Steven Universe Fanfiction
My Pearl
Chapter 2: As The Days Go by Even Further
"It was all very exciting but I don't think I'll be up for that kind of exercise again any time soon," Nanefua cackles as she sips her tea.
"That was very brave of you, Mrs. Pizza. It's no wonder you're the matriarch of the family," Patricia giggles. Nanefua makes a strongman pose as both burst out laughing.
"Someone is looking rather…'smiley'," Edward chuckles.
"Don't you know it! Got another event for Beach City Underground Wrestling event going on tonight. Attendance has sky rocketed ever since the last tournament! Hey, whenever you're available, you and your wife should come on down! It'll be fun!"
"Hmm hmm, hrrmmm hrm hm hm. Hrrmm hrm hrm hrm hmm hm hrmm. Hm-hm-hm hrm-hm-hrrrm. Hm Hm Hm!"
"Y-you don't say? Why, that is fascinating to hear!" Patricia half-heartedly giggles, not understanding a single mumble or hum the old fisherman is saying but valiantly keeping on.
"Ah, welcome back, Miss Miller. The usual to go?" Edward inquires with a smile.
"You know it! And just Barb is fine! Oh, and speaking of usual, here is your usual delivery," Barb slaps down a pile of mail energetically onto the counter next to the register.
"Would you say that your teas have some sort of hypnosis spell weaved into them by an ancient order of assassins that worship sneople as they infiltrate society and replace world leaders with their scaly masters?"
"…Go home, Ronaldo."
"I love your dress! Is that something you made yourself or was it off the rack?"
"Oh, why thank you, Jenny. This is just something I picked up at a flea market in Empire City and fixed up so I guess yes to both." Patricia bubbly replies.
"I'm really digging the vibe of this place. Real smooth and peaceful like, being on a boat floating along a babbling brook. The music really ties it all together; could I get a copy of the CD?"
"We're glad you feel that way, Sourcream. Edward and I were hoping to create that feeling with all of our customers but hearing you say that means so much to us. As for a copy of the CD, I'm not too sure, it's a mix Edward made so I'll have to ask him."
"Really though? A boat? Thought you hated boats since your step-dad keeps on wanting you to take up after him?"
"As long as it's not a fishing boat, it's cool."
"Hey, we should get Steven to come here some time. I'd bet he would love this place," Buck said, leaning back casually on the chair.
"Oh my god, we should!"
"Oh, Steven? Yeah, he's a good kid. He and Peedee get along pretty well and it's good that they both have someone their age to hang out with, I think. I remember when I first met the kid, he just walked up to my counter and chanted for the bits. I'll never understand why he doesn't want regular fries but what're you gonna' do?" Mr. Fryman chuckles.
"He's a real sweetie. He'll come by the Big Donut every day and we'd talk for a bit. Sometimes he'll come in with his friend from out of town and they'd sit at a table and just have fun, you know?" Sadie says.
"Yeah, he's alright, I guess…when he's not being annoying," Lars mutters, earning him a slap from Sadie, which didn't appear to be effective if his chuckle is anything to go by.
"Oh, he lives in that temple on the other side of the city. Well, not exactly in the temple, there's a house up there with a mail box and everything. Not many of the other postal workers know his address so I'm usually the one that delivers mail there. He lives there with his older sisters or guardians…I don't know, it was never really made clear," Jamie ponders.
The moon shines brightly through the open window, its silver rays gently lighting up the bedroom as the cascade of waves lull Edward as he goes over his work. On the desk are transcripts of what the citizens say about a single subject or group, with its own page titled "Steven Universe and his Sisters/Guardians (?)" with a prominent photo of the four standing on a stage performing during Beach-A-Palooza, according to Jenny.
Looking closely at the image, Edward cannot help the bloom of warmth as he scrutinizes the boy. Truly, he is the epitome of softness and joy; his eyes shine brightly like stars as he assumes a power stance with a toothy grin, guitar at the ready. It is no wonder that he is something of a town darling. With a chuckle, his eyes move to the Gem on the boy's left: Garnet. She is a curvaceous figure topped with a cube afro and sunglasses that completely cover her eyes, wearing a red and black body suit. Her stance is undeniably stiff but her full lips are quirked in a subtle smile. His eyes keep roving on, observing the glimpse of a gem on her left palm, obscured by the neck of the keytar.
'Possibly the leader…tallest amongst them…gem in her hand…bodysuit…hand-to-hand combat maybe…sunglasses…vision problems or something more…stoic…disciplined…mysterious…does not talk much…' Edward notes in sharp scribbles.
