Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe

Title: Woof

Summary: (Polygems Human!AU) Amethyst is settling into her life as a mom and settling into a relationship when two of her old friends arrive with news; Vidalia is pregnant (again), and Peridot is getting married. Her sister, Jasper, is the one Peridot's marrying. Amethyst has no choice but to return home for the ceremony.

...

"Woof."

Pearl doesn't even glance over her shoulder, intent on the paper on her desk. "Did you say something, Amethyst?"

"Hmm? Nah." Amethyst, right arm crooked behind her head, the left draped across her pudgy belly, shakes her head.

"Because I thought I heard you say 'woof.'"

"I did. Just talkin' to myself."

She says 'woof' for lot's of reasons. She feels a bit like a dog with no chain, lounging back on Pearl's dorm bed. She's as confused as a dog in a new home, as she has no reason to be here and yet Pearl had invited her anyway. Also; Pearl's wearing a collar.

It's a very pretty collar, don't get her wrong. Small and black with a tiny pink diamond dangling from the front; a tribute to her old friend and lover, Rose. The kind of thing that's just risque enough that she wouldn't dare wear it outside the dorm for fear of embarrassment but has no issue with wearing it around Amethyst and Garnet. Definitely Garnet.

Okay, okay. Right. Might be a good idea to give a quick rundown for the people in the back; Amethyst met Garnet and Pearl at one of her sister's concerts a couple months back. A couple beers and one private night- which, oddly enough, didn't include sex- later, they're dating. Well, no, not dating. Dating is a personal thing. Amethyst doesn't really do personal.

So, Garnet and Pearl are dating, while she's more like the one 'friend' they call when they're looking for a good time.

Got it? Good.

This whole 'hanging out' thing is new. They have a movie night once a week- which usually gets cancelled due to testing and/or homework, but she understands- and now they invite her over just for kicks? Yeah. It's confusing.

Oh, right. She forgot one other thing; they're raising Rose's kid.

Rose, through some wonder upon wonder, had been friends with all of them long before they met. She was sociable like that. Steven got handed off to Greg, who went to her sister, Jasper, for help, and got referred to Amethyst.

Steven lives with her during the week to be closer to his school. Before you freak out, he's with Greg for the night. She did not leave him alone in a house full of potentially deadly objects. One funeral is enough.

Pearl and Garnet lucked into the occasion later, when they found out their dead best friend's son was living under her roof. Steven spends more time with them than he does with her, these days.

That's fine. She's a crappy mom anyway.

"Whatcha doing?" Amethyst stands on her tip-toes to see over Pearl's shoulder, hands on her waist for support. The woman gives an uncomfortable jerk, so she relocates them to the top of her chair. "One of those research thinga-ma-jigs?"

"Just an essay." Pearl frowns, glancing at her over the top of her chair as the short woman flops back onto the bed, curiosity sated. "What did you say you majored in, again?"

Amethyst never said she majored in anything. Knowing a probe when she hears one, she shrugs. "Survival."

"Amethyst."

"Alright, alright, you got me. Babysitting."

Well, if we're being serious here, Amethyst never finished middle school. It's not that she didn't want to- it's just... complicated.

Okay, no, it's not. She kinda-sorta ditched to go on a tour with her sister's band of emo idiots (note that those two words are typically connected- you can be perfectly smart and emo, and vice versa. Jasper's friends are dirt amongst gems, is all.) But it wasn't like she had the money to get books and stuff for herself anyway. Everything she had went towards Steven.

Pearl and Garnet don't know that. In her defense, they never asked.

"You have a career in babysitting?" She asks, voice flat with sarcasm.

"I do odd jobs." Not a lie.

"But, like, as a career." Pearl tries to explain. She shrugs once again.

"I have a career in doing odd jobs."

She opens her mouth to say something- probably to offer her some tutoring to get her back in school- when Garnet opens the door to their shared room, grunting a greeting. Steven skips in beside her. "Amethyst!"

"Hey, there's my little dude!" She sits up, watching with a wide smile as he flops down next to her. Garnet shrugs off her backpack. "I thought you were hanging out with Greg?"

"I was!" He jerks his arms into the air, eyes bright. He's still at that stage of growing up, where his parents are perfect and beautiful, and Amethyst is really gonna rue the day he realizes she's neither. Pretty, yes, but beautiful? Girls like Pearl and Garnet are beautiful. Not her. "Garnet came over and helped me with my homework."

"Thought Pearl would want some time with him. I was gonna drop 'em off after." Garnet hums, sitting down. "Didn't know you were here. Hey."

"Hey." She lazily raises a hand. "I can leave, if you want."

"No, no. I'm happy you're with us."

Amethyst narrows her eyes. Flattery! She didn't need no flattery. "Thanks for helping him. I stink at math." She says instead. Causing a scene might make Steven cry, and she hates when she does that.

Pearl ditches the essay to spin her office chair around and open her arms. Steven gladly accepts a hug from her. "Oh my gosh!" He squeals. "You necklace is so pretty!"

Amethyst stifles a snort when the girl's pale skin turned a deep shade of tomato. "Er, thanks. I like it too."

"You look good." Garnet agrees. "You ever wear jewelry, Amethyst?"

"Don't own any."

"I do!" Steven digs through his pockets and pulls out an old silver ring with intricate engravings of vines. A family heirloom, now covered in sticky candy and marker. It's a good thing Amethyst never cared about most of her family. "Amethyst says I can dress up whenever I want!"

"Good." The tall woman nods. "If it makes you happy, you should do it."

Amethyst relaxes. Garnet's words tell her she's doing at least semi-decent on the whole 'mom' thing.

...Then again, Garnet was raised by two midgets; one of whom was a professional brawler, while yet another was a registered psychic (you can actually get registered for that. Who knew?). Pearl's parents treated her like a servant. And her mom...

Well, let's just say none of them are stunning examples of parenting done right, not counting Garnet. She should probably look to, like, the internet, or something.

Amethyst closes her eyes and lets out a sigh.

This is good. Life is good.

Author's Note: More on Amethyst's 'stunning' childhood later. =) Steven enjoys dressing up sometimes- in dresses and/or suits- and Amethyst has no problem with playing along when Prince or Princess Steven comes riding into the room on his valiant 'steed'- their cat, Lion, following close behind.

Psychic testing and registration is a thing. I'm not sure all where, but they have/had it in Michigan, or so I hear.

-Mandaree1