'Steven, we can't both exist. I'm going to become half of you.'
Steven had just come back from walking around Beach City with Connie. Connie wanted to walk Steven home but by the time they started to stroll, Connie's parents showed up to get her. Steven and Connie laughed and reminded each other they'd see one another again tomorrow. With Connie having the summer off, her and Steven could hang out a lot more often, which made Steven happy, as well as Connie. Steven ran up the stairs, his arms waving around, the warm breeze ruffling his hair and making the hem of his shirt sway around. A bright smile on his face, Steven stepped inside, looking around. No one was in sight; he assumed they'd gone on a mission while he was gone. He headed for the fridge, grabbed a snack and walked back outside, leaning against the siding while eating. He heard a distant grunt from below. He shook it off and dismissed it, thinking it was just in his mind. He heard it again along with some indistinct talking. He slowly stepped down the stairs, looking around the beach for anyone in sight. Eventually his eyes set on Pearl and Lion. He was ready to greet her when he heard her groan loudly, tugging on Lion's mane.
"Just let me inside your... fur thing, you animal!" Pearl pleaded, trying to figure out how to go inside the mane. Lion roared, standing in a defensive position. "Why won't you just let me inside? I just want to see-" Pearl was interrupted by Lion's growl. Pearl let him go, not wanting to provoke him. She groaned while clenching her fists. Lion still had his guard up, but he lay down, keeping an eye on the gem. Pearl sat in front of him, studying him. "Rose would have told me about you." Lion softly let out a huff before closing his eyes. "Rose told me everything... right?" She raised her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them. "Rose... why did you have to leave me here, alone? I need you more than ever. I feel lost without you here. Why did you go?" Pearl buried her face in her arms. "I mean I know why, but, I would have stayed on Earth with you in a heartbeat. Now that you're gone... what do I even do? I'm a lost gem."
Steven made sure he wasn't seen. Overhearing Pearl, he felt a little pang in his heart. He looked down at his shirt, lifting it up a bit and staring at his gem. 'But she is here, Pearl,' Steven wanted to reply, but he knew he shouldn't. This moment was supposed to be a private moment for Pearl. Steven lifted his shirt back down and went back into the house, not wanting to disturb her anymore. Steven sat on the couch, slowly munching on what he had left of his snack. He reminisced the moment where Pearl wondered aloud.
'Sometimes, I wonder, if she can see me through your eyes. What would she think of me now?'
Steven wondered how often Pearl thought of Rose. He knew he missed her a lot and that she devoted her time to Rose, so she must miss her a lot. But how often would she think of these things? Did she think of things like that during missions? Did she want Rose when she looked at Steven? Would she look at a certain place or thing and have a memory of her? Steven couldn't possibly know, but he had a good idea. Steven barely finished his snack. He sighed, looking at his gem again.
"I wish I would have at least met you, mom. Maybe I would understand more if I did." Steven rubbed his gem, giving it a little smile. "Maybe I would understand why Pearl sees you like you're so great. I know you are great, but how great? I wish I could have knew."