Unfading Scars
A/N: Okay, this is my first Steven Universe fanfiction, so please try not to judge me too harshly. Now, concerning the Wanted series, loved it! It was beautiful, seeing Homeworld and allowing Steven and Lars relationship to develop and become stronger, as well as finally explaining what happened to Lion. And what does everyone think about Zircon's inquiries? Does this mean Rose Quartz didn't kill Pink Diamond? And if she didn't, who actually committed the murder? Those off colors were hilarious and I can't wait to see what will happen, whether the five of them will get to earth without any trouble and how will Lars' life change now that he's matured and become some kinda gem-human. Only time can tell, so enjoy this little emotional view point I wrote.
Disclaimer: Don't own Steven Universe or any of the characters mentioned.
...
Steven knew when he gave himself, it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. From the reactions of Jasper, Eyeball and other Homeworld Gems, he knew that this wouldn't end with a flick to his hand and then all was done with. No, the Diamonds would want him to suffer, and most likely call for his death. Or more accurately, his gemstone to be shattered. Bu all accounts, giving himself up like this was foolish and beyond stupid.
But when he saw how he'd singlehandedly put his closest human friends in danger by his eagerness and unthinking, how their lives and freedom were at great risk, he couldn't make any other choice. It was him or them, at this point, and like his mom had before him, he would always do what was best for the earth and its inhabitants.
Of course, he hadn't counted on one of his friends still being on the ship after he the deal to give himself up for them. He almost burst into tears right then and there when Topaz brought his red-haired male best friend up the stairs. However, it was quickly replaced with righteous indignation at Aquamarine's mocking and unfair attitude. To think he wanted to help this gem a few days ago when she was looking for "my dad"!
Then, after a desperate and very ill-thought plan, he finally saw what lied beneath Lars' need to be cool and his general dismissal of his close friends. Lars was afraid to put himself out there, not only for people he cared about, like Sadie, but his own self too. And then he'd made the extremely erroneous statement that he, the half-human gem, wasn't scared of anything. Then everything came pouring out.
How scared he was of taking the blame and retribution of his mom's horrible action of shattering Pink Diamond. The way he couldn't hope to get not only himself, but Lars out of this situation, and how he was even to blame for the Diamonds' desire to have these five humans. And finally, how shamefully glad he was that Lars was with him, how happy he was to have someone else with him, despite the danger they were both in. But Lars, in his typical peculiar attitude, helped him see the reality of this scenario and comforted him with the reminder that they had each other at least, no matter how "everything sucked".
Topaz, who had been listening to their conversations, had been so moved as she could relate to the two friends relationship. She had been willing to help them escape, but they had been caught by Aquamarine. A few effective threats later, and they were back where they started, facing an unknown, danger situation with no hope they'd walk away from it unscathed. He could still hear the tone of Lars' voice as they went to separate rooms, the fear for himself and Steven clear as the door closed behind him.
And then that disaster of a trial took place. Steven had never dreamed he would would have his mom's decisions ridiculed, that Lars would be shown off like an object rather than a person or that he'd be required to explain how he carried out the deed of killing Pink Diamond to the obviously still-grieving Blue Diamond, who insisted he tell her of what happened that day over six thousand years ago. Yellow Diamond had seemed more than ready to get this over with, eager to shatter him and be done with this whole thing. Then, in the wake of Blue Diamond's breakdown, the blue Zircon had been fuming, forcing Steven to reveal he didn't actually know what had happened.
When the recess was over, he was more than a little surprised by Zircon's argument, the way she brought all these valid points and unanswered questions. How is it, when Rose Quartz was a known enemy, was she able to get close enough to commit the crime? And if she had her entourage and Pearl with her, why couldn't they stop, or at least warn the diamond of his mom's attack? Then, when Zircon made the proclamation that it would have to have been done by someone with the trust of Pink Diamond, the strength to carry out said action, and then the resources needed to cover it up and blame a hated enemy. A power that, apparently, only a Diamond had.
After said accusation, Yellow Diamond had gone berserk, destroying the blue and yellow Zircon, then arguing with Blue about his fate. Thinking quickly, he and Lars had hightailed it out of there with Blue Diamond's palanquin, with Yellow Diamond's ominous words echoing through his head and he and Lars fell down to a massive area of ruins and rocks.
