The smell of sizzling pancakes filled the Beach House as Steven eagerly shoveled syrup-drenched bites into his mouth. The Crystal Gems sat around the table, enjoying their breakfast routine—Pearl sipping tea with precise elegance, Garnet stoically stirring her coffee, and Amethyst scarfing down a towering stack of pancakes messily.

Diana sat across from Steven with a thoughtful look as she poked at her food.

"So," Diana began, breaking the comfortable silence, "I've been thinking about something."

The room quieted, all eyes turning to her. Steven paused mid-bite, his curiosity piqued.

"I think," Diana continued, meeting each Gem's gaze before finally looking at her little brother, "it might be time for Steven to go on a proper Gem mission. I know he did one not that long ago, helping us retrieve the Moon Goddess Statue for the Lunar Sea Spire, but I officially want him to start doing Gem missions with us."

Steven froze his fork halfway to his mouth. "Wait, what?"

Pearl gasped, nearly spilling her tea. "Diana, are you sure about that? He's still so young! We let him go to that mission because it was the safest."

Amethyst grinned, clearly intrigued. "Oho, now we're talking! Little man's ready to step up his game, huh?"

Garnet set her coffee down calmly. "Go on," she said, her voice steady and neutral.

Diana leaned forward, her hands clasped together. "I saw Steven yesterday at the beach."

Steven's eyes widened. "You saw me?" he stammered, his cheeks turning pink.

Diana nodded. "I saw you save Connie. That was brave, Steven. You jumped into action, used your shield, and protected her without hesitation. That's what being a Gem is about—using your powers to protect others."

Steven fidgeted nervously, glancing between the Crystal Gems. "But... but what if I mess up? What if I'm not ready?"

"Steven," Diana said gently, placing a hand on his, "you're going to mess up sometimes. That's how you learn. But you're already showing that you've got what it takes. It's time you started getting some proper experience."

Pearl hesitated, her expression torn. "Diana... it's not that we don't believe in Steven, but being a Crystal Gem is dangerous. He's still learning to control his abilities."

"And what better way to learn than to put those abilities to use?" Diana countered. "You can pick a small mission, something manageable. Let him see what it's like with all of us there to support him."

Amethyst slammed her hands on the table, sending crumbs flying. "I like it! Let's give the kid a shot!"

Garnet nodded slowly, her visor reflecting the morning sunlight. "I agree with Diana. Steven has already shown he has the instincts. It's time to give him a chance to grow."

Steven looked up at Garnet, his eyes wide with surprise. "You mean... you think I can do it?"

Garnet smiled faintly. "Yes."

Pearl sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Well... if Garnet thinks it's a good idea, then I suppose we can try."

Steven blinked, a mixture of excitement and nervousness on his face. "Wow... okay. I guess I'm going on a mission!"

Diana smiled at him, her pride evident. "You've got this, little bro. We'll all be there to help you."

As Steven's confidence grew, the Crystal Gems began discussing which mission would be the best for his first official outing. Diana quietly hoped this would be the first step in Steven embracing his role as a Half-Gem just as she had started to find her place.

The Beach House front yard had been transformed into a makeshift training ground. Pearl neatly and orderly arranged practice dummies, targets, and other training props. Amethyst lounged on a rock nearby, casually chewing on a piece of taffy, while Garnet observed silently from a shaded area, her arms crossed. Diana stood beside Steven, offering a reassuring smile as he fidgeted nervously.

"You ready, Steven?" Diana asked, nudging him playfully.

Steven gulped but nodded. "Yeah. I mean, kinda! I don't want to mess up."

Pearl clapped her hands together, stepping forward with her usual meticulous enthusiasm. "Steven, this isn't about perfection. This is about learning. Today, we'll focus on assessing your natural abilities and determining what areas need improvement."

Amethyst snorted. "Translation: Pearl wants to see how bad you mess up so she can make a checklist."

Pearl shot her a look but ignored the comment, turning back to Steven. "First, we'll see what you can do with your shield. Then, we'll determine what kind of combat style suits you best. Ready?"

Steven squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Ready!"

Pearl gestured to a line of practice dummies. "Your shield is both your defense and offense. Let's start with something simple—summon it and block those incoming attacks."

