Changed for the Worse (Stevinel)

Oath

Not a peep was sounded. Spinel followed along as Steven led the way to their "exit". But if he was honest with himself, he wasn't sure where to start with this exit. The scene felt uncomfortable for him to fully grasp, as he retracted his previous steps. The atmosphere was confined from the jagged floors to the darkness. Not to mention he was still in pain from his tumble down.

'No wonder things were tense earlier...'

Just as the two had gotten closer to the walls of the crater, Steven suddenly stopped in his tracks as he looked up at the top of the cliff. This caused Spinel from behind to bump right into him, and he nearly lost his balance.

"Oh sorry!" both had said almost simultaneously.

Steven quickly adjusted himself and turned over to check on Spinel. At the same time though, she had put her hands up in panic mode nearly backing away from him, inch by inch.

"Don't worry, Spinel, I'm not gonna hurt you." He said in defense of the sudden action, giving her a reassuring smile.

She just stared back at him. After a few seconds though, she stopped in her tracks and lowered her arms. Steven took that as not a bad thing. At least for now. Right now, they needed to get out of here. He turned back around and looked up at the rim. Only one thing he could do; jump his way out. That wasn't hard at all. Just one problem though..Spinel.

How was she going to get out? Surely she could just bounce her way on up? He turned his head just enough to peak at Spinel on the left corner of his eye. She didn't pay him any mind this time. Instead, she was twirling her gloved thumbs while still looking at the same part of the ground. No.. He couldn't just expect her to do that while she was in this state. She was in a very dark spot, literally.

'But who'd expect you to?' he felt his internal self-question himself.

He wasn't a selfish person, but he had to draw the line between being too selfless as well. Just right now didn't seem like the appropriate train of thought for him to debate that either. Instead, he went with his instinct and what he knew by nature.

Steven then turned completely around to face. Spinel didn't take notice at first until she felt his presence getting closer. She looked up to see that their bodies were close while their faces were nearly inches away from each other. His face began turning red from this sudden closeness while she only appeared speechless. This wasn't the first time he had seen her this close, but this time was different. Her eyes were fully opened and completely aware, not filled with homicidal rage from before. Plus they weren't falling from the sky. No. Truth be told, this was much more awkward.

"H-hold on," He quickly said as he proceeded to lightly wrap one arm around the gems' midsection, ensuring her security.

This took Spinel completely by surprise. But she was not quick enough to respond before Steven completely swapped her off her feet, turned around to face the walls of the crater, and leaped off the floor, forcing her body upward.

"Eeep-!" she yelped.

The two were just high enough to reach themselves out of the crater onto the grassy hilltop. As they landed on the ground, Spinel quickly released herself from Stevens' light grasp, leaping back.

"Ya-ya mind warnin' me next time when ya gonna do 'that' !?" she complained as she turned her back from him, clinging onto herself while slightly shaking.

She didn't like being touched.

And it's silly to say so, as she felt completely embarrassed for never admitting to it. After all, she was meant to be a best friend. Someone who'd show affection to their friends through physical contact such as hugging. It was simple even. But things were different now...