It had been a little over two years since the diamonds and all of Homeworld had gotten to enjoy the little ball of energy and happiness that was Steven. In that time Homeworld had undergone a massive shift nearly completing the change from empire to peace. The diamonds had even begun to develop new uses for their powers. However, while they were very much enjoying their newfound freedom there was one thing that still occupied their minds.

Steven universe. That single name made their gems quake with a series of emotions. Blue missed having him happily call her mamma every morning and simply holding him in her lap. Yellow missed the look of excitement when he learned about gem culture and how proud she felt when he happily played with a new toy or invention she'd made. Spinel missed having her best friend. Having someone so eager to play, someone she could truly love and care for that loved and cared for her back. Even the Pearls missed their daily hugs or the special time they had leading him by the hand as they explored Homeworld. And White simply missed having him here. Watching him for every second as he slept in his little bed. They all missed Steven, and not just the little version. They missed the adult version as well. Sure, he still called and responded when they called but that was maybe once or twice a week. And almost always he'd have to cut it short for some reason which only made the four of them worry. In their minds they knew they could easily shrink down and use the warp pad to reach him, but they'd held back. Or at least they'd tried but all four of them had over the past month snuck to Earth to visit him. Each one returning feeling as though something was off with Steven.

Something that they were currently talking about as they sat around White's room.

"When I visited him, he seemed reluctant to talk. Almost as if he was hiding something."

"Really? What do you think he's hiding Blue?" Yellow asked thinking back to her own time with Steven. He'd seemed less like the easy going young man and more like Blue back in the old days.

"I can't say for sure, but I could sense something terrible in him." Just thinking about it nearly brought tears to her eyes. Blinking they turned into small clouds that Spinel used to float up.

"Well when I went there, he seemed happy. Said his school was doing great and about to have its first graduates. But that one place the funnyland, no Funland I think looked kind of destroyed. Stevie got really quiet when I mentioned it. Could have sworn he even turned Pink for a moment."

This caught the others attention. White especially went rigid recalling the last time she'd seen Steven pink. Or to be precise how easily his pink self-had overpowered her.

Yellow brought up a screen and contacted his home. Thankfully, it was his Pearl that picked up.

"Yes, Yellow do you need something?"

"Just hoping you can provide me with some answers. Has Steven been alright recently? No physical harm has befallen him or world ending crisis?"

She noticed Pearl look away for a moment which told the others something was up, but they waited for her response.

"Well I wouldn't say it was something terrible, but about a week ago Pink Pearl came by hoping Steven could restore her eye with his powers. Sadly, not even his powers could work so we went to the Reef but once there he learned that it was actually his mother that had harmed Pink Pearl. I suppose hearing more bad news about Pink really got to him."

Her eyes took on a haunted look as she remembered it. "He grew angry and his body underwent a pink transformation. He shouted and nearly shattered the room. We managed to make it out and Pink Pearl and I found some closure, but he hasn't spoken about it. The others and I are getting kind of worried. I'm thinking about having Connie's mother the doctor give him a checkup. Maybe find some human medical solution."

Yellow looked to the others seeing their looks of worry and fear. An idea already forming she turned back to Pearl. "Thank you Pearl you've been most helpful."

As the call ended, she brought up her log of Steven showing his list of abilities as well as physical data. White, Blue and Spinel grew quiet as Yellow rapidly ran through different scenarios before speaking.

"I may not have all the data however I can at least say that Steven seems to be suffering from some kind of imbalance."

"Imbalance? the heck's that?" Spinel asked jumping onto her shoulder and looking at the data not understanding any of it. Even after all this time all she knew about organics, Steven in particular is that when harmed the leek red goo.

"His human and gem side have always been a bit of a mystery. However, if my data on human growth is anything then I'd imagine he's suffering from pent up stress and repressed trauma. I should have seen this coming and prepared." Inwardly she chastised herself remembering all the events he'd told her about and how easily she'd brushed them aside thinking any hardship was just a victory.

I should have predicted this!

With a flick of her finger footage of the Reef was brought up showing the event transpire with Steven and the Pearls. They all watched as Steven grew frustrated his body turning pink and as his scream created a shockwave nearly destroying the room.

Each one gasped seeing their Steven so upset as he realized what he did and how horrified he looked.

"But Yellow what do we do? If he's not talking with his Earth family what chance do we have? Last time I spoke with our little Starlight he simply said everything was fine."

