Spoilers for "Snow Day."


Ever since Steven decided he was too old for things like novelty bags in the shape of food, his old Cheeseburger Backpack had become one of Cat Steven's favourite places to take a nap. She would just crawl in, curl up, and have a nice little sleep.

Of course, sometimes that sleep would be interrupted by something beyond Cat Steven's control. One cold morning, when Cat Steven was huddled in the nice, dark, warm space inside the Cheeseburger Backpack, light broke into her hiding space. She opened her eye and saw Garnet peeking in at her.

"I didn't need future vision to know you would be in here," Garnet said with a little smile. "I thought you could go out with Steven today, You can keep an eye on him." Garnet chuckled softly at her own joke.

Steven hadn't wanted to take Cat Steven into town, or even take the Cheeseburger Backpack, but Cat Steven was fine with that. She liked being held by Garnet and feeling Garnet gently stroke her back. Garnet, for her part, was glad that one Steven wanted her attention and affection...for now.

It wasn't long after Steven left that Cat Steven jumped out of Garnet's arms and crawled back inside the Cheeseburger Backpack to sleep, and she would stay in the bag for the rest of the day. Amethyst tried to get the cat out of the bag to watch "Dog-Copter", but Cat Steven gave a distressed little mew when Amethyst attempted to pull her out of the backpack.

"Don't bother her, Amethyst," Garnet said tersely, with a hint of sadness leaking into her voice. "I can't see any future where she wants to come out. Cats don't like dogs, anyway."

Both of Garnet's beloved Stevens had grown up, and Garnet wasn't ready to accept that.


The following night, Steven lay tucked in his bed, with Cat Steven curled up next to him and purring quietly. Steven stroked her head, then turned his own head when he hear Garnet say his name, very softly.

"Oh, hi, Garnet," Steven said.

"Bless you," Garnet replied, and Steven sneezed immediately after. Thanks to what Garnet had said, Steven managed to cover his mouth and nose in time. The noise woke up the cat, but she only gave Steven and Garnet a tired glance and shut her eye again.

"I'm sorry," Garnet continued, "I should have known better. We never meant for you to get sick, especially with your busy schedule. I was so focused on the possibility of you playing with us, that I ignored other, less favourable possibilities."

Steven shrugged.

"I'll be fine. I can take some twelve-hour cold medicine tomorrow morning. It should get me through the day."

Garnet stood silently at the end of Steven's bed, her expression unreadable. She petted Cat Steven's head, but the cat only gave her an annoyed little mew at her sleep being interrupted.

Steven cleared his throat, partly because it felt phlegm-y and partly because he wanted Garnet's attention.

"Remember when I was five and I got really, really sick, even worse than this?"

Garnet nodded.

"Pearl and Dad were freaking out, and trying to make me eat chicken soup and medicine and stuff. Amethyst kept trying to cheer me up, but I just wanted to sleep. I'd wake up and I'd see you or Dad sitting by my bed, and sometimes one of you would hold my hand. Knowing you were there made me feel better in my mind, even if my body was still sick. You're still here for me, and I know you'll always be here for me no matter how grown-up I get, and that means so much."

"Oh, Steven!" Garnet whispered, touched beyond what words could express. She and Steven hugged, and then Cat Steven got up and decided Garnet's lap would be her new place to sleep. Garnet rubbed the cat's head and back, knowing that she would always be there for Cat Steven, too.