[The communicator lies on the floor, faint sparks sputtering from its fractured shell. Bluebird's voice still comes through, distorted and cut off by static, but it's understandable.]
Bluebird (through the communicator) : Hey... [static] ...what was... [static] ...that?
[Steven approaches the communicator, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He stares down at the device, his pink glow subtly pulsating as if mirroring his heartbeat.]
Pink Steven: ...
[Bluebird's mocking laugh echoes through the broken device, garbled by static.]
Bluebird (through the communicator): Ohhh, I see now... [static] ...just another one of... [static] ...your pink outbursts... [static] ...wasn't it?
Pink Steven: ...
Bluebird (through the communicator): You know... [static] I almost feel... [static] ...sorry for you. But then again... [static] ...you never learn.
[Those last words barely leave the speaker before Steven's foot slams down on the communicator, shattering the device completely. The force of the impact causes the ground to tremble, sending a deep reverberation through the cavern. The silence that follows is suffocating.]
Pink Steven: ...
[Connie steps forward slowly, her voice a soft, careful thread of concern.]
Connie: Steven, are you okay?
[Steven doesn't answer right away. His chest heaves as he struggles to catch his breath, his pink glow intensifying.]
Pink Steven: No! No, I'm not okay! I feel like... like I'm about to--
[He stumbles back a step, his hands trembling. His voice cracks as he responds, but it carries a simmering rage.]
Pearl: *alarmed* Steven, please... you have to calm down!!
Amethyst: Yeah, dude, take it easy! You're way too wound up! Chill out!
[Steven runs his hands through his hair, gripping it as if trying to physically restrain the chaos inside him.]
Pink Steven: *almost shouting* You think I'm not trying?! I'm trying so damn hard, but it's just too much! I can't... I can't keep it together anymore!
Garnet: Steven, listen to me. Breathe. Just focus on your breathing.
Pink Steven: *almost shouting* I can't! My mind's a mess! I-I can't even think straight!
Garnet: I understand how you feel, Steven. We all do. You're scared. You're angry. And that's okay. You have every right to feel that way.
Pink Steven: Huh?
Garnet: When emotions spiral out of control, it's easy to think they'll consume you. But no matter how overwhelming they seem, you can't let them control you. If you do, you risk losing sight of who you truly are. I know you, Steven. And I know you're stronger than this.
Pink Steven: You're wrong! I'm not strong enough! I'm weak! I've always been weak! And now... I feel like I'm seconds away from exploding! And I can't stop it! I JUST CAN'T!!!
Garnet: Yes, you can. It feels impossible right now, I know. The anger, the fear, they're clouding your thoughts, making you feel like you're losing control. But that doesn't have to be your reality. If you take a moment to breathe... to ground yourself... you'll find your way back to who you are.
Pink Steven: But what if I can't!? What if I lose control again?!
Garnet: You won't. Not if you choose right now to take control. You have the strength to do it, even when it doesn't feel like it.
[Garnet sits down on the floor, crossing her legs. She pats the space beside her.]
Garnet: Come. Sit with me. Just for a moment. Let's meditate together.
[Steven hesitates, his body trembles, but it's softer now.]
Connie: You don't have to face this alone, Steven. I'm right here, always.
Pearl: Yeah, we all are.
Amethyst: Totally, dude. We've got your back.
Peridot: No matter what.
Connie: We'll get through this, Steven. Together.
Pink Steven: No... not after everything I've done...
[Steven's gaze drops to Connie, focusing on the blood on her face and clothes. His eyes then dart to the others, each visibly injured, a painful reminder of his earlier outburst. His guilt deepens.]
Pink Steven: *devastated* I hurt you. All of you!
[Steven covers his face with his hands, his voice barely audible.]
Pink Steven: I don't deserve your help!
Connie: Steven... what happened doesn't make you a bad person. You're hurting, and sometimes, that hurt spills over. It's okay to make mistakes, it's what you do afterward that matters.
Pink Steven: Connie...
[Steven lowers his hands, his voice breaking as he whispers.]
Pink Steven: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
[Connie smiles softly, holding his hands.]
Connie: I know.
[Steven leans closer, and as their foreheads touch, he kisses her gently. Steven's powers heal her wounds on her body,.]
Pink Steven: I swear... I'll do whatever it takes to make sure this never happens again.
[Steven sits down beside Garnet. Connie sits beside him immediately, mirroring his posture. One by one, Pearl, Amethyst, Peridot, and the others follow suit, forming a circle.]
Garnet: Good. Now, close your eyes. Let go of the tension in your body. Focus on your breath.
[Steven obeys, squeezing his eyes shut. Almost instantly, the pink glow intensifies as his thoughts race. He struggles to calm himself, his breathing quickens.]
Garnet: It's okay, Steven. Don't force it. Just take your time. Breathe in through your nose. Hold it. One, two, three... now let it out slowly. Feel your chest rise and fall. Focus on that.
[Steven's breathing is uneven at first, but as Garnet and the others begin to breathe in sync, his breathing begins to settle into a steady rhythm.]
Garnet: Don't think about anything else. Just the air moving in and out of your lungs. Feel your heartbeat slow. Let your muscles relax.
[Steven's body starts to loosen up, the tension draining from his shoulders, the tremor in his hands gradually subsiding.]
Garnet: Yes, that's it. You're doing great, Steven. Keep it up. One breath at a time.
[Steven's pink glow begins to dim, the intensity of his emotions starting to wane.]
Garnet: Let it all go, Steven. The anger, the fear, the guilt... They don't define who you are. They only have power over you if you let them.
Pink Steven: I think... I think I can.
[Minutes pass, and the pink glow surrounding Steven slowly fades, until it's completely gone. When Steven opens his eyes, they're filled with clarity and relief.]
Steven: *softly* I... I actually did it.
[Connie smiles, reaching for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.]
Connie: I knew you could, Steven.
Garnet: You have the strength to handle whatever comes your way, Steven. You just proved it to yourself.
[Garnet reaches out, placing a hand on his shoulder with a warm smile.]
Steven: Yeah. I feel... better. A lot better.
[The others cheer softly, their support washing over Steven like a warm embrace. Steven smiles, the tension that once consumed him melting away.]
Steven: I couldn't have done it without you guys.
[Steven looks at each of them, tears welling in his eyes.]
Steven: Thank you, all of you. Thank you... for being here. For not giving up on me.
Pearl: We never would.
Amethyst: Yeah, dude. You're not alone.
Garnet: Not now, not ever.
Connie: We'll always be here for you.
[Steven lets out a shaky laugh, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. The weight on his chest feels lighter now, like he can finally breathe again.]
Steven: I don't deserve you guys... but I'm so, so glad you're here.
[They all lean in, embracing him in a collective hug.]