Chapter 23: After Party

Summary:

In which Blue spends one more day on earth

Blue placed the last of the chairs into the van, wiping her hands as Amethyst headed back inside with the decorative arch. She was taking it to her room, where it would likely never be seen again.

"I think that's the last of 'em, Dad," Steven called out over the van's side.

Greg gave a thumbs up from the driver's seat. "Anything else you need?" he asked, mostly as an afterthought before heading off to his card game night.

"Nope, we're good. Thanks again, Dad!" Steven waved him off, shutting the back doors of the van.

Blue sighed, undoing her hair and slipping off the ribbon. She brushed her hair back, letting it return to its usual flow. Before she could take a step, her mate swept her off her feet, holding her in a princess carry.

"Where're you going?" Steven teased, grinning down at her.

"To my ship," she replied, a bashful giggle slipping through as she rested her head against his chest.

Steven pouted, holding her close.

"I was only going to grab some of my clothes for bedtime," she reassured him as he carried her back into the cozy, toasty house.

Inside, the Gems had retreated to their respective spaces. Garnet was likely basking in her newfound sense of self—being Garnet because she chose to, not because Rose or Pink had asked her to. Pearl and Amethyst had settled into their rooms after the reception decor had been packed away. Oddly, the cleanup was faster than the setup had been.

Bismuth had gone back to the barn with Peridot, who mentioned wanting to show her something. The hybrids felt a twinge of sadness that Lapis hadn't come to the reception. It seemed she still harbored dislike toward Blue. They couldn't force everyone to like her, even if most people now did. You can't win them all.

Steven set Blue down on the beanbag in his room. "So, my princess, how about a shopping spree?" he asked, already digging through the clutter for his credit card.

Blue, amused by the nickname, smiled as she watched him. Despite the mess, she got up and started tidying, folding shirts and placing them on the bed. "I'm in your hands," she said softly.

She understood the concept of trading currency for items like clothing, even if it baffled her. Clothes were a basic need—especially with Earth's ever-changing weather. Lately, her usual attire hadn't been enough to stave off the frigid cold, and she'd taken to lingering by the fireplace for warmth.

As she folded, her eyes landed on a big, puffy pink blanket. She picked it up, wrapping it around herself, letting its warmth engulf her. Something small fell from it—a thin rectangle. Curious, she picked it up.

Steven turned around mid-search, spotting Blue wrapped snugly in his fleece blanket, her head ducked low as if she were trying to hide. She looked utterly adorable, smothered in the oversized blanket, and he couldn't help but smile.

It suddenly clicked—half the mess in his room was hers. The makeshift nest of blankets and pillows on the floor? That explained why she'd been declining his offers to share the bed. She preferred creating her own cozy space.

"Is this it?" Blue's muffled voice broke his thoughts as she held out the card. Her tiny arm sticking out of the blanket was almost comical.

Steven grinned, taking the Dogcopter-themed card from her. "Yup, that's it!"

He didn't know much about fashion, but he figured he could at least get her a winter coat and boots. Maybe a few extra things for the kittens, too. As if summoned by his thoughts, one kitten climbed onto Blue's head, and the other peeked out from under her chin. Steven laughed, pulling on his boots.

"Guess we'll need to add 'cat stuff' to the list," he said, jotting down a few items on a notepad. Blue followed him downstairs, her mind wandering as she watched him write.

Her gaze shifted to the warp pad. Now that the wedding was over, it was time to address the situation with Homeworld. First, she'd try to talk to White, then Yellow. Perhaps she'd consult her Pearl—and maybe Yellow's Pearl, who was closer to Yellow than Blue herself.

Steven broke her train of thought with a sudden, gentle kiss.

"I know that look. You're still thinking about Homeworld," he said after pulling back.

She blinked, caught off guard. Was she that easy to read?

He reached up and gently removed Cat Steven from her head. Before he could set the kitten down, she blurted out, "I want to stop colonizing."

Steven froze, his back straightening as he stared at her in disbelief. "Really?! OH MY GOD, THAT'S GREAT!"

He set the kitten down hurriedly and hugged her, though the embrace was awkward with her still holding a cat and wrapped in the blanket.

