It's the first thing that Garnet says to him when she sees him and the last thing he hears before he goes to bed.
Garnet says it the most. There's a minimum of at least three 'I love you' s from her. Occasionally she sneaks a couple in during meal times, before naptime, and whenever Steven overwhelms her with his cute charms.
Pearl's a close second. She's quieter than Garnet, but she finds the time to say it. It's easier to say it when he's turned away. Into the brunt of his curls, into his palms as he sleeps, and during softly sung lullabies when he's nuzzled into her chest.
Amethyst rarely says it. Not because she doesn't want to, but sometimes it's just too hard. 'Love you' is easier expressed in tight hugs and sloppy kisses, in snuck snacks, and all the time she spends with him when Garnet and Pearl can't.
Steven's first words tumble out late. The Crystal Gems don't know the difference. They're too ecstatic to simply have their names said. For weeks, all they have him do is say their names or point at things and ask him to tell them what it was.
"Steven," Pearl cooed, sashaying gently on their way back from his bath. He's hanging off her hip comfortably, outfitted only in diaper. "What is…that?" She points to his crib.
"Un... baby bed!" Steven pointed dramatically.
"Steven's bed." Pearl said.
"T'en's bed." Steven corrected.
Garnet's at the top of the stairs. Laying out his jammies while Amethyst happily rolls around in Steven's bed.
"Who is that?" Pearl giggled, snapping Steven into his pajamas.
"Ganet." Steven hiccuped. He then pointed to Amethyst. "Ame." And again at Pearl. "Pel."
Garnet grinned. "You're so smart, Steven."
"Li'l dude is gonna be talkin' just like us soon!" Amethyst snickered. "I can't wait! I'm gonnna teach him all the words I know."
"Not all the words you know." Garnet warned, still too happy to even look remotely serious. "Isn't that right, Steven?"
Steven nodded, eyes wide. He goes happily into Garnet's arms, accepting his good night kiss with a flurry of giggles. He's transferred into Amethyst's arms and story time begins. Pearl reads from Steven's usual choice, with occasional interruption from Amethyst – much to Steven's delight.
It's one of the easiest bed times they've had. The night light comes on with no major upsets. It takes Pearl a moment to have Steven release Garnet's fingers for his sippy cup, but it happens.
Steven refuses to be tucked in though. He prefers to stay upright, bouncing up and down over and over again.
"Still hyper, huh?" Garnet teased, pressing a kiss into his cheek.
"Hy-pa." Steven confirmed.
"Once he finishes his milk, he'll put himself to sleep." Pearl sighed, brushing back the growing fringe of his curls from his forehead. "Milk. Can you say milk?"
"Mil'." Steven grabs Pearl's nose affectionately before resuming his bouncing.
They get him to say a few more words, before Pearl announces that it is definitely bed time. Garnet would've stayed longer, but she knows Steven needs sleep more than he needs kisses. Amethyst rolls down the stairs, her 'good night' warbled by her tumbling. Pearl isn't far behind Amethyst, her 'good night' is soft and lyrical. Garnet is the last to leave.
"I love you, Steven." Garnet whispered, pressing both of her hands into his cheeks. Steven snorts quietly, clumsily chanting her name over and over again.
All three of them head back to the temple for the night with smiles on their faces. It's only when the temple doors open do they pause.
Steven had stopped bouncing and loudly announced to their backs. "Love you!"
It's as if they're frozen in time. Then Garnet sprints across the living room and hurdles onto the second floor. She's so fast that her visor slips and falls onto the mattress and disappear with a sparkle.
"Love you?" Garnet asks.
Steven presses both his tiny hands onto her face. "Un! T'en lub you!"
Garnet's jaw practically hits the floor. She barely has the composure to whisper it back.
"Um, Garnet a little help here!" Amethyst calls from downstairs. Pearl has collapsed and Amethyst is struggling to keep her from falling onto the floor. Garnet grabs Steven and hurries back down the stairs.
Steven hangs comfortably under her arm. While Garnet is knelt down trying to revive Pearl, Steven grabs Amethyst.
He pulls at her bottom lip and gives her his biggest grin. "Luh you! Luh you!"
Amethyst flushes violet. She grabs him. "Ah man, you're lucky you're cute!" She delivers a gentle noogie, barely mussing his curls.
With a few shakes from Garnet, Pearl's eyes flutter open. "Wha-what happened? Where are we?"
"Dannng, Ste-man. You knocked Pearlie out." Amethyst praised, sitting Steven on Pearl's chest.
Garnet rests Pearl's head on her lap. Steven doesn't seem the least bit concerned. He's used to Pearl being overwhelmed by her emotions. He squeezes her nose, causing her to squawk.
"Luh you! Pel? Luh you!" He bounces on her chest, causing her to squeak with each forced depression of her chest.
"Wh-when did he start saying it?" Pearl whispered dizzily. Steven slides off of her and onto the floor still chanting 'luh you'. "Oh, I need to sit down."
"You're already on your back, P." Amethyst snickered.
"Try closing your eyes." Garnet suggested, still grinning.
A/N: I meant to update these past couple of weeks, but my doggo has been really sick. She's finally feeling better and I have time to start writing again. I've missed 3 weeks of posts so I'll be posting 2 more times today to make up for it.
Thanks again for reading and reviewing! Re-reading your reviews have kept my spirits up while my doggo was ill.