Citizens gathered outside the temple, bearing signs with hateful words. They shouted with enmity, their voices carrying loud and clear into the temple.

Garnet calmly drew the shades, blocking out the view of the rioters, darkening the house, only thin slits of light streaming in. There was no expression on the red gem's face, but she was deeply angered. After all the Crystal Gems had done for humanity, this is how they were treated? And all because of who they loved? She held Pearl close to her, gently running her fingertips through her peach colored hair. "Don't listen to them, Pearl." She murmured.

"This is all my fault.." Pearl choked out.

"No." Garnet held her tighter, her lover's tears filling her heart with contrite. "None of this is your fault. Humans hate and fear what they don't understand. Don't let it get to you." She pushed apart a section of the blinds, watching the rioters turn and leave, finally giving up.

Connie and Steven exchanged worried glances, the sound of Pearl's crying filling the now quiet space.

"You okay?" Connie asked hesitantly, studying his face.

"Yeah... I just don't get it. Why would they say those kind of things?"

Connie shook her head. "Who knows? They're just hateful... I'm sorry, Steven. This must be hard for you, with them insulting your family..."

"I'm alright." He assured her. "It's just like Garnet said: they hate what they don't understand."

"What just happened?" Julianna whispered to Amethyst, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Pearl and Garnet came out to the public yesterday, and now people are rioting." Amethyst explained.

"Oh... That's not good." She glanced over in Garnet and Pearl's direction. "Is she going to be okay?"

"She'll be fine."

A week had passed, and the rioting had gotten worse. People had started throwing rocks at the windows, cracking the glass.

"Steven." Garnet ordered. "Go upstairs and pack a bag, then go and stay with your father. Take Connie with you. It's not safe for you here anymore."

A rock sailed through the window, and she caught it before it could hit him. "Go. Now."

Steven nodded and ran up the stairs, Connie not far behind him. He picked up his cheeseburger backpack and packed it with a few days worth of clothing. He zipped it shut and rushed back down, heading towards the back door.

"Wait." Garnet warned. "They could be out there too." She stuck her head out of the doorway. "Hurry, Steven. Don't be afraid to use your shield if need be. Protect Connie, okay? I don't want either of you getting hurt."

Steven nodded. "How long will it be?"

"I don't know." She answered truthfully. "I don't even know what we're going to do about these people. But we have to send you away so that you don't get hurt, and you could use some quality time with Greg anyways." She smiled warily, ruffling his hair. "Stay safe, okay?"

He nodded again. "We will. Come on, Connie." He summoned his shield, holding it loosely by his side and opening the door. He took her hand in his free hand, and lead her out of the house. They snuck around to the front, staying out of sight of the rioters. He stopped for a moment, watching as the people shouted hateful words at his family and defaced the only home he'd ever know, his eyes watering. He let go of Connie and set down his backpack, tightening the grip on his shield and storming up the stairs to the porch.

"What- Steven!" Connie exclaimed, running after him. "You'll get hurt!"

"ENOUGH!" He shouted. "Do you people have no respect?! The Crystal Gems have risked their lives countless times to save this planet, and this is how you repay them?! Who they love doesn't matter! Love is beautiful, and patient, and kind. Gender doesn't matter!" He thought for a moment, remembering what Amethyst had said during their card game all those weeks ago. "Hearts, not parts!"

His voice went unheard, the people's shouting drowning them out. He raised his shield to block an incoming rock. The projectile hit the shield's edge and knocked into Connie's head.

"Connie!" He pulled her close and used his shield to protect them as he ushered her down the stairs, sticking close as they ran a few meters down the coast, backpack scooped up along the way.

"I'm so sorry, I-"

"It's okay, Steven." Connie murmured. "It was an accident." She pulled her hand off the wounded area, her palm soaked red.

He gasped sharply. "Y-You're bleeding! We have to get you to the hospital!"

"No. Not the hospital. My mom is home.. And home is closer."

"I'll carry you." Before she could protest, he magicked away his shield and scooped her up bridal style, gently cradling her head with his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck.. He started to run in the direction of her house, breath getting heavier as he continued through the near-empty streets. He flinched at the wet spot on his shirt, running faster than before.

