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Steven and Connie's relationship has been pretty rocky for a few months now, and naturally, as his friend, you took it upon yourself to help him through his first breakup.
Although he and Connie decided to be friends. It doesn't mean that this tore Steven apart. Just like when they were younger, when Connie was preparing to enter College. Steven proposed to her, but ultimately got rejected by her.
On one of those wallowing days since they broke off, Steven calls you over for emotional support.
Arriving there, you see him laying on his bed in his very messy room with empty ice cream pots scattered everywhere and dirty clothes all around the floor. It was a disastrous type of mess.
Sighing, yin sat beside him on his bed. Patting his head gently as he tries not to cry his heart out.
Steven looks up at you with puffy, red eyes, a small smile forming on his face as he feels your gentle touch.
"Heh... thanks, Yin. I don't know what I'd do without you." He sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping. "Connie and I just can't seem to make it work, you know? We love each other, but..." His voice trails off as he stares blankly at the ceiling.
Suddenly, he sits up and wraps his arms around you in a tight hug, burying his face in your neck. "Can you stay with me tonight? I don't want to be alone..." He whispers softly, his warm breath tickling your skin.
".. Steven, you know I can't."
Steven's arms tighten around you briefly before he pulls back, a look of disappointment crossing his face. He nods slowly, understanding in his eyes.
"I know, I know... It's just... hard, you know? Being alone with my thoughts..." He runs a hand through his messy hair, sighing heavily. "But I get it. You have your own life and stuff."
He leans back against the headboard, pulling his knees up to his chest. His gaze drifts to the window, a faraway look in his eyes. "Maybe I should just... give up on relationships altogether. It's not like I'm any good at them anyway..." His voice is barely above a whisper, filled with self-doubt.
yin shot him a look. Huffing, she grabbed his hands and pulled him up.
"Listen here, mister. Get up right now and go take a long warm relaxing shower. For one, you need one stinky.”
Steven's eyes widen in surprise and embarrassment, as you suddenly grab his hands and pull him up. He stumbles slightly, caught off guard by your sudden movement.
"A shower? But..." He starts to protest, but the stern look on your face stops him short. He sighs, knowing better than to argue with you when you're in this mood.
"Fine, fine... I'll go take a shower." He grumbles, dragging his feet as he makes his way towards the bathroom. "But only because you told me to, not because I want to or anything..."
As he reaches the bathroom door, he pauses and looks back at you over his shoulder. "Thanks, Yin... for being here for me and stuff." He gives you a small, grateful smile before disappearing into the bathroom.
An hour took him to bathe. Steven steps into his room, his hair damp and messy from the shower. He's wearing a clean pair of sweatpants and a tshirt, looking much more relaxed than before.
As he takes in the tidy state of his room, his eyes widen in surprise, his scattered dirty laundry is gone. The empty ice cream tub he had been comfort-eating is gone as well.
Turning towards his bed, Yin was fluffing his pillows on his bed. Beside the bed, a cookie tin sat readily by the nearby table with hot chocolate, still steaming beside it.
"Whoa... when did you do all this?" He asks, looking around in awe at the neat and organized space. His gaze lands on you fluffing his pillows, a warm feeling spreading through his chest at the sight.
He walks over to the table, eyeing the cookie tin and hot chocolate with a grin. "You even made snacks! You're like... the best friend ever.” he remarks in appreciation.
"You better eat and drink all of these. Before you go to bed, mister.” Yin nags.
Steven nods slowly before sitting down on the bed and grabbing a cookie from the tin. He takes a big bite, closing his eyes as he savors the sweet flavor. "Mmm... these are so good."
He opens his eyes and looks at you with a mischievous glint. "You know, you could just stay here tonight... I promise I'll be good." He says with a wink, trying to persuade you to change your mind.
As he takes a sip of the hot chocolate, he can't help but let out a content sigh. "But seriously, thank you for doing all this. It really helps..." His voice trails off as he looks at you with genuine gratitude in his eyes.
Yin gives him a soft smile, plopping down next to him. She pats his shoulder.
"I'm glad it helps you.”
