"Pearl! Where have you been?" Steven asked as he ran up to Pearl who had just warped right into the temple
"Uh, looking for Peridot! For a few days straight... Steven, I know I might have... disappointed... all of you. I know Garnet is very upset with me, but I'm going to prove to her that she can trust me again!" Pearl said, "Where's Y/n? Have they been asking for me?"
"Y/n... Hasn't really been around her much," Steven told, "Neither has Garnet..."
"Watch your step," Garnet's voice rang as she and another pair of foot steps came up the stairs
"Thanks," Y/n said softly as the two walked through the door
"Oh! Garnet! I was just looking for Peridot! She's bound to be somewhere, right? Any new ideas?" Pearl ran to Garnet. Garnet said nothing as she escorted Y/n with her to the back of the temple, "I'm sorry..." Pearl sighed as she looked at the floor. Garnet stopped in her place as a voice rang from outside
"Who wants to go on a-" Greg yelled as he burst through the door, "Road trip?!" Everyone stared at Greg with unhappy faces, "Umm... Is this a bad time?"
"No. Please continue," Garnet said as she walked to Greg, keeping her hand on Y/n's shoulder and bringing them with her
"Well I gotta drive over to the next state, Keystone," Greg said
"You mean the Keystone state?" Pearl asked
"Right, the state named Keystone. I met a guy on an internet message board who's selling car wash brushes for real cheap! I just gotta meet him in Keystone and pick em' up!" Greg told
"That sounds really sketchy," Y/n commented
"I don't like those brushes, they feel weird on your fur," Steven said
"Well, do you like motels?" Greg asked
"Probably!" Steven cheered
"Think you'd like to stay at a motel with your favorite dad?" Greg asked
"I don't know if you're my favorite..." Steven joked
"What? Huh... oh, you kidder! Come here!" Greg laughed as Steven jumped into his arms
"I can't wait to get room service!" Steven smiled
"You're thinking of a hotel, we're going to a motel. It'll have a pool, and free ice, and it's right next to the best diner in the world!" Greg told
"I'm coming too," Garnet told, "Y/n as well,"
"What?" Pearl frowned
"Even better!" Steven gasped
"I guess my decision was made for me," Y/n chuckled
"I predicted you'd say yes," Garnet informed
"Hey, Garnet, I know I'm talking this place up, but... it ain't exactly the Ritz," Greg whispered
"I'll be the judge of that," Garnet smiled
"Well in that case... road trip!" Greg cheered
"Road trip!" Steven echoed
"Road trip," Garnet nodded
"Road trip?" Y/n tilted their head slightly
"Wonderful! I'll make sure Amethyst knows that-" Pearl began, but Garnet walked past Pearl, lightly pushing Y/n along with her, "Fine!... Well, good bye!"
"I don't need an escort," Y/n assured Garnet as the two walked down the stairs
"We know!" Garnet responded loudly, her voice then calmed down, as if a different person was talking, "We don't want you alone with Pearl anymore,"
"We?" Y/n frowned
"It's for the best, Y/n," Garnet said
--------
"Another great thing about motels," Greg began as he opened the door to the motel room, "You can drive right up to your door!"
"I'm gonna swim in the pool, order a movie, get free ice! It's gonna be great!" Steven gasped in awe as he jumped on the bed, Garnet came in behind carrying everyone's items, she seemed agitated
"Not before we check for bed bugs, it isn't!" Greg laughed nervously as he ran to Steven and quickly checked the bed, "Good news! We're bugless!" Greg assured as his phone buzzed, "Oh! That's my cue. Hey, do you mind holding down the fort until I get back?" Garnet managed to give a thumbs up with her left hand as it twitched, "Great. I'm going to see a man about a tunnel brush... An internet man... If I'm not back in an hour, call the police,"
"Okay!" Steven smiled as Greg closed the door, "Come on, bounce with me guys!" Steven cheered as he jumped on the bed.
