Steven quartz universe and Connie Yasha Maheswaran, better known as Mister and HeartBerry, stood opposite each other.

They were at a summit on an earth-like planet attending a delegation conference for visiting planetary ambassadors as representatives of Earth and Homeworld.

"Well, that didn't go as planned," Mister stated as he stood near the door, looking at the back of his Jambud.

"And whose fault is that?" HeartBerry remarked in a sassy tone. "I told you to be on your best behavior and keep your emotions in check."

Mister sighed. "I'm fine with the way I acted in that meeting. I didn't damage any property or hurt anyone. They have no right to come at me like that."

"They can, and they did." Heartberry responded, her arms crossed, "You know well enough that this is a game of wills...Can't let the past shake you."

"Easy for you to say. You're not a diamond." Mister growled, "you don't have the stigma and hate of eons on your back."

"Neither do you, Steven! You're not responsible for the time before you!"

"Are you sure!?" His eyes turned pink, and his skin began to glow, " Cause those other delegates see differently."

"Steven." Heart looked at him sadly.

"You are seen as a human... Not..." He gestured to his Gem, "a nightmare from the past."

"You're no nightmare, Mister." Connie started, "you're as soft as they come."

Mister looked at her, "thanks, Connie, but they certainly will think differently..." 

"And that's because they're stupid and ignorant," she remarked, "It's a cycle that you'll never be able to break out of if you let those feelings guide you."

"I'm never going to be able to live up to my expectations if I can't let those feelings guide me!" He walked over to the window and looked out, ''I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for what's to come. I'm not ready for the resentment of everyone else...I'm scared."

"It's ok to be scared." She sighed, "You'll be fine."

"But I'm not fine. Things are going to change, and I'm afraid it's not for the better."

"You're going to be fine. Someone once told me that I couldn't let my past define me," HeartBerry said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "maybe it's time for you to do the same."

He remained silent for a moment.

"They called you my 'Pet.' " He growled, remembering the words.

"Under the right circumstances." She tried to joke before seeing him remain unchanged, "Is that what this is about?"

"They attacked me when I didn't attack them. One of them was even rude enough to call you a pet."

"Oh, Steven." She shook her head and sighed.

"They were so condescending..." Mister gritted his teeth and shook his head, "Insulted Era 3 and all our advances to both Earth and Homeworld. All your work for Human and gemkind."

"Steven," Her voice was firm, "why must you persist on this matter? The other delegates~."

"They insulted  you, Connie!" Mister started, " You who have saved me more times than I can count, who have stood by me through all the ups and downs of being hybrid, a Diamond, A human, and what do I do in return?"

"You came to my defense like a knight in shining armor." She remarked, smiling, "it's what knights do, right?"

"I think you got our roles reversed." Mister sneered, "I should be a knight in shining armor. You should have someone stand by you and protect you."

"You do." She looked at him, surprised, "I, have you. You're my Shield, Steven, as I am your Sword."

"But I'm not enough. Trust me...I'm not enough."

Connie glared at him," you're more than enough... Look at what you accomplished in such a few years."

"The revolution of gemkind, the redemption of the diamonds, the creation of Little Homeworld,  building alliances throughout the galaxy." Connie listed.

"I mostly was helped through all that." Steven sighed," Little homeworld was a group effort..and You planned and created Little homeworld R&D...Which do more for Gem and humans than just being a figurehead."

"Oh," she blushed," I don't know about that. "

"Yes, you do. You're brilliant, powerful, strong-willed, and hardworking, one of the most caring people I've ever met...I'm proud to call you my best- friend."

"Steven..." She breathed, her voice cracking with emotion, "you know that I love you too...thank you."

Mister looked at her, his eyes softened, "it's not just your unique qualities that make you my friend.  It's your attitude. The way you see the world, the way you defend what you love, and the way you see the best in everyone.

"And Connie," he continued, "you've always been there for me. And you always will. I may be the one with the title and the respect, but you're the one who truly deserves it. You've earned so much more than what you've been given...it is why I got so mad when they insulted you."

"I appreciate you standing up for me..for us, Mister." Connie smiled, "but you can't let the clucking of space chickens peck at you." She teased.

"Space Chickens?"

She was happy to get a laugh from her Jambud.

"You are not a figurehead...You're hope...You are proof that Humans and Gems can live in harmony." Connie stated, sitting by him. "Hope for a bright future for both humans, Gem, and whoever truly wishes to align with us."

Mister looked at her, "you're right. I'm not just Hope. I'm proof that Humans and Gems can work together. That we can work together. That we can be friends and even love each other."

"You are the best example of Homeworld's present and future." Connie caressed his whispered cheek, " era of unity, growth, discovery. Endless possibility...That's you, Mister. You make the impossible possible.

"The because I had you through it all," Steven grinned, leaning into her affection as his skin and eyes returned to normal, and his gem gleamed. "From my trials, triumphs, and traumas...You stood by me, helped me, guided me...Saved me."

"And I'll always be there for you, Steven." She said and hugged him. " you're my biscuit, my Mister, My hubby, My home and pride."

"And you're, My Strawberry, my HeartBerry, My wifey, my home, and strength." 

"And we're making the future," Connie beamed up at him, "With all our friends."

"Side by side." Mister agreed. " together."

"Forever and always."

"And don't forget it." Mister teased.

"You're impossible." She smiled at him. But she didn't let go.

Steven looked at Connie, "you know, you're right. I probably shouldn't let the past get to me...Especially if it's only causing me pain. I can't let homeworld's past hurt its present and future."

"And you shouldn't," Connie smiled and kissed him gently. " I don't think I could have made it through the tough times without you."

"You've made it through tough times before, Connie," He said gently, "and you'll make it through tough times again. You're strong, brave, kind, and caring...I've always been proud to have you at my side."

"Pot calling kettle black."  She teased, getting a playful tickle to the side.

"You're empathetic too, and I love you for it, Steven." Connie kissed him lovingly, "but you aren't responsible for what happened before you were alive. Don't let them use your greatest strength as a weakness."

"Connie." Mister all but awed at the strength of his Heartberry.

She smiled, "I know...I know. You love me." She teased, playfully flaunting a smile.

He smiled back, "I do. And I love you all the more for your courage and strength."

"And I love you for your hope and humor." She nuzzled close.

"And I love you most of all for your compassion and grace." He packed her lips, a bit of challenge in his tone

"I love you more than all the stars in the sky," she stated heatedly with a grin.

"Oh, Really! I love you more than all the heavens can count."

"Is that so? I love you more than all the oceans hold."

"And I love you more than all the human hearts could feel."

"And I love you more than all the Universe could see."

"And I love you more than all the love in all of us."

The two glared at one another before chuckling and embracing.Mister's head on her breast as she played with his locs. Kissing his crown.

"I love you, Connie."

"I love you, Steven."

"Well, I suppose there's no use moping around on the matter any longer." Mister said, "We'll just have to call our friends to arms and come back, better and stronger than ever."

"I like the sound of that." She smiled, "because I'm awesome."

"Of course you are." Mister grinned,

"and I'll be by your side the whole way. "Connie smiled.

"Which is why I know we'll succeed. I have you."

"We have each other."

Steven nodded. He had some ideas for winning the hearts and minds of the delegates. 

With Connie and his friends, he knew he could do it. He'd show them why he was the Era 3's hope.

And why Connie was its Heart.