Steven picked up his phone and dialed the number, holding the device to his ear, frowning slightly as he received the answering machine.

"Hi, you've reached the Maheswarans-" He pressed the button to end the call and sighed heavily. It was a beautiful day outside, and he wanted someone to spend it with, her in particular.

Moments later, his phone vibrated, lifting his spirits.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Steven. You called?" Connie's voice came through the other end, bringing a smile to his face.

"I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today." He said, crossing the fingers on his free hand.

"Sure, that sounds great. I have to help my mom with the groceries first, though. I'll be there in an hour."

Steven waited at the window, boredom growing as the minutes ticked by.

Inspiration suddenly hit, and he ran to his mother's room.

"Room, I need a rose, a pen, a glow stick, and a piece of paper, please!" The room complied, the requested items appearing on a small desk.

He sat down in the chair and proceeded to write his heart out.

The Best Bubble

I'm not quite sure what I expected on the day of the parade

Probably nothing special

Just an average summer parade, the usual floats, all of that.

But, for the following year, your bracelet glowed on my nightstand as I slept.

I had never seen you around before then

But I saw something others didn't.

Even before we'd ever talked, I saw

Intelligence

Beauty

A kind heart

And I wondered why you'd been alone.

I held on to your bracelet

Hoping one day we'd meet again

The day I accidentally trapped us in a bubble was one of my best days.

I made my first real friend that was my age.

But who would've known it'd be something more?

After awhile, I began to notice

Long, dark, beautiful hair

Sun kissed skin

Deep hazel eyes.

Perfection.

She brings the sunshine.

When she is here, my world is light.

In her absence, there is only darkness.

What lies within her heart?

Steven trimmed away the excess paper and examined the rose, flinching as he cut his thumb on a thorn. He gently pried it off, as well as the other thorns, then wrapped the paper delicately around the stem. He walked out of his mother's room and to his own, placing the note and flower in the bun pocket of his cheeseburger backpack, where he hoped nothing would hurt it. He zipped it tenderly, then proceeded to gather some materials. He grabbed a blanket from the closet and tucked it into the back, slinging the bag over his shoulder delicately and running down the stairs. He quickly threw together some sandwiches and juice boxes, putting them in a plastic bag and tucking it away in his backpack, heading outside just as Connie came into view.

"Hey, Connie!" He waved as he ran down the stairs.

"Hi, Steven... Why the backpack?" She asked, intrigued.

"I have an adventure planned. Don't worry, we'll make it back in time for "Under The Knife" tonight.

"I forgot all about that." Connie admitted, laughing softly. "What are your plans?"

"You'll see." He led her down the beach to a warp pad. "Is it okay if you're blindfolded for a little bit? I won't let you get hurt."

"Oh, um, okay." She twiddled her thumbs nervously. What could he possibly have planned?

He warped her to the island, putting his hands over her eyes and walking towards the waterfall.

"Surprise." He uncovered her eyes, grinning sheepishly.

Connie gasped. "Steven! This is wonderful!" She exclaimed.

"That's not all." He said, unfolding the blanket and laying out the food he'd packed.

She took a seat beside him, amazed. "You did all this for me?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I did... Do you like it?"

She beamed. "It's beautiful." She unwrapped a sandwich. The bread had gotten a little squished, but she didn't care. "Thank you, Steven.."

"Of course." He shyly dug through his bag, heart racing as he brushed his fingertips against the petals of the rose in the bread pocket. "There's, um, one more thing." He felt for the stem and pulled it out of the bag.

"Hm?" She looked at him, smiling and blushing faintly as he handed her the rose. "Oh, Steven... It's beautiful.." She slowly uncurled the paper, reading the heartfelt words, heart swollen with joy. "What lies within her heart?" She read aloud, her eyes full of tears, deeply touched by his gesture. "Do you really want to know?"

Steven nodded hesitantly, bracing himself for whatever came next, expecting to be let down.

Connie took a small deep breath and gently put her lips against his, her cheeks heating up in a blush. His lips were coarse, yet oddly gentle, fitting against hers perfectly. After a moment she moved away, her face darkened with blush.

Steven stared at her, wide eyed in shock.

"Sh-Should I not have done that?"

"I-It's fine.." He stammered. "I didn't expect that.." His cheeks flushed light red, and he grinned at Connie shyly.

"What does this make us?" Connie asked, looking slightly worried.

"Let's not put a label on it yet. We're just.. Us. Connie, and Steven. That's all we need to be."

With all the housework done, Amethyst and Julianna away in Amethyst's room, and Steven and Connie occupied with "Under The Knife", Pearl found herself in an unusual state. Normally, there was always something to be done, never a spare moment. But in this instance, everything was taken care of.

So, she went to find Garnet, who was reading the newspaper in the family room, not that there was much to read about in their quiet little beach town. Pearl grabbed a novel and nestled against her legs, smiling softly. She opened the book, but didn't actually read, just enjoying the moment.

Garnet smiled a little and looked down at her, folding up the newspaper and setting it on the table. She adjusted her position and pulled Pearl closer, gently wrapping her arms around her. Pearl did the same, laying her head on Garnet's chest.

They didn't speak, no words needing to be said. Moments passed unnoticed as they stared into each other's eyes, their feelings of affection growing stronger. Their lips met, their surges of passion bubbling together in the warm embrace. Garnet adjusted her position, then pulled Pearl closer, so she rested atop her legs. Pearl leaned against her chest, shyly placing her hands on the red gem's hips. Her lips parted ever so slightly, and she faintly gasped as Garnet took her opportunity, gently pressing her tongue through her lips, cautiously exploring as the white gem shivered in pleasure. A soft moan escaped Pearl's lips, and Garnet slowly slipped her hand underneath Pearl's shirt.

Pearl moved her hand from the red gem's hip and placed it atop her wrist, ending the embrace.

Garnet retracted her hand. "I'm sorry.."

"It's okay." Pearl gently climbed off her lap and curled up at her side, planting one last short, gentle kiss on Garnet's lips.