"I'm kind of tired," Y/n yawned
"O-or we could look at brochures. Oh, Keystone Caverns...." Steven suggested as he picked up a pamplet
"Calm down," Garnet groaned to herself
"I don't feel like forgiving Pearl!" Garnet panted
"You don't understand, we must," Garnet said, seemingly shaking
"If you're not going to listen then you can just- go!" Garnet said as she put her hand and her shoulder, suddenly de-fusing into Sapphire and Ruby
"We must move past this, Ruby," Sapphire said as she sat facing away from Ruby
"She lied to us so we'd form Sardonyx! She tricked us; don't you feel used?!" Ruby yelled
"Ruby! Sapphire! I uh-" Steven smiled
"You're choosing to take it personally," Sapphire said
"It's fusion, Sapphire! What's more personal to us than fusion!?" Ruby yelled as she jumped to her feet
"I know, you're still upset," Sapphire said
"Oh, so it's just me?" Ruby glared
"Of course not," Sapphire turned to Ruby, completely emotionless and monotone, "Can't you see I'm completely engulfed with rage?"
"Well, it doesn't feel like it," Ruby tapped her foot impatiently, "Why aren't you mad, Y/n?!"
"I-I-" Y/n began to stammer
"Don't yell at Y/n," Sapphire said as she began to levitate onto the bed, "The sooner we forgive Pearl, the better it will be for us all. Wouldn't you agree, Y/n?"
"I'm not getting in the middle of this," Y/n put their hands up
"Too late! Pearl already dragged you into the middle of this!" Ruby shot
"Stop yelling at Y/n, Ruby," Sapphire said calmly, "Y/n has chosen to forgive Pearl just as I have,"
You're... not... as above this as you... think you... are!" Ruby grunted as she paced the room, literally steaming, "You can't speak for Y/n either!"
"Yes, I am and I can," Sapphire said, "You can't stay angry with her forever,"
"Wanna bet?" Ruby turned and pointed to her. Smoke began to rise from the carpet
"Ruby, the carpet," Sapphire warned
"You... can't even... Argh!" Ruby grunted in annoyance as she ran out of the room and slammed the door
"Nice to... see you again?" Steven asked, clearly uncomfortable.
"Nice to see you, too," Sapphire acknowledged, "And nice to finally meet you in person, Y/n,"
"Likewise..." Y/n mumbled as they tried to comprehend the mess they were somehow forced into.
"Uh... I'm gonna go swimming," Steven said as he grabbed his backpack and went for the bathroom, "Wanna come, Y/n?"
"I'm okay," Y/n yawned, "I'm kind of tired,"
"Alright," Steven nodded as he went to the bathroom, changed, grabbed a towel, and left for the pool
"Hmm," Y/n looked around the room as they noticed ice forming around the walls, the room slowly turning blue
"Everything is fine," Sapphire assured
"I didn't-" Y/n began
"You were going to," Sapphire said, "Such is fate,"
"Fate..." Y/n groaned
"I know how much you hate that word," Sapphire said, "But something are inevitable,"
"Sure," Y/n sighed as they grabbed their bag, "I'm gonna change into my pajamas,"
"You don't believe me that somethings are meant to be," Sapphire commented
"Of course I don't," Y/n said as they went into the bathroom and changed before coming back in, "I made it clear to everyone I don't believe in fate or destiny. There's no such thing as something out of one's control. We all have the ability to change the future,"
"You sound similar to Ruby," Sapphire said, "For she does not believe in fate either,"
"Isn't defying fate what brought you and Ruby together?" Y/n asked, recalling the story told to them by Rose Quartz
"...Yes, it is," Sapphire said
"Fate failed you once, it can fail you again," Y/n said as they flopped onto a chair, their breath visible as they breathed out
"Do you forgive Pearl?" Sapphire asked
"...I don't know," Y/n said, "I want to, I really do... But a part of me feels... used,"
"You can't be mad at Pearl forever, Y/n," Sapphire told
"I'm not mad at her," Y/n said, "I'm... disappointed,"
"Phew," Steven shivered as he walked into the room, turning blue, "Sapphire?"
"Hello, Steven," Sapphire greeted
"A-Are you... d-d-doin' ok?" Steven asked
"I'm... fine," Sapphire responded as frost formed behind her
"Y/n.... A-aren't you c-cold?" Steven shivered
"It's a little chilly," Y/n told, "Nothing too bad,"
"U-uh, i-if you s-say so," Steven jumped into bed, "W-wanna watch TV together?"
