"Well, that sucked..." Steven and Liv were finally seated inside the packed theater for the premiere of RoboCop 4. Both had a large, ice-cold cola in hand as Steven held a popcorn bucket. Despite the excitement around them, both of their moods had been dampened considerably. Liv's eyes were still tear-filled from the drama outside. "How could he do that to me? Devon's such a jerk..."
"Hey, I know how you feel. It sucks, but let's enjoy our time together." Steven put his drink in the holder and took her hand gently. It felt unnaturally soft against his hands. Steven hadn't thought his hands had been that calloused, but his time building Little Homeschool up must have toughened them up a little. Their eyes met as they found comfort within each other. As quickly as their eyes had met, they quickly looked away from each other as the heat built up in their cheeks. Neither pulled their hand away.
Finally, the lights dimmed and the crowd quieted down. They all waited in anticipation as the advertisements rolled. Of course, RoboCop 5 was already in production and an ad had been placed right before RoboCop 4 finally premiered. At the reveal and start of the movie, both of their eyes shone with excitement. RoboCop flew across the screen causing Liv to gasp and squeeze his hand. Steven looked down at her and smiled softly. So cute...
This all felt natural. Liv was so nice and her hand was so warm, it was easy to relax with her. It was a nice change of pace. Of course, he had felt this way before, with Connie. But how long has it been since I've felt so comfy around Connie...? Steven looked down at the popcorn bucket glumly. I thought everything was okay between us... Why did things have to change so quickly?
A whisper interrupted his thoughts, "Hey, Steven... We're gonna enjoy our time together, remember...?" Steven looked over to Liv who was leaning close to him. "Come on, you've waited so long for this movie..." He gave her a nod and slowly took his hand back to put around her shoulders, drawing Liv even closer to him. She rested her head on his shoulder. Even that felt comfortable, natural.
The pang of guilt hit him suddenly in the gut but he quickly pushed it away. He wasn't doing anything wrong. Connie and he weren't dating. They were close, they wanted to date, but she had told him "not now". He hadn't done anything wrong. It was Connie that had ditched him. He wasn't doing anything bad by going on a date with Liv. He deserved to do what he wanted for once. He wanted to spend this time with Liv. Didn't he?
His arm stayed around Liv's narrow shoulders for the entirety of the movie. Occasionally, he would catch a glimpse of Liv looking up at him, and every time their eyes would meet, both of their gazes would dart back to the screen. The two hours went by so quickly that Steven's eyebrows rose by the time the credits rolled along. Every scene packed a punch he had only dreamed about and as the lights brightened, Liv looked up at him with wide grey eyes. "That... Was... AWESOME!"
Steven stared at the credits for a couple of moments longer in absolute awe of the masterpiece he had just watched. "I... Just... Wow... This has to be the best RoboCop movie ever made..." Around them, the audience buzzed with the same awe and excitement as they felt. "Too bad Connie couldn't-... Sorry..."
Liv looked away awkwardly, "I-It's fine... It makes sense, you wanted to go with her..." She began to pull away from him and panic rose in Steven's chest. Her bright eyes started to tear up again and he found the words tumbling out of his mouth full force. "H-Hey, don't talk like that, I enjoyed my time with you. I'm glad it turned out this way." He flinched at his words. They had been empty, emptier than the movie theater now that most everyone had left. Liv didn't seem to notice. "You mean it...?"
Steven nodded slowly, "Yeah... I am so glad I got to see this movie with you. You've been so fun to hang out with today. I didn't feel like I had to force myself to be perfect around you, it felt like I could just be myself." That hadn't been a lie, but the next part was. "I'm glad I went with you instead. I don't think I would've had as much fun with Connie. I'm glad I got to know you. Really."
Liv's face quickly flushed a bright pink. "Y-Yeah..? That's... Really sweet of you. H-How about you walk me home, then?" She stood up from her seat and held out her hand. "It's dangerous for a girl to walk home alone, you know..."
