Steven breathed in and walked inside.
"I know you guys are doing the best you can." Steven said. Everyone turned to look at him.
"Steven!" They all yelled in unison and approached him with concern.
"How much did you hear?" Greg asked nervously. Steven looked at him, whilst the crystal gems waited for his answer.
"All of it." Steven said confidently. Everyone was worried of what Steven might say. "Dad I know you're worried about me, just like the Gems. But I can handle myself now. I've grown up so much and learned so many things from them." Steven said.
"I know Steven but I still worry about you, I'm your dad! I'm not immortal or have powers like them or you," Greg got down to eye level with him. "and it scares me even more that I can't help you on your adventures like they can, the best I could do is drive you to places with my van." Greg hugged Steven closer to him. "And even then I mess that up. There's only so much I can take as a parent." "I know dad, and it scares me too." Steven admitted.
"It does?" Greg asked surprised.
"Yeah, it does, it scares me that I'm not strong enough I won't be able to protect those I love." Steven said. "But thats why the Gems are here," he turned to look at them and they all smiled, "they teach me how to help everyone else by helping them. Don't you see dad, I want and have to protect everyone I love." Steven finished. Greg got teary-eyed and hugged Steven.
"I know Steven, you are so much like your mother, and it scares me that you might have to make the same sacrifices she did." Greg then smiled. "But then I remember you don't have to, because you are you're own person, you are Steven Quartz Universe. And you'll find out your own way to save the day." Greg said. Steven looked up at him with a smile as well. Greg then turned to the Gems. "Im sorry. Thank you for keeping him safe this whole time." Greg finished. The gems were also getting teary eyed at the display, and couldn't help but think of Rose.
"GROUP HUG!" Steven yelled in happiness and joy and (somehow) managed to get everyone in a warm embrace. Everyone stayed like that for a while until it seemed fit to stop.
"Dad I'm sorry I didn't tell you last night about the man, I just didn't want you to worry." Steven admitted. Greg looked at him, thinking about a response.
"Oh, it's ok sport, I know you do everything for a reason." Greg accepted. "I just want you to be safe you know, all this adventuring... it could be bad sometimes." Greg said hesitantly. Steven chuckled.
"Don't worry dad, me and the gems will be prepared for anything from here on out. Right guys?" Steven turned to look at the Gems.
"Right." They all said in unison.
"Listen Greg," Garnet stepped up. "we know you worry about Steven, and we want you to know that as long as he's with us, he'll get stronger, I can't guarantee he won't get hurt but I promise you we will prepare him for the future." Said Garnet.
"Speaking of getting stronger," Steven said, "How about 2 donuts!" Steven exclaimed as he put the bag that contained both donuts in the air. "I only got two though...for me and dad so...sorry guys." Steven apologized.
"Don't worry about it Steven, we'll eat later." Garnet said as she walked in her room.
"But Garnet!" Both Pearl and Amethyst said at the same time, Pearl to remind her she didn't like eating, and Amethyst because she wanted to eat right now. Garnet turned to look at them with a comical stoic expression.
"Later." She repeated with no intention of doing it again. Pearl and Amethyst ceased their complaints almost immediately. Garnet began to walk to her room, the stopped to say something else.
"Steven, Greg." She said, both paying attemtion. "We're going to Fish Stew's Pizza later, be ready in a few hours." Garnet informed. Steven and Greg stood, imitating soldier salutes.
"Yes M'am" they said in unison. They didn't have a problem with being treated to lunch. Every Gem went to their own room for...who knows.
Steven proceeded to give his dad a donut.
Steven looked to his dad.
"Hey dad." He said.
"Hmm?" Greg looked to Steven.
"I really am sorry that I didn't tell you last night about the guy. I wasn't sure how to tell you. I was going to tell you when I came back though." Steven admitted.
"It's ok Steven, I just don't want you to get involved with the wrong people. Pearl showed me what he looked like from her hologram forehead...magic thing." Greg said, confused at how to explain Pearl's holographic visions. Steven then remembered.
"That's the thing though, dad. I don't think he is a bad guy." Steven claimed.
"What?" Greg asked a little confused.
"Lars and Sadie said they were saved from a robber by that same guy earlier today." Steven informed his dad.
"That's strange, why would he stop a crime if he was dressed like a merce-" Greg stopped himself.
"Like a what?" Steven asked.
"Like...you know what, I'll tell you if I see him. I don't want to make any accusations or anthing. No armed dude is going to talk to my son without my say so." Greg said lighting up the mood. Steven shook his head.
"Yeah, maybe we could investigate him if we see him." Steven said. He then gasped. "What if we see him at Fish Stew's Pizza later. We could ask him then. I thought he was a bad guy, but he saved Lars and Sadie earlier today so who knows." Steven said with hope of meeting the man again, he started to regret being rude to him when they first met. He wasn't going to immediately trust him though, he had to say sorry to Pearl if he wanted to get on Stevens good side.
"Yeah, let's put a pin on that, lets try not to over think these things, ok kiddo." Greg said not exactly worried, but also not really excited about talking to the man that wanted to talk to his son. He still had to be defensive of Steven.
Both father and son finished their donuts after their conversation. Greg got up from where he sat.
"Well Steven, I'm gonna go back to my van. Take a nap and get ready for pizza later." Greg informed Steven. Putting emphasis on the pizza part of his sentence.
"Ok dad, see ya then." He said, right before Greg walked out the new doorway, Steven yelled out. "Wait!" Greg stopped and turn to look at Steven. "Thanks for helping out dad." Steven said with a bright smile. Greg smiled back sincerely.
"No problem Steven, I'm always here when you need me." Greg smiled back as he walked out the door. Steven was alone in the living room now. He didn't know what to do at the moment so he pulled out his phone to text Connie about what's happened.