Blue rested her head on his shoulder. She'd been thinking about this for a long time. Born into tyranny, she had grown up believing it was the norm. But being with Steven, learning about Earth, and even bonding with its creatures had opened her eyes.

"I don't know if Yellow will agree," she admitted. "Pink wanted to stop, and no one listened. I'm half human, even less likely to be heard."

Steven frowned, stepping back. She had a point. Was this why she wanted him to go to Homeworld with her? To back her up? He hadn't brought it up with the Gems yet, unsure how to approach the subject.

"What should I do?" Blue asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Steven didn't have an immediate answer. Yellow was always busy, and White… well, White was unpredictable.

Then Blue seemed to come to a decision. "Dismiss it. I've found a solution… I think."

She walked over to the couch, dumping the blanket and placing the kittens on it. Shadow clung to the part of the blanket that had trailed behind her.

"You sure?" Steven asked, raising a brow.

She turned to him with a firm nod. "I am. Shall we go?"

She gestured toward the front door, determination shining in her eyes.

=======

Nothing had changed since the last time she came to the mall. This time, instead of wearing her poncho over Steven's jacket, she only wore the jacket. It felt liberating—no longer constricted. Her mate held her hand, guiding her toward the escalators. Connie had avoided them on their last visit, saying she didn't want to go to the second floor, though she never specified why.

The mall had many layers—and even more humans. Below, an older woman knelt, embracing her child with tears in her eyes. Nearby, a group of teenagers, about her and Steven's age, laughed and posed with their touch screens. Selfie.Blue recalled Steven mentioning the term in passing. Behind her, a child perched on their father's shoulders. Blue's memory stirred; she remembered being that small, riding on the shoulders of her Amethysts. She missed them. But she also remembered seeing children in the zoo doing the same with their elders. Is this what being human is?

Her thoughts drifted. She had spent so much time worrying about Homeworld, dealing with the wedding, and now...shopping with her mate. She had only ever considered her humanity once before, though the moment had since escaped her. Now, the thought resurfaced. Her body was flesh and bone. She had human hormones, but was that enough? Did that make her human despite her upbringing? Perhaps not. She was, and would always be, half-Diamond. Still, now that she'd decided to stop colonizing planets—though she still needed to discuss it with Yellow—there would be countless opportunities to learn about her human side.

Spending time with Connie might count. Blue had thought it was just playtime, but maybe it was part of understanding humanity. Even courting her mate was a human activity. The irony struck her: questioning her humanity while unknowingly acting human. She smiled at the thought and continued forward.

Shoes, she discovered, were fascinating. Humans crafted them not just for weather but for every occasion: weddings, sports—whatever that was—and more. They must have a lot of time on their hands, she mused, as her mate gently placed her bare foot on a metal contraption. Apparently, Connie had taught him this before. Blue found it amusing that, despite being born on Earth, Steven's upbringing by Gems had stunted his own human education.

"236 millimeters," Steven read from the device. Pulling out his phone, he did some quick research. "Okay, so you're a size six."

Blue stayed silent, observing as he sifted through stacks of shoeboxes. "Any particular color?" he asked, gesturing at the options.

She studied the array of colors but had no strong preference—they all served the same purpose. "Pink," she said simply. It would match Steven's blue boots.

He retrieved the box, along with disposable socks for sanitary purposes, and helped her slip them on. "How do they feel?"

She wiggled her toes, savoring the warmth of the plush material inside. "Warm," she replied, smiling.

Steven grinned, amused by her fascination. Seeing her reaction sparked an idea. He hadn't seen her try on her bridesmaid dress, and curiosity got the better of him. Why not turn this into a shopping spree? She could use more clothes for her time on Earth. Oh, and supplies for the kittens. Can't forget the kittens, he reminded himself.

As he paid for the boots, his phone rang. "Hello?" He handed his card to the clerk, too distracted to notice her bemused reaction. "No, I'm with Blue at the mall."

The card was accepted, and the clerk handed it back with a receipt as Blue's eyes lingered on a nearby keychain. It was cute, though she wished it were larger—more like a stuffed animal to add to her collection.

Steven hung up the phone. "I'll see if I can find Lars. Don't stress, I'm sure he didn't get abducted," he said, oblivious to the puzzled stares of nearby shoppers.

