Steven Universe Fanfiction

My Pearl

Chapter 4: Surprises and Secrets


"Uh, hey, Shtoo-Ball! What brings you out here?" Greg asks.

"Garnet said you'd be here and I just had an amazing idea that I wanted to surprise Pearl with and OH MY GOSH, SHE'S HERE! I mean uh, Hi, Pearl," Steven finishes, his eyes darting from side to side. Patricia can't help but giggle.

"And this must be the son you were telling us all about, Greg. Oh, he truly is an adorable little boy," Patricia gushes, pinching Steven's pudgy cheek lightly causing a warm blush to bloom.

While he enjoys the attention from one of his mother figures, he is still confused. After all, he did just see her from their checking in on the Galaxy Warp. The boy takes another look at the woman that looks so much like Pearl, and yet something is off. He can most definitely see the difference in hair and clothing. Pearl's hair is much shorter while this woman's hair is longer; Pearl's clothing looks more like a ballerina while this woman is in a dress. Maybe she just felt like a change? Their eyes are blue but Pearl's eyes were maybe a tad bit more blue than this woman's? Steven vaguely remembers being taught different shades of color but that was an abject failure of a lesson. Their skin tone was the same creamy white but this woman's was warmer somehow, he couldn't quite place it. They had the same pointed nose though. What was he missing? And who was the man sitting next to her, holding her hand? Pearl never expressed an interest in anybody before. There was Mayor Dewey but she always gave him the cold shoulder or just ignored him. Was this man the reason why? And why was he staring at him so much?

"Hey, Steven? You alright, buddy?"

"Perhaps he'd like a snack? We don't usually serve them in the tea shop but Edward and I usually keep some fresh fruit around if we're feeling peckish," Patricia offers.

"Oh, you eat?"

"Not normally no, but every now and then I enjoy it; if anything, my diet consists of only teas and fruits."

That was another thing: Pearl never ate anything ever! And where was her gem on her forehead? Looking down a bit, he sees the gem surrounded by the silver lace in the middle of her chest. It looks like Pearl's as well but it's a perfect orb, not an oval. An ornament? The pieces started coming together: this woman resembles Pearl so much but at the same time, she is not Pearl. And therefore…

"OH MY GOSH! YOU'RE NOT PEARL!"

Greg turns an interesting shade of red that blends in with his sunburns as he hurriedly tries to calm his son down while apologizing for his outburst; Patricia is swift to rebuke it saying there's nothing to apologize for; Edward launches into hysterical laughter, starting out as a deep roar that dissolves into almost-maniacal barks at the end.

"Oh lord, I'm sorry, really I am, but boy, you really should've seen the faces you were making," Edward manages between laughs, "Heh heh…ow ow ow ow!"

Patricia has firmly pinched one of Edward's ear, looking mighty upset.

"A fine first impression you're making, Edward! Making fun of him in front of his father? Really?" Patricia turns towards Greg, "I'm truly sorry for him, my husband doesn't exactly have the best…filter for his thoughts or actions."

"Woman, I saw the smile on your face! You thought it was funny too!" Edward interrupts.

"No, I thought it was cute, especially since he was able to figure it out on his own; there's a difference," Patricia lets go with a sigh, "Oh, what will they think of us now? Those gems may very well just show up for the laughing and then they'll see I'm a Pearl and…"

"Wait, how do you know about the Gems? And you're… a Pearl?"

Patricia immediately slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes pinpricks. Steven is oblivious to this though as he ponders over it. But then the stars return to his eyes once more.

"OH MY GOSH! YOU'RE A GEM TOO!? AND YOU KNOW PEARL!? ARE YOU HER SISTER!?"

Oh, how easy it would be to lie to the dear sweet boy, she thinks. After all, what's a little one if he already believes it to be true to a degree? But she knows how easily it could backfire, setting everything she and Edward worked towards to flames if these gems found out about them in the worst way possible. Oh, but his eyes are full of such hope and joy at meeting another gem like Pearl. She struggles to answer. A warm hand covers hers and squeezes gently.