Moving on, he then eyes the diminutive purple Gem in the back playing the drums: Amethyst. A wild-haired thing that exudes energy, her eyes shut as her moment is frozen as she joyously beats down on the drums, mouth open in some boisterous cry. Her top is low as one of the straps is slipping from her shoulder (or has it always been like that?) and where the woman's cleavage would start, shines her gem.
'Energetic…possibly brash and prefers action over thought…boisterous…possibly second strongest…gem in the middle of chest…a known prankster…seen with Steven Universe more than others…partakes in consumption of food and other like items…shapeshifter…'
He moves on once more, his eyes locking on to the last gem that stands at the boy's right: Pearl. When the customers first met his wife, their first reaction was always surprise and wondering what "Pearl" was doing here. Looking at her now, the similarities are frighteningly uncanny.
'Same willowy build…pale…pointed nose…graceful…an affinity for Western culture…poised…elegant…'
He furiously scratches out these notes, applying such force that the point snaps. Blankly, Edward stares at the broken pencil tip. He sighs, a hand moving to massage his temple.
'Gem is on her forehead…a thinker…the strategist/tactician…willowy build…physically not as strong as the others maybe…dressed like a ballerina of sorts…precision…movement…more likely to dodge than block…'
Cool hands gently brush around him as a body presses up against his back. A chin falls to rest on his right shoulder.
"Is everything alright, dear?" Patricia asks.
"Yes, just going over some notes is all," he replies, moving to obscure his notes. He freezes though, when she picks up the photo.
"Oh, he truly is a darling little boy, isn't he?"
Edward only responds with a hum. Patricia looks over the photo, her eyes landing on Pearl and the angry scribbled out notes nearby.
"All Pearls look alike. It's not just a coincidence as it is with you humans."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. If anything, the only way to tell us apart is by the color of our gems and whatever modifications we make to our physical appearance. Strip us of that and you'd have the same being: tall, skinny things with a gem somewhere and pointed noses."
Edward can't help the cough that escapes at the word strip.
"Mind out of the gutter, dear."
"Sorry…" Edward mumbles, followed by a yawn, "We should get to bed; another full day of work, after all."
Patricia hums in assent, slipping under the covers of the futon as Edwards puts away his notes and turns off the lamp. With a light drag, the window is closed.
Sleepy eyes blink blearily at the slightly dark room. The rice paper screened window dials the light of the sun down to a manageable glare. Edward creaks his neck to the left to a clock a foot away from the futon. Seeing as how it's nearly time to prepare for the day, he then looks down at his precious wife sleeping half on top of him, taking in her even breaths. Gently, he moves. A peck on the forehead; a quiet groan. A peck on the lips; a hum. A full-lipped nibble on her neck that trails down and culminates to a kiss on her gem; a throaty moan and sleep-addled eyes open, a hint of lust, hands grasping gently but firmly around his head.
"Good morning, dear heart," he greets with a grin, whispering into the gem.
"Good morning to you too, my love," she replies, slightly flushed and smiling.
"Ready to start the day?"
"With you, always."
With a smile of his own, Edward rises. He gently slides open the window to take in the usual morning view of the bay.
"What the?"
Patricia goes to his side and gasps. What once was an ocean is now nothing but a barren desert. The rocks and reefs, once beautiful under the lens of the water, have now become strange obelisks. Sunken ships and submarines that mystify with their secrets are now rotting tombs. There isn't even the cackling cry of seagulls to remind them of what once was. Deep frowns mar the faces of the two lovers, their eyes meet briefly before nodding at each other. A whoosh as she removes her nightgown and places it carefully on a hanger in the closet and a burst of light later, Patricia has donned her usual dress with just one difference; her gem is revealed with silver lacing surrounding it as if it was part of her dress rather than her very core. Satisfied, she moves down stairs, leaving Edward to put on a simple t-shirt, sunglasses, and a pair of ripped jeans. Going down the stairs and he just catches a flash of light as the battle axe that once hung above the register disappears into Patricia's gem. Both step swiftly outside, lockdown the teashop, and then move into town, hoping everything is alright.
Sadness envelops the city. The people are active and opening up shop but there is no usual optimism or energy to their movements, just disheartened gaits. As they reach the boardwalk, they see a strange sight: where once the surf would be a lone man is bawling his heart out with a running hose in hand, feebly trying to add water to the vast emptiness.
"Mayor Dewey?" Patricia gently asks.
The forlorn mayor doesn't turn around nor do his heaving sobs cease but through it all, somehow a "Yes" can be heard that just continues on and on as he somehow cries harder.