"Sure," Sapphire nodded
"I'm gonna go on a walk," Y/n said as they stood from their chair and went for the chair
"You're still in your pajamas," Sapphire warned
"It's a cheap motel, it ain't the Ritz," Y/n told as they left in a huff. Y/n began to walk down the property as they heard Ruby ranting near by. Y/n walked through the area and found what was supposed to be a pool, but all the water was gone, "Hey, Ruby,"
"It's fusion, Y/n!" Ruby yelled as she paced the pool
"I know," Y/n sighed as they sat at the edge of the pool, their legs dangling off the edge, "She used me too... We pseudo-fused, I guess,"
"She acts like I'm the crazy one!" Ruby said, "You don't forgive Pearl either, do you?"
"I... I don't know," Y/n sighed, "I'm more disappointed than angry with her,"
"That's better than nothing! Sapphire acts like she doesn't even care!" Ruby spouted
"...I can understand you have that impression," Y/n nodded
"You get it! I'm not being ridiculous!" Ruby threw her hands up as she continued mumbling incoherently to herself
"Y'know... Someone made a call from that phone over there," Y/n told as they pointed to a phone booth near by, a camera was spying on it, "And the one call they made from there ended a human life,"
"...What're you talking about?" Ruby stopped pacing
"Paul Dean? When he made the call to kill Finch, he used that phone, right over there," Y/n pointed, "Crazy, huh? One thirty second phone call and two minutes later a life ended... Really goes to show you how quick humans can cease to exist, huh?"
"W-what do you-" Ruby stammered
"Never mind," Y/n sighed as they stood up and walked away from the pool. Greg had returned with his van and he and Steven were talking, "Yo,"
"Y/n, hey! I brought dinner!" Greg showed a pizza box
"Eh... I'm not hungry," Y/n said, "Thank you, though,"
"You sure? You haven't eaten all day," Greg told
"I'm fine," Y/n said with a hint of irritation
"Is... Everything okay?" Steven asked
"It's been a rough few days, Steven," Y/n sighed as they ruffled their hair, "I'm gonna head to bed..."
"Alright... Good night," Steven said as he looked at the ground sadly
"I love you, buddy," Y/n assured as they came over and hugged Steven tightly
"I love you too," Steven told as he hugged back
"I'll see you in the morning," Y/n told as they went to the room and walked in, the room in the same state
"The toilet is frozen," Sapphire told
"Good thing I don't need to go to the bathroom," Y/n said
"...You don't?" Sapphire asked
"I haven't eaten or drank anything all day, what waste am I getting rid of?" Y/n sassed
"I... Had a vision you needed to use the bathroom," Sapphire told
"Another reason I don't believe in fate," Y/n said as they grabbed a pillow from behind Sapphire and a blanket from the closet, "Good night," Y/n sat on the chair and put the pillow behind their head, covering themself with the blanket and drifting into a dreamless sleep.
------
Steven smiled as he played with a spoon in the booth at the Best Diner in The World, he sat next to Greg who was peering over his shoulder looking for the waitress. Y/n sat in between Ruby and Sapphire. Sapphire sat their patiently while Ruby leaned on the table and tapped a finger impatiently. Soon, the waiter arrived with four plates, sitting them in front of Greg, Steven, Sapphire, and Ruby, "Thanks!" Greg smiled, "You sure you don't want anything, Y/n?"
"I'm not hungry," Y/n assured. Ruby stared blankly at the plate in front of her
"What's the matter? Not hungry?" Greg asked Ruby
"Gems don't need to eat, Dad," Steven reminded
"Eh... Well Garnet likes to eat sometimes," Greg said
"Argh! Well Garnet's not here!" Ruby groaned as she threw herself against the booth seat and crossed her arms. Y/n shot her an annoyed glance.
"Mmm... Oh boy, this really is "The Best Diner in the World"!" Greg laughed nervously as he ate. Ruby began to shake the table angerly
"You're shaking the table," Sapphire spoke
"Oh?!" Ruby punched the table and started rocking the table violently, "Hah, I'm kinda surprised you felt anything at all, to be honest!"
