Steven can't help but flinch when the Rose Queen comes at him, fear bubbling over when it sounds like she might try to take control of him again - but, it doesn't happen. The Summer Queen stops her and for what feels like the first time in his life, there is an opportunity where he could speak - to squeeze in a precious few words that she can't just immediately choke out of him.

His fists clench, and Amethyst will feel his shoulders tense. Though they were never far away, tears begin to prickle his eyes again.

"You know what?" Steven says, as loudly as he can bear. "I wanted to know you! The whole time I was growing up, I remember asking dad about you, about what you were like - wondering... wondering if I'd get to meet you someday! But ever since I did, everything has been worse."

"All you had to do was be nice to us and you could have had everything you wanted! Why don't you get that?" The tears start to break free, and he looks away from her, trying to keep himself under control. "All I wanted was to have a mom."