#jambaes

"Incoming call from... Mister." A robotic voice called out from the house speakers.

She smirked.

 " Answer!" She called out.

With a beep, the call was answered and the music dropped behind the call. still loud enough for her to still dance to.

"Morning, Heartberry."

"Morning Mister..Surprised you are up at this time." 

"Really, don't I always call around 7:45?"

"When you're on earth, which last time I checked, you aren't." Connie smirked as she slipped on her underwear. "So how did it go or are you still on your diplomacy mission?"

"Pretty good, we actually finished sooner than expected, but enough about that..Wanna see how my Heartberry's doing and wish her a happy day before work.".

"Aww, you're sweet, but you're up to something as well." She chuckled as she pulled up her jeans  on her waist. " Tight fit. Might need to go shopping soon."

"Jeans?"

"Yeah...How the hell?"

"I've seen your hip struggles."

"I don't know if I hate what you're insinuating,  Bisky."  She rolled her eyes at his playful chuckle. "So, you're gonna come with me clothes shopping whenever that may be." She placed an orange hoodie over her, pulling it down to her navel and pulling her hair out of it and putting it in a ponytail.

"What and watch you grunt, swear and dance your way into jeans..Oh I wouldn't miss that for the world." 

"Punk."

"You love me."

"Naw, I tolerate you." She taunted. "I also mildly, slightly, diminutively...Miss you." 

"Oh..Such blessing, much wow." 

The two shared a laugh before  falling into a silence of comfort. Connie looked at herself in the mirror, liking how her black Jeans and orange hood fit her form.l before putting on the smallest of  clear lips gloss.

"I'm wearing orange on black today."

"Ooo! very cutey spooky..Guessing you just put on that lip gloss you made at R&D."

"Yup.."she snickered "Thank you for your cooperation...Your essence makes for great cosmetics and healing products."

"Anything to help...Besides, I got to use the true lab and its precious hidden sauna and spring…"  He paused. "When did you find the time to make that and who taught you to make 'rooms'? "

"Hey, hard work and passion brings results, besides a group of gems actually made it...I just planned the design. "Connie sighed before continuing. Plus, I needed to keep myself busy someway and well...When you got a battalion of gems and humans who have the same mindset.." She sighed gently giving herself one more look over, blowing herself a kiss. "Great things are bound to happen.."

"That or explosions." He teased

"It''s a coin toss, really." she reciprocated. "And who says explosions aren't great."

"I guess it depends. So it’s 8:04 now. You're usually in the lab by 9:30, 9:45."

"Give myself time to do extra stuff..Like go down to the dojo and get some sparring in…" An impish grin enveloped on her face. "My figure isn't all gem magic and Maheswaran genes, you know."

"Oh, I know and it shows, trust...But I do take blame for being a motivator." She scoffed at his smug voice. "That and the gem magic. "

"You're cocky today, Mister. Maybe, you should come down and get tossed around a bit."

"More like you wanna get pinned under me." His voice took on a more husky tone "We don't need a ring for that when there's a perfectly strong mattress in your room."

She laughed gently. " Ease, Bisky...I think we're getting off track."

"We had a track? I thought we were just shooting the wind."

"Really."

"Well, I also wanted to make sure you left home with a smile."

"Come on." Her bashfulness and adoration  showing though. "I'm talking to you. I'm gonna be smiling at least until dinner..Work at R&D pending."

"Well I can pick you up and treat you after."

"See, now I'm gonna be smiling all day. Though seeing you before would work better"

"It would bring one to my face as well." 

"My good sir, thous my company not bring you glee?" She smirked at his chuckle.

"Thous company make for an exhilarating exuberance. When it's tangible company." he sighed dramatically, getting a giggle. "Alas, all I have is your disembodied voice. Woe is me as my heart grows fonder in your absence, my Heartberry knight."

"Bravo, bravo.. " She clapped at his performance with a snicker.

"Ugh, no! We had an alien delegate who spoke like that. It was sooo hard, not to laugh and cringe at the dramatics."

"Oh~ho ho. My poor Mister."

"Yeah yeah." He grumbled in annoyance 

"What can I do to make my Mister happy?"

"Hmm? Really?"

"Or course.Making sure you're smiling before I get to R&D is part of my morning routine." She waited in silence for a few seconds before his voice resounded.

"Can you sing for me?

She noted how shy, tired, and downtrodden her Mister's tone became. 

"Sorry that was strange..

"Are you nearby?" Concern was thick in her voice, all forms of teasing gone as she stood up from her bed and headed downstairs.

