Chapter 7

(A/N: I'm so sorry for taking so long with my chapters- thank you all so so much for being so patient. I hope that this chapter was worth the wait!

Also, for the comments- aside from Greg/Rose, what Steven Universe ships do you like? I'm think of adding another pairing for a subplot, and I would like to use a ship that my readers would like!)

After Greg woke up, he decided the best thing to do would be to make breakfast for everyone. Ignoring his aching back and drooping eyes, he started to get out the ingredients necessary- bacon, eggs, and cheese. The pan, which was also necessary, was surprisingly heavy. He couldn't tell if it was his

He took out the pan, and then awkwardly stared at Pearl.

" . . . What are you doing?" Pearl said, in a mix of confusion and irritation.

"Oh, I'm making breakfast! Can't start off a day right if you haven't eaten right!" Greg said. "So, uh . . . "

Pearl sighed, realizing what he was implying.

"Humans can't eat raw food, I get it. Go ahead."

Greg smiled in gratitude, and balanced the pan with the bacon and eggs on it over her head. They sizzled loudly, as if in appreciation. He sprinkled some cheese into the eggs, hoping the omelette would turn out decent. Greg had cooked before, but now other people would be there to judge him. All that he wanted was to make a good first impression in front of Rose.

Though, his larger problem was trying to balance the pan with his weak arms. His hand was starting to shake violently, and he lost a strip of a bacon as it fell to the bottom of the fireplace.

Unfortunately Pearl wasn't helpful, instead grumbling about how useless humans are. He tried to to not get hurt by her words, but he had to agree. If he couldn't even cook breakfast, how could he break his own curse?


In a distant country . . .

Lapis' tiny water body sloshed as she pressed against the glass. From her position on the table, she could see Peridot checking her pocket watch and tapping her foot. The windows cast squares of light on the floor, the shadows casting lines over Peridot's strangely triangular green hair.

"She's always late," she mumbled, her tapping getting faster, "That clod. That big, dumb, musclehead. She's always criticizing me for the smallest things, saying that I'm such a terrible worker- me! The great Peridot!"

Peridot gestured wildly, causing dust to fly out off of the ground with her movements.

"Yellow Diamond trusted me enough to give me the honor of categorizing all of the restaurants-"

"The great Peridot needs to start paying attention to her surroundings."

Peridot yelled and jumped up in the air, much like a cat.

"J-Jasper! When did you get here?"

"About when you called me a clod." She said with a malevolent grin, baring off all of her sharp teeth. "Oh, and a big dumb musclehead, too."

"I was j-just testing you! And you did so well t-"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyways, what did you call me over here for?"

"O-Oh! Well, look over there," Peridot said, gesturing at Lapis with a wide grin.

Jasper narrowed her eyes with a sigh.

" . . . A glass of water?"

Peridot rushed to grab the bottle, jostling Lapis around in the water with her running.

"Here! Take a closer look, you can see her tiny little face!"

"You captured a demon?"

"Yes!" Peridot beamed.

"You decided to risk your life, abandoning the duties that your superior gave you?"

" . . . Yes."

"Really . . . " Jasper shook her head, her low voice becoming a growl. "You're unbelievable."

Peridot recoiled into herself, looking even shorter than she already was.

"I w-was done with my work, and I had a great opportunity . . ." She said, weakly.

Jasper walked towards her, towering over her. Her scowl had only grown, and her nose was wrinkled in disgust.

"Read between the lines. The food part is just the cover. Yellow Diamond never eats. She doesn't really care about your opinions on food, she set you out as a spy."

"What?" Peridot said softly, turning her eyes to the ground. "Why wouldn't she tell me? She doesn't care what I think?"

"Of course not. Most people would figure it out." She gave her a pointed look. "But knowing you, I figured you wouldn't."

While Peridot was staring at the ground, mulling over her thoughts, Jasper grabbed the bottle and held it up into the light. She was smiling again.

Lapis frowned in her bottle. Jasper was always like this. She was so inconsistent, only seeming to be mad when it was beneficial to her. Other people's emotions were of no importance to her unless they were useful.

"How did you manage to get her anyways?" Jasper said, with a chuckle.

" . . . She was already weakened." Peridot mumbled.

"Well, well. How about I take this off your hands, and I won't tell Yellow Diamond about this?"

"You have a deal."


Greg put the plates carefully on the table, admiring his handiwork. The table was fully set for three, napkins and all. He had poured them all orange juice in the fancy cups, setting the jug along with the dishes of food. He smiled down at his handiwork.

"Pearl! It's all done," he said, turning around to the fire place.

"Indeed," she replied.

As he was placing the salt and pepper shakers on the table, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

The first that he saw of her was her billowing white dress. The person that he sang with in the marketplace, with the lovely pink hair, was right there in the room with him. She looked over the table with a large grin. He guessed she was Rose's assistant, same as Amethyst.

He couldn't help but to blush when he noticed that her smile reached her eyes.

"I hope that you like it," he said softly.

She looked up at him in surprise.

"Who are you?"

His heart sunk. Of course, she would never recognize him now that he was so much older.

"I'm just here to help you guys out. Cleaning and stuff," he said, looking down at the table.

She chuckled.

"Don't you have a name?" she asked.

He started to think of a pseudonym, but stopped himself. There was no harm in giving her his real name.

"I'm Greg," he said, looking up to meet her eyes.

"Hello, Greg," she said playfully, holding out her hand, "I'm Rose."