The gems were on edge. Steven could feel it in the very air surrounding the temple. A black, noxious fume that kept him up at night with its suffocating nature. They still smiled, and they still acted like everything was perfectly fine, but Steven could see right past those false grins and narratives of safety. The only release he got was when he went into town, surrounded by all the good feelings of all the people that had no clue of anything. No idea of what danger could be lurking, just as Steven had no idea. He asked questions, he rarely got answers. It felt nice to be surrounded by people like him, kept in the dark about the threats that stalked in the night.
Steven found himself staying away from the temple as long as he could. Away from those nasty, nightmarish images that seemed to beam into his head every time he closed his eyes. The days passed by so fast, yet somehow slow at the same time, and before Steven knew it the town was decorated in hearts and cupids with arrows and fliers for various parties. Valentines day. In the early morning of that day, Connie had come to Steven with a preposition: She invited him not only to join her in the warmth that so often surrounded her, but to join her at the annual Gold Crest Parade.
"Mom works every holiday and dad was called in last minute so he has to bring me along." She had explained, "He said I could invite you too as long as you have a chaperone."
A chaperone... Steven knew just who to ask. Or at least he thought he did, until his dad said,
"No can do, Stew-ball. I gotta work tonight."
"But dad!"
"It's the busiest night of the year! Besides, I'm sure one of the gems will take you."
"But you got along so well with Connie's dad!"
"I'm sorry, Steven, we're low on money. Maybe next holiday."
Steven pouted. "There's no parade for President's day..."
Though he was disappointed, Steven was quick to decide on someone else he could ask, even if it meant he had to face the darkness surrounding his own home. Going up those same stairs he had climbed his entire life felt like a chore without any reward for entering the emotionally-stagnant atmosphere. He didn't have to go far to find the gem he was looking for, and he was relieved for it.
Spinel shook her head. "Sorry Steven, I don't like parades. I don't even really like Valentine's day."
"WHAT?!"
"Geeze, Steven, not so loud." Spinel whined, "It's just never really been my thing, ya know?"
"But you're... you! How could I have not seen this before? I'm sure you've celebrated Valentines! I'm... almost sure."
"I've gotten you chocolates before..." Spinel said slowly, "And I've helped you cut out hearts and stuff. This is the first time it's ever really come up beyond that."
"But... but you have a heart gem!"
"Just because I have a heart..." Spinel traced her fingers along her gemstone, "doesn't mean I have to like Valentines."
"But you like everything!"
"Except for Valentines Day. Why not ask Garnet to go with you? I'm sure she'd be happy to."
"I want you though! Please?"
"Nuh uh. Besides, I gotta go on patrol."
"I thought I was on patrol?"
Steven looked over at Garnet and Amethyst, lurking near the warp pad.
"How long have you been there?" Steven asked.
"Doesn't matter." Amethyst threw her hands up in the air, "Free day!"
"No!" Spinel stretched out her arm before Amethyst could make her quick getaway and pulled her back out of the temple. "You and I are on patrol. Garnet here is gonna spend the day with Steven." Spinel pushed Garnet away from the warp to right in front of Steven.
"Spinel." Garnet looked down at the smaller gem, "That's not your call to make."
"It is now! Take a break Garnet." Spinel stretched out her leg to the warp pad, and then pulled the rest of her body along. "Amethyst and I can handle the patrol."
"No. I need to..."
"The only thing you need to do is spend time with Steven. Ta-ta!"
The warp beam activated, and Spinel and Amethyst were gone. Steven looked to Garnet.
"You'll come won't you? I don't want to have to ask Pearl."
Garnet blew smoke out of her nose. "Of course I will."
Later at the festival, though the air was filled with childish cheer and laughter, Steven's mind was still clouded by his own dark thoughts. Or maybe they were Garnet's negative emotions fueling him on; he couldn't tell anymore, and he was too outraged to care. The gem had gone with him, but she wasn't there now. It was just Steven and Connie, and Steven was making the most of it.
"How could anyone not like Valentines day? It's like..." Steven counted on his fingers, "My third favorite holiday!"
"Well, they've been alive for thousands of years Steven; they don't celebrate their birthdays either. It makes sense they wouldn't go crazy for every single celebration."
"Garnet likes Valentines day!"
Both young teens looked over at Garnet nearby, standing by a cotton candy vendor who was practically steaming with frustration. Garney reached for the pink cotton candy, then hesitated and reached for the blue, and then hesitated again and seemed to reconsider the pink.
"Yeah, she's gonna be a while." Steven said.
They both laughed, and Connie shook her head.
"I don't know what else to tell you Steven, but if Spinel doesn't want to celebrate Valentines, she probably has a reason. You shouldn't force her."
