Normal Pov.
It's been a few days since the whole cluster incident and a few things happened.
One would have to be the talk Steven had with Lapis and Peridot. The talk lasted half a day with Lapis and Peridot deciding it was okay to explain to Steven a harem is. Steven was honestly happy that things didn't go south and turn into a fight, he did not want to deal with that drama. But the two made sure to let Steven know that if he wants to bring more girls into this harem they have to meet them and see if they are worthy. Steven promised to do that and the rest of the day was spent just relaxing and enjoying each others company.
The other was when Steven journeyed to the kindergarten with Peridot and brought one of the injectors back to the barn. At first she questioned him on why he brought it. His response was that it was a secret project that he plans to start soon. He then spent the whole day dismantling the thing and asking Peridot various question on it. The time night hit the thing was in many pieces and the fluids used to make gems were safely stored away in glass jars. He made her promise not to tell the gems for if they knew what he was about to do they would try to stop him out of fear that something bad would happen. Peridot was honestly in the dark on his secret project of his but promised not to tell the others. He even made Lapis promise after he found her hiding in the hay pile.
And then there is now.
Steven:"*Annoyed* So tell me why I was woken up by what sounded like a jackhammer hitting the earth at MK5?"
Steven was standing in-front of Lapis with a scowl on his face.
Lapis:"Better if you see for yourself"
She lead him outside and what he saw surprised him. There in the ground was a reddish-orange dome. The thing wasn't to big being around the size of half a car. Then there was the diamond shape scar in the earth that was most likely caused by it being forcibly berried in the ground by Lapis.
Steven:"What is it?"
Lapis shrugged her shoulders. Then Peridot came out.
Peridot:"Can some one explain to me what all the racket is!"
She also had a scowl on her face along with some very noticeable bedhead. When she spotted the object in the ground her scowl immediately turned into a look of fear.
Peridot:"What is THAT doing here?!"
The two looked at her confused. They were going to question her when a hatch opened on top of the dome. A Ruby's head popped out and looked around. Steven was able to see that her gem seems to be replacing her left eye. She continued to look around before exiting out the hatch. Soon followed another Ruby with her gem on her left arm and seemed a little exited. Next out was a weird one, they looked so innocent but something in Stevens gut was telling him it was anything but innocent. Then out came a Ruby that looked to be a bit of a scaredy cat given the way she was acting. She was then pushed out by another Ruby, her gem on her chest and a visor like Peridots except it was yellow.
The three watch as the Ruby's mill about and talk amongst each other while being ignorant of their presence. Seeing no hostility Steven walked over to the group of Ruby's. By the time they actually did notice him he was about a few feet away from them. They stared at him with wide eyes and he stared back with a curios gaze. All was silent before the one with the yellow visor walked up to him. From what could guess was that she was the leader of this small group.
Ruby Leader:"Who are you organic?"
Steven was taken aback by her lack of fear towards him. It actually felt refreshing to not be feared by someone for a change.
Steven:"Steven Universe, but please call me Steven"
The Ruby was surprised by such a formal response. Smiling she responded in kind.
Ruby Leader:"I am Ruby, leader of this squad of Ruby's"
She raised a hand up to him and he reached down and shook it. Once done the other Ruby's came over and started looking at him in wonder. They asked him various questions about himself and he ask a few of his own. He even gave them all nicknames that they seem to like.
While this was happening Lapis and Peridot both watch on in astonishment. They honestly thought a fight was gonna breakout but apparently they were wrong. They decided to walk over to them and introduced themselves. Peridot was worried that they came here looking for her but was wrong. They came here for another reason.
Lapis:"So what brings you Ruby's all the ways to Earth?"
Doc:"We were sent here to retrieve Jasper"
At the mention of her name Steven growled. It was a low but very deep growl that sent a shiver down everyone's spine. They all look at him in concern as he tries to calm himself. After a minute he lets out a breath and speaks.
Steven:"Sorry, its just that... I REALLY don't like hearing her name"
This confused the Ruby's.
Leggy:"W-Why?"
