After much running, steven finally manages to catch Connie at a nearby bus stop. "Connie?"

"Steven, I'm so sorry." Connie blurts. "It's not that I'm ashamed of you. I was just so worried my parents would think all this magic stuff is weird." She starts tearing up. "What if they don't let me hang out with you anymore?"

"I-I'm sorry I messed everything up." Steven replies guiltily. "I wish there was a way we could just... hang out without having to worry about stuff."

"Steven, let's just hop on a bus and live somewhere without telling anyone!" Connie suggests.

"That's a great idea!" Steven agrees, without a second thought.

Just then, a bus comes up to the stop, and the two climb aboard it, sitting at the very back.

"Where's this bus taking us?" Asks Steven.

"Wherever we end up." Replies Connie. "We'll find a way to survive. I've been reading about sustainable living."

"Maybe it'll take us to a real apple farm!" Steven jokes.

"What's up with you and apples today?" Asks Connie in amusement.

However after only about a few minutes of driving, the bus suddenly jerks to a halt, nearly throwing the two kids out of their seats. Then it suddenly felt as if the bus was being lifted, it tilting towards the back. Something had lifted it up. Startled and puzzled, they both peered out the back window.

What stared back at them were tired, exasperated glowing (color) eyes, as well as a smaller magenta pair behind a thick brush of (color) mane, staring with concern.

"STEVEN!!!"

Both kids cried out instinctively in alarm as you shook the bus in frustrated anger.

"WHERE DO STEVEN AND CONNIE THINK THEY'RE GOING!?" You roared, your breath and a faint spray of spittle and heated breath hitting the glass. "COME OUT OF THERE THIS INSTANT!!"

"AAH! OKAY OKAY!" Steven exclaims frantically, before ducking behind the seat. "J-just put the bus down first? A-and maybe... calm down...? please..?"

"(NAME) IS CALM!"

~~~~{back at the shack}~~~~

Everyone stood at the front of the restaurant, both children with their respective families, being scolded for their attempt at running away.

"Where do I even begin with you, young lady?" Mrs. Maheswaran glares at the girl as she shamefully stares ahead of her to avoid eye contact.

Before she could say anything, a gruff yet feminine voice speaks over her.

"What was Steven thinking, running off with Connie like that!?" You towered over the boy, your pelt bristling as he just kept his gaze on the ground. "Steven could have gotten hurt!"

"Or mangled in traffic." Added garnet.

"Or left somewhere no one can find you!" Spinel adds with a worried voice.

"Steven in very big trouble, and there is no other choice but to punish him for such a frightful stunt!" You crossed your arms.

"But-" Steven tries to protest, but garnet cuts him off. "No dinner for 1,000 years."

"1,000..?!!" Steven stares at garnet in alarm, before looking up at you, looking for reassurance.

"No. (Name) would never let Steven starve." You calmly reassure him, placing a mid paw on his shoulder. "Instead, he will lose his TV privileges. For 1,000 years."

"NOOOO! The mid-season finale of Under the Knife!" He exclaims in dramatic distress. "How could you do this to me!?"

"Because we love you, Steven." Greg states, arms crossed in disappointment. Steven groans in defeat.

"And Pearl and Amethyst!" You pointed at pearl and amethyst who tense up and stare wide eyed at you. "(Name) had to put on a dress to make a good impression for Connie's parents.... only for pearl and amethyst's bickering to once again botch things. Therefore making (name)'s discomfort mean nothing."

Pearl and amethyst exchanged guilty glances between each other, amethyst pressing her fingers together and pearl rubbing her upper arm while biting her lip.

"Pearl and amethyst will spend 35 minutes in the get along shirt now!"

"WHAT!?" Pearl and amethyst fumbled over their words, talking over one another as they both tried to protest and make you reconsider, but you instead snarled. "It's for your own good! And complaining will lead to an all-nighter in the shirt!" This quickly shut them up, and they both just slumped forward with groans of defeat.

"Wow."

You turn your head to see Mr. and Mrs. Maheswaran approach you, looking surprisingly impressed. "That was a masterful use of the 'it's because we love you' shutdown. Not to mention the use of the 'it's for your own good!' One, since I'm partial to it myself."

"That '1,000 years of no dinner' bit, that was pretty funny." Mr. Maheswaran remarks with a chuckle. "And that all night in the 'get along' shirt as well, that's pretty good to."

"All comedy is derived from fear." Garent replies simply.

"And fear makes people learn. Especially the ones who can't get past differences." You shrugged, side glaring the pair beside you, making the two gems blush in modesty and look away. This makes the man laugh more in amusement. "You are too much!"

"I don't know what to make of the two of you- Excuse me, five of you, But I see that you are responsible parents." She thought for a moment. "Uh, caretakers?" There was another pause. "Guardians..."

She then looks up at you. "And you... (name) was it?" She looks you up and down with an air of uncertainty, as you still loomed over her, even as you sat back on your hocks. You just nodded slowly, brow lifted. "Well... I must admit, with all things considered... your maternal skills are quite impeccable. Especially with how much authority you appear to have over everyone."

You shrugged. "A mother protecting her child is a vicious beast."

The woman stifles a giggle and you find yourself smiling a bit in warming triumph.

"So, I can still hang out with steven?"

Although hesitant, Dr. Maheswaran delivers her final answer. "Sure."

"Alright!" At once Steven runs towards Connie and wraps her arms around her into an excited hug, giggling while Connie stood in a state of momentary shock, her cheeks flushed a dark red before she herself starts giggling.

Unfortunately the moment didn't last long as Mr. Maheswaran stepped in and broke the hug, apperantly not ready for such an interaction.

~~~~~[back at home feat. Timeskip]~~~~

"So uh... (name)?" Ameythyst fiddled with her hands nervously as she heard your hum of acknowledgement. "About the shirt thing...?"

You paused for a moment, giving it a brief thought, before letting out a soft huff. "Due to the change of events, (name) has decided to forego the shirt punishment."

There was a puff of relief from the two gems, having avoided such a humiliating punishment. "But there will be a lecture for them tomorrow!"

There was a groan from amethyst but pearl nodded, happy to not be stuck to the purple gem. "Understood." She made her way towards her room, waving at you one final time. "Goodnight everyone!"

One by one, the gems bid their Goodnights and retire into their rooms, leaving only you, Steven and spinel.

"Night, guys!" Chirped Steven as he tucked himself into bed.

"Night night, stevie!" She waved to steven from the couch before turning to you. "Night night, mama!"

You snorted. "It's okay now, spinel." You reminded her tiredly, shutting your eyes. "Dinner date is over now."

Before you drifted off, you heard a faint giggle, and her soft reply.

"I know."
~~~~~~~~~~~

I won't lie, I used the beach city bus reference to aid me in drawing the bus, because I can't draw vehicles-