To Dr Wrecker & Jmall3, there's a certain thing called 'patience'. It's a good thing to have. Just saying.
But if you guys insist on demanding me to hurry up when I need to take time to think about my stories, I might as well take longer. You're welcome :)
The next few days passed rather slowly. Steven and Spinel kept themselves fairly distant. Steven one time left with Lapis to meet up with two remaining Lapis Lazulis, one of which joined Little Homeschool. And another time, Steven had to attend the graduation for the Off Colors. He was happy to see Lars, the Off Colors, Sadie and her new partner Shep, the Cool Kids, and everyone else leaving for their futures, since he wanted the same thing.
As for Spinel, all she did was not stay in the house very long. She actually spent time with Jasper to teaching some more Quartz soldiers to shift their anger into something positive, and on another day, Spinel and Peridot went on a reading marathon throughout the day on a whole series of 'Fighter Cats', it being 'A Sight of Darkness'.
However, this was another day that made the growing dread in Steven and Spinel's hearts grow even more...
"Steven! Special delivery!"
Garnet, Amethyst, Spinel, and Pearl carried the heavy bags of soil to the conservatory, Steven thanking them and opening the doors to reveal something he called special. The Gems, except Spinel, collectively gasped in surprise to see a plethora of plants of different kinds all around the room.
"How much magic spit did it take to grow all these plants?!" Amethyst exclaimed.
Steven chuckled, "None! I grew these the ol' natural way!"
"So this is what you've been doing since you left Little Homeschool," said Garnet.
"Yeah, I had fun teaching the Gems about Earth," Steven explained, "But being a teacher didn't sit right with me. I still have a lot to learn, right Mom?"
Spinel snapped out of her sullen state and tried to smile, "Y-Yeah, and there's nothing wrong with growing flowers as that's... what I've been doing."
Pearl shot her partner a sympathetic glance, not knowing why the pink Gem was so low, but she tried to smile, "Well I think this is a wonderful way to get into some much-needed you-time."
Steven laughed lightly, "Yeah, it's nice to spend my time growing stuff while the others are away. But... I respect that. If they wanna do their own thing, that's fine by me."
The Gems, except Spinel all nodded to each-other, Pearl saying, "That's good to hear, Steven. We'll leave you to it then." She then placed her hand on the crestfallen Gem's back and guided her back outside along with Garnet and Amethyst.
Before they all left, Garnet peeked her head over the door, "Keep a close eye on your cactus. Please."
The door shut as the fusion left. Steven tilted his head in confusion, before walking over to a table, "Keep a close eye on my cactus? Of course I will, Garnet, I know how prickly they are. I know what I'm doing. I'm an adul- AH!" But as he cut a top piece from the cactus and filled another pot with dirt, he accidentally pricked himself with the cactus-top.
Steven grit his teeth in slight pain of the spines, then he licked his finger, unknowingly placing his spit on the cactus as he gently placed the cactus top on the dirt.
"There you go, little guy," Steven smiled kindly, "Like your new home?" His stomach rumbled, "Ooh- sounds like lunch time. I'll be back later to check on ya."
"Hey, guys! Look what I made!"
In the living room, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl were taking a picture, while Spinel was writing something in a small journal and they all looked over to see Steven holding a pot, containing a small, cooing cactus.
"I thought you weren't using spit on your plants?" Amethyst questioned.
"I wasn't!" Steven told them as he held up the cactus to them, " I guess I accidentally got some on this piece of cactus I was trying to plant. He's really cute though!"
The purple Gem squinted her eyes suspiciously, "Yeah... too cute..."
"Oh Amethyst," Spinel shoved Amethyst's shoulder, "Don't be like that. Let my son do what he wants."
Steven could've sworn he saw Garnet tense up for a split second, "That cactus really bounced back."
"He's a survivor," cooed Pearl, "Just like you."
Spinel approached the cactus slowly, narrowing her eyes, before smiling warmly and reached up to gently poke it, "Aww, aren't you a cute lil- Ah!" She pricked herself, wincing a bit as she plucked the spine away, "Jeez, that little guy's spiky. Perfectly healthy, I'd say."
"Yeah!" Amethyst exclaimed as she got an idea, "Let's call it Spike!"
Steven hummed a bit in approval, "Spike. I like it."
The newly-named cactus then begin to grumble and shift a bit.
"Is... he okay?" Pearl asked.