Steven:"*Sighs* Lets just say our last meeting didn't go so well"
They would have pressed for more detail but didn't when they saw the look on his face. Instead they went back to asking questions and getting to know each other better. At some point they all moved to inside the barn. So deep in their conversations they almost didn't hear the warp pad go off in the distance. Everyone turns to the doorway and sees that Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl were standing in it. For a moment they stared at the Ruby's and then summoned their weapons to try and attack them but Steven fortunately stepped in their way.
Pearl:"Steven move so we can deal with these Homeworld gems!"
Steven:"No"
Amethyst:"Come on man just move so we get rid of them"
Steven:"No"
Garnet:"Steven-"
Steven:"I said no and that's final!"
Steven and the gems stared each other down, waiting for someone to make the first move. After a few moments the gems un-summon their weapons. At this Steven relaxed slightly but kept an eye on them just in case.
Steven:"So why are you three here?"
Amethyst:"We came to see why you haven't come home yet"
Steven:"*Huffs* Maybe I prefer to stay out here"
Pearl:"And why would you want to stay out here when you could be at home and helping on missions"
Steven:"*Snarls* Last I checked I've not been on a mission with you guys in months and only now do you three want me back home! Besides at least here I don't have to deal with the looks people give me, *Mumbles* and what they whisper about me when they think I can't hear them"
It was tense after his outburst. The gems didn't know what to say to that. Amethyst looked sad at his response and Pearl looked ready to throw a fit. Garnet on the other hand looked calm and adjusted her shades.
Garnet:"Even if that's true you should still come home. We miss you"
Steven stands there and seems to ponder this. Lapis and Peridot looked worried while the Ruby's were trying to make sense of what was going on. After a few moments Steven sighs and shakes his head.
Steven:"I'm sorry Garnet but I can't. I feel more at ease out here with Lapis and Peridot. I just can't go back when everyone I once knew now looks at me in fear or disgust, but maybe... maybe in the future I'll come back but for now I'll stay here"
Amethyst then walks up to Steven and grasps his hand.
Amethyst:"Is this what you really want man?"
He nods and she backs off.
After some time the three went back to the temple, leaving Steven with Lapis, Peridot, and the Ruby's.
Peridot:"So what now?"
Steven stayed silent. Lapis walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm.
Lapis:"Steven..."
He did not respond.
Lapis:"Please..."
Still nothing.
Lapis:"Look at me... please"
He hesitantly looked down at her. She reached up and cupped his armored cheeks.
Lapis:"Tell me what's wrong"
He raised a hand and grasped one of her own.
Steven:"*Sigh* I'll tell you later"
Lapis:"Promise?"
Steven:"Promise"
She then hugged him. Caught off guard he just stood there with his arms in the air. Then heard a whimpering noise and turned to the source. Peridot was a few feet away pouting with that puppy dog look. Steven sighed and ushered her over.
Steven:"Come here you"
She leaped forward and latched onto this chest. Both of the gems had their arms wrapped around him, practically squishing themselves to his chest. The two gems were enjoying the embrace while Steven quietly grumbled to himself.
Steven:"*Grumbles* Should have never let Amethyst teach you that"
They stayed like this, enjoying each others presence. Suddenly Steven felt something latch onto his left leg. He looked down and saw the one he named Leggy hugging his leg. He was going to ask her why she's hugging him when he felt something latch onto his other leg. Turning his head he saw Navy hugging it. This bewildered him immensely. Then he felt something make contact with his back. Looking back he saw both Eyeball and Army hugging his back while hanging off of the vines on his back. Then something made latched onto the back of his head. He would have panicked a little if not for realizing that Doc was hugging his head.
Steven just stood there confused as to why the Ruby's were hugging him. He didn't dwell on it for long as he suddenly felt his cheeks get wet. He reached a finger up to the spot and felt the area. He then realized.
He was crying.
It confused him that he was shedding tears when he was not sad. Instead he felt happy, joyful even.
Steven:"W-Why am I crying?"