"I'm afraid that my darling Patricia is of no relation to this Pearl you speak of so fondly, despite all of the physical similarities," Edward gently intervenes, slightly apologetic for his burst of laughter.

"Patricia?" Steven asks, the stars gone but there is still joviality in his eyes as his curious eyes move back and forth between the couple.

"Ah yes, we've introduced ourselves to your father but this is our first time meeting you at all, isn't it? Right then," Edward says as he stands. Patricia stands alongside him.

"I am Edward Feng and I run this humble tea shop Tea Dreams with my darling wife…" he declares with a flourishing bow.

"Patricia Feng, and as you have figured out, I am indeed a Gem but I run this shop alongside my dear husband. It's a pleasure to meet you formally," Patricia finishes with a curtsy.

"I'm Steven, Steven Universe!" he declared excitedly, mirroring Edward's bow.

"Right, with that out of the way, what'll you be having, kiddo'? Doesn't seem right to leave you without a drink since everyone else has one," Edward asks.

"I dunno…the only teas I've ever had are the ones that come in the bags or iced tea," Steven replies.

"Geh, bags of swill more like…" Edward mutters, "how about some iced tea? Seems like the perfect drink for an energetic boy like you on a day like this, eh?"

"Please and thank you!" Steven grins.

With a nod, Edward moves back towards the kitchen, leaving Patricia alone with the Universe duo. She reseats herself, smoothing out any wrinkles in her dress. Steven clambers up onto a chair next to his father and swings his feet excitedly. None of them say a word, as the silence is filled with only the sound system of the tea shop softly playing the aria of The Queen of the Night.

"I imagine you have a lot of questions for me, Steven. While I'm happy to answer as best as I can, there's something I need to ask of you first," Patricia begins, "My husband and I would appreciate it if you could keep this meeting a secret from the other Gems. At least for a little while."

"Aw, but why?"

"While I'm sure they're fine…gems, I don't think they're quite ready to meet another stranger like me just yet."

"But haven't you met Garnet before? She said you and your husband were super nice."

"O-oh, she did? Well, that is very kind of her to say but…"

"I think I'm going to agree with Mrs. Feng on this one, son," Greg says, placing a comforting hand on Steven's shoulder, "I don't think they'd do anything extreme but I think the Gems could use something of a break from any more surprises, ya know?"

"Aw, alright…Oh! But what about the surprise for Pearl?"

"Eh, guess that depends. I can't imagine surprising her with anything unless it's gem-related," Greg replies.

"It is! Well, kind of. Did you know that the Gems used to travel all over outer space?"

"Yeah. They're pretty far out, son. I think Mrs. Feng would be able to tell you more about it though since she's a gem too," Greg replies with a chuckle.

"Oh, just Patricia is fine, Greg. And yes, gems have been known to travel throughout the depths of space for…reasons," Patricia answers, a melancholic smile gracing her face. "Initially, it was done via space ship but as soon as we were able to build and connect warp pads, they became the main mode of transport between planets."

A contemplative look passes over Steven's face.

"Do you ever miss going out there?"

"To be honest, I can't say I do. I will admit that the sights out there can be quite beautiful and wondrous," Patricia muses. "I take it this Pearl misses it dearly?"

"Yeah, that's why my surprise is going to be a space ship! And I need your help to build it, Dad!"

"A space ship?" Greg asks.

"A space ship!"

"A space ship?" Patricia giggles.

"A space ship!" Steven exclaims, stars shining in his eyes.

"What's this about a space ship?" Edward returns, placing a glass of iced tea in front of Steven whom gratefully takes a long sip.

"We're going to build a space ship to outer space!"

"I dunno', that might be a little outside my skill set," Greg contemplates. But then he sees the hope in his son's eyes. "Ah sure, why not? How hurt could we get? I know just the place where we can get started too," he finishes, drinking down his tea.