Garnet stepped forward and gently tossed a few glowing spheres into the air. They hovered ominously, ready to strike.

"Focus, Steven," Garnet said calmly. "Trust your gem."

Steven closed his eyes, placing his hand over his Gem. A small flash of light appeared before his shield, and he grinned, proud of himself. "I did it!"

But his celebration was cut short as the first glowing sphere shot toward him. He yelped and instinctively held up the shield. The sphere ricocheted off with a satisfying clang.

"Good!" Pearl encouraged. "Keep going!"

The spheres came faster now, but Steven managed to block most of them. A few got through, making him stumble, but Diana quickly stepped in and steadied him.

"You're doing great!" she said, her voice full of encouragement.

Amethyst gave him a thumbs-up. "Not bad, little dude. You're like a human pinball machine!"

Once the shield training was complete, Pearl brought out a variety of practice weapons—swords, staffs, axes, and even a whip. "Every Gem has a weapon that resonates with them," she explained. "Let's see if anything calls to you."

Steven turns to Diana. "What kind of weapon do you have?" He asked.

Diana pulls out her enchanted bow and arrow from her Gem. "I also have pink dual swords, but my main weapons are these." She smiled.

"Cool!" His eyes sparkled in awe.

Steven then hesitantly picked up a staff, giving it a few awkward swings. It felt clunky in his hands. Next, he tried a sword that was too heavy to wield correctly.

"Don't force it," Garnet advised. "The right weapon will feel natural."

Finally, Steven picked up a small spiked yo-yo. As he experimented with it, he started to grin. "Hey, this is kinda fun!"

Amethyst laughed. "Of course, the kid picks a toy."

But as Steven twirled the yo-yo, it glowed faintly as if responding to him. He tried swinging it at a practice dummy, and to everyone's surprise, it struck with surprising force, knocking the dummy backward.

"Interesting," Pearl said, tilting her head. "It's unconventional, but if it works for him..."

The last part of the session involved teamwork. Garnet had set up a scenario in which Steven had to protect a "treasure" (a rock with a painted star) from being stolen by Amethyst while Diana and Pearl guided him.

"Use your shield and your wits," Garnet instructed. "And remember, we're here to help you."

Steven was hesitant at first, trying to figure out how to strategize. Amethyst charged at him, and he barely managed to block her with his shield. Diana said, "Don't just defend—think about how to use your environment!"

Steven looked around and noticed a small pile of rocks nearby. He quickly grabbed one and tossed it at Amethyst, distracting her long enough to reposition himself.

"Hey!" Amethyst laughed. "That's cheating!"

"No such thing as cheating in a real fight!" Garnet said a rare note of amusement in her voice.

Steven grew more confident as the exercise continued, eventually holding his own against Amethyst's playful but relentless attacks.

By the end of the session, Steven was sweaty but smiling, his nerves replaced with pride.

"Not bad for your first day," Garnet said, giving him a slight nod of approval.

Pearl adjusted her hair, clearly pleased. "You still have a long way to go, Steven, but you've made a strong start."

Amethyst clapped him on the back. "Told ya you could do it, kid."

Diana crouched beside him, ruffling his hair. "You did amazing, little bro. Mom would be proud."

Steven beamed, his heart swelling with determination. "Thanks, everyone. I won't let you down!"

The Crystal Gems shared a look of quiet pride. For the first time, they all saw the beginnings of the hero Steven could become.

Diana's phone suddenly rang, breaking the moment of calm.

She pulled her phone from her pocket and glanced at the screen. It was Sour Cream. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She quickly swiped to answer.

"Hey, Sour Cream!" Diana greeted, stepping a bit away from the group to hear better.

"Yo, Diana!" Sour Cream's voice crackled through the phone. "What's up? It's been a while. Are you down to hang out today? Buck, Jenny, and I are meeting up, and we thought it'd be fun if you came by, too!"

Diana looked back at Steven, who was chatting with Amethyst and Garnet. She was still catching her breath from the training session, but spending some time with her friends after a long day of training seemed tempting. She knew Steven would be fine with the Gems for a while, and she could use a break, too.

"Sounds fun!" Diana replied, her tone light. "When and where?"