"I don't suppose you know what might have caused this?"
The mayor desperately wipes his face on his sleeve as he tries to reign in his sobs. It takes a few minutes but he manages to do so but there is still a quivering in his voice.
"I don't. Really, all I know is from Steven and his sisters that someone called Lapis Lazuli is responsible for this. They all went off that way," a trembling finger points out into the endless sands and reefs. No sooner had he finished though, the water stops running.
"No no no no no~!" The mayor wails, sorrow renewed as he clutches the hose.
"As much as I admire your determination, you're not going to be able to restore the ocean that way, even if you had every hose in Beach City running. Plus, I can't imagine the bill the city would incur as a result," Edward states, walking up to the mayor and firmly placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, we'll go back to the shop and get you a nice cup of tea. That ought to calm you down some, eh?"
"But-but what happened to the water!?" the mayor asks in a panic.
"Relax, I merely shut the water off. Beach City still has running water, surprisingly…" Edward muses. "Anyways, up you get."
Back at the tea shop and after a cup of tea, the mayor is considerably more calm and collected. The only remnants of his crying being the red-rimmed eyes.
"Thank you for the tea," the mayor says, a small smile on his face.
"Tea cures all," Edward responds, pouring another round of tea for the three; the scent of jasmine wafts up. "Or at the very least, eases one's worries."
All three take a sip, taking a few seconds for it to soak in, and then sigh.
"Mayor Dewey, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you know about Steven Universe and his sisters?" Edward asks. The mayor takes a pause, racking his brain.
"Well, let me think now…there's the boy, the tall one, the short one, and then the hot one. The tall one gives me the heebie-jeebies; never know what goes on in her head. The short one I think is responsible for some of the damages to the city but I can't seem to find any proof of that. And then there's…" Mayor Dewey stops, a blush coming over his face.
"The 'hot one'?" Patricia teases.
"Oh lord, I can't believe I said that out loud," the mayor groans; a pensive look comes over his face. "You know, I've been curious since we first met. You wouldn't happen to be a relative of sorts to Pearl, would you? It's just you look almost exactly alike, albeit dressed differently and at least, gives me the time of day; not to mention you both seem to have the same gemstone as an accessory, which by the way goes beautifully with your dress."
"I assure you, Mayor Dewey, we're not related at all. It is a strange coincidence but nothing more than that. And thank you for the compliment," Patricia clips out.
"Oh, ha ha, right, of course of course," the mayor responds, taking another sip of tea. "Oh, there is his father. He owns the car wash just down the street."
"No mother?" Edward asks.
"No, I believe she passed away at child birth. I think I heard the name 'Rose'…" A resounding ding sounds from his pocket; his hand immediately drawing out his phone, "Oh, I'm sorry, that must be from my secretary. Given what's happened, I thought I'd give a speech to calm the peoples' fears about the ocean being gone and what it might entail for our city."
"Anything good?" Edward asks.
"Not exactly," the mayor sighs as he stands up, "Thank you for the tea, it was very soothing."
"Let us provide you some tea to go. Wouldn't do to be too nervous during a speech now, would it?" Edward says, taking the pot as he stands.
A quick exchange of farewells and a promise to see him during his speech, an inquiry to drive them over and a polite refusal saying they'll walk and enjoy what's left of a harrowing day ends with the Mayor driving off in his electoral mobile with a Styrofoam cup of tea in hand. A silence hangs over the couple as they watch him drive down the road. With a slow snap, Edward opens a parasol with one hand and offers his other arm to Patricia. She nuzzles gently into it and both begin their walk.
Remembering the Mayor's earlier mentioning about the boy's father, they make it a point to walk down Waterman street and see the aforementioned car wash. It is a simple L-shaped building with the only thing standing out being a neon sign that depicts a very happy elephant spraying water on its back. The sign is inactive and the shutters to the wash drawn down, leaving no doubt that the owner is gone for the day. Passing by, they continue on towards the boardwalk for Mayor Dewey's speech.
"He said 'Rose'…do you think he meant Rose Quartz?"
"Maybe...then again, there are human women whose given name is Rose so it may very well just be a human."
"Seems too much of a coincidence and I think we've had enough of those today," he lightly teases.
"Be that as it may, if Steven Universe truly is the son of Rose Quartz, I want to confirm it with my own eyes."
"Fair enough."
The sun is nearly set, bathing everything in its dying light of pink. Patricia looks briefly up at the lush green hill that is Lighthouse Park, shimmering under a gentle breeze.
