[The sun has long since set; Steven hates that it gets darker earlier in the winter, as his nyctophobia doesn't let him enjoy the starry nights or merry festivals that oft happen in the dark of winter. But tonight, he is outside in the back garden, lighting candles and making sure the patio light is on fiercly bright before stripping his clothes and quickly stepping into the hot tub that he and his fiancé own, sighing as the hot water blocks out the chilly air on his skin. He needs this winding down session; the phenomenon that had caused his angel to attack him with the intent to kill still haunts him, just a little. His wounds are healing nicely, at least, and he is enjoying full use of his arms again.]

*Steven gets indoors just after his other half, as his angel was leading the way home; he's thankful for this, because as soon as he shuts the door behind him he pulls Steven into a massively passionate kiss, asserting a very slight dominance.*

*By the time the Steven's reach their home, the unconscious one has been still for a long time now. He isn't murmuring things under his breath anymore...*

Ngghh.

*From his resting spot, sprawled out in front of the fireplace, Steven makes a vague attempt at rolling onto his back and getting some more ice for his skin. Napping outside under the sun hadn't done him any favours- he looks like a blue-haired lobster, and where his other half was leant against his chest is a patch of normal-coloured skin.

He sighs, wincing slightly as he catches his burning skin on the beanbags, and tries to find his other half.*

*Steven reclines on the sofa in the living room, sighing as he gets comfortable amongst the pillows. After a moment of having his eyes shut, he wills himself to stay awake and looks over at the window; the sun is just peeking above the horizon, the last remnants of daylight illuminating the room.*

Steven's been out a while... I hope he's alright...

*Willing the bad and worrying thoughts away, Steven rolls over to face the window completely and simply stares at it, as if it'll make his other half come home faster.*

*Steven sits in the bedroom, far from alone. The remaining Absol puppies crawl all over the sheets and Steven's lap, with their parents curled up at the end of the bed, happily asleep. And even though Steven is surrounded by company, he feels desperately alone and empty. He reaches over for the pillow that his angel uses and idly pats it before hugging it close to his body.

After a small while, Garnet wakes up- seeing Steven lavish hugs upon anything other than her half-enrages her, and she immediatly plops herself on Steven's lap. Steven sighs heavily and strokes her gently, hoping that Garnet and the puppies will focus his attention to somewhere other than how lonely he is...*

*Like usual, Steven wakes up before his other half and climbs out of their bed to go make them some breakfast.

Like usual, he goes to check on his Absol while the kettle boils.

Unlike usual, he comes running back through to their bedroom and practically leaps on the bed, shaking his other half frantically.*

*Steven wakes up long before his other half- as always. He yawns and stretches, wincing as his back snaps a few times. He takes an idle glance around their bedroom, not expecting it to be any different, of course- until his eyes fall on some clothes hung on the door of their wardrobe.

It's a butler's outfit. Steven has a sudden flashback to a few weeks ago, when he and his other half were talking about it.*

Hmm.

*Carefully prying himself from bed, he takes the butler's suit and heads into the kitchen...*