At once, a bright smile brightened your face, and the troubles you felt had faded as the pink gem bounded over to you.

"Spinny!"

Scooping the small pink gem up into your forearms, nuzzling the top of her head.

"Did spinny enjoy her meadow time?" You asked as she giggled at the attention.

"Yup! Got a lotta pretty flowers for ya!" She chirped, holding up her two bundles. Lowering her into your midarms, you take the two bundles, taking a sniff at the sweet fragrance. "Very nice." You smiled down at the gem, who was now comfortably cradled in your midarms. "(Name) will put these in vases."

As you walked to the kitchen, you nodded towards the feline who was shaking his mane off to dislodge the flower petals. "Thanks for keeping her safe, lion." In response he does a slow-blink nod combo in response, bowing his head towards you slightly.

You reached up into the cupboards, looking for said vases as spinel continues on. "Oh, I also made another new friend! I think it's what Steven called a uh... bun... ny? Yeah a bunny! Ya shoulda seen em, momma! He was so fluffy n' cute n' bouncy..."

Spinel rambled on while you listened in, smiling to yourself as you took out two vases and filled them with water, unaware of Garnet slipping back into the warp room with Amethyst following.

As Garnet stepped back towards the temple doors, they suddenly open, and Pearl tentatively pokes her head out from them. "(Name)'s not still upset, is she?"

"Nope," Garnet assured bluntly. "Spinel helped with that."

Amethyst lets out a snicker to herself. "And she's still calling her 'momma'."

"She is?" Pearl squinted, confused. "That's odd, I already told her that we were done 'playing' that... game."

"(Name) doesn't seem to mind it. It makes Spinel happy." Garnet shrugged coolly. "I don't see why she shouldn't call her that."

Pearl scoffed lightly, crossing her arms. "It's kind of silly now, don't you think?" She quipped. "It's no longer necessary to keep calling her that."

"Well, all things considered, it's a fitting title for her." Garnet crosses her arms. "Now, come on. We need to wrap this up."

Pearl winced, looking a bit weary. "Garnet... are- are you sure about this? I mean, surely we can-"

"We can't. Not like her. Besides, if we ever want to keep her stable, this must be done." Garnet stated sternly. "For Steven."

Pearl was still hesitant, opening her mouth to protest again, but Amethyst shrugged, indifferent. "As long as it'll make her chill out."

Garnet nodded, before her turning to Pearl. "Pearl?"

After a second, Pearl sighed lightly. "Okay."

With a nod, Garnet motioned the two gems to follow her, as she stepped out from behind the warp room wall. Her eyes caught sight of the flower filled vases that sat on the counter, before they flicked to the living room, where you laid, letting spinel brush your fur and decorate it with a few remaining flowers.

Garnet smiled, before clearing her throat, catching your attention.

"(Name)? Our discussion."

Your lip curled into a slight sneer, but you nodded with a hum. "Right."

Spinel frowned at your sudden shift in mood. "Discussion? About what?"

"It's nothing to worry about." Garnet assured gently. "We just need to get something sorted out."

Spinel tilted her head with an uncertain hum. Seeing her hesitancy, Garnet then turned to Amethyst. "Amethyst take spinel and lion to your room."

The purple gem nodded, inwardly sighing with relief at being able to avoid such a serious matter. "Come on, Spin-Z! Let's go play a game in my room!"

Almost instantly spinel perked up, bouncing to her feet. "Ooh! A game? Count me in!"

"Be careful." You rumbled softly, to which spinel hugs you, squishing her cheek against yours. "Can do!" After pressing a quick kiss into your cheek, she bounded over to Amethyst who was waiting beside the open temple door.

"Keep her safe." You mumbled to lion, to which he gives a brief nod and follows the two gems into the room, disappearing behind the door.

Now with the room cleared, Garnet cleared her metaphoric throat again. "About what I said..." she walked towards you, with a slow, if a bit hesitant gait. "When I said, we aren't like you... I was referring to your... instinct."

You squinted your eye. "...yeah?" You pushed yourself up from your resting position.

"It's gotten pretty obvious that you're a natural at maternity, (Name)." Garnet explained, while Pearl just took a seat at the bar, watching Garnet with uncertainty. "Not all gems are equipped with an ability like yours." Garnet looked down, almost shamefully. "...not even us."

You tilted your head, unsure of what to make of the claim. "Gems are... maternal enough..." You stated slowly. "Gems care about Steven, don't they?"

"Of course we do!" Pearl snapped defensively. "What kind of a question is--"

Pearl cut herself off as Garnet tensed up, shooting a warning look at the thin gem. Pearl sat wide eyed for a second, before correcting herself. "Ahem... Yes, of course we do."

"We all want what's best for him." Garnet added quickly.

"...as (Name) expected." You rumbled blandly. "That's crucial for maternity, is it not?"

"I know. We know." Garnet assured hurriedly. "But even so... we... still have somethings to work on." Garnet lowered her gaze to the ground, placing a hand on the back of her neck. "As you've seen..."

It took a second to realize what she was referring to, and you wrinkled your muzzle, itching uncomfortably behind your horn. "...maybe a little bit."

Garnet then squared her shoulders, taking a deep breath. "That's where you come in."

You quirked your brow. "Yeah?"

She nods. "You've been improving everyday you're here with us, (Name). But it's clear that these instincts are also dangerous to your stability."

You grimaced faintly, not sure of how to respond.

"If we're ever going to discover who you were, than we need to play it safe. And to play it safe, we'll need to play by your rules."

Garnet smiled, a small self-assured grin as she took off her visor, to give you a determined look. A look of resolve.

"I think it's time you took the lead now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry if it's a bit dodgy, but I didn’t want to drag out the "Discussion" any further than I needed to-