The tears were streaming down his face in full force. Then Lapis looked up at him and saw the tears. Smiling a little she used her hydro-kinesis to turn those tears into little stars and fish. Steven watched as the fish and stars made from his tears circle around him. He couldn't help but smile at the sight. The others noticed as well and watched with wonder in their eyes, the Ruby's being a little enthusiastic about it. Steven looked down at Lapis with a smile and she looked at him with a blush. He leaned in and captured her lips with his. The two stayed like this for a good while, oblivious to the world around them. When they did pull apart they saw the other occupants looking at them. Peridot looked jealously at the two while the Ruby's had literal stars in their eyes. Steven couldn't help but give a hearty laugh to Peridots look while Lapis just smirked.
Lapis:"Is the little dorito jealous that Steven is kissing me and not you"
Peridot just fumed as she crossed her arms and made a angry face that quickly turned into a pout.
Peridot:"I'm not jealous!"
Lapis:"Suuuuuuure you aren't"
Steven just stood their and watched as the two gems he truly loves go back and forth at each other with banter. Adverting his gaze from them for the moment he looked at the Ruby's that were still attached to him.
Steven:"So what are you five going to do now?"
This reminded the Ruby's that they came here for a reason.
Doc:"We'll be heading out to go look for Jasper"
Steven:"*Nods* Good, the sooner you get her off the planet the better"
Doc:"..."
Steven:"..."
Doc:"..."
Steven:"...Are you guys gonna get off of me or..."
Ruby's:"NO!"
Steven sighs and walks out of the barn with the Ruby's still glued to him. Once outside he headed to the ship embedded in the ground. He stares at it before speaking.
Steven:"Mind getting off me for a moment"
Reluctantly the Ruby's let go of him. Once they were all off Steven reached down and grasped the hull of their ship. The metal bent and teared as his claws dug into it, trying to get a good grip. Once he was sure he had a good enough grasp he started to lift. The ground gave way a little as Steven pulled the Ruby's ship out of the ground. Said Ruby's watch in amazement as Steven pulled their ship out of the ground with a little more effort. A few of them were impressed by his show of strength, others were blushing and watching his muscle flex with power. When the ship was fully out of the ground Steven gently set it down. Dusting his hands off he was about to turn back to the Ruby's when they latched themselves back onto him.
Steven:"Ah com on! Can't you guys latch onto someone else!?"
Ruby's:"NOPE!"
Steven grumbled while the Ruby's just laugh. Soon Lapis and Peridot came out, finally finishing their arguing.
Peridot:"So you guys heading out soon?"
The Ruby's looked each other. Getting many reluctant nods they got off of Steven and replied.
Eyeball:"As much as we don't want to, yes"
Leggy:"But we promise to visit from time to time!"
Doc:"You can count on that"
Navy:"Ya!"
Army:"An when we do visit I want to fight you Steven!"
Steven:"*Chuckles* Sure thing short stuff"
Army fumed cutely at his remark. After another hug attack from the Ruby's they piled into their ship, but before the hatch closed Leggy ran back out and tackled Stevens face and panting a kiss on his cheek.
Leggy:"*Blushing* Don't think to much about what I just did!"
She quickly jumped off and ran right back into the ship, closing the hatch behind her. The ship then hummed with power and began to hover in the air before launching into the sky. The three stood there and watched as the ship raced off into the distance. Steven couldn't help but rub the spot Leggy had kissed. When he turned around he saw Lapis and Peridot looking at him with teasing smiles.
Lapis:"Seems like someone has a thing for you Steven~"
Peridot:"And I bet its not just her too~"
Steven blushed a little but it went unseen due to his armor. He looked up at the direction the Ruby ship went and smiled. That smile turned wicked as he gazed upon his two lovers. Before they could react he scooped them up in his arms and head back to the barn. They cried out in surprise and blushed when they saw the look Steven was giving them.
Steven:"How about we head back into the barn and have a little FUN~"
Their blushes intensified at this and squealed when he rushed into the barn. Too occupied with themselves they never saw the figure in the treeline sink deeper into the forest. The figure walked a good distance before pulling out a walkie-talkie and spoke.
?:"Sir I've found the target"
?:"Excellent, we will be arriving shortly. In the meantime you are to continue watching it, understood?"
?:"Rodger sir"
With that the figure shutoff the device and made his way back to the barn.