💫Still Not Giving Up💫

Chapter Thirty-Five

(i'm too lazy to write a whole redemption ark, so it's been a few months and everything has been ((mostly)) solved between the two lovers, and sorry this is so short...)

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you wiped the counters at Stevens home, brushing rings of water and crumbs away as you pulled the green rag along. a sigh escaped your lips, wishing you could sit down and just be finished.

but you needed to do something. you had been so bored earlier that cliff jumping was becoming an actual thought in your mind. so you decided to clean up a little bit.

but once you started you couldn't stop.

Steven had been much nicer -if that was possible- after the incident. and so much more understanding. and although you still hadn't discussed the fact you that fused -you weren't really ready to address it-, afterwards you seemed more in sync with each others emotions. it was odd, like after fusing you were given a piece of each others brain, and now you know things without having to say them out loud.

it was little after noon when you finished, and the couch had never looked more welcoming. you sank into the cushions and groaned, your feet aching and wrists. you pulled out your phone, checking for any new messages from Steven or twitter.

nothing.

that struck you as odd. usually steven sent you a plethora of tiktoks and random messages throughout the day, he said it was what got him through work. he had seemed a little more stressed lately, but you didn't think much of it. it was mid semester at Little Homeschool, which was always much busier than usual.

your thoughts were interrupted by the front door swinging open, making it slam against the wall. Steven glanced up the stairs as he walked sluggishly into the house, then at you. there was a frown set into his face, his eyes looked droopy and sad, and his arms sagged at his sides. "Steven?" you called out in worry.

it was barely noon, he wasn't supposed be home for at least a few more hours. he slipped his sandals off, along with his bubblegum jacket, and sighed. "Pearl told me to take off early." he whispered. his voice seemed to crack slightly, like he was about to cry.

you stood up in a hurry. he looked so tired. "come here." you reached out to him, and in a flash he was in your arms, face buried in your chest. his shoulders began to shake lightly, and small sniffles floated up to your ears. you hugged him tighter, rubbing circles on his back comfortingly. time seemed to freeze, and the two of you didn't move for what seemed like hours.

finally, you managed to gently pry Steven off of your shoulder and put your hands on his cheeks. "do you want to talk about it?"

Steven shook his head, reaching up to hold onto your wrists. you pulled him over to the couch, letting him lay down comfortably before squeezing under his arms next to him. you both now lay on your sides, facing each other. "i love you." you whispered. you placed and quick kiss on his lips, then pulled him closer for another hug.

Steven returned it just as tightly, his arms holding you like he was scared to let go. "i love you too." he whispered back, his voice hoarse from crying. you turned so you were facing the same direction as him and pulled your phone out of your pocket yet again, opening tiktok and angling the screen so he could watch over your shoulder.

(edited!)