Chapter 14: Bonding Time
Pearl snuck into Steven's room, to see him sleep. To her shock she saw Amethyst curled up next to Steven, and Alex curled up next to Steven on the other side. Even more shocking Garnet was lying with her back to the wall, with Luna curled up on her lap, a smile on both their faces. At first Pearl thought Garnet was awake till she saw the fusion breathing deeply and her shades were off, all three eyes were closed. A blush spread across Pearl's face, she really wanted to watch Steven sleep, but with so many people here, it wouldn't be the same. Frowning sadly, Pearl headed back to her room, taking one last look at Steven, her frown disappearing for just a moment. He was safe, but she still wanted to know why he left to begin with. Yet, when Luna showed up everything got pushed to the side, but tomorrow Luna or no Luna, Pearl was going to have a talk with Steven.
The next morning Garnet awoke and her eyes blinked seeing the sun. Yet, she didn't see Luna in her arms or see Steven, Amethyst, or Alex on the bed. What she did hear however was laughter and smelled food. Placing her shades back on, she headed downstairs to the kitchen. She walked in on Steven, Amethyst, and Alex sitting at the table with what looked like pancakes but they didn't look like any pancakes Garnet had ever seen before. Luna was standing over the stove, her hair pulled back and wearing an apron. "Good morning Garnet, would you like some turtle pancakes with bacon?" asked Luna smiling.
"Turtle pancakes?" asked Garnet looking confused. Sure enough the pancakes that Luna was making did look like turtles.
"They are really good Garnet try some," said Steven taking another big bite.
"Yeah G, Luna got some awesome cooking skills," said Amethyst eating her fifth pancake.
"Why thank you Amethyst, it was something mom taught me," said Luna a blush on her face.
"Mom?" asked Garnet looking confused.
"Alex's mom, when I lived with Alex and her family, Alex's parents wanted me to call them mom and dad, so I did," whispered Luna, as she made more pancakes. Just then Pearl walked in and was shocked to see everyone at the table.
"Morning Pearl, Luna is making turtle pancakes," explained Steven.
"Turtle what?" asked Pearl casting Garnet a confused look.
"Their basically pancakes in the shape of turtles," explained Luna. "Would you two like some, I thought since you guys let Alex and I crash at your place, I would make everyone breakfast," said Luna.
"I'll just have some coffee, not much of a breakfast person, but thank you anyway Luna," Garnet said politely heading towards the coffee pot.
"That's cool, Pearl want some pancakes, I made plenty," said Luna holding out a stack of pancakes to her. Pearl looked like she was going to be sick, eating or drinking anything made her feel uncomfortable, the whole experience made her uncomfortable.
"No thank you," Pearl said icily and just sat at the table. Luna shrugged and set the plate on the table, as Amethyst reached for more.
"Ah nice," Amethyst said piling up the food.
"Amethyst save some for everyone else," barked Garnet.
"It's fine Garnet I made plenty," said Luna. Alex was already getting full and Steven was taking their plates to the sink.
"Thanks Luna, they were so good," Steven said stars in his eyes.
"Why you are quite welcome Little Prince," laughed Luna hugging him. Once again their foreheads touched and Luna saw that same being from last night only it was a lot clearer. That forked tongue was sticking out, huge fangs snapping at her.
"Luna, you okay?" asked Steven looking concerned. Luna shook her head to see Alex give her a concerned look and Garnet lowering her shades.
"Ah yeah Steven just still a little tired, sorry about that," Luna chuckled ruffling his hair. The excuse seemed to appease the boy for he gave her a giggle and took their plates to the sink. Just then Steven saw a pink lion outside the door.
"Lion, I missed you so much," Steven cried opening the door letting the animal in.
"No fair he gets a pet lion, I want one," Alex said pouting.
"No way, besides this is a magical lion, and you can't afford a real lion anyways," Luna said rolling her eyes.
"Fair enough," Alex agreed. Lion licked Steven happy to see him again. Then spotted Luna and Alex, he sat by Luna as if wondering who she was.
"You must be Lion, my name is Luna, nice to meet you," said Luna holding out her hand for Lion to smell. He smelled her hand and licked her palm.
