Change

"Garnet?" Steven asks as he approaches the fusion gem.

His 16th birthday is in a few weeks and he learned from last time that if he wants to do something for his birthday he should tell the gems a few weeks ahead, lest Pearl has a gemfit.

"Can we just keep it simple and everyone go out for pizza .. all of us?" he questions referring to the three Homeworld gems; Peridot, Lapis and Jasper.

It's been a year since the three have officially joined the team. Things are still a little .. shaky between a few of the gems.

Peridot and Amethyst are the best of friends. Even before Peridot said she wanted to join the team, her and Amethyst were never a part. Wherever Amethyst was, Peridot was next to her and vice versa.

Lapis on the other hand seems to be the most distant of the three, though she does stay rather close to Steven nowadays. Once in a while you'll also see her silently fussing over Steven and watching Amethyst and Peridot interact. Ever since she's come out of the Malachite, she's more or less doesn't acknowledge Jasper at all. Though the same could be said about the latter.

Jasper on the hand, is having one of the hardest times transitioning but for the most part, she handles herself better that Lapis. Occasionally you'll see her conversating with the Garnet but it's more out of mutual respect and understanding of each other's strength. For the most part, the two still can't stand each other.

"Are you sure?" Garnet questions Steven.

He smiles at Garnet. She has taught him so much and has been the most supportive of him throughout everything.

"I'm sure," he says and moves to sit down next to her. "I just want a relaxing celebration, you know? We've had such a tiring week, I figured we could all just eat and conversate."

"It has been a rather exhauting week, hasn't it," Garnet mumbles to herself. "Is it just us gems and Connie and your dad coming?"

Steven frowns and shakes his head. "I was just thinking it could just us gems."

Garnet pulls down her shades and looks at the young man that she helped raise.

"Steven, what's really going on? I understand you've had a tough week, it's been tough on us all. But that's never been a reason for why you'd want to celebrate your birthday in such a calm manner nor without Connie and your father," Garnets tells the teen.

Steven's quiet and Garnet places her hand on his forehead feeling it before sliding down to cup his cheek.

"Garnet, I'm just tired," he responds and leans into Garnet's hand. Sapphire.

"I know Steven, I know," Garnet says and pulls the teen into her, his head resting on her chest.

"Can we just go eat pizza for my birthday? Just Peridot and Amethyst, Pearl and Lapis," Steven starts to say but gets interrupted by a yawn, "Jasper and you," Steven's voices trails off, "and me."

Garnet smiles as a light snore escapes from Steven.

...

"The kid okay?" Jasper asks as she emerges from her room. She slowly makes her way toward Garnet and a sleeping Steven as the temple doors close behind her.

The day after each of the Homeworld gems were initiated into the Crystal Gems, they all worked to create a room suited for each gem. Jasper's room is in between Garnet's and Amethyst's.

Garnet looks up and Jasper then down at a sleeping Steven whose head is now using her thighs as pillows.

"He's just tired. It's been a long week," Garnet says and runs her hand through his hair.

"It's been for us all," Jasper responds and turns to walk over to the window.

Garnet stays silent as she watches Steven sleep.

It has been a rough week on them and with Steven acting this way and his birthday is only a few weeks away, it makes her worry. It feels like she's missing something.

"What did you and the kid talk about?" Jasper asks from her position near the bay window.

She may not respect the fusion gem aside from her strength but that doesn't mean she doesn't notice the affection the fusion has for Rose Quartz's son, Steven. After years around the kid, she can understand why everyone who meets him changes because of him.

"He wanted all of us gems to celebrate his birthday with a relaxing day eating pizza," Garnet responds.

"Oh, why?" Jasper asks.

Garnet shrugs. "I was trying to figure that out until he fell asleep. He said, he's just tired. Nothing more." A frown graces her face.

"Oh," Jasper says and watching the fusion worry about the halfling strikes something in her.