Crazy trouble with love part 10
Spinel and Steven
Author's Note: To anyone interested, a pal of mine, Krist Knight2, has been working on his drawing skills and happens to have a Deviantart page. Right now he's open to suggestions by anyone curious. For details, please talk to him personally to get the full picture.
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Steven was lightly snoring, laying on his side on his bed as he was out like a light. He tried to roll onto his stomach in his sleep, but a soft, elastic arm wrapped around his waist hept him in that position, against a very happy pink gem.
Said gem was wide awake, but forced herself to stay still and just enjoy laying next to the hybrid with a smile. 'He's so cute when he doesn't move, it's weird but fun~'
He grumbled to himself, rolling over with his face facing hers which made her have to bite her lip to keep from squealing out loud.
'I could kiss him, but what if I wake him up? If he does wake up though we could have fun!' she looked up in thought before he let out a snore, a little drool coming out which just made him look more cute in her eyes. "I'm so lucky to have such a perfect being in my life~'
Before she could lean in and claim his lips, that's when he let out a grumble and began to open his eyes. 'Oh no!' She thought, pulling back quickly. Unfortunately, she forgot how close to the side of the bed she was, and she lost her balance, falling off. As she did so, she inadvertently dragged Steven off the bed with her, resulting in the two lying on a pile on the floor, groaning.
"Ooh…" he let out, shaking his head and seeing Spinel under him. "Uh, Spinel? Are you ok?"
"Sure sure, just…uh…wanted to surprise you. Surprise!" she said, chuckling nervously. 'Stupid, stupid Spinel!'
"Well, that was uh… very surprising." he replied, mostly focused on their position, making him blush and look away with a smile. "Uh, we better get some breakfast before hanging out."
"Yeah, yeah! Sounds good!" She said quickly.
Both got up with Steven going ahead and grabbing cereal while Spinel untied her arm from him, slowly, and went to ransack the cupboards.
"So Steven, I was wondering, do you wanna go on a date today?" Spinel asked, tossing objects behind her randomly.
"Well, I don't see why not." he replied while ducking his head, narrowly grabbing some cereal thrown before getting some milk for it. "What did you have in mind? Anything specific?" He asked, dodging more random food items.
"Hmmmm." she stopped tossing stuff to twist her arm and rub her chin as she looked up in thought. 'The magazine said good spots are ones full of people. Oh!' "How about the boardwalk?"
"Sure, that'll be fun. How about the arcade? I think you might like it." Steven smiled.
"Arcade? What's that?" She asked, pausing in her small rampage through the kitchen.
"It's a fun place where they have all sorts of games we can play, it's tons of fun!"
"Games? Perfect!" she cheered with her hands up before stretching and doing several backflips as Steven started munching on his breakfast.
'She sure has a lot of energy today, I hope the arcade lives up to her expectations.'
Spinel spent the time it took for Steven to eat bouncing around and off the walls, her whole body buzzing with eagerness on what to expect. "C'mon, C'mon, lets go, lets go!"
"Ok, ok, I'm done, we can g-gah!" He found himself yanked out the front door with Spinel's arm wrapped around his stomach with said gem eagerly stretching her legs out to get them faster. "S-Spinel, slow down!"
"NEVER!" she let out with a wide smile, making it to the boardwalk in record time before she reeled Steven over with said hybrid sighing in relief when his feet landed on solid wood. "So, where is it? C'mon, tell me, I'm dying of anticipation!" She groaned.
"This time, I'll lead." he chuckled before walking ahead of her with her keeping her arm around him. "So… Spinel, do you think today might be the day we talk about the arm hug?" Steven asked as he walked, glancing down at the appendage.
"Nope! Nuh-uh! No way!" She cried out, shaking her head, her eyes widening.
"You sure? I kinda feel like we should." He said as he felt her arm tightening.
"No! We don't need to talk about it because it's not a problem!" she spoke firmly with narrowed eyes as Steven saw her stop while clenching her other hand. "It's not a problem because I know you're here, so I know you're fine and safe, and-"
"Ok ok, we won't talk about it. We'll just focus on the date and playing games." Steven interrupted, sighing. 'I guess we're putting it off again…'
"Sounds perfect!" She smiled, perking up instantly. "Oh! Is that it Steven?" She asked, pointing at the beach city arcade.
"Yup, that's the place." He said, speeding up as he noticed Spinel starting to run. "Spinel, slow down, it's not going anywhere!"
"Games games games games!" she chanted, the arm yanking Steven as she ran with ease. "All the games we can play forever~"
Steven stayed on his feet as he caught up with her, the gem twisting her head around as she looked at the games filling the place, stretching her neck out to get a closer look at some of them with her eyes wide in awe. "Wow, so pretty~" She cooed as she stared in amazement.
"Yeah, they're great." Steven chuckled. "So, what do you wanna try first?"
"All of them!" She cried out with a grin.
"Ok, ok, but I need you to let go so I can play too, ok?"
"Huh? But why?"
"Well I need to get my wallet to pay for the game and your arm is in the way."
She stared at him silently before looking up. "Fine."
