Those are not underwear I left you in."

"No, no they're not."

The visage that greeted him was Connie in a bikini panty with a padded bra the color of her skin if a shade darker.

"So what happened with the green set?"

Connie looked at his smirking face and sighed. "Nothing, just not one to put on the same underwear right after I showered, if I don't have to. We did break a sweat getting over here, so yeah…Decided to get them laundered."

"They really have everything here."

"Even underwear best suited for cosplay...Which mines, apparently wasn't."

"Ah!" Steven clapped his hands with a teasing smirk. "There's the reason for the annoyance."

"Partly."

"Partly?"

"Yes, partly." She kissed her teeth before giving him a curious glance. "While you were gone Alex dropped off some costumes." He directed his sight to four hanging tarps on the walls.

"Nice." He gave her a playful side-eye " Did you look at them?"

"Nope, " she raised his phone between her left thumb and index, waving casually, "I was a bit preoccupied with Peri."

"She texted again?" Steven smirked as he moved towards her, stopping just a few inches away, his hands by her thighs. "Still antagonizing over the costumes?" He teased with a coyish smirk.

Connie pursed her lips before opening the phone text app and reading off the messages.

"Steven, I'm just checking in on the situation. Why haven't you guys sent me any photos for the Cospheres? Are you too busy canoodling?"

Steven rubbed his eyes. "That green little-"

"How's Connie's day of birth excursion?"

She watched as he tensed a bit.

"Have you told her that you will be leaving with the diamonds the day after the party? How did she take it?"

She placed the phone down gently narrowly leering into his brown eyes." Yeah...How did I take it, Steven?"

He felt the chill of her voice and promptly froze; sucking in his lips, buying time to find words. "You took it..in stride?"

"Really?"

"Ok..Stride Is a bit..much?"

Connie remained quiet as she folded her arms. Her nose flared in irritation.

Steven sighed as he moved closer. "Ok, not a joking manner."

"Why didn't you tell me you're going back so soon?"

"I didn't want to think about it," Steven answered "but I always intended to tell you."

"When, after the trip?"

"Come on, give me a little credit." Steven argued. "I had a plan to tell you sooner than that."

She hummed dissatisfied. "Just thought you would have told me. Especially, since this is supposed to be a 'birthday trip', something I had to learn from Peridot." The bass in her voice added to his guilt..

"How I'm supposed to tell you I'm missing your birthday again. For the second year in a row. "

"By telling me." Connie breathed deeply as she unfolded her arms and laid her hands on him. "We've always been upfront with each other, so why hide it?"

"Because this was supposed to be a date. A birthday date" He massaged her hands."My main concern was to spend time with you. No gem stuff or anything.Just "

Connie allowed a little smile at the loving truthful tone, and the tender touch on her hands. "We did say it was a date didn't we?"

"Yeah,we did. I wanted to treat you special these two days."

"Oh really?"

"Uh-huh" Steven nodded as he pressed his forehead on her. "But, I get why you're mad at me for not telling you about it."

"Would have appreciated the heads up, but it's alright." Connie closed her eyes to keep from looking at his eyes. "You have to do what you have to do, though."

"An unfortunate truth...So does that mean you're not mad at me" Steven chuckled trying to get one out of her.

She opened her eyes to look at him. "I'm annoyed, not mad, and not exactly at you..Just at the situation."

"I can just not go." Steven offered as he brought her knuckles to his lips. "It's just a meeting with some different planet delegates. They could handle it without me. "

"Yeah..No. You have to be there." Connie reluctantly declined as she stroked his jaw with her right hand. "How long will I be without my Mister, this time?"

Steven sucked in a breath before answering. "A month at the most .A week at the least."

"So long," Connie groaned." you're not going to be on Homeworld, are you?"

Steven shook his head. "Nope, this time Me and Yellow are playing diplomats." Steven gave her a bit of an amorous smile. "You could come with."

"As part of your entourage?" She teased.

"Among other things."

She chuckled. "I'll think about it."

"I'll hold you to that...Though, it would be a nice birthday vaca."

"Are you trying to convince me? Connie rested her hands on his shoulder as she smiled at him. Biting her lips as his hands rested on her hips..

"Partly."

"Partly?"

"Partly, I'm really trying to get on your good side.."

Connie nodded her head as she pursed her lips. "I see, but there's a better way to do that."

"Not keep things from you?"

"Exactly." she clicked her tongue as she gave him an impish grin." You know how you can start."

Steven smirked as he looked at her lips before moving in to kiss her, only for her to move back and put her finger on his lip, surprising him.

She shook her head. "No."

Steven looked a bit hurt. "No?"

"Yup...You're in the doghouse, Mister."

"Wait, I thought you weren't mad at me."

"I saidreallymad at you. I got a little anger."

"So I can't kiss you?"

Connie chuckled. "Oh, of course you can..You know I love those lips on me." She handed him the Asuka costume as she pushed him back so she could stand up. "It's just you can only kiss when and where I say...While you get me dressed. At least for the next two costumes."

"Punishment game?"

Connie smiled before giving him a tenderly deep kiss ,feeling his lips tremble as he happily gave her entry into his mouth. She broke it with a low clipping sound, before stealing a quick peck on his blushing and happy face. Looking at him lovingly . "Punishment game. Now get me dress."

Stevn breathed in deep as he watched her walk to the center of the room..Enjoying the image of her in that 'Connie' tone underwear. "I gotta thank Alex, for her expertise."

Connie giggled looking over her shoulder."I admit buttering me up is a good way to get out of trouble"

"I'm not buttering you up, I'm speaking the truth." Steven walked up behind her before nipping her collarbone, making her gasp.

"Hey, we agreed only when and where~mmm!" She groaned and leaned in when he felt his teeth dig in a bit deeper. "You cheat" She purred as she placed his arms around her waist as she held him in place..

Steven started to trail upward, towards the back of her ears, his nipping making her hum and giggle. "You said kisses..not nips or bites," he moved in close to her ear " Minxy Heartberry."

His husky, heated breath combined with the surprised nibling and suckling on the top of her ear, caused her to tremble and melt against his body. "Mis~ter." She moaned.

"Hmm"

"You have to stop.." She couldn't finish as he sucked a bit harder making her knees a bit weak." Ok.. kiss me..please.".

Steven laughed adoringly before giving her a gentle kiss behind her ear. He trailed butterfly kisses to the corner of her mouth " Am I still in trouble?"

Connie pouted blushing a bit as she shook her head. "No mister."

"So I can kiss you again?"

"She nodded. Her pout slowly, turning to a smile.

"And you're madly in love with me." Steven joked.

"Not madly."

"What?:"

Connie turned to a shocked Steven with a smirk, before holding his cheek. "I love you, Mister." With blushing cheeks she kissed his lips, affectionately.

"Now.. You still gotta dress me."

Steven nodded failing to fight the flames on his cheeks and the smile on his face and his heart drummed.