Author's Note: As I said in the preview: I do plan a huge adventure that comes in parts that are spread across the whole story and whatnot. It may or may not happen soon, we'll see. Right, I may as well spread some info about Crystal here. First of all, I forgot to meniton some details about the white gem. So, his hoodie, it doesn't have pockets. While, his jeans does, but he doesn't shove his hands into the pockets, he just doesn't. He doesn't see any point of doing so, unless it was cold, which it will most likely never be, for Crystal. His hair is fairly short, it's end slowly going upwards, like a small halfpipe. The color of his hair is a dark-ish brown. This chapter also shows a more... serious side of Crystal. He won't stand back and let things happen, y'know.
Before we start this chapter, I'll give my feedback to a PM I received.
stevenuniversefanz37: Sorry, but I cannot ship Crystal with Pearl as I've already planned ahead! He will be shipped with someone else, don't worry. As for who that lucky girl is? We'll see. ;)
As always, here's the chapter.
Enjoy.
Steven was scrolling through Beach City, the weather was still snowy, but not as bad as last night. He shivered.
"I should had put on that coat." He thought, but then he felt someone poke his shoulder, he turned around to see Crystal. He was holding the coat with a smile.
"I think you'll need this, bro." He said, putting it on Steven. Steven felt much more warmer, thanks to Crystal. Had he not appeared, the young child would had caught a cold... or worse. As he was about to thank the gem, he suddenly was gone.
"Maybe he's busy." Steven thought, as he turned around and continued his scroll. He planned to meet Connie by the arcade to play some video games. Maybe he could invite Crystal, when he's not busy? He hoped the white gem wouldn't end up like Garnet did last time. The teenager may have a horrible past from the sounds of it, but he seemed too relaxed. It's like he's hiding everything he can.
"Wait a minute..." Steven thought as he stopped in his tracks. Was his 'brother' hiding something again? He had acted like this ever since Steven had woke up. Maybe he'll ask Connie to see what she thinks. The young boy sprinted through the entrance to Funland and began making his way to the arcade. It didn't take him long to get there and saw Connie waiting there, two ice-creams in hand. One was strawberry, with red sprinkles, the other being mint choc-chip with yellow sprinkles.
"Oh, there you are! I was wondering when you were going to show up." She exclaimed, giving Steven, the mint ice-cream. They both knew each other's favorite ice-creams, so it wasn't a problem at all. Steven was confused a bit.
"Connie, why are we eating ice-creams when it's winter?" He asked, wondering who would be selling ice-creams at this time of year. Connie said that, there was a man selling them, she had also ask the man, the same question, who had repiled:
"It's never a bad time to have ice-cream! ...Right?"
She didn't want to leave Steven out, so the young girl bought one for Steven. Steven was still greatful for Connie's thoughtful-ness and started eating the ice-cream, much to Connie's joy.
After eating up their ice-creams, the pair went into the arcade to play some games. Thankfully, Mr. Smiley hadn't banned Steven from the arcade, despite the previous two 'accidents'. Connie asked Steven if they could play something, pointing to a machine with 2 meat shakers attached to it. Steven straight away said no, taking Connie's hand and going to another machine that didn't bring up bad memories.
The pair played arcade games for about an hour or two. Connie's parents didn't want her out long, as they feared for her safety. Soon, it was time to go as they shoveled in any leftover tickets they earned and walked out into the cold. They talked about some plans for tomorrow, but they heard a voice.
"Stop right there." It said in a very hostile voice. Connie and Steven turned around to see a masked man in a cloak.
"Hand over the cash." The man spoke, before revealing a knife in his hand. Seeing the knife frightened the pair.
"We can do this peacefully..." He said, walking closer to the pair.
"Or we can do it, the hard way." He chuckled in front of his victims, his voice was cruel as he got closer to the shaking pair.
Just as the pair thought they were trapped, Steven summoned his bubble to protect them... but they didn't hear any footsteps or feel the blow outside of the bubble.
They opened their eyes, only to see the man seemed floating in mid-air, completely stuck.
"Help!" He yelped, scrambling his arms and legs like a cat trying to get out of water. He suddenly went flying in one direction, like as if someone was controlling him.
The pair's gaze followed the floating man, until their eyes laid on a certain white gem. Crystal was there, he wasn't impressed, far from it. Steven was surprised to see him there. Connie was greatful, that someone had stepped in, to save them. They both heard him say something to the man who had tried to rob or kill the children. They noticed Crystal had taken the knife away from him, the man was shaking, by the time Crystal dropped him onto the ground.
