I want this to be an actual chapter. I have a workload I gotta do now imprisoned at home and I wanna avoid it. This has been a very quick writing process and I am kinda worried? I guess I am just writing what I like. After doing essays so for long it's a weird feeling.

...

Steven felt an overwhelming wash of emotions flooding through him. He had no chance to fight or speak, it was going too fast against his own will. The tight grip on his shoulder wouldn't let him step off. He wanted to protest, opening his mouth but his voice wasn't able to leave his throat as the blast of light filled his senses.

Disoriented, Steven could only breathe before he realized the black dotting in his sight. Peering around, he was in a completely new place.

It took a moment for the shock to aside, his eyes trail to the man's face. The taller male released his hold on the child, placing a hand on his hip as he extended his free hand before them.

"Welcome to our new home!"

Steven shot his head forward, the two were on a dirt road leading towards a cabin. The house looked well crafted, with a wide porch and chimney. He swallows, taking a step away from the man.

"New.. home? No one knows I'm here, I didn't even get to say goodbye, or pack- or tell anyone. I can't leave my family behind, I don't even know you.." Steven rambled, Steph folded his arms, cocking his eyebrow.

"Steven, really. It's no big deal. We will train, and take you back home before anyone can even miss you! It'll be, like five minutes for them." He scoffs, waving his hand in a nonchalant manner. Steven frowns, returning to fidgeting the hem of his shirt.

"The Gems always tell me when they're leaving- I should too."

"They'll be so excited with your powers they won't care." The man picked the smaller child up by the underarms, and plopped him off the black tile as he kneels, pressing onto the orb in the center as it snaps back into the black box. As it turned back, he flipped the lid off, grabbing something inside and tearing it out with a hard tug.

"What.. is that?" Steven grabbed onto the muscular forearm of his brother- other dimensional brother?- as the male lowered himself, bending down as he faced his hand towards the boy. He uncurled his fingers to reveal a small gem. The gem was something he couldn't recognize. It was a yellow hue, with a triangular shape. Steven instantly frowned, shooting a stunned stare to the man.

"You were using a gem to power it- like they did to Lapis?" His voice was tainted by judgement, as he couldn't hide the anger. Steph couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes, standing back up.

"She consented. She'll form in a little bit, we both know that." He pocketed the gem and box back into the letterman jacket. "She'll be… delighted to meet you."

He began the hike towards the cabin, waving his hand for the other to follow him. "C'mon, Steven, I'll give you a tour."

Without much options, Steven peaked towards the dirt road, finding the winding road to last miles off without much in sight- and he could only assume he was in Steph's original universe, he didn't recognize anything around him- he could only follow behind the other.

The cabin's porch was wide, without fencing, as the steps leading up had no rails. It was a bit to get used to, since his own beach house had rails he would hold onto and use as he took each step. At least the stairs weren't as long.

The actual porch had a few items, two chairs, a grill pressed to the side of the house till used, and a welcome mat at the door. Steph wiped his sneakers, before taking the shoes off by his feet.

"Don't wear your shoes in the house." Steph explained, walking past the entrance door as Steven was quick to pick off his flip flops, walking further in.

The interior of the cabin was simple, the walls and floors were wooden, with a few splashes of wallpaper for accent. The living room space had a rustic wooden couch, with flannel cushions, each side of the couch had a side table, with a few decorative pieces scattered around the lamps in the center. The coffee table was in front of the sofa, with an antler bowl in the center of it. The fireplace was in front of the door, accompanying a corridor beside it.

The kitchen was divided by a half wall, giving the room an open floor plan. The half wall had a set of table and chairs pressed against it, with the actual kitchen equipment not far from it.

Steph placed the gemstone on the side table by the door and tossed the jacket on the couch, he entered the living room, shoving his hands down his frontal pockets, awaiting for Steven to file inside.

Stepping inside the cabin, he took a moment to look around. "Is this where me and you in this universe live?"

