Happy Birthday to me! Double Update this weekend!

*Takes place after the mess on Homeworld*

~

The trip beforehand had completely drained Steven of all his energy, and Lars was vaguely aware of the fact that Steven had fallen asleep, and was snoring softly in one of the space ship's chairs. The ship itself was on autopilot, and was cruising along smoothly. Lars was a little surprised when they ran into a meteor belt, but the ship managed to maneuver around all of them, and continue on its trip to earth. 

Despite everything, the madness, the crushing exhaustion, and the safety of the ship, Lars couldn't fall asleep. There was a strange feeling of being disconnected from the world. He couldn't look down without a slightly shock of his skin color- a dull, almost peachy pink. He wasn't sure if he could ever get used to being pink, or having pink hair, or the scar that was over his eye. 

Also having magic powers, but he could worry about that at a later time. Magic powers seemed cool and all, but when he didn't know how to control them, and when giant space ladies seemed to want pink people dead, it was a little frightening. Steven had tried to explain that Lars now had the same powers as Lion, but he dozed off before he could explain anything more. Now, he could only imagine what he might be able to do. He didn't feel any stronger, but there was a sort of calming feeling over him, and a feeling of undying loyalty to Steven. He wasn't sure if the last one was because of the magic powers, or the fact that Steven had saved him countless times over the last few days. 

Lars was studying his hands, rubbing his skin over and over again like the pink shade was maybe just something that could peel off at any time. It didn't, and it was really and truly the color of his skin now. He wondered how he would be able to explain why he was pink now. Maybe he could say it was a full body tattoo, but that wouldn't explain why he also went missing for nearly a week, or the giant scar on one side of his face. 

That was the least of his worries. He leaned back in the chair, and sighed. One step at a time. One thought at a time. 

He looked up, and saw the Earth fast approaching through the glass. 

"Steven!" Steven was awake, not quite ready for what was happening, but awake nonetheless in a matter of seconds. The spaceship was getting a little shaky, and Lars had to hold onto the armrests of the chair to keep from falling out of his seat. He could faintly feel Steven holding onto his arm to stay put on the ground. 

The air became heated, and the ride down only got more and more shaky. Lars had to grit his teeth and close his eyes. 

Breathe. Breathe. 

The world around him came to a calm stop. Lars hesitantly opened one eye, and saw the familiar ocean that the spaceship was floating in. The beach wasn't too far away, and a small group of people were now gathered on the beach. 

"We're back. We're home." Lars said moe to himself than anyone else. Steven didn't say a word, and went to the back of the ship. The ship seemed to be floating, but neither of them wanted to test if it were true. Steven waited patiently until Lars got out of his seat, and joined him at the back of the small ship. 

"Deep breath." Steven said. 

"Deep breath." Lars repeated. 

Steven gently placed his hand on a control panel, and the door opened, filling the ship with salty ocean water in a matter of seconds. It knocked Lars off of his feet, but thankfully, Steven was able to drag him out of the sinking ship. 

The ocean waves seemed to pull and push, and his arms started to burn. The salty water stung at his eyes...

Then suddenly, the ground was under his feet. He gasped for air, and heard Steven to the same. 

"Steven!" Lars heard at least eight voice cry out, and Pearl, Garnet, Amethyst, Lapis, Peridot, and a few townspeople all gathered around Steven. Lars didn't mind that no one here to greet him, after all Steven was the hero. Lars slowly got up to his feet, and watched with a small smile as the Crystal Gems were reunited, all of them hugging, and all of them crying. 

There was a small tap on his shoulder. 

Sadie. 

"Oh, hey Sadie. It's been a while." 

Sadie's eyes were starting to fill with tears. 

"I'm pink now, and I have magic powers." 

She stayed quiet.

"I'm a little soaked." 

She choked out a little sob, and pulled him into a hug. 

"Oh, my shirt's a little wet-" Lars said, keeping his arms out, away from Sadie. 

"I'm so happy that you're back." Her voice was a little muffled by his shirt. She hugged him a little harder, and Lars relaxed. He hugged her back. 

"I missed you."