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 – Steven suffers, dubious consent kissing

His Corrupted Self Part 7

Gems bustled around the center of Little Homeworld, hefting supplies to those beginning the building process while others demolished buildings. Holes were scattered about the ground as gems dug to remove previous building's foundations. Steven had frozen atop Red's shoulder. Nothing but the sound of footfalls and clacking of metal could be heard.

A quiet beat passed. Then, "what!?"

Red cracked his head back and roared with laughter. "Darling, what did you expect? That I would wait?"

"Well I–" Steven blushed.

"No, no," Red wiped a tear with his free hand, the other patting Steven's hip from where he sat atop the broad shoulder. "No, love, I plan to take you as soon as I can."

Oh stars. He froze, heart launching into his throat. Right. So he didn't have as much time as he thought, then. How could he gather his friends? Or the diamonds? Two days. He had two days to contact them and band together to fix this. Well, he had managed worse! He could do this. Just had to believe.

His expression must've shifted because Red jostled him. "What are you thinking, love?"

Steven floundered for a believable lie. Instead a truth flowed out of him. "Two days?"

"Excited, are we?" Though Red chuckled, there was a slight edge to the tone.

"Uh, um–" Steven stammered, catching the hidden meaning. "D-do you want the truth, or…?"

A huff jostled him from his perch atop the other's shoulder. "I want you to be truthful with me, dove."

Gems bustled around them. Steven blushed under the weight of the glances and occasional stares. They were worried. He knew this. But what could he do? At this point in time Red had never let him out of sight, let alone touch. He had two days to stop the other. Two days to send word to his friends. But how? Red wouldn't even let him bathe on his own. It was like...

…the diamond didn't trust him.

"You want the truth?" Steven trailed.

Maybe if he earned it…

"Of course."

...then he could fix this.

"I'm not excited." He worked to find the right words as the shoulder heated below him. "But it's because I barely know you."

The temperature cooled. "...I'm listening."

"See," he fished for something reasonable. "You say you're someone else, right? That you're not me? Well, that means I don't know anything about you. Yeah, you wanna 'conquer the world or whatever,' but… But who are you outside of that? What are your daydreams? Who do you want to be?"

"Simple." Red straightened, head tilting as he scanned the area. "I am Red Diamond; a sentient lifeform separate from your own. All I need or want is you. Anything you want, I will give. There. Now we know each other."

Steven pursed his lips. "That's… not what I meant, Red."

"Mind your manners. Explain."

"That right there." Steven shook his head, absently spotting the pig tailed nephrite from earlier approaching with a bag. "You talk like I'm less than you. That's not how friends treat each other."

"We are engaged. Therefore: not friends."

"Red–"

"Manners."

"Red," frustration oozed. This was counter-productive. He was supposed to earn the other's trust, not lose it more! "Red, c'mon, meet me halfway! You wanted my honesty but you're not listening!"

"I am listening. The only issue here is your lack of etiquette."

He wanted to either tear his hair out or cry. Thankfully Nephrite had arrived. With a to-go cup of what had to be his protein shake in one green fist and a Spacetries bag in the other. He inhaled the scent of freshly baked banana bread and his mouth watered. On cue, his stomach gurgled.

"Follow along, soldier." Red beckoned. "I'll inspect the food after we find a place to settle." Red led the way to an untouched corner of Little Homeworld. A quick survey revealed one of the houses had not been touched. "The speed is lacking, but at least that's useful for now. Soldier," Red turned. "Guard your Queen while he eats. Do not let him leave this building."

An idea popped into mind. As Red shuffled him from the shoulder to his arms and then the ground, Steven latched onto the other's broader wrist. The fact he couldn't fully wrap his fingers around the other's limb was alarming. Just how much had the other grown since his first appearance? Was the corruption spreading? The horns had grown longer, after all.

"Wait," Steven squeezed. "Where are you going?"

"The spinel has not returned with the blueprints. After I check your food, I will find her."