"Uh- no. Our grandparents are letting me live here." He shrugs, glancing around the place.

"We have grandparents? - I thought Dad grew up in a prison."

Steph simply shook his head, unable to hide his sneer as he stared to the floor, refusing to meet Steven's gaze.

He huffed, "No, our Dad had some pretty good parents." He walked into the kitchen, finally looking towards the kid. Steven rubs his arm.

"I guess our dimensions are different."

Steph snorts, not responding to his comment. "Are you hungry?"

"Oh, I bought some donuts." Steven went to lift his arm, before realizing he left his paper bag back at his house.

"Oh noo! I forgot the donuts!" He shouted, matting his chubby fingers within his dark locks. "I'm gonna have to wait months for them now!"

"They won't spoil." Steph offers, opening the fridge door. He bent over, digging within the contents of the icebox. He straightened back up with handfuls of lunch for the two. Taking them to the kitchen table, he left them on the surface as he took a seat in one of the wooden chairs.

He pulled the wooden chair out for Steven, patting the seat portion to gesture Steven to sit at the table alongside him. Steven came to the table, sitting next to him as he grabbed for some of the food.

Steph had grabbed them both a can of soda with a baggie, there was a bagel sandwich containing cream cheese, fried egg, and turkey. Steven slowly brought one of the baggies towards him and one of the sodas.

"It's.. my favorite." Steven sounded unsure, pulling the bagel out of the bag and took a small, testing bite of the sandwich.

"Yeah, I know you." Steph chuckles, opening his own plastic bag and taking a bite out of his bagel. "I wanna put the ground rules out there."

Steven took another bite, a bigger bite than the first as he turned his attention towards Steph. "Um, alright."

"You got a curfew, you're gonna start school here-"

"I thought we were gonna be here for a few months… Just to get my powers all working?" Steven interrupted him once more, making Steph exhale through his teeth.

"As long as you're here, we're going to do everything right." Steph took a bite of his meal. "Trust me, I wish I had this."

"I.. thought you trained me, or, uh, brother version of me."

"Yeah, but I didn't get a good trainer like me till a lot later." He nods towards the side table where he had left the gem. "When you're ready, she's gonna train you." He held his arm out, flexing his thick bicep before slapping his hand on it. "And you'll look like me- cool, right?"

Steven shrugs, looking down at his stomach. "I guess."

Steph cracked open his soda, chugging it before slamming the can against his forehead to flatten it, flicking it from his fingers onto the table. "It's pretty cool."

He almost seemed to glow brighter whenever he got cocky.

Steven sipped at his own soda. "Um, do I get to meet myself?"

"No- it'd break my dimension." Steph shakes his hand, taking another bite of his food, chewing as he spoke. "Just say your name is Steve or something when our grandparents call."

"Our grandparents call us?"

"Yeah, every day. You can talk to them after a while. I'm still trying to sell them on the idea of you."

"I guess telling them of different dimensions is pretty difficult."

"We're just gonna say you're my half brother."

Steven blinks, "Oh.."

"Yeah, my brother hasn't been one to really be apart of their life. They don't even know he exists."

Steven taps on the table with his fingertips. "If I had grandparents I would've liked to meet them."

"Me too, Kid."

The lunch was quiet after that, Steph stared forward as Steven awkwardly ate. Not sure what to do, he had the unshaking urge to say something to his other universe brother. Without much of an idea on how to comfort the suddenly somber man, he patted the man's arm before returning to his food.

He never really thought of his grandparents, maybe in passing, but with all the gem stuff in his life thinking of something so human was usually sidelined. What would his grandparents be like?

He swallowed the last portion of his bagel, he supposed when Steph let him talk to them on the phone he would find out.

After he finished his pop, he slammed the can to his forehead just as Steph had. The soda can did little but bent at the ring. Steven winched as he rubbed his forehead groaning quietly. Feeling something coating his fingers, he brought his hand to his view- seeing his own blood covering his fingertips made him tense.