Steven knew what was wrong, "Oh, that's right. Cacti need about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight. About time I give it to this little guy."
Spinel smiled faintly while the other Gems agreed, but she still had that nagging feeling in her head that something about this... wasn't quite right.
Steven and Spike sat on the sand, staring out to the sunset across the horizon.
"Isn't it beautiful, Spike?" Steven said in content, "It's kinda weird that sunsets happen everyday, but sometimes, each one looks different. It changes. A lot of things change, doesn't it? And that's what I wanna do too, what do you think?"
Spike let out a happy growl.
The teen smiled a bit... but it faltered, "Yeah. It sounds great and all, but... For some reason, it feels... so weird. Nothing bad, it's just, a strange feeling in my gut. It keeps pulling me back to this place, like I shouldn't go out there and explore. Like... it's saying the Gems still need me, but I know they don't. Even Spinel should know that." He sighed, laying on his belly and staring at his cactus friend, "I-I'm sorry, Spike. It just... feels nice to talk to someone who's not Pearl, Garnet, or even Spinel."
Spike let out a kind mewl at him, and he gasped a bit, and smiled, "Aww, thanks Spike. Let's go home."
The next day...
Steven is whistling a tune he knew from years ago, and he reached the table to water Spike, "And good morning to you- Oh!" He paused, placing his watering can aside, "Spike, look at you! You've really sprouted up overnight!"
Spike, who now resembled Steven's head, grumbled a bit, until it looked up at its creator, "Good morning to you!"
"Huh?!" Steven was surprised, "D-Did you just speak?"
"You've really sprouted up overnight!"
Steven squealed, "This is too much!"
Pearl was busy cuddling Spinel while Garnet and Amethyst held notebooks on the sofa, until they all heard Steven walking down the stairs.
"Hello Steven," Pearl greeted, slightly confused, "Hello Spike."
"Hey guys, check this out!" Steven eagerly held his cactus to the Gems.
"Hey guys!" said Spike, shocking the four Gems.
Amethyst sat up, "That is sooo cute!"
"He's quite the talker," said Garnet.
"Almost like a parrot, a myna bird, or a starling!" noted Pearl. Spinel actually grinned up at her long-nosed lover, thinking of a joke.
"I think he's learning to speak by copying me," Steven suspected, still proud of his cactus friend.
"Hey guys!"
Steven laughed, and the Crystal Gems smiled in approval.
"Like... it's saying the Gems still need me, but I know they don't. Even Spinel should know that..."
Steven flinched, "O-Oh my gosh!"
"Wha...?" Spinel stared at him.
Amethyst got worried, "Uh Steven? Since when did we or especially Spinel need your cactus?"
"It just feels nice to talk to someone who's not Pearl, Garnet, or even-" Spike continued, prompting Steven to cover its mouth, only to get pricked by the spines.
"Steven?" Pearl stood up, "Are you okay?"
Steven didn't even reply as he ran back up the conservatory, Spike calling out, "It keeps pulling me back! It keeps pulling me back!"
The hybrid slammed his cactus on the table, "What was that for?! Why'd you say all that stuff for?!"
"Why'd you say all that stuff for?!" Spike grumbled back.
"Cause I thought you'd be someone I could talk to!" Steven yelled angrily, pacing back and forth in the room, "If I talk to the Gems, I already know what they're gonna say! Pearl would blame herself, Garnet would just give me advice that doesn't help, and Amethyst would try to act sooo mature."
"Sooo mature," Spike parroted.
"But do you know what the worst part?" Steven pointed at the cactus, "Spinel's gonna get all worried about me and make things worse for her! I mean, I can't stand it when Spinel sacrifices herself for me! Doesn't she ever think about herself?!" Then he gasped, "Please don't repeat any of that!"
"I thought you'd be someone I could talk to!" Spike repeated, Steven placing a box over its head, "Why'd you say all that stuff for?! Why'd?!"
Steven walked away, rolling his eyes, "Oh, you know why'd." He left the conservatory, sighing, "You're okay, Steven. You can handle it."
"Handle what?"
The teen yelped as he saw a concerned Spinel and Amethyst looking at him. "O-Oh, hey Mom! Hey Amethyst," He greeted, trying to act as if the argument with his cactus didn't happen.
Spinel sighed, "Hey buddy, it just seems like you are taking your departure from Little Homeworld deep. Are you sure the planting is helping?"
