Steven woke to the feel of a sandpaper tongue licking his face and the weight of a furry paw on his chest.
"Ugh, Lion," He groaned as he blindly pushed against the large feline's muzzle, "Knock it off, you overgrown kitten."
The weight on his chest lifted as Lion pulled back, and Steven pushed himself up in a seated position. His head ached faintly, and the room around him spun, but after a moment, the blurry outline of the living room came into focus.
Steven frowned, having expected to wake up in his bed, in his room.
When had he...
"Yo! Look who's finally up!"
He gazed up at the sound of Amethyst's voice, seeing all three gems making their way towards him, Pearl brushing quickly past Lion to kneel before the couch.
"Good morning, Steven," She clasped her hands in front of her chest, her smile nervous, "How are you feeling?"
Steven tilted his head; brow wrinkled.
"Um...Confused?" he answered honestly, looking around, "how'd I get on the couch?"
They looked startled by the question, Amethyst immediately stepping forward.
"Dude, don't you remember faceplanting on the stairs earlier? Or totally calling us out on our crap? And then having one of those flashback things and freaking out and- mmph!"
Garnet had reached over to cover Amthysts mouth with her hand, but the words had already been enough to make Steven's eyes go wide as the previous events caught up to him.
"Steven?"
Pearls gentle hands were on his shoulders, and guilt churned in his stomach as he remembered pulling away from her touch before.
He ducked his head, too ashamed to look any of them in the eyes.
"I...I'm sorry."
Pearl's palms moved from his shoulders and came to settle over his fidgeting hands, her soothing touch making him go still.
"Steven." Her voice was soft but firm, "You have nothing to apologize for."
He recognized Pearls' words from before, back when he'd been too tired to respond. Now though, he looked up guiltily.
"But I- I got mad and-" He glanced back at Garnet and Amethyst, "I yelled at you guys."
Amethyst scoffed, waving a hand dismissively in the air.
"You call that yelling? Dude, that was nothing." Her expression softened, becoming more serious, "Besides, we want you to tell us when you're upset, remember?" she grinned ruefully, "Even if it's because of us."
Steven felt some of the tension in his shoulders subside, recalling the first day he'd been turned back into a kid; how they'd said those very words to him then.
"You had every right to be upset with us," Garnet took a step forward, lowering herself to her knees beside Pearl in front of the couch, "We made you a promise, and we broke your trust."
Steven recalled those hurtful feelings; his expression pained as he realized they were still there, under the surface.
"It's just that..," he hesitated, considering dropping the matter entirely, only...
Amethyst had just said they wanted him to tell them if he was upset, didn't she?
They wanted him to be honest.
Even if...
Pearl's touch shifted as she curled her hands more securely around his, a silent show of support.
Before he realized it, he was speaking again.
"When I remembered the test in the temple and..and then that trip to the observatory," He swallowed down the sudden swell of emotions climbing up his throat, "I thought- it felt like you'd tricked me again." Steven's voice dropped lower, brows furrowing, "Like you didn't believe in me."
The distressed expressions on the gem's faces finally made him look away, his resolve vanishing as quickly as it had emerged, crumbling like leaves and carried off by the wind.
He hadn't meant to hurt their feeling; he didn't want to hurt their feelings. Why did he have to open his big mouth?
He felt the tears gathering in his eyes as he stared down at Pearl's soft pale hands, still laying over top of his own.
Then Garnet's hands came into view as she placed them on top of Pearls.
And then Amethyst hands joined the pile as well, adding to the weight and warmth.
Steven raised his head again, eyes focusing on all three gems kneeling in front of him now.
"Steven," Garnets accented voice was as steady as always, "It was never our intention to trick you; not then, and certainly not now."
Steven frowned as he recalled similar words from his memory of finding the sea spire statue.
"However," Garnet continued, capturing Steven's attention once again, "Despite our good intentions, we hurt you," her tone lowered with remorse, "And for that...we are truly sorry."
Steven stared, surprised.
"We shouldn't have allowed our feelings to cloud our judgment, "Pearl continued, her voice calm despite the misty look in her eyes, "We should have had more faith in you."
"Yeah, what they said," Amethyst interjected, tone sincere, "We messed up, man."
Steven blinked, mouth slack as he looked down at their stacked hands and then back up at the gems.
Whatever he'd been expecting, it had certainly not been this.
This...
"This is just what I needed."
Those words echoed in his memory without context, but they felt truer now than ever.