"How do you suppose it happened?" Edward asks.
"How what?"
"You once told me Gems are nothing but constructs of light. How would Rose Quartz have given birth to Steven?"
"We haven't confirmed that yet."
"Let's assume he is then, how could she have done it? I've told you how human babies are born; you've told me how Gems are made. Given our radically different anatomies and methods, it would seem impossible. And I know I've said Mayor Dewey can be a bit of a dunce but I don't think he'd make a mistake like that."
"I…honestly don't know. If anything, I'd assume it's the same process I had to go through when we had sex for the first time: construct a working female human reproductive system."
Edward chokes and sputters.
"It was rather difficult too, especially since the only reference I had was books and the internet."
A wheeze.
"Yes, it was embarrassing, wasn't it? The women on the videos seemed to derive such great pleasure that I couldn't help but wonder if it was real. Don't get me wrong, dear, I do love you and our various bouts in bed, especially our first time but clearly the pleasure I derive is something completely different from those women; not to mention less vocal..."
Edward has to stop or risk passing out as he continuously chokes on empty air, face pale for all the implications that have been heard.
"However, Madame Bellamy, you remember her, don't you? Anyways, she was rather helpful when I asked her about what something like that should feel like…"
"THAT OLD CRONE!?"
"Now Edward, she wasn't that old. Besides, I thought men liked women with experience?" Patricia asks.
"…She didn't tell you anything, you're just teasing me."
"Hm, maybe, maybe not," she says liltingly, twirling away to stand in front of him with a mischievous smirk and a twinkle in her eyes, "I've yet to hear any complaints though."
Edward opens his mouth but nothing comes out. He closes it, ponders and thinks back. His face has taken on that delightful red that Patricia finds adorable on his face.
"True and fair enough," he mutters, proffering his arm once again which Patricia takes up with a giggle and a peck on the cheek.
They are fairly close now, passing the Big Donut as concrete and asphalt becomes white sandy beach. Ahead, they see Mayor Dewey's vehicle and a gathering of the townsfolk. Everyone is uneasy as they mutter amongst themselves. The couple stop a little away from the group in the back. Before Mayor Dewey can start his speech though, a growing rush can be heard. Everyone's eyes are drawn towards the desert to see the ocean returning, lapping at the shore line as if it was never gone at all. A riotous cry of joy is heard before someone calls out, eyes moving towards the end of the beach where the strange temple resides. A pink bubble rolls out of the surf, carrying a group of people and a van within. Everyone begins to rush at them, whooping and cheering while the couple follows slowly from behind; their eyes locked onto those within.
Patricia sees the bubble and recognizes it immediately but is it really the boy or perhaps the Garnet's bubble? When the bubble vanishes, it becomes clear that it truly is the boy's doing. But how? When Mayor Dewey lifts the boy though, the shirt is pulled up just enough to reveal a glimpse of a gem, right where the boy's belly button should've been. The very same gem and placement of Rose Quartz.
"It really is her son…"
No sooner had she said this, Edward notices the Garnet's subtle turn of the head. The shades reveal nothing but he can't help the feeling that she has seen them and is watching them closely. If anything, Edward tries to match her stare with his own hardened stare.
"The Garnet has seen us," he whispers, "We should go now."
A silent nod and they both leave quietly under the jubilation. Even with their silent retreat, Edward can feel her eyes burning into their backs.
Author's Note: I honestly had this chapter ready for some time but questions and details sort of nagged at the back of my mind so I re-watched episodes to make sure I was getting everything as correct as possible. Then again, some changes were made in order to accommodate this story line but it shouldn't be so jarring or off kilter that it throws people off (maybe).
This is as far as I got in regards to prepared chapters so the wait for new chapters are going to be...slow. Given this story is getting a lot more traffic than my other one, efforts are being redirected to making new chapters for this piece of fanfiction.
I'd also like to take the opportunity to respond to one reviewer that left questions but I can't quite seem to PM him/her unlike the others for some odd reason.
Devin sands: Yes, this is taking place at the beginning and then throughout the series. However, while they will interact with the Crystal Gems, they are not so involved that they influence the canon story line. As for drawing a picture of Patricia, I am a terrible artist (like, "JESUS CHRIST, HOW HORRIFYING") so no, I can't draw a picture of her. That is a failing of mine though. Quick answer: imagine the Pearl we know except a warmer white like cream with long peach colored hair (waist-length) with ringlets at the end...typing this now, why the hell didn't I type this before?
Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying this piece of fanfiction. See you next time.
