#cubemom

I love how Garnet being cube-mom is representative of the whole fusion-thing.

Squares are ^2, Cubes are ^3, simple enough.

Human relationships, sadly lacking the experience of fusion, are basically 1+1=2.

Fusion makes gem relationships different, gems aren’t restricted to simple 1+1 hanging out with each other a lot. Gems can combine their whole beings with another gem (or anyone if you’re Steven), thus multiplying their abilities together: ^2.

This is, I think, how normal fusions work. Power and everything else is multiplied to form a new, independent being that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Garnet, however, is such a perfect combination of two gems who are in a very strong, deep, committed relationship to begin with. When Ruby and Sapphire fuse they mesh perfectly, forming a gem who’s not just 1+1, who’s not even just ^2, Garnet is ^3 because of the power of love!

Other things in the series support Garnet’s fusion being particularly perfect and powerful beyond bad math. Garnet, as we all know, is far more human in her design than all other fusions, her only real distinction being the third eye that she usually keeps covered. Compared to Opal or Sardonyx she can pass for and interact with normal human beings, if only she cared to.

We also know that Garnet is surprisingly powerful from Jasper’s reactions. Jasper believes she has seen everything Garnet is when she splits into Ruby and Sapphire, she’s not worried about a combination of two weak-looking runts because how strong could they really be, even together?

Garnet, of course, proceeds to beat the shit out of Jasper because she’s made of love. Garnet disproves Jasper’s belief that fusion is “just a cheap tactic to make weak gems stronger,” and as a result Jasper fuses with Lapis, mistakenly believing that it’s the fusion itself that will make her powerful.

We all know how that ended. Should be noted that Malachite looks monstrous, even compared to other gem fusions, beyond maybe Alexandrite, and this is probably a result of the fusion being fueled by hate and vengeance rather then love.

We’ll have to see as the series goes on! It seems probable that fusions have variable forms just like regular gems do, but this form is determined before fusing, or is out of the hands of the gems completely and simply reflects the combination of their looks and personality.

I would guess the first, given the how fusions are basically mature relationships in the Steven Universe. Coded for sex, this makes a lot of sense and promotes a good message: Garnet exists as a healthy relationship (sexual encounter) because the people engaging in the act are both consenting and acting in the same direction for the same goals, and because Ruby and Sapphire have probably had thousands of years to talk and decide how they want Garnet to look.

Compare this to Malachite. Malachite, as a forced encounter, is ugly and misshapen, no one involved is happy to be involved. Malachite was Jasper’s means to the end of beating the Crystal Gems. Jasper used Lapis, the same way somebody in real life might just use you for sex, to get off, without really caring about you or ever intending to talk or interact with you again…

Man fuck Jasper.