While running from more freaky gem technology that could detect and shoot at his gem, Lars had once again revealed his fear of the world around him, his inability to take risk or do anything for anyone else. But, just as they were about to get caught, they were saved! By a red two-headed gem who lead them to a group of "off colors" in a Homeworld version of the Kindergarten, people the Diamonds and the general gem society tossed to the side because they weren't right or they didn't belong. He couldn't imagine the pain of being rejected by your own species, or how fearful the four of them were of potentially being caught and shattered.
Then they were discovered by another fleet of gem-targeting bots and they had hightailed it out of there, hiding in any available places and struggling to evade the robots' beam. Lars had looked prepared to faint, the fear emitting from him quite potent and very much real. Doing their signature heart touch, he'd reassured the teenager that it was okay to be afraid, reminding him of not only their talk on the ship, but also comforting him with the knowledge that he, Steven, was here and they'd get through this experience together.
Then, with new resolve in his eyes, Lars and himself worked to protect the gems, fighting the bots and, in Lars' case, blocking the robots' line of vision so the gems would be protected. And then, things had gone so downhill, they were well within the ocean.
Steven stood over Lars' unmoving body, dread feeling his veins. The bomb had exploded and the redhead had been thrown quite harshly into a huge rock. He wasn't walking up, no matter how much Steven called to him. Unwilling to accept what was right in front of him, Steven pressed his ears to the teen's chest, straining his ears for his heartbeat. There was nothing but absolute silence.
The tears welled up in his eyes and overflowed as he held his friend's head to his own chest, letting the sorrow overtake him. It was his fault. If he hadn't blabbed about the humans to Peridot, if he had made sure Lars was off the ship, if he hadn't encouraged Lars to take a stand against robots meant to kill gems...
Lars wasn't the bravest or even the nicest guy around. He spent more time worrying about what people thought and pretending to not care about anything than he did being his regular self. He pushed away people who cared for him, refused to look on the bright side, and was always ready to say something mean when he felt occasion called for it. The only reason he'd been on the ship in the first place was because he'd been too scared to help. By all accounts, he was a spineless jerk who didn't deserve friends.
But Steven knew the side of Lars he had rarely showed. The guy who had reciprocated his heart five, the guy who had shown many times how much he cared about him and Sadie, the guy who had just risked his lives to save the rejected gems and the half-human gem, was a true friend and someone he was sincerely glad to have in his life. Or had been glad, at least.
Steven could feel two tears roll down his face as he mourned his best male friend, mourned the guy who was more real with him than anyone else. And now he was gone forever. Dead before he even had a chance to live a full life. All because of his stupid actions. He bent his head down as the tears fell off his face and presumably landed on Lars' face, his eyes squeezed shut as he cried for his friend.
Then he heard a weird sound and opened his eyes to see the color pink spreading throughout Lars' body. Then he was moving, a scar now prominent over his right eye as he groaned and questioned what was happening.
After a quick moment to celebrate his return to life and to assure the teen that the slow heartbeat he was expelling meant he wasn't a zombie, they discovered an alternate way home. Through Lars' hair. After a quick trip, in which he grabbed some supplies for Lars and petted Lion, as he now realized what his pink color meant, he was back at the Homeworld Kindergarten with a surefire way to get back home. For everyone but Lars.
And then Lars had been willing to stay while letting all the other gems go to earth, to let them go somewhere where they could be free, where they could be themselves without the fear of being shattered. A truly selfless act, if Steven had ever seen one.
However, the off colors were unwilling to leave Lars to fend for himself in an unknown place, insisting they all stuck together no matter what. While Lars had excepted that, he'd been adamant that Steven leave for the earth right then and now.
While Steven had protested, not wanting to leave his newly-revived friend to the mercy of Homeworld, Lars had made a watertight argument. Including said argument, he pleaded that he be allowed to "be someone who deserved to come back to life." Steven knew he was right, that going back to earth was the best course of action for them all. But he was leaving one of his best friends, who he'd just lost. And he couldn't help but be worried whether the five of them would survive together or if this was the last time he'd see them all.
As he hugged Lars goodbye (which was initiated by the pink-skinned boy, by the way), Steven made a promise right then. He'd come back as many times as he had to and so whatever he had to do to help his friends get home. And after that...
Well, it was safe to say that after they get back to earth, the Crystal Gems were getting five new, truly extraordinary members. And they would all take Beach City by storm.
...
So, tell me if this deserves a second chapter or not.