"I'll be right next to you the entire time, ok? I'm not going anywhere." he said as he grabbed his wallet and pulled out a quarter. "Ready?"
"I was born ready!" She declared as Steven slid the quarter into the machine in front of them.
(Later)
"Haha! Take that! That! YES!" cheered Spinel, holding two hams as she was moving and twisting her arms around to Meat Beat Mania.
"Whoo! You're doing great!" Steven cheered with a smile. He stood to the side and watched as she racked up points like it wasn't funny, but he was keeping a close eye in case she started going in a trance. He did not wanna smash the game twice. Luckily before she could get to that point she missed one of the cues and failed the game, the pink gem groaning as "GAME OVER" flashed on the screen before asking if she wanted to continue for another quarter.
"Steven! I need another quarter!" she cried while stretching her head backwards over to him.
"Sure thing." He said, reaching into his pockets, only to frown and keep digging, even pening his wallet before sighing. "Actually, no, I can't."
"What?!" she let out in shock. "But if I don't get one, I can't continue!"
"I'm sorry, but it seems you used our last one on this game." he shrugged.
"Nooooo!" she let out, retracting her arms and dropping the hams as it showed her final score, reaching the very top. "I wanted to keep playing!"
"Sorry, I guess we can't anymore." He said, patting her on the back as she laid on the ground, her limbs stretched out to exaggerated extremes. "C'mon, we should go."
"But…the games…" she let out, pointing to them with her hands. "So many to play…"
"Sorry, maybe another day." He said as he tried to pick her up, struggling with the extra length of her limbs. "They'll still be here by then."
"But that's so loooong." She groaned weakly.
"Trust me, it'll go by in no time. I promise they'll still be here next time you wanna come back." He said as he began to drag her out of the arcade, some of her limbs trailing behind. "Uh, Spinel, your limbs?"
"Mmmm… I can do it later….my games…" She groaned weakly.
Steven shook his head and kept dragging her. "So, what do you wanna do next?"
"Uh…." Spinel looked up in thought before realizing something.
That being she didn't plan ahead and think what else to do for their date.
"Uh….we could….oh! Hold hands!" she quickly perked up at the idea as she retracted her limbs before jumping up on her feet. "Yeah! Let's hold hands!"
"And then what?" Steven asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh…." she trailed off while glancing around nervously.
"If you don't have anything, that's fine. We could just head back home and watch a movie if you want." He suggested as she slowly nodded.
"That sounds nice…"
"See? Everything will be fine, and we can have a peaceful day." he smiled while giving her hand a squeeze as she followed, looking at the ground. Not in sadness, but with confusion.
'What do I do? I mean, I thought I had the perfect idea, but this is all I could come up with! I need to come up with something more for the future!' she thought before looking at their hands and felt her face heat up. 'But maybe it could involve more of this.' She thought as they began to reach the house. 'Maybe I could ask one of the other gems for advice later? Amethyst is always helpful.'
As soon as they entered, they saw said gem laying face down on the floor with a huge rock tied to her, pinning her down.
"Amethyst?! What are you doing?!"Steven cried out in surprise.
"Kinda stuck here. Mind lending a hand?" She asked as Steven rushed to her aid, grunting as he tried to push the rock off of her.
Spinel walked over and casually inflated her hand before picking it up with ease, letting Amethyst get up with a groan.
"Thanks. Pearl made me lay under that ever since you two left."
"But why?"
"Something about lending out 'too mature' advice or some stupid stuff." Amethyst shrugged while stretching out her body. "So, you two love birds have fun?"
"Yeah, we went to the arcade." Steven said, still shocked as he processed that information.
'I knew she had more info, that Pearl was trying to keep it from me! Traitor!' thought Spinel with a low growl.
"Man Steven, you gotta step up your A game." Amethyst put her arm around his shoulders while shaking her head. "If you don't start now, you're gonna be waaay behind." she smirked with Steven's face turning pink.
"T-That's not true! I-I would never…I-I need a moment! Can you stay with Amethyst Spinel?" Steven cried, shaking his head as he began to walk away.
"Can do!" she let out a salute and smile as he entered through the door. As soon as he was gone she stretched over to Amethyst. "You've gotta help me!" she cried while shaking Amethyst.
"Gah! Why?!" She cried out, her eyes becoming dizzy.
"I ran out of things!" she let go as Amethyst swayed and stumbled as Spinel bit her thumb. "We were having so much fun that I never wanted us to leave, but then he ran out of quarters and we couldn't, and the only thing I could think of us to do was hold hands! I mean don't get me wrong I loved it, a lot, but I'm lost on what else we can do together as a couple! I need more tips, NOW!"
"Ok, ok, I got it." Amethyst sighed before grinning. 'Ah, these two are like the gift that keeps on giving, it never gets boring when they're around.'
"So what do I do?! I can't lose him!" she started to hyperventilate before Amethyst patted her back.
"Relax girl, I happen to know a secret source of knowledge that's perfect for you." she smirked. "It's kinda old school compared to what they got nowadays, at least by human standards, but with your powers, I think you'd take to them in no time."
