Author's Note: Take a look at this writing style. Honestly, I'm having a blast writing and trying out new things. Let me know what you guys think of how it looks, thanks for the support. And to the guys uploading my story to YouTube, please leave the author's notes in—I put them there for a reason. Nothing more to say, love you guys. <3
Let's continue.
After a few days of the Gems trying their best to explain to Lapis why Steven temporarily vanished inside his cloud room, they finally managed to get her to stop accidentally breaking walls or trying to drag the ocean into the living room every time she got scared or misinterpreted things. Little by little, they began to guide her, teaching her how to recognize when to actually worry and when she simply needed to wait for Steven to return without whipping up emotional or literal tsunamis.
With the environment a bit more stable, Steven decided to show her some shows so she could learn about human culture in a calmer setting; however, he ended up regretting it due to the sheer intensity with which she processed the information.
Lapis sat motionless in front of the TV like she was facing a window to the universe, critically analyzing every single second of a romance series Steven had put on solely because he couldn't find the remote. She demanded to watch the exact same episode multiple times because, according to her analysis, she needed to observe every emotional, social, linguistic, and psychological detail of the human species. In short: she was conducting scientific research on teenage drama.
Steven watched her from the kitchen, shaking his head like someone who just discovered they have a professional fangirl living in their house. He decided to leave her to it and head out to look for his dad, since he had bought a new phone that Steven urgently needed. On top of that, he was worried about Connie; he still didn't understand why she hadn't called him. Maybe she was still upset, or maybe she just didn't know he was back. He figured it would be best to call her to avoid causing a scene worthy of a soap opera.
He arrived at his dad's workshop, where he found him fixing the mayor's same truck for the third time—which for them meant income, patience, and more opportunities to hear how that truck "mysteriously" breaks down every single weekend. Steven helped him finish up the job while they talked, but not before spending fifteen minutes convincing him with exaggerated arguments, theatrical expressions, and casual little hops to prove that he was physically, mentally, and emotionally stable... or at least functional.
Once he finally managed to calm him down, the conversation flowed naturally and warmly, as always. The hours flew by between laughs, minor repairs, and inside jokes that only made sense within their small family world. It was simple but invaluable time—the kind that wouldn't make it into any history books, but would definitely stay in the heart. Steven appreciated it more than before, as if something inside him were reminding him that the simple moments could also be irreplaceable.
As the day came to an end, Steven stretched, took a deep breath, and smiled.
"Well, Dad, it was a pleasure hanging out with you," he said in a soft, sincere voice.
Greg smiled from ear to ear, radiating that signature warmth of his that could always piece him back together.
"You know it, Stevo... your old man is always gonna be right here. Just take care of yourself, that's all I ask. And behave. And please, listen to Pearl. She usually ignores me, but whenever you act up, she shows up here like I'm emotional tech support."
Steven opened his mouth to reply, but didn't know what to say right away.
He stayed silent for several seconds, not out of awkwardness, but because he felt that, somehow, those words carried more weight than usual. His smile formed slowly, almost shaky but honest.
"Alright," he replied with a forced but affectionate smile, raising his hand to wave goodbye as he started walking away.
Greg returned the gesture with the same paternal energy as always.
Steven walked casually down the street, pulling out his new phone like it was a sacred relic that had just been unlocked. He inserted his SIM card with over-the-top ceremony as he passed by the pizzeria and bought one, greeting the employees like nothing had happened.
When his phone finally caught a signal, the vibrations almost made him drop the pizza.
"What the hell...?" he exclaimed, staring at a screen flooded with notifications.
Five hundred missed calls. From Connie... and from many others.
Steven's eyes widened in surprise and confusion, feeling a slight tightness in his throat that he blamed on the wind.
"Well... didn't see that coming," he whispered, trying to sound relaxed.
He rushed back home, set the pizza on the table, and only paused for a second to look at Lapis, who was still motionless watching the exact same episode, as if she were taking a final exam to graduate as a human. Steven simply ignored her and headed back out.
He dialed the number while walking toward the beach in search of fresh air and calm. The night breeze hit his face as the ringtone kept playing without an answer. The tide was high, as if the ocean were restless too.
Then, the call was answered.
"Hello?" asked a woman's voice, a bit older and serious.
Steven froze for a second.
"Good evening, Mrs. Maheswaran. Excuse me, is Connie there?"
There was a brief, soft, but noticeable silence.
"Hello, Steven. Yes, she's asleep. I hope you're feeling better after your accident. They told me you were a bit... well, saying 'a bit' is an understatement, considering what I heard."
Steven furrowed his brow slightly. Accident?
He took a deep breath to get back to his normal tone.
"Oh yeah? Who told you that?"
"It was Garnet. She mentioned to Connie that you were in bad shape, but it seems you're doing well now if you can speak normally."
Steven's silence was short but tense.
"Yes, Mrs. Maheswaran. I'm better, I just took a few hits when... well, I fell from a certain place. But I'm fine, don't worry," he tried to sound casual.
He took a breath and added in a firm voice:
"I just want to make sure that when Connie wakes up, you please tell her I'm okay and to forgive me for not answering. My phone died and they had to buy me a new one."