Blue squeezed his hand. "Abducted?" she repeated, her voice cracking slightly. Her gaze hardened into a steady, fearful stare, forcing him to stop in his tracks. "Steven...the zoo."

The faint aroma of shrimp pasta wafted over from the food court. Steven frowned, but Blue remained motionless, her face slightly flushed. He chuckled nervously. "No, you told Yellow you were satisfied with your 'playmates,' remember?"

He gently led her away from the source of the smell, though she grimaced, feeling her face grow hotter. She dismissed it as a combination of movement, the jacket's warmth, and embarrassment. Still, her anxiety lingered. What if Yellow misunderstood? What if she thought I lied?

Her steps faltered. Her eyes widened, and her complexion paled. What if Yellow, ever dutiful, had simply waited until the wedding was over to send more Gems to capture humans?

"Ah—shit, shit." Steven's sudden curse snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts. He yanked her toward a nearby elevator, frantically pressing buttons. Confused, Blue glanced around for enemies—corrupted Gems, hostile humans—but saw none. Only concerned onlookers.

"What is going on?" she demanded as the elevator doors slid shut.

"You were having an allergic reaction to the smell of shrimp," he explained, placing a hand on her cheek. To his relief, her hives were already fading.

"Oh." She blinked, surprised. She hadn't even noticed.

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to the first floor. The smell of greasy food greeted them, but Steven's attention shifted to a familiar figure. "Hey, Lars!"

Lars, dripping wet and frantically drying his phone, looked up. "Oh, hey, Steven," he said, lips curling into a mischievous grin. "On a date, huh? Getting freaky in public? Bold of you."

Steven's face turned crimson. "W-we didn't do anything!"

Lars laughed, joined by the giggles of nearby onlookers. Steven wanted to vanish into the nearest bathroom—maybe even flush himself down the toilet.

"See ya, Steven. Don't have too much fun," Lars teased, walking away.

"I should thank Amethyst for educating me on innuendos," Blue said with a straight face.

Steven nearly tripped over his own feet. Of course, Amethyst would teach her that. Who knew what else she'd taught her? He spun around, pointing a trembling finger. "I'm not leaving you alone with Amethyst ever again!"

Blue, now a hysterical mess, struggled to keep up with his hurried pace, laughing all the way to their next stop.

=======

Cat litter, plus the boxes—because two kittens meant double the cleanup. Conveniently, there was an entire section of books on pet care, with guides on different breeds and even fun facts. Steven picked up a book on caring for cats and kittens. Sure, Lion was technically a big cat, but he was independent, grown, and sometimes a bit lazy. These kittens, however, weren't magical, and Steven didn't want to accidentally mess up. Better safe than sorry.

"Hey, sweetie, do you…" he began, trailing off as he dropped the book into the cart. Blue wasn't next to him anymore. Had she wandered off? It wouldn't be surprising—there were so many animals waiting to be adopted near the front.

Steven blinked, suddenly feeling his eyes sting and blur with tears. Wait, tears? He quickly wiped at them, realizing they were real. Oh no. He didn't have time to analyze it—he needed to find Blue. Steering the cart quickly but carefully, he navigated the aisles, scanning for her. Not by the fish, not by the puppies or the birds.

He skidded to a halt when he saw her, on her knees in front of a row of cats pawing at the glass. Some were tiny kittens, others full-grown adults. Blue turned to him, her eyes glassy, lips wobbling. "There's so many cute creatures," she said, her voice thick with emotion as tears streamed down her face. She wasn't the only one crying—around her, every human in sight was inexplicably shedding tears, looking bewildered and uncomfortable.

If this were Beach City, no one would question it. Outside of Beach City, though? These people probably thought this was some kind of tear-inducing epidemic. Steven couldn't help but find it a little funny—he once cried over snakes not having limbs when he was 13—but the situation wasn't exactly harmless. People needed to stay hydrated, after all.

"I know, they're very cute," he said gently, walking over to help her to her feet and pulling her away from the glass.

"I wish we could adopt them all," she lamented, gripping the cart handles for support.

"I know, Blue, but we already have two at home," he reminded her, rubbing circles on her back.

Sniffling, Blue nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. Organic hormones," she mumbled, taking a deep, shaky breath in an attempt to steady herself.

