"What's a birthday?"
Steven hums in thought as he tries to figure out how exactly he should phrase this, gems aren't exactly born after all. "A birthday is when...you first come into being."
Spinel nods along as she follows after the boy as he walks through the town, her gloved hands behind her back as she watches him go about his day while acquiring supplies of a festive kind.
"I don't remember when that happened." She objects, stretching her neck forward a bit as she reaches up to hold onto Steven's shoulders, getting a closer look at those pink and red colored balloons, "So why would ya give me a birthday?"
"Because we might as well celebrate the fact that you're here, and that you're part of the family." He replies easily, a smile on his face as Steven leads Spinel towards the other departments, paying for item after item. Mostly from the dollar stores that were available within the city itself, but also venturing into Little Homeworld to get something more gem oriented.
Bless the perfectly cut Spinel; at the word 'family' she could practically feel the heart-shaped gem on her chest both shine, yet also throb in slight throb.
On the one hand, this is yet another moment of attention. Acknowledgement. That Steven was keeping his promise of giving her the care she so desperately craved so long ago.
Yet at the same time…
"Part of the family…?"
Her arms wound around her waist before coming up to squeeze at her cheeks to muffle the small sounds that almost escaped as well as attempt to push down the growing blush on her pink cheeks. The twin ponytails on her head twitch and move up and down as her mind slowly begins to devolve into daydreams and wishes.
If Steven notices, he doesn't say anything. However, no one can deny the upturn of his lips as he carries on with the shopping. At this point having accrued an assortment of items within his tote bag. Ribbons, balloons, party poppers, those weird tongue things that make a sound and extend when you blow into them. Even a bit of confetti. "Okay, this should be good for now." He decides, his voice managing to break through Spinel's imagination as her arms quickly spun back around until they're back at her sides.
After a moment to get her thoughts back together, she quickly walks to step with Steven, "You still haven't said why exactly you wanted to do this birthday thing now?" Her head tilts a bit as she asks her question, her strawberry hair almost perking up in curiosity.
She's met with a low chuckle, and when did Steven's voice get that low? A baritone that's seemingly originating from his chest as opposed to his throat. She couldn't help but be reminded of that one strange instrument with all those little discs that had to be pushed down on in different places to make sound.
That doesn't mean she didn't like it however.
"Don't you remember? Today's when we first met, and tomorrow was when we officially became friends." He answers, reaching out and placing his free hand on Spinel's head to offer a pat.
Spinel graciously accepted the affection, giggling as she sticks her tongue out. She loves physical attention. Be it hugs, holds, or simple pats such as this. She won't even try and deny that any from Steven just felt that much more special. Now with the knowledge that Steven truly considered their relationship to be so close that he was willing to call her family? It felt all that much sweeter. Yet, she can't help but feel unsatisfied with that. She'd rather be...something. She's not sure what, but something a bit more than just family.
It was all too soon when Steven pulled his hand away, and Spinel had to bite down the whine nearly escaping her lips as she missed the warmth already. Settling instead on a small pout, "Well, yeah, of course I remember…" She replies. Even if she glanced away to keep from looking at Steven's eyes.
She tries not to remember the day too much, granted it's very hard to remember the countless and countless days, months, years-!
A deep breath. Then out. The time before she met Steven and went to Homeworld with the Diamonds.
She was especially unhinged back then. Standing in one spot for so long only to learn in the worst ways possible that she was basically abandoned did a lot to the mental fortitude of any being.
"And if you think that's a good day for it...then okay. Tomorrow will be my birthday!" She turns to face Steven once again, offering the best smile she can muster.
To Steven, it was practically radiant. Her tear tracks have reduced as time went on. Three pairs became two, and now he can see that they've already been fading towards only one pair. The pink dusting on her cheeks coupled with the toothy grin, and while her eyes was closed for the moment he could clearly see the magenta behind the lids.
All of it. All of her made Steven's heart skip a beat, yet he didn't even notice as he returned the smile with one of his own. "Come on then, let's get back to the house. I'm sure the others are waiting for us."
A noise of agreement, and a playful smirk as Spinel quickly wraps her arms around Steven's arms as if they were straps, laughing as she pulls her body against his back, "Only if ya carry me there!" She exclaims, arms noodling over and over as her metaphorical heart races. Was this too much? Was he comfortable with it? Should she back off?
Only for her fears to be unfounded as Steven laughs, and to Spinel it was practically music. He grunts with a smile as he readjust his balance, and with a smirk the diamond prince glances back at the jester, "Just try to hang on, then!" He holds the bag filled with party goods close to his chest, and takes a breath. A bit of pink bubbling out from his legs as he races towards the beach.
The squeals coming from Spinel as she keeps herself from being victim to the wind echoing as they pass by shops and bystanders.
How long has it been since Steven has really ever let himself run free like this? To enjoy himself in little pleasantries?
With the sound of laughter ringing from behind his head and the tight squeeze around his arms that grew to surround his torso, he knew the answer.
He should go shopping with Spinel more often.