Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe

Title: Distant Lights Darken Dreams

Summary: In order to survive life as a prisoner in Homeworld, Steven and Connie are forced to fuse, tying their lives to Stevonnie's gem rather than their own need for food and water. Escaping is easy enough, seeing how, as a political prisoner, they were mostly left to themselves. But they've forgotten how to un-fuse. They've lost themselves.

Author's Note: Gonna be a three-parter, ya'll. This is just an atmosphere setter.

...

It's been five years, they say. It feels longer. Much, much longer.

They say other things, of course, while they pretend to be sleeping.

"-Looks so thin..." Pearl, fingers fluttering across the bedspread to smooth the wrinkles.

"...How long...?" Amethyst, arms hanging limply by her side.

"Long enough." Garnet; a gem-studded hand touches both their shoulders. Stevonnie hears them jump. "We'll talk in the morning."

She knows, Stevonnie decides, heart sinking. But Garnet just turns and leads them away.

Once they're alone, they can finally sleep.

Stevonnie's forgotten how to dream.


Things filter in from behind the door, or maybe they imagine it.

"Must have shapeshifted-"

"Human parts are withered-"

"...gem is the only thing-"

"Do they even remember-?"

"-haven't eaten since they disappeared-"

"Are they even capable anymore?"

"We'll find out."

Stevonnie runs a hand over the edge of the thick scar marring their back- they'd wanted to 'find out' as well, but Stevonnie is stubborn, they are- and tried to fall into a deeper rest. Instinct has other plans for them.


Un-fuse, Garnet says, but her voice is so quiet she may as well have mouthed it.

Stevonnie pushes up from the floor, covered in mud. It's storming outside, but they hardly noticed before now. Thin arms are cradling their equally thin shoulders, while more stocky ones are wrapped around their middle. A pale mane drapes itself around them; tears wet their hip. Amethyst is crying.

Long-fingered hands gently take their chin, pulling Stevonnie up to visor level. Garnet, crouched so no one has to move, speaks with the sense of urgency a woman who wants to see her son's face has.

"Stevonnie, you're safe now. It's okay. Un-fuse."

But Stevonnie can only blink at her.

Author's Note: Garnet has quite the task set before her, I must admit. More on Stevonnie's scars later.

-Mandaree1