I'm back! Got over my writers block and I've been reborn stronger than ever! Lmao. Thank you all for your support. Your comments mean a lot to me! :)

Steven

I can feel Ford glaring at me on the walk home.

"Annoying, isn't he?" Bill's voice chimes. No. He's just… suspicious. "Well I think ol' Sixer is annoying…" Good for you, Bill.

"Hey, Steven!" Dipper's voice shakes me from my thoughts. He slows his pace so that he's walking next to me. "Have you called Connie yet?"

"Oh! No I haven't. Thanks for reminding me!" I chuckle. Dipper squints, but he looks worried.

"Steven, are you ok?" His voice is so sincere. He kinda reminds me of… well me.

"Yeah." I gently put my hand on his shoulder for just a moment, "Thanks for asking." I pause for a moment. "Y'know, you remind me of myself when I was a kid."

"Really?!" His eyes widen, "But, you're so… Tall." His face turns red and he looks away.

"I'm tall now. Three years ago I was probably your height. Maybe a little shorter." This makes Dipper's eyes sparkle.

"Only three years ago!?"

"Yup! Don't worry, you'll grow." A smile spreads across Dipper's face and he puffs out his chest a little.

"Wow, you really were a runt, huh?" Bill snickers. I thought you went away, Bill. "Nope! You're stuck with me, Universe." So you're just gonna be the demon on my shoulder now? "Exactly!" Do I get an angel too? "Ha! No." Great…

Dipper is talking to Mable and Moss. I assume he's telling them that I used to be short. Ford is walking next to me now.

"So Steve," Ew "Steve?" How hard is it to say the extra letter.

"He's giving you a nickname to make you uncomfortable so that he's in the dominant position, Star dust. Star dust? That's awfully unoriginal. "You're absolutely right… How about Star light?" No. White calls me that. "Drat." I focus back on Ford now, shoving Bill away.

"I've been noticing a change in your eyes."

"Yeah." I shrug. I assume he has more questions, so I'm going to give him vague answers and maybe he'll lose interest. His hands are clasped behind his back and his shoulders are squared. He's looking ahead at Moss Agate, Dipper, and Mabel. They're laughing and talking excitedly. It brings a warm feeling to my heart. Humans and a gem getting along so swell…

"The kids mentioned your gem, after the beach incident. I decided not to talk to you about it until now. But I am curious." Of course he'd find out. They all know about my gem, they just don't know what it really is. Except Stan, he knows. But I don't think he'd tell. I don't know how to respond.

"Now, you're obviously human. You have a heartbeat, the gem I met years ago did not." He met a gem years ago?!

"What was her name?" I ask, I'm afraid of the answer.

"Her name is Rose Quartz. We were friends for a while, but we fell out of touch after I… fell into a portal." He's still looking ahead so he doesn't see how absolutely pale I go. "I was hoping to get back in touch with her but I wouldn't know where to start."

"Were you close?" I try not to let my voice shake, but I'm terrified. I don't know why. It feels like sweat is building up on my forehead, but my face feels frigid. Anxiety churns my stomach and I try to think about breathing.

"Pretty close I'd say. Good friends. We were kind of like study buddies." He chuckles, "I'd share my knowledge about earth and she told me all about space." Oh Stars, oh my life… I can't tell him. But I can't not tell him.

"Do you know her Steven?" Does he know? Oh crud, does he know?

"Call him Sixer." Bill chuckles. Go away. "Rude."

"I never met her." My voice is low, "She was my mother." Ford's face is blank, but his eyes look sad. He doesn't look broken though.

"You're kind like her." He's looking at me now, there's kindness in his eyes, "I have some records that she wrote, if you'd like to see them." I haven't seen this side of Ford before. He's kind, and vulnerable, and real. I like this side of Ford better.

"I'd like that very much…"

"Call. Him. Sixer… Please." Great jumping Jaspers, Bill. Leave it alone. Why would I call him that anyways? "Are you blind? Look at his hands." I do. Oh. Six fingers on each hand. But I don't want to make fun of him. That'd be really mean, but it's tempting.

"Dewit!" No. Maybe later. "Loser" Be nice. "Fine. I'm sorry." You're sorry? Awe Bill! Are you being nice?! "It's not a big deal, Universe. I'm trying to be your friend aren't I?" Awe.

Mabel

We're almost back to the Shack when I hear a roar ring through the forest.