Steven watched her, concern flickering in his chest. Maybe this was anxiety? Or maybe she just needed to eat. He was getting pretty hungry himself, and—oh, there it was, the cat food.

"Wanna eat something after this?" he offered casually, grabbing a bag labeled "Kitten Food."

Blue nodded silently, not trusting herself to speak without crying again. She watched Steven crouch down to examine the bags of food, her eyes drifting to the illustrations of cats playing and eating. They were adorable. Too adorable. The thought of Shadow and Cat Steven eating happily and then meowing up at her almost brought her to tears again. She inhaled deeply, forcing herself to hold it together.

Steven plopped the bag into the cart. "Okay, task complete. Time to eat," he said, smiling at her.

Blue walked out of the store ahead of him, deciding some fresh air might help. Sitting on a bench outside, she tilted her head back to look at the skylight of the building. Something flew past above, but she didn't linger on it—probably one of those planes Steven had explained to her before.

Moments later, Steven came out with his arms full of bags. He offered her the smaller ones, but she effortlessly took the heavier ones—the cat litter and food. Diamond strength.

"I feel so imbalanced," she muttered under her breath. It was the only way she could describe the lack of control over her emotions lately.

"Let's put these in the dondai, then we can come back to eat. What're you in the mood for?" Steven asked, leading the way to the car.

"Something spicy," she replied.

Steven grinned. Spicy—one of the few things they didn't agree on. He hated it, but since he wasn't the one eating it, it didn't matter.

The walk to the car and back was quick. Blue got her spicy food, and Steven got something milder. The rest of the trip was uneventful, giving Blue a quiet, peaceful last day on Earth with her mate and their new pets.

Unbeknownst to them, this was only the calm before the storm.

Between Moments: Happy birthday Blue

Blue rested against Steven as the movie played. On-screen, the female character was surrounded by family, friends, and her androgynous lover, celebrating with a sweet treat Steven had called a "cake." Blue had tried a piece of cake during her mall adventure with Connie, and the memory of its flavor lingered.

"Why is she blowing out little flames on that treat?" Blue asked, her calculating gaze fixed on the screen as people in the movie began singing around the cake. Was this a celebration? What had the woman accomplished?

Steven glanced down at her, a little surprised. "It's a birthday candle," he explained, but when Blue looked up at him blankly, his brows furrowed. "Wait... you've never had a birthday before?"

Blue shook her head, and Steven gasped, his expression shifting from surprise to outright horror.

"What?" Blue tilted her head, confused by his dramatic reaction. Why was he so upset? From the movie, she gathered that a birthday was some kind of celebration. But was it a rite of passage? Like when she turned ten and was given her first colony? She perked up at the idea. "Oh, will she be given something as a rite of passage?"

Steven blinked, taken aback. "Well, kind of," he said slowly. "But mostly, a birthday is to celebrate the day a person was born. Because life is beautiful and precious."

Blue raised a thin brow, clearly intrigued but skeptical. The idea of celebrating a birth was foreign to her. In the zoo, when a human infant was born, it was acknowledged but not celebrated—birth was simply a part of life. Sometimes, the infant was stillborn, a tragedy Blue understood well. She had silently offered her condolences to grieving Zoomens before, though Holly Blue Agate had forbidden her from speaking of it.

To celebrate a birth? The concept was alien. On Homeworld, the only celebrations were for accomplishments, like the time Yellow Diamond and the Amethysts threw a small party for Blue's first successful colony. She had been given her favorite meal and granted a rare day of leeway. Yellow had even told her a bedtime story about her own accomplishments, though such moments were few and far between.

"When were you born?" Steven asked, his mind already racing with plans. If her birthday had already passed, it'd be too late, but if not, maybe he could pull something together.

Blue thought carefully, counting and comparing Earth days to Homeworld cycles. After a moment, she answered, "I turn fifteen today."

Steven's eyes widened to the point Blue feared they might pop out of his sockets. "We gotta get you a cake!" he declared, scrambling to grab his phone from the charger.

Blue watched, bewildered, as Steven hastily pulled on his slippers like they were the hardest thing in the world to put on. His communicator dinged, and he yelled, "YES!" before leaping down the stairs, leaving Blue thoroughly confused.

What could he possibly be up to?

