Garnet silently watched the ocean from the balcony, almost looking like a statue.

All her eyes suddenly shifted to the figure sitting peacefully on the beach, a jar of jam beside them.

Garnet's mouth pressed into a thin line, thinking deeply.

Then she approached the figure, keeping silent still. "Stevonnie." she said simply, but it was enough to make the fusion turn their head.

They smiled brightly. "Hey, Garnet! Wanna sit?" Garnet gave a small smile and nod, sitting next to Stevonnie, who continued eating their sandwich.

A minute passed. Then another.

And Garnet's smile finally faltered.

"...How long has it been?"

Stevonnie froze at the other fusion's question, knowing all too well what she was talking about. They started shaking slightly, not answering for a whole minute.

"...107 years..."

It was a soft whisper, but Garnet heard it clearly. She frowned, and after a moment, gave Stevonnie a sad, pleading look. "You have to let her go, someday, Steven."

xxxxxxxxxx

"I'm sorry..."

Steven's eyes snapped open wide as he turned to his wife. Connie was in the opposite side of their bed, and he grew alarmed when tears started to form on her eyes.

"Connie?" he was instantly by her side, hugging her to provide comfort. "Please, i-its not your fault-"

"IT IS!" Steven recoiled from Connie's outburst. "If I was only stronger, more resillent, this sickness, this stupid cancer wouldn't be the death of me!" she sobbed. Steven shook his head furiously, his own tears forming. "It's not your fault, honey. Y-you're not gonna die, you're not gonna die..." he whispered, trying to reassure both of them.

That didn't really work.Five weeks passed, and Steven could only do so much to resist crying as he stared at his beautiful wife, lying peacefully in the hospital bed. Her whole being was pale and weak, but her serene smile soothed him."Its okay, you're gonna be okay..." she whispered.

Steven was certainly not gonna be okay. Life without Connie was a blank, lifeless void for him. If only he could save her...The man suddenly blinked. Maybe he could.

He smiled sadly and and held up a hand, "Will you do this last jam with me, Connie?"

They were dancing. Steven was as gentle as ever, supporting Connie, who still had the energy to laugh at his antics. When he dipped her, she cupped his face and said, "I love you..."

He grinned when his gem glowed, shining on Connie's bewildered expression. "I love you more..."xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I...we can't, Garnet."

Garnet raised an eyebrow. "Stevo-"

"I CAN'T!" Garnet backed away from them in surprise.

"Would you let Sapphire or Ruby go?! I can't let her die, Garnet! After Greg, I don't think I can bear it! Steven can't bear it, Garnet!" Stevonnie finished, tears in their eyes.

Garnet noticed the wrinkles.

She was left speechless, then slowly, her eyes dropped to the ground sadly. She enveloped Stevonnie in a hug, their forgotten sandwich drifting into the sea.