their daughter, and tickled her belly lightly. "She just needs to burn off some energy." They suggested, watching as (spineling) writhed in blind euphoria, squawking and reaching for the long (color) locks that hung down the sire gem's strong shoulder. Jasper, who was looking over said shoulder, stared down at the gemling in the large palms, eyes burning with curiosity.

Even if she had been the gemling's personal guard for the last few weeks, she still wasn't fully used to seeing gems smaller than that crystal runt, amethyst.

...Nor was she used to feeling emotions other than anger and bitterness towards them.

"Jasper," realizing that she was being spoken to, snapped out of her contemplative staring and stood tall and at attention, performing the diamond salute. "My (gem)?" A smirk crossed the sire gem's face as they turned to fully face the orange gem guard. "Well first, you can just call me (name)," they reminded, before holding the squirming spineling upto her face, making her flinch in surprise. "Second, I think you should take (spineling) out to burn off some energy." Jasper's mind went blank as she stood stiffly, staring down at the small bundle reaching for her gem determinedly. "I- Uh-" An unfamiliar feeling jolted through her as she stared into the wild magenta eyes.

Oh no...

It was always this one.

this one gemling in particular.

That one small gemling always brought out those bothersome feelings. While she was fine with the warm fuzz of adoration, it was the cold stab of concern and fear for her that mostly bothered her.

I'm a gem soldier! I shouldn't be feeling these mushy, organic based feelings!

But this one... this one always activates them...

"I-I don't think-" Before she could voice a full protest, the spineling was handed to the orange gem, making the latter grunt in surprise. "Come on, now jasp." (Name) playfully clapped a hand into her arm. "This is also for you as well." They said, making jasper lift her eyebrow. For me? "Yes, you are a guard, but you're capable of doing more than just fighting and intimidating others." Spinel nodded, stretching her neck so she could look at jasper from over (name)'s shoulder. "Yeah, ya gotta loosen up a bit. Things have changed, ya know?" she smiled in a cheery manner. "Just look at us!" She then stretched her head until it rested on the sire gem's shoulder, and they lean onto her head. Jasper repressed her urge to narrow her eyes at their words, as well as display their affections so carelessly.

Tch. Back then, if they were to do this, they'd be as good as shattered. she thought bitterly.

And they make it all sound so easy.

After so many years of fighting...

How could I just.. go soft..?

"Jasper." she flinched at hearing (name) call to her and gave a mildly reluctant nod. "R-right." she replied, in more of a mutter, which made the sire gem quirk an eyebrow. "Jasper. I know you worked hard to gain your title and recognition. I know you're still getting used to era 3 and its new ways." They said, setting a hand on her shoulder, with sympathetic (color) eyes. "But you need to learn that you have a will of your own now." Their voice was firm and their pointed fingers dug into her shoulder. "It'll take time, but you'll find that you to can be happy in this era to." Releasing her from their hold, took a step back. "Anyhow.. you could just take her to blue, have her play in those clouds she's got going on. Alright?" Jasper stared hesitated but gave a nod of affirmination. "Yes, my- er... (n-name)." she corrected herself, making (name) smile and nod back. "Good." she watched as they turned to tend to spinel and the rest of the gemlings for a moment before turning and walking out of the room's door.

You'll find that you can be happy in this era to...

jasper repeated the phrase in her head, eyes narrowed in skepticism.

Tch. how could I possibly find happiness in this directionless era?

Absentmindedly, she looked down to the spineling in her grip, to find her gnawing at her thumb playfully. Upon realizing her attention, (spineling) glanced up at the exoticly striped ex-soldier. Almost immediately, she starts squeaking in delight and reaches up for her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jasper!"

"Wh-huh?"

Jasper blinked as two soft, tiny hands cupped her cheeks, looking down to see concerned magenta eyes peering back at her. "You okay there?" (Spineling) asked, standing on jasper's lap. "You were lookin' kinda out of it." Jasper's mouth was partially opened in slight surprise before she hurriedly closed it and brushed her tiny hands off her face. "Fine." (Spineling) huffed, crossing her arms at the large gem. "Ya know, It wouldn't shatter ya ta tell me what's on your mind for once." Jasper groaned in annoyance, leaning back against her cave's rock walls. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." She rumbled, lacing her hands behind her head. "Why don't you try and play with those rocks, or something?" She pointed to a nearby pile of boulders, in which (spineling) pouts. "Okie dokie..." she said slowly, slowly walking over to the rock pile, with jasper watching pensively.

Last thing I need to show any form of weakness...

Including emotions.