One Day Before the Death of Julianna
"Morganite?" Steven asked.
"Yes, Steven?"
"I, uh- I know this is bad timing, since I'm about to go back home and all, but, um, I have something for you." Beads of sweat formed in his hairline, anxiety stenciled in his voice.
Morganite blushed lightly. "Um, okay. What is it?"
Steven pulled a small rose out of his backpack, the stem wrapped loosely around a plain silver ring. "It's a little torn, but I thought you'd like a real flower better than those cheap papery ones." He held it out to her.
Morganite gasped. "Steven… You shouldn't have. This is so sweet."
"I also wanted to ask you if you would be my girlfriend. The ring is just for show, you don't have to commit to anything if you don't want to-"
Morganite threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Steven, I-I love it. I love you. I've loved you since the first day I met you."
"I love you too, Morganite." A grin plastered on his face, he delicately kissed her forehead, slipping the ring on her finger. "I'm sorry I waited so long, but I've gotta go now."
"I'll see you soon." Morganite waved to him as he walked inside the bus station, making her way back to the cafe with a spring in her step.
"Steven!" Garnet called out to him upon his return home. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, just let me put my bag away." He answered, pounding up the stairs.
"Where are you two going?" Pearl inquired, drying dishes in the kitchen. Her tone was one of mere curiosity; she trusted Garnet completely and knew she'd keep herself Steven safe.
"I'm taking him out to train. There's been a pesky gem beetle in the strawberry fields I'd like to get rid of." Garnet nudged his side, careful not to be noticed.
"Oh. Alright. You two have fun."
"We will!" Steven buzzed with excitement, hurrying to the warp pad. Garnet stood by his side.
"We'll be back soon. I love you Pearl." The warp pad flashed them away before Pearl had time to respond.
"I love you too," she murmured to the empty air, sighing as the house went silent. Amethyst had hardly left her room since Julianna and Prasiolite had left, and she hated to admit that she actually missed Amethyst's obnoxious chattering.
"Alright, Steven. The moment's coming up; are you ready?" She asked, looking at him curiously. "We just need the last centerpiece gem- there." She fused the gem onto the gold band. "It's perfect…"
"Can I see?" Steven asked.
"It's still hot. Be careful." She opened her hands for him to look.
"You've done a fantastic job, Garnet… Pearl will be so surprised."
"I only hope she says yes… Marriage is just a human thing; I don't know why it means so much to me."
"That's how you know you really love her. You don't need to take that step, but you want to because you want to be with her."
"You're right, Steven. Thank you. I needed that."
"No problemo! Now let's get back, shall we?"
Garnet nodded in agreement. "Let's go."
Garnet held the small gold band in her palms, a small smile on her face. She pulled the string out of her pocket that she'd tied to fit Pearl's finger and checked again, ensuring the ring was perfect size. She fused the small gemstones that she'd carefully selected onto the band, waiting for it to cool before taking a moment to admire it.
She took a deep breath to collect herself, not wanting to give her secret away. Garnet walked back to the temple, keeping the precious object safely enclosed in a small velvet box. She looked up at the sky, watching as the sun made its descent towards the sea. Her timing had been impeccable.
"Pearl?" She stepped into the house, hiding the box in her pocket.
"Yes?" Pearl asked, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her love.
"Could you come outside with me for a moment?"
"Of course." She stepped out the open door, making her way down the steps.
Steven and Amethyst gathered at the window, a grin plastered on Steven's face.
He wouldn't have to keep the secret anymore.
Garnet lead Pearl over to the water, standing in front of the waves, which just barely reached their feet. She held both of Pearl's hands in hers, then took a deep breath and knelt down on her left knee.
"Pearl," she spoke, "I know that gems don't usually do this. It's been a strictly human tradition for ages. But, we're almost human ourselves, we have been ever since we first came here. And I think it's best that we try to fit into their culture.
"I love you, Pearl. I have for a very long time, and I'll continue to do so for even longer. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And so, in the spirit of being human, will you marry me, Pearl?"
Shock came across the white gem's face, tears coming to her eyes when she finally made sense of the question. She nodded wordlessly, unable to speak from the surprise.
Garnet slid the ring onto her finger, smiling brightly as she watched her admire it.
"Garnet, where did you get this? It's mesmerizing…"
"I made it," She replied. "All of those solo missions I've been going on lately? They were missions to find the perfect gemstones for my queen."
Pearl threw her arms around Garnet's neck, pressing her lips up to hers in a depth of passion she'd never felt before.
"I don't have to be afraid you'll leave me anymore," she whispered upon pulling away, hugging her tighter.
"Pearl, you never did." Garnet answered in the same softness, holding her fiancée so there was no space left between them. She looked up to the window, smiling as she saw the huge grin on Steven's face, although Amethyst had moved away.