Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Six Chapter Four: Roommates

So she was healed, and her corruption was gone. As for Steven, he didn't know exactly what was going on. He knew he wasn't corrupted... at least not yet. Spinel finished her recap of the earlier events. What he got from it was that he ended up losing control a bit, and lashed out on Spinel. Spinel didn't try to fight back, not wanting to hurt him, but she still defended herself. After minutes... or hours of fighting, Steven fainted. That's how he woke up in his bed, Spinel... brought him back.

Steven let in a loud, and thrilled gasp, "YOU DO CARE," he shouted.

Spinel blushed, and looked away. She crossed her arms and didn't make eye contact.

"Fine... maybe a little," she muttered.

Steven was about to gasp loudly again, but Spinel quickly shushed him.

"Don't go alerting everyone else about it... geez! Why do you care so much if I like you anyway?"

Steven thought for a moment. Why did he care? She was a gem just like all the others. Maybe it was that she was abandoned for 6,000 years, and he somehow finds it to be his fault. Maybe it's that he likes her presence. Maybe... it's because he wants to prove something to her. That he can be a good friend... the friend that she needs.

"It's... complicated."

Spinel raised a brow smugly, giving a 'seriously' face. Steven chuckled, and Spinel soon joined in. They got caught in the moment, not wanting it to end. Finally they had a moment of peace. Finally they were happy. Happy to have someone who understood them.
Still, however, in the back of Steven's mind, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. That one little, microscopic thing, wasn't right.

•••

Steven awoke to the sun shining through his window, hitting his face. He went to get up, but was caught by hands wrapped around him. It appeared that he slept downstairs with Spinel. He stared at the pink gem, seeing her soft breaths as she cuddled his arm. He was glad to finally see her happy again.

He quietly maneuvered out of her grasp, and into the kitchen. He felt lazy today, so for breakfast he went to his secret stash of Cookie Cats. He has been able to save a few before they ran out, and went bankrupt. So now he saves them for special occasions, and Spinel being back safe and sound was definitely a special occasion.

Steven heard a shift in movement coming from behind him. He turned around to see the pink gem rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning Spinel," Steven cheered, taking out a Cookie Cat for her. "Want a Cookie Cat? I usually don't offer them to people, but considering I'm celebrating you, I thought you might want one."

Spinel nodded tiredly, getting out of bed. She dragged on over to the kitchen counter, and awaited her treat. Steven pulled out a seat next to her, and gave one to her. They ate their delicious treats in peace, enjoying the Neapolitan flavor... for about 5 seconds.

"ARE THOSE COOKIE CATS," Amethyst shouted, pointing to the ice cream sandwiches.

"Uhh... no," Steven attempted at a lie.

"Yeah right," Amethyst shouted, running up next to them, inspecting it closely. "Yeah they are! And-wait, why does Spinel get one! Where's mine?!"

"Now now Amethyst. This is a special occasion, celebrating Spinel's return. So I thought she c-"

"No fair! I've asked for one for years now, c'mon Steven, pleeeaase," Amethyst begged with puppy eyes.

"Ugh, fine," Steven sighed, getting up to grab one of the delicious treats.

"Yes," Amethyst shouted, gulping the treat down in one bite.

Spinel laughed at her funny actions, and took another bite of hers. The door to the infinity room opened, and Garnet and Pearl stepped out.

"Good morning everyone," Pearl chirped.

"Good morning," Garnet said also.

"Good morning Pearl, morning Garnet," Steven said.

"Morn-" Amethyst attempted to say, choking mid-sentence.

Spinel waved at them, smiling brightly, as she took the last bite of her treat. Garnet and Pearl made their way over to sit at the counter too. They had to enjoy what little time they had. Soon, they were about to go on their next mission. Finding the Diamonds.

"So Spinel, welcome back," Pearl said.

"Thanks," she said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's good to be back."

"Yeah, I bet. It must've been annoying listening to that blue b-" Amethyst stopped midway, taking a glance at Pearl who scolded her. "Baby. Yeah, blue baby..."

"Hehe... yeah," Spinel looked at her feet, the room growing quiet.

They didn't really know what to talk about. What could they talk about? All they could do was focus on the mission ahead.

"Um... excuse me," another pink gem started. "Not to be rude, but is there anywhere... nicer... than that 'bathroom'?"

"Oh! Pink Pearl, of course. Um..." Steven thought for a minute, rubbing his chin. "I don't really have a spare bedroom besides... Spinel, wanna have a roommate?"

Pink Pearl turned to Spinel, who blushed slightly at her presence.

"Um... m-maybe-I mean yes!"

Pink Pearl covered her mouth, hiding a slight laugh at Spinel's fluttered state. Pink Pearl and Spinel were happy to see each other again, it's just they haven't had much time to talk. And Spinel deeply wanted to say thank you to her friend.

"Do you want to show her the room real quick," Steven asked.

"Ummmmm," Spinel hummed.

"It's fine if you don't want to," Pink Pearl said.

"No, I'd love to," Spinel shouted quite loud, covering her mouth in embarrassment.

Amethyst laughed at the pink gem, who blushed some more, trying to hide her face in her pigtails. She felt a hand touch her wrist, guiding her hair away from her face. Her eyes met the beautiful pink orbs which belonged to Pink Pearl, and instantly was hypnotized.

"Let's go then," Pink Pearl cheered.

"Uh... y-yeah... hehe," Spinel managed to say.

Spinel led her friend to the door, using her gem to open it. She forgot to close the door however, so the other gems heard some of their conversation.

"So... this my room! It's not much. But um, as you can see to your left, there's clouds! And over there on your right is... more clouds."

Pink Pearl snorted at her funny demeanor, and Spinel slightly smiled. She blushed more, seeing how happy her pink friend looked.

"Oh, but my room can do this!"

Spinel imagined some balls, and began to juggle them, she did a cartwheel, still managing to juggle the balls. She stood on her head, and juggled them with her feet.

"Haha, you're wonderful Spinel," Pink Pearl laughed.

"Heh... so are you," Spinel said.

"What?"

"NOTHING!"

Pink Pearl laughed some more, and Spinel even got dragged into the laughing fit. All the while the gems watched the two wholesome gems grow closer without even realizing it.

"I think they may be my new favorite couple," Amethyst whispered.

"Wait, they're a couple," Steven gasped, holding his face.

"Not yet," Garnet winked, pulling down her visor.

"Well, for now, let's give them some privacy," Pearl said.

With that, the gems left to leave the two in peace. The two pink gems laughed and played with each other in their new room. Finally glad to have company. Finally glad to be happy. Finally glad... to be loved.