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Chapter Text

My take on Steven Universe and how Steven got his big break into the acting world and even got his own TV show on Cartoon Network. This was inspired by a short on YouTube I saw called 'Steven Moves In' you can look up 'Steven Universe shorts and watch the video.

I hope I can keep this going for you guys as much as I can. Anyway. Bye, guys!

Steven Universe: Behind The Scenes Chapter 1- Steven's Big Break.

June 2008.

"Is it on?" a voice asked. A boy nods. The boy had a head of curly black hair, had black eyes, he also wore a salmon pink T-shirt that was too big for him, and cuffed jeans. He has a Band-Aid on his left cheek, he also had no shoes on his feet as he sat next to his father in his van which had both the doors open. the child flashed a smile and a peace sign to his mother.

The woman behind the camera chuckled, and the boy smiled softly at her.

"Come on, Steven, show us what you wrote." his father insisted. Steven took a deep breath strummed the ukulele and sang. Steven has heard stories about her team members and wanted to write a song about them, and him if he was a member of his mother's rebellion so, that was how this song came to be.

"If you're evil and you're on the rise

You can count on the four of us taking you down

'Cause we're good and evil never beats us

We'll win the fight and then go out for pizzas

We are the Crystal Gems

We'll always save the day!

And if you think we can't

We'll always find a way!

That's why the people of this world believe in

Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl and Steven!"

She laughed in amusement then stopped recording and closed the screen to the video camera, Setting it down so she could upload it to YouTube later on her computer. The man, Greg Universe, looks at his wife walks over to their van, picks up Steven, and kisses his cheek. Steven laughed as the woman spun him around. Her husband smiles, grabs her all-white MacBook, takes out the SD card from the camera, plugs it into the computer, and starts editing it for YouTube.

Steven Quartz Universe has a musical talent from his father, Gregory Universe, and the ability to learn faster than other children from his mother, Rose Quartz Universe.

Greg was only twenty-six years old when he and Rose had Steven. And he couldn't be any happier, they knew that they had to tie the knot, so in 2001, they got married in Los Angeles Rose's team—The Crystal Gems were there also for it, Pearl, Rose's friend (And probably crush) was jealous of her that she was getting married to a rockstar and had a baby with Rose in the process the previous year.

Seven years later, they were happily married and very happy with their son, Steven Quartz Universe who was born on August 15, 2000.

Over time though, He wondered why Steven was not aging like the other kids in his grade were. By the age of one, he still looked a few months old. Rose had an idea of why he wasn't aging.

Due to her being a gem, she and the other Crystal Gems don't age. But, no matter what they still loved him no matter what.

Steven looks at his parents.

His mother, Rose Quartz Universe possesses a commanding stature, towering above both her husband and son at an impressive height of approximately eight feet. Her taller and heavier build projects a sense of strength and presence. Her complexion is characterized by pale peach skin that exudes a soft and gentle radiance, complemented by defined pink lips that add a touch of delicacy to her features.

Her mesmerizing appearance is accentuated by bright black eyes that seem to hold a world of depth and mystery within them. Cascading down her shoulders, her long, curly pink hair is meticulously styled in thick ringlets, lending an air of elegance to her overall demeanor. Notably, her unique gemstone is situated where a human navel would typically be found, serving as a distinctive and striking feature that sets her apart.

His father, Greg is a uniquely styled individual, appearing with a slim physique typical of middle-age, yet with a touch of eccentricity in his appearance. His dark-beige beard frames his mouth, contrasting with his taupe hair, which is styled into a mullet cascading down to his waist. Despite his middle-aged plumpness, he maintains a somewhat skinny frame. Notably, Greg sports a full head of hair, adding to the curious juxtaposition of his appearance.

Moreover, he flaunts a tan line gracing his shoulders and feet, hinting at his outdoor ventures. To add a hint of edginess, his look is further accentuated by earring pieces that embellish his overall look with a touch of individuality.

The Video was finished uploading as they went back to their beach house, located in Delaware.

His childhood home. A two-story house elevated on stilts, characteristic of areas prone to flooding or coastal regions. The front of the house is symmetrical, featuring a central door and two windows on each floor. The exterior is painted in white, creating a contrast with the green surroundings of trees and a clear blue sky.

A distinctive feature of the house is its spacious second-story deck, accessible via a staircase from the ground level. This deck wraps around the front and one side of the house, providing ample outdoor space for relaxation or social activities. Beneath the deck, the ground level seems open, likely used for parking or storage purposes, effectively utilizing the house's footprint and offering protection against potential water damage.

They walked inside and Steven smiled and looked around his home.

He looked at a spacious and elegantly designed open-plan living space with a coastal design aesthetic. The room is illuminated by natural light and features a color scheme predominantly consisting of whites and creams, complemented by deep blues and natural wood tones.

In the living area, there is a large, white sofa adorned with stylish throw pillows, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance. Positioned in front of the sofa is a dark wooden coffee table adorned with books and decorative items, adding a touch of sophistication to the space.

Moving towards the left, there is a dining area featuring a simple wooden table surrounded by contemporary chairs, seamlessly connected to the nearby kitchen. The kitchen boasts white cabinetry and a visually striking blue island, topped with elegant white marble, adding a pop of color and a touch of luxury to the room.

Pictures hung on the walls of Greg and Rose's wedding in California, an acoustic guitar that was signed by Chester Bennington - who was the lead singer for one of their favorite bands LINKIN PARK. Three surfboards lined up the wall. A white one with red roses, A large board bright pink one with hibiscus flowers all over the board which was custom-made for Rose, and the smallest one was light blue with a large white stripe going diagonally.

The room is further enhanced by large windows that offer picturesque views of a water body, enhancing the serene coast.

Steven was now playing on his Nintendo DS in the living room, Rose was cooking dinner as her husband helped her. Steven looks up from his game of Mario. Pausing his game and walking to the kitchen. Steven grabs a chair and stands on it watching his mother. Rose looks over her shoulder.

"Looks like you have a little helper." Greg smiled and looked at his son.

"What are you guys making?" Steven asked.

"Where making mozzarella sticks," Rose said Steven's eyes lit up. He loved mozzarella sticks, and the way his parents made them was amazing!

Rose smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, you don't need this anymore," she said, pulling the Band-Aid off his cheek. Steven smiled as he took his finger and felt the soft fuzzy surface, the cut wasn't there anymore.

He was playing at the beach the previous day. He and his friends Lance and Mikey were playing tag and Steven fell on a rock and scraped his cheek a little bit. He went home then got cleaned up, then he was back to playing again. Rose asked him if she could heal his cheek with her spit but he didn't want to. Rose respects his boundaries and wishes, so she doesn't press on.

Rose wondered if he would ever get his gem powers, or maybe it was a possibility that he wouldn't get them at all. But Steven wants to be like his mother and learn about his gem heritage and culture.

Greg grabs the bowl that was filled with the mozzarella sticks and puts them in the fridge to cool them before frying them. He walked to the sink and washed his hands. He dried them, walked to the couch, and picked up his acoustic guitar that was sitting on a guitar stand. He sat on the couch and began to strum it.

Steven and Rose both smiled. Rose loved her husband's playing ever since they met at that concert back in 1987. Steven knew the story of how they met. Then they had him — The light of their lives. Steven Quartz Universe.

When Greg heard his full name for the first time, he started tearing up. It was such a beautiful name for such a beautiful, bright, and intelligent boy. And Steven was very intelligent for Seven years old.

But, he does love doing stuff like most kids do, from going to the skatepark to playing video games. And Steven had an active imagination and loved to play pretend with his parents and friends.

Since it was summer vacation and his birthday was in two months, what he wanted to do was visit California and go to a movie/TV studio. Greg and Rose were unsure of this though—Any concerned parent would. But, they wanted to respect Steven's decision in all of this and be supportive as much as they could throughout his life and moving forward.

An hour passed, and Greg put the cheese sticks in the oven and closed the door. Rose was on her phone texting one of her teammates that she'd fought along the rebellion a long time ago way before she even met Greg. Steven sat on the couch next to her and looked at his mother texting on her iPhone 3G.

"Who are you texting, mom?"

Rose looked from her phone and faced her son. "You remember the Crystal Gems do you?" Rose asks him.

Steven nods.

"They just want to see how I'm doing and if I'm alright."

"Do you still talk to Pearl, Mom?"

"Yes, I still talk to Pearl, Steven." she smiled and kissed her son's cheek.

Steven smiled back. He felt a sense of happiness. Steven then hugs her. Greg pulled out the food from the oven and plated it for the three of them to share. He pulls out the marinara sauce that he'd made, puts it into three individual dipping cups, and puts the sauce inside them. He served it with some Caesar salad and some spaghetti he'd made earlier in the day while Steven was swimming on the beach.

Dishes were put in the dishwasher, Steven was changing into his bathing suit in his room. Rose wore a one-piece swimsuit with a circle in the middle where her gem was exposed. Steven grabbed a towel, walked downstairs, and saw his mother.

Rose and Steven both went outside to the waves and played together.

Greg smiled and walked down the steps of the beach house with his acoustic guitar in his hand. He had his long brown hair tied back in a ponytail. He sat on the sand and played some notes on his guitar as the sun was beginning to set.

Morning approached Greg and Rose were both asleep in their room, Rose woke up and stretched, her pink messy hair falling on her shoulders.

She got up and did her morning stuff. She walks out of her room Rose sees her son playing on his Nintendo GameCube up in his loft bedroom. Steven woke up an hour ago and now he was playing Sonic Heroes.

"Good morning, Steven!" Rose called out to him. Steven paused his game and smiled, he got up from his bed, ran downstairs, and hugged her. Rose smiled and bent down to hug him, Standing at eight feet tall. So he only reached up toward her legs. But he didn't mind it as much. He still had a lot of growing to do.

"You want to go out for breakfast?"

"Yeah, but what about, Dad?"

"We can wait for him."

"Or, you can text him."

Steven nods and pulls out his phone from his pocket then texts him.

Greg walked down the stairs in a black t-shirt and jean shorts. "Let's go, guys! Rose, you can drive." her husband said, tossing the keys toward her. Rose caught them one-handed and they walked out of the beach house, Rose unlocked the van and got into it, and Steven opened the passenger side door and crawled into the back, Rose stuck the key in and they went to Washington to a diner in Delaware.

Steven was reading the menu. Greg was on his phone, Rose looked over his shoulder. "Whatcha doing?" Greg looked at his wife and smiled. "I'm seeing if that video you posted of Steven playing the ukulele got some views."

Rose's eyes widen, that video got ten thousand views overnight! "Steven! look," she said, the seven-year-old looked up at his mother. Rose gave her phone to him and he read the numbers, he looked up with white stars in his pupils as he read the numbers. "Ten. T-Thous-what?!" Steven said in shock and disbelief at what he was reading off her screen.

Rose smiles and nods. "Looks like you are famous my superstar." Rose smiled softly at him, Steven stood up and sat in her lap. Rose felt his warmth and wrapped her arm around his body softly, Steven felt happy at the moment that he saw his video of him playing the ukulele and singing had gone viral on YouTube!

Rose got a text notification, she pulled it out of her shorts pocket and pressed the button to unlock her iPhone 3G.

She sees the lock screen of her iPhone. It features a background showing her, Steven, and her husband. Standing at his car wash The lock screen displays the time as 9:29 AM on Monday, June 17. Notably, there is a text message notification from a contact named "Christopher," Rose read the message content; Can Lucas come over today, or is it a bad time, Mrs. Universe? Additionally, there is a slider at the bottom prompting her to "slide to reply." Rose slid to reply to the message.

"Mom? Who are you texting?"

"You remember your friend, Lucas? his father asked if he could come over."

"Please, mom? can he?" her son begged. Rose giggled and patted his curly hair. "Sure he can, Steven. Your friends are always welcome." Steven smiled as he sat up and hugged his mother's neck. Greg smiled then put a hand on his black fluffy, curly hair

Rose texts him back, saying that he can come over. Steven wanted to jump for joy, but he sat still and kept calm. Rose saw a teen walking up to them, she wore a black apron and her brown hair was in a ponytail.

"Hello, are you ready to order?" she asked with a smile on her face, Steven smiled and looked at her.

"Can I have the chocolate chip pancakes?" he asked. The teen recognized the boy instantly and smiled.

"Hey! I saw the video of your son yesterday after my shift, he's very talented with that ukulele."

"Thank you!" Steven said.

"Thank you so much, miss. He is incredibly talented." Greg smiled

"He is very talented. Who does he get it from?"

"He gets it from me."

"And he picks up things very fast from me." Rose smiled. Steven looks around the restaurant.

"I hope your son gets a job as a singer or an actor one day, you're going places. Say," she knelt to his level.

"What's your name?"

"Steven," he said.

"Well, Steven. I hope to see your face in movies and TV one day, and if you do. Don't forget about who helped you achieve your dreams."

Steven smiles at her. "I won't! what's your name?"

"Pearl."

"Oh, that's funny. I have a friend named Pearl." Rose chuckled.

"That's awesome," she said. "Are you ready to order?"

"We will have the scrambled eggs with bacon and this little guy will have the chocolate chip pancakes," Greg said, passing the menus towards Pearl so she could collect them, Pearl wrote everything down on her notepad, then collected the menus. "Are you okay with water?"

"Do you have a strawberry milkshake?" Rose asked.

Pearl nods. "We do."

"Mom, can I have one too?" Steven asked.

Rose nods. "Okay, what kind? we have chocolate, vanilla, Oreo, and strawberry." Pearl asked him.

"Um, may I have Oreo?" he asked. Pearl smiled and wrote it on her notepad.

"Alright, I will put these in so you guys can get your breakfast." Pearl smiled and walked off.

Rose turned on her phone and she played a game. Greg went on his and dug into his pocket and pulled out a pair of earbuds. He looked at Steven.

"Steven, do you want to listen to some music with me?" Steven nods happily. Greg gave him the left earbud. He grabbed it and he went into his music and played a song. It was called 'All The Small Things' by 'Blink-182, one of their favorite bands. Rose looked at them and wanted to take a picture of them.

Maybe when Pearl comes back with our food I can ask her to take a picture of us.

Rose saw her walk up with their drinks. "Here you go, guys," Pearl said setting down their milkshakes and orange juice. "Thank you, oh, can you take a picture of us?" she asked, pressing the home button and going to the camera app.

"I can," Pearl said, as she took the photo and handed her phone back to Rose. Rose saw them and smiled. "This is so cute. thank you." she smiles.

Pearl nods. "I'll be back with your breakfast," she said walking off. Steven tapped his mom on the arm.

"Mom, can I get down?" Steven asked, pulling the earbud off his ear and letting it hang off from the floor.

Rose nods as she sets Steven off her lap and onto the floor.

The boy walked towards his chair and tried to get on so he could sit, but he was too short and tiny. Rose saw that his son was struggling so she helped him up.

"Thank you," Steven said, Rose smiled and kissed his head.

Just then, A boy and his father walked in, Greg looked at them and smiled

He sees a younger man, with a happy expression. He has short, neatly styled hair and clear skin. He is looking directly at his son. His overall appearance seems clean and well-maintained. Additionally, he is wearing a small earring in one ear, adding a subtle touch of style or personal expression to his look.

The boy standing next to his father is depicted as a cheerful and happy child with dark brown skin. He is wearing a blue short-sleeve T-shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of white Converse sneakers and has shoulder-length dreadlocks.

"Greg, Rose, how are you two!" the man—Christopher, or Cris asked the couple.

"We're good, I'm glad that you came. Greg said, hugging the man. Rose looked at his son.

"Hi, Lucas." she smiled.

"Hi, Rose. you look pretty today."

"Aw, thank you, Lucas." She smiled. he then turned to Steven.

"Hi, Steven!"

"Hi!" he smiled, Lucas went toward him and gave him a high five. "Steven! Where matching!" Lucas smiled, looking at Steven's blue T-shirt which was a little bit too big for him.

Lucas knows that he won't grow normally like other kids, but he doesn't care. They're still friends.

Steven and Lucas both met at school in September two years ago when Steven was in first grade. Lucas had changed schools in Delaware. Steven already had no friends because of the way he looked at others. One boy asked if there was something wrong with him or if he had a disability.

And someone even asked Lucas, in front of him 'Why do you hang out with that baby?' Lucas was so angry at this and wanted to kick him in the leg. But Steven told him to let it go and went to play Pokémon with him on his GameBoy.

"Hey, Steven," Lucas said.

"Hi!" he said happily.

"What's up? we're going to have so much fun together" Lucas said. Steven smiles and hugs his friend. Just then, Pearl walked back to their table with their food.

"Here you go, guys," Pearl said, handing them their breakfast. Steven smiled and unrolled his napkin revealing a fork and knife and eating his pancakes. Christopher smiled and put a hand on his son's head.

"Okay, Lucas. I'm off to work now. Have fun with Steven, your momma will pick you up. I have to work late tonight." he told his son, Locas nods

"Okay, bye Dad!" he said, seeing him walk out of the diner.

Steven, Lucas, Greg, and Rose went to the arcade when they went back and played some games, Lucas and Steven went to ski ball while Greg and Rose were on the racing simulators. The owner of the arcade—Mr. Thomas was pleased to see them having fun. He smiled and watched them, Despite that Greg's wife was an alien. He didn't care he was happy to see a person or alien, having fun.

Mr. Thomas was standing not too far away, attending the prize booth. He appeared to be in his thirties, with short light brown hair. He is wearing a checkered shirt with colors that include red, blue, and white. He also wore blue jeans and Vans on his feet. He also had a welcoming smile on his face.

"Hey, Steven!" Mr. Thomas said walking up towards the boy. Steven smiled and looked at the man.

"Hi, Mr. Thomas," he said. He smiled at the boy and knelt to his level.

"Hello, Steven! I heard that your birthday is in two months, are ya doing anything fun?" Steven wanted to go to LA for his birthday and meet his mom's friends who also lived there. He was excited for his birthday. He was turning eight years old. He loved his birthday a lot, hopefully, this one will be special for him. Steven smiled and continued to play ski ball with Lucas. They hoped they would never separate.

Steven was now in his bedroom, it was ten o'clock PM, and he was playing Super Mario Sunshine. Rose walked upstairs to his loft bedroom. Steven looks at his mom, she wearing her Mr. Universe T-shirt and long pants. "Hey, mom," he said, still playing.

"Hi, Steven," she said, the boy smiled, Rose sat on the bed, Steven paused the game and hugged her, feeling the warmth of his mother could put him to sleep. Steven yawned as he hugged her tighter, Rose smiled and kissed his forehead. "Goodnight, Steven."She whispers, covering him up with the white puffy comforter.

Rose walked downstairs and into her and Greg's room. Greg was on his laptop. His wife walked to her side of the bed and went in, he looked at her and smiled lovingly at her. "I love you, Rose."

"I love you too, Greg," she said, kissing her husband on the cheek. Greg smiled, closed his laptop, and put it beside him. Rose got comfortable and they both went to sleep.

Chapter Text

Steven was on the beach, it was six in the morning and he was about to surf. The waves were perfect for it, it wasn't too hot outside. So it was the right time for a little morning surfing. Greg and Rose weren't up yet. So it was just him out on the water and a few people who also came to the beach. The boy saw a wave coming up. he paddled out to it, popped up on the board and he surfed that wave.

"Woah! Look at that little guy go!" A man said, sitting on his board. Watching Steven. Some other people joined in on the fun, Steven wanted to put on some music, but a guy on the beach put his iPhone into the dock of his iHome and he turned on some rock music. 'What I've Done' by 'LINKIN PARK' played on full volume.

Rose walked out and leaned on the railing of the wooden balcony, watching her son. (since Steven was the smallest one there) Then the door opened to the house. Her husband walked out and put an arm around her waist. Greg went on his tippy toes and kissed her on the cheek.

"Is Steven in the water?" Greg asked after a few minutes of silence. Rose nodded and pointed, Greg recognized the figure as their son, and he went back inside. She was confused at first, but then she saw that her husband was dressed in blue swim trunks that had a white palm tree pattern, he was shirtless and was carrying his surfboard under his arm.

Rose smiles and watches her husband go down the steps and get into the water to surf.

She went to go change into a pair of shorts and a tank top. She also walked down the wooden steps and sat by the water, some surfboards were sticking out in the sand and some people were talking or sitting on beach towels. She took out her phone and took a picture to send to her friend, Ameythest. She had forgot a few times that they were three hours behind them since her team lived in California.

Rose watched as her son and husband were out on the beach having fun. A woman walked to her and sat in the sand. "Hello," Rose said, waving toward her.

"Hi." the woman said. She is wearing a dark green bikini with triangle cups and ties that fasten around her neck and back. The bottoms tie at the sides and feature a minimal coverage design. The woman has a medium skin tone and long, dark brown hair styled in loose waves. She is smiling and facing her. "Hi, I'm Allison." She said.

"Hello, Allison, I'm Rose." she smiled, a chunk of her pink hair falling off her shoulder.

"You are pretty."

Rose smiled. at her. Blushing; "I get that a lot."

"Oh?" Rose nods. "Multiple people tell me that I'm pretty."

"Well, you are. Are you a model?"

"No, I was a commander," she said casually.

"A commander? Like for the US Army?"

"Mmmmm, something like that. Have you watched Transformers?" Rose asked. Allison nodded.

"It's like that, but I command a rebellion against my kind." Allison wanted to believe that that wasn't true or that she was making it up, but half of her told her that she was not joking.

"So you lead a rebellion?" she nods again, Then Greg walks out, holding his surfboard, Steven is next to him. He wore a pair of pink swim shorts, Allison saw something… Different about him, He had a pink gem where his navel should be. and he was tiny. Maybe she thought he was about five years old.

"Aww, who's this little guy?" Alison asked.

Rose smiled as her son sat next to her on the sand. "This is my son, Steven," she told her. Allison wondered, and wanted to ask her.

"If you don't mind me asking, how old is he?"

"I'm seven," he said.

"Wow." She said with a smile on her face. "He looks so cute."

"Thank you," he said, smiling at her. Greg smiled and put a hand on his son's shoulder. Steven looks up at his father.

"Alright, let's go inside and have breakfast, then after we can go back to the beach," Greg said, Rose and Steven agreed with that and they went to the beach house for breakfast.

Two boys stepped out of a 2008 Ford Mustang with their mother. They were both wearing bathing suits.

The first boy appears to have short brown hair, a cheerful smile, and bright eyes. He is wearing a plain white t-shirt and standing in the sand. He is in a happy mood, radiating positivity and warmth through his expression. He has brown hair. The combination of his smile and bright eyes could indicate a sense of joy or contentment, adding a sense of innocence and youthfulness to his overall appearance.

The other boy has a joyful expression on his face. He has curly hair and is dressed in a black T-shirt. The t-shirt features a graphic design with multiple white panels, which may contain comic strips and a large white swoosh logo. The overall atmosphere of the photo is festive and cheerful, with a greenish background and sparkling white stars adding to the lively ambiance. The young boy in the image has a joyful expression on his face. He has curly hair and is dressed in a black t-shirt and red swim shorts, The t-shirt features a graphic design with multiple white panels, which may contain comic strips and a large white swoosh logo.

"Lance, Mikey." A woman told the two seven-year-old boys.

"Yeah, mom?" Lance said, walking up toward his mother. His mother was a tall woman, not as tall as Rose. She stood at six foot seven. She has a light complexion and long blonde hair that is casually styled, flowing around her face and shoulders. She is wearing a dark top, with short shorts with a bikini underneath her clothes. Lance and Mikey both helped their mom with items, such as towels and an umbrella.

Steven sat at the table with his mother, as his father made breakfast. Rose saw two boys and one woman walk up the stairs through the glass leading outside to the house. They heard a knock on the door, Steven opened it and saw his friends standing there with their mother, Luisa.

"Guys! You're here!" Steven hugs both of his friends.

"Hey, Steven!" Kyle said.

"Hey, man!" Lance said, giving him a high five. Steven gave both of his friends hugs and they walked in with their mother.

"Hi, Greg, hi Rose." Luisa greeted them.

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Universe!" Lance and Kyle said.

"Hi guys, how are you?" Rose asked. Rose now wore another one-piece swimsuit. Like the last one, her gem was exposed. And, her pink hair was tied back in a ponytail, they were about to go back out again to surf. Greg, Rose, and Steven were almost finished eating breakfast and they were going back onto the beach.

"Do you want breakfast guys, Mom made French toast." Steven said, standing up and putting his plate in the kitchen.

"No thanks, we just ate back at the house," Mikey said, Lance nodded. Steven went back outside with his friends. Their surfboards were leaning on the side of the house, Steven grabbed his that was by his dad's and went down the wooden steps.

Steven, Lance, and Mikey all went down to the beach and they were now playing together. Greg and Rose then came outside with their surfboards and they were now out on the water.

Steven was now in his room, playing GameCube with his friends Lance and Mikey, who wanted to sleep over. Rose said yes, and now, Rose was making popcorn for the boys for a movie that they were going to watch in the living room. The movie was set on the silver VHS/DVD player they had sitting inside the large TV.

"Boys! Popcorn is ready!" Steven's mother called out. Steven, Lance, and Mikey raced downstairs and all sat in the living room. "What movie is this mom?" Steven asked, sandwiched in between his bigger seven-year-old friends.

"Lilo & Stitch," Rose said, Steven's eyes lit up into the shapes of stars.

"I love that movie!" he said, Rose chuckled. "I know you do, Steven."

"Your dad should be back with the pizza." She said as she saw a pair of headlights in the distance.

"That must be him!" Steven said excitedly. Rose chuckled at her son's enthusiasm. Running to the door, Steven opened for him, letting the summer air come in as well as the smell of the sand and the ocean Greg was walking up the stairs and smiled when he saw his son holding the door for him.

"Thanks, Schu-Ball," Greg said, ruffling up his curly black hair, Steven closed the door and locked it. He set the box down on the table so the boys could eat. Steven opened the box and gasped, stars in his eyes. "Mushroom!" he said, he and his friends grabbed a slice then ate some pizza and watched the movie.

"OH, YOUR TOUCHING ME!"

"Not touching."

"TOUCHING ME!"

"It's free air!"

Steven licked Lance. "EW!" Mikey laughed as he ate his popcorn.

"That's funny."

"No, it's not!" Lance said, going into the kitchen and washing his face.

"Did your parents go to bed, Steven?"

"No, there outside on the porch," he said, looking at the wrap-around porch through the window, the lights were on and Greg was strumming his acoustic guitar.

"Okay guys, let's play Shadow The Hedgehog!" Steven said, opening his TV and handing Lance and Mikey two controllers.

"I'll be the original Shadow."

"I'll be gold Shadow!"

"I'll go next after you guys!" Steven said, putting his Sony TV to the right input as they played the game.

"Hey, Steven. Is there any water or something?" Lance said, getting up from the floor.

"Yeah, they should be in the fridge," he said. Lance went to the fridge and saw a whole case of water bottles, he grabbed one and went back upstairs to his bedroom.

"Hey, Steven. why don't you have any walls and a door?"

"My parents thought that it was cool like this, and I agree with them," Steven said, playing the game.

Lance nodded and they went back to playing.

The next day, Lance, Mikey, Steven, and Greg were playing volleyball on the beach, and Rose was surfing.

"Steven! it's your serve!" Lance said, Steven threw the volleyball into the air and tried to serve it, but he was too small to reach over the net, so the ball went under it instead.

"Ugh! I'm too short for this game!" he said in frustration. Then, Greg walked to the other side of the net and knelt to his level.

"Steven, you can do anything you set your mind to," Greg said, touching his shoulder. Steven didn't believe that.

"Dad! Just admit it, I'm a joke. An excuse, I wish I… I was more human, like Kyle, Lance, and Lucas. And all of the kids at school! I HATE the way I look." Tears welled up in his eyes and are now streaming down his cheeks. Greg listened to his son vent.

"Every day at school I was called a baby because I look like I'm in the first grade still! I would get made fun of by COUNTLESS KIDS CONSTANTLY! The coaches would not put me on a team with kids when we would play basketball because I'm 'too short' or I have some kind of 'growth problem' You know how AWFUL THAT IS! Why do I always get the short end of the stick, why am I always discriminated against because I was born differently maybe… Maybe I shouldn't been born at all!" Seven finished his rant, balling up his fists and glaring at the sand beneath his feet.

Greg felt his heart shatter into a million tiny pieces. No seven-year-old should think like this. He put a hand on his shoulder. "Steven. What made you think like this, dude?"

"Remember that kid I told you and Mom about last year, the boy who I think got held back a year or so and was in Miss. Philips class with me and Lucas?"

"Yeah."

"Well he called me all kinds of names, and the one that stuck with me the most was 'baby' he told me to go back to kindergarten!" Greg didn't say anything but took him and hugged his son.

"You know." he started. "I don't understand this gem stuff, but your mom and I both love you, Steven. Don't talk like that about yourself again, understand?" Steve nods. Greg smiled kissed his hair and stood up. Steven looked at the ocean, the sound of the waves, the sand, and the salty air hitting his nose.

Steven was at the mall with his friends and his mom in Delaware. Steven was on his mother's shoulders. "What do you want to do first guys?" Rose asked.

"Mom, can I get a new hat?" Steven asked.

"Sure," she said, walking into a Spencer's. Steven picked out a Sonic The Hedgehog beanie. Rose smiled and examined it.

It was a beanie hat with a vibrant blue and black pattern. The pattern includes stylized text that is artistically designed, making it somewhat abstract and challenging to read. Notably, there is an embroidered patch of Sonic the Hedgehog, a popular video game character, displayed on the fold of the beanie. Sonic is depicted in his classic running pose, colored in blue with details in white, red, and flesh tones for his face and arms.

Steven's eyes had stars in them and wanted to try it on, Rose smiled and helped him slip it on his curly head of hair. Rose's eyes lit up and smiled, admiring how adorable he was! "You look so handsome!" Rose said, his friends nodded in agreement. Steven went to the mirror and looked at himself.

"I'll take it, Mom!" he said, excitement in his voice.

Rose smiled and got one for herself too, she looked in the mirror and gasped at how cute she looked in it!

It displayed the pink beanie on her head, adorned with an embroidered design depicting a cartoon-style character on the front. The character exudes a playful and mischievous vibe, characterized by its large eyes and expressive features atop of her naturally pink hair.

"You look so good, mom! We should get one for Dad too. What do you think he will like?" Steven asked.

"Isn't his favorite character Tails?"

"Yeah, but maybe we can get both, Or we can get Vector The Crocodile., 'cause Dad likes music. And vector is a DJ." Rose liked that idea

"Alright, Vector it is then!" she said, reaching up for it and grabbing it. "Wow…. I still can't believe that I have an eight-foot-tall mom." Steven said, with stars in his eyes as he looked at his mother in amazement.

Rose giggled and ruffled her son's hair.

They stepped out of Spencer's and now decided to eat at the food court. Lance and Mikey got something, they got two Sonic shirts. Steven wore his beanie and Rose wore hers also. Steven was holding his mother's hand as they walked through the mall.

Steven held the Spencer's bag as they went to the food court.

"Can we get Burger King, Mrs. Universe?" Lance asked. Rose smiled "Yes you guys can, Steven. do you want Birger King also?"

"Can I have Taco Bell?" he asked.

"Ohh, that sounds wonderful. I'll maybe have that myself." Rose said. She knelt and pulled out ten dollars for Lance and Mikey.

"You know where it is, do you?" she said, handing Lance the bill.

They both nod and walk to the Burger King.

Steven, Rose, Lance, and Mikey all sat down and ate their food. "Thanks for this, Mrs. Universe," Mijey said, dipping his chicken nuggets in barbecue sauce.

"No problem guys."

"Raise your hands if you think Mrs. Universe is the best!" Mikey said, dipping a fry in the sauce. Lance, Mikey, and Steven all raised their hands. Rose laughed and smiled.

"I think you guys are pretty great also." she smiled at them, Steven hugged her from the side, and Rose hugged him back.

"Rose was driving her husband's van back to Dewey Beach. Steven was sitting in the front and looking out the window. The radio was playing Sum 41. Rose drummed her hands on the steering wheel and Steven drummed his fingers on the window.

Steven took off his beanie and set it on his lap. He saw that the beach was coming up and Rose stopped the van and they got out Steven grabbed the bag and they went upstairs, Steven giggled at the door handle.

"Hey, mom! it's locked! I think Dad's not in the house."

"I have a key, Steven." she smiled and opened the door to the beach house. Just then, a 2008 Ford Mustang pulled up next to their MR. UNIVERSE van then step out. "Boys, your mother is here. Get your stuff." Rose said. Lance and Mikey went inside and grabbed their stuff.

"Bye, Steven. See you tomorrow or something." Lance said.

"Bye, guys!" Steven waved as they went down the steps and to their mother's car.

"Steven, If you want to go into town, you can. You remember how to get back, right?" Rose asked. Steven nods and hugs his mother.

"Thanks, mom." Steven ran down the steps, Rose was leaning on the porch, watching her son leave. Steven was walking around the boardwalk, he saw some people as he was looking around.

Steven came back home a few hours later. Rose was reading on her phone at the minibar.

"Hey, Steven how was your walk?" Rose asked.

"Hey, mom. It was good, thanks for asking," he said, walking up the stairs.

Rose, Greg, and Steven were now dressed. It was later in the evening, Steven was wearing a blue polo shirt, jeans, and a pair of red Converse high tops. Also, to complete his look. He was wearing his Sonic The Hedgehog benie Rose wore a white button-down shirt with pink jeans and a pair of white Adidas. Greg wore a long-sleeved shirt with blue jeans and a pair of white Converse with his Vector The Crocodile beanie. They were going to a party in Washington tonight at Christopher's and Jasmine's house.

Steven grabbed something from his room, he grabbed his Nintendo DS with a copy of Super Mario Bros inside. Steven, Greg, and Rose all walked downstairs. Greg opened the door to his van and sat inside. He put the key in the ignition and left Dewey Beach.

Steven, Rose, and Greg saw a large home come up.

A charming two-story suburban house with a striking brick facade and numerous large windows. The design of the house is symmetrical, with a central entrance that is flanked by two evenly spaced windows on either side. Above the entrance, there is a large arched window, adding to the architectural symmetry of the building.

The roof of the house is multi-gabled, suggesting the presence of additional space on the second floor or in an attic. A concrete driveway leads up to an attached two-car garage, located on the right-hand side of the house and seamlessly integrated into the main structure.

The landscaping surrounding the house is meticulously maintained, featuring manicured grass, various shrubs, and a few young trees. This attention to detail enhances the overall aesthetic appeal and creates a tidy and welcoming atmosphere. The clear sky in the background indicates that it is dark, with the house lights on.

Greg parked on the driveway and killed the engine. Rose and Steven both went up to the house and knocked.

A woman opened the door with a joyful expression, looking directly at the couple. She has long, straight black hair and is adorned with a blue top. Her makeup is subtly applied, naturally enhancing her features, with a bright, engaging smile on her face.

"Greg, Rose!" Jasmine said, shaking both their hands. She looked at Steven and knelt at his level. "And little Steven!" she said with a large smile.

"Hello, Jasmine," he said. Jasmine smiled.

"Come in, Steven. Lucas is in the living room with everybody." Steven nodded and walked into the house. He walked into the living room and saw Lucas and everyone playing Guitar Hero on the Nintendo WII.

"Lucas!" he smiled and saw him on the couch with their five other friends around the same age range as both boys. Steven sat on the couch and watched three of his friends, Joey, Ryan, and Andrew all in front of the TV. Steven saw the song list, Andrew selected a song, and Steven's eyes widened.

"Wait! Go up!" he said. Andrew went up and the song displayed the name 'Comet' Mr. Universe, 1984.

"Can you play that one? It's my dad's song!" Steven told them, stars in his eyes.

"Woah! Cool. We can play it!" Andrew said as he pressed the green button and they got into the game, "Wait, pause it. I'll be back!" Steven said, running into the kitchen where the adults were. Greg had a can of soda in his hand as his other arm was wrapped around Rose's waist.

"Dad! you gotta come into the living room!" Steven said, grabbing his bicep.

"Woah! Where's the fire, buddy?" Greg asked, letting go of Rose and kneeling to his level.

"Dad! come into the living room, mom can come too!" he exclaimed, running towards his friends Greg and Rose both walked into the living room and Andrew unpaused it, they were playing the song.

Some... say I have no direction, that I'm a light-speed distraction, that's a knee-jerk reaction.

Still, this is the final frontier, everything is so clear, to my destiny I steer

This life in the stars is all I've ever known,

Stars and stardust in infinite space is my only home

Greg and Rose both smiled and watched the kids play.

But the moment that I hit the stage, thousands of voices are calling my name

And I know in my heart it's been worth it all of the while

And as my albums fly off of the shelves, handing out autographed pics of myself,

This life I chose isn't easy but sure is one heck of a ride

"Do you remember that we met two decades ago, I was watching you play and the rest was history."

Greg smiled. "You know I do, babe," he said. They both listened to the rest of the song.

At the moment that I hit the stage, I hear the universe calling my name

And I know deep down in my heart I have nothing to fear

And as the solar wind blows through my hair, knowing I have so much more left to share

A wandering spirit who's tearing its way through the cold atmosphere

I'll fly like a comet

Soar like a comet

Crash like a comet

I'm just a comet

Greg and Rose looked into each other's eyes, Rose had stars in her eyes, and being reminded of how they met holds a special place in their hearts. They both leaned in for a passionate kiss.

Steven and his friends were by the pool. It was a luxurious and modern backyard setting with a swimming pool as the focal point. The pool area is elegantly designed with a neatly paved deck surrounding a sleek, rectangular swimming pool. On the right-hand side, there is a dining area under a large parasol, complete with a contemporary table and chairs, perfect for outdoor dining experiences. Next to the dining area, there is a cozy seating space featuring a wooden bench, providing a comfortable spot for relaxation.

The architecture of the house is modern and stylish, characterized by large glass doors and a minimalist design aesthetic. The garden surrounding the house is beautifully landscaped, with lush green lawns and a variety of ornamental grasses and flowering plants adding to the overall charm of the space. The combination of the swimming pool, outdoor dining area, seating space, and well-maintained garden creates a tranquil and inviting atmosphere in this backyard setting.

"Chris, aren't you waiting for the delivery driver to get here with the sushi?" Jasmine asked, Chris nodded.

"He will be here with the platter, Jasmine. And Steven, I did order you avocado and cucumber, I know that you don't eat fish." Steven smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Jasmine," he said, smiling. Jasmine smiled back at him.

"Sushi is here," Christopher said, that Steven, Lucas, Joey, Ryan, and Andrew were all talking about their favorite cartoons.

"Hey, Steven. Have you seen this show called Chowder? It's so funny!" Andrew said. Steven nods. "Heck yeah! Have you seen Teen Titans?" he asked.

"It's a shame that the director canceled it," Joey said.

"How about The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy?" Ryan asked.

"YES!" Steven said. "I loved that show, my favorite character was Fred FredBurger, Uh. Joudge, joudge!" Steven said.

"The nachos made my poopoo really stinky!" Rose cut in, the boys burst out laughing at that.

"I love that show," Rose said, stars in her eyes.

"Awesome! But.. You're an adult."

"So, I like cartoons too. When I came to Earth, years later like. Thousands of years later after I met Greg, the first movie we watched together was Transformers The Movie."

"Wait, how old are you?" Joey asked.

"She's over a thousand years old," Steven said. Joey choked on his water.

"Wait, what?!" he asked, as he coughed. Steven nodded and looked at his mother.

Joey looks at Rose. "She looks like she's in her early twenties."

"I know," Steven said.

"Wait, I remember the first time we met, I asked your mom that if you had a growth defency, no offense."

Steven knows that he doesn't mean that but, all the years of him getting talked down to and bullied by other kids in his grade made it impossible for him.

"I think I do because I'm almost eight and I still look like I'm four." Steven tried to keep his anger inside, but his parents told him to not keep your feelings inside. Steven looked up at his mother, Rose looked down at him and knelt to his level.

"Steven, are you okay?" Steven shook his head. Rose looks at her husband, Greg nods and removes his keys from his pocket.

"No, I don't want to go home. I… I need some time." he said, Greg knelt to his level.

"Are you sure, Schu-Ball? We can take you home." Greg said, concern in his voice.

"I'm fine Dad." Greg nods and then puts his keys back into his pocket. Joey looked down on the floor and Greg walked to him.

"I know it wasn't your fault, Joey. But next time, be careful what you say next time." he had a warm smile on his face saying 'Hey, I'm not mad at you, just don't do it again' Joey nods. "Steven had a lot of trouble from other kids for his height," Greg said. Joey nodded sadly and looked at Steven.

"Sorry, Steven."

"It's okay, I know you didn't mean it," he said, hugging him.

The Universe family drove back to Dewey Beach, Steven fell asleep in the back of the van. Greg was driving, Rose was looking out the window, and LINKIN PARK was playing softly on the radio. It was a comfortable silence.

Rose reached for his hand, Greg smiled and intertwined his fingers in between hers.

"I sometimes can't imagine mine or Steven's lives without you, Rose," Greg said, breaking the silence. Rose smiled and looked at him, Greg stopped at a red light and they both kissed. Then they broke the kiss.

"I love you, Mr. Universe," Rose told him softly. Greg smiled.

"I love you too, Mrs. Universe," Greg said, then. He had another name. "Or, should I say Mrs. Quartz Universe?" Rose giggles. "I like it…"

They drove back to the beach house and put Steven to bed. Then they went to bed themselves.

Chapter Text

Rose was sitting on the couch with Steven watching SpongeBob Squarepants, and Greg was listening to the radio at the minibar.

"And we're back! make sure to dial our station's number, so you and five other lucky people can see LINKIN PARK live in Madison Square Garden on July 1st and you will all have backstage passes to meet LINKIN PARK themselves!"Greg dialed the number as fast as he could and called him.

"Hey, your listening to ROCK 195.7 Deleware's hottest station for all things Rock! what is your name, man?"

"Greg Universe." The raido host did a double take, to make sure that he wasn't hearing things. The fact that the male was talking to THE Mr. Universe.

"Well, Mr. Universe, you have won yourself and six other people to go see LINKIN PARK LIVE in Maddison Square Garden, congratulations!"

Greg jumped up and pumped his fist in the air. "YES!" Steven and Rose looked up from the TV and to the man. "Guys!" he said.

"What's up, Greg?" Rose asked her husband, Greg grabbed her and kissed her cheek. "We are going to see LINKIN PARK!" Greg said, Steven jumped up and hugged his dad.

"No way! you won them?" Steven asked. Greg smiled and nodded, he was excited to take his wife and son to this concert.

"When is it?"

"On July first," Greg said. Rose smiled and kissed her husband again. "I can't wait!" her eyes had stars in them, Greg chuckled at his wife and smiled.

"Me too, mom! I hope we meet Chester Bennington." Steven said.

"I think we are, Steven. These are backstage passes. All I have to do is email them our address."

"Oh, for the passes?" Rose asked. Greg nodded and took his laptop that was on the couch, opened it, and emailed the station their address so he could get the backstage passes.

Steven was excited to go to New York, the only state he visited was California to see his mother's team members or his grandparents from his mom's or dad's sides or all three. Rose was excited to see her favorite band play LIVE and with her husband. She fell in love with their music when they started dating.

Steven was also excited to see them. He grew up on the band and other bands too. Like Lifehouse, which is another one of their favorite bands. The song, You and Me was played on their wedding day. Steven looked at the picture of them on their day on the wall.

Greg had a suit and tie on, and Rose had a large white dress with a star where her navel was so her gem was showing. (like the dress she wore for the gem war) Greg was holding their son for the picture, their son was only a year old in the picture. Greg stared at the picture also, They were the perfect family.

Steven continued to watch SpongeBob, but Rose tapped him on the shoulder.

"Steven, we can invite your friends, Lucas, Lance, and Mikey." Steven's eyes lit up as he smiled widely. "Really? thanks, guys, you guys are awesome!" he said, hugging both of them. Greg put a hand on his hair, Rose kissed his cheek and they both smiled at their son.

Steven was at the indoor basketball court with Lucas, Mikey, and Lance the next day, Steven was making some buckets while talking with them.

"So, your dad won backstage passes to see LINKIN PARK Live in Maddison Square Garden?" Lance asked. Steven smiles.

"Yeah! We're going on July first! which is next week! then maybe we can see my mom's teammates that live there." Steven said, shooting the ball with all his power into the hoop and making it.

"Maybe that'll be a cool idea," Lance said.

"I heard stories about your mom's teammates," Lucas said, undoing his tied-up dreads and putting them back up into a ponytail.

"Yeah! they're awesome! there's Garnet. She was the muscle, Pearl was like the strategist and the second in command of the group, and there's Ameythest, she's like the reinforcements. I think Pearl had a thing with my mom before meeting and marrying my dad. I don't know, I want to ask her but, at the same time, I don't" he said. The three boys look at Rose shooting around, Steven looks at her fly up and dunk it.

"Was she in the WNBA before meeting your dad?" Lance asked. Steven looked in confusion at his friends.

"No, just a commander for the rebellion," Steven told them, as he passed the basketball to Lance, Lance shot it into the basket.

"Oh, Steven," Lucas said.

Steven looks and nods. "I hadn't told you this or you guys but… My parents and I are moving to LA. My dad got a job offer at Cartoon Network's studio."

"Awesome!" Steven's eyes lit up into the shapes of stars, But then, he became sad.

"Wait… This means that you'll move forever and we won't be able to see each other anymore…"

Rose turned her head and overheard the boys talking.

Rose then approached them talking, Rose touched Steven's shoulder. The hybrid looked at his mom, then back at Lucas. Lucas was shocked about the news also. "When did he tell you?" Steven asked.

"Last night." there was a pause. "You know how he was looking for a new job for a while now? Well, he found a job that pays great, and his parents live in LA, so, instead of seeing them twice a year, I can see them all the time now. We're moving in the middle of July."

"Congrats, Lucas!" Rose said Steven put on a smile for a friend, but inside he was hurting. Steven wanted to do nothing but go and hide in his room. But, at the same time. Steven wants to make the last few days with his friends as memorable as possible.

Steven was in his father's van with his mother, Steven was going to a sleepover at Lucas' house, he also brought his bathing suit, so he could go swimming, Steven was excited to sleep over at his house and have fun with his friends.

Steven saw two other cars lined up by the driveway, Rose parked her husband's van, and Steven undid the seatbelt, grabbed his pink backpack, opened the door, and got out.

Rose killed the engine and walked with him to the door, Steven knocked on the door and Jasmine opened it. She was holding a cat, it has classic tabby traits with its prominent stripes and the recognizable 'M' marking on its forehead. Its eyes are alert and focused on the two people standing by the door, conveying a sense of curiosity or attentiveness. The cat was lying in Jasmine's arms.

Steven gasped and his eyes lit up, stars in his pupils, Rose had the same expression on her face as well.

"Can I pet him?" Rose and Steven both said at the same time. Jamiene smiled and giggled.

"Come inside first." Jasmine went inside the house with the cat. "What's his or her name?" Rose asked.

"Oh, we named her Diamond," she said.

"Aren't you just the most precious cat I have ever seen in my life!" Rose said, petting her fur, her fingers went into it, leaving little marks where she petted her. Steven took his hand and petted the cat's back as well. "She's so soft!" he whispered, turning to his mother. Rose grinned and giggled at her son. He loved cats as much as she did.

"Alright, Steven. I'm going to go now, bye." Rose said, kissing Steven's cheek. Steven smiled, watched her leave, and looked around the room.

"Hey, Jasmine? where's Lucas?"

"Oh, Lucas should be up in his room," she said. Steven walked up the stairs and went to his room, Steven opened the door and saw Lucas drawing. "Hey, Lucas," Steven said.

Lucas turned his head and put his pencil down, he stood up and hugged Steven, and Steven smiled.

"Lucas, did you get a cat?"

"I did, we adopted her today." he smiled, and Steven nodded. "I want a cat. And I think my mom wants one too, we are huge cat people."

"What about your dad?" Lucas asked.

"He is too, we're thinking about adopting."

"You should, this cat changed my life." Lucas smiled as his cat entered the room and jumped on his bed. Steven climbed on the bed and stared at his cat.

"She is adorable," he said, smiling. Lucas went to his closet and grabbed his bathing suit.

"I'm going to change," Lucas said, going to the bathroom, Steven went to use the guest bathroom to change also, he took off his clothes and changed, He looked at his gem and thought to himself. I wonder when will I grow… I'm sick of being so small all the time.

Steven walked out of the guest bathroom and walked back to Lucas' room, he dug into his backpack, which was on the hardwood floor, and found a bottle of sunscreen that his mom had packed him. She also packed him extra clothes and underpants.

He jumped into the pool as Drake was playing on the stereo system in the house that was connected to the speakers. Jasmine bought a Drake CD called 'So Far Gone' a few weeks ago, and she and her husband listen to him in the car.

"Lucas! let's race!"

Both Steven and Lucas went to the edge of the pool Steven put his feet on the wall and Lucas counted down.

"Five… Four… Three… Two… One… GO!" Steven and Lucas both swam to the edge, and Lucas won. He surfaced and looked for Steven but didn't find him.

"Steven!" He said, looking around. "Steven!" he said panicking this time, dunking his head back under the water, Steven was not moving, he was lying there motionless under the water, Lucas resurfaced and took a deep breath, he swam towards him and grabbed him, Lucas kicked his legs and walked up the steps, out of the pool and set him on the tile flooring.

"Steven!" Lucas shook his shoulder but nothing was happening. "MAMA!" Lucas calls out to Jasmine, Jasmine opens the door, she has a kitchen towel in her hands. "I'm making you guys some - OH MY, STEVEN!"Jasmine rushed over. Lucas looked like he was about to burst into tears.

"How did this happen?" Jasmine asked her son.

"We were racing, and then Steven drowned!"

Thankfully, Jasmine was an EMT, so she knew what to do. She put her hands on his chest, her left one horizontally and her right one vertically, and she started chest compressions. Lucas watched his mom, for what felt like forever. Then, Steven's eyes shot open, and he sat up and started coughing violently Jasmine rubbed his back as his coughing died down. Steven looks at her and hugs her. "Thanks, Jasmine." The hybrid said. Jasmine smiles and nods.

Steven and Lucas were at the table, eating fried chicken that she made herself, SpongeBob was playing on Nickelodeon.

"I wonder how SpongeBob likes working for Nickelodeon," Lucas said, dipping his tender into a cup of ranch dressing.

"I think he loves it, like look how happy he is when he's working on the show," Jasmine said, getting into the conversation that the boys were having too.

"I think that he does," Lucas said.

"Hey, Jasmine. Can I have more water?" Steven asked. Jasmine nodded and she grabbed his glass and filled it with water from the water dispenser. She placed it near Steven. Steven smiles and continues watching the show.

"Woah! This is your game room?" Steven asked, looking around. The room was covered in hardwood floors as well as the rest of the house, Arcde machines were lined up on the walls such as Super Mario, Pac Man, and others, Steven saw a pool and foosball table in the middle of the room, A PlayStation 3 was sitting on the TV with a big screen TV sitting on the floor. A black couch was facing it, Steven looked at the games. He saw that they had Call Of Duty World At War, Sonic The Hedgehog 2006, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, and others. Steven pulled out the game that he wanted to play ejected the disc that was inside and put the one that he wanted to play inside.

Lucas switched it to the right input and they played.

The boys went to bed in Lucas' room, Diamond was lying in between both human and hybrid. Steven closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Chapter Text

Lucas and Steven were both in Lucas' game room, they were playing PlayStation. Steven was playing Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, He was watching Steven play. Lucas and Steven were in the game room for an hour, then someone opened the door.

"Boys! I made breakfast. their chocolate chip waffles!" Jasmine said, as Diamond strides into the room and jumps on Steven's lap, Steven smiled as he took his hand and petted their cat.

"Come on, Steven. Waffles!" they both ran out of the room and then into the kitchen, Christopher was making and plating them, and inside of them were chocolate chips and blueberries with whipped cream, Jasmine pulled out a bottle of Hersey's chocolate syrup and placed it near the boys.

"Awesome! Thanks, Jasmine! thanks, Chris!" Steven said, eating some. Jasmine pulled out a blue can, Lucas took it and put some whipped cream on his.

"You want, whipped cream, Steven?" Lucas asked. Steven nods and puts some on his waffles.

Diamond was now lying on Steven's lap as Steven pets her. They were both watching Codename Kids Next Door. Both Steven and Lucas were watching the early seasons when they'd started filming for the show. (Granted they both were alive then, and they got to watch the show when it aired) He hopes one day that he will meet Nigel Uno and the rest of the Kids Next Door cast).

Steven smiled as he watched the show and pet the kitten in the process.

Steven and Lucas were both driving to Dewey Beach with Lucas' mother, Christopher was in the car too, and both boys were sitting in the back looking at the city by the beach. "Hey, Steven. I know where you live has a name, but what if we called this place, Beach City? 'cause it's a city by the beach." Steven smiled he liked that idea.

"That's a cool idea! we can call it that!"

Steven saw his house come up, Greg and Rose were sitting by the water, and Greg had his guitar in his hands. Steven saw someone exit the beach house, The woman standing on the porch had a slender build, an ivory complexion, light cyan eyes, a pointed nose, and thin lips. She is quite a tall Gem, towering over Steven. She is nearly equal in height with her hair, her hair is a light peach color (though on some occasions, it is light pink) and resembles a pixie-cut in the front, while in the back, her hair leads to a point).

"No way…." Steven said as Jasmine stopped the car. Steven opened the door and grabbed his backpack, he ran as fast as he could to the house and sprinted up the stairs. "PEARL!" the small child hugs her legs. Pearl was surprised but she was shocked to see him.

"Steven! I hadn't seen you since last year!" Pearl picks up the boy and carries him down the stairs. Her toes touched the sand. Pearl walks up to the sea and sits on her cyan towel next to Greg's beach chair.

Greg looked over to Pearl and saw his son. "Steven! how was the sleepover?"

"Good," he said. Then, Jasmine walked over towards Rose, Rose removed her sunglasses and smiled. "Hey, Jasmine." Jasmine bent down and whispered something in her ear. Rose stood up and they walked somewhere private together.

"Rose, we had an incident with Steven yesterday. But he's fine now."

"What kind of incident?" Rose could feel her blood run cold. Jasmine took a deep breath, thankfully for her medical skills as an EMT, she was prepared for this, but she would never expect this to happen to her friend's kid.

"Steven and Lucas were swimming yesterday and Steven drowned. Lucas got him out and thankfully, I saved him by CPR." Rose sighed in relief and smiled.

"Thank the stars!" she said, Jasmine looked up at her, her hair was tied up in a bun, blocking the sun Rose wore a white flowy beach dress with a dark and light pink rose pattern from her chest to her feet.

"Where'd you get that dress by the way?" Jasmine asked.

"I got it yesterday, I and Greg were in Washington and we went to an Old Navy and I found it, luckyly it was in my size, so I couldn't resist."

Jasmie nods. "Well, it looks amazing on you, Rose."

Rose grins and puts a hand on her neck. Then they walked back to the tide, Rose sat on her beach chair as Greg was holding their son by the sides. Steven was having a good time. Greg smiled and looked at him.

"Why won't you get your bathing suit on Schu-Ball?" Steven's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. The thought of getting into the water again after yesterday scared him, Steven hugged his father's neck and buried his head into his chest, Greg was concerned. He puts a hand on his hybrid son's back and rubs it.

"Steven? you okay, dude?" Greg asked. Steven lifts his head, tears falling from his eyes. The boy shook his head and rested it back on his father's warm chest. Greg smiles and still has his hand on his back, Rose smiles and puts a hand on her son's curls, and Steven opens his eyes and looks at his mother.

His mother understood what happened to him the day before, she would have to tell Greg later on the story—and try to keep it from Pearl. Rose cringed at the thought of Pearl finding out, that she would convince Rose and Greg to take him across the country to live with her. The thought of Pearl not letting them see Steven again is scary, Greg and Rose not telling her what happened is the best thing for them right now.

Steven was watching Codename Kids Next Door on his TV in his bedroom, It was four in the afternoon. He was watching the episode called Operation C.A.K.E.D F.O.U.R., sure it was only reruns but the cartoon was good. the actors and directors put their hearts into these episodes.

Someone then knocked on the door to his room, Steven called from the other side; "Come in!"

It was Pearl holding a bowl of Mac N Cheese. Steven smiled and took it. "Thanks, Pearl," he said, as he ate his dinner. Pearl sat next to him, The woman smiled, watching the show with him.

"What show is this, Steven?" she asked, watching.

"It's called Codename: Kids Next Door, it's a show on Cartoon Network. It's amazing!" Steven said, stars in his eyes as he looked at her. Pearl smiles and ruffles his hair.

"Oh, your mother and father went out just a few minutes ago, so. I'm here, are you alright with that, Steven?" He nods and continues watching the show while eating his Mac N Cheese.

Pearl put Steven to bed, Then she heard a scream, Pearl stood up and ran upstairs and opened the door to his bedroom. Pearl turned on the lights, toys, and clothes scattered on the wooden flooring of his room. Pearl looked at the bed, a small lump hiding under the covers, she walked closer to it peeled them back gently, and saw the hybrid's small form shaking.

Pearl shook his shoulder to wake him, but it didn't work. She shook it again. "Steven…" Steven's eyes shot open and he started breathing heavily, tears welled up in his eyes and he tried to wipe them away but they were still flowing down his cheeks.

She looks at him Steven looks into her light cyan blue eyes and hugs her.

"Steven… Are you okay?"

"Y-yes…" he lied.

"Steven." he didn't say anything, he just hugged her tighter.

"Steven Quartz Universe," Pearl said sternly, She didn't like using his full name, it was uncomfortable to her. His parents told her and the other gems to never use it when they're talking with him. But this was necessary, She needed an answer from him.

"An incident happened at a sleepover. B-But I'm fine now, Pearl."

"What happened, Steven," she asked. His heart sank into the pit of his stomach. This was it, Steven…If you tell her, she will make you move with her to California. And you don't want that…

"I… I drowned." Steven admitted.

"Drowned?" Pearl asked. clasping her hands to her mouth. Steven looked at her, not knowing what to say. Stars…. Why did he say that? why couldn't he talk to her and say that everything was okay? But at the same time, Pearl wasn't that gullible so he was backed into a corner here.

Steven didn't say anything but nodded slowly. Pearl let her shoulders relax a little bit and she sighed, She wrapped her arms around the hybrid and hugged him tightly. Pearl didn't want to let go of Steven again. Or let him out of her sight. She was indecisive about what to do: On one hand, she wanted to move him to Los Angeles, on the other hand, she didn't want to separate him from his parents.

Pearl needed to call Garnet and ask for her advice about this. She would do it after this, they were three hours behind so she would be awake now since it was only eight thirty there.

Pearl was now in the spare bedroom that they had in the house, Pearl grabbed her phone, which was charging on the nightstand tapped her contact, and called her.

It rang for a few minutes, then someone answered. "Yo, P. What's up?" It wasn't Garnet, it was Ameythest on the other end.

"Ameythest, where is Garnet," Pearl asked.

"Garnet, she's not here right now, what's up?" she asked. Pearl wanted to talk to her instead of Ameythest. Pearl didn't know what to do.

"Never mind, can she call me back when she gets back?"

"Sure, dude." she hung up, and Pearl sighed, what was she going to do?

She wanted to move Steven out since he was four. She doesn't feel so comfortable letting him have ''free range'' or ''unlimited access'' to things. She wants him to have routine and things like a kid should have, she has to talk to them about this when they get back.

Not even a minute later, Garnet called her back. Pearl answered the call. "Garnet?"

"Is there something you need, Pearl?"she asked in her British accent. Pearl thought about telling her, she then took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Yes, Garnet. It's about Steven."

"What about Steven?" the fusion asked. Pearl didn't speak, she was kind of afraid. She decided to say it.

"Well, Steven woke up crying from a nightmare. After that, he told me that he drowned yesterday at a sleepover, I don't know what to do Garnet. I want to move him out of Delaware so he can live with us in California."

"Pearl…" Garnet started. "You can't do that, have you asked Greg and Rose yet? and if you did ask them, they would say no. And you are overthinking again, Pearl. Remember last year when you thought Steven was going to get hurt by lighting up a small firework on the fourth of July last year?"

"Well—" Garnet cut her off

"Rose was holding his hand the whole time, Pearl!"

Garnet was right, she was doing a little bit much, Greg was an excellent parent. In his way. Rose was a good mom to Steven.

Pearl exhaled and started talking. "Well, I guess you are right, Garnet. Greg is a good father. And Rose is a good mother, but… I can't shake the feeling that he will get hurt one day."

Garnet stayed silent for a minute. She was paranoid about this, Pearl has been paranoid in the past for Steven's safety.

"Pearl, you need to calm down, you are not his parent, and his parents are not going to hold his hand forever. I understand that he is seven, but at the same time, he is growing. You have to give him room to do that, let him experience new things for himself."

She was right, her former teammate was always right when it came to Steven.

"Look, I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Pearl nodded and hung up, she could rest easy now knowing that Steven was okay and safe in their hands. She was right. Greg and Rose were great parents, what does she have to worry about?

Chapter Text

Pearl heard the door open a few hours later. Greg and Rose walked into the house and went into their room. Pearl walked up to their bedroom and knocked on their door.

"Come in!" Greg's voice called from the other side. Pearl gripped the handle and opened the door to their bedroom. Like the rest of the house, their room was covered in hardwood floors. A big screen TV was at the foot of their bed. Pearl saw Rose's sword hanging on the wall above their bed held by wall brackets with her scabbard protecting it. Pearl saw the Crystal gem rebellion flag on another wall, hanging by thumbtacks, next to their door.

"I want to talk to both of you about something," she said, breaking the silence.

"Alright, Rose?" Greg called from the bathroom.

"Yeah!" Rose asked, walking out, holding her electric toothbrush in her hand. Pearl took a deep breath.

"I want to talk to you about something and it's concerning, Steven."

"Pearl." Greg started. Rose went back into the bathroom to rinse her mouth out and walked back out, she crossed her arms on her chest.

"If you're thinking of taking Steven and moving him to California, no," Rose told her second in command.

"Wh—" She was shocked. why—how would they know what she was about to say? "How do you know?" Rose looked at her, then back at Greg and they both said in unison: "You did this since he was four, Pearl."

Pearl flinched and started speaking. "Well, I just want him safe."

"Pearl, I know that you want him safe, but he's our son. Not yours." Rose said, sitting on their bed. Greg nods in agreement.

"If you can't comprehend that I am ordering you to not talk about this anymore." She looked at her. "Am I clear?" Pearl has never seen her this serious before. She has during the war but, the war was over.

Pearn nods. "Yes, sorry Rose." she turned to walk out of their bedroom, Rose walked to her and hugged her friend.

"I know you're looking out for our son, but… we don't need any help. Pearl. We can handle it just fine, we've been taking care of Steven since he was born." Pearl sighed. They were right - she was just overreacting, she overreacted when she was pregnant with Steven, and She also did when she gave birth to him at the beach house.

"I'm going to go now, goodnight guys."

Greg and Rose went to bed, Rose put her arms around her husband, and Greg smiled and kissed her hair.

"Stars, I love you, Greg."

"I do too, Rose." he kissed her again.

Steven was playing Super Mario Sunshine the next day. Pearl was making breakfast for Steven, Greg, Rose, and Pearl. the tall gem was helping her. They were trying to make conversation. But after what happened last night, it was—awkward now, to say the least. Pearl was cracking eggs while Rose was cutting up vegetables and meat to put into them.

"So…. About last night." Pearl said, cracking another egg into the plastic bowl.

"Pearl." Rose said, holding the kitchen knife in her hand, "We are not having this conversation again, Steven is our son. And it is our decision, not yours."

"He will hear us!"

"He's playing GameCube in his room, Pearl. The only thing on his mind right now is Mario."

"My point still stands, Rose. I don't feel very comfortable letting him live here."

"Pearl." She put her knife down and exhaled, she doesn't have a temper — Well, not anymore. But she didn't want to do anything… Too drastic. "I told you to drop it, didn't I?"

"Well, yes but—"

"Please go… Get out of the kitchen, I'll make breakfast." Rose said, picking her knife back up and continued cutting. Greg walked into the house. He went into the kitchen wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and put his chin on her shoulder.

"What's up?" Greg asked.

Rose sighed. "Dude, Pearl has been up my butt since last night about this, she wants Steven to move out… I keep telling her they were his parents, not her, Garnet, or Ameythest. They understand that, but Pearl… I don't know, Greg… I don't know if I want her to be around Steven anymore, remember when you told me after I went to Los Angeles to visit my parents when you were watching our son, they took the van and attempted to take out his gem?" Rose was panicking internally.

Greg nodded. "I remember, It was seven years ago after he was born, it was also two weeks before Christmas, you were in LA helping your parents with some stuff, Garnet and everyone came when I was home alone. They walked in and gave me gifts for Steven, when I went to go grab something, He was gone." Greg breathed, trying not to get a panic attack having to remember that gave him nightmares. "They took my van too!"

Rose nods and looks up at Steven's room. the door was closed, so. He couldn't hear the conversation that was going on outside. Greg hugged her tighter, Rose smiled at his warm embrace. "Sorry that I left you home that day… I should've asked you to come two weeks ago but you didn't want Steven to get sick, so you guys were stuck in Delaware."

"It's okay, it wasn't your fault. It felt like it was mine, Steven would've gotten a cold because of me, he was only four months old!" Greg said. Looking at his wife, Rose holding his hand, Greg sees the wedding ring that was custom-made for her.

He looks at it sitting on her left ring finger, it was an elegant rose gold ring. The ring is the focal point and is adorned with a large pink gemstone placed in the center. Surrounding this captivating gemstone are intricate details and smaller clear gemstones, adding to its luxurious aesthetic. The band of the primary ring has a distinct wavy design, embellished with additional small gemstones, enhancing its ornate and refined look.

Greg smiled softly and kissed her passionately, Rose smiled and slid her hands down his back. They didn't notice Steven standing there, Greg opened his eyes and looked to the side and looked at his son, Greg broke the kiss and looked at his hybrid son and smiled. "What's up, Steven?"

"Um… Nothing. I just came down because I'm hungry, is breakfast ready?"

"Oh, shoot! Greg, help me with this, please?" Rose asked. Since Pearl wasn't in the kitchen to help.

"Sure, I'll get the skillet out for the eggs." Grabbing the skillet, Greg looked at the eggs.

"Should I scramble these?" he asked.

"Steven. do you want scrambled right?" The boy nods. Greg smiled and scrambled them inside the big glass bowl. Rose smiled at her son, picked him up, and kissed him on the cheek. Steven smiles at his mother, Greg grabs his phone and takes a picture. He looked so tiny in her arms. It was an adorable moment!

"You look so adorable, Steven!" he smiled. A knock was heard, Rose opened it, it was the mailman.

"Hey, Jessie." she greeted her, Jessie was their resident Mail carrier in Dewey Beach, or as Steven ikes to call it - Beach City, She was holding a bubble envelope in her hands.

"Hey, Rose." she smiled at the gem. Jessie knows about Rose and her son, and she doesn't care much, as long as they're - or the mail woman no trouble, she's fine with delivering mail for them.

"I got a package for you. It seems like the raido station sent this over."

"That was fast!" Greg said, walking over and standing next to her.

"Greg, who's over at the stove?"

"The eggs are on a plate, Rose. Don't worry," he said, Rose smiled and kissed her husband on the cheek. Greg smiled and looked at what was in her hands.

"Oh! Is it them, are those the backstage passes for the concert?" Rose nodded and smiled. "Yep, five tickets."She smiled as he opened up the envelope and took them out, they were all in red and black.

The image features a backstage VIP pass lanyard. The front of the pass includes details for an event titled "LINKIN PARK!" It specifies the event date as "Tuesday, July 1st," with doors opening at 6:00 PM. The location is mentioned as "Madison Square Garden, Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001," and there is an RSVP contact provided as "RSVP to Greg" and it displayed the phone number.

On the back of the same pass, the title "ALL ACCESS BACKSTAGE VIP PASS" is highlighted, and there is a statement emphasizing that a "VIP Pass is Required for Admission" near the barcode at the bottom. All passes are attached to dark-colored lanyards with metal clips, indicating that these passes are designed for a concert that offers backstage access.

"This is awesome! Steven!" Greg called out for his son. Steven walked up and smiled.

"Yeah, Dad?"

"We got our passes for the concert, don't lose this. Alright?" Greg told his son, Steven nodded and went to his room and put it somewhere.

Steven was sitting in the back of his father's van, playing his ukulele. Everyone else was on the beach, Pearl walked up to him and sat next to him, Steven looked at his friend and smiled at her. "What are you doing, Steven?" she asked.

Steven looked at his ukulele. "Just playing."

"Don't you want to go into the water, it is warm out here, Well for you." Steven shook his head, not wanting to happen to him again.

"Well, okay." Pearl smiled got off the van and went back to her spot.

Steven sighed and looked at the ocean, he took off his shirt and went to sit by Rose. Leaving his ukulele in the van.

"Steven." Rose smiled and saw him sitting comfortably in her lap.

He smiles. "Hey, Mom." he smiled, Rose went into her bag that she brought with her outside and handed him a bottle of cold water. Steven opened it and chugged it, Greg walked out of the water with his surfboard and propped it on the sand. He sat with his wife and wrapped an arm around her.

Chapter Text

Greg was outside, he wore a nice white jacket and a blank black T-shirt. He fixed his earrings.

Rose looked out the window, opened the door, then walked outside and walked down the stairs of their beach house. Greg smiled and grabbed his iHome, with an extension cord running through the house. He brushed himself off and saw his wife walk up to him in the same dress that she'd met him in, eight years ago.

Stars… She is so beautiful...

Greg smiled and fixed his hair, Rose watched him come closer and hold her hand.

"What's all this?" she asked, giggling.

"Remember our first dance?" Greg asked.

"Yes, but. what's the occasion, it isn't our anniversary." She said, sounding confused. Greg smiled.

"I know…Can I do something nice for my amazing and beautiful alien wife?" Rose blushed. Greg walked back to the van and put on a song called 'Hear You Me' by 'Jimmy Eat World' Rose smiled and kissed him.

"I remember this song…The DJ played this song on our honeymoon in Florida."

Greg smiled and held his wife close and slowly danced with her. They listened to the lyrics.

There's no one in town I know

You gave us some place to go

I never said thank you for that

I thought I might get one more chance

Greg kept silent the whole time. Rose had a grip on her husband the whole time as they slowly danced while listening to the music.

What would you think of me now?

So lucky, so strong, so proud?

I never said thank you for that

Now I'll never have a chance

May angels lead you in

Hear you me, my friends

On sleepless roads, the sleepless go

May angels lead you in

"Rose?"

"Yes, Greg?"

"You are so beautiful… I love you so much, you know that?" Rose smiled and kissed him.

"I love you too."

So what would you think of me now?

So lucky, so strong, so proud

I never said thank you for that

Now I'll never have a chance

Rose and Greg both smiled at each other and kept dancing.

May angels lead you in

Hear you me, my friends

On sleepless roads, the sleepless go

May angels lead you in

May angels lead you in

Rose and Greg stopped dancing. Rose looked into his blue eyes, smiled, and held his hands. "Why won't we go lay on the roof of the van and watch the stars?"

"I don't need to, you are the only star that I wanna see." Rose smiled and hugged him.

May angels lead you in

May angels lead you in

May angels lead you in

Rose and Greg started singing the song in sync.

"And if you were with me tonight

I'd sing to you just one more time

A song for a heart so big

God wouldn't let it live"

Rose picked him up bridal style and jumped. her floating powers landing them softly on the roof of his van, Rose laid down on the roof while Greg lay on her chest. Rose took her hand and rubbed his back.

May angels lead you in

Hear you me, my friends

On sleepless roads, the sleepless go

May angels lead you in

May angels lead you in

Hear you me, my friends

On sleepless roads, the sleepless go

May angels lead you in

On sleepless roads, the sleepless go

May angels lead you in."

Greg and Rose both kissed each other passionately once the song had ended, Rose smiled and put her hands down his back and they still kissed, Another song playing in the background, this time it was called 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' by 'Foreigner'

They stayed there for what felt like hours, they talked until the sun came up about their plans for the future.

"Well, I don't care, I just want to be there for Steven, you know? And you too." he smiled, Rose giggled and smiled, then kissed him. Greg yawned.

"Rose?"

"Yes?"

"Promise you'll never leave me?"

"I won't... Why would I we are married." Rose smiled and giggled.

Greg chuckled. "Oh yeah. I'm such a goober sometimes."

"But your my goober." Rose smiled and they kissed passionately.

Greg and Rose stepped into the house and went into their room to get some sleep.

Steven and Pearl were up in the hybrid's room, Pearl was trying to play Sonic Heroes with him on his GameCube.

"Press A, Pearl, that's how you jump onto the platform," he said, Pearl pressed the A button, and they played for a few minutes, Pearl stared at the lanyard that was sitting on his dresser.

"Hey, Steven." his friend broke the silence. "What's that?" The hybrid looked at his dresser and saw the red and black VIP pass for LINKIN PARK hung there.

"Oh, Dad won five backstage passes for a LINKIN PARK concert on July 1st. And I'm so excited!" he said, stars in his eyes. Pearl smiled and put a hand on his hair.

"Hey, Pearl," Steven said Pearl was still playing the game. She paused it and turned her head to him.

"Yes?"

"Is there a reason why you ask my parents if it is okay for me to move in with you?" Pearl sighs. She was afraid of this. Steven was going to know this eventually.

"Well, Steven." she had to choose her words carefully here. "I'm worried."

Worried? worried for what? for who? for me, or Mom?

"For me?" Steven asked.

Pearl nodded. "I'm worried for you, Steven. What if something happens to you?" Steven was tired of this, he was almost eight years old, and she needed to know that she wouldn't be here to fight his battles for him. He can do that on his own! he wasn't a baby!

"Pearl… I'm not a baby anymore, I'm almost eight, sure I don't grow like other kids but. You have to let me do stuff on my own." Pearl nodded.

"I know Steven, but I'm just…." she sighs. "Never mind. I… I just worry, Steven, ever since you drowned. My instincts have gone into overdrive."

He nodded and hugged her. "I know you're looking out for me, and thank you, but I can handle myself, and. My Mom and Dad will protect me, Mom was the leader of the Crystal Gems."

Pearl smiled and nodded. "Yeah, you're right, Steven. I'm sorry," she said. Steven nodded and smiled at her.

Steven heard his parent's bedroom open, Greg walked out, he had on a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and a pair of Converse.

"Dad!" he ran towards him and hugged him.

"Hey, Schu-Ball! what's up?"

"Dad, can we play basketball today?"

"Sorry little dude, I have to go back to work. But we can play when I get home." Steven smiled and watched his dad pull out five dollars and hand it to him. "Here, why won't you get a doughnut on the boardwalk, kiddo?" he said, Steven hugged him, and Greg walked off. Steven put on his flip-flops and walked out of the house. Steven walked down the wooden steps and decided to head into Beach City.

Steven walked into a doughnut shop.

"Hey, Steven!" The cashier said. The teen male had a smile on his face.

"Hey, Ricky!"

Ricky and his partner Sam worked at the local doughnut shop, He smiled at the young boy.

"What's up? you want something?" Ricky asked.

"My usual, please," he said, Ricky pulled out a piece of paper grabbed two strawberry-frosted doughnuts, and put them into the bag.

"Thanks, Ricky! here's your pay," he said, handing him the money, the doughnuts were cheap - Not to mention the ridiculous inflation prices. Steven grabbed his two doughnuts and ran back to the house to surprise his mom.

Steven wasn't sure if she was still asleep or not, but he decided not to bother her right now, He took his doughnut and ate it.

Pearl walked out and saw him sitting in the minibar.

"Hello, Steven."

Steven smiled. "Hey, Pearl."

Pearl looked at him in concern and saw the bag and the doughnut in his hand.

"Steven. Where did you go?"

"Doughnut shop."

"Steven!" Pearl exclaimed. Steven sighed to himself and looked up at her.

What crawled up her butt this morning and died?

Steven looks up at her. "What? I was getting doughnuts for me and Mom." Pearl sighed put her hand in his hair and walked off.

Steven watched her walk away from him.

Stars… Let me breathe, please!

Steven heard the door open, Rose walked out of their room, her hair was a little bit of a mess, she walked to the kitchen, she saw her son.

"Steven," Rose said. Steven smiled, then pulled out a doughnut.

"Here, mom. I bought a doughnut for you too."

Rose smiled and kissed his son on the cheek. "Thank you, Steven," she said, taking a bite, her eyes lit up. Steven smiled and ate his doughnut.

"It's amazing! I love strawberry!"

"I know, it's my favorite too," Steven said, getting up and washing his hands in the kitchen sink.

Rose smiled and saw Steven walk up and hug her. Steven smiled, Rose giggled, bent down, and lifted him.

"Hey, Steven. Why won't we see The Lion King?" Steven gasped and smiled.

"Yeah! but can we watch it when Dad gets home? I want to watch Toy Story now!" Steven said.

"Okay, Steven." Rose kissed her son on the cheek and turned to the shelves behind them, holding all their VHS tapes of movies and videos they'd recorded, from Steven's first birthday to his first steps, everything was written in script also. (courtesy of Rose). She found the Toy Story VHS tape, opened the box, and got out the back tape. She stuck it into the player and played the movie for them to watch.

Steven and Rose both got comfortable and watched it.

"I win again!" Steven said He and Rose were sitting on the floor playing Monopoly. Rose giggles and smiles. "Oh, Steven, I want to show you something."

She went to her room to grab it. Rose walked out, the gem had something in her hands. Steven knew what it was and his eyes lit up.

The hybrid sees the cover of a Pokémon Trading Card Game binder or deck box. The dominant background color is dark blue, featuring a swirling fiery effect that adds a dynamic and energetic feel to the design. At the top of the cover, the word "Pokémon" is prominently displayed in the iconic bold yellow font, outlined in blue for emphasis. Just below, the phrase "Trading Card Game" is presented within a red rectangle, written in white, which effectively contrasts with the blue backdrop.

In the central section towards the bottom of the cover, several classic Pokémon characters are showcased. Here's a breakdown of the featured Pokémon and their actions:

-Pikachu stands at the center, surrounded by lightning bolts, representing its affinity for electricity.

-Charizard is portrayed on the left side, depicted as breathing fire, exemplifying its fiery nature.

-On the right side, Blastoise is illustrated showcasing its water cannons, symbolizing its water-type ability

"Woooah! Who's is this?" Steven asked. "Are you holding it for someone, mom?"

"No." she giggled. "This is mine, your dad has one too." Steven smiled, he remembered his first Pokémon card binder, and he started collecting them and watching the anime, he loves watching it so far, he's up to Diamond and Pearl—the latest that he is currently on. Rose and Greg also love watching Pokémon as much as their son does. they never miss an episode when an episode comes out on Cartoon Network.