"Really?!" She asked as Amethyst nodded sagely.
"Yes, but it is rare, nearly forgotten knowledge, are you sure you are ready to learn its secrets?"
"I'm ready! I'm ready! Tell me tell me tell me!"
"Come with me, I'll show you it in my room." Amethyst said, leading the gem to the magic door. 'This is gonna be good!'
Spinel bounced on her toes, eager to see what this big secret could be.
After a few minutes Amethyst was dragging out a massive box from one of her large piles of junk, grunting as she struggled to push the massive cardboard box towards a large tv that seemed to be rescued from a real dump. "Wooh, I forgot how much was in here."
"Um… is this the secret knowledge?" Spinel asked, looking at the box in confusion.
"Close, it contains the items that have it." Amethyst said, opening up the box to reveal a large mass of strange black rectangles covered in thin, colorfully detailed cardboard sleeves. "People used to watch stuff on these tapes, even if they don't seem like much."
"Really? Tapes?" She asked, picking up one in confusion, noting how it featured a red headed female in a red dress and what looked like a strange earth creature in a tuxedo.
"Yup, now watch and be amazed." Amethyst grabbed one and popped it in the tv while a long cord was hooked up around the various piles. "I think you're really gonna like this~"
Spinel watched in confusion as the screen flickered for a moment before bright colors appeared, and images began to take shape. She stared, growing amazed as she saw animated characters bounding around the screen. Various ones of shapes and sizes, all in situations she never saw before, but each one keeping her attention nonetheless.
"Amazing…" She let out, unable to say anything else.
(Later)
After so many hours of watching, the last tape finally concluded with the credits rolling before Amethyst popped it out and looked at the silent gem.
"So, get the picture?" She asked, grinning at the pink gem who just stared at the screen in awe, even as the screen turned into static. "Uh…Spinel?"
"Glorious…"
"Yo, you still there?" she asked, snapping her fingers in front of her eyes.
"Glorious….it was amazing!" She shouted, leaping to her feet. "I feel like I just experienced the greatest thing in existence!"
"Sounds like a success. So, you ready to try out what you've learned on Steven?" She asked as the pink gem blinked before gasping.
"Steven! I forgot about him! He could be all alone, scared! I'm coming Steven!" she turned and quickly ran off, leaving Amethyst alone who tried to keep herself from bursting out laughing.
"Oh man, this is gonna be sweet!" She snickered as the camera panned over to Steven, relaxing on the couch as he read a book.
'It's been quiet…it's been nice.' he thought as he flipped the page. 'I wonder how Spinel and Amethyst are doing.' He thought when the magic door burst open and Spinel came flying out of it. 'Uh-oh, that can't be a good sign.'
"Steven!" her arms stretched out and wrapped around him, pulling him over as she stopped with a smile. "You're ok!"
"Y-Yes, I am." He groaned. "Did you have fun with Amethyst?"
"Oh I had more than fun. I saw something that was absolutely glorious!" She grinned before shaking her head. 'Alright Spinel, just remember what you learned from that black and white earth animal, and woo him!' She thought as she cleared her throat.
"Well, whatever it was you could tell me-EEE!" he let out before suddenly finding himself pulled in right up to her, dipped down with her arms around him as she looked down at him with a smile and half lidded eyes. "S-Spine-" He started before she pressed a finger against his lips.
"Silence my love, tonight let the only sounds be that of our passion~" She called, trying to make her voice sound seductive and french, like in the cartoon.
Steven looked completely lost and caught off guard before she pulled her finger back and began to kiss around his face, making his cheeks turn red with each one. "S-S-Spinel?!" he squeaked out.
"My love, you are the only one for me, come, I will take you away from this crazy place~" She simply said before continuing to smother him with kisses once more.
"W-Where'd this come from?" he asked, trying to squirm in her grip. Not that this was bad, he was just caught off guard and did NOT expect this from her.
"Amethyst, she taught me so much with those historical archives she has." Spinel said, a blush across her face. 'This feels great, I'm just like that earth animal, I'm doing great!'
Said gem entered from the room and saw Spinel kiss Steven some more, making her try even harder not to bust a gut as she took a spot away and found this too good not to watch.
"S-Spinel, maybe we could sit down and play video games!" he let out, squirming more with his face turning brighter than his gem.
"No, my love, I could not dare to part from you!" She declared, trying to hide her grin. 'He must have seen the video too! Now he's going to try and run, right? This is so much fun!'
"B-But we hardly spend that much time away from each other already!" He protested, trying to push her away gently. "T-This is moving too fast, don't you think so?"
"Ah, but when it comes to our love, it is never too fast~" she cooed, a large smile on her face. "Infact, why don't we consummate our love my dear, let us take it to a whole other level!"
"What?!" his eyes went wide as Pearl came out of her own room at that moment. "B-B-But I don't know what that means!"
"Neither do I, but I intend to find ou-"
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" she cried out with wide eyes, making them turn to her.
"Bahahahahaha!" Amethyst burst out laughing, unable to hold it in anymore. "Oh, this is the most fun I've had all century!" She laughed, pointing at the blushing and sputtering gems.