You are a lot nicer than bird nose, Lion thought purring gently. Luna held back a laugh thinking bird nose had to be Pearl.
She's not so bad, but she isn't the easiest person to get along with, I agree with you on that, Luna thought back. "Here you go Lion," said Luna giving him some bacon. He took it gently and bowed to her, and she bowed back.
"Wait how did you do that?" asked Pearl with wide eyes.
"I have my way with animals," Luna explained.
"Oh Luna, I was wondering if later today, we can show Connie, Melody again," said Steven.
"Ah sure Steven, I guess that would be okay," Luna said.
"Actually Steven, I was hoping to um spend some time with you today," Pearl said trying to sound casual. She figured having some alone time with Steven would help her uncover why he ran away in the first place.
"Really Pearl, awesome," Steven said stars in his eyes, making Pearl feel happier.
"Well Greg and I are going to watch Lil' Butler today," said Amethyst.
"How can you watch that ridiculous show?" asked Pearl. Amethyst just stuck her tongue out at Pearl.
"I was going to hang out with my cousin today, haven't seen him in a while," said Alex.
"Alright if you get into any trouble," said Luna gently.
"I'll call you," said Alex. "Later Hermana," said Alex hugging Luna.
"Bye sis," said Luna.
"Later guys," said Amethyst heading outside.
"Come along Steven, let's go to um," said Pearl wondering where to take him.
"Let's go to your favorite tree, it is pretty there," said Steven taking her hand. "We can take Lion, come on Pearl," said Steven getting on Lion's back with Pearl in tow. Once they were on, Lion jumped and disappeared in a flash of light.
"Now that was cool," said Luna doing the dishes. "So, Garnet, got any plans today?" asked Luna.
"Actually I wanted to take you to an old favorite spot of ours," said Garnet gently. She wanted to get to know Luna all over again, to reconnect with her.
"Sure sounds like fun, I guess we'll have to take the warp pad since there are no moonbeams for us to travel on," said Luna gently. Garnet just smiled and led Luna to the warp pad.
Meanwhile with Amethyst and Greg
"You people have too much money," said Greg and Amethyst at the same time. Then they laughed at the funny episode as Greg handed her some chips.
"Man I sure miss watching Lil' Butler," said Greg a smile on his face.
"Yeah me too," said Amethyst smiling a bit. Yet, her mind wasn't really on Lil' Butler, it kept wandering back to Steven.
"Hey Amethyst, you okay?" asked Greg seeing her frown.
"Not really," she said gently. Greg put the show on pause and looked down at her.
"Anything you want to talk about?" asked Greg placing a hand on her shoulder.
"It's about Steven," Amethyst said biting her lip.
"What about Steven?" asked Greg trying to remain calm and not jump to conclusions.
"Well I keep thinking about why he ran away. He said he was putting us in danger that he was the weak link in the team. Yet he is wrong, why would he think that he was the weak link?" asked Amethyst.
"Have you tried talking to Steven?" asked Greg.
"Not really, ever since Luna and Alex showed up with Steven, it got pushed back, I mean he seems okay, but he seemed okay last time," Amethyst said frowning.
"You are afraid he might run away again?" asked Greg. His face saddened when he saw Amethyst shedding tears a scared look on her face. "Come here," he said hugging her. "Look I know you are scared for Steven, when you get a chance, try and talk to him. Whatever is going on with him, Steven does two things, comes and talks to someone about it or waits till they come to him and ask what is wrong with him. If he hasn't come to you yet, maybe he is just trying to figure out a way to talk to you, just let him know you are there for him," Greg said gently rubbing her back.
"Thanks Greg," said Amethyst hugging him. She did feel better and today she would let Steven know she was there for him. He was her number one fan after all.
"Want to watch more Lil' Butler?" asked Greg.
"You bet," said Amethyst flashing him a smile. Greg smiled and played the show, as the garage became filled with laughter again.
Meanwhile with Alex and Jamie
"Hey cuz," said Alex walking up to Jamie.
"Hey Alex, where did you and Luna go last night, I was worried," said Jamie frowning.
