Hey, everyone! Mystery Critic here back with a second chapter of Gift Of A Rose. I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter, because I did. Anywho, this chapter will start off some of some of the language that it's rated M for. I hope you all enjoy the next chapter. I do not own Steven Universe, nor any of the rights to it. Now, sit back and enjoy chapter two of Gift Of A Rose.

Chapter 2

Connie's P.O.V

I walk down the beach with Steven's hand in mine, laying my head on his shoulder as we walk. He suddenly stops and sits down, looking out at the ocean.

"Steven?" I ask, sitting down next to him.

"What's wrong, baby?"

He doesn't respond and I place my hand on his face and turns it towards mine.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I ask again, placing my hand on his.

"Talk to me, please."

"It's just…" He starts, and I move closer, wrapping my arm around his shoulder.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"It's just… Yellow Diamond will most likely be here any day now, and… I don't want you to fight with us." He says, looking in my eyes.

"What?!" I scream, standing up with a glare.

"What the fuck do you mean you don't want me to fight? We've been over this, Steven! I'm not letting you go into that shitstorm alone! I couldn't bear it if something happened to you and I didn't do anything to help!"

"Connie, I couldn't live with myself if I let you go to war at all." he said sadly.

"I won't let you risk your life for me…"

"It's not your choice!" I scream at him.

"I won't let you go in there alone because I love you too damn much!"

Is head snaps up as he hears me say it, and I cover my mouth and look away, blushing.

"What… did you say, Connie?" He asks, staring me down.

"Say that again."

"I said… I love you, Steven…" I say, my blush getting brighter.

"I love you, and I won't let the boy I love to go into battle without me. Not if there's something I can do to help…"

"Connie…" He says softly, then lunges forward and crushes his lips against mine in a passionate kiss. My mind melts away as I wrap my arms around him, returning the kiss with all the love and passion I can pour into it. After what feels like an eternity, it ends, much to my disappointment.

"I love you, too, Connie. I'll cherish what I have with you until the end of time."

I kiss him again, wrapping my arms tighter around his neck, not wanting him to be an inch apart from me. I lay down on top of him, continuing my onslaught on his soft, plump lips. He pulls back slightly and looks into my eyes, smiling lovingly.

"I love you, Connie." He says, placing his forehead tenderly against mine.

"I love you too, Steven." I say, falling asleep in his arms.

Steven's P.O.V

As she falls asleep in my arms, I look up to the sky and think to myself.

'Thank you for watching over me, mom.'

After a few minutes, I stand up slowly, picking her up as I stand. I start walking back to my house with her in my arms, going slowly as to not wake her up. After a few minutes, I reach the house and walk up the steps, noticing how much stronger I've been lately.

'Geez,' I thought.

'I never noticed how much Pearl's training paid off.'

When I reach the top of the stairs, Garnet is there waiting for us with the door open and the bed made. I smile and nod at her to thank her, and she gives me the thumbs up with a smile. I walk over to the bed and gently lay Connie in it, sliding the cover up over her. I sit down next to her and sigh sadly, looking down at the floor.

"Something on your mind, Steven?" Garnet asks, sitting down next to me.

"Garnet, what do I do?"

"About what, Steven?" She asks, pulling her glasses off to look at me.

"Talk to me, love."

"It's about Connie…" I say, looking up at her.

"What about Connie?"

"I don't want her going to war… I don't want her getting hurt just because of me. This is war, Garnet, and she doesn't poof, she'll die!"

"You know, Steven," She says, a serious look crossing her face.

"There's no guarantee you'll poof, either. You're half human, so there's no telling what would happen. Connie realizes that, and that's why she wants to help. She wants to protect the man she loves."

I look down at Connie's sleeping body as Garnet's words sink in. I stare at her for what seems like forever, when Garnet snaps me out of it by putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Get some sleep, Steven." She says, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"We'll have your birthday party tonight. Connie is asleep, and you look like you haven't had any sleep for days."

"Okay, Garnet." I say with a yawn, lying down next to Connie and pulling her into my arms.

"I'll see you in a bit."

"I love you, Steven."

"I love you, too, Garnet…" I mumble as I drift to sleep.

Garnet's P.O.V

I walk over to the temple door and my gemstone on the door glows, opening the door to my room for me. I walk in to find Pearl and Amethyst waiting or me, their conversation stopping as soon as they hear me walk in. There's a silence as I walk up to them, stopping once I reach where they're standing.

"Is there any particular reason why you're in my room right now?" I ask, cracking my knuckles.

"How's Steven?" Pearl asks, fidgeting nervously.

"Is he okay?"

"Why wouldn't he be?" I ask.

"He's sleeping right now, getting a bit more rest before his party."

"Garnet," Amethyst said.

"We heard what he said. Maybe he's right. Connie is just a human."

"You're wrong." I snap.

"Her devotion and love for him is stronger than yours was for Rose, Pearl." I say, continuing once I see I have their attention.

"That's what makes her a stronger warrior than any of us. The devotion to protect what's precious to her, even though it means she'll never live long. Pearl, you get poofed. She doesn't. That's what makes her stronger than you, me, Amethyst, and even Rose. She will protect Steven, even if it means her life is sacrificed in the process. She will fight with us, and because of her, and all of us together, we will win."

Later that day, Steven's P.O.V

I wake up to find Connie's beautiful eyes on me, and a smile immediately creeps across my face.

"Morning, baby." She says, kissing me softly.

"Sleep well?"

"Like a log, sweetheart." I say, giving her a kiss back.

"Ready for the party, my beautiful starbeam?"

"I love it when you call me cute nicknames like that." She says with a giggle.

"Yes, my handsome galaxy prince. I am."

I kiss her softly, smiling at the giggles that erupt from her. I pull her closer in and nuzzle her cheek, then lick her neck and get up to run, only to hear a small moan escape from her lips.

"C-Connie?" I stutter with a blush.

"What was that?"

"It was a moan, Steven…" She answers, blushing as well.

"It felt really good when you licked my neck…"

"It… It did?" I ask nervously. She nods slowly, the blush in her cheeks getting deeper and darker.

"Do you… want me to do it again?"

"As much as I would, we have a party to get you to." She says, standing up quickly.

"Come on!"

She grabs my hand and starts pulling me out of the house and down the beach.

"Connie, where are we going?" I ask, only to get no response.

"Sweetheart, where are you taking me?"

"You'll see, baby." She says, smiling happily.

"Until then, hush up."

She giggles and keeps pulling me. After a few minutes, she stops and hops on my back, covering my eyes.

"Sweetie, what are you doing?" I ask, grabbing her legs so she doesn't fall.

"Just walk forward." She says, keeping my eyes covered. I do as she says, letting her guide me until she uncovers my eyes. I open my eyes to see every single one of my friends, and the entire town there.

"Surprise!" They all yell.
"Happy fifteenth birthday, Steven!"

Well, everyone. I hoped you like chapter two. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but anywho, You know the drill. Read, review, tell your friends, the works. Well, see you next time. This is Mystery Critic, signing off.