(Alternate) Steven Universe x Corrupt gem reader Insert

part 122: Fusion banter

"Wait, what?" Stevonnie seemed taken aback from the request, not noticing your grimace at her. "Pearl, you were so worried Steven wouldn't be able to do this." Connie spoke through Stevonnie. "Aren't you proud of him?"

"Of... Course I-"

"Yeah, pearl. Steven can fuse!" You growled, holding Stevonnie closer to your chest in a protective manner. "Can't Pearl be satisfied with that at least?"

"It's not that- I never said that I wasn't-- it's just--!" Pearl struggled to look for an excuse, as your eyes were locked with hers, causing her to fumble over her words. She finally turned to the tall gem behind her. "Garnet, help me out here."

"...Stevonnie." Garnet spoke approaching as Pearl and amethyst stepped back from her. "...listen to me." After you set gently Stevonnie on the ground and setting your paws on their shoulders, she places her hand on Stevonnie's cheek. "You are not two people. And you are not one person. You... are an experience!" She held an enthusiasm in her voice, which wasn't a common occurrence. "Make sure you're a good experience. Now..."

"Go!... Have!... Fun!"

Stevonnie smiles enthusiastically. "I will!"

"Be home before midnight." You reminded them, turning them to face you. "Be sure to stop by for dinner sometime." You winked playfully and added. "That goes for Connie as well." They giggled, setting their hands on your paws. "Yes ma'am! Thank you!"

They then rose up on their tiptoes and-

Mwah!

"Bye!" With that they dashed out the front door.

You smiled and hummed, your paws clasped together as a warm fuzziness rippled across from the place they kissed. "Hm... (Name) hopes Stevonnie has a good, memorable experience."

"You and me both." Garnet muses, leaning against you with a proud little smirk.

"...We really need to get your behavior under control." You heard Pearl grumble.

"Not aggression, annoyance." You rumbled turning to face the gem in question. "Steven finally fuses, and Pearl's first reaction is to have them unfuse."

"(Name), it wasn't like I wasn't proud of him!" Pearl exclaimed defensively. "It's just--"

"Is it because he fused with a human?" You questioned sharply, making her go silent. "What's so bad about that??"

Pearl faltered at the question. In that split second, a look melancholy flashed across her face. Her blue eyes darted around, wanting to look anywhere but your eyes. "I-- It's just...." Her voice came out small, uncertain. But quickly she shook off the somber look and fixed you with a defensive glare. "It's inappropriate! It... shouldn't be possible!" She snapped, making you flinch your head back. I must have hit a nerve... You sneered, deciding to back off a bit.

"But... Steven's also half-human?" Your voice was much softer, but was still seasoned with faint traces of annoyance. "So what's the big deal?"

"That's diff--!" Pearl almost snapped again, but she quickly stopped herself. She sighed heavily, turning her back to you. She wrapped her arms around herself into a self-hug. "Humans... they don't... they shouldn't be able to possess the ability to fuse with a gem!"

"Steven's both a human and a gem." You reminded flatly. "He's broken a barrier between humans and gems." You shrugged, softening your voice slightly. "He's done the impossible. That's something to be proud of, isn't it?"

Pearl didn't respond. She just staring at her feet, seemingly mulling over what you had said. You tilted your head, frowning at the lack of response. "Pearl?"

"...you just don't understand, (Name)." She muttered. With that she silently walked to the temple doors, disappearing into her room.

You stared after Pearl, feeling disappointed and concerned all at once. Am I missing something? What's up with her and humans?

"It's... a long story." Garnet set a hand on her shoulder. "Don't take it personally."

"Yeah, P's always had this thing against humans ever since Rose... ya know." Amethyst shrugged, looking the slightest bit sad herself but still appeared laid-back. "Don't worry about it too much."

You hummed, looking at the two gems for a moment, before looking back at the temple doors. Despite yourself, your brows furrowed in uncertainty. This may become a problem...

However, a bright flash at the warp pad snapped you out of your thoughts, and out of the blue stream a familiar pink gem bounded out.

"I'm back!"
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Here's some sugary fluff with a few dashes of angst.