"My bad, we spent the day hanging out with Steven, then at night Luna was telling a story of how she met Steven's mom, and we kind of crashed at his place," explained Alex.
"Well okay, just next time call," said Jamie gently.
"Yes sir," said Alex saluting him. Jamie just shook his head and let out a small laugh. "So, what is my big shot actor cousin doing today?" asked Alex.
"Not much just delivering some mail," said Jamie. "Yet I am working hard to do some community theater, the mayor even has a big play he wants me to produce and act in," said Jamie getting excited.
"Alright, what is it about, maybe Luna and I can stay a bit longer and audition, maybe do some choreography for ya," said Alex smirking.
"Well once I know what it is about I'll definitely let you know," said Jamie, placing some letters in a mailbox.
"Jamie can I talk to you about something?" asked Alex biting her lip.
"Sure cuz, what is it?" asked Jamie looking at her.
"I um, I have this friend who doesn't seem to get along with a person, and this person and my friend were friends with another person from a long time ago. Yet my friend and this person just can't get along and my friend is trying to be nice to this person, but the person just keeps being icy to my friend, and I want to know what I should do?" asked Alex.
"Is this friend you or Luna?" asked Jamie reading between the lines.
"It's Luna," said Alex blushing a bit. "The person she doesn't get along with is one of Steven's guardians, the one called Pearl," she added.
"Oh, I know Pearl, she seems like a nice lady, a bit awkward but nice," said Jamie frowning. Truth be told the only gem he actually talked to was Garnet, only because of that silly crush he had on her. Yet, he learned now it was only a crush and not a deep love. "Do you know why they don't get along?" asked Jamie.
"Not really, I think it has to do with Steven's mom, don't get grossed out or anything but I think Pearl um really liked Steven's mom, and thought maybe Luna was competition," said Alex blushing more.
"I see that would explain her icy attitude towards Steven's dad, but are you sure that is really the um reason Pearl doesn't like Luna?" asked Jamie.
"I honestly don't know, just have an idea," said Alex shrugging her shoulders.
"Well my advice get all the facts, and just be there for Luna if she needs your help and try and get along with Pearl the best way you can," said Jamie placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks cuz, you rule," said Alex hugging him. They continued walking and Alex helped him deliver mail.
Meanwhile with Luna and Garnet
"Haven't been here in a while," said Luna gazing upon the grassy field. There were small trees full of multicolored leaves and a field of wildflowers.
"Thought you might like it," said Garnet with a smile. Luna sat down on the field gazing up at the sky.
"Man it is so beautiful, thanks for bringing me here Garnet," Luna said gently, smelling the flowers, and feeling the warm air around her.
"You're welcome," Garnet said sitting by her. She was feeling a tad nervous, she might be the perfect relationship and a conversation, yet having a conversation was hard for her. Luna however had no problem expressing herself, Garnet in some ways did.
"This is nice, so did you actually sleep last night?" asked Luna smirking at her.
"I did, honestly I don't sleep much but it did feel nice," Garnet admitted.
"Told you, sleep is good, sometimes I don't sleep unless I need to rest, boy did I sleep good, forgot what a great pillow you are," Luna said smiling. Garnet blushed not knowing what to say. "That was a joke Garnet, supposed to laugh," Luna said looking at her.
"Right," Garnet said nodding her head.
"You okay?" asked Luna sitting up.
"Yes," said Garnet but Luna wasn't convinced.
"Come on Garnet, this is me you are talking too, what is on your mind?" Luna asked gently. Garnet bit her lip trying to think of the best possibility to ask her question, she saw Luna reacting different ways and decided to just ask her and face the consequences when they came.
"How did it feel fusing for the first time?" Garnet asked.
"Well it felt nice, I mean I am glad I got to share something good with Alex from Home World, I felt so secure knowing Alex was with me and felt Steven's love, it was amazing," said Luna smiling at the memory. Garnet smiled happy to hear that Luna had a good experience fusing. "Why do you ask?" Luna asked gently.
"Mainly because I remember you never fused in the past and seeing you fuse with a human and well Steven, I was just curious," said Garnet.