Rose handed it to Steven, he held it in his hands and looked through it, Steven's eyes lit up as he saw the most expensive card in the whole TCG set!-Charizard. And it was in mint condition also.

"Mom, this is so cool!" Steven said, looking through it more, he saw cards such as Eevee, Squirtle, Charmander, Bellsprout, Catterpie, Weedle, Majickarp. and others, and the cards were neatly organized into their categories, Water, Fire Electric, Normal, and fighting.

Steven looked up at his mom. "This is awesome!" he said, Rose blushed and played with some of her hair. Steven smiled and gave it back to her, Rose went into her and Greg's bedroom and put it back.

Steven smiled and saw her come back a few minutes later. The boy smiled and hugged his mom. Rose smiled and kissed her son on the cheek.

"I love you mom."

"I love you too, Steven."

Steven smiled and hugged her, Rose smiled and kissed his cheek once more, then set him down.

"Dad, I'm open!" Greg passed the ball to Steven and his son took the shot, he threw the basketball with all his strength and he made it into the hoop.

Rose and Pearl were both watching from the sidelines. they were at the outside basketball court, it was about six p. they just started playing at the park at Dewey Beach.

Greg passed the ball to Steven, Steven tried to block him but he was too small, so Greg let him shoot it.

Rose was playing with her husband now as Steven watched from the sidelines.

Greg passed the ball to his wife, Rose passed it back to him, then Greg passed it back to her, Rose ran past him while bouncing the ball and she shot it in the hoop.

"Yeah! Go, Mom!" Steven said Pearl sat beside him, watching them play. Greg tried to take the ball from her but, with her enhanced speed and strength. she was unstoppable on the basketball court.

Rose shot a three. Greg watched it go in with a satisfying 'swish' Greg tried to grab the rebound but it went out of bounds.

"I got it," Rose said, grabbing the ball. they went to the middle again and checked it. This time, Greg got ahold of it and he ran and shot a layup.

"Who's winning so far?" Pearl asked.

"So far, mom has three, and dad has two. So Mom has it up by one point.

The final score was Twenty-five to ten. Rose was unbeatable at basketball Greg felt like his wife was running circles around him out there!

"How do you do that, Rose?" Greg said taking a long drink from his water bottle. Rose was holding their basketball under her arm as she took a drink from hers as well.

"I guess I'm more athletic than you." she teased him. Rose smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"You ready to go guys?" Greg asked, Steven nodded as he walked with his parents and Pearl back to the beach house as the sunset.

Chapter Text

July 1, 2008

Greg and Rose were in their van, Steven sat in the back, he was asleep. Rose was driving as Greg was also asleep, they got to New York three hours ago. Rose read the time off her phone clock. 1:25 A. saw the hotel come up and she parked.

"Greg…" Rose shook her husband's shoulder. Greg opened his eyes and yawned. throwing his hands above his head as he stretched in his seat.

"Hey, Rose. Are we here?"

Rose giggled softly and cupped her hand on his cheek. "We are, Come on. I'll get the luggage. You can carry Steven." Rose looked at Steven sleeping on the mattress with a blanket thrown over him. Beside him, were two suitcases. One for Greg and the other combining both Rose's and Steven's clothes.

Greg opens the doors to his van and grabs the suitcases. Rose picked up her Son's sleeping body and they walked inside, Rose saw the hotel.

It was a grand and elegant hotel lobby or a similar upscale space with a luxurious and sophisticated ambiance. The architectural design features a lavish golden ceiling adorned with intricate detailing, exuding a sense of opulence. The polished floors, likely made of marble, add to the high-end finish of the space, reflecting light and enhancing the overall grandeur.

In the center of the room, there is a round table elegantly decorated with a large floral arrangement, adding a touch of freshness and beauty to the luxurious setting. On the left side, an escalator is visible, suggesting access to different floors, while the right side features wide staircases and multiple levels with visible railings, hinting at amenities or rooms above.

The presence of large, opulent chandeliers hanging from the ceiling adds to the glamorous ambiance, casting a warm and luxurious glow throughout the space. Modern and sleek light fixtures mounted on the walls contribute to the overall illuminating of the lobby.

Greg got their key cards and they headed up to their room.

They walked in after getting their room, Rose set Steven on the other bed, Greg and Rose set their suitcases down, Greg changed into his PJs which was a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Rose put on a Pokémon t-shirt and a pair of pink short shorts.

She grabbed her electric toothbrush and the tube of toothpaste and went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth.

Rose walked out, got into bed and fell asleep.

Sunlight streamed in the room, Steven opened his eyes, he stretched and yawned, he heard his parents breathing coming from the other bed, Steven got up and walked to the curtain, the noise outside coming from traffic was expected from a city like New York.

Greg sat up, He smiled at his wife, who looked stunning as always, He moved some hair out of her face and kissed his wife.

Rose's eyes fluttered open, Greg smiled. Rose did the same. "Well, good morning Mr. Universe."

"Good morning, Mrs. Quartz Universe."

Rose giggled and kissed her husband. "I love it when you say that. But I love you even more, Greg."

Greg wrapped her arms around her and kissed her hair. "I love you too, Rose." Greg said, getting up. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and his hair.

Rose sat up and swung her legs and her feet touched the floor, She saw Steven looking out the window at Manhattan.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rose walked to the window where his son was standing, Greg walked out and saw his wife and son, Greg stared at her large ringlet style hair in awe.

You are so beautiful…

Greg walks up to her and wraps an arm around her waist. Rose smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. Steven looks at his father.

"Hey, dad."

"Hey, Schu-Ball." Greg hugs him, Steven smiles and looks at them.

"Let's go have breakfast at the hotel."

They went to the buffet, Steven grabbed a plate and got some stuff, Greg and Rose did too, Greg had his earbuds on, listening to Drake, Rose was grabbing food too, they all sat down and ate.

"What are we doing today?" Steven asked, eating his eggs.

"We're going to explore Manhattan. And at six we're going to the concert." Rose said.

"Hey, wanna play basketball, I'm pretty sure I could beat you again!"

"Greg, I lead an entire rebellion, are you sure you want to do that? I kicked your butt the last time we played against each other!"

"That was last week, Rose!"

"Yeah, Last week. Or your chicken?" his wife crossed her arms over her chest and smirked.

Greg shook her hand. "Deal!"

Greg, Rose and Steven all went to Central Park. Greg saw a large basketball court. Steven held a basketball that they had brought from home.

Removing the black hair tie that was on her wrist, Rose tied her hair back, Steven sat on the bench and watched his parents.

"Check." Rose said as she checked the ball to her husband. Greg bounced the ball back to her, then another time to her husband, He ran with it and tried to score, Rose used her float power to smack the ball while in the air, she came back down and ran to her side to shoot a basket.

"Woah! Hey, Troy. look at her go." A man told his friend. His friend looked at them play, Steven was sitting on the bleachers watching his parents play.

Rose shot back to back threes while Steven watched."Come on, Dad!" he said

Greg stole the ball from Rose and shot a three, but missed, Rose was just taller than him at basketball. So tall in fact, Greg thought that she would be a good player for Women's basketball.

"Come on, dad!" Steven encouraged. Greg dribbled the ball and tried to shoot a layup. Rose was at an advantage with height, and plus. She has enhanced speed and strength.

"You were awesome, mom!" Steven said, as they all walked through Central Park. Rose blushed, Steven was on his mother's shoulders.

Greg took out his phone and read a notification he just got from Luisa and Jasmine. "Oh, I got a text from them. they're coming to our hotel. I'll give Lucas, Lance and Mikey the VIP pases before we go to the concert." Rose smiled at her husband and nodded.

They went back to the hotel, Steven didn't see his friends anywhere. Then a seven year old boy ran up towards him.

"Lance!" Streven exclaimed, hugging him.

"Hey, Steven. where all at the pool, you wanna come?"

"Um…." Steven was getting flashbacks of the day he drowned at his house and his mother had to save him. Jasmine walked up to Steven and smiled.

"Hi, Jasmine…" he said, looking at his flip flops.

"You okay?" Steven smiled and nodded.

Man…. How am I going to get over this dumb fear… What am I, Sonic?

"Mom, Can you take me up to the room so I can get changed and go to the pool with Lance and Mikey?" Rose smiles and nods, they go to the room so Steven can get changed into his bathing suit.

Steven sees a swim shirt inside his and his mother's suitcase and looks at Rose while she was getting changed for the pool too. "Mom, did you pack a shirt in our suitcase?"

"No." She sighed internally. "It was probably, Pearl… She doesn't like the idea that we 'don't cover up your gem' or something. She said sarcastically.

"Why?"

"I dunno, Schu-Ball, I don't know… Pearl's sometimes…. A little bit overboard."

"Why is she like that, mom?" Steven asked.

"I don't know, Steven… I don't know. Are you ready? I am." Rose said, grabbing her sunglasses.

Steven nodded and they walked out of the room and went to the elevator. Rose and Steven went to the lobby, then to the pool.

Steven and Rose walked outside, Greg found a chair for them next to Luisa and Jasmine, Rose and Steven walked up towards him. Steven looks at the pool.

He sees a lively outdoor swimming pool area situated in front of a multi-story hotel or apartment building. The pool is the focal point of the scene and is teeming with activity, with several individuals seen swimming and relaxing in the water. One distinctive feature is a mushroom-shaped water fountain located in the shallow end of the pool, adding a playful touch to the setting.

Surrounding the pool are numerous sun loungers where people are seen either sunbathing or sitting beneath colorful umbrellas, enjoying the sunny day. The hotel building itself showcases a modern architectural design with multiple balconies overlooking the pool area, likely offering guests a scenic view from their rooms. The building's structure consists of tiered floors and sizable windows, contributing to its contemporary aesthetic.

The atmosphere portrayed in the scenery is one of leisure and enjoyment, characteristic of a holiday resort environment. The bright and sunny day.

"Hey, Steven!" Jasmine said. Steven amiles and waved. Rose opened the bottle of sunblock and applied it to Steven, the half-boy cringed.

"Ew! why is it so slimy?" Steven asked, shivering.

"Would you rather be sunburned, Steven. You have your dad's complexion."

"You do too, well you're a gem so, you don't get sunburned."

Rose rubbed it in, Steven cringed as he felt the cream on his legs, Steven waited until his mother was finished. He felt her hands pull away from him.

"Turn around, Steven. I need to do your front." Steven did. Rose puts more on her hand and rubs it in.

"Try not to get it on my gem." Steven said.

"I'll try not to." she said, putting it all over and around his gem. Steven waited until she was finished. Rose wiped her hands on her pool towel.

"Am I done?" Steven asked, Rose smiled and nodded.

"YEAH!" Steven said running to the pool and going in with the other kids.

"Hey, Steven, we brought water guns, wanna have a water fight?" Mikey asked. Lucas walked up to them, joining them.

"Yeah!" He said Lance had a spare one and gave it to the boy. Steven smiled and filled it up with water, then sprayed his friends.

"This means war!" Mikey said.

Steven was now in the other pool. Then a girl swam up and saw his gem.

"What is that?!" she asked.

Steven looked down at the water, he didn't know what she was talking about. "Um… Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about.

"Where is your belly button?"

Steven covers his gem with his left hand. Then, his mother swam up to both boys, The girl looked at the woman, who had the same 'jewel' as the boy.

"Is that a jewel? it looks pretty." Steven looks at his mother with a look of worry on his face, Steven hugs his mother.

Lucas swam up to him and touched Steven on the shoulder. Steven looks at his friend, then he uncovers his gem and they swim away from her. Rose looked at the girl and started talking.

"What did you tell him?" she asked. The girl looked away in embarrassment. Rose smiled softly and looked at her.

"You can't ask people that, and to answer your question, he was born with it, and it's a gem. Not a jewel. It's real and can't be removed, If he removes it, he will… Pass on." Rose hated the thought of that, she hopes she will never have to witness that.

"Oh…" the girl said. And she swam slowly away. Rose put her arms on the warm concrete and looked at everyone, Steven was with his friends, Greg was talking with some people who were probably in a band, like he was, and it was a couple of hours until the concert started.

Greg and Rose were getting dressed, Greg wore a black LINKIN PARK T-shirt, Rose wore the same thing as her husband with a pair of pink jeans, and Steven wore the same pink jeans with a pair of white Converse high tops.

Steven wore a white LINKIN PARK t-shirt—featuring their album, 'What I've Done' Steven grabbed his backstage pass and put it around his neck. His parents did the same and they headed out.

Lucas, Lance and Mikey were waiting in the lobby. Their backstage passes around their necks. Their mothers were waiting for the Universe's.

"Hi, Mr and Mrs. Universe!" the three boys said.

"Hey guys, are you ready to get your rock on?" Rose asked, holding up two hands making the sign of the horns with both of her hands.

"YEAH!" the boys said. Steven joined in. Rose giggled.

"Bye guys! Have fun!" their moms said, they stepped out of the hotel.

Chapter Text

They were driving to Maddison Square Garden in Greg's van, Rose was playing LINKIN PARK off her phone all the way there and they were singing along.

"There it is! Maddison Square Garden!" Steven said, stars in his eyes. He looked out the windshield, They all see Madison Square Garden, a renowned indoor arena in New York City. The arena's facade is aglow with bright lights and electronic billboards that showcase various advertisements and announcements. Vertical light strips running along its exterior enhance its distinct cylindrical shape. The street in front of the building is bustling with a mix of pedestrians and vehicles, painting a lively urban setting. Tall neighboring buildings and a cloudy night sky form the backdrop, contributing to the dynamic and energetic atmosphere of the cityscape depicted in the scene.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE HERE GUYS!" Steven's voice boomed with excitement, Greg and Rose both smiled at their son's enthusiasm.

They found a place to park, and Greg, Rose, Steven, and his friends stepped out. They all handed their backstage passes to the security guard who was checking for tickets, they all showed their VIP passes and walked inside the venue.

They were waiting to get inside, and Rose saw a short woman with long hair, similar to Greg's hairstyle, but she thought nothing of it.

The doors opened and they all piled in, they all stood at a place and waited for the show to start.

Steven smiled as he saw their rodies setting up for the show or making last-minute adjustments. "This is going to be awesome!" Lucas said.

"Yeah, it is!" Steven said.

A few minutes passed, and the concert started. Cheers erupted from the crowd as the band members of LINKIN PARK emerged from the ground, Chester Bennington, He wore a black t-shirt with a bold red and white graphic design on it. The lead singer has tattoos on his arms and is also wearing a bracelet on his left wrist. His short hair suggests a stylish and possibly edgy look that fits well with his stage performance ambiance. In essence, the man exudes a sense of artistic expression and dedication to his performance, as seen through his appearance and posture on stage.

"Alright, Maddison Square Garden, are you ready to ROCK!" Rose screamed in excitement, the gem jumped up and down like a child that was excited for Christmas Day.

They began to sing their first song, Rose screamed in happiness, this was one of her favorite songs

"In this farewell

There's no blood, there's no alibi

'Cause I've drawn regret

From the truth of a thousand lies

So let mercy come and wash away

What I've done

I'll face myself

To cross out what I've become

Erase myself

And let go of what I've done"

Rose thought of her past while listening to the song. She wasn't sure when to tell Steven about her past on Homeworld. But she wants to, soon. She had told her husband when they were dating. But her past was behind her now and all she wanted to do was make memories with her friends and family.

"Put to rest

What you thought of me

While I clean this slate

With the hands of uncertainty

So let mercy come and wash away"

Rose looked at both her husband and son, they were having a good time, Steven was singing along with his friends, and Greg was holding his camera up as he was singing also. Rose smiles, Greg and Rose brought their camera from the house to record the concert. Steven, Lucas, Lance, and Mikey all sang along

"What I've done

I'll face myself

To cross out what I've become

Erase myself

And let go of what I've done"

All of them were jumping and having a good time, Then Rose bumped into the person that they saw when they entered the building. She got a good look at the woman. Her skin is bright lilac, her eyes are dark indigo, and her thick, messy hair is pale lavender and goes down to her ankles, with a large bang that obscures her left eye. She also has plump lips, and a small, upturned nose. Rose saw that Her gemstone is located on her chest, and the bottom half of it was usually covered by her shirt.

"AMETHYST!" Rose yelled because of the music.

"Oh my stars, Rose?" she asked, jumping up and hugging her friend. Rose smiled and hugged her back, enjoying the rest of the concert together, promising to talk later after it was over.

"For what I've done

I start again

And whatever pain may come

Today this ends

I'm forgiving

What I've done

I'll face myself

To cross out what I've become

Erase myself

And let go of what I've done

What I've done

(Na-na, na, na, na-na, na, na)

(Na-na, na, na, na-na, na, na)

Forgiving what I've done

(Na-na, na, na, na-na, na, na)

(Na-na, na, na, na-na, na)"

The song finished, and the next song was playing in a few minutes "Dude! I can't believe you're here. Did your dad get a plane ride over here?"

"No, my mom wanted to surprise me, and since I love LINKIN PARK, she surprised me with tickets. I wanted to get VIP passes though, but they were sold out, some jokers won them in a radio contest in Delaware!"

"Um, Ames." Rose lifted her lanyard and showed it to her.

"Oh…" she laughed nervously, playing with her hair. "I didn't mean it… Um. Comgrations." Amethyst said, not trying to make this night for her awkward, but it wasn't working…. It was already awkward.

At the end of the concert, Greg and everyone showed their passes to the bouncer and they led them backstage to the dressing room where the band members hang out.

He opened the door, Steven and his friends let out a gasp and saw the band members of LINKIN PARK. Steven had stars in his eyes as he was walking inside, he swore that he was dreaming, but he wasn't he was here! Some other people were talking to the band members as well, and then he saw him — Chester Bennington sitting on a couch, talking with his wife Talinda.

"OH MY STARS!" Rose screamed. Greg smiled and put his hand on her shoulder, Steven walked up to Chester.

"Oh, hold on a sec, Talinda." Chester looks down and his eyes light up.

"Hi! Are you a fan of me?"

"Y-Yes…My parents are fans too." Steven said, Greg, Rose, and his friends walked up.

"How are you guys," he said, smiling. Rose was trying not to scream, cry, or do both and embarrass herself. Greg walked up to him and shook his hand.

"You remember me? I went to your show a few years back when I was dating my wife and you signed my acoustic guitar in my van."

"Oh, yeah. She was pregnant with your son, right? the tall woman, with lots of pink hair, she was your girlfriend? she's named after a crystal right?"

"Yes, and we are married now. And this is our son, Steven Quartz Universe." Greg said, picking his son off the ground.

"Aww, he's so small. How old are you little dude?"

"I'm seven! my birthday is next month!"

"Well, hope you have an awesome birthday, and you have an awesome name too, little man!" Steven's eyes were now stars, he couldn't believe that he had been complimented by the lead singer of a band!

"When did you guys meet again?" Chester asked Greg, Steven was sitting on the man's lap.

"We met at my show, I was performing and she was watching my show, and then we were dating for a few months."

"Oh, when did you two get married?"

"Oh, we got married after we had Steven, so it was a few months after." Rose then walked up.

"It was on June nineteenth, 2001." Rose walked up to her husband and put a hand on his shoulder. Greg smiled and kissed his wife passionately.

"Oh, Chester. Can you sign our VIP passes?" Greg asked.

"Wait, I want you to meet my friends, Chester!" Steven said, running off and grabbing his friends Lance Mikey and Lucas. Steven brought his three friends over to him, wearing three layards on their own, Chester signed them. Steven got a little drawing on a Pikachu on his.

"Thank you, Chester!" the man smiles and nods.

He pulls Greg to the side and they talk for a little bit about something.

Greg, Rose, Steven, Lance, Mikey, and Lucas were all in Greg's van, driving to the hotel, Rose got a text from Ameythest asking if they all wanted to come to dinner with her tomorrow night, Rose texted her back. Arranging plans for it.

They went back to the hotel to get some sleep for the next day

Chapter Text

Steven, Greg, Rose, Luisa, Jasmine and his friends were all walking in Manhattan, it was their last night there. They were leaving for Deleware tomorrow morning.

They were all meeting Ameythest at Times Square so they could hang out together on their final day here. Steven, Lance Lucas, and Kyle were walking behind Greg, Rose, and their mothers It was eight in the evening and the buildings were lit up, making it look beautiful.

"It looks beautiful, doesn't it Greg?" Greg looked at her lovingly and kissed her on the cheek.

"It does, but not as beautiful as my stunning warrior for an amazing wife."

"So, this friend of yours, you'd known her for a long time?" Jasmine asked.

"Oh yeah, Ameythest and I had known each other way before I met Greg, her dad was a Quartz solider like her, and her mom works at a bakery. Her dad is actually in the U.S. Army now.

"Ohm cool!" Luisa said.

"Hey, mom?" Steven asked.

"Yeah?"

"Where is this place?"

"Oh, we're almost there, we gotta cross the street and we're here. this is the most famous Italian restaurant in all of New York City."

Steven nodded. they crossed the street and they went inside the building. Rose went to get their reservation.

"Hi, we have a reservation, under the name. Amethyst." Rose said. The woman smiled and looked it up.

"Oh, I see it, for eight thirty right?"

Rose nods her head. then they all sit in the seating area. Steven was talking with Lance, Lucas, and Kyle until Ameythest came.

Ameythest showed up a few minutes later, She wore a purple blouse and white jeans. Her hair was tied up in a bun with some strands sticking out.

"Hey, Ames!" Rose said, giving her friend a fist bump.

"Hey guys!"

Steven waved at her. Lance, Lucas, and Mikey went back to talking.

"Did you guys catch that new episode of Gorge Of The Jungle?" Steven asked. Talking about an episode they had seen last night in their hotel room.

"Yeah!"

They were called over and they were seated at a table.

Rose was looking over the menu.

"What are you going to eat, Steven?" She asked her son. Steven looks over the menu. He read the options and figured out what he wanted. "Can I get mushroom pizza?" Rose smiled and put a hand on his head.

"Sure you can." Steven smiled and just hugged her, Rose hugged him back.

"So, how was Pearl with you guys?" Amethyst asked. Rose sighed as she twirled her fork and put some spaghetti in her mouth.

"She's still trying to get Steven to move in with her to Los Angeles" Greg nodded.

"Well, she shouldn't do that! and, you were our leader, not her. She doesn't make the decisions. She doesn't have a child. Dude." Amethyst said, eating her food.

"Ugh, I know! I keep telling her but it's no use, it's like talking to a brick wall sometimes!" Greg said, Rose sighed in agreement.

Later, they were walking around Times Square with Ameythest. "Hey, Steven. I saw that video you did a month ago," she said, mentioning the song he did about if he was in the Crystal Gems. Steven smiles at that comment, he loved Ameythest as a little sister.

"Oh yeah! That video I'd made and my mom uploaded. It's just a little thing that they wanted to keep and preserve.

Ameythest nods as they keep walking.

Steven, Rose, Greg, Steven's friends, and their mothers went back to the hotel to go to bed for the drive and flight back to Delaware.

The next day, The valet brought Greg's van around. Greg and Rose put their suitcases in the back, Steven crawled in the back and they all headed back to Delaware. Greg started driving the three-hour trip back home.

Three hours passed and they made it to Delaware, they drove to Dewey Beach, rock music blasting through the speakers as they did. Rose was now driving, Greg looked out the passenger side window at tourists and locals walking. Greg rolled down the window, letting the smell of the salty air and the sand hit their noses.

"It's good to be back in Delaware, Let's see if Pearl didn't do anything to the house while we were gone," Greg said.

"She left yesterday," Rose said, keeping her eyes fixed on the road.

"What, when?"

"Last night. She texted me before we were going to bed." she saw the beach come up, Rose parked their van and all three of them stepped out. Steven stretched and they all went up the stairs, Rose got the house key and unlocked the door.

Rose and Greg put their bag in their room and started unpacking all their stuff. Steven walked to the wrap-around pouch walked on the railing and looked at all the people in the water and playing in the sand. He was too short now to lean on it, but he could look through the wooden bars.

A few minutes pass and Greg walks outside and sits on the wooden patio floor with his son, cross-legged. Steven saw Greg, he walked up to his father and sat in his lap.

"What's up, bud?" he asked.

"I thought you and mom were unpacking?"

"We finished."

"That fast?" he asked.

Greg nods. "Well, it was two days, little dude." Greg smiles at him, Steven hugs his father.

"YOU LIED TO ME!" Steven said. Rose jolted back a little bit, they were now home in Beverly Hills, Steven, and the other actors were done filming for "A Single Pale Rose" And Steven did not take it well after shooting for the episode.

It got so bad when they finished shooting. Steven returned home to Beverley Hills and locked himself in the music room. Greg was trying to calm him down but it wasn't working.

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!" Steven screamed back, he was red in the face, and tears were streaming down his cheeks. His dad was trying to calm him down but nothing was working.

"Steven—"

"SAVE IT, PINK!" Greg was silent the whole time. Steven didn't know what to do at the moment. He couldn't even look at the person who was his mother. Now, she was nothing to him. Steven clenched his shirt to where his gem was located, he glared at his mother ran upstairs, and slammed his bedroom door.

"Steven wait—" Greg said, sighing. He hugs his wife while tears form in her eyes.

"He'll come around eventually," Greg told her. Rose nodded and exhaled.

Rose jolted awake, her breathing was shaky and her hands shook. She doesn't want to tell Steven that she is a different person and she has done horrible stuff to her friends and comrades in the past, but now, that was over and it was in the past. Greg rolled over and sat up.

"Rose?"

Chapter Text

"Rose?" Greg looked at his wife who was still shaking, Rose looked at him and then covered her face with her hands. Rose didn't want to face her husband like this… Not after all the stuff she has done in her past.

"Rose… Please, look at me. What's wrong?" Greg said, touching her hand with his. Rose pulled away, and Greg was concerned.

This isn't like her… I'm worried…

Rose looked at her husband. "D-Do you love me for me?"

Greg was confused by this, he combed his fingers through her hair, which was naturally very soft. "Yes! yes I do, why are you talking like this?" he asked. Rose brought her knees to her chest. She looked at her wedding ring, Rose was wondering why this man chose her. Was it because he felt bad for her, for what she did?

Innocent gems were getting shattered because of her, and this was before they met each other.

Rose looked at him, she wasn't thinking. Greg saw her slip off her wedding and engagement rings, Rose put them in his hand.

"R-Rose?" his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach as he thought the worst.

Rose stood up, Greg could just sit there, she grabbed some clothes and changed into a pair of pink shorts and a white t-shirt, she put on her Converse and opened one of the double doors to their master bedroom.

She was walking now. She took a cab to Washington Delaware. Rose found a 24-hour Taco Bell and walked inside.

"Welcome to Taco Bell, how may I help you?" the woman asked at the front desk. She ordered her food and used her card to pay for it.

"Here's your cup, Ma'am." she went to go fill it up with soda and drank it. She got her burritos and sat down to eat them. She looked at her phone, which said 3:45. Rose sighed, put her phone down, and continued eating.

I can't go back… Does this mean That was done? no, no. I'm just taking a break. Just a break… Rose sighed and continued eating her burrito. Then she left.

Rose walked as she saw passing cars driving down the streets. She sighed, what did she do? She didn't mean to do that, she was stupid. But… What if Greg was mad at her for what she did? She couldn't face him now!

Rose just kept walking until the sun came up.

Greg was worried. His leg shook with nervous energy. The thought of his wife out in the streets of Delaware alone terrified him, what if she gets poofed, or worse…

Shattered.

He didn't want to think about that! his head was full of the worst possible stuff Rose could go through, but Greg had forgotten that she was the leader of the Crystal Gem Rebellion, she could take care of herself, he had nothing to worry about, right? Greg unclenched his fist and saw her wedding and engagement rings, still in his hand, he hadn't let go of them since she'd left six hours ago.

"Dad?" Steven asked. Greg looked at his son, Steven had a hand of Pokémon cards. He and his father were playing Pokémon together. Greg shook his head.

"Oh. Sorry, Schtu-ball, I guess I zoned out."Greg sighed and put his wife's rings in his pocket for safekeeping. Steven noticed that his mother was still asleep.

"Dad? Is mom okay? Is she sick?" he asked, looking at the double doors to his parents' room closed, he thought that Rose was in there. Greg smiled nervously at his son and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Um…Yeah, she's okay."

Steven could only nod, pushing the worries of his mother aside. He decided to play a game of Pokémon with his father.

Steven held a GameCube controller in his hands and so did Greg. They were playing Super Smash Bros Brawl. The door opened, and Rose walked inside.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to get soda. Steven, do you want a soda?" he nodded and paused the game, Greg walked downstairs and froze when he saw his wife standing by the door.

"Rose?" Greg asked. Rose stood there and looked at her husband.

"Hey…" Greg said, walking towards her and putting his hand in hers. "Are you okay? you were gone for a few hours." Rose looked at him and finally spoke.

"Yes, Greg…" she said. Then she looks at her son. "Can we talk outside? I don't want Steven to hear this." They walked outside, Rose sat on a chair, and Greg sat next to her. Rose took his hands and looked into his eyes.

"i… I had a dream last night that Steven found out that I was Pink Diamond." Greg looks at her, he knew about the Pink Diamond stuff and how she found the beauty of this planet and made the decision not to colonize Earth for the Homeworld Gems and gems alike who were made here. Greg opened his mouth to say something, but he found no words.

"Greg?" she said.

Greg shook his head of all of the negative thoughts, he closed his eyes, and exhaled. He opens his eyes and smiles at her.

"Rose… It's all in the past now, right? w-we can—"

"Greg, just face it. I messed up, I should've told you twenty-one years ago… But… It was twenty-one years too late. if you want to file for divorce, you should probably start."

Greg swore that he felt his heart stop beating. Divorce? what is she talking about? Greg grabbed her shoulders softly and kissed her passionately. Rose was caught by surprise and kissed him back, when Greg pulled away, Rose's eyes filled with tears.

"Rose?"

"I-I'm sorry, Greg… I know I'm a horrible person. Or gem, it doesn't matter…."

"Everything's in the past now… It's okay. I've done some messed up stuff in my life too. I hung out with the wrong people. Thankfully, I didn't get into any legal trouble. Welt to Delaware and met you and we decided to start a mini family of our own… Sure we could've waited for that before marriage but… Oh man, I messed up!"

"Hey," Rose said. "Like you said, everything is in the past now. And we have an amazing son to show for it." Rose said. Greg nods. He went into his pocket and got down on one knee, holding both rings in between his fingers.

"Rose Quartz Universe. Will you ride this out with me?"Greg asked. Rose stared at him in shock he was… Proposing Again? kind of?

Rose nodded "Yes…" she said, tears running down her cheeks, Greg slipped her rings on her finger. Rose wrapped him up in her arms and kissed him passionately.

Chapter Text

July 14, 2008

Steven was at Lucas' house, it was the last time that they were going to see each other, well. When Steven visits in August. The boy watched as the movers and his parents were carrying boxes to the moving truck.

Lucas walked towards Steven with a sad expression on his face. He was also sad, he and Steven had been un, and now. They were going to be separated from each other. But… Steven was happy for his dad. He broke the silence. "Did you find out where your dad works, like for what show?" he asked.

Lucas looked at the pavement, then back at Steven. He doesn't know, maybe his father had told him but he forgot. Steven hugs his friend, and Lucas hugs him back. They didn't want to let go. Steven then let go and looked at his mom

"Hey, baby," Jasmine said in a motherly voice. "When you guys get to Los Angeles. Could you stop by our house? I sent the address to your parents." she said. Steven nods sadly.

"I'll miss you guys…" Steven said.

"I know you will, baby. But you will be in LA next month. For your birthday, won't you?" Jasmine asked. Steven nodded and looked at the movers.

"Alright, Mr and Mrs. Carmichael. You're all set, we'll drive the truck to your new house up in Los Angeles." the first man said.

"Thank you, Lance. Rigby." Chris thanked the movers. Then, Rose drove up and rolled down the window.

"Hi. Chris, Jasmine!" Rose said waving. Jasmine walked over to her.

"Jasmine! Have you seen Dia—Never mind. I found her, she was in the house!"

Rose looked at her friend and sighed while she held the wheel. "Well. This is it… You're moving out of Delaware." she said.

"I know… But, Chris had to take this opportunity."

"What show is he working for?"

"The Garfield Show, he's working as a props designer."

"Oh, I heard Jim Davis is the creator of the show," she said.

"I know! It's so cool! I want to meet Garfield!" Jasmine told her excitedly.

"And Lucas wants to meet the other characters at the Cartoon Network lot."

"If he meets the PowerPuff Girls, ask him to take a picture with them! I can meet them next month when we go to LA." Jasmine smiled and nods.

"I think that won't be a problem. I can do that." Jasmine said, Rose stepped out of the van and hugged her.

"We are going to miss you, Jazz. Good luck out there in Los Angeles, we'll visit soon," she said.

Jasmine smiled and nodded. "Okay, we have to get going…."

"Call me when you get to LA!" she said, as she saw a taxi pull up. Jasmine and Chris went in. Lucas was hugging Steven.

"Oh, yeah, Steven. I want to give you something." Lucas pulls it out of his pocket.

He pulls out a colorful braided bracelet, it is uniquely crafted with vibrant colors. This bracelet features letter beads that spell out Lucas' name and in between his name are two yellow stars at the start and end.

The bracelet appears to be handcrafted with care, showcasing attention to detail in color coordination and bead placement. The overall aesthetic is vibrant and personalized, making the bracelet unique and meaningful.

Steven hugged him and showed his mom so she could tie it for him. "Mom! look what Lucas gave me!"

Rose gasped and looked at it with stars in her eyes.

"That's beautiful, Steven!" Rose smiled, and she helped him put it on. Steven got into the van and they drove off, Steven looked behind him as tears welled up in his eyes, he wiped them with the back of his hand, sat forward, and sighed.

"Do you want to go for ice cream?" Rose asked, Steven nodded. Rose knew that his son wasn't okay. Maybe this will make him feel better, she thought to herself.

They drove to the ice cream store and went in. Rose walked up, Steven was standing near her leg. She knelt at his level.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"Strawberry and Reecee's," he said, already knowing what he wanted. Rose nods and orders for both of them. Steven got his ice cream and sat next to his mom.

"Thanks for doing this, Mom. I hope this will make me feel better."

"Steven… We are going to California for your birthday." Rose said. Steven smiled and nodded.

"Can we go a week early, I want to see everyone." Rose smiled and nodded. "We can, I can talk to your dad about it too." Steven hugs his mother. Rose hugs him back. He smells his mom's perfume that she wore.

Rose opened the door to the beach house, and Steven followed behind her. Greg sat on the couch, strumming his electric guitar, he wore a pair of cargo shorts and his work shirt that was tie-dye and said 'The House Of Guitars, inc.' with a curricular picture of the store.

"Hey, guys!" Greg said, Rose smiled and kissed her husband. He smiled and pulled away. "How was it?"

"Well, they left. Steven and I got ice cream to make him feel better. Oh yeah, Greg. I promised Seven that we could go to Los Angeles a week early so he can see Lucas."

"No problem, Rose." he had a smile on his face and they kissed each other.

Steven came down an hour later with his swimsuit on, he was going surfing. Rose put on sunblock on him, putting it on everywhere but his gem.

Steven grabbed his surfboard and went into the water. Greg and Rose both sat on the sand and watched his son surf.

Greg and Rose put their son to bed, Rose kissed him on the cheek and then went to their room.

They were in bed a few minutes later, Rose kissed Greg on the cheek.

"I love you, Greg."

"I love you too, Rose." they got under the covers and went to sleep.

The next day, Rose was texting Pearl that they were coming to LA on August eighth, instead of their original plan.

Greg sat by her as she did her thing.

"Okay, I texted her. I don't know if she is going to get it now. She's at work now."

Greg nods, Pearl tells him that she works as a high school teacher in LA. So, she won't get the text maybe at lunch.

Rose set her phone down and they went to the beach.

Steven was swimming on the beach, Greg was sitting on the sand and Rose was in the water with Steven. Steven was racing his mom in the salty water. Then Rose felt something in the water, Rose knew what that was. She grabbed Steven and pulled her son close to her as the water was being pulled.

"Mom? What's happening?" he asked.

"Oh. Don't worry about it, Steven. It's probably nothing."

"Rose, Steven!" Greg called out, He saw that the water from the shore was moving farther away from them.

"GUYS GET OUT OF THE WATER!" Greg yelled.

Rose got out, and Steven was trying to swim to safety, Rose ran out to get him but it was too late… The water was rising.

It was a tsunami.

It all happened so fast… It came crashing down, Causing Steven to hit his head on the sand and blackout.

"STEVEN!" Greg and Rose both screamed.

Chapter Text

"Steven!" Rose shook her son, and she began CPR on him, Greg had taught her when they were expecting Steven, and Rose decided to stay with them, she pushed down on his chest but not hard enough to break anything. "Come on Steven! please!"

Rose thought about all the horrible things that could happen, she saw something she did not want to see and pushed more.

"Steven! Please!" Rose begged, Greg watched his wife. He couldn't believe that he just witnessed that! "Oh my stars, come on!" she said, Then a pair of black eyes opened, and Steven coughed. Rose helps him sit up and pats him on the back softly.

"Oh, thank you!" Greg said, Running over to his son. Steven looked around and clung onto his mother then started sobbing as his whole body shook.

Rose hugs her son and rubs his back. Steven hugged her back, tears welled up in his eyes. Rose sat cross-legged and held him, Greg sat by them also, and he put a hand on Steven's hair.

Rose held him, Steven was still holding on to his mother for dear life, and she rubbed his back.

"Your okay… Your safe now…"

Steven was still hugging her, he started shaking.

Oh, my stars.

"Steven… are you okay?" Greg asked, Steven was now inside, sitting on the couch with a towel wrapped around his body, Rose and Greg sat in between him. Greg had a hand on his son's shoulder.

The half-human nods and looks at the floor. Rose took her hand and brushed her fingers through his curly hair, Steven sighed and looked outside the window, The grey clouds were fading out of sight.

"Steven? Are you okay?" Greg asked.

He sighed and looked at his parents. "Yeah… I'm alright… I… I still can't believe that happened."

"Hey," Rose said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Things happen, Steven. It's not your fault. It's mother nature."

"I'm scared… What if that happens again?" he asked.

"It's not going to happen again, that's rare for this state to have," Greg reassured his son, Steven nodded. He believed him, he wanted to believe him. But, the other part of him didn't, Steven felt his hands shaking. Greg hugs him. Rose hugged his son also.

"It's going to be okay, Steven…"

"Hey… Maybe I need a change of scenery. Can we maybe go to LA tomorrow instead of Agust? We can stay there for six weeks, instead of two." Greg and Rose looked at each other.

"Please?" Steven asked them.

"Alright, we can do that. And we can stay with a friend instead of finding a hotel." Greg said. Steven smiled and hugged his parents.

"Thank you!" Rose kissed his forehead. Steven laughed and smiled.

Greg was on the Delta Airlines website, he was now ordering the tickets for the flight tomorrow. It was his lucky day, he found three tickets for Tomorrow at six AM. So they would have to wake up an hour earlier to get to the airport.

Rose walked into their room, and Greg closed his computer. "There, all set. Let's start packing," he said getting up and pulling out a suitcase.

Greg, Rose, and Steven were all driving to a restaurant that night. Steven was excited to go to Los Angeles and see everyone for a month, Steven was excited for this trip.

"Mom, do your parents still live in that huge house up in Hollywood Hills?" Steven asked, Rose giggled.

"Yes, Steven they do." Greg smiled.

Steven grins, he is excited about this trip. Very excited, they stop at a Chipoltle, Steven had never been there before. Even Greg and Rose hadn't been here before, they passed by it and they wanted to try it. He parked and they got out and walked into the building, it was packed with people. Steven, Greg, and Rose waited in line, Steven looked at his mom, they were the only family that stood out because of his mother's height.

Greg let her go first.

"Hi, welcome to Chip—" The man looked up in shock at the tall woman with lots of pink hair, she towered above the protective glass so people wouldn't contaminate the food.

"Wow… You're tall," he said, Rose flipped her hair to the side and smiled.

"Can I get a burrito?"

The man complied as he warmed up the tortilla and put a piece of tinfoil on the metal table. "I'll take that beef stuff, Salsa, corn and cheese."

Steven ordered his next "I'll have a bowl with rice, beef, salsa, corn, and cheese." The woman closed it up and Greg went next, Once he was done, they all paid for their meals and sat down to eat them, Steven looked at the friendship bracelet with his friend's name on it and smiled again, knowing that he would see him again.

Sure, it's been less than two days, but they've missed each other a lot and wanted to see each other, Jasmine did send the address to his mom and dad. So, they can see each other. Steven couldn't contain his excitement for tomorrow.

Rose was driving her husband's van back to the beach house. Greg was sitting in the front seat, and You And Me by Lifehouse played on the speakers.

"Remember this song from our wedding, Rose?" Greg asked, holding his wife's hand. Rose stopped at a red light and smiled. "I do, it was the happiest night of my life."

Greg smiled. "Mine too, Rose. I'm just so happy to have you with me."

They made it back home. Greg, Rose, and Steven all went inside. Rose went to Steven''s room to get some clothes for him for the trip.

"Mom, can I take my Pokémon shirt?"

"Which one? The Pikachu or the Eevee?"

"Could I take both?" he asked, Rose smiled and took them out of his closet, Rose took out a pair of Jordan's then went to her room and packed them into her suitcase.

Steven plugged in his phone for the trip tomorrow. He got under the covers and went to bed.

"Greg, you're done packing?" Rose asked. Greg nodded and closed up his suitcase and zipped it up, Rose got her and Steven's suitcase off the bed and she went and put it by the door, Greg did the same to his suitcase.

they went to bed and kissed each other.

"I love you, Rose."

"I love you too Greg. Do you have your alarm set?" she asked.

Greg went on his phone and set his phone to five AM. then he set it down, wrapped his arms around his wife and both went to sleep.

Chapter Text

July 15, 2008

"Steven…" Rose poked him. Steven opened his eyes, sat up, and stretched.

"Are we going on the trip?" he asked. Rose smiled and nodded.

Steven got up and went to his closet and pulled out a red star shirt and a pair of shorts. Rose walked out of his room so she can get dressed, she walked back into her and Greg's room, Greg was already dressed and he was looking at himself in the mirror with a hairbrush in his hand.

"Steven is getting dressed," she told her husband. Greg looked at the reflection of the full-length mirror in their bedroom and saw Rose.

Greg walked to her, smiled, and hugged her. "What's up?" Rose asked.

"Nothing…" Rose smiled and giggled.

"Finish getting dressed, ya goof." Greg nodded and finished brushing his hair, he grabbed his Vans and a pair of socks and then slipped them on.

"Should I wear my Vans too?"

"I'm not in control. It's your decision." Rose nods and puts her pink and white checkered Vans on.

She looked at her phone and saw a text from Pearl saying that she had the spare bedroom set up. Rose sighed to herself, she had to remind her that they were staying with Garnet.

Rose texted her that, Greg put on his Vector The Crocodile beanie on his head and put some of his hair on his shoulders. "How do I look?"

"You look good," Rose said, putting her Amy Rose beanie on, Greg smiled and kissed his wife on the cheek. Then, she walked out of the room to see how Steven was doing.

"Oh, Steven, you all dressed." he nodded and kept playing on his Nintendo DS. He wore one of his red star t-shirts, shorts, his flip flops and his Sonic The Hedgehog beanie was atop his head.

Steven only nodded and continued playing his DS. Rose sat next to him and went on her phone to play Angry Birds while she waited for Greg.

Greg walked out carrying a backpack that contained his laptop and charger.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Greg asked, looking at his wife and son.

"Yeah!" Steven cheered in excitement.

Rose giggles a little bit, they grab their suitcases and go out the door, Greg locks the door to the beach house and goes to the van to put the suitcases in the back.

Rose got in the passenger seat and Steven sat in the back. Steven looked at his bracelet and smiled:

I'm coming, Lucas…

Greg started his van, the they went to Washington Airport.

Rose is playing Angry Birds on her phone and Steven is looking out the window.

When they made it to the airport, they stepped out, Greg and Rose grabbed everything and then went inside, Greg took their passports and pre-ordered tickets out of his backpack. he checked them in, Rose and Steven stood to the side, Steven stood on the metal poll at the bottom of the baggage claim.

Greg set the suitcases down so they could be weighed. Steven went on his phone to play Angry Birds.

A few minutes pass and they were now walking to TSA, Greg, Rose, and Steven had some problems in the past with them, and poking around at Steven and Rose's gems — to say the least, was uncomfortable for both of them. Especially for Rose because well - she's made of light, so…

Steven won't be a big problem because he's half gem and half human, the worst thing that their going to do is ask him to lift his shirt.

Rose took off her shoes and her ring and put them in the tray. Steven took off his beanie Greg and Rose did the same as well.

They went through the metal doctors, stopped both Steven and Rose, and took them to the side.

"Could you lift your shirt for me?" the woman asked. Steven looked at his mother, full of discomfort, Rose nodded to him, signaling that it would be over quickly.

Steven sighed and lifted his shirt, The woman saw the massive pink gemstone in replace of his navel. "Uhhh, could you please remove the piercing?"

"It's real, If I remove this I can… Pass on." Steven said, getting more uncomfortable with this conversation. The woman looked at her co-worker who was attending to Rose who shrugged his shoulders.

"Okay, you two can go right on through," he said, Steven and Rose went on through. Rose grabs her stuff and puts them on her.

She slipped on his wedding and engagement rings, Greg grabbed his wedding ring and put it on his finger.

"Ugh, that was so awkward…" Steven said, shuddering. Rose agrees with her son on that one. Greg, Rose, and Steven all went to their gate and sat down. The sun was not up yet, Rose went on her phone and the time read 5:56 AM. Rose looked outside and saw the runway lights.

Rose went on her phone and played Angry Birds once again. Greg sat by her, he saw his son leaning on his arm.

"You alright?" Greg asked, putting an arm around his shoulders. Steven nodded and yawned.

"I'm a little bit tired…"

"You can sleep on the plane, Steven."

"I know, Mom…" he said, closing his eyes. He was out. Rose looked at her phone again and it was almost six, she looked at her ticket, and boarding time was scheduled for six ten.

Fourteen minutes passed and they were now boarding the plane. Rose sat in her seat, Greg sat next to her and Steven sat on the aisle seat.

Steven lifted the middle armrest and leaned on his father.

The plane was boarded and they started the engines. Then, the pilot got on the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 4A7 with service from Washington, Delaware to Los Angeles, California We are ready for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately four minutes. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays be in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Delta Airlines. Enjoy your flight."

Then, the plane took off into the air, Rose looked out the window and looked at the clouds, She put her earbuds in and listened to some music on her phone.

Please don't stop the music, music, music

Please don't stop the music, music, music

Please don't stop the music, music, music

Please don't stop the music, music, music

The plane flew towards LA. Rose was excited to go back there to see everyone, Greg was uncomfortable seeing Pearl again since the last time she visited.

Hopefully, it will be better this time.

But, he did have family up in LA and Rose, so they could see their families when they were there. Rose looked at Greg, Greg had his earbuds in listening to his choice of music – probably rock or something, which she didn't have a problem with.

It's getting late, I'm making my way over to my favorite place

I gotta get my body moving, shake the stress away

I wasn't looking for nobody when you looked my way

Possible candidate, yeah

Who knew, that you'd be up in here looking like you do

You're makin' staying over here impossible

Baby, I'm a say your aura is incredible

If you don't have to go, don't

Rose went on her camera roll and decided to look at images from last year when they all visited Los Angeles. Rose saw herself and her friends having some sodas at a restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard. Rose swiped to another and it was her and Garnet taking a selfie with the legendary Bugs Bunny, and one with Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu sitting on his shoulder. Even some from Nickelodeon too such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star. Rose shut off her phone and drifted off into space.

Do you know what you started? I just came here to party

But now we're rockin' on the dance floor, actin' naughty

Your hands around my waist just let the music play

We're hand in hand, chest to chest, and now we're face to face

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music

DJ, let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music

DJ, let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

Baby, are you ready 'cause it's gettin' cold

Don't you feel the passion ready to explode?

What goes on between us no one has to know

This is a private show

Do you know what you started? I just came here to party

But now we're rockin' on the dance floor, actin' naughty

Your hands around my waist just let the music play

We're hand in hand, chest to chest, and now we're face to face

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music

DJ, let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music

DJ, let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music, music, music

Please don't stop the music, music, music

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music

DJ, let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music

DJ, let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music, music, music

Please don't stop the music, music, music, music, music, music, music

Three hours passed and the plane landed. Greg poked Steven lightly on the arm. "Steven?" Greg said in a gentle voice. Steven opened his eyes stretched and yawned.

"Are we here?"

The boy asked. Greg smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Where here, buddy."

"What time is it?" He asked, still groggy.

"It is three in the morning." Steven heard that correctly, he wasn't dreaming. Nor the plane's engines were affecting his hearing, he did hear that correctly.

"Did we time travel back three hours?" Rose went into settings and put her phone off Airplane Mode. She got a text from Garnet and texted her back if she was here yet.

A few minutes passed and they were out of the airport after getting their bags. Steven walked out and felt that it was cold, but not the same temptation as Deleware.

Then, a car pulled up, it was a luxurious black SUV with a sleek and polished exterior. The front grille stands out with prominent chrome highlights, adding to its stylish look. In the middle of the grille was the white and blue California license plate, The vehicle is equipped with tinted windows, large and fashionable alloy wheels, and a roof rack visible on the top. The overall design suggests a modern and upscale vehicle, perfect for someone looking for both elegance and functionality. Although specific branding or logos are not visible in this image, the overall appearance hints at a high-end, luxury.

Ja Rule was blasting through the speakers of her car. The door opened, and they saw a pair of High-top Jordans hit the pavement.

Rose couldn't contain her excitement. Once she saw her. She wrapped her arms around her and picked her up.

"Hey, Rose," Garnet said, setting her down. Rose smiled and punched her lightly in the arm.

"Hey, Garnet."Greg waves.

"What's up?"

"Steven!" She picked up the boy and held him up. Steven smiled and laughed. Garnet smiled and set him down.

"Okay, Let's put your bags in the back and go to my house," she said, Rose and Greg nodded and put their bags in the trunk, Rose sat in the front as they drove back to her house which was an hour's drive from here.

An hour passed, and Greg and Rose saw a spacious two-story house designed in a Mediterranean style. It features a beige exterior complemented by a striking red-tiled roof. The front yard is impeccably manicured, boasting lush green grass, various shrubs, and an assortment of colorful flowering plants. A large, beautifully pruned tree and multiple smaller plants contribute to the picturesque landscaping.

The house is accented by a wide driveway that gently slopes upwards towards a three-car garage with white doors. Situated within a serene residential neighborhood, the scene exudes tranquility and harmony. Palm trees line the perimeter of the property, enhancing its tropical appeal.

Garnet parks her car, kills the engine, and steps out. Greg saw a basketball hoop sitting at the end of the driveway as well as a bike.

"I didn't know you ride a bike," Rose said, taking Steven who fell asleep in the backseat.

"I do, but that is Ameythest's bike."

"Ameythest is here?" Greg asked.

"No, she left her bike here."They both nod, Garnet sticks the key inside the lock and unlocks the door, she opens the lights sets her keys down, and takes off her jacket.

"It's cold out." Greg shivered.

"Greg, the temperature does drop here at night. We lived here our whole lives. Good thing Steven's wearing a jacket when we went to the airport." Rose said.

"Good thing too, because he would not get used to the temperature here, if we moved here and lived here for let's say… Three years he will get used to it." Rose said.

"Where are our rooms?" Greg asked her.

"Oh, come on," she said, they carried their bags to their rooms, and Rose carried Steven to his room. Rose set Steven on the bed, took off his flip-flops, and covered him up. She kissed him on the cheek and walked out of the room.

"He's out like a light," Rose said, Greg went into bed too. They all got some sleep.

Chapter Text

"Mom, Dad! can I go to the arcade?" a voice asked them.

Steven saw an arcade across the boardwalk in Santa Monica Pier. He, Garnet, Rose, and Greg were all at the pier. Rose and Greg both nod and they let him go, Steven opens the door and walked in, Greg walks in after him so he can hand him cash for a game card. The boy gives the woman the money and she hands him his game card.

"Thank you," he said. Steven started playing games, he played Ski Ball, as two human-like animals walked up, Steven looked at them

The man–or animal. is a six-foot-tall, skinny, and anthropomorphic Blue jay. The upper portion of his head, wings, tail feathers, and back are mostly blue, while the lower portion of his head and chest are white with a faint, blue line down the length of his chest. A thick, curved black marking is on each side of his head, around where his ears would be. Two white lines are found on both of his wings with two thinner, black lines on each of his fingers and one stripe on each of his thumbs, and three tail feathers, each with two black stripes. Mordecai's legs are gray with black stripes across the width and two toes. Like most blue jays, he has curved, crested blue feathers, or "hair", on his head.

The other male is a short, anthropomorphic raccoon with short, spiky hair. He has dark brown circles around his eyes which is a facial mask, like a normal raccoon would usually have. His body and hair are brown with small, darker brown lines to show the thickness of the fur. The underside of his snout, chest, and stomach, are gray. He also has a long tail with six dark brown stripes on it, and three pointed toes on both of his feet.

"Hi, what are your names?" Steven asked trying to be friendly with them.

"I'm Mordecai and this is my friend, Rigby. What's your name?"

"Steven." He said, extending his hand out, Mordecai took his hand and shook Steven's. Steven smiles. "Wanna play with us?" Rigby asked the boy.

"Yeah!" Steven chirped.

Mordecai, Rigby, and Steven all go to a racing simulator and they race in Mario Kart.

"I'll be Mario, Rigby. You can be Toad."

"Ughhhh! Your ALAWAYS Mario!" Rigby complained.

"Too bad!"

"Let's play punches for it!"

"No, Mordecai, you sent me to the hospital last month when we played at your house!"

"Because you're fragile and soft, like a baby, OHHHHH!"

"STOP TALKING!"

"Admit it, dude."

"MORDECAI!"

"What, dude? It's true, remember back in our dorm room?"

"Ughhhh, yes! And you still owe me a new PlayStation by the way!" Mordecai glared at his friend. He, Steven, and Rigby all played Mario Kart Arcade GP.

Rose was playing some of the arcade games as well. (she bought a game card for herself) and she was playing a shooter.

"Woah, you're good!" a boy said, walking up in her direction, Rose was focused on shooting the zombies in the game.

"Aw come on Mordecai, let's play again," Rigby said. Mordecai got up from the chair that he was sitting in and stretched. "Come on, dude. I beat you guys in ten races now. Let's do something else, why won't we let Steven decide."

"Ughhhh! finnnne, Steven what do you want to do?" Rigby asked sounding uninterested in what the boy would want to do." Mordecai punched him hard in the stomach. "Ah, owwwww!" Rigby groaned.

The blue jay glared at the raccoon. "Okay, fine! what do you want to do, Steven." Rigby said with more enthusiasm in his voice.

"Let's play Guitar Hero!"

"Aw, what! that's a two-player game!"

"Rigby! do you want to get punched again!"

"Fiiiiine!" he groaned as they approached the game. Guitar Hero Arcade. Steven grabbed the guitar, Mordecai grabbed the other one and put it on his body, he used his game card to skip it into the game so it could read it, Steven did the same and they went against each other.

"What song do you want to do, Steven?" he asked. Steven went down the list and found a song, Almost Easy Avenged Sevenfold, 2007.

"I love this song!" Steven said, with stars in his eyes. Mordecai pressed the green button and picked that one too. Steven chose hard mode and Mordecai also chose that.

"You can play on hard mode?" Rigby scoffed.

"Ignore him, he only knows easy mode."

"STOP TALKING!" Rigby screamed at his friend. Rigby pulls out his phone and sees a text from Eileen. She was parking.

"Mordecai, Eileen is parking with Margret, I'll tell them where we are."

He ignored him, Rigby scoffed got on all fours, and bolted for the doors of the arcade.

"Let's play," Steven said, raising his guitar and playing the song.

Meanwhile, Rigby saw a Red robin and mole enter.

Marget was an anthropomorphic robin in her early 20s. She has red and white feathers, with the lower portion of her head and the front of her body being white and her hair, arms, back, and tail feathers being red, with a brown, comma-shaped marking on each side of her head. She has a gray, curved beak, and long, skinny gray legs with two toes and skinny black stripes. She also has long eyelashes. Similar to Mordecai she has crested hair, albeit in a slightly longer and curved style.

Eileen is a 3'6" mole girl in her early 20s with tan fur. However, her appearance is very humanoid, excluding her toes and tail. She wears red round glasses and has two eyelashes on each of her eyes.

"Hey guys," Rigby said.

The raccoon saw them. "Hey, Rigby. where is Mordecai?" Margret asked him.

"Oh, he's playing Guitar Hero Arcade," he said walking with them to where Mordecai and Steven both were. Margret and Eileen saw their friend playing the arcade game with a small child, they guessed that he was about five years old.

When the song finished, they both got five stars. "OH YEAH!" Mordecai said as they high-fived each other. Steven smiled as they both turned and looked.

"Margret, hi!" Mordecai said, Steven took the guitar off and put it back in the stand.

"Hey!" Margret said hugging her friend.

"Who's this?" she asked.

"Hi, my name's Steven," he said.

"You're so cute!" Margret said, Eileen smiles. Steven smiles also "Thank you."

"Hey Steven, Is that your mom?" Margret asked staring at a large woman with large pink ringlet hair. Steven nods. "Well your mom is beautiful," she said. Steven smiled. Rose walked up.

"Steven, are-oh, hello."

"Hi." they all say at the same time.

"You're very beautiful," Margret said.

"Well, thank you."

Margret nods and all four of them leave.

"You ready to go, Steven?" Rose asked. Steven nods and they walk out of the arcade together to meet up with Garnet and Greg. They had ice cream cones in their hands.

"Can we get ice cream too, mom?" Steven asked. Rose nodded and walked over to the ice cream stand. Steven and Rose grabbed their ice cream and they walked back to Greg and Garnet. Greg got a text from someone. He took out his phone and saw the text:

Dad

Hey, Greg. I heard that you're in LA, why won't you come to the house for dinner tonight?

Greg opened the message and texted him back. They were coming to dinner at his parent's house.

Greg and Rose were changing. Rose wore a pair of pink jeans and a white crop top that showed her gem. Rose grabbed her shoes and put them on.

"You look beautiful, Rose," Greg said, walking up and hugging her from behind. Rose smiled and kissed her husband. Greg smiled.

"Even in high tops I'm shorter than you," Greg said, laughing.

"Oh yeah, you should see me in heels."

"Noted."

Greg checks himself once over, he wears a blue button-up shirt, a pair of black jeans, and white sneakers.

"Stars, you look amazing Greg."

"And you look stunning, Rose." He said, kissing her. Greg broke the kiss and walked out of the guest bedroom. "Steven?"

Greg knocks on Steven's door.

"Come in!" Steven said. Greg opens the door and sees his son slip his shirt over his head.

"Oh, you're getting dressed, I'll wait until you're done." Steven nodded and got dressed, Steven slipped on his vans and grabbed his black Pikachu hoodie. He opened the door and walked out of the room, he went to the living room and saw his father, sitting on the couch.

"You ready, Schtu-ball?" Steven nods.

"Yeah, where's mom?"

"She's coming." Steven saw his mother walk downstairs. Steven had stars in his eyes because of how pretty his mom looked.

"Mom, you look so pretty!" Steven said

"Thank you, Steven. you look handsome too," she said, holding her pink Eevee jacket on her arm. She also held a little black handbag. They stepped out of the house from the garage and got into their cab.

"Hey, mom. where is Garnet?" Steven asked, closing the door after struggling to get inside because of his height difference.

"She's out in Hollywood Boulevard with Pearl," Rose said, Greg nodded.

Greg gave the cab driver the address and they were off to Hollywood Hills.

Steven sees a modern, multi-level house with a sleek and contemporary architectural design. The house stands out with its large glass windows allowing abundant natural light and a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. Its flat roof enhances the modern aesthetic of the structure.

Surrounded by a lush, well-maintained garden, the property features various shrubs, trees, and well-manicured lawn areas. The outdoor space is designed to complement the luxurious feel of the house, offering a spacious pool and lounging area. This outdoor oasis contributes to the overall upscale and open ambiance of the property.

"Here's your stop, have a good night guys!" he said, driving off, Greg walked up to the door and knocked.

A woman opened the door and she saw Greg saw his mother standing in the house a young-looking individual with long, dark hair and light-colored eyes. Her gaze is direct, suggesting confidence and engagement. The neutral expression on her face could convey a sense of joy. once she saw her son, The soft, natural lighting enhanced her features, showcasing her beauty and creating a gentle, flattering effect. Additionally, her choice of a light-colored top could suggest a preference for simplicity or a desire to present a clean, polished look. The blurred background effectively isolates the woman.

"Oh my god, Greg, is that you? Tony!" The woman said, hugging her son.

A man walked out of the kitchen holding a pair of tongues in his hand. "What is it, Misty? The—"

The man that Steven saw has long, light-colored hair that extends beyond his shoulders. He sports a thick, full beard and mustache that matches the color of his hair. His eyes are described as striking and prominent, suggesting they stand out. The man is seen wearing a dark-colored top, adding to his rugged and stylish appearance. The neutral background emphasizes his face and hair. Overall, the man appears to have a captivating and rugged look enhanced by his facial features and style.

"Hey, Greg!" the man by the name of Tony said, giving his son a big hug. Greg hugs his father. Tony gasped and saw Steven.

"Oh my goodness, is that Steven Quartz Universe!" he asked picking the boy off the floor and holding him up like Simba. Steven smiles and laughs. Rose smiles then, Misty walks up and holds both of her hands.

"How are you? how's your business!"

"Unfortunately, I didn't get the loan, I'm trying to get a job in the city."

Misty was sad. "So your dream of owning a bakery fell flat."

"Yeah… They don't like 'my kind ' very much. Like what is that supposed to mean?! They don't have to be racist against me, or alien kind in general!"

"That has always been a thing forever. Don't beat yourself over it, honey." Rose nods. She read up about it one day.

"You're right, I have to keep trying."

Rose nods. They all sat on the couch, Tony walked up.

"Hey, Misty, could you help me?"

"With what, Tony?" Misty said, walking into the kitchen. Rose and Greg both looked at Steven, Steven was sitting on Rose's lap

"So. How are you guys?" Rose asked Greg's parents. She knew that they had been busy promoting their new album.

"Oh, you know here and there," Misty said. Steven looked around and found a guitar sitting on a stand.

"Hey, Dad?" Steven asked. Greg looked at Steven stood up and knelt to his level.

"What's up, Steven?"

"Is this your guitar?" he asked, Greg looked at the red and white electric guitar sitting on the stand and smiled/.

"No, that's my mom's."

"Can I see yours?" Steven asked, Greg smiled and nodded. They both went upstairs to a closed bedroom door.

Steven was surprised and had stars in his eyes as he saw his father's childhood bedroom. A modern and stylish room with a unique blend of elements and decor. The room is anchored by a bed featuring a black duvet with a striking red blanket draped over one side. At the foot of the bed lies a black-and-white striped rug, adding a touch of pattern and contrast to the space.

On one side of the bed, there is a blue ottoman, accompanied by a black amplifier and what seems to be a rolled-up poster or mat resting on top. Adjacent to this setup, a large wooden acoustic guitar hangs prominently on the wall, serving as a focal point and suggesting a passion for music within the room's inhabitants.

The walls of the room are adorned with shelves showcasing various items such as miniature skateboard memorabilia, books, and decorative pieces, adding personality and charm to the space. Two pennants, one above each window, contribute to the room's eclectic and personalized aesthetic.

A pop of color is introduced through a blue horizontal stripe running across the middle. Steven sees one of those giant TVs that they have in the beach house. He also saw that the floors were carpeted, and shelves of CDs and albums of vinyl records sat on his desk, Steven looked through the stack of vinyl records, he had everything, ranging from The Beatles to Elvis Presley.

"Woooah!" Steven said, picking one up and looking at it.

"Woah, careful with that kiddo," Greg said, walking over to see his son holding a record in his hands.

"This takes me back! The Beetles were my favorite band growing up!"

"Dad, when were you born again?"

"1972 why?"

"Oh, I thought you were born in the eighties."

"Well, if I was born then, I would've been seventeen when I met your mother, and I would've been twenty-two when we had you."

"Didn't you meet her at twenty-two?" Greg nodded.

"Oh, cool," he said. Greg nodded opened his closet and gasped.

"I found it!" he said, pulling out a long case, the case had stickers of all the shows he's played at. Steven looked at the case and saw that he'd played in Florida, he had never visited, he just wanted to for the theme parks in Orlando and that's it.

Steven looked as Greg undid the clips of the case, Steven saw an all-white electric guitar sitting inside.

"Wooooah!" Steven said as his father picked it up by the neck and showed it to him.

"It's awesome!" Steven said. Greg smiled and put his hand on his curly hair.

"You like it, little dude?" Steven nods, Greg has an idea. "How would you like to play it?"

"Wait… No way! I can play it?" Greg nods.

"Yeah, but you have to be careful with it," he told his son. Steven nods then they walked out of the room, Greg carried both the guitar and amplifier so Steven wouldn't drop it.

Greg walks downstairs, and Steven follows him. Tony and Misty look. Greg gave Steven his guitar when he sat on the couch, He plugged his guitar and amp and then turned it on.

Steven played a song called Open Your Heart by Crush 40. Greg and Rose sat and listened to his son play.

"Guys dinner's ready," Tony said. Greg removed the strap from his son's neck and set it on the couch for now. They all sat down to eat.

The trio went back to Garnet's house, maybe tomorrow they were going to go to the Hollywood Walk Of Fame with Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, they didn't know exactly what they were going to do yet, but they had some ideas about what they might do while they're here in California

Chapter Text

Rose and Greg were getting ready for a night out, they hadn't had one in almost a month. Garnet was going to watch their son while they went out in LA.

Garnet wanted to get Steven out of the house so they could do something. And that was what they were doing.

"Are you ready, Steven?"

Steven nods, grabs his jacket, and walks out the door with her. Steven went into her car. Garnet saw him struggling. "Do you need help?" she asked.

"No," he said, gripping the seat and getting into the back seat. Steven buckled himself in, Garnet pushed the door closed and got into the driver's seat.

"Thanks, Garnet!" he said, she smiled and started up her car, She and Steven were going to a restaurant together, and then they were going bowling in LA so, they wouldn't be cooped up in the house.

Garnet starts up her car and they drive out of Calabasas.

"This is nice. Greg." Rose said, looking into his blue eyes. Greg smiles and wraps his arms around his wife, they are sitting on the grass, overlooking Los Angeles, the city is beautiful as seen from afar. They both loved it here.

Greg felt someone lay on his lap. Rose had her head on him, he smiled as they enjoyed each other's company. "Hey, Greg…" Rose said, Greg looks at her.

"Yeah, Rose. Something on your mind?"

"No… Well, I don't know," she said, Greg was confused by this.

"Um, do you want to talk about it?"

"I… I feel bad still." Rose said Greg knew what she was talking about. He gave his wife a tight embrace.

"It's okay to feel bad, Rose. I'm here if you need support…" Greg put an arm around her and moved his hand up and down, rubbing her arm to make her feel better about the situation.

"I hope that's not going to happen again… That scared me, Rose." Rose nods and hugs her husband.

"I love you, you know that?" Greg said. Rose just nods. He kisses her on the lips, Rose smiles and hugs him.

"I love you too, Greg." he smiled as they went down to go back to Garnet's house.

They were in the back of the house, Garnet had a jacuzzi in the back, Both of them stepped inside.

"This is nice," Greg said. Rose leaned on his chest, and Greg perked up. Rose looked up at him. He stood up.

"I'll be right back," he said, plugging his phone into the audio jack connected to the speaker and turning it on, Greg picked out a song.

From the first chords of the acoustic guitar, she knew exactly what this song was. Greg went back in, Rose laid her head back on his chest, They listened to the song. But, Greg began to sing.

"What day is it

And in what month?

This clock never seemed so alive

I can't keep up, and I can't back down

I've been losing so much time

'Cause it's you and me

And all of the people with nothing to do

Nothing to lose

And it's you and me

And all of the people

And I don't know why

I can't keep my eyes off of you."

Greg looked into his wife's eyes as he sang, Rose had stars in her big black eyes and he smiled as he continued, not thinking of anything else at that moment. She was lost in his voice.

"What are the things that I want to say

Just aren't coming out right?

I'm tripping on words

You got my head spinning

I don't know where to go from here

'Cause it's you and me

And all of the people with nothing to do

Nothing to prove

And it's you and me

And all of the people

And I don't know why

I can't keep my eyes off of you

There's something about you now

That I can't quite figure out

Everything she does is beautiful

Everything she does is right

'Cause it's you and me

And all of the people with nothing to do

Nothing to lose

And it's you and me and all of the people

And I don't know why

I can't keep my eyes off of you and me

And all of the people with nothing to do

Nothing to prove

And it's you and me and all of the people

And I don't know why

I can't keep my eyes off of you

What day is it?

And in what month?

This clock never seemed so alive"

Rose and Greg both kissed passionately. Greg smiled as he put a hand in Rose's hand and they continued.

Rose broke it and smiled. "I love you…" Rose smiled. Greg smiled back and looked into her eyes again lovingly, He took his hand and combed his fingers through her already soaking wet hair. Greg kissed her cheek.

Rose smiled and brought her hand to his cheek "You're so pretty, Mrs Quartz Universe…"

"And you're handsome, Mr. Universe." she giggled then, Greg laid his head on her chest. Rose giggles and smiles, looking at the darkness currently surrounding the house

"It looks prettier during the day," Greg said, Rose nodded in agreement.

"Yeah…" she said, kissing her husband again. Greg put his hands softly on her shoulders. Rose put her hands on his sides, the man smiled and put his fingers in her hair again.

Rose puts some of his hair behind his ears, seeing his placings. "You look so handsome with your piercings, Greg."

He chuckled. "And you're so so pretty. I love everything about you. And we have an amazing son."

"We do…" Rose said, kissing him again.

They were in the living room, watching a movie. They were watching The Lion King on a Disney DVD.

Rose watched the part where Muffassa fell off the cliff and Simba was screaming for his dad to get up. Greg noticed and he saw her crying, he paused the movie. No words were exchanged, he hugged her and rubbed her back, he knew that that certain scene always made her and Steven cry.

a long silence was in the air. Greg pulled away and gave her a nod, signifying that she was okay. Rose nodded back. He unpaused the movie, Rose leaned on her husband as they both watched the movie.

Garnet and Steven arrive home a few minutes later. Garnet was carrying Steven in her arms, the seven-year-old was out like a light.

Rose was asleep on Greg's lap, He was watching Nickelodeon. The male human gave a note to Garnet, Garnet nodded back and went upstairs to put the half-boy to bed.

Greg turned to his wife and shook her awake. "Rose," he whispered. She groans and opened her eyes.

"Yeah?" she yawned.

"Let's go up," he said. Rose sat up and stretched out, She got up and they both walked upstairs and got ready for bed.

Chapter Text

"Okay, Jasmine. I'll see you at two. And I'll make sure to bring Steven along." Rose said she had her phone on speaker.

It was a nice day in Los Angeles. Rose wanted to have a day out with his son, just the two of them, then. Jasmine called her asking if they could come over for lunch, the boys hadn't seen each other since they left a few weeks prior.

Steven was going to be so excited to see his friend again.

Rose thought that reconnecting with him would be a good idea for both of them, and she could hang out with Jasmine in the process. Maybe even take the boys to the mall or the movies at the end of the week.

Steven felt lonely since Lucas left, and going to California after the incident that happened a few days ago helped tremendously with that. Plus, Steen wants to see his friends and family who all live down here.

Rose hung up the phone after speaking with Jasmine, she walked inside. Steven was on his Nintendo DS, sitting on the couch, he was playing Super Mario Bros. Rose sat by her son.

Steven looks at his mother and pauses the game. he hugged his mom. Rose smiled and hugged him back and kissed his cheek.

"Guess who I was on the phone with," Rose said.

Steven hummed in thought.

"Jasmine?"

"How'd you know?" she asked. Steven smiles. "Because I'm smart."

"You are a smart little man," she said, kissing his hair. Steven giggled, and Rose smiled. She always loved his laugh. Well, they both have the same laugh.

Rose smiled, then Greg walked downstairs wearing a pair of basketball shorts, He walked up to his wife and son and kissed them both on the head.

"Where are you going, Greg?" Rose asked.

"Rollerblading in Santa Monica Pier. What are you doing today?"

"We're going to Jasmine's new house today, Steven wants to see Lucas, so why not?"

"Maybe tomorrow we can go down to the movie lot and take a tour also." his father said. Steven smiled, he had stars in his eyes and he hugged his dad.

"YES! THANK YOU!" he said, not letting go.

"I'm not sure, Schtu-ball we have to see," Greg said. Steven nods. Then his father walked out the door and went to Santa Monica.

Rose looked at Steven, She got up and Steven stayed there.

"Wait, mom. Aren't we going?" Steven asked. "Yeah, we're going, I want to ask Garnet if I can borrow her car," she said.

Steven nodded and waited for his mom. He opened his DS and played more Mario. Steven closed his DS and went upstairs to his temporary room, grabbed his Sonic beanie, and put it on his head. Rose walked downstairs and they were ready to go. Rose had the keys to Garnet's Lincoln Navigator and they went out the door in the California sun. Rose opened the back door for Steven.

"Do you need help, Steven?" his mother asked.

"No, I'm fine," he said, finally getting into the car and closing the door. Steven put his seatbelt on and they went to Beverley Hills.

Steven and Rose both see a luxurious two-story house with an elegant and grand design. Constructed with light-colored materials like stone or stucco, the exterior exudes sophistication. The symmetrical layout of the house is notable, featuring a central arched doorway flanked by tall windows on each side, all adorned with protective ironwork. The second floor boasts additional windows, some with decorative shutters.

Warm lighting illuminates the house, accentuating its architectural beauty. The carefully landscaped front yard includes large trees, neatly trimmed hedges, and flowerbeds, enhancing the property's curb appeal. Enclosed by a wrought-iron fence with stone pillars, the house is accessed via a walkway from the street, creating an inviting and prestigious ambiance characteristic of an upscale residential neighborhood.

With stars in both their eyes, Steven and Rose walked up to the door and Rose knocked. A woman opened it.

"Jasmine!" Rose said, hugging her. Steven gasped as he saw their cat. He ran towards their cat and petted him.

"Hi, Diamond!" he pets her soft fur. Steven smiled and stopped, then he went up the stairs and saw a door, the door was open, and Lucas was inside.

Steven looked at the room and saw a flat-screen TV, and his Nintendo Wii on a black TV stand.

Lucas was drawing at his desk, Steven tapped him on the shoulder. Lucas turned around and hugged the half-human boy.

Lucas smiled and Steven hugged him back. "Well, Isn't it Steven Quartz Universe!" he said. Steven smiles and hugs him.

"I missed you! how's LA so far?"

"It's amazing! and my dad is getting the job next month!"

"Too bad that he won't be on TV though, my dream is to be on TV, or have my show."

"Awesome! When you do have your show, let's always be friends!" Lucas said. Steven smiled and nodded. They played video games for a few hours.

Rose knocks on Lucas' door. "Hey, Lucas, Steven, you wanna go to the park?" They nod and run out with Steven's mother.

Steven, Rose, Jasmine, and Rose all go into the car and go to a park in Los Angeles so they can play.

Rose had a basketball in her hands that she'd borrowed from Garnet, Steven and Lucas were going to ride bikes, and Lucas had a spare bike so Steven could ride also.

The park was coming up, Steven smiled and they both went to play. Steven went on his bike, Lucas and Steven got on their bikes and they rode, Jasmine sat on the bench to read her book.

Rose walks to the basketball courts where a bunch of men are playing a game together. Rose put her hair up in a hair tie walked onto the court and started shooting.

Rose was shooting threes, Steven walked to where his mother was, sat on the bench, and watched her shoot basket after basket.

Steven watched his mother, he wished he could play with her, why not just ask? Steven walked up to his mother, Rose looked and saw his son.

"Hey, Steven," she said. Steven smiled. "Can I play?" Rose nodded and gave the ball to her son. Steven tried to shoot it but failed. Steven tried to shoot it again but he still failed every time.

"I'm still too short! when am I going to grow, this is dumb, I can't do anything," he said.

"Steven," Rose said, kneeling to his level and putting her arms on his shoulders. "You can do anything, you are an amazing human being." Steven looked at her.

"But I'm not human…" When Rose heard that, it shattered her. Then, she took his hands into her own.

"Steven… I don't care if you are not human, I don't care if you are from space or a different country. You my son, Steven and I love you so much…." Rose paused, then continued. "Do you understand me? I don't want you talking like that about yourself ever again. Just, stop talking down to yourself." Rose took her hand and cupped her son's cheek. "All you need is confidence. you are an amazing person Steven. You can play guitar very well. You are a pretty fast learner in general. Tell you what, when we head back. We can buy a mini basketball hoop for the house."

Steven hugs her, Rose hugs him back and kisses his head, she ruffles his curly hair, and Steven giggles. Rose smiled and stood up, Steven walked off the court so Rose could keep shooting around.

Lucas and Steven were both swinging on the swings. "Hey, Steven. let's see who can swing the highest!" his friend said, Steven and Lucas both swung as high as they could, Steven screamed in joy and he laughed. Lucas smiled, he was having so much fun with Steven. He noticed that Steven still had the bracelet that said his name, and Lucas' braclet sat on his wrist too. Both of them stop swinging and they play on the monkey bars.

Steven, Rose, Jasmine, and Lucas were going to a restaurant together. They were sitting. Steven was eating some spicy chicken tenders, Lucas got a burger, Rose also got a burger and fries, and Jasmine got a salad.

Steven and Lucas had finished eating and they were talking now. "So, your dad is going to be working next month?"

"Yeah, that's when my dad's starting at the Cartoon Network movie lot." Steven nods.

"Cool!" he said. "Hopefully I get to see all the actors, I hadn't seen any of them yet," Steven said.

"Maybe in the future or even as early as tomorrow. I met Sonic The Hedgehog once."

"NO WAY! WHEN?" Steven asked.

"Last week, he was so nice. I got his autograph," he said.

"Can I see it when we go back to your house?"

"Yeah!" he said.

They all went back to the house, Steven and Lucas went to his room and he pointed to a framed picture of the blue blur and a blue-colored messy scrawl across the bottom of his picture of him and Tails.

"Wooooowwww!" Steven said as stars were in his eyes as he saw his favorite video game character's signature. Steven saw Sonic's picture also. Lucas smiled as he saw the signed picture of Sonic The Hedgehog

"Steven! Come downstairs I want to tell you something." Steven walked downstairs with Lucas, both boys went downstairs and towards the kitchen where Rose called him.

