(1) Learn How To Love

Happy-ish Birthday

On the evening of August 15th, you, Greg, and the original crystal gems gathered together in the beach house to celebrate Steven's 18th birthday. You had spent countless hours helping the gems prep for his party with care; filling balloons, hanging the banner, mixing cake batter, defending said cake batter from Amethyst's hungry glare... normal birthday party stuff.

You were almost done decorating the cake. You stood hunched over the dessert, your tongue poking out of your mouth slightly without you noticing it. Carefully, and ever-so-slowly, you painstakingly piped out each letter in the phrase: "Happy Birthday, Steven!" Cake decorating was so much harder than it looked. Part of you regretted not just ordering one from Spacetries, but hey- it's the thought and effort that counts right?

"Do you need any help?" a familiar voice asked from behind you.

Without tearing your eyes away from your work, you responded; "Steven, no. You can't decorate your own birthday cake."

"Says who?"

"Says... me," you set down the piping bag and looked at Steven, who had one eyebrow raised. "And... the council of birthdays," you continued.

"The council of birthdays."

"Yes, the council of birthdays."

Steven crossed his arms, "I think you made that up."

"Maybe you've just never heard of it," you argued, standing with your back against the counter. "It's a human thing. I'm kind of an expert."

"Oh, so because I'm part gem, I wouldn't know about this... 'human thing?'" Steven raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer, almost towering over you.

You kept your composure and nodded haughtily. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."

"You little racist," Steven sneered, the beginning of a smile creeping onto his lips.

"Guilty," you shrugged, looking up at him.

Glancing down at your lips, Steven smirked and cupped your cheek in his hand, his warm breath tingling on your lips. You closed your eyes.

"Can I at least see it?" He whispered.

You opened your eyes and immediately rolled them at Steven. "It's not done!" you argued, shoving him away playfully.

"It's not like I'm seeing the bride before the wedding, I'm just looking at a cake!" Steven exclaimed, trying to get past you.

"Okay, okay, fine!"

You stepped to the side and watched Steven examine the cake. You had done a white frosting base and almost completely covered the cake in frosted stars of every color. On the top was the piping you had just finished. The handwriting was a little bit messy, but because it was yours, Steven truthfully remarked; "It's perfect."

"(Y/N)!" Pearl called from the living room. "Is the cake ready?"

"OOH, YEAH!" Amethyst jumped up on the couch. "CAKE TIME!"

You and Steven laughed, standing between Amethyst and the cake.

"It's almost there, I promise." You told Pearl and Amethyst. "Go sit down," you muttered to Steven, cocking your head towards the couch.

"Fine, fine," he agreed, walking off.

18 birthday candles later, you carried the cake down to the coffee table, singing with Greg and the gems. Though, the gems didn't really know the song. Amethyst didn't even pretend to try and sing along like the others. She was dead set on that cake. As much as you fought her off, she probably ended up eating half of it within 10 minutes. You salvaged enough cake for yourself and the others, though. Just enough that everyone was happy, and there were no leftovers.