Looking out to the bay, Ryder smiled, his eyes lighting up under the moonlight. It was beautiful, Steven reflected. The two were on a balcony at Barkingburg while the others celebrated the win, and he couldn't help but feel... awkward after what had happened during the fight.

What came next after this all? After the end of the fight?

What would become of them?

He took in a deep breath, and was about to speak up when Ryder cut him off, "About what happened during the battle... I-I... I would like to try it."

"H-Huh?"

"D-dating," he was blushing as he looked away. "I-If that's okay with you though."

"W-Wait really!?"

"O-Of course!" Ryder smiled slightly despite the huge red tint overtaking his face. "You saved me Steven... A-And you're so kind and amazing. You... I really love you, Steven Universe."

"A-As do I..." Steven flushed but his own smile was clear as he leaned in and hugged Ryder tight.

Ryder hugged back, but before long he was sobbing, grip tight while thanking him even if it was muffled. He had never found strength, hope, in any other human. He had thought that love was out of the question for him.

But Steven, he had changed his world, he had done so much, and Ryder was so grateful for that. He loved Steven so so much.

Steven did too. Ever since he had met Ryder, he had considered Ryder a friend, a comrade in battle. An equal despite his powers. He had seen past the façade the other had put up, having gone through the same thing. And sure Steven's own feelings had hindered him before, but letting it all out had finally given him some closure. That small moment in Ryder's mind had ensured that.

Both were now ready to take another step forward, to make a new path for themselves, together with their family and friends. Forever changed by the Galaxy Weapon that had come crashing down one fateful day.

Nearby, the others watched behind a boulder with smiles. The pups were so proud of Ryder, grateful to Steven for opening the floodgates at long last and allowing him peace once and for all.

Carlos, Jake, the Princess and the Duke were too, and they swore to never let their loved ones hurt in silence ever again.

And the Galaxy Weapon Masters? They only shared a smile. They knew what it was like to grow thanks to suffering, and while the pain was not something they wished on everyone, they were glad that Ryder had finally broken the shell and come out to the open.

The small child, hidden for years, was now out and ready to accept healing, and his loved ones couldn't be anymore prouder of him.

—-***—-***—- Years Later —-***—-***—-

"That's so cool! So what happened in the end?!" A girl with chestnut brown hair and black eyes eagerly asked her parents,

One of her dads, a tall brown-haired male with a Paw Patrol jacket on, chuckled and said, "Well, the Galaxy Weapons were taken back to their home planet, which was sad but it all worked out, you know."

"As for us... well, we ended up adopting you, our little gem," the other, a man with black curls that made his hair look like a bush, bopped his daughter's nose, making her giggle, "That's so cool! Do you think I'll be able to have adventures like that too?"

"Maybe someday, who knows, Novaline," Ryder smiled. "But it's getting late. You have school tomorrow right?"

"Right! Goodnight, Papa, Daddy!" Novaline Barke De Mayo smiled back before she was tucked in by Steven, soon falling asleep on her bed.

As the two walked out of the room, Steven wrapped an arm around Ryder's shoulder and leaned in, a smile on his face while Ryder pecked him, "Alright, I don't want you drooling over me, Steve. Let's get some rest okay?"

"Sounds like a plan to me, Rye," the Beach City native answered with a laugh, causing his husband to smile back as the two headed to their room to rest.

Tomorrow was a new day, after all, and they could take it one step at a time. 

*** The End ***