"Stay with me, Connie." He panted, the muscles in his legs aching.

"I'm fine, Steven. Really." She coughed slightly, looking up at him. "You can put me down now. It's only half a mile away."

"No. It's okay. I can make it." He smiled weakly in reassurance, continuing to run until they reached the doorstep of her apartment. He set her down and helped her steady, then pounded on the door. "Doctor Maheswaran! Come quick! Connie's hurt!"

The door flew open, and she gasped. "Connie!" She quickly ushered them into the house. "Lay her down on the couch, Steven." She ran into the kitchen to get her first aid materials, tearing open a package of bandages and a bottle of rubbing alcohol.

"This might hurt a little bit, honey.." She murmured, wetting a cloth with the alcohol and gently pressing it on the wound.

Connie groaned softly in pain, wincing faintly. Steven took her hand for support, the guilt flowing from his eyes in the form of teardrops.

"Oh dear God..." Doctor Maheswaran murmured. "Honey.. I'm going to have to cut your hair..."

"It's alright." Connie rasped, fluttering her eyes open. "It'll be fine."

"I'm sorry, Connie..." Steven cried. "This is my fault... All of it."

Connie squeezed his hand in reassurance, her gaze meeting his before she weakly closed her eyes.

"Stay with me." He murmured, running his thumb over her knuckles gently.

"I'm here... The light just hurts my eyes."

"Can you sit up at all, Connie?" Her mother asked.

"I-I can try."

"I've got you." Steven gently lifted her into a sitting position. He watched as Doctor Maheswaran wielded her scissors. Her hands were steady, her lips quivering slightly in worry as she cut away the blood-dried strands, leaving a small section clipped close to the scalp. She then shaved away the area, leaving a spot with very little hair. She gently cleansed the wound again, biting down on her bottom lip. "It needs stitches..." She murmured, digging through her basket. She rubbed a salve over the wound to numb it, and quickly stitched it up. She took out a bottle of pills, then headed back to the kitchen, grabbing water bottles from the fridge. She handed one to Steven, and the other to Connie, along with a few pills. "Take these." She instructed, packing up her basket.

Steven thanked her quietly, helping Connie open the bottle.

"Thank you, Steven..." She smiled weakly. "Oh no, your shirt... It's ruined."

"Don't worry about it. All of my shirts look the same. If one goes missing, it won't matter."

Doctor Maheswaran returned to the living room. "Oh, Steven, your shirt's ruined."

"Don't worry about it, I've got more." He gestured to the backpack strewn by the door.

She nodded. "I can wash it later. For now, though, I'd like you to tell me what happened." She laid a blanket over Connie, gently pressing her lips to her forehead for a moment. She then sat beside Steven on the floor.

"People were gathered outside our house, shouting things and throwing rocks.. I went up to try and get them to stop, and Connie followed me. I tried to use my shield to block us from getting hit, but it just bounced off the edge and hit her.. I'm sorry, this is my fault.."

"Did you throw the rock?"

"No, but I don't know who did."

"It's not your fault then. Why were people throwing rocks at your house?"

"Because of Pearl and Garnet. They're together, and people don't like that."

"Listen, Steven. I know that you and Connie are good friends, but I don't want her at your house until the danger to her safety has been eliminated." She glanced at her worriedly for a moment, then to Steven. "It's late. You should go. If you leave the shirt here, I'll get the blood stains out of it for you."

He nodded solemnly and stood up, picking up his backpack and pulling out another shirt. He quickly switched them, and handed Doctor Maheswaran the soiled shirt.

"Thank you for your help, Steven."

"Anytime." He slung the bag over his shoulder and opened the door. "Goodnight, Doctor Maheswaran." He made his way to the car wash, his mind a blurry haze. He was tired, and stressed out, the multiple riots leaving him unable to sleep peacefully.

"Hey, Steven." Greg called out. "What're you doing out here so late?"

"Pearl and Garnet are in a relationship, and people don't like that, so they've started crowding the house, screaming and throwing rocks. The gems sent me away to keep me safe."

He nodded. "It's too late to do anything for tonight, but tomorrow night, I'll book us a motel for a couple of days. Come on. I've got blankets in the van."