"Yeah, mom?" Steven asked.

"Do you boys want to have a sleepover?"

"YES!" Lucas and Steven both said, Steven hugged his mother's legs.

"Thanks, Mom!" Rose smiled and kissed his head.

"I'll bring a bag for you when I go back to Garnet's."

"Thanks, mom!" he said, hugging her again. Rose kissed her son on the cheek, Steven saw Diamond jump up on the counter, and she rubbed up against Steven's arm.

Steven smiled, he got up on a bar stool and petted her. Rose looked at her son and smiled, then she kissed his head.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to pack a bag for you then come back." she said. Steven hugs her again. "Thanks, mom! I love you." Rose smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you too, Steven," she said, walking out the door

Chapter Text

Steven and Lucas were driving with Jasmine in her new Rolls Royce, they were going to the Cartoon Network movie lot. Steven and Lucas arrive at the gate, Steven sees a girl that has short black hair in a flip with a small triangular part on her forehead. She has lime green eyes and dresses in a lime green dress that has a black stripe in the middle of it. The girl also wears white tights and black Mary Jane shoes with a green dress that has a black stripe across the middle of it.

"ID please?" The girl says, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"I don't need an ID, my husband works here."

"What's your name?"

"Jasmine Carmichael." The girl looks at her clipboard that says CARTOON NETWORK on the back of it on the iconic black and white checkerboard.

"I don't see your name."

"Can you call him?" Jasmine asked.

The girl nodded and flew leaving a green streak behind her. Steven and Lucas look at Jasmine, The girl comes back moments later.

"You're clear to enter." She said, raising the gate to let them through. Jasmine found Suundstage Nine, where The Garfield Show was filmed. Steven found it and ran back to the others.

"Guys, I found it! But it's a closed set," he said. Lucas and Jasmine nod, then. They see a boy. He has a purple hat with two points and had a purple and fuchsia/magenta shirt that covers his legs. He wears purple shoes and rarely wears pants. When he removes his hat, he has two short ears. He has a prominent fang on his upper jaw that can be seen even when his mouth is closed. Due to his appetite, he's quite heavy and doesn't do well with sports or physical activity in general.

"Hi, little guy! Um… me, my son, and my son's friend want a tour of Cartoon Network studios!" Jasmine told the kid. Steven nods.

"Then, A man wearing a black shirt and white jeans walked out, he wore a pair of white Nike Air Force. Jasmine saw him then hugged the man and kissed him.

"Hey, Jasmine," he said, smiling and looking at the two boys.

"Hey, Steven!" he said, Steven waved and knelt to his son.

"Are you boys ready for the studio tour?"

"Yeah!" Both Steven and Lucas both said

"I'll find someone to show you around, I haven't been here for too long. So, I'll find someone more experienced.

Chris was back with a tall man, he wore a white lab coat, black pants, and black shoes. "Hi!" Steven said.

The man smiled at the two boys and the mother. "Hello, I am Professor Utonium, I'm going to give you a tour of our wonderful Cartoon Network studio."

Steven's eyes got starry as he stared at the man. "Awesome…" the boy whispers.

"Come, let me show you the studio." Professor Utonium said, walking to a golf cart that belonged to the studio. Steven was looking around, and Lucas and Jasmine were too. They passed by more sound stages and then a large building he stopped.

"This building is where our current CEO, Jim Samples is located." He said. Just then, the same girl flew up towards them.

"Professor! Blossom, Bubbles, and I are going to the store, you want anything for the house?"

"No thank you, Buttercup. I'll give you girls a call if I change my mind." the man said. The girl named Buttercup flew off with her friends or sisters? Steven doesn't know.

Steven, Lucas and Jasmine continue the tour with Professor Utonium.

"Hello, Professor Utonium!" A boy said, Steven looked at the boy, he was an orange spider Monkey. he wore a camp uniform.

"Oh, hello, Lazlo." the man said, looking at the monkey. Steven. The hybrid knew who he was, he's one of the main stars on Camp Lazlo, his favorite show that was airing on CN, next to Codename: Kids Next Door. Steven was honored to meet the Brazilan Spider Monkey. Steven smiled as they all went on the tour.

"This is the cafeteria, where all the charters hang out," Lazlo said, opening the doors. Steven's eyes got starry as he stared at all the different Cartoon Network stars in one room, eating, talking, or sharing a laugh. Steven wanted to go in and make conversation, but he was too nervous to do so.

They were nearing the end of the tour when a man walked up. Steven looks at the man standing before them.

The man is dressed in a dark suit jacket over a light blue collared shirt. He has short brown hair and is smiling. And, he appears professional and well-groomed, exuding a confident and approachable demeanor. His attire suggests a formal or business setting, reinforcing the impression of professionalism. Overall, he presents a polished and well-put-together appearance.

"Hello, guys." The man said, waving and he had a smile on his face. Steven waved back. Jasmine, Lucas, and Chris also waved.

"Hi, I am the CEO of Cartoon Network, Jim Samples. So what brings you here today?" The man asked. "We're here on a studio tour," Lucas said. Steven nods as Lucas flashes a white smile.

"We have lots of wonderful faces at Cartoon Network studios. Everyone here is diverse in their unique way!" Jim recognized the seven-year-old boy standing before him.

"Hey! I know you, you're the boy on the ukulele! You'd be very talented if you worked here. You don't even need an audition. You got the part!" Steven's eyes lit up he was trying not to jump for joy at the moment.

The CEO of Cartoon Network complimented ME on my playing and singing. This has to be a dream! No way, I have to pinch myself! He pinched himself as hard as he could, but it didn't work Jasmine chuckled to herself and put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "No you are not dreaming Steven, you did get complemented by the CEO," she said.

"I can't wait to tell Mom and Dad!" he said, jumping for joy, he was as if he were in a candy store and his mother let him pick out anything he wanted.

Steven and Lucas were in the car. After spending a couple of hours at the Studio, the boys were hungry. Steven wanted to go to a pizza place and Lucas agreed on that. Jasmine stopped at a pizza place and stepped out of the car, He and Steven ran in and they waited for Lucas' mother.

Both and Lucas knew what they wanted. Steven wanted pepperoni and Lucas wanted the same thing. Jasmine walked into the restaurant and they ordered what they wanted.

"I have an idea, why won't we order a whole pie? Then if we don't eat it all, we can take it to go."Steven suggested.

"Okay, smarty pants Steven." Jasmine teased, putting a hand on his curly hair. Steven giggles and hugs Jasmine.

Steven, Lucas, and Jasmine were eating their food. Lucas and Steven were talking about their day at the studio.

"I wonder when you will get a call," Lucas said picking out another slice of pizza. Steven shrugged and drank his coke through a straw. Jasmine smiled at the boys and ate her pizza.

"Hey, guys. Why won't we go bowling tomorrow? Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl can come!" Steven said.

"Please, mom?" Lucas said, Jasmine smiled and she nodded and pulled out her phone to call Rose about the idea.

"YES!" Steven said, throwing his arms in the air, Lucas laughed and hugged his friend.

Lucas, Jasmine, and Steven went back to her house, Rose was going to pick up Steven in a few hours. Rose wants Steven and Lucas to spend as much time as possible with each other on his trip.

"Hey, Steven. Let's play on the PlayStation!" he said, Steven was sitting on the floor and petting Diamond. The orange cat liked it and sat on the boy's small lap and rubbed up against his face.

Steven giggled and kept petting the cat. Jasmine pulled out her phone and she took a picture with Steven and Diamond together. "You are so soft and cute!" he said, putting his hands on the cat's face and squishing it softly, to not hurt her. Diamond meows loudly and Steven laughs.

"Come on, Steven!" Lucas said, Steven got up and Diamond followed them up the stairs.

Rose opened the door, her pink ringlet hair falling onto her shoulders as she saw Diamond, Rose gasped and kelt to the cat's level, petting her. Rose's fingers went through her fur as she petted her.

"Hi, Jasmine," she said, standing to her original height of eight feet.

"Hi, Rose. I'll get Steven." Rose nods and waits. Jasmine went upstairs and then opened the door to Lucas' room.

"Steven! Your mother is here!" she called. Steven grabbed his backpack and hugged Lucas, Steven walked down the stairs and saw his mom and he hugged her.

"How was your sleepover?" Rose kissed her son on the cheek.

"It was fun! We went to the studio in Burbank where Lucas'dad works. and I was complemented by the CEO because I can play the ukulele very well!" Steven said, Rose laughed and smiled, she put a hand on her son's tiny back.

"Well, you did learn that from me, remember back at the beach house. You saw your dad play the guitar two years ago and you wanted to learn?" she said. Steven nods his head.

"Yeah, I remember, and now I can play it! And dad is running out of things to teach me," he said, Rose smiled and kissed his head.

"Let's go home, Schu-Ball," Rose said, walking down the long path to Garnet's car. Rose opens the door for him so he can get inside, Rose shuts the door and goes into the driver's seat and they go to Calabasas.

Chapter Text

Steven, Rose, Greg, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl were all having a day out. The boy wants to go bowling with all of them. Pearl thought it was a good idea to go and they can all play two rounds.

Steven, the Crystal Gems, and Greg all walked into the bowling alley in Los Angeles. Rose got bowling shoes for everyone, Greg went to the lane where they were assigned, and Steven saw kids wearing a bunch of shirts. Camp maybe? Steven thought. Steven was first on the board. Then Garnet, Amethyst, and Rose. Pearl and Greg were on the other lane bowling separately.

Steven sat on one of the chairs to put his shoes on. Then he saw two figures enter. Steven's eyes went starry as he saw that it was Mordecai and Rigby.

"Hey! It's that boy we met at the arcade!" Rigby said, walking up to him and his friends.

"Could we play with you guys?"

"Sure you guys can play with us," Rose said.

Steven grabbed his bowling ball and swung it, the ball hitting all ten pins. "YES! STRIKE!" Steven cheered, jumping in the air. Rose smiled and cheered her son.

"Nice, Steven!" Greg said, cheering him on. Garnet went next and she naturally got a strike.

"Woah, I think you and Garnet will be tied for first place!" Amethyst said. Steven smiles at that comment. Rigby went next.

"Come on Rigs!" Mordecai said, encouraging his friend. Rigby smiled and rolled his ball down the lane, but then. His ball went to the side.

"Ahhh, come on!" Rigby groaned. Mordecai laughed. "Hm hm hm hm hm hm." he said, rolling his bowling ball down the lane and getting a strike. "AW, YEAH!" he said as he jumped for joy. Rigby wanted to punch Mordecai for that. Steven watched his friends go.

Steven wondered where Lucas was. He texted him, Lucas said that he was running a little bit of a fever, so he wasn't coming.

It was Rose's turn to bowl, Greg remembers what happened the last time they went bowling with each other. Rose took out some ceiling panels because she threw the ball too hard, combined with her immense strength.

Thankfully they didn't get banned from the bowling alley in the nineties because of that.

It was Ameythest's turn, so she grabbed it and threw it, She had nine pins, the purple gem grabbed it and threw it but it missed. "DANG IT!" Amethyst yells.

Rose stood up and walked up to the bowling ball dispenser, she grabbed the ball placed her fingers inside the holes, and bowled it down the lane, the ball crashed into all the pins, and Steven saw a big X on one of the fat screens.

"Yes, I did it, I did it, I did it!" Rose jumped for joy, Greg chuckled at his wife, he smiled and got up, as it was his turn to go. Greg grabbed the ball and rolled it down the lane, Steven was back up and he bowled another strike.

"I think that you found your talent, buddy," Greg said. "You think so?" Steven asks. Rose smiles and nods. Garnet went up, she bowled a strike again.

Greg went on the other lane and bowled a strike.

When they all finished, They returned their bowling shoes and they were about to go their separate ways.

"Thanks for letting us bowl with you Mr. and Mrs. Universe. Mordecai said.

"Hey, Mordecai, where were Eileen and Margret?" Steven asks the blue jay.

"Oh, they went out to the movies, we didn't always have to hang out together ," he said, Steven nodded. Rose, Greg, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl all went to a restaurant that night, and Steven picked one. He wanted mercian food so they went to Chichen Itza. Hopefully, they have something for me, cause I don't eat meat.

Steven and his friends and parents walk inside and Rose looks at the menu for Steven to have.

"Can we substitute the meat?" Steven asked his mom.

"I'm not sure, but I think you can." the boy nods and looks at his bright red star t-shirt, Rose puts her hand on his dark brown curly hair, and Steven smiles and stands closer to her. They all went farther into the restaurant and they saw people and some cartoon characters too, Steven almost freaked out because he thought he saw SpongeBob Squarepants, sitting at a booth with his best friend Patrick Star.

Steven wanted to talk to them. But he didn't want to bother them when they were eating dinner. They sat down across from the Nickelodeon stars. Steven pretends to not notice them, but Greg knows and he looks at his son.

"Hey, Steven. Aren't they your favorite characters?" Steven nods nervously and looks at the sponge and starfish again, Steve nods nervously again, then looks at the table one more time.

Greg smiles softly at his son, telling him that it was okay and he didn't have to be nervous.

Oh, really? What if they're rude to their fans? Steven thought. He was still apprehensive about walking up to them and meeting them…. But he wants me to talk to them… But what do I say to them? 'Hi, I'm Steven Quartz Universe! Like a doof? Ugh, why is this so hard? At least he was there when I talked to Chester after his concert, but this is different, these are actors! Not just any actors, they are NICKLODEN STARS! Oh, what do I do?

Rose noticed it and put a hand on his shoulder, Steven looked up and smiled, she looked at both Spongebob and Patrick talking, A waitress walked to their table, Spongebob pulled out a pen and signed her notepad it seemed like for her. Patrick also. (Since he couldn't write like in the show, he drew her a picture)

Steven looks at his hands, then back at Spongebob and Patrick. He wanted to talk to them so badly! But he wasn't sure what to say. Would they like him? Would they like his personality? he doesn't know. He looks at his father. Greg nodded and gave him a gentle push. Steve gathered, slid off his chair, and walked over to the booth.

"Um…. Excuse me?" he said nervously. The sponge looks at him, he has a smile on his face.

"Why, hello there!" he said cheerfully towards the boy. Steven now felt more comfortable. He flashed a genuine smile at him, and Patrick did too.

"Can I have a picture?" Steven asked. The boy took his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Spongebob.

He, Steven, and Patrick all took a picture together Steven hugged him and they went back to his table. "See, told you he was nice," Greg said. Steven nods then sat down they all got their food,

He stared at the picture that he took with Spongebob and Patrick. His heart swelled with joy as he saw the picture. He was happy that he'd met him, and the boy hoped that he was going to meet more cartoon stars in the future like them. They were awesome!

Steven rolled over and went to sleep.

Chapter Text

August 15, 2008

"Steven…" Rose said, shaking him. Rose saw his head of curly hair poking out of the covers. Rose said his name again, Steven lifted his head slowly and looked at his mother. Rose smiled and hugged him.

"Happy birthday, Steven," she said, the boy smiles and hugs her.

"You're eight now, isn't that exciting?" he nods sadly. Still not knowing when he is going to grow up, physically. But Rose noticed, Steven swung his legs on the edge of the bed, Rose did notice. He grew slightly taller and he was a little bit chubby like his father. and skinny in his mid section like his mother. Rose's eyes went starry as she was excited, Steven noticed and was confused.

"Mom?"

"Steven go check in the bathroom, your taller!" she said with excitement.

"What?" he asked, running out of his temporary bedroom and into his parents' temporary bedroom to check. Steven looked at himself in the full-length mirror they had in there.

"Ohhh, yeahhhhh!" Steven exclaimed, then he noticed that his shirts fit him a lot better now instead of them hanging loosely over his body.

"Mom, I grew! I finally grew!" Steven said, jumping in her arms and giving her a tight embrace, Rose smiled and picked him up.

"You did, Steven. Let's go show your dad. I think he's in the back." Rose said happily that her son had finally.

"Okay… So, the bounce house should go—" Greg was interrupted by the sliding glass door opening and his son running up toward him in the large lush grassy part of Garnet's backyard. Greg smiled and put his hands on his hips.

"Oh, where's Steven? Is he here, I can't find him. Garnet, do you know where Steven is?" Greg said playfully.

"All I see is a big man," Garnet said, crouching to the boy's level. She smiled and poked him on the nose. Steven laughed and ran around the backyard.

"Come on, Steven!" Rose said, kicking an old soccer ball that they found hidden away in a bush that the neighbor's children kicked a while back and forgot about.

Rose kicks it to her son, Steven puts his foot to the side, but instead of kicking it to her softly, he kicks the soccer ball hard and it hits his mother in the face, Steven stands frozen for a few minutes. His body shook with fear as the boy ran inside, Rose took a little bit to react, She removed her hand from her nose. Thankfully gems can't get hurt, but if their physical form is hurt bad enough, they get poofed. And a soccer ball couldn't poof her.

Rose walked inside, Steven was nowhere to be seen in the house.

Maybe he was upstairs? she thought to herself, Rose walked upstairs, and the door to Steven's temporary bedroom was open, he was hiding under the covers, whimpering. Rose walked in and sat next to him, Steven couldn't face her. Not like that, he felt so bad for what happened. He couldn't get it out of his head. Rose walked inside and sat with him.

"Steven?"

Steven couldn't look at his mom, he felt so bad for what he did to her, even if it was an accident.

"Steven, please look at me," Rose told her son. Steven looks at her, her smile softens and she puts a hand on his back. Steven looks into her eyes, then glances down.

Rose said nothing but pulled her son into her lap and started stroking his hair and comforting him.

"Mom… I-I'm sorry for that, it was an accident." Steven told her softly. Rose smiled, she was glad that Steven apologized to her, even though he did nothing wrong in this situation. It was just him being a kid, there was nothing wrong with that.

"Steven," she said, hugging his son before continuing. "You did nothing wrong, you're a kid. Don't forget that, you're eight." the boy nods and wipes the tears out of his eyes.

"Thanks, mom…" he said, smiling. Rose smiled back and kissed him again, she stood up, Steven slid off the bed, and Rose put an arm out for him to grab the gem's hand. Steven put his hand in hers and they both walked out of the room then they went downstairs.

"Steven," Greg said, as he saw his wife and son both walk downstairs together. Steven looked at his dad, he didn't feel so good right now, especially what he did to his mother. Rose looked and knelt at the boy's level.

"Remember, Steven. That it was just an accident. Okay?" she said. Steven nods.

"I have an idea! Why won't we go to—" Rose got cut off by her phone buzzing in her pocket. She took it out and saw a text from Ameythest. She was asking if they wanted to come over to her parent's house for breakfast with her parents.

Rose looks at Steven. "Steven, do you want to go over to Ameythest's house for breakfast?" he nods, Greg and Garnet thought that it was a good idea for them to go out of the house.

Garnet, Greg, Steven, and Rose went out of the house, piled into Garnet's car and they drove to Agoura Hills. Which was an eleven-minute drive.

Eleven minutes passed and Steven saw her parents' house.

He sees a two-story dwelling with a beige exterior and a red-tiled roof. It boasts a sizable driveway that leads up to a three-car garage featuring brown doors. The front yard of the house is meticulously maintained, showcasing a lush green lawn, well-groomed shrubs, and mature trees that envelop the property, creating a visually appealing landscaped setting. The house is situated in a serene and verdant neighborhood as indicated by the leafy surroundings and the clear blue sky overhead, suggesting a peaceful and idyllic residential area. A flag pole near the door witch hung the American flag on it, a bike was laid out on the grass with a basketball next to it, and a hoop was on the other side of the street so people could play basketball in the neighborhood.

"Woah, is this where Ameythest lives, mom?" Rose nods and Garnet parks the car, they all hop out, and Greg knocks on the door. A man opened it, he was tall, had white hair. He had dark indigo eyes and short pale lavender hair, his gem was on his right forearm, he wore a black tank top and white basketball shorts, and he wore a pair of U.S. Military dog tags around his neck that had his first and last name with a service number on it.

"Rose!" the man hugs her. Rose hugged him back.

"How are you, Adrain?" she asked, the man by the name of Adrain smiled and rubbed the back of his head with a hand.

"Uh, can't complain, you know?"

"How's being in the human military?"

"Not bad," Adrain said.

"You're a medic, right?" Greg asked the former quartz soldier. Adrain nods. "I am, been in the Earth military for two years."

"Hey, Mr. Geodestone, is Ameythest here?" Steven asked

"No, she'll be back later, but you can wait in her room. I think baseball practice for her will end in a few minutes." Steven ran up the stairs, he went down the halls to a white wooden door with a Sum 41 band poster on the front, he opened the door and looked at her room.

Her room had white carpeting, a metal bunk bed sat across the door, and posters of her favorite bands on the walls. A desk with her all-white laptop sat open with a Dexter's Laboratory wallpaper on it. Steven sees a purple stereo with a bunch of CDs sitting on a white shelf that is next to her door. He also sees from across the room a large purple beanbag chair, taking up the corner of the room.

Steven was looking at her CDs and pulled one out to look at the cover, It was a band that he had never heard of before. He picked it up and looked at the cover, then it hit him. He's heard of them before! His dad got him into the band Slipknot, he remembers listening to them when he was four years old. And his mom told him they'd listened to the band when she was pregnant with him.

The hybrid hears a sound and he sees a pet monkey, he appears to be a young one with a grayish fur coat. The fur looks soft and slightly fluffy, which might indicate its youth. The most notable features seem to be its large, dark, expressive eyes that possibly convey a sense of curiosity or alertness. The prominent ears that stand out from its head suggest a characteristic of certain monkey species, possibly aiding in their hearing abilities or visual communication.

"Aww!" Steven's eyes were starry as he approached it. The monkey walked close to the boy and observed him. "Hello!" Steven said, extending a hand out to the primate. The monkey extends its finger and Steven touches its finger with his.

"Woahhhh! your so cooool!" the now eight-year-old boy said, The monkey smiled and jumped down on where he sat.

Then, someone walked in. She wore a baseball cap and holding her baseball glove, her hair was tied up and she was wearing a baseball jersey.

The jersey is mainly white with navy blue vertical pinstripes running across it. This classic color combination is a signature style of the New York Yankees. It features a button-front closure, allowing the jersey to be easily put on and taken off. The design is simple yet iconic, with the prominent interlocking "NY" logo adorning the left chest area, a symbol synonymous with the Yankees franchise. The upper right side of the jersey displays the Nike logo, indicating that the jersey is likely a product of a collaboration between Nike and the New York Yankees. This partnership is a common occurrence in modern sports apparel. And, at the bottom of the jersey, there is a tag that likely contains important information about the brand.

"Steven?" Ameythest asked as he hugged the boy, The monkey climbed on Ameythest's back and she started laughing.

"Oh, Steven. This is Fred!" She told her friend. Steven smiled and petted his head.

"How old is he?"

"He is a year and two months old."

"Fred is so adorable!" he gushed, his eyes starry again, Ameythest smiled, then went into her purple JanSport backpack and pulled out a banana.

"Here you go, Fred," she said handing him the fruit, Fred took it and opened it up backward. Steven was fascinated.

"I learned this last year in school! Monkeys and other primates open bananas backward, do you know that they just don't eat that, they also eat bugs."

"Wait what?"

"Yeah, search it up."

Amethyst went on her laptop and woke it up, she went on Safari and searched on Google what Monkeys eat, the search said:

The natural diet of primates differs from species to species. For example, all marmoset species gouge branches to feed on plant gums, as well as eating fruit, flowers, insects, and other small animals such as spiders, lizards, and snails. Macaques are omnivorous and eat both plants and meat.

"Coool! and I know that."

"Wait, where did you get Fred? Cause, Isn't he not allowed in California?"

"Oh, Garnet and I went to another state." Steven nodded as Fred jumped from his spot on Ameythest and held on to the railing of the top bunk and climbed on, holding her Mario plush.

"How did you convince your parents to let you have a monkey?"

"I didn't I bought him without permission, and before you ask. My dad would shatter me if he found out!" Steven nodded slowly and looked around the room. Ameythest noticed that Steven was silent after she said that then put a hand on the boy's shoulder, telling him that it was okay and it was a joke.

"It's just a joke dude, my dad tells me that all the time when he's angry. Sometimes he calls me by my gem name for some reason."

"Isn't your gem name, Ameythest?"

"Yes, but he uses a different name if he's like… what's the word?"

"Peeved?" Steven asked

"Yeah," she said in silence, Then Ameythest wanted to change the subject, She stood up and picked out a CD from her shelf, the cover was of a band that Steven knew well — Crush 40, he saw the cover of it.

The CD was titled "The Best of Crush 40: Super Sonic Songs." The cover design is primarily gray, giving it a metallic and industrial aesthetic. At the center of the cover, the band's name "Crush 40" is prominently displayed in a bold and stylized font. Adjacent to the band name are winged symbols, possibly denoting themes of speed or flight, adding to the dynamic feel of the design. The background texture enhances the edgy and energetic vibe of the cover.

Additionally, on the left side of the cover, there is a blue strip containing text. Unfortunately, the specific details of the text are not fully discernible in the provided image. Overall, the visual elements suggest a blend of rock or high-energy music with a touch of futuristic and thrilling aesthetics.

"WOAH, you have a Crush 40 CD, I love them!" Steven said. Ameythest nodded and opened the CD player on the top of her stereo, put the disk in and pressed play, the first track was I… Am All Of Me.

Ameythest then sat on her computer chair while Steven stood. Ameythest took off her cleats and set them on the floor. She looks at her friend.

"You can sit on my bed, dude," Amethyst said, opening a desk drawer and she pulled out a sketchbook and a pencil pouch.

"You wanna draw with me?" She asked her friend.

"Yeah!" Steven said, getting up and going to her desk. Ameythest handed him a hardcover book off her desk, Steven sat on her beanbag chair with the book on his lap and the paper on it, he drew Sonic with Steven's mother battling with Swords.

Ameythest was drawing herself with her weapon destroying old cars at the junkyard.

"Hey, Steven…" she said, turning around.

"Yeah?" the boy asked.

"Check out my drawing. I drew me with my whip destroying old cars at the junkyard," she said, as another song came on. It was called Knight Of The Wind. They were doing their own thing, and then, out of nowhere, Fred flung his finished banana peel onto the carpeted floor.

"Fred! No!" Ameythest scolded the monkey, Fred took his hands and put them on his face.

"Oh, geez, Fred. Dude, what did I tell you about that." She said, getting up grabbing it, and throwing it in the trash that was beside her desk.

Steven laughed at the monkey. Then, someone opened the door.

"Fred, hide and seek!" Ameytheset said Steven was confused as he watched the baby monkey hide in her closet and he closed the door.

The door opened, and Steven saw that it was Ameyrthest's mother.

"Oh, never mind. Rose, I found it!" she said closing the door to her room The monkey popped out of the closet and jumped on his owner's back.

"What's up, man?" she asked, Fred looked at her with his big eyes, and Steven smiled and giggled.

"That's so cute!" he said smiling at the monkey.

"Ameythet, are you coming today? It's my birthday."

"Oh, it is. Happy Birthday, dude! Yeah. I'm coming, I can take my bike to Garnet's. It's only even minutes away.

"Guys, breakfast!" Adrain called from downstairs.

Ameythest and Steven both went downstairs, Ameythest closed the door to her room so Fred couldn't go out. She and Steven walked downstairs, Garnet was helping her mom in the kitchen, Seven sat next to his friend and her family, and Steven, along with Garnet were all eating.

Steven and Amethyst were playing outside in her neighborhood. Some kids were playing baseball with her. Steven was riding her bike which was a little too big for him, but he was getting the hang of it.

A boy named Peter rode up next to him on his bike.

"So, is this your first time in Los Angeles?" he asked the half-gem.

Steven shook his head. "No, I've been here to visit. I hadn't come here since 2007. So, I was here visiting my mom's friends, and my grandparents live here too."

"Cool, I lived here my whole life! And I love it," he said, Steven nods.

Steven, Rose, Greg, Amethyst, and Garnet were back at Garnet's house, Lucas was coming with his parents to the party too. And his Grandparents, Both sides.

Steven saw Garnet's house and they all got out of the car, Greg and Rose both asked Ameythest to stay out there with Steven for a few minutes, Ameythest saluted them and she and Steven were outside, Steven sat on the grass, then the quartz soldier sat by him. Steven saw a Rolls Royce pull up to the driveway, Steven gasped as he saw Lucas walk out, he wore a nice shirt and cargo shorts with a pair of flip-flops.

"Steven! Did you grow overnight?" Jasmine asked. Chris walks up to the three of them, Chris sees a person that he has never seen before.

"Hey, Steven. Who's this?" Lucas asked, his father was confused as well.

"This is Ameythest, she's my friend," he said. Lucas nods.

"Why are you two out here?" Lucas asked.

"I don't know, Mom and Dad told us to stay out here," Steven said, Ameythist nodded. Chris nodded also then ruffled Steven's hair.

"Alright, Steven. I'm going to go inside."

"Dad, here." Lucas said handing him the present and card to him." Chris nods and they all stand outside together and wait.

Steven and his friends can come outside, Rose puts a blindfold on him and leads him to the back. "SURPRISE!" his friends and family all said, Steven's eyes were starry as he looked around, the party looked fun, a fold-out table filled with food and drinks for the kids. Some pizza was also coming with sushi.

The party was in full swing, Steven was jumping in the bounce house with Lucas and Ameythest.

Steven was laughing and having a good time, Greg and Rose were talking with Jasmine and Chris, Garnet and Pearl were also talking, and Pearl looked at Steven.

"Looks like Steven is having fun in there," Pearl said, looking at the bounce house with him inside jumping and having fun with Ameythest and Lucas.

"They are having fun," Pearl said, smiling. Opening a water bottle and taking a sip from it. Greg nodded.

"Okay, guys. Time for cake!" Pearl said. as they brought the cake out.

"Wait!" Greg said, bringing out Steven's birthday crown and cape and putting them on him, It was a red and white crown and cape, the crown had a yellow triangle border on the top and a white fluffy border around it, on the top of it was a single candle, the cape also had an equally fluffy border around it.

Rose smiled and gently took the cape out of her husband's hands and she put it around Steven's shoulders. Rose then spun him around and knelt in front of him.

"Sire, here is your crown," she said in a British accent, Steven laughed and then bowed his head so his mother could put it on him.

Greg brought out the cake.

Steven sees a Sonic the Hedgehog cake with Blue Palm trees on a blue background and a figure of Sonic the Hedgehog on the side. Golden rings were around the top edge of the cake with a large blue number "8" at the top of the cake. The Base of the cake is white with leafy green decorations around the bottom edge. The cake board Read "Happy Birthday Steven" in blue icing.

His eyes went starry and he grinned. "Woahhhhh!"

"Yeah buddy, your mother baked it last night," Greg said, smiling softly. He still didn't like Rose staying up all night baking his cake for him instead of just buying it from the store. But, his wife wanted her son to be happy. And she got her wish.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Rose asked, walking up and lighting the candle.

Steven smiled as Garnet took a picture of him. Rose took a video with her camera.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Steven, Happy Birthday to you!" everyone sang as he blew out the candle.

Everyone clapped and cheered for him. His mom cut the cake for everyone, Steven took a bite. "So moist!" he said, Rose just grinned. She was happy that Steven liked her cake.

"You're the best mom in the world! I love you!" Steven said smiling and hugging her. Rose kissed his cheek and ate her cake.

"You outdid yourself, Rose." Greg kissed his wife on the cheek

"Hey mom, where are yours and Dad's parents? why didn't they show up?" Steven asked.

"Oh, my parents went on a trip to San Diego," Greg said.

"And mine texted me that they were up in Florida for the week," Rose said, looking at her son. Steven nodded, he understood but he wanted to see both of them.

"Okay." Steven nods.

"Alright, time for presents!" Rose said. Greg went outside, he was carrying a box.

"This is from me and your mom," Greg said setting the box down, Steven opened the wrapping paper and then the box, he almost freaked out when he saw what it was, it was a Pikachu plush.

"WOAH!" Steven said as he smiled. Rose took a picture of his son, hugging the plush.

Steven had an eventful day filled with fun friends and lots of birthday wishes, and Mikey and Lance sent him some too, they also got him something when he came back. The hybrid was in bed now. He was asleep, Rose kissed him on the head as he was holding his Pikachu in his arms. Rose walked out of the room and went into the temporary bedroom that she shared with Greg.

Greg rolled over as he felt his wife get into bed with him. "He had a good day," Rose said.

"He did," Greg said, opening his eyes, putting his hand up, and cupping his wife's cheek. Rose smiled, and Greg smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

"Goodnight, Rose."

"Night, Greg." they turned off the lights and slept.

Chapter Text

August 17, 2008.

Steven was walking with Ameythest to her baseball practice. Her father had dropped them off, Ameythest could take her bike, but Steven didn't have one, so they couldn't ride bikes together.

Steven and Amethyst arrive at the baseball field, her team is already there, and there are eight other girls there, nine including herself. Steven walked onto the red sand, Ameythest grabbed her gear which was a metal baseball bat and a glove. The glove was on the baseball bat, and the bat was being carried on Ameythest's shoulder.

"Hey, Amy!" Her friend named Samantha called to her.

"Hey, Sam!"

Samantha or Sam, was a sixteen-year-old girl, Steven sees her. She is a girl with straight, medium-length brown hair, tied back into a ponytail. She is depicted wearing a white baseball jersey and blue jeans. The girl is standing in front of them, chewing gum and looking at them with a gentle smile, conveying a sense of warmth and approachability.

"Aww, who is this?" Sam said.

"I didn't know you had siblings, Ames."

"I don't, this is my friend, Steven."

"Hey, Steven. you came here to watch?" Steven nodded, and then he saw someone walk out.

The woman is characterized by long, wavy brown hair that is tied back in a ponytail. Her attire consists of a black baseball jersey that says their team name—The Agoura Amazons, With her arms to the sides of her body, she exudes a sense of self-assuredness and poise.

"Geodestone!"

"Yes, coach?"

"Here, your uniform came in." She said handing her a red baseball uniform with a picture of their logo on the left side of the jersey. A stone sword was placed there to symbolized their team. And in cursive it said 'The Agoura Amazons' in white script.

"Coool! I'll go change!" She said going into the bathroom and changing out of her New York Yankees uniform and into her new one.

She walks out of the bathroom, holding her uniform and handing it to Steven.

"Can you give this to my dad?" She asked handing her old clothes to Steven.

He nodded and ran off the baseball field and to a silver 2008 GMC Sierra 1500, he opened the front seat. Adrain wasn't in there. Steven shrugged it off and placed it in the front seat and closed the door.

"Alright, girls! Let's do some batting practice. No running around the bases just hit the ball and walk back to the bleachers!" Their coach announced Amy you up!" Ameythet walked up to home base and raised her bat.

Sam walked up to the pitcher's mound and pitched the ball to her, she hit it with a metal clink and watched it go. Ameythest walked back to the bleachers and sat down, Steven saw her.

"You like this sport do you?"

"Eh, it keeps me busy. But yeah. I like it, what sports do you like?"

Steven had an answer. "I like basketball more than Baseball. It's too. What's the word…Time-consuming." he said, careful not to make the purple gem upset that he was ridiculing her favorite sport, but it was his opinion.

"Ah, that's okay dude. I don't like soccer, I think it's lame." Steven laughed at that.

"Hockey is cool though," she said, Steven nodded, he agreed that hockey was cool. He would love to go to a hockey rink and play with her, Garnet, and Pearl. But he wouldn't think Pearl wouldn't like hockey much, His mother would probably kick butt at Hockey, just like she kicked butt at Basketball and baking.

Steven had such a cool mom!

"Hey, Amy. How was baseball practice?" Adrain asked as Steven and Amethyst closed the door.

"It's good, oh. Sam is coming," she said. Adrain nodded as she saw a girl holding her Nike duffel bag and she put it in the truck bed, Sam opened the back door and climbed inside.

Steven, Amethyst, Sam, and Adrain all went to Burger King to get some food.

Steven looked at the restaurant, his eyes got starry as he had a huge grin on his face.

"Can I play in the indoor playground, Mr. Geodestone?"

"Sure, I don't see why not," he said, walking inside. The smell of chicken tenders hit Steven's nose, he felt his stomach growl.

"I never knew how hungry I was." Steven blushed, then looked at the menu.

"Um…I can't have any of this."

"Why?"Adrain asked

"I'm vegetarian. Been one since I was six."

"Your parents okay with that?" he asked. Steven nods.

"Okay, we can get your food later. Have anything in mind?"

"Pizza?"

"You got it, dude, " he said, fist-bumping Steven.

"Thanks," he said, Adrain nodded and pulled out his wallet to get Amethyst and Sam their food.

"Sam, Ames. I'm going with Steven to get pizza across the street, are you sure you guys will be okay by yourselves?"

"Yeah." Ameythest nods. Sam looked at them and nodded also. Adrain and Steven walk out of Burger King to get pizza across the street, Steven looks at the geography and palm trees in the state. Steven thought that it was beautiful here, and he hoped to live here one day.

They walked inside a pizza restaurant, Steven got a slice with mushrooms and a bottle of water.

They sat down and Steven ate his food.

They both went back to the Burger King and Steven walked up to his friend. "Ameythest, let's play in the play in the play place!" he said, pointing to the small enclosed section that had slides that extended to the outside.

"Sure, dude!" She said, taking off her cleats. Steven removed his shoes and they ran inside to play. They played until it was time to go home.

Steven was dropped off at Garnet's house, and Greg and Rose were both inside the house. Steven opens the door, there is nowhere to be seen. "Mom, Dad?" he calls out.

Silence

Mmm, weird. Maybe their out back?

Steven opened the door to the back and they weren't there. He took out his phone and texted them to see where they at.

Oh, they went to the store with Garnet. Okay…

Steven went up to his room and grabbed his light pink Nintendo DS. The boy walked to the couch, opened it, and played on it until they came home.

Steven hears the front door open, Garnet, Rose, and Greg walk in carrying shopping bags. "Oh, Steven. Could you help us?" Steven nods and goes outside and helps them.

"So, when are you leaving?" Garnet asked them.

"Steven, something came up and we have to go home tomorrow, We can spend our last night in LA with everyone," Rose said.

"Even Lucas can come! please?" Steven asked, Rose and Greg both nodded. Steven smiles. Garnet walks to the house carrying stuff. Steven followed her inside. Garnet opens a pair of glass doors. Steven sees her office. And an electric piano was in the corner of the room. Steven put the stuff down after seeing her placing some of the items down on her desk.

"Thank you, Steven. But you know that I could do it myself."

Steven nods. "I know, but I like to help."

"I know you do," she said, ruffling his curly hair. Steven giggled as he hugged her leg. Garnet smiled and picked the boy up off the floor.

"Let's go," she said, walking out of her office. They both walked to the living room and went to the couch, Garnet set him down, and Steven looked at the remote.

"Hey, Garnet?"

"Yes, Steven?"

"Can I watch cartoons?" he asked. Garnet nodded and he turned on the TV and switched it to Cartoon Network, Chowder was playing now.

"Yes! I love Chowder!" he said, Rose sat on the couch with him, Steven smiled and wrapped an arm around his mother and leaned on her shoulder as they watched.

Steven was getting dressed, He went into the closet and took out a pink polo shirt, and then he wore white jeans and his Pink Jordans. He fixed his hair in the bathroom, then walked out.

"Steven? Are you ready?" Rose asked.

"Yeah!" he said. Rose saw him walk down the stairs, Rose hugged her son. Steven smiles and hugs his mom back.

Rose smiled as she bent down to kiss him on the head. "You look so handsome in that shirt, Steven," she said, he smiled and blushed at his mother.

Steven saw his dad walk downstairs.

"Steven, put a jacket on, you're going to be cold out there," Greg told the boy, Rose nodded. Steven walked back upstairs and grabbed his brand new pink leather jacket that Pearl bought him for his birthday.

"Wow, Steven, you look nice," Rose said. The boy smiled, and Rose looked at him. Steven smiled and blushed.

Steven leaned on the kitchen counter, waiting for Garnet and his father. Rose walked to the kitchen. Opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

Steven saw her put the water down and he took it and took a sip also. Rose thought of what that waiter said back at the diner two months ago. Steven looks at her.

"Mom, are you alright?" Her son asked, Steven saw his mother smile and nod.

"Everything is fine, Steven." She told her son, Steven nods. Then, someone walked downstairs. Greg walked down with a blue long-sleeved shirt ripped jeans and a pair of red Converse.

Garnet walks downstairs also. She grabs her keys.

"Ready to go guys?" She asked fixing her visor. Steven nods and runs to the door and opens it.

Rose and Greg went out of the house and into her car.

Steven sees the lights on Hollywood Bulvard and he sees people walking down the Walk Of Fame. Steven sees a restaurant up ahead, Garnet parks at the curb, and they all step out of the car, Garnet sees a blue 2008 BMW pull up with the top down from across the street.

Pearl was here with Ameythest. Ameythest stepped out and walked across the street to meet with them.

"Ameythest!" Rose said, giving her a high five.

"Sup?"

"So, ready to go in?" Greg asked.

"We need to wait for Her Majesty," Ameythest said rolling her eyes, then looking at Pearl putting the top up, getting out of the car then locking it.

Pearl walked up, she wore a pair of white jeans, a cyan-blue sleeveless crop top, and a pair of black high heels.

"You look amazing, Pearl!" Rose complimented her. Pearl blushes and looks at her, Greg grabs his wife's hand.

"We should go inside," Amethyst said, walking into the restaurant.

Rose sees a man, who has short dark hair and is dressed in a brown blazer over a light blue shirt. His posture indicates that he is standing outdoors, with a blurred background suggesting greenery and possibly some buildings or structures. He appears to have a neutral or slightly thoughtful expression on his face and is gazing off to the side, indicating an introspective or contemplative mood. Overall, he presents as well-groomed, composed, and engaged in his surroundings.

Rose then sees another male. The man appears to be older, with short, graying hair. He is dressed in a formal dark suit jacket over a collared shirt, paired with a matching dark tie. The lighting emphasizes his face, which displays a neutral to serious expression. His attire suggests a formal or professional context.

"Oh my stars, It's Ryan Renolds and Robin Williams!" she was trying not to scream at the restaurant, Greg smiled softly at her. Rose lets go of her husband's hand and walks over to them, sitting at a soft bench, waiting to be seated at their table.

"Hey, Ryan. Look, we have a fan." Robin said, gouging Ryan with his elbow. The man looked up and stared at her gem, and then he lifted his head and saw the woman.

"Woah, you're tall!" Robin said.

"Yeah, I get that a lot."

Greg walks up to his wife and puts his hands on her arm. "Hello!" he said, the two actors waved back.

"Oh your table is ready." the hostess told the two men, Robin and Ryan both got up, and Rose and the others stood, waiting for their table.

"Greg, your table is ready." the hostess said, grabbing six menus. They followed the woman to a table that sat six people. Steven sat next to Ameythest. They all sat down.

Rose felt something uneasy, she turned her head to see her friend, Pearl sitting next to her. Greg looks at her.

"Uhhh, you okay, Pearl?" he asked the tall gem. Pearl nodded and grabbed a menu to pit it over her face, Rose shrugged it off, and Greg thought it was weird that Pearl was doing this.

Steven and Amethyst both sat next to each other, Steven saw Pearl sitting by with his mother. "Uh… Pearl?" Steven asked, Pearl looked at him.

"Yes, Steven?"

"Are you okay? You looked cramped."

"What is it that you mean, Steven?" Pearl asked.

"Oh boy…" Garnet said, looking at her menu, she wasn't going to be a part of this.

"Well, you're sitting extremely close to Mom." he pointed out, Rose tried to get her hands off her arm. "Dude, you can stop holding me," Rose asked her, Greg was feeling uncomfortable also.

"Um… Because we were friends for a long time, Steven. I told you this once."

Sure, friends. Steven thought, reading his menu.

Then, a waiter walked up. They placed their orders for drinks and put in a large Caesar salad without chicken.

Steven took out his DS from his pocket and started playing Mario. Ameythest looks at him playing, Steven looks back and hands his DS to his friend.

"Do you want to play?" he asked. Ameythest nods and plays on his DS.

They got their food and they were now eating.

"So, are you excited for school, dude?" Her friend said. Steven looks at Amythest.

"Yeah, are you? Aren't you going to be on the basketball team also this year?"

"That's amazing, Amy!" Rose said. She nodded, crossed her arms, and looked away.

"Is Sam going to be there? like she's going to be on the same team?" Steven asked. Ameythest nods. Steven hugs her.

"I'm so happy for you, Ames!" Steven said. She smiled and hugged her friend back.

Steven, Rose, and Greg said goodbye to Pearl and Ameythest, they were going back home tomorrow, Steven hugged both Pearl and Ameythest and told them that he would see them next time.

Steven went to his room, he looked at his suitcase already packed up. He sighed. He was happy to go home finally but, he was going to miss LA.

Chapter Text

Steven was packing up to go back home. He was excited to go back, but after his birthday they cut their trip short, and Greg had to go back to work at the music shop. Rose had stuff to do, and he wanted to go back home.

He grabbed his jacket and packed it. Someone knocks on the door.

"Come in!" Steven said, Rose walked in. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, Steven smiled then walked over to her and hugged her, Rose smiled and lifted him.

"Are you done packing?" she asked. Steven nods.

"I am," he said.

Rose smiled then walked out of the room, placing her son down. Steven went downstairs, Steven sat on the couch to watch Cartoon Network on TV.

They were on the plane headed back to Deleware, Steven was playing on his DS on the plane. Greg was listening to music and Rose was reading.

They've made it back home. Greg and Rose took a taxi and they went back home. Steven was excited to go back to the beach house.

They arrived back at Dewey Beach and they were driving back to the house. Steven's eyes widen as he sees something wrong…

"Mom… Dad?"

"What is it—" Greg said stopping mid sentence as he saw it, he was looking at it for a good minute. The cab stopped as they stepped out, and the taxi driver opened the door in shock too.

In front of them, their beautiful beach house that they had for seven years, burned… Steven stood there stunned and wide eyed. Rose was the first to move, Steven's eyes welled with tears as he ran to the remains of his home. A man with long brown hair grabs him. He was holding him in the air.

"LET ME GO!" He kicked and screamed, he trashed until the man let go but he didn't, Steven's tears flowed out of his eyes until he stopped. The man sets him down. He didn't want to go now. He stood there, Rose walked up slowly to their home and walked up the stairs, carefully not to damage it, she could always use her float powers. Rose looked at the dark, charred wooden floor beneath her feet and saw their salvaged things, she picked up her scabbard that also had her sword inside of it, her flag was saved too, and Greg's signed acoustic guitar. Photographs, VHS tapes, books, movies, all their things, Rose picked up a photograph and it was the photo of her and Greg's wedding.

Rose shut her eyes, everything that they worked for was gone in an instant. Greg was stuck. He saw their lives crumble before their eyes. Sure that Greg had his parents, Rose's parents, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. But…. Forget it! He did have his family and his son. Greg looks at his son, his pride and joy. And his amazing wife. Without her, he would've crumbled with having to raise Steven by himself in Deleware.

"Rose?" Greg asked. Rose grabbed everything, jumped up, and landed safely on the sand, dropping their things. She looks at her hands and then backs up at the house again.

It was unreconcilable now…

"COME ON, AMES!" Adrain said, cheering her on. Ameythest hits the ball with the metal baseball bat and ran all the bases. The other team that they were versing against was losing, and losing badly. It was the last inning, Amethyst was about to get to home base. She slid and touched home plate.

"SAFE!" the umpire said. The team all ran and hugged her, they lifted Ames and carried her.

"Let's get some Taco Bell!" Coach Mekela told her team: Ameythest and the team cheered.

"Hey, Dad! Can you drive Sam and me? We're getting Tacos!"

"Sure!" he said, standing up and walking towards his truck.

Sam and Amethyst both went to his truck and they got food with her team.

"That's the last of it…" Rose said, closing the doors to Greg's van, Steven sat on the charred steps of the beach house, Everything was gone. First, his best friend. And now. His house….. What else could go wrong?

"Hey, Schu-Ball, how are you feeling?" Greg asked his son. Steven crossed his arms and leaned on the railing, surprisingly. It didn't collapse from the weight.

"How do you think I'm feeling?" Steven mumbled to his father. Greg rubs his son's back. Feeling the warmth of his hand and he leans into him, tears wells in his eyes again as he chokes out a sob.

Greg smiles sadly as he hugs his son, Rose walks to them, and Greg looks at his wife, he takes his thumb and wipes his eyes.

"Everything is packed… Time to start our new lives in California.."

Steven sat in the back of their van, Greg and Rose were going to take turns, Greg was driving for a few hours, and Steven looked out the window.

"Steven, you want to listen to some Blink?" Steven looks up, his mom is looking at him. Steven sighed and nodded.

Greg played some Blink-182 and the song, 'I Miss You' started playing. Greg and Rose both sang the lyrics as Steven cracks a smile.

Maybe this drive wouldn't be so bad….He thought to himself as he enjoyed the song.

Forty-two hours later. And they'd made it to California, Greg let Rose take over since she didn't need much sleep so she drove the whole way there. Greg and Steven were both asleep in the back of the van where their stuff was.

Rose pulled out her phone and called Greg's mother.

"Greg?" Misty asked, Greg was now driving to where they lived.

"No Misty, It's Rose. Uh…" She rubbed the back of her head with her hand, then put a hand through her hair.

"We have a problem… Were in Los Angeles again."

"Wait, I thought you went back to Delaware?"

"We did, but…" Rose paused, looking at the reirview mirror to see his son asleep on the mattress with her husband. "Something happened to the house, Misty…" Rose sighed, looking out the windshield, she was driving through Hollywood Hills. Rose could see the Hollywood sign up ahead.

Rose finally drove up to the house and parked behind Misty's black 2006 Mersidaies Benz C-class. Rose woke both her husband and son.

"Were here?" Greg sat up, Steven opened his eyes, went to the back, and opened the doors. Rose, Greg, and Steven all got their stuff Misty was waiting for them as she helped.

"Thanks for taking us in, Misty. I'd ask Garnet again but, she had us for six weeks already. We don't need to bother her again."

Misty smiled. "It's no problem, Rose. I love having you guys over. Oh, and I have a surprise for Steven." Misty said, Steven looked up at her in surprise. He wanted to get in the house ASAP to see what it was.

"Can I go in the house to see, mom?" Rose smiles and nods, Steven runs into the house and looks around.

"Misty? I can't find it!"

"It's out back!" Misty said

Steven ran out back and saw a trampoline, it had a net around it. Steven was starry eyed then his smile grew. "OHHHHH MY GOSHHHHH!" he said, running to the trampoline. He climbed on and was jumping and having a good time.

"You got him a trampoline?!" Rose said in shock.

"Why no—" Misty almost got the wind knocked out of her as Rose pushed her. "Out of my way! momma's gotta trampoline to jump on!" Rose giggled as she climbed on and jumped with her son.

Steven was jumping higher because of Rose's extra weight.

"Mom! I'm jumping so high—AHHH!" Steven laughed going back down and jumping again. Rose smiled and kept jumping with her son. Greg walked outside, flipping his hair so it will be behind him and smiled.

"Looks like they're having fun on it," Greg said, taking out his phone to take a picture of his wife and son.

Misty smiles. "I'm going into the music room if you need me."

"Okay," he said as he watched his mom leave.

Rose leaned her sword against the wall of Greg's room. She sat on the bed and sighed, she saw a skateboard by the door, She got up and took it.

Steven was in the living room, watching cartoons, Greg walked downstairs.

"Hey… How are you feeling?"

"Alright… I-I…." He sighed and looked at his feet. Greg puts a hand on his back. Steven hugged him, tears flowing out of his eyes.

"Buddy…. I know you miss home, and I miss home too, but… You have to remember your family is here.. Your friends are here too. Hey! And you can finally go to a new school where you don't get made fun of all the time for your gem."

Steven brought his knees to his chin and sighed. Greg hugged him and put his hrybrid child on his lap and stroked his curly hair.

"Steven. I have an idea. Why won't you text Lucas so he can come over? I can take you guys to the arcade in Santa Monica Pier and we can get ice cream."

Steven smiles and nods. He would like that. Greg smiles too, Steven takes his phone out of his pocket and texts Lucas.

Greg pats his back and he got his shoes on.

Lucas texts him back with a yes. Steven smiled and then looked at his dad. "Hey, Dad. he said yes. And he texted me to pick him up," he said. Greg nodded and grabbed the keys to his van. Both Steven and Greg got in and they headed off to Beverly Hills to see Lucas.

"Wait, so you're living here now?! awesome!" Lucas said. Steven nods.

"Yeah, it's weird because we just went home hours ago, and now we're back…." Steven sighs. Thinking about the beach house which was now burned down because some ding dang wackos decided to light a bonfire next to it or something….

Steven looks at him and smiles, He and Lucas are going to spend a lot more time together.

Lucas and Steven were at Santa Monica with Greg, Steven got ice cream, and Lucas too, Greg was leaning on a railing looking at the beach.

"At least we have our surfboards, we can go surfing one of these days, how bout it, Schtu-ball?" the boy smiled, he liked that idea.

Both boys went to the arcade. They were both playing until it was time to go back home.

That night, Greg and Rose were in Greg's childhood bedroom. Greg sighed and lay down next to his wife. Rose rolls over and puts a hand in his hair.

"You okay, babe?" Greg nodded and lay on his back. The silence eating at him.

"You know… I never knew that I would be living with my parents again. Even if it's temporary." Greg chuckles at that. Rose put a hand on his chest and traced the fabric of his shirt with her finger. Greg smiled and closed his eyes.

"I know… It's just so we can get back on our feet, Greg." She tells her husband. Greg darts his eyes at her and then to the other side of the room.

"That's the place that we've met and decided to settle down, Rose… We had so many memories up in Delaware."

Rose put his hands in his hair and kissed his head, Greg curled up to her put his head on her chest, and sighed.

"Hey…" Rose said, still stroking his hair. "We could make new memories here, and we can enroll Steven in a new school. A school that he won't get made fun of for being different because of his background."

"You're right, Rose…. I love you so much." Greg said, closing his eyes and falling asleep. Rose fell asleep also.

Chapter Text

August 17, 2008

Steven and Rose were at Target getting things for Steven's first day of school, which was in a week. Rose had enrolled her son in California Elementary School. Steven was excited, but nervous because of his past experiences with kids making fun of him when he was seven.

Steven and his mother parked at the store to get school supplies.

They both walk in, they were in the back-to-school aisle, and Steven saw a shopping cart pass by him at full speed.

Steven sees a very chubby kid with two front buck teeth, no ears, short blond hair, and pink skin, (except on the shoulders and the torso which is a bright yellowish-apricot color, where his clothes usually cover him). He wears a neon green T-shirt with short purple sleeves, blue shorts, and dark blue boots.

The second boy used to have long hair all that was left now were tiny strands, He had a big forehead, small, and somewhat crooked teeth, with spaces in between some, and big eyes and big pupils as well. The boy wears a black t-shirt, cut-off jean shorts, and dark red boots.

The third boy has an enormous rounded square head, brown hair, a bright cyan t-shirt, and tan-yellow shorts. He wears very tall socks, along with dark blue sandals. He also seems to be very skinny.

"CLARENCE!" the second boy said, laughing, The third boy was trying to get stuff for school but he kept putting it back. Steven sees them and walks over to them.

"Hi! What's your name? I'm Clarence! These are my friends Sumo and Jeff!"

"Hi, I'm Steven!"

"Hello, Steven," Jeff said, waving. Steven smiles at him.

"Hey, Steven! wanna get in with Clarence?" Sumo asked. Steven looks at the boy in the red shopping cart, Steven smiles and gets into it with him.

"Ready guys!" Sumo asked, gripping the handlebar of the cart.

"Yeah!" Steven and Clarence both cheer. Sumo started running at full speed, both boys laughed as all three of them were having fun.

Rose, on the other hand, was picking School Supplies for Steven. Rose put some clothes in her cart. She was walking to get school supplies and some new clothes for him.

Rose looks up ahead, a boy races past her with two other boys in a shopping cart.

Steven laughed along with Clarence as they were having the time of their lives. Jeff ran behind them with some school supplies in his arms. "Guys! Come on, where am I going to put these!"

"Put them in my shirt!" Steven said, lifting his shirt, Jeff almost freaked out because of the gem in his navel.

Jeff tried not to cringe at that. But he was fascinated as well. The boy had to ask it. "Doesn't that hurt, Steven?"

"No, I wasn't born without a belly button. So my mom took me to the jewelry store and we bought a Rose Quartz gem."

"Uh, guys that's not a—"Jeff was cut off by Sumo. "Aw come on man! Hey guys. Let's go get pizza!" Sumo said, Steven and Clarence both cheer. Jeff sighed.

"What about Back To School shopping? My mom gave me her card."

"You can do that! were going to get pizza!" Steven yelled back, already running out the doors with his new friends and now walking to the Pizza Hut that was across the street.

Jeff walked into the Pizza Hut and opened the door, Target bags in his hands as he walked up to the counter with them. "Guys! I have my mom's card!" Jeff said. Steven was bouncing on his heels, Clarence did the same thing. All three of them ordered pizza, Jeff got cheese pizza. Steven got pizza with mushrooms.

"Hey, Steven. Why won't you get pepperoni?" Clarence asked the boy.

"Oh, because I am vegetarian."

"What's that?" the boy asked.

"It means a person that doesn't eat meat, Clarence," Jeff said. Steven nods. he was right.

"Oh, so how long have you been a vegetarian for, Steven?" Jeff asked.

"Since I was six," he said.

"How old are you now, Steven?" Clarence asked the boy.

"I'm eight," he said Jeff nodded, concerned for Steven, but he brushed it off.

They all ate pizza and talked.

"So, Steven, have you lived in California your whole life?"

The boy looks at his pizza, his eyes dart back to Jeff. "Um…. I moved here from Delaware… Something happened…" Steven said, Jeff knew, he knew from the sound of his voice.

"Did…. Did you lose your house?" Jeff asked sadly. Steven nodded. He put his elbows on the table and he covered his eyes with the palms of his hands. Jeff got up, sat next to him, and put a hand on his back.

Clarence and Sumo looked at each other in sadness for their new friend. Clarence ran up to him and hugged Steven, Steven shut his eyes and let it out. He's been holding this in since yesterday.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all went back to Target, Steven saw his mother.

"Oh, you guys are back! how was it?" Rose asked, getting starry-eyed.

"It was fun, Mom, Oh. These are my new friends, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo." Steven said.

"Oh, hi guys! Where are you going to school?"

"Oh, we're going to California Elementary School," Jeff said, Steven's eyes went starry and hugs them.

"Oh my gosh! we're going to be in the same school!" Steven laughed with joy, he was so happy. He couldn't wait for tomorrow!

Rose opened the door to Steven's temporary bedroom, the boy was sleeping peacefully, and his head of curly hair was seen as he had his back turned to her, Rose smiled softly and whispered in his ear. "Steven…"

Steven's eyes opened, and he sat up. "Good morning, Steven… Time for school," she told her son gently. Steven got out of bed and stretched.

Steven went out into the hallway and the bathroom.

Dressed in a bright red T-shirt with a star on it, Steven was in Misty's car. It was seven in the morning. They had to get to the school by eight. Rose was basting rock music from her phone in the car, connected to an AUX cord.

Steven's eyes went starry as they entered the school, there were a lot of kids walking or getting dropped off by their parents.

Steven and Rose both see the entrance to a building named "California Elementary School." The building has a modern, minimalist architectural style with white walls and a flat roof. The entrance is centrally located, featuring a pathway leading up to a gated entrance with glass doors. The name "California Elementary School" is displayed above the entrance

They see a large tree with a thick trunk and a broad canopy, providing shade to a section of the front yard. The front yard consists of a well-maintained lawn with some small shrubs and a few benches placed along the walls of the building.

To the right of the entrance, a digital signboard is mounted on the wall, displaying school-related information. Additionally, there are a few posters or notices on the wall near the entrance.

There is a parking area with marked parking spaces and a blue curb, likely indicating a designated drop-off or handicap-accessible area. The sky above is clear with a few scattered clouds, suggesting a pleasant day. The overall scene is tidy and welcoming, typical of an educational institution. The image shows the entrance to a building named "Whittier School." The building has a modern, minimalist architectural style with white walls and a flat roof. The entrance is centrally located, featuring a pathway leading up to a gated entrance with glass doors. The name "Whittier School" is displayed above the entrance.

Rose parked in the parking lot, turned off the car and they both went inside. Steven was holding Rose's hand as he had on a bright red backpack with a bunch of yellow stars on it that matched his shirt. Steven wore his pink flip-flops as they entered the building.

Elementary school-aged kids were walking around the halls. Cyan blue lockers lined the halls, Steven's eyes were starry again as he and his mother walked to the office a few feet by the front doors.

Steven and Rose both walk into the front office, it was big and spacious, Rose sees the secretary. The secretary looked up and removed her glasses. "Oh, hello," she said.

"Hi, I called about enrollment for my son."

The woman finds his file on her computer.

"Ah, here. Steven Quartz Universe. Correct?" she asked, Steven nodded.

"I just want to let you know, that your son has a beautiful middle name."

Steven blushed when he heard that.

"Thank you, I gave him that," Rose said, smiling at her.

"Alright, Steven you will be in Miss. Amin's class." Steven smiles. "Steven, do you want some help getting to your class?" His mother asked.

"Yes, please," Steven said. Rose smiled and held his hand as mother and son both tried to find his classroom. Rose looks at the paper. Which shows his class Schedule and locker number.

"Okay, your locker number is twenty-two. And your class is…." Rose paused as she kept walking, Steven looked at the hallway. Rose got to the door.

"Here it is!" She said, then opened it. Steven's eyes went starry as he saw the classroom. "Wooah, look, Steven!" Rose smiles. Steven giggled and ran to a table.

This classroom has a well-organized and inviting appearance, designed to facilitate learning and engagement. Here are some key features: The room contains several rectangular tables arranged in clusters, each with multiple chairs. A setup conducive to group work and collaborative learning. Each table has name tags and worksheets or booklets, indicating assigned seating and prepared materials for the students. The walls are decorated with bulletin boards, one of which has large, visible labels such as "EVERY DAY COUNTS," suggesting an emphasis on daily activities or goals. There is a large window at the back, allowing natural light to fill the room, creating a bright and welcoming environment. Below the window, there are various potted plants, adding a touch of greenery and a natural element to the space. Shelving units along the walls are filled with bins, books, and educational materials, providing easy access to resources.

There is a whiteboard or bulletin board at the front with additional materials pinned up, likely used for instructional purposes or displaying important information.

The tables have tennis balls on the legs, which likely serve to reduce noise and protect the floor.

The ceiling has exposed beams and fluorescent lighting, typical of many classrooms.

Overall, the classroom is thoughtfully arranged to support a dynamic and interactive learning environment, with ample resources and a focus on both individual and group activities.

Steven finds his seat with a name tag with the names 'Clarence, Jeff, and Ryan' on it. "Mom, look! Clarence and Jeff are in my class! but… who's Ryan?" Rose was confused by that too. "I don't know, Steven. We have to see," she said then stood to her original height.

Rose and Steven both see the teacher enter the classroom with a coffee cup in her hand. Steven looks at her.

The woman is smiling and standing outside the door. She is wearing a white headscarf that covers her hair and neck. Her attire seems to be modest, with the headscarf being a prominent feature. And her expression is friendly and welcoming.

"Hello!" Rose said, shaking the woman's hand. The woman shook her hand. "Hello, I am Miss. Amin, you must be Steven." she knelt to his level, putting both hands on her knees.

"Hi," Steven said, shaking her hand.

"Are you excited for your first day with us?" Steven frowned and then looked at the floor. Miss. Amin darts her brown eyes back to his mother in concern.

"Oh, Steven had a bad experience at his last school. He got bullied a lot."

"Oh, we make sure that won't happen," she said.

"Miss. Amin, where are you from?" Steven asked. The teacher smiles. And tells him.

"I am from Palestine," she says. Steven's eyes went starry, he never heard of a teacher from that country before. He has a teacher who was from Africa, but that's it."

"That's nice, I am from another planet," Rose said casually.

"Excuse me?" she said, she thought she didn't hear right.

"I am from another planet." Steven looks at her and nods.

"Okay, that's fine. you're not going to…. probe or harvest my organs?" she asked nervously.

Rose tried not to laugh then she cleared her throat. "No." Miss. Amin sighed in relief and then smiled. "Well, Steven. We're happy to have you in my class. Sorry if this is personal. But, what race are you exactly?"

"We're a race called Gems," Rose said. Steven walked away to look at the stuff in her classroom.

"Okay." the woman looks at her wedding ring.

"So you're married to another member of your species?"

"No, I'm married to a human. And Steven is half human, so he's a hybrid of a gem and human." The teacher nods.

"Alright." Then the bell rings, and kids start filing in. Clarence walked in and was wide-eyed.

"Steven!" the boy said.

Steven turned around and ran up to him. "Clarence!" he hugs him.

"Guess that they're going to be good friends already. Steven! I have to go now, I'll see you later!" Rose said. Steven hugs his mother.

"I love you mom." Rose kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you too. Oh, I will not be picking you up. Tony or your father will be picking you up." Steven nods.

"Can I hang out with Clarence after school Mom? please?"

"Are you familiar with California yet?" Steven thought for a moment and sighed. "No…. But I will be with Clarence and his friends! And I have a full battery!" Steven said pulling out his phone and showing her that the green battery on his iPhone was fully charged and green.

"Alright, you can go with them, Steven. But if anything goes wrong, You call me or your dad, even the Crystal Gems right away. Aright?"

Steven nods and hugs her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Rose giggled and kissed his cheek.

"Have a good day, Steven!" Rose said, leaving the classroom.

Chapter Text

Steven sits down, Sumo sits next to Steven, grabs some pens, and starts coloring in the letters of his name. Steven put stars around his name, Clarence put stickers around him, and Jeff left his blank.

"Akright class, my name is Miss. Amin, And I will be your teacher." She said, picking up a back Expo marker from the whiteboard and writing her name out for the class. Steven sees today's date on the board as well, written in blue Expo marker on the corner of the whiteboard.

Steven sees Miss. Amin turns around and walks to her desk. "Okay guys, this is a little worksheet to get to know your neighbors a little bit better," she said, walking around the classroom and handing them out. Steven put his name up at the top and started.

The class was finished, and Miss Amin collected the worksheets and put them on her desk.

"Alright, guys, Who will come up first?"

"I want to!" Sumo said, standing up and running towards the whiteboard. The teacher gave him his worksheet, Sumo cleared his throat and read off his worksheet.

"I am Ryan Sumouski My favorite subject is science, In school, I am good at making my friends laugh. Outside of school, I am good at drawing. Something you should know about me is. That I live with my nine brothers.

And Steven asked me if I liked space movies and I said yes, Clarence asked me if I wanted to go on vacation. And I said that I would like to go to San Diego with my two older brothers Tanner and Joseph."

"My name is Jeff Randall and My favorite subject is science too, In school I am good at school. Outside of school, I am good at organizing. Something you should know about me is. That I live with my two mothers.

And Steven asked me what is your favorite thing to do, Well. Steven, I like to have fun with you guys and draw, Clarence asked me if I want to go on vacation too. And I said that I would like to go to Florida with my mothers."

"Very good, Jeff. Now it's Steven's turn. Then I can tell you all mine."

"I am Steven Universe My favorite subject is writing, In school I am good at helping my friends and others. Outside of school, I am good at music. Something you should know about me is. That I moved here from Delaware

Clarence and Sumo asked me if I had ever been to space before and I said no, And Jeff asked me if I wanted to be an actor. And I said, yes, I want to I think that would be so much fun to star in my own cartoon."

"Ver good, Steven. I'm up." Miss Amin said, getting up and telling everyone hers.

A boy raised his hand. "Yes, Tim?"

"Where are you from, Miss. Amin?"

"I am from the country of Palestine," she said. The class gasped in wonder.

"I heard on the news your people were kicked out or something." A boy said, Steven looked at the boy who was occupied with playing his PSP.

Steven turned his head to the voice and the half-gem saw a short and chubby boy with a mop of curly brown hair. He wears a Persian red T-shirt, blue shorts, and navy shoes. He also has a unibrow and a long red nose, Steven thought that he was a character from The Muppets if he wasn't human.

Miss. Amin cleared her throat, feeling uncomfortable now. "Um… Could we please change the topic?" she asked the boy.

"Yeah, Belson! Be quiet!" Sumo said. Steven and Clarence both laugh.

"Whatever…" The boy by the name of Belson said as he went back to playing his PSP.

"Alright, settle down guys. Now, we are going into reading." She said as she grabbed some books from her desk. Steven took one and read the cover. 'The Secret Of Superhero Academy.'

Steven's eyes widened and went starry. He'd never read this book before. He'd read others but not this one.

The class had free time now, Steven was talking with one of the new kids. Gregory. "That's so cool that you play instruments. When did you learn?"

"When I was three." Greg was wide-eyed.

"Three? Woah!" he said.

"Yeah, I have a gift. My dad used to be a musician and I learn faster than any other kid because my mom learns fast." Steven says, Greg nods.

"Hey, Steven. Can you teach me how to play guitar?" he asked.

"Sure! I can bring my ukulele in tomorrow, and I'll teach you at recess." Steven said. The boy smiles and puts his hands on the table.

"So, you want to be an actor?" he asked. Steven nods.

"Heck yeah, I do!" he said.

"Wait, you're the boy who was singing on YouTube!" he said, amazed. Steven giggled and blushed. He wasn't used to getting praise like this. "You know, the CEO of Cartoon Network complimented me about that when I visited.

"Woah!" Greg asked. Steven nods and smiles.

Steven was at lunch, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all sitting at a table, Steven took out his lunch which was a substitute for fried chicken.

"What's that?" Sumo asked as Steven took out a fork and knife.

"Oh, it's a substitute for fried chicken, it's a cut-up mushroom dipped in the stuff you make breaded chicken," he explained.

"Can I try?" Clarence asked.

"Sure," Steven said, cutting off a piece and giving it to him.

At the end of the school day, They were all walking, Steven saw a girl walking across the street. Then a car speeding by, Steven sees the car inching closer The half gem dropped his backpack, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo see it. Steven ran to the road to push the girl out of the way, causing her to fall onto the sidewalk.

"Are you okay? you were about to get hit." Steven said

"Thank you." the girl said, Steven looks at her. A young female, Steven guessed that she would be Indian, or African American with dark brown skin and a slim figure, and is slightly taller than Steven. She has a prominent nose, black eyes, thick eyebrows, and dark brown puffy hair that varies in length.

She wore a blue T-shirt and white shorts with white and red Converse.

"No problem, what's your name?" he asked.

"I'm, Connie. I moved here a few weeks ago. you're the boy with the red shirt who hangs out with the three boys." She glanced at Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo who were waiting across the street. Jeff held onto Steven's red star backpack by the strap.

"Are you in Miss. Amin's class?" Steven asked her. She nods.

"I am."

"Wait, you're the one who likes fantasy and playing the violin, right?"

"Yeah," she said. Steven smiles.

"Hey, Steven!" Clarence yells from across the street. Connie looks at the three boys.

"Oh, coming! Hey, you wanna come with us too?" he asked.

"Sure, where are we going though?" Connie asked.

"Wherever the wind takes us!" Clarence said. She smiles.

"Okay! Let's go!"

"Mom! I'm back, and I brought some friends over!" Clarence said, coming through the back of the house by the sliding glass door. Steven sees who appears to be his mother, a curvy woman with pink skin and blonde hair. Wearing a pale yellow t-shirt and tight pink pants with dark brown boots. She also wears red lipstick.

"Oh, hello! who are they?" His mother asked, seeing both Steven and Connie.

"I'm, Steven and this is Connie. I met her while saving her from almost getting hit by a car," he said. Connie nods in approval. Steven sat on the bar stool, his hands resting on the pink-tiled countertop. Steven took out his phone and saw there were no texts from his dad or the Gems, he smiled in relief.

Pearl would've been texting him nonstop by now wondering where he was at. But, Rose did say that she was not his parent. So, that is a plus.

"Clarence, do you and your friends want some leftover sushi?"

"Yeah!" Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Connie said, Steven looked up.

"Um… Excuse me, do you have anything vegetarian?" the hybrid asked her.

"Mmmm, let me see what I have…" she said, looking in the fridge, rummaging through it, looking for something that he could have. She poked her head out and grabbed some celery sticks and peanut butter.

"I have this, you want this?" she asked. Steven nods.

"Uh, what's your name by the way?" he asks.

"I'm Mary," she said, Steven nods.

"Hi, Mary," he said, shaking her hand.

She smiles and proceeds to make Steven his snack.

Mary places Steven's snack in front of him, He picks one up and takes a bite. They hear the door open. A man walks into the house.

The man has a very ape-like appearance, with shoulder-length brown hair and permanent stubble. The man is very tan with big, hairy arms. He's wearing a white T-shirt and black pants.

"Hey, Chad. Your home early." Mary tells her boyfriend, as he kisses her on the cheek.

"The shop wasn't as busy, so I closed up early."

"What does he do again, Mary?" Jeff asked.

"He owns a music store in downtown LA." she reminded Jeff.

"Coool! My dad worked at a music store back home," Steven said. "But now, he's trying to look for a job."

"Oh, what happened?" Mary asked.

"His house caught fire in Delaware three days ago, so he's living here now to be closer to his family and friends," Jeff explained. She nodded as Steven ate the rest of his celery and peanut butter.

"If he's looking for a job, I can hook him up. You know, I can always use more help." Chad said, handing Steven a black business card.

"Chad's music store." Steven read off the card, the boy put it in his pocket and gave him a thumbs up towards the man.

"Bye, Steven. I'll see you tomorrow!" Clarence said Steven and Rose were going back to Misty's and Tony's house. Rose was driving Greg's van. "How was your first day of school, Steven?"

"I loved it, oh! and I have this card. Dad can work at a music store like he did back home! And I met a girl, who almost got hit by a car. I saved her though." Steven said. Rose put a hand on his curly hair.

"You are very compassionate, Steven." his mother said, Steven blushed and smiled. They arrived back at Tony and Misty's house. Steven walks in and puts his backpack by the door.

Steven walked into the bathroom with his PJ pants and a Star Wars T-shirt to take a shower.

Dinner was over, Steven was in bed, and he felt warm under the covers as he drifted to sleep.

He was surrounded by a home on fire, the smoke from the burning wood was making him cough and wheeze. Steven sees a beam fall and tries to duck out of the way, Steven's hands, arms, and legs are black from the ash.

Steven's heart raced as he knew where he was.

He was in his home in Delaware.

Steven ran into the living room, he saw Greg on the couch, limp. "Dad, Dad!" Steven yelled out, running towards him as he coughed violently as smoke filled his lungs.

Steven tried to pick him up and drag him out but couldn't. He then hears a noise. The boy lifted his head and saw a burning beam fall on both of them, Steven's mind raced with questions. How did this happen? Who would do this? and…

Where was his mother?

Steven's eyes shot open, he bolted up and started breathing heavily. Tears welled in his eyes as he wiped them with the back of his hand. He wasn't sure about waking his parents for a dumb problem like this, but…. He sighed, Steven peeled the covers back, opened the door, and went to his father's room.

Steven sees both his parents asleep while holding each other. The hybrid stepped onto the carpeted floor and shook his father's shoulder.

"Dad…" he said. Greg opens his eyes and rolls over and sees his son.

"Steven? What are you doing up?" he asked yawning, rubbing his eyes.

"Um…. I had a nightmare, can I sleep with you guys?" he asked.

Greg smiled at his son. "Of course, Buddy," he said, scooting over and letting him in. The boy went in. Immidely his body was swallowed up with his father's warmth. Steven slowly closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Chapter Text

"Steven, are you okay?" Rose asked from the kitchen, It was the next morning. Steven was at the table with his father, Rose was making eggs for her son. Steven nods.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure, kiddo? I can call in the school to say that you're not coming in today." Greg said, pulling out his phone, ready to call the school

"Dad, it's six in the morning…. And I'm fine to go today."

"You had a nightmare, Steven." Rose said, putting his chocolate milk on the table." We're worried for your mental health too, education can wait, Steven." his mom told him. Steven drank his chocolate milk and then nodded.

"If this is what you want, we can take you to school, okay?" Greg said.

"Alright," Steven said.

"But…" Rose said making Steven look up at his mother. "If you feel like you need a break, you can call one of us and we will pick you up."

Steven smiled and nodded. They watch him stand up from his chair and go to his room to get dressed.

Steven was dressed in a new Sonic The Hedgehog t-shirt that his mom had bought him. Steven slipped on his vans and put his Sonic beanie on top of his curly hair. He grabs his ukulele and puts it in his backpack.

Steven slung it over his shoulder and put the other strap on, Then he went downstairs. Rose grabs the keys to her husband's van and they walk out.

"Hey, Mom, when are you getting a car for yourself?" Steven asked her. Rose has been driving Greg's van since they got married. Rose even dropped Steven off on his first day of school in his van.

"I don't know, Steven…. I hope the people at the dealership aren't racists." Rose said, sighing. Steven looks at her mother in concern. He is worried for her because of the problems that she has to go through, Steven knows that the other Gems go through this too, and he feels bad for them.

Steven was in class, Miss. Amin was at her desk on her computer, and some of the students were still working on their assignments. Clarence and Steven were done first, while Jeff and Sumo were still working on his. Steven looks around the room and sees Connie on the other side of the room on a beanbag chair, reading a book.

Steven walks up to her in the Reading Center and picks out a book. "Hey, Connie," he said. Connie looks up, The girl adjusts her glasses and smiles.

"Hey, Steven," she said.

"So, what are you reading?" he asked.

"I'm reading A Wizard of Earthsea. It's good." Steven nods and reaches up to pull out a book off the shelf.

Steven was at recess, He and Greg were sitting at a table. Steven had his ukelele in his hands.

"Okay, you won't get in one day."

"But, you learned it real fast."

"I did but, it's different for everyone. My dad was a musician."

"Wait what does he do now?"

"He's looking for a job, I gave him a card for my friend's stepdad's business in Los Angeles," he explained.

"Cooollll!" Greg said. Steven nodded.

A few minutes passed and Greg was still struggling. "I can't do it, Steven."

"Don't say you can't. I have an idea, you can come home with me after school, my grandparents are musicians too. So if I can't help you, Misty, Tony, and my dad can." Greg nods at his friend.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all playing a game of kickball, they had a few minutes left until they went inside.

"Okay, guys. Let's play!" Steven said, walking up first, Jeff rolled the ball towards him and he kicked it.

"Come on, Steven!" Sumo said as Steven was Running around the bases. He stopped at home.

"Heck yeah, Steven!" Sumo said as the boy went up. Steven sees Connie walk to him. "Hey, Connie." he smiles.

"Hi, Steven," she says, watching Steven's friends play kickball. Steven pulled out his phone and texted his mom if his friends could come over when she picked them up.

