When Dad came with the van, Twoie insisted on waiting at the barn until Steven returned with Lapis. The gems and his dad drove back home while he spent one last day with Peridot. They had started fixing the hole in the barn but became distracted when the new episode of Camp Pining Hearts came on. They were still watching the show when Lapis and Steven returned. Twoie smiled and waved at them from their place in the loft. "Hey, guys! Welcome back! Wanna join us? We're watching a Camp Pining Hearts Marathon."
Lapis couldn't speak. There, sitting next to Twoie, was Peridot. "You? What are you doing here?" Peridot smiled, unaware of the anger in the other gem's voice, and waved at her.
"Lapis! Nice to see you again! Welcome to the barn. I live here now! Do you want to watch this show with us? It's getting to the really good part!" Steven nervously looked between the two. Lapis turned on her heel and grabbed Steven by the shoulders.
"You said I could stay here, though! This is supposed to be my home." Peridot, now realizing that Lapis was upset, muted the show. Twoie sighed, and the two climbed down, so everyone was on the same floor. Lapis glared at Peridot when they walked up to her. Twoie gestured to Peridot and met her glare.
"Lapis, Peridot was already living here before you decided to stay here as well. You have a lot in common, and I think you'll make great roommates." Before Lapis could interject, Twoie held a hand up. "Remember how Steven said everything changes on earth? Well, Peridot has changed from what you remember her as. She wants to live here on earth. You two actually have a lot in common. Neither of you can go back to Homeworld because you'd be branded as traitors, and both of you want to experience what earth has to offer."
Lapis narrowed her eyes at Twoie. "I don't care how similar we are. I can't stand the thought of living with her every day. She's the one who dragged me back to earth."
Peridot got defensive. "Hey, it wasn't my idea! I was headed to earth, and I needed an informant. It was supposed to be a simple mission. I'm sorry that you got tangled up in that giant mess with Jasper, but everything worked out, didn't it? Now, you get to live on earth with Steven and Twoie. You can explore and make new friends! We can be friends!" Peridot became really excited and started hopping up and down. "I have so much I want to show you! I gotta show you Camp Pining Hearts! Oh, and how to use the lights in this place, and the rain! And we can watch the sunrise and sunset together! This'll be so much fun!"
Lapis crossed her arms. "I don't want to be friends. You used me. Just like everyone else." Twoie put a hand on her shoulder. Lapis shrugged him off, feeling slightly betrayed that Twoie didn't tell her about Peridot when they were talking earlier.
He sighed, "Lapis, she didn't, though. Yes, she's part of the reason you were brought to earth, but she didn't use you. Jasper, the gems, and Homeworld used you without asking. Peridot was commanded to bring you. Even then, the only thing she did was ask about the earth. Jasper hurt you emotionally. She threatened you. Homeworld and the gems abandoned you when you were no longer useful. You can't compare them."
She could feel her resolve lessen. But it didn't change the fact that she was still mad. She wanted to be mad at someone, and Peridot was right here.
Peridot stepped forward with her hand out. "I'm sorry." Lapis looked at her incredulously. "It's different now. I'm different now. I sabotaged my own mission. I helped save the earth! I even yelled at Yellow Diamond! She might even be sending a fleet to shatter me right now! I'm a big anti-Homeworld deal." The green gem realized her voice was getting higher and higher. She cleared her throat with an embarrassed blush. "A-anyway. If you really don't want to live here with me, then that's fine. Twoie and Steven have taught me a lot about the ability to chose. But I'd really enjoy the company. I want you to understand that things are different now. We're the same! We can't return to Homeworld, but you don't have to be alone. Tell me whatever you want me to do to make this place feel like home, and I'll do it."
Silence. Absolute silence. Lapis stared at Peridot, as though contemplating what to say. Twoie and Steven waited on the sidelines. Lapis spoke quietly, but it was filled with annoyance. "I don't care if you've changed. I don't want you here." Peridot looked at her sadly.
"Okay. If that'll make this place feel like home." She walked out of the barn. Steven watched her leave, struggling to come up with a way to fix things.
"Why did you do that?" Steven turned to see Twoie glaring at Lapis.
She looked surprised at his anger. "Wha-."
"Why did you force her to leave? Are you really so upset about having no control that the second you have the power, you forced her into the same position? Peridot was trying her best to make you feel comfortable, but you wanted to hold onto your grudge so much that you refused to listen to her." Steven reached a hand out to Twoie, but the gesture went ignored as the young man walked out the bar door. "I hope it was worth it." Twoie flashed Lapis a disappointed look before he ran after Peridot.