He didn't get much of a chance to react, as Steph lifted Steven from his seat and kissed the small slice on his forehead.

"Maybe wait till we actually train."

Steven touched all over his face. "You got healing spit too?"

"Healing spit, tears, blood- kinda whatever comes out." Steph stood up, taking the baggies and cans to the trash. "Ready to see your bedroom?"

"I get my own bedroom here?" Steven slid out of his chair, wiping the bread crumbs off his shirt.

"Yeah, Little Bud. 'Course you get a bedroom." Steph waved his hand, exiting the kitchen and heading towards the corridor. Steven was quick to follow. He thought he'd just sleep on the couch but hearing he would have his own room felt nice.

The hallway walls were full of paintings, older photographs and decor. There were three doors, and Steph opened the first door in the short hallway. "Here's yours."

The bedroom was plain, the wooden frame bed had a blue flannel comforter and matching pillows. The floor, like the rest of the cabin, was woodend. There was a large rug that covered most of the bedroom, with a dresser pushed to the side beside the door, a single nightstand with a lamp. The rest of the room was bare, Steven took a moment to look around the new space for himself.

"Yeah, it's not much. But I got a pair of extra clothes for you, and we can go to town tomorrow and get us all ready to hold out here." Steph leans on the door pane, just watching Steven's reaction to the room.

Once he was closer to the bed, he realized there was a plush star on the bed. It was lumpy and yellow, and when he lifted it up and pressed on the center, small lights glowed through it. Steven stared at it for a moment. "Oh , it's a little plushie star, that's cute." His voice was warm, bright in a way it hasn't been in his own universe for so long.

"I remember how much we- you loved to cuddle those plush dolls. Thought it'll help you get adjusted."

"Yeah, it does.." He dropped the star plush back upon the bed, taking a moment to breathe.

Steven glanced around, scratching the side of his head. "Uh, never really slept in a room alone before." He started fidgeting his shirt again. "My house is really open, I don't have walls like this."

Steph ran a hand through his hair, pausing for a moment before he spoke. "Well, Jasper got a claim on the couch."

"Jasper?" Steven tilted his head.

"Gem I left on the table." Steph just shrugged towards the entrance of the house. "The one that'll train you when you're ready."

"Am I close to being ready?"

"No, not at all." Steph gave a heavy laugh at the thought. "I barely was. If it wasn't for her… I'd be completely miserable."

He entered the bedroom, puffing out his chest as he held onto his hips. "But she taught me how to use all that anger, all that pain." He held his hands out in fists, staring down at them. "All that damage…"

He hums, letting his hands go slack as he nodded to himself. "Trust me, Little Bud. Once you get to learn how to do that, your whole world is gonna open up."

"But, I don't have anger- I'm not unhappy."

The large hand of the man landed in the mess of curls of the younger, smiling down at him in a way that wasn't joyous. It almost looked like pain had washed over him. "You think that now, but it's gonna form. And you'll know how to deal with it."

"Am I gonna grow up, having anger and damage inside me?" Steven grips at his shirt, a fear coming over him as Steph's face immediately softens. Steph leaned closer to get to Steven's eye level.

"We all grow up with damage, but you're gonna grow up knowing how to deal with it. It won't be so bad." The older man winked, making a finger gun as a way to comfort. He turned on his heels, "C'mon, Little Bud, I'll show you around the woods!"

Steven bit his lip, like each time before, he followed without a choice.

Steph guided Steven through the woods area.

"Our grandparents owned this land, this used to be their vacation site when Greg was younger-"

"You.. mean Dad?"

"Yeah- sure, but we get this all to ourselves. The best place to start our training." Steph held his arms out with his fingers spread to emphasise the land before them. "Though, Jasper isn't gonna like how green this land is."