"Spinel? What is going on?" asked Pearl with a frown.
"I was trying out the new moves and lessons Amethyst's videos taught me, can you please go?" requested Spinel in annoyance.
"Amethyst!" Pearl turned to the shorter gem. "What on this entire planet did you show her?"
"Old cartoons." She shrugged. "I thought she would like them, she moves like a cartoon, right?"
"What kind of cartoons would teach this?!" she gestured to Spinel who resumed kissing Steven around the face.
"The good ones." She chuckled. "Looney toons, Tex Avery, all the good ones!" She added with a snicker.
"How are they good if they teach THIS?!" Pearl exclaimed, gesturing to Steven and Spinel. "Fix this, now!"
"Mmmm, nah." she shook her head. "It'll be fine Pearl, Spinel is too innocent to do any real damage, and Steven's too nice to take things too far either. Worst case scenario? One of them passes out from embarrassment."
Pearl gave Amethyst a deadpan glare before pointing to the two as Spinel kissed Steven one more time before seeing him go limp with his eyes rolling back in his head.
"See? I was right, Pearl." Amethyst said smugly.
"Steven? Steven?! Steven!" cried Spinel in a panic."Wake up, wake up!" She cried, shaking him a bit before turning to Amethyst in panic. "Help! I BROKE HIM!"
"Spinel, calm down." Pearl walked over. "He's just a little overworked is all. He just needs some time to relax and he'll be perfectly fine."
"R-Really? You promise?" She asked nervously.
"I promise. This is something that can happen to humans when they're too….wound up." she tried to explain while glaring at Amethyst who got a grin. "Amethyst, I swear-"
"Yeah, wound up and excited! Bahahahahaha!" She laughed, falling over as she clutched her gut. "I-It means he loves what you were doing!"
Spinel perked up and smiled widely before hugging the unconscious Steven. "Yes! I knew he would!"
"Amethyst." Growled Pearl in annoyance as she tried to pull Steven from Spinel's grasp. "Spinel, he needs to lay down and rest."
"No." she let out a glare at Pearl, making the gem back up as Spinel held Steven away from her. "He can rest with me."
"Spinel, trust me, he just needs some time to rest alone." She huffed, trying to grab Steven once more.
"NO!" she growled, using one hand to grab Pearl by the face and shove her back while stretching her legs up, looking down at Pearl while her other arm held Steven carefully. "You WON'T come between us, or else." she narrowed her eyes while her free hand enlarged for emphasis.
"Spinel, please, just calm down." Pearl said, holding up her hands. "I just want what's best for Steven, and right now you might not be tha-"
"You're lying!" Spinel's head stretched down to look Pearl in the eyes, making her back up. "You lied before about Pink Diamond, and now you're lying about what's 'best' for MY Steven? What else are you lying about? Maybe you're making up excuses just to take him away from me!"
"Hey, c'mon Spinel, maybe Pearl is right for once." Amethyst chimed in. "I mean, I know it sounds crazy, but give the guy a chance to rest up and he'll be fine. You don't gotta leave him if that's what you're worried about, just sorta give him some room is all."
Spinel frowned and looked down at Steven nervously. "B-But what…what if something happens?"
"Then you'll be nearby to help him."
"Yeah, he's not going anywhere." Amethyst added. "Just trust us, this is for the best, you want that for Steven, right?"
"Of course!" She cried out, starting to shrink down.
"Exactly, so you're going to let him go, right?"
She looked at them and back at Steven, looking conflicted. Giving them one last look she let out a heavy sigh and nodded before carrying him up to his bed and setting him down. "Fine… you might be right… maybe."
"See, was that so bad?" Pearl asked with a small smirk.
Spinel gave her a warning glare before moving over and layed down near Steven and silently stared at him.
"Um… he doesn't like us staring at him while he slee-"
"Shut up and let me have this." Spinel snapped, her eyes not leaving Steven.
Pearl wanted to speak up, but Amethyst shook her head and quietly led her away.
(Later)
'Wake up, wake up, please wake up.' Spinel thought, staring intently at Steven. 'Please wake up soon!'
"Steven? Are you here?"
Spinel cupped her hand around her left eye and made it stretch up and look down, seeing Garnet walk in through the front door. "He's up here."
"Is he awake? Connie was looking for him." She asked, making the pink gem flinch.
"He's resting." She said, trying her best not to sound bitter, only to fail.
"Was it related to Amethyst?"
"No…kinda? I uh….I used some lessons I learned from some of her tapes, and Steven fainted when I started to kiss him." She admitted.
"I'll have to have a talk with her." She plainly said before smiling a bit. "Did you enjoy it though?"
"Huh?" She said, blinking in surprise.
"Did you enjoy kissing him?"
Spinel's face heated up before slowly nodding. "Yeah, a lot."
"Do you think you two will fuse?" She asked, making the pink gem start to sputter and gasp as her face heated up. "I'll take that as a maybe then."
"B-B-But that's something completely different!"
"Is it?" She asked, crossing her arms. "I know it's strange to consider for someone who hasn't been exposed to it, but it's not as scary as you think it is."
