Steven tried desperately to ignore the tightness growing in his chest as he explained to his family that he had gathered. "I just think it'll be best if I leave Beach City. For all of us" His voice was a forced tone of neutrality, betraying none of the emotion he felt gnawing away at him. "This is my chance to finally have a normal life. No more fighting Gems, no more Little Homeworld." His body sagged as he sighed. "No more helping everybody before myself."

His Dad tried to placate him. "Schtu-ball," he border lined begged, his voice cracking, "you don't have to do this you know." He gestured to Amethyst, Connie, Garnet, and Pearl to back him up.

Pearl's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, as though on loop, before Amethyst voiced her thoughts. "Look Little Man," she started dejectedly, as though she disagreed with her own opinion. "If you want to leave, and find yourself, and all that junk. Then don't let us be the reason you don't go." She smiled glumly. "It would suck if we were the reason you stayed unhappy." She added with a pointed glare to the others.

He smiled gratefully to Amethyst, before turning to Garnet. "How long have you known?" he asked. "That this was a possibility?"

Garnet stared, her voice was almost her normal tone but tainted with a semblance of grief. "Since the day you were born," she admitted. Her meaning was clear, go, even if it saddens others. "We all knew you wouldn't stay here forever."

"If anybody asks." Steven started before pausing. "Tell them I'm sorry I couldn't help them for longer."

"It was unfair of us to force you into this life." Pearl had finally said her thoughts. "If you want a normal life, you deserve it."

Steven took one final glance at his family before he headed to his car, where his belongings were already packed, an incensed Connie in pursuit. He opened the door of the Dondai Supremo, pausing at the sword in Connie's hands as she pressed it against the car door. "You can't stop me going Connie," Steven stated. "I'm leaving."

A brisk wind chilled them both, the scent of sand and sea filling the air. The rest of Beach City continued its day as normal, unaware of the events happening. "You think I'm here to stop you leaving?" she challenged as though amused by the idea before she calmed herself. She sheathed the sword over her back before she gently continued to explain, "Steven, I'm here to stop you leaving alone." She pulled open the passenger side of the car, sitting down before Steven could argue. "If you're going to drive, then do it. But I'm going to be with you, every step of the way."

The engine revved to life as Steven turned the keys. "You don't even know where I'm going." Steven said, before he slowly accelerated, giving a chance for her to change her mind. "Maybe its best you don't come."

"Steven, I mean this as your best friend." Connie said politely, her voice gaining a determined edge as she spoke. "I'm tired of you pretending you don't need other people. You deserve to put yourself on the same level as others. It's time you see that you matter to other people just as much as they matter to you."

Little Homeworld faded into the distance, soon followed by Beach City, finally the state of Delmarva becoming a faraway speck as Steven drove, him and Connie sitting in a comfortable silence, the only sound the late-night radio show from the speakers. "Connie," Steven eventually said, continuing before she could respond. "Thanks for not letting me be alone."

"You're not going to be alone." She responded, gently resting her hand over Steven's. "Not as long as I'm here."

Hours passed until eventually, they reached Steven's destination. This place was the complete opposite of Beach City, the main reason why Steven had picked it. While Beach City was small and quaint, this city was a large metropolitan that bustled with life.

"Here we are Connie," Steven announced. "Welcome to Jump City."