Steven's Choice

Unfused for You, My Diamond

~~ The Next Morning ~~

Garnet's P.O.V

I wake in my room and sit up, recalling the events of the previous night. My Cutie Pie showed off his amazing singing skills, something I doubt I could ever forget. During his performance, I had felt some unusual and reoccurring feelings toward Steven, the same I felt when he hugged me earlier yesterday. These consisted of admiring how good looking he was, how perfect his voice was, and just how wonderful he is overall. Speaking of Steven, I should go check on him. I activate my two gems and my room opens, splitting apart like two halves of a grilled cheese sandwich. Stepping outside, I hear the door close behind me and move toward where Steven is sleeping. He hasn't changed where his room over the years, which I found to be quite curious because you'd think that he'd perhaps want to try living in Rose's old room at some point. But, perhaps that would be the best thing for him given the truth of his mother.

As I enter the living room, I look up and see him resting right where he usually is. Steven's still dressed in his attire from last night, too tired to switch into his pajamas after coming home. Once he and Lapis concluded their singing, the rest of the Gems partied and danced the night away. It was about 3:30 AM when we all got back to the Temple and by that point, Steven had passed out. When nobody was looking, I took the chance to carry him up to his bed and tuck him in. I did have to usher away the other members of the team who eventually noticed his absence just to give him some space. Jasper retired to the barn with Peridot and Lapis, and Pearl went back to her room, a bit miffed that she couldn't give Steven a kiss goodnight like she always did as he was growing up. Amethyst, however, wanted to sleep alongside him, but I forbade it. I thought that he'd feel awkward and a bit embarrassed waking up to that. Or was it that I wanted to be the one Steven first woke up to instead of Amethyst? I'm starting to question it at this point.

I carefully tip toe my way up the steps and stand over Steven's sleeping form. I'm thinking about kissing him awake but just doing one on the cheek, since the lips would be way too forward. But it's a thought that spawned from those same feelings, them making me a bit anxious to try it out. But on the off chance it were to happen, I see a couple futures where Steven won't see my affection in the way I want him to and he'll shun me as a result. But, the more I stir on this particular thought, the more I'm coming around to actually wanting to do it. I finally decide to just give it a shot and lean in closer to Steven's face. I'm about to connect our lips, however someone is blocking the way. My eyes widen as I see Lapis snuggling into Steven. Her arms are slung around his chest and her legs are lay over top of his own. The sight makes me angry, making me realize that the ocean gem is head over heels for him and has now actively tried beating me to the punch in securing Steven's love. I had foreseen this possibility where Lapis would sneak in here after we had all gone to our rooms, but out of stubbornness, I chose to ignore the fact.

I feel both parts of me arguing, Ruby pissed at Lapis and Sapphire trying to calmly explain that there's still another way we can make this work. It gets to be so conflicting that I feel myself begin to split apart and soon enough that's exactly what happens. Ruby falls to the left and Sapphire falls to the right.

Ruby's P.O.V

The ground hits me hard, but not nearly as hard as the anger and frustration I feel at the moment. I clench my fists, glancing at Lapis' hogging of Steven, then stomp away down the stairs as Sapphire shushes me. She gets up to follow me, but I head directly into the bathroom without stopping and lock the door behind me, but only after Sapphire comes in too. Growling and pulling on the ends of my headband, I pace around the small area, counting up the ways I want to poof that sly and sneaky ocean gem.