Chapter X: Amethyst, Part II

The next morning Steven Universe drifted awake feeling as if he'd slept for years. He still had nightmares, his adventures taken their toll, but last night had been dreamless, deep sleep. It was rare, let alone a full night's worth of it.

There was a lump of warmth at his side and he huffed, assuming Lion had snuck in his bed again. He opened his eyes but he wasn't met with pink fur.

Instead there was a sea of wavy hair, spilling over him, around her.

The librarian was wedged against his side, face buried against the crook of his shoulder. Last night rushed back to him and Steven blushed pink. He pushed the wild strands back, carefully, trying not to wake her. His hand slowly smoothed, revealing her face. Stars, she was lovely.

Wait, was that drool?

There was a click of a camera shutter and his eyes whirled accusingly to the top of the stairs. Pearl stood there, camera phone held up, blue eyes swimming and blue blush heavy.

"Pearl!" He hissed in a theatric whisper, embarrassed.

"What? You're both so cute!" Pearl whined.

"How long have you been standing there?" He asked her suspiciously.

"Two hours." Pearl chirped without a shred of guilt and Steven's face exploded red.

"Pearl!"

"I'm sorry!" She sobbed, "You were cuddling each other in your sleep and I just kept getting good photos!"

"Get out of here!" Steven blushed angrily, then hesitated, "Also… Send me those."

"Oh… Alright… I'm leaving." Pearl assured him with a defeated sigh, headed back down the stairs.

He sighed in relief and Pearl popped back up like a demented prairie-dog, "I also broke into her house and got some of her clothes and personal effects. They're in the corner. And Garnet is out getting you both breakfast and-"

"Pearl!"

"Going! Going!" She insisted, darting down the stairs. At the commotion, the librarian groaned and shifted next to him, eyes fluttering open. Steven felt himself melt, weakening at the sight of her adorable drowsiness.

She drifted awake and into a moment of woozy panic at seeing a room not her own. A dresser sat against a far wall covered in decorative picture frames. There was a close up photo of Rose Quartz. And there was a candid shot of her at Buddwick's circulation desk, glasses sliding down her nose as she obliviously read. There was a dramatic painting of a wilting Garnet and a cherubic Steven on the wall.

Steven. She was in Steven Universe's room.

She twisted around fully, sensing that she wasn't alone in the cream duvet and sheets. There was a lump of warm skin she definitely hadn't been drooling on and she pulled back, eyes shooting open wider.

"Morning." Steven Universe greeted her, gaze hooded. His voice carried a certain timbre first thing in the morning that she immediately decided she liked. His curls were mussed and he was still without a shirt. That she definitely liked.

"Good morning." She replied, a certain shyness emerging. She smiled a bit, chin ducking as her thoughts spiraled. Was she not supposed to be here? Should she have not slept here? She floundered under morning-after tropes while Steven looked oh so calm and-

Wait a minute.

Her brain rewinded as she realized was looking at him with perfect clarity.

Wonder seeped into her as she reached up touching her face. No glasses.

Steven watched her, smile only growing, head propped up on his hand.

"Holy shit I can see!" She bolted upright as if she was on a spring in a flurry of hair, panic setting in as she fumbled across the pillow for the octagon frames. She shoved them on her face then lifted them up and down, staring at the reverse order blurry than clear face of an amused Steven. Her mouth dropped open.

"I… might have gotten a little carried away with the healing powers last night." Steven tinged red guiltily. At hearing how his magic affected her, he had lost count of the number of times he had bit her or left love marks on her skin only to heal her with a swirl of his tongue. He eyed the expanse of her neck, relieved he didn't hurt her but also severely put out by the lack of evidence he saw of his attentions.

He watched the librarian turn red as well at the implication of last night. Steven was unable to stop a pleased grin from ghosting the corner of his mouth at her reaction.

Overwhelmed all she could do was mutter dejectedly, "But I love these frames."

Steven laughed, taking them from her and popping out the lenses before handing them back to her.

"Sorry. I um… Sort of did the same thing to Connie." He admitted.

At her raised brow and growing smirk, he panicked, "The glasses thing! Not… Oh stars."

"I know what you meant, Universe." The librarian only laughed, rolling to the side a bit and stretching. Her back arched, a full curve that pushed her chest skyward as she yawned, shoulders twisting. Morning light streamed across her skin through the sliding door. Steven had never seen anything in his sheets more alluring.

Oblivious to the stars in his eyes, the librarian sniffed her armpit slightly and made a face, groaning. "Oh man, I am gross… Do you mind if I steal your shower?" She asked, tilting her head.

"I didn't think you were gross." Steven pouted, "But yeah, go ahead. Pearl may have um… brought you some of your things."

Pearl broke in to your house seemed harsh.

She slipped out of bed and Steven sunk back into the fluffy duvet, watching her sleepily pad around his room with a dopey smile, heart full. Unaware, she mussed her wild hair and picked through the collection of things Pearl brought her.

"Hey… Can I borrow a shirt?" She asked, blushing. "Pearl's pack job is um… lacking." She turned and showed him a bathrobe, a change of what looked like pink silk underwear, and leggings only.

"Yeah sure, top drawer." He nodded towards the dresser. She opened it, digging out one of his many black t-shirts with a yellow star. She snagged one, murmuring her thanks and scuttled down the stairs. Steven collapsed back on his bed completely, arms extended, sigh of happiness leaving him.

