"And she was looking at her for a really long time." Steven said, walking along the beach with Connie.
"Hmm..." Connie thought for a moment. "Maybe Garnet loves her."
"But that's impossible." He argued. "Garnet's a fusion of Ruby and Sapphire. They fused together out of love.."
"When you fuse, you become one person, right? Like we did."
"Yeah, sorta... I don't really know." Steven shrugged.
"Ruby and Sapphire are, essentially, two halves of a single entity. Maybe they've been fused for so long that they aren't really individuals anymore... They're just... Garnet. They still love each other, but their single entity found love in another."
"But how is that possible? To love two people in that way?"
"It's called polyamory, and it's actually quite common. As long as everyone in the relationship is loved equally, it's okay, I guess..."
"Yeah," Steven agreed. "I guess that makes sense."
"I wouldn't say anything about it, though." Connie warned. "I may be wrong."
Steven nodded. "Right, right. Thanks for all your help, though."
"Yeah, no problem." She assured. "Sounds like you have a pretty weird family.."
"That's okay. I love them anyway."
Garnet opened her eyes, blinking to adjust to the light level, and untangling her limbs, pulling her knees to her chest. She wasn't sure how long she'd slept, or when she'd fused back, but she supposed it didn't really matter.
Upon her full consciousness, the devastation returned to her. The very thought of Pearl sent daggers into her, a pain so sharp she nearly felt it physically. The unseen brims of her eyes had reddened, and the inside of her throat ached for the moisture she'd lost. She ignored it, the mild discomfort incomparable to the internal. As much as she wanted to, crying was impossible. Slowly, she stood. She'd have to wait until later for her tears. No one else could see her pain. She had to keep it secret. As a leader, it was her job to make sure everyone else was happy, regardless of her own well-being. She forced her arm to move, pulling the door open, and walking out of her room. None of the other gems were there, which was rather odd. Usually if there was a mission they never left without her.
"Garnet!" Steven ran into the house. "There you are!"
"Where's everyone else?" She asked, more out of habit than anything. She didn't really care that much, at least, not now.
"I just went to bring Connie home, and she forgot her bag, so I came to get it. Pearl's training, and Amethyst is... somewhere. Where have you been?"
Garnet shook her head. "Nowhere important." She responded.
"Alright." He picked up Connie's bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Be right back!" He called over his shoulder, running out the door.
"Okay.." She mumbled, leaning against the counter slightly, crossing her arms.
"Yo." Amethyst walked out of her room.
Garnet nodded slightly, not really paying attention.
"What was up with last night? You and Pearl together or something?"
"Shut up, Amethyst." She muttered, shaking her head slightly.
"You okay, Garnet? You seem... distant."
"I'm fine."
"Okay then.." She said, not really believing it.
Garnet ignored her, too absorbed in her own thoughts and feelings.
"You need to start paying more attention..." She told herself. "Someone will suspect something if this keeps up.."
-Later That Day-
The sea star creature emerged from its cave, only one thing on its minds:
Vengeance.
The Crystal Gems wouldn't get away with invading its cave.
It growled, a thick, watery sound emerging from its chest. Anger boiled in its blood as it charged down the beach. It took cover in the water, swimming below the surface until it reached the temple. It emerged, growling and approaching the temple. It launched its spikes at their dwelling, attempting to destroy it as they had done to it previously.
The gems charged out of the house, weapons drawn, ready for action.
Garnet leapt off of the deck, hardly even flinching as its launched spike rammed into her abdomen. She nonchalantly removed it, tearing it away from her skin and throwing it into the water, punching and kicking at its legs as it attempted to kick her away. The ends of its limbs scratched at her skin, making gashes all over and tears in her outfit. She hardly batted an eye, not even flinching as it tore shreds into her. She slammed her gauntleted fist into it's mouth, surprised to see that no gem was surrendered as it poofed away, only a bundle of its spines.
"GARNET!" Steven shouted, running down towards her. "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine." Garnet responded. "Make sure all of its spines are picked up."
"Bu-But you're bleeding.."
"It doesn't matter. I'm fine. We can't let the spines get loose, or it'll just come back again." She picked up the surrendered spines, bubbling them all away individually.
"Are you going to regenerate?" Pearl asked, gently placing a hand on Garnet's arm.
She flinched sharply. Her hand pressed into her wound, and it hurt, but not nearly as much as her battling emotions. The depression that she'd been fighting for thousands of years had been coming back full throttle lately. But, she supposed that it was just as well; only one of the many consequences of being a warrior was surrendering mental stability. It was just part of being a warrior
Pearl quickly drew her hand back. "S-Sorry about that..." She chuckled awkwardly, bubbling away some of the spines, shuddering slightly at her reddened fingertips.
"No." Garnet answered. "Probably not. I'll be fine." She didn't listen to her protests, and continued to pick up the pieces the creature had dropped, making sure it'd never come back again.
Months passed. Garnet lived in a daze, numb to everything except the growing hole in her heart. She never smiled, and rarely laughed, her feeble attempts more of a slightly exaggerated exhale than anything else. The agony tore away at her insides, but she kept her face solemn, shielding everyone around her from her pain. It was hers, and hers alone, and she was responsible for keeping it contained. In any way she could without drawing any attention, she avoided Pearl, and if it couldn't be avoided, she never looked at her. The white goddess only made her emotions stir- a dangerous occurrence. Too much could send her overboard, to the point of no return. She became more reckless in battle, throwing reason and logic away, acting on her burning rashness. She took a lot of physical damage, but never seemed to be affected by it at all, almost as if she enjoyed being hurt so. And, deep down... she did.
Slowly, she withered away. She hardly ever said a word to anyone, always seeming to be lost in the depths of her mind. She suffered in silence while everyone else continued with their normal lives around her, blissfully unaware of the demons inside of her heart, tearing away at her soul, until there was hardly anything left of her.
Steven sat at the barstool, stirring his spoon through his soup. His appetite had gone, worry taking it's place.
"Are you alright, Steven?" Pearl asked, drying dishes at the other side of the counter. "You've hardly touched your food.."
"I'm worried about Garnet..." Steven admitted.
"Garnet's just fine, Steven. She's just a very quiet person."
"She never smiles anymore... She never laughs... And when we fight, she doesn't think.. She just runs and attacks, and she gets all beat up-" He teared up slightly. "I think something's wrong with her..."
Pearl sighed softly. "It's hard to tell with her... But, if you really think something's up... I'll talk to her."
"Thanks, Pearl..." Steven smiled a little.
She nodded. "Of course."