"How about the Beach City boardwalk? We'll be there in about an hour. Buck's bringing his skateboard, and Jenny said she'd bring some pizza. You know, the usual." Sour Cream's voice was filled with excitement.

Diana smiled and looked back toward the Gems. "Alright, I'll meet you guys there. It'll be good to catch up."

"Sweet! See you soon, Diana!" Sour Cream said before hanging up.

Diana put her phone back in her pocket and turned to the Crystal Gems, her face bright. "Sour Cream and the gang are meeting up at the boardwalk. Do you guys mind if I head out for a bit? I think Steven's good for now."

Pearl, who had been tidying up the training area, gave her a nod. "Of course, Diana. You've been working hard today. Take a break."

Garnet raised an eyebrow, giving her the usual serious yet approving look. "Go ahead, Diana. We've got things covered here."

Amethyst stretched out, her arms above her head. "Yeah, go have some fun. We'll be fine here."

Diana grinned. "Thanks, guys." She waved to Steven, who was still chatting with Amethyst. "I'll be back later, alright?"

Steven gave her a thumbs-up, not fully paying attention as he continued to talk about his shield training with Amethyst. Diana chuckled softly and then headed toward the boardwalk.

Diana arrived at the boardwalk, greeted by Sour Cream, Buck, and Jenny, who were standing near one of the benches and laughing. Sour Cream was messing with his headphones, Jenny was holding a slice of pizza, and Buck was skating around.

"Yo, Diana!" Sour Cream waved enthusiastically as she approached. "You made it!"

Diana smiled and waved back. "Of course! I couldn't miss the chance to hang out with you guys."

Jenny handed Diana a slice of pizza. "We got pepperoni, your favorite." She grinned. "You're just in time. We're about to head over to the arcade."

"Sounds perfect." Diana took a bite of the pizza, savoring the familiar taste. "I could use some fun after today."

They all began walking toward the arcade, chatting and laughing. It was nice to take a break from her Gem duties and enjoy the simple moments with her friends. Sour Cream made a few jokes about Steven's training, and Jenny teased Buck about his skating tricks. Diana laughed, feeling a sense of warmth and normalcy that made her appreciate these moments more than ever.

As they entered the arcade, the sound of video game machines and flashing lights filled the air. Diana joined the fun, playing a few rounds of their favorite games. She smiled, the weight of her responsibilities as a half-gem momentarily lifted.

For a moment, everything felt right—just like it had when she was younger.

Diana, Sour Cream, Buck, and Jenny were deep into their day at the arcade, playing games and laughing at their shared memories. Diana couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so carefree. Between taking pictures at the photo booth with Jenny, gossiping about the latest high school drama, and enjoying watching Sour Cream and Buck tease each other, it almost felt like nothing had changed.

Jenny and Buck were in the middle of one of their usual playful arguments over something silly, this time about who was better at skeeball. Their banter was loud and full of exaggerated gestures, and Diana and Sour Cream shared an amused glance. They knew the two had some unspoken chemistry, but neither Jenny nor Buck noticed it.

"You know," Diana said, grinning as she watched them bicker. "They act like an old married couple sometimes."

Sour Cream snickered. "Oh, for sure. I swear, they've been arguing like that for years. Just waiting for them to admit they like each other."

Diana chuckled, shaking her head. "Maybe one day they'll figure it out... Or we'll have to give them a little push." She winked, glancing over at Buck and Jenny, who were still discussing something trivial.

As they watched their friends, Sour Cream shifted the topic. "So... how's Steven doing? After that whole shape-shifting thing, it must've been rough on him. Is he... okay now?"

Diana's expression softened a bit when her brother was mentioned. She knew the whole incident had shaken him, especially his struggle to understand his powers. But now, seeing him back to his old self, she felt a sense of relief.

"Yeah," she said, her voice thoughtful. "He's becoming himself again, which I'm happy about. He's still figuring out his abilities but is stronger than he realizes. And, you know... it's been nice watching him return to his normal, child-like self."

Sour Cream nodded, and a slight smile was on his face. "That's good. I know how much it must've worried you."

Diana looked at him, her expression softening with gratitude. "It did, but he's resilient. He always bounces back. He's my little brother, after all."

