? The Caged Bird ? [Rebooted Reader Insert]

bee-beep! bee-beep!

Steven was awoken to the light sound of his phone alarm going off. After blinking a few times to wake himself up, he reaches over and plucks his phone off the dresser to check his schedule for the day. Little homeworld still wouldn't be ready for a couple weeks, so he still very much had a lot of free time.

He sighed and sat up in bed, briefly stretching his arms over his head with a long yawn. Rubbing his eyes, he heard a soft dove-like coo and looked over to the (color) bassinet beside his sliding glass door, smiling at seeing you curled up beneath the blanket. After getting up and running through his morning routine of getting dress and brushing his teeth, he finally approached your bedside and peered down at you.

He had to cover his mouth to repress his urge to squeal with adoration at your sleeping form.

Although he was hesitant, he poked you softly in your back. "Hey (name)... it's time to wake up."

You grumbled softly, your eyes fluttering open as you felt the covers get pulled off of you, and two strong hands scoop you up. Rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, you look up to find Steven smiling down at you warmly. "Good morning, bud. Did you sleep well?"

You yawned softly and him a small, drowsy smile with a light purr of affirmanation. "I'll take that as a yes." He said, cradling you in one arm, and playfully poking your belly with his free hand, eliciting a gleeful dolphin squeak from you.

He chuckled softly as he stood the rocking you gently. What shall we do first? He thought as he idly glanced outside, his face brightening up. "Oh! It's a really nice day out today!" He noted cheerfully, prompting you to turn around to follow his gaze, to the glass door.

It was indeed a nice looking day outside; sky was virtually cloudless and the ocean was sparkling under the sun's light. "Maybe I'll take you out for some fresh air today!"

You perked up at the sound of this. It's been quite a while since you were exposed to sea breeze, or heard the clear sound of the waves...

That was when you heard a barely audible rumble emanate from you. Steven chuckled softly. "First, let's get you some breakfast."

You squeaked excitedly, your wings fluttering with even more eagerness at the thought of food.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Slow down, please."

You barely heard Steven caution as you greedily devoured your breakfast of pureed (fruit), hardly paying any mind to the small spoon he provided. You simply found it easier to eat directly from the bowl.

"Gah, I hope when their older, they'll be able to learn table manners..." pearl frets, sneering uncomfortably as you lifted your face from the bowl, your chin and mouth covered in the (color) substance. Amethyst started to snicker to herself at the noise of disgust pearl made.

"I'll be sure to teach them how to use silverware." Steven assured, wiping your face off with a napkin, grunting as you returned to eating directly from the dish. "...I'm gonna take them outside for some fresh air."

"That sounds like a good idea." Pearl notes, with a smile. "Get them familiar with everything while their still young..."

Garnet stood for a moment before nodding. "Just be careful."

Steven chuckled, trying to get you to relax enough so he could clean your face again. "Don't worry, I will."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ah, nothing like some morning sunshine." Steven sighed, looking around for a moment before gently lowering you to the sand. He watched as you tottered around, looking down curiously at the soft sand.

"Be careful now. Stay close." You nodded instinctively, clicking softly as your small taloned feet dug and treaded the ground. After a minute of adjusting, you started to play in it, digging and watching it run through your fingers.

Steven smiles to himself, watching you play. "...It's kinda strange, that you're the only siren to come here after all these years..." You look up at him, tail flicking slightly in curiosity. "I wonder... what DO sirens do in your free time? ...aside from singing that is." You just stared up at him curiously, twitching your tail tip slightly. Interesting question...

You tried to recall the conversations between your mother and sire, but due to being an egg, you didn't quite catch much of what was being said. Nor did you remember. Aside from hearing your mother sing from time to time, you were stumped.

...what did we do?

Seeing your troubled expression, Steven gave a weary chuckle. "I... guess that's a... pretty loaded question..." He smiled awkwardly and sighed, turning his gaze to the ocean. "Still though... It must be cool, having all of that freedom..."

You didn't understand what he was talking about, but you did realize how he kinda deflated when he said this. You decided that a gift would cheer him up.

You wander on a bit, occasionally digging in search of food, seashells or any other valuable collectibles to gift your caretaker, or at least a suitable snack for you, but all's that came up were of broken shell remnants and plasic junk everywhere. If I'm gonna make Steven happy, I'm gonna need better materials than this... You thought with a grump as you stared at a dirty plastic bottle in your grip.

After squeezing a couple times it to hear it crinkle, you tossed it over your shoulder continued your hunt, wandering further and further down the Beach, determined to find the perfect gift.

After much wandering and digging, you, at last manage to find a worthy present; a beautiful shiny clam, perfectly preserved and clean. With a gasp of surprise and delight, you picked it up and lift it towards the sun to examined its shine in the light. Wow... what luck!

You have yourself a snack and your caretaker a lovely gift! You plopped yourself down onto your hocks, eagerly trying to break apart your new prize--

sqwaa!

You flinched as a familiar piercing squawk sounded over the waves... right beside you. With a confused hum, you looked to the side and was startled at the feathered creature before you.

~~~~~[Meanwhile...]~~~~~~

Steven sighed as he stared at the horizon, as it turned from a reddish orange to blue as the sun took its place in the sky.

"Well... maybe we should head to town." He got up from his spot, and dusted himself off. "We should let the others know that--"

He paused as he looked to his side.

"...(Name)?

~~~~~~~~~~

Uuh-oh.