"Well it does say that trauma and stress aren't easy to get rid of. However, I believe that temporarily removing him from the negative environment would be a good step. Yes, some time away from any problems and in an environment that was not only safe but filled with joy should work wonders."

As her words began to sink in Blue and White exchanged looks of pure joy already planning their time with him. Spinal was the last to catch on but when she did, she screamed in pure joy jumping form Diamond to Diamond.

After getting her to somewhat calm down Yellow brought out the orb just to transform him and handed it to Spinel.

"Alright Spinel while we get things set up here you go and bring back out little Steven." Even she was barely holding in her excitement knowing that soon enough she'd been called "mommy Yellow" again.

"Don't worry guys I'll zip on to Earth give Stevie a little dose of the pink stuff and be back just in time to tuck him in." As she ran toward the warp pad she heard the three of them start to get into a gentle argument about who would get him first.

While flying across the galaxy Spinel eagerly thought about what she was going to do first.

Okay Spinal you don't have a set time this time so every second counts. First thing is a hug! Then a quick game of tag with the Pearls. They always said they wanted to join in. Pinky will love that.

Mere moments later she was touching down inside his home coming face to face with Amethyst as she snaked on a large plate of assorted foods.

"S'up Spinel?"

"Nothing much now where's my little playma- I mean Steven at."

Amethyst would have thought something was up with her but then remembered this was the same person that just a month ago had convinced her to arm wrestle with a giant squid while she sang a shanty.

"He should be down by the pier. Said something about needing a nice relaxing day off."

Spinel was tearing through the door in a manner of seconds stretching her legs to cover mor distance coming to a stop just outside Funnland.

"Alright Spinel first find Steven then fun." Through sheer luck she didn't have to look long as just as she steeped foot on the wooden Pier she saw his familiar pink jacket underneath her and after doing a cartwheel off the side found him looking distant as he sat on a rock.

"Steven!" she screamed wrapping her arms around him for a massive hug.

He struggled for a couple minutes before she set him down.

"Spinel? What are you doing here?"

"What a gem can't randomly travel across the known galaxy to meet her good friend under a pier?"

He gave a small smile while rolling his eyes. "You never change Spinel."

As he spoke, he saw her mischievous smile and how she was holding something behind her back.

"So, Stevie how you been holding up? Last time I asked was about a year ago and you humans do so much with a little time."

His tried to put on a smile but failed and simply shrugged and said. "I'm fine, really I am. Just dealing with every day life and people moving on… no longer needing me."

She knew he was bluffing but she also knew she had the remedy. "Well you're about to be awesome!"

Before he could ask, she'd brought out the orb and activated it sending a plume of pink smoke covering him.

She bit her lip in excitement as she saw his form get smaller and smaller until it cleared, and she saw the happy face of her best friend again.

Steven now small looked at his now to large clothes and then to Spinel his eyes practically sparkling before smiling and jumping into her waiting arms.

"Spinel!"

Gently and as restrained as she could she pressed him further into her form.

"There's my best friend. You ready to head back to Homeworld and have some fun again?"

"Yes! I can't wait to play with mama and mommy and grandma again."

And Homeworld was where she was headed until she realized that the moment she got back she'd have to share him with the others. Up above she heard the rumbling to the restored coaster and the cheers of everyone and had a thought.

It wouldn't hurt to keep him for myself… just for a couple hours. Just to make sure he's really okay… yeah that's what I'll tell them!

"Actually, Steven how about you and I try out Funnland before we go?"

"Let's go on the rollercoaster!"

Seconds later they were rushing though the crowd of people and various gems as he led her by the hand to each place he saw.

After going on a few rides and enjoying their fun Spinel saw a giant stuffed toy at the prize rack and the owner Mr. Smiley taunting everyone.

"Step right up everyone test your skills and win a prize. That is if you can. One ticket for three chances to win one of my fabulous prizes."

"Steven wait here I got giant plush toy to win." As she went to try and fail repeatedly to win the prize Steven got distracted by series of noises from further down the dock. As he got closer, he saw to people one tall and Blue and one small and green. The blue one was creating animals with water while the green one floated a series of metal instruments above her moving and sometimes crashing them to create sound.

"Witness my musical power you clods!"

As he watched them two things popped into his mind. the first was their names. Peridot and Lapis

The second thing was that he knew these were his friends and he should go say hello.