"Yeah dude," Amethyst added, "You sure everything's good?"
Steven nodded, "Y-Yeah, it's all good. I promise. I-I didn't mean to worry you, you don't have to. I'm all grown up, see?"
Spinel could that his smile was hiding something, but she wanted to trust Steven, even after what he did. So she simply replied, "Alright then, Steven. If you're sure." She turned to leave and walked away, yet she stopped and turned to her son, a serious look in her eye, "But... be sure you'll tell us if something's wrong. We'll always be there for you."
"I know..." Steven replied, nodding.
Spinel left, Amethyst feeling like her friend said it all and followed after the pink Gem. Steven hugged his stomach, feeling as if he swallowed a stone. A stone of dread with the heavy weight of guilt.
Later that night, Steven sat in the conservatory, letting out a tired breath, "Why... Why do I have to keep hiding? Even from my own mother..."
However, his peaceful silence was interuppted by muffled whimpers. Steven stood up, slightly wary as he walked towards the table, "... Spike?" He reached over to pick up the box, but Spike angrily tossed it away, now looking lumpier and deformed, already growing a small arm.
"Oh my goodness!" Steven cried out in surprise, picking the little cactus up, "Poor Spike, you don't look so good, what's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?!"
Steven's frustration grew within a second, "What's wrong with me?! I'm trying to be mature, but you're making me look like a complete child!"
"Child!"
"I wish you didn't talk!"
"I wish you didn't talk!"
The hybrid began to snarl, his skin turning pink, his canines growing in, and his nails became claw-like as he screamed, "STOP IT!"
"Steven!"
The hybrid's aura and features faded as soon as Pearl called out, "Are you coming to dinner?"
Calmly, Steven placed Spike down on the table, "Y-Yeah! Coming!" He walked away and left the conservatory, not noticing Spike slowly growing in size with more lumps appearing.
CRASH!
Steven woke up, startled from the noise.
He walked out to the conservatory, a large piece of the glass wall was broken, and some of the plants he worked on were in disarray.
"... S-Spike?" Steven backed away in fear, hearing noise to his left. He followed a trail of needles that lead into his bedroom, and they ended there, meaning the cactus was nearby.
Steven looked down the staircase, "C-Come on, cactus buddy..."
But he froze as angry growling was heard behind him, along with a garbled voice snarling, "Steven...!"
Steven shrieked and fell down the staircase, and for an odd reason, he jumped away into the living room on all fours. He got up to his feet as Spike followed suit, nearly crushing him until he moved away.
"S-Spike!" Steven backed up against the wall, "W-What happened to you?! I gotta get you back up there!"
"STOP IT!" Spike roared, stepping towards the boy, who conjured up his shield to protect himself.
Steven leaned back, "G-Get away from me! I don't want anything to do with you!"
"I don't want anything to do with you!"
Steven's pink aura, canines, and claws returned as he screamed, "GET OUT OF MY HOME!" He shoved the humanoid cactus away from him back against the front door. He growled lowly at the monster, grabbing his shield and tossed it, intending to slice the monster in half, but the shield ended up slicing up its side.
He yelped, his anger dissipating along with this pink aura and features as Spike grabbed the shield out of its sliced side and tossed it right back at Steven, who instinctively smacked it away.
"GET OUT OF MY HOME!" Spike bellowed, flipping over a table and smashing a plate.
Steven panicked, "He's going berserk!" Just then, he saw the Gems walking up the steps to the porch, "I-I... I can't let them hear this!"
Ignoring the stabbing guilt in his chest, he ran up to the door before any of the Crystal Gems could enter, "Hey guys, uhh, everything's great and totally normal but why don't you come back in, uh, let's say a couple hours for no reason whatsoever OKAY BYE!"
Closing the door, Spinel gasped as she saw her son fighting against what appeared to be a humanoid cactus, and it slammed its fist against Steven's shield. Her maternal instincts kicked in as she barged into the doors, the others standing right behind her.
"Hey buddy!" Spinel called out in anger, "It's me you want!"
Spike turned to face her, "I can't stand it when Spinel sacrifices herself for me! Doesn't she ever think about herself?!"
Steven tensed up as Spinel stood still, unsure what to make of that as Spike smacked her away.
Angered, Pearl brought out her spear, "You'll pay for that!"
"Pearl would blame herself!"