Rose texted back with a yes. "Connie! you can come to my house after school!" he said. Steven flashed a smile to her friend. Connie smiles back.

Steven, Clarence, Connie Jeff, Sumo, and Greg see a van with the word MR. UNIVERSE on the side of it, Steven opens the door to let his friends in first.

Steven sat and he put his seatbelt on. "How was your day guys?"

"It was great, Mom, oh mom, This is Greg. He's coming to our house so he can learn how to play guitar, I'm trying to teach him but…He doesn't understand it yet. Maybe Dad can teach him like he taught me."

"He can. He's home, so yes," Rose said, driving back to Hollywood Hills. Steven got a text from Ameythest asking if he wanted to come over after school so they could do something. Steven turned to his mother.

"Hey Mom, could I go over to Amethyst's house tomorrow?"

"Sure you can, you know how to get there right? In two weeks we are going to let you ride your bike to places close to the house But to school. You will still be riding with me or your dad. It's too far for you."

"How far is it?"

"It's…" She took her phone out while stopping at a red light and googling it. "Four hours," she said, Steven nods.

"That makes sense," he said.

Rose, Steven, and his friends were back at Greg's childhood home and they all got out. "I'm hungry," Steven said, Rose opened the front door. Misty was making lunch.

"Hey, we're back!" Rose said, Misty turned around and saw her grandson with his friends whom she'd never met before.

"Hey, Steven! oh, who are they?" she asked.

"These are my friends from school. And I met Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo when we went back to school shopping on Sunday," he tells her. Misty smiles at all of them.

"Rose, can you help me?"

"Sure," she said walking to the kitchen.

Greg looks at all the awards on the walk from Steven's grandparents' achievements on the walls of the house. Greg even sees a star on the wall that says 'TONY & MISTY UNIVERSE' with a record below their names.

"Cooolllll!" he said.

"Yeah," Steven says. Then someone knocks on the door. Rose opened it and saw Pearl.

"Hey, Pearl. what are you doing here?" Steven asked.

"How do you know this address?" Steven asked.

"Rose texted it to me," she said, looking at her. She waved at Rose, she waved back awkordly.

"Hi, Pearl," Misty said.

"Hey, Misty." Pearl smiles, then she sees Steven. She picks him up.

"Pearl, what are you doing here, I thought you were at work, and how do you know this address," Rose said.

"Remember that I went on that trip for a few days? I came back just now," she said.

"Ohh, right. You left after we left," she said, Pearl nodded and pulled out her phone. "I have pictures of my trip."

"Oh, where'd you go?"

"Miami," she said.

"Oh, okay." Pearl went on her phone and showed Steven. "Glad you had fun, Pearl," Steven said, she picked up Steven and hugged him. "And I'm glad that you're here to stay, Steven! I'm so glad that you're here!" she said, Steven felt super uncomfortable with this.

"Okay, Pearl please put him down," Greg said. Pearl put the boy down and ruffles his curly hair. Steven walks in farther into the house with Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Greg.

"Hey, Steven do you want to do?" Sumo said.

"Steven I thought you were gonna help me," Greg said. Steven nods. "Oh, yeah. Guys. you wanna go to the basement with me?" Clarence and Sumo both say yes.

Steven and his friends went to the basement of the house and saw a recording studio with instruments.

Steven opens the glass door grabs an acoustic guitar and hands it to his friend. Steven went back and grabbed another one and sat by Greg.

The next day, Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were walking, thankfully that they had three days left until the weekend and they were excited, Steven was at their treehouse, and Steven was playing with Clarence as Sumo was throwing stuff at a big rock. Then, a girl walks over. Steven knew these kids from his class.

"Hey, Chelsea!" he smiles, and the girl waves.

The girl has brown skin, a long neck, big ears, and a ginormous bush of dense brown hair that goes all the way down to her waist. She also has buck teeth with braces, though her front two teeth are fake. She's wearing a black shirt, and a pair of yellow shorts, and purple Adidas high tops.

"Hey, Steven!" she said as she climbed the ladder to the treehouse, Sumo, Jeff, and Clarence waved and went back to throwing stuff.

Steven threw a watermelon at the rock, their bikes were leaning on a tree, Steven got back after hanging out with Ameythest. The boy got a call from Clarence asking him if he wanted to come to the treehouse, so he took his bike to Jeff's house so they could ride together. So, that's what they were doing now.

He then got a text from Amethyst a few hours later asking if he wanted to spend the night, Steven said yes looked up the address to her house, and rode his bike there.

Chapter Text

March 12, 2012

Greg and Rose were in their room, Rose was sitting at her desk on her laptop. Greg was sitting on a chair. She opened her Facebook, something that she does not do often and she got a message from Cartoon Network regarding her YouTube video back in June of 2008.

"Greg, look! I got a message on Facebook, it's from Cartoon Network regarding that video we took of Steven," she said

It has now been four years and a lot has happened to the Universe family, Rose finally got a loan and opened a bakery in Los Angeles. Greg opened a music store in Hollywood, They had a beautiful house in Beverley Hills. Both of them had amazing careers, and a beautiful life in LA, what could go wrong?

Then, they heard something in the living room. Rose grabs her sword, Greg follows her, and goes downstairs.

The design promotes a sense of spaciousness and is ideal for entertaining.

Expect to see soaring ceilings, often adorned with elegant chandeliers or modern light fixtures, creating a dramatic effect in the living and dining area.

Interiors would typically showcase high-end materials such as marble or hardwood flooring, custom cabinetry, and upscale finishes. Natural stone countertops in kitchens and bathrooms would be common.

The furniture would likely reflect a modern aesthetic, with clean lines and a mix of neutral tones and bold accents. Plush sofas, a nice coffee table, and statement art pieces would contribute to the luxurious feel.

Large glass doors and windows connect indoor spaces to outdoor areas, such as patios or decks, enhancing the California lifestyle. Outdoor living spaces might include lounges or dining areas.

Bathrooms would often feature soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and double vanities with high-end fixtures, creating a serene retreat.

With the rise of technology, many homes would incorporate smart home systems for lighting, climate control, and security, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

Their son—who was now eleven years old, was in the kitchen while Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo, were on the couch, the boys were now three years older than Steven.

The boys were playing on Steven's PlayStation, Steven was in the kitchen making Pop-Tarts for them. Steven screams as he sees his mother wielding her sword.

"Oh, it's just you!" Rose said.

"Yeah, it's me! who do you think it was? the boogeyman?"

Rose put her sword in her scabbard and held it.

"Dude, What's wrong? You okay?" Greg asked

"Yes, it was Sumo who screamed, Dad!" he said, rolling his eyes.

"Sorry!" Sumo said, holding the controller in his hands.

"That's okay, We thought that someone was hurt," he said, sighing in relief.

"Hey guys, why won't you guys get out of the house?" Greg asked.

"Hey guys, let's go to our treehouse!" Steven said.

"Yeah!" Clarence said, as they all went and grabbed their bikes to ride there.

Steven was about to ride there when their neighbor walked out, Their neighbor was none other than Pearl.

"Steven!" Pearl said, Steven looked at the tall gem.

"Yeah, pearl?"

"Where are you going?"

Oh my stars, come on! can you get off my back?

Steven tried not to roll his eyes at her then put on a smile. "I'm going with Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo to our treehouse."

"Okay, Steven. Make sure you ride safely," she told him. Steven tried not to roll his eyes again and he looked at her. "I will be fine, Pearl! let's go guys," he said, riding with them to the treehouse.

Clarence, Jeff, Steven, and Sumo parked their bikes When they were about to go up. Steven's phone went off. He saw the caller ID was Ameytthest.

"Hey, Ameythest!"

"Hey, dude. Do you wanna come to my basketball game that's tonight? my mom can pick you up."

Steven's enthusiasm went way up. "Sure! when is it?" he said

"It's at five thirty."

"Heck yes! I'll see you there!" he said

"Awesome, dude. I'll see you!" Steven said goodbye to her then they all played.

Clarence, Sumo, Jeff, and Steven all went to grab ramen. They rode their bikes to the nearest one in LA and parked, Steven and his friends went inside the restaurant and got a table.

Steven and his friends all sat at a table, Steven got some lemonade and sushi. Same with his friends.

"Hey Steven, I have a question," Jeff said drinking his lemonade.

"What's up?"

"Why don't you age like us? your twelve right?" Sumo asked the boy, Steven put a hand in his hair and nodded. "Yeah?"

"Then, why aren't you growing like us?" Clarence asked. Steven has not told them this before, not even in the four years that he's known them. "Are you sure that you're twelve, Steven?"

"Yes, I'm twelve, but I'm part gem, so I age slower than other kids." He said. his friends nod, and the waitress walks over and gives them their sushi.

"Thank you," Steven said, eating his sushi.

"Hey, Steven? You wanna come with us to the community pool tomorrow, my mom texted me if you want to come." Clarence told him.

"Yeah!" Steven said, raising his arms p.

"Let's do it, is your mom going to pick me up?" Steven asked.

"Yeah, If you want to," he said. Steven nodded. "Okay, this is gonna be so much fun!" Sumo exclaimed.

"Yeah, It is!"

Steven was getting ready to go to Ameythest's game at her school. Steven walked down the stairs of the house, and Greg and Rose said yes that he could go. Steven went outside, zipped up his jacket and he went into her father's truck.

"Hey! Steven!" Amethyst said. Giving him a fist bump.

"What's up?" he asked, closing the door

"Fine," he said, Adrain drove off to her high school, Ameythest grabbed her CD and put it into the player that was in the car, and played some rock. Steven was jamming out to the song as they were driving.

Adrain parks at the parking lot and they go to the gym, they go to the building. Four other girls were out practicing. Her coach walks up.

Steven saw her basketball coach.

She is a passionate African American woman in her late 30s. She has a strong presence, standing tall with an athletic build, reflecting her years of playing and coaching the game. Her hair is styled in natural curls, often pulled back into a ponytail during practices and games.

Her coaching style is energetic and motivational, emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and hard work. She wears comfortable athletic gear, usually a branded team hoodie and basketball shorts, paired with sneakers that allow her to move quickly on the court.

Off the court, she is known for her engaging personality and dedication to mentoring her players, instilling confidence and resilience in them. She often organizes community events to foster support for the team and promotes inclusivity and empowerment among young female athletes in the area. Her leadership is not just about winning games but also about building character and community.

"Well, guess who decided to join us." Her coach said.

"Sorry, Coach. Talia."

"Get into your uniform, alright, We starting soon." She nodded and walked to the locker room.

"Let's sit Steven," Adrain said, walking him to the bleachers and they found a space to sit and watch.

"Why is basketball season so late? I thought It was in November. Where in March."

"Her last game is tonight, Steven."

"Oh, okay," he said as he watched the game.

"THE AGOURA HILLS BLAZE WIN!" The commentator said, jumping from his seat. Steven smiled and clapped for her team.

Steven was now back home, he hopped out of the shower, went out, and looked around his bedroom.

The walls are painted in a vibrant red or adorned with posters of his favorite bands, and the NBA team—The Los Angeles LAKERS with his favorite player Kobe Bryant, some Justice League, and Captain America posters were also on the walls.

He also had a full-sized bed for sleepovers with Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo, often covered with a fun, themed bedspread. A desk was present, cluttered with school supplies and books.

The floor was strewn with toys, action figures, or sports gear, reflecting his hobbies. A bookshelf might showcase a mix of novels, comic books, and trophies from sports or other achievements.

Lighting could come from a bedside lamp shaped like a character—In this case, was Batman.

Steven pulled back the covers and slipped into them, it took him a while for him to fall asleep but, he did.

Chapter Text

Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Steven were at the community pool. Pearl was tagging along with them. When she heard that they were going to the pool, she wanted to come to Steven and his friends wouldn't cause trouble.

One time when Steven and his friends were at her house for a pool day, she caught Clarence and Steven both making soup with uncut vegetables in her jacuzzi.

She was not happy about that. But at least they didn't cut up the vegetables and threw them in there.

"There's the pool!" Sumo said as Pearl turned the wheel to her Audi. She parked and they stepped out. Pearl stepped out, she wore a pair of cyan flip-flops, white short shorts, and a white strapless top, underneath she had a light blue bikini.

Steven was about to take off his shirt. "Steven." She said sternly.

"What, Pearl." he tried his hardest not to get irritated with her.

"Remember, keep your shirt on."

"Pearl, no one is going to steal my gem!" Steven protested, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were watching the conversation awkwardly. Jeff took off his shirt. Same as Clarence and Sumo.

"Hey, Steven! we're going into the water!" Sumo said. The boy looks at Pearl, she walks to one of the pool chairs and lays on one.

Steven then took off his shirt ran to the pool and jumped into it. Clarence did too, Sumo was now about to go on the high dive. Steven looked up and saw Sumo climbing the ladder.

"Come on, Sumo!" Steven encouraged. He finally made it to the top and then he jumped.

Steven, Clarence, and Jeff stared at their friend as he crashed into the water. Steven smiled and he saw Sumo who was red all over.

"Steven. I dare you to do that!" Sumo said, Steven grinned and went for it. He got out of the water and fast walked to the diving board. He climbed up and took two jumps and leaped off, spreading his arms, and sticking his stomach out.

"IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, NO IT'S STEVEN QUARTZ UNIVERSE DOING A BELLY FLO—" Steven's sentence was cut short by a slap in the water, a hard smack that made Jeff cringe. Sumo laughed as Steven popped his head out. The backs of his arms were red, and so were his hands.

"Steven, stand up! I wanna see how bad it is!" Sumo said, Clarence agreed. Steven stood up and they both cringed as they saw his whole front was red, excluding his gem. Then, Sumo started laughing hard at that.

"Oh, man Steven! You look like a tomato!" Sumo said, and then Clarence and Sumo both laughed hysterically.

"Wanna poke it?" Steven asked.

"YEAH!" Clarence and Sumo both said. They were poking the red part of his body to make it white, then it turned back to red again, the three of them were giggling as they poked the boy. Jeff on the other hand, was weirded out by this.

Jeff decided to swim to the other side of the pool and saw some kids in their class.

"Hey, Chelsea."

"Hey, Jeff," she said, looking at his friends. Who was still poking the boy and laughing?

"What are they doing?" Chelsea asked still watching.

"Oh, Steven jumped off the high dive and they're touching him while he's red."

"Ohhhh, that's gotta hurt!" she grits her teeth.

"Exactly," he told her.

Clarence and Steven both went into the hot tub. both Steven and Clarence laugh as they pull something out.

"Let's make soup."Steven laughed, and Clarence did too as they both dropped the carrots and tomatoes into the hot tub.

"HEY, YOU TWO!" A lifeguard catches them, then he grabs them by their arms.

"Don't you do that again! If you do, you two will be banned from this pool!" the lifeguard warned them. Steven and Clarence both look at each other and they jump into the pool, like nothing happened.

Sumo, Steven, Clarence, and Jeff were racing to the end of the pool.

"Okay, ready! three, two, one. GO!" Chelsea said and they raced. Steven popped up first.

"I win!" he said. And thankfully I didn't drown…. He thought to himself.

Steven saw someone enter. It was Steven's friend, Connie. Connie was now ten years old. Connie sees Steven and walks up to him. "Hey, Steven!" she said, Steven smiled at her. Connie went to a chair and took off her shirt and pants, She had on a white one-piece bathing suit, She went in and swam towards Steven and his friends.

"Hey! When did you get here?" She asked.

"We got here an hour ago," Jeff told her. Connie nodded.

"Alright, I brought a foam football, wanna play catch?"

"Yeah!" the boys said. Connie threw the football to Steven. Steven threw it to Clarence, Clarence threw it to Jeff, Jeff threw it to Sumo, and Sumo to Chelsea.

They played catch for a few minutes until they got bored with it.

"Me and Steven tried filling vegetables in the hot tub, but. A lifeguard caught us." Clarence said

"Why would you guys do that?" Connie asked. Steven shrugged, but Clarence said this: "I wanted to make a soup bath." he smirked. Steven giggled at that.

An hour went by, Pearl called them to get out.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all got out of the pool, dried off, put their shirts and flip-flops on and they went home.

Steven was riding his bike a few minutes later, They were all out again, showered and dressed in fresh clothes and they were riding to Santa Monica Pier, It was only a thirty-seven-minute bike ride, Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Steven were at the pier riding. Steven brought money to get some stuff.

Steven found a store. He walked into it and saw a hat that caught his eye, The hat was all back, and it had embroidered letters that said LA. Steven turns it over, and he sees under the lip it says LOS ANGLES in a white outline. Steven took out some cash and got it.

Steven walks out. "I like the hat, Steven," Clarence said. "I like it too, Steven," Sumo said. Steven got on his bike, put the peg up and they rode.

"Let's get some food, I'm starving," Steven said.

"Heck yes!"

Steven Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all went for some tacos at a restaurant on the pier.

"Steven sees people that he recognized by watching their show.

"Oh mannnn! Steven is that you, dude?" Rigby asked.

"Rigby!" Steven hugged the raccoon.

"Dude!" Mordecai said. Steven high-fived the blue jay.

"How are you guys, how's your show?" Steven asked them.

"It's going good, Hey, Steven! you should come and watch us on filming day, Give me your phone." Mordecai said Steven gave him his iPhone 5, he put his and Rigby's phone numbers in. "Alright, our numbers are in your phone, We will give you a call, mostly me because Rigby will forget-"

"STOP TALKING!" he screeched at his friend.

"-Anyway! I'll shoot you a text or give you a call to tell you that we're filming." He said. Steven smiled and fist-bumped his friend. "Awesome, thanks Mordecai," he said, smiling. The Blue Jay nodded and gripped Steven's shoulder.

"Why won't you guys sit with us? It'll be fun." Mordecai said.

"But—" Mordecai punched him in the arm before Rigby could say anything. He rubs his arms. "Owwww!" he wined, rubbing his arm. Mordecai rolls his eyes. Steven and his friends chuckled at that, they got a table for six people.

"Hey, Steven, Isn't your mom's bakery in Santa Monica?" Rigby asked, drinking his juice.

Steven nods. "Yeah, I can show you guys, I think It's open so we can go and get deserts," he said. Mordecai agrees with that. "I could get something sweet, dude." Rigby agreed with him.

They were walking, Steven was playing on his phone, and Rigby looked up.

"Hey, Steven?"

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Is that it?" Steven and his friends see a medium-sized shop They read the name ' The Sweet Universe' on top of the store. "Yeah, that's the place, come on."

They all look and see a small, charming bakery, radiating warmth and creativity. The exterior features pastel pink walls adorned with whimsical illustrations of pastries and flowers, inviting passersby to step inside. A quaint wooden sign hangs above the door, elegantly painted with the bakery's name.

Steven and his friends enter his mother's shop, the aroma of freshly baked goods envelops them, with the sound of a gentle bell announcing your arrival. The cozy interior has rustic wooden tables and mismatched chairs, creating a homey atmosphere. Shelves are lined with an array of colorful cupcakes, delicate macarons, and artisanal bread, all crafted with love by his mother.

Rose Quartz Universe is known for her unique offerings, combining traditional recipes with innovative flavors inspired by the vibrant coastal surroundings. Locals and tourists alike flock to the bakery for its signature rose-infused pastries and seasonal treats that celebrate the essence of Santa Monica. The bakery also features a small seating area where customers can enjoy their treats with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or herbal tea, making it a perfect spot to relax after a day at the pier.

"Woooahhhh!" Clarence said, walking in. Then, Steven saw an African American woman with braids in her hair wearing a pink and white T-shirt that said, ' The Sweet Universe' in pink script. The border for it was white.

"Hey, well if it isn't Steven Quartz Universe!" She said, smiling.

"Hey, Shay! Is mom in today?" Steven asked.

"She should be in her office. You want anything?"

"Mmmm." He took a menu and gave some to his friends.

Mordecai opens it and reads through it. "Oh yeah! doughnuts," he said. Clarence, Sumo, and Jeff read it after Mordecai was finished with it.

"We know what we want," Rigby said.

Steven nods.

"What do y'all want?" Shay asked. They all ordered, and then they sat in the bakery at the two open tables that were inside.

Steven heard Skillet playing on the speakers. He smiles. He always loved his parents' music taste. Steven sees someone walk out, His mother walks out in a long, white dress. A circle was cut out for where her gem was visible, and her long curly hair bounced on her shoulders.

"Hello, boys."

"Hi, Rose!" Jeff greeted.

"Hi, Rose!" Both Mordecai and Rigby say.

"How are you two?" Rose asked.

"We're fine."

"I heard that you guys are working on your show, what season are you on now?" Rose asked.

"We are on season three. we finished our latest episode seven days ago."

"Oh! Gut Model? That was a good episode!" Sumo said Steven agreed with him.

"Where are your other friends by the way?" Steven asked.

"Oh, it's just us. And sorry about your house, We heard what happened." Mordecai said.

"It's okay, it's been four years," Steven said, shrugging it off. "Now I made new memories here with you guys, my parents, and my friends." he grinned.

"Bye, guys! I'll see you later!" Mordecai said as they parted ways, Steven got on his bike and was about to ride off.

"Dude, you guys need to buy some bikes so we go riding around LA," Steven told them.

"That's an idea!" Rigby said.

"It'll be so much fun!" Sumo said. All of us riding around the streets of Los Angeles will be amazing!"

"YEAH!" Steven said giving a friend a high-five. Steven fist-bumps Mordecai and Rigby and walks off. Rose walked out holding a box of cookies.

"Hey, Clarence your mom called wanting a box of my frosted cookies, can you give them to her when you go home?" Rose said.

Clarence saluted. "Yes Ma'am!" he says, Rose chuckles and hands the box to the boy.

"Okay, Mom we're off. see you at home!" Steven said. Riding off with his friends.

"Hey guys! wanna have a sleepover at my house?" Clarence asked.

"Yeah!" Steven said as they went back to Clarence's house.

They got off their bikes. Clarence opened the door, Mary was sitting on the couch, folding laundry. She looked up. "Hey, boys," she said.

"Hey, mom! Rose called and said to give you this." he handed her a pink box with a rose on the front of it. Mary stopped what she was doing and opened it. "Steven, tell your mother I said thank you and I will pay her later."

"Okay." He took out his phone and texts her. Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Steven all were in Clasrence's room. It was now night and they were all in their PJs. Except Steven.

"Hey, guys. Let's play a game!" Clarence said, going into his closet and grabbing a board game.

They played the game until it was time to go to bed.

Chapter Text

A few days passed, and Steven woke up in his room, he picked up his phone and got a text from Mordecai. He and the crew were at the studio. Steven looks at the time, the numbers read 9:10 and under it, it said March 26.

Steven got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

He stepped out and went to his closet and picked out his bright red star shirt and a pair of black basketball shorts. The hybrid put them on grabbed his white Converse, put them on, and tied them.

He grabbed his hat that he bought a few days ago and put it atop his curly hair, grabbed his phone, and went out the door. Steven went on his phone and looked up the distance.

Twenty-five minutes. Perfect.

Steven walked downstairs, went out the door, grabbed his bike, and took the ride to Burbank. He decided to listen to music on the way.

He grabs his earbuds, plugs them in, and puts on a song.

The Cartoon Network movie lot was already bustling with life. Steven parked his bike, and put his feet on the ground, As a tall and grey rock man walked up. he wore a black guard uniform. "Rada rada."

Steven showed him the text that he got from his friend Mordecai. "I'm here to watch them film Snitzhel." He said.

Snitzhel nods and rasied the gate. Steven biked inside the studio and saw actors, Crew members, And even familiar faces studying their lines, he was looking for Regular Show.

"Oh, excuse me?" Steven asked. He sees a boy, he is wearing a white hat that covers his head and neck, his clothes are a blue shirt and shorts consisting of a green backpack worn on his back, completed with white socks that were cupped around his ankles and black shoes.

"Oh, hello." the boy said.

"Oh my gosh! your Finn The Human from Adventure Time! Can I have a picture?" he asked.

"Sure, man," he said, Finn walked over and put his arm around the boy's shoulders, and Steven took a selfie with the boy.

"Oh, can you point me to where the Regular Show studio is?"

"Oh, you see that soundstage over there?" he asked. Steven nods. "It's there, soundstage twelve."

"Thanks, Finn! Hey. Happy late birthday by the way."

"Thank you!" he said, then Steven rode off to the soundstage.

He'd made it, he walked in and saw a large, acoustically treated space designed for recording the show. Inside, he saw high ceilings and expansive floor space to accommodate various setups. The walls are often lined with sound-absorbing materials, such as foam panels or curtains, to minimize echoes and improve sound quality.

The floor may be open or have a stage area, with various microphones, instruments, and recording equipment scattered throughout. There are usually control rooms adjacent to the main stage, equipped with mixing consoles, audio interfaces, and monitors for sound engineers to manage the recording process.

The lighting can vary, with bright overhead lights for visibility and more atmospheric lighting for specific scenes or performances. Overall, a soundstage is a versatile environment tailored for optimal audio production, featuring a blend of technical equipment and creative space.

Steven sees a living room setup, Mordecai and Rigby are talking with Margret at the snack table. Then, someone walks into the set. Steven sees him — probably Mordecai and Rigby's director.

The man has straight, dark brown hair that falls over his forehead and ears. He is smiling broadly, displaying his teeth. He is wearing a light-colored, button-up shirt. He also has a black and white checkered lanyard around his neck, He holds a clipboard under his arm as he walks to the director's chair.

"Coooollll!" Steven whispered, his eyes going starry, his friends smiled at him.

"I will ask him if you can watch," Mordecai said, Walking up to the director.

"So, Steven. you want to be an actor?" Margret asked.

"Heck yeah, I do! That will be AWESOME!" He said, jumping up into the air, Margret chuckled, she liked him.

"Yeah, It's a lot of fun, I love it you know."

"I bet!" he said. Then, the Blue Jay walked back towards him and gave the hybrid a thumbs up.

"Okay places, guys! And action!"

"Regular Show: Brain Eraser, Scene One. Take one." the Clapper Loader said, clapping the clapperboard.

Mordecai and Rigby were deeply engrossed in their latest video game session, the screen flashing with vibrant colors and intense action. Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted from the television, accompanied by bold letters declaring, "PLAYER 1 WINS!" Rigby slumped back into the couch, frustration etched on his face.

"Ugh! I lost again," he groaned, his eyes narrowing at the screen.

Mordecai, with a smug grin, simply shrugged, his amusement evident. "Hmph. Hmph," he replied, relishing his victory.

Rigby's annoyance quickly turned to distraction as he rummaged through the couch cushions. "This stupid thing was throwing me off," he muttered, pulling out a magazine that read, "Mustaches Monthly-SPECIAL HANDLEBAR ISSUE!"

Mordecai's eyes widened in realization. "Dude! Pops' Mustaches Monthly! Benson told us to deliver this weeks ago. You have to give this to Pops."

Rigby's protest was immediate. "What?! Why do I have to?"

"Because you're the tool who crammed it between the sofa cushions!" Mordecai shot back, exasperated.

Rigby huffed, sinking deeper into the couch. "I can't get up now. I'm going to lose this sweet butt cheek groove I've been working into this couch! It looks just like me!" He gestured to the distinct impression his body had left on the fabric.

Mordecai rolled his eyes. "I'm not going up those stairs, dude."

After a moment of silence, Rigby proposed a solution. "Fine, let's play rock-paper-scissors for it."

With determination, Rigby threw out paper while Mordecai chose rock. "Hmph hmph," Rigby smirked, reveling in his victory.

"Whatever," Mordecai groaned, begrudgingly conceding. As Rigby resumed his gaming, Mordecai reluctantly made his way to Pops' room, where he could hear the sound of running water.

"Pops. Yo, Pops. I found your Mustache Monthly," he called out, placing the magazine on a chair. Just as he turned, he was met with a shocking sight—Pops, fresh out of the shower and completely naked.

"Aaaaagh!" both Mordecai and Pops screamed in unison, their eyes wide with horror.

In the chaos, Mordecai caught an unintended glimpse of Pops' "junk mail." Panic surged through him as Pops hurriedly covered himself with his hat, while Mordecai instinctively shielded his eyes.

"Aaaaagh!" they both continued to exclaim, trying to escape the awkward situation, but finding themselves blocking each other's path.

"Uh... uh... uh... uh..." Mordecai stammered his heart racing.

"Uh... uh... uh... uh..." Pops echoed, equally flustered.

Steven was trying his hardest to contain his laughter.

Finally, Mordecai managed to slip past Pops, darting out of the room just as Pops retreated into his bathroom. Breathing heavily, Mordecai made his way back downstairs and plopped onto the couch next to Rigby.

"Stop playing for a second," Mordecai panted. "When I went upstairs, Pops was getting out of the shower."

Rigby looked at him, puzzled. "Yeah, so?"

"And he didn't have a towel," Mordecai replied, his voice laced with disbelief.

Rigby's face twisted in disgust. "Ewww!"

"Cut! Perfect guys!" J.G said, standing up, Steven then burst out laughing.

"Not funny, Steven." he glares at his friend.

"It is! you saw Pops naked, dude!"

Rigby looks at his two friends back to back.

"It was for the scene!" he protested.

"I know! but was that acting or real? cause it looked pretty real to me." Rigby said, Mordecai punched him in the arm.

"Owwww!" Rigby said as his friend glared at him.

"You did a good job," Margret said. Mordecai could still see Pops'… stuff, it's burned into his brain. And they were rehearsed this last week!

"Thanks, Margret," he said. Sighing to himself.

Steven looks at Mordecai.

"Okay guys, places!" J.G. sat in the director's chair holding a bottle of water in his hand. "And…" The man said. "Action."

"Regular Show: Brain Eraser, Scene Two. Take two." the Clapper Loader said, clapping the clapperboard.

Mordecai and Rigby were lounging in the park, the sun casting long shadows as the day wound down. Trying to be helpful, Mordecai picked up Mr. Peterson's magazine delivery, intending to drop it off at the old man's house on their way back.

"I tried not to look and just give him the magazine, but I saw his..." Mordecai began, his voice tinged with horror.

Rigby, ever the jokester, interjected with a smirk, "His junk mail? Ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Mordecai's face turned pale. "No, dude, I'm mentally scarred. It's like the image is glued to the inside of my eyelids. Every saggy, wrinkled, shriveled, pasty..."

"Whoa, whoa! Don't put it in my head," Rigby quickly interrupted, holding up his hand as if to ward off the mental image.

Mordecai glared at him, the ghostly vision still unsettling in his mind. "This is your fault. You have to help me."

Rigby sighed, realizing the gravity of his friend's distress. "I'll help you to forget it if you promise to stop talking about it."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Mordecai's eyes. "Deal."

They shook hands, sealing the agreement, each hoping to put the disturbing incident behind them.

Steven watches the whole filming process from start to end.

The behind-the-scenes took hours to film because some actors forgot their lines. But all and all, it was a good filming day, Steven was walking out of the soundstage, he was about to grab his bike, then he bumped into a woman. Steven looks up.

The woman has short, curly dark hair and wears glasses. She is dressed in a plaid shirt with red, blue, and black colors over a light-colored top. She is standing with one hand in her pocket.

"I… I am so sorry."

"It's okay, It's my fault. Should've watched where I was going." The woman said Steven heard the woman's voice. It was the most calming voice he had ever heard in his life.

"What's your name?" the woman asked.

"I'm Steven Universe.

"I'm Rebecca Sugar, nice to meet you."

Chapter Text

Steven looks at her again. He recognized her, she was the storyboard artist for Adventure Time.

"Well, hello Steven. What brings you here?" she asked him.

"Oh," he said. "I was watching my friends film for their show, and now, I'm heading home," he said.

"Alright." She looked around and then noticed something familiar about him. "Hey, by any chance are you-" she took out her phone and went on YouTube and looked up a video titled 'My Son Singing' She then continued her sentence. "-This boy with the ukelele?" Rebecca showed him the YouTube video to him.

Steven smiles and remembers that day well. But, it fades fast as he asks his next question "Yes… But am I in trouble?" the woman chuckles and then shakes her head.

"Not at all Steven. I'm just saying that you have a lot of potential.

potential? potential for what?

"Uhhh, for what?" Steven asked.

"Come into my office, we can talk there," Rebecca said walking over to the large Cartoon Network building in the middle of the studio.

Then, Mordecai and Rigby walked up. "Hey, Quartz. We're going to the arcade with Muscle Man, you in?" Rigby asked the boy.

"Maybe later guys. Rebecca's taking me to her office." both Mordecai and Rigby felt a chill go up both their spines.

"What'd you do?"

Rebecca chuckles. "Steven Isn't in trouble guys, we are going into my office for a little bit." The Blue Jay and Raccoon both nod and watch their friend go with her.

Rebecca walked to an elevator and went into her office Steven saw it, her desk was cluttered. it had an open laptop on it, and some scripts for the show were next to her computer.

"Alright, Steven." She took a seat at her desk and scooted her chair. Steven sat on the chair that was across her desk, Steven sat there nervously playing with his hands. He has never done this before.

Rebecca smiles. Steven felt more at ease, but not all the way relaxed. "I can see that you are nervous. Let me tell you, there is nothing to be nervous about, okay? I'm human, not a robot." Steven chuckles nervously and puts his hands on his lap.

Rebecca opened a drawer and pulled something out it was a colorful sphere.

"Have you heard of these? They're called Hoberman spheres." She explained. Steven nods. "I've played with these in school before," he said, before grabbing it and opening and closing it.

"I watched your video before and I loved your singing and your skills on that ukulele," she said. Steven nods.

"Do you want to call my parents, they can come here, I'm free today. Or tomorrow will be best."

"Um…. I'm going to have to call them." He said pulling out his phone and calling his mom.

"Yes, Steven?"

"Hey, Mom. Could you and Dad maybe come to the Cartoon Network lot?"

"Alright, may I ask why though?" Rose asked her son.

"I'm with Rebecca Sugar. She is the one who did the storyboard for Adventure Time, And, She's wondering if you and Dad could come and talk, I don't know about what. But…" Steven looks at Rebecca.

"Let me talk to her," she said, Steven nodded and handed the phone over to her.

"Hello, Rose, I am Rebecca Shugar I'm here with your son can you come with your husband to the Cartoon Network studio lot, I want to talk about some stuff with you guys."

"Alright, we will come," Rose said, hanging up.

A few minutes pass, Greg and Rose arrive at the Cartoon Network movie lot. They got access and they parked at the building, they walked inside.

"Hello." An employee said.

"Hi, we're here to see Rebecca Sugar, our son is with her."

"Alright, she's in her office. Seventh floor, Room seven twenty-eight."

Greg and Rose nodded and they went up the elevator. They walk down a hallway filled with many closed doors. Some were open, Greg stopped and read a black plaque that was next to the door that said: 'Cartoon Network Studios, Rebecca Sugar'

Rose knocks on the door. "Come in!" She said. Greg and Rose both enter the room and see Steven. "Please have a seat." She said. Both of them sat down Steven still played with the toy that Rebecca gave him.

"I want to do a show that involves your son, I want to be a director, and I think that Steven will be perfect for the role of the main protagonist, and you two could be in it too."

"Sounds, great!" Greg said.

"Alright-" She said, pulling out a small video camera from her desk, flipping the mini screen to the side, and then turning it on. "-Say your names and ages for the camera please."

All of them complied with her request. The last one to go up was Steven. "I'm Steven Quartz Universe, I am eleven years old."

Rebecca turned off the camera, put it to the side, and grabbed three sheets of paper, Rose looked at her. "Alright, I want all of you to read these lines for me," she said, handing them all the sheets of paper.

Greg and Steven nods. "You can go first," Greg told his wife.

"Okay." she read the lines, Greg went next, and lastly, Steven. Steven then read the lines that were on the single sheet of paper.

Rebecca let them go, she is going to call them. She will make a show about Steven, but it is going to take a year to develop. But, for now. Steven Greg and Rose are going to go back home for now.

"Mom, Dad? can Clarence, Jeff and Sumo sleepover?"

"Well…" Greg said. "You do go to the same school. And your mother can drive you and them to school. Alright."

Steven texted them and asked them. They all said yes and they got the sleepover set up.

"So, when are you doing the show?" Sumo asked, They were all riding their bikes to the treehouse, and Steven told his parents that they would be back later in the day.

"Next year, I don't know what month though," he told his friends.

"That's cool, man!" Sumo said.

"Heck yeah, it is!"

Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Steven were all at his house in his room, they were all playing GameCube, they were in their PJs, Greg had made dinner not so long ago, and now Steven was playing Mario Kart Double Dash. both boys watched Clarence and Jeff play, the hybrid was about to nod off on the opposite side of his bed, and Sumo was sitting cross-legged on the floor watching them. Steven fell asleep in minutes as Clarence and Jeff played.

"Hey, Clarence," Sumo said tapping him on the shoulder. The boy looks at him.

"Steven is asleep."

"Okay?"

"Wanna pull a prank on him?" Sumo asked. Clarence laughed as he paused. Jeff looked at them in annoyance. "What are you guys doing?"

"Were pulling a prank on Steven, wanna help?" Sumo asked.

"I am not getting involved with this," Jeff said, sighing. Clarence and Sumo had an idea, then smirked.

Oh no, this can't be good.

Greg and Rose were asleep, Clarence and Sumo both opened the door silently to their room. Sumo was looking around the room. Clarence tapped him on the shoulder. he looked at his friend and saw his mother's sword hung above their bed.

Sumo took it and walked out the door.

"Let's prank him."

Clarence and Sumo both ran back in screaming, Steven woke up with a Shrek and he saw his friend carrying his mother's sword "OH MY GOSH, OH MY—!" Steven ran out, Sumo chased him around with it. Jeff glares at Clarence, Clarence puts his arms in defense. Both Clarence and Jeff raced downstairs, both boys saw Steven go to the pool and jump in, Sumo was laughing, and Steven popped out and shook his head. Letting all the excess water fall from his hair. "WHAT THE FRICK GUYS?" Steven asked.

Clarence giggled, holding his phone. He got that on video. "Your parents didn't hear that?" Jeff asked.

"Their deep sleepers, WHAT THE HECK SUMO?" Sumo laughed, he grabbed him by the shirt and tossed him in the pool with him. The boys had a fun sleepover that night.

Chapter Text

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all at the treehouse, Steven was drawing with Jeff while Clarence and Sumo were playing with bugs that they found in the grass and dirt.

Clarence walked over to Steven and handed him a small Pill Bug.

"Aww, cute!" he said as he stopped what he was doing and looked at it closer in his hands. "Hey, Jeff. Look!" Jeff let out a shriek and was about to swat it out of his hands. Steven walked backward out of the treehouse. Jeff walked to him. "Give me the bug, Steven!"

"Why? It's cool, I found it!" he exclaimed

"Steven, watch out!" Sumo said. "What?" Steven said as he screamed. He fell off and heard something snap.

Steven stood up and he looked around. I hope nothing is broken…

Steven walked to the wooden ladder, once he lifted his arms. He felt a sharp pain in one of them, he held his right arm and gritted his teeth. "Guys!" Steven yelled.

"Steven, you okay?" Sumo asked. Steven's face twisted in pain as he held his arm.

"No! Let's go back to my house! I need to see my mom!" he said, pulling out his phone and calling his mother.

"The Sweet Universe, how can I help you? This is Shay speaking."

"Shay! It's Steven, is my mom there?"

"Um, yeah. I'll go get her," she said, putting the phone down. Shay walked into the back of the building, she was in her office. "Hey, Rose?" she called. Rose looked up from her laptop.

"Hey, Shay. What's up?"

"Your son's on the phone." When Rose heard that, she got up and walked to the front, and picked it up.

"Steven? Are you okay?"

"No! I fell off the treehouse and I hurt my arm. I think it's broken! I don't I-I don't even h-ave my p-powers yet and—"

"It's okay, Steven, breathe…" she heard her son's breathing on the phone.

"I-It hurts so bad, mom!"

"Where are you?" Rose asked her son.

"I'm in Culver City."

"You walking? that's too far for you, call a cab." Rose said, Steven nodded and put his phone on speaker.

"Sumo, call a cab," he said.

"Alright," he said. "TAXI!" the boy yells, Jeff flagged a cab driver down. The driver saw the four boys, Jeff opened the passenger side door to let Steven in. Steven was still clenching his phone as he sat. He set his phone between his legs to put his seatbelt on with his left hand.

"Drive us to Santa Monica, California," Clarence calls from the back.

The driver said nothing but took them there. "We have money, so we can pay you," Steven said trying not to cringe in pain.

"Steven, are you coming?"

"Yes, we're in a cab now," he told his mother.

A few minutes pass and they arrived at Santa Monica. Steven gave the driver the fare and the boys ran to the bakery.

"Mom, we are coming now. I'll see you in a few minutes." He said, hanging up the phone and putting it in his shorts pocket.

Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Steven all walk over to her bakery. Rose was standing by the door. His mother looked at the four boys, Steven looked like he was about to cry because of how, much pain he was in, thankfully. Rose was a healer so, she could fix his injury just by using her tears.

Steven tried to extend his arm out as best as he could. Rose smiled softly, saying that it was okay. Steven felt two warm drops hit his arm and suddenly his arm wasn't hurt anymore. The boy smiles and hugs her.

"Thanks, Mom." he smiled.

"No problem, you boys want to come in. I can give you guys something."

"YEAH!" Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Steven all told her then ran in.

"Shay? please give my son and his friends whatever they want okay?" Rose said, walking back inside. Some people were entering, about to buy some pastries.

"Okay, Rose."

They got their sweets and sat down. Rose walks up.

"Do you want water?" she asked the boys. They nod, and Rose comes back with four bottles of water. Steven pulled out his wallet and his mother stopped him.

"Steven, you don't have to pay. Or your friends, Jeff I see you." Jeff closed his wallet and put it back into his pocket. Steven looks at his friends and they get their stuff.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were at Sumo's house. He lived in West Hollywood with his parents, Mel and Tinona, his brothers, and one sister.

His parents make good money, Mel is a mechanic and Tinona works in the medical field. So, his father is also taking care of the family when he comes home.

They were all in Sumo's bedroom playing his Xbox. Steven was playing Sonic with his friends.

Steven got a text from Mordicai that if he would want to come ice skating tomorrow with him Rigby, Muscle Man, Skips, and Pops.

Steven texted him back with a yes Since tomorrow was Sunday. He had another day to spend with his friends.

Steven went back to playing. It was Clarence's turn to play, he grabbed the controller and unpaused the game. Then they all played.

Steven waited for them, It was the next day and it was noon. Steven saw an SUV pull up.

"Hey guys!" Steven said, getting in the back with Mordecai and Rigby. Pops was driving, Muscle Man was sitting in the very back with Skips.

"Hey, Steven," Rigby said.

"Oh, hello. Steven!" Pops said happily.

"Hey, Pops," he said as they drove off. His mom texted him if he locked the house and he replied with a yes.

Pops put on the radio, Feels Like Tonight by Daughty was playing. They sang it in the car as they drove to the ice rink.

They parked. Steven and the rest went inside. They got their skates and paid for an hour. Steven put his skates on. The rest did too, The boy stood up and went on the ice and started skating.

Mordecai went on the ice also and started to skate, Steven and Pops were on the other side of the rink. Muscle Man was on the other side of Steven, and Skips beside Pops.

"Ready?" Skips told them. "And…. GO!" They all skated as fast as they possibly could to the other side of the rink. Rigby was hanging on to the wall of the rink, trying to skate. But he kept tripping over his own feet.

Then a boy skated to him, Rigby looked at him, he was maybe ten or eleven. The boy glanced at him. "You can't skate!" he said as he skated off laughing, Rigby growled as he tried to get up but fell back down. Steven skates to him bent down then reaches out a hand, Rigby grabs his hand and pulls him up.

"Thanks, Steven," he said, smiling at his friend.

"No problem dude, if you need help, you can borrow a walker."

"I don't need help!"

"Oh." Mordecai skated near him. "It looks like you need help to me, dude. If you can't skate. Get off the ice or grab a walker."

"STOP TALKING!" Rigby screamed at his friend.

"Rigby, there is no shame in asking for help, I ask my parents for help all the time. Yesterday, I told off a treehouse, then I asked my mom if she could heal my arm with her tears," he said, helping Rigby off the ice.

"Thanks, Steven. Hey… Can you teach me how to skate?"

"Sure I can," he said, leading him to the ice, Steven stepped on first, and he reached his hand out to Rigby. "Give me your hand," he said, the raccoon sighed and grabbed the hybrid's hand. Steven pushed off with his feet, and Rigby held onto him.

"Okay, I am going to let go of your hand. If you fall I will be here to help you up, dude," he said. Letting go of his hand. Rigby stood there, trying not to lose his balance.

"Okay, you nailed standing on the ice. Now are you ready? It's like walking, trust me you're going to do fine. Watch me." Steven demonstrated by pushing his feet lightly on the ice, letting the blades hit the ice as he picked up speed.

"See! I can do it!" he said, coming back around and stopping, letting little snow particles scrape from the blades of his skates.

"Who taught you?"

"Pearl taught me when I was five."

"That's why you're so good."

"Yeah."

"Okay…" Rigby tried it, and he was getting the hang of it. "Hey, Steven! I'm doing it!" he said, as he skated across the rink. Steven smiles, proud of himself for teaching his friend how to ice skate.

Steven and Rigby skated around the rink together. Mordecai watched his friends and skated with them.

Pops laughed with joy, Steven was lifted in the air by the man. Steven laughed also. Muscle Man laughed, took his phone from his pocket, and took a picture.

"This is so much fun!" Pops said, still holding Steven by his sides. Steven smiled and laughed as he was still up in the air by the man.

Steven and everyone all went to a restaurant that day, Steven wanted Mexican, so they went to Chipotle. Steven got his order and everyone else got there.

"This has been an AWESOME day, guys!" Steven said, drinking the water that he got. Mordecai ate his burrito.

Rigby took a forkful of his chicken bowl and ate it. "It was fun hanging out with you too, Steven," he said, the boy nodded as they all ate.

"This was awesome guys, I had fun!" Steven said, giving Mordecai and Rigby a hug.

They said their goodbyes and he got the key from his pocket, unlocked the door then walked into the house, his parents weren't home yet so It was just him. Steven went to his room and turned on the shower.

Steven put on some fresh clothes and plopped on his bed, turned on the TV, and waited for his parents to come home.

Chapter Text

October 28, 2013

Steven was at the studio to meet his co-stars, Tomorrow they were going to start shooting for the show.

A lot has happened in a year, he is officially a teen, Pearl, Garnet, Amethyst, Greg, and Rose all drove to the Cartoon Network movie lot, They parked at the gate.

"Oh, you're here to see Rebecca?" Buttercup asked them. Steven nods. Buttercup raised the gates to let them drive through.

Steven and everyone stepped out and they all saw Rebecca.

"Hey, Rebecca!" Steven chirped.

"Hello, Rebecca," Pearl said, shaking the director's hand Garnet waved. Rose hands her a box.

"Hope this is no trouble, but I got you something from my bakery," she said, Rebecca opened it, it was one of her homemade cakes.

"Aww, Rose. thank you. By the way, who's watching the shop for you?"

"Oh, Shay and my staff are," she said. Greg nodded in agreement with his wife that it was a smarter option than to close for a few months. Or if the show goes well — years.

"Come, I want you all to meet your co-workers," she said, walking to the cafetera. Steven sees two teens

His gaze fell on the first teen. She was a lively presence, short and heavyset, with fair skin that seemed to glow under the warm lights. Her curly blonde hair bounced slightly as she moved, framing her face. The bold "LOS ANGELES" emblazoned on her shirt caught his eye, and he couldn't help but notice her casual blue jean shorts paired with classic Nike low tops—an effortlessly cool look that radiated comfort and confidence.

Next, Steven's attention shifted to another teen male. He was the kind of guy who stood out in a crowd, lanky and slim, with a height that gave him an air of confidence. The boy sported a distinctive mohawk, his curly auburn hair styled boldly, while the tunnels in his stretched earlobes added an edge to his appearance. The white Miami Heat jersey he wore looked well-loved, complementing his ripped dark blue jeans that spoke of a laid-back style. Completing his outfit were mint and dark-green high-top sneakers, vibrant and eye-catching, giving him a youthful vibe.

The contrast between both of them was striking, yet there was a magnetic energy about them that made Steven eager to get to know them both.

Steven walks up to them, sitting at a table. "Oh, hello," Sadie said.

"Hi, I'm Steven!"

"I'm, Sadie. That's Lars."

"What's up?" Lars said, giving him a fist bump.

"I'm fine." he smiled. Lars nodded and looked at Rebecca walking to them.

"Hey, Rebecca," Sadie said."So, he's going to be our Co-worker?"

"Yes, and the show's name is going to be named Steven Universe." Steven's eyeswere starry and he whispered:"Awesome…" he said.

Rose smiled and giggled at her son.

Steven smiles and hugs his mom. Rebecca went to her office to grab some things, Steven talked to Lars and Sadie. Then, Ameythest notices someone, She was sitting by herself and was eating a sandwich

The woman she saw has tangerine skin with reddish-orange markings on her face and arms. She has amber eyes and plump lips. Her gemstone is located where a normal nose would be. She has thick, beige-white-colored flowing hair. Physique-wise, she is the archetype Quartz Gem soldier; she has a muscular body and stands both taller and wider than Garnet, an indication of her immense strength and durability.

Ameythest walked to her. She looks down at her.

"What?"

"Um…Hi, are you one of the new actors too?" she asked. The woman scoffed.

"Why would you want to know?" she said in a gruff voice.

"I was just asking," Ameythest said.

"Get away from me." Amber eyes glare at her. Ameythest backed away from the table and walked back to Steven Greg, Rose, Lars, and Sadie.

Rebecca walked into the cafetera with some scripts in hand. Steven watched her give them to the cast, they were for the first episode, So. That woman sitting alone wasn't going to be in this episode.

Steven reads his script as Rebecca hands Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, Sadie, and Lars' scripts. Greg wasn't getting one either because he was going to be introduced in episode two of the show.

"Alright guys, you all got your scripts for the show?" Rebecca asked.

"Yeah!" All of them said. Lars puts his into his backpack and zips it up. He slung his backpack on his shoulder and stood up, Sadie did too.

Steven handed his script to his mother. Rose reads it. it was printed on white paper, In the middle of it read 'Steven Universe' Under that it said 'Directed by Rebeccas Sugar.'

"Alright guys, you can go, make sure that you highlight your lines and study them, we are going to begin shooting next week." their new director said. Steven and the others nod.

Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were over Steven's house, they were in Steven's room. Steven sat on his bed. The now fifteen-year-old boys were helping Steven study his lines for the very first episode of his show.

Jeff took a look and read it. "So… The first episode is going to be about…." he paused and continued. "Ice cream?"

"That's pretty, cool Steven!" Clarence said, spinning in his desk chair.

"Yeah! And there's bug monsters in it!" Sumo said excitedly, taking his script from Jeff's hands.

"Sumo!" Jeff sighed, annoyed.

Steven was on his bed laying on his stomach with his legs in the air.

"Yeah!" he said. Steven was excited to be working on the show, he still can't believe that it's going to be in a week! this is going to be so much fun for him and the others!

Steven was in bed, He highlighted and studied his lines, he was going next door over to Pearl, Garnet and Amethyst were coming too, so they could studytogether.

Steven closed his eyes, he felt his body heat under the covers as he went to sleep.

Chapter Text

November 1 2013

Steven and the rest of the Crystal Gems were going into costume, Steven got a trailer, as same as everyone else. The makeup artists in Steven's trailer were making Steven like the character he portrays, The artists fit him with a fat suit, and They cut a hole for his gem.

Greg and Rose were both sitting on the couch as the men continued doing their work on Steven. His wardrobe consisted of his star t-shirt — but it was not bright red, it was a light pink. Cuffed jeans and salmon pink flip-flops.

Steven put the shirt on, which fit him just right, he put his jeans and flip-flops on. Greg takes a picture and Steven rubs his eyes. "Dad!"

"We're so proud of you, Steven!" Rose said, kneeing to his level and putting her hands on his shoulders. Steven smiled and blushed in embarrassment.

Someone knocked on the trailer's door. "Steven!" The muffled voice of Pearl was heard. "Where starting in ten minutes!" she said. Steven smiles. He saw that his iPhone was in the charger, and he had a text from Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo telling him good luck with filming.

Steven smiled, he was so glad that he had such supportive friends on his side, and parents also.

Steven ran out and saw Pearl in her costume, she hadn't changed at all, just her clothes.

She wore an aqua-blue tunic with a small yellow star on the center of her chest and a lighter satin sash ribbon around her upper waist. Her leggings were amber-colored. She also wore pink socks, and her slip-on ballet flats were colored a slightly lighter blue.

"I like your outfit, Pearl," he said, flashing a smile.

"Thank you, Steven." Pearl smiles. "It does look good on me, doesn't it?"

"It does!" Steven put a thumbs up.

They both went to the soundstage where they were filming the first scene. Steven was amazed. He looked at the set as he was starry-eyed. It was no different than the Regular Show set that he'd been on a few weeks ago.

Sadie and Lars were studying their lines. Lars was sitting on the counter and Sadie was standing to the side, with her script open. The overhead lights shined brightly down onto the set.

Steven walks in further, Amethyst is at the snack table. Steven walked over to her. "Hey, dude."She said, looking. She was shocked as she saw Steven.

"Woah, bro! your different now, heavy makeup can do that, dude," she said. Steven chuckled and smiled. Steven looked at her.

Amethyst wore a mauve, oversized, off-shoulder tank top with a black bra underneath. She also wore black leggings with star-shaped cutouts on the knees, with a tear above the left star, and small, pointed, white boots.

"So… What do you think, man?"

"It looks good on you."

"Thanks, Steven!" Steven looks at Garnet, she is talking to Greg and Rose.

She was wearing a black and crimson bodysuit, with cubic shoulder pads (the right one being brink pink, the left one being crimson), and a pale pink star with a brink pink outline on her chest. Steven looks at her longer. He had noticed that her eyes were covered in a large sunshade, he guessed that it would be from the future.

"Garnet," Steven said, she looked at him and picked the boy up.

"Steven!" she said excitedly. He laughed happily as she held him in the air.

"Lion King!" Steven laughs.

"Alright!" Garnet said, smiling. Then lifts him higher.

"Nants ingonyama bagithi baba

Sithi uhm ingonyama

Nants ingonyama bagithi baba

Sithi uhhmm ingonyama

Ingonyama

Siyo Nqoba

Ingonyama!"

Steven and Garnet both laugh at that. The boy smiles as his friend sets him down.

"We're starting in a few minutes guys!" Rebecca said, walking into the set. Steven nodded and went over to another part of the set.

"Quiet on set!" Rebecca said, sitting on her director's chair. She grabs an extra script so she could follow along with the episode.

"And… Action." The director said.

"Steven Universe Gem Glow, Scene one, take one."The clapper leader announced as he clapped the clapperboard.

In the vibrant and quirky Beach City, the morning sun bathed everything in a warm glow, and the air was filled with the tantalizing scent of freshly baked goods. But for Steven Universe, today was not a day for celebration.

He bolted into the Big Donut, his eyes wide with disbelief as he approached the ice cream freezer. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he cried, his voice echoing through the shop. The sight before him was devastating: an empty freezer where Cookie Cats once resided. His heart sank. "This can't be happening! This has to be a dream! Lars! Lars! Please tell me I'm dreaming!"

Lars, busy restocking shelves, shook off Steven's frantic grasp. "Get off me, man! I'm stocking here!"

Sadie, the shop's cashier, looked at Steven apologetically. "I'm sorry, Steven. I guess they stopped making them."

"Stopped making them?!" Steven exclaimed, his voice rising in horror. "Why in the world would they stop making Cookie Cats?! They're only the most scrumptious and delicious ice cream sandwich ever made! Don't they have laws for this?!"

Lars shrugged, kneeling to restock another cabinet. "Tough bits, man. Nobody buys them anymore. I guess they couldn't compete with 'Lion Lickers.'"

Steven groaned, marching over to the offending freezer of "Lion Lickers."

"Not 'Lion Lickers'! Nobody likes them! They don't even look like lions! Kids these days—I'll tell ya what!"

Lars chuckled, mocking him. "Well, if you miss your wimpy ice cream so much, why don't you make some with your 'magic belly button'?" He laughed as he walked away.

"That's not how it works, Lars!… Right?" Steven pondered, revealing a gem at his navel and jiggling his belly. "Oh, sweet Cookie Cats, with your crunchy cookie outside and your icy creamy insides... You were too good for this world." He drew a sad cookie cat on the freezer with his finger and gave it a gentle kiss.

Sadie raised an eyebrow. "Uh... Steven?"

He didn't respond, lost in his sorrowful embrace with the freezer.

"Do you want to take the freezer with you?" she asked, glancing at Lars, who leaned in with a confused expression. Steven nodded vigorously.

"And, cut! That was great, let's prepare for the next scene," she said, as they changed location. Rebecca sat at her director's chair again, in front of a beach house and a large temple that took them a year to build out of real stone.

"Steven Univers Gem Glow, Scene two, take one."The clapper leader announced as he clapped the clapperboard. There were cameras inside the beach house too so, they could keep the show rolling when Rebecca was outside of the house. She could see what was happening through a little screen.

With the empty Cookie Cat freezer hoisted on his back, he hummed the nostalgic "Cookie Cat" jingle as he made his way home.

Once inside the Beach House, Steven burst through the door, excitement bubbling up inside him. "Hey, guys, you won't believe this!" But before he could finish, a Centipeetle lunged at him, roaring ferociously. Steven screamed, but then, in a flash, Amethyst appeared, yanking the creature away with her whip.

"'Sup, Steven?" she grinned, tossing the Centipeetle aside.

In the corner, Pearl was busy lifting another Centipeetle off the Warp Pad, while Garnet dealt with one in the kitchen.

"Awesome! What are these things?" Steven asked, still catching his breath.

Pearl groaned, her expression tense. "Ugh! Sorry, Steven. We'll get these Centipeetles out of your room. We think they were trying to get into the temple."

"Aw. You don't have to get rid of them. They're really cool," he replied, eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Just then, the Centipeetle Pearl was holding spat acid onto the floor, dissolving it into a gaping hole. Steven and Pearl recoiled in disgust.

Amethyst, unfazed, poofed another Centipeetle away. "Um, you guys? These things don't have gems."

"That means there must be a mother somewhere nearby," Garnet stated, her voice steady as she expertly knocked a sneaky Centipeetle away.

Pearl nodded. "We should probably find it before anyone gets hurt."

"I can come, right? Can I?! Can I?!" Steven's eyes sparkled with eagerness.

"Steven, until you learn to control the powers in your gem, we'll take care of protecting humanity, okay?" Pearl replied, snapping the neck of the Centipeetle she was holding with a swift motion.

"Aw, man," Steven sighed, noticing a Centipeetle raiding his fridge. "Hey! Get out of there! Go on! Shoo! Shoo! Aw! They got into everything! Not cool!"

The chaos unfolded around him, but amidst the urgency, Steven's thoughts drifted back to Cookie Cats. With a wild imagination and a little determination, he knew that somehow, he would find a way to bring his beloved ice cream sandwiches back to life — after he helped his friends with the Centipeetle crisis, of course.

For in Beach City, adventure was never far away, and sometimes, it was the simplest things that held the greatest magic.

Once upon a time in Beach City, the Crystal Gems were busy in their home, a vibrant place brimming with energy and magic. One day, Garnet, ever the protector, decided it was time for a little surprise for Steven. With a swift punch, she poofed away an old, dusty box in the corner. When the dust settled, Steven's eyes widened in disbelief.

"No way! I-it can't be! Wha-where did you get these?!" he exclaimed as he rushed to the fridge, which was inexplicably full of his favorite treat—Cookie Cats!

Pearl, with a smirk, closed the fridge door behind him. "Well, we heard that, too, and since they're your favorite..."

"We went out and stole a bunch!" Amethyst interrupted, her mischievous grin revealing her playful nature.

Pearl shot Amethyst a disapproving look. "I went back and paid for them," she huffed, maintaining her dignity.

Garnet, arms crossed, declared confidently, "The whole thing was my idea." Her gauntlets retracted back to her gems, showcasing her readiness for whatever came next.

"Not really," Amethyst chimed in, throwing a playful glare at Garnet.

"All that matters is that Steven is happy," Pearl reminded them, her heart warming at the sight of Steven's excitement.

As if on cue, Steven burst into the catchy jingle of his beloved treat.

"Oohhh

He's a frozen treat with an all-new taste

'Cause he came to this planet from outer space

A refugee of an interstellar war

But now he's at your local grocery store

Cookie Cat!

He's a pet for your tummy

Cookie Cat!

He's super duper yummy

Cookie Cat!

He left his family behind

Cookie Caaaaat!"

He then speaks "Now available at Gurgens off Route 109!"

The Gems exchanged amused glances, chuckling as Steven continued his ode to Cookie Cat, his enthusiasm infectious. They applauded and laughed, basking in the joy of the moment.

"I can't believe you did this! I'm gonna save these forever!... right after I eat this one," he said, eagerly tearing open a wrapper. "Hello, old friend," he grinned, sinking his teeth into the cookie, bliss washing over his face. But as he savored the first bite, something unexpected happened — his gem began to glow with an intensity he had never seen before.

And this was the first time I'm getting my powers, finally! Steven thought to himself

"Uh, Steven..." Amethyst said, her voice tinged with concern.

"What?!" he exclaimed, lifting his shirt to reveal the glowing gem. Panic surged within him. "My gem!"

"Quick, try and summon your weapon!" Amethyst urged, her usual sarcasm replaced by urgency.

"I don't know how!" Steven cried, his voice rising in panic. "Aaaah, it's fading! How do I make it come back?!"

"Calm down, Steven. Breathe, don't force it," Pearl instructed, her voice steady and soothing.

"Yeah, and try not to poop yourself either," Amethyst added with a cheeky grin, trying to lighten the mood.

"Please, don't," Garnet interjected, her tone serious.

As Steven's gem's glow faded, a collective sigh escaped the group. "Ah, I was really close that time!" he said, frustration mingling with determination. "Can one of you just explain how to summon a weapon?"

The Gems exchanged looks, their hearts full of affection for their young friend. They knew that together, they would find a way to help him harness his powers, and in the meantime, there were plenty of Cookie Cats waiting to be enjoyed.

Rebecca thought that they were going to do this in post. So Garnet, Ameythest and Pearl don't have to travel back and forth through sets.

"Oh, I'll go first!" she declared, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. She gestured elegantly toward the falling petals, which danced whimsically in the air. "Pay attention to these petals, Steven. Their dance may seem improvised, but it's calculated in real-time based on the physical properties of this planet. With hard work and dedication, you can master the magical properties of your gem and perform your own dance!"

With a swift motion, Pearl summoned her spear from her gem, demonstrating a flawless, graceful movement that left Steven in awe. His eyes widened as he watched the petals swirl and twirl around him, each flutter an invitation to join in the beauty of the moment.

"And Cut. That was great Pearl. Let's go back to the original location!" Rebecca said. They walked to the Big Doughnut set and set up there again.

"And… Action!" Rebecca said.

"Steven Universe Gem Glow, Scene three, take one."The clapper leader announced as he clapped the clapperboard.

Later, at the familiar hangout spot known as the Big Donut, Steven felt inspired. He tossed a handful of petals into the air, watching them float. "Wuh!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

Amethyst, lounging nearby, smirked. "Did Pearl tell you the petal thing?" she asked, half-laughing.

"Yeah, I need to practice really hard so I can dance like a tree... I think," Steven replied, scratching his head in confusion.

"Listen, Steven," Amethyst said, rolling her eyes. "All that practice stuff is no fun. Whenever I need to summon my weapon, it just happens." With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her whip and effortlessly broke a nearby garbage container in two. "See? Didn't try at all!"

Just then, Lars burst outside, dropping a trash bag in exasperation. "Aaah! Again?!"

Perplexed but determined, Steven pondered his next steps. "So I'm supposed to work really hard and not try at all at the same time?" he asked, seeking clarity.

"And, action!"

"Yes," Garnet replied, her expression stoic yet reassuring.

Steven stood in silence, contemplating the paradox. Garnet continued, "Or... you could link your mind with the energy of all existing matter, channeling the collective power of the universe through your gem." With a flourish, she summoned her gauntlets, demonstrating her strength and focus.

"Steven Univers Gem Glow, Scene four, take one."The clapper leader announced as he clapped the clapperboard.

In the cozy kitchen of the Beach House, Steven felt a spark of inspiration. "I think my best bet is to recreate what happened the last time my gem glowed," he said, motioning for the Gems to join him. "So... Garnet and Amethyst were here, Pearl was next to the fridge... Hmm. Amethyst, I think your arms were crossed?"

"Okay, Your Majesty," Amethyst teased, crossing her arms with a grin.

"And Pearl, your foot was like this." Steven tilted one of her feet slightly, trying to mimic the moment.

"I don't think it works this way, Steven," Pearl said, her voice laced with gentle concern.

"And Garnet, uh..." He squished and moved her face upward, then turned to the fridge and retrieved a half-eaten Cookie Cat. "Oh, wait! I sang the song first!" he exclaimed, bursting into an off-key rap about the delicious frozen treat.

But as he rapped, nothing happened.

"Awww, it was funnier last time," he sighed, lifting his shirt to see his gem, disappointment washing over him. "Maybe I'm not a real Crystal Gem."

Pearl knelt beside him, her eyes warm and reassuring. "Don't be silly, Steven. Of course, you are."

"And you're fun to have around, even if your gem is useless," Amethyst chimed in, only to be met with a glare from Pearl. "I mean... you're one of us, Steven. We're not the Crystal Gems without you!"

Garnet nodded in agreement, her presence a steady anchor in the storm of emotions.

"Yeah, even if I don't have powers, I've still got... Cookie Cat!" Steven declared, taking a triumphant bite. Just then, his gem began to glow, and to everyone's astonishment, a shield materialized in front of him.

"Steven, it's a shield!" Pearl exclaimed, her amazement evident.

"... Whoa, what?! I get a shield?! Oh... YEAH!" Steven shouted, bursting with excitement.

Steven was trying to break character and tell his mother and father that he had gotten his powers, maybe when they were done, he could surprise Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo. Then Mordecai and Rigby.

Steven then went back into character.

In his exuberance, he accidentally launched the shield, which ricocheted around the room with a life of its own, crashing into Steven's TV with a loud smash. Amethyst burst out laughing, while Pearl groaned in disappointment, her dreams of graceful petal dances momentarily dashed.

But amidst the chaos, laughter filled the air, binding the Crystal Gems and Steven together in a moment of joyous camaraderie. And in that moment, he realized that perhaps the true dance wasn't just about mastering powers but about the connections they shared, laughter echoing like petals in the wind.

It was a calm, sunny day at the Crystal Temple. Steven was lounging on the couch, enjoying his favorite treat, a Cookie Cat ice cream sandwich. As he took a big bite, a familiar pink shield materialized in his hand. Steven grinned, his mouth still full of ice cream. "Huh? Cookie Cat! I summon my weapon by eating ice cream!" he exclaimed, amazed at how his powers seemed to be linked to his favorite snack.

Pearl, who had been tidying up nearby, noticed the discarded ice cream wrapper on the floor and picked it up. "What's in these things?" she asked, examining the packaging with curiosity.

Before anyone could answer, the entire house began to rumble. The walls shook, and the windows rattled violently. Outside, through the vibrating glass, the shadows of enormous creatures loomed. Steven's shield suddenly vanished, leaving a noticeable dent in the TV.

"What was that?" Steven asked, his voice quivering with a mix of fear and excitement.

Without a moment's hesitation, the Crystal Gems burst out of the house to investigate. The sun was still shining, but a sense of impending danger hung thick in the air. Crawling up the side of the Crystal Temple was the biggest Centipeetle any of them had ever seen.

"It's the Mother!" Garnet shouted, her voice strong and unwavering as she leapt into action, aiming straight for the monstrous creature.

Pearl turned to Steven, her eyes wide with concern. "Stay in the house, Steven!" she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument

But Steven was never one to back down. "No way! I'm coming, too!" he declared, running back inside the house. He grabbed as many Cookie Cats as he could carry, along with the entire Cookie Cat freezer, and raced back outside. He knew he had to help the Gems somehow.

"And, cut. take five guys!" Rebecca said. Steven was giddy with excitement as he Ran up to his mother.

"Mom! I got a shield!" the boy hugged her and smiled. Rose and Greg both smile, Rose puts a hand in his hair and Greg kisses his forehead.

"We love you so much, Schtu-ball!" Greg ruffles his son's hair. Rose hugged him, putting him close to her gem, He could hear the hum of it and feel the warmth.

"I am so proud of you, honey! your starting to get your gem powers." Rose said, trying not to tear up in front of Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. Rebecca smiles and watches the three of them.

"And… Action!"

"Steven Universe Gem Glow, Scene five, take one."The clapper leader announced as he claps the clapperboard.

On the beach below, the battle was already in full swing. Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst had taken up defensive positions, dodging the Centipeetle Mother's vicious attacks. The beast unleashed a torrent of acidic spit, which the Gems barely managed to avoid. They took cover behind a broken hand statue from the temple, but the acid was quickly eating away at the stone.

"We could really use Steven's shield right about now!" Amethyst shouted, her voice strained as she watched the statue begin to dissolve under the relentless assault.

Suddenly, Steven appeared on the beach, clutching a pebble in one hand and the Cookie Cat freezer in the other. With all the courage he could muster, he threw the pebble at the Centipeetle Mother. "Hey!" he yelled, his voice cracking slightly. He slammed the freezer into the ground. "Leave them alone!"

The Crystal Gems gasped in unison. "Steven, no!" they cried, horrified by the sight of him standing in the open, unprotected.

But Steven wasn't about to back down. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "Cookie Cat Crystal combo powers, activate!" he shouted, stuffing a Cookie Cat into his mouth and lifting his shirt, hoping his shield would reappear.

For a moment, there was nothing. The Centipeetle Mother stared at Steven with a menacing grin, seemingly amused by his futile attempt.

"Uh-oh," Steven muttered, realizing that his plan hadn't worked. "Aaaah!" He quickly retreated, dragging the freezer along with him as he dashed for cover, joining the Gems behind the rapidly melting statue.

The battle was far from over, and the Gems knew they had to act fast if they were going to stop the Centipeetle Mother. Steven watched as Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst prepared for another round, their determination evident despite the overwhelming odds.

With the Cookie Cats in hand, Steven knew he had to find a way to unlock his powers again. The safety of his friends and the fate of the Crystal Temple depended on it. As the Centipeetle Mother loomed ever closer, Steven steeled himself for whatever came next, determined to protect the ones he loved, no matter the cost.

In the heart of a dense, mystical forest, a battle was raging. The air crackled with tension as the Crystal Gems fought desperately to defend their youngest member, Steven, from the terrifying Centipeetle Mother.

"Steven, we need to save you!" Pearl shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos as she narrowly dodged the centipede-like monster's snapping tail pincers.

"Can we save ourselves first?!" Amethyst quipped, her voice tinged with the usual humor, though the worry was evident in her eyes.

Steven, standing a short distance away, clutched his stomach in distress. Tears welled up in his eyes as he shoveled Cookie Cats, his favorite ice cream sandwich, into his mouth. The magic within him needed to be awakened, and he believed these frozen treats might be the key. But as his stomach rumbled ominously, he felt nothing—no surge of power, no miraculous transformation.

"Goodbye, my friends," Steven whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. He took another bite of a Cookie Cat, but nothing happened. Desperation took hold. "Why isn't it working?" he cried, just as a spray of acid narrowly missed him, splattering against a nearby rock.

"Steven!" Garnet's voice boomed as she intercepted the Centipeetle Mother's attack, her gauntleted fists grabbing hold of the creature's pincers. With a mighty heave, she redirected the monster's focus away from Steven.

In that moment of reprieve, Steven's gaze fell upon the scene before him—a smoking, ruined Cookie Cat freezer, destroyed in the midst of battle. His heart sank in horror.

"No… Oh, no, no, no, no, no!" Steven's voice broke as he began to softly sing, "Cookie Cat, he's a pet for your tummy. Cookie Cat, he's super duper yummy…" With a sudden burst of determination, he seized the wrecked freezer, his grip tightening. "Cookie Cat, he left his family behind! COOKIE CAAAT!"

With all his strength, Steven hurled the freezer at the Centipeetle Mother. The metal box collided with the creature's back, unleashing a burst of electricity.

In the heart of Beach City, a moment hung in the air, charged with anticipation. Steven stood at the ready, his eyes gleaming with determination, though he felt a twinge of uncertainty. "Now available... nowhere," he declared, a hint of playful irony escaping his lips.

"YES!" Amethyst cheered, her excitement electrifying the atmosphere.

Rebecca watched as the scene played out. She leans back in her chair.

Garnet, ever the steadfast leader, rallied her team. "Gems, weapons!" With that command, the three Gems summoned their weapons in unison, each one a dazzling display of their unique abilities. They burst forth from behind the hand statue, a bold and united front against the looming threat.

"Let's do it," Garnet said, her voice steady and resolute. The trio charged forward, their hearts pounding as they launched a coordinated attack on the monstrous Centipeetle Mother. Together, they unleashed a torrent of strength and skill, and with one final, fierce blow, they vanquished the beast for good. As it crumbled, a shimmering gem fell from its form, and Garnet swiftly bubbled it away, ensuring it would be safe.

Steven took a moment to catch his breath, his mind drifting to memories of simpler times. "Farewell, sweet Cookie Cats," he murmured, gently burying a crumpled wrapper in the ground as if laying to rest an old friend. "I'll always remember the time we spent together." His stomach rumbled, breaking the solemnity of the moment. "Shh... Hush now," he whispered to his belly, trying to silence the betraying sound.

Amethyst eyed him with a smirk. "Are you crying?"

"Only a little!" Steven replied defensively, wiping at his eyes but unable to hide his smile.

"Well, I guess your powers don't come from ice cream," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Pearl chimed in, her tone soothing. "Of course, they don't come from ice cream. Don't worry, Steven, I'm sure someday you'll figure out how to activate your gem."

"Yes, in your own Steven-y way," Garnet added, her tone encouraging.

"I'm okay, guys. I just—" Steven's stomach growled again, louder this time. "Ugh, I think I ate too many Cookie Cats."

Laughter erupted among the Gems, filling the air with warmth and camaraderie. Steven joined in, his laughter tinged with a hint of anxiousness.

But then, as the laughter echoed, Steven bent over, the inevitable culmination of his Cookie Cat indulgence taking hold.

"And… Cut! That's a wrap. excellent work everyone!" Rebecca said, rising from the director's chair. Steven still felt a little bit sick.

"I need to lie down…" he said, taking a seat on the sand. Greg walks to him and then picks him up.

"I'll carry you to your trailer." he smiled Steven wrapped his arms around his father and he took him.

Rose was proud of him—She had two in one, She saw his acting career lift off, and he had gotten his powers. She wiped a tear from her eye, then Pearl walked up.

"Filming was so much fun!" Pearl said looking at her friend. Rose smiles at her.

Garnet and Amethyst walk up to the two women standing and staring at the temple.

Chapter Text

November 2, 2013

Steven was feeling better after the whole 'Cookie Cat' thing that happened yesterday, he couldn't keep anything down at dinner last night, his mother had given him some medicine before he went to bed so he wouldn't be up all night throwing up.

Rose walked into his room and gently poked her son. Steven opens his eyes and yawns. "Mom?" he stretched his arms. Rose smiled and kissed his son on the head.

"We have a few minutes before we go," Rose said, leaving his room. Steven got out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower, hopefully, that will wake him up.

Steven was dressed in a Mario T-shirt, a pair of white basketball shorts, and a pair of Nike sneakers. He walks out of his room to get himself some breakfast and then brush his teeth.

Greg walked downstairs, he wore a Sum 41 T-shirt with shorts. He wore a pair of Converse, He had to keep his beard on for the show, he was playing a middle-aged dad who had to take care of Steven after Rose gave up her physical form.

"Uh… Dad?" Steven asked.

"Yeah, It's still me, kiddo. Rebecca wanted me to keep my beard so, I'm doing just that," he nods. Then he got up and put his plate in the sink, he went upstairs to brush his teeth.

The house was locked and they drove to the studio, Pearl had already left to go there. They drove to Burbank and drove in, using the ID badges that the employees gave them when they'd started working there.

Greg parked at the parking lot then the Universe family stepped out and went to the set. There was a new set, Greg saw a replica of his van sitting in a car wash the name of it was named: 'It's A Wash.'

"Woah, that's my van!" Greg exclaimed. Greg sees a U-HAUL storage unit, but it isn't a U-HAUL it went by a different mane.

Greg and Steven both walk into the Big Doughnut and they see their co-workers.

Sadie and Lars were in this episode but, they had minor roles compared to the day before.

Steven and Greg both pulled out their scripts and read their lines. Ameythest was talking to Garnet and Pearl was studying her lines.

Steven and his father needed to get ready.

Greg was at his trailer as the makeup artists were working their magic on him.

Greg's peacings were placed in a tiny jewelry box for him. The artists also made him a suit, They put it on him, and it was a different tone from the rest of his body, Greg had a set of clothes laid out for him, A pair of grey sweatpants and a white tank top. He also had a bald cap on too, Greg walked out of the trailer, and Steven looked at him and he looked a little bit uncomfortable.

"Uhhhh."

"It's me, Steven!" Greg told his son. Steven nervously laughed and he walked to the set of the beach house.

Rebecca wasn't there yet, but he did find Mordecai and Rigby. He wanted to show them his shield.

"Mordecai, Rigby!" he said, running up to them. Pops was with them also.

"Oh, hello, Steven!" Pops said joyfully.

"Hi, Pops! Guys, I have something to show you!" he said. Mordecai and Rigby are confused, but they both nod.

"Show us!" Rigby said. Steven tried to summon his shield but he couldn't. Steven tried and tried and tried again, but no luck.

"Aw, man! I can't summon my shield! I guess it was for the episode…" he sighed.

"Oh, you have to show us when you get your power back, man!" Rigby said, Steven nodded and walked back to the set to get ready.

They were at the set of the boardwalk. Rebecca sat in her director's chair, put her headphones on, script in her lap as she sat back.

"And… Action!" she said.

"Steven Universe Laser Light Canon, Scene one, take one."

On a bright and bustling day in Beach City, the aroma of fried snacks wafted through the air as Steven and Amethyst raced towards their favorite spot—Beach Citywalk Fries. The sun hung high, casting a warm glow over the boardwalk, and excitement bubbled within them like a pot about to boil over.

As they approached the counter, Mr. Fryman, the jovial proprietor, was just entering. But as soon as he saw the eager duo, he flipped the sign on the door to read "We're Closed!"

"Hey, Fryman, give me the bits!" Steven called out, his voice ringing with disappointment.

Mr. Fryman chuckled, "Steven, we're closed."

"Aww, what?" Steven's enthusiasm started to wane.