"I'd never force her!" Steven frowned, and looked away, "I just want her to have a good time."
"Who says she isn't having a good time? You did say she was on a date with Amethyst."
"Not a date!" Steven corrected her, "They're on patrol to make sure Peridot doesn't come back."
Garnet appeared suddenly in between them, holding a blue cotton candy and a pink one. "I got both."
"Did you get any for me?" Steven inquired.
Garnet stood there in silence for a moment before walking away back toward the cotton candy vendor.
"Guess not." Connie shrugged.
Garnet returned minutes later with four extra cotton candy's.
"I got some for Connie too." She gave a blue one and a red one to each of them.
"Thanks Garnet!" Steven took a bite of the blue one first; his favorite! "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"You don't need to worry about what we saw." Garnet answered before Steven could even ask.
"Huh? Oh, you mean Peridot? It's okay, Connie already knows all about it! I tell her everything!"
"Yeah." Connie said, taking a peice of the pink sugar but not immediately eating it, "It's awful. What do you think she wants?"
"This isn't the place to discuss it." Garnet said curtly, but was quick to add, "Whatever she wanted, it doesn't matter. I destroyed the warp and she destroyed her droids. She isn't coming back."
"Oh, I know." Steven lied; he didn't know. Anything could happen, and anything could mean Peridot. He knew that Garnet had that same thought, too. Why else would she send out so many patrols? "That's not what's bothering me."
"Tell me what is." Garnet stuck both of her cotton candy sticks together and took a bite of the conglameration of red and blue.
"Spinel doesn't like Valentines Day!"
"Hm. Strange. Of all things that is the one on your mind."
"Yeah! Wait, why is that strange?"
"No reason. Continue."
"I mean, I get not celebrating Christmas; Connie doesn't celebrate Christmas. And maybe not celebrating Halloween, but I'm torn on that one. How could someone not like cupids and candy hearts and heart-shaped lollipops?"
"Not even you like everything Steven."
"Yeah, but Spinel is supposed to like hearts and stuff!"
"Steven, Valentines day is a day for couples. Lovers and partners, and not everybody has that."
"Well, I don't have a girlfriend and I still celebrate! And Connie doesn't have a boyfriend, and she still celebrates!"
Garnet smiled and looked between the two of them. "Sure. I suppose."
"Why are you smiling?"
Garnet adjusted her visors. "Oh. Never mind that."
"Okay. And you don't have anyone either, but you still came with me!"
"I wouldn't be too sure Steven."
"What do you mean?"
Garnet didn't answer. "You must be thirsty. I'll get you and Connie a drink." She promptly walked away.
"Get me blue gatorade please!" He called after her. "What do you want Connie?"
Connie shrugged. "I'm okay with whatever."
"Connie wants whatever!" Steven called, then quickly turned back to Connie, "But she didn't answer my question..."
"Maybe she doesn't know how?" Connie suggested, "I mean, you can't expect her to know what Spinel's thinking. If you really wanna know, you could always ask her yourself."
Steven blinked, and then slapped his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?!"
"Beats me."
"Eee!" Steven squealed and hugged Connie, "Thanks Connie! You're so smart!"
"It's a simple solution Steven." Connie said, "Mom always says the simpilist answer is the often the solution."
"Your mom's smart too!"
"Well I'd hope so; she's a doctor. She have a bunch of lives in her hands."
"Like my mom did!" Steven beamed. "Kinda."
"Healing and doctor-ing don't seem all that different, huh?"
"Nope!"
The rest of the parade passed by fast. Garnet returned with their drinks, and the three watched the remainder of the parade. Afterward they still had a few hours to kill, and spent it playing games and riding rides (though Garnet sat out for most of that, simply watching). When 's shift ended and he came to collect Connie, that was Garnet's and Steven's cue to leave as well. They had to walk, since Steven's dad's car still wasn't completely fixed, but Steve didn't mind; especially not when Garnet carried him on her shoulders most of the way. They returned later that night with a head full of memories and, in the case of Steven, arms full of prizes and chocolate.
"Steven!" Pearl cheered the moment the two walked through the door, picking up a plate from the counter and bringing it over to him, "I made you an early dinner since Garnet and I have to go on patrol."
"Thanks!" Steven examined the plate; chicken, mac-and-cheese, and mixed vegetables. "It smells good!"
"Oh. How sweet!" Pearl beamed and pet Steven on the head, "How was your day, Steven?"
"It was awesome! Connie and I got to ride so many rides! We rode the tilt-a-whirl three times! And... then I sick. And then we rode again! There were all sorts of cool things there! I got this for Amethyst." Steven held up a small baggy full of candy.
