Pearl and Stevens gems sit on separate pillows in the living room, three people waiting again in silence. The snake had been retrieved and bubbled, and they all now anxiously awaited the two's return. Garnet was silent, her mouth occasionally twitching in pain as the crystals on her back grew towards her neck. Amethyst had her head on the table by Pearl, her hand gently petting the stone. Greg was closest to Steven, but didn't really know how to react to all of this.

The pink stone glowed, and everyone stared as a tall pink body with long hair took shape. They held their breath as it changed, shrinking into a more Steven-like shape, then solidified. He wore his normal shirt and jeans, feet bare and hair puffed up; except now his arms were healed, and he smiled as he opened his eyes.

"Hey guys!" he exclaimed, and was tackled by them all in a hug. He laughed and returned it gratefully, glad to be back.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Greg said, wiping tears from his eyes. "We were so worried about you."

Garnet and Amethyst nodded, wiping away their own tears. Steven beamed.

"I feel great, guys!" he said sitting on the floor. He noticed Pearl and became a bit sad, but still smiled. "How long have I been gone?"
"Not long." Garnet said. "About an hour." he looked up at her and gasped.

"Oh! Ruby, or Garnet, your gem." he said, and she calmly presented her left hand, a few shards along with it. Steven pieced them together and kissed it, beaming as the glow faded to reveal the square-faceted gem was fixed. Garnet smile, kissing his forehead, her body fully healed.

"Thank you, Steven." she said, and he hugged her happily.

After a while Pearl came back and the way Amethyst held her spoke of the new relationship formed between the two. Steven was happy for the first time in a while, finding his smile was real and the joy inside his chest wasn't from the pain of a blade. Years later he would look back on this time and know it was over then, though he still had a lot of recovery left to do. It was at this moment that Steven truly knew he was loved, and that his life was valued. All that was left was for him to feel that way about himself too, and while it was hard, he had the best team on his side to help him through it.