Amethyst, never one to back down from a challenge, pounded her fist on the counter. "Give 'em the bits!" she shouted, rallying the troops. "The BITS! The BITS!"

With infectious energy, Steven joined her, their voices rising in a chant that echoed down the beach. "The BITS! The BITS! The BITS!" They banged on the counter, their hopes rising with each thud.

"Okay, okay! Take it easy on the counter, will ya?" Mr. Fryman laughed, surrendering to their relentless enthusiasm. He retreated to gather their prized fry bits.

"Yes!" they shouted in unison, high-fiving each other as Mr. Fryman returned with a paper bag filled to the brim with crispy goodness.

"Just the bits, please," Steven said with a grin, snatching the bag from Mr. Fryman.

As they walked away, munching on their tasty treasure, Steven looked up at the sky, where the sun began to dip toward the horizon. "Ah, sunset, my favorite time of day. When the sun goes down, and the second sun gets bigger and bigger in the sky."

Amethyst burst out laughing, "Yeah, that big hot second su—" But her laughter was cut short when she noticed a strange orb materializing in the sky. "Oh no, what is that doing here?"

"Huh? What is it?" Steven asked, bewildered. Before he could comprehend the situation, Amethyst scooped him up, causing him to drop the bag of bits. "Ah, my bits!"

"Steven Universe Laser Light Canon, Scene two, take one."

With urgency, she carried him away toward the beach, where Garnet and Pearl stood, their eyes fixed on a telescope, studying the ominous sight above.

"This is bad," Garnet uttered, her tone serious.

"Look at the size of it! I had no idea these things were so big!" Pearl exclaimed, her brows furrowed in concern.

"Garnet! Pearl!" Amethyst shouted as she ran toward them, still holding Steven.

Pearl, visibly annoyed, replied, "We saw. Some of us are trying to protect humanity. Where were you?"

Amethyst sheepishly admitted, "...Eating fry bits." Pearl groaned, exasperated.

"Oh, can I see?" Steven asked eagerly, peering through the telescope. His eyes widened in awe. "Woah." The orb, now clear in view, rotated and opened into a giant eye. "It's a giant eyeball! Awesome!

"NOT awesome! It's a Red Eye!" Pearl snapped, her urgency palpable.

"A red eye?! It's going to infect us all!" Steven gasped, panic rising.

"That's pink eye, Steven," Garnet corrected a hint of amusement in her voice. Amethyst burst into laughter at the mix-up.

"It's going to crash into Beach City and crush us, along with a bunch of oblivious, innocent people! We have to stop it!" Pearl insisted, urgency flooding her voice

"What are we going to do?" Steven asked, a knot of worry forming in his stomach.

Garnet adjusted her visor, her expression resolute. "The only thing powerful enough to destroy it is a Laser Cannon that belonged to Rose Quartz."

"My mom?" Steven's heart raced, a mixture of pride and fear.

"If Rose were here, this would be so easy," Amethyst lamented, her tone heavy.

"I know, but she's not, and the cannon is missing. We'll have to find another solution," Pearl concluded, her mind racing with what-ifs and strategies.

As the ominous orb loomed larger in the sky, the group felt the weight of the moment. It was a call to action, a test of their courage. With fry bits forgotten, they prepared to face the unexpected challenge ahead, united in their determination to protect Beach City.

Steven stood among his friends, the Crystal Gems, a group of powerful guardians of Earth. They were facing a daunting threat—a massive Red Eye looming ominously in the sky.

Steven, filled with determination, turned to his friends. "If it belonged to my mom, I bet my dad knows where it is! He can help us save the day!" The Gems exchanged skeptical glances, unsure of his plan.

Pearl, the voice of reason, sighed, "Greg is... nice, Steven, but I doubt Rose would entrust someone like him with such a powerful weapon."

Amethyst, always playful yet blunt, added, "Your dad is kind of a mess, Steven." She placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Even if she did leave it with him, he probably broke it, or lost it, or dropped it in the ocean by now."

Garnet, the stoic leader, nodded in agreement. "True."

But Steven was undeterred. "No way! I'm sure he's just keeping it somewhere safe. I'll go ask him!"

Garnet, with a hint of concern, replied, "We can handle this, Steven." She turned to Amethyst. "Ready?"

With a quick nod, Garnet scooped Amethyst up and leapt into the air, tossing her toward the Red Eye. However, Amethyst collided with it without any impact, plummeting back into the ocean. Garnet and Pearl watched in astonishment.

Frustrated, Steven declared, "Ugh... I'm gonna go."

Pearl, now resigned, said, "... Okay, good luck."

"And cut!" Rebecca said, standing up from her chair.

Steven stretched and went to grab something to drink, Pearl was at the snack table eating some cantaloupe."Isn't it fun, Steven!"

Steven giggled and smiled as he grabbed a water bottle."It is! it's so much fun. I can't believe that we've made it, we've hit the bigleagues." he smiles and takes a big drink of his water.

The effects team had made it a little bit darker than normal on the set. So, they can get a more accurate shot. The director was holding a water bottle in her hand as the doors of the soundstage closed.

"Alright, guys! action!"

"Steven Universe Laser Light Canon, Scene two, take one."

As night fell, Steven raced to a nearby van, banging on its back doors. "Dad, it's me! Dad, are you in there?" He began to ram into the van, desperation in his voice. "Wake-UP! We have to save the WORLD!" He climbed onto the roof, stomping as loudly as he could. "Dad!"

In his enthusiasm, he tripped, accidentally setting off the van's alarm, which made him smile.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Greg, Steven's dad, emerged, brandishing a waffle iron. "Who's there?! I have a waffle iron!"

"Dad, it's me!" Steven shouted, jumping down and embracing him.

Greg looked surprised, dropping the waffle iron and shutting off the alarm. "Steven? I almost waffled your face! What are you doing up so late?"

"What do you mean? The sun just went down an hour ago!" Steven replied, slightly embarrassed.

Greg chuckled, scratching his head. "Oh, heh. It was a... slow day at the car wash. Anyway, what's up? Just needed to see your old man? Pal around? Learn some lessons about life?"

Steven blushed, shaking his head. "No! I need the light cannon that belonged to Mom—to blow up that eyeball!"

Greg's eyes widened in confusion. "Eyeball?"

"That!" Steven pointed dramatically at the Red Eye, which loomed larger in the sky.

In the background, Amethyst could be seen flying again, yelling as she attempted to strike the Red Eye, only to fall back into the ocean once more.

Greg scratched the back of his head, concern creeping into his voice. "Wait, is that a magical thing? The Gems told me not to get involved with magic stuff. It... it could be dangerous or interfere with what's left of my hair."

As Steven stood there, torn between his father's worries and his determination, he knew one thing for sure: he needed to unite his family and friends to face this threat together. With a deep breath, he resolved to convince his dad that they could do this as a team. After all, the power of love and courage was the greatest weapon of all.

"But they need Mom's cannon!" Steven exclaimed, his eyes wide with determination. "You've gotta know where it is, like a cave dungeon or a cloud fortress, or maybe even hidden in a clam at the bottom of the ocean!"

Greg chuckled as he hefted a waffle iron into the family van. "Well, I don't know about all that," he replied, a twinkle of mischief in his eye. "But I have an idea where it might be."

"Where?" Steven asked, bouncing on his toes.

"A magical storage unit!" Greg declared dramatically.

"A magical storage unit?" Steven echoed, racing toward the building.

"Ha, not exactly. But some would say there's magic inside," Greg winked, though Steven looked at him, puzzled. "It's just a shed I use to keep things that don't fit in the van. If it's anywhere, it'll be in here."

"Action!" They were in another set, it was like a U-HAUL storage but not.

As Greg opened the door, a chaotic scene unfolded. The shed was stuffed with boxes and clutter that seemed to have been gathered from every corner of the universe. Steven took a deep breath, ready for the adventure ahead. "If I'm going in there, I'm gonna need some gear!" he announced, fashioning a flashlight into a headlamp with a nearby sock and wrapping an electric cord around his waist. "Here I go!"

"Good luck!" Greg called, holding onto the other end of the cord.

"Woah, cool! It's like a dad museum!" Steven exclaimed as he crawled into the shed. He ventured deeper, marveling at the oddities. Suddenly, he spotted a long object on the floor. "There it is!" he shouted, pulling it out triumphantly, only to reveal a golf bag.

"Do you golf?" he asked, eyeing his dad.

"Eh, I'd like to think of myself as someone who would golf… eventually," Greg replied with a grin.

Steven set the golf bag aside and noticed a slender object beneath a pile of junk. "Hmm, yes!" he said, brushing off dust. "A drum!" He patted it before continuing his search. "No, no… the hybrid gasps Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Is this—" He stumbled upon a cannon-like object, and as he pressed a button, a shirt shot out, emblazoned with the words "Buy T-Shirt Cannons."

"Hey, there's a bunch of copies of your old CD!" Steven called out, digging through a nearby box.

Greg chuckled, nostalgia washing over him. "Oh, man, I couldn't give those things away. You know, before I ran the car wash, I traveled the whole country as a one-man band."

"I know, Dad," Steven replied, holding one of the CDs close, a fond smile on his face.

"And when I came to play a concert here in Beach City, no one showed up except—"

"An ALLIGATOR!" Steven interjected, laughing.

"No, it was your mother," Greg corrected, his eyes sparkling with memories.

"Hahaha, I know!" Steven continued crawling deeper into the shed, reveling in the stories.

"And we were always together after that. Until she gave up her physical form to bring you into the world. I don't know what a magic lady like her ever saw in a plain old dope like me."

Just then, Steven accidentally stepped on a photo frame of Greg and Rose. "Uh, Dad, I broke a photo," he gasped, panic rising in his voice.

"It's okay, buddy. If every pork chop were perfect, we wouldn't have hot dogs," Greg reassured him, a calmness in his tone.

Then, something began to glow near Steven. "Huh?" he said, eyes widening. "The light cannon!"

Greg's eyes grew wide as he spotted Red Eye looming closer. "Oh boy, that thing's giving me the willies," he said, scratching his chest nervously.

"Dad, I found it!" Steven yelled, excitement bubbling over.

"Really?" Greg replied, hope igniting in his eyes.

"Yeah! Get the van!" Steven instructed, tying the electric cord around the cannon. Greg sprang into action, pulling the cannon out of the unit, but as he did, his other belongings tumbled out in a chaotic mess.

"This thing could save the city! We've gotta get it to the beach!" Steven exclaimed, determination in his voice.

"How? It's too big for the van," Greg pointed out, glancing around in search of a solution.

Just then, a wagon rolled by, and an idea sparked in Greg's mind. He tied the wagon to the van with the electric cord, and together, they lifted the heavy cannon.

"Steven Universe Laser Light Canon, Scene three, take one."

"Easy does it," Greg cautioned, but as they dropped the cannon onto the wagon, the base broke from the cannon's weight. Steven and Greg stood frozen, speechless, staring at the broken wagon and the colossal cannon.

"Well," Greg said finally, breaking the silence with a grin, "at least we found it."

And with that, their adventure was far from over. Together, they would find a way to save the day, one mishap at a time.

The sun blazed overhead as Steven and Greg navigated the winding roads toward the beach, a battered cannon precariously dragged behind them on a damaged wagon.

"Is it gonna be okay?" Steven asked, peering out the window at the ominous cloud forming in the distance.

Greg shrugged, glancing nervously at the growing red mass on the horizon. "If every pork chop were perfect—"

"We wouldn't have hot dogs!" Steven finished, a grin spreading across his face.

As the Red Eye loomed larger, Greg's anxiety bubbled to the surface. "That thing's getting huge. It's freaking me out!"

"Can't the van go any faster?" Steven urged, glancing at the speedometer.

Greg pressed the accelerator harder. "This is faster!"

"Don't worry. Come on, let's put on your CD." Steven held up a disc he had retrieved earlier, a mischievous sparkle in his eye.

Greg's face flushed with embarrassment. "What? Really? Come on, you've heard it."

"Come on!" Steven insisted, inserting the disc into the player.

As "Let Me Drive My Van (Into Your Heart)" filled the vehicle, Greg squirmed in his seat, while Steven bounced to the infectious beat. They cruised past Sadie, Lars, and Mr. Smiley, who were all transfixed by the Red Eye, which cast a crimson hue over everything.

The music played on, a whimsical backdrop to their chaotic journey until they finally reached the beach, where Garnet and Pearl stood waiting.

Amethyst washed ashore, her hair a tangled mess. "Throw me again, I think I'm cracking it," she said, spotting Steven and Greg with the cannon. "Is that...?"

"Hey, guys!" Steven shouted as they parked the van.

Pearl gasped, her eyes widening. "He really had it!"

Amethyst cheered, "We're SAVED!"

But just then, the beach began to tremble. The Red Eye's gravitational force intensified, pulling everything in its path—Beach House, electric poles, and even the beloved Beach Citywalk Fries—into its swirling maw.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, easy!" Mr. Fryman yelled as the sign above him ripped away, forcing him to dodge for safety.

Garnet's voice cut through the chaos. "We have to use it now."

"I don't know how it works; it was Rose's!" Pearl replied, panic creeping into her tone.

"Dad, how do we use it?" Steven looked at Greg, who could only shrug in confusion.

Pearl grabbed Steven by the shoulders, urgency in her eyes. "Steven, this is serious! Wait… The gem! You have Rose's gem!"

"That's it!" Amethyst exclaimed, lifting Steven and rubbing him against the cannon. "Ahhh, come on!"

"Stop that!" Garnet interjected, unimpressed.

"It's no use," Pearl murmured, her mind racing as the gravitational pull intensified, threatening to drag the van and cannon along with it.

"I got this," Greg shouted, desperately untying the cord from the cannon. "Ugh, wait, nope, maybe I don't!" He was soon pulled along with the van.

Steven began banging on the cannon, desperation rising in his voice. "Please work—unlock—activate—go—please! Everyone's counting on you, you can't just be useless! I know you can help."

"It's okay, Steven. We'll figure out something else, something even better," Greg reassured him.

"R-r-r-right, if every pork chop were perfect, we wouldn't have hot dogs," Steven replied, trying to muster optimism.

Suddenly, the cannon began to glow, its mechanisms whirring to life. Steven lost his grip and tumbled to the ground

"It's working!" Pearl exclaimed as the cannon's hinges unlocked, and the barrel fell, sending a shockwave of anticipation through the group.

With newfound determination, Steven attempted to lift the cannon, and the Crystal Gems rushed in to help him.

"Steven!" Pearl urged, her voice filled with hope.

"This is it!" Amethyst shouted, excitement bubbling over.

"BRACE YOURSELVES!" Garnet warned as the cannon primed itself, ready to unleash its power against the looming threat.

As the Red Eye continued its devastation, the bond of friendship and teamwork stood strong, ready to turn the tide. At that moment, they knew they could face anything together.

A fierce battle raged between the forces of good and the menacing Red Eye. Amidst the chaos, a magnificent cannon emerged, its barrel gleaming in the sunlight. With a deep, resonant boom, it fired a rose-shaped beam that cut through the air like a ribbon of light. The beam struck the Red Eye with incredible force, shattering it into a million shimmering pieces that scattered across the sky.

As the remnants of the Red Eye rained down like confetti, shards of shrapnel began to fall around the beach, causing a stir among the townsfolk. The boardwalk trembled under the impact, but the collective gasp quickly turned into cheers.

Amethyst, with a wide grin, turned to Steven. "You just saved most of Beach City!"

Steven, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment, called out to Mr. Fryman, "Sorry about that!"

"What?" Mr. Fryman yelled back, trying to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

Pearl, her curiosity piqued, asked, "How did you get it to work?"

With a shrug and a hint of mischief, Steven replied, "I just said that thing that Dad always says."

"That thing about pork rinds?" Pearl asked, raising an eyebrow

Garnet, always the calm in the storm, placed a reassuring hand on Pearl's shoulder. "Hot dogs," she corrected, her tone warm but firm.

At that moment, Greg, Steven's father, wiped away a tear, his heart swelling with pride for his son and the victory they had achieved. "Rose…" he murmured, remembering the strength and love that had brought them all together.

Suddenly, the tide surged in, and laughter erupted among the group as waves splashed playfully around their feet. But as Greg turned to celebrate, his eyes widened in horror—his beloved van was being swept away by the rising waters.

"My van!" he exclaimed, panic rising in his voice.

"It's okay, Dad if every pork chop were perfect—" Steven started, trying to lighten the mood.

"I live in there!" Greg shouted, already sprinting towards the van that was now drifting away.

"Wait up!" Steven called, chasing after his father.

"Oh geez, wait, wait, wait!" Greg yelled, splashing through the water as he tried to catch up.

As they moved slowly through the waves, the scene grew more chaotic yet comical, with the two of them navigating the surf in a desperate bid to save the van. The laughter of their friends echoed around them, a reminder of the joy that surrounded them even in the face of chaos.

As the camera zoomed in on the van, bobbing helplessly in the tide, the screen faded to black, leaving the viewers eagerly awaiting the next adventure in Beach City. The day may have started with a battle, but it ended with laughter, love, and a reminder that even in the wildest moments, family always comes first.

"And, cut!" A bell rang "Great job guys. You can go home"

Steven smiled and walked to the snack table. His parents walk to him. Greg had an arm around his wife's waist, Steven noticed that his wedding ring wasn't on his finger. For the show, he knew that his father had to remove every single piece of jewelry he owned—Includinghis wedding ring. Steven saw that his mom wore hers.

"This is a lot of fun." Mr. Fryman said, holding a bottle of water in his hand.

"Are you sure that you don't want some, pizza dude? It's good." Mr. Smiley asked.

"Nah, I ate before I got here." The actor said.

Steven walked to his trailer and opened the door, he took off his makeup and stuff. Greg did the same, He would shave when he got home.

They were ready to go home, Greg got into their van, Rose took a look at him and smiled, He was back in his original clothes. Greg's beard felt itchy on him, he needed a shave and a shower.

Greg's hand held hers, intertwining his fingers with his wife's. Rose starts his van and they drive back to Beverley Hills. Rebecca said that they have until next week to film for the next episode. Steven sighed in relief when he heard that—He loved filming for the show, but. He was exhausted. He couldn't wait to sleep in tomorrow and hand out with his friends around LA.

Steven looked out the windshield, He was trying not to fall asleep, He checked his phone and it was almost seven. He yawned as he listened to the radio.

They've made it to Beverley Hills. Steven stepped out and walked to the door. He needed another shower to wake himself up, He got a text from Clarence asking him if he wanted to hang out tomorrow. He texted him he would think about it.

Greg grabs the keys and opens the walked up the stairs silently to take a shower.

Rose sat on the couch in the living room, her laptop was on the couch, she grabbed it and opened it up. She went on Safari and searched 'Steven Universe'

She clicks on the news tab: Variety and reads the headline.

STEVEN UNIVERSE: STARTING PRODUCTION NOV 2, 2013

Steven Quartz Universe Lands Breakout Role in New Animated Series "Steven Universe"

By Jordan Sandra

Cartoon Network's newest series, "Steven Universe," is set to make waves this fall, and at the heart of it is none other than Steven Quartz Universe. The young star is poised to become a household name as he takes on the titular role in what promises to be a groundbreaking show.

"Steven Universe" is the brainchild of Rebecca Sugar, known for her work as a writer and storyboard artist on the hit show "Adventure Time." The series follows Steven, a lovable and curious young boy who happens to be the youngest member of the Crystal Gems, a team of magical guardians who protect the Earth. The show is expected to blend action, humor, and heartfelt storytelling, with Steven's journey of self-discovery at its core.

For Steven Quartz Universe, this role is more than just a job—it's a dream come true. "I've always loved cartoons, even when I was younger, I grew up on shows like Codename: Kids Next Door and many other cartoons… And to be a part of something like this is incredible," Steven said in a recent interview. "I can't wait for everyone to see the show. It's about finding yourself, embracing who you are, and the importance of family and friendship. I think a lot of people are going to relate to it." Rebecca Sugar stated.

The young actor has already won over fans with his charming personality and infectious enthusiasm. Early previews of "Steven Universe" have generated significant buzz, with many praising the show's unique art style and the depth of its characters. Industry insiders are predicting that Steven Quartz Universe could be the next big thing in acting, with the potential to become an iconic figure for a new generation of viewers.

"Steven Universe" is set to premiere on Cartoon Network this fall of 2013, and anticipation is building. With Steven Quartz Universe leading the charge, this show is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about show of the year.

Rose closed her laptop and turned on the TV.

Rose saw Greg come downstairs, he'd shaved and still had his piercings in, he didn't have a shirt on as he smiled at his wife and sat with her on the couch, Rose smiled and laid her head onto his shoulder, and Greg kissed her cheek.

"I love you."

"I love you too," he said, smiling at her.

"What were you reading?" he asked looking at her laptop.

"An article on Variety, it's about Steven," Rose said.

"I think Steven would like to hear it."

"I'll send a link. I think he's asleep now, he's had a long two days." Greg nods in agreement.

Chapter Text

Steven rode his bike with Mordecai, Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo. They were all going to a trampoline park.

They went to a building, it was called Off The Wall. They all went inside, Steven paid with the money that his mother had given him.

Steven and his friends got special socks that had a grip on the bottoms of them so they wouldn't slip. And Mordecai had to sign a waiver for all of them so they wouldn't sue the place for injuries during jumping.

Mordecai and Rigby both wore their socks and started jumping. Steven was jumping and doing flips in the air, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all playing basketball, and Steven and Mordecai were going to fight with giant plastic cylinders. Rigby was the referee.

"Okay, ready? GO!" the raccoon calls out as they start whacking each other with them.

Steven was about to get hit, His first instinct was to dodge. But he wanted to try something.

He wanted to try materializing his shield.

Steven remembers that he saw his mom metalizing her shield before, and he wants to try it out. Steven took his arm and put his wrist over his navel where his gem was.

The boy's shield materialized out of thin air, then he blocked Mordecai's strikes. Steven grinned and moved his arm with his shield, blocking his attacks as Steven picked his cylinder up and smacked the Blue Jay in the face. knocking him off the 'pillar' which was a few inches off the ground.

"YEA!" Steven said, jumping off. Rigby tried not to laugh at his friend. Mordecai walked up and punched him in the arm.

"OW!" Rigby wined.

"That's what you get for laughing at me, dude!" he said. Steven tried not to laugh.

"You wanna go next?" Steven asked.

"Aw heck no! You're much stronger than I am! What have your parents been feeding you?" The raccoon asked.

"Dude, did you forget that he's a vegetarian?" his friend asked.

"Yeah, but vegetarians can't get protein."

"What about cashews and other nuts, dude?" Mordecai asked.

"Oh. Right." Rigby said. Mordecai punched him in the stomach. "Owww!"

Steven laughed as he jumped off the pillar and ran to the other part of the park to jump on the trampolines.

"Hey, Steven," Clarence asks him.

"Yeah?"

"Why isn't your mom here? she would've loved this place." the boy said, jumping along with Jeff and Sumo.

"I don't know, she said she didn't feel good. But, I don't know. Maybe she was just tired." he said, doing a flip, sumo also did one.

Steven Sees Mordecai and Rigby both jumping.

"Didn't you summon your shield? for the second time?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah! it was awesome! I wanted to show Mordecai, Rigby, and Pops at the studio, but… it didn't work out so well."

"Oh, it's alright, man. But, at least you have them now," he said. Steven smiles and nods.

"Yeah. And I will get other powers down the line, I hope it'll be my mom's strength next, that would be so cool!" He said, swinging his fists in the air.

"That will be so awesome!" Clarence said. Steven smiled as he was still jumping.

"Hey guys, you know my grandad, Tony bought me a trampoline?" Steven asked.

"He did?" Clarence asked. Steven nodded and smiled at his friends. Rigby bounced to Steven.

"Hey, Steven! me and Mordecai are going to play at the arcade, you wanna come?"

"Yeah!" Steven said running with Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo joined in with them. They all play at the arcade.

Steven was racing on the bikes, and Mordecai was on one with Steven. Rigby was playing Guitar Hero, and Jeff, Clarence, and Sumo were all playing their games.

Steven, Mordecai, Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all riding their bikers to Santa Monica Pier, Steven was racing them. But, Clarence had another idea. "Guys! we hadn't showed Mordecai and Rigby the treehouse yet, you wanna go?" he piped up.

"Yeah!" Sumo and Steven both say, that all six boys took a detour to the treehouse, Mordecai and Rigby were taking the back. They didn't know where to go.

Belson was on his PSP, he sat under the treehouse as a couple of other kids from their class were also there.

The boys all came to the spot. Belson looked up and sighed. "Ugh."

"Hey, how is my favorite Belson!" Clarence said, walking up toward him. Belson looks up at his PSP. That he still had, and rolled his eyes as he saw the boy, he had his hands behind his back and he was smiling.

Steven walked up and stood becide Clarence.

Clarence was a little bit taller than Steven, Steven was still in an eight-year olds body ever since he'd met him. But. He doesn't care, Clarence was his friend either way.

Steven was finally home after spending a whole day out with his friends.

Greg and Rose were eating dinner with Steven, Rose got an email on her phone saying to come to DTLA VISUALS PHOTO STUDIO in LA, with Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. And they said to wear something nice. Greg was going to be in it also.

"Rose?" Greg asked, putting a hand on his wife's wrist.

"Yeah, hold on, Greg I'm reading a bunch of emails for that Rebecca sent me. Steven, you got these too."

"Steven pulls out his phone and reads the email that he got from Rebecca.

Steven's eyes lit up. "Mom! We're shooting a commercial!"

"I thought you did, remember the promo for the show?" she asked.

"Yeah! but this is different! It's for those promos that all people did for their shows on Cartoon Network! Mordecai and Rigby did it for their show!" Steven told his mother happily.

"Oh, that is wonderful, Steven!" She said. Her voice was full of joy, knowing that her son had become a celebrity.

Greg smiles at his son. "Do you need me to drive you there tomorrow, Schtu-ball?"

"No thanks, Dad. Pearl is probably going to take me. I can't ride my bike." he said, cutting up his potatoes. Steven was still a vegetarian. His mother and father had steak with potatoes while he had salad with potatoes.

Steven went to bed that night, they would have to be there at nine. They would have to also shoot for an advertisement for the show as well.

He went to sleep, knowing what the day holds for him tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Steven closed the door to Pearl's Mercedes Benz. He sat in the passenger seat while she got into the driver's seat.

She inserted her key in and they drove to the location for the shoot. Pearl drove the thirty-fiveminutes with Steven, Steven got a text from Ameythest and he answered it.

Pearl turned the radio up.

She first hears the voice of Rick Dees come on the air."Hey everyone, welcome back to 102.7 KIIS FM! Today, we've got some exciting news in the world of animation. Steven Quartz Universe, yes, that's right, the star himself, is launching his very own show, "Steven Universe"!

Ellen K. continued "That's right! Steven Universe is the newest show on Cartoon Network, and it's already generating quite a buzz. It's all about Steven, this super lovable, quirky young kid who's half-human, half-gem. He's the youngest member of the Crystal Gems, a team of magical guardians who protect the Earth from all sorts of intergalactic threats."

It was the conversation between the two raido hosts, Bouncing back and forth.

Ryan Seacrest said."And what's special about "Steven Universe" is how it balances action, adventure, and emotional storytelling. It's not just about battling villains—there's a lot of heart and warmth. The show dives deep into themes like friendship, family, and self-discovery, which makes it relatable for kids and adults alike."

Ellen K. then said."Absolutely! Plus, the music is fantastic. Steven is even going to sing some of the songs himself, and I bet they are catchy. I mean, I've had "Cookie Cat." stuck in my head all week!"

"Same here! And let's not forget the unique style. The colors, the characters, everything about it just pops! Steven and the Gems—Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl—each have such distinct personalities, and the dynamic between them is so fun to watch."

"And for all you fans of creative storytelling, "Steven Universe" has it all—mystery, magic, and a lot of laughs. So, if you haven't checked it out yet, you should give it a watch!"

"I Couldn't agree more. So, who's ready to join Steven on his adventure? Tune in to "Steven Universe" on Cartoon Network, and let us know what you think!"

"And keep it here on 102.7 KIIS FM for more updates on the coolest shows, music, and all things entertainment!"

Steven couldn't believe it! they were talking abouthim!

This had to be a dream, He jolts out of his thoughts as they come to a stop. Steven sees a building that says 'DILA VISUALS PHOTO STUDIO' Garnet's car was parked. Pearl walks out, wearing her outfit for the show. Steven walks out, wearing his (without his suit) Then they walk in.

Ameythest was spinning on a chair, Garnet was standing with her arms crossed, she already had her jumpsuit on, andAmeythest was wearing her costume from the show as well.

Steven walks up and meets the photographer. A woman with a joyful expression, smiling broadly. They have curly, voluminous hair and are wearing a white sleeveless top, and they appear to be happy and relaxed.

"Hi, you must be Steven Universe. My name is Brittney. Can I have your pronouns?"

"He\Him."

"Okay, my pronouns are they\them." Steven smiles.

"Cool, our director goes by those too, and she\her," he said.

"Awesome!" they said. Shaking his hand. Steven then walks up to his friends, Pearl is fixing her hair, Garnet is sitting with one leg over the other, And Ameythest is playing a game on her phone.

They were on a white background, and Brittney was setting their camera up. They had a vision for the Crystal Gems.

After a few minutes of trying to get the positions right, Steven, Garnet, and Pearl had their arms and hands open, And Amethyst was showing off her muscles. They then took a few pictures with their camera.

Once that was finished, they needed to head to the studio to shoot for a bumper for the channel. They'd made one, but they needed another one.

Steven was back in the car with Pearl, they were now heading to Burbank for their bumpers. Steven and the Crystal Gems had done bumpers in the past before, but they needed more so the studio could hype up the show even more than it already is.

Steven and the Crystal Gems made it to the studio Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl walked to Rebecca was already standing at the soundstage. "Hey, Rebecca." Steven greets.

"Hello, Rebecca." Pearl waved.

"Hey guys, we need you to advertise the show."

"I thought we did," Amethyst said.

"You guys did, but. We need you guys to make a bumper for the show."

"Okay!" Steven said, smiling excitedly.

"This is going to be so much fun!" Amethyst said, walking to the set of Beach City.

The cameraman was now rolling and they were ready to start the bumper.

The scene opens with a vibrant, animated landscape of Beach City, with the sun shining and waves gently crashing on the shore. The Crystal Gems are gathered around Steven, who is excitedly holding a new gem artifact.

"Look, everyone! I found this amazing gem! I think it has special powers!"

The camera zooms in on the artifact, sparkling with energy. Amethyst playfully nudges Steven.

"Just don't turn into a giant monster this time, okay?"

Garnet crosses her arms, looking stoic but with a hint of a smile.

"As long as we work together, we can handle anything."

Pearl glides into the scene, adjusting her outfit.

"Remember, Steven, it's important to understand the history behind it!

Suddenly, a burst of light erupts from the artifact, and the Gems spring into action, showcasing their powers in a dazzling display.

As the action unfolds, the screen transitions to the vibrant Cartoon Network logo.

The camera cut back to the Crystal Gems standing heroically, with Steven in the center, beaming with pride.

"We're the Crystal Gems, and we're here to protect the universe!" Steven said

Amethyst, with a cheeky grin, leans in and says:

"And have a blast doing it!"

The scene fades to the Cartoon Network logo once again, as Garnet doing the voice-over kicks in.

"Steven Universe, only on Cartoon Network, Monday nights at seven o clock."

"And, cut! perfect guys!"

"Why didn't we do this before the show aired?" Pearl asked.

"Ummm…. We forgot to, but we got them done now and That's all that matters."

"Pearl, I understand that you are very organized, but she made a mistake, don't blame her," Garnet said

"Yeah, Pearl," Steven said. Pearl sighed and walked back to her car, Garnet and Amethyst went to Garnet's car and Pearl dropped them off at their houses.

Steven and Pearl went back to Beverley Hills, Steven stepped out of the car, went into the house, grabbed his bike, and texted Clarence. Steven then peddled to his house, Clarence said that his mother wouldmake burgers for them. Jeff and Sumo were going to come too.

Steven rode off to Clarence's neighborhood. Steven had his earbuds in as he rode his bike.

The hybrid made it to his house, he set his bike on the grass, and Jeff and Sumo were there. Clarence opened the door and saw Steven.

"Steven! Come in buddy," he said. Steven walks in, Jeff and Sumo in his room, and Stwven entershis room and sees them.

"Steven!" Jeff and Sumo called.

"Hey guys!"

"So, I heard that you were busy with your show, how was it?" Jeff said.

"Oh, it was so much fun! we were doing a photoshoot and a promotional commercial for our show!" he said.

"That's awesome! I hope we get our show too."

"Yeah! you guys should, you guys are funny!" he complimented.

Clarence blushed then the hybrid sat on the floor with his friends.

"Thanks for lunch, Mary," he said, taking a bite of his plant-based burger.

"Oh, it's no problem, Steven. I love having you boys over." she smiles. Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were eating regular burgers. Mary got a text from Rose asking if she wanted to have a girls' night out with her Garnet and Pearl. Mary texted her and said that she'd love to.

Lunch was eaten. Steven Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were on Jeff's laptop watching stuff on YouTube. They were watching Minecraft videos. Steven lay on the floor with his feet swinging in the air.

Mary went to Beverley Hills that night, she wore a black dress with high heels. She stopped her Mimivan in the driveway next to Rose's car, which was a black 2013 BMW X5, and it was custom-made for her because the car was too small for her body type.

Mary knocks on the door, and Greg opens it. He had a clean-shaven face and his hair was back.

"Hey, Mary!" he said. taking a bite out of his sandwich.

"Hey, Greg. Is Rose ready?"

"She is, Hey, Rose! Mary is here!" Greg called out. Rose walked down the stairs, She wore a black dress that exposed her gem, black high heels, and two red bracelets.

"Wow, Rose…" he said in a low voice, Walking to her and holding her sides gently. "You look so beautiful…" he said, Rose giggled.

"Well, thank you. Mr. Universe." she said, kissing her husband passionately on the lips.

"I love you…"

"I love you too, Rose. Have fun, alright?" Rose nodded and kissed him on the lips again, Rose grabbed her keys and went to her car. Pearl walked up, wearing a wearing a white dress with a light pink diamond emblem on the chest, she also wore light pink high heels to match.

"Wow, girl. you look so good!" Mary said, walking to her. Pearl smiled and fixed her hair. Which was in waves instead of her usual hairstyle.

"Thank you, Mary. are you guys ready to run LA?" she asked.

"Yeah!" the two women said, hopping into Rose's car, She took the wheel and the quartz drove them to Downtown Los Angeles.

Chapter Text

November 10, 2013

Steven was at the studio, They were going to film for the next episode that was tomorrow. Steven and the rest of the Crystal Gems were going to meet a new actor, his name was Jamie Ryan, Jamie was going to play the mailman in the show. He wore a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. He was thin andhad olive skin, a prominent nose, thick eyebrows, thick brown hair, and soft-black eyes.

"Hey, you must be Jamie," Steven said, shaking his hand.

"Why yes I am," he said. His dream was to become an actor for as long as he could remember. Jamie is from Charlotte, North Carolina. His parents moved here two weeks ago when he sent in his audition video to the Cartoon Network movie lot, Rebecca liked it. And he was cast into Steven Universe.

Jamie was sitting at one of the tables. Steven walked up, Jamie looked at him and smiled softly at the boy. "Hello, I'm Steven Quartz Universe, It's nice to meet you." he smiles toward the future actor.

"Hello, Steven. I'm Jamie," he said. Steven nods, he already knows that because Rebecca sent them an email that they were getting a new actor. "I am looking forward to working with you guys," he said. Steven smiles.

"I am too, Jamie. This is so cool! we're getting a new actor!" Steven smiles again widely.

Rose walks to her son. He turned his head and his face was in contact with her leg. "Hey, mom."

"Steven, you have to go into your trailer and get dressed." Steven nodded and walked off to his trailer.

Steven put his shirt down, he fixed his hair. He put his phone on the couch where Greg and Rose both sat. Rose hugged him and wished him luck.

"Thanks, Mom," he said, opening the door to his trailer and he walked off to the house.

Steven and everyone were getting ready, Greg and Rose were both sitting on chairs, outside the set. Rose looked at Jamie, he seemed…. flustered around Garnet and thought it was weird, but she shrugged it off. Jamie was nineteen. Rose thought it was weird. Why was a nineteen-year-old looking at a woman in her twenties like that? She shrugged it off and watched them get into their places.

The actors were at Crystal Temple, they were getting ready, and Steven was ready for the shoot.

"And… Action!" Rebecca said.

"Steven Universe: Cheeseburger Backpack, scene one. Take one." The clapper leader said.

The sun glimmered over the waves, and the gentle sound of the ocean set the perfect backdrop as Steven sat on a rock, singing joyfully. "Hey Mr. Postman, bring me a post, bring me the post that I love the most!" He closed his eyes, letting the rhythm of the song wash over him when suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in the distance.

"Jamie!" he gasped, excitement bubbling within him. "My song came true! Do you have a package for me today?!"

Jamie, the cheerful mailman, rummaged through his mailbag. "Hold on," he said, pulling out a loaf of bread stamped with a smiley face. "Did you order a loaf of bread with a stamp on it?"

"No!" Steven laughed, shaking his head. Jamie continued searching, revealing an envelope. "Did you order a jury summon for R.J. Finkle?"

"That's not me, I'm Steven!" he exclaimed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

"Oh, right, right, right, Steven!" Jamie said, pulling out a small parcel. "Here it is, Steven Universe."

Steven's eyes sparkled with joy. "Ha! This thing is gonna help me save the world!"

"Really? It says it's from Wacky Sacks Supply Company," Jamie replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl think I shouldn't go on magic adventures because I don't know how to use my Gem powers," Steven explained a hint of defiance in his tone.

"That seems reasonable," Jamie nodded, contemplating the wisdom of the Gems.

"But there are other ways I can help!" Steven insisted.

"Like with a Wacky Sack?" Jamie asked, clearly confused.

"Exactly!" Steven responded, his determination shining through.

"Do you know how you can save my world?" Jamie took out a signature pad. "Sign here, please."

"Aah!" Steven exclaimed, scribbling his name with flair, drawing stars around it. "Barb yells at me if I don't get signatures."

"That's awful!" Steven laughed, but the sound of his house glowing from within suddenly captured his attention. "Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl are back!" He grabbed the parcel and hurried up the stairs toward his house, leaving Jamie behind, still baffled. "Wait, Steven! What is a Wacky Sack?!"

"Steven Universe: Cheeseburger Backpack, scene two. Take one." The clapper leader said

Upon entering the house, Steven's heart raced with excitement. "Huh?"

"Hello, Steven," Garnet greeted him, feathers adorning her hair like a makeshift crown.

"Amethyst, we do not need that!" Pearl exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation, as she pointed to a giant egg that Amethyst was trying to fit into the fridge.

"What? I got this!" Amethyst laughed, sliding a tray out of the fridge, only to spill a carton of milk and drop a bag of bagels in the process. "Look, it fits! Ha!" She slammed the fridge door, a cracking sound echoing from inside. "We can make a big omelet, or a quiche, or big sunny side-ups!"

Pearl rolled her eyes. "We can make it! That's a thing, right?"

"Guys!" Steven interjected, trying to focus their attention. "What's going on?"

Pearl turned to him, her expression serious. "We fought a giant bird. We're only here for a second. We've got to go back out."

"Why?" Steven asked, puzzled.

Pearl held up a statue she had just retrieved. "We have to place this Moon Goddess Statue on the top of the Lunar Sea Spire before midnight. Without it, the whole place will fall apart! Oh, Steven, you should have seen the spire in its heyday." She projected a hologram of the magnificent Sea Spire, its beauty shimmering in the air. "It was an oasis for Gems on Earth. It's abandoned now, but we can still save it with this statue!"

Steven's eyes widened, excitement bubbling up in him again. "Wha? That's perfect!"

"Perfect? Why?" Pearl asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

"Because I can help carry it for you, in this!" He opened the parcel with a flourish, making dramatic sound effects as he revealed a novelty backpack shaped like a cheeseburger.

"A hamburger?" Pearl asked, bewildered.

"It's a novelty backpack! Aww, I blew it," Steven said, putting it on one shoulder. "I was just going to wear it one day, and you guys would be like, 'Dang, Steven, that's so cool.' But this is obviously important Gem business."

With a newfound sense of purpose and a goofy backpack, Steven was ready for the adventure ahead. He knew that together with his friends, they would save the world, one wacky step at a time.

And so, with determination in their hearts and a cheeseburger on his back, Steven and the Gems set off towards the Lunar Sea Spire, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

The young boy named Steven Universe was buzzing with excitement. His adventurous spirit often led him to explore the wonders of his universe alongside his trusted companions, the Crystal Gems: Pearl, Amethyst, and Garnet.

Pearl turned to Steven with a serious expression. "Yes, so you should let us take care of it," she insisted, her hands on her hips.

"What? I'm a Gem!" Steven exclaimed, lifting his shirt to proudly reveal his navel gemstone, gleaming bright.

Amethyst chimed in with a mischievous grin, "So, let him come! It'll be educational."

Pearl considered this for a moment, then relented. "Hmm, alright. You can carry it in your hamburger." With that, she handed a small, ancient statue to Steven.

"Hmmm!" Steven exclaimed, eyes sparkling as he opened his backpack. "Check this out! Everything's a pocket! Even the cheese is a pocket! I could fit a lot more stuff in here. Give me a minute! I'll pack extra supplies."

With excitement bubbling, Steven rummaged through his room, tossing in a bag of bagels, two sweaters, a colorful kite, and even an inflatable raft. As he searched, he accidentally stepped on a stuffed toy. Laughing, he picked it up and began shaking it.

"Ooh, kid, don't shake me!" the toy squeaked, revealing itself as Mr. Queasy.

"Mr. Queasy!" Steven chuckled, shaking it even more.

"Ooh, I got a medical condition!" it protested, but Steven just laughed louder.

"You're definitely gonna come in handy!" he said, grabbing a first aid kit from his backpack and stuffing Mr. Queasy inside.

"Steeeveeen! Let's gooo!" Pearl called her voice echoing through the house.

"Coming!" Steven shouted back as he dashed down the stairs and onto the warp pad.

Pearl raised an eyebrow, taking in the scene. "Woah! Steven, did you bring your whole room?"

Amethyst laughed, "Back that 'thang' up."

"Let's warp," Garnet said, her voice steady and calm.

With a flash of blue light, the warp pad activated. However, Steven's stomach blocked part of the beam, causing Amethyst to shout, "Suck it in, Steven!

With a deep inhale, Steven pulled in his stomach, and the Crystal Gems began to ascend into the warp stream.

As they traveled, Pearl turned to Steven, "Do you remember how to do this?!"

Steven couldn't help himself; he started laughing and somersaulting in the beam, poking his head out of the warp stream.

"Keep your head in!" Pearl admonished gently, pulling him back in. "Come on!"

"And, cut!" Rebeca said, Steven stretched his arms over his head and removed the backpack.

"Hey, Rebecca. Can I keep this when we're done filming?" he asked, gesturing to the Cheeseburger bag.

"I don't think she's gonna let you, dude. It's for the show." Amethyst said.

"Action!"

They arrived at the Lunar Sea Spire, landing on another warp pad. Steven, still floating from the warp's energy, tumbled backward and fell onto the ground with a soft thud. As he looked up, awe-filled his eyes. "Whoa, the Sea Spire!"

But the moment was short-lived. The Gems sighed in unison as a piece of the Spire crumbled away, sending dust and debris spiraling into the air.

"I'm sensing structural instability," Garnet observed, her tone serious.

"Oh, yeah." Steven swallowed hard as he noticed cracks forming beneath him. "That's never good."

"Gah! Steven!" Pearl cried, rushing toward him as the ground began to break apart.

"What?" he asked, eyes wide with confusion. Just then, the ground gave way, and Pearl managed to grab Steven just in time, pulling him back as the surface collapsed into the shimmering waters below.

As they caught their breath, the Crystal Gems exchanged worried glances. With their bond stronger than ever and their hearts racing, they prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, ready to protect their home and each other in this vast, unpredictable universe.

In a world woven with magic and adventure, the Crystal Gems found themselves at the edge of a cliff, gazing down at the swirling chaos of a massive whirlpool below. Pearl, ever the protective figure, clutched Steven tightly, her heart racing with a mix of fear and determination.

"Alright, hold on. We're taking Steven back!" she declared, her voice filled with urgency. But in her embrace, Mr. Queasy, Steven's beloved toy, couldn't handle the pressure. "Ooh, my aching stomach!" he squeaked.

Ever the optimist, Steven leaped off Pearl and grabbed Mr. Queasy from his backpack. He shook the toy gleefully, laughter bursting forth. "Oh, Mr. Queasy!" he exclaimed, delighting in the playful moment amidst the tension. "It's killing me!" Mr. Queasy moaned, finding no relief from the chaos around him.

Pearl's expression shifted as she refocused on the task at hand. "STEVEN! This place is your heritage. I want you to stay and help, but you really got to take this seriously! Can you do that, Steven?" Her eyes bore into him, searching for a sign of commitment.

"You got it, dude!" he replied, sticking his tongue out in a silly gesture, which left Pearl feeling a mix of exasperation and affection. "Yessssss…" she responded, still unconvinced.

"Enough. We have to move," Garnet interjected, her tone brooking no argument. The Crystal Gems raced to the cliff's edge, only for Garnet to halt them with a swift gesture.

"What's the hold-up? We can clear this easily," Amethyst said, her confidence bubbling over.

"No," Garnet replied, her gaze fixed on the swirling waters below. "The magic that sustains the whirlpool creates a vortex that will pull us below." To demonstrate, she picked up a rock and hurled it into the vortex. The rock was immediately halted midair, drawn toward the swirling depths.

"So we can't jump?" Pearl questioned, a hint of despair creeping into her voice.

"Wait!" Steven exclaimed, rummaging through his backpack. He pulled out two sweaters, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "These were for keeping warm, but check it out!"

He tied the sweaters together, looping one end through a hole in the Spire above. Taking a deep breath and with a spark of bravery, he ran and jumped off the cliff. The vortex roared, eager to pull him in.

"Steven!" Amethyst shouted, panic rising in her voice. "He's getting sucked down!"

"STEVEN!" Garnet and Pearl echoed, their hearts pounding.

But clinging to the sweaters, Steven found his footing against the Spire's side. "Cheesssse-burrrr-gerrrr!" he managed to shout as he climbed, finally landing safely inside the Spire, panting but unharmed.

"Way to go, Steven!" Amethyst cheered, her spirit unbroken. She summoned her whip, wrapping it around the same hole of the sweaters, and hoisted Garnet and Pearl over her shoulder, swinging them up into the Spire in a daring display of bravery

"Don't ever do that again!" Pearl admonished, but her tone softened as she added, "But it was pretty great."

Inside the Lunar Sea Spire, the air was thick with a sense of urgency. Pearl surveyed the structural damages. "Oh, no, no, no, this is even worse than the outside. Ugh... that's... Oh! This didn't used to be so... Oh, and the water damage. This pillar... Oh, and this had a head... Oh, Steven, once the statue's in place, it'll restore all of this to its former glory..." Her voice trailed off as she spotted creatures crawling around a statue's shoulders. "Aah- Ah- Aaah!" she shrieked, summoning her spear and slicing the statue in half.

"What was that goober?" Steven asked, bewildered.

"Crystal Shrimp," Pearl replied, her voice steadying.

"Guys, we got a problem!" Amethyst called, drawing their attention.

Pearl rushed up the stairs with Steven to join Garnet and Amethyst. The sight that met them left Pearl gasping. "It's an infestation. And we have to pass through there to get to the top."

"Can't you just squish 'em?" Steven leaned toward one of the Crystal Shrimps, curious.

"Don't touch that! Their shards are deadly!" Pearl exclaimed, pulling him back. "We need to clear a path."

With a determined glint in her eye, she projected holograms of Amethyst and Garnet, outlining a strategy. "Amethyst, if you go around to the side and disturb them with a spin attack… And Garnet, if you strike this exact spot…" she instructed, her plans taking shape.

But before she could finish, Steven interrupted, "BAGEL SANDWICH!" He tossed two bagel sandwiches onto either side of the room. The Crystal Shrimps, drawn by the aroma, swarmed toward the sandwiches, clearing a path for the Crystal Gems

"Brilliant," Garnet praised, impressed.

"Oh, hey, what do you know?" Amethyst chimed in, a smirk on her face.

"Uh, uh... How did you know that would work?" Pearl asked, a mix of disbelief and admiration in her tone.

"Well, if I were a shrimp, that's what I would do," Steven shrugged, a proud smile on his face.

Amethyst couldn't help but tease, "You are a shrimp."

As they stood together, the Crystal Gems found strength not only in their powers but in their bond, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in their quest to restore the Spire and protect their heritage.

Pearl stood at the forefront, her voice unwavering. "I just want everyone to know: my plan would have also worked." Her statement hung in the air as the Crystal Gems carefully crossed the cleared path, the weight of their mission heavy on their shoulders.

As they ascended the winding staircase, a sudden tremor shook the ground. Garnet, ever the vigilant leader, halted the group with an urgent command. "Watch out!"

With a deafening crack, the wall to their left burst open, unleashing a torrent of water that surged forth like a wild beast. Amethyst's eyes widened in panic. "What are we gonna do?" The question echoed in the hearts of the Gems as they turned to Steven, who stood frozen in surprise.

"What? Me?" he stammered, feeling the pressure of the moment. Garnet looked at him expectantly, urging him to act. "What have you got?"

"Cheeseburger Backpack! Cheeseburger Backpack!" Amethyst began to chant, her excitement building as Steven nervously rummaged through his magical backpack.

"Pearl, c'mon!" Amethyst urged, and with a resigned sigh, Pearl joined in. "Cheeseburger Backpack! Cheeseburger Backpack! Cheeseburger Backpack!"

With a triumphant pull, Steven extracted an inflatable raft. "A raaaaft!" he exclaimed, and with a quick tug, it inflated before their eyes.

"Wow!" Amethyst and Garnet cheered, impressed by his ingenuity. "Steven, that's so sensible!" Pearl added, her usual composure returning. But as Steven tossed the raft onto the rushing water, it quickly floated away, swept off the edge of the Spire. The trio groaned in unison, their hopes dashed.

Garnet, ever resourceful, swiftly kicked over a nearby pillar. "Good idea anyway, Steven." With a determined look, she transformed the pillar into a sturdy bridge, allowing the Crystal Gems to cross to safety.

As they continued their ascent, Amethyst shrugged. "Yeah, they can't all be winners." The winding stairs seemed endless, but at last, they reached the summit. Steven gazed in awe at the breathtaking view around him, the world stretching out like a canvas of dreams.

The Gems approached a magnificent pedestal, and Pearl's voice trembled with excitement. "This is it. The Moon Goddess pedestal." She looked up, spotting the moon slowly drifting overhead. "And the moon is almost overhead! It's not too late to save this piece of history!

"Steven, the statue," Garnet reminded him, her tone steady. But as Steven reached into his backpack, panic washed over him. "Uhh, I, uh, ah, uhh…" He rummaged through every compartment, but dread filled his heart.

"What's the hold-up?" Amethyst pressed.

Horrified, Steven stammered, "I don't have it." The Gems gasped collectively, disbelief etched on their faces.

"WHAT?!" Pearl exclaimed, her eyes wide with alarm.

"I must have left it on the bed!" He glanced toward the moon, which continued its slow journey across the sky.

"There's… there's no time…" Pearl's voice faltered, the urgency of the moment weighing heavily upon her.

"Wait!" Steven exclaimed, a spark of inspiration igniting within him. "I have an idea!" He reached back into his backpack, his fingers brushing against something familiar. "Mr. Queasy!" he pulled out the plush toy, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Aah…" Pearl gasped, uncertainty flickering in her expression.

"Could that work?" Amethyst questioned, her brow furrowing. They turned to Garnet, who merely shrugged, leaving the decision to Steven.

With a determined stride, Steven walked to the pedestal, placing Mr. Queasy upright for all to see. The fate of the Moon Goddess and their mission rested in his hands, and as the moon finally reached its zenith, they held their breath, ready to see if their unconventional choice would save the day.

At that moment, under the watchful gaze of the moon, the Crystal Gems stood united, their hearts intertwined with hope and courage. The adventure was far from over, but together, they would face whatever came next.

On a serene night under the shimmering moon, the Crystal Gems found themselves gathered at the base of the ancient structure known as the Lunar Sea Spire. The atmosphere crackled with tension as Mr. Queasy, the quirky guardian of the Spire, swayed unsteadily.

"Oh, kid, don't shake me!" he exclaimed, just as a sudden ray of light burst forth from the pedestal, illuminating the night sky. The beam enveloped Mr. Queasy, lifting him off the pedestal. The light pulsated violently, sending shockwaves through the air before it exploded in a brilliant flash. The Crystal Gems screamed as the ground trembled beneath their feet, cracks snaking across the roof of the Spire. The once-majestic waterfall that surrounded them began to constrict, as if the very essence of the Spire was being drawn inward.

"Everyone, keep steady!" Garnet commanded, her voice steady amidst the chaos. But in the confusion, Amethyst stumbled and collapsed into Garnet, seeking support.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Steven shouted, his heart racing as he watched the destruction unfold before him. The Spire shook violently, its structure buckling and splintering. The ground shook more violently, and in a devastating moment, the entire Spire crumbled, sending debris cascading into the sea, separating the Crystal Gems in the process.

As the dust settled and silence fell, the Crystal Gems emerged one by one from the depths of the ocean, gasping for air. They floated on the surface, disoriented but alive.

"This is all my fault! I broke it," Steven lamented, guilt washing over him like the tide.

"No, Steven," Pearl reassured, her voice gentle yet firm. "The Spire was falling apart when we got here. You handled everything well under pressure. You did great!"

Amethyst chimed in, her trademark sass returning, "Yeah, two out of four of your ideas worked. That's fifty percent!"

Steven nodded, a small smile creeping onto his face despite the situation. "Yeah. I guess you're right. They can't all be winners."

Just then, the familiar raft they had used earlier bobbed to the surface, and the Gems stared in amazement.

"WOOO!" Steven cheered, excitement bubbling within him as they all clambered onto the raft.

"Cheeseburger Backpack! Cheeseburger Backpack! Cheeseburger Backpack!" Pearl and Amethyst chanted in unison, their spirits lifting despite the chaos around them.

Garnet, ever the realist, glared out into the horizon. "It's a three-hour paddle home.

Laughter erupted among the Gems, a small respite from the earlier turmoil. As the raft began to drift away from the remnants of the Spire.

"And, cut!" Rebecca said. Steven ran off the set and ran to his parents and hugged them.

"Hi, Steven!" Rose said, ruffling his hair. Her son laughs happily and then smiles at his mother. Rose kissed her son on the forehead. Steven smiled again, and then, Pearl walked over to her friends then handed Steven a bottle of water. "That was a lot of fun!"

"Yes, it was Steven." Pearl smiles, and then Garnet and Amethyst both walk up. Garnet put her arms around her friend's shoulders.

Steven looks at his friends and grins

Steven walked out of his trailer, he was back in his regular clothes which were his bright red star t-shirt and a pair of black shorts with his white Nike Air Force. He went down the steps, ready to go home.

He couldn't wait for the show to come out tomorrow, Steven was going to Sumo's house with Clarence and Jeff tomorrow to watch the new episode.

He was excited. Very excited about tomorrow.

Steven flopped into bed. It was now night and he just wanted to pass out and go to sleep. He closed his eyes.

Rose opened the door silently she smiled, walked to her son, and kissed him gently on the forehead. "Goodnight, Steven… I love you." she smiled then walked out of his room and closed the door silently.

Chapter Text

Steven rode his bike over to Sumo's house. Clarence and Jeff were also riding their bikes with the hybrid. It was seven thirty in the evening, the sun had just gone down in California and it was chilly outside, but Steven was used to it by now, having been living here for five years and he wasn't bothered by it anymore.

Steven was comfortably wearing a thin red jacket, blue jeans, and a pair of white Converse. They've made it to his home in West Hollywood. Steven looks at it, to him. It will never get old seeing Sumo's home.

His home wasa sleek, minimalist facade with clean lines and a combination of materials.

The primary materials seem to be concrete, glass, and wood.

A prominent feature is the wooden door, centrally located on the ground floor.

Large windows provided ample natural light and a sense of openness.

There is a balcony on the upper floor that has glass railings, offering outdoor space and a view of the surrounding area.

The roof is flat, consistent with modern architectural styles.

The front yard is well-maintained with green grass and various plants.

Small shrubs and plants were lining the pathway and the front of the house.

The driveway and pathway are designed with concrete slabs separated by strips of green grass, creating a visually appealing pattern.

The property is surrounded by mature trees, providing privacy and a natural setting. Trees and foliage add to the aesthetic appeal and offer shade.

It is enclosed by a modern fence made of concrete and horizontal slats, which match the contemporary style of the house.

There is a sliding gate for vehicle access and a pedestrian gate for walking access.

The house is situated in a lush, green neighborhood with sidewalks and mature trees.

The street appears to be quiet and residential, with similar-styled houses likely in the vicinity.

The house exudes a modern and luxurious vibe, with a focus on clean lines, natural materials, and integration with the surrounding landscape.

Steven Clarence and Jeff set their bikes on the grass and knocked on the door.

Sumo's mother, Tinona Sumouski opens the door and has a smile on her face.

"Well, if it isn't Steven Quartz Universe!" she smiles.

"Hi Mrs. Sumouski!" Steven greets her with a smile of his own.

"Sumo is in the livin' room. Oh, And Steven. We ordered you cheese pizza, are you okay with that, honey?"

"Yeah," Steven said, He gave Tinona smiled softly at the boy as they went inside, Sumo was watching Cartoon Network in the living room.

Sumo stood up from the dark brown U-shaped couch and ran up. "Hey, guys! Steven! I can't wait to watch the third episode!" he said excitedly. Steven smiled and gave him a fist bump.

"Taner is bringing the pizzas, boys, he should be here in a bit. Why won't you boys sit in the livin' roomand play or watch cartoons until he comes back." she smiles and kisses her son on his head.

"Okay, Mom!" he said, he saw his mother walk into the kitchen.

Jeff undid his sandals and placed them neatly by the door. Steven took off his shoes and did the same and he ran and jumped over the back of the couch and sat on it.

"Just in ninety minutes is going to come on! Teen Titans is on…" Sumo stopped himself and looked at the big screen TV, that played a few commercials. "It was on," he said.

Just then the door opened. A teen walked in holding two boxes of pizza in his hands. This is the first time that Steven has met one of his older brothers before.

His facial features resemble those of his older brother, Joseph. He has shoulder-length blonde hair with bangs that cover his eyes, and he has a well-built muscular body shape. Also, he wore a white shirt, and dark navy blue jeans with gray Adidas sneakers.

"Hey, Sumo! I got your pizzas!" he said, going into the living room and setting them on the glass coffee table.

"Aw, yeah!" The hybrid said, opening the box, and revealing pepperoni.

"Tanner you goof, Steven is vegetarian!" Sumo said.

"There's another box underneath, stupid!" Tanner rolled his eyes, grabbed the box with the first pizza, and setit aside. He opened the next box and saw it was cheese pizza.

"Oh, I thought you'd forgotten," he said, smiling at Tanner sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Ah, it's okay little dude, you didn't know!" he said, walking to the kitchen and grabbing some plates for him and his friends.

A few minutes later, he came back with four plates in his hands. "Hey, Tanner where is Joseph?" he asked. Tanner set the plates down on the coffee table and sat with them.

"He's with his friends. And the rest are going to watch the show in their rooms. Steven, it's awesome that you get to do this! I'm so jealous!" he said. Watching the screen.

"Just then, their bumper appeared, Steven wanted to know how they did on it.

The scene opens with a vibrant, animated landscape of Beach City, with the sun shining and waves gently crashing on the shore. The Crystal Gems are gathered around Steven, who is excitedly holding a new gem artifact.

"Look, everyone! I found this amazing gem! I think it has special powers!"

The camera zooms in on the artifact, sparkling with energy. Amethyst playfully nudges Steven.

"Just don't turn into a giant monster this time, okay?"

Garnet crosses her arms, looking stoic but with a hint of a smile.

"As long as we work together, we can handle anything."

Pearl glides into the scene, adjusting her outfit.

"Remember, Steven, it's important to understand the history behind it!

Suddenly, a burst of light erupts from the artifact, and the Gems spring into action, showcasing their powers in a dazzling display.

As the action unfolds, the screen transitions to the vibrant Cartoon Network logo.

The camera cut back to the Crystal Gems standing heroically, with Steven in the center, beaming with pride.

"We're the Crystal Gems, and we're here to protect the universe!" Steven said

Amethyst, with a cheeky grin, leans in and says:

"And have a blast doing it!"

The scene fades to the Cartoon Network logo once again, as Garnet doing the voice-over kicks in.

"Steven Universe, coming up next, only on Cartoon Network," she said pointing to the camera.

"That was so good!" Steven said.

"That was Garnet, Right?"

"Oh, yeah! Where doing Ameythest, next, then Pearl and I," he said excitedly.

"It's starting!" He said as his eyes went starry and picked up a slice of cheese pizza and ate it.

We are the Crystal Gems

We'll always save the day!

And if you think we can't

We'll always find a way!

That's why the people of this world believe in

Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl and Steven!

Thetitle card for an episode of his show. It features an illustration with a large, stylized hand made of rock or stone. On the other hand, there are several small objects, including a miniature washing machine, a small building, a clothesline with clothes hanging on it, and some other small items. The background is a light, dreamy landscape with soft colors and abstract shapes.

The title of the episode, "CHEESEBURGER BACKPACK," is prominently displayed in large, playful letters. The text "Written and storyboarded by Ian Jones-Quartey and Rebecca Sugar" is also visible below the title. The overall aesthetic is whimsical and colorful, suggesting a fun and imaginative theme for the episode.

"CHEESEBURGER BACKPACK!" Steven chanted, watching the episode that he's made with the team.

They were finished with the episode, Steven fell asleep on the couch. Sumo smirked. "Hey, guys. Steven fell asleep again, let's prank him." the boy said, laughing.

"Let's do it!" Clarence laughed. They all ran upstairs and went into his parent's bedroom. Mel was lying on the sheets of his master bed, on his laptop. Mel had earbuds in so he couldn't hear them. As they went into the bathroom they grabbed a can of shaving cream. They all went downstairs.

"What are you guys doing?" Tanner said. Walking to the kitchen to put the pizza boxes in the fridge.

"We're pranking Steven!" Sumo said, walking behind the couch and leaning over it, the sleeping hybrid had his right leg hanging on the couch. Sumo lifted his shirt, exposing his Rose Quartz gem, Sumo put a bunch of shaving cream on it and tickled his stomach above his navel.

Steven smacks the spot and his eyes open and he shoots up. "What the heck!" he exclaimed.

"It was Sumo's idea!" Clarence said, pointing to him.

"What! it was your idea!"

"It wasn't me, it was Sumo's idea honest!" he said. Steven jumped from the couch and chased his friend.

"This is for the sword incident!" he tackled him to the ground and started tickling him. Sumo laughed, he laughed so hard that his sides hurt.

Clarence threw a pillow at Steven, Steven's head turned back to the boy, and he stood up.

"You think you guys can prank me? Well… THIS. MEANS. WAR! PILLOW FIGHT!" Steven and the boys armed themselves with pillows and started hitting each other.

The next morning, Steven was eating breakfast with his friends, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo. Steven was eating cereal as Cartoon Network played on the big screen TV in the living room.

Steven was texting Connie, they were going to hang out today when Steven left Sumo's house laterthis afternoon. Steven was wearing a different shirt while he was in the laundry. He was now eating breakfast.

Steven was on his bike now, he just left Sumo's house, his jacket was in his backpack, and he went to Connie's house which was in Calabasas. Steven went home to put his bike away, he was not riding to Calabasas, as it would take too long. He went inside the house, and he saw his mother on the couch, on her iPad.

"Mom? Can you take me to Connie's house?" Rose looked up and smiled.

"Sure I can, let me get my shoes," she said, walking upstairs and grabbing her flip-flops, she walked back down and grabbed the keys to her car.

Both Steven and Rose got into her car, Steven was having trouble. He jumped up to get in and put his seatbelt on, then they drove to Clalbasas.

Chapter Text

Steven Universe Behind The Scenes Chapter 37-Meeting Fans

Rose stopped at Connie's house. Steven stepped out of the car and knocked on the door. Steven has been to her house a couple of times. The hybrid knocks on the door, and then Connie opens it.

"Hey, Steven!" she said.

"Hey, Connie!"

"Hi, Mrs. Universe, how are you." the girl asked his mother. Rose smiles.

"You don't need to call me that, just 'Rose' is fine, Connie," she said, she nodded, and Rose kissed his son's fuzzy head.

"Bye, Steven. I'll pick you up at…. How does eight sound?" Steven smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. Rose then turned and headed to her car. Steven and Connie walk into the house. Connie closed the door and walked to the couch Steven sat on it, and Connie sat on it too. Steven sees a Guitar Hero controller sitting by it.

Steven sees her Nintendo Wii sitting by the TV cabinet. The boy looks at Connie. "Hey, wanna play Guitar Hero?" Steven asked.

Connie nods.

Steven got another perfect score. Connie got a fifty percent. Steven removed the strap and set the guitar up on the wall. He went to the kitchen and went to the fridge.

"Sweet! you have quesedillas."

"Waitr, Steven. Their chicken, I have chese ones in the other freezer." Connie said Steven nods

"And where are they?"

"In the garage, I'll get one," Connie said walking to the garage. She came back and handed him the frozen food.

"Thanks, Connie," he said, walking to the cupboard and grabbing a plate, He opened it and put it on the plate and into the microwave for two minutes. When he got it out, Steven grabbed a fork and knife and started eating it.

Steven went home that night, Steven and his parents were going to a restaurant in LA with Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. they all sat in the back of Rose's car, Ameythest and Steven sat in the very back row since they were the smallest.

Garnet and Pearl sat in the middle while Greg and Rose sat up front.

Steven brought his Nintendo DS, Ameytheset was playing Mario on it, and Steven was on his phone as rock music was playing on the radio. Rose was taking the wheel as she drove them to their destination. Steven was looking out the window of the buildings, lights, and people walking the streets.

They all step out of the car and they go inside. Steven saw a boy standing next to him, Steven could tell that he was nervous about something. "Do you need something?" he asked the boy, Steven saw that he was taller than the hybrid, he looked about thirteen years old.

Is this how tall someone is? Steven thinks to himself.

The boy nodded and started talking. "Can I have your autograph?" he asks. Steven smiled as he handed him the piece of paper. Steven signed it with his pen and looks up to him. "What's your name?"

"Alex… Mr. Universe." he smiled again and wrote his name.

"Here you go. And… It's Steven. I don't go by that stuff." he said.

The boy nodded and he went back to the chairs with his parents. "You're getting quite famous," Pearl said. Steven smiles and nods. His mother smiled too. They all went to their table and sat.

"Follow me to your table." the hostess said. Steven and the others followed the hostess and sat at a table.

Steven and everyone got menus. Steven read off the menu and knew what he wanted.

"Everyone knows what they want to drink?"

"I want water, please," Steven said.

"I'll have a lemonade," Rose said. When everyone ordered, they were talking.

"So you know what episode we're doing next week?" Steven asked.

Pearl checked on her phone and went to her Emails. She got an email from their director. Pearl read the email.

"We're doing an episode called 'Together Breakfast' Steven," she said, Steven nodded and looked at Ameythest still playing Mario on his DS.

"Can I get a picture of you?" a man asked.

"You can," he said as the man knelt by him, he put his phone into selfie mode, and they both smiled as he took the picture.

"Thank you so much, Steven!" he said, then walking away. The hybrid looks at the floor of the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and thinks to himself.

I hope we get a star one day for our show.

Greg, Rose, and Steven all returned to the house, Steven went upstairs. Steven closed the door to his room and changed into his PJs which were a pair of long pants and a blue shirt.

He went into the bathroom to brush his teeth, and he then crawled into bed ready for a new day tomorrow.

Steven woke up, stretched, and yawned. He walked downstairs with his phone in his hand. He opens the fridge and grabs two eggs so he can make breakfast. Steven got a call from Mordecai.

"Hey, Mordecai! What's up?"

"I'm good, you wanna go to the movies, we have a day off until Next week. So…Wanna hang out?" he asked his friend.

"Yeah, me either. Let's go. Do you want to meet up in an hour or something? I can take my bike." he said.

"Sure, dude. Meet you at The Park."Mordecai told him. Steven finished cooking his egg and started eating it.

Steven finished his egg and went to his room to take a shower and change into some normal clothes. He wore a pair of long jean shorts that covered his knees, a pair of black flip-flops, and a bright red Pikachu t-shirt.

He grabs his earbuds and his phone. He walked downstairs and opened the door to the garage to grab his bike. He opened the garage door, closed it then rode off. Steven wasn't worried about his parents, they didn't mind it, as long as he was safe.

Chapter Text

Steven Universe: Behind The Scenes Chapter 38-A Bad Idea

Steven biked to The Park. He was a few blocks away. He was listening to music on his phone. When he got there, he put the kickstand on his bike went to the stairs of the house, and opened the door. "Mordecai, Rigby?" Steven calls out. The Blue Jay and Racoon walk downstairs.

"Oh hey, Steven," Rigby said Steven waved. "So, what do you want to do?" the raccoon asked.

"I can call Clarence and we can go to the treehouse," he said, going on his phone.

"Hold on, Steven. do you wanna go surfing?" Steven's heart sank when he mentioned that. The boy could only see darkness under the water, he could hear his parents call out to him when he was saved by his mother.

Steven snapped back into reality and looked at his friends. "Um…." the boy said. "I don't feel comfortable with that," he confessed.

"Okay. Do you want to go to the arcade?" Rigby asked.

"Sure. We can do that." Steven said.

"Perfect, dude. Let's go."

They go to Santa Monica on their bikes. Steven, Mordecai, and Rigby park and they were now walking around.

Mordecai, Rigby, and Steven were looking at theshops and stuff. "It's like at our set, it's real weird." The boy said.

"Yeah, we've seen your show and… It's familiar, it's weird." Rigby said.

"Yeah, and our show is set in California," Mordecai said.

"Oh, cool! I didn't know that!" Steven said.

"Yeah, the more you know, dude!" Rigby said, looking at the floor.

Steven, Mordecai, and Rigby are at a store, Steven sees Mordecai's bike speeding past them.

"HEY! That's my bike!" Mordecai said the three went on a chase after the man, Steven wanted to help. He metrealized his shield, but it went away after a few seconds.

"Oh come on!" he said, helpless. Mordecai ran and tacked the guy off it.

"Hey, man!" the guy said, slurring his words.

"Are you intoxicated!" Mordecai asked the boy, as he grabbed his wrists and put them behind the man's back.

"Rigby, can you call the police?"

"Aw come on! For what? for taking a bike?"

"It's my bike, dude!" the Blue Jay said, still on the floor and holding his arms. Then, by some miracle, a police officer on a bike stops in front of them.

"What seems to be the problem, boys?"

"This man stole my friend's bike, and he's intoxicated!" the hybrid explained to the officer.

"Alright boys, I'll take it from here," he said, as Mrdecai got off the man. "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say will be held against you in a court of law." he handcuffed the man and helped him off his feet, and Mordecai took his bike by the handlebars.

"Dude, why didn't you lock your bike?" Rigby asked.

"Muscle Man took it and hid it somewhere!"

"Ughhhh! Why in the heck does he have to touch our stuff?" Rigby asked. "Little butthole…" he mutters to himself.

"I don't know, dude! It's so annoying!" he said in frustration.

"It sounds annoying, and you said that Muscle Man did it?" Steven asked.

"Yeah!"

"Wow, I feel bad, Mordecai." the hybrid said, looking at him.

"Yeah… Like, dude…. Don't touch anyone's stuff okay? It's that simple! It's such a simple thing to do!" Rigby vented.

Mordecai hops on the seat and starts paddling slowly so Steven and Rigby can still walk with him.

Steven, Mordecai, and Rigby all went for sushi by the beach. They were ordering. "I'll take the California roll," Steven said.

"You know that has crab in it right?" Mordecai asked, reading the menu.

"Yeah, imitation crab, dude. He can eat it, he's vegetarian, not vegan."

"Vegan and vegetarian are two different things, Rigby," Steven said.

"Really?" The raccoon asked.

"Yes!" Mordecai said.

"It is? What's the difference," he asked his two friends.

"Vegatrain is someone who doesn't eat meat, and vegan is someone who doesn't eat meat or eat and drink milk," Steven explained.

"Ohhhh, so your vegetarian?" Rigby asked.

"Yes, I've been one since I was six," he said.

"So you've been a vegetarian for…." Rigby counted on his fingers.

"Ughhhhh! This is what happens when you drop out of high school! He's been a vegetarian for seven years!"

"Yeah, since 2006," he said, as he opened the wrapping on his chopsticks and separated them.

"So, you don't eat raw fish?" Rigby said.

"No!" Steven and Mordecai say in unison as Mordecai kicked him in the leg. Rigby moaned in pain and rubbed his leg.

"Owww…"

Steven sees the waitress walk up with their drinks. "Alright, who ordered the iced tea?"

"I did," Mordecai said.

"And the Sprite and pink lemonade."

"I ordered the pink lemonade, this freak ordered a Sprite."

"STOP TALKING!" Rigby shouted. The waiter put their drinks down. Steven laughs.

"Oh, man! How I love messing with Rigby!" he laughed again, Mordecai laughed along with the hybrid.

Mordecai, Rigby, and Steven were heading back to The Park on their bikes. They all parked their bikes and walked up the stairs to the house.

"Hey, Skips!" Steven greeted, taking off his shoes, Mordecai and Rigby turned to the living room sat on the couch, and grabbed the controllers.

"Hey guys, can I play too?" Steven asked, sitting on the floor beside them.

"Sure, man. Rigby move your butt so Steven can sit."

"Why do I have to move? you're bigger than both of us!" Rigby protests. "Me and Steven are the same size!"

"Let's play rock paper scissors!" Rigby suggested.

"Nah, I wanna play punches!" Mordecai said.

"No, I always get hit."

"You can throw the first punch."

"Ughhhh, fiiiine!" he groaned and put his fist up and punched Mordecai in the arm softly. Mordecai grinned put his fist up and punched Rigby. Rigby was sent flyng.

Steven sat next to Mordecai and picked up a controller then they played together.

Steven and Connie were at Steven's house, Connie's mother had to work at the hospital and Connie's father also had to work, She could stay by herself at home, but she would rather stay with a friend tonight.

Steven and Connie were both in his bedroom, Steven had bought a PlayStation 4 with the money he'd received for filming on the show.

When he'd received his paycheck, he'd asked his dad if they could go to GameStop to purchase the newest PlayStation. The kids both played until they went to sleep.

Chapter Text

WARNING: Traumatic Expernices!

Steven Universe: Behind The Scenes Chapter 39-Connie Joins The Cast.

December 1, 2013

Steven, Greg, and Rose were driving to the studio. They were filming for an episode called Bubble Buddies, they got their scripts the week before, so they were all prepared. Steven also knew that someone else was going to join the cast. But he doesn't know who though. He was excited to meet this new member of the show. Steven wondered who it was.

They park. Rose stepped out, and so did her husband and Steven. Rose sees the director walk over. "You're here, come to the cafeteria, there's someone I would like you to meet," she said. Steven and his parents nod and head into the cafetera.

The Universe family walks inside and they see the other actors, Steven sees a girl that was with her parents. His eyes went starry as he ran up to her. "Connie!" he said, hugging her. Priyanka and Doug, her parents both smile. Steven let go of her.

"Steven! I got cast to be an actor for your show!" She said excitedly to the boy.

"That's awesome! we're gonna be co-workers!" Steven said. He grabbed his script from his backpack and then flipped through it.

"When we were getting a Connie, I didn't know that they were going to pick you! I thought they were going to pick another actor with the same name but a different last name!"

"Guess not." she smiled, looking at Greg and Rose.

"Alright, Steven. You guys can talk later. But for now. Go get changed."

"You too, Connie." her mother said. Connie nodded and they both went to their trailers to get dressed. Steven took his shirt off so the makeup artists could get him into his suit.

Steven put on his cuffed jeans and his salmon pink flip-flops and he opened the door to his trailer. Connie walks out of hers, she wears a dress. The bottom half was a teal green while the top half was a lighter green with a teal green bow in the middle of the collar. She also wore a pair of glasses.

"Hey, Connie. You ready?"

"Yeah, this is going to be so much fun!"

"What's with the glasses?"

"Oh, I can't see very far away, this was after we met. Like… a few days after we hung out my mom took me to the eye doctor."

"Oh, okay."

They both go back to where everyone was rehearsing their lines. Steven was rehearsing him as they were getting ready.

"And… Action!"

On a sun-drenched afternoon, Steven stepped out of his beach house, his bicycle in tow. As he carefully maneuvered the bike down the stairs, a sudden, roaring noise erupted from the horizon, shaking the ground beneath him. Startled, he lost grip of the bike, which tumbled down the stairs in a chaotic cascade.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed, sprinting after it, his heart racing. The camera panned to reveal Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst making their way towards the beach house, engaged in conversation.

"I don't think those are earthquakes," Pearl stated, glancing around nervously. "They're too frequent!"

Just then, Steven's bike came to a halt in front of the Gems, and he caught up to it, panting.

"Hey look! Steven's got a bike! Where ya goin', Steven?" Amethyst called out, grinning widely.

"Just out for a ride," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

"In the sand?" Pearl raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

"Yup!" Steven said, determination shining in his eyes.

As he mounted the bike and pedaled, he quickly realized the difficulty of riding on the sandy beach. Struggling with each push, he glanced up and spotted a girl with dark skin, deeply engrossed in a book. Intrigued, he maneuvered his bike past her and parked it nearby.

"Some smooth ride..." he muttered to himself, admiring his bike. "Five speeds... hand brakes... electric blue finish with a tiger bell!" He rang the bell, hoping to catch her attention, but she remained oblivious, lost in her story.

With renewed courage, he attempted to hop back onto the bike but ended up tumbling over instead. The girl finally turned her head, her eyes widening at the sight of Steven sprawled on the sand with his bike. Mortified, he quickly discarded his helmet and bolted away, screaming, "AHHH!"

"Cut! Everyone take five." Rebecca said, Steven walked to the snack table and grabbed a bottle of water. Greg and Rose were both talking to each other, Steven walked to Connie and drank some water. "So, what do you wanna do after work?"

"We should go to a restaurant that sells ramen, I'm craving that for some reason." She said, Steven agreed with her.

"We should! I want ramen." He said

"Aw heck yeah! With Clarence, Jeff and Sumo!" Connie said, Steven liked that idea. He took his phone that was by his mom tapped on the messages app and texted them.