"But…But the diamonds, they made it clear before to Pink to NEVER fuse with someone, ever." She protested. "T-They said-"
"A lot of things, but they're wrong. Also, did you know Ro….Pink diamond," Garnet said, flinching a bit at the name" "Fused all the time with everyone here? Technically Steven is a fusion, so is it really as bad as the diamonds said it was?"
Spinel's eyes widened before her eye receded back as she looked at the unconscious hybrid, letting the words sink in.
"Also… Stevens fused with all of us, and he's fine." Garnet added with a small smile, making Spinel gasp.
"What?! When?!"
"A while ago, but you don't want to be left out, right?"
"Of course not!" She cried out before glancing back at Steven. "Can… can I do it now?"
"Well you'll have to leave that up to Steven himself, won't you?" She replied before walking off as Spinel sat up and stared at the unconscious boy. As she looked at him, a thousand thoughts flashed across her mind, from the urge to cuddle up next to him to imagining what they would be like as a fusion.
She felt her face heat up more, putting a hand to her chest as she felt excited, and nervous at once. 'What…what if he doesn't want to fuse with me?'
That was the moment Steven groaned and began to slowly start opening his eyes.
"Steven!" Spinel cried, shaken out of her thoughts as she turned her attention to the hybrid.
"Mmmm, Spinel? Where am I?"
"You're in your bed, you passed out when I was kissing you."
Steven blinked and looked up in thought as the memory came back to him. His face turned red as he began to recall what happened.
"Also, can we fuse Steven? Pleeeease?" she pleaded, making him turn to her with wide eyes.
"Wait, fusion?"
"Yeah, you've fused with everyone else, so I wanna do it!" She declared before pausing and looking nervous. "I-If that's ok with you, I mean…"
He looked at her, speechless, and still a bit distracted by what happened prior. "Well…i-it's not that I can't, I just didn't expect that."
"So… we can do it?"
"Well…" he briefly looked away and back at Spinel who bit her lip and leaned in. Giving a mental push, he nodded. "Sure, it might be fun."
"Really? YES!" She cheered before hugging him. "It's my first time, please be gentle!"
"A-Alright, got it!" he gulped, face going red again from the phrasing. 'A-Are we really doing this? Now?!'
Spinel eagerly picked him up and carried him down to the first floor for space and held his hands with a smile. "I, um, not really sure how to fuse, so…could you show me?"
"Well, it uh… it differs from person to person, but the most important part is that you trust and l…l…really like the person you're fusing with!"
"Oh! Well that sounds easy." She smiled. "I more than just like you, I love you Steven."
Steven's face turned red again, but he forced himself to not get light headed again. 'O-ok, we can unpack all that later, but now l-let's fuse!'
With that, he put his hands on her waist with her arms on his shoulders. Slowly he began to take steps Garnet showed him with Spinel trying to copy. As they tried it, they tried to focus, but it felt off, and soon they were starting to trip up on each other.
"Oof! Sorry!"
"It's fi-woah!"
"Ah, so- did your foot just squeak?"
"Sorry! Wait, can you not bend like that?!"
Needless to say the fusion didn't exactly go as planned…or happen.
Both of them found themselves tangled up on the floor, groaning at the failed attempt. "Ugh… maybe we should wait before trying again…"
"Agreed…" Spinel groaned. "I thought it would work…"
"Fusion is tricky." Steven groaned as he attempted to free himself from the mess of pink, stretched out limbs.
"Did…did I do it wrong?" Spinel asked, looking down at herself with a frown. She couldn't help but feel that this was her fault, Steven had fused with so many other gems, yet he failed with her, the only difference from all the other times. "Maybe I'm not meant to fuse…"
"I don't think that's the case, but it's not for everyone, Peridot has never fused and she's perfectly happy."
"But…but…if we can't fuse together, then…what does that mean for us?" Spinel asked, starting to shake as she stared at her hands. "A-Are we not meant to be together?! A-Are you going to abandon me like she did now too, now that I'm…broken?"
"No! No no no!" he held up his hands as he moved over and quickly hugged her. "I'm not abandoning you, I promise."
"R-Really?" She sniffed as he wiped the tears streaming down her face.
"Yes. Even if we can't fuse, it's not the end of the world. We've been doing just fine without fusing, right? So what's really changed?" He asked as she smiled slightly. "I promise, nothing will change between us."
"Thanks….Steven." She sniffed before hearing the door behind them open up. Both turned and saw Garnet walk in carrying a bag in one hand.
"I got groceries, we were running low."
"G-Great, great, thanks Garnet! Uh… you remembered to get normal food this time and not pet food, right?"
"Yes, but also no. Amethyst wanted to get some kibble for herself." She said as she glanced at the two, a hint of a smile appearing on her face. "So… how did it go?"
"...bad." Spinel looked down as Garnet set the bag on the counter.
"Well, very rarely does the first time go well, my first time was confusing and strange, yet wonderful, I'm sure you two will make it work eventually." she gave a thumbs up. "You just gotta trust each other and keep on practicing. You'll get it in no time."
