Connie stared out of her bedroom window, book in her lap. She couldn't focus on her reading. There was just simply too much on her mind, Garnet and Pearl's budding relationship especially. If her parents were to find out, there was no telling what would happen. Their beliefs and ways of thinking were complicated, and it was nearly impossible to tell whether or not they would approve. She had already told them so many lies, she wasn't sure how long it would be until everything fell apart, and she would be forbidden to see Steven.

The thought nearly made her sick. If she didn't have Steven, she would return to her empty, changeless, lonely routine. And that would absolutely break her heart.

Steven ran down the beach, precious cargo between his fingertips. He had only one thought on his mind: Connie. An odd sensation overtook him as he pictured her face in his mind, one that often occured when they were together, especially if they were alone. He'd never felt anything like this before, and had planned to ask his dad about it.

But that would have to wait, as he had arrived at the Maheswaran's residence. Steven saw her in her room and jumped up and down underneath Connie's window, shouting and waving his arms to attract her attention.

Connie opened the window. "Steven! What are you doing?!" She exclaimed.

"They're together!" He shouted gleefully. "You were right!"

She ran down the stairs and out the door. "That's great, Steven... How come you came all the way over here?" She pondered, tilting her head slightly

"I-I, umm... I came to give you this." He shyly held out the daisy in his hand, his face red at the cheeks.

"Aw, Steven.. That's so sweet." She smiled a little, her face also reddening. "Thank you.."

Steven grinned. "I'm sorry it's a little wilted.."

"That doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts." She led him towards the house, placing the daisy in a small glass vase filled with water. "There." She smiled brightly at him, noticing his cheeks get redder.

"He's cute when he blushes.."

The sun had just began to set as Steven walked into the house. The gems were gathered in the living room, Garnet reading her newspaper, with Pearl leaned up against her with her own book. Amethyst just laid on the floor, staring at the ceiling fan, daydreaming, her hair sprawled out on the floorboards.

"Where have you been all day?" Amethyst wondered. "It's so /boring/ without you here!"

"I was with Connie." Steven answered.

"Oh. Are you guys dating yet, or what?"

"N-No.." Steven blushed faintly.

"Ooh! Steven's got a crush! Steven's got a crush!" Amethyst bantered.

"Leave him alone, Amethyst." Garnet interrupted. "You're embarrassing him."

"N-No she's not..." Steven defended. "I-I'm fine."

Garnet chuckled softly. "It's obvious, Steven... But Amethyst shouldn't be making fun of you."

"I'm just messing with him, Garnet." Amethyst ruffled his hair. "Besides, Steven and Connie are cute together."

Garnet nodded. "That they are." She smiled down at Pearl, who was nestled against her legs. "Aren't they, Pearl?"

She looked up from her book. "What? Oh, yes." She agreed. "Absolutely adorable." She blushed a little and gazed up at Garnet.

Garnet leaned forward slightly, gently kissing the top of her head, her heart swelling with happiness.

Her smile widened, and she laughed softly, her face turning a darker blue.

"D'aww." Amethyst chuckled. She couldn't help but feel a little sad, since she was the only one without a love interest, or even a crush.

Steven seemed to sense this. "Don't worry, Amethyst. You'll find someone perfect for you. I'm sure of it." He grinned widely, hoping to cheer her up.

"Thanks, Steven." She said.

"Anytime."

Connie and Steven laid sprawled out on the floor, a deck of cards between them.

"You win... Again." Connie chuckled.

"Yeah.. I guess so." Steven sighed. "This is getting kind of boring..."

"Yeah, it is." Connie agreed. She sat up slightly. "Hmmm... I have an idea."

Steven put the cards away in the box. "What is it?" He asked.

"We should set up a date for Garnet and Pearl." She smiled brightly. "It'll help their relationship grow stronger."

"Yeah, that'd be great!" He exclaimed. "Where do we start?"

"Well, we find a quiet place, where they can be alone together. And that's pretty much it."

Steven thought for a moment. "The island! There aren't any more gem creatures, and it's totally private! It'll be perfect!"

