Author's Note: Check out this writing style! I'm really having a blast writing and trying new things. Let me know what you think, thanks for the support. And for those of you who upload my story to YouTube, please leave the author's notes in; there's a reason I include them. That's all for now, love you all. <3
Let's continue.
After a few days in which the Gems tried hard to explain to Lapis why Steven was temporarily disappearing inside his cloud room, they finally managed to get her to stop accidentally breaking walls or trying to bring the ocean into the living room whenever she got scared or misunderstood things. Little by little, they began to guide her, teaching her to recognize when to worry and when she should simply wait for Steven to return without creating emotional or literal tsunamis.
With the atmosphere somewhat more stable, Steven decided to show her some TV shows so she could learn about human culture in a calmer way; However, he ended up regretting it because of the intensity with which she processed the information.
Lapis remained motionless in front of the television as if she were staring into a window onto the universe, critically analyzing every second of a romantic series that Steven had put on only because he couldn't find the remote. She demanded to watch the same episode repeatedly because, according to her analysis, she needed to observe every emotional, social, linguistic, and psychological detail of the human species. In short: she was conducting scientific research on teenage drama.
Steven watched her from the kitchen, shaking his head like someone who had just discovered he had a professional fan living in the house. He decided to leave her and go find his father, since he had bought a new phone that Steven urgently needed. Besides, he was worried about Connie; he still didn't understand why she hadn't called him. Maybe she was still upset, or maybe she simply hadn't heard about his return. He thought it best to call her to avoid a scene worthy of a soap opera.
He arrived at his father's garage, where he found him fixing the mayor's truck for the third time. For them, this meant income, patience, and more opportunities to hear how that truck "mysteriously" broke down every weekend. Steven helped him finish the job while they chatted, but first, he spent fifteen minutes convincing him with exaggerated arguments, theatrical expressions, and casual little jumps to prove that he was physically, mentally, and emotionally stable... or at least functional.
When he finally managed to calm him down, the conversation flowed naturally and warmly, as always. The hours passed with laughter, minor repairs, and anecdotes that only made sense within their small family world. It was simple but invaluable time, the kind that wouldn't go down in history, but would stay in their hearts. Steven appreciated it more than ever, as if something inside him reminded him that simple moments could also be irreplaceable.
When the day came to an end, Steven stretched, took a deep breath, and smiled.
"Well, Dad, it was a pleasure being with you." "—he said in a soft, sincere voice.
Greg smiled from ear to ear, radiating that warmth of his that always managed to lift him up.
"You know, Stevo… your old man will always be here. Just take care of yourself, that's all I ask. And behave yourself. And please, listen to Pearl. She usually ignores me, but when you misbehave, she shows up here like I'm emotional support."
Steven opened his mouth to reply, but didn't know what to say right away.
He remained silent for several seconds, not out of discomfort, but because he felt that, somehow, those words carried more weight than usual. His smile formed slowly, almost trembling, but genuine.
"Okay," he replied with a forced but affectionate smile, raising his hand to wave goodbye as he started walking.
Greg returned the gesture with his usual paternal energy.
Steven strolled leisurely down the street, pulling out his new phone as if it were a newly unlocked sacred relic. He inserted the SIM card with exaggerated ceremony as he passed the pizzeria and bought a pizza, greeting the employees as if nothing had happened.
When his phone finally got a signal, the vibrations almost made him drop the pizza.
"What the hell...?" he exclaimed, seeing the screen flooded with notifications.
Five hundred missed calls.
From Connie... and many others.
Steven opened his eyes, surprised, confused, and with a slight tightness in his throat that he blamed on the wind.
"Well... I wasn't expecting that," he whispered, trying to sound relaxed.
He hurried home, left the pizza on the table, and only paused for a second to look at Lapis, who was still motionless, watching the same episode, as if she were taking a final exam to graduate from human status. Steven simply ignored her and went back outside.
He dialed the number as he walked toward the beach, seeking some fresh air and peace. The night breeze caressed his face as the ringing continued unanswered. The tide was high, as if the ocean itself were restless.
Then, the call was answered.
"Yes?" asked a woman's voice, slightly older and more serious.
Steven froze for a second.
"Good evening, Mrs. Maheswaran. Excuse me, is Connie here?"
There was a brief, soft, but noticeable silence.
"Hi Steven. Yes, she's asleep. I hope you're feeling better after your accident. I heard you were a little... well, "a little" is an understatement, considering what I heard."
Steven frowned slightly. "An accident?"
He took a deep breath to return to his normal tone.
"Oh, really? Who told you?"
"It was Garnet. She told Connie you were in bad shape, but it seems you're fine now if you can speak normally."
Steven's silence was short but tense.
"Yes, Mrs. Maheswaran. I'm better. I just bumped myself a few times when... well, I fell from a certain place. But I'm fine, don't worry," he tried to sound casual.
He took another breath and added firmly,
"I just want you to tell Connie I'm okay when she wakes up, and to apologize for not answering her. My phone died, and they had to buy me a new one."