He heard the bathroom door shut and the shower start up. His eyes shot open.

Oh stars, she was showering. Oh stars, she was naked.

Last night had certainly helped, but if anything it had lit a fire in him. He was new to a relationship involving touch, especially touch like that. He thought of her under the water with a background of the familiar white subway tile of his bathroom, smelling of his lavender soap in all that hot steam… The sounds she had made the night before echoed in his ears. What would it be like to experience those in the acoustics of his shower, completely bared to each other?

That settled it. He was on the move, goal in mind. He chanced a glance down the stairs.

He crept down them, slipping into the living room. So far so good.

The slam of the fridge door made him jump guiltily.

Amethyst grinned at him from in front of it. "Morning dude!" She exclaimed.

"Amethyst!" He exclaimed in forced surprise. He was not subtle.

"Going somewhere?" She asked, smugness palpable as she drank straight from the milk carton. Steven blushed, brain stuttering to a halt.

"Uh." He could hear the shower running like a siren's song.

"You two made up, didn't you?" Amethyst pressed him, grin growing.

"Well… We uh…" The water shut off. His hopes died.

There was a shriek from the bathroom, an exploded burst of activity and the door burst open in a cloud of steam. The librarian barreled from it, wet hair twisted on top of her head in a bun, clad in black yoga pants and his black star t-shirt.

Oh stars, his black star t-shirt! It molded to her figure in a way the half Gem had never seen his shirt do. It was fascinating. Seeing her wearing the Crystal Gems symbol, something of his…

He jerked from his blatant ogling when Amethyst snickered and shoulder checked him.

"What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, coming to his senses.

"It's Monday!" The librarian screeched, panic apparent. "And it's noon!"

"And?" Amethyst asked, unimpressed.

"I'm late to work! The library was supposed to open three hours ago. Oh god, Nanefua is going to kill me!" She panicked, making a beeline for the front door.

She breezed past Steven, halting to press a hurried kiss to his mouth. He melted, stunned a bit by the casual domestic gesture. He could smell a mix of her scent and his lavender soap.

"S'okay." He assured her, dazed, "Have a good day?" She smiled and he wavered on his feet.

Another kiss, as if it was normal, as if it was regular.

"Bye!" She yelled, blazing a dust trail out the front screen door. Wonder shown in his expression, his pupils tiny stars.

Amethyst saddled up next to him, grinning at the dopey expression on his face, "It definitely looks like you made up to me. Man, you've got it bad, huh?"

Steven blushed furiously at the realization Amethyst had seen it all unfold, "I… Well…"

"Amethyst, quit picking on Steven." Pearl tutted sternly, breezing in from the Temple inner sanctum. She looked around for a moment, frowning in disappointment.

"Oh. She left already? But Garnet isn't back yet."

The front door opened, Garnet breezing in, "I passed her on the way inside and gave her a smoothie. Brought you one too, Steven." She handed him the to-go cup and Steven silently nodded his appreciation for the portable breakfast.

"Since we're all together… We should probably talk about yesterday's battle." Garnet continued, taking up residence on the couch and settling into an easy lounge.

"What about it?" Amethyst asked flatly, leaning against the fridge, "We kicked Metal butt!"

"This time." Garnet agreed.

Steven's shoulders tensed. That did not bode well. He slurped his smoothie furiously.

"What do you mean 'this time'?" Pearl asked, concerned. Garnet looked grim behind her sunglasses.

"Garnet, what did you see?" Steven asked, far calmer than he felt.

"The future is never fixed. But a Light Prism that belongs to no one is unprecedented." Garnet admitted. Steven knew the librarian was her own person, that stealing her free will through fealty was wrong.

Hearing Garnet say she didn't belong to him bothered him anyway.

He sucked harder on his straw, brows pointed downwards in worry. He drifted back to the evening before, mollified slightly by the recent memory.

"Well I don't see an issue with that." Pearl stated with a prickly edge, color rising in her cheeks.

Garnet sighed, "Pearl, you know what she is better than most of us. That kind of power of hers… Left out in the open without a conduit? She'll either burn up or have half the galaxy at Earth's door in two months."

"Woah, woah, woah." Steven interrupted, "Burn up? Why?"

Garnet shot a glance at Pearl who fidgeted, "Light Prisms are essentially a massive power source and an an arsenal in one. They're normally a pyramid. They're an artifact, not a person. Armies, weapons, copying abilities… It's all limitless for a being with a Light Prism on their side. They used to be given to high ranking Gems on Homeworld. But they were wiped from existence some eight thousand years ago. She's likely the only one left."

Amethyst looked contemplative at this, "Sounds pretty powerful to me. Why is she um… how do I put this nicely…" Amethyst paused before barreling ahead anyway, "Um, not powerful?"

"Probably because she doesn't know what she's doing. All that power is meant to have a conduit to run it through. A person to wield it. Without one… Odds are good she'll burn herself out." Garnet stated. Amethyst's mouth fell open. With growing dread, Steven realized that process had already begun.

"She already summoned a weapon and glowed." Steven pointed out, sinking down onto the couch next to Garnet as he recalled their fight with Copper.