"Thanks, I hope so." Spinel sighed, leaning against Steven.
"Also, don't follow everything those magazines show. Steven's still too young for that." She smirked as the two gem's faces heated up.
"I-I don't know what you mean!" Spinel denied, trying her best to seem like she wasn't lying.
"Oh trust me, you do." she adjusted her shades with a knowing look. "I should also tell you that when you eventually do do that, you will need protection."
"W-What kind of-"
"You'll learn when you get older." Garnet said before he could finish, smiling as her eyes never left Spinel. "But sooner than you think."
Her face turned brighter before they watched the fusion casually walk to the door and go into her own room, leaving the two alone.
"Spinel, what did she…"
"D-D-Don't think about it!" she stuttered with her hands up. "L-Let's just sit together on the couch and don't worry about anything!"
"Are you su-"
"YES!"
(Later)
Knock knock
"Hello? Steven? Are you in there?" called Connie outside the house.
"One second, kinda tied up!" Steven called as Connie heard some grunting noise from inside the home.
"No rush." She called, tapping her foot.
Inside, Steven was fighting a losing war in his attempt to get to the door.
"NO! I said no Steven, just stay here with me!" grunted Spinel, trying to keep Steven in a pile of her limbs as he struggled to crawl towards the door.
"No…I…promised…Connie!" He groaned, getting closer and closer to the door.
"I…want…cuddles!" grunted Spinel, tightening up the limbs as Steven reached the door and tried to stand up. "Cuddles!"
"Steven? Is everything ok in there?" asked Connie before the door was opened up by Steven trying to give a smile.
"Hey Connie!" he greeted, right before he fell backwards and crashed into Spinel.
"Yes! I win!" She cheered before spotting Connie. "Oh pooh, the home wrecker is here."
"Uh, am I interrupting something?"
"Yes/No."
"I mean, I could come by later." she offered as Steven pulled himself free.
"No, it's cool. We were just…you know." He sighed as Spinel glared at Connie. "Having a disagreement about me leaving and her staying here."
"Well, then why don't we all hang out together right there?" Suggested Connie. "That way Spinel won't have to be upset, right?"
Said gem narrowed her eyes and didn't look too pleased with Steven clapping his hands.
"Perfect!" He smiled as he turned to the pink gem. "Isn't this great SPinel? We both get what we want!"
'Well one of us does, I just want her gone.' She thought, but kept her mouth shut as Connie walked inside and sat down at the couch with Steven taking a spot himself while Spinel retracted her limbs, but sat beside Steven while holding his hand.
"So, how have things been Connie? Things have been a bit hectic here lately."
"Well my mom's been wanting me to try and look into colleges for the future so I can get a headstart on things." She said leaning back as she sighed. "She has me applying to all the ivy league schools, the application essays have been a nightmare!"
"That actually sounds pretty neat. I've seen what colleges are like in movies and kinda wanted to see it for myself." Steven said, rubbing his chin as Spinel narrowed her eyes.
"Well if you want I can help you fill out some applications, maybe we can even get into the same school!" smiled Connie with Spinel grinding her teeth, but keeping it hidden.
"Yeah, that would be great!" Steven beamed.
"In what way?" Spinel grumbled to herself, gripping the hand harder while laying her head against his Steven. "What's a 'college' even good for?"
"Well, it's a great place to learn more, it helps you get a great job, you sometimes get to move to a new place, make new friends and tons of other things." Connie listed off, Spinel's eyes going wide.
'New place?! NEW FRIENDS?! She's trying to steal Steven from me! I knew it!' thought the gem with Steven noticing her pupils shrinking and interjected.
"But that doesn't mean I have to move now. I mean, that's like something that probably won't even happen for years, right?"
"Ummm… it could? I mean, we're about the age where we would be going next year." Connie said, confused.
"Really now?" Spinel let out in a low tone.
"Yeah…. Didn't you know Steven?" Connie asked, looking at Spinel in confusion. 'What is wrong with her?'
"Well, like I said, been pretty busy." He replied, blushing when he briefly looked at Spinel.
"I see… so, what else have you two been doing?" Connie asked, trying to change the conversation. 'Why does Spinel keep glaring at me?'
"Oh just playing, together, just us two." smirked Spinel with a smug look. "We even plan to go on a date later, isn't that right Steven?"
"We are?"
"Of course~" she hummed while rubbing her cheek with his, making his face light up.
"Oh, uh, ok, I guess we can…"
"So, Steven, I was wondering, are you free next week? It's been awhile since it was just the two of us hanging out."
"Well, I didn't have anything reserved." Steven shrugged as Spinel's eyes went wide.
'She knows we're dating yet she's still trying to date him?! That hussy!' fumed the gem, glaring at Connie harder with said girl getting a shiver down her back.
'What is up with Spinel? I'm just trying to talk to my friend!'
Steven saw Spinel's glare and paled, quickly clearing his throat. "I mean, that's what FRIENDS do, right? Hang out and just have fun, as FRIENDS. With nothing else going on, right?"
