Corrupted Heart - Steven Universe x Reader

Chapter 12

Garnet eyed everyone, before stepping forward. "Steven, I know you don't think we trust you", she justified, kneeling down to his level. She placed her hand on his shoulder as Steven began to realise where this was going. "I know more often than not we treat you like a human child. But the truth is, we rely on you". She handed him a megaphone, which he hesitated to grab. "Your voice inspires us, binds us, reminds us why we promised to protect the planet. You must now be that voice, for them".

I clicked my tongue, somewhat scowling at the Gems. "Oh, please! You're just using that excuse to get him out of the way", I asserted, planting my firm hands on my hips. Pearl shook her head relentless, waving her hands in front of her face in an apprehensive manner. "N-No, no! That's not it at all! We just--", she halted mid-sentence, biting down of her lip and glancing away. I knew it!

"We need Steven to take care of the townfolks", Garnet answered, "If anything happens, you need to be there to protect them. Like your mother once did. It's your destiny". Steven glimpsed down at the megaphone in doubt, feeling a huge weight of distress resting on his shoulders. But he plastered on a courageous face, before assuredly stating, "I won't disappoint you!".

Garnet smiled, feeling proud of him, "I know, make sure to take this one with you", she pointed at me, still scowling at her. Steven nodded, gripping onto my arm and hauling me with him to the van. Greg set up the back seats for me, and let me climb in. Once Steven sat down, Greg turned the keys, started the engine and drove off. I glanced at the rearview mirror, seeing the Gems visibly distressed and devastated. Steven turned to look back at me. "Seatbelts save lives", he told me, reaching out to grab onto my belt and buckle me up, "Buckle up every time". I frowned at him, leaning forward and flicking his forehead so he would face forward. "Ow!", he expressed in pain, rubbing his head.

I caught myself gawking at the rearview mirror again, seeing other citizens in their vehicles driving out of town with us. I was hoping I'd see my mother in that crowd, but I didn't. I let the air out through my nose, sinking into the car seat, watching Steven peer at the surroundings through the window. "Maybe when Peridot gets to Earth, she'll see how nice all the people are and she won't want to hurt anyone", Steven said, positively. I tsked, glaring out the window, still noticing the dark atmosphere surrounding us. "Get real, Steven", I grunted, sinking into the car seat with a foreboding aura clinging onto me, "She's coming to kill us".

Steven turned to me with a timid face while Greg peered at me through the mirror. "You...You don't know that", Steven studdered.

"You think she'll change sides so easily? People aren't like that. Not everyone is as nice as you". Greg sighed, wistfully, frowning down at the wheel. "(Y/N) right, Steven", he gripped the wheel a little firmer. "These other Gems aren't like your mother. They aren't like Garnet, Amethyst, or Pearl. They aren't gonna start caring about people now. They didn't the first time they...", Greg suddenly stopped himself from talking, hoping Steven and I didn't hear the last thing he said. But, we did. "The first time they what?", Steven asked. Greg didn't look at Steven but saw my reflected scowl in the mirror which made him tense up. "I mean, it was thousands of years ago! It's-it's not like I was there!", Greg studdered restlessly. Steven began to glare at his father, not in wrath, in curiosity. He knew his dad wanted to say something. But what?

"The Gems should be telling you all this stuff, but I get it. I mean, they don't want you thinking of them like that!", Greg explained to him. I crossed my arms over my chest, "Like what?". Greg doesn't reply. Instead, he faced forward, pressing his lips into a thin line and breathing a little heavier than usual. Steven leaned closer to him, "Dad, like what?".

"Like aliens, Steven! Aliens who invaded Earth!", Greg shouted.

"What?!", Steven exclaimed in awe.