"It shouldn't be possible. Light Prisms are told by their conduit to create. They don't do it on their own." Pearl realized, looking at Garnet with open shock. The fusion nodded sagely.

"She'll continue to get stronger as she comes in to her powers." Garnet confirmed. "But until then she's vulnerable. She has free will. We can't let her fall into the hands of someone who doesn't respect that."

"Like Copper. Why is he showing up now?" Steven mused darkly.

"She likely made a blip on his radar from being around us. Her power is drawn out by Gems or other walks of life from space. She's never been around Gems until now." Garnet stated. Steven felt the sinking feeling in his stomach worsen.

This was his fault, their fault. He should convince her to leave Beach City. He should walk away.

He felt a painful pang just thinking of it. Steven thought of the way her touch, her kiss felt. How she looked this morning in his duvet. He couldn't leave her alone, not with enemies like Copper around. She needed him.

"We'll just have to keep those crazy space warlords away from her. At least now we know why they're interested." Amethyst sighed.

"It explains Steven's reaction as well." Garnet nodded.

"What are you talking about, Garnet? I don't care about weapons or power." Steven insisted. He gave up the throne as Pink Diamond. He liberated worlds, not enslaved them.

"I know. But being around that kind of power still corrupts. It explains why you were so drawn to her and it could also explain why you're having trouble with Pink Diamond. You can't deny you're very… protective of her."

It did not sound like protective was Garnet's first choice of word.

"You're wrong! What she is has nothing to do with… It's not… It's not the main reason I…" Steven stammered and stumbled, sinking feeling in his chest.

He tried again, "Just because I've never felt like this about someone doesn't mean it's a Gem thing!" His distress was apparent. It wasn't the only reason he felt a pull, an attraction towards one person for the first time in… Oh stars.

Was the only reason he was attracted to her because he was part Gem?

"Steven…" Pearl trailed.

"It doesn't matter, man." Amethyst cut in, taking the wind from his sails. "Who cares why you feel the way you feel? It doesn't change that you're still feeling it!" She ruffled his curls and he smiled, albeit strained. "Look, it's obvious you're crazy about this girl. We all like her too! She's family now. And family has each others backs." Steven nodded, partially comforted but still shaken.

Garnet nodded sagely and Pearl welled up in tears, gripping Amethyst by the shoulders, "Amethyst! When did you get so wise?"

She shook the Gem, tears exploding out her eyes like a hose.

"Ugh, P, you're drowning me! Get off, you sap!" Amethyst groaned dramatically, trying to claw the emotional Gem off of her.

"So it's settled. We take turns keeping an eye on her until she gets a better hold on her powers." Garnet clarified, ignoring the bickering between the two Gems.

"I said she was family. I didn't say I was giving up my free time." Amethyst groused, arms crossing in a sulk.

"Amethyst! You just said family has each others backs!" Steven exclaimed, eyebrows pointing downwards in dismay.

"Ehhh… Can't I just be that family member that freeloads food off of her instead?"

"No." Garnet scolded her and Amethyst huffed.

"Ooh! We can take shifts." Pearl confirmed, eyes glittering at the hint of an excuse for scheduling. She had a whiteboard in her gem somewhere…

"Or we could just stick Romeo over here with her. He's with her all the time anyway." Amethyst pointed out, gesturing at Steven. He blushed, pouting a bit at the title but not rejecting it either.

"He can't always be around. That's not healthy. Steven has his own responsibilities too." Garnet intoned, voice of wisdom as always.

"Uh… Speaking of, what should I tell the Diamonds?" Steven asked, brows knitting in concern.

Garnet frowned, "That path is still not clear to me. I can tell you that over half the possibilities are…unfavorable."

There was an ominous silence amongst the Crystal Gems, Steven not quite sure he wanted to know what it bore.

"Unfavorable?" Pearl questioned nervously, breaking the ice first.

"The shattering of all or some of us, Era Two resuming, or the end of the universe. Sometimes all of the above. Depends on the timeline."

Steven slumped and groaned, "Why can't the universe just stay saved?"

"We could… not tell them?" Amethyst floated, finger gun aimed hopefully at Steven.

"That's lying." Steven pointed out with an exasperated tone that said he didn't approve.

"It's not lying if they don't know to ask! Who says we have to mention her?" Amethyst protested.

Garnet tilted her head a bit, weighing the implications of this.

"If half the galaxy shows up after her we may not have a choice." Pearl muttered dryly.

"We'll just cross that bridge when we get to it." Steven sighed, getting up. "I'm gonna shower and swing by Dad's. Do one of you mind keeping an eye on her until tonight?"

"Sure thing, Steven." Garnet nodded.

Steven gave them his best practiced smile and headed for the shower, smile fading into a frown as he went.

Necks had craned as the librarian sped her way over several blocks on foot from Steven's place, dumping the smoothie into her face as she ran. She hadn't had coffee, had three missed calls from her Dad, and had endured a powerful telling off by Mayor Nanefua.

However, despite her circumstances, she couldn't help but feel a bit on Cloud Nine.

She'd spent the night with Steven Universe.

Her cheeks heated just thinking about that let alone…

Connie Maheswaran burst through the library double doors, to-go coffee cup in hand, eyes narrowing at her across the front desk. Connie pointed at her, gesturing at the star shirt and then back to her face making sputtering noises.