At this, Steven lets out a cheer, dashing out the door. The adults chuckle at the boy's enthusiasm and energy but are surprised when he returns once again.

"Sorry, I should've finished this," And with that, Steven begins to drink the iced tea in record time.

"Oh, do be careful. Too fast and you might…" Patricia warns.

"Ah! Brain freeze!"

"Nothing a drive won't fix," Greg chuckles as he stands, "By the way, how much for the iced tea?

"Like your jasmine tea, consider it on the house," Edward answers, "A gift to commemorate our first meeting, if you will."

"Oh man, are you sure?"

"We insist," Patricia answers.

"Wow, thanks!" Steven cheers.

A round of more thanks and promises to visit each other again has the Universe duo leaving the shop as the husband and wife see them off. When they are gone from sight, they return into the store and clean after them.

"I'd say that went rather well," Edward commented.

"Maybe…something Steven said did concern me though."

"Oh?"

"Steven said something that suggested that the Garnet knew us, saying that we were 'super nice' as he put it," Patricia chuckles.

"Perhaps she did some investigating of her own since she saw us; talked to some of our regulars and asking about us and whatnot," Edwards says as he places everything to be cleaned on a tray.

"That's what I thought as well but there's something else…" Patricia ponders, "Wait, Greg doesn't live with his son…"

"Sad really but given the circumstances, I imagine it had to be done for whatever reason was good at the time. Thinking on it, I can't imagine why they can't live together now."

"That's the thing, they're not in regular contact and Greg himself didn't know about our tea shop until he saw our building and came in asking. Logically speaking, Steven should've started looking for him at the car wash but instead was directed here by the Garnet."

A pause.

"Clever Gem," Edward responds, "The boy was reconnaissance. He must've told her about wanting to surprise Pearl and asking his father for help. She sent the boy here, knowing we would meet and interact. Whenever he might return to her, I have no doubt in my mind that he'll start talking about the 'super nice' couple he met with his father. Wait…that still doesn't explain how she would know the whereabouts of Greg…" Turning towards his wife, he sees that she is frozen, her eyes glazed over in a rush of data. Grimly, he waits.

"Sapphire."

"What about them?"

"During the rebellion, there were reports of a Gem fusion that called itself Garnet taking Rose's side. It was the same fusion that was reported to have escaped Blue Diamond's court after a Ruby and a Sapphire fused. The Sapphire was known throughout the court not only for her rarity but also for her future vision. If the Garnet is able to harness that ability as well, it would explain how she would know where Greg would be and direct Steven accordingly."

"What the hell, is it not enough that we're dealing with other Gems but one of them can tell the future?" Edward complains, moving into the kitchen with the tray and placing them gingerly next to a sink.

"Maybe not…the report did say that the Sapphire had escaped after a failed attempt at capturing Rose Quartz based on her vision. Perhaps it's not perfect?"

"Perfect or not, I don't like the advantage she might have over us," he mutters, a rough hand dragging down his face.

"Edward."

Turning to face his wife, gentle hands brace themselves on his cheeks. His eyes are forced to look into her blue eyes filled with determination.

"If it should ever come down to what you're thinking, we'll figure something out. We always do but right now, please, just please hope that things don't come to that, alright?" She pleads. The sigh that leaves him is full and heavy, deflating him.

"Alright…I'm sorry, it's just…"

"I know, Edward."

The ringing tone of the door sounds.

"I'll finish cleaning up here and prepare any order they make; love, if you could…?"

Patricia nods, leaving Edward alone in the kitchen. He heaves a sigh once again.


Night has fallen without the moon, blanketing everything in darkness. What little light is left comes from street lights on the road or any houses that may be home to night owls but none of them reach the beach; just as Edward prefers. In the darkness, the tides crash and tumble in rhythmic crescendos. Heavy grunts and growls, the singing of heavy steel as it cuts through the air disturbs the natural harmony. He starts out slow; one swing, two swings, three swings, all accentuated by a grunt as the heavy weapon is brought to a halt inches above the sand. He is