Corrupted Heart - Steven Universe x Reader

Chapter 12

"All they do is try to make up for it. They just can't forgive themselves, you understand? Look, they were doing something awful to the planet and your mother couldn't stand it anymore. She told me that's why she had to turn on her own kind. She gave up everything just to stop what they started here and drive the invading Gems off of Earth".

Steven was in utter shock, shuddering at the thought. His breath was caught in his throat. He felt paralysed, an aura of despair clinging tightly onto him. So tightly that he couldn't breathe. He was overwhelmed by this new information and his brain couldn't process it. "So sh-she saved the world, that's good!", he stammered as his dad shook his head. "No such thing as a good war, kiddo", Greg frowned at his son, "Gems were destroyed, people too... In the end, your mother could only save a handful of her closest friends. If it weren't for her shield, man, I don't know.".

He looked down at Steven noticing how poorly he was doing at handling all this. "B-but hey, let's look on the bright side! We're gonna drive past that waffle place in a couple miles!", Greg forced a fraudulent, comforting smile on his face as Steven buried his face in his hands. "You like waffles, right (Y/N)", he looked at me in the rearview mirror. I glimpsed down at the floor, not knowing what to say. Well, of course, I wanted waffles, but Steven looked so hurt and I didn't think that waffles would cheer him up.

"We gotta go back! Turn the van around!", Steven begged his dad.

"No way, the Gems don't want you going back!", Greg countered, focusing on the road. "I know they're just trying to protect me, but I have to protect them! I have Mom's shield, they need me!", Steven lifted up his jacket to show his glimmering, pink gem in his stomach. I leaned closer to Greg, gripping onto the fabric of his chair, "I think we should turn around!", I said as drops of sweat profusely dripped down Greg's face. However, he still refused to reply. Steven suddenly knitted his brows together. He steamed with resentment as I heard him swallow down the sudden fury he had, but it clearly showed in his pink-tinted cheeks.

Steven clenched his hands into a tight fist, "Dad! Turn the van around, PLEASE!!!". He threw a blow at the panel in front of him as an airbag inflated and launched him out of the van. "Steven!", I called out to him as Greg pressed his foot on the brake to stop the van. We both dashed out of the vehicle, running down to where we assumed he landed. We saw him, lying face down in the dirt.

I kneeled down to grab onto his arms and help him up. "You idiot! Why would you do that?!", I scowled, sharply. His glossy eyes turned to face me as tears spilled down his pale cheeks, making me soften my scowl on him. "Yo, are you three okay?", a man asked as several citizens began to gather around to check on Steven's safety. Greg nodded, glancing down to look at his son. "Dad, please. I have to go back. I have to! They don't have my shield, do you understand?", he sobbed as fresh tears began to form in his eyes. Greg smiled, wiping away his tears with his thumbs. "Yeah, okay. Just... be careful, or I'm gonna run fresh out of family", he wearily chuckled.

"Stay with everyone and keep them safe. I'll figure out some way to get back to Beach City", he explained to his dad as I jeered. "Um, you mean we'll figure out some way to get back to Beach City?", I stated, "I'm coming with you". Steven goggled at me, shaking his head in denial.

"What, no! You need to stay with dad where it's safe", he told me. I crossed my arms again, narrowing my brows, "So I can helplessly watch you risk your life from the sidelines? That's not happening!".

"(Y/N), pleas--".

"Either we both go, or neither of us goes", I asserted. Steven thought for a short while, looking back at the crowd of agitated citizens, then at his dad who shrugged with a timid smile before letting out a sigh. "Ok, fine", he gave in. Suddenly, Steven's pet lion appeared behind him, resting a pink paw on top of his poofy head. I arched a brow, "When and how did you get here?".