"Hello to you too, Connie." The librarian patronized, struggling to hide her smile.

"Oh… No. No! You do not get to be quippy right now. I had to hear you spent the night at Steven's house from Dewey! Dewey! Mayor Donut knows more about your relationship right now than I do!" Connie ranted hotly, stomping up to the circulation counter.

The librarian looked at her with narrowed gaze and gave her a theatrical librarian shushing.

Connie's lips curled, half in a scowl and a smile, "Details. I want details."

"Shouldn't you be harassing Steven?"

"You were closer." Connie shrugged by way of explanation, "And I suspect you are more easily swayed by caffeine bribes." Connie sat the to-go cup of coffee in front of her.

Peace offering supplied, the librarian softened a bit, taking a sip out of the cup followed by a long drag.

Connie, wonderful human and top tier friend, remembered how she liked her coffee.

"Sooooo…. Late night?" Connie prompted, deceptively casual. She hopped up, sitting on the edge of the circulation desk, legs dangling. The lurid eyebrow waggle clenched it.

"Oh alright." The librarian hissed, voice low, "I went to train with Amethyst. Copper showed up. There was a big fight with the Gems-"

"Wait, what? Man! I miss all the good stuff." Connie sulked, cheeks puffed in a pout.

"Yeah, yeah. Steven got stabbed, except he didn't because you know, healing powers. I went all glowey for a bit and summoned a halberd-" She waved her hand in a circle, sipping the morning elixir as she went.

"You can do that?"

"I guess?" She quipped, then "Steven took me back to the temple afterwards and he was a perfect gentleman." She insisted. That part was sort of true. He was a gentleman. A gentleman who had been very hospitable. Her cheeks glowed pink.

"I just fell asleep there." Also sort of true.

Stars, she was just as rubbish with sort-of trues as she was lying.

She kept her mind focused on anything other than that to keep the blush from her face from tipping her hand. Unfortunately, by the gleam in Connie's eye she knew this was a lost cause.

"Really?" Connie asked sardonically, brow lifting.

"There… may have been some kissing and…stuff." She mumbled into the lid of her coffee.

"Funny how 'and stuff' is conveniently vague." Connie pointed out. The librarian flushed but didn't deny it.

Connie sighed, "But I'm glad you two made up."

"I am too." The librarian sighed truthfully.

There was a pause.

Connie slowly smiled at her, a full twisted thing like a Cheshire cat, "So how was it?"

"No idea what you mean." The librarian replied swiftly, slurping her coffee.

"You are just as bad of a liar as Steven." Connie pointed out, observing her fidgeting.

"Leave me alone, you sadist."

"Mhm, insults. Telling. That good, huh?" Connie asked, impressed.

The librarian wavered then her head fell, defeated. "Disgustingly good. I'm ruined for life." The librarian grumbled, making Connie burst into laughter. She whined now, "He healed my eyesight, Connie! I don't even need these frames anymore."

"That is good." Connie smirked. "Surprised you're here, dressed and out in civilized society. Not naked and still climbing my best friend like a-"

"Ohmygod you're the worst." The librarian inhaled rapidly, practically squeaking.

"Uh, who brought you coffee again? I am the best." Connie corrected, grinning.

"Point taken." The librarians brow knitted, "You really heard from Dewey?"

"Yes, a slight I may never recover from."

"How the heck did he hear about it?" The librarian asked, confused.

Connie grinned at the city girl's clear lack of understanding at the efficiency of small town gossip.

"Oh you didn't know? Star t-shirts are the new scarlet letter." Connie grinned, eyes cutting downward. The librarian groaned into her hands. She had to admit… While she loved wearing Steven's shirt, it did have a very distinct lack of subtlety about where she spent the night.

They were interrupted by a clatter in the common area. The librarian turned in time to see an inconspicuous Garnet attempting to hide behind a newspaper in front of an over turned display rack. Garnet was not however, dressed as normal. She was in a black suit with new black sunglasses, a failed air of covert about her. There was a coiled earpiece in her ear.

"Garnet. Nice shades as always." The librarian commented, eyebrow shooting up. "What are you doing here?" She righted the rack and reloaded the fallen books.

"Uh… Secret mission." Garnet decided after a beat of panic.

"At the library?" She asked, brows knitting in confusion. The only unusual thing happening at the moment was the six foot tall Crystal Gem fusion.

"I'm on assignment." Garnet admitted, glancing around them suspiciously.

"Future Vision?" The librarian asked.

"Sort of." Garnet hedged mysteriously but did not elaborate. The librarian sighed, defeated.

"If there's a fight in the forecast can you divert it outdoors at least? If the library gets demolished in a Gem battle, I'm fairly certain Mayor Nanefeu will murder me."

Garnet looked stricken at this news and nodded gravely.

She also began talking lowly into an earpiece and turned away from her. The librarian shrugged and headed back to the circulation desk.

"What's Garnet doing here?" Connie asked, "And why does she look like she's gone full Ruby?" The librarian had heard of Rubies and their propensities to take up bodyguard jobs. As mayor, her boss Nanefua often arrived with her own entourage of them. But Nanefua wasn't here and the librarian was sure Garnet had better things to do.

"I don't know." The librarian stated dubiously, "But something is definitely up."

Across town, Steven Universe checked his phone at the notification alert.