"I didn't know there were any other Gems but the Crystal Gems for a long time, Lapis left for homeworld awhile back, is that where Jasper's from?".." Steven began, not bothering to care if it bothers Steph if he spoke again while he was. Steph thinned his lips, swallowing before he spoke.

"Yep- lots of Gems are from Homeworld."

That was all Steph would say on the matter.

Steph took Steven across the greenlands, allowing him to see the backyard full of wildlife.

"See that tree? Don't go past that line, if I can't see you from the kitchen's window I don't want you going any further."

".. Why?" Steven looked completely confused by that rule. Steph wasn't surprised, from a life of running wild no wonder he didn't get the idea of running in the woods alone wasn't going to be allowed.

It was a good thing he was raised in a safe town, or Steven could have winded up dead or kidnapped.

Well. Kidnapped by someone without his best interests in mind.

"I don't know this place well. Just, stay in my visual line of sight." Steph kept his voice light. Steven grabbed at the collar of his shirt, gently tugging.

"Steph, this is a lot of rules for a few months." The boy was meek in his words, squeezing and twisting his shirt worse as he spoke up. He didn't look up at Steph, but he felt his eyes on him.

A beat passed.

"Let me show you the car. Maybe you can drive it sometime, the town near here is far, so we won't get caught." Steph's voice was cheery and kind. He placed his large hand on Steven's back, pushing him along towards the front to show his car.

Steven wanted to put his feet down and continue asking questions, but the person before him was larger, stronger, and didn't seem to want to listen. He knew he was safe, he was with his brother, of course. But it seemed Steph wasn't telling him everything.

The tour around the cabin was uneventful, he showed him the clothing line and explained the limited technology of the cabin. How they would wash their own clothes and how fun it would be. Steven wasn't sure how much fun that would actually be.

He wasn't sure how long they spent outside, but when the sun was beginning to set and the skies turned orange, Steph insisted they return inside to make supper. Steven figured they would have another pair of bagels- maybe in front of the television.

But as soon as they came inside, Steph tied a bandana around his forehead and walked into the kitchen, beckoning Steven to follow as he washed his hands in the kitchen sink. He walked and moved so quickly that Steven was still removing his flipflops at the door.

"C'mon, Little Bud, we're making meatloaf!"

Steph pulled out all sorts of things, plenty of vegetables with a pound of beef and seasonings. He handed the child a knife and a cutting board. "You're on chopping duty, I think you can handle it."

After Steph preheats the oven, he begins to gather all the things he needed for the recipe, all while Steven cuts up the onions and bell peppers. "Hey Steph?"

"Yeah?" He clicks his tongue, getting the oil and ketchup from the fridge, closing it with his foot as he places all the bottles on the countertop.

"Um.. Why are you pink?" It felt wrong to ask, like he would offend Steph.

Steph laughed a hearty laugh, running his fingers from his forehead to the back of his head. "I thought you would ask that a lot sooner." Steph kept his eyes on Steven, his calm expression putting Steven at ease.

"Were you, born pink?" Steven inquired, now curious on how that's possible. He was so used to odd things, somehow a glowing pink man wasn't the weirdest part of his day.

"No, I wasn't born pink- I was born just like you." Steph assures, returning his attention back towards the stove. "I'm pink 'cause I'm at my full potential."

"Am I pink here too, your brother?"

"Sure." Steph placed the pot on the burner, pouring the oil in and awaiting Steven to finish chopping up the veggies he needed. Steph kept his back to Steven as he worked.

"You kinda look like Mom, it's really cool- do you have her powers? Are you-"

"We don't talk about her." The bark of the older's voice hit the air like a leather belt snap, Steven's voice died in his throat, going dry. A moment past, the pink skinned man refused to look back at the boy who trembled at the sudden hostility. The room's once airy, fun atmosphere corroded to uncomfortable silence. Steven didn't know to apologize or do something.

Why was bringing Mom up bad?