Steven smiled, eyes glistening.
"Can..can we hug now?" He asked, chuckling, "My hands are getting kinda sweaty."
Pearl let out a relieved sigh as she agreed with his words, Amethyst laughed, and Garnet smiled.
In the next moment, Steven was surrounded by their arms, grateful and content.
Steven loved hugs, had always loved hugs- both giving and receiving- but as the implications of the gem's words settled in, he found himself pulling back.
"Wait, so," He looked up at them with hopeful eyes, "Does this mean..?"
He trailed off, not sure if it were too bold of an assumption to consider that their apologies meant they would finally be taking him somewhere away from the beach house.
But then Pearl was smiling at him, and so were Amethyst and Garnet, and he knew, he knew they meant to keep their promise to him.
"Why don't you get ready for the day while I make you something to eat," Pearl suggested, still grinning, "We can discuss our plans over breakfast."
Garnet stood back up, adding, "Among other things."
"Dibs on making the toast!" Amethyst proclaimed, jumping up, "I got mad toast making skills, Y'all!"
Pearl rolled her eyes, gracefully rising to her feet, and Steven beamed as he hopped off the couch.
Glancing out the windows at the bright sky, he curiously asked what time it was, surprised when Garnet informed him that it was already half-past ten. His dad had even been there already. After being caught up on the events of earlier that morning, however, he had decided to give the gems a chance to talk with Steven alone and would be back later.
Steven gasped when he realized he'd missed his good morning text from Connie and rushed up the stairs to retrieve his phone. He didn't want Connie to worry if he hadn't responded, at least before what she called the 'third' period.
Sure enough, he had two messages on his phone, both from his best friend. The first was 'Good Morning!' followed by a smiley face; the second, having been sent nearly 20 minutes ago said, 'Someone's sleeping in today,' followed by a silly face.
Steven grinned, messaging back 'Morning, Connie! I got a late start. Tell you all about it later. Hope you have an amazing day!', he added a few extra exclamation points and smiley faces before hitting send.
Steven then changed into some fresh clothes and slipped on his sandals before making his way back down the stairs. His mouth watered at the smell of scrambled eggs and bacon.
"Oh man, that smells amazing," he stood on his tiptoes on the other side of the kitchen table, trying to look over Pearls' shoulders, "I'm so hungry, I could eat a whole cow!"
Amethyst took the opportunity to shapeshift into said animal and huff out a 'How, rude!" in mock indignation.
Steven laughed while Pearl shooed Amethyst away from the stove, assuring Steven that Breakfast would be ready shortly.
Garnet came up beside him and laid a hand on top of his head.
"Go get washed up, and a plate will be waiting when you return."
Steven put on a stern face and saluted, "Aye, Aye, Captain!"
He made his way to the bathroom, using the toilet and then standing on top of a small stool to reach the sink. He washed his hands and then his face, water still running as he blindly grabbed for the towel to dry off.
Steven grinned up at his reflection.
"Looking good, Universe."
The sound of the running water from the sink grew louder in his ears, and he felt the smile slip from his face as he slowly reached out to touch the surface of the mirror.
For a split second, Steven's reflection was replaced with the gem from his dreams, the same blank white eyes staring back at him like before, hand reaching out toward him.
"Steven.."
"Lapis," he whispered the name under his breath, eyes going round as he recalled not just his dream that night, but the memory on the stairs, "Lapis Lazuli!"
With a sudden sense of urgency, he turned the water off and came barreling out of the bathroom.
"Guys! Guys!"
Pearl had just been setting down his plate and startled as he came running up to the table.
"Steven, what's wrong?"
"Yeah, where's the fire?" Amethyst asked, standing on one of the chairs in front of a ridiculously high stack of toast.
"I forget to tell you something super important!" Steven continued, fists clench in front of his chest in anticipation, "Someone I remembered."
"Lapis Lazuli."
Steven turned his head sharply in the direction of Garnets voice. She was already seated, hands clasped neatly and calmly on the table.
"Yeah! How'd you-" Steven paused, crossing his arms and lifting one eyebrow, "Is this that thing you won't tell me about again?"
Garnet gave the smallest smile.
"Actually, You talk in your sleep."
"Oh," Steven blushed and Amethyst let out an amused snort.
Pearl took a seat across the table and gestured to the plate of food she'd made.
"Why don't you have a seat and tell us what you remembered," she suggested, adding hastily, "or what you're comfortable sharing with us, I mean."