"Yeah I usually left fusing to the professional," Luna said winking at Garnet. The fusion smiled and held Luna's hand.
"So, how do you like Beach City?" asked Garnet.
"It's pretty nice, don't worry I'll come and visit as much as I can, and now you can call me anytime you want," said Luna squeezing her hand. Garnet squeezed back a pit of sadness entering her body. She didn't want Luna to leave for she just got her back, but had no right to force her to stay. Yet maybe if she expressed her feelings for Luna, the moonstone may stay with her.
"I like having you here Luna, it is nice seeing you again," Garnet said smiling at her.
"I missed you too Garnet, before I met Alex I did get pretty lonely," she said. Then turned her head to face Garnet and said, "You know you can take your shades off if you want, I mean no one is here to see your eyes, unless you want to keep them on".
"I don't mind taking them off," said Garnet revealing her eyes to Luna.
"Wow you have beautiful eyes Garnet," Luna said gently. Garnet blushed at the compliment and thought of asking Luna to try fusing with her. It would be the ultimate way to connect with Luna, however unbeknownst to Garnet, Luna was also in deep thought. Luna bit her lip and decided to tell Garnet about the being she kept seeing. "Garnet there is something important I want to tell you," Luna said giving her a serious look.
"What is it?" asked Garnet.
"Just let me explain before you go all Mama Wolf on me okay," said Luna. Garnet remained silent as Luna began to speak again. "When I had Steven for that time, I saw this figure, at first I couldn't exactly see what it was, until we came back here. This being it looks like Steven but it isn't Steven; it is so horribly deformed with burning red eyes, a forked tongue, and ugly looking fangs. I am not sure what it is, if it is some nightmare Steven had, or a monster taking over his body, I just don't know," Luna said frowning.
"You see this in Steven's mind?" asked Garnet getting concerned for Steven. Nothing was going to harm her Steven, not as long as she was still around.
"Yes, so I don't know what it is but when you get a chance please talk to Steven, I think this being has to do with him running away," said Luna.
"Luna, do you know why he ran away?" asked Garnet looking at her with a serious look. Luna gazed into her eyes, looking nervous but gave Garnet her answer.
"Yes, I know why he ran away," said Luna. Garnet placed a hand on Luna's shoulder trying to calm herself.
"Please can you tell me why he ran away," Garnet said gently.
"Believe me Garnet, I would love too, but I promised Steven that I would give him time to talk to you guys about it. Yet, if I think Steven might be in danger I will tell you what he told me, fair enough?" Luna asked.
"Fair enough," said Garnet. She would talk to Steven once they got back but for right now was going to enjoy her time with Luna.
"Well no time like the present, I think you should go back and talk to Steven now, maybe get Pearl and Amethyst to talk to him too," said Luna, she really wanted to help the poor boy.
"I think you are right, let's go," said Garnet. As much as she wanted to spend time with Luna, she had a point; Steven's safety had to come first.
Meanwhile with Pearl and Steven
Steven was playing with Lion, as Pearl was trying to see how to approach this situation. "Having fun Steven?" Pearl asked smiling.
"You bet this was a great idea Pearl," said Steven smiling back.
"Of course it was," said Pearl agreeing. "I was wondering if you want to talk about anything." Pearl asked.
"Like what?" asked Steven.
Like why you ran away from us in the first place, thought Pearl. Instead she put a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed it. "Oh just anything," Pearl said.
"Well Luna was teaching me how to swordfight and train me to get stronger. Would you like me to show you?" asked Steven getting all excited.
Of course Perfect Moonstone trained you, thought Pearl coolly. "Maybe another time," she said gently. Steven hid his frown and began playing with Lion again. "You know Steven we were really scared when you ran away," said Pearl frowning a bit.
"I didn't mean to worry you," said Steven sadly. He held back tears as she hugged him.
"I'm just happy you are safe, but Steven why did you run away?" asked Pearl.
Because I know you rather have Rose than me, that you all would be happier without me around. All I ever do is cause you trouble, that is why I left, Steven thought instead he just said, "I wanted to get stronger so I wouldn't be a weak link".