[renegade pearl]

Dear Steven, I just took over for Amethyst. No sign of any trouble. I'll keep an eye on her until you're finished with Greg or Lion shows up. It should not be a problem. Love, Pearl.

[Steven Quartz Universe]

Good. Thanks again Pearl. :)

[renegade pearl]

Dear Steven, You are welcome. Love, Pearl.

He really needed to talk to Pearl about texting etiquette again. He shoved his phone back into his jeans pocket and exited the Dondai. He strolled up to the familiar purple, red, orange, and light blue space decal van outside It's a Washand rapped his knuckles twice on the steel door.

"Dad?" Steven called out. There was a rustle inside the van and the back door popped open, Greg Universe sticking his balding head out like a gopher. It had been five years since his Dad's unexpected hair cut and Steven still wasn't used to seeing him without the flowing mane. He kept it clipped shorter these days, bald spot prominent along with the silver streaks.

"Hey-ya Schtu-ball." Greg grinned, leaning back inside and popping the door open farther with a swift kick. "What brings you to my office?"

Greg's over the ear headphones hung off one ear, his laptop open on a milk crate. Steven could faintly hear Sadie and Shep's newest song blaring through the speakers.

"I… was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd bring you the tracks I'd been working on to see what you think." He stated, tone overly nonchalant.

"Steven… You know they're gonna sell. I have no idea why you keep writing songs for other people. You don't need the money." Greg's shoulders sagged. He was proud of his son, but the artist in him still gnashed his teeth at the idea Steven was ghostwriting songs and jingles.

"Just give it a listen." Steven insisted, long since tired of this debate.

It was true he wasn't hurting for cash. But his Dad wasn't hurting for cash either and he still preferred the van. Steven still wanted to earn money and do things his own way. In truth he felt lost, pulled so many directions. Song writing had been one avenue he'd explored. Occasionally, he'd cave to agent phone calls and write another round. You've got a natural ear! Perfect pitch! Give me another batch anytime; they'll all be hits!

Greg cut the music he was working on and inserted the CD into his disc drive. Steven stared skyward as the clouds rolled by, expression unreadable as his Dad spent around twenty minutes to listen through.

Greg pulled his headphones off at the end and ejected the disc, turning it back over to Steven. His expression was solemn. As a parent, he'd both looked forward to and rued this day. He could never be ready for this. Now it was here. Where had the time gone? It felt like yesterday he was drinking beer from a cooler out of the back of the van and raving to Vidalia about the mysterious pink haired woman in the white dress he met on the beach.

He kicked his feet out the back door, taking the same place he always did next to his son, for once feeling every year his age. The elder Universe raised his gaze to the clouds as well, silence settling between them for a moment.

"You can't sell that stuff, son." Greg stated with a sigh after a long beat.

"Why? Is it terrible?" Steven asked self-consciously, cheeks tinting pink as his head swiveled from the clouds to his Dad abruptly.

"No. The opposite actually… They're incredible. But that's why you can't sell them. Those kind of songs…" Greg exhaled, "They're not meant to be sung by someone else. They're special. They're your songs, sure, but they're also hers."

"They're just songs." Steven protested, fidgeting. Something in him sank hearing it aloud.

"They're more than that. I wrote the same kind of stuff when I met your mother." Greg looked wistful now, that same tone that always made Steven feel awkward. But this time it didn't.

"But you were in love with Mom!" And she died and you were a wreck. "And I… Well I… I don't know if what I'm feeling is because I'm a Gem or because I'm human." He admitted, tone sinking.

Greg rubbed the back of his neck, "The Gem thing was never my specialty…" He paused but at the distraught look on Steven's face he forged ahead, "But ah… What makes you think being part Gem has something to do with how you're feeling, kiddo?"

Steven exhaled. It was a loaded question, "It's kind of a long story…"

Greg smiled at this, "I've got time."

So he opened the top of the cooler in the van and handed Steven a soda. Father and son popped the top and Greg settled in for the whole saga.

Slowly, carefully, Steven started stumbling his way through events from the beginning. Greg tensed at the mention of pink episodes once more, reminded of the dark days, of The Summer Where It All Went Wrong. But he held in his fear, nodding and making active listening noises as Doctor Bright had recommended he do as Steven took him through it all.

Unstuck after so long, the words came fast and furious for Steven now. He tiptoed around anything racy and he toned down some encounters.

This was still his Dad and he'd rather die, thank you very much.

But he did talk about Pink Diamond. How Pink Diamond was paranoid about her safety. How Pink Diamond was jealous and constantly wanted her for himself. Definitely just Pink Diamond.

Certainly not human Steven Universe.

By the end of his second can, Greg was grinning, a knowing smile playing around his mouth, "Well if you want my opinion, it doesn't sound like a Gem thing to me."

"It doesn't?" Steven asked, eyes wide.

"Nope." Greg grinned, last syllable popping loudly, "Sounds like love to me."

Steven, for his part, was a living statue as his brain made mayday noises and crashed.

"Love?" Steven choked, voice high and strangled. Oh stars.

His thoughts glitched like a vinyl record with a scratch as he struggled and churned over the possibility. Love.

Steven was quick, typically, to declare his love for things. Food, brands, songs, locations… Nothing was exempt from his liberal application of the word. It'd been his favorite concept to teach at Little Homeworld.