"Yeah! The island!" Connie jumped up. "But how do we convince them to go along with it?

"They usually do what I ask... I'll just use my unfailing charm!"

"Come on!" Steven exclaimed. "It'll be a great way for you to get to know each other!"

"Steven, we've lived together for thousands of years..." Pearl said, sort of confused by the idea of a date. "We know pretty much everything about each other."

"But you should still spend time together! Especially if you're a couple!"

"Nothing's official yet, Steven." Garnet told him.

"Exactly why a date would be a good idea!" He persisted. "Come on! It'll be fun!"

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt..." Pearl glanced at Garnet. "What do you think?"

"If Steven wants us to, then we should." Garnet decided. "It could be fun."

"And we have the perfect place!" Connie exclaimed.

"The island!" Steven shouted.

"The island?" Pearl questioned. "Aren't there gem monsters there?"

"No. Sadie killed it."

"Well, alright then." She agreed. "Let's do it."

Garnet nodded and took her hand, smiling at the sensations that pulsed through her. Just a simple touch ignited her, sending sparks through her body.

Together they all walked to the warp pad, Connie and Steven giddy with excitement.

"Well, I guess we'll leave you alone now.." Steven said. "Have fun!" He and Connie warped back to the temple, whooping and cheering.

"We did it!" Connie exclaimed.

Amethyst walked out of her room. "Oh, hey guys... Where'd Garnet and Pearl go?"

"They went out on a date." Steven said, grinning ear to ear.

"Oh, okay."

"Are you alright, Amethyst? You seem down lately." Connie observed, watching the purple gem's reaction closely.

"Yeah, I'm all good. Thanks anyway, though." She forced a small smile, going back to her room with her food.

"She doesn't seem like herself lately..." Connie hummed slightly.

"Maybe she's lonely..." Steven pondered. "Garnet and Pearl are... sorta together, and we hang out all the time, maybe she just needs a friend."

"Or a boyfriend." Connie suggested.

"Or girlfriend... I don't know.." Steven furrowed his eyebrows.

"Right, right.. Hmm... We could always ask... Wait, no, that might seem offensive.."

Steven perked up slightly. "I have an idea..."

Garnet and Pearl stood awkwardly on the warp pad, gazing at the surrounding forest.

"It sure is beautiful out here..." Pearl observed. "Don't you think so?"

Garnet shrugged slightly. "Eh. I've seen better." She winked slightly at the White Goddess, hoping she'd catch on.

Pearl looked at her in confusion, blushing slightly when she realized Garnet had been flirting with her. She chuckled faintly, not quite sure how to react. She gazed out towards the water and headed in that direction, Garnet following close behind. Together, they explored the hills of the island until they came to a small waterfall. It's crystal blue waters cascaded down a small rocky cliff, making a rounded pool beneath it. Cherry trees and wildflowers were everywhere, completing the beauty of nature's masterpiece.

Pearl scaled the cliffs of the waterfall, delicately making her way upwards. The cliff, while not very tall, was narrow and steep, and the rocks were slick with moisture.

"Be careful up there!" Garnet called, watching hwr carefully.

"I'll be fine!" She responded, having made her way to the top. A wildflower she'd never seen before caught her eye and she approached it, intrigued by it's bright coloring.

"Whoa!" She screamed, losing her footing on a wet stone. She tumbled off of the cliff, landing in Garnet's arms, the red gem's glasses knocked to the ground. She stared up into her eyes, her heartbeat quickening. Something took over her, and she leaned closer to her, her cheekbones turning a soft blue as she gently pressed her velvety lips against Garnet's slightly tougher ones, her gem glowing dimly. Their lips fit together like pieces of a puzzle, and moved together in perfect sync, the growing love and passion between them lighting them aflame inside. Pearl wrapped her arms around Garnet's neck, slowly, gently pulling her lips away from her lover's, her stomach in knots. The air was silent, no words needing to be said. Their love was written in their eyes, and simply staring was enough to relay the message to one another.

"Garnet?" Pearl whispered.

"Yes?" Garnet asked.

"I...I love you."