"Yeah… look, Spinel, you do know I'm fine with you dating Steven, right? I'm not trying to mess with you two, ok?" Connie said, looking at the gem.
"...LIAR!" growled the gem, stretching her face closer to Connie. "I'll bet you'd just looove to try and work your moves on him without me there to protect him."
"No no, really!" she held up her hands. "We're friends, sure, but that's it! Nothing else. I'd never try and get between you two, I promise." She said as Spinel growled.
"You say that, but look at him! Steven is an amazing person, how could you not want to date him?!" Spinel shouted. "Just one day alone and you'll fall for him!"
"Um, Spinel?" Steven interjected with a bashful smile. "You do know me and Connie have been friends before I met you, remember? I tried explaining that before."
"I…" Spinel started, starting to lose steam. "But…you're perfect?"
"Doubtful, but Connie is also a great person, she doesn't want to try and betray your trust like that, okay?" he tried to reason while Connie nodded. "If we hang out as friends, there's nothing else going on. I'm not gonna leave you alone."
"But…but…"
"It's ok, I know in the cartoons you watch things are crazy, but this is the real world, not everyone wants to cause unwanted drama." He pulled her closer to his chest, rubbing her back. "It's normal for friends to catch up."
"I…I…" Spinel sputtered, her rage gone, replaced with a large feeling of shame and embarrassment. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Steven in a firm hug. "...you promise?"
"I promise, cross my heart and hope to die."
"What?!" she let out in horror before he held up a hand.
"It's just an expression! I wouldn't actually die!" He corrected quickly. "I promise, it's not what you're imagining."
She still seemed unsure, but slowly relaxed the more he rubbed her back.
'They're cute together…almost sickeningly so.' Connie thought, staring at them.
(Later)
Steven was in the middle of swimming around the water, figuring he could get a nice lap or two in to get the day started while Spinel was in the middle of trying to make a huge sandcastle.
'The perfect dream home for Steven and me~' she thought, stretching all around to make sure it was smooth and stable enough, even trying to make two small figures of the two inside. 'If only we could live here~' She thought when suddenly a shadow began to fall over the castle and herself. She blanked and tilted her back up, looking into the sky and saw a ship looming over the area, catching Steven's attention as he looked up in surprise.
"Wha- they're here?! Already?!"
"Steven! What's going on?!" Spinel called out.
"They're here, the diamonds!" He called as her eyes went wide.
"WHAT?!" she let out as he rushed on shore, the ship itself lowering down and landing near them on the shore. "The Diamonds?! You mean, Blue, Yellow, and White?!"
"Yeah, they're probably here to visit, and to try and talk me into moving in with them on homeworld again." Steven sighed.
"This is normal?!" she gaped at him. "How often has that happened?!"
"I'll explain later." Steven promised as the ship began to open. A ramp lowered out down before they saw Blue Diamond emerging, making Spinel's eyes widen as the tall gem looked around the area.
"Now where is he…ah, Steven!" She called, finally spotting the hybrid, a smile coming to her face.
"Hey." he gave a wave as she walked down, coming out of the ship next was Yellow Diamond with White Diamond close behind.
"All three…" Spinel wheezed out, saluting them the best she could.
"You don't have to do that, they've changed from before." Steven said, gesturing for her to stop.
"Oh? Who's your little friend Steven?" Blue asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"This is Spinel." He said, gesturing to the frozen pink gem. "She used to be Pink's friend, I rescued her a while ago."
"Wait, I believe I recall her." Spoke Yellow holding a hand to her chin as she looked up in thought. "She was made to entertain Pink around the time she was being…out of hand."
"Oh yes, I remember now, didn't Pink keep her in the garden? I thought she brought her to earth with her and lost her there during the war?" Blue added as she leaned down to get a better look.
"That's…not exactly true." he admitted, putting a hand on Spinel's back as the gem looked down. "She…"
"I was abandoned." Spinel let out with a frown.
"What?"
"Pink left her in the garden when she went to earth and told her to wait for her to come back… which she never did." Steven looked to the side, the three diamonds letting that sink in.
"You mean she stayed there through the whole war? This whole time?" Yellow asked, her eyes widening in shock.
"Yeah… until Steven found me, I thought I was playing a game with Pink…" Spinel felt close to tears before Steven wrapped his arm around her, making her wrap her own around his body back.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear that." Blue said, holding her hand to her mouth.
"Wait…. I think I have a wonderful idea on how to correct this little mistake!" White said, clapping her hands together. "Since our little Starlight has hurt you so much, why don't you come live with us so we can make up for it?"
Spinel looked up at the diamond with shock, Steven wide eyed as the gem wiped a tear away. "What?"
"Think about it, it would be perfect! Our little starlight hurt you, and there's been a void in our lives ever since she left! Since you don't want to live with us Steven, we can bring Spinel back to homeword with us, and live a life of luxury with us!"
"Hmmm, that would make sense." admitted Yellow.
"I agree, it would be perfect! She was so much like our Starlight before she left for earth too." Blue said, a large smile growing on her face.
"You mean, have her stay with you three on Homeworld?" questioned Steven.