Steven got up and grabbed her hand, balancing the popcorn tub and drink in his other. As they walked out the revolving doors and out into the streetlamp-lit street, they began to talk about everything and nothing at all. He learned that Liv loved cats and that's why she went to the café. He also learned that she had a stamp and bottlecap collection.
What can I tell her...? He thought hard about what he could tell her. Something about him that would make sense, that he could say where he wouldn't have to explain the Gems, the homeworld. Everything about him seemed too otherworldly to share. Even his pet was too strange to be taken as truth if he were to bring it up. "My dad owns a car wash."
"Really? That's so cool! Do you help him out a lot?" She seemed genuinely interested. Steven let out a sigh of relief. "Yeah! I mean, I used to, when I was younger. I haven't been home for a while. I'm planning on visiting after I leave here, though. The ge-, I mean, my family misses me."
Liv smiled, "That's awesome you're visiting. I haven't visited in a while either. I will after Exams, though." They walked in silence for a little longer. It felt like an eternity. A state of limbo filled with car lights and streetlamps. "You know... You're really cool, Steven..."
He coughed awkwardly, looking away. "R-Really? I don't think I'm that cool." Liv stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. Her face showed sincerity as she replied, "No, I mean it, Steven, you're super cool. You're the coolest guy I've ever met!"
She stepped closer and took both of his hands with hers. "I mean it, Steven... All the guys' I've known since I moved here have been absolute jerks. I want to get to know you better, Steven Universe..."
His heart pounded as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He could smell the faint scent of cotton candy again. The scent was almost intoxicating to him in a way it had no right to be. Her eyes sparkled from the streetlamps and he felt the adrenaline rush through his veins. She's so cute... He watched as her soft lips came closer and locked onto his own.
Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her small frame, pulling her even closer as he returned the kiss. They were so soft and warm and he could taste the hint of chocolate and mint on her breath. They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, holding enjoying each other's warmth. She didn't stop, kissing him over and over. Steven's head spun as she deepened the kiss.
This isn't right... This isn't Connie... The guilt hit him like a wave. They weren't official, sure, but he cared about her. He loved her. Why was he kissing a girl he just met? Steven pulled away and held her at arms' length. "Liv... I can't, I'm sorry..."
Liv took a step back, her eyes filled with heartache and embarrassment. "It's cause of Connie, huh..."
Steven nodded, "I'm sorry, I just..." Liv stopped him, smoothing down her skirt. She looked down at her feet as she replied. "No, no, it's fine, I get it... You guys were a thing and you still love her, right?"
She didn't give him a chance to respond before plastering a smile on her face. Liv did her best to hide the hurt he had caused. "It really is fine! I'm sorry, Steven... I got in the way of you and Connie. I shouldn't have kissed you. That was my bad..."
"It's my fault too, Liv... I should just walk you the rest of the way home. I don't think this was a good idea."
It was a tense walk home. Neither talked or even looked at the other. Steven grabbed his stomach. It felt as if he had filled his stomach with lead. How was he ever going to explain this to Connie, or even make it up to her? For someone who claimed to love her, he sure did a bad job at showing it. I really don't deserve her...
Finally, they had reached the girls' dorm. Standing awkwardly in front of the entrance, Liv gave a small wave. "Well, uh... Thanks for tonight." Steven chuckled nervously, "Yeah. Well, uh, have a nice night." Liv slowly walked to the entrance, swiped her card, and went inside.
Steven didn't immediately leave. He looked up at the dormitory, wondering if Connie happened to live there too. Part of him wished he would've taken the time to ask Liv, but he shook his head at the thought. That'd be a terrible idea... I've already hurt her enough. Bringing up Connie would've just made it worse. He felt the tears well up in his eyes. He had been such an idiot today, and now he was going to have to find a way to tell Connie.
How would he ever make it up to her?
He could never make it up to her...