There was a pause, and Diana glanced over at Jenny and Buck again, who were trying to outdo each other at the claw machine.

Sour Cream, his usual laid-back demeanor shifting to something more serious, asked, "But how are you doing, Diana? I know you're always looking out for Steven, but... with everything going on, how are you holding up?"

Diana was caught off guard by the question but quickly masked her surprise with a smile. She appreciated that Sour Cream cared enough to ask. "I'm fine, really. Just... you know, being a big sister and helping Steven through things. It's a lot, but it's worth it. I'm glad he's got people like you, Jenny, and Buck to be around, too. I don't want him to feel like he has to deal with everything alone."

Sour Cream smiled, his usual mischievous grin returning. "Well, you've always been there for him. And you've got us, too. We've got your back, always."

Diana nodded, her smile genuine. "Thanks, Sour Cream. I'm lucky to have friends like you."

As the day went on, they continued to play games, laugh, and enjoy each other's company. Diana felt more at peace than she had in a while. Despite everything that had happened with Steven and the weight of being a half-gem, these simple moments with her friends reminded her of who she was beyond the responsibilities she carried.

As Jenny and Buck continued their usual banter, Diana couldn't help but smile, knowing that everything would be okay in time.

The arcade buzzed with the sounds of games and laughter, but for Sour Cream, the world around him seemed to blur as his thoughts drifted back to memories long past. He sat back momentarily, watching Diana laugh with Jenny and Buck. Her genuine smile lit up the room, reflecting the carefree, fun-loving girl she had been before everything got complicated. But deep down, Sour Cream knew that Diana's life had never been simple.

He glanced at her again, at how she moved and handled herself. Even though she was a half-Gem, and she'd had more responsibility than most people his age, something about her made Sour Cream feel like he needed to protect her. It was instinctive, something he could never shake. They had grown up together, after all. From the time they were in diapers, they'd shared countless memories—playing, laughing, being kids.

He knew Diana was strong. He knew she could care for herself, especially with her Gem abilities and bow and arrow. But as her childhood friend, it was hard to shake the feeling that there was more to her than being the half-gem who saved the world. There was still a human side to her, which he cherished most—the side she needed to hold on to.

He remembered Diana's mother, Rose Quartz's words. They echoed in his mind like a faint whisper from the past.

"Always cherish Diana," Rose had told him when he was younger, her voice calm but full of gentle wisdom. "Be there for her, Sour Cream. She may have Gem powers, but she's still a child. Remind her that it's okay to have a normal childhood. Let her take breaks from being a Gem. She'll need it."

Sour Cream had yet to understand back then truly. He had yet to learn how heavy the weight of being a half-gem could be. But as he watched Diana now, all grown up but still holding on to the parts of herself that made her human, Sour Cream realized how actual those words were. Even before she was born, Rose knew precisely what Diana would need.

He smiled faintly to himself, his gaze softening as he watched Diana laugh again, carefree and full of life. Despite everything she carried—her mother's legacy, the expectations placed on her as a half-Gem, and the responsibility she felt for her brother, Steven—Diana still had the ability to laugh and enjoy moments like this. And Sour Cream was determined to make sure she always had that, to remind her that she didn't have to carry the universe's weight alone.

Jenny and Buck were teasing each other again, and Diana was caught up in their usual antics. Sour Cream chuckled softly, shaking his head. He would always be there to protect her, even if she didn't need protection. But today, he was happy that Diana could forget for a while. She deserved it.

Sour Cream's thoughts were interrupted when Diana caught his eye and smiled at him. "What's up, Sour Cream? You look a little distant."

He shrugged, trying to play it off with a grin. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how fun today has been."

Diana raised an eyebrow, but Jenny and Buck called her over for another round of arcade games before she could comment. Diana glanced at Sour Cream one last time before joining them, and for a moment, Sour Cream felt that familiar warmth in his chest. She was okay. For now, at least. And he would make sure it stayed that way.

"Yeah," he whispered, "she's okay."

As their friends' laughter and chatter filled the air, Sour Cream settled into the moment, content in knowing that Diana, despite everything, still had the chance to be the kid he had always known and loved. And he would always make sure she remembered that.