The line went silent, long enough for Steven to feel a chill run down his spine.
Finally, the voice answered.
"Okay, Steven. I'll tell her."
"And one more thing," Mrs. Maheswaran said just before hanging up.
" Steven adjusted his earpiece, confused.
"Yes?" he answered gently.
"Take care of my daughter… she really seems to care about you."
There was a brief silence as Steven smiled, genuine, somewhat surprised, and even a little nervous.
"Of course, Mrs. Maheswaran. I'll keep that in mind."
The call ended, and the disconnection sound lingered longer in his mind than on the phone. Steven stared at the screen for a few seconds, processing everything that had happened and everything he still didn't know how to deal with.
He took a deep breath, unlocked his phone, and dialed again.
"Hello, Ronaldo?" he said calmly.
That's how the rest of the day went, calling each person who had been concerned about him. He felt it was the least he could do. It wouldn't be kind of him not to offer explanations, he thought. At least not to those who had actually taken the time to check on him.
Later, Steven was in the kitchen, observing the peaceful atmosphere of the house. Beside her, Lápiz was talking excitedly as she tried to explain how the show she was watching now included a third character in the relationship, which seemed to have triggered an analytical mode in her that was impossible to pause.
Steven simply listened, letting her fire off each thought with surgical precision, based on only five episodes... out of a five-hundred-episode series.
"And that's how Ramón ended up in that mess... what do you call it? Emotional? Something like that I read on that thing you guys call the internet. Really useful, if you ask me," Lápiz said, looking at the phone Steven had lent her.
Steven nodded as he handed her a cup of hot tea. She looked at it curiously.
"What's this?" she asked, tilting the cup suspiciously.
"It's tea," he said, taking a sip. "Try it, you'll love the flavor."
Lápiz did as he said without thinking much; as soon as the liquid touched her tongue, she winced, surprised by how hot it was. Then, slowly, she took another sip, this time carefully, until her eyes seemed to sparkle.
"It's good," she said, taking more sips, as if afraid it would disappear.
"Of course it is," Steven replied with a smile, pointing to his chest with a slight, triumphant gesture.
Silence fell for a few seconds, not awkward, but as if the room needed space to breathe. Steven took a breath and spoke in a low voice.
"Pencil..."
She turned immediately, confused but attentive.
"Yes, Steven? What's wrong?"
He raised his hand slightly, with a peaceful gesture.
"Relax, nothing's wrong," he said gently as he stood up and walked toward the newly repaired armchair. She followed him, and they sat down together, side by side.
The room was enveloped in a tranquil silence, accompanied by the distant sound of the sea.
Steven spoke again, now in a more serious and thoughtful tone.
"Lapis..." he repeated, to make sure she was still with him. "What are you going to do?"
She blinked several times, nervous.
"What... what am I going to do about what?"
Steven took a deep breath, trying not to pressure her.
"I mean... what are you going to do now that you're not with Homeworld anymore?"
Lapis was silent. Her eyes drifted out the window where the sea, illuminated by the night, moved like an endless blanket, breathing calmly.
"I don't know..." she said finally, in a low voice. "I've never felt as free as I do now. I feel... alone, I guess. For now, I just want to be with you and the Gems," she added suddenly, almost stumbling over her own words to avoid sounding vulnerable.
Steven chuckled softly, and she looked down, embarrassed.
"Don't worry, Lapis." "You're welcome here," she said with a warm smile. "Whatever you decide in the end, I'll always support you. If you want to stay, I'll be with you. If someday you want to leave, I'll support you then too. It doesn't matter what others think… what matters is how you feel."
She rested her arm on the table as she spoke, but the still-weak piece of furniture gave way under her weight and broke immediately.
Silence returned.
Three dots.
Three seconds.
Three heartbeats.
Steven stared at the table, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple, but decided to ignore the scene as if nothing had happened.
"Well…" he said, shifting uncomfortably, "are you going to stay in my humble little house for now?"
Lapis didn't hesitate for a second; she nodded quickly, almost with barely contained enthusiasm, as if she were afraid that saying a word might ruin everything.
"Perfect," Steven replied with a genuine smile, though it slowly faded as he remembered something he considered important. "Just avoid putting your foot on my face while I'm sleeping. Last time I dreamt your foot was squashing my face, and it wasn't pleasant at all... so that's all I ask."
Lapis opened her eyes wide, completely embarrassed, and covered her face with both hands, sinking into a small sea of silent, comical humiliation.
And so, they began to chat. Steven took the time to explain basic but essential things to her, like why she shouldn't throw away the kitten that was walking along the beach, why it was important to eat even if she didn't feel hungry right away, and, most difficult of all, what the bathroom was for, which provoked such an exaggerated expression of disgust from Lapis that Steven wondered if her soul had just died a little.
"Another satisfying day," Steven finally said, with a slight smile that reflected both peace and weariness.
But that smile vanished instantly when reality caught up with him once again.
"I have to get ready," he whispered seriously, without Lapis noticing the change in his expression.
End of Chapter 36.