The blue gem was left alone with Steven. She could feel the guilt starting to eat at her. Twoie was right, though. She just wanted to be angry. "Lapis, why are you being so mean to her? You should've at least gotten to know her before deciding you don't like her. She gave up her home for you. Does that sound like someone who wants to hurt you?"
Lapis glowered at the door. "Why do you trust her? Why do you both trust her so much?" Steven also looked at the door.
He sighed, "Because I've gotten to know her. You could've too, but now she's never coming back again." They froze when they could hear Peridot screaming from outside. Steven's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, she's coming back again." The two ran out of the barn and saw Twoie and Peridot running towards them.
"Twoie! What's going on?" Twoie gently nudged the two back into the barn and shut the door behind them. He herded the group into the right corner of the barn, hoping they'd be out of sight of the ship.
"It's a Homeworld Ship. I'd use my powers to knock it away, but I'm worried they'll take it as a rebel gem still on earth." Twoie whispered. He could hear the ship hovering around outside. Twoie had one arm in front of Steven and the other in front of Peridot, protectively pressing them against the wooden wall. The yellow light of the scanner illuminated the inside of the barn. It shined through the giant hole in the wall. Where they were tucked away, the light reached the tips of their feet. Lapis watched as Steven and Peridot shivered in fear. She could see the worry and anger in Twoie's determined glare as he kept his gaze on the Roaming Eye.
At that moment, Lapis narrowed her eyes and stepped out. Twoie reached a hand out for her but stayed where he was to protect the others. The terraformer extended her hand to a bucket of water, sitting in the corner, and called the water to her. She formed a small fist that steadily grew larger as she pulled more water from the air around her. It wasn't as big as she wanted it to be, but she was able to smack the ship sideways, away from the barn. She opened the door, and everyone went running after her as she slammed her water hand into the ship, and it became embedded into the dirt. "Steven! Twoie! Peridot!"
The aforementioned turned to see the Crystal Gems running towards them from the direction of the warp. Twoie didn't drop his protective stance as he returned his gaze to the ship. Pearl hugged Steven before she started checking him over. "Are you guys, okay? We were worried when we saw the ship!" The kid smiled as he returned the hug.
"We're fine! Lapis saved us. But it looks like Homeworld really has it out for Peridot." They turned their attention over to Lapis, who was watching the ship with indifference. She sighed and dropped her defensive stance. Peridot started backing away slowly.
The blue gem never turned her gaze away from the ship. "Peridot." Peridot froze. Her fear turned to relief when Lapis faced her. "Are you okay?" The green gem nodded with the biggest smile on her face. Lapis, seeing her elation, blushed and looked away. She wasn't used to making people happy. The only ones she was comfortable with were Twoie and Steven. She looked over at Twoie, who was smiling at her as well. That made her blush harder and stare at the ground. Guess he wasn't mad at her anymore.
Peridot pulled her recorder out of her pocket. "I have to log this! I made a new friend, and she's super strong!" Before she could start recording, though, the ship opened up. All eyes turned to face the ship as several rubies climbed out of the hatch. Steven grabbed Twoie, and everyone went running into the barn to hide.
Twoie flinched when Steven grabbed him but allowed himself to be pulled along. Once they were in the barn, he whispered, "You didn't have to grab me, Steven."
Steven looked frantic as he stopped staring at the rubies to look at his brother. "You froze when we did this with Yellow Diamond, I just wanted to make sure you hid with us this time."
Twoie looked embarrassed when Steven brought that up. "Because that was Yellow Diamond!" He sighed and brushed his hands through his hair. "It's fine, I'll just go send them away." Steven, Peridot, and the Crystal Gems grabbed Twoie from behind and pulled him further into the barn.
Peridot let go so she could gesture towards the outside. "You can't go out there! They'll attack you! I don't want you to get hurt for me. Haven't I caused you enough trouble?" Twoie pushed the other hands off of himself.
He placed a hand on Peridot's shoulder, giving her an encouraging smile. "I'm from the future, remember? They're here for Jasper. All I have to do is tell them that Jasper's on a different planet and they'll go away!"
Peridot went from anxious to disappointed. "Wait, they're not here to shatter me for disobeying Yellow Diamond's direct orders and calling her a clod to her face?" Twoie chuckled and shook his head. He looked at the others and motioned for them to stay in place. Then, after taking a deep breath, he walked out of the barn.