"Umm..Yeah, actually. I..

"You're already here, Right?"

"Uh..Yeah.."

She smiled as she walked towards the front door. opening it see Steven Universe, with breakfast from Startries. She should have been chuckling and teasing about how diligent he was, but the bags in his red eyes, the paleness and splashes of pinkish-purple of his skin, and the chapness of his lips said he had a rough one this time.

She took the bag in one hand and Steven's hand in her other as she guided him into the living room. Placing the bag on to the table carelessly, she sat on the couch lap together. "Head here, Mister." She slapped the top of her thighs as she gave him a tender and reassuring smile.

Steven nodded before following her direction, laying his head on her lap facing her. His arms immediately around her waist like a life line as he nuzzled into her stomach.

Her hand was instantly in his locs, running through his hair, feeling slight and receding protruding in various places.

"Any request, love?" Her tone was even and pleasant, unjudging and expecting nothing from him

"That…'Love'. Can you sing me that?" His tone was exhausted and broken, yet held a spark of love. He sighed feeling her cool lips in his heated cheek.

She breathed deeply..

Love

So many things I've got to tell you

But I'm afraid I don't know how

Cause there's a possibility

You'll look at me differently

Steven sighed at her contralto pitch. It hit his ear like a cool spring, cleansing him of his worries, doubts, and negativity. It was the sweetest and most relaxing sound ever produced. 

Love

Ever since the first moment I spoke your name

From then on I knew that by you being in my life

Things were destined to change cause......

He hummed as she gave him another kiss. Looking up to see her smile down at him. Her black eyes; full of pride, and adoration.  

Love

So many people use your name in vain

Love

Those who faith in you sometimes go astray

Love

Through all the ups and downs the joy and hurt

"Connie." he stated, feeling a bit tired due to the pleasing affection " You have got to..

"Day off." Her voice was doused with finality.

"But you.."

"Day. Off" She moved closed gently placing her forehead upon his temple, lips to his ear. She continued to serenade him.

Love

For better or worse I still will choose you first..

She turned to see Steven walking up to her camera in hand, a slight grin on his face.

"Admiring the set up." She stated before narrowing her eyes.at his grin. "You didn't take a candid shot, did you?"

Steven scoffed at his companion, putting his finger tips to his chest. "To think that you would accuse me. Your Biscuit, your Mister, your man; of taking a shot of you unaware and behind you back. With this professional camera," he held up the black device in his right hand, "for shame Heartberry. For shame."

"You definitely did ."

"But I used my phone."

She chuckled as he brought out the smartphone and handed it to her, showing her the picture. It was of her looking up at the set up. He hands folded behind her back, her left foot on her toes, a small smile on her face and the lights reflecting in her black eyes.

'Admittedly, that's a nice shot.' her musing thoughts were interrupted when she felt him pull her close to him with his left hand on her navel, pressing her back to his chest while holding the camera above them with his right. She rested her left hand on top of his while rubbing his whiskered chin with her right sticking out her tongue towards the camera to go along with his flirty grin.

With a press of a button, the camera clicked with a quick flash of light and temporarily strained their eyes.

"Ok, flash was stronger than expected." Steven chuckled as he rubbed his eyes. "Sorry about that Heartberry." He blinked multiple times, getting his focus back.

"You're fine, Mister." Connie reassured as she blinked a few times herself.

"Want some help with that, heal your eyes like that one time?" He joked.

Connie blinked again but on emotion based reflex. "Uhm... I would but we lack a drink." Shyness gripped her throat as she spoke.

"Ah, that's true" Steven rubbed the back of his head. "Guess direct contact is our only choice."

"Guess so." Connie breathed deeply as she closed her eyes.

Steven palms gently pressed against other cheeks getting a reflexive grin from her. "Smiley." He teased before placing gentle butterfly kisses on her eyelids. Getting a giggle from the young woman. "Better?"

"Uh-uh." She held his hands in place, keeping her eyes close. "I think you need to try again."

"Oh, really." He heard the anxiousness under the flirting before kissing her cheeks tenderly. "Better?"

She bit the corner of her lip, holding back a giggle. "Getting there." her tone, more relaxed and teasing.

"Getting there, huh?" He whispered closed to her lips.

His breath tickled her, bringing a little heat to her face. As she massaged the back of his hands with her palm." Uh-huh."

"Let me help you along then. "

She snickered as he laid his lips upon her. His slightly wet lips met her soft chapped in a sweet kiss.