"W-Wha-"
"GET OUT OF MY HOME!" Spike roared as it ran towards the Gems to attack. Garnet punched Spike's arm so hard that it flew and hit the fridge, landing beside Spinel, who was trying to get up. The arm grew tendrils and stood upright, facing Spinel. Amethyst was able to use her whip to get the arm away from her friend, but she was then kicked by Spike.
The fusion delivered another punch to his stomach, sending it flying. Spike slammed against the kitchen sink, breaking it and causing water to gush from the pipes. The arm escaped from Amethyst's whip and launched itself towards Amethyst who grabbed it in time and flung it out the window, while Pearl grabbed Spinel and dragged her away from the spiky danger. All the Crystal Gems watched in horror as Spike absorbed the water and grew taller, with more limbs and heads all over its body.
"The Gems still need me, but I know they don't!" Spike howled, stomping and causing some pieces of the ceiling to fall, "EVEN. SPINEL. SHOULD. KNOW THAT!"
Spinel weakly lifted her head to the teen, "S-Steven, what is he-"
"Be quiet!" Amethyst yelled as she tied her whip around the cactus monster's leg, causing it to fall over, breaking through a rafter. Spike growled and the roots on his foot extended out to grab Amethyst, and slammed her into the ceiling.
Spinel rushed over to her stunned son's side in concern while Garnet and Pearl faced Spike head-on. Pearl leapt up and clung onto the spear as it pierced into the cactus monster's flesh.
"Why is it so durable?!" The pale Gem asked frantically.
"The cactus is Earth's most resilient plant!" Garnet replied, holding her fists up, landing a punch on the monster's leg, causing it to release more spines, even onto Pearl.
"G-... G-.. Garnet!" Pearl cried, pained tears escaping as her spear dislodged itself and fell over.
Amethyst crawled on the ceiling, her whip in her mouth. Spinel looked up to her wounded lover, and after a moment, chose to run up to help her fellow Gems.
"Give up!" shouted Garnet, "You can't win this fight!"
Spike glared down at the fusion, "Garnet would just give me advice that doesn't help!"
"Uh-"
Garnet was punched away, but before Spinel could do anything, Amethyst jumped down from the ceiling, "Sneak attack!"
"Amethyst would try to act sooo mature!" Spike roared.
"Why is it being- weirdly specific?!" Amethyst exclaimed, before the side of Spike clamped down on the purple Gem and she fell to the floor, only for the monster to smack her, Garnet, and Pearl into the wall, covered in spines.
"HEY!"
Spike faced against a furious Spinel.
"You forgot me!"
Steven looked up, "W-Wait! Mom!"
Spike growled and its largest arm squeezed around the pink Gem, her body letting out a loud squeak as she was lifted up.
"... This is why... I'm not growing cacti..." Spinel wheezed, only to grit her teeth as the cactus monster squeezed her tighter.
"Spinel's gonna get all worried about me and make things worse for her!" Spike snarled, "WORSE!"
Pearl groaned a bit, her eyes slightly opened, "S-Spinel... Whatever you do, don't go into your gem!"
The hybrid got up, trying to get over his fear and shock, "H-He's..." He gasped, "He's copying me! That's it! Hey Spike! Watch this!"
Thankfully, Steven got the cactus monster's attention by tossing away his shield and he continued, "I'm sorry I mistreated you. I know you didn't mean to hurt anyone- you're just learning from the only role model you've got, me! I should've given you more of the love and kindness that you deserve. So...who wants a hug?"
Spike slightly loosened its grip on Spinel, "Huh?"
Steven braced himself for the pain, and he hugged the monster's leg. In that moment, Spike dropped Spinel to the floor and hugged Steven back, "I'm sorry..." Pink flowers began to bloom around the cactus's monster's body.
The hybrid pulled away, covering in spines and tears filled his eyes. But he ignored the pain and ran over to his mother. Spinel groaned and woke up, "... S-Steven?"
Steven sighed, "H-Hey Spike? Want me to... take you back to the dorm?"
"No!" Spike objected, and started to hobble towards the front door.
"W-Wait!" Steven called out, but Spike only responded by plucking one of its flowers from its body and handed it to Steven. As he took it, Spike broke out of the house and left to who-knows-where.
"... Steven?"
The hybrid glanced to his mother, clutching the flower.
Spinel shifted herself to sit up, "Is there something you want to tell us?"
"... ... I think I've said enough..."
Edit: Thanks for the positive comments and being patient ^^