The rubies were standing together, being briefed on their mission by the leader of the rubies. Twoie walked over and just stood next to the ruby with her gem in her belly. The name Navy popped into his head. Their names started coming back to him once he got a good look at them—Doc, Navy, Army, Leggy, and-. Twoie looked over at the ruby with her gem in her eye. Eyeball. The one who tried to shatter him in space, testified against him in the trial, and fused with Aquamarine to become Bluebird Azurite. Who laughed as she pointed her chisel knife at his dad. He took a deep breath to calm himself.
As Doc finished her mission briefing, she looked down at all of the rubies and noticed Twoie standing among them. "Hey! What do you think you're doing, Human?" The other rubies, realizing he was standing there, turned to face him.
Twoie just grinned and gave them a wave. "Hi! I'm Twoie. I saw you guys here and wanted to say hello." Navy and Leggy smiled, but Doc, Army, and Eyeball looked suspicious.
"How much did you hear?" Doc pursed her lips. This was a critical mission. She would not get in trouble for having enemies find out their plan.
"I only came by at the end. You're looking for someone? Maybe I can help?" Twoie hoped they wouldn't question how a human supposedly knew what happened to a gem. But he remembered that these rubies were fairly easy to fool.
Navy nodded her head. "We're looking for Commander Jasper. She's a big gem that was supposed to lead a mission to earth, but she lost contact after her arrival. Yellow Diamond wants us to bring her back. Also, I like your spots! And your fangs. Do all humans have those?"
Doc jumped down from her place on top of the Roaming Eye. "Don't tell the Human about our mission! That's important and classified information!" Navy's eyes widened as she realized what she said. She squeaked out an "oops" and looked away. Twoie did his best not to wince at the remark about the weird coloring on his skin. And fangs? What was she talking about? He'd worry about that later.
"Oh, Jasper?" All eyes turned to Twoie. The young man kept his composure under all of their surprised gazes. "She's a really tall orange gem, right? With her gem on her face?" Doc's eyes narrowed, and she lunged at Twoie. She gripped the collar of his jacket tightly, with her feet propped onto his chest.
"You know where she is? Tell us!" The other rubies gathered around him. Twoie nodded and pointed into the sky.
"I overheard Jasper say that she was heading to Neptune. She's probably there by now." Doc hopped off of Twoie and faced the other rubies. "Alright, let's head over to Neptune! Thanks, Human!" The other rubies ran back to the ship and climbed back into the Roaming Eye. Twoie shivered when Eyeball gave him one last withering look, before disappearing inside. The ship quickly took off.
The others came running out of the barn, once the ship was out of sight. "Twoie! I'm so glad that worked! I was so worried when that one Ruby jumped on you, but you handled that wonderfully! Good job on getting rid of them!" Pearl chimed as she patted him on the shoulder. Twoie smiled at her, then sighed as he noticed that it was starting to get pretty dark out. It was already afternoon when Steven came back with Lapis, and dealing with everything else had taken up the rest of the day. It was already almost sunset. "Thanks. I think it's about time we head back home now. Is dad still at the house?"
Garnet nodded. "He wanted to stick around tonight since we told him about the marks. If we leave now, we'll make it back in time for Greg to get home with pizza." Twoie frowned. He didn't mean to make his dad worried. Peridot and Lapis smiled and hugged Twoie and Steven goodbye.
"Thanks, Twoie, for helping us with the rubies and for helping me with Lapis. Feel free to visit whenever you want to!" Peridot exclaimed happily.
Lapis snorted at her excitement. "Yeah. It's going to take some time to get used to, but I think I'll be okay at being roommates with her. Sorry, you know, for being mean." The last part Lapis directed at Peridot.
Peridot started rambling excitedly about something to Lapis as they headed back into the barn. Twoie, Steven, and the Crystal Gems walked to the warp and arrived back in the house. "Home sweet home!" Steven cried out as he flopped onto the couch. "I've missed you."
Twoie chuckled at his dramatics and headed into the bathroom. He wanted to check on that thing Navy mentioned. He locked the door behind him and looked at himself in the mirror. Wow… He had light bags under his eyes, his hair looked messy, and he had a new bruise mark on the back of his neck that extended under his chin, as well as a small one appearing on his right temple. He opened his mouth and flinched. What? Twoie grinned at the mirror and could see that his four canines had sharpened into fangs.
The young man could feel his heart pounding in fear. He poked one with his finger and winced at how sharp the fangs were. That's when Twoie remembered the weird things protruding from his head. He parted his hair out of the way to see a little horn sticking out. It seemed like it was a very light purple color, and it was also pretty sharp looking at the tip.