"Wait," he repeated. He knew the nephrite would be shattered if he left the house and Red found out. That left the other plan. "But how can I get to know you better if I don't talk to you? We only have two days!"

"This…" Red paused, "is true."

"Take a break! Please? Uh, My Diamond?"

Red frowned a beat before softening. "Very well. Soldier," he barked and extended a hand. She passed the food. "Search for Spinel. Fetch her and the blueprints. I will be in here with your Queen while he eats."

She saluted. "Yes, My Diamond."

With that, Red ushered him into the small house. They quickly headed for the living room where a dining table sat. Red nudged him into a chair and pushed it and the blushing Steven to the edge. Red spread the food atop the table before seating himself beside him. Protein shake, salad, and freshly baked banana bread. Mouth salivating from the warm aroma, Steven reached for a fork only to find Red holding the only available utensil.

"...Red?"

The other clicked his tongue, idly pulling the salad close to fluff the greens. A meaningful look shot his way. Oh.

"My Diamond…?" He tried.

"Yes?" The diamond tore the small packet of salad dressing and squeezed. The dressing swirled atop the leaves before the plastic fork mixed them together.

"Uh… that's my salad."

"Yes. It's almost ready."

"...I can mix it myself, you know."

"Oh I'm sure you can." Red agreed. "Just let me do this for my beautiful wife, won't you? We wouldn't want you to catch anything bad from poorly made food."

Small horns dipped as he lowered his head and opened his mouth. Sharp but small fangs sank into the lettuce. Steven watched, baffled, as the gem did something so absurdly human. A few quick but small bites of the salad, the bread, and then a sip or two from the shake left Red satisfied.

"It's not poisoned." Red announced as he wiped his fingers and mouth with a spare napkin. "You may eat."

"...thanks, I guess?" Steven reached for the fork. The diamond pulled away.

"Thanks, what?"

Steven sighed. "My Diamond. Thank you, My Diamond."

"Wonderful! You're learning."

Little fangs grinned and the sight of Red smiling happily was almost cute. Steven swallowed, banishing the thought. What was wrong with him? He offered a palm. The other paused, gaze lowering to the salad.

"Actually," Red mused. "Significant others feed one another, hmm?"

Steven blushed, catching onto the line of thought "You can't be–" he stopped himself. Earn his trust. "...you want to feed me…?"

"Yes." Red nodded, already layering the fork with lettuce and tomatoes. "This can be considered one of the human 'bonding activities', correct? We can get to know each other better while you eat."

"Y-yeah…" He watched the precise, almost rhythmic motion of Red gathering the salad. "Yeah, I guess… My Diamond."

The fork came his way and Steven blushed furiously as his gem half fed him. Usually tight features relaxed with an odd sort of pride as Red grinned, gathering another forkful. They continued, Red pausing to allow him to drink here and there on his own.

Only once his stomach was starting to fill and he had been fed the banana bread did Steven finally resume conversation. Earn his trust. He needed to try again. While the other busied himself with gathering the trash, Steven idly chewed the straw of his to-go cup.

"My Diamond–"

Red zeroed focus on him, his entire activity paused. The trash he had been ready to throw away waited in his hands. He swallowed. Oh. That was an intense look. Attentive, eager, and ready to listen. It was almost… charming? Disarmingly charming, yeah. But why would he find a monster charming? He shook himself.

"Uh… Can we… start over? I feel like we haven't really understood each other. So much has happened and I'm still so confused. I just…" He inhaled. "Can we try getting to know each other again?"

Red softened. "Of course, love."

"Well…" he fumbled, fully expecting resistance only to receive none. "Well, I get that you're a diamond. And that means you're better than me, so–"

"I am not better than you." Red cut in and resumed throwing away the trash. "Do not undervalue yourself, love. But I am stronger. I can protect you in a way no one else can. You are important to me and I want you safe."

"...okay." Steven relented. "But why would anyone want to hurt me?"