As Steven slipped into the driver's seat of the Dondai, his phone rang. He answered it on speaker.

"BLUE'S BIRTHDAY IS TODAY?!" Connie's exasperated voice filled the car.

"Yeah! She just now told me. Apparently, she doesn't even know what a birthday is," Steven said, pulling out of the driveway.

Connie sighed, though there was a hint of amusement in her tone. "I'll get her a present. She likes stuffed animals."

Steven grinned, relief washing over him. Connie was the best friend anyone could ask for—always ready to help, no questions asked. "Thanks, Connie. I'm getting her a cake. Do you know what flavor she likes?"

Connie thought for a moment, recalling their trip to the mall. Blue had been overwhelmed by the variety of flavors but ended up loving the lemon and lime samples. "Lemon or lime cake," Connie said. "She doesn't have much of a sweet tooth."

"Perfect. Thanks, Connie. I'll call you to pick you up after I grab everything."

Steven hung up and drove straight to his dad's place. The house was empty, as expected, but he needed to find the birthday cape and crown his dad had kept in the spare room. It was a little silly, sure, but this was Blue's first birthday. It had to be special.

He rummaged through his old room, finally finding the cape tucked under his bed along with a few boxes of keepsakes. With that secured, Steven headed out to find a bakery. The closest one was just outside Beach City, but he didn't mind the drive. His dad usually baked cakes for birthdays, but since that wasn't an option, Steven was determined to make this work.

Blue's first birthday celebration would be perfect, even if it was last minute.

=======

Blue wasn't expecting Steven to run out the way he did. Did she say something wrong? It didn't feel that way. He'd mentioned something about getting her a cake, but… for what exactly? What was the occasion? He called it a "birthday." Strange. But she didn't stop him, too curious to see how this would unfold.

As the movie played on, Blue's attention drifted to the protagonist, a girl beaming with happiness at her birthday party. Everyone was gathered, celebrating her existence. Blue's mind worked through the puzzle—why such a grand affair? Why was it so important?

Then, an idea clicked. Perhaps it's because not everyone survives birth. Humans are fragile; some don't make it. Maybe birthdays celebrate the strength it took to live, to exist. That seemed logical, for now.

Blue considered her own existence. By all accounts, she shouldn't be alive. Gems don't reproduce like humans. Her creation was a miracle, the result of a gem shapeshifting and mating with a human. Her birth defied logic. Was that worth celebrating too? She'd have to ask. There was nothing in her files about birthdays.

The movie ended, predictably with a happy ending. Humans seemed to love those. Rising from the couch, Blue wandered into the kitchen to retrieve a water bottle. The temple door slid open, and Amethyst strolled in, dragging a longboard behind her.

"Amethyst," Blue called, drawing the gem's attention.

"Yo, what's up?" Amethyst asked, leaning casually on the board.

"What is the importance of a birthday?" Blue inquired, twisting the cap off her bottle.

Amethyst blinked, visibly confused, as if Blue had just sprouted horns. "What, you've never had a birthday or something?" she quipped, clearly sarcastic. It reminded Blue of Yellow's Pearl when Yellow was being… difficult.

"I suppose not," Blue answered matter-of-factly before taking a sip. Popcorn was mild and a bit dry, she mused, but not entirely unpleasant.

THUNK.

Blue looked up. Amethyst had dropped the longboard—and her jaw. "You've never had a birthday?" she exclaimed, pointing dramatically at Blue like she was the only person in the room.

Blue blinked, startled by the intensity. Was it truly this significant? "Steven is retrieving a cake," she offered, hoping it would placate the other gem.

"A cake? You need way more than a cake! Hold on—I'll be back."

Before Blue could respond, Amethyst disappeared into her room, leaving her alone once again without a solid answer. Moments later, Amethyst returned with a jumble of colorful strings and a banner. Together, they unraveled the tangled decorations and hung them around the kitchen. Blue recalled seeing similar decorations in the movie. Though those were gold, these were vibrant and multicolored.

Amethyst didn't stop there. She disappeared upstairs, raided Steven's room, and came back with party games—cards and something called "Pin the Tail on the Donkey." The illustration of the strange creature on the wall puzzled Blue, but she didn't question it. When Amethyst brought out a boombox and CDs, Blue began to see a clearer picture of what a birthday entailed.