He quietly continued to chop the veggies, hoping for the room to become comfortable again after some time passes.

Slightly, time did seem to ease Steph's mood. He finally spoke again, and remained calm with Steven as they kept an uneasy conversation. It was the first time he upset Steph, and he was very upset with him, they barely knew each other a day!

The tense air didn't recover, Steph remained gentle with Steven, taking the onions and bell peppers as he dumped them into the pot as Steven started on the garlic, messily mincing it far into his thoughts.

"It's not your fault...That's a rule- okay? We don't talk about her."

Steven wanted to desperately ask more. He just couldn't find the courage to push the issue. "I'm sorry, Steph."

It was all he could say, the words were trapped in his throat. He just wanted Steph to act like he had before, and he hoped that his apology was enough.

Steph blew some air from his lips, his face returning to his grin. "No problem, Little Bud. How's the garlic going?"

The meatloaf was easy to make, Steph let him mix the ingredients of meat, veggies, eggs and seasonings in a large bowl before having Steven help shape the log of meat. Once dinner was cooked, Steven squirted the ketchup all over the top when they were ready to eat. Steph got them glass plates and milk to drink.

The two sat down, and Steven tasted his first meatloaf. He wasn't sure how to feel. "I don't usually make dinner like that."

It was true, it wasn't often Pearl wanted his assistance for cooking. He often sat there by her as she cooked his dinner, or he would do it by himself when she was gone. Dad wasn't a good chef, often he just brought pizza or ice cream for them to eat. Amethyst was a good cook, she made the weirdest concoction but it was hard to have her remember to make him a helping of whatever before she ate it.

"I know." Steph brought the fork to his mouth, playing with the tines against his mouth and teeth. Steven cringed, how could he do that without making his mouth hurt?

Steven touched his lips, feeling the phantom ache of his own teeth. He took another bite of the meatloaf, it tasted new, like something he has missed in his life. "So, this is meatloaf."

"It's a recipe our grandmom gave me." He swallows, taking a moment before he laid his elbows on the table's surface, layering his hands over one another. "Thinking of making meatloaf night every Monday, how's that sound?"

"The same food every Monday?" Steven scratched at his scalp, as Steph only smiled down at him.

"You eat that together breakfast almost every day." Steph's expression was light, but the smile never seemed to reach his eyes.

Steven gasped, "That's different- together breakfast brings people- together!" He retorted, as Steph held his hands out, in a submissive manner.

"I guess I can't deny that." Steph glanced to the meatloaf, sticking his fork in his serving. "How about we make this our together meatloaf?"

"Mmm.." He scratches his chin in a thoughtful manner, crossing his arms as he thought for a moment, before he extended his arms. "Sure! Steph and Steven's meatloaf." He took another bite, chewing quiet as Steph stared down at him.

Steven felt small in the man's sight, the way the man would watch him was indescribable. Blank and drab, he looked like he was looking through Steven, to what Steven is supposed to be.

Steph beamed, finger gunning at Steven with one hand as the other hand rests his face. "Guess you're gonna have to help me whenever I make it now."

Conversation was easy now, Steph seemed to know what Steven would say, and Steven could only guess him and his brother were just close in this dimension.

"I guess you and your Steven got your own meatloaf too." Steven commented without much thought, as Steph shrugs.

"Guess we do." He patted the boy's head, going to get a bite of his own food. Steph used one hand to lay the side of his face, keeping his elbow on the table as Steven just had his arms laid across the table. Steph was like a cool older brother Steven had imagined so many times when he was trapped in his thoughts.

What would it be like to have a brother? Would it be like this all the time?

Sometimes, when the gems and him play Steven tag, he would pretend it was just a brother he was fooling around with. A brother to do weird tricks with, pulling pranks, and getting in trouble just like in the sitcoms he would watch.

He used to watch those sitcoms and wish he could be a part of that world.

By the looks of it, it's what this dimestion's Steven and Steph have.