But to be in love with someone… Someone that could leave, someone that could die.

On this, he was far from quick. He was downright terrified.

Besides, what was being in love even really like? The only stable, healthy relationship he'd seen up close was a Gem fusion. Even then, he rarely saw Ruby and Sapphire separated and interacting with each other when there wasn't a crisis. His own family wasn't exactly nuclear.

There were the Maheswarens, but he'd always been too busy hanging out with Connie, hadn't been around them enough to really observe.

What was it like, he wondered, to be in love with someone but still be your own people?

He'd seen schmaltzy movies, sure. In fact, romantic comedies were some of his favorites. If those were anything to go by, being in love seemed to come with a large amount of drama resolved by kissing in the rain.

But love in real life? And what came next after the rain kissing?

He didn't know.

The day-to-day, ins-and-outs of being in love, a successful, normal human relationship… It was a complete mystery. He wasn't even a successful, normal human!

He was starting to think it'd be easier if this was a Gem thing.

Greg quirked an eyebrow, "Well like I said I'm no Gem expert here but… Listening to you and listening to your lyrics…. Her ability to make you laugh, or thoughtfulness for others, or ability to debate you on topics you both care about are not Light Prism traits last time I checked. They're human ones."

Greg was right, of course. The songs had flowed ever since Steven met her, scribbled on napkins, on receipts, in notebooks around his room. He'd written songs about how she looked on their first date in space, when the supernova danced on her skin. He'd written songs about the sound of her laugh. He'd written songs about her fights with him, his earnest desire to always fight for her not against her.

That she was kind, that she was beautiful, that there was no one else like her.

Love.

"But the Gems said…" Steven faltered, panic steadily rising. He couldn't. He couldn't.

Greg shrugged, "Maybe we're both right. Who says it has to be all of one thing or all of another? You're part Gem. You're also part human. It was never going to be an easy answer for you two. But if every pork chop was perfect…"

"We wouldn't have hot dogs." Steven finished with a sigh and his Dad nodded sagely.

Steven's expression deepened, "I don't… Love is actually… really scary to think about." He admitted in one big rush.

Greg smiled, "That's okay. No one says you have to know now or even tomorrow how you feel. Half the fun of being in love is the road to getting there."

"But… if it is love…" Steven continued, voice small, "What if I do it wrong?"

The question was so soft Greg nearly missed it.

"Some people do." Greg turned pensive, "It's sort of like… dancing." He settled on finally.

"Dancing?" Steven asked, confused.

"Yeah, dancing!" Greg was excited now, "You can dance well with a lot of people. And some people, well, they step on your feet and are terrible. But then you find that one partner that just seems to know how to groove with you better than anyone else could! And you realize you weren't actually dancing before. The steps may have been there but it didn't add up."

"Well that's cause the only math in dance is in the two step." Steven said slyly.

Greg's mouth opened and then he let out a booming laugh, Steven's slow laughter bubbling along with his.

Steven's mirth faded and he set the rest of his soda behind him in the van. His hands flexed in his lap, fists then open. Greg stayed silent, watching the gears turn in his son.

"I don't know if she's the right dance partner for me. But…. I just want to keep dancing with her as much as I can, until I figure it out…" He trailed, flushing brightly when he realized his Dad was watching him with a knowing grin.

Greg knew that feeling all too well. It was the opening number. He remembered when he started it with Rose.

"So…" Greg trailed innocently, "When are you bringing her by to meet your old man?"

"Dad." Steven groaned, hiding his smile.

"What? I can't meet her?" Greg protested, expression pitiful and pleading, "Steven! Come on! I'll wear the sweater and everything if you want me to!"

Steven laughed, feeling lighter already, "I'll bring her by some time. No sweater required."

Across town, the librarian quickly found herself at the heart of a Crystal Gems conspiracy, of which Garnet -in the library, by the book rack, with the sunglasses- was only the beginning. The librarian felt eyes on her all day and it wasn't just because of her wardrobe.

She took a late lunch and sat on the pier, sandwich and book in hand. Her bare feet dangled in the water. Across the bay on a tugboat, a purple bald eagle wearing black sunglasses watched her eat.

She spun by the bank to deposit her paycheck and Pearl, also wearing sunglasses, was the teller. Ah yes, a deposit. If this infernal machine would cooperate… Pearl had then proceeded to shove her hand, librarian's check and all, through the bank computer screen.

She locked up the library at closing time and was stalked home by Lion, incredibly also wearing sunglasses. That she enjoyed. People gave her a wide berth through the streets with the pink African jungle cat at her heels. Enough she was able to stick her nose back in her book while she walked through town unhindered.

The librarian sighed as she let herself through her front garden gate, unsurprised to see Steven Universe lounging on the bench swing on her front porch, black shades sliding down his nose as he shot her a grin.

Fresh from seeing his Dad, Steven felt his nervousness swell, thoughts and fears churning, but he hid it. That all dissipated as he watched her talk to Lion. She was talking to him animatedly like a person and he grinned.

She held the gate open for the giant cat with shades, brow arched, "Are you coming in, sir?"

"You're calling Lion sir." Steven observed, voice dry with disbelief.

"It's a sign of respect. He's a gentleman." The librarian insisted, not breaking eye contact from the giant pink Gem ally.

"He hacks up hairballs on my rug the size of baseballs."