Steven pulled himself onto the chair, feet dangling.
"Okay, so, first off-"
"Don't forget to eat," Pearl chided, then blushed at her interruption, "Sorry."
Steven chuckled, taking a few hasty bites of eggs and a drink of milk before starting again.
"So the reason I was up so early this morning is cause I had this weird dream."
"Like a dream dream?" Amethyst asked, handing him a piece of toast, "Or like a memory type dream?"
"I think...maybe both?" Steven answered, a thoughtful expression on his face as he took a few bites.
"The blue gem-Lapis," he corrected, "She was there. She-"
He paused as he recalled the deep cracks that had marred the surface of her gem. His stomach churned, and he slowly set his half-eaten slice of toast down, frowning at the rest of the food on his plate.
"Steven..?"
He looked up at Pearl, his eyebrows drawn together in concern.
"Is she okay?" he asked, his voice small and anxious, "Her gem was cracked real bad."
Almost instinctively, he curled forward, wrapping his arms around his stomach.
"Hey, guy," Amethyst reached a hand out to touch his shoulder, her voice softer than usual, "Lapis is fine."
"Really?" Steven asked, uncurling some, "But-"
"You healed all the damage done to her gem," Garnet informed him.
"I did?" Steven blinked, eyes widening, "You mean, like how I healed Connie's eyesight?"
"Exactly." Pearl replied, "She's good as new."
Steven let out a relieved sigh, relaxing back into his chair, resting his hands on his lap.
Although Steven knew he'd be concerned for anyone's wellbeing given those circumstances, the relief he felt knowing this gem- this Lapis Lazuli- was alright seemed.. different, more profound.
"So..." Amethyst drew out the word, stuffing several pieces of toast in her mouth and continuing, "Wha' elths d'ya mmemb?"
"Ugh, Amethyst," Pearl curled her nose in disgust, "Don't talk with your mouth full."
Garnet gestured out with her hand, "Continue whenever you're ready, Steven."
"Okay, well, the other thing I remembered was when I was on the stairs."
He frowned as he replayed the memory again in his head.
"She was really angry," he glanced between the three gems seated at the table, "She said you guys- she said you couldn't keep her trapped here anymore?"
Pearl winced, Amethyst rubbed the back of her neck a she looked away, and Garnet frowned. They didn't say anything, so Steven continued.
"Then I remember she wanted me to leave with her. To go home." Steven's brows knitted together in consideration, "I guess she meant Homeworld, but I...I just remember being scared and confused."
He shrugged, looking down at his plate in thought.
Lapis had been angry in the memory, but it was more than that; she was hurt, scared, ... sad.
The image of her- hands curled around her shoulders, head bowed in defeat- came into his mind.
How deeply she sighed, her voice filled with longing.
"I just...want to go home."
Steven blinked, feeling tears dampen the corner of his eyes as he lifted his head.
"Can you tell me about her?" he asked, gaze darting between the gems desperately, "Please?"
Steven felt his hands clenching over the fabric of his jeans.
"I know you're supposed to be careful what you tell me, but it feels like-" He scrambled to think of a way to explain himself, shaking his head, "I know her. I know I know her, and-and it's important! She's important! but I can't-" he brought his arms up, pressing the heels of his palms to either side of his head in frustration, "I can't remember!"
"Steven."
He gasped, eyes flying open, and the static that had started to buzz in his head disappeared. He wasn't sure which of them had said his name, only that they all looked worried.
Steven brought his hands back to his lap, blushing, thoroughly embarrassed at how worked up he'd allowed himself to get.
He opened his mouth to reassure them that he was okay, to apologize, to say anything that would get them all to stop looking at him like he was going to fall apart, but nothing came out. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the table and wished he could just disappear or-
"We'll tell you what we can."
Steven's head jerked up to stare at Pearl, the shock of her words erasing the heat from his face and the tension in his shoulders; the room no longer felt like it was shrinking around him.
"You ...will?"
Garnet spoke up.
"We discussed a great deal while you were sleeping," she began, "We think it might have been a mistake to not tell you about your history with Bismuth before you met her."
"We were trying to avoid bringing up anything upsetting," Perl admitted, "But perhaps if we'd told you..."
"You'd have been more prepared to handle the memories when they did surface." Garnet finished.
"So buckle up, dude," Amethyst warned, grinning, "Cause your about to get the vague cliff notes version of a very complicated story."
