Steven had already been on the road for three hours. Three hours since he'd said goodbye to the gems, and his dad, and Connie. Three quiet hours of silent reflection, and planning for the days ahead of him. His eyes grew dry and tired, looking ahead of him, where he saw nothing but open skies and empty roads. Empty.. Alone. Steven began to glow pink - All this time he had feared everyone leaving him, but he ended up being the one to leave. "No.. Breathe, universe" he told himself, remembering what his new therapist had taught him. This journey would be healing. It's okay to be alone sometimes. The quiet was just so overwhelming. He reached for his radio, playing the only cassette tape he brought with him: Mr.Universe, his Dad's first album. Nostalgia rushed through him like a crashing wave as he reached the next stop light. "Yeah.. I'll be just fine" he knew. As the pink glow began to fade, Steven realized he was only twenty minutes away from the Bed And Breakfast now.

Connie's mom would be driving Connie in the morning to the Bed and Breakfast Steven would be staying at. They had planned a date that would last the whole day, just the two of them, before Steven would be away from her for the next few months. Maybe even a year.

The plan was simple, but sweet. See Steven wasn't very good with girls, or humans for that matter.. but he knew very well what Connie liked. He imagined the beautiful twinkle in her eyes when he would grab her hand, and offer a picnic instead of breakfast at the Diner. The boy, or man now, could practically hear her laughter at the corny pick up lines he had planned. He could see her smile at the stunning daisies he had gotten for her- daisies where her favorite, after all.

Steven found himself drifting into another world thinking of his Connie, of her gaze and her laughter and her kiss. He'd almost past the Bnb all together had he not seen the huge sign ahead of him. It was impossible to miss, huge bright green and blue colors meant to compliment the river that passed near it. "River Town Bed And Breakfast" it read. Steven sighed deeply. This was.. Hard. Through the open window of his Dondai he heard the peaceful chirping of birds and the serene sound of running waters. He felt the sun's warmth delicately caress his face. It was so beautiful… Why couldn't he just enjoy it? Could he truly not enjoy anything when he was alone?

He glanced at his rear view mirror. Steven was finding it hard to look at himself these days, though he was healing. Healing or not, he couldn't help but wonder if it was too soon for him to be alone with his thoughts. Should he call his therapist? No, he thought. It's too soon. It's only been three and a half hours now, after all. Surely, Steven hasn't even given himself a proper chance to enjoy his surroundings yet. So grabbing a backpack and a duffle bag from the trunk he was off, patting his sandals on the paved path towards the wooden door of the bnb.

Upon entering he was met with a completely empty lobby and a tired teenage boy at the front desk who reminded Steven of Lars, before he had died that is. He shivered at the memory, pushing the trauma back for later reflection. "Excuse me?"

The green haired boy looked up from his phone, playing with his septum piercing as he spoke, effectively covering his mouth. "Hrmfht" he said.

"... I erm.. Would like a room please? Maybe two nights?"

The green haired boy, who Steven now identified as "Max" based on the name tag on his shirt, glared at Steven up and down. With a grunt of irritation he began "Maybe? Look kid," he spat. "Do you enjoy making my job harder? Two nights or not?"

Anxiety surged up almost instantly. His triggers were too easy now. The way this.. Max spoke, it felt threatening. In fact it felt almost life threatening as Steven glowed bright pink once again.

The boy behind the desk clearly was taken back, his half shut lazy eyes now wide and staring.

Max's once irritated, now fearful eyes were met with pink diamond ones.

"Ah- i-im half Gem. Haha I know, weird right? Uhm, two nights. Two nights please." Let this be fast, Steven thought. Please, just let him take my money and give me keys so I can run to my Room. He tried hard to breathe through his anxiety, secretly angry with himself for being frightened so easily when he's literally fought in wars! But blaming himself would serve no good now.

"Uhm.. Yeah.. Okay. Two nights is $150. You're.. You.." Max continued to stare deeply into Stevens diamond eyes, amazed.

Steven started back. "Uhm… Yes?"

The green haired boy shook his head vigorously, quickly Apologizing. "You're in room 6C. Here's your key." Max opened a tin box behind him and handed him the cold keys.

Steven took them eagerly and practically ran, just as he had earlier planned, to the elevator. He pressed the button a few times before it finally let out a loud ding and allowed Steven in. It took him to the sixth floor, and his feet carried him to the right room, and finally he flopped out in his new yet temporary bed and closed his eyes.

What was he going to do? He was alone. His trauma was always in the back of his mind, even when it wasn't. Even when he was at peace, it felt like he never truly was. But this was his path to healing, he knew. This pain is the pain of a healing mind. Right?

Steven really hoped so as he cuddled into his blanket, taking mc bear bear out of the duffle bag and placing it on the nightstand beside him and shutting off the lamp.

"Goodnight Pearl,

Goodnight Amethyst,

Goodnight Garnet,

Goodnight Lion,

Goodnight Dad,

Goodnight Connie."

As Steven drifted into sleep, he knew his family missed him as much as he missed them.

But somewhere in the darkness while he was blissfully slumbering, someone he did not miss worked hard to see to it that he had no one to miss him at all.