"Well." Pearl blinked, "I'm sure she'll love it, Steven."
"You think?"
"I know." Pearl bopped Steven on the nose.
Steven squealed with joy.
"Now eat your dinner, Steven."
"Yes Pearl!"
Garnet looked to the warp pad. "They're back."
In that instant, the warp activated and Spinel and Amethyst materialized. Steven quickly stood up, picking up the bag he held, and running to them before Amethyst could get away.
"Amethyst! Amethyst! I got you something!" Steven held out the candy bag.
"Hey, thanks little man!" Amethyst took the bag, ready to drop the entire thing down her throat, but then hesitated. She unwrapped it, took out a single piece of candy, and put it in her gemstone. Then she ate the rest in one swallow. "Later!"
She was gone before anyone could get another word in.
"Hug time!"
Spinel's unnatural arms wrapped around Steven and pulled him close and into a hug.
"How was the parade?" Spinel asked.
"Awesome!" Steven cheered, "But I'll tell you after dinner. Otherwise I think Pearl's gonna ground me."
One look back at Pearl proved his suspicions true; Pearl had one hand on her hip and her eyes raised, alternating between looking at Steven and looking at his dinner.
"Yes." Pearl said, "You will see to it that he finishes his food today, Spinel?"
Spinel gave a mocking bow and an exaggerated wave of her arm. "Whatever you say, your highness."
"Good." Pearl joined the two of them by the warp pad. She put both hand son Steven's shoulders, gave him a pleasant smile, and then stepped onto pad them.
Garnet did the same. "We'll by back no later than eight in the morning." Garnet said to Spinel, "Make sure you're ready to relieve Pearl. You may have pawned off your day to me, but I still expect you to work tomorrow."
"Ay ay, captain." Her tone was even more sarcastic, if that was possible.
Garnet and Pearl warped away.
"So I take it today went well?"
"Ya huh!" Steven said, "We did so much cool stuff, but it still would have been better if you were there. Garnet was too big for most of the rides." Steven looked away, "You aren't."
"Steven, I'm sure it was still fun, right? With Connie? Beside, Garnet's always taken off on Valentines day, and I wasn't gonna let her break that tradition just because some green eyed gem lady shows up out of the blue. And, like I said, today just doesn't interest me anyway. But I'm glad you had a good time."
Steven grabbed Spinel by her arm. "But why?!"
Spinel smirked."Why am I glad you had a good time?"
"Why won't you celebrate?"
Spinel shrugged. "I just don't wanna. Now eat your dinner; I gotta go feed my pets theirs."
Spinel went to walk away, but Steven didn't let go; he fell to the ground as he struggled to hang on to Spinel, and as Spinel kept on walking without any inhibitions until she turned around to look down at him.
"Please tell me!"
"Steven." Spinel pouted, "Get up! The floor's yucky."
"Why do you hate Valentines day?!"
Spinel wrapped her arms around Steven gently and lifted him to his feet. The moment he was up, he immediately jumped back to hug her.
"I'm not gonna stop pestering you until you tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me..."
Spinel was louder and easily able to interrupt him. "Why do you suddenly care? You didn't care last year, or the year before that."
"Well this is my first official year as a Crystal Gem! I have to care!"
"You've always been a Crystal Gem, Steven."
"But it was never official! But now it is, and I have to act all official-like! Like Garnet!" Steven cleared his throat and did his best Garnet impression. "Spinel, you have to tell me how you feel."
Spinel coughed, and her coughing was quick to turn to laughter. Steven grinned.
"Yes, but how does that make you feeeeeel?"
Spinel pointed at him, "That's inaccurate! Garnet doesn't ask questions, cause she knows everything!"
"Yeah she thinks that." Steven covered his mouth, but it was too late, and Spinel was looking at him with owl-like eyes and a baffled aura.
"What?"
"What?" Steven tried to cover it up, to hide the fear and struggle clearly etched into his features. "I just meant... uh... she didn't know about Peridot!"
Spinel's expression faded and she tapped her lips. "True."
Steven went along with it, "And she doesn't know what Peridot's planning, or what she's doing, or where she's doing it!"
"Okay, I get it."
"Yeah! Garnet's doesn't..." Steven started to think, "Know... everything. Huh."
Spinel tilted her head and gave a half smile. "What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That 'huh'! It sounded like an epiphany." Spinel leaned close to Steven and looked directly into his eyes.
"Huh." Steven turned his back to Spinel to hide his guilty expression from view, "Why would you think that, Spinel?"
"Steven." Spinel tried to walk in front of him, but Steven turned away from her. "Steven! Look at me!"
Spinel grabbed Steven by the arms and spun him around.
