Strings and Sorrow

Steven awoke from his slumber to meet the glowing colors from the sunset. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked around, finding the Gems still there. None of them were moving, except for the even, steady breathing causing their chests to rise and fall.

Upon looking closer, he saw the ghost of the tear streams. They'd cried themselves to sleep.

Steven silently got out of bed, leaving them to their hopefully peaceful rest. He quietly opened the front door, cringing as it creaked. Luckily, they didn't awake.

He needed help. He didn't know what else he could do to help the Gems out of their depression. He needed advice from someone, but he couldn't ask them.

"Dad! I bet he can help me!" Steven exclaimed as he strolled down the beach, enjoying the gentle winds and the calming roar of the shore waves. The sunset painted a picture of wonder over Beach City, and he enjoyed the peaceful scene as much as he could.

He took his time walking through the city. The sunset was thinning the number of people in the streets, but the lights that illuminated the city at night were beginning to turn on.

As he finally reach the car wash, the silhouette of his father and his van came into sight.

"Steven!" His father called, running over the greet his son. "Oh my gosh! Your face! What happened?!"

Steven sighed, helping himself up on top of the van. Greg joined his son.

"Dad, I'm going to be completely honest in this story. Please don't interrupt or judge until I finish." He said firmly.

Greg was taken aback, but he nodded. "Alright kiddo. What's this story you have for me?"

Steven told him everything; about the puppetmaster, about how he forced the gems to hurt him, about how they were terribly depressed about their actions. And Greg listened intently, his emotions clear on his face but he upheld his promise; he waited for Steven to finish his story.

"So.. this monster forced the Gems to do that to you? Are you okay? Steven, what if they'd killed you?" Greg asked, terrified of the outcomes that thankfully hadn't happened.

"I was pretty scared... they were going to kill me. But it wasn't them, it was the puppetmaster. They came after me when we got back, and made the apologies of their life. I've already forgiven them, but they're still beating themselves up about it, and I don't want that for them. Dad, what can I do? I don't know how to help them..." Steven mumbled sadly, looking down at his swinging feet.

Greg sat silent for a moment, thinking. "Well, I don't know how Gems react with their emotions. Rose never really showed much variation during my time with her. She was always so happy to see me. But... " he paused, trying to find the right words. "Back when you were younger, whenever you were scared or did something you felt bad about, you'd come to me. And I'd just sit there with you, holding you until you felt better. And I'd just sit there with you, holding you until you felt better. Just me being there was enough for you. Maybe it'll work the same for them."

Steven thought about his father's words, then realized something. "Oh my gosh! I didn't tell them I came here, they had been asleep! What if they woke up and found me gone?! Oh man, I messed up! They're going to be worried sick!" He shouted in dismay, launching off of the van.

"Wait, Steven! Don't push yourself too hard, please? I don't want you hurt anymore than you should be." He called, his worry for his son breaking through.

Steven nodded determinedly, then began to head back to the temple. "Thanks, dad!"

He came back as quick as he wanted to go, pushing the door to the house open as quietly as possible. If there was a chance they were still asleep, he still didn't want them to wake up.

He made his way back up the steps, finding that the Gems hadn't moved. But as he tip-toed back to his bed, Garnet stirred and woke up.

"Steven...?" She asked quietly, spotting the boy awake and up.

Steven froze, before turning to the red fusion sheepishly. "Hey Garnet... uh... did you have a good rest?"

Garnet was silent, and she brought her hands up to her face, wiping away the stray tears that had clung to her cheeks.

Steven pouted, staring at her. He remembered what his dad had said at the point, about just being there for them. He had vowed to heal them, and so he'd do anything to achieve that goal. He stepped closer to Garnet shyly, before sitting on her lap and hugging her lightly.

"I talked to my dad, and I think I know how to heal you guys..." He whispered. "I know that you're hurting, and I understand. I'm here for you, I'm here for you all. If you need a shoulder to cry on, or even just the company, I'll stay for as long as you guys need. I'll stay for as long as it takes to heal you."

Garnet was stiff for a moment, processing the boy's words. Then Steven felt her arms encircle his body softly, and felt her bury her face in his hair.

"Steven, I'm sorry. This... this incident could've been avoided. I should've used my future vision to see what could've happened. If I'd known that we'd be vulnerable like that, I would've had you stay here." She said guiltily.

Steven shook his head. "But if I hadn't come, you would've been trapped as his puppets forever! The only reason we escaped is because I ran to the warp pad, and thankfully you chased. I guess the warp was too far for the puppetmaster to keep his hold on you."

Garnet shrugged; he did have a point. She sighed, stroking a hand atop his head. "Thank you, Steven. For being here."

Steven smiled up at the fusion brightly. "Anything for you guys."

Garnet smiled back, her cautious shell breaking. She picked him up happily, nuzzling him lovingly. Steven giggled happily, his heart warmed now that he'd fixed one of them.

"I'm so glad you're back to your old self, Garnet. I don't think I could take anymore where you were depressed. I don't like any of you three being depressed." He said truthfully.

While Garnet was cuddling him, he glanced at Amethyst and Pearl, who were somehow still unconscious. One down, two to go, Steven thought inwardly.