Shift in the Paradigm

chapter 5

Connie eyes widen slowly at the statement. She was prepared to tell him...not like this though.

“Well...Wouldn’t it be?”

“Why would it?”

“Because it’s me and you. We've dated other people, and I’ve never had a long relationship or any good at romance.”

“I don’t think one can be ‘good’ at romance, it’s not a skill you know, despite what everyone says….”

“Easy for you to say, how many outings have you planned for us that were basically a date.”

“I mean...We never called them dates, it was just the two of us hanging out. I wasn’t trying to be romantic.”

“See! You don’t have to work at it. It came naturally to you.”

“Like I said, never really noticed. Every time we go out the only thing on my mind was to forget the problems we were going through and give you something memorable. If that resulted in adventures, jams, snacks, or snuggling up together while looking out at beach city from the hillside or any other stuff... Then all the better...Even more than that, I’m happiest when I’m with you. You‘re my home away from home.”

Connie smiled confidently as she felt her chest warmed. She took his hands and kissed his knuckles gently, feeling the blush warmed her face. She looked up at him with stars in her visible right eye; the fall placed her hair in away that it gave her a eye covering bang on her left side, causing Steven to redden in embarrassment and admiration; feeling the same wave of emotions he felt when he saw her a few years back at Kevins’ party.

“I feel the same about you, for a long time… I love you…That what I omitted from before.

“I love you too Connie.  You’re my Jam bud after all..”

Connie shook her head at his statement. She knew him well enough to figure out that he was baiting her to confess her true feeling clearly. “Yes, we are and it’s something that means so much more than it used to…’Jam buds’ encloses everything about you and I..Our adventures, battles, conflicts, Stevonnie, hell even times when we aren’t on speaking terms.”

“I agree. It’s the ‘flavorful’ history of us, our sweetest moments to our sourest spots. I wonder where this is leading to, though I'm sure I can figure where you going with this.”

“ just, listen...I cherish being jam buds with you Steven, thoughts of our history helped me through some of my worst spots,  but it doesn't encompass everything.”

The shades of the orange sunset enhancing his mischievous smirk made her throat dry and sent a shiver down her spy “Really now, Nini?”

Connie nodded as she massage the back of his hands with her thumbs, opting to hang her head lower and avoid looking up at him to further sheepishness.

“ It doesn't include all I feel for you.. what I feel now.... Even back then when you gave yourself up. It’s a different feeling, stronger and a bit consuming. I tried to hide, ignore; smother it and move on. No use.“

“Doesn't seem like something you would do Berry, you’re usually so fierce when facing a problem.”

“External problems are easier than those of the heart. Going against monsters, tyrants; and the maniacal are a breeze compared to inner conflicts with oneself.”

“Preaching to the choir Connie, but that why I am glad to have you. It help to talk it out and comes to terms with it, you gave me an ear to do just that. Sometimes even a lap to rest my head. So let me be that for you, what the worst that could happen, huh?

“I could lose you, jam bud..or  make things awkward between us.”

“You’d never lose me, you know that. We have a lot more in store for us. Even if we have a few awkward spots, they can still be either sweet or sour flavors in our history.”

“You’re right...I have already decided to face the truth….Steven, while you’re not the naive pacifist you use to be... You still love everybody, or at least you CAN love every and anybody,. You’re willing to put so much on the line for those who are precious and it’s inspiring. You’d even try to reach an understanding with enemies, buts it’s unfair. You give so much of your love yet the amount you recieve doesn’t compare. So let me do it. Let me love you more than you love both gemkind and humanity, because as much as I tried not to..I already do…I love you Steven, not just as my best friend, liege; fusion partner; or even jam bud, but...I can’t say...”

Steven eyes widen at the bold confession and pause absorbing it all in  as he looked at the girl on his lap, he felt her tears roll down and fall on his hands. He lift his hands to wipe the tears gently before  pulling her in close to him in gentle and secure hold The smell of her chai and cinnamon shampoo, her natural scent of oranges and lavender overwhelmed him and lit a small urge. Before she and him knew what was going on, he kissed the crook of her neck, her  tear stained cheeks, but she beat him to the lips, which he melted into. It wasn’t like in the movies or novels. It was a held peck in comparison to the slick healing french from earlier..but they still felt a glow and heat around them. When they finally opened their eyes they each saw  something different.

For Connie it was brown diamond shaped eyes that sparkled like a supernova despite being gazed over a bit, with a pink glow coming from below. For Steven, he saw the galaxy in her very partial pinkish black eyes and  felt a comforting warmth from pink her arm. Both of them knew what this feeling was: Stevonnie. The feeling of trust, serenity; and love that empowers Stevonnie brings but without forming, something that they were fine with as they still needed to talk.

“So...Is it safe to say your feelings are romantic?”