Red leveled a flat stare, returning to the table. "From what fuzzy memories I share with you of your past, I can recall many individuals who have tried to kill you."

"...okay." He tried not to pout. "But that doesn't mean they exist now."

"Darling, I love you, but you can be incredibly foolish. The injector with the bio-poison Spinel brought yesterday is still a problem I have not yet solved."

"That's… fair." He scrunched his face. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

Red chuckled. The sound was soft as he approached. Steven swallowed as the other's broader, more defined face leaned toward his own. Up close, he could spot key differences. In a mirror, Steven's face was soft with chubby cheeks and round eyes.

Red's face was different: all rough angles and sharp lines. His jawline was more defined, cheekbones more pronounced, and eyes slanted slightly. Then there were the fangs peeking from under the upper lip and the small horns sprouting from the other's hair line. And the hair? More coarse, it looked like. Definitely curlier. What did it feel like?

Then a mouth was on his own. Steven squeaked, nearly nicking himself on the fangs. He almost dropped the to-go cup. Red hummed and Steven screwed his eyes shut. He wanted to pull away. But he needed the diamond's trust.

"Relax, love…" Red murmured against his lips. "Let it happen…"

Steven struggled to breathe through his nose. His heart hammered. Still, he let the other kiss him. When a tongue licked, pushing but gentle, he parted his lips. The taste of strawberries flooded his senses and he blinked. Strawberries? Hadn't Red tasted like razzberries before? What did it mean? Why the change? Did it even matter? Red pulled back and Steven blinked, dazed.

Red cooed. "There's my beautiful Queen. You look wonderful like this. Starstruck."

Steven stammered. "W-well, I…"

A chaste kiss on his cheek silenced him. The other didn't seem to notice because he pulled out the chair and Steven took the cue. He clutched the to-go cup with the little remains of his protein shake. Absently, he busied his mouth by chewing on the straw while Red hefted him back atop a wide shoulder.

"Love," Red patted Steven's hip. "Why don't we take that cracked gem to the fountain, hmm?"

Steven perked. "You mean Amethyst? Uh, My Diamond?"

"Yes," Red smiled. "Why don't we head there now. That nephrite soldier will find us sooner or later with Spinel in tow. Let's handle this now, shall we?"

"Yes!" Steven kicked his legs, hope soaring. He was doing it. "Yes, please, My Diamond!" He was earning trust.

A beat passed as Red carried him out of the house. "Wait…" he frowned. "Why are we going to the fountain? Can't you heal her?"

"And waste my powers on something useless? No, that honor is only for you."

Steven took a moment to work through the sentence in his mind. Unreasonable hurt flashed. "...you think I'm useless? Or a waste of space?"

"What?" Red headed for the warp pad in the center of Little Homeworld. "What, no, never. Why would you–" the diamond paused atop the crystalline surface. The gems around them glanced their way. "Ah," he breathed. "I see the misunderstanding."

Light flashed. Steven's sense of gravity flipped as his weight lifted. He yelped, scrambling for purchase, and Red snatched his wrist.

"I've got you," Red curled around him, protective. As they moved through space and time, bending reality as they travelled, the physical presence was almost grounding. He had never travelled as a full human. How had his dad done it years ago with that whistle? "You are safe. I am here."

Steven sucked in air as the light faded and gravity shifted. Red landed first, bracing his stance to absorb the impact with minimal shock to Steven's own landing in his arms. Steven flushed, feeling oddly protected.

"You are not a waste of space. Or a waste at all." Red continued as if Steven hadn't almost floated away in the warp stream. "You matter. I love you. And I will do everything to protect you."

"O-oh…" Warmth filled his chest. It was… almost nice to be cared about so fiercely. To have someone who wanted to stay by his side, no matter what. But no. That someone was his gem. And the way things were right now was wrong. He had to fix the other.

Red carried him towards the water before placing his feet to cement. A quick rifle through his dress pants pocket revealed the cracked gem with a small bubble around it.