The line went silent long enough for Steven to feel a chill down his spine.
Finally, the voice responded.
"Alright, Steven. I'll tell her."
"And one more thing," Mrs. Maheswaran said right before hanging up.
Steven adjusted the receiver, confused.
"Yes?" he replied softly.
"Take care of my daughter... it seems she really thinks highly of you."
There was a small silence as Steven smiled, a genuine, somewhat surprised, and even slightly nervous smile.
"Of course, Mrs. Maheswaran. I'll keep that in mind."
The call ended, and the disconnection tone echoed longer in his mind than it did on the phone. Steven stared at the screen for a few seconds, processing everything that had happened and everything he still didn't know how to face.
He took a deep breath, unlocked his phone again, and dialed a different number.
"Hey, Ronaldo?" he said in a calm voice.
That was how the rest of the day went, calling everyone who had worried about him one by one. He felt it was the least he could do. It wouldn't be nice of me not to give an explanation, he thought. At least to the ones who actually took the time to check if I was okay.
Later that night, Steven was in the kitchen, observing the peaceful atmosphere of the house. Beside him, Lapis was talking enthusiastically, trying to explain how the show she was watching now included a third character in the relationship, which seemed to have triggered an analytical mode in her that was impossible to pause.
Steven simply listened, letting her discharge every single thought with surgical intensity, based entirely on five episodes... out of a five-hundred-episode series.
"And that's how Ramón ended up in that... what do you call it? Emotional mess? I read something like that on that thing you guys call the internet. Really useful if you ask me," Lapis said, looking at the phone Steven had lent her.
Steven nodded as he handed her a mug of hot tea. She inspected it with curiosity.
"What is this?" she asked, tilting the container suspiciously.
"It's tea," he said, taking a sip. "Try it, you'll love the taste."
Lapis imitated him without thinking twice; the moment the liquid touched her tongue, she winced, startled by the heat. Then, slowly, she took another sip, this time carefully, until her eyes seemed to light up.
"It's good," she said, taking more gulps as if she were afraid it might disappear.
"Told you so," Steven replied with a smile, pointing to his chest with a slight triumphant gesture.
Silence fell for a few seconds, not an awkward one, but as if the atmosphere needed space to breathe. Steven took a breath and spoke in a low voice.
"Lapis..."
She turned around instantly, confused but attentive.
"Yes, Steven? What is it?"
He raised his hand slightly in a peaceful gesture.
"Don't worry, nothing's wrong," he said gently as he stood up and walked toward the recently repaired couch. She followed him, and they sat down together, side by side.
The living room was enveloped in a quiet stillness, accompanied by the distant sound of the sea.
Steven spoke again, his tone now more serious and reflective.
"Lapis..." he repeated, making sure she stayed locked in with him. "What are you going to do?"
She blinked a few times, nervous.
"What... what am I going to do about what?"
Steven took a deep breath, trying not to pressure her.
"I mean... what are you going to do now that you're no longer with Homeworld?"
Lapis stayed silent. Her eyes drifted to the window where the ocean, illuminated by the night, moved like an infinite blanket breathing calmly.
"I don't know..." she finally said in a low voice. "I've never felt as free as I do now. I feel... alone, I guess. For now, I just want to be with you and the Gems," she added suddenly, almost tripping over her own words to avoid sounding vulnerable.
Steven let out a soft chuckle, and she looked down, embarrassed.
"Don't worry, Lapis. You're welcome here," he said with a warm smile. "Whatever you decide in the end, I'll always support you. If you want to stay, I'll be here with you. If one day you want to leave, I'll support you too. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks... what matters is how you feel."
He leaned his arm on the table as he spoke, but the piece of furniture, still flimsy, gave out under the weight and broke instantly.
The silence returned.
Three dots.
Three seconds.
Three heartbeats.
Steven stared at the table with a drop of sweat sliding down his temple, but he chose to ignore the scene as if nothing had happened.
"So... anyway," he said, shifting awkwardly, "are you going to stay in my humble little home for now?"
Lapis didn't think about it for even a single second; she nodded quickly, almost with held-back enthusiasm, as if fearing that saying a word might ruin it.
"Perfect," Steven replied with a sincere smile, though it slowly faded as he remembered something he considered important. "Just avoid putting your foot on my face while I'm sleeping. Last time I dreamed your foot was crushing my face and it wasn't pleasant at all... so that's all I ask."
Lapis's eyes went wide, completely mortified, and she covered her face with both hands, sinking into a little sea of silent, comical humiliation.
And just like that, the two of them started chatting. Steven took the time to explain basic but essential things to her, like why she shouldn't throw the little stray cat walking along the beach, why it was important to eat even if she didn't feel an immediate need to, and, the hardest part of all, what the bathroom was used for—which caused such an exaggerated expression of disgust on Lapis's face that Steven wondered if his soul had just died a little bit inside.
"Another satisfying day," Steven finally said with a light smile that reflected peace and exhaustion all at once.
But that smile vanished instantly as reality caught up with him once more.
"I have to prepare myself," he whispered, serious, without Lapis noticing the shift in his gaze.
End of Chapter 36.