By Your Side: Steven Universe x Reader

?Episode 6: Part 3?

Amethyst didn't comment on the sudden change in subject. She turned to the ocean, but her eyes were distant, seeing a memory. My remaining bits grew cold in the sea breeze as I drank in her words. 

Thankfully, she didn't bring up Steven.   

-Steven's POV-

The Dondai's engine sputtered to life. Chilly air blasted through the vents but soon flowed tepid. After running through a safety checklist that Sunstone would be proud of– putting on my seatbelt, checking the rear and side mirrors, etc.– I drove off. As the Dondai turned off the sandy terrain and onto a paved road, I couldn't take the silence any longer. Or the thoughts it amplified. 

I smiled. "Can't decide what cassette to play, (Y/–" The rest of my words died in my throat. Despite the untouched cassettes in the middle compartment, it was a loud car ride.

-(Y/n)'s POV-

I stared up at the canopy, my back to the ground. 

"Get up," Jasper demanded. 

My eyes flitted to her seething form and returned to the blanket of orange leaves above. What I wouldn't give for some sleep right about now. "No," I said. 

"Stop being a coward." 

My soreness proved otherwise. Jasper had pushed me nonstop since I'd asked for her help. Especially once I'd finally managed to summon my weapon at will. Gripping the handle of my spiked bat felt nostalgic but also, foreboding. Who would pay the cost of its summons? 

What irked Jasper was how this kind of thinking affected my combat skills. Training with her was like standing before a cat that was picky with how it played with its food. At some point, the lessons became an excuse to beat up each other– though mostly me. So, this mouse stopped entertaining. 

Jasper bristled. "I said. Get. Up."

"No."

She smiled. The glimmer in her eyes honed the fury behind her expression. I wasn't going to like whatever she did next. "You'll fight me, or I'll find someone who will," she threatened, indicating Beach City and its half-gem resident. 

Everything in me stilled. "You wouldn't," I said, my words a threat.

Jasper equipped her tangerine helmet, the two horns curved upwards. A haughty weapon like that suited her. 

-Steven's POV-

The phone rang beside my head as I stared at the ceiling. Finally, the call connected. "Hi, Steven!" Connie's distant voice exclaimed. 

I sat up in my bed and held the phone to my ear. "Connie! Hi! How's it going?" 

"You have perfect timing! I was just about to have a study break. Once I finish editing my college essays today, I can finally submit my college applications. I really hope I get into University of Jayhawk!" 

"I'm sure you will! You're one of the smartest people I know. You always do your best, you're kind–" 

"Maybe you should be writing my application essays," Connie teased. 

"Who better to explain your role in establishing peace across the universe than me?" 

I could hear her grin within the silence. "It's been a while since we've last talked. How are things with Little Homeworld?" She didn't say anything about me choosing to call without the camera on even though we exclusively spoke through video calls.

"Things are great! The Gems keep coming up with new classes for Little Homeschool. Pearl is thinking about teaching sewing since Little Larimar wanted to make her own stuffed animals to hand out to people... We had to explain to her that they weren't made out of real animals." I cringed at the memory. Thankfully, we told Little Larimar before she got ahold of any animals.  

Connie and I continued chatting about college and Little Homeworld, but I needed to talk to her about something else.

"Do you remember that gem I told you about? (Y/n)?" I asked. 

"Your new protector?" 

"Connie..." I groaned. She knew that I wasn't comfortable with the whole self-sacrificing defender thing. I didn't like it when Pearl taught Connie to wield a sword, and I didn't now.

"(Y/n) is missing, and I'm worried about her," I said. Suddenly, the worries corroding all other thoughts over the past month gushed forth. "I know she knows more about life on Earth than other gems, but she's out there hurting and there's nothing I can do about it. I don't even know where she could've gone."

"Steven! Breathe."  

I did.

Then, Connie asked, "What happened? Did the gems who don't like Little Homeworld take her?"

I shook my head even though she couldn't see it. "No. (Y/n) ran away."

A sharp trill resounded on the other end of the phone. "Sorry, Steven. My study break is over. I'm sure everything will work out in the end! (Y/n) will come back eventually. Just like Lapis." 

"You're probably right," I said with hollow relief. "Good luck studying!"

"Thanks! Bye, Steven!" Connie exclaimed before ending the call.

 I flopped back onto my bed and pressed my palms into my eyes. 

-(Y/n)'s POV-

My spiked club dragged behind me as I strode towards the orange gem lying in the snow. I did it. I became the gem I wanted to be. 

For centuries, I had wasted away at rock bottom, the lowest I could be, as a failure when I could've been so much more. My body felt light, foreign to the earth that had formed me. 

I picked up gem. "Thank you. But don't ever  threaten Steven again," I said coldly. 

Our battle had cleared the trees nearby, and I could see Beach City. The view made me feel like I was back at the cave in the mountains, yearning for what was always out of reach. Now, I had the strength to protect Steven from me. From himself. I returned my weapon to my gem and headed home. 

A/n: It's a short chapter this time! I just barely made the deadline (and totally didn't forget until a couple of days ago) haha... 

Also, what do you think about the new cover? 

Thank you for reading! I'll do my best to update next month!!