"...you kept her with you?" Steven wondered, eyes wide.

Red's scarlet tinted skin deepened in color. "...you wanted her healed." The color receded. "So you may have the honors. Toss her into the fountain."

"Oh…" Steven blinked. "Right, okay."

He accepted the cracked gem with his freehand, the other still curled around the now empty protein shake cup. Eagerly, he rushed to the fountain edge and dunked her. The fountain would heal her and she'd be okay. He blinked. The fountain could heal. Maybe only cracks and not corruption. But it was a start. He placed the cup atop the fountain's ledge, waiting.

Soon enough, Amethyst reformed. She reappeared with a gasp, crashing back in the water from where her gem had formed in the air. Steven leaned over the edge, near the cup, and waited. She resurfaced. Her eyes landed first on him and she grinned, visibly relieved. She clambered onto the ledge.

Then she noticed Red and slipped. "Wha–"

"Amethyst!" Steven cheered, pointedly cutting her off as he caught her. He pulled her up and into a hug. "Amethyst, you're okay! I was so worried!

She squawked and he whispered into her ear. "Corruption. Cup. Call Connie. I'll distract him."

She nodded slightly and pitched her voice to carry. "Yeah, dude, I'm okay! And you?"

"Right now?" He pulled away and grinned. "I'm all wet. No thanks to you."

She laughed. "What can I say? The water's fine!"

He bounced back and turned to Red, clothing damp. The other's expression was tight with disapproval. But he hadn't stopped the two from engaging. Before Steven could lose momentum, he kept the smile on his face and launched himself at the other. Red gasped but caught him. They spun with the movement and Steven laughed.

"Thank you!" He halted so Red faced away from Amethyst and in turn the fountain. "Thank you thank you thank you! My Diamond!"

Red grinned. Steven surged up to kiss his cheek. A brief stab of guilt flared but he shoved it aside. This was to save them all. So what if he had to lie to earn the gem's trust? So what if he had to play with the other's odd obsession? Or mess with his feelings? Why was it so easy to play pretend? To act like he loved the monster of a gem? Red hefted him up and into the air, twirling him. Steven's heart nearly stopped as he was lifted, fearing Amethyst would be caught. But Red only had eyes for him. Another pang of guilt hit him. This was wrong. But he had to do it.

A quick twirl, a chaste kiss, and Steven was returned to a shoulder, winded and breathless. The diamond pivoted on his heel, gaze fixed on Steven's own. "Follow, little gem. We're returning to the palace."

Steven blinked. Did the other call Amethyst a gem? Not a soldier? He checked behind them and though Amethyst was visibly confused, she followed them. They swapped looks. Then she presented the cup with an encouraging smile. He exhaled and faced forwards, idly kicking his legs as adrenaline faded. The nerves hadn't settled, but...

...they were safe.

For now.

Notes: Whew! Been awhile. A few months, actually! I've been busy IRL hunting for a job during this dumb pandemic. Otherwise it's been hard to sit still and focus on writing. But, finally, here's chappie 7!

Sooo while I've been gone I've ALSO tinkered on some Discord stuff!

Back in May 2020 or so, my Steven-cest server was reported by a jerk who hates me and then deleted. So I made a new Steven-cest server. Only this time it's 18+ and has a 2nd server to act as a screening server and prevent antis/trolls and minors from entering the official one.

I've also made a "Sapphire Fiction" discord server as well! It's intended to be a hub for my adult fanfic readers. I specify 18+ because all my writings in there are or will be Dead Dove and problematic.

The original goal for the Sapphire Fiction Server was to be a hub for my patrons. But I thought it'd be nicer to just include all my readers. This includes Steven-cest and Stevinel from SU, BBSlade from Teen Titans 2003, Billdip from Gravity Falls, and Pitch Pearl from Danny Phantom… It's fairly quiet and small right now, though!

But yeah! Also have a Ko-Fi. If you can, consider tossing spare change my way! Every little bit helps.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!