Finally, Steven returned, arms laden with two boxes. Connie followed closely behind, carrying a decorative one. They both stopped in their tracks, surprised by the decorations.

"Is that what I think it is?" Amethyst asked, gesturing to the bottom box.

Steven grinned. "Yup! The birthday girl is gonna get the full experience." He set the boxes down, thanking Amethyst for the setup. He'd been worried he might need to go back out to buy decorations. Spotting the game on the wall, Steven chuckled, already anticipating the chaos that would ensue.

"Wait, Blue's birthday is actually today?" Connie asked, clearly surprised.

Steven shrugged. "Not really. I just thought it'd be fun to throw her a party for the experience." He reached for the first box, pulling out a cape. Wrapping it around Blue's shoulders, he added, "But hey, it can be for both."

Blue examined the cape, drawn to its warmth and the sense of familiarity it carried. It had been used many times before. She pulled the collar close, nestling into the soft fur trim. Steven smiled, noting how she always gravitated toward big, soft things. "She's 15 now," he announced, placing a crown on her head.

The oversized crown tilted slightly, and the cape nearly swallowed her whole, but Blue didn't seem to mind. She hugged the cape tighter, ducking her head into the fur. Steven's heart melted. She looked so small, so content.

Amethyst laughed, popping a CD into the boombox. "Man, this reminds me of when you turned 15. This is gonna be good."

And with that, the party began—a simple, lively celebration filled with laughter, games, and, for Blue, her first experience of being the center of something so uniquely human.

======

Like in the movie, the first thing everyone did was sing a birthday song, this time with her name in place of the protagonist's. The cake in front of her looked absolutely delicious, its frosting shimmering under the kitchen lights. Blue wasn't entirely sure how to feel about all the attention, but she smiled anyway. It was thoughtful of them to include her in these Earth customs. Their happiness was so genuine it radiated through the room, filling her with a strange but welcome warmth. How curious.

Next came the gifts. The decorative box Connie had carried was for her. Inside was a stuffed animal, pink and white, shaped like a bird with a rounded bill and soft wings. Blue's eyes sparkled with delight as she lifted it out of the box. Hugging it close, an uncharacteristic squeal escaped her. "I thank you," she said, remembering how the protagonist in the movie had thanked everyone for their gifts. It felt appropriate. Still, she couldn't quite place this strange sensation welling up inside her.

The cake was brought back in front of her, this time for her to cut and serve. She carefully sliced it, distributing pieces to everyone. The flavor was a pleasant surprise—not overly sweet like the last cake she'd tried. She enjoyed it so much that she went back for seconds, the soft stuffed animal still tucked under one arm.

"Now let's really get this party started!" Amethyst declared, leaping from her chair and bolting toward the games she had set up earlier. Blue sat for a moment, holding her stuffed animal close, lost in thought. Perhaps there was more to this celebration than she had first assumed. It wasn't just about honoring a person's strength to survive or marking another year of life. There was something deeper here.

Leaning against Steven—her soon-to-be mate—Blue murmured, "I think I understand the meaning of a birthday now." He responded by wrapping an arm around her, his warmth as comforting as the soft fur trim of her cape.

"Oh yeah? What's your theory?" he asked, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

She hesitated before speaking. "That it marks the anniversary of a person's birth, serving as a special day to celebrate their life, reflect on personal growth, and express appreciation for their presence. Loved ones gather to share memories, give gifts, and affirm the person's value to the world."

Steven hummed thoughtfully. "That's a pretty good explanation," he said, his voice soft.

Blue fell silent, processing the words. Yes, the part about making memories was certainly true. She already knew this was a moment she would carry with her for the rest of her existence. "Yes," she finally replied, even though the rest of his explanation hadn't crossed her mind before. Still, it made sense. The gathering, the laughter, the love—it all gave her a new perspective. That strange feeling bubbling up inside her suddenly had a name. Gratitude.

"Come on! The fun's just starting!" Amethyst called, waving her over with a grin. Blue looked up and smiled, now quicker to respond. Rising to her feet, she followed Steven toward the games, the stuffed bird still clutched in her arms.

This celebration, these moments—it all held meaning now. Blue would never forget this experience, not for the rest of her existence.