"Connie and Lion are here!" I grab Moss's hand and run forward. I love Connie, and I've only seen her once! She's so strong and smart and beautiful. She told me that she knows how to use a sword. I want her to teach me! Dipper can use magic and weird spells or whatever in a fight, but I just have a grappling hook. If I knew how to use a sword I could really help. And I'd look really cool.

Connie is sliding off Lion's back. She's wearing high waisted shorts a pastel green collared shirt with a small flower embroidered on the right shoulder.

"Hey, Connie!" Steven walks up and gives her a hug. A tight hug, like she's the center of his universe, and vise versa.

Connie

I place my hand on his chest and plant a quick, light kiss on his cheek. It's so simple but I feel his heart beat a little faster under my palm and he smiles at me. It was just a two second moment, but it feels like the world stopped moving. This boy is too sweet.

After what happened on the beach that day he apologised for the proposal and he explained to me what he had been going through. I told him that I understood, even though I'll never know how he felt.

I grew up with a support system, my parents, and the fact that I've had the same therapist for as long as I can remember. My mother said it would help me in the long run, and it really has.

I turn around and Mabel flings herself at me in a hug.

"Hi Connie!" Her voice is sing-songy. Her brother (Dipper I think) is standing a few feet away next to the gem. She looks like a fairy. I smile at her.

"You must be Moss Agate!" I hold my hand and she looks at it awkwardly for a moment before giving me a high five. I cough back a laugh and smile.

"I am Moss Agate. You're Connie right?" She steps back. Every movement is graceful and magical. She would be a wonderful dancer, really she could be anything she wanted.

"Yep! Me and Lion can bring you to Beach City if you'd like!" Lion is on top of Steven, pinning him to the ground. Dipper strides over and Lion decides who his next cuddle target is and leaps up, knocking Dipper over. Stevens laughs so hard he's gripping his stomach, still on the ground.

"I can't wait to see my friends again." Her face is full of hope.

"Let's go then!" I whistle for Lion and he jumps up and prances over. While Steven was out fixing the universe, I had a lot of spare time. So I decided to train Lion.

"Good boy." I scratch under his chin.

"You're leaving already?" Mable pouts with her lower lip, but she's only teasing.

"Unfortunately." I smile lightly and I hear the crunch of Steven's feet under the gravel and he stands next to me. The twins are saying bye to Moss Agate so I turn to Steven.

"Hey." He's smiling at me. It's so weird that he's three inches taller than me now. A quick expression flashes across his face, barely noticeable, but I notice. His brows furrow slightly and he slightly wrinkles his nose.

"Is something wrong?" I cup his face in my palm and he leans into my hand. He closes his eyes and smiles.

"I just miss you." He doesn't open his eyes but his hand goes over mine, holding it on his face.

"I miss you too." My voice is soft and I wonder if he heard me.

"I have so much to tell you. So much has happened." He opens his eyes and looks at me from under his long lashes.

"Good things?" I hope only good things happen to Steven now and forever.

"Mostly... I met my grandparents." He's smiling brightly. I focus on his face, I try to take a mental picture every time he smiles. His smile fades and he raises an eyebrow.

"What's wrong?" He squeezes my hand.

"Nothing, I'm perfect." It's true.

"You should come back here after you drop off Moss. I got my first paycheck. I could take you out for dinner." I want nothing more.

"Sounds like a plan to me." This time he kisses me. Just a soft kiss on my lips. Steven is always so warm. Wonderfully warm. He doesn't let go of my hand but he turns away so that my hand isn't on his face anymore. He turns to the group a few feet away. They're finishing off their conversation and Moss Agate walks over.

"I'm ready to go now." She turns away from the twins and strides gracefully over to Lion, carefully patting his head.

Dipper

Moss Agate (what a strange name), was telling us what earth used to be like on our walk back to the Shack. She's saying good-bye now, but we just met! I have so many questions.

"Dipper and Mable, thank you for your kind words." She hugs us both, (her arms are really strong and I'm pretty sure she could crush my head in her hands.) (She wouldn't though). I glance over at Steven and Connie. I think they're in love. I cringe and remember saying that I "loved" Wendy last summer. I don't think I really did, it was just a crush. Wendy is just a really great friend (Honestly I don't know what I was thinking, I was 12 and she was 15. Uhg).

Steven kisses Connie and I look away, I don't think they know that I saw, and that felt like something private for them.

Connie and Steven being soft with each other is all I need now and forever 3. Bill is my mood every day honestly. SMH