Grandparents, school, maybe he has friends his own age other than Connie or Peedee, maybe he had a crazy prom story or had a dog eat his homework.

Steven grabbed at his stomach for a moment, feeling a sinking in his gut. He tensed, before the sensation subpassed. The younger exhaled, grounding himself, but he had lost his appetite. He slid off the chair and grabbed for his white glass plate, taking it to the trash and raking it out, using his fork to get the bits of food off.

Steph watched, his fingers supporting his chin. The sudden discomfort of Steven didn't go unnoticed, but Steph had fallen into his own thoughts.

When the two were finished, Steph insisted on cleaning the kitchen together. Letting Steven wash the dishes as he dried and put away. The dishes was a small amount, and it didn't take long. Steven was used to Pearl tidying up the place, but without Pearl actually being here the two had to pick up the slack. The window of the kitchen was blackened now, the sun had gone and night had come.

Steven couldn't help but notice the shimmer of the gemstone still left on the side table.

"Hey.. Steph."

"What's up?"

"She's been in her gem for a long time."

"Well, remember how long it took when Pearl was poofed? Not everyone can reform like Amethyst." Steph puts the glass plates up, as Steven scrubbed the pan that the meatloaf had been cooked in.

Steven only nodded, placing the pan in the rinse water to get the suds off, before laying on the towel beside the sink to allow it to dry before Steph dried it fully and put it away.

When Steph placed the final dish away, Steph cleaned the oven as Steven was tasked with wiping countertops and the table. The kitchen was almost shining in cleanliness, Steph patted Steven's head. "Alright, Little Bud. You can go ahead and take a shower, it's almost bedtime."

"Awhh.. Really?" Steven whined, as Steph only smirked in response.

"That's right, you better hurry up- when I take my shower I'll use all the hot water." Steph's warning was no bigger than a joke, as Steven walked down the hallway as Steph's face fell when Steven's eyes weren't on him. He returned to the side table, he inspected the gemstone.

Jasper's gem seemed fine, no cracks or a single imperfection. Just for insurance, he kissed the gem and left it on the couch for her to form on something comfortable, leaving the cabin to his car. Popping the trunk he grabbed his supplies, some of which he hoped he would never need to use.

He heard the water running from the hallway bathroom, so loud he could hear it lingering through the cabin. He paid it little mind, he was happy Steven was doing as he was told. It would make this a lot easier. He hurried to his own bedroom, using the key he had left in his pocket to unlock it.

The last thing he needed was the child to find his way into his room. He was quick to lock the door behind him. The bedroom was more personalized than Steven's, with random clutter scattered across the room. The bed was king sized, rather than the single he left for Steven.

At the foot of the bed was a large chest, unlocking the chest with the same key he dumped the supplies inside. He kept the security bar out from the chest, locking the rest up in the container to hopefully never use.

He wasn't sure how good Steven would react to Steph's plan. He remembered himself being a dumb kid, but Steven kept asking questions.

The last thing he needed was Steven fighting him on this. He knew this was the best thing for the kid. He went to his closet, grabbing himself another outfit. As much as he didn't want to admit it, the past few weeks he's been wearing the same outfit; cologne and antiperspirants can only do so much.

He left his room, just as he bolted his bedroom door and left the bar in the corner beside his door for later use. Steph walked out of the hallway, checking for Jasper and not finding her, he pulled the leftover dinner and cling wrap, leaving her a plate wrapped up on the counter of the half-wall. He labeled it with a yellow sticky note as 'Jasper'.

He didn't see her eat during their three day training session, but he saw her sleep. It was taking her so long to reform he supposed she might wanna eat, even if she doesn't need it.

It was a nice offering, at least.

Steven's shower was short, coming out in a baggy navy blue shirt labeled Empire City 1991 in white lettering and some black pajama shorts. He appeared actually tired now, his hair tangled up in a damp towel as he came into the living room.

