1001 Nights in Their Garden

The Fourth Day

An Intruder in the Garden

Author's Note: It took me so many tries and retries to figure out who the intruder was

My name is Steven Universe and after three days with a crazy gem, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the insane one. I woke up to see her laying next to me in the shade. Despite her constant threats to destroy everyone that I love over the last three days, she looked so peaceful. There was something changing about her.

Her skin was brighter now, and the "eyelash" marks under her eyes weren't so deep either. Simply put, she wasn't so intimidating as she was when I arrived.

Even last night she… last night. I smile when I think of that exchange, "You call that a kiss!" I was too tired to argue much. Was I remembering things right? "I'll show you Steven Universe!" I dozed off soon after. It drains me so much when I tell those stories, and I can barely even think.

Well, this morning it was her turn. I creeped up on her slowly, got to within an inch of her face. Carefully, I put my hand on her cheek and slapped it lightly to wake her up. Her eyes opened slowly and focused on mine. My cheeks became flush, and I went to pull away. I only wanted to make her feel uncomfortable, to tease her. In the end, she got the last laugh, and wasn't that all she wanted? It was weird to think that her revenge was really only the bawling of someone who felt utterly lost.

Instead of pulling away her arms wrapped around and pulled me close. The voice that came from her in that instant was weaker and far more intimate than I was used to. "I said I would show you, Universe." Then she drew me into a kiss that seemed to go on forever. It left me shell shocked and at a loss for words. We just stayed there for a while in each other's embrace. When at last we parted she smiled, "See?"

I shuffled back from her and said in nervous defeat, "Spinel, th-that wasn't my intention!"

"Oh don't sell yerself short, I didn't see you complainin'," at that she stood, "Besides yer tellin' me you don't find me charming? You know you didn't find that sweet princess more attractive than cute and sly wittle Spinel."

"What are you saying? You knew I would give you the opportunity?"

She stuck out her tongue, "Of course you dunce, I was awake the whole time! You fell for it hook, line, and sinkeh!"

At first I was embarrassed, but then it hit me, "Why were you so sly?"

"Because I can do whateveh I want here, or did you forget that you are the intruder in my garden?" She ran off, and I followed in close pursuit.

"Come back Spinel, I want to talk."

The mischievous pink gem rose on her feet until they became like stilts. Then turned to stick out her tongue, "Nah, I'm done talking Stevie, but if you catch me we can do whatever you want." She stretched over a large hedged maze.

"Oh no you don't!" I shouted as I leaped into the air. We both floated safely to the ground in a, frankly less than dignified position.

"Your just no fun at all anymore," she said, then after a pause, "I'm a little disappointed that you haven't made a run for it just yet."

"Wouldn't dream of it, unless…"

"Unless what?"

"You, know you could come home with me right?"

"I thought we were clear that that'd mean the end of your precious little mudball?"

"No Spinel, I mean that we could…" I heard an unfamiliar rustling in the hedge. "Did you here that?"

She had already taken out her weapon. The rustling on the other side of the hedge only grew louder when suddenly Lion burst out from the other side and tackled me to the ground, he started licking my face. It was great being able to meet a friend in a place like this, "L-l-lion how did you find me hahha!"

Spinel breathed a sigh of relief as she put away her weapon, "All this for another one of Pink's lost pets."

Later she told me stories about how mom was always finding animals in distress on distant worlds and "saving them". Apparently, Lion wasn't the first, and there were many animals that had received that blessing. I'm not really sure how to feel about having dozens of Mom's pets on the prowl for me. One pet was especially disturbing. Spinel described it as, "Like a big tower, but you know alive… and much bigger than a moon.

I asked her if she was joking as I enjoyed an evening meal of more fruit. Seriously I've got to get out of here so I can have a burger. Sure, I miss my friends and loved ones, but at a distant second I really want to bite into some nice greasy carnival food again sometime, but I digress. She giggled before taking on a more serious tone, "You wish."

"Funny, Spinel."

"Guess you'll just have to see for yourself someday." She said petting Lion's mane. "By the way, I'll think about what you asked earlier." Just three days ago she nearly killed me and now I'm considering taking her home to meet everyone. Again, I wonder who the insane one is in this relationship.

We spent the rest of the day playing games with Lion in the garden, before settling in again for the last part of the story. Just before we did Spinel said, "Can I make a request about the stories ending."

"Sure."

She whispered what it was that she wanted into my ear. I replied, "That's a wonderful idea!"

Next time: The Fourth Night- The Hunt IV

End Note- Next chapter will conclude "The Hunt story". Thanks so much for reading!