"I didn't need to feel, I saw," Sapphire told
"Everything is just so..." Ruby began shaking the table even more, "CRYSTAL. CLEAR. TO. YOU. ISN'T IT?!?!"
"This will pass. She'll eventually just burn herself out," Sapphire assured to Greg and Steven. Y/n's face continued to contort into a frown
"THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK!" Ruby yelled as she summoned her gauntlet, " I AM AN ETERNAL FLAME, BABY!" Ruby smashed her gauntlet into the table, causing everything to fly off the table, "You don't know me!"
"How could I possibly not know you, we always fuse—" Sapphire began
"You know, what?! Screw this! If this is how you guys are gonna act, I'm god damn glad I'm going home in two weeks! Because I can tell you I'm not gonna put up with your stupid behavior any longer!" Y/n shouted as they stood up from in between the two and went for the door
"You see what you guys did?!" Steven spat as he ran after Y/n, tears in his eyes
"Steven! Y/n!" Sapphire and Ruby called out as they ran out of the diner
"Y'know, I didn't even want to come on this stupid trip!" Y/n turned around to face Ruby and Sapphire, "I only came because Garnet told me I was going and I didn't want to upset her! Now I realize how much of a stupid pushover I was! The past few days have been complete trash and it just followed us here like I knew it would!"
"I was so happy when Garnet said she was gonna come on this trip with me and Dad!" Steven added, "Home's been awful! Here's been awful! I thought you wanted to have a fun time but, everyone's been acting awful too! It-It just came with us! Now Y/n wants to leave! I don't understand!... Is it us? Is it Y/n and I?"
"That's the only thing I can think of," Y/n clenched their hands into fists, their knuckles turning white
"No! Steven, Y-Y/n! It's all us!" Ruby told
"But we made them feel... like it was their fault," Sapphire raised her hand to her face, "I keep looking into the future, when all of this has already been solved... As if it doesn't matter how you feel in the present..." Sapphire began to cry, "No wonder you think I don't care!"
"Sapphire... - No, no no no no no no no! This is all my fault! I-I didn't want to look for a solution, I-I just wanted to be mad! Y-You're right! You're always right! I was being stupid!" Ruby pleaded
"I don't think you're stupid!" Sapphire told
"I'm... sorry..." Ruby sighed as she brushed Sapphire's hair away from her eye
"You honestly think I'm not upset about what happened? I was just... trying to do the right thing..." Sapphire cried
"I know..." Ruby said as Sapphire held her hand to her cheek
"You know what's nice about being split up?" Ruby asked as she smiled slightly
"What?" Sapphire asked concerned
"I get to look at you," Ruby grinned
"Be serious!" Sapphire laughed as she lightly pushed Ruby away
"There's my Laughy Sapphy!" Ruby smiled as she hugged Sapphire
"Shh! You're embarrassing me in front of Steven and Y/n!" Sapphire giggled
"A-are you okay, Y/n?" Steven asked as Ruby and Sapphire kissed behind them
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have been so mean to you..." Y/n sighed, "I was upset, but it's not an excuse to take it out on you guys,"
"You weren't mean to me!" Steven assured as he hugged Y/n
"I was mean to Ruby and Sapphire," Y/n sighed, "So much for first impressions..."
"Well, I paid for breakfast... And the damage to the booth... Anywho, I think I'm all vacationed out. Ready to call it a day?" Greg began
"Not before we get our free ice," Garnet smiled as she adjusted her shades
"Garnet!" Steven cheered, "Y/n, it's Garnet!"
"...I see," Y/n sighed
----------
"Weee're hooome!" Steven cheered as he walked in with Greg, holding a bag of ice
"I just don't know why I keep-" Pearl was speaking, "Oh! Uh- You look like you all had fun!"
"Yeah! It all worked out!" Steven smiled, Garnet walked in the door behind them, Y/n was standing outside
"Garnet, how are you?" Pearl asked
"Not now," Garnet held out her hand as she went back outside to Y/n
"She's speaking to me again... Kind of," Pearl commented, "...Is Y/n alright? Are... they upset with me as well?"