Steph decided to take his shower later, not wanting Jasper to meet Steven without him there to control the situation- and there was no way he would chance Jasper reforming with him in the shower while she was in the bathroom.

The small retro television was in the corner of the living room, he used the bulky remote to try and flip through the channels, but there was no cable. He wasn't surprised, his grandparents were gracious enough to pay for the water and electricity, maybe once everyone was settled, he could find a job to pick up the slack.

He found some VHS's on the shelf nearby, and let Steven choose an animated children's movie to finish up their evening together. Steph laid the gem on the end of the couch, as the two sat on the other side of the furniture.

The movie was old, sometime in the 70s or 80s. It was tamed, and something he would expect Greg was forced to watch as a kid in a strict household. Steven was entertained by it, in any means. Steph just leaned on the arm of the couch, allowing Steven to enjoy the movie.

The movie ended quicker than Steph expected, he glanced from his phone to see the credits moving upward on the screen.

"Alright kiddo, let's head to bed." Steph stood up, taking Steven's arm once more. He gave Steven a light nudge towards the hallway as he returned to the kitchen, grabbing a chilled water bottle from the fridge.

"You should go to the bathroom before we go to bed." Steph warns, as Steven's eyebrows raise.

"Why?"

"Just, if you gotta go at all. Go ahead." Steph urged, as a visually confused Steven went to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him as Steph laid the water bottle on the bedside table for Steven. He wondered if Steven would need anything else, he was sure he'd be fine for the night, but he couldn't stop the pit of worry swirling in his chest.

He glanced in the cabinet of the nightstand, checking the contents before locking it. He was lucky Steven didn't try and open it the first time he was in the room.

Steven would be fine, he'll have water and a bathroom break, until the morning where Steph would be up and awake.

The boy came out of the bathroom, Steph guiding him to the bed. "I'll wake you up tomorrow, I'll show you around the town. It's great. We can get you some clothes and we'll get you started school."

Steven just nodded, not sure what else to really say. He crawled into the bed, grabbing the star and flopping onto the mattress. "Goodnight, Steph."

"Night, Bud." Steph pulled the blanket over the boy, and not feeling comfortable to do much else, he walked to the door, almost closing it before Steven spoke up.

"Can you keep the door cracked, please?" Steven sat up, propped up by his arm. His eyes were pitiful, he felt alone in this place without the gems or his Dad with him. "Just for tonight?"

Steph bit his upper lip, pained by the poor kid's pleads.

"Sorry, Bud. I gotta close the door." Steph closed the door as fast as he could, not wanting to see Steven's reaction before he hurried towards the corner where he had felt the steel bar. He needed to be quick.

He knelt before Steven's bedroom door, and quickly attached the bar to the knob. He gave it a few test tugs, and to his relief the door wouldn't budge. He didn't want Steven roaming around the place when he was asleep or whenever he wasn't prepared.

As long as Steph kept control on the situation, this would work.

He grabbed a pair of clothes and made his way to the bathroom for a brisk shower. He was lucky Steven hadn't used all the hot water, and he stepped out from the tub feeling a lot fresher than he had going in.

He patted himself dry and slipped on his clothes, taking a deep breath. He felt clean, his clothes were clean, and he was feeling better than he had when he first brought Steven home about all of this. This is gonna work.

Leaving the hallway, he found that not only Jasper had formed, but was slothing on the couch, picking at the meatloaf he had left her with a fork curiously.

"Thank God, I was worried." Steph let the words slip, signing as another weight came off his shoulders. He knew Jasper had agreed to be his energy source for the device, and the rest of the gems who had been used for energy sources never seemed damaged- the fact that she hadn't formed had greatly worried Steph. "You took so long to reform."

"My Diamond!" Jasper nearly flipped the plate over, sitting it on the coffee table and springing up to do the Diamond Symbol, eyes shutting as she evened her breath. "I apologize, my Diamond. The box took most of my energy."