"Steven, you are many things but never a weak link, never think that," Pearl said gently.
"Sure Pearl," said Steven giving her a smile.
"In fact Steven, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to try fusing with me?" asked Pearl.
"Really Pearl, you want to fuse with me?" asked Steven stars in his eyes. He always wanted to fuse with one of the gems especially Pearl, maybe they could reform Rainbow Quartz and he could make Pearl happy again. He may not be Rose but maybe just maybe he could give Pearl a part of Rose back to her. She'll never love you like she loved Rose, that is the only reason she wants to fuse with you is to have Rose back, but you will fail and disappoint Pearl even more, just give up, she doesn't love you, all she loved was Perfect Rose, said an icy voice.
I don't care I'll do this for Pearl, Steven thought back.
"Are you ready Steven?" asked Pearl smiling. She was so excited she could share this with Steven and show him that she does care about him.
"Ready," said Steven bowing. Pearl did her ballet dance and Steven tried to copy it but he was moving too stiffly and grew nervous. He tripped and Pearl rushed over to him.
"Are you okay?" Pearl asked.
"I'm fine," Steven said blushing. Come on Steven just fuse prove to Pearl, you can do something right, that you are not a monster, he thought. "Let's try again," said Steven getting up. He had his gem glow and Pearl again did her ballet dance as Steven tried to dance with her but he just couldn't and fell again.
Told you that you would fail, said the icy voice. Steven was about to cry for he was failing Pearl. Just then his stomach growled and he blushed. "Guess I am hungry, can we go back to the house for a snack?" asked Steven trying to smile.
"Sure Steven, we can come back here and try fusing again if you want" Pearl said thinking she made Steven feel better. He just nodded his head and they headed back home.
Meanwhile at the bottom of the ocean
Darkness that was all she saw, coldness was all she felt. She was Malachite; no she was Lapis, Lapis Lazuli. Yes, she was Lapis; she was doing this for him, for Steven. Steven was her friend, Steven, the only one to show her kindness, the one to free her from her mirror. Yes, she was doing this for him; she couldn't lose focus, not for a second. Jasper was fighting her again, always fighting never stopping.
"Release me!" Jasper shouted trying to break the bonds.
"No," Lapis said fighting for control.
"Release me!" Jasper shouted fighting again.
"NO!" Lapis yelled trying to regain her focus. She was tired so very tired.
"RELEASE ME!" roared Jasper and finally broke free. Lapis was panicking she tried to restrain Jasper but could no longer have the strength to fight. She failed Steven, she wasn't strong enough. A flash of light surrounded Lapis and the last thing she saw was darkness again.
Meanwhile with Pearl and Steven
Steven was getting a snack, wondering how to tell the gems about the true reason why he ran away. Mainly because once they knew the truth they would see him as this murdering freak of a monster. Then send him away and where would he go if they no longer wanted him? Would his dad still want him or Connie? Could he return with Alex and Luna again? So, many questions plagued his mind that he didn't notice Lion nudging him. "Huh, oh what is it Lion?" asked Steven. Lion was staring at the door and Steven thought Lion wanted to go back outside. Once the door was open Lion raced outside. "Lion wait up" called Steven.
"Steven, where are you going?" asked Pearl walking into the kitchen.
"Lion wants to show me something," Steven said following Lion.
"Come back," Pearl called racing after the boy. Lion raced towards the water and Steven finally caught up to him. His eyes widened when he saw what Lion was trying to show him.
A young woman with light blue skin, and dark short blue hair, wearing a dress washed up on the shore. "Lapis," Steven said shock all over his face.
She lifted up her head, bags under her eyes breathing heavily. "Steven… help me," she begged arm outstretched to him. Steven raced to her as she collapsed in his arms.
"I got you Lapis, I got you," Steven said tears in his eyes. He didn't know what to do but he knew one thing, he was going to protect Lapis, he was not failing her again.
To be continued
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review. Also, to let everyone know Lapis and Peridot join the Crystal Gems, I just don't know about Jasper. So, I will let you guys decide what should happen to her, I will let you, the readers decide her fate.