Steven nodded, scooting his chair closer to the table, looking up at the gems with wide eyes.
"You're really gonna tell me about her?"
Garnet reached over to pick up his abandoned fork, offering it to him.
"You eat. We talk."
In response, Steven accepted the offered utensil and took a big bite of eggs.
As the story unfolded, Pearl had to remind him several times to keep eating. Steven had been so hungry before, but his only interest now was in knowing more about Lapis, and as they spoke, he found himself almost..remembering. Bits and pieces, images too real to be conjured from just imagination, sometimes words that had been said, or feelings he recalled having; everything too quick and fleeting to draw him in fully.
Laughing, "You're pretty funny for a mirror."
His hand struggling to grasp the gem, trying to free it.
Feeling guilty. Responsible.
Yelling, "I don't wanna fight!"
The brief image of Lapis turning toward him, a smile on her lips (she looks so different when she smiles) and her blue eyes (blue?) shining.
"Steven...Thank you!"
"Steven?"
He blinked, looking up at Pearl, brow furrowing as he considered everything he'd just heard.
"So she was trapped in a mirror for thousands of years," He began, "But then I let her out. Only she was really mad at you guys cause she thought you'd trapped her on purpose, but you hadn't, and so she tried to fight you."
Steven folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in his chair, tilting his head up to stare at the ceiling.
"Then later Lapis stole the entire ocean, so we had to find her, but we ended up fighting again," he frowned, "Only then I talked to her and healed her gem, and she just...went home?"
He looked back at the three gems, tilting his head.
"Is that right?"
Pearl stammered, "Well...yes."
Amethyst laughed, gesturing towards him, "Look at this guy here; Giving us the cliff notes to our cliff notes."
Steven chuckled before becoming serious again, brow creasing in thought.
It was easy to tell from the story, and what little memories had surfaced, that Earth Had not been a place that Lapis was fond of. Regardless, the idea that Lapis had left and never returned...that he'd never seen her again after that, just didn't feel right.
"Did she.." He paused, frowning, "Did she ever come back?"
"Oh, yes!" Pearl answered immediately, "In fact, it wasn't long before she returned with-" she stopped just short of finishing, looking suddenly nervous, "well, that is-"
Pearl bit her lower lip, looking over at Garnet for guidance. Steven had noticed the gems doing this several times during their story.
"She assisted us in many important battles," Garnet continued, "She became an ally and eventually even a Crystal Gem."
"So then," Steven smiled, pleased, "We really are friends?"
"Yes, of course!" Pearl smiled, "The two of you have always had a unique bond."
Amethyst scoffed in amusement.
"Yeah, for a while, you were the only one of us she even liked," she chuckled, "And you're definitely still her favorite."
Stevens smile grew, and he leaned forward, eager.
"Is she still on Earth? Does she live in Little Homeworld like Bismuth? Can I-" He paused before continuing in a softer, almost shy tone, "Can I meet her?"
Pearl smiled, "I think she'd like that."
Filled to the brim with excitement, Steven pulled himself to stand on the chair, throwing his arms up in the air.
"Whoo hoo!" He cheered, "You guys are the best!"
A familiar chuckle sounded from the doorway, and Steven turned to find his dad already walking towards them. He'd been so distracted that he hadn't even heard the door open.
"Hey, kiddo, sounds like-whoa!" His words cut off as Steven launched himself from the chair into his dad's arms as soon as the man was close enough.
"Dad!" He cried happily and Greg laughed as he hugged him.
"I'd ask how you're feeling since this morning, but I think you've already answered that," the man admitted, continuing to hold Steven even as he pulled back, "I take it the gems told you about the trip then, huh."
The grin on Steven's face faltered in confusion, "Trip?"
Greg's eyes widened as he looked back at the gems, and Steven twisted to look at them as well.
"Your timing is...a bit off," Garnet confessed.
Steven had already squirmed to be let down and was turning to face the gems.
"Are we really going on a trip?" he asked.
Pearl stood from her seat, still with that same gentle smile.
"It was something else we'd discussed this morning," she admitted, "Along with Greg."
"Way to spoil the surprise, daddy-o," Amethyst chided, to which Greg sheepishly apologized.
Steven wasn't bothered in the slightest, stepping up to the side of the table next to Garnet.
"Where are we going?" he asked, stretching up on his toes excitedly, "Can you tell me? Please?"