Her hands slipped to his wrist as the kiss deepened from a simple pressing peck to a clipping lip lock capturing his upper lip between hers own while he did the same with her bottom.

The gentle feel of the mutual suckling upon each other's lips. The tight protectiveness of his arms around her waist and palms on her seat. The looping of her arms under his own grip on his shoulders, pulling him closer as she asked for and was granted access into his mouth with her tongue, evoking a love filled hum from her.

They released the oral action with a soft 'chu' as they held each other in a swaying embrace ignited by a feeling of understanding between them.

"Better?" He whispered warm-heartedly into her shoulder.

"My eyes are, yeah." She nuzzled a bit closer. "I don't think you're talking about that, though."

"You're right."He sighed, feeling her stroke his locks. "You looked unsure up here..Kind of scared."

"Been awhile since I've been in the spotlight like this. Guess i'm a little nervous.."

She turned to the mirror looking at their costumed reflections, her sight lingering on his form. "Kind of feel below par for such a professional shoot. Unlike you, handsome."

Steven turned to her with an arched eyebrow. "You are gorgeous, you know that right, Berry."

"Hmm, what you mean in costume?"

Steven smirked "Oh you're wearing that plugsuit much better than the actual character," He praised while kissing her cheek "but.. I was talking about in general.

"Well you did say I make 'psychotic breaks' Hot." She jested.

"And I stand by that." He smirked. "Jokes aside,the pictures are gonna come out fine..better than fine." He gazed at her lovingly. "They're gonna be extraordinary because " He gave her a quick peck. " For one, I'm taking them and you know I won't make you look bad."

"I trust you to make me look beautiful, yes." She massaged that back of his ear, getting an appreciative snarl.

"You already are and I got evidence of your photogenic allure to prove it. " He shook his phone with a grin before whispering in her ear.

Connie's face turned maroon at his words, and her grin grew as she turned to his lecherous smirk. "Really? You want a shot like that."

Steven shrugged as he pursed his lips. "Not like I don't have one..It just you'll be in different costumes instead of my shirt and short shorts"

"True enough." She whispered, giving him a squeeze ."Thanks, Mister. For making me feel better." She kissed and smiled against his temple.

He nuzzled into her shoulder "I said nothing that was a lie..Your beautiful Connie"

"I'll take your word for it." She sighed. "Still.Though... After the awkwardness in the room..I guess it kind of made anxious to impress you." She moaned in embarrassment.

"You don't have to try to impress me, Connie." He chuckled. "Though I kind of feel the same." He admitted. "Can't help but want to impress the one you love, right?"

"Oh,Steven." She gasped.

"I know, Berry...We'll figure it out, later."

"Promise?"

"Of course." The two shared a kiss to seal the promise before he moved to press his forehead against hers,

The inadequacy and uncertainty from before, easing down by the sound of each other's breathing, the sensation of each other's touch, the warmth of each other's affection.

"I love you." their dual whispers was followed by a duet of silent chuckles as the weight on their hearts was lessened a little.

*Click!*

They both turned to the sound of a camera, took their attention. Releasing each other in the process.

"I'm sorry. It was just..You two are perfect together." Alex apologized, camera in her hand. "I had to take the shot."

"Come on, now." Steven complained as he glared at Alex halfheartedly. "That was something a little private."

"Sorry...I...I'll delete it." Alex offered in remorse.

"Don't." Connie stated. "It's fine," She reassured the receptionist.

"You sure?"

"Yeah.. Like you said. You saw something worth taking a shot at." She interlocked her left hand with The man beside her, getting a surprised glance. " We can relate to that." She smiled giving his hand a kiss and a squeeze. "Right?"

Steven's face glowed pink at her actions but soon settled as a bright smile grace his face, "Of course.When something that worth it comes along, you gotta take your shot. "before facing Alex.

"Oh.. Cool." Alex grinned in excitement. "So since that is the case..How about we start with the couple shots? Sure your friends would enjoy them as well."

"Yeah sure." Connie agreed.

"We can begin whenever you two are ready."

The two looked at each other. Identical grins as the feelings of anxiousness was now matched with the feeling excitement. Both were eager to know exactly what the other wanted.. and scared about how things would change, now that the term 'love' was out there, but they trust the person standing by them enough to navigate and work through the inevitable changes in their companionship.

"Ready for this, Heartberry?" Steven smiled gently, his question having a double meaning.

"Yup. Ready if you are, Mister." Connie answered in a similar tone, as she gave his hand a loving squeeze.