Steven leans into your touch, feeling comforted by your gentle pat on his shoulder. He sets his mug down and turns to face you, his expression turning serious.
"You know, Yin... I don't know what I'd do without you. You're always there for me, no matter what." He says softly, his eyes searching yours. "I just... I really appreciate you."
Without warning, he wraps his arms around you in a tight hug, burying his face in your neck. His voice muffled against your skin. "Can we just stay like this for a bit? Please?" He asks, not wanting to let go just yet.
"Fine... "
she conceded at his persuasion, running her fingers through his curl and fluffy raven locks.
"So... Are you okay now?... What Connie did was wrong…but you know, she's really passionate about her dream. ” her gentle voice broke the comfortable silence.
Steven relaxes into your touch, a soft sigh escaping his lips as you run your fingers through his curls. He stays silent for a moment, just enjoying the comforting sensation.
"I... I don't know." He admits quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Part of me is still hurt and angry... but another part of me just feels... numb. In one moment, I get it.
“ You and I both know Connie's personality! She…”
He pulls back slightly to look at you, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "Connie and I... we've been through so much together. It's just hard to just... let go." His voice cracks slightly, revealing the pain he's trying to hide.
"But you're right. What she did was wrong. I deserve better than that..." He says firmly, as if trying to convince himself.
"I just…” he trails off looking ready to cry again.
"Hey, hey, it takes time to heal. You have Pearl, Garnet, Amethyst, heck, the whole Gemkind. And you also have your Dad! The entire Beach City population and me!
"Maybe, what Connie did was something she'll later regret in our later years. Steven, we're still young and growing. This is a learning lesson for all of us. So, please don't get upset over it now. There's years ahead of us to find ourselves!” she interjected his spiral doom of brooding.
Steven listens to your words, his expression softening as he takes in your comforting presence. He nods slowly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"You're right... I have so many people who care about me. I shouldn't let this one thing bring me down." He says, his voice filled with determination. "And you're right about Connie too. We're both still learning and growing..."
He reaches out and takes your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thanks for always being here to talk me through stuff like this, Yin. You're the bestest friend anyone could ask for." He says sincerely, his eyes shining with gratitude. His words made Yin smile at him happily.
As the days go by, Steven starts to come out of his shell once again. He throws himself into his duties, spending time with the Gems and helping out around Beach City. Slowly but surely, the sparkle in his eyes begins to return.
He starts going out more, visiting his friends and even picking up his guitar again. The sound of his music fills the house once more, a sign that he's healing and moving forward.
Through it all, you're always there by his side. Checking in on him, offering words of encouragement and support. Your presence is a constant reminder that he's not alone.
One day, as you drop by to check on him, you find him sitting in the garden, strumming his guitar gently. He looks up at you with a warm smile. "Hey Yin... I was hoping you'd come by today." He says softly, patting the spot next to him. "Sit with me for a bit? I want to play you something..." His eyes shine with excitement and gratitude.
Steven smiles back at you, his fingers moving expertly over the guitar strings. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment before starting to play.
The melody is soft and gentle, filled with emotion. As he sings, his voice is clear and strong, pouring out his heart and soul into the lyrics.
"I've been lost in the darkness,
Feeling alone and afraid.
But then you came along,
And showed me the way..."
He opens his eyes, looking at you as he sings. His gaze is filled with warmth and affection, the words of the song clearly meant for you.
"You're my light in the shadows,
My anchor in the storm.
With you by my side,
I'm never alone..."
As he finishes the song, he sets the guitar aside and turns to face you fully.
"You don't only have me. You also have your whole family, Steven." yin reassured him with a smile.
Steven nods, a soft smile graced his face once more. "I know, Yin. And I'm grateful for all of them. But..." He hesitates for a moment, his eyes searching yours. "You're different. You're the one who's always there for me, no matter what. The one who understands me like no one else."
He reaches out, gently taking your hand in his. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Yin. You're not just my friend... you're my rock." His voice is filled with sincerity and emotion.
Suddenly, he pulls you into a tight hug, holding you close. "Thank you," He whispers against your ear, "for everything. For being there for me, for supporting me, for loving me..." His voice cracks slightly on the last word, revealing the depth of his feelings