"Yes, isn't it a wonderful idea Steven?"
"Well…maybe." he looked at Spinel who looked concerned and happy at the same time. "What do you think Spinel? Do you wanna go with them?"
"I….I… will you be coming with me?"
"No can do, Earth is where I belong." he shook his head. "Trust me, they've asked me a dozen times to come with them, but I don't think I could turn my back on where I grew up." He smiled before pausing. "That and I might starve too, there's no food on homeworld."
"I still don't understand the need for that. It seems awfully tedious." White casually remarked with Yellow nodding.
"Then I'm staying too." Spinel added, making the Diamond's eyes widen.
"What? Why?!"
"I can't leave Steven, sorry." She apologized with a nervous look as Blue looked sad.
"Are you sure? You would have so much fun on homeworld… we would really appreciate it."
"Not to mention you would be free to have as much fun as you wanted." Yellow threw in her own thoughts.
"Plus you would be living with diamonds instead of in this….lovely place." White added, looking over Beach City with a tinge of disgust.
"Yeah…but Steven wouldn't be there." She argued. "If you were living with him would you want to leave him?"
The diamonds paused as they considered that before Yellow sighed. "She's not wrong…"
"And here we were hoping you'd reconsider Steven." spoke White with a disappointed tone.
"Sorry, I really am. It's just, leaving Earth and going so far away for the rest of my life is kind of…quick. At least for someone my age." He chuckled sheepishly. "You still visit every other week though, so is it really that bad?"
"Yes." remarked Yellow bluntly while crossing her arms. "One day, mark my words Steven, one day we will convince you to come back to Homeworld to live with us…"
'That was ominous…' he thought with a gulp. "Well, how about a compromise? What if me and Spinel came by to visit you next time?"
"Do you promise to stay longer than a day this time?"
"Um… how about a week?"
"A month."
"Two weeks."
"Deal!" White Diamond quickly said, a large grin on her face. "We'll make sure your room is nice and tidy come next month."
"What about Spinel?"
"Well you two will be sharing it of course." smiled Blue. "It only makes sense, right?"
"I do-" Steven started, his face turning red before Spinel spoke up.
"That sounds great~!" she beamed while wrapping her arms around his own and batted her eyes at him. "Right Steven?"
"I-I…I guess." He got out, looking away with a blush. 'Just keep it together, she's a gem, she doesn't know about…that kind of stuff.'
"Spinel, I'm curious." spoke Yellow holding her chin. "Why are you holding Steven's arm like that?"
"I'm holding it because we're-" She started before Steven cleared his throat, stopping her.
"It's because…so she doesn't get lost." he fibbed quickly. "She's still getting use to how different Earth is and I thought it'd be a good idea to stick close until she got it down no problem."
"Hmm, I see, then you better hold onto her tightly at homeworld, she may get lost there." advised White. "I can't tell you how many gems I've heard vanish and never show up, not until centuries later. All because they had no way of knowing where they were."
"Oh trust me, I'm not letting her get lost." He promised as Spinel looked at him in confusion and embarrassment.
'Why is he telling them that I get lost easy?'
"Well as much as I hate to say this, we may have to cancel our time here." sighed White Diamond. "We need to get started right away on preparing your room and make sure it's all prepared. Oh! And have a welcome celebration set up. Perhaps one involving half of the planet."
"It would take some time. Sorry Steven, we'll have to wait till next month before we can see you again." relented Yellow.
"I promise it will be quite fun, so much you might not want to leave." Blue added, her voice sounding hopeful.
"I'll hold you to it." he joked with a thumbs up. "Have a safe trip home."
"Will do, see you soon Steven!"
The Diamonds made their way back into their ship which soon took off with Spinel turning to Steven.
"Steven, why did you say I could get lost?"
"Sorry about that, but I needed to come up with an excuse. I didn't want them to find out about…us, at least not yet." He admitted. "You saw how they are, if they think for a second that you might do anything to hurt me, or anything they can't understand… I'm worried they might try to separate us."
"What?!" she went wide eyed in shock. "But…But I would never do that!"
"The issue isn't what is or isn't real, the issue is what THEY think is or isn't real." Steven sighed. "And now we're going to be spending two weeks with them, close to them, and we can't show any sign that we're closer than just friends."
"Why not just explain it to them?"
"You saw how clingy they were, right? If I try to explain how dating here works, or what that involves in general, they might try to supervise, or get involved, and that's gonna make things awkward. Believe me, trying to tell them what might happen would make me feel like my dad when he gave me…The Talk."
"The talk?" She asked in confusion. "What's so bad about talking? Aren't we doing it right now?"
"It's not exactly like that." he rubbed the back of his head while looking pink.
"Then what is it?"
"Uh…hey I know, let's go grab some donuts." he quickly changed topic before turning and walked off. 'I don't know if I'm ready for her to know all about 'that', I can barely handle her knowing things from cartoons!'
"Hey wait! I wanna know!" she called before following. "What's 'The Talk' all about? Steven!"
"I'll pay! Let's get two dozen!" He started to jog with her following.
"Steven!"