Garnet let out a low chuckle before replying, "It's called The Sky Arena."
"Whoooa," Steven breathed, eyes round in wonder, "I have no idea what that is, but it sounds amazing."
Amethyst snorted from her place across the table as Pearl walked around to kneel next to the boy.
"It's a special place we'd go to train and hone our skills for battle," she informed him.
She turned her head, the gem on her forehead glowing and then projecting an image outwards of what looked like a floating island with a coliseum.
"You may recall it from the memory of you and Connie training," Pearl continued, smiling at the awed expression on Steven's face as he gazed at the hologram.
"Oh! Is that where we were?" Steven questioned, looking back at Pearl as the projection vanished, " I didn't really notice much about it before," Steven admitted laughing, "I think I was more focused on those holograms of you we were fighting."
"Ah, man, you're gonna love it!" Amethyst announced, jumping up on the table, "One time, you and me totally almost destroyed the place!"
"You and I," Pearl corrected as she stood.
"Hey! you weren't even there!" Amethyst countered.
"That's not what I-" Pearl noticed the teasing grin on Amethyst's face and huffed, "Oh hush."
Steven laughed.
"So when can we go?" he asked, bouncing on his feet again, "Soon, right? Pretty please with sprinkles on top?"
"Well..," Garnet began slowly, "We could go today."
Steven gasped in excitement.
"Or," She continued, "We could have Lapis over to visit."
Steven felt another gasp escape him, eyebrows raising.
Amethyst dropped down to sit on the edge of the table, leaning back on her hands, asking the question that Steven was too stunned to get out.
"Yeah, okay, but which one?"
Steven was startled when he felt a broad hand land on his shoulder, turning his head to look up at his dad, who was now standing behind him.
"I think Steven should decide," Greg smiled down at him.
"R-really?" Steven gaped.
"I agree," Garnet added.
Steven looked from her to Pearl, who nodded, and then to Amethyst, who cheered, 'here, here!'
He wasn't used to being the one in charge, and yet there was something strangely familiar in the way the gems were looking at him now.
"So, what'll it be, guy?"
Amethyst's question brought him out of his momentary stupor, and Steven frowned in thought.
"Remember, Steven," Garnet told him gently, "Even if you decide to go to the sky Arena today, you can still see Lapis tomorrow, or vise versa."
Steven nodded faintly, crossing his arms as he looked at the floor and considered his options.
It felt like a lifetime since he'd left the beach house. The brief time he'd spent at Little Homeworld almost felt like a dream, and it had only sparked his desire to get out and explore even more. Wanting to visit different places had been the very reason he'd been so upset with the gems earlier that morning.
But Lapis...
He brought up the image from earlier of her smiling back at him, her blue eyes filled with gratitude. Her voice was far kinder and more gentle than all the former memories he'd had of her.
Lapis was his friend.
Somehow even in his dream, even in the flashbacks, Steven had known that he cared about her.
So really...it was no choice at all.
He brought his gaze back up to Garnet and nodded resolutely.
"Lapis."
She smiled in return.
"I thought you might say that."
(Authors note: I did not mean to get so carried away, and honestly this felt like a solid chapter ending, but I could not make you wait for Lapis any longer.)
Steven lay flat on his back on the floor, arms and legs out to either side as he let out an exaggerated groan.
"What's taking them so long?" He tilted his head back to stare upside down at the warp pad, "They've been gone for hours!"
"Steven...It's only been 20 minutes," His dad chided from his spot on the couch, chuckling when Steven groaned again in response.
"Are you sure?" The boy asked, turning over on his stomach and propping his chin up on one hand as he continued to stare, "It feels way longer than that. At least an hour."
"The gems are probably just explaining a few things to Lapis first," Greg reasoned, "Why don't you come over here and sit with your old man for a bit?"
Steven sighed as he pushed himself up off the floor, making his way over to flop down next to his dad on the couch. Even then, he turned his head to look through the entrance to the temple.
"I hope they get here soon," he admitted in a quiet tone, fiddling with a loose thread at the bottom of his shirt.
Greg noticed the sudden shift in his son's mood and leaned over to gently nudge his shoulder.
"You okay, bud?"
Steven glanced between him and the warp pad and sighed.
Instead of answering, he asked, "Have you ever met Lapis before?"
Greg blinked in surprise, "Oh, Uh, yeah," He recovered with a smile, "A bunch of times actually," he chuckled, adding, "Heck, the three of us even went fishing together once."