"Ahw, he just has a sensitive palate. Isn't that right, baby?" She cooed. Lion wrinkled his snout and she made a coaxing noise, scratching him under the chin for a moment. Lion's eyes crossed before they closed, nose lifting sky high to give her access for further chin scratches. Her voice was high and sweet, tones pinched, "You're such a cute kitter, aren't you, you absolute unit? You're such a good boy."

Steven's mouth hung open at the sight of her baby talking Lion. Lion never let him do that!

She scratched with both hands through the thick fur, making kissy sounds. Steven was fairly certain the purring noises beginning to emanate from the oversized house cat could classify as a lower level earthquake.

"Don't encourage him. He's spoiled enough as it is." Steven grumbled, slightly bitter.

Lion cracked his eyes to stare at Steven contemptuously for a moment before shaking off the glasses and flouncing off through the sand.

"Ahw Lion! Come on! Those were hard to find for a cat your size!" Steven protested after him.

The librarian struggled not to laugh at Steven's defeated expression.

"Traitor." He sulked, "How long have you been plotting to lure him away from me with chin scratches?"

The librarian's smile was slow and mirthful, "Oh from the start. The odds are against you, Universe. It's well documented that the Venn diagram of cat lovers and librarians is just a circle."

Steven's eyes narrowed accusingly, "You're bribing him, aren't you?"

The librarian flushed guiltily, "I… might be giving him my fried chicken. At least until the Lion Lickers shipment I ordered arrives." At Steven's snort her shoulders rose defensively, "What? He's a growing boy!"

Steven rolled his eyes, "He's definitely spoiled. I can't believe I'm jealous of a cat."

She smirked at this, "I can give you chin scratches and call you a good boy too, if you ask nicely."

Steven's cheeks exploded red all the way out to his ears and his sunglasses slid down his nose ridge, hands flapping nervously.

"I… Well…" He felt tongue-tied and she grinned. She climbed the porch, humming slightly and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. His panic melted as did his expression, shoulders relaxing.

"How was your day? Let me guess, secret mission?" She asked, knowingly. He was wearing a suit similar to Garnet's.

"What gave me away?" He asked, genuinely perplexed.

She bit her lip, trying hard not to smile but failing. His shoulders dropped in defeat at her laugher. She beamed, shooing him to move over on the bench swing. She settled in next to him on the white wood swing, bag dropping to the porch slats by their feet.

"You said no secrets. I believe that includes secret missions." She accused and Steven scowled. "Start talking."

He scratched his cheek, "Did I say secret mission? I meant ambiguous mission."

"Uh-huh." She intoned, disbelief thick, "I'm assuming this ambiguous mission is the reason I'm suddenly the pied piper of Crystal Gems."

"Well yeah. If they admitted they were guarding you, you would have told them to go home." Steven shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. The librarian opened her mouth to object but closed it, lips pursing when she realized he was right.

She rubbed her temple, eyes closed and eyebrows high, "I feel like I've missed something?"

Because surely there was something.

So Steven told her. His shoulders hunched as he recalled what Garnet had told them that morning, about her power, about the danger, and about how the Crystal Gems had committed to look after her until she was stronger.

"You… don't seem that upset." Steven remarked, fresh off the news that her burning up via lack of power conduit was a possibility. The librarian sighed stretching.

"Well… There's a lot of assumptions baked in to that." She pointed out and Steven's brow furrowed, "There's nothing saying I can't learn to control it. And you're a Diamond so if anyone could handle me, it's you."

Steven smirked, "Do you know that from hands on experience?"

She groaned and stuck her tongue out at him, making a face. He grinned.

"But what I do have a problem with is the babysitting. You and the Crystal Gems can't give up your own lives to follow me around forever in the off chance something might happen. I might walk to work tomorrow and get hit by a car and die. You never know." She shrugged her shoulders, eyes closing as she talked. When she opened them, her face fell.

Steven looked positively stricken.

"I s-should talk to Mayor Nanefeu about banning cars in town anyway. The emissions are bad for the environment." Steven stated shakily, reaching for his cell phone.

The librarian laughed, hand on his forearm, stilling him, "Steven, that's not the point. What I mean is… It's not fair to you or the Gems."

Steven's shoulders slumped, "I just want to protect you."

He froze, feeling her head lean against his upper arm, "I know. But you can't control everything."

You ridiculous, wonderful man.

"To keep you safe? Watch me." Steven challenged petulantly, cheeks puffing in a huff.

She sighed, pulling back to look up at him, "Look, this is all because I don't have full use of my powers, right? So let's change that. What if I widened my training teachers to all Crystal Gems? Met with someone new every day?"

"That's too hard on you. The Gems want to do this. I want to do this. Just let us." He stated. It sounded suspiciously like he was begging. It also didn't hurt that his brown eyes were all soft and doughy like a pleading pet seeing human food. It was criminal and she floundered.

"What about every other day? And you ease up on the babysitters." She tried again.

"Three times a week max and the bodyguards stay exactly as is." Steven countered, demeanor shifting stern as he entered the negotiations with her. His gaze narrowed and locked on hers but she didn't shrink. Her chin raised. Fleetingly he wondered if kissing her until she forgot words would be an effective argument strategy.

"Training counts as a bodyguard duty. On my rest days, the Gems just hang out with me, no espionage." She proposed. He supposed that sounded fair.