"And… Action!" Rebecca said, leaning in her director's chair.

Inside the beach house, Steven burst through the door, slamming it behind him as he tried to catch his breath. He glanced over to see the Gems watching him through the window, their expressions a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Whaddup?" he said, attempting to appear nonchalant.

"Who were you talking to?" Pearl asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Uh, huh?" Steven stammered, his cheeks turning a shade of crimson. "That girl."

Garnet raised an eyebrow, her calm demeanor unshaken. "You saw?"

"Yeah! She's just a girl I know, except she doesn't know me. We never talked," he explained, his embarrassment deepening.

Amethyst couldn't contain her excitement. "You like her!" she exclaimed, playfully squishing Steven's face between her hands.

"Uhh... I like everyone..." he mumbled, pushing her arms aside.

From off-screen, Pearl's voice chimed in, "Let's set up a play-date!" She reappeared, a spark of enthusiasm in her eyes. "I'll write an invitation and work out a schedule. Oh! We'll have to find out her favorite kind of tea..."

Garnet interjected, "No. Just talk to her."

"Okay. But you guys can't watch this time! It'll mess up my funky flow," Steven insisted, a hint of resolve in his voice.

"Funky flow?" Pearl and Amethyst echoed, sharing a puzzled glance.

Garnet simply replied, "We won't watch." She adjusted her visor, her expression serious

"Alright!" Steven replied, a mixture of excitement and anxiety bubbling within him. He rushed to the fridge, retrieving a glowing bracelet.

"What's that?" Amethyst asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

"Nothing!" he called out, dashing out of the house once more.

The camera kept rolling as he was walking to Connie, He was saying the lines that were on his script.

As he walked towards the girl, Steven practiced his speech under his breath. "Hi! My name is Steven. Hi, my name is Ste-ven. Hi, my name is... Stevan? Oh-whoa!" His heart thudded in his chest as he approached her, ready to take a leap of faith and introduce himself.

The day was filled with potential, and at that moment, on the sandy shores of the beach, Steven was on the brink of something new and exciting. Would he muster the courage to speak to her? Only time will tell.

It all began with a thunderous roar that echoed through the air, shaking the ground beneath them. Steven, a boy with a heart full of courage, instinctively glanced upward. His eyes widened in horror as a chunk of the majestic Crystal Temple broke free, hurtling downward toward a girl standing nearby.

"Hi, my name is Steven!" he gasped, propelled by adrenaline. In a split second, he leaped forward, tackling the girl and shielding her from the impending disaster. Just as the debris was about to crash down, a radiant light enveloped them, forming a shimmering bubble around the two of them. The rocks hit the bubble with a resounding crash but shattered harmlessly, leaving Steven and the girl unharmed.

Steven was surprised. Could this be my new power? He thought to himself.

"Whoa! How did I do that?" Steven exclaimed, bewildered by his powers. He turned to the girl, who was adjusting her glasses in a daze. "Hi, my name is Steven!"

"Connie," she replied, still processing the surreal turn of events. As Steven helped her back to her feet, she tentatively touched the bubble, her curiosity piqued. "What… happened?"

"I'm magic—well, half magic, on my mom's side," he said, puffing out his chest proudly.

"You did this?" Connie asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"Apparently! I'm a member of the Crystal Gems. We fight monsters and protect humanity and stuff," Steven explained, his excitement bubbling over.

"Oh! That's kinda like my dad. He's a cop. Well… more like a private security guard," Connie shared, her nervousness easing as they exchanged brief, intrigued glances.

"So… how long does it usually last?" she inquired, glancing at the shimmering barrier surrounding them.

"Oh! Right." Steven furrowed his brow, straining as he pushed against the bubble. "It, uh… doesn't seem to wanna go away."

"What's wrong?" Connie asked, concern creeping into her voice.

"It just won't disappear!" he said, hitting his gem in frustration.

"Oh," she replied quietly, looking down at the bubble that held them captive.

As they both pushed against the barrier, Steven tried to strike up a conversation. "So… I don't see you around that often."

"My dad works for a bunch of different beaches, so we're never in the same place long," she explained, pushing along with him.

"I go on adventures with the Gems sometimes," Steven said with enthusiasm. "They usually say it's too dangerous for me, though." He pushed harder, inching the bubble forward before tumbling over onto his back.

"Do you always go in a bubble?" she asked a hint of amusement in her voice.

"No, this is new. I don't know what this is. But it's okay! The Gems will know what to do," Steven assured her, his optimism unshaken .

The two kids tried to roll the bubble toward Steven's house, but the steep hill proved to be a challenge. "Awww, what?" he groaned as they struggled against the incline. "Hey, guys! Garnet! Help!"

"I don't think they can hear you," Connie pointed out, her tone matter-of-fact.

Steven facepalmed, realization dawning on him. "Aaaww… That's right. I told them not to watch."

"We can just wait here until they come out," Connie suggested.

"No, no, no, it's okay! I've got other friends that can help," he insisted.

"Action!"

In the nearby Big Donut, Steven's friend Sadie took up a hammer, attempting to break the bubble while Lars doubled over with laughter. "Way to go, Steven! Is this your magic love bubble or something? Did you make it because you're in looove?" he teased, pressing his face against the translucent wall.

"That's Lars. We're basically BFFs," Steven replied, rolling his eyes with a smile.

Connie looked at Steven and said, "He makes weird faces."

And in that moment, as laughter filled the air, a friendship began to blossom amid the chaos, with adventures waiting just around the corner. Together, they would navigate the world of magic, friendship, and the unexpected challenges that awaited them.

"Quit being a jerk and help!" Sadie exclaimed, her frustration evident as she glared at Lars, who was too busy making silly faces to notice the tension in the air

"What? I'm helping Steven on his date!" Lars shot back, completely oblivious to the embarrassment he was causing.

"You're embarrassing him!" Sadie insisted, her voice rising.

"No, I'm not!" Lars countered, but the argument quickly faded into muffled background noise as Steven, the unsuspecting target of Lars's antics, tried to maintain his composure.

"Sadie and Lars run the Big Donut," Steven explained to his date, Connie, who raised an eyebrow.

"Do... they get along?" Connie asked, unsure of what to think.

As Sadie and Lars continued their bickering, punctuated by Sadie's playful shove toward her brother, Steven shrugged. "They're crazy about each other," he said with a grin, though the chaos suggested otherwise.

Suddenly, in a burst of energy, Sadie dashed into the Big Donut, a determined look on her face. "I'm gonna go try something else!" she declared, leaving Lars and Steven to carry on.

Steven, trying to lighten the mood, said, "Anyway, this place has the best doughnuts! I come here, like, every day!"

"My parents don't let me eat doughnuts. They have trans fats," Connie replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"WHHAAAAATTT?!" Steven exclaimed, shocked. Just then, Lars began making kissy faces behind him, adding to the ridiculousness of the moment. "Well, it's still a cool place to hang out," he added, trying to recover.

But Sadie had other plans. With a sudden burst of energy, she burst out of the Big Donut, holding a stool high above her head. "Aaaahhh!" she shouted, smashing it against the bubble that encased their little world, splintering the wood upon impact.

Steven let out a nervous chuckle, his eyes wide. "I have a better idea," he said, a newfound determination in his voice.

"And, cut!" Rebecca called out, Connie and Steven were still trapped in his bubble. Steven tried putting his arms out to pop it, but nothing.

"You're getting into the role, aren't you?" Rose asked

"This Isn't a joke, Mom! We are trapped here!" Steen said trying not to freak out. "Oh, man! What if we're stuck in here forever? We would be known as bubble and Bubble Girl! WHAT THE FRICK?" Steven shouted, getting more anxious.

"And…. Action!" Steven had to put aside his panic for the show.

The camera shifted to the Beach City Pier, where Connie and Steven wandered amidst the boats bobbing on the water. "Whoa, a trawler! And a little skip-jack!" Connie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"You know a lot about boats," Steven remarked, impressed.

"That's what happens when you hang out at the beach and don't swim and don't have friends... Y-you look at boats..." Connie admitted, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice.

Steven tried to lighten the mood. "Heh, uh..." he began, spotting a familiar figure in the distance. "Oh hey, Onion! Onion!" he called out, waving to the boy munching on a bag of popcorn.

Onion waved back, oblivious to the urgency of the moment. "We need a harpoon gun!" Steven shouted, his voice rising with excitement.

"What?!" Connie responded, startled.

"To pop the bubble," Steven explained, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Can't we just go back to your house?" Connie suggested, still confused.

"It's okay, I'm a Gem," Steven reassured her. "Onion, we need a harpoon gun! HAR-POON-GUUUN!" he emphasized, his voice echoing across the pier.

Onion continued to eat his popcorn, unfazed by the chaos around him. Frustrated, Steven sighed and began to breathe on the bubble, attempting to illustrate a boat firing a harpoon gun at it. "Haar-pooon-guuun..." he murmured, drawing in the fog.

But Onion remained oblivious, munching contentedly on his popcorn while Steven facepalmed, realizing that getting a harpoon gun might take more than just shouting. The day was still young and with Sadie, Lars, and a bubble to pop, who knew what adventures awaited them next?

"Let me try," she said confidently. With a puff of breath, she exhaled a fog onto the bubble and spelled out the words "harpoon gun." Onion, who had been watching them, gave a thumbs-up and dashed off, excitement gleaming in his eyes. Steven looked at Connie, impressed by her quick thinking.

"It just made more sense," Connie explained, her determination shining through. Just then, a loud boat horn echoed across the water as Onion appeared at the helm of a small boat, a harpoon gun ready in his hands.

"Look out!" Steven and Connie screamed, leaning away from the impending action as Onion took aim. With a swift motion, he fired the harpoon at their bubble. The harpoon bounced off the bubble's surface harmlessly, veering instead toward a nearby boat, which it struck with a dramatic splash. Onion laughed and gave another thumbs-up, oblivious to the chaos he had just caused.

Connie's gaze shifted to the trawler now sinking into the water. "The trawler..." she muttered, watching it disappear beneath the waves.

Suddenly, they found themselves transported to the bustling atmosphere of Beach City Funland, a place known for its wild rides and unpredictable accidents. Rolling the bubble along, Connie suggested, "What about 'Funland'?"

"Yeah! Tons of horrible accidents happen here every day!" Steven exclaimed with enthusiasm. "There's gotta be something to break this bubble!" His eyes lit up as he spotted a roller coaster. "Look! The kiddie coaster!"

With a plan forming, they stepped onto the platform just as the coaster was taking off. "Alright, we just roll down this ramp as the carts are coming at us, and the crash will break us free!" Steven explained, his excitement palpable.

Connie hesitated, a worried expression crossing her face. "What happens after the bubble pops?"

"We'll be free!" he replied, but an awkward silence fell between them as a distant roar resonated through the amusement park.

"Steven, this is a bad idea—" she started, but before she could finish, the sound grew louder, shaking the ground beneath them .

"Whaaa—this will work!" Steven insisted, pushing them both toward the roller coaster tracks.

With a rush of adrenaline, the bubble began rolling down the ramp, hurtling toward the oncoming roller coaster carts. The impact was explosive; the bubble collided with the coaster, and Mr. Smiley, the ride operator, hit the emergency brake. The sudden stop sent the bubble soaring off the tracks, and Steven and Connie screamed as they flew through the air, landing with a splash in the ocean.

Steven was trying his best not to have a panic attack as the memories flooded back to him on that fateful day in 2008. He was trying not to panic as he remained calm and acted out the scene, he saw a camera with a clear shell around it – A waterproof camera. he thought, as they both did their scene… At the bottom of the dang ocean.

As they sank to the ocean floor, Connie gasped in horror. "Where are we?"

"The bottom of the ocean," Steven answered, trying to keep his tone light even as the reality of their predicament set in.

Connie's eyes widened. "Are we even close to the shore?"

"Yeah, sure!" he said, though he wasn't entirely convinced. "Let's start rolling!"

As they began to move, Steven chuckled nervously, "It's a good thing this bubble is airtight; otherwise, we'd be drowning right now." However, he quickly noticed Connie's agitation, which only seemed to grow as they ventured deeper

"Don't worry, Connie! I have an idea that will definitely work when we get back—" Just then, a massive worm-like creature loomed above them, casting a shadow that sent chills down Connie's spine.

With wide eyes, she looked at Steven. "What now?"

Steven swallowed hard, realizing that perhaps their adventure was just beginning. Together, they would have to face whatever challenges lay ahead, both in the depths of the ocean and beyond, determined to find their way back to the surface.

Steven and Connie found themselves in an unexpectedly adventurous situation. They had just encountered a colossal worm monster, a creature that looked intimidating but was surprisingly harmless. Steven, with his usual optimism, tried to reassure Connie as they watched the worm consume some glowing red seaweed.

"It's okay, look!" he exclaimed, pointing. "It only wants to eat that bright stuff!" His confidence was infectious, and for a moment, the duo felt a sense of wonder.

However, the excitement quickly turned into chaos when the Worm Monster began to burrow into the ground. The earth shifted beneath them, and a deep crevice opened up, sending them tumbling into a bubble that sank deeper into the ocean floor. Steven landed awkwardly, realizing his foot had ended up in Connie's face.

"Ughhh... Oh, sorry! Are you alright?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. Connie stood up, her expression a mix of shock and frustration.

"It's NOT OKAY!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the confined space.

Steven blinked, taken aback. "Uh?!"

"You keep saying that, but you don't know what you're doing!" Connie continued, her eyes welling with tears. "Now we're going to suffocate or starve at the bottom of the ocean, and only my parents will notice because no one else cares about me!"

Her words struck a chord in Steven. He had never seen Connie so upset, and his heart sank at the thought of her feeling so alone. "Huh?" he managed to utter, unsure how to comfort her.

"I'm gonna disappear without ever making a single friend..." Connie broke down, her sobs filling the bubble with sorrow.

At that moment, Steven remembered something important. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a glowing bracelet, a relic from the past. "We can be friends," he said softly, holding the bracelet out to her.

Connie looked up, her tears momentarily forgotten. "What?"

"I saw you at the Boardwalk Parade last year," Steven explained, his voice full of warmth. "You dropped your bracelet. I picked it up, but then I couldn't find you. I saved it in the freezer so it would last longer, in case I saw you again."

A flurry of memories flooded Connie's mind, and a small smile crept onto her face. "Oh! You were the kid on the car wash float," she chuckled, remembering the sight of him with soap bubbles in his hair.

Steven blushed, laughter bubbling up. "I was supposed to be a scrub brush. I'm sorry, Connie." He gently placed the bracelet on her wrist, its glow illuminating their surroundings. "If I had returned your bracelet then, you wouldn't be stuck in this bubble with me now."

Connie, her cheeks flushed, looked at the bracelet and then at Steven. "No, it's okay. I'm having fun," she admitted, a spark of joy returning to her eyes.

At that moment, amidst the uncertainty and fear, they realized that their friendship was the brightest light in the dark depths of the ocean. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that they would never be alone again. As the worm monster continued to feast on the glowing seaweed above, Steven and Connie shared a laugh, their bond growing stronger with each heartbeat.

Beneath the shimmering surface of a vibrant ocean, Steven and Connie found themselves encased in a bubble, blissfully exploring the underwater world. Suddenly, with a loud pop, the bubble burst, sending them tumbling into the water. They instinctively kicked their legs and swam upwards, breaking through to the surface, gasping for air. The laughter that bubbled up between them was short-lived, as a dark shadow loomed ominously above.

The Worm Monster, a creature of nightmares, erupted from the depths, its massive form thrashing in the water with a malevolent intent. With a powerful surge, it lunged at them, and the force of its attack sent both Steven and Connie crashing back onto the sandy shore. But the Worm Monster wasn't done; it pursued them relentlessly.

"Come on, come on!" Connie shouted, her heart racing as they sprinted away from the creature. "Hide in the rocks, Steven!" She darted towards a cluster of jagged rocks, while Steven slipped beneath the pier, desperately seeking refuge.

"Why is it chasing us?!" he yelled, glancing back to see the monster targeting Connie. Then, his eyes caught the glint of her bracelet. "The bracelet! It eats bright stuff. Connie!"

"Steven!" Connie cried, her voice laced with urgency as she fled from the monster's grasp.

"Give me the bracelet!" Steven shouted, running towards her and snatching the shimmering accessory. "It's okay, now go! Run that way!" He directed her away, pushing her towards safety, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "I'm sorry!"

Now fixated on Steven, the Worm Monster lunged after him, its massive body weaving dangerously close. With quick thinking, Steven zigzagged around the sturdy pillars of the pier, yelling frantically as he maneuvered to escape. The monster, confused and agitated, wrapped itself around the pillars in its desperation to catch him.

Connie watched in horror, her heart racing as she clasped Steven's hand tightly. The struggle escalated, and with a deafening crash, the pillars began to splinter under the weight of the monster's thrashing. In a final dramatic moment, the pier collapsed, burying the Worm Monster in its ruins, leaving only a cloud of shimmering dust in its wake.

As the dust settled, the familiar figures of the Gems rushed towards them, their expressions a mix of concern and astonishment.

"STEVEN!" Garnet called out, her voice echoing with urgency.

"What's going on?! What did you do?!" Pearl exclaimed, surveying the destruction.

"He was incredible!" Connie chimed in, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Really? You mean it?" Steven replied, his cheeks flushing with pride as he looked at Connie, who nodded enthusiastically.

Garnet, already busy collecting a fallen gem from the wreckage, bubbled it away. "Here's your bracelet… again," Steven said, handing it back to Connie with a shy smile.

"Thanks," she chuckled, her laughter a sweet melody against the backdrop of chaos.

Amethyst, her playful spirit bubbling over, grabbed Steven in a friendly squeeze. "So, are you going to introduce us?" she teased, noticing the blush creeping onto his face.

Pearl chimed in, glancing at Connie, "Steven was so excited to meet you. Right, Steven?"

"Uh-huh," he nodded, laughing nervously as his cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink.

Garnet, sensing the playful tension, swept up Pearl and Amethyst effortlessly. "Hey! Don't mess with his funky flow," she said, walking off with them, leaving Steven and Connie in a moment of shared laughter.

"Funky... flow?" Connie asked a playful smile on her lips.

"Uhh..." Steven groaned in embarrassment, his face still warm from the attention.

As the camera zoomed in on Steven's flustered expression, the scene faded into the vibrant hues of the sunset, signaling the end of their adventure, but the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

"And… Cut, that was perfect guys!"

Steven was trying not to have a panic attack, he tried to steady his hands from shaking.

"Steven!" Pearl ran to him. He looked at her, he was trying to steady his breathing, but the memories kept coming back full force.

"I… I don't feel good…" he told Pearl.

"Garnet! I need water!" Pearl yelled out. Garnet tossed a bottle of water to her, she handed it to Steven.

Steven tried to open the cap but he was still shaking.

Pearl helped him, Steven took it from her and chugged it.

"Better?" she asked, Steven nodded.

Rose walked to her son, knelt to his level, and put a hand on his cheek. "You did good, Steven." Steven looked at his mother, He knew that she was trying to make her child feel better, but it wasn't helping right now.

Steven hugged her and sniffled, he's never been so scared and the memories of him drowning twice five years ago will never leave his mind.

Steven was on a bike ride with his father to clear his head. Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were going to meet them on Hollywood Boulevard. The hybrid just needed to clear his head for a few hours after that stressful day of filming. Greg was biking, Steven was off in his head.

"STEVEN, WATCH OUT!" He snapped out of it as he swerved his bike to the right as a car almost hit him. Steven stops on the sidewalk and starts heavily breathing, he looks at his surroundings. Greg looks at his son.

"Are you okay?" That was the first thing that his father had asked him. Steven nodded his head yes and fixed his curly hair. "Do you want to go home?" He shook his head, he wanted to hang out with his friends. Greg put a hand on his head of hair and kept peddling with his son.

"Hey, it's Steven!" Sumo said as he saw him and his father both stop their bikes in front of them.

"Hey guys! let's play at the arcade!" Steven said, looking up at the arcade. They all went into the building to play games, and hopefully, Steven's situation will leave him.

Chapter Text

Steven was at home, He got a message last night that KIIS FM wanted to interview him, Garnet, Pearl, andAmethyst were going to come and they were going to participate in the interview with him. Steven was excited but mostly nervous.

Greg walked into his room, Steven was dressed in a white Blink-182 T-shirt and basketball shorts, he also wore his Sonic The Hedgehog beine.

"Are you ready, bud?" Greg asked. Steven nodded, he still felt nervous about this, What if he forgets his lines? What if he zones out? What if he doesn't know what to say? There are so many things that could go wrong in a day.

Steven looked up at his father. Greg knew what was wrong and he knelt to him.

"Steven? Is this about the interview with Rick?" Greg asks his son. Steven nods. Greg walked over towards him and sat next to him. "I think you're going to do great,Schu-Ball, there's no need to be nervous about… Look, but if you do have trouble, Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst are going to help you, alright?"

"I know," he said, exhaling to steady his nerves. He checked his phone and got a text from his friend. "Ameythest told me that their outside, wish me luck, Dad," he said, hugging him.

Greg hugged him and kissed his head. Steven went downstairs, put on his Nike Air Jordan's on and walked outside, Garnet's car was sitting on the street by his driveway.

Steven opened the door and got inside, Pearl sat in the back. She looked at her friend. "Well. Hello, Steven," she said, Steven smiled and gave her a fist bump. Garnet went off to the raido station.

Steven looked out the window, his nerves rapidly turning into anxiety now, he looked at Garnet who was driving. He plugs in his phone and puts on some Fall Out Boy on his phone, maybe this will make him feel better.

They parked at the station, Steven looked at it.

The building—a distinctive and modern structure. It features a tall, cylindrical tower with a red, lattice-like framework. The tower has a unique shape, tapering inward toward the middle before flaring out again as it rises. Near the top of the tower, there is a section with windows, suggesting it may house an observation deck or similar feature.

At the base of the tower, attached to it, is a more conventional building with a white exterior. This part of the building has multiple windows, and a prominent sign reading "Kiss-FM 89.9" in large, red letters is displayed on it. Below the sign, there is a smaller section with glass windows and a sign in Japanese characters.

The overall design of the building combines modern architectural elements with functional spaces, creating a visually striking landmark.

"Wooooah! KIIS FM." Steven said as he looked out the window.

They step out and they open the doors, Garnet gets them all checked in and stuff and Steven looks at the different stuff on the walls, Ranging from celebrities and music.

Steven sees five people in different superhero costumes, they are taking a group photo with the hosts — Ellen K and Rick Dees.

"Wooooah! Hey, Ameythest! Look at that, the Teen Titans were here back in 2003, how awesome is that!"

"That's so cool! AHH! IT'S THE FLINSTONES!" Ameythest yells out, as she can't contain her excitement.

"Duuuude! They did interviews with the SpongeBob cast!" Steven said looking up, Ameythest also looked up and saw SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, and Plankton. And they were all wearing water helmets so they could breathe on the surface. Steven read the date '2001, JoJo Wright.

"Wooooah! That's awesome!" They did others too, such as; Adventure Time, My Gym Partner's A Monkey, Chowder, The Marvous Misadventures Of Flapjack, Ben 10, and others.

"This is so cool—Oh, there's Regular Show!" Amethyst said, pointing to the picture, seeing Mordecai, Rigby, Pops, Skips, Benson and Muscle Man. On the bottom, it said the raido hosts name 'Rick Dees'

"Woooah!" Steven said in awe as he saw his friends.

"Oh, that's the man who talked about our show when we were driving to our photoshoot," she said. Steven nods.

"Guys, Ellen and Rick will see you now."

"Good morning, LA! You're listening to 102.7 KIIS FM, and today we have some special guests in the studio. Please welcome Steven Quartz Universe and the Crystal Gems!"

"Greg! Turn it up." Rose's husband turned up the volume to their stereo, they were sitting outside on the patio, about to go to the pool

"Hey, Ellen!, Rick It's awesome to be here."

"Hello."

"Yo!"

"Good morning!"

"So, Steven, Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl—you all have a new show on Cartoon Network that's been airing for the past seven weeks. How's it been? I mean, how does it feel to share your lives and adventures with the world?" Rick asked.

"It's honestly been incredible! The response from fans has been overwhelming. We've always had these amazing adventures together, but sharing it with everyone else? That's a whole new level of awesome." Steven said into the mic.

"It's gotta be a trip seeing yourself on TV, right?" Rick asked

"Dude, it's wild. Every time I see myself on the screen, I'm like, 'Who's that cool Gem?' And then I remember it's me!" he laughs at her response.

"You're definitely the life of the party, Amethyst. Now, Garnet, you've got this mysterious vibe going on in the show. What's it been like showing that side of yourself to viewers?"

"It's been... enlightening. People are now seeing what we fight for—the balance, the protection of Earth, and our bond as a family. It's good to let them in."

"That's deep. And, Pearl, we've seen so much of your nurturing side. You're practically Steven's mentor. Has it been hard letting people see those more vulnerable moments?"

"Well, it's definitely a little nerve-wracking at times. But I believe it's important for people to understand what we're fighting for, and what we've sacrificed. Steven means everything to us, and showing that—well, it's been a challenge, but also very rewarding."

"The fanbase loves you guys, no question. Steven, you've become quite the role model for a lot of younger viewers. How do you feel about that?"

"It's pretty surreal, honestly. I try to be myself and do what's right. It's amazing to see that so many people connect with that message of love and acceptance. It's all about being there for the people you care about, and I think that resonates with everyone."

"That's beautiful, man. So, what can we expect next from the show? It's been seven weeks of crazy action and heartfelt moments. Are we in for more surprises?"

She smiled behind her shades "There's always more surprises. The journey's far from over."

"Oh, yeah! Things are about to get even more wild. But no spoilers, guys!"

"What you'll see is more growth from Steven and all of us as we face new challenges. But no matter what happens, we're in it together."

"I love that. Well, we're all looking forward to more adventures. Thanks so much for joining us today! Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems, everyone! Their new show is currently airing on Cartoon Network, and trust me, you don't want to miss it."

"Thanks, Ellen!"

"Thank you!" Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl all say

"Alright, that was the Crystal Gems! Stay tuned for some Katy Perry, coming up next!"

Roar by Katy Perry came on, and Greg and Rose both went into the pool.

"You did great guys! And good luck on your show!" she smiles at them.

"Thank you!" Steven saidthe host took out a camera.

"Alright guys, let's all do a group picture for the wall," she said. Everyone got into position. Ellen and Rick smiled as they were in the front, Steven stood smiling with everyone as the picture was taken on a timer on the digital camera.

Steven, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl were going back to Steven and Pearl's neighborhood to drop them off, then they were going to come back with their swimsuits.

Steven got a text from his father that he and his mom were swimming, So. He texted Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, Mordecai, and Rigby if they wanted to swim with all of them.

Garnet took them to their homes, Steven walked inside and got his swimsuit on, He walked downstairs, and Greg and Rose were already in the pool. Greg smiled and wrapped his arms around his wife. Music from the radio station was playing on their stereo system outside.

Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were outside the house. Steven opened the door, they were standing there, all in their bathing suits. They all went inside and all went into the pool.

"Steven!" Rose said, grabbing a bottle of sunblock. Steven tried not to roll his eyes. And walked towards his mom.

Rose puts some on her hands and rubs it all over him. Steven shivered as the cold sunblock touched his skin. Rose remembered not to get it on his gem.

Steven ran and fips into the water, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were swimming. Rose heard the doorbell, Mordecai and Rigby were there, holding water guns and wearing their swimsuits.

"Hey, Mrs. Universe!" Rigby said.

"Hi, Mordecai, Hello, Rigby." she smiles. "Steven's already out back."

"CANONBALL!" Rigby yells, running into the water, the Raccoon jumps in and cannonballed into the water. Steven laughed and

"CANONBALLLLL!" Mordecai yelled out, jumping into the pool as well.

Greg puts on his SnapBack backward and laid out, arms above his head. Rose smiled and kissed her husband on the cheek. She lay with him on the sun bed.

Greg wraps his arms around her, and Rose kisses him passionately. "Hey, Steven! your parents are sucking face!" Sumo pointed to the adults.

"Aw, sick!" Rigby said, shielding his eyes. Mordecai looked the other way.

"Don't you guys have girlfriends?" Steven asked, mentioning Margret and Eileen.

"Yeah, but their…. Older, no offense." the Raccoon said.

"Bro, my dad is forty-one!" he said.

"WHAT?" Rigby asked.

"Yeah. He looks good for forty-one." Mordecai nods.

Steven saw what he meant his father did look the same, the only difference was that he was going to the gym more and he was building some muscle. It did make sense for him, he did want to look good for his wife and only her.

Steven sees Garnet walk out, she is in a dark red skirt and crop top to match. Steven sees her walk into the water in a white bikini.

"Hey, Garnet!" Steven said.

"Hello, Steven." the fusion calmly greets the boy, putting a hand on his fuzzy head. Steven giggles and hugs her. Steven looked as Ameythest and Pearl walked out. Ameytheset wore a pair of swim shorts and a purple bikini top, Pearl wore a cyan bikini.

"Did you have to pick her up?" Garnet asked, swimming to the edge and putting her arms on the warm tile.

"Yes," she said, putting on her baseball cap she brought from her house. "Wow, it's hot out."

"Dude, you're a gem! plus, it's California,Pearl!" Amethyst said, rolling her eyes.

Pearl flicked her hand to splash her, andAmeythest rolled her ?She thought and took both her palms and pushed them into the water as hard as she could to splash her.

Pearl spit out some chlorinated water and rolled her eyes, her hair falling over her eyes. "Ameythest!" The purple gem laughed and swam off to Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, Mordecai, Rigby, and Steven, Garnet was in the Jacuzzi.

Greg and Rose were in the Jacuzzi with Garnet. Mordecai, Rigby. Steven and Clarence were all having a chicken fight, Steven was on Clarence's shoulders, and Rigby was on Mordecai's shoulders.

Steven counted to three and He pushed his friend off, Rigby popped up and shook his head. "No fair! You're stronger than me!"

"Ha, you got your butt pushed off by a half-alien." Mordecai laughed.

"STOP TALKING!" Rigby yells at his friend, trying to dunk him in the water by pushing his head in.

"Dude, I am a lot stronger and bigger than you," Mordecai said, pushing Rigby's head into the water. Rigby tried to go up for air but he couldn't and water was up his nose, Mordecai let go and he came up for air, blowing out the excess water from his nose and coughing.

"WHAT THE HECK, MORDECAI!" Rigby angrily yelled at his friend.

"Dude, I am stronger than you, Admit it," he said.

"NO!"

"Admit it, Rigby," he said.

"MORDECAI!"

"Dude!"

"Fine! You're stronger than me, happy?"

"Not satisfied enough, jump off that cliff and scream out 'I am a princess' while Ameythest and I record you."

"NO!"

"Oh, make him make chicken noises too!" Ameythest laughs.

"I AM NOT DOING THAT!"

"Come on Rigby, what are you scared?" Rose called out from her spot.

"NO!"

"Rigby."

"Okay, fine!"

"Mom! Can you hand me my phone from inside, and Ameythest's too!" Steven said. Rose nodded and went inside and grabbed both their phones then handed both to them.

Amethyst and Steven recorded. "Go!" Ameythest called out. Steven zooms in on the raccoon wearing a pair of red swim shorts, a hole was cut out for his tail.

"I'm a princess!" he said happily as he made chicken noises, then jumped into the pool.

Ameythest and Steeven both laugh hysterically. "This is going onto my Twitter!" Amethyst said, opening her Twitter and posting it.

"Hey, Rigby, do you have a Twitter, so I can tag you?" Amethyst asked.

"YOU BETTER NOT POST THAT!"

"I am, dude, you're going to go VIRAL!"

"Oh, his name isRigbyBoy1524," Mordecai said. Rigby glared at his friend as Ameythest typed in his user. And even better, is that he had a blue check next to his name, signifying that he was verified.

"Oh, my stars! dude, is this your profile?" Ameythest asked, laughing at the picture, she showed her phone to Steven, the image was taken when he was about to sneeze. Steven laughs. Ameythest clicked on it and posted it.

Greg and Rose were in their room, they were going to bed, it was now eleven, and Steven was in his room already asleep or doing something else. Greg walked out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth, He wore a black star t-shirt, Rose was on her laptop, and Greg went into bed.

"What are you doing?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"Answering to Emails."

Greg nods, He smiles. Rose smiles and looks at her husband. "What?"

"Nothing. I just love looking at you… It's like you're a beautiful goddess sent from the heavens to be with me." Greg smiled and put a hand to where her gem was located. Rose smiled and closed her laptop and put it on her nightstand, Greg put his ear to where his wife's gem was, he heard a faint hum, it was surprisingly soothing.

"It sounds nice…" Greg said smiling, Rose smiled as well and put her hand in his hair and started stroking it. Greg shuttered and smiled. "That feels so nice, Rose…" he sighed in pleasure and closed his eyes. Rose smiled and kissed her husband.

"I love you…. You know that?"

"I love you too, Rose." he felt her continue and he yawned. "Keep doing it…. It feels… Nice…"Greg said, closing his eyes and in minutes he was asleep on her.

Rose smiled and wrapped her arms around him, feeling his body heat, and pulling her into a deep sleep beside her husband.

Chapter Text

TRIGGER WARNING: ABUSE.

November 2013

A camera flicks on. It was in a small bedroom. Smaller than any bedroom than any home. A woman was sitting in front of it, she was sitting in an old chair with holes that her mother had bought them.

They were in a bad situation. They were living in a small, dingy apartment in a bad area of LA. Jasper could hear her father's snoring from the other side of her closed door. She sighed and started.

"Hello, Rebecca. My name is Jasper Morgan, and I am auditioning for the role of a villain in Steven Universe," she said. This was true, She hoped to get the role as a villain in the show, maybe she could get out of this trash hole for good.

She wore heavy makeup on her face and arms to cover the bruising and scars that her father had done to her during one of his 'fits' She despised her father—a lot. She hoped that she would get out of there and live in a more clean environment. Better than this, in the meantime. She kept going.

"I loved the show when it came out. And if you put anyvillains in it. I think you will — let it be me. Thank you for your time."

Not really an addution video…. But it will have to do.

Jasper looked at her cracked and damaged iPhone 5, The LCD was showing tiny streaks of color on the screen, Her father went on a rampage two weeks ago and threw her phone against a wall and it shattered. The glass was coming off in the front.

With shaky hands, she uploaded the video onto Instagram and waited, Rebecca Sugar had an account, And Jasper tagged her in her adution video before posting.

All I had to do now was wait….

"JASPER!" A voice said, startling her out of her book. Someone slammed open the door, almost taking it off its hinges. Jasper froze as she saw the man.

The man was a quartz solider like her, but… He had an anger problem when he left. After he'd met her mom. Jane. Jane was a soldier too on earth like them, They decided to settle down and have a child.

"Yes, Father." she tried to keep the fear out of her voice. For the longest time. She couldn't view herself as weak. Her father had taken that away from her when he started to hit, punch, scratch, and kick her.

For years it continued.

"What are you doing in here?!"

"Nothing, I'm just reading."

Her father—Jace had a look in his eyes, Jasper knew that look all too well. He walked toward her, his footsteps pounding on the dirty white carpet like a drum.

Jace lifted a fist to her and sent it flying. Hitting her, causing her to black out…

Steven and his father were riding their bikes in LA. It was an amazing day. Walking Disaster by Sum 41 played on Greg's speaker that was connected to his phone via headphone jack, The speaker was tied to the front of the handlebars of his all-black BMX bike. Greg's iPhone was taped to the back of the speaker with super strong tape.

Steven looks up at the sky. The clouds were thin and wispy like feathers or smoke in the air. It was truly a beautiful sight to see.

Steven's phone buzzed, he stopped and took his phone out of his pocket. Greg pulled up becide him. He wore a black star t-shirt, and his muscles were showing.

"What's up?" he asked, putting some hair behind his ear.

"Clarence texted me that San Diego Comic-Con is here, can I go with them?"

Greg stopped and thought for a second. "We have to look over your schedule kiddo."

"It's on Friday, we can go to San Diego for a few hours, come back, and then on Sunday we can go to the studio and film for the show."

"Then it's fine with me, your mom will say the same thing. You deserve to have fun with your friends." he smiled.

"Thanks, Dad, you're awesome!" Steven said hugging him. Greg smiles and also hugs him.

Greg and Steven both came home. Steven was texting Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo if they wanted to come over.

Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all came over. Steven opened the door, and they all went into his room, closed the door, and went to his bed. Clarence sat on his computer chair, Jeff also sat on his bed and Sumo sat on a beanbag. Clarence sees a white V-styledelectric guitarthat is on a stand, and an amplifier next to it.

"Hey, cool guitar!" Clarence said.

"Oh, thanks. It was Tony's, but he gave it to me," he said.

"That's so cool!" Sumo said, looking at it. Steven grabbed it and plugged it into the amplifier then played something for them.

That night, Greg walked out to the pool, a towel over his shoulders, he turned on the lights for both the pool and Jacuzzi. Greg grabbed a small remote from the cushioned lounge chair and turned on the stereo.

System Of A Down played on the speakers and he put his legs in the warm bubbly water. "This feels nice…" he said, Greg saw someone walk out with a blue bikini.

Greg smiles as he sees his wife, she is as stunning as ever. Greg watched her walk in and sit by him.

"Well hello, handsome." she smiles.

"My stars…. You are so pretty." Greg said, kissing her on the cheek.

"You're handsome, Mr. Universe," she said, putting her head on his shoulder. Just then, a song came on.

Never Say Never by The Fray came on. Rose smiles and closes her eyes, Greg hugs her as they listen to the lyrics of the song.

Then he looked into her eyes and sang to her. Rose listened to his voice.

"Younger now than we were before

Don't let me go

Don't let me go

Don't let me go

Don't let me go

Don't let me go

Don't let me go."

Greg and Rose both listen to the song as they passionately kiss. "I love you…"

Greg and Rose were in bed, cuddling each other. Steven was spending the night at Jeff's house with his friends so they had the house to themselves for a night.

Rose puts a hand on her husband's toned chest and smiles at him. "Hey, Greg. You know what would look amazing on you?"

"What's that?"

"A tattoo," she said.

Greg thought about it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get some tattoos, and he already had some in mind too, but he wanted to surprise both his wife and son.

Rose laid on his chest and closed her eyes. Greg smiles and puts a hand on her hair, combing his fingers through it.

She said nothing, closing her eyes and smiling. Until she fell asleep.

A pounding came from the other side of the room, Jasper's eyes shot open and she groaned. Her feet touching the carpet, she walked to the door and opened it, Her father stood there with a scowl on his face, Jasper hated this gem with a passion. She and her momneededto break free of this stupid, dirty prison. But how?

"What do you want?"

"Go to the store and buy me more drinks, we're out."

"Because you go through them like water. Bet that you never heard of that in your life, have you?" she asked her father.

Her father looked at her, his eyes were filled with rage as he took his hand and slapped her across the face, causing her to stumble back.

She sees him crouch to her level. Jasper glares at her father. Her father spat in her face. "Go to the store, now! And get me some! And don't take too long this time!" he said

Jasper crossed her arms, sighed, and got up, she waited until he went out of range, She changed her clothes and walked out of her room, she looked around the complex that she lived in.

She looked at the cluttered and messy room. There are various items scattered across the floor, including books, papers, boxes, bags, and other miscellaneous objects. A couch is visible in the background, partially covered with clothes and other items.

The room has a somewhat disorganized and chaotic appearance, with items strewn about haphazardly. The overall impression is one of disarray, possibly indicating a space that needs cleaning and organization.

She hated it here, she wanted to get out, she had to leave. But she doesn't want to leave her mother behind though. Her father was a monster and she didn't know what he was capable of, and she didn't want to see her mother in this position any longer. Thankfully her father—Jace lets her mother work to make some income.

Jasper walked out of the unit and saw the hallway, it hadn't been maintained and kept clean in years, probably decades.

She walked out the door and went to a nearby 7-Eleven. She walked in and got what she needed. Jasper got a package of spicy ramen for herself, and she sat outside, eating it. She checked her phone and saw a message from a man, She had never seen her before, apparently, she'd watched her video.

Steven Sugar.

She read the top of the screen and read his message in grey.

Hello! I am a background artist for the show Steven Universe. I took a look at your audition video, You can come into the Cartoon Network studio lot tomorrow at eight thirty am. We would love to have you for our show if you are cast.

Jasper nearly screamed with excitement, she was going to get her dream of moving out of that gross, roach-infested building with her mother.

And them moving out of Oakland was a good start.

Jasper was walking, then she saw her 'home' of an apartment building, glaring at it.

This building appears to be a mid-century modern apartment complex. It has a clean, rectangular design with a flat roof and large windows, which is characteristic of mid-century architecture. The facade is predominantly white, and it features a vertical stripe design in the center. There are small balconies with metal railings on the upper floors.

The building has two stories above a ground-level parking area, which is partially open and supported by columns. The name "Le Trianon" is prominently displayed in red, cursive lettering on the front of the building. There are some trees and shrubs around the property, and the driveway and parking area are paved.

She sighed and walked in, Jasper heard some yelling going from the neighbors next door to hers but she didn't care, she was used to it. Jasper opened the door, the lock was broken so they had no key. She sighed, her few minutes of freedom were short-lived by this stink hole.

At least I ate something today…

Jasper put the pack on the table, thankfully that the cashier didn't ask for ID, and the poor man working there knew about her situation at home and he didn't want to bother her.

She went to her room and closed the door.

Rose opened her eyes, Greg was asleep, arms wrapped around her in a loving and warm embrace, Rose sighed happily and kissed her husband.

Greg starts to stir and open his eyes and the first thing he sees is his beautiful wife's mountain of poofy hair. He smiles.

"Good morning…" he said kissing his wife.

"Hello, Mr. Universe," she said, sighing happily. She was happy to be with this amazing man.

"Well hello to you too, Mrs. Quartz Universe." he smiled softly and put an arm around her. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a rock… Literally," she said, Greg laughs at that. He smiled and got up.

"I'm going to cook eggs, you want any?" he asked.

"Sure." she kissed her husband on the cheek, Rose stood up and walked downstairs.

Steven slowly opened his eyes and yawned. He sees his phone, it says seventen A. parents were now awake.

He walked to his bathroom and brushed his teeth. Steven looked at his curly hair and fixed himself a little bit, he walked to the door and went downstairs, and the smell of eggs hit his nose.

"Well hello, Steven." Rose smiled and picked up the boy, Steven giggled as he was being lifted into the air.

"You wanna play spaceship?" Rose asked. Steven smiled and cheered.

"Yeah!" The last time Steven played this game was when he was a baby, she or Greg would pick him up and 'fly' him around their old house that was in Delaware like he was on a spaceship.

"Prepare for liftoff," Rose said, lifting her son above her head. Rose had a firm grip on the boy so he wouldn't fall, then she started the countdown. " ten…. nine…. eight…. seven…. six…. five…. four…. three…. two…. one!" Rose made swishing noises, pretending that the engines were working.

"Where too Captain Steven?"

"Mars!"

"Okay. one trip to Mars!" Rose said, taking him around the house. Steven laughed. Rose did too, Greg smiled and went to the table, and he started working on Steven's breakfast.

"Steven, do you want eggs too? I can make you some with Mushrooms and cheese." Greg said.

"Can I make them myself?"

"Go for it," he said as he pulled up a chair for him, he was still too short to reach the stove, so Steven started making his eggs and scrambled them.

Steven was at Connie's house. He knocks on the door and Priyanka opens it, she looks tired, she still has her scrubs on but her hair is down.

"Hello, Steven," Priyanka said, smiling down at the boy.

"Hello, Priyanka. Is Connie home?" he asked.

"Yes, she's in her room," she said, Steven nods and walked into the house. She walked upstairs and knocked on the door.

"Steven!" She said, putting her pen down and hugging the boy.

"Hi! Areyou ready to go? Clarence said that he would meet us at the comic shop." Connie nods and grabs her wallet, puts it in her pocket and they go out.

Priyanka says goodbye then they are off on their bikes.

The comic store was coming up, they walked in and they saw everything from comics to manga to food and drinks, you could bring your playmat and play trading cards here too. There was even a spot for video games, Steven wanted to check out the comics and play some video games with Connie or Clarence.

Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo walk in. They see Steven and walk up to him. "Hey, Steven!" Sumo greeted. Jef waved, and so did Clarence.

Steven, Connie, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo start roaming around the store. Steven went to the comics section and pulled one out. He found a seat and read it. Clarence was over playing video games with Sumo. Jeff was reading manga and Connie was looking at the different types of foods and drinks they have.

"Hey, Steven! They have ramen!" Connie called out to him. Steven stood up, grabbed the comic that he was reading, put it back, and went in her direction. Connie looks at all the selections. Steven picked a packet off the shelf.

Steven, Connie, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all at Connie's house in LA, they were playing video games until Steven and his friends went home.

Steven was biking at his house. He walked into his home, upstairs to his room closed the door, and went on his phone, he got a text from Ameythest asking if he wanted to come to her house to spend the night. She said that he could come over. So, he packed a bag and walked downstairs, his parents were on the couch, Greg was playing his guitar and Rose was reading a comic.

"Guys, I'm going out," Steven said, looking at them. Greg nods. "Alright, where to?"

"Ameythest's, she asked me to spend the night," Steven said, opening the door. He closed it, got on his bike, and rode to Agora Hills.

Chapter Text

"Steven!"

"Ameythest!"

"Man we are going to have so much fun!" she said. Steven arrived at her house on her bike, they both hi-fived each other and they went up to her room.

Her and Steven go to her room, Steven sees that her room is mostly the same, except for the drum set that is in the corner.

"Coooollll! You have a drum set?" he asked walking over to it. Amethyst smiles.

"Heck yeah, I do! Hey, did you bring your guitar? we can have a jam shesh."

"No, do you have one?"

"Yeah, I do," she said, going into her closet and pulling out a light purple and white electric guitar with an amplifier.

"Cool! I can use this?" Steven asked as Ameythest handed it to him.

"Yeah, dude!" she said as she sat at her drum set and picked up her sticks.

Steven plugged in the amplifier, turned it on, and started tuning the guitar.

"You know any Staind songs?" Steven asked. Ameythest nodded and they played.

Jasper was sitting in her room. She heard someone open the door, her mother walked in, she looked like her, even down to her hair. She smiles softly at her.

"How was your day, mom?"

"Fine…. It was a hectic shift at the restaurant. But how are you? he gave you any trouble?" She asked.

Jasper shook her head, then lowered it. "Well… there was one incident but—"

"What happened?"

"He smashed one on my head."

"What?" She asked as rage filled her body. Jasper looked at her mother—Jane Morgan Jane was a kind woman. But when you make her mad, there is no stopping her. And she is protective of her child from that monster.

She has been trying to get her and Jasper out of here for a year but it hasn't worked. Jasper can't work because her 'husband' has made her a personal servant. Like a Pearl

And it was disgusting.

Jane felt bad for her, She had to leave home all day to work to get them out of this situation, But on the other hand, she didn't want to leave Jasper alone with him for hours a day. Sure, she can go out and stuff but her father does not let her. Unless it's for something he wanted.

Jane wants to file for divorce but, she doesn't want to get shattered by him in the process. So they would have to sneak out or do something.

She put a hand on her shoulder. "Why won't I make you something to eat?"

"No Mom, I'm going out. Thanks anyway," she said waking out of their unit. She went to the door and opened it, the neighborhood she lived in was dead. A few homeless slept on the streets, She decided to go to LA for a few hours.

Jasper was walking the streets, when she saw a bus with a sign on it that had the main Crystal Gems on a plain blue background with the slanted, 3D Cartoon Network logo.

She took out her phone and took a picture, but her camera was going in and out of focus. She sighed angrily. "That clod broke my camera's phone." she sighed and kept walking.

A man was playing guitar on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Jasper listened to the man play, then. her phone started buzzing.

Father.

Sighing in frustration she answered it. "What, father? I am in LA."

"What are you doing in LA!" She could hear him yell over the phone. Jasper sighed and hung up, she didn't want to hear him complain anymore. She looked up and saw a woman handing out flyers.

Jasper took one and read it. Come join our girls\women's basketball team! at Luke Street Community Center located at227 N Lake St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Jasper looked up and nodded. She was going to do it, hopefully, she'll get to leave home for something else.

Hopefully.

Steven and Amethyst were both riding their bikes. down the streets. Steven decided to ride to Clarence's house with her, it wasn't too late into the night and it was still young, so… Why wouldn't they have some fun with it?

Steven knocked on Clarence's door, he opened it. "Steven? what are you doing here?"

"Hey, Clarence. We're going to have some fun, wanna hang out with us?"

"Sure!" he said, grabbing his bike and they went around Los Angeles.

"Guys, let's get Sumo!" Steven said.

"Yeah!" Clarence said as they peddled to his house to grab him and cause chaos with him.

"Sure I'll go with you guys! let's cause some chaos!" he said, grabbing his skateboard and riding it.

"Hey, guys. Let's egg that house!" she said, looking at the house. Steven looked at it. It was massive, wooden, old and it looked like it wasrotting away.

"Um… Are you sure? that house looks creepy." Steven said, looking at his friends.

"Aw come on, Steven! it looks cool!" Sumo said. Steven touched his chest, his heart was going a thousand miles per hour at this rate. He didn't want to get into trouble, he just wanted to have fun and read comic books or play video games! He looked at Sumo and Ameythest for a moment and sighed.

"Alright."

Ameythest took out a carton and opened it up. A dozen eggs were sitting in each hole, uncracked. Sumo grabbed two and threw them at the house, Making a satisfying 'splat' sound on the door. Amethyst set the carton into the grass and they kept egging this house.

Steven, Ameyhest, Sumo, and Clarence went to Agora Hills, They rode into another neighborhood a few streets down Ameythest's, Steven caught up with Clarence and Sumo rode behind the two gems. Ameythest stopped in front of a house and got out some toilet paper rolls from her backpack, she then opened it a little and threw it onto the house and lawn. Sumo joined in on the fun and started doing the same.

Amethyst. Steven, Clarence, and Sumo all went back to her street. The boys went to her house so they could spend the night also.

Her parents were already asleep, and Ameythest could hear her father's heavy breathing from upstairs. They all went up to her room, Ameythest sat on her beanbag. Steven took the top bunk and lay on it.

"It's been cool, Ames," Sumo said. "We're gonna go."

"Bye guys, see you tomorrow," Steven told them, his friends waved and they walked out of the house. Steven fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Jasper was packing up. Her mother had told her to pack her stuff because they were getting out sooner or later.

About time that we're going to move out of here.

Jasper put some clothes in her backpack. Hopefully, Father doesn't catch us.

Jasper sighed and kept packing, she took her charger from the wall. She looks at the end whereshe charges her phone and sighs. Stupid rats chewed up her cable again.

Jasper tossed it in the trash and looked at her phone, it was at a hundred percent, She could probably get one at the store.

But there was one problem Her father cut up her card so she couldn't pay for anything. And he took all her and her mother's cash for himself.

Thankfully he's out of the apartment, and Mom and I can move out ASAP.

She sighed and kept packing, Her mother then knocked on the door. Jasper opens the door.

"Are you finished packing?"

"Almost, where are we going to stay? Mom?"

"Remember my boss, Jeff? We're staying at his house."

Jasper nodded. She felt a sense of relief, she'd met Jeff before and he was the sweetest man she had ever met. And he treats her mother like royalty — but they're not married.

Jane looked at her hand and saw the cheap ring that he had purposed to her with, But that was all he could afford. He promised her to get her a better ring, but… That never happened. He promised her a bigger house in LA. He promised that they would get out of Oakland. But that did not happen yet. She took it off then, chucked it out and open window.

Jasper was now packed up. They were about to leave when, suddenly Jace walked into their unit. He was angry and when he saw their bags packed, he was even angrier than before.

"You plan on leaving? After ALL I DONE FOR YOU?"

"YOU HAVE DONE NOTHER FOR US. YOU JUST SIT ON YOUR BUTT ALL DAY, WATCHING TV AND DRINKING!" She had finally stood up for herself, Jace wasn't going to take it, so he punched her in the face, she was weaker than him. And fell to the floor and everything went black.

Steven and Ameythest were in the backyard of Ameythest's house, jumping on her trampoline. Clarence and Sumo were also over her house too, since last night. They wanted to hang out with Ameythest again. She was too much fun!

Steven got off the trampoline, got his phone from the table, and checked if there were any messages that he'd missed. His notifications were empty, Steven locked his phone and went back to playing with Ameythest, Clarence, and Sumo.

Steven, Amethyst, Clarence, and Sumo were all riding their bikes. They were all going back to Steven's house in Beverley Hills.

Steven had the house to himself for a couple of hours, Greg and Rose were out with Greg's parents — Misty and Tony, so they had the house to themselves. But there was one problem and that problem was.

Pearl.

She wouldn't even let the boy go out when they moved to California five years ago. And it was getting frustrating. She was getting better at it, but it was sometimes annoying.

Steven Clarence, Sumo, and Ameythest parked their bikes on the driveway, Steven placed his bike on the grass and they all went into the house by using Steven's key.

He unlocked the door and opened it. Natural sunlight was streaming through the windows and throughout the house. Steven took his shoes off and they went to the couch.

They turned on the T.V. Cartoon Network was playing. They had a bumper playing with a picture of Elmore Junior High School. Gumball's voice said: "Hey! It's Gumball. Up next is The Amazing World Of Gumball, then it's Steven Universe, Later it's Codename: Kids Next Door, This is Cartoon Network."

Greg and Rose arrived home, it was five in the evening. Steven was nowhere to be seen. Rose probably thought that Steven was still at Ameythest's house. But she walked upstairs to check his room.

She opened the door Steven was in his room, playing PlayStation by himself, he was sitting on the floor, and his TV was sitting on the cabinet as he played on it.

Steven looks at the door to see his mother standing.

"Hey, mom."

"Hey, Steven. Where getting pizza, do you want your own?"

"Yes, please. Do they have any meat substitutes?"

"We can go to the pizza place and check if they do," Rose said.

"Okay."

Getting dressed in a pair of jeans grabbing a pink hoodie, and putting on his flip-flops, they both went to her car, Rose went inside. The suspension for it bounced a little bit when she went into it.

Steven looks at the BMW emblem on the steering wheel. Rose backed out of the driveway and they went to the pizza place.

Rose turned on the rock station they had here and they both jammed out to some music.

They step out of the car and open the door to the pizza place, Steven waits, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Rose smiled, Steven ordered for himself, and then Rose ordered for her and her husband. Steven looked and went on his phone, Sitting on a bench. He sees texts from Mordecai and Rigby. Steven saw them and asked about San Diego Comic-Con. Steven smiled and texted him about that Clarence texted him about the other day.

Steven and the boys text on the group chat. Rose looks at him, both pizzas in her hands. Steven stood up and walked to the door. The boy put his phone in his pocket and offered to hold the pizzas for her so his mother could open the car.

Steven and Rose went back home. They went inside the house and put the pizzas on the counter.

Greg's alarm rang, It wasfive amon a Friday. Rose was asleep, he got up and went to his closet and changed into a black tank top and knee-highshorts. He puts on socks grabs a pair of shoes and slips them on.

He went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth and then his hair. He grabbed his wallet and keys to his van.

He went downstairs and went out the door. He eyed his bike that was sitting by the door.

Greg was peddling his bike on the streets of LA. He had a pair of earbuds on and he was riding his bike. He sees the sun come up, Greg smiles and let the sun kiss his face with warmth. He loves being back in LA. It has been a dream for him to come back. And now he's here but he gets to do it with his wife and son, he also has an amazing acting career.

Rose packed her surfboard in her husband's van, Greg and Steven were all going down to Santa Monica to surf at the beach, This was the first time that they were going to surf since the incident that day, and Steven still felt uncomfortable getting on a surfboard after years of going on one, but he wanted to try again.

Steven Greg and Rose all climbed into his van and drove to the beach.

Steven Greg and Rose arrive, they step out of his van. Greg walked to the beach and grabbed their beach bag and his surfboard. Rose and Steven both grab theirs and they step onto the beach, Greg grabs his speaker out of the front seat. They walked to the beach and set some towels, Greg had a LAKERS SnapBack, which was backward. He took it off then took his shirt off.

Rose set up their towels, then took her dress off, revealing a pink and white bikini underneath. Steven removed his shirt, and Rose sprayed sunscreen on her son.

Steven looked at the water and took a deep breath. He decided to go for it.

Putting his feet in the water and holding his surfboard under his arm, he went in farther and paddled into the water. He popped up and saw a wave, Steven swallows but, he conquered his fear and rode the wave.

"Hey! Is that Steven Universe, the actor?"

"Yeah, it is!" fans were recording videos and taking pictures of the hybrid.

"Clarence! Let's go in the water!" Sumo said. "We can pretend to be sharks!"

"Sumo, there are sharks in California. That's highly offensive to them." Clarence said, crossing his arms. Jeff was making sandcastles by himself.

"Clarence, look It's Steven!" Sumo said, pointing to the fuzzy-haired boy on his light blue surfboard. Rose took her bright pink board with hibiscus flowers and got into the water.

Greg grabbed him and joined them.

Chapter Text

Friday, November 2013

Steven opened his eyes, and the first thing he did was check his phone. He checked the date and his eyes widened in excitement that he remembered what day it was. The boy jumps out of bed goes to his closet and grabs his Captain America cosplay out of his closet, he sets it on the bed then out to the garage.

He opened the door to the room and he saw his 'shield' which was his shield from his gem, that his father painted red and blue, and in the middle was a grey star. He walked back into the house and up the stairs to get ready.

Greg and Rose were both getting ready for the convention. Rose was in their walk-in closet getting ready. She had taken a shower a few minutes ago, now she was getting into her costume, Greg put on his, he was Thor. He loved the superhero since the eighties, he wore a dark blue suit with some grey. He grabbed the boots that he wore and put them on, He needed help with his cape which was bright red.

Greg turned to see Rose, Greg stared at her up and down, he was at a loss for words as he couldn't believe what he saw.

Rose wore her Wonder Woman cosplay, her gem fit into her belt that he cut out for her. She dyed her hair black using a shampoo that temperally dyed your hair, Her ringlets were styled into waves for it, and she also wore red lipstick instead of the pink lipstick that she wears every day. Her lasso of truth was hooked onto her belt, and Greg saw her wrists were covered with her long silver bracelets. He walked to his wife and put his hands on her sides as best as he could, but she was too tall for him, but. Greg did not care. He loved her just the way she was.

Greg smiles at her, Rose leans in for a passionate kiss, Rose breaks it and smiles at him. "You look good Mrs. Quartz Universe…" he said. Rose giggled and kissed her husband, Greg put a hand on her gem, resting it there as they had their intimate moment.

"Mom, Dad. You ready?" Steven asked, Greg turned his head and smiled, Steven wore his Captian America cosplay

"Oh, we're ready Schtu-ball. I'm looking for my hammer."

"It's right here, Dad," he said. Handing it to him. Thankfully it wasn't real like his mother's sword. If it was, he wouldn't be able to lift it, or his father.

"We can take my van and pick up your friends. Okay, Steven?" Greg said.

Steven smiled and nodded, they went out the door and into his father's van, Greg went behind the wheel while Rose sat in the passenger seat and Steven sat in the back.

They were going to pick up Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo from their houses. Greg, Rose, and Steven were listening to Skillet on Greg's phone which was connected to his radio.

Greg put the brakes on his van, Steven opened the double doors and climbed out, and then he knocked on Clarence's door.

Clarence opened the door, he was dressed as Snorlax "Oh, hey Steven! guys, Steven's here to pick us up for the convention!" he called.

Jeff and Sumo then walk out, Sumo is dressed in a Wolverine cosplay, and Jeff is Steve from Minecraft. And he had a Minecraft diamond sword in his hand, that he'd made out of styrofoam.

They all went back into his father's van and they started the journey to San Diego Comic-Con.

Greg still had rock and metal music going on his phone. They were singing along to the songs, Greg and Rose were both singing Lonley Day from System Of A Down, one of the family's favorite bands.

Both Greg and Rose were singing the song during the two-hour drive up to San Diego.

Clarence, Jeff, Steven, and Sumo were all talking with each other as they continued their drive.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all looking out the window.

They see a large, modern structure with a glass facade. It features arched windows and a prominent entrance. Banners and signs are indicating an event, with "Comic-Con" visible. The building has a spacious area in front where people are gathered.

"There it is!" Sumo said pointing excitedly and jumping in his seat, Jeff sighed, annoyed at his friend as they found a place to park. Some people noticed the Mr. Universe van and took pictures driving by the building.

Rose stepped out and stretched, Greg also stepped out and opened the doors in the back for the kids. Steven jumped out, he held his shield in his hands, Clarence looked at him.

"Steven, why won't you hold your shield like you do in the show?"

"Yeah, Steven that will be cool," Jeff said, holding his diamond sword in his hand.

"I agree with them, it will be cool," Greg said, Steven tried it, he looked at it, he felt like Captain America like this. They all step inside after handing the security their tickets.

"Woooah!" Steven's eyes were now starry as he looked around with his friends. They walked in further and saw lots of booths for shows and comic books. Everyone was in cosplay, Steven saw there were two people in the crowd that he recognized.

"Hey, It's Mordecai and Rigby!" he exclaimed running up to them.

Mordecai and Rigby looked, Mordecai wore grey and black with a black bat symbol in the middle of his suit, matched by his yellow utility belt.

Rigby wore a blue suit with an S on his chest. He also wore a red cape with the same S but it was all yellow.

"Hey, it's Batman and Superman!" Greg said as he smiled at them.

"Hey, Steven!" Mordecai said.

"Hey guys!" He hugs his friends.

"You look beautiful, Mrs. Quartz Universe!" Rigby tells her.

"Thank you, Rigby." she smiled, Greg walked over to his wife and held hands.

"You alright, Greg?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he said, backing up to her, the back of his head touching her gem. Rose smiles and puts her hands on her husband's shoulders.

Steven, Mordecai, Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all went off to go to the booths. Steven saw someone familiar at one of the booths, he knew her hair anywhere.

"Connie!" he said, running to her.

Connie turned around, her hair was straightened out, she probably used the same shampoo to dye her hair blonde like his mom did.

Priyanka was in a white T-shirt and jeans. She took her child to this event for her, She saw both of Steven's parents standing there, and she walked to them.

"Hello, guys," she said.

"Oh, hello." Greg waved, and Rose waved back at her.

"Guys, why won't you go explore? you don't need to stand here." Greg asked, Steven was confused because he thought they were here together. Plus his friends. The hybrid looked over at his friends and then walked off with them.

"Guys look! they have an Adventure Time booth!" Steven told them, and they walked over to it. Finn was there taking pictures, signing autographs, and talking with fans.

"I hope he signs my comic!" Connie said, pulling it out of her backpack, it was an Adventure Time comic book.

"I'm sure he will, Connie," Mordecai said.

"Yeah, he's nice." Rigby chimed in. Connie nodded and they all went to the booth. Finn was behind it, signing stuff with a Sharpie. He was writing his signature on many shirts, pictures, hats, and various items from his show.

Connie, Steven, Mordecai, Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo walked up to his booth. Finn looks up and smiles. "Awesome cosplays guys!" the boy cheerfully said.

"Um… Can you sign this for me?" Connie asked, handing him her comic book.

"I can! Who should I make it out to?"

"To Connie, your biggest fan!" Finn opened it, wrote it on the back cover, and signed his name. He waited for someone, Just then a short yellow dog with a black nose walked to his booth and sat in his place.

"Dude, where'd you go?"

"I went to get cheese fries! Their good, man."

"Dude, I needed some help with signing. Fans were saying where's Jake throughout."

"I'm here now, bro. What do you need to be signed?" he asked opening his Sharpie, The boy slid it to him and signedher a comic with his name next to Finn's.

Connie gets her comic back and walks off.

Greg and Rose were walking around, and they met people who wanted to take pictures of them, so they said yes and they took some pictures with fans. The cosplayers didn't know that Thor was Mr. Greg Universe from his son's show, he wishes that some people could recognize him as that, but. He is at Comic-Con, but he is having fun here.

Mordecai, Rigby, and Steven were separated from their group. Let's say the day was filled with fun, laughs, and fans.

Steven was in the back of Greg's van, and Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were dropped off at their houses. Steven was nodding off the drive home, he had the most fun out of all of them, Rose adjusted the rearview mirror so it would focus on him. Greg held his wife's hand as she drove, Greg's fingers intertwined with hers.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" Rose smiles and nods.

"It was so much fun, babe." Greg smiled. Rose was now driving them home. They'd agreed to take turns driving for this trip. Greg looked behind him as his son fell asleep.

"It was Mr. Universe," Rose said, they stopped at a red light. Rose leaned in and kissed her husband passionately.

"My stars, I love you," Rose said.

"I do too…" he said.

Greg lay in bed with his wife, Rose was lying on his chest, tracing tiny circles on him. Greg closes his eyes and lets her continue. Rose kisses her husband passionately, Greg puts a hand on her back and rests it there. "I love you," Rose muttered into his hair.

"I do too, baby…" he said, closing his eyes, With his wife in his arms, both of them slept peacefully.

Chapter Text

November 17, 2013

Steven was in his trailer, he was getting into his suit, and they were shooting for a new episode called 'Frybo' Steven put on his pants and exited the trailer.

Pearl was waiting for him. Steven saw her.

"Hey, Pearl, why are you here exactly?" he asked

"I wanted to see if you were ready, Steven."

Figures.

Walking down the large lot, he sees his friends and waves to them, Mordecai and Rigby wave at him as they go to the 'temple' that was located on the set. He walks in and sees his friends and coworkers. There were new people, there was a boy named PeeDee. He'd met him before. Steven saw him at a restaurant when going out with his parents, he was reading off his lines, and Steven saw a large white costume with french fries sticking out of its head.

Steven walked to the other actors. "Hi! I'm, Steven!"

"Hey, Steven I'm PeeDee!" he said

"Oh, you're that boy with the pretty mom!" he said, shaking his hand. Steven smiled. He's always heard that his mom is beautiful, every time he hears it, he gets all warm and fuzzy inside.

Steven nods and smiles at the boy again. Just then Rebecca walked in.

"Alright, guys! Let's go into your places!" she said, sitting on her director's chair, she placed her script on her lap and put a leg over the other one.…

"And… Action," she said.

"Frybo, Scene one, take one!" The clapper leader said.

In Beach City, chaos reigned in Steven's home. Amidst the clutter of laundry, Steven squinted, searching for something important—his pants.

"Where are you?" he muttered, shaking his head at the mess surrounding him. "Tsk tsk tsk. You're a mess, Steven."

Just then, Pearl burst into the room, her eyes wide with urgency. She clutched a bubble filled with shimmering shards. "I know I had eight... Hey, Steven, have you seen a Gem shard anywhere? It's very important."

Steven, half-dressed in just a shirt and underwear, replied, "No, have you seen my pants? They're also very important."

"I'm serious, Steven," Pearl insisted, her voice steady despite the chaos. "These shards have a powerful partial consciousness that has been harnessed by Gems throughout history to create—"

But Steven's mind drifted. He peered around the room, searching for his missing pants. "They weren't in the kitchen either... Under the bed! No wait, I looked there too. And then Pearl walked in…"

Pearl continued her explanation, oblivious to Steven's distraction. "—semi-sentient drone soldiers with the capacity to follow basic orders. Gems once created an army of these drones but found their obedience waned as the shards overdeveloped inside their uniforms and turned on their commanders. You see, any shard imprinted by any sort of container—"

Suddenly, a realization struck ! Oh jeez, she's really explaining something... I can't just start listening now, I'd be lost! Just like my pants…

"—could become a monster. That's why it's very, very important it's kept away from any kind of garment…"

During Pearl's dire warning, a pair of pants darted past them, making Steven's eyes widen. "If you see it, bring it to me, right away. I'm going to check in town," Pearl instructed before rushing out the front door.

"For my pants?" Steven shouted after her, but she was already gone. "I guess I'll keep looking here."

He turned around and spotted the rogue pants behind him. "That's unusual!" he exclaimed, chasing after them. "Come on, we used to be friends! We used to go everywhere together!" With a leap, he tackled the pants. "Gotcha now, pants! I wear the pants in this relationship!"

The pants wriggled beneath him. "What's gotten into you? Hmm?" He pulled out a glowing Gem shard from his pocket, and the pants ceased their struggle. "It's a... thingie. Is this Pearl's shard thingy?"

As the shard pulsed with energy, it tugged at his shirt. "Whoa!" Steven yanked it away just in time. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a nearby sock and stuffed the shard inside. "Ha! Now who's smart?"

However, the sock animated, smacking him across the face repeatedly. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, stop!" he yelped, but the sock seemed to have a mind of its own. "Oh... Thanks! I gotta get you to Pearl." He carefully placed the sock into his backpack, zipping it shut.

Rebecca and Steven were both at the boardwalk, Steven was looking around

"Frybo, Scene two, take one!" The clapper leader said.

Meanwhile, on the bustling boardwalk of Beach City, Steven strolled along, calling out, "Hey, Pearl! Pearl! She must still be looking for my pants…"

Suddenly, a peculiar figure rushed in, colliding with Steven and sending him sprawling to the ground. It was Peedee, dressed in a fries costume, panic written all over his face.

"Aah, please help me! Aah, no, get them away! Please! Aah!" he cried, flailing wildly.

Startled, Steven screamed and cowered on the ground as a flock of seagulls swooped down, attacking Peedee with relentless squawking.

"Why is today so chaotic?" Steven wondered, his heart racing. But amidst the madness, he couldn't help but smile. After all, in Beach City, every day was an adventure, and he was ready for whatever came next.

On a bright sunny day at Beach Citywalk, Peedee stood in the middle of the bustling boardwalk, wearing a giant fry costume that seemed to smother him in its heat. With a swift motion, he pulled off the headpiece and shouted, "I'm not fries!" He swung the costume's head at a group of pesky seagulls, sending them squawking into the sky.

Nearby, Steven watched with a mixture of concern and amusement. Just then, Mr. Fryman, the owner of Beach Citywalk Fries, emerged from the food joint, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Gah, where's your face, Frybo? Being part of the Fryman family means you gotta sell fries... and be my son, which you are. So, you're already halfway there. Keep at it, Frybo!" With that, he retreated into the building, leaving Peedee standing there with a clenched fist, muttering, "I'm Pee-...dee…"

"Hi, Peedee!" Steven waved enthusiastically, trying to lighten the mood.

Peedee sighed heavily. "When I told my dad I wanted to be part of the Fryman family business, I didn't think it meant being stuck in a sweaty old costume. Things used to be different, Steven. The only worry back then was making myself dizzy on the old seahorse ride at Funland." He pulled Steven up from where he had been sitting on the ground, a look of nostalgia on his face

Steven chuckled, thinking Peedee was joking. "Oh, Frybo, you're hilarious."

But Peedee's expression was serious. "I wish there was a way for this costume to do its job without me in it."

"Maybe it can, Peedee…" Steven's eyes lit up, a spark of creativity igniting within him. "Maybe it can!"

With determination, Steven slipped into the oversized Frybo costume, his voice transforming into a dramatic tune as he began to sing, "Oooooh...!" Suddenly, a flock of seagulls descended upon him, attacking with relentless squawks. "Aah! Wah!" he screamed, running around in a frenzy while Peedee watched in horror.

After a frantic moment, Steven ripped off the costume, leaving it crumpled on the boardwalk as the seagulls flocked around it. He paused, contemplating, then exclaimed, "Wait! I have another idea!"

From his backpack, he pulled out a shimmering shard and, with a flick of his wrist, shooed the seagulls away before dropping the shard inside the costume. To Peedee's amazement, the costume began to vibrate and shake, gradually repairing itself before rolling away on its own

"Woah…" Peedee gasped as Frybo rolled aimlessly. "Stop!" commanded Steven, and to their astonishment, Frybo complied, positioning itself upright.

"Do a little dance!" Steven encouraged, and Frybo complied, sprouting fry legs that danced awkwardly. Peedee and Steven exchanged glances of disgust just as Mr. Fryman appeared once more, clapping his hands in approval. "Woah-ho, all right! It's about it— I mean, good job, buddy! That's what I'm talking about, Frybo, haha. Keep it up!" With a proud nod, he disappeared back inside, leaving Frybo frozen mid-dance.

"Free, I'm free!" Peedee exclaimed, turning to Frybo. "You've got the job, Frybo! Let's shake on it!" He extended his hand, and Frybo, in a literal sense, picked him up and shook him vigorously.

"Hey, he's got jokes!" Steven laughed.

"Okay, no more shaking. Put me down," Peedee said, feeling a bit queasy as Frybo dropped him onto the ground. "Just go make people eat fries." With that, Frybo dashed off into the crowd, and Peedee beamed with joy. "Let's go be kids!" he shouted, grabbing Steven's hand as they raced away.

At the Funland Arcade, the two friends hopped on the seahorse and jellyfish rides. Peedee's face lit up with delight on the seahorse, but as the ride came to an abrupt stop, his expression shifted to disappointment. "This seahorse used to make me so happy. Now it's just giving me whiplash. I feel like there's just no point to it, you know what I mean?"

Steven, still buzzing from the jellyfish ride, shook his head with a grin. "I just feel tingly!"

And as they shared a laugh, the worries of the world faded away, if only for a little while.

Peedee leaned back in his seat, letting out a heavy sigh. "You'll understand when you have a job," he said, staring at the horizon

Steven, his ride finally coming to a stop, turned to Peedee with a grin. "I do have a job! I protect humanity from magic and monsters and stuff!"

Peedee shook his head. "I mean a real job, one that you get paid for."

"I'm paid in the smiles across the town's faces," Steven replied, his enthusiasm unwavering.

Peedee frowned, scanning the beach. "I don't see anyone smiling. You take a job to buy a house, raise kids, or... impress your dad. You work away your life, and what does it get you?"

"Smiles on faces?" Steven offered, but Peedee wasn't convinced

"No! You get cash. Cash that can't buy back what the job takes... not if you rode every seahorse in the world," Peedee lamented, exhaling deeply.

"Woah... wanna try the jellyfish?" Steven suggested playfully, but before Peedee could respond, a distant scream pierced the air.

"That came from the fry shop!" Peedee exclaimed, adrenaline kicking in as he hopped off the ride. He grabbed Steven's arm and together they sprinted towards the commotion.

As they approached the Beach Citywalk Fries, chaos unfolded before their eyes. People were fleeing the building, terror etched on their faces, while yellow tendrils lashed out from within, dragging unsuspecting patrons back inside

The boy was now panicking"We didn't tell him to do that, did we tell him to do that?!" Peedee shouted, ducking as a table shattered through the counter's window. He and Steven barely avoided the debris, peering inside the building

There stood Frybo, a quirky character with fry hair, ensnaring several people with his tendrils. "Please, no more fries!" cried Mr. Smiley, desperately trying to escape Frybo's grasp as the creature stuffed his mouth with fries.

"Frybo, stop!" Steven yelled, but Frybo merely turned slowly, revealing veins bulging grotesquely on his face. Both boys flinched as Frybo hurled Lars through the window. They ducked just in time, but the impact sent him crashing into a table.

Lars, spitting out fries, shouted, "I don't even like fries!" before sprinting away in panic.

He was panicking again, "Why isn't he listening?!" Peedee cried, glancing back at Steven, who shook his head in bewilderment.

Suddenly, Mr. Fryman emerged from the back of the shop, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Peedee! Where's all this coming from?!" he shouted as Frybo ensnared him with a tendril. Peedee peeked over the counter, anxiety rising in his chest.

"Ah, I get it," Mr. Fryman realized, his voice steadying. "I pushed you too hard! I thought you wanted to be as good a Fryman as you could be! You're a tough kid for putting up with it as long as you did. The truth is, you're a valued member of Fryman Brothers Incorporated and all its affiliates!"

As chaos swirled around them, Peedee and Steven exchanged glances, realizing that sometimes the heart of the job isn't just about the money or the smiles, but about understanding and valuing each other amidst the madness.

Peedee was overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of his father, Mr. Fryman. The warmth of a heartfelt statement flooded over him, and just as he was about to embrace his dad, Frybo, the quirky fry costume came to life, scooped Mr. Fryman off the ground, and stuffed fries into his mouth.

"Daaad!" Peedee cried out, tears streaming down his face as he desperately lunged towards the window, yearning to reach his father. But Steven was quick to react, tackling Peedee just in time. "No! He'll mash your potatoes!" he shouted, scrambling over the counter in a valiant attempt to protect his friend.

"What are you going to do?!" Peedee whimpered, struggling against Steven's grip.

With a determined gleam in his eye, Steven stood proudly and declared, "My job!" But before he could spring into action, Mr. Fryman was suddenly flung toward them, landing on both boys and knocking them down, rendering them immobile. Frybo advanced ominously from behind the counter, its eyes set on the hapless duo.

Just then, Pearl burst onto the scene, her face a mask of urgency. "Steven!" she exclaimed, revealing a bubble filled with shimmering shards. "Did you put my missing shard in that fry costume?"

"Yes!" Steven replied, his tone innocent yet defiant.

"Didn't you hear what I said about the living armor and infantries and many, many deaths?!" Pearl exclaimed, frustration creeping into her voice.

"No!" Steven answered, clueless but determined.

"Oh Steven…" Pearl sighed, exasperated, before summoning her spear. With a swift leap, she launched herself onto the table and hurled her spear at Frybo, striking it right in the eye. Ketchup erupted from the wound, splattering everywhere and knocking Pearl off the table, causing her to drop the precious bubble of shards, which shattered upon impact

"Pearl!" Steven shouted, rushing toward her as she cried out in dismay, "Ugh, the ketchup! It's everywhere, I can't see!"

Noticing the shards scattered on the ground, Steven's eyes lit up. "Shards... Need!" he declared, darting off in search of the remnants.

"Wah? Steven?" Pearl called out, feeling around blindly, desperate for guidance.

Another camera was aimed at Peedee, clutching his unconscious father, tears welling up in his eyes. "Daaad!" he cried once more.

Just then, Frybo emerged from the chaos, Pearl's spear still lodged in its eye, and began to approach the Frymans. Mr. Fryman slowly regained consciousness, and Peedee, fueled by a mix of fear and anger, grabbed a broken plank to confront the monstrous fry creature.

"Go away!" he shouted, swinging the plank fiercely.

"Peedee?" Mr. Fryman croaked, struggling to his feet.

"You are awful! I hate you! I've always hated you." Peedee yelled, his voice trembling with hurt

Mr. Fryman looked confused, "Wait? You've always hated Frybo?"

Before Peedee could respond, Frybo disarmed him, sending him tumbling backward. But just as he began to fall, Mr. Fryman caught him, steadying his son. As Frybo loomed closer, a pair of pants unexpectedly flew in from the side, a Gem shard tucked away in its pocket and kicked Frybo squarely in the face.

"The Frymans!" Peedee and Mr. Fryman exclaimed in unison.

"Steven!" Pearl shouted, still blinded by the ketchup chaos. "Where?!"

