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It was a nice day. Even more than nice, it was perfect.
Garnet couldn't imagine ever feeling this happy. It was such a small moment, but it held so much significance.
Her wedding.
The moment where her love was given form in many ways. Not only as Garnet, but also as the promise that they are together, even when apart. A promise of "no matter what", a promise that they have each other in all the ways that matters.
She looks around, taking in the sight of all her friends and important people in her life, an reflects on everything. All the other people they loved, and all the other fusions she was part of.
She hugs herself, and remember their beginning. The day that has changed everything. When future was changed by an act of love. But not the love they shared now.
Ruby wasn't thinking when she saved Sapphire. Not really. All she knew is that she had a duty, and she couldn't accept that Sapphire that accepted that she would be destroyed. She had to act, she had to do something.
And Sapphire wasn't thinking when she grabbed Ruby and they both ran away from their fate. All she knew is that she couldn't let them harm Ruby.
After that, all they could thought was each other. The curiosity ever growing. Curiosity over what they had done, and over what it meant. A desire to experiment more.
That love, was just a crush, a love of the moment they shared.
She then sees her family, Amethyst and Pearl, and thinks about their fusions. She never really had a problem with fusing with other gems. Love is so easy for her. To love and to be loved is one the best sensations she can imagine, so she had no problems in showing to others it.
When focusing on Pearl, she remembered when she had lied so they could form Sardonyx.
She had never felt so used before. And how couldn't she? It wasn't a moment of love they shared. It was build on lies and anxiety - Sapphire had spend so many nights worrying over why she couldn't see Peridot, even when searching many paths, asking herself what she was doing wrong, what she was missing, and how her missing it would hurt the ones she loves. Had Pearl just been honest with Garnet, that she wanted to feel strong and appreciated - to feel belonging - , she would have acted on it. Garnet would have reassured her, and shown her that her place was secure within their family.
But then they talked. Pearl apologized, and had better actions moving forward. So she forgave her. Not before the apology, not before allowing herself to feel hurt. But after, love felt easy again.
Their love was calm, balanced and elegant, but also easy going and slightly theatrical. Born of mutual respect and admiration, and forged in war.
Then she focused on Amethyst. She remembered how wild and impulsive Sugilite could be. It was both a blessing and a curse.
She loved being Sugilite, it was so fun. It was fun to be carefree, irresponsible. It was fun to run wild and explore their raw power and strength. But it was also dangerous. Ruby and Sapphire were both very stubborn and headstrong, and Amethyst was wild, lacked inhibitions, and had a dislike for authority. They tended to not want to unfuse due to that attachment to being carefree, and for the same reason they also tended to turn aggressive and unstable.
They don't like to fuse much because of that. But it still was a proof of their love for each other. They both wanted to be the best version of themselves, and they needed to do that separately.
Their love was like fire. Powerful, unpredictable, and strong. With capacity for both comfort, fun and harm.
She also thinks about all three of them, as Alexandrite.
They don't fuse as much, but got better at it. They used to be so unstable, but for a different reason from Sugilite. Their personalities clashed a lot, and it was difficult to coordinate how to act as one, as each had their own problems and insecurities. But as they grew, so did their love, and their stability as Alexandrite. Of course, they prefer to only fuse when necessary, but Garnet loves how well they can work together now.
Their love was both calm and chaotic, but present and reliable.
She looks at the temple and remembers Rose.
Back when she first fused, she looked at Rose like she held all the answers, like she could explain exactly what she was. She just told them to not question it.
When they learned that Rose was Pink Diamond, they both felt betrayed. They only met and fell in love due to Rose Quartz rebellion. They stayed fused because of Rose's order to not question it. They accepted Rose's words of "they are the answer".
Now she knows that Rose didn't have any answer to give her. And in a way, she was right. Ruby and Sapphire love was the answer to who Garnet is. And now, they are together completely by their choice. They accepted that they loved each other, and how much they truly desire to be one.
And of course, she then looks at Steven. Her little ball of joy.
In many ways, Steven was like her. A product of love. And she loved him for it.
How could she not? The boy was bright, and positive. Curious beyond measure. He also had so much love to give to the world. In many ways she was inspired by him. She truly cares for him as he was in some ways her own son.
Sometimes she wonders how their fusion will look like. How it will differ from the few times fused with Rose. How their love will take form.
Their love was bright and warm, ever expanding.
She also notices Connie next to him as they dance, and smirks, remembering how excited she was when they first fused. Their relationship was flourishing well. And she can see some of the love Ruby and Sapphire feel for each other reflected on them. Garnet was excited to see more of it (and if she had to hold off looking with her future vision, it wasn't here nor there).
Garnet also notices Peridot dancing with Bismuth on the side. How far she had come.
At first, Peridot was extremely hostile towards Garnet, disliking the fact she was permanently fused. Garnet is still appalled that she had the gall to ask her to unfuse.
But then she made an effort - to learn and understand.
To be completely honest, she had doubted that Peridot would have accepted her offer to fuse. But she was positively surprised when Peridot accepted, even she changed her mind later. More than anything, she was glad that she was able to explain herself in a way Peridot could comprehend.
She didn't love Peridot like the rest of her family. Her love was more of an admiration, and a sense of pride for how much she grown.
Again, she thinks of herself. She thinks of everything that has happened in the last 5,750 years and 8 months together. All their trials and hardships. All the ups and downs of their relationship. All the different types of love she learned to feel, receive and give.
She thinks about all the times she has fused with other people, the reasons and the types of love she felt.
She is truly grateful for it all.
But her favorite without question is the love they share, just between them.