When everyone had first gotten back to the carnival, Lion had abruptly appeared and completely bowled Steven over the moment he spotted him. He still has no idea what his feline friend was doing that whole experience, but whatever it was, it seemed to make him anxious in a way that Steven's never witnessed before.

So, they're going to spend some quality time together, Steven decided. There's a lot of people he feels like he should be spending some time with, and repairing the gaps left by being in Portland. Amethyst is gone already, and he doesn't know when she'll be back. Can't take any of this for granted.

He's planning on going back himself, even. Not for long. He doesn't want to leave anybody behind. It's just... it feels so far away, now.

Hanging out with Lion essentially means napping in Steven's experience, so as the sun is setting, the two of them are curled up together in the lake area. Bud is there too, and Steven is holding her nestled in his arms as Lion curls around the two of them, and it is all very serene - enough that it's pretty obvious when Peridot comes by, tiredly licking dirt. Steven sits up, and Lion makes a grumpy sound in reaction.

"Peridot!" he calls out, a little bit concerned. "I... didn't know you were up?"