He nodded briskly, "Done. But we get to keep the sunglasses."

The librarian laughed, "Agreed."

She reached her hand out and he shook it.

Deal brokered, she sighed, eying up Steven's black suit and tie look. She had yet to see him in such an outfit and had to admit the tailoring as well as his commitment to a bit were impressive.

"Are you my guard for the evening, then?" She asked, rising to her feet. She scooped up her bag, digging out her keys. Steven stood as well, moving to follow.

"At your service, my lady." Steven gave her a sweeping bow, kissing her hand.

"Why don't you come inside and service me there?" The innuendo slid out of her mouth without passing a filter. She immediately blushed but did not take it back.

Steven's cheeks exploded in crimson once more as he stretched back to full height, flustered but loosening the knot of his tie,"If my lady commands."

"Well, I'm not ordering you to do anything but if you wanted to come inside…?" She trailed, smile rising as she stared up at him. Steven nodded, blush still heavy, as his gaze flicked down her form. His fingers brushed out, rubbing the fabric of her t-shirt sleeve.

"You're still wearing my shirt." He murmured lowly. A pause, "It looks good on you."

"Is that a yes, Universe?" She asked, her eyes sparkling as her smile grew wider. His heart seized, her head tipped back to stare up at him more than it called for.

It was invitation he couldn't refuse.

He answered her by closing the gap between them and slanting his mouth over hers. She hummed happily, fingers brushing his jaw. She swayed on her feet, wavering and bumping into her front door. He smiled into her mouth, noting her sharp inhale as he pressed onwards urgently, his series of kisses blending into one prolonged press against her lips.

She took a step back, trapped between the doorway and his large frame. Steven swept his hands down her sides, grasping her hips and lifting her off the ground as if she was weightless. Exhilarated laughter bubbled from her, her expression wondrous at his casual display of super strength. It lit something in her blood and she wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him again and again until his head spun. Stars.

She could feel his hand fumbling next to her, at the keys in the door handle. She took advantage of the opportunity, hands sliding down his face to his jaw. She tilted her head, angle changing as she kissed him deeply, languishing in him, like she had dreamed of all day.

Steven made a strangled noise that sounded suspiciously like a whine and he pushed her front door open, stumbling inside with his hands full of her. He managed to close the door, wasting no time in pressing her against the other side. The contact made her gasp and he swallowed it, nipping at her mouth teasingly. Her hands were clenched tightly in his hair, clinging to the swell of his bicep. They moved, rocking in an eager exploration of the other with hands. It was a push and swell, a dance that felt familiar even though Steven hadn't done the steps with anyone. It was her turn to make a sound, soft and needy as he swept his tongue into her mouth.

From behind them there was a click, the living room lamp turning on.

"Guess that explains why you never called."

Steven and the librarian froze, effect similar to being doused in a bucket of ice water.

They broke apart, hands sliding off each other. Steven let her slip down his front to plant her feet on solid ground. He turned to face the voice, staying in front of her, eyes burning pink.

"Lars."

The space captain was lounging in her red wing backed chair like he owned the place. Lars raised one hand to his chest, the other skywards in a show of dramatic presentation.

"The one and only. Good to see you, Steven." Lars gave him an upbeat smile, before pointing at the librarian, "But I'm here for her."

Steven felt his whole body stiffen. The librarian tensed but raised her chin, refusing to be embarrassed, "What do you want? And why are you in my house?"

"You have so many eager Gem friends lately." Lars sighed, a bit of sulk evident, "It's hard to get you alone."

"She's not alone right now, either." Steven pointed out tartly.

"I can see that." Lars pointed out, smirk apparent. The librarian held out for a moment then furiously blushed as Lars raked his gaze down her from head to toe. She was fairly certain Steven actually growled at this.

"Man, you really grew up. Didn't think you had that in you, Universe."

"Out, Lars. Right now." Steven snapped, at his limits.

"I don't think so, dude." Lars sighed breezily. He twirled the destabilizer between his fingers like a baton, tube dancing round and round in his hand. Behind him the librarian's eyes widened, fingers curling into the back of Steven's suit jacket.

Earlier on the porch, she had felt like the Crystal Gems guarding her was just Steven being overprotective. Now she was re-evaluating that belief. She felt like she was witnessing a slow moving car accident. She couldn't look away and she was filled with dread.

"Where did you get that?" Steven only asked lowly.

He didn't need to pat his pockets to know it was missing.

"This? Oh… That's my little secret. Take you back, Steven? Remember? Topaz and Aquamarine? If I recall correctly these things hurt like the devil." Lars mused.

The librarian's calm demeanor cracked slightly at his insinuation.

"Enough! What do you want?" The librarian demanded, stepping out around Steven to face the space captain fully. Her fingertips ghosted Steven's arm as she emerged, keeping contact with him to reassure him and if she was being honest, herself. It only partially worked.

"What I've always wanted since you and I first met. We need to talk."

Notes: Not sure why but this story is much more popular over on AO3? I'll still update here, but I always seem to be slower popping chapters up here because of it. (AKA There's more up over on Ao3 if you want spoilers.) Thanks all for the love so far. This fic is my anxiety outlet and boy if this ain't been the year for needing a coping mechanism. Til next time xoxo