"Kind of..." Steven sighed
"Y/n," Garnet put her hands on Y/n's shoulder, "Follow me, please,"
"Why? So you can take me on another trip that'll make me feel worse than I already do?" Y/n glared
"No," Garnet said, "I'm sorry I forced you on the trip. We didn't want you alone with Pearl... That was a mistake,"
"Why do you want me to follow you?" Y/n asked
"You and Pearl had an experience," Garnet said, "You may not have become one, but you shared emotions,"
"Yeah, so?" Y/n frowned
"I want to experience that with you now," Garnet told
"...Okay," Y/n sighed, "Let's go to where you want to go,"
"Thank you," Garnet nodded as she led Y/n away from the temple and on top of the hill above the house, "Please, trust me, Y/n,"
"I trust you," Y/n nodded as Garnet's two gems began to shine. Garnet placed her hands on Y/n's side as she swayed with them gently. As the two's movements synchronized, Garnet brought her hands to Y/n's temple, the two gemstones pressed against their head. The familiar feeling of heat and warmth filled Y/n. A weight felt like as if it was lifted off Y/n's shoulders.
"This..." Garnet spoke as she fazed off her visor, showing her three eyes tearing up, "I didn't know you felt like this..."
"Nor did I," Y/n said as a tear trickled down their face, the warm feeling of Ruby and Sapphire's love filling their mind
"Ruby and Sapphire love you immensely Y/n. You made a great first impression," Garnet assured, "I love you as well, Y/n,"
"I feel that now..." Y/n breathed heavily, the sensation began to be overwhelming, "I-I love you too..."
"I understand you were upset with me," Garnet held Y/n's hands gently, "Please, forgive me..."
"It's okay," Y/n assured, "I forgive you..."
"The phone..." Garnet recalled, "It scared you... No, terrified you... It brought back such horrible memories... The anguish you felt, the dread, the guilt... I didn't even pay attention to you!"
"It's okay," Y/n felt Ruby's anger taking over
"And... I didn't see you hurt, you were so clearly upset," Garnet said, "There I was... Talking of fate, not even seeing that in the future you were still in anguish..."
"You had your own struggles to see," Y/n assured, the regretful Sapphire, "It... would have been selfish of me to think you could devote time to my issues when you had your own,"
"You were part of our issue too!" Garnet said, "You were just as involved as the both of us... We barely considered how you felt,"
"It lives in the past," Y/n assured as they hugged Garnet tightly, "We don't live in the past... We don't live in the future either,"
"We live in the present," Garnet returned Y/n's hug, "This is all you wanted... Love,"
"Mhm," Y/n cried as they hid their face against Garnet's chest, "Your love... Ruby and Sapphire's love... It's such a great feeling..."
"You don't truly want to leave us... I'm relieved," Garnet said as her mind was filled by Y/n's hopes, emotions, and memories, "I was scared we truly scared you away,"
"No... of course not," Y/n sighed, "I was just..."
"Caught in the moment," Garnet completed
"Yes," Y/n nodded
"Your parents are coming to get you in two weeks... The plan you have, it may just work," Garnet said, "I feel the hope you have for it,"
"And I feel the approval you have of it," Y/n smiled through their tears, their arm still around Garnet; Garnet's arms still around Y/n.
"...You're a very forgiving person, Y/n," Garnet said
"I understand you're still mad with her... You feel betrayed... I guess I just..." Y/n began
"You don't have to explain," Garnet assured, "I feel your struggle... and you feel mine, that's all that matters. We don't have to agree, we just have to understand,"
"Thank you," Y/n sighed as they rested against Garnet
"Let's get you home... I feel you're already losing energy quickly," Garnet said as she picked Y/n up
"Three sets of emotions are draining..." Y/n told, "And I thought two was a lot..."
"Yes... Even for a gem it would be overwhelming to have two minds," Garnet said, "With fusion... it's as if two gems become one, it's not two separate streams of emotions at once, it's one stream, one mind,"
"I... I feel it," Y/n nodded, "It's... a wonderful feeling,"
"I know," Garnet giggled
--------------------