"Why do these things always happen to me? Am I shapeshifting? Is this a new power? What's going on? Why can't I just be normal for once?" Twoie glared at his reflection. At least the horns were hidden, and you couldn't see the fangs if he didn't grin, but what would he do if he continued to change like this? The gems were being annoying enough about the markings, who knew how much things would escalate if they found out about everything else? He decided right then and there that he would not bring it up or tell the gems anything. Everything would be fine!
The sound of the front door opening snapped him out of his thoughts. "Steven! Nice to see ya, bud! I got pizza!" His dad was home. Twoie took a deep breath and headed out of the bathroom. His dad turned his head as he set the box down on the coffee table. "Twoie!" Dad's smile turned into a grimace. "Yikes, the gems weren't kidding about the bruises. You okay, son?" Twoie smiled and grabbed a slice of pizza.
"I'm fine, Dad. I heard you're spending the night. You can have the couch if you want." Twoie bit into the slice while his dad held his hands up.
The father didn't want to kick his son off of his usual bed. "I've got the van in front of the house. I don't want you to give up your bed for me."
Twoie shook his head. "It's fine, Dad. It's probably more comfortable than the mattress in your van, and I could just share the bed with Steven." Steven's eyes lit up.
The young kid shoved the rest of his slice into his mouth so he could have his hands free. "We coulf haf a slumfer parfy!" Twoie stared at Steven.
"Sunshine, don't talk with your mouth full." Steven swallowed the rest of his food and started running around the house. He grabbed a bunch of different things like an extra blanket and some pillows for his dad while taking a couple of snacks and drinks upstairs. The gems smiled at Steven's antics.
"Remember the house rules, Steven, Twoie. Don't go to bed too late." Greg reminded them as he helped himself to another slice. His sons nodded. Twoie ate one more slice before helping Steven get the room set up.
Greg sleepily rubbed his eyes as he woke up from the couch. It was still dark in the house, which meant it was probably way too early to be up. But something had woken him up, so Greg hefted himself off of the couch and tried to pinpoint the reason. There was a small amount of light in the room. Greg looked up and could see the light coming from the TV in Steven's bedroom.
The father quietly made his way up the stairs. He could see that Steven and Twoie were asleep, with the younger cuddled against the older. He smiled at how cute they looked and turned back to the TV. They must've fallen asleep while watching something. As he was about to turn the TV off-, "Sunshine! Connie! Dinner's ready!" He paused and looked at the screen.
Twoie was on the screen. The young man was at the base of some stairs, calling up to the second floor. The room looked familiar, but he couldn't place it. Then Steven came running down the stairs with Connie. "We're coming!" The kids jumped the last two steps, narrowly avoiding crashing right into Twoie.
"Why are you guys running?" Twoie laughed. "Dinner's not going to get cold in the next five seconds." The other two chuckled and dashed into the kitchen. Twoie smiled as he walked into the dining room. Doug Maheswaran was sitting at the head of the table with a newspaper.
Doug smiled as Twoie walked in. "Twoie! Thanks for setting the table. Could you ask your mom and Cons if they need any help bringing the food out?" The young man nodded and headed into the kitchen. Steven and Connie were standing next to Priyanka and an older version of Connie, who was watching the stove.
"Guys, I told you. Twoie's gonna help me bring the food out. You two go sit at the table and wait." Priyanka scolded the kids and gently pushed them towards the dining room. That's when she noticed Twoie in the room. "Sweetheart! Thank goodness, could you help Connie with the food? I already put the soup out, but if you could grab the salad while she gets the chicken, that would be lovely. Then we can start eating." Priyanka thanked him when he nodded and herded the children into the other room.
Twoie smiled as he walked up to older Connie. "Hey, Strawberry." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
She laughed as she used her tongs to pull the chicken off the pan. "Hey, Biscuit. The salad's in the fridge." Twoie grabbed the salad, and the two walked into the dining room. They all sat together as a family and just enjoyed each other's company.
Greg could feel an ache in his chest as he watched the scene. He didn't understand. Was this a new power? Was this Twoie's dream? He looked over at his eldest son. The young man had a peaceful smile on his face that mirrored the one on Dream Twoie. It hurt. It really hurt to see Twoie dreaming about this. Did he feel like they weren't a family? Maybe he really wasn't around enough. Greg felt something drip down his face. Oh, he was crying. He wiped the tears away. Greg felt like he was losing his family all over again. Priyanka's words about Twoie wanting a more normal family dynamic popped into his head. He could try to do that. And an excellent way to start would be to finally tell Steven and Twoie more about himself. The father pressed the power button on the TV, plunging the room into darkness. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would tell his sons about himself.