"Tell me!"
"I can't!" Steven closed his eyes and tried to struggle away.
"Why not?"
"It's bad!"
"What's bad?"
"I can't tell you!"
"Why not?
"Cause it's bad!"
Spinel went silent, and Steven opened his eyes to see what was going on only to see her swirling pupils staring back at him, her body bent at a pain-looking angle to achieve such a feat.
"Steven Quartz Universe!"
"NOT THE MIDDLE NAME!"
"I'm gonna count to three." Spinel held up three fingers, "And then I want you to spill."
Steven gulped. "What happens when you get to three?"
Spinel gave him a devilish glare. "You don't wanna know. One."
"I can't tell you!"
"Two."
"I promised Amethyst!"
"Two and a half!"
"Please!" He felt tears pool in the corners of his eyes.
"Two and three quarters!"
"Okay, okay!" Steven pushed Spinel away and took a step back, "But if I tell you, you can't tell Amethyst! And you have to tell me why you don't like Valentines."
Spinel held out her gloved hand. "Deal!"
They shook their hands.
Steven took a deep breath. "Amethyst has a gem hidden in her room!"
Spinel took a step back. "Um. Huh?!"
"Her name's Desert Glass! Amethyst's been hiding her since before Christmas, she calls her Sandy and she's teaching her stuff."
Spinel's eyes flashed red. "And you kept this from me?!" The red faded, and so did the anger, to be replaced with something cold and stinging and painful. Betrayal. "You... kept this... from me?"
"I didn't want to!" Steven said immediately, "I mean, I did, but not from you! Amethyst should keep it a secret from Pearl and Garnet, cause..."
"They would hurt her." Spinel finished.
"Exactly!" Steven said.
"But... why me?"
"I don't know!" Steven said, "I just found out like two weeks ago! Honest."
"I..." Spinel closed her eyes for the longest time, and then opened them with the upmost sincerity flashing in her pools of pink, "I believe you. It's fine... it's... fine. And now I owe you a story..."
Steven frowned. "Is it a happy story...?"
Spinel turned away from him. "No.
It's not that I don't like what this day's about for humans, cause I do... a day dedicated to couples and lovers and peace. I don't like it because of what if means to me. Back when I first came to earth, there was no Valentines Day yet, it was just another day. And to me, it wasn't a good day. That was the day I... um... left space. And came to earth. That wasn't a happy journey for me. There wasn't any love or any partner or any peace for me. Just... sadness and... something I don't want to talk about that happened while I was away. Someone I cared about was hurt, and I didn't know, and I was so broken I... came to earth to... heal. To heal. To... stop the pain."
Spinel raised a hand to her chest.
"I was very sad back then, Steven. Sad and sick. And I... fell. From a very high place. And I was really hurt, for many reasons. I remember Garnet found me there, and took me to Rose, but I didn't like Rose. I couldn't like Rose... at least I didn't think I could. She fixed me the best she could, but not all things are asily fixed. I wanted to run after that, to try a different place where I could stop the hurt that Rose couldn't. I just... didn't want to be alone. Rose... made sure I wasn't alone..."
Spinel fell to the floor, and Steven sat beside her. Sat in silence, just in each other's presence. Steven rested his head on Spinel's shoulders.
"You feel sad. Are you... still sad?"
"I... after Rose helped me I didn't feel as sad, but some days, like today, it comes back. Even when it happened so long ago. It's been worse since..."
"Since mom died."
Spinel looked down at Steven and gave a slight gasp.
"It's fine, you can say it. Mom's dead. She didn't just go away, or disappear, or leave us. She died, and she's not coming back. It's okay to say that. Mom didn't make your pain go away did she? She just helped. Maybe I can help too."
"Steven, healing tears won't fix this. Or healing spit, in your case."
"I wasn't thinking about that."
Spinel sniffed and tilted her head. "No?"
"Nuh uh." Steven shook his head, "You're really sad today cause you remember getting hurt, but why not remember something different? Any time you wanna think of you being sad, try to think of mom instead. Of her helping you. Or of Garnet bringing you to her, or everything you've done with Amethyst. There's gotta be something good with Pearl, if you think really hard."
Spinel laughed.
"Or if you want, I can help you think of something else. Something happy, and not sad."
Spinel closed her eyes and breathed in deep. "Thank you Steven."
"Do you... wanna be alone?"
Spinel shook her head. "Not really."
"Then, do you wanna do something?"
Spinel hesitated. "No."
"Then um... wanna just sit here together and not talk?"
"Yeah..."
"Then we can do that. Starting now."
The next chapter may be a bit delayed as I've suddenly come with sickness and im not sure i can finish it in time for next week. Please be patient