Steven's eyes lit up in surprise as he sat up straighter.
"Really?" He grinned, clearly interested, "Did we catch anything?"
His dad chuckled nervously.
"Uh...well, not exactly," He replied, admitting sheepishly, "We actually ended up sinking the boat."
"What?" Steven snorted in disbelief, giggling in amusement as Greg ruffled his hair.
"Well, I'm glad you're laughing; that thing cost me a pretty penny," He joked, "Not to mention the two of you played with that horn so much I thought I'd permanently lost hearing in one of my ears."
Steven offered a light-hearted apology amidst his giggles, and Greg smiled.
"No need to be sorry, bud. It was a good day, even with a few mishaps."
Steven's smile faded as he looked down at his lap, brows furrowing.
"I wish I could remember it."
Greg's expression softened as he brought an arm around the boy's shoulder.
"Hey..you will, Kiddo, " He said, "You just gotta give it some time."
Steven looked up at his dad with a halfhearted smile.
"Yeah, I guess so," he turned his head towards the warp pad again, "This just feels different than when I met Bismuth."
Greg looked over at him curiously.
"How so?"
"I guess cause I hadn't remembered anything about Bismuth before I met her. Plus, the gems hadn't told me much either," Steven explained, shrugging, "So it really felt like I was meeting someone new. Someone I didn't know. And she was a gem! So, I was excited. But with Lapis..." Steven hesitated, "I guess I don't really know her much either," he admitted quietly, "Just bits and pieces and the stuff the gems told me, but... she doesn't feel like a stranger either, ya know?"
"Sounds pretty complicated," Greg admitted sympathetically, "I guess that would give you some mixed feelings about seeing her again."
Steven looked up at him with an earnest expression.
"But I want to see her again! I really do!" he insisted, "Even though I don't remember much, I know that I care about her. It's just-" Steven's expression twisted slightly, "What if I mess it up? What if she's expecting someone different? What if I'm not-"
"Whoa, Steven, hey," Greg pulled him closer to his side, his voice gentle, "You're not gonna mess anything up, kiddo. Lapis cares about you too, and I'm sure she's happy to come see you, just the way you are."
Steven leaned into the embrace, allowing his father's reassuring words to work their magic, easing some of the doubt and anxiety that had crept up on him again.
Still...
"I've probably forgotten a million important things about her," Steven lamented, "And about our friendship too."
"Hey," Greg pulled back to meet his son's questioning gaze, "You said you remembered that you cared about Lapis, right?"
Steven nodded and Greg smiled kindly back.
"Well, that sounds like a pretty important thing to me."
Steven blinked.
"Yeah, I...I guess it is," He admitted, a smile slowly forming on his face.
He leaned back against his father's side, content once again.
"Thanks, dad."
Greg chuckled, "Anytime, son."
"Hey, dad?" Steven asked after a few quiet moments together.
"Yeah?"
"How'd you end up paying for a boat?"
Greg laughed, about to answer when a flash of light emitted from inside the temple, the warp pad chiming its familiar tune.
Steven gasped, immediately jumping off the couch to race inside the temple just as the light faded.
Four gems stood on the platform, and Steven froze as his eyes landed on Lapis.
The blue gem lifted her head, her eyes going wide as she spotted him, mouth forming his name although no sound came out.
Ignoring the calls of the other gems, Lapis hurried down the warp pad and came striding toward him, stopping just a few feet shy of touching him.
Steven blinked, noticing the small changes in her appearance; wide pants with a gold sash, gold sandals on her feet, her blue hair slightly longer and less wild than before.
For several moments neither of them said a word.
Then Lapis offered up the faintest of smiles.
"Hey."
Steven wasn't sure why the simple greeting filled him with so much joy, but he was suddenly beaming with renewed confidence as he darted forward.
"You're here!" he laughed as he looked up at her, speaking loud and fast, "Your eyes are so blue! And your outfit makes you like a Genie! Is your gem really okay now? The gems said it was, but I was worried that-"
His excited rambling cut off as Lapis suddenly bent down to throw her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug.
Steven blinked, his shock fading to concern when he felt her shudder against him.
"Lapis?" He brought a hand up to touch her arm; brow wrinkled in concern, "Are you alright?"
She chuckled as if his question were amusing.
"I'm much better now," She answered.
Steven smiled softly as he leaned into the familiar embrace.
"Yeah, me too."
HAPPY NEW YEAR!