Author's Notes: Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews and favorites! I plan to update this as regularly as possible! This is going to be a fairly long story so stick with it. Characters to come in time: Lapis and Peridot of course. Pumpkin! The Off Color Gems, and lots of Beach Cities residence. Thank you for reading!
Chapter 2: "It's Over, isn't it? Isn't it over?"
A red light went off over the pulse oximeter, which seemed to set off a series of alarms and a light to flash outside of Steven's room. The sound jolted Greg out of a sound sleep and he shot out of the chair and slammed himself into the threshold of the doorway. "Nurse!?" he shouted wide eyed. Connie took a step back as the nurse shot around her towards his room "His O2 is dropping Mr. Universe we'll need to up the oxygen on his bipap so we can make sure he is staying above 95. We see it, we have it under control." She tried giving the father a reassuring tap on the shoulder as the tech adjusted the tank behind his gurney just over the boys' head. "Why don't you head down and get something to eat Mr. Universe?"
Connie who was ghosting the entryway of his room smiled a little "I was getting ready to take my break, Mr. Universe is more than welcome to join me. In case something happens, you can just page me" she smiled weakly. Greg gave her a weak half smile and took his leave, the two of them made their way down the white corridor lined with blue along the edges. It smelled of disinfectant and sweat, and faintly of coffee. They approached the elevator and Greg hit the down arrow, the two of them took a step or two back and watched waiting for one of the three doors to open. Connie chuckled a little "It's always the far one" she pointed to the one on the end farthest from them. Greg smiled at her rubbing the back of his neck. "You're probably right."
With a monotone ding the middle doors opened "Must be your lucky day" she smiled sweetly to Greg as the two of them entered. They were alone in the elevator. She hit the basement button and with a subtle jolt the small room made its descent. "I'm sorry Greg…" she said quietly and his eyes went wide "It's not your fault Connie, gem business is a dangerous business. Steven knew that…" his voice faded sadly towards the end "We all knew that" he sighed.
The rest of the short ride was silent, after a moment the doors parted and the two of them stepped out. They were immediately hit in the face of the smell of breakfast; maple, sausage, bacon, eggs. The two of them started to drool a bit "Man it smells great" Greg said almost involuntarily. The two grabbed their trays and had their plates filled, with a quick swipe Connie treated Greg to brunch and the two of them took a seat in the dining area. The tables were a mock wood and the chairs were slightly to small, and everything felt almost like plastic. Makes sense Greg thought, so sterile. Without a word, the two of them dug in and after they were both about finished Connie looked up at him her brow furrowed. "Greg could you tell me, what happened?"
Steven sat in the van discontentedly as the gems and Greg made their way out and settled into their seats. Greg took the driver seat, Garnet shotgun. Pearl and Amethyst piled in next to Steven, Amethyst looked over at Steven. "You okay their Ste-man?" Steven forced a smile across his face but it didn't last not even longer than a second before he shook his head tears prickling the corners of his eyes. "Aww dude…" Amethyst was then cut off by Pearl "Steven eight years of medical school isn't that long, no reason to get this upset." Steven stared at Pearl in disbelief at her callous. "No, it's only basically a little less than half of my life but sure no big deal. Thanks Pearl." He turned his head away to stare out the window "Can we just go? I wanna go home." He pouted as everyone sat in awkward silence. Greg slowly turned the ignition and all of them made their way back to the temple.
Once the pulled up on the beach out front of the temple and everyone started to pile out of the van. Garnet Amethyst Greg and Pearl gathered together next to the van as Steven made a B line for the temple. He went in and let the storm door slam shut. Garnet looked to Greg "I'm not really sure how we are going to be able to help" she sighed raising her arm to tap the front of her glasses causing them to poof. "I see so many paths, I'm not really sure how this is going to turn out" she said sadly.
Greg nodded "Your first love is always rough, it's a human thing. It hurts but he is just going to have to ride it out, give him his space. I think he'll turn around."
Steven immediately marched up the stairs and took to his bed. He pulled the covers over his shoulder and for the first time in a while he reached out and grabbed M.C. Bear-bear hugging him close to his chest. He just let loose burying his head in his pillow balling his eyes out.
Steven and Connie never exactly had the easiest relationship, I mean sure they were a couple. Their friendship had evolved into love deep and trusting, trying to imagine his life without made him want to be physically sick. Granted they weren't like a typical young adult couple experimenting physically, not as if Steven hadn't tried but Connie told him she just didn't feel ready so all the ever did was cuddle and kiss. Not that he didn't want more but he would wait until she was ready. Of course, after tonight's conversation it hits him that maybe if he grew like a normal human boy she would have been ready like he was. The idea just made him angrier on top of already overwhelming sadness and a strong amount of nausea. It's not fair he thought we could have really been together like a real couple if I wasn't part stupid gem, and my stupid body. God, I hate everything. He slammed his fist down on his mattress and threw M.C. as hard as he could across the room. After his small tantrum, he just curled up in the fetal position feeling more alone than he had ever felt in his life. His eyes blurry focused on his phone sitting on the bed next to him praying against all odds Connie would call or text saying she changed her mind. A call that would never come.
For the following week, all Steven did was lay around in bed, on the couch, and on the beach. He didn't visit the Big Donut, or the fry shack nor fish stew pizza. Between small assignments the Gems did what they could to cheer him up, Greg made regular trips to the temple to visit with him even if it was just to bring him some food and lay around watching TV or playing video games with him. Connie never reached out and Steven gave up hope on hearing from her. She wanted her space and she was moving on, what could he do? He couldn't give her what she wanted or what she needed an adult partner.
Steven was cuddled up at the couch staring up at the painting of his Mom, he then felt the cushion above his head sink in a little. He looked up slowly to see Garnet staring down at him. "Steven, I know you're sad. But we need you, the Gems need you. We love you." She smiled a little as she rested her hand on his chest, he could feel the lump of her gem pushing into the soft cushion of his flesh. "I'm not saying you need to jump out and start doing some missions, but maybe start small…like with a shower…" she laughed as she glanced over to Pearl who was trying to subtly cover her nose. Amethyst shrugged "I don't smell anything…" causing the room to erupt in laughter.
Connie looked downward "I didn't mean to hurt him so badly…. but what could I do…?" Greg shook his head and put his hand up "You don't have to explain to me, I get it and I know deep down Steven does to. First loves are tough" he managed a small smile. The two of them finished their brunch and stood as they carried their trays to the conveyor belt heading back to the kitchen to be washed. Connie smiled a little "I'd better get back to work, why do you head back to the hotel? Get a shower and take a nap in a real bed. I will call if anything changes." Greg hesitated but Connie assured him "Really. It'll be okay, just for an hour or two." He nodded "Maybe I should head back, I need to check on the other two. I can only imagine what Garnet and Pearl are up too."