Then, in a moment that could only be described as surreal, Steven appeared, clad only in his underwear, having cleverly placed a shard in each of his garments. His socks, shirt, pants, shoes, and jacket lay neatly beside him.

With a fry hanging from his mouth and a fierce resolve in his eyes, he faced Frybo. "Your move, Frybo," he said defiantly, munching on the fry as he prepared for the creature's charge. "Attack!"

And so, the battle continued, filled with laughter, chaos, and the unbreakable bond of family and friendship, as they fought together against the absurdity that life threw their way.

An unusual showdown unfolded between Steven and a whimsical creature known as Frybo. The bizarre battle began when Steven's seemingly possessed garments launched an all-out assault on Frybo. As Frybo retaliated, a stream of gooey cheese erupted from its mouth, knocking Steven to the ground with a comical thud.

Lying on the sandy beach, Steven sighed, "I didn't want to do this, but you left me no choice. Underwear, go!" In a flash, his underwear soared through the air, landing squarely over Frybo's other eye. With a swift kick from his pants, Frybo stumbled and crashed to the ground. Seizing the moment, a determined, albeit naked, Steven dashed toward the creature and snatched the Gem shard from Frybo's cheese-filled mouth.

Concerned, Pearl rushed over, her hands searching for Steven. "Steven, are you alright?" she asked, her fingers accidentally brushing against Mr. Fryman's face instead.

"Fine," Mr. Fryman replied, slightly confused.

"I'm okay," Steven reassured them, grinning sheepishly. "As soon as I bared my butt, I knew he'd crack.

As the dust settled, Steven's garments, now calm and collected, carried the defeated Frybo costume toward the sea. Standing on a makeshift raft, the group watched as Mr. Fryman spoke solemnly, "You were great, Frybo. The kids today just didn't understand. Now, they never will."

Pearl frowned, "Weren't people scared of it before he attacked them?" Steven quickly shushed her, not wanting to ruin the moment.

"It's time... to send him off," Mr. Fryman declared, producing a lighter from his pocket. With a flick of his wrist, he ignited the Frybo costume. Pearl, using the end of her spear, gently nudged the blazing figure away, watching it drift out to sea. "As greasy in death... as he was in life," Mr. Fryman sighed, a bittersweet smile on his face.

Peedee, standing nearby, hesitated, then asked, "Dad? Uhm... Are you going to get another costume?"

"I don't need another Frybo," Mr. Fryman replied, wrapping an arm around Peedee. "I've got the fry man right here."

With a heroic pose and a wide grin, Steven turned to Pearl and declared, "I think our work here is done!

Pearl, however, remained unimpressed. "Put your clothes on, Steven."

And with that, the adventure came to an end, leaving behind laughter and a tale that the residents of Beach City would always remember.

"Cut, that's a wrap everyone. Great work!" one of the crew gave Steven a giant towel, so he could walk back to the trailer and get dressed. He was uncomfortable in the nude. The boy walked to his trailer, Mordecai and Muscle Man were both walking and talking."Hey, guys!" Steven chirped to them, he accidentally let the towel slip from his hands and they saw…Everything.

"Uh…Uh…Uh….Uh…" Mordecai said.

Muscle Man laughed, pulled out his phone then snapped a picture.

"Stop looking!" he shouted in embarrassment, wrapping the towel around himself again tighter this time. Mordecai ran in the other direction.

Steven ran to his trailer and slammed the door then got dressed.

"You better delete that picture, Muscle Man."

"What! It's funny! You can see his gem!"

"I saw it! It was worse than seeing Pops naked! and he was there for that one!" Mordecaiexclaimed, trying to forget the vivid memory of Steven's….. Gem and everything else in his vision.

"That was for the show, bro! your still seeing that one?"

"Yes! The brain eraser wasn'treal, dude!" he said, walking away from his friend to go find his girlfriend.

Steven entered the trailer, shut all the windows, and got dressed. He put on extra underpants, his basketball shorts, and a blue Sonic The Hedgehog T-shirt. Someone knocked on the door. "Steven? Can I come in?" the muffled voice of his father was by the door.

"Yeah," he said, as he grabbed his wallet and phone. Greg walks in, wearing a black shirt that is tight on him that shows his muscles. He also wore a pair of blue jeans and a pair of white Converse mid-tops.

"Hey, Steven!" he said

"Hey, Dad! I'll see you and Mom at home," he said, running out of the trailer and grabbing his bike. He mounted on it and peddled off.

Steven was with Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo at their treehouse. Sumo brought some things for them to break and smash up.

Sumo placed it on a rock, Steven grabbed a baseball bat and smashed the old lamp that was sitting on it, breaking it into tiny pieces.

"I still can't believe that Muscle Man did that!" Jeff said in shock and disbelief. Steven shook his head.

"I can't either, man. I was naked, dude. Even Mordecai saw my…. privates. Including my gem!"

"He saw your gem before, right?"

"Yes, but he saw my…. thing too!" Steven said, holding his head in embarrassment. Clarence put a comforting hand on his back.

"It's alright, Steven. We all have bad days and screw up from time to time."

"It was so bad though!" Steven said, clenching the curls in fistfuls. Steven cringed, he wanted to scream.

Steven climbed up the treehouse, Amethyst was up there also, she sat atop a beanbag, a smoothie in her hand as she was talking with Chelsea.

"Hey, Stee-man!" Ameythest said putting a hand to wave at her fellow Crystal Gem.

"Hey," he said, grabbing a Pokémon binder from the shelf. It was his Pokémon card binder. He opened it and saw a taped-up pack of freshly sealed cards. He rips it and opens its contents.

Steven and Connie were hanging out together. Connie was wearing a shirt and jeans, she had a juice box in her hand. And Steven had one too. Steven was walking down the mall with her, they rode their bikes there.

Steven finished his plastic cup of watermelon juice and threw it in the trash. Connie sipped on hers. Steven went into a GameStop with Connie, Connie wanted a new system for her birthday. But, her birthday was in two months.

Steven plucked a large Charmander from the shelf, he pulled out his wallet and saw that he had twenty and three one-dollar bills. He had some money for food too, he and Connie could go to the food court and get something to eat.

Steven was walking with his Charmander plush in his hands. Connie bought another Pokémon shirt, they were carrying their bags as they walked to the food court.

"Mom! Look what I bought from the mall!" he said, pulling it out from his large, white GameStop bag. Rose's eyes went starry as she reached for it and then cuddled with the toy.

"He is so adorable!" she said, still hugging him in her arms. Steven smiled and giggled. His mother never ceases to amaze him, he sees his mother as a big kid at times, and he likes it.

Rose smiled again and put a hand on his hair, Steven smiled and hugged her, Rose smiled and knelt to his level and hugged him then kissed his cheek. "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, Steven," she said, theboy walked to his room and set Charmander on his made bed. Steven turns on his PlayStation and starts playing video games.

Chapter Text

Steven jolted awake, panting heavily. He had another nightmare about the episode they'd just filmed. It had been two days already and it was terrifying for him to even imagine.

The boy sighed and got out of bed, he opened the door to his room and went downstairs. He entered the kitchen, opened the fridge, and grabbed a bottle of water. He untwists the cap and took a long drink.

He took a few big gulps of his water, then he put his arm down and sighed deeply.

Man, that was terrifying.

Steven sighed, then went back to his room. He climbed into bed and got under the covers, but couldn't seem to fall asleep. The boy turned on the TV. Cartoon Network was playing a Justice League marathon, he watched it until he fell asleep.

Connie got a call on her phone, her father made her breakfast, and her mother went to work at the hospital. He was heading to work. Connie was eating her breakfast, and her phone was next to her, buzzing. A notification popped up and it was from Steven.

Can I come over? I need to talk to you.

Connie read it and replied:

Sure, you can come over any time.

She sees the blue iMessage bubble pop up, and a grey bubble with three dots, meaning that Steven was typing. A few seconds pass and she read the message in , I'm coming over now. was concerned for him, was Steven alright?

Steven biked to her house. He dismounted, not even putting up the peg to keep his bike upright he ran to the door and knocked on it. Connie opened it and smiled.

"Connie!" the boy said.

"So, what did you want to tell me?"

Steven closed the door to the house, they went into the living room and sat on the couch. Connie saw that the boy's hands were shaking.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Steven shook his head. He could still see the images of Frybo in his head ever since after finishing the episode, and. What was worse, is that Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Connie all saw that episode last night! "Your hands are shaking," she said.

Steven nods. "Yeah…" he took a breath and started.

"Nightmares?" Connie asked him when he was finished with his story, and Steven nodded. Connie grabbed a Capri Sun from the fridge and handed it to him. Steven thanked her pushed the straw in the pouch and drank it.

"Woah, that's rough, Steven. Are you okay?" Steven looked down, he didn't know. He hoped he would be okay. Why would this happen now? When he saw the Centipetles that was even terrifyingfor him, but this was straight out of a horror movie, he also hates those kinds of movies!

Steven shuttered in fear, he had a chill up his spine as he thought about it.

Steven and Connie both went outside, they both grabbed their bikes, and rode into LA.

Jasper winced and pulled back, her mom was fixing her arm. It had a deep cut from her father's tantrums. They needed to get out before it was too late for both of them.

Or one of them.

Jane tied an old shirt tightly around her arm. Jasper tried not to cringe, her father was out getting more drinks for himself, so the apartment was quiet.

"I want to leave," she said.

"We can't leave, Jasper. You know that."

"Why can't we? he hurt me, Mom! he hurt you too. Many times! What are we waiting for? We need to leave now before it is too late for you, and me. Or the both of us!"

She thought of the options, keeping her family safe. Or that man happy, But… He was never happy, he didn't notice when she tossed her ring out the window the other day.

Jasper looks at her, and her mother smiles. "Let's pack up," she said.

She stood up and went into her small bedroom and started packing her things, along with her mom.

Jasper and Jane were now leaving the apartment, the gem went into her pocket, and grabbed her earbuds and her phone. She plugged it in and played a song by one of her favorite bands—Creed.

Hello my friend we meet again

It's been a while where should we begin?

Feels like forever

Within my heart are memories

Of perfect love that you gave to me

Oh I remember

They both walked to the bus and took it to LA. Jane called her boss, Jeff was happy for her to stay at his home in Calabasas. They drove there, Jasper saw they were leaving Oakland to start a new life.

When you are with me, I'm free

I'm careless, I believe

Above all the others we'll fly

This brings tears to my eyes

My sacrifice

Jane and Jasper stepped off the bus and they kept walking, they were in the area where he lived. Jasper felt at ease when she saw Los Angeles, It's better living in that toilet of an apartment and watching her mother get hurt every other week.

We've seen our share of ups and downs

Oh how quickly life can turn around

In an instant

It feels so good to reunite

Within yourself and within your mind

Let's find peace there

Jane sees a house.

This house is a two-story structure with a Mediterranean architectural style. It features a stucco exterior with a light, neutral color. The roof is made of red clay tiles, adding to the Mediterranean aesthetic.

The house has a symmetrical façade with a prominent central entrance. The front door is wooden, arched, and flanked by decorative columns. Above the entrance is a small balcony with a wrought iron railing.

There are several windows with shutters throughout the front of the house. The landscaping includes well-maintained green lawns, hedges, and some small bushes. There are steps leading up to the entrance, flanked by low walls topped with lantern-style lights.

Overall, the house presents an elegant and classic appearance, typical of Mediterranean-style homes.

Jasper paused the music on her phone, they walked to the door and knocked.

Jane waited for someone to answer.

A man opened the door, he was tall, had brown hair, and also had tunnels in his ears with large gauges in them. "Hey, Jane," he said, Jasper thought he could have a podcast or something, he has the voice for it. Jeff smiled and invited them into his home.

Jasper looked around, his home was a lot cleaner than that dirty, stink box that she used to live in with her mother.

Jeff closed the door and went into the kitchen. "Do you guys want anything to drink?"

"Water," Jasper said. Jeff nods and hands them two water bottles.

"Let me show you two to your rooms," he said, walking upstairs. He walked down the halls to a set of spare bedrooms, and they both went into their bedrooms.

Steven and Connie were both riding their bikes, he'd gotten a text from Clarence that if they wanted to hang out and go to the arcade and stuff.

They were riding in Hollywood. Steven and Connie see a bus that says Steven Universe on it along with the 3D Cartoon Network logo. The boy smiles as he sees some fans waving down to him on the bus atop the second floor.

Ameythest was walking, then she saw Steven and Connie, on their bikes.

"Hey, guys!" she said, walking to them.

"Hey!" Steven said, Ameythest gave him a high five then they hugged each other.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, Connie, and Amethyst were all at the beach walking. Steven went to a stand where they sold ice cream and walked over, he got strawberry ice cream and paid for it, Steven sat on a bench with his friends.

He was watching some people pass him, then he saw a male with curly hair that looked oddly like french fries, he wore a button-down shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.

"Hey, PeeDee!" Steven called. The boy looked and ran over to him.

"Hey, Steven! how are you after the whole… Incident with Frybo?" PeeDee tried not to shutter, he too, had nightmares about that horrid thing.

"Okay, I hope it's not going to happen again, you know? I hated that! And re watching it isten times worse than filming for it!" he said, shuttering. PeeDee shuttered also, he thought it was so creepy!

"Oh, who are your new friends, Steven!" PeeDee asked the boy.

"Oh, this is Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Connie!" he said gesturing to his friends. Connie and Jeff both sat in between Steven while Sumo and Clarence stood next to the bench, also eating ice cream.

PeeDee also got ice cream, he unwrapped the sandwich cookie and took a bite.

"Dude, this is so good!" he exclaimed.

"Right?" The hybrid said taking a bite out of his ice cream sandwich.

"It's so good!" Clarence said, the other nodding in agreement with him.

Steven, Connie, Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Amethyst were riding their bikes to Steven's house, they all rode to Beverly Hills and saw their dad's van pull into the driveway, Greg killed the engine, and then stepped out, wore a black tank top and basketball shorts, he had his hair tied back, he wore a pair of black and white Converse.

"Hey, guys!" Greg greeted. Steven smiled and waved at his father, Greg opened the door and walked inside. Steven and his friends also walk into the house.

Greg went upstairs to take a shower, Rose was somewhere. Steven wondered where was his mother. They all went upstairs and went into Steven's room which hadn't changed much, they all went to different areas.

Ameythest sits on his desk chair. She looks at his desk. On it was a script for the next episode of the show that was called 'Serious Steven' They'd already done a few episodes way before Bubble Buddies, so. They were alright.

Ameythest, Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were now playing video games, when Rose knocked on the door, she opened it when she was allowed to come in. She walked into the boy's room, holding something in her hands.

"Hey guys! I made some strawberry-lemon brownies!"

"BROWNIES!" Ameythest said, power jumping, Steven laughed, and Ameythest snatched one. Steven and his friends all took one. Steven took a bite then he was starry-eyed.

"Wooooowwwww! Mom! These are amazing!" Rose chuckled as her son and his friends ate.

"If you need me, I'll be in the living room. Steven, make sure to study your lines. And you too Ameythest."

"I will, Mom!" he said, looking back at his friends and they kept playing.

Chapter Text

December 31, 2013

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, Connie, Mordecai, and Rigby were all in Steven's room. Today was New Year's Eve. His parents were setting up for a New Year's party downstairs. Steven wanted to help out, but, his parents said they didn't need any more help since Garnet was there helping them set up.

Mordecai and Rigby brought some of their video games for Steven's PlayStation. They were now playing Grand Theft Auto IV, if pearl were here, she'd ban Mordecai and Rigby for bringing this game into the house, but, It wasn't her house. He couldn't control him, he wasn't seven anymore, he was thirteen!

Steven was driving around Liberty City as Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo watched. Connie walked back into his room, holding a glass of water in her hand, she sat on his bed.

Sumo tapped Steven on the shoulder, the boy looked at his friend.

"Can I play your guitar?" he asked, Steven looked at the guitar that was sitting next to his amplifier.

"Sure, but be careful with it," Steven said.

Greg and Rose were in the back setting up. They got the pool ready, even the hot tub ready for a night swim.

They were all excited for tonight, Rose unzipped the big screen TV that was in the lounge area for them to play video games, and then watch the ball drop in New York City.

Rose went inside and went upstairs to Steven's room, The door was open and she poked her head in.

"Hey guys." Rose greeted.

"Hey, Mrs. Quartz Universe!" Rigby said.

"Steven, I have an idea. Since we have that TV installed outside, why won't you guys bring your PlayStation outside?"

"Yeah!" Steven said, running to her and hugging his mom. Rose chuckles and smiles. Mordecai and Rigby went to his TV and turned it off and the system. Then, Rigby picked up the system and carried it downstairs. Mordecai carried the games and Steven carried the controllers.

They all went outside, Mordecai swiveled the TV so it would be coming out of the stone wall to connect it.

Rogby put the games on a cushion, Steven grabbed the remote and they played.

Steven grabbed the controller and continued playing the game that they'd brought from home. Greg put on some rock music that was burned onto a CD.

Then, his mother walked out carrying chips and sodas. She was going to order some Pizzas and sushi when the party started at seven. Rose wore a bright pink dress with white roses all over it. She was baking desserts for the party also.

Greg also walked out a moment later, wearing a black tank top and a pair of swim shorts. "Rose, do you need help?" he asked, adjusting his grey LAKERS SnapBack which was backward.

"No thanks, sweetheart. Why won't you turn on the heater for the pool and hot tub so they'll be ready." Greg nodded and smiled as he walked over to the back and did that.

Steven got a text on his phone, thatAmeythest and the rest of the Crystal Gems were coming. Steven was excited to have more of his friends come to the party.

That night, people came over, Steven even saw Lucas come over with his parents.

"Lucas!" Steven exclaimed hugging his friend.

"Steven! How does it feel to be a Cartoon Network star!" he said.

"Awesome! I've met lots of people." He said, then a blue jay and raccoon walked to them. "Oh, Lucas, these are my friends—"

"Mordecai and Rigby? I just love your work!" he said.

"Thanks!" Mordecai smiled and shook his hand.

"Dude! your friends with them?" Lucas asked. Steven smiled and nodded. The boy was surprised. Steven was friends with everyone at this point.

Steven walked back outside and looked around. His mother had gone inside, and Greg was sitting on a chair, on his phone. Sumo, Connie, Clarence, and Jeff were still playing on Steven's PlayStation.

Everyone was excited to bring in the new year. Steven was at the pool with his friends, Garnet, and Pearl were at the pool. Ameythest was at the snack table grabbing some snacks. Pearl was talking with Mary. And Chad was swimming.

Jeff's and Sumo's parents were there too, Sumo's older brothers were doing New Year's at their friend's house.

Everyone was having a good time, it was almost midnight Greg turned on the ball drop that was LIVE in New York. Steven and his friends were had a slice of pizza in her hand as she grabbed the remote and turned up the volume for the TV.

Greg walked to her and put an arm around her. Rose smiled then put an arm around her husband she grabbed his hand and they looked into each other's eyes.

"Are you excited for the new year?" Greg asked.

"Yes, I am. I'm more excited to be spending it with you, Steven, and all of our friends," she said. Greg smiled and wrapped his arms around her. Rose kissed her husband's hair.

Greg smiled. Then, the ball was dropping, and the countdown began.

"Ten…. Nine…. Eight…. Seven…. Six…. Five…. Four…. Three…. Two…. One…. HAPPY NEW YEAR!" all of them cheered as the lights on the screen flashed HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014.

Rose grabbed her husband's sides and pulled him into a passionate kiss. "Happy New Year, Greg." Rose looks into his eyes and smiles, Greg smiles at his wife. "Happy New Year, Rose," he said, pulling her into another passionate kiss.

"I love you," they said simultaneously.

Greg rested his head on her gem and smiled. Rose put a hand on him and smiled.

"Your parents are so cute, Steven!" Clarence said.

"They are."

The next morning, Greg woke up, Rose had the covers over her, Greg felt something on his chest, and she had her head on him, asleep. He didn't want to wake her, and he didn't want to get up. Greg felt Rose move, he saw her eyes open.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Good, how did you sleep?" Rose asked.

"I slept amazing… With you next to me, I sleep like a baby." Greg smiled, Rose chuckled and kissed him, and Rose smiled as well.

Steven, Mordecai, Rigby, Connie, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were in Steven's room. They were awake, playing video games on Steven's PlayStation, Steven was on his phone texting PeeDee.

"Hey guys, let's get grilled cheese for breakfast," Mordecai said.

"Heck yeah! I'm always down for a breakfast grilled cheese!" Steven said, sitting up. Mordecai paused the game and they went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Steven got dressed in a white t-shirt, and cargo shorts and he put on a pair of black sneakers. They open the door and they all walk out of the house together and they mount on their bikes to go eat some grilled cheese.

They walk into the restaurant. Steven stood in line with his friends as they were waiting. Connie was reading the menu. Steven was sharing the same menu.

Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo walk up to the cashier and they all place their orders. Steven took out his debit card and paid for his and Connie's grilled cheese.

They were now all sitting and eating their breakfast. Steven was on his phone, playing a game as he was finished. Everyone else was eating their food. "I have an idea, after this, Why won't we go to the park, we can play basketball," Rigby said.

"As in your park?" Clarence asked.

"Yeah, why not, we can play with Skips or Muscle Man," Mordecai said.

"Yeah, I can. Let's do it. But, do you want to do a three-on-three game?" Connie asked.

"Let's do a two-on-two," Rigby said. "Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo vs. Steven, Mordecai, and Connie, I can be referee," Rigby said.

"That sounds like a good idea, let's go."

Mordecai, Ssteven, Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Connie were at The Park, Rigby grabbed a basketball from the house, Steven was on the court, and sitting on the bleachers were Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Connie.

Steven went up to the bleachers with his friends, who were now talking to each other. Rigby came back with a basketball. They all stood up.

Steven, Mordecai, Connie, and Clarence played first. Steven was Connie and Mordecai was with Clarence.

Jeff and Sumo were on the bleachers watching them play.

"Steven!" Connie said, passing the ball to him, the boy ran and did a layup. Mordecai grabbed the ball, went out of bounds, and passed it to Clarence. Clarence passed to Mordecai who was on the other side of the court. Rigby saw this.

"Backcourt Volition, Steven and Connie's ball!"

"Wait! What are we playing to?" Connie asked.

"Twelve!" Rigby called back to her. Connie nodded and passed the ball to Steven. Steven did another layup.

"Four to zero," Connie said. Clarence passed the ball to Mordecai, Mordecai stopped behind the three-point line and took the shot and he made it.

"Awww, yeeeahhhh!" Mordecai exclaimed.

"Wow, Mordecai is good!" Sumo said, watching the game.

"Steven, pass it to me!" Connie said. Steven passed it and she shot a yes, seven more and we win!Steven thought to himself. Clarence passed it to Mordecai and he made another three-point shot, But it bounced off the rim as Connie got the rebound, She passes it to Steven and he made a three with ease. So, they were up by seven.

"Woahhhh! Steven. I didn't know you could shoot threes!" Connie said.

"Maybe I get it from my mom!" he said, jokingly.

Mordecaiand Clarence were down by eight. Mordecai passed the ball to him and he forced it up for two. Clarence didn't make it, but Mordecai grabbed and dunked the rebound. Now they had five. But Steven and Connie had nine points. If they'd made two more three-pointers or three more two-pointers they would have won.

Steven made another two, so they had eleven. Mordecai passed to Clarence and he made a layup. Steven then passed to Connie and she made the three.

"Woah! Steven and Connie both win!" Sumo said

Steven and Connie both hug each other. Mordecai walked to Steven. "Good game, Universe!"

"Thanks. I kicked your butt!" Steven said, Mordecai laughed and ruffled up his hair. The boy giggled and then smiled at his friend.

Steven, Mordecai, Rigby, Clarence, Connie, Jeff, and Sumo were biking back to Beverly Hills, they had a good time together, and Steven was going to call them later today if they wanted to hang out again.

Steeven was riding his bike, it was almost five in the evening. He was going to a restaurant with them. His phone pinged and he took it out of his pocket, a text from Mordecai was all he read and he rode on.

Chapter Text

January 13, 2014

Steven woke up, today was a filming day, he already got his script for the episode 'Serious Steven' Thankfully they were going to have a day off when the filming of Bubble Buddies was supposed to be because they had already done that episode. (But, it wasn't put on TV yet). So they were caught up with filming. And he could han out with his friends.

Steven stood up and went to the bathroom to do his morning stuff, he changed his clothes grabbed his backpack and wallet, and headed out the door, his parents were going to come a little while later. But, he was going to grab breakfast by himself, then head to the studio.

Steven dismounted from his bike and walked into the iHop, he was now eating breakfast when his phone buzzed and it was from his mother, he texted her back that he was at iHop, then rode his bike to the studio.

The boy showed his badge to Buttercup and she let him enter. He rode to his trailer so he could get ready. Steven went inside and turned on the lights.

With his suit and clothes on, he sees his friends Garnet, Ameythest, and Pearl waiting for him. "Hey guys!" he said, smiling at his friends.

"Hello, Steven," Pearl said

"Hey, dude."Amethyst greeted.

"Hey, guys!" Steven smiled and waved at them. Steven went to look for his script in his backpack, the boy almost wanted to beat himself. "Ugh! I forgot my script in my room!" he groaned.

"Don't worry, Steven. You can use mine." Pearl said, handing her script to her friend. Steven smiled and went to study his lines. They had been studying their lines since they'd got it, but Steven wanted to be prepared with every shoot.

"Okay, guys places!" Rebecca told them, they were at the location of 'Finland the amusement park that was made for the show.

"And… Action." Rebecca said.

"Serious Steven, scene one take one." The clapper leader said.

In the vibrant heart of Beach City Funland, chaos reigned. Steven, still groggy and disoriented from an earlier incident, awoke to the jarring sound of an alarm echoing in his ears. As the ringing subsided, a scene of devastation unfolded before him: giant teacups lay strewn across the park, and the familiar faces of his friends, Amethyst and Pearl, were hurt, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. Only Garnet stood unscathed, a steadfast figure amidst the wreckage, her gaze fixed on Steven.

"Cut! That was great guys, let's go to the next scene." The Crystal Gems all go to the house to'warp', which is a stream of blue light shining down onto them to make it look like they areteleporting.

Fast forward two weeks, and the Crystal Gems were warping through a shimmering warp stream. Garnet's voice cut through the excitement, reminding Steven of the gravity of their mission. "Pay attention, Steven. This is going to be your first serious mission. You need to be ready."

"I'm ready! I'm so ready!" Steven exclaimed, spinning upside down in sheer excitement.

Pearl frowned, adjusting him upright, only to be comically hit in the eye by Steven's ukulele, which had inexplicably come along for the ride. "Why did you bring that?" she scoffed.

"I don't know! I was excited!" he replied, chasing after the ukulele as it floated away, oblivious to Pearl's worried call.

They landed on a battlefield that was now a whimsical strawberry field, bright red berries stretching as far as the eye could see. But Steven's landing was less than graceful; he toppled into the sweet mess, groaning, "I'm just gooey."

Rebecca wanted to keep the cameras rolling for this episode.

Laughter erupted from the group as Steven found himself surrounded by butterflies, flailing in a panic. "They're in my eyes!" He darted around until Garnet, with a swift motion, swatted the butterflies away.

"Just butterflies, Steven," she reassured him, though he could only muster a sheepish laugh in response.

As they navigated through the field, the once-battle-scarred terrain now offered a surprising beauty. Pearl twirled in delight, reminiscing about Earth's wonders, while Garnet led them toward an upside-down pyramid temple that loomed ominously in the distance.

With a flick of her wrist, Garnet unlocked the temple's entrance, revealing a path that echoed with the promise of adventure. "Woooaaahhh!" Steven marveled, his voice bouncing off the walls as they stepped inside.

Inside, the temple was alive with echoes of his voice, but curiosity got the better of him when he spotted a small pyramid on a pedestal. Ignoring Pearl's warning, he touched it, triggering a rumble that sent the temple shaking.

"Steven! What have we told you about touching magical things?" Pearl scolded, but it was too late. They found themselves floating towards a hole in the ceiling, the world around them spiraling into chaos.

They landed in a new chamber, and as the Gems recovered, they realized that the layout was bewildering. Doors led to unfamiliar places, and confusion reigned. Steven, determined to help, insisted on joining Garnet as they faced the challenges ahead.

"Serious Steven!... Activate!" he declared, marching forward with newfound resolve. But the moment he stepped onto a non-glowing panel, the entire chamber began to collapse, flames licking at their heels.

"Run!" Garnet shouted, narrowly saving him from a fiery fate. They pressed on, dodging traps and narrowly escaping deadly mechanisms, each moment more intense than the last.

As they ventured deeper, memories of the teacup ride haunted him, mixing fear and nausea. "This is just like the teacups!" he exclaimed, realizing the chaotic spinning mirrored his earlier experience.

With a surge of determination, Steven guided Garnet towards the heart of the temple, where a central floating obelisk awaited. Together, they worked to retrieve the gemstone, causing a chain reaction that sent the temple crumbling around them.

Emerging from the rubble of the strawberry fields, the Crystal Gems regrouped, relief washing over them. Pearl bubbled the gemstone triumphantly, acknowledging Steven's bravery.

"Nice job, 'Serious Steven,'" Amethyst teased, while Garnet handed Steven his beloved ukulele.

With a grin, he tuned it, ready to celebrate their victory. As he began to sing, a flock of butterflies reappeared, swarming around him once more. "Aaaah! They're in my eyes again!" he yelled, laughter mingling with the chaos of their adventure, sealing the day with a reminder that even in the wildest moments, friendship and fun always prevailed.

"And, cut! That was great guys!"she said, Steven picked up his phone and saw texts from Mordecai, he asked if he wanted to come with them for lunch at The Park. Steven texted back and he mounted on his bike again and peddled to the park.

Pops looks out the window and sees Steven, he gets off his bike and ran up the stairs, Pops opens the door and smiles. "Oh, hello, Steven!" he said with a jolly tone.

"Hi, Pops! are Mordecai and Rigby here?"

"Yes, they are in the living room, playing video games!" he said, Steven walked to the living room, Mordecai and Rigby were playing video games on their PlayStation 3, they were doing a mission on Grand Theft Auto IV. And Rigby was playing now. "Come on, Rigby! chase him!" Mordecai said as Rigby was chasing someone on a bike through the city. He drew out his weapon to shoot him off, but it wasn't working.

"Rigby! he's going through that forest!" Mordecai said Rigby turned the bike using the left joystick and he stopped at a forest, Rigby was ambushed as they fired at him.

"Mordecai, you do this!" Rigby said, handing him the controller, Steven sat on the floor as he watched his friends play.

Pops walked into the living room.

"Guys! I made lunch, come on," he said, Mordecai and Rigby paused the game, and Steven got off the floor and walked with his friends.

He sees a gumball machine walk to them. "Hello, Steven."

"Hey, Benson," he said

"Oh, Pops made lunch for us, all of us. your joining?"

"Yeah, Mordecai texted me."

"Alright,we have a table set outside, you can go."

"In the back?" Benson nods, Steven walks to the back and sees a wooden table with eight chairs laid out, Steven sees Muscle Man and Skips playing soccer with each other, and Pops walks out, holding a pot.

"Hey, Pops!"

"Oh, Steven, I have made shrimp pasta. Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, I'm vegetarian. I can eat fish, but I don't like raw fish." he said. Pops nodded and smiled.

"Steven! Come play with us, bro!" Muscle Man said, Steven runs to them and they start to play soccer.

Steven, Skips, Mordecai, Rigby, Pops, Muscle Man, and Benson were all eating Hi Five Ghost was floating by Muscle Man. Everyone was eating. "So, Steven how do you like working on the show?" Benson asked.

"Super fun! It's awesome, I love every second of it."

"Be careful with the paparazzi, they can be a pain in the butt!" Muscle Man tells the boy. Steven puts some parmesan cheese on his spaghetti and looks at him.

"Uh, what?"

"The paparazzi invade your privacy and they do not care what you are doing," Mordecai said.

"Yes, I remember that TMZ took pictures of me when I was loading groceries into my car a week ago," Pops told Steven.

"I remember one time, they followed me into the bathroom in a Walmart!" Muscle Man said. The hybrid shudders.

"I remember that they followed us into a Jimmy John's, we were getting food!" Rigby told him, remembering the story that he and Mordecai were in that situation.

"They were outside my apartment, I wanted to punch their stupid cameras!" Benson said, his gumballs turning red, it was the equivalent of somebody's face turning red.

Steven listened in shock and disbelief, his friends went through all that? he was glad that he wasn't on that path yet.

Right?

Steven tried not to think about it too much, he ate the rest of his food as they were chatting.

Steven rode home, it was six in the evening. He had a tupplewear box that was inside of a plastic bag filled with leftovers. The white bag was tied to one of his handlebars. Steven got a text from both his parents that they were going out. Just the two of them, so it was just him who was going to be at the house.

Approaching his house, he mounted off and grabbed his food, grabbed his key then opened the door. He walks in and sets his food down, he turns on the lights and then turns on the TV and watches Cartoon Network. There was a bumper of The Park, and the house was seen. Pops' laughter was heard coming from the speakers.

"Hello, Pops here. Up Next is Adventure Time, then The Amazing World Of Gumball, later it is more Adventure Time this is Cartoon Network, what a Jolly good show!"More laughter was then heard.

Steven smiles. He loves seeing his friends enjoying this, even though he enjoys it. The boy went to take a shower. He took off his shirt and put it in the hamper, then his pants, he went to the bathroom and turned on the water.

The hybrid was sitting, playing PlayStation. He played NBA 2K '13 until his parents got home.

Chapter Text

January, 2014

Steven parks his bike next to the house, Mordecai and Rigby have three tickets for a wrestling match that they are going to tonight. Steven does not support violence in any way shape or form, but…. It was rude to turn stuff down, Steven saw that there were two names on the tickets, Violet Sky and Purple Puma, he has never liked wrestling much. But, he thinks it will be fun to do something with his friends.

"Hey, Steven, ready to go to the WOW mach?" Rigby said, running on all fours out of the house, Mordecai walked out and closed the door, he held his phone in his hand.

"Okay, guys. the Uber is going to pick us up." He said, walking towards them. Steven and Rigby both nod their heads.

They see the Uber and go to LA for the match.

Ameythet sat in the locker room, her opponent walked to her. "Hey, good luck," Violet said.

"Thanks, you too," she said, shaking her hand. Ameythest wore a pair of purple shorts, a bra, and white knee-high boots, which she was tying. She wore a device so if something were to happen to her gem during the match, it wouldn't crack and alter her physical form.

Thank the stars my parents aren't here…. I would be shattered if they found out….

Ameythest stood up straight and walked to her locker and grabbed her spare bottle of water. She grabbed a hair tie and tied her hair back into a ponytail

"You ready?" Violet asked her, Ameythest smirked and nodded.

"Heck yeah.. Hey, if either of us wins. Looser has to buy dinner."

"Your on, Geodesone!"

"Hello and welcome to the WOW match! today we have two female wrestlers both from Agoura Hills California, the first wrestler is a new face— Ameythest 'Purple Puma' Geodstone!" Ameythest walked out, her face on the big screen as smoke and lights were making her entrance more dramatic.

"Steven! Isn't that your friend?" Mordecai asked. his eyes widened they went starry as he saw her get in the ring.

Then Violet Sky entered from the other side, she went to the ring and sat across from her opponent.

"Here are the rules, nothing below the belt, And if you are a gem. You are not allowed to shapeshift during the match." Ameythest nods in understanding.

"Now, let's get ready!"

The bell rings and both women get to work.

Steven was worried that something was going to happen to his friend.

Twenty-five minutes pass, and Steven sees a puff of white smoke, Voilet looks at her gem, and the referee looks and puts his knees on the mat and slaps his hand. "One.. Two… Three! Violet Sky wins!" he declared.

Steven sat there, silent. He couldn't believe he saw that he stood up and walked out. "Steven!" both Rigby and Mordecai yelled out and went after him.

Steven was in the bathroom. Mordecai and Rigby were looking for him.

"Mordecai, I found him!" the raccoon said, Mordecai saw a pair of black Converse high tops. "Steven?" Mordecai said Rigby pushed open the door, and it was unlocked.

Mordecai saw that Steven's head was on his knees and he heard his friend sniffling s little bit. "Steven, dude?" he asked. Mordecai sat by his friend, and Rigby sat on the other side of him.

"I-Is she okay?" Steven asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I think she'll be fine, Steven…" Rigby said. "Hey, I have an idea. you want to go see her?" Mordecai asked.

Steven looked up and nodded.

Violet and Ameythest were both wearing their normal clothes, Ameythest reformed after a few minutes, she wore a pair of black jeans, a white hoodie, and a pair of white Converse.

Steven, Mordecai, and Rigby walk out, Steven sees Ameythest, runs up to her, and hugs her. "Steven?!"

"You know him, Ames?" Violet asked.

"Yeah, we work on Steven Universe together. What are you doing here, dude?" she asked ruffling his fuzzy hair.

"I was watching you with Mordecai and Rigby, sorry you didn't win… I was so scared when you were poofed!"

"Aw, don't worry about me, Steven. I'm fine!" she said. Extending her arms out, her oversized hoddie reaching her legs.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah! I'll see you on set!" she said, walking to Voilet's car.

Steven smiled and waved, Ameythest shot a peace sign and his friends walked forward.

"Told you, dude," he said, The boy smiled, Mordecai and Rigby drove back to the park, so Steven could grab his bike to go back to his house.

Ameythest snuck into her house, She closed the window and made her way upstairs. But the lights turned on, and Ameythest saw who turned them on, A chill ran down her form as she saw her father standing there, wearing a pair of shorts and a light brown compression shirt.

"Ameythest Geodstone what were you thinking! wrestling! are you serious, you could've been shattered!"

"I'm fine! see, I'm not hurt what do you want from me!"

"What do I want from you? I want you to be safe, Ameythest!"

"Safe? I AM A CRYSTAL GEM, DAD!"

"I thought you were better than this, I am not talking to you about this anymore, you're grounded for a week! the only thing you are allowed to do is go to the studio and go home, am I clear?"

Ameythest tried not to roll her eyes and looked up at her father with a fake smile. "Yes, papa," she said, hands behind her back.

"I'm serious. Do I need to track your phone?"

"What? NO!"

"Then what do you want?"

"IS FOR YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE! I NEVER ASKED TO BE HERE, I AM JUST A BIG MISTAKE TO YOU, AREN'T I?!"

Adrain then saw her run up the stairs. The quartz sighed and went to her room and slammed the door. She sat on the floor and put her hands in her hair.

Steven was hanging out with Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo. They were all walking from the arcade. the boys were now going for some tacos, Steven found a restaurant that sells vegetarian tacos too so that it would be perfect for all of them.

They walk in and they see pictures on the wall ranging from celebrities from KE$HA to his picture with the Crystal Gems on the wall. Then someone walked up.

"Hi, table for four?"

"Yes," Steven said, taking a menu from the holder and reading it.

"What are you gonna get?" Jeff said

"Meow!" Steven hissed at him. Jeff backed up. "Yo, chill!" Sumo said, Steven looked up.

"What?" Steven said, reading the rest of the menu. The host walked them, Steven put the menu away and followed them to a table. Steven sat down.

Here are your menus, can I get you started with something to drink?"

"Can I get water?" Steven asked.

"Fruit punch," Sumo told him

"Lemonade," Jeff said

"Can I have strawberry lemonade?" Clarence asked.

"Alright, do you guys need to look at the menus?"

"I know what I want, The tofu soft tacos."

"Are you alright with cheese in it?"

"Yeah," Steven said.

"Do you want it fried or raw? the tofu."

"Fried if you can," he said, handing him the menu.

"Oh, I just love your show, I watch it with my kid all the time. They love it." he said.

"Cool, what's your name?"

"Jack."

"Do you want an autograph for you and your kid?"

"Yeah, their name is star."

"Aw, I love that name so much. You like space?"

"Yeah, my wife is an astronomer."

"That's so cool!" Steven smiled "Oh, can I have your notepad? I can sign it and give it back to you." Jack nods and puts it on the table, he grabs a pen from his apron pocket and signs his name on it, Stene puts it and draws stars around it then hands him the notepad back.

"Here, Jack." he smiled and handed him his stuff.

"Thank you, Steven!" he said as he was overjoyed with this opportunity. Steven smiles and nods. "It's a pleasure, dude." the hybrid said.

They all get their drinks. Jack took his notepad and pen. "Alright, are you guys ready to order?"

"I'll take the fried tofu soft shell tacos," Steven said.

"I'll have the cheese quesadillas," Jeff said.

"I'll take that too," Clarence said.

"I want a burrito with beef," Sumo told him.

"Beans, cheese, everything inside is okay?"

"Yeah! yeah! yeah!" Sumo nodded his head excitedly, Steven tried not to giggle at that moment.

They all got their food and started eating.

"Hey, did you see the match last night?" Sumo asked Steven, mentioning the wrestling match that happened last night, Steven did not want to bring that up again, after what happened with his friend.

"Y-Yeah…" he said, eating one of his tacos.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Clarence asked.

"My friend got poofed at the match, Mordecai and Rigby found me in the bathroom last night."

"Aw, man. You okay now, right?" Sumo asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Steven smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine… Thanks, guys…." he said.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were at Jeff's house. They were all in his room playing on his PlayStation. Steven had the controller in his hands, playing with his friends.

He gets a FaceTime call from Ameythest. He picked up the phone. "Hey, I have to cancel."

"What, why? we were planning to go to the movies with the Crystal Gems since forever, what happened?"

"My dad found out about my wrestling career, and now. he doesn't want me to leave the house, except for filming."

"Ugh, that sucks. How long are you in lockdown for?"

"A week, it's not so bad. We are filming in two days, right? So I can still work." she said, sighing.

"How can I be such a dingle?" she asked.

Steven looks at his screen, and Ameythest's face shows that she is bored and miserable.

"Again, at least you'll have the show to keep yourself busy."

"That's true… Well, I'll to you later stee man," she said, ending the call. Steven picked up the controller again and continued playing, feeling guilty about Ameythest's situation.

Steven returned home a few hours later, Greg and Rose were in the living room, Greg was strumming his acoustic guitar, and Rose looked up from her laptop when she heard the door close. "Hey, Steven." She said.

"Her, mom," he said, hugging her. Rose hugs her son back and smiles, Steven also smiles. Rose kisses his forehead. Steven smiled and hugged her again.

Steven went to his room and sat on his bed, he connected his phone to play some rock music from his speaker.

Chapter Text

January 19, 2014

Amethyst got up, she checked her phone and saw that it was a filming day. She went to the bathroom to get ready.

Fred jumped onto her shoulder as Ash's Pikachu would in Pokémon. "Hey, Fred," she said, taking out some food from her backpack and handing it to her pet.

Fred ate his food happily and Ameythest went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth, She changed her clothes into a white Blink-182 T-shirt, she wore a pair of shorts and that pair of Converse that she wore last night.

Walking out of her room, she went downstairs, grabbed her bike, and went to the studio in Burbank.

Steven was riding his bike to the studio also, His backpack was on him, containing his script for the episode they were going to do. They were filming an episode titled "Tiger Millionaire." Steven still couldn't shake the feeling of Ameythest being poofed at the match a few nights prior.

He peddled to his trailer and walked in. He got into costume and headed out to meet the actors and crew at the 'Temple' which was just a soundstage that had an open floor with a bedroom.

"Hey, Steven," Pearl said, seeing him.

"Hey, Pearl," he said, grabbing a bottle of water, opening it then taking a drink. Garnet walked up, eating a sandwich she got from the snack table.

"Hey, Garnet," he said.

"Howdy, hey have any of you seen Amethyst?"

"No. She's supposed to be coming though, She has a huge part in this episode. She has most of the lines." Pearl said, taking out her phone. "Let me call her," she said, She was about to call her, then she peddled into the soundstage and braked in front of them.

"Oh, Amethyst, you're here," Steven said.

"Yeah, sorry. I was caught up in something. But, I'm fine." she said,

"Alright, guys We go on in five!" Rebecca called. She ran to her trailer to change into her costume. Steven saw the other actors. He sees Lars.

"Hey, Lars!" he said.

"Hey, Steven." he waved at the boy. Steven walks over towards him. Lars knelt to his level and gave him a side hug.

"Sup, Dude, you okay?" he asked, Steven nodded then gave him a thumbs up. "Hey, after filming we're going to see a movie at Sadie's house, you wanna come?" he asked.

"M-Me… I thought you guys weren't going to like me."

"What? Steven. We like you, what makes you say that?"

"Well… I'm thirteen and you guys are much older."

"Dude, so what? We don't have to be co-workers, we can be friends also." Lars said, he smiled and ruffled Steven's hair. Steven laughs and smiles also.

"Thanks, Lars," he said, Then. Rebecca walked into the soundstage.

"Okay, guys! Take your places!"

"And, action!"

"Steven Universe: Tiger Millionaire Scene one take one."

Under the shimmering glow of the Crystal Temple, the air buzzed with energy as the Crystal Gems warped back onto the Warp Pad. Pearl's voice cut through the excitement, drenched in irritation.

"How could you possibly think punching a blood polyp was a good idea?" she scolded, flicking away a stubborn piece of gunk clinging to her arm. "Look at all this mess you made! And look at Steven!"

Steven stood there, a thick layer of gunk covering him except for his face, which bore a look of casual acceptance. "It's not so bad once you get used to it."

"See? He likes it!" Amethyst chimed in with a smirk

Pearl, not convinced, continued, "He certainly won't like it when it hardens."

"Uhh, what? Umm, I'm gonna go wash," Steven said, his voice tinged with worry as he waddled away, only to get stuck as the gunk hardened around him.

"Uh, guys?" he called out helplessly, but Pearl was too busy chastising Amethyst, who playfully stuck her tongue out.

"You're always putting us in danger with your little outbursts!" Pearl exclaimed, her frustration palpable.

"Yeah, yeah. And don't forget 'reckless,' 'vulgar,' 'loudmouth.' And that's just what makes me so awesome!" Amethyst shot back, glancing at Garnet for support.

"Amethyst, you are a Crystal Gem. You need to act like it," Garnet replied, crossing her arms.

"Fine!" Amethyst huffed, heading to her room, leaving Pearl and Garnet to exchange hopeful glances.

"See? I think we really got through to her!" Pearl smiled, but Garnet only groaned, choosing to leave the house while Steven remained stuck in the hardened gunk.

"Cut, that was great guys! Let's go to the next scene!"

"And… Action!"

Steven Universe: Tiger Millionaire Scene Two take one."

Later that night, Steven was fast asleep, encased in his gooey prison. The Temple Gate opened, stirring him awake just as Amethyst rushed out wearing a vibrant cape. The sudden movement caused the gunk to shatter, freeing Steven

"Amethyst?" he called, curiosity piqued as he followed her to an abandoned warehouse.

"Action!"

"Steven Universe: Tiger Millionaire Scene Three take one."

Peeking through a dusty window, Steven's eyes widened in disbelief. Inside, Mr. Smiley emceed a wrestling tournament, and in the center of the ring stood none other than Amethyst, now transformed into the fierce Purple Puma.

"Welcome to the Beach City Underground's most hated wrestler!" Mr. Smiley announced as the audience booed.

Steven whispered in shock, "What!?"

As the match unfolded, it became clear that Amethyst relished the chaos, reveling in her role as the villain. Steven, filled with excitement, couldn't contain his admiration.

"Are you a secret wrestler?" he asked, starry-eyed.

"Yeah," Amethyst grinned, embracing the thrill of the ring. "And if they try to tell me what to do, I HIT 'EM IN THE FACE WITH A CHAIR!"

"People... like that?" Steven asked, his innocence shining through.

"They love it! Well, they hate it, but it's all part of the fun!" Amethyst laughed, but Steven felt a tug at his heartstrings, sensing the thrill and the rebellion she enjoyed

"Action!"

"Steven Universe: Tiger Millionaire Scene Four take one."

"Let me be a wrestler with you! I'm so stifled!" Steven exclaimed, and after a moment's thought, Amethyst reluctantly agreed—under one condition: he couldn't tell Pearl or Garnet.

As Steven crafted his wrestling persona, Tiger Millionaire, complete with stylish props, he felt a surge of confidence. Amethyst watched, amused, as he excitedly introduced his character.

Despite the cheers and boos of the audience, Steven found joy in the wild world of wrestling. Together, he and Amethyst formed a formidable tag team, defeating their opponents with cunning and a touch of mischief.

"Action!"

"Steven Universe: Tiger Millionaire Scene Five take one."

As they climbed the ranks, the anticipation grew for the championship match. But the excitement was tempered by the disapproval of Pearl and Garnet, who finally discovered their secret.

"What are you doing here?!" Amethyst shouted, caught off guard.

"We can't believe you've been sneaking off to this... circus of violence!" Pearl exclaimed, holding up a drawing of their wrestling personas.

In the midst of chaos, Steven took the microphone and passionately defended their love for wrestling. "Can't we just have this? Can't we just wrestle?"

The audience rallied behind him, chanting for Tiger Millionaire and Purple Puma, drowning out the objections of Pearl and Garnet.

"Action!"

"Steven Universe: Tiger Millionaire Scene Six Takeone."

As the match reached its climax, Steven's heartfelt plea resonated through the arena. In a surprising turn of events, Garnet and Pearl found themselves caught up in the moment, realizing that wrestling was more than just a fight; it was a celebration of freedom, friendship, and individuality

In a whirlwind of chaos, the unlikely allies triumphed, claiming the tag team belts and proving that even the most jaded critics could find joy in the wildness of wrestling.

As the crowd roared, Steven and Amethyst stood victorious, their bond stronger than ever, having discovered that sometimes, the wildest adventures come from embracing who you truly are.

The night ended with laughter and cheers, and as the camera zoomed in on Lars shedding a tear for his newfound hero, the star iris faded to black, leaving behind the unforgettable spirit of the wrestling world they had created together.

"Cut, that is a wrap, good job guys!"

"Steven, Wanna ride with us, Sadie has a car, we can put your bike in the back."

"A-are you sure?" Steven asked, rubbing his right arm.

"Dude, come on. It'll be fun, we have popcorn and candy, and we can even order pepperoni pizza." Lars said.

"Okay, except for the pizza part, I'm vegetarian."

"No problem. We can get sushi."

"Okay, but I don't eat fish."

"We can get something without fish for you," Sadie said, walking towards them. Steven smiled.

"Thanks, guys," he said as they walked to Sadie's car, which was a red Audi.

"Hey, what about my bike?" he asked, holding it by the handlebars.

"Oh, I can put it in the trunk," Sadie said, opening the trunk, grabbing itlifting it, and putting it in. Steven sat in the back. Lars got into the passenger seat and Sadie went into the driver's seat. Steven looked out the window as they went to Sadie's house.

When they got there, Steven stepped out and waited for Sadie to unlock the door. She put the keys in and went into the house,Lars andSadie went downstairs, and Steven followed them.

"Woah, this is your room, Sadie?" he asked.

"Yeah, pretty cool, right?" she asked. Steven nodded and sat on a beanbag chair that was on the floor, Sadie went to her movie shelf and picked out a movie for the three of them to watch. She has a combination of VHS tapes and DVDs.

Steven looks at her shelf. "Woah, you have a lot of stuff," he said, looking at her grabbing something, she grabbed a CD and put it into the DVD player and they watched the movie.

Steven was hiding under the covers the whole time because he was scared. Sadie saw the lump under the covers and smiled softly, she touched Steven's shoulder.

"Everything will be okay. Alright?" she asked. Steven pulled back the covers, he was shaking, and tears were coming out of the boy's eyes.

"Aw, dude," she said, wrapping her arm around the boy, Steven hugged her and buried his head in her chest.

"Lars. We can watch the movie when Steven's not here," she told her friend.

Lars paused it and looked at Sadie, Sadie smiled softly and kept holding Steven.

"The z-z-ombies aren't going to come out and get us?"

"Oh sure, Steven. Their gem-eating zombies, will pull out your gem, shatter it, and eat it, then. When they're done, they will eat you!" Lars sneered.

Steven fell off the bed and then scrambled to his feet, he ran up the stairs to another part of the house.

"LARS!" Sadie yelled, getting up to find him, She walked upstairs to search for her friend. She walked upstairs and heard something, she walked up the stairs and knocked.

"Come in." a voice sees her brother, a young man with medium-length, wavy blonde hair. He is wearing a dark jacket and his back is facing her.

A short boy stood by his desk as the older man played video games on his computer.

"Hey, Sadie."

"Hey, Mike," she said. Then, she sees her friend beside her brother.

"Hey, Sadie! I didn't know you had a brother." the hybrid said.

Sadie blushes in embarrassment.

"Well, nobody asked. So, I never told anyone."

"That's so cool!" he said. Sadie smiles and nods.

"I'm going to order sushi now, what do you want?" Sadie asked her friend

"I'll take imitation crab and avocado."

"Alright," she said, walking downstairs.

They were eating sushi now, Steven dipped his roll into spicy mayo and popped it into his mouth.

"So," Lars said, breaking open his pair of chopsticks and taking a spicy tuna roll and eating it. He then spoke after he swallowed his sushi. "What do you wanna watch, Steven? Sorry, what I said by the way…" He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's okay, can we turn it on to Cartoon Network instead?" he asks, Sadie smiles and turns it to cable and they watch Cartoon Network, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends is on. They continued eating their food, then Steven went home on his bike.

Chapter Text

Steven and Connie were walking down Hollywood together. Steven was listening to music. Connie saw a store. "Hey, let's go here," she said, walking into a shoe store. Steven nodded and they walked in, some people saw both Steven and Connie, and then some fans walked toward them asking them for their autographs and taking pictures with the child actors.

"Thank you so much!" A girl said, half Steven's height hugging the hybrid. Steven smiled and hugged her back, then they walked around the store.

"Hey, Steven, check these out," she said, holding a pair of pink and white checkered Vans.

"Ohhh, I like them!" he said, looking for his size.

"Oh! Just my luck, they have my size!" Steven exclaimed in excitement holding the box in his hands. Connie smiles.

"Buy them, you have cash?"

"Yeah, I do," he said putting the box down and pulling out his wallet to make sure that he had the right amount. They both went to the cashier and paid for his shoes.

Then they walk out and start walking down the streets. Connie looks at Steven, the bag from the shoe store.

They kept walking, suddenly, they were surrounded by three or four guys. Steven sees the guys holding small weapons in their hands. "Hey kids, where is your mama?"

"She's not here!" Steven said, about to materialize his shield if he had to. Connie put his back towards him, they were ready. But, only one problem. Both Steven and Connie did not know how to fight. But, they had to try to defend themselves in this situation.

One of the guys charged at them with their weapon and tried to strike them, but Steven blocked it by using his shield, One of the guys went for him, and Steven activated his bubble, he and Connie were now protected by them, But the guys weren't giving up.

Steven dropped the bubble and they ran for it, they didn't get too far as the guys came after them.

"Aw come on! why won't they leave us alone?" Steven asked. The guys circled them once again, Steven held his friend's hand as something in them changed, Steven noticed that his gem was glowing pink and two beings came into one.

The guys saw one person now, they were taller their skin was tan with purple hair, they had a combination of Steven's and Connie's clothes, and Connie's glasses were on their faces. "Woah… what happened? Steven? Connie?"

They looked at their hands for a moment, The guys were still standing there, they still were wielding their handheld weapons. They raised their shield again, and then the man with it struck them, but didn't, instead it hit their shield. The men were wide-eyed and surprised by this, how was this happening?

They now took the opportunity to run from the men who attacked them for no reason, then both Steven and Connie defused and they looked at each other in shock and disbelief.

"Steven?"

"Yeah?"

"What happened?"

"I… I don't know… But, I don't know how to tell my parents…" Steven said, gripping his arm. Connie looks at him in shock, he doesn't know how to tell his parents. His parents were the most supportive people on the planet! What in the heck was he talking about? But, Connie shrugged it off and they kept walking.

Connie, Jeff, Sumo, Clarence, and Steven were at Clarnce's house. They were going to play a game outside, Jeff and Sumo both had water guns, and Clarence had one too. Steven and Connie were going to defend each other from a glass of water, Sumo explained the rules of the game:

"Okay everyone, if you get hit with a blast of water, you're out! Steven and Connie, you two are on defense. Your job is to try to hit us with water also. Steven, you can use your shield to protect yourselves."

They all nod and the game began.

Steven sprayed Clarence and the others with water, Sumo ran to a free and put his back towards it, Clarence tried spraying Steven, but Steven summoned his shield and blocked it.

Connie ran to Jeff and tried spraying him, Jeff jumped back and dodged his attack then sprayed him, Connie rested her back towards Steven and tried spraying them with a stream of water.

Connie holds his hand. Steven held it too as they were engulfed in a pink light Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo stopped playing as they saw what was happening. When they become one they are in shock and awe.

They all see someone with an average/athletic build that combines Connie's slim figure with Steven's stocky features. They have curly black hair that reaches their thighs and a complexion slightly darker than Steven's, and also, they are barefoot.

"S-Steven, C-Connie? Is that you guys?" Jeff asked walking towards them, Jeff reached their waist.

'Woah, guys. Is that you?" Clarence walked toward them, he reached their leg. Sumo was reaching their legs also.

"Yep, it's us. Pretty cool right?" they asked.

"Cool! You guys are awesome! maybe you guys can sneak us into a PG-13 movie!" Clarence said.

"Um, Clarence, we are above thirteen," Jeff said

"And Steven is thirteen," Stevonnie said.

"Oh… Um, we can go on rollercoasters."

"Only Stevonnie can pass the height requirements to ride a roller coaster, Clarence," Jeff said.

"Aw, what?" Sumo asked. "No way," he said, Clarence smiled at that, and he rubbed the back of his head. "I… kind of forgot that we were fifteen. And we are tall," he said.

Stevonnie laughed at that. It was true, they were two years apart from each other. Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all then resumed the game, with Stevonnie as defense now.

"Wow guys, you're all soaked from playing, all of you guys take a shower," Mary said, handing them dry towels from the laundry room. They took one and went off.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" Connie asked, he, Clarence, and Jeff were waiting for Sumo to step out of the shower.

"Yeah! It was a lot of fun!" Steven said, starry-eyed. Connie smiled and heard the water turn off, Connie went first.

"Hey, Steven, wanna watch Pokémon?" Clarence asked. Steven, Connie, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all on the couch in the living room. Mary was making them snacks as they were changing the channel to Cartoon Network, there was a huge Pokémon marathon on today. So they wanted to watch.

Mary set the snacks down with assorted fruits and veggies, Steven picked up a few grapes and ate them. Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Connie helped themselves as they watched the show.

Steven then felt his phone vibrate. It was from his mother, he read the notification that was in white.

Going out with your dad tonight, I locked the house. Go from the garage if you're coming home.

Steven texted her that he would spend the night over at Clarence's house. He looked at his phone, It was Friday, so there was no filming until Sunday.

He and his friends continue watching Pokémon. They were all eating dinner that Mary prepared for them, which was dino chicken nuggets. But Steven couldn't have any because he was vegetarian, so Mary gave him something else.

Steven and everyone went to Clarence's room, Steven was on the top bunk and Clarence was on the bottom, Sumo, Jeff, and Connie were on the floor, and Jeff turned on Clarence's system. Steven grabs a controller and they play video games.

Steven was riding his bike back to Beverley Hills, he was with Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo. Connie went home, it was almost noon as they were entering Steven's neighborhood, which was lined with palm trees and nice cars.

Clarence, Jeff, Sumo and Steven all parked and got off their bikes. Sumo left him on the driveway which was next to Greg's van. They all went inside. Steven saw the back door open and he walked outside, Greg was in the pool, leaning up against the edge, looking down at his phone.

Rock music was playing through the speakers "Hey, dad!" Steven said, Greg looked up at his son and waved.

"Steven! Your back, how was last night?"

"Connie and I fused!" Greg couldn't believe what he just said, He looked at his son with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"You and Connie fused?" he asked.

"Yeah!" Steven said Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo walked out.

"Hey, Steven! wanna play basketball at the park?" Clarence asked him, he found a basketball in the house.

"Sure, Let's go. Bye, Dad!" he called out, going back into the house and walking back out with his friends.

Clarence Jeff, Sumo, and Steven all took their bikes and went to The Park where Mordecai and Rigby work while they're not doing the show.

They went to The Park, Steven went onto the basketball court, it was empty. "Okay, guys! Let's go. First up to ten wins." Steven said, calling out.

"Aw come on! why do you have to call out the shots!" Sumo called out.

"Okay, Clarence, what do you want to do?" Steven asked him, he was the one who had the idea of going to the park in the first place.

"Let's do…. First one to fifteen wins, Steven you're on my team, Sumo and Jeff, you're a team," he said.

Steven stood next to Clarence, and then they played. Then two figures walk up, it is Muscle Man and Hi Five Ghost.

"Hey guys!" They stop playing and look at them.

"Hey, Mitch!" Steven waved.

"Can we watch?" Hi Five Ghost asked.

"Sure!" Jeff and Suno both said simultaneously. "WOO!" Muscle Man exclaimed, running towards the bleachers to take a seat.

Steven checked the ball to Sumo, he checked the ball back to him and they played.

"Wow, Jeff. You stink at basketball" Sumo said, Sumo and Jeff both lost to Clarence and Steven by seven points.

Then, they all had some fun at the park until it was time to go back home.

Chapter Text

January 27, 2014

Steven biked to the studio. It was a Sunday morning and they were doing an episode for their show. Steven sees a desert setting, the lights are making the soundstage warm. He walked up to the director, talking to a man with a beard.

"Hey, Rebecca!" he greeted. The woman turned around and smiled.

"Hey, Steven. This is… Steven. He's my brother."

"Hey, Steven." the boy said, shaking his hand.

"Hey, nice to meet you, Crystal Gem Steven." Steven giggled at that.

"Do you have a job here too?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm the background designer. So all the sets you've used so far, are designed by me." he said.

"Wooooah, cooollll," Steven said, starry-eyed.

"Yeah! It is," he said, ruffling the hybrid's hair. Steven laughed.

Steven waited for the Crystal Gems out here instead of the soundstage since it was way too hot in there right now.

Steven sees the Crystal Gems walk into view. "Sup, Steven!" Ameythest said, giving him a hi-five.

"Hey," he said hi fiving her back.

"So, Rebecca. Um…. I have a question about the new script."

"Sure, Pearl."

Pearl grabbed her script which was stored inside her gem, she turned a few pages. Her lines were highlighted in blue. She finds it and hands it to Rebecca. Then points to it.

"Are you sure it's safe to use a real lion?"

"Well, it's not… A wild one, its—he's tame, Pearl. Rose told me that she can… Bring things back after they are… Deceased. When you guys were on Earth she told me that she had eight or seven lions, one of them got hurt and she brought one of them back to life with her healing tears."

"Wait… Mom did that?" Steven asked, amazed at how his mother could do that.

Well, she did heal my arm. But it wasn't pink.

Steven nodded and walked off so he could get changed for the show.

Rose and Greg were sitting in the director's chairs, they sat by Rebecca. They were going to watch the show LIVE but with no talking. Rose turned off her phone, and Greg also did. Then, they got started with the episode.

"Steven Universe: Steven's Lion, scene one, take one."

In the heart of a sprawling desert, the sun blazed down relentlessly, casting heat waves that danced above the sandy expanse. A towering sandstone column cracked and collapsed, sending a cascade of sand tumbling to the ground. Clambering over the resulting pile were the Crystal Gems, with Steven trailing behind, crawling in desperation.

"W-Water… Water…" he murmured, his voice hoarse from thirst.

"Steven, it'll be safer if you stand up and walk," Pearl urged, concern etched on her face.

But Steven, caught in the throes of his imagined desert plight, replied, "You don't understand… This… is how… you're supposed to act in the desert…" He paused, fatigue overtaking him, and finally rose to his feet, dripping with sweat. "Is this the thing? The place?"

"Yes, Steven," Garnet confirmed, her gaze fixed on a faint silhouette in the distance. "The power in the structures has turned aimless."

As they pressed on, Pearl's voice rose in alarm. "It's building columns with no roofs, stairs that go nowhere! This is out of control!"

"Then I guess we better…" Amethyst chimed in, playfully leap-frogging over Steven. "…Roll on over there." A mischievous grin spread across her face.

"Amethyst, that was a bit unnecessary," Pearl scolded, though she couldn't suppress a smile.

Suddenly, a deep roar echoed through the sands, sending a shiver down Steven's spine. "What was that?!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with fear.

"Let's go!" shouted Amethyst, ready for adventure.

"It'll be best if you stay here, Steven," Garnet advised her tone firm yet reassuring.

"But what if something eats me?!" Steven protested, panic rising in his voice.

"Do not worry, Wet One," Garnet said, wiping the sweat from Steven's forehead and flicking it playfully back at him. "There's nothing out here that can harm you. See you soon."

Reluctantly, Steven watched as the Gems ventured off into the desert, his heart pounding in the stillness. He found a patch of shade beneath a towering sandstone column, muttering, "It's… so… desert."

As he shielded his eyes from the blazing sun, he heard a strange groaning sound. Lifting his shirt slightly, he scanned the area, reminding himself, "Nothing can harm me. I am the Wet One." That's when he spotted a shadowy figure lurking nearby, its gaze fixed on him.

"Good thing this column was here," he whispered, retreating behind it just as it gave way, revealing a pink-furred lion. Startled, Steven stumbled back and gasped as a wall of sand erected behind him, trapping him.

"No, no!" he cried, cowering in fear. The lion merely stared at him, its expression unbothered. Then, it yawned, flopped down, and fell asleep.

"Huh," Steven said, curiosity overcoming his fright. Tentatively, he approached the lion, flinching when its ear twitched. Gaining confidence, he reached out, placing his palm on the lion's nose. "Don't bite!" he yelped, quickly backing off.

But the lion remained calm, allowing Steven to pet its soft mane. "Aw, you just wanted attention, didn't you?" he cooed, stroking the creature's body. "You're like the cotton candy of the jungle!"

As if in response, the lion tipped over, causing Steven to tumble off, only to climb back on again. "I always wanted an animal friend," he mused, "but I thought it would be like a goldfish or a dinosaur!" Just then, an explosion echoed in the distance, and a shockwave sent sand flying everywhere.

"Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl are coming! Quick, put my head in your mouth!" Steven exclaimed, attempting to pry open the lion's jaws.

"Steven! What is that?!" Pearl shouted as she and the other Gems rushed back, weapons drawn.

"It's okay! Look, he's totally tame!" Steven reassured, but Pearl was unconvinced.

"That's impossible," she replied, lowering her weapon.

"No, it isn't! I-I taught him to say 'I love you!'" He mimicked the lion's mouth, "I love you!"

Amethyst laughed, "That's so sweet! I-I love you too!"

Pearl groaned, "Get your hands out of that thing's mouth. We have to get the Desert Glass out of the desert."

As the Gems prepared to leave, Steven bid a tentative goodbye to his newfound friend. "Hey Lion, I gotta go. I feel like you really get me," he said, waving as they moved away.

"Cut! Let's go to the next scene." Rebecca said, standing up. The actors and camera crew moved. Steven fanned himself from the heat, Pearl handed him a bottle of water that she stored inside her gem.

"Thanks, Pearl," he said opening the bottle and taking a long drink.

"I need to get you a water bottle, Steven," Rose tells her son. Steven nodded.

"I can bike to Walmart," he told his mother. Rose nodded. She can trust him to go by himself. They were at the beach house\Crystal Temple set now, everyone got into their paces and they started.

"Steven Universe: Steven's Lion, scene two, take one."

Steven and Amethyst had constructed an impressive pillow fort, nestled snugly under a pile of cushions. The two of them drifted into a peaceful slumber, with the sparkling Desert Glass perched atop their fort, shimmering in the sunlight.

Suddenly, a scratching sound echoed through the air, stirring Steven from his dreams. He blinked groggily, the noise tugging at his curiosity. "What's that sound?" he murmured sleepily. Amethyst, still half-asleep, quickly covered his mouth with her hand. "All I hear is your mouth," she mumbled, clearly enjoying her nap despite the commotion.

Steven, puzzled, pointed out, "I thought Gems don't need sleep." Amethyst sighed contentedly, "We don't, but it feels good, though." Just as the scratching continued, Steven grumbled and got up, muttering about the annoyance—suspecting a kid trying to sell him lava insurance."

With a determined expression, he flung open the front door, only to be met by an unexpected sight. "Lion!" he gasped in surprise. "Oh my gosh! You came all this way to see little old me?" Lion attempted to enter the house, but Steven halted him, cautioning, "Woah, you're fresh. Amethyst is pretend-sleeping."

With a sense of excitement bubbling within him, Steven stepped outside, eager to reunite with his friend. "Now we can do everything best friends do!"

As the sun hung high in the sky, Steven stood confidently atop a cliff, his loyal companion Lion sitting patiently below. "Okay, here I come! Get into position, ready?" he shouted, adrenaline coursing through him. Lion didn't move, his gaze fixed on Steven. "And catch me! I'm jumping!" Steven called out, but Lion remained still. "Catch me! I'm falling! Do it, catch me, I'll die! Eeee!"

In a moment of misfortune, Steven stumbled and fell down the cliff, landing unceremoniously face-first in the sand. "Oof," he groaned, brushing himself off as he moved towards the beach, holding a tennis ball tightly in his hand. "Okay, gonna throw this ball. Here it comes!"

He hurled the ball towards Lion, who watched it land without a flicker of interest. "WHAAAAAAAAT?! That throw was so good!" Steven exclaimed, running to retrieve it. "Lion! All you gotta do is catch it in your mouth!" He demonstrated, but Lion remained indifferent. "Aw, you don't like that one either?"

Determined to impress his friend, Steven led Lion to Fish Stew Pizza, believing cats loved fish and everyone adored pizza. Peeking through the glass door, he spotted Onion devouring a slice and Ronaldo tapping away on his laptop. "Hey guys!" he greeted, but no one seemed to respond as he leaned against the counter.

"What're you having, Steven?" Kiki asked, eyeing him curiously. "Large pizza please, extra fishy," he replied with a chuckle. "I'm ordering for two." Ronaldo, overhearing him, did a dramatic spit-take. "Steven's pregnant?!" he exclaimed.

"I don't think so," Steven laughed, "but I have a giant pet lion right outside!" He tried to convince them, but Ronaldo only scoffed, and Kiki dismissed them with another pun, leaving Steven feeling deflated.

As he walked back home, disappointment weighed on him. Just then, he spotted Lion scratching at the front door. "Hey, hey Lion! You left me at the pizza place! I looked like a fool!" he complained. Lion, however, broke through the door, completely ignoring Steven's protests.

Inside, Amethyst remained blissfully asleep under the pillow fort. But Lion, clearly agitated, howled at the Desert Glass, sending Amethyst tumbling off the couch as she groggily yawned. "Keep it down, Steven," she grumbled, falling back asleep.

Frustrated, Steven confronted Lion. "Is this what you wanted? I've been trying to play with you, and feed you, thinking we were best friends! Did all of that mean nothing to you?" As he tossed the Desert Glass onto the beach in a huff, the ground trembled, and the Desert Glass began to awaken, erecting sand structures all around.

Garnet and Pearl emerged from the house, eyes wide with alarm as they witnessed the chaos. "Steven! The Desert Glass, it's rebuilding its castle!" Pearl exclaimed while Amethyst joined them, oblivious to the urgency.

As the sandstorm surged, Steven pressed forward, navigating through the rapidly forming structures toward the center column where the Desert Glass reigned. Just when it seemed he would be trapped, Lion swooped in, catching him mid-air and guiding him to safety. "Lion!" Steven shouted with gratitude as they ventured deeper into the storm.

Together, they faced the formidable defenses erected by the Desert Glass. Lion roared with determination, smashing barriers in their path, and as they reached the top, Steven held the Desert Glass triumphantly. The storm dissipated, and the chaos settled. "We should've bubbled it earlier!" Pearl sighed, while Amethyst shrugged, still unfazed.

As they stood in the aftermath of their adventure, Steven turned to Lion, realizing their bond had only grown stronger. "So I guess this is goodbye," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "We had some good times, but I'm sure you have other magical stuff to smash with other magical boys."

In a playful moment, he moved Lion's lips, pretending to voice Lion's thoughts. "I love you, Steven. I want to stay with you forever!" He gasped, excitement bubbling up within him. His friends exchanged glances, pondering the fate of his magical companion.

"We kept Amethyst," Garnet reminded them, and a wave of laughter erupted from Pearl at the absurdity of it all.

With newfound joy, Steven celebrated, "Yay, Lion!" as he coaxed Lion into a playful wink, the star iris zooming in on Lion's eye, marking the end of this whimsical tale.

"Cut! That's a wrap! good job guys!" Rebecca said, standing from her director's chair. Steven walked to his trailer to change, then. He heard a scream coming out of the Regular Show soundstage.

Steven acted fast and ran there to see if his friends needed help. He sees Lion just sitting there, Pops was hunched over, shaking. Steven runs toward him and puts a hand on his back.

"Steven, w-what is that?" Pops asked, with tears in his eyes.

"It's a lion for an episode we filmed, don't worry. He's tame," he said

"Lion, come here!" Steven said, Lion didn't listen to him and looked out in the distance.

Steven sighed in defeat but smiled. "Sorry, he's not trained." the boy said, Then Lion decided to move.

"Come on, Lion," he said, walking off the Regular Show soundstage. The big pink cat follows him, and the boy smiles and looks over his shoulder. He sees Lion tailing him to his trailer.

Maybe he finally listened to me….

Steven walked into his trailer, Lion lay outside as the boy got dressed in his normal clothes. Lion then sees a lizard on the concrete, gets up, then chases it.

Steven walks out of his trailer and sees Lion. "Lion! Come to me!" he said, Lion ignores him. He grabs the reptile and puts it in his mouth, it's hanging by his teeth.

Steven sees it. "Lion, no! Get it out of your mouth!" Lion looks at him and releases it.

"Thank goodness," he said, relieved.

He went to his bike, he put his leg over. Then stopped when Lion nudged Steven's side. "Lion, I have to go home. You can't come with me, you can stay at the trailer in the studio," he said. Steven mounted on his bike and he rode home.

Greg was making dinner, Rose was sitting on the couch, and A pink and white electric guitar was in her hands as she was strumming it. Steven had his guitar also, connected to an amplifier. He was sitting on the couch as his legs swung mid-air.

"Hey, Mom check this out," Steven said. Rose stops strumming and looks up, Steven faces her, his guitar sitting on his legs now as he plays a Crush 40 He starts playing Free.

Rose started to play it also, They were now singing it together.

"I'm falling free in the wind, in the wind
Free to be me in the wind, in the wind

What would it feel like to be
Speed of light and rule the night and day?
Watch as it passes by you
The masses try you
But they just can't keep up
Into the free, into the me
Into the ever-knowing
Felt so refrained, felt so constrained
But now I'm breaking out and

I'm falling free in the wind, in the wind
Free to be me in the wind, in the wind"

Greg smiled as he cut up some veggies as their music filled the house.

"Beg, borrow, steal you've made your deal
At with no hesitation

Crawl, walk or run you've had your fun.
Of which is very certain—" Rose and Steven cut their music short by a scratching sound at the door. Steven removed the guitar strap and laid it on the couch.

Steven opens it and his eyes go wide as he sees a pink Lion sitting by his door. "Lion! Deja vu…" he said, petting his soft mane.

"Woah! Lion?" Greg asked, walking up. He dried his hands off with a kitchen towel and looked down at the large pink cat.

"Dude, where did you come from?" Greg asked.

"I guess he followed you home, Steven," Rose said, Steven giggled and hugged him.

"Can we keep him, Mom? You said you wanted a cat, so why not?"

"That is a great idea, Steven!" Rose said, smiling at her son, Steven smiled brightly and hugged Lion, feeling his mane, his mane was still as soft as ever.

"Goodnight, Steven." Rose kissed his son on the forehead. Steven yawned and went to sleep, he wrapped his arms around Lion who was sleeping next to him. Rose walked to her and Greg's room. Greg was brushing his teeth, Rose climbed into bed and settled in, opening a Harry Potter book that she was reading.

Greg walked out of the bathroom and went to bed. Rose smiled and kissed him.

Greg smiled and kissed his wife.

Chapter Text

Steven woke up, He was still exhausted after filming yesterday. Thankfully it was Monday and they didn't have to go back until next week, Pearl was going to pick up the new scripts for them when they all finished but, right now he gets to just have fun with his friends.

Steven went on his phone and saw a text from Clarence. He wanted to know if he, Jeff, and Sumo wanted to hang out and go to the pool at his house. Steven texted sure and he slid out of bed, his feet touching the wood floors and he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Steven walked downstairs, his mom and dad weren't anywhere to be found, so Steven glanced upstairs. Steven went to the couch and sat down. He turned on the TV and Cartoon Network was on. Then the background music and, the voice of Rigby filled the quiet living room. He sees The Park's house.

"Hey, it's Rigby, Coming Up next is Regular Show, then it's Steven Universe, later it's Chowder, this is Cartoon Network."

"Awesome…" Steven said, his eyes starry. Steven smiled as he got some cereal out of the kitchen. He grabbed a chair, stood on it opened the cupboard, and grabbed a bowl, then he opened the pantry and grabbed his favorite cereal, Coca Pebbles, and poured them into his bowl, then, he grabbed a carton of milk then poured it into his cereal.

Steven walked back to the living room and sat on the couch, His feet swinging mid-air as he ate his breakfast.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo came over, it was now noon, and Greg was making homemade pizza and mozzarella sticks for them. Steven Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were at the pool, they were listening to Blink-182 and Green Day on Steven's phone. Also with other rock bands mixed in.

"Boys, come out and get lunch!" Greg called in from the side window of the house. Steven walks out and grabs a towel. He looked at his skin, the water droplets sliding off his body and some were on his gem, he wiped it off and sat on the seat, a towel covering it. Greg put two slices of pizza on his plate with four mozzarella sticks on the side.

He eats his food as the music keeps playing on his phone. Steven starts to sing the lyrics of the Foo Fighters song that is played.

"Do you ever think of me?

You're so considerate

Did you ever think of me?

Oh, so considerate

In too deep and lost in time

Why'd you have to go and let it die?

Beautiful veins and bloodshot eyes

Why'd you have to go and let it die?

Heart's gone cold and hands are tied

Why'd you have to go and let it die?

Why'd you have to go and let it die?"

His friends stare at him in awe. Steven looked and smiled awkwardly. "What?"

"Y-you can sing?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah, my I have a family of talented musicians, Jeff," Steven said, taking a bite out of his mozzarella stick, the cheese stretching away from his lips.

Sumo eats his pizza, Jeff eats his. Steven was almost done. Steven slid off the chair and jumped back into the pool, leaving a splash in his wake.

Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo finished their food and then jumped into the pool also. Greg and Rose watch from the kitchen Lion is lying on the floor beside them, Rose smiles and pets his mane. Greg also smiled and leaned into her side, wrapping an arm around his wife.