"Are you feeling alright? Did your gem take any damage?"

"No, My Diamond. I apologize for causing the concern."

"At ease. I'm just happy you're okay.." He found his way to the armchair, flopping his weight against it. "I really appreciate you doing that, Jasp."

Jasper slowly lowered her arms down, holding her fists behind her back. "It was my pleasure, My Diamond."

"Go ahead and sit down, if you want, you can try the food? Not sure if you're gonna like it." He shrugged, pulling his arm over his eyes. "I don't mind if you don't like it." He leaned back, letting his muscles go slack under his skin.

"Thank you, My Diamond." She sat down once he wasn't looking at her, leaning an arm over the back of the sofa as she resumed picking at the leftovers. "How did the retrievement mission go?"

"It was fine, really. He just." He groans. "He asks a lot of questions. I remember being a dumb kid. I panicked." He rubbed his hands over the skin of his face, leaning forward in the chair, his arms pressed to his legs as he hid his face away.

"I told him I was his brother from a different dimension, I just- I didn't know if he'd believe me if I said I was him in the future. He thinks my name's Steph."

"Gonna guess he doesn't got a clue about the whole future mentor thing." Jasper began, before stiffening. "My Diamond." She quickly added, making the older Steven huff through his nose.

"No- no. He doesn't." Steven sat up, and for the first time in the two months he had spent alongside Jasper, his pink glow was dimming without his doing. "I just want him to have what I couldn't." The teen rubs his arms, quiet for a moment.

"He thinks it's just gonna be a few months." He blurted out, taking a deep breath once it left his lips.

"I thought we were keeping him until he's… your size, My Diamond."

"We are. When he's old enough to deal with the bullshit we'll send him back- just like that." Steven held his slightly curled hands out, as if he was holding his plan in his digits. He ran a hand over his hair once more. "I told him once he got his powers. It took me years, I just, we'll just ease him into the idea."

"Of course, My Diamond."

"He'll love it out here. It'll be just what he needs." He held his face in his hands, murmuring over and over as he tried to cool his nerves. He almost lost it on the kid today in the kitchen, he's just thirteen. Of course the kid is going to still idolize his mom, he doesn't know she's a piece of shit.

He gripped the flesh of his cheeks, forcing himself to calm down. He couldn't afford to destroy this cabin because of his emotions- his grandparents welcomed him with open arms, but if he's breaking their property while they let him live out here to 'raise his half brother' they'll have a big problem.

He wouldn't blame them.

"You always seemed happy, My Diamond. I'm sure if you put him in a hole he'll find something to sing about.." Jasper blinked. "-My Diamond."

"Thanks.." He forced himself to stand on his feet. "I'm gonna head to bed. Do whatever you want, you're off duty." He started towards his bedroom, and stopped just before the corridor. "If you're going to destroy the ecosystem- do it on one side of the yard. I want him to have grass to play in."

"... Of course, My Diamond." The voice was full of malaise, and he knew the fact she had to be around organic Earth would irritate her. He just wanted Steven to have a half normal childhood here, and having a dead bare land around him wouldn't help.

When he passed the younger's room. He halted himself, pressing his ear to the door to assure Steven was still doing well.

He heard nothing.

He untensed knowing Steven was doing fine, walking back to his room and shutting his door, relocking it. He crawled onto his bed, pulling out the cabinet drawer of his night table and snatching the baby monitor. He pushed the drawer closed with the back of his hand and pulled the piece of technology closer to him.

He could only hear soft breathing, bringing peace to his mind as he knew Steven didn't realize on his first night he was trapped.

With a heavy body, he finally closed his eyes, allowing sleep to overtake him.

...

I had to look up a meatloaf recipe for this chapter? Never really ate it. Does that even taste good. Future Steven/Steph is trying! I want the beginning to be wholesome, as Future!Steven only has pure intentions when he begun this plan. But I want to add the details of the cracks of the situation.