The Big Donut was a strange place to Emerald, considering that eating in general was a weird concept to gems in the first place.

"Sadie!"

"Oh hey Steven. What can I get for you today?"

"I'll have three glazed donuts," Steven turned towards Emerald, "Amethyst always wants a couple too."

"Sure thing, and who's this?"

"This is Emerald, she's staying with us for a while because she doesn't want to live on Homeworld anymore." With Steven's introduction, shivers were sent down Emerald's spine at those words, but she said hello anyway.

"Hey,"

"Sadie, where's Lars?"

"Where I always am, in the back." Lars emerged, wearing his usual work attire, but Emerald noticed something else. Faint outlines of something halfway down his chest, and wide straps on his shoulders, but mostly hidden by his shirt. Emerald relaxed, knowing someone may understand her. "Who's the new gem friend?"

"I'm Emerald, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Woah dude, I'm just being nice, no need to make a move."

Emerald blushed and smiled a bit. "Sorry, I was just being kind. It's nice to know I'm not the only one here."

Now the group was confused, as Steven got his donuts in perfect timing. "Well, um, thanks for the donuts. I'll see you two tomorrow!"

"Lars seems cool, I'd love to get to know him better sometime."

"Oh! Do you have a crush!"

"No, not on him. I just think we may have more in common than we think."

"Well, you can come back with me to the Big Donut tomorrow if you want. I don't mind, you're really cool, Emerald."

"Thanks Steven."


When the two arrived back at the house, everyone was just chilling now. Garnet was in her room, Pearl was folding Laundry, and Amethyst was trying to teach Peridot to shapeshift, while Lapis watched.

"Amethyst, I brought you back a couple donuts!"

"Oh, yum!" Amethyst, who currently looked like Purple Puma, inhaled the donuts, as Emerald stood, wide-eyed. "Oh yeah, I know gems don't have to eat, but I love it! You should try it sometime kiddo."

"Oh, it's not that. It's just...your body. You can do that?"

"Well sure. All…" Amethyst glanced over at Peridot. "Most gems can do that."

"You just can't do it for very long," Steven chimed in. "I tried stretching myself out for my birthday one time, and I stayed that way for so long, I shrunk back to baby size."

"Dang, that's crazy. What's your favorite thing to be?"

Amethyst, who was now back to herself, became Steven. "I love messing around with the gems and being Purple Puma and all… but I love being myself the most. There's no one else I'd rather be at the end of the day."

I wish I felt that way too. Emerald thought to herself.

Steven scratched his head for a moment. "I'm not really good at shapeshifting, besides the whole 'cat fingers' thing, but I like fusing with Connie. That's fun, and I love being Stevonnie, that's our fusion name."

"I think I'm going to try a few different things, but I want it to be a surprise if I find something I like."

"Alrighty, we'll be here." Amethyst kicked back on the couch and yawned.

Emerald went back to the bathroom and shapeshifted into a few different 'characters'. She fell in love with one of them, but then remembered what Steven had said. It couldn't last forever, it was too dangerous. She nicked another piece of her gem, as she told herself, "It's not meant to be, you have to be this way. You're who everyone wants you to be."