Clarence and Steven were splashing each other and having a good time. Sumo jumped into the pool in between them, Sumo popped up and he laughed.

"Hey, Steven! Get on my shoulders we are going to play chicken fight!"

"Okay!" he said as Sumo dove under the water, Steven got on his shoulders and lifted him. Clarence and Jeff smirked in agreement, Clarence dunked his head under the water so that Jeff could get onto his shoulders.

Steven and Jeff then tried to push each other off, Steven pushed Jeff off with ease.

"I win, and Jeff. You're built like a stick figure!" Steven laughed, still sitting on Sumo's shoulders.

"Hey!" Jeff pouted. Steven, Clarence, and Sumo all laugh together.

They finish with the pool and they all walk inside, Steven sees LIon lying on his back, and Rose is dangling a toy over his face, she had bought cat toys for him when they were swimming in their pool. Steven's hands were up to his cheeks and his eyes widened.

"Thats. So. Cuuute!" Steven gushed, clasping his hands together to his body.

"You're so cute, Steven, I can just eat you up!" Rose said, walking by him and putting a hand on his cheek. Steven smiled and leaned into her warm touch.

"Okay, how about you guys go take a shower? you guys smell of chlorine." Rose said. Steven nodded and went to his room. Rose heard the water running in his bathroom.

"Can we use your bathroom, Mrs. Quartz Universe?" Jeff asked.

"Yes, you can, Jeff," she said. Rose sees them walk upstairs.

Rose went to the couch and sat, she saw her husband's acoustic guitar sitting on the wall, so she grabbed it and started playing on it.

Steven went downstairs with Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo, Jeff screamed, and he saw aLionin Steven's house.

"Steven!" Jeff said, running over to his friend.

"Yeah?" he asked. Jeff touched his arm.

"W-why is there a lion in your house?" he asked, his voice shaky. Jeff looks at the lion in the eyes. Then looks to Steven's parents."

"Greg, Rose. Are you aware that you have a pet lion in the house?" he asked Steven's parents.

"We know, Jeff. We were filming for an episode and we used him, and… Now, he followed us home." Greg said, Steven nods.

"Wiah, cool! This is so awesome! now you have a pet lion!" Clarence said.

"It is pretty cool, huh?" Steven asked.

"Yeah, man!" Sumo said.

Then Pearl broke in, summoning her spear from out of her gem.

"STEVEN! GET AWAY FROM THAT THING!"

"Pearl! You are not my mom!" Steven said, putting his hands up and sighing. Rose tried not to roll her eyes. It was just like what happened four years ago.

"Pearl, can you knock first? Honestly, you need to let people know when you're coming over. Stars." she groaned pinching the bridge of her nose.

"And besides, Pearl. He's completely tame!" Sumo says, walking to him and petting his pink mane.

"Oh? what if he bites Steven's arm or something?" Pearl asked his parents.

"Pearl, you have to understand that you are not his mom, I am. Are we seriously going to have this conversation again?" Rose asked, crossing her arms.

Pearl looked at herand then spoke. "No… I understand."

"Great," Rose said, Pearl then walked out and returned to her house which was next door. Steven sighed and then turned to his friends.

"Hey guys, you wanna go upstairs and play video games?"

"Yeah!" Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo said, running upstairs.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

"Steven, over here!"Amethyst called, and the boy walked over towards them, they were at the park, and Steven andAmethyst were hanging out together.

Steven went to the swings. Amethyst shape-shifted into a monkey and climbs the monkey bars. Steven giggled and saw her, She made monkey sounds and laughed.

Steven laughed also and grabbed his phone to record the chaos. She smiled as she flipped, then shape-shifted back into her original form. Steven clapped and cheered.

Just then, three kids entered the park, Steven looked and he was shocked to see who stood there.

Gumball, Darwin and Anais.

Steven sees them.

Gumball is a light blue cat. On his oversized head, he has six whiskers, but only five are visible most of the time. He usually wears grey trousers, coupled with a tan sweater, which has brown cuffs and a brown collar.

Then, he sees an orange goldfish with arms and legs. His goldfish-shaped head takes up his entire body, with his fins and legs hanging down from it. He has retained his goldfish tail and fins, the latter of which he now uses as arms and hands. His legs are much longer than his body, ending with plain feet matching the color and texture of the rest of his body. Usually, though, he covers them with green and white sneakers

Steven saw the third watterson, a small pink rabbit with a white tail. She resembles and is smarter than her father, but she is much shorter in stature and has a more feminine appearance. She doesn't have whiskers on her face like the rest of her family. Anais usually wears an orange dress with a white trim and white socks.

Steven couldn't believe what he was seeing, he wasn't seeing things. "Amethyst, look! It's Gumball, Darwin, and Anais!" the boy looks at the three stars.

Steven walked up. Steven was one inch taller than both Gumball and Darwin.

"Hi, I'm Steven!" he said.

"My name is Gumball and this is Darwin and Anais."

"I know, I've seen your show on Cartoon Network. You guys are hilarious!" Steven said.

"Does your dad act like that in real life also?" Amethyst asked them, Gumball then rolled his eyes.

"Unfortunately… he does."Steven nods, feeling symphony for them. Darwin sees this and puts a fin on his shoulder.

"It's okay, he's a lot of fun to be around," he said, trying to lighten the mood a little bit.

Steven and Amethyst wanted to play with them for a little bit, but Amethyst decided to shape-shift into a simple purple ball. The only difference was the ball had a face and her large gemstone embedded in the center.

"Uh… Guys, don't you think that's a little weird?"Anais asked her brothers and Steven.

"I bet you that it's completely safe, Anais," Gumball said, Anais turned to look at her older brother.

Anais sighs and rolls her eyes.

Steven, Gamball, Darwin, and Anais were in an open area at the park, they were all in a square. They were taking turns passing Ameythest around, she was talking to them also.

"Do you like working on your show?" She asked. Gumball held her and passed her to Darwin.

"We love it, it's a lot of fun working on the show," Darwin said cheerfully.

"We love working on our show too," Steven said, looking at Amethyst. Amethyst darts her eyes up and down to signal that she is nodding.

"We all love it, we went on an interview, and did photoshoots. Created bumpers for our show, we have advertisements everywhere across the city. Our show is huge!"

"Well, not as huge as our show, Adventure Time, or Regular Show," Anais told the two Crystal Gems.

"True," Steven said. "I love watching all your guys' shows every week."

"We love watching Adventure Time, it's fun," Darwin tells them.

"It is!" Steven said.

"Hey, you wanna hang out after this?" Darwin asked.

Steven's eyes went start, Amethyst shape shifted back into her original form. "YEAH!" she blurts out, and Steven giggles. At her.

"Let's do it!" Gumball said as they all left the park.

Steven, Amethyst, Gumball, Darwin, and Anais all went around the city of LA. They went to Steven's house, Gumball and Darwin's sees his home in Beverley Hills.

"Woah, this is where you live?" Gumball asked.

"Yeah, and my parents are home, so you guys get to meet them," he said, opening the door.

Greg and Rose were both doing something, Rose was making her chocolate chip brownies, and Greg was on the floor, playing with Lion.

"Hey, Steven," Greg said, looking at him and his friends. "Is that Gumball, Darwin, and Anais?" Greg asked in disbelief.

Steven nods. Gumball and Darwin looked around the house, they went to the music room, which was filled with instruments ranging from acoustic guitars to electric. They even see a ukulele hung up by pegs.

"Oh! You guys found my dad's music room, pretty awesome, right?" he asked.

"It is," Gumball said, looking around, Darwin joined them, he was looking at the different guitars.

"Hey! Who's this signed by?" Darwin asked, pointing to an acoustic guitar.

"Oh, it's signed by Chester Bennington," Steven told them.

"Wait, the lead singer for LINKIN PARK? That guy's a legend!" Gumball exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yeah, and my mom was pregnant with me at the time when he signed it."

"Wait, how old are you?" Darwin asks.

"I'm thirteen," he said.

"Ohh, so you're older than all of us."

"How old are you guys?"

"I'm twelve," Gumball said.

"I'm ten," Darwin told him.

"And I'm four,"Anais said.

"So, youare older than all of us," Gumball said. Steven nods.

"Yes, pretty weird, right?" Darwin asked.

"It's cool, to be honest." the hybrid told them.

"It is," Gumball said. Steven walks out with them, they go back to the living room.

That night, Steven was studying his script. He almost choked on his soda, he was going to die because he grew too old! Was this a new power or something that he was going to get? He was a little bit scared but, he knew that it was for the show.

Steven sighed and went to sleep. He, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl was going to Garnet's house tomorrow to study.

Steven rode his bike to Calabasas the next afternoon. His script was in his backpack, Steven had his earbuds in his ears as he was riding.

He made it to Garnet's home, the house is ever familiar to him, he stayed there five years ago when his family was on a trip that changed everything. His birthday, the house fire, and even this life that he has going on now, he is grateful for this opportunity that was given to him by Rebecca Sugar.

Steven went inside and set his backpack on the couch, Garnet was making tea foreveryone. "Oh, hello, Steven!" Pearl waved at the boy.

Steven grabs his script from his bag, then sits in between Pearl and Amethyst.

Garnet came back, grabbed her script and they got started.

Chapter Text

March 2, 2014

Steven, Greg, Rose, Pearl, Garnet, andAmethyst were all at the Cartoon Network movie lot, they showed their IDs to Buttercup and they went in.

Greg walked to the set of the Temple now. They were in something that looked like a huge cave with tiny crystals embedded in the walls."Woah, what's this set?" Steven asks.

"This," Rebecca said walking toward him."Is Amethyst's room

"Cool! So she gets a room too! do the Gems get their rooms too?" Steven asked.

"You'll have to wait and see, Steven," Rebecca tells the boy. Greg walked up.

"Hey, Steven. You should get ready for the show," he said, He nodded and hurried to his trailer.

Steven opened the door and the makeup artists were helping him.

He walked out of the trailer and walked to the set.

"Alright, places guys! we will begin in two minutes!" Rebbecca said, sitting in her director's chair.

Steven was studying his lines one more time. Pearl was drinking some water, Garnet was standing byAmethyst.

"Alright, guys! places!" Rebecca said. The cast took their places.

"Rolling!" the cameraman called.

"And… action."

"Steven Universe: So Many Birthdays, scene one, take one."

In the heart of the Crystal Temple, Steven and the Gems embarked on a rather peculiar quest. They navigated through the chaotic landscape of Amethyst's room, which was littered with an eclectic mix of forgotten treasures and discarded nonsense. The air was thick with a foul odor that had permeated the temple, and the search for its source had become a mission of urgency.

"How can you live like this?" Pearl exclaimed, her delicate features scrunching up in disgust as she covered her nose with her hand.

Amethyst shrugged nonchalantly. "It was fine 'til you guys started whining."

"Whining?!" Pearl retorted, her voice rising in incredulity. "The whole temple reeks!"

As they continued their search, Steven poked through the heaps of debris with a stick, determined to uncover the source of the stench. Suddenly, he struck something solid and pulled out a crumpled object wrapped in shiny tinfoil.

"I found it!" he announced triumphantly.

Pearl pinched her nose, peering at the mystery item. "What matter of magical alloy is this?" she questioned, eyeing it warily.

With a flick of his wrist, Steven unwrapped the tinfoil, and a cloud of green gas erupted into the air, swirling around them. Garnet, standing stoically nearby, glanced at the object and stated matter-of-factly, "It's a burrito."

Amethyst snatched the clearly rotten burrito from Steven's hands, her expression a mix of nostalgia and mischief. "It's the Tuna Burrito from Aqua-Mexican!" she declared, an impish grin spreading across her face.

Steven's eyes widened in disbelief. "That place closed like five years ago!" he protested. But before he could voice his concerns further, Amethyst took a bold bite, her enthusiasm undeterred by its questionable state. Steven recoiled in disgust, while Pearl looked on in horror.

As he examined the remains, Steven's curiosity was piqued. "Huh, what's this?" he murmured, noticing a painting on the burrito wrapper. It depicted the Gems alongside his mother, Rose Quartz, in a whimsical, old-timey style.

Pearl's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh Steven, that is us!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy.

"Really?" Steven asked, astonished.

Garnet nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "The hard part was getting the shark to pose."

Steven's brow furrowed as he took in the details. "Why is everyone dressed like old-timey people?"

Pearl placed the painting atop a pile of junk, her expression turning slightly nostalgic. "They are old-timey people."

A sudden realization dawned on Steven. "Wait... But that would mean... how OLD are you guys?"

Pearl's smile softened, her eyes glinting with ancient wisdom. "Much older than any human."

His mind raced with implications. "Does that mean you'll live forever?!"

"No, no," Pearl replied quickly, shaking her head. "We don't age." At this, Steven's face lit up in a huge grin. But Pearl's next words dimmed his joy. "But we can still get hurt and die."

The weight of her words settled heavily in the air, and Steven's smile faded into a frown, reflecting the gravity of their existence. Just then, Amethyst let out a loud moan, clutching her stomach as she sank to the ground, visibly sickened by her daring snack.

The room, once filled with confusion and laughter, turned somber as the reality of their differences hung over them like a heavy cloud. In their world of adventure and wonder, the fragility of life had made its presence known

"Pearl," Steven said, wide-eyed with curiosity, "I just can't believe you guys are like a bazillion years old! How do you find a cake big enough for all those candles?" His voice brimmed with enthusiasm, envisioning a colossal cake towering with flickering flames.

Garnet, ever the stoic presence, merely glanced at Pearl before responding, "We don't really celebrate birthdays."

Steven gasped dramatically, his shock palpable. "Why not?!" he exclaimed, his sense of injustice igniting a fire within him.

With a casual shrug, Garnet replied, "It's not our way."

But Steven couldn't let it go. "I can't just ignore this tremesty of injustice! I pledge that you will have your birthdays, with all the candy, cake, and ice cream you've been denied!" His voice echoed with determination, sealing his promise.

As if on cue, the scene shifted to a black screen, followed by the sounds of Amethyst's playful antics, which ended in her comically throwing up.

"Cut, take five guys," she said, standing up. Amethyst groaned. The crew handed her a bottle of water and some medicine to help her stomach, she took it and then chugged the water.

"Amethyst, are you going to be okay?" Steven asks her.

She nodded, then walked to a corner to lie down.

"Okay guys, since Amethyst is sick, we're going to take a break," Rebecca said, taking off her headset and walking over to her. She crouched down and put a hand on her back.

"Are you sure you can go on, Amy?" she asked. She nods then stood up.

"I think I can…" she said.

"Alright, tell me if you need a break okay?" She nodded and they walked back to the set. Rebecca sat on her chair, and then put on her headphones. "Action!"

"Steven Universe: So Many Birthdays, scene two, take one."

Outside the Crystal Temple, a delightful transformation had taken place. Vibrant birthday decorations adorned the area: a picnic mat laden with delicious food, a grand birthday cake crowned with an abundance of candles, balloons dancing in the gentle breeze, and a regal "birthday throne" waiting for its queen. Amethyst, wearing a cape that billowed behind her, sat proudly on the throne, embodying the spirit of celebration.

Steven, beaming with pride, stood before her. "And the birthday queen is... Amethyst!" he declared, placing a sparkling crown atop her head. "I hope you like it! Dad made me this outfit, and it brings me special birthday luck every year." With joy overflowing, he began to sing a cheerful tune, his voice ringing out, "It might as well be your birthday, so why don't we have a party? Even if your age isn't real and your body's an illusion."

In the background, Lion, their loyal companion, frolicked with a birthday hat that seemed far too big for his head. Steven paused mid-song, noticing Lion's antics. "Hey! I-it goes like this," he chuckled, placing the hat firmly on Lion's head, only to watch in amusement as Lion attempted to shake it off. "Lion, you're killing me!" he laughed, the joy of the moment washing over him.

Meanwhile, Pearl, clutching a balloon with a goofy face drawn on it, ventured to speak. "Um, Steven? I know you put a lot of effort into... putting faces on things. But could it be that we're just a tad mature for this ritual?" Her tone was light, a hint of skepticism lacing her words.

But Steven, undeterred by her concerns, simply smiled, his heart set on making this day unforgettable for his friends. In that moment, surrounded by laughter, decorations, and the promise of cake, it was clear that the bonds of friendship and celebration would shine brighter than any candle on a cake.

A playful atmosphere filled the air as the Crystal Gems prepared for a special celebration—Pearl's birthday. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over their gathering.

Amethyst, ever the jokester, decided to have a little fun. With a mischievous grin, she grabbed a colorful birthday hat, holding it up to mimic Pearl's nose. "Boop!" she exclaimed, poking Pearl's nose playfully.

Pearl, taken by surprise, gasped dramatically. "GAH! You will remove that this instant!" she shouted, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. Without missing a beat, she began to chase after Amethyst, determined to reclaim her dignity.

Meanwhile, Steven, the ever-thoughtful friend, intervened. "Wait!" he called out, holding out a bat adorned with a bright ribbon. "Here!"

Amethyst's eyes lit up with delight. "Awww, thanks! I'll use it all the time!" she declared, swinging the bat eagerly. But Steven quickly stepped in, panic in his voice. "No! It's for the piñata!" He gestured to a colorful piñata hanging nearby, its vibrant colors glimmering in the sunlight.

As Amethyst swung wildly, she nearly struck Steven, who yelped in fright. "A-a-aaaaah!" he exclaimed, handing the piñata over to Garnet and hiding behind her for safety.

Unfazed, Amethyst continued her antics. "Am I... getting... close?!" she asked, swinging the bat and accidentally smacking Garnet on the head.

"Higher," Garnet instructed calmly, a hint of amusement in her voice.

With a determined peek, Amethyst jumped and swung with all her might, sending the piñata flying off into the sparkling ocean. "Ha! What next, Steven?" she cheered, casting the bat aside.

Steven, slightly bemused, replied, "Well, you were supposed to get delicious candy when you broke it open."

Amethyst's face fell in disappointment. "Wait, you had candy and you didn't just give it to us?"

Steven smiled reassuringly. "There will be more sweet treats at Pearl's party. I promise!"

As the day continued, Steven led his friends to a picturesque cliff overlooking Beach City. They spread out a picnic mat, and Pearl, now dressed in a delightful birthday outfit, joined them. Steven, dressed as a clown for extra flair, beamed with excitement.

"Happy Birthday!" he exclaimed, honking his clown nose with a grin.

Amethyst chuckled, "Steven! That is a brave look."

"Funny, actually," Steven corrected, though he stumbled over his words. "How?" Pearl inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Suddenly, Steven remembered his planned jokes. "Oh geez, I'm breaking character! Wait, wait, wait. I wrote some jokes!" He pulled out a pile of papers, excitement bubbling over. "Why did Pearl throw butter out the window?"

Amethyst turned to Pearl, raising an eyebrow. "You did what?"

Laughter bubbled among the Gems as they embraced the joy of friendship, celebrating Pearl's special day with love and lighthearted antics, proving that even amidst chaos, togetherness was the sweetest treat of all.

In the heart of Beach City, under the bright blue sky, young Steven had a mission: to see a butterfly. He beamed with excitement, but his friend Pearl raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "I never did that. Steven, are you telling lies?" she challenged.

"No! Oh, I know! Pearl, do you like pie?" he quickly retorted, trying to keep the mood light.

"I DO like pie," Pearl admitted, her interest piqued.

With a flourish, Steven rummaged through a picnic basket and pulled out a freshly baked pie. "Well then, you're in luck! I baked you a pie." He couldn't help but tease, "I sure hope nothing happens to it!"

"Yes, me too," Pearl replied, her eyes on the pie.

In a playful twist, Steven pretended to trip. "WOAH! Whoops!" he exclaimed dramatically.

"WOAH! Steven, I've got you!" Pearl cried, catching him just in time. She steadied him, but before she could finish her sentence, Steven, in a burst of mischief, shoved the pie right into his own face. Cream splattered everywhere.

"See, Pearl? It's funnnnnnnnny!" he laughed, his face a mess of pie. Pearl, nervous and wide-eyed, hid behind Garnet, whispering, "I think she's all partied out and ready to go home."

"This isn't going at all like it should," Steven sighed, tossing aside the pie tin and removing his silly birthday wig. "I've got to pull out the ultimate birthday!"

He led his friends to an empty lot near the Big Donut, where he had set up a colorful surprise. "Okay, there's no way you're not gonna love this!" he announced, pointing to three small kiddie cars lined up in a row. "It's kazoo racers! You get in a car, you play a kazoo—what more could you want?" He picked up a kazoo and blew into it, his enthusiasm infectious.

Pearl leaned closer to Garnet, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think this is why aging makes humans die!"

Garnet, now adorned in a birthday outfit, smiled gently. "Thank you for the birthday parties, Steven, but I don't think we'll need any more."

"Why not?" he asked, puzzled.

"Our age is only an illusion," Garnet explained as she took off her birthday crown. "And Pearl's pretty sure this ritual is more for human children."

"Nothing against children," Pearl added, looking a bit remorseful.

"Children? Everyone gets to have birthdays! Seriously, give it a try. You're never too old!" Steven insisted, his voice full of determination.

"But we're just too big," Garnet replied.

"You're not too big! Y-y-you just get in!" he urged, attempting to climb into one of the kiddie cars, but it was a tight fit.

Amethyst, full of mischief, chimed in. "I can fit!" She shapeshifted into a baby and hopped into a small kiddie jeep. "Which way to the baby war?" she shouted, revving her engine. "EAT TREAD, DIRT BAGS!"

A pang of doubt struck Steven. "What if birthdays are just for little kids? What if even... I'm too old?"

"NO WAY! You TOTALLY fit!" Amethyst laughed, driving up beside him. In her playful spirit, she picked him up and tried to shove him into the tiny car. "Oh, my bad, you are too old!" she joked before zooming off, cackling.

Pearl rushed to Steven's side. "Are you okay?"

"I just need to think," he replied, pulling himself up, only to find a kiddie car stuck to his backside. "Kazoo Racers suddenly seems undignified," he muttered, walking away with a furrowed brow.

"And, cut! Take five guys!" Rebbecca said, getting up, the bell rang and they took a break. Pearl walks up to Steven.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, evening fell over the Beach City boardwalk. The air grew cooler, and a mist rolled in, casting an ethereal glow. Steven wandered alone, lost in thought, contemplating the meaning of birthdays, age, and the laughter that echoed in his heart. Would he ever feel too old for fun?

As he stood on the brink of adolescence, he realized they also meant leaving behind a piece of his childhood. The thought made him cringe, especially as he prepared for yet another birthday party. "Ugh, all these parties are so embarrassing," he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, a thick mist enveloped him, and his gem glowed with an otherworldly light. In an instant, he matured into a teenager, his face dotted with the unavoidable marks of puberty. With a sigh that cracked with the awkwardness of his new age, he turned to see Onion at the Funland Arcade, blissfully unaware of the passage of time.

"Oh Onion, so young, so innocent," Steven said, watching the little boy pry open a game machine to steal its quarters. The innocence of youth was slipping away from him, and it brought a bittersweet pang to his heart.

As he stepped into the arcade, the sounds of laughter and beeping machines filled the air. "Whacker Man Jr.!" he exclaimed, a mix of excitement and embarrassment bubbling within him. "I can't be seen playing a childish game like that. I better stick to something more sophisticated, like regular Whacker Man." He approached the game, heart racing as he began to play.

"It's whackin' time. You're gonna get whacked!" the game declared as Steven bopped a figure with a mallet, chuckling nervously at the silliness of it all. But deep down, he knew he needed to embrace the changes happening around him.

"And… Cut, take five guys." Rebecca said. Steven sat there, still in his older form, Sadie walked up and handed him a bottle of water.

"Here, Steven."

Steven nodded and drank it, taking gulps of water as if he didn't drink for an eternity. Sadie put a hand on his back. "You okay?" she asked. Steven looked at her and nodded.

"Okay, places guys," Rebecca said, walking back to her chair.

"And… Action!" she said.

"Steven Universe: So Many Birthdays, scene three, take one."

Later, as he strolled along the Beach City Boardwalk, Steven reflected on his day. "That was fun," he thought, "but a boy on the cusp of manhood can't spend the whole day whackering. I need to take control of my life." His gaze fell upon a "Help Wanted" sign in the window of a T-Shirt Shop. Instinctively, his gem glowed again, and he aged into a full-grown man, his voice deepening and clothes stretching to fit his new form.

"It's time to get a proper job," he declared, stepping into the store with newfound determination. He browsed the shirts, weighing his options. "Surf Master? No. Love Doctor? Too squeamish. Ah, now this is the job for me." He emerged wearing a red shirt emblazoned with "Professional Beach Hunk," a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "Ha, this day went so fast. I need a pick-me-up."

As he made his way to the Big Donut, his gem once again shimmered with energy, transforming him into a middle-aged man with balding hair. He pushed open the door and called out, "Two of the usual, please! I've had quite a day."

Lars, a familiar face behind the counter, chuckled. "Ha, you must be confused, pal. I work here every day, and I've never seen your face before."

"Oh hardy har, Lars," Steven replied, but his tone shifted. "I've had a lot of time to think today. Sometimes you gotta smarten up and act like an adult, because one day if you don't, everyone you know is gonna grow up without you. And then you won't have little Steven to pick on anymore because I'll be a grown-up too."

Sadie looked at him, bewildered. "... Steven... who?"

"STEVEN QUARTZ UNIVERSE!" he shouted, pointing at the doughnut case. As he caught a glimpse of himself in the glass, he gasped, "Whoa-wooaaahhhh!" The reflection staring back at him was one he barely recognized, a reminder of how far he had come and how much further he had to go. In that moment, amidst the laughter and chaos of Beach City, Steven began to understand that growing up was not just about leaving things behind, but also about embracing who he was destined to become.

Steven sat alone at a table in the Big Donut, a shadow of his former self. His heart weighed heavy with the reality of aging, his thoughts spiraling into despair.

"Sir, are you okay?" Sadie, the warm-hearted cashier, approached with concern etched on her face.

"I'M... OLD!" Steven bellowed, his voice cracking.

Lars, leaning against the counter, smirked. "Yeah, and nuts!"

Steven continued, his voice filled with dread, "I'm going to have to eat fiber cereal, all my teeth are gonna fall out, and then, I'll have to eat oatmeal and it'll be sugar-free!" As he spoke, his gem glowed ominously, causing him to age further.

"Sugar-free!" He wheezed, then sank into a chair, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. Sadie rushed to his side, her comforting presence a balm to his frazzled spirit.

"I need to reverse this! I need a 'reverse birthday'… the king costume," he declared, turning to Sadie and Lars with a wild idea in his eyes. "Will you help me into my birthday suit?"

Sadie and Lars exchanged stunned glances, their minds racing to decipher his words. Misunderstanding his intent, Sadie brandished a stool and shouted, "Yeah! You better run!"

Amethyst made a face like she was about to laugh. But she kept her cool and didn't laugh.

"Cut!" Amethyst laughed hysterically. Steven laughs too, but. He didn't want to revert to his original age just yet, he wanted to get the scenes right.

A few minutes passed, and they went back to work.

"And… Action." Rebecca said, about to do another take.

"Steven Universe: So Many Birthdays, scene four, take one."

With that, Steven dashed out of the Big Donut, his heart pounding and legs straining against the weight of his age. As he sprinted along the beach, a sharp pain shot through his back. "I'm... too... old... for this," he gasped, limping forward. With a sudden flash, his gem glowed again, transforming him into an even older man, his beard now a wispy gray.

A crew member pushes Lion to take him over to the temple, the large pink cat walks over to Steven.

Just then, he stumbled and fell, the sand offering no comfort. As he lay there, Lion, his loyal companion, bounded over. "Lion…" he managed to whisper before Lion gently picked him up in his mouth and took off towards the Crystal Temple.

"Steven Universe: So Many Birthdays, scene four, take one."

At the temple, the Gems were busy dismantling the remnants of a birthday celebration. Pearl was carefully folding decorations, a thoughtful smile on her face. "You know, Steven was right, this is fun," she remarked, a warmth spreading through her.

Amethyst grinned, teasing, "You don't have to keep wearing that stuff."

Garnet, adorned in her festive attire, replied, "It makes me feel... important."

Suddenly, Lion burst through the doors, depositing the aged Steven at their feet. Alarmed, the Gems rushed toward him.

"Steven!" Pearl cried out, horror painting her features. "What's wrong with him?"

Amethyst knelt beside their friend, concern flickering in her eyes. "He's okay; he's just really, really, really, really old."

Pearl's heart sank as she began to tear up. "Gems can't die from aging, but he's half-human!"

"Can't we fix him?" Amethyst pleaded, desperation creeping into her voice.

With their hearts united in worry for their friend, the Gems began to devise a plan, determined to bring Steven back from the brink of despair and restore the spark of youth that had dimmed within him. Little did they know, the adventure ahead would test their bonds of friendship and the power of love in ways they had never imagined.

In a vibrant world filled with magic and adventure, Steven found himself in a rather peculiar predicament. As he stood there, surrounded by his friends, he whispered with a hint of mischief, "My birthday suit might help." With a flick of her wrist, Garnet removed the magical suit from her own form, and Steven eagerly slipped it on, leaning against his faithful companion, Lion.

Amethyst grinned, her usual playful energy bubbling over. "Good as new!... Right?" However, Steven's smile began to fade. "Thanks, guys, but I guess this suit's all out of birthday magic. We had a good run, huh?" As the words left his lips, he felt a strange sensation wash over him, and he began to age further. Amethyst's expression shifted from joy to horror, while Pearl's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Garnet, ever the voice of reason, swiftly intervened, grabbing Pearl and Amethyst by the shoulders. "More birthdays. Now!" she commanded, determined to lift their spirits.

Amethyst, always ready for a laugh, transformed into a bright kiddie car, with Garnet riding along. "Check it out, B-Day Boy! I'm a tiny car!" she announced, her voice filled with glee. "Beep beep!" echoed Garnet, but Steven merely sighed, his thoughts drifting into the realm of childish nostalgia.

As he continued to age, Amethyst shifted back into her normal form, her playful demeanor replaced by concern. "Ooh, piñata time!" she exclaimed, morphing into a colorful piñata. Yet, despite her efforts, Steven continued to grow older, the magic of the moment slipping away.

"It's not working," Garnet stated flatly, her brows furrowing as she realized the gravity of the situation. Amethyst, not one to give up easily, turned to Pearl. "Come on, Pearl! Get over here."

"I can't!" Pearl cried, panic lacing her voice.

"For Steven!" Amethyst implored, planting Pearl, now dressed in a clown costume and holding a pie, in front of the aging boy.

Through her tears, Pearl approached Steven, desperately trying to maintain her composure. "Oh, look!... I have what umm… what appears to be a delicious pie... I sincerely hope that... nothing happens to—OH STEVEN!" In a moment of overwhelming emotion, she shoved the pie into her own face, unable to hold back any longer.

"Are you trying to kill him faster?!" Amethyst exclaimed, her voice a blend of exasperation and concern as Pearl clung to her, sobbing.

Garnet, sensing the urgency of the moment, pushed through the chaos and approached Steven. In a surprising twist, she picked him up and began shaking him vigorously.

"GARNET?!" Amethyst and Pearl shouted in unison, rushing to intervene.

"Wait a minute, what are you doing?!" Pearl cried, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Garnet, STOP!" Amethyst echoed, panic rising in her voice.

"I thought… violence… would be the answer," Garnet murmured, slowly lowering Steven back to the ground. But despite their frantic efforts, Steven continued to age, his vision blurry as he struggled to make sense of the frantic arguments swirling around him.

With a deep breath, Steven pushed himself up, determined to face whatever came next, even as the shadows of despair loomed large over his friends. In that moment of uncertainty, he knew that together, they would find a way toreclaim the joy of the celebration, no matter the odds.

In a cozy room filled with warmth and laughter, a chaotic scene unfolded. Steven, feeling overwhelmed, weakly pleaded, "Would you guys, just please... control yourselves?!" His gem pulsed with a soft glow, and in an instant, he transformed back into an adult, catching the attention of his friends. The Gems paused their bickering, turning to Steven, who was now clearly frustrated.

But as the situation settled, embarrassment washed over him. "Oh, no," he stammered, suddenly shifting back into a teenager, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled. But I can't stand to see you freaking out like this!" Just as quickly, he reverted to his adult form again, feeling the weight of the moment.

Pearl stood in shock, her eyes wide. "Wha-?" she managed to utter.

Garnet, ever the composed leader, observed the changes with concern. "Steven, you're changing!"

Pearl added, "Your age is fluctuating. I think your gem is reacting to your state of mind."

Amethyst, always the jokester, chimed in with a grin, "Steven! Stop feeling old!"

Frustration bubbled in Steven as he morphed once more, becoming a teenager again. "But I wasted your time..." he lamented, only to shift again into an old man, his voice trembling, "We all have such little ti-ime..."

The Gems gasped in unison, "Steven!"

Pearl took a step forward, her voice firm yet gentle. "You have to feel like yourself! Sweet and considerate and only occasionally obnoxious!"

Steven's youthful form returned as he pondered her words. "You really think I'm all those things?" he asked, searching their faces for affirmation.

"Yes!" Garnet affirmed with conviction.

Amethyst playfully added, "Why else would you throw us all those parties?"

Suddenly, realization dawned on Steven. "Oh my gosh, you're right!" He transformed back to his usual self, a bright smile spreading across his face. "I am pretty great."

With that, Pearl and Amethyst rushed to envelop Steven in a warm hug, their joy infectious. "Oh, Steven!" Pearl exclaimed, her heart full.

Garnet, with a reassuring pat on Steven's shoulder, said, "We'll work on the rest later."

As the laughter continued, Steven lifted his oversized shirt, revealing his adult legs beneath. In a fit of giggles, he bounced his legs up and down, the room filled with laughter and love. The camera zoomed in on his beaming face, capturing the moment of joy, as the scene faded, leaving a lingering warmth in the air.

"And, cut! Perfect guys! You can all go home."

Steven stood there as everyone walked off the set. He looked at his hands, he felt them shaking, and his heart was beating out of his chest.

He couldn't move, he just looked at the lights and the crew.

His mom noticed and walked to her son. Steven kept to himself, reflecting on the episode they'd just filmed. Could he do that? He can control his age? If that was the case….

He would live forever with his mother and the Crystal Gems.

Feeling like an eternity, Steven finally moved. He ran to his mother and hugged her.

Rose said nothing but rubs his back. Steven hugged her tighter and buried his head in the crook of her neck.

Rose carried him to his trailer so he could get dressed.

Greg was on the couch at his trailer, when he saw his son being carried by Rose. He can tell that something is wrong.

"Is Steven okay?" he asked, walking toward them. Steven still had his head buried in her neck.

"He… almost perished while we were filming." Hearing Rose say that he felt his heart drop to his lower intestine. Greg sat on the couch, grabbing his hair in his fists, he looked on the floor. He needed to calm down a little bit.

Steven picked his head up. "Mom? I'm okay now, I can get down," he told her.

Rose nods and she sets him on the floor so he can get dressed.

Putting on a black T-shirt and shorts. Steven tied his shoes and he walked out of his trailer. He mounted his bike and rode off to meet Clarenc, Jeff, and Sumo at their usual hangout spot.

Steven stopped at the treehouse, Belson was playing his PSP.

He put his bike on the grass, by the others. "Steven!" Clarence said. "Come up here!"

"Hey, Clarence!" he said, climbing the ladder and walking in.

He sat on a chair, Steven pulled out his phone and decided to play Angry Birds.

"Hey, guys. Wanna go back to my house?" Clarence asked.

"Yeah!" Steven said then smiled. Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo then went to Clarence's house.

Steven put his bike on the grass and opened the door. Chad was coming back home from work at the music store—he locked up for the night and saw Steven.

"Oh, hey, Steven," he said. Steven waved, and they all went into the house.

Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, and Steven were all in the living room.

Mary was in the kitchen making snacks for them. Steven sat in the living room and turned on the TV.

Steven switched it to Cartoon Network.

Lazlo's voice was heard as a Google Maps view of the Leakey Lake was shown.

"Hello Fellow Bean Scouts! Coming up next is Camp Lazlo!, Then it's The Amazing World Of Gumball, later it's more Camp Lazlo! This is Cartoon Network."

Mary walks out of the kitchen with the snacks. "Thanks, Mary," Steven said, grabbing a piece of watermelon and eating it.

They all watched the show while eating their snacks.

After playing video gamesthey were winding down for the night in the living room. Steven was curled up in his sleeping bag like a little cocoon. Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were also turning in.

"That was the best sleepover ever…" Sumo told them.

"It was," Jeff said. They all went to sleep.

Steven woke up then got out of his sleeping bag, he went to the kitchen and grabbed a bowl, he got a box of cereal out then milk.

Steven walked to the living room and sat on the couch, Clarence Jeff, and Sumo were all still asleep. He turned on the TV, and Camp Lazlo! was on, it was the episode where the Bean Scouts went home for Halloween and Jelly Cabin stayed behind at Camp Kidney.

Steven watched the show, eating his breakfast. Then, the black, red, and orange bars came up on the screen, and it said:

'Sundays at 6p, Steven Universe.'

Steven watched the show, eating his cereal.

Steven Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were going back to Steven's house in Beverley Hills. They were all riding their bikes.

The boys put their bikes on the grass, opened the door, and walked inside.

"Mom. Dad?" Steven called out, the house was empty but their cars were there. Steven went outside and saw them in the pool.

Greg was swimming and Rose was leaning on the wall, her arms on the warmconcrete. "Hello, Steven," Rose said.

"Hey, Mom,"hesaid

"Why won't you boys change into your swimsuits?" Rose asked.

"Yeah! we brought them!" Sumo said as they all ran upstairs to change.

They were now in the water having fun. Steven was swimming around, Clarence was racing Sumo, and Jeff was talking with Rose.

The sun shone brightly above them. Just another day in paradise.

Chapter Text

Steven, Connie, Jeff, Sumo, Clarence, Mordecai and Rigby were all hanging out today in LA, Steven had a basketball in his hands, and  Amethyst  was coming too, she told them that she’d found an indoor basketball court. 

Steven was riding his bike, and so was everyone else. Connie wondered what  Amethyst  found in LA.

When they got there, they saw a gym and it said 'THE CARTOON NETWORK COURT’ Steven saw iconic Cartoon Network stars as stickers outside the darkened windows and the 3D Cartoon Network logo in all its glory on both of the doors. Connie opened the doors and saw a basketball court. 

Steven’s eyes went starry as he saw everyone. Gumball was lacing up his shoes, Steven almost fainted when he saw Lazlo. He was playing with two other people, they were tall and purple. 

“Hey, Lazlo!” Steven ran toward the Brazillan Spider Monkey. 

“Oh hey, I remember you! We met at the Cartoon Network movie lot! What’s up, I heard that your show is a success!” he said. 

“It’s amazing, I love doing it. Even if the episodes are traumatic and give the Crystal Gems and me nightmares.” 

Lazlo nodded, and he looked at Steven. “Hey, how old are you?” he asked. 

“I’m thirteen, why?” 

“I thought you were nine?” 

“I get that a lot, but no. my body ages slower than most people,” he said. 

“That’s so cool!” Lazlo said, his eyes widening. 

“It is, isn’t it?” he asked. 

“Hey, Steven! Are we gonna play or what?” Rigby asked. 

“Don’t bother him, Rigby! some of us have patience!”  Mordecai said.

“STOP TALKING!” he screams at the Blue Jay. Lazlo looks at them. 

“Is he always like that?” 

“Yeah. I’d met both of them at the arcade when we were visiting Los Angeles and, I met them at an arcade at Santa Monica Pier,” he said. 

“Oh, I’ve been on the boardwalk before. Hey, what’s that shop.” 

“Which one, you have to be more specific.” 

“The bakery. The one my mom owns.” 

“Oh, The Sweet Universe?” Lazlo asked. 

“Yeah.”

“Did your mom bake all those herself? I tried her banana bread and it was amazing,” he said. 

“Yes, she did. My dad’s mom gave her the idea,” he said.

“Aw, that’s awesome! Well. It was good talking to you Steven.” he said 

“You too, you're so down to earth.” 

“Hey, and that’s saying something. I heard you stop for anyone if they ask for a picture or autograph.” 

“You too, Lazlo.” 

“That’s true,” Steven said. 

“Come on, Steven!” Rigby said Mordecai pulled out a basketball from the rack, Connie tapped him on the shoulder and whispered in his ear. 

“Mordecai! I brought a ball!”

“Let’s do it!” he said. Lazlo waved to Steven as he walked off. 

“Ready?” Connie asked. 

Steven smiled and held her hand. A pink glow came from under his shirt and they were engulfed in a white light. Their bodies fused into one. 

Stevonnie was seen. Their combination LAKERS jersey from Steven and Connie’s black Adidas tank top was seen. 

Mordecai, Rigby, Ameythest, Clarence, Jeff and Sumo see them. 

“Hey, that’s cheating!” Sumo said. 

“Oh, come on. Sumo! let them have fun!” Clarence said. 

“Let's go!” Stevonnie said. 

“Wait! We need teams!” Mordecai looks at his friends. 

“Okay, I'm with Stevonnie, Rigby you're with Clarence, Jeff. You're with Clarence, Sumo. You're with Stevonnie And Ames. With Stevonnie.” 

They get into their respective teams and they all play. 

Mordecai passes it to Stevonne and they make a three-pointer.

After the game, Stevonnie’s team won. Mordecai was happy, on the other hand. Rigby was frustrated that his team didn’t win. 

“Jeff! you can’t play, at all!” Sumo said in frustration. 

“Wow… thanks, Sumo, you told me that before…” Jeff rolled his eyes. 

Stevenonnie unfused, Lazlo ran up towards them. 

“Woooah, you guys can fuse?” he asked. Steven and Connie both nod 

“That’s awesome!” he said. 

“Right!” Steven exclaimed. 

“It is!” 

They were all walking now, Steven made some new friends also. 

Steven and Lazlo were talking about their lives. The hybrid heard the boy talk about his show and how he got canceled, because, he and his director Joe Murry both refused to sell out to McDonald’s just to sell toys of himself and his friends. 

Lazlo, Steven, Connie, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all went to a restaurant. Steven sees someone and his eyes light up. He knew who it was. 

“Oh My Gosh! Your Chef McMusli from his show! You own a restaurant now?” 

“Yep! And it’s plant-based also,” he said. 

“That’s so cool! um, table for nine, please.” Steven said 

He grabbed nine menus and they saw pictures on the walls. He was missing him with the Crystal Gems. 

He wanted to get a picture of them ever since they’d become big on TV. 

“Wait… your Steven Quartz Universe aren’t you?” Chef McMusli asked. 

“Yeah, And I can get the Crystal Gems here to take a picture for your Wall Of Celebrities.”

“Oh, that would be great!” he said. 

They all sat down and he gave them their menus. Mordecai nudged Rigby. “Dude, he had a picture of us too.”

“Oh! I remember that! All of us went here to eat and he took a picture of us at our table,” he said.  

“Cool!” Clarence said. 

“We have to come back here with the rest of the Crystal Gems,” Steven said, picking up a menu and reading it. 

Steven and Connie were now playing on his phone, and Lazlo was next to play Angry Birds. Steven handed his phone over to Lazlo so he could give it a try. Steven watched as he slid his finger to guide the red bird to the tower of pigs before pressing the screen again to activate his power. 

“You're good at this game!” Steven said. 

“Thanks, I have it on my iPad.”

“Hello.” A waitress walks towards them, holding a notepad in her hands. 

“Hi,” they say. 

“What would you guys like to drink?”

“Can I have a lemonade?” Steven asked. Once they’d ordered their drinks, they were all talking or playing something on their phones. Like Steven and Lazlo have continued to do. 

“Hit it!” Sumo told Lazlo, Lazlo used his finger to launch the white bird into the air, and he tapped the screen to drop an exploding egg onto the green pigs’ tower that was made of wood, glass, and stone. Steven tried after Lazlo lost the level. 

“This level is hard,” he said. Steven hit it with two birds and beat it, he got two stars. 

“How?”

“I’m a fast learner,” Steven told him. Lazlo nods. 

“You are.” he compliments. Steven blushed and smiled. 

“Thanks, Lazlo. Hey, what’s up with you and Patsy?” 

“We're good friends.” 

“Dude, you didn’t make a move yet?” 

“Steven, I’m ten bro.” 

“Oh, right… sorry.” 

“That’s okay! Hey, can you tell me how you did that thing?” Lazlo asked. 

“What the—Oh! You mean how I fused with Connie?” 

“Yeah, that.” 

“Well, we hold hands, my gem kinda activates some kind of gem ability, and then… it just happens and we become a whole new person, something entirely new.” 

“Cool!” Lazlo said. Steven nods. They all got their food and ate. he got a text. Steven looks at it. 

Mom. 

Come pick up your new script when you have the time, Pearl dropped it off here since you weren’t home. 

Steven replied with ‘Okay’ and set his phone down. But he picked it up again and texted her. 

‘Wait, Mom. I thought you weren’t working at the bakery anymore.’ 

I’m not, but  I’m just stopping by to see everyone. 

Steven nodded and put down a thumbs-up emoji. 

‘Mom, can you put it in my room when you get home? I don’t have a backpack on me. Wait, maybe'—He deleted it and retyped 'alright.' 

He just realized that Connie had a backpack on her, so he could put his script in hers.

Steven and his friends were all at the treehouse, Lazlo hopped off Steven’s bike, which he’d been riding on the pegs. Steven got off and he climbed the treehouse ladder. 

Clarence was already up there, sitting on the floor, Jeff and Sumo were also doing something. 

“Hey, guys!” Steven said. Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all waved, and Lazlo climbed up after him. 

“Woahhh, cool treehouse,” he said. 

“Thanks, Lazlo,” Clarence said. "Hey, where’s, Ames?” Sumo asked. 

“Oh, she’s coming,” Steven said looking down at the ground, Ameythest got off her bike and went up. 

“Hey, guys!” she said, jumping up and landing on her feet. 

“Hey,  Amethyst!” Clarence said. Amethyst walked towards them and took a seat on the floor of the treehouse. 

“Hey, Amethyst! wanna play a game?” Sumo asked. 

“Yeah!”

“Who can spit the farthest!” Sumo said, running up to the window at the side of the treehouse. Amethyst joins him. Sumo went first, He took a minute then spat. 

“Ha, weak sauce. My turn,” she said. Amethyst got ready, and then she went farther than him. 

“Woah! That’s nuts!” Sumo said Amethyst crossed her arms and smiled. 

“You're like a master at that!” he told her. 

“Yeah.”

“Ugh, you guys are gross,” Belson said 

“Shut it, Belson!” Sumo yelled as Belson played his PSP. 

“Whatever… It’s not I care anyway.”

“Then why are you talking!” Amethyst asked 

“Yeah, Belson!” Sumo yelled he was about to lunge forward. Steven ran towards them and blocked Sumo. “Steven!” he said. 

“I will let go if you calm down,” he said, looking at the boy. Sumo growled. Clarence touched his hair and stroked it. 

“Shhh. Calm down, my child.”

“Stop touching me, Clarence!” Sumo yelled. 

“Okay, guys. Let’s calm down and go to Santa Monica.” Lazlo said.

“Hey! I agree with Lazlo. Let’s do that.” Steven said. Lazlo and everyone else got on their bikes, Lazlo went on Steven’s pegs again and he was peddling to Santa Monica Pier.

  Once they were in Santa Monica, they went to his mother’s bakery. Steven opened the door and saw Shay tapping on a tablet screen. 

“Hey, Shay.”

“Oh, hey, Steven. Ylour looking for your mom?”

“Yeah, is she in the back?”

“Yeah, she’s checking in on a few things then leaving,” she said. 

Steven went to the back while his friends followed. “Um, Steven. Are you sure that I can come back here?” Lazlo asked. 

“You can, you are one of my friends. So, you can come.” He said, walking into the office. A desk with an iMac was pushed up against a wall, and Rose sat on a desk chair, typing stuff out. 

“Mom?” Steven asked. 

“Steven,” she said spinning in her chair to face her son and his friends. 

“Here’s your script,” she said, handing it to him. Steven read the title. 

‘Lars And The Cool Kids’ it read. Steven smiled and walked out of her office. Shay sees him walk out with his friends. 

Wait…was that a monkey? she asked herself.

Steven, Clarence, Jeff, Sumo, Connie, Lazlo, Mordecai, Rigby, and  Amethyst all rode their bikes back to Steven’s house. Lazlo decided to ride Steven’s bike and Steven stood on the back pegs. Steven told Lazlo to follow his friends. 

“Okay, we're back at your house,”  Amethyst said, stepping off her bike. Lazlo looked at the size of his home. 

“Woooah!” He said they all walked into the house. Greg was nowhere to be found and Lion was asleep on the floor in the living room. 

“Y-you have a lion?” Lazlo asked. Steven nods.

“Yeah, we're using him for the show, and he followed me home.”

“I remember for my movie, Joe Murry told me to take a bear back to camp.”

“Dude, yours was fake. This is real, and it was a brown bear.” Mordecai said. 

“That’s true,” Lazlo said. 

“I remember, Pops almost peed himself after seeing Lion,” Rigby said. 

“Oh yeah! sorry about that by the way…” Steven said, scratching the back of his head.

The boys were all in Steven’s room, he put his script on his desk and went on his bed then fired up his PlayStation. 

They all play video games. Sumo walked toward his desk and sat on his chair. “Hey, Steven. Can I check out your script for the latest episode?” 

“Sure.” he said, getting into NBA 2K 13’ and then selecting multiplayer. 

Sumo read through it, he didn’t skim it, he took the time to read it. 

A few minutes later, the door opens, Rose steps in and puts her keys on the counter. Rose saw Greg in the music room, the door was closed, so she knocked and opened it. Greg sat on a chair. His legs were crossed one on top of the other, and he had his acoustic guitar in his hands, strumming it softly. He looked up and saw his wife.

“Hey,” Greg said. 

“Hey, Mr. Universe,” Rose said, walking towards him. Greg puts his guitar to the side, Rose sits on his lap. Greg chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist. Rose smiles then they kiss passionately. 

Greg broke it, took a strand of hair, and wiped it out of her face. 

“I love you…” Rose said. 

“I do too, Mrs. Universe,” he said, kissing her once more.

Everyone was going home, and both Steven and Lazlo exchanged phone numbers, so they could hang out with his friends and with everyone again. Lazlo could bring his friends, Clam and Raj. They all went out and closed the door. 

Steven went upstairs to go to bed. He went to brush his teeth and change into his PJs then he went to sleep.

Chapter Text

Rose was on her laptop while Lion was resting on her lap, she was checking her emails and she saw an Email from Jim Samples, the CEO of Cartoon Network. She opens it up and reads it. 

Subject: Schedule Update for Steven Universe

Dear Rose,

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing to inform you about an upcoming change to the broadcast schedule for Steven Universe. After reviewing audience engagement and scheduling opportunities, we’ve decided to move the remaining episodes of the current season—and the series finale of season one—to a new time slot.

Starting next week, Steven Universe will air on Thursday nights as part of our HAR HAR THARSDAYS programming block. This exciting block highlights some of our most beloved shows, and we believe Steven Universe will be a fantastic addition.

The new schedule will ensure the show continues to reach its dedicated fans while also introducing it to a broader audience during this popular viewing window.

We are incredibly proud of Steven Universe and all it has achieved, and we’re confident this change will make its final chapters even more special. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the schedule update.

Thank you for all your support in making this series truly unforgettable.

Best regards,

Jim Samples

CEO, Cartoon Network

Rose couldn’t help but smile, she needed to tell Steven.

Steven was with Amethest, She and Steven were riding their bikes. Then, she pulled out her phone and saw an email from the CEO of Cartoon Network. 

“Oh, no way!” she said. 

“What?” the curly-haired boy asked. 

“Dude! Look at your email!” she said, Steven pulled out his phone and went to his email and saw it, he read it and his eyes widened. 

“No way! Where getting a slot with HAR HAR THARSDAYS! This is huge news!” Steven looked at Amethest and grinned. 

“This is so big! I think we need to go back to the studio and shoot some new bumpers right?” 

“I don’t know-” Steven paused then continued. “-That will be so cool though!” 

“It will! we're probably getting a call about this.” Amethyst said. 

“Yeah!”

Steven, Amethyst, Pearl, Garnet, Rose, and Greg were all at the Cartoon Network movie lot. They all went to the administration's office, Rose held the door to everyone and they all went inside. Steven heard laughing coming from the copier room, he peeked inside Mordecai and Rigby were both sitting on top of the photocopier, and copies of their butts came out onto the paper. 

Uncle Grandpa was pushing the ‘copy’ button as a bunch of copies flew out. 

Amethyst couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the sight of it, Steven looked at her as he tried not to laugh. 

“Amethyst, Steven. come on!” Pearl called. 

They ran to where the others were. They get in the elevator and they go to the board room. 

They see a modern conference room. It features a long table surrounded by several orange office chairs. There is a large window with blinds partially drawn, allowing natural light into the room. A flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall, and there are potted plants placed around the room, adding a touch of greenery. The overall atmosphere is bright and professional.

Steven and the Crystal Gems all sit, then. More people opened the door, it was Sadie, Lars, Connie, Doug, and Priyanka all entered. 

“Hey, Steven!” Lars said, giving him a fist bump, and sat next to him, Sadie sat by Lars. 

“Hey, guys, so. Are you excited about the news?” Sadie asked. 

“Yeah! My mom got an email from Jim Samples that we're getting a new s chedule ?”  

“I wonder what it’s about,” Lars said. 

“You didn’t get the email?” Rose asked. 

“Ohh! that one?” Lars asked, reaching for his phone, opening his inbox, and showing Rose the email. 

“Yeah, that one,” she said, confirming the email. Lars put his phone back in his pocket and they waited for Jim to come up. 

Rose heard a door open to an office. One of the executives of Cartoon Network walked out. “Oh, you guys are all here, good. Jim should be here shortly,” he said. 

“What’s your name again?” 

“My name is Frankie.” the woman said. 

“Oh,” Steven said. 

Just then, Jim Samples walked out of his office. 

“Alright guys, let’s get started,” Jim said, smoothing out his hair, he walked in front of the table and turned on the TV. They all look at the screen and they see a white background and the 3D Cartoon Network logo in all white, then a white dummy figure—a Nood walks in the middle of the screen, Steven sees his hair, clothes, and face painted onto it. 

Then, three other Noods walked up and stood by Nood Steven. 

“Woooah! Is that supposed to be us?” Amethyst asked. 

“Yep!” Jim smiles, proud of his work and happy that the cast liked it so far. 

“Excuse me, Jim?” Doug spoke, adjusting his glasses. 

“Yes, Doug?” 

“Where are the rest of us?” he asked. 

The cast wondered the same thing—Including Steven. 

“Woah, woah, guys. You will all get your chance, alright, don’t worry,” he said. They quiet down. 

"Now, let’s get into the Schedule itself,” he said, he then pressed another button. 

“Now, it would be the same. But it will be in between Regular Show and The Amazing World Of Gumball.” 

Steven raised his hand, and Jim saw it. “Yes, Steven?” 

‘I heard that there are going to be rumors about a night block.” 

“Yes, that is Adult Swim, but. That’s going to be its separate channel, So kids and families around the country will get cartoons all day and night.” 

Steven nodded in understanding. 

“Alright guys, that covers everything about the new Schedule, do you have any questions?”

The cast was silent. 

“Alright, that covers everything.” Jum smiled brightly as he saw them leave the room. 

“That was so cool!” Greg said. 

“Yeah, It was! that’s awesome!” Amethyst said. 

“Hey, let’s go out to celebrate!” Doug suggested. 

“Yeah!” Steven and Connie both cheered. They step out of the administration building. Steven and everyone all got into their cars and went back to their homes.

“Woah! So you guys are getting bumpers?” Steven’s friend, Lucas asked. Steven called Lucas to tell him about the news. He had his phone on the bed as Steven was playing Pokémon on his DS.  

“Yeah,” Steven said. 

“On HAR HAR THARSDAYS? Dude that’s incredible! Congrats to you for making it!"

 “Thanks, dude,” he said, smiling at his best friend. 

“We should hang out tonight,” Lucas said. 

“Yeah! My parents and friends are going out to celebrate the news, wanna come?” 

“Yeah!” 

Steven got dressed in a hot pink button-down shirt and jeans, he put on a pair of bright pink Nikes and he put on his leather jacket. Then he waited for his parents. 

“Everyone ready?” Greg asked, fixing his jacket and hair. He tucked his hair behind his ears showing off his earrings. 

They all go to Hollywood to a new place that Steven recommended. Flavors Of The Coast. 

They go in and Steven sees Chef McMusli. “Oh! Steven, your back with the stars!” 

“Yeah, so now you can get a picture for your wall!” he said, smiling. 

“Oh, right you can!” he said. 

After they ate, Chef McMusli took a picture of them with his phone, he was going to get it developed later this week and frame it on the wall with the other framed pictures of celebrities. 

Greg and Rose were in their room, Rose was reading a book and Greg was in the bathroom, brushing his teeth. 

Rose sees him walk out and climb into bed by her. She marked her page and closed her book. Greg smiled softly at her. 

“What’s up?” Rose asked. 

“Oh, nothing…. I just love you, you don’t know how much I love you, Rose,” he said. Rose smiles softly at her husband. Greg smiled and kissed her cheek. 

“Goodnight, Mr. Universe,” Rose said, lying down and closing her eyes. 

“Goodnight, Mrs. Universe,” Greg said, wrapping his arms around her and they went to sleep.

The next day, Steven woke up. He gets a text from Sadie asking if he wants to hang out at her house today, Steven agrees, he hasn’t hung out with Sadie in months since they’ve filmed together. 

Steven went downstairs after getting dressed, he opened the door, closed it, and got onto his bike which was lying on the grass. 

Steven sees Sadie’s house. He knocked on the door, Sadie opened the door, and Steven grinned. “Hey, Steven,” Sadie said. 

“Hey, Sadie, So what do you want to play?” 

“Wanna play a racing game, I have Mario Kart,” she said. 

“Okay,” he said, as they went down to her room in the basement. “You have a Wii U?” he asked. 

“Yeah, I got it with my paycheck from the studio.” 

“How much does Rebecca pay you?” 

“Not as much as you do.” she teased. 

Steven sees her Wii U sitting on her TV stand. Sadie pushed the button to turn it on, she went into a bin and grabbed two controllers. 

Sadie handed a Wii U controller to Steven, he put it then they both played Mario Kart 8. 

Sadie and Steven picked their characters Steven was Mario and Sadie was Luigi. 

Both Sadie and Steven were both playing and talking. 

“So, you excited about the new Schedule?” she asked Steven, as she took an item block, it showed a Blue Shell, and tossed it at Steven. 

“He, no fair!” Steven smirked. 

“Oh yeah! Let’s see what you got, Universe!” she taunted. Steven drove faster, he got an Item Block, and the little square showed Bullet Bill. 

“YES!” he grinned as he used it to boost ahead of Sadie. 

A few minutes passed and he won the race. “Nice race, Steven,” she said, patting him on the back. 

“Thanks, Sadie.”

“I had a good time with you, see you later,” Steven said, hopping back onto his bike and riding off. 

Steven Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were hanging out at The Park with Mordecai and Rigby. Mordecai Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo haven’t heard the news about Steven’s new schedule change. But he was going to tell them now. 

Steven, Mordecai, Rigby, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo were all sitting in the house, Steven was on the couch. Muscle Man was with them too. 

“So, what do you wanna tell us?” Muscle Man asked 

“Well, we went to the studio yesterday, Amethyst and I saw you two photocopying your butts with Uncle Grandpa—“ Steven started, then he cleared his throat. “—Anyway… Where getting a new Schedule! Starting next week on HAR HAR THARSDAYS!” he exclaimed, starry-eyed. 

“OOOOHHH!” Mordecai and Rigby yelled, moving their hands in a circular motion, Muscle Man took off his shirt and spun it around. 

Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all hug the hybrid. “Where are you guys going to put in, what time?” Jeff asked

“Well, the slots are going to be in between Regular Show and The Amazing World Of Gumball,” he said. 

“OOOOHHH!” Mordecai and Rigby yell again, Rigby stands up and tries to do a backflip but he fails miserably, he lands on his stomach. Muscle Man, Mordecai, Steven, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo all laugh 

“STOP IT!” Rigby screeched. They all laugh harder this time.

Chapter Text

March 2, 2014 

Steven was biking to Burbank, he had on his earbuds as he approached the gate, Snitzhel was standing at the gate. 

“Rada rada,” he said, extending a hand out, Steven grabbed his ID so he could scan it. 

“Hey, Snitzhel, where’s Buttercup?”

“Rada rada rada.” He said. 

“She’s not coming back?” 

“Rada.” 

“School? But, it’s the weekend,” he said. 

“Rada.” 

“Man… I didn’t know her much but, I’ll miss her working here… Thanks for letting me know, Snitzhel.” 

“Rada, rada,” he said, handing him his ID badge back and opening the gate for Steven so he could peddle in. 

Steven went into the soundstage, the set had been changed to an outside scene. 

“Hey, guys!” Steven said, opening his backpack and pulling out his script for the episode. 

“Hey, Steven!” Sadie called out. She was talking to some new kids that he’s never seen before. Steven walked towards Sadie and the group of new teens. “Steven, I would like you to meet, Buck Dewey, he’s going to be playing the Mayor’s son, Jenny Philips, she’s playing Jenny Pizza. And you’ve met Sour Cream already.” 

“Hi,” Steven said. 

“Hey, So you're the kid with the superpowers. super cool, so, you're like Superman.” Buck said. 

“Um… thanks.” Steven smiled and took that as a compliment.

“Hey, where’s Rebecca?” Amethyst asked, looking around. It has been ten minutes and they should’ve started five minutes ago. Then, someone walked in. 

“Hey, J.G!” Steven waved. 

“Alright guys.” he said putting a strand of hair out of his face, “Rebecca is a little bit sick today, so she’d asked me to fill in.” 

“Bummer, dude.” Sour Cream said. 

“Alright, guys! get into your positions!” J.G. told the cast, that Steven and everyone else got into their places. 

“And… Action.” J.G said.

“Lars And The Cool Kids, scene one, take one.”  

On the edge of a towering cliff, the Crystal Gems stood in silence, their gazes fixed on the sprawling expanse of a moss-covered swamp below. The air was thick with tension, and the sun struggled to penetrate the swirling mists that clung to the landscape.

"This doesn't look good at all," Pearl said, her voice laced with concern.

"Whoa! Cool!" Steven exclaimed, hopping excitedly from one rock to another, drawn to the vibrant green moss that carpeted the swamp.

"No, Steven, wait!" Amethyst shouted, her playful demeanor shifting to alarm.

"Don't go near that stuff!" Pearl added urgently, but it was too late. The moss, as if sensing Steven's presence, began to slither toward him like a living entity.

In a swift moment of instinct, Garnet grabbed a nearby boulder and hurled it toward the rock where Steven stood. With a surprising force, it catapulted him into Pearl's waiting arms.

"WHOA!!!" Steven cried as he landed with a thud, grinning up at Pearl. "Steven's here!"

Pearl set him down gently, her expression a mix of relief and frustration. "You have to be careful, Steven!"

"Why?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Just then, a duck waddled into view, attempting to sit on a floating log. Without warning, the moss surged and engulfed the log entirely.

"What is that stuff?" Steven wondered aloud, his eyes wide with intrigue.

Garnet, standing tall and stoic, responded, "It's the moss that Rose Quartz raised on the hill."

"My mom planted this stuff?" Steven's voice softened, a hint of sadness creeping in.

Pearl nodded, her eyes distant as she recalled the past. "Rose Quartz used to climb that hill every spring and tend to the moss at the top." A hologram of Rose materialized above them, a vision of her nurturing the moss with love and care. "But now that Rose is gone, the moss is on the move!"

"It's lost," Steven murmured, a frown forming on his face.

"It's not lost. It's gross," Amethyst chimed in, her tone playful yet serious.

Pearl sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, but Rose loved it anyway. She saw the beauty in everything, no matter how gross." With newfound determination, she declared, "Fortunately, I know just what to do in this situation."

The Gems descended from the cliff, gathering on the ground as they watched Pearl prepare for her plan. With a dramatic flair, Pearl struck a pose and began to dance, her gem glowing with energy.

"Twooooh! Haaaaaah!" she exclaimed, channeling her magic. A small glowing object emerged from her gem, landing in Steven's hands. He looked down, surprised to find a roll of yellow tape labeled "POLICE LINE."

"Is this… police tape?" he asked, eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Isn't this great? This way, we don't even have to use magic. Humans will just see this and walk away," Pearl explained, her excitement palpable.

Garnet, perched on a rock, slammed her fist into her palm, a clear signal of encouragement. "Don't hold back."

Amethyst grinned mischievously. "I never… do!" She tossed the roll of tape to Garnet, and together, the Crystal Gems began wrapping the entrance to the swamp in the bright yellow tape.

"La la-la la-la~ Perfect!" Pearl sang as she tied the tape into a bow, stepping back to admire their handiwork. "Now we can come up with a plan to move the moss back to its hill!"

As the Gems gathered, Steven's stomach grumbled, breaking the moment of focus. "Who wants to get some lunch?" he asked, looking around at his friends. They turned to stare at him silently, and he shrugged, a playful smile on his face. "Just me, then? …Nice."

“Action.” 

“Lars And The Cool Kids, scene two, take one.”  

Transitioning from the swamp, the scene shifted to the bustling boardwalk at Fish Stew Pizza. Steven walked along, humming a cheerful tune to himself.

"Gettin' me a pi, gettin' me a -zza. Gettin' me a p-p-p-p-pizza!" he sang, his spirits high. Just then, he spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

"Lars!" he called out, excitement bubbling within him.

Lars groaned in response, rolling his eyes. "Why now?"

With a burst of energy, Steven sprinted toward him, arm raised high. "Got a high five for you from way downtown!" 

As the two friends came together in joyous anticipation, the adventures of the day unfolded, filled with laughter and memories yet to be made.

Lars stood against the wall, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, trying to exude an air of nonchalance. The sun hung high in the sky, casting warm rays that felt almost too bright for the mood he was trying to maintain. A sudden burst of energy broke the calm as his friend Steven sauntered over, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

“No, Steven! No high fives!” Lars hissed, his voice a low whisper-yell, as he instinctively raised his hand to block the enthusiastic gesture

“Mmmmm, okay,” Steven replied with a cheeky smile, only to high-five his own chest. Lars couldn’t help but smirk as he playfully smacked Steven’s hand away.

“Steven!” Lars exclaimed, rolling his eyes. 

He laughs “So… how come you're not at the Big Donut?” Steven asked, tilting his head curiously.

“I don't spend my whole life at work,” Lars replied, casually flipping a jacket over his shoulder. “I do... other things.”

“Like standing against this wall?” Steven teased, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

“What does it look like?!” Lars shot back, trying to maintain his cool.

“Looks like you're doing a lot of nothing,” Steven quipped. 

“That's the plan, Steven,” Lars said, flipping his jacket again. “Just playing it cool today, you know?”

“We are so much alike,” Steven stated, a sly smile creeping across his face.

“Excuse me?” Lars raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet wary.

“You want to get a fresh pizza right out of the oven, but you don’t want to seem too desperate, right?” Steven explained, his voice animated. “Well, there's no need to be ashamed. Just walk right in and ask. That's what I always do.”

“Ah, uh Steven, don’t go in there right now!” Lars warned, panic creeping into his voice.

But Steven was already peering through the windows, his curiosity piqued. “Oh, hey!” he exclaimed, spotting the trio of cool kids lounging inside the pizza joint, with Kiki standing behind them, looking effortlessly stylish.

“Jenny opened the door, and there was doggy-doo everywhere,” one of the kids said, her voice dripping with dramatic flair.

“That's nasty. I don't like nasty stuff,” Buck chimed in, making a face of disgust.

Sour Cream, meanwhile, was busy devouring a slice of pizza, oblivious to the conversation around him.

“Isn't that Kiki's sister and her friends?” Steven asked, excitement bubbling in his voice.

He whisperers “Jenny, Sour Cream, and Buck Dewey,” Lars replied, his heart racing a little. 

“Oh, you know those guys?” Steven asked, his enthusiasm undeterred.

“N-not quite, but I’m sure we’ll hang at some point,” Lars stammered, feeling a mix of admiration and nerves.

“You should go in and talk to them,” Steven urged, his eyes gleaming with encouragement.

Lars started to fluster, his cool facade cracking. “T-T-That’s not how these things work, Steven! The plan is to keep it cool and let them come to me.” He leaned back against the wall, desperately trying to regain his composure.

Just then, the door swung open, and Jenny, Sour Cream, and Buck emerged from Fish Stew Pizza, laughter spilling into the street.

“Here they come,” Steven whispered, a grin on his face, as Lars braced himself for the moment he had always wanted but never dared to seize.

Lars felt his heart race as he spotted Steven, his friend, standing awkwardly near a group of cool kids. Desperation clawed at him as he hissed, "Aah…! Steven, turn around! Act natural!" He quickly averted his gaze, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Meanwhile, Jenny, a confident girl with a determined stride, leaned into Kiki. "Tell Dad I'll be back later," she said, her eyes set on the horizon as she walked past the group, leaving her mark on the scene.

Steven, oblivious to Lars's panic, reassured him, "I don't think they saw you." But all Lars could think about was the fact that Steven was blocking his escape with his wild hair. "Aah! Steven, your hair!" he exclaimed in frustration.

"Sorry! I'll go tell them to look over here," Steven said, his enthusiasm bubbling to the surface as he ambled toward the cool kids.

"Steven, no! Don't go over there! I hate you!" Lars whispered desperately, but his protests fell on deaf ears as Steven approached with a grin.

Buck, a charismatic member of the group, was animatedly discussing muffins, gesturing with his hands to emphasize their size. "Muffins that are like, this big," he exclaimed, spreading his arms wide.

Jenny replied with a playful roll of her eyes, "Those things are too sweet for me."

Steven, not one to miss a moment, chimed in, "Hi! My name's Steven!" He raised his hand high, eager for high-fives.

"High-fives all around!" Buck declared, slapping Steven's palm, followed by Sour Cream, who introduced himself with a grin. "They call me Sour Cream."

As the introductions continued, Lars, hidden in the background, watched in horror, his hand clasped over his mouth. "Aah, he's gonna wreck everything! What are they saying? I can't hear them!" He caught a glimpse of Steven waving enthusiastically, and his heart sank. "Ugh! Why is he dancing?! No-ho-ho! My life is horrible!" Tears threatened to spill over.

"Hey, Lars!" Steven called out, breaking through his spiral of despair.

In a desperate attempt to appear unfazed, Lars snapped into a “cool” pose. "Yo," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"They invited us along for a ride," Steven said, his excitement palpable.

Lars’s mind raced. "Huh? W-Wait a minute, they—you—? …Steven, you got lucky! So don't ruin this with any of your lame schtick."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Steven pretended to shoot his fingers like a toy gun, "Pew pew! You got it!" His laughter echoed, but all Lars could do was face-palm in disbelief.

As if sensing the moment, the whole group began to move toward Jenny's car. "Hop on in, guys," she called, her voice inviting and warm, as the adventure beckoned. Lars reluctantly followed, his heart pounding with a mix of dread and excitement, wondering what this day would bring.

The lively group of friends piled into the car, each with their own vibrant personality. In the back seat, Steven let out a playful cheer, “Aw yeah, middle seat!” He was flanked by Buck and Lars, while Sour Cream settled into the front passenger seat. Jenny, the designated driver, took her place behind the wheel.

“Where’d you get that rad shirt, Steven?” Buck asked, admiring the unique design on Steven’s shirt.

With a sheepish tug at the fabric, Steven shrugged, “I have no idea where any of my clothes come from.”

Buck grinned, “Yeah, man, living free. I like it.”

Lars chimed in, eager to show off his own shirt adorned with a striking snake design. “Hey, check out my shirt!” he said, proudly pointing to the snake.

Buck raised an eyebrow, feigning disgust. “Oh, that snake is nasty.”

“Oh,” Lars replied, putting on a mock laugh, “Yeah, I hate snakes!" Buck chuckled back, “Oh, what? That’s too bad; some snakes are pretty cool.”

As the conversation flowed, Jenny started up the car, prompting Steven to remind everyone, “Sounds like it’s time to buckle up!”

“Quit being lame, Steven,” Lars shot back, but Sour Cream interjected, “Hey, man, there’s nothing ‘lame’ about seatbelt safety.” 

Jenny nodded firmly, “Car does not move ’til we’re all buckled up.” With that, Steven and Lars reluctantly obliged.

“Yeah, now let’s get some spaced-out beats up in here,” Sour Cream declared, tuning the car radio to an electrifying electronics station. As the rhythmic beats filled the car, he swayed his arms slowly, lost in the music.

Turning to Jenny, Lars remarked, “Hey, this car is really cool, Jenny.”

She shrugged, a hint of sarcasm in her tone. “It’s just the delivery car for my dad’s lame shop. Makes me smell like pizza. Where to, y’all?” With that, she pulled out onto the road.

“I don’t even know,” Buck admitted, glancing around as if the perfect destination would jump out at him.

“Oh, can we stop by the Big Donut?” Steven piped up, his eyes sparkling at the thought of sweet treats.

Jenny raised an eyebrow, skeptical yet intrigued. “That old place?” she asked, steering the car toward the familiar sight of the Big Donut, its whimsical shape looming ahead. The adventure had only just begun.

The group of friends found themselves driving through the bustling streets, each one brimming with excitement and anticipation. Buck glanced out the window, his expression sour. “Man, that place is a drag,” he muttered, eyeing the local hangouts.

Steven, ever the optimist, chimed in. “But that’s where Lars works—” His words were cut off by a sudden fit of loud coughing from Lars, who waved his hand dismissively. “Quiet, Steven! he coughs 

“Need some water?” Steven offered, concern etched on his face.

The car continued its journey, weaving through the lively town until they spotted a familiar landmark. “Funland Arcade is the best! Let’s do that!” Steven exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

Sour Cream leaned back in his seat with a grin. “Man, I beat all the 'G's' in there like three million times.”

“No way!” Steven gasped, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Yeah, me too,” Lars added, trying to sound impressive.

“No way!” Steven repeated, his excitement palpable.

Sour Cream chuckled, shrugging. “Honestly though, I’m just exaggerating to sound cool.” He glanced at Lars, who felt a bit sheepish about their bragging.

“Hey, I appreciate your honesty,” Steven said, giving Sour Cream a friendly pat on the shoulder.

As they drove closer to the city park, a familiar figure came into view. “Hey, Buck, isn’t that your dad?” Jenny pointed out, her voice laced with curiosity.

Mayor Dewey stood on a makeshift stage, gesturing animatedly to the crowd. “Another reason you should re-elect me… I love babies! Will you look at that, a baby!” He leaned down as his aide held a baby toward him and planted a long kiss on its forehead, prompting applause from the crowd. 

“Huh, I like his policies on babies,” Steven mused.

Buck sighed a hint of bitterness in his tone. “Man, he never kisses me like that.”

“That's rough, bro,” Lars replied sympathetically.

Buck shook his head. “It’s not rough. The lack of daddy kisses in my life made me who I am.” Lars looked away, a bit uncomfortable with the conversation.

Suddenly, Jenny's eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh my gosh, guys. We should check out Dead Man’s Mouth!” She leaned forward to shift the car into gear.

“What’s Dead Man’s Mouth?” Steven asked, curiosity piqued.

Buck shrugged, trying to remember. “Oh, it’s this lake where some dude died, or it looks like a mouth? I forget the specifics.”

“Dead Man’s Mouth, here we come!” Jenny declared, her foot pressing down on the gas as the car sped off, excitement buzzing in the air.

“Cut!” The bell rang and they got to get something to eat. Everyone was talking. “Hey, Steven.  You were great out there!” Jenny told him, grabbing a plate of fruit. Steven grabbed a plate too as he smiled. 

“You think so?” he asked. 

“Yeah! And I also like the new Schedule for the show, and we get to be on the HAR HAR THARSDAYS block!” Steven exclaimed, raising his arms in the air. 

“Okay, that’s cool,” Buck said 

“Isn’t it cool! And we all have Noods! well, just the Crystal Gems and I—I don’t know when you’ll all get yours yet.” 

“That’s okay, Steven. We’ll get there someday.” Buck said. 

“But aren’t we going to get Noods too, Steven?” Lars asked. 

“I don’t know, maybe later in the series.” 

Then, J.G. interrupts them. 

“Alright, places guys!” he said, walking back to the director’s chair and he sat. 

“And… action!” 

“Lars And The Cool Kids, scene three, take one.”  

Once they arrived, the group piled out of the car. “We’re here,” Jenny announced triumphantly.

But as Steven took in his surroundings, he noticed the police tape left by the Crystal Gems. A sudden realization hit him. “Y-You know what? I know this place may seem cool, but it’s actually a lot less cool than you think. W-Why don’t we just go have some more fun at the boardwalk?” he suggested, his voice slightly anxious.

The group exchanged glances, caught between the allure of the mysterious lake and the thrill of more familiar adventures.

The group of friends stood at the edge of a swamp, the air thick with anticipation. Lars, his eyes sharp with determination, glared at Steven. “Steven, stop being lame!” he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the stillness. Turning to the others, he added, “Let’s check this place out.”

With a shared sense of adventure, the group followed Lars toward the entrance of the swamp. Murmurs of excitement filled the air as they approached, but Steven hesitated, anxiety creeping into his voice. “Oh, pfft, the police tape!” he laughed, though his laughter felt forced.

The group paused, their eyes drawn to the police tape that surrounded the entrance like a warning. Sour Cream broke the tension, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Huh… Police tape,” he said, ripping down the tape with a flourish. “Awesome!” Steven gasped, watching as Sour Cream boldly walked through.

Buck chimed in, a grin spreading across his face. “I’m above the law,” he declared, tearing down more tape as if it were a mere obstacle. Jenny, with a playful smile, posed a question that hung in the air. “Who wants to go for a swim?”

As the others began to shed their coats, a wave of unease washed over Steven. He stared at the thick moss, his agitation palpable. Sour Cream, ever the jokester, gleefully converted his pants into shorts. “Pants become shorts!” he announced proudly.

With a swift motion, Lars stripped off his shirt and took a confident step toward the swamp. “Lars, don’t go in there, it’s dangerous!” Steven pleaded, his voice rising in alarm.

“Steven, you trying to scare us?” Jenny shot back, her excitement undeterred.

“Build an atmosphere, I appreciate that,” Buck added, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sour Cream danced around, swaying his fingers and adding to the playful chaos. “Oooooh!” he sang, caught up in the thrill.

“Wait!” Steven’s voice cracked with desperation as Buck, Jenny, and Sour Cream leaped into the murky waters. Lars attempted to join them, but Steven grabbed his arm, panic etched across his face.