Hey, everyone. Mystery Critic here, back at ya with a new story for the loverly show called Steven Universe. An incredible show, lots of real life situations, emotions, and drama. I love the jokes, the imagery, everything is awesome. Now, welcome to Gift Of A Rose. I hope you'll all enjoy it. This story will have some romance points in it, but it will mostly be quite depressing. So, read at your own risk. It's rated M for language, gore, and violence. I'm going to have this story take place not too long after the show, I'd say. It's going to be taking place at the beginning of the war with Yellow Diamond (which we all know is coming). Obviously. Anywho, I do not own Steven Universe, nor any of the rights to it. So, sit back and relax, because heeeeeere we go!

Chapter 1

Steven's P.O.V

I wake up with a yawn, stretching wide as I open my eyes to see Garnet smiling at me. I jump in surprise and fall over the opposite side of my bed.

"Garnet, what'd you have to do that for?" I say, pulling myself up.

"It's not nice to scare someone, ya know."

"Well, Steven." She says, pulling her glasses off with a smile.

"I think you'll make an exception for your fifteenth birthday!"

"Oh my gosh!" I say,putting my hands on my head.

"I completely forgot it was my birthday! So much has been going on, ya know? Yellow Diamond's feet will be here any day now, so this is the last chance I'll have to see my friends and family. It's really sad, so I don't know if I want to celebrate…"

"That's nonsense, Steven." Pearl chimes in, walking in from the doorway.

"It's all the more reason to. You have human friends and family who love you and care deeply for you. You deserve to spend time with them while you still can."

I look down sadly and nod slowly.

"Well, it's settled, then." Garnet said, standing up.

"You get ready for your day and meet us downstairs."

"Okay, Garnet." I say, standing up. A bit of pain shoots through my shoulder, and I reach up to hold it. I walk over to my dresser and put on my jeans and shit. I pull on the new pink overshirt Connie bought for me. She had to keep buying them for me because I keep growing so much. I pick up the picture of Connie and me on my dresses, bringing back the memories of our first date.

Flashback, 3rd-person P.O.V

Connie walks up the steps of the Universe house, straightening out her dress before taking a few deep breaths.

"Come on, Connie," she says quietly to herself.

'You can do this. You like Steven, and you want to do this. Just say the words, Steven, I want you to go out on a date with me. Simple, easy, and to the point. Okay, here we go.'

She straightens out her dress and raises her hand to knock on the door, only to have Garnet open it up before she can. There's a short silence before either of them speaks.

"Don't worry." Garnet says, breaking the silence.

"He's going to be very happy you asked."

"Um, ask what?" Connie stammers.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I just came over to say hi!"

"Really, now?" Garnet says, lowering her glasses and pointing to her third eye.

"Is that honestly why you came over?"

"Right…" Connie says, looking down and heaving a dejected sigh.

"Future Vision… Really annoying sometimes…"

"Keeps me entertained." Garnet responds with a chuckle. She steps aside so Connie can come in. She walks over to Steven's room and knocks on the open door.

"Um, Steven. Are you up?" She asks, looking in. She sees him sleeping, sprawled out on the bed, snoring softly. She walks up to him slowly, observing him a little closer.

'Wow…' She thinks, admiring him.

'He's gotten really handsome over the last few months. All this training with Pearl has really made him lose weight…'

Connie shakes off her thoughts and walks up to him, shaking him gently.

"Steven? Wake up, please. I have something I want to ask you."

"Mom, is that you?" Steven asks, slowly opening his eyes.

"Oh, Connie!"

He flops out of his bed and comes back up, struggling to put a shirt on.

"Uh, hey Connie." He says, leaning on the bed with a smile.

"When did you get here?"

Connie says nothing and fidgets around nervously. Steven walks up to her, concerned.

"Connie, are yo-"

"Steven, I really like you a lot, but more than a friend and I was wondering if you'd go out on a date with me today?!" She screams quickly, covering her mouth up right afterwards.

"Uh, I'm sorry…"

"Yes, I'd love to, Connie!" He says, a very wide smile on his face and staring at her with stars in his eyes. He walks up to her and takes her hands in his, leaning in close.

"I always thought that you liked me as just a friend, and that I never had a chance with you. Connie, nothing would make me happier than to go out on a date with you!"

"R-really?" She stammers, smiling too.

"You really want to?"

"Yes!"

"Then let's go right now!" She says excitedly, all but ragging him out of the house.

"Come on! We're going to the carnival down on the beach."

"Okay, Connie!" He says laughing and running with her.

"Just try not to take my arm off. I kind of need it."

After a few minutes of running down the sandy beaches of Beach City, they reach the carnival grounds. They run to the entrance and Connie hands over the passes her mother bought them to the employee, then continues dragging Steven around.

"Connie, wait." He says, stopping.

"I think we should get out picture taken first."

"Great idea, Steven." she says, dragging him over to the photo booth.

"That way, we'll be able to remember this day forever."

They go throughout the carnival for the whole day, playing games and going on rides. Nighttime finally comes along, and Connie and Steven head out the exit of the grounds.

"Thanks for coming, hope to see you again!" The employee at the exit calls out.

They start walking back towards Steven's house as the moon rises over the ocean, the silver beams of light shining along the water, the stars dancing in the sky as the the water sways back and forth in time with their footsteps.

"You know," Steven says, breaking the silence.

"I've always thought that a starry night is more romantic than a sunset."

"Why is that, Steven?" Connie asks.

"Well, the sunset is beautiful. But it's only one thing of beauty. The stars and the moon are billions of things of beauty, and it just makes up a much more romantic place. It's kind of like you, Connie."

"Like me? How?"

"Well, you're not just pretty, Connie. You're as pretty as the universe. I guess you could say, you're my whole universe."

"Steven…" Connie says, staring up at him, love filling her heart.

"Will you be my boyfriend…"

"I thought you'd never ask, Connie."

Steven wraps his arms around her waist as they share their first kiss together.

End of Flashback, Steven's P.O.V

"Hey, Steven." Connie says, running in and hugging me.

"Happy birthday, baby!"

"Thanks, Connie." I say, hugging her back and giving her a soft, but loving kiss.

"Ready to go on our date, handsome?" She asks me. I look back at the picture as I'm walking with her, knowing this could be our last one.

"Yeah," I say, looking up at the sky when we get out.

"I am."

Well, everyone. That's chapter one! I hope you all liked it, and I'm sorry I've been away for so long. Writer's block sucks… Anywho, I'll try to continue my other story along wit this one, but as far as it goes, as of now, my other story is on hiatus. However, please stay and keep reading this new story. This is Mystery Critic, signing off.