He fled, screaming for help, before disappearing into the winter night. Crystal walked towards the pair.
"You alright, you two?" He asked, seemingly calm, while his voice said otherwise, with a hint of anger in it.
"...Yeah, we're alright, thank you for saving us." Connie said, before looking at Steven. Her face sent the message to him. 'Is this another friend of yours?'
"No problem. Those robbers never learn." He said, his voice returning to his normal calm tone before looking around quickly for any more threats.
"We better get you inside, Steven. I want to make sure you're safe, ok?" He said, picking up Steven and placing him on the gem's shoulders.
"Piggyback ride! Yay!" He exclaimed, it brought a smile to Crystal's face. At least, Steven wasn't mentally affected.
"Alright, miss. I better get you home as well." He said, offering a hand. Connie didn't know, if she could trust the teenager.
"I won't bite." He said, encouragely. Steven nodded as well to that sentence. Connie took Crystal's hand and was then being carried in the white gem's hands.
"Hang on tight!" Crystal exclaimed. Connie was about to ask why, before Crystal burst into lighting speed. Before they knew it, they were at the Maheswaran house in seconds. Connie's vision was still adjusting to what had happened.
She was dizzy and asked how Steven was able to handle it.
"You'll get used to it." He simply answered, before Connie waved goodbye and went inside for the night.
"Come on, Crystal. Let's go home!" Steven said, expecting Crystal to burst off into the night again, but he still stood there.
"Crystal?" Steven spoke the single word. Crystal quickly shook his head like, as if he had gone dizzy. He nodded to respond to Steven at last. However, instead of bursting off at top speed(if it was even his top speed in the first place?), the teenager simply walked like at a normal pace. Steven was confused, was something wrong?
"...Steven." Crystal said to his brother suddenly.
"I'm sorry for acting so... off this morning, but I want to reassure you that, I am perfectly fine..." The teenage gem spoke, closing his eyes with a frown. He had a feeling that Steven might had noticed, but didn't want to admit what was wrong. His problems were his own to solve, he had to stick to that rule he made to himself. Steven smiled a little, happy to know that his brother was 'fine'. Soon, the gem burst off in speed towards their home. As soon as they were there, Crystal asked Steven, if he happened to crave something for dinner.
The younger brother said that he was in the mood for some burgers. Crystal smirked at that, saying he'd be up for doing that. The gem said he'd be back soon after getting the ingredients from town, before speeding off outside. It was only about 2 minutes or so, until Crystal returned with a bag in hand. He put the bag on the kitchen side and started preparing the vegetables.
Pearl came out of the temple at that moment and happened to walk in, as Crystal quickly sliced up some tomato. Steven was watching with interest, as the gem had chopped 3 slices and went to prepare the burgers themselves.
"Crystal, what are you up to?" Pearl asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. Steven repiled, saying that's making him burgers for dinner. Crystal got out a frying pan and quickly put the burgers onto the pan.
"Ok, but where did he get all those... things?" Pearl asked. Crystal simply answered with:
"I just ran to the shop and bought them." The teenager said, flipping a burger. As the gem cooked the meal, Pearl kept the questions going. It kept going, until Crystal said that Pearl can ask those kind of questions, some other time. The teenage gem gave Steven his meal on a plate.
It was a single burger containing tomatoes, lettuce, pickles and the main burger inside a sesame-seed bun. It was served with chips to go along with it. Pearl went back into the temple, saying to the teenage gem that he still needs more training and they will continue in the morning. Crystal quickly cleaned up the equipment and the kitchen surface as Steven ate the meal and gave it to the gem to clean up. Steven got into bed soon after that, it was getting late after all.
Steven said his usual goodnight to Crystal, which the gem reponsed with:
"Night, bro. Don't let the bed-bugs bite." He said as he smiled, he liked to know that the kid was happy and safe.
After the experiences last night, Crystal decided to not sleep. He had to cool down before getting back into his habit. The teenager noticed a laptop on the table and decided to browse the web for a bit. He looked around for anyone that may be watching him, before picking it up and turning it on. It was going to be a long night for the gem. He didn't mind.
...
As long as everyone he cared about, was fine... He was fine, himself.
Author's Note: IT'S DONE! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Crystal can cook things and he does know about humanity and all, but doesn't have a clue about gems... That will hopefully change in the future.
Next chapter will take place in about a week or so, away from this one. We'll see what happens... Maybe we'll see a certain beach-summer-fun buddy. ;) See ya next chapter, folks.