His Corrupted Self Summary: When Spinel attacked his planet, she didn't bring just a rejuvenator but a corruptor as well. He knew she wanted vengeance against his mom. He didn't know she would slash him with the rejuvenator before ripping his gem free and slashing that with the corruptor. Steven is split in two and his gem half doesn't look right. For one, it's red and not pink. For two, it's gained sentience different from his human half. And not the good kind of sentience either. Now Steven is fully human and fighting not just against a rogue gem, but his corrupted self as well.

WARNINGS – Self-cest, molestation, gem corruption, dark themes, violence, forced submission, Steven suffers, angst, emotional abuse, physical abuse

His Corrupted Self Part 2

Steven hesitated in front of Lapis. "Can you move outta the way?"

She gritted her teeth and Spinel slipped past her. "Sorry, Steven."

"Lapis, please." He inched closer. "I need to stop him!"

"I know." She retreated a step. "But…"

"I don't get it." He tugged strands of black hair. "He left. You don't have to listen anymore!"

"Not how it works," Bismuth sighed, crossing the living room to settle by a window. "A Diamond's orders are absolute."

"I'm a Diamond." He tried. "So if I order you to not obey him, then–"

Peridot shook her head. "You're not a Diamond anymore."

He huffed. "Well, yeah, not right now. But once we re-fuse, then–"

"Steven, you don't understand." Lapis' soft voice derailed the fight. "That's not… Whatever happened to your gem has… changed it. Whoever that is? They're not part of you. Not anymore. You're fully human now."

"But–"

"They're red." Lapis turned to peer through the window. "Not pink. And your gem is a pink diamond."

"So he's got corrupted a little." Steven countered. "It's like a virus. We just need to remove it and he'll be back to normal."

Peridot studied the wood flooring. "By all statistical probabilities, that won't work. He's gained sentience. Separate from the original source. It's… it's more like the operating system has not only been reset to a default, but switched to an entirely different one."

Steven offered a puzzled smile.

Peridot heaved a sigh. "That's not you. Not Pink Diamond either. He's… he's definitely a Diamond. But… but almost stronger. More concentrated. He's raw power without the filter of a conscious. At least," she worried her lip. "No conscious yet."

"Then there's still a chance." He was grasping at straws now. "There's–there's gotta be a way to fix this. To go back to normal."

Bismuth shrugged. "I'd say he already has a conscious. And it's not a good one. Did you see the way he ordered us to 'guard' Steven here?"

He groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Why would he even do that? We're all friends here."

"All except for him." Bismuth grumbled. She straightened. "Look, Steven, you're fully human now and we've got a corrupted Diamond on the loose. We need to get you outta here. If there's any chance we got, then it's the Diamonds."

Peridot protested. "Will they even be able to help? Corruption could only be healed by all four Diamonds together."

"It's worth a try." Lapis said. Then she frowned. "Uh, but how do we…?"

Peridot brightened. "He only ordered us to guard Steven while he works. He never said we had to stay here."

The other two shared a grin. Bismuth chuckled. "So why not guard him while he makes his way to Little Homeworld's warp pad?

Steven laughed as he caught on. "That's it!"

They hustled out the house. Despite bending the Diamond's intentions, the three still refused to touch him as a precaution. Better safe than sorry, after all. Steven couldn't argue with that. They snuck between alleyways, careful to avoid sight. They had made even made it to the center of town where the warp pad waited when they encountered their final problem.

Red Diamond stood atop the warp pad, dictating orders with a bored monotone. Steven sucked air between his teeth. The Diamond was surrounded by confused and frustrated gems. Despite their conflicted expressions, they obeyed his commands without question: carrying building supplies. Where were they even taking the supplies? Were they constructing a freakin' palace in the middle of Little Homeworld? Steven frowned. That was terrible. What a waste of all the time they spent building the place the first time. Not just that, but doing so would displace all the gems who already lived there! His frown deepened. Just what did Red plan to do?

Steven scanned the area. They needed to get to the warp pad. But how? He studied the Diamond's straight but bland posture. The horns had grown longer. He clicked his tongue with thought. Gems were scattered throughout the area.

"It's too crowded." He heaved a sigh. "We've gotta run to my house."

The other three groaned their assent. They had just turned around when a chill spidered down his spine. Someone shouted.

"They are not working, My Diamond!"

Steven pivoted. Lethal pupils locked onto him and he swallowed. He whirled on his heel and yelled. "Go go go!"

They kicked it into high gear. They sprinted but the gems were swarming after them. Bismuth took a chance. She snagged his underarms and hurled him up and into the sky. Lapis launched into the sky and caught him, holding him aloft by his chest. He wiggled, checking the sea of gems below.

"Bismuth and Peridot!" He wiggled. "Wait, Lapis. They're surrounded!"

"I can only carry one of you!"

Something whizzed. Lapis swerved to the side just as a red disc sliced through her wings. They gasped as the water evaporated and they free-falled. Her wings reformed and caught wind but he continued to fall. Red sprinted along the ground, red light glowing. Another disc shot towards them. Steven yelped. Lapis was forced to dodge while the Diamond launched upwards and snagged him by the hip.

"Lapis, run!" Steven yelled as they drifted with gravity.

Red sneered and adjusted the hold on him. "Stay." When she cursed and halted with a salute, the Diamond added. "Follow me."

They returned to the ground, gems parting to allow them space. Steven squirmed and tried to escape but the hold was too tight. "Put me down!"

Promptly, Bismuth and Peridot were pushed forwards and into the circle surrounding the Diamond and him. Lapis landed beside the two and Spinel forced her way to stand beside Red. Tension rose as the Diamond surveyed Steven's friends. The gems around them muttered with puzzled concern.

"Everyone, return to your duties. I will handle this mess."

While the gems saluted and left, Steven frowned. "You shouldn't do this to them."

Scarlet irises rolled. "For willful disobedience, you three will be shattered–"

"What?" Steven shrieked.

"–during the coronation later–"

"Don't–"

"–today. Disobedience reaps death, after all."

Steven couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed the other by the shirt collar and yanked. "Stop!"

When the weight of Red's iron stare settled on him, he flinched. Seeing such a cold expression on his mirror image was eerie. The fangs had grown sharper and the horns bigger. Steven skittered his gaze in search of something readable. Something to tell him this corrupted version of him had empathy. Or humanity in general.

"We don't shatter gems."

"They touched you." Red explained with a monotone. "They knew the consequences. You knew as well."

Nerves blended into frustrated anger. "What is wrong with you?"

His other half hummed.

"You–you can't just boss people around! We're all people, not mindless toys. If you'd just listen to me then we could work something out! But forcing gems to obey you? Shattering them? It's wrong! You need to stop before someone gets hurt."

His chest heaved. Red surveyed the area, checking the other gems, before meeting his gaze. "Are you done?"

The monotone made him burst. "Done? Done? What do you mean done? You–you need to stop this."

When the Diamond only watched him, visibly bored, a sickening sensation rolled through his gut. He shoved against the other's chest and yelled incoherently. He wriggled and squirmed but couldn't force his way free. The other was too strong. Red's gaze rolled skyward, annoyed as if Steven were merely throwing a childish tantrum. When Steven finally collapsed against the restraints, drained, Red spoke.

"As I was saying, you three will be shattered during our coronation. An example has to be made."

Steven bared his teeth, voice lowering. "...I hate you."

That of all things made the jerk pause. Cold ruby eyes flickered with surprise before hardening. They glowed. "In the meantime, be useful and help with the palace's construction."

Steven folded in on himself and glared. "...I don't know what you want from me. But I hate you. If this is how you choose to treat others, then I don't want anything to do with you."

Rigid fingers dug painfully into his skin. He winced. That would definitely bruise. "Dismissed."

His three friends parted ways and he reached for them, helpless and afraid. "Wait, don't go!"

Red pivoted and the movement spun them out of sight. Steven hugged himself. His captor carried him away from the main hub of builders and to a quieter area. Spinel made to follow them until the Diamond also ordered her to help with construction. Buildings, both finished and in progress, passed by them. Steven drooped once they were alone.

"Just let me help you." Steven tried one last time. "Please. Let me fix this."

Instead of answering, Red brought him into a different house. A quick scan revealed it was empty and had a similar layout as the previous one: living room, kitchen, and a bedroom. In short order, he was dumped onto the lone couch.

"It seems," Red towered over his sitting form. "There needs to be clarification."

"There's nothing to clarify."

His other half grabbed him by the throat, movement fast and fluid. Steven gasped, pulse quickening, and scrambled to pry himself free. The pressure tightened and he struggled harder.

"Let–" he hacked. "Let me go!"

His windpipe closed and he gaped like a fish out of water. Was–was his other half really going to kill him? Was this it? Was this how he died? Because of himself? Not because some gem who hated his mom finally won. But because–but because a part of himself had been corrupted beyond repair?

"This is a warning." Lips growled against his ear but spots were darkening his vision and there was ringing in his ears. "Learn to behave."

Tears streamed down his cheeks. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't breathe. The hold loosened and he collapsed to the cushions, chest heaving. His vision was glazed, breathing laboured, and his throat had to be bruised. Red watched him curl into himself with an odd expression.

"Come here."

Wordless, Steven shook his head. Did the guy think he was crazy? He was almost murdered! By him! Why would he even say something like that?

"Come. Here."

Steven only ducked his head and tried to steady himself, gingerly cradling his throat. The other huffed and then hands were on him like fire. The touch practically burned. He yanked himself away but Red snagged his hair and threw him so his back bounced against the cushions. Knees pressed against his waist as Red clambered atop him, pinning him down with weight atop his hips. Steven's breath hitched. The position was unwelcomingly intimate.

"Let me go." Tears continued unbidden. He hiccuped. "Just let me go."

"Listen," Red's irises glowed. "My name is Red Diamond and I am not you. The only thing to fix here is your behavior."

"Get off of me!" He cried, bucking under the other but not moving at all. "Stop it! Please!"

"You are to address me as 'My Diamond,' little dove. You are mine, after all." Fingers snagged his tear stained cheeks. "Do you understand?"

"No!" He jerked against the grasp on his face. "Get offa me! Let me go!"

"Do. You. Understand."

Steven gasped as Red kept hold of his face and reached for his hair. Red twirled the black strands and tugged just hard enough for a prick of pain. A warning.

"You belong to me." The growl was low and gravely. "And you will act as such."

"No no!" He grabbed both of Red's wrists and tugged. "You're just some messed up monster who wants to kill people! That's horrible and awful and wrong!"

"This is my planet." Hair ripped as he yanked. "This is my choice. And you are my other half. You will do as I say."

Steven only screamed incoherently in response. His captor scoffed but let him scream himself raw. He released Red's wrists to try and punch his chest. Then tried slapping the hands holding him down. Tried shoving the weight off him but he couldn't even move enough to wiggle in place. He screamed and fought until his energy drained and he slumped.

"...I hate you." He said again, limp but glaring.

Red merely stared him down. "...You will learn otherwise."

Steven shuddered. Creepy. The Diamond finally climbed off him but never let him go. Red swept him into a bridal-style hold and they made their way back to the center of town. Once they arrived, Red resumed command over the other gems. The few times Red would put him down, he would always have some part touching him. Steven hated it. He wished Red would keep his hands to himself. But no. The gem kept constant contact: hand atop his shoulder, an arm around his waist, or had him carried or kept their fingers interlaced.

Anytime Steven resisted, the touches would turn painful. Whenever Steven tried to argue, Red would just ask if they should prepare the coronation earlier than planned to sooner shatter those pesky traitors.

Eventually Steven realized resisting wouldn't save his friends. So he had to try something different: pandering. Like swallowing a lemon, his expression soured. How could he please the other? They were in the middle of looking over the hastily made blueprints for the palace throne room. A table was in front of them under the fading sunlight. He stood quietly by Red's side, kept in place by a palm on his hip. What would soften the jerk enough to listen to him? Touch seemed to be important to Red, so maybe…?

He sucked in air and sweetened his voice. "...My Diamond...?"

Ugh. He wanted to cringe. The Diamond would never fall for it. The other gems continued to talk as if he hadn't spoken, discussing the blueprints, but Red's focus had snapped away from them. Steven shrank as the dilated pupils targeted him. He swallowed. Another gem tried to catch the Diamond's attention but Red flicked his wrist and the group surrounding the table quieted.

"Yes, little love?"

His gaze dropped, unable to meet the others gaze. How embarrassing. The nickname registered and he blushed. Red licked his lips and Steven followed the movement, unsure and anxious. He started to speak but his voice cracked and nothing came out. He curled in on himself. What was he supposed to say? Why was everyone watching him now?

"My dove," Red pulled him flush against his chest and the blush spread. What..? This was too intimate! He stammered when a thumb circled his lower back, soothing and rhythmic. "What do you need?"

An idea popped into mind. Pandering, right. "I… wanted to apologize. For earlier."

"Oh?" The purred response made him shiver with nerves. "Go on."

"...I...was rude. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I just…" he tilted his chin up and widened his eyes and offered an apologetic frown. "Bismuth, Lapis, and Peridot are all my friends. My family. Please don't shatter them…"

Red's expression shifted from unusually soft to unimpressed. "Is that all?"

"Please…" Steven deflated. That was a bust. "I don't know what I'd do without them. If they died…" Tears welled. He hiccuped softly. "I...I don't know… I'd miss them so much. Please don't hurt them…"

When Red's expression continued to lose interest, he grasped the other's shirt collar in one last ditch attempt.

"I'll do anything." He begged with fresh tears streaming. "Just don't hurt them. Or anyone. Please."

The disinterest shifted into something unreadable. But it was unsettling. "Anything?"

He nodded, sniffling.

Red grinned. "Let's host the coronation now. It seems you have something to say."

A squawk of protests erupted from the builders. The coronation wasn't ready. Steven stammered, confused, and Red whisked him away. A temporary stage was built, flowers hastily arranged, and human food dumped atop any and all tables scattered throughout the town square. Night had fallen. Red called forth the gathering and the gems congregated below the stage to watch.

Steven was horribly confused as he was guided onto the stage by the waist. Red spoke to the gathered gems. Something about the palace and a new era. Something about a king and a queen. Something, something, something about royalty and how he would conquer the planet. All for one person.

Him.

Steven gasped. This… this was his fault? His mind whirled until Red turned to him, dropped to a knee, and said.

"Marry me."

If it weren't for Red's dark stare rooting him to the spot, Steven would have fled. Marriage? He stared at the box in Red's palm: it housed a dark red ring studded with pretty pink rocks. Surely stolen.

"M–marry you…?" Steven stammered. He cast a helpless glance to the baffled, muttering audience.

"Agree to be mine," Red cooed. "And you'll own the world. You'll be protected: safe with me. You won't need to work anymore. There will be nothing to fear or fight. You'll have everything you could possibly want or need. Anything you want, I'll give it to you. You'll have the best of the best. You'll have me and…" a sly grin darkened his face. "...your friends."

Steven choked on his own spit. To save his family he had to–to willingly imprison himself? His gaze dimmed. Anything for his family.

"...Okay."

Notes: Looks like Steven's sinking deeper in this strange situation. Will he escape and return things to normal? Or will he adapt to this new life? You tell me, heh heh.

Shia Rephic: Hrnn, I LOVE yandere stories. Red Diamond won't accept 'no' as an answer. Looks like Steven's in big trouble now! And, heh, who needs words when squealing is expressive enough? Thank youuuu!

Lily Armest: I'm glad you enjoyed chappie 1! Hopefully chappie 2 is just as interesting. And looks like there's no need to worry, cause here's chappie 2 posted and everything! True, I'm a slowpoke. But it's up all the same!

MMM: Couldn't have said it better myself. How will Steven get outta this wild ride? Who knows? Guess we gotta wait and seeeeee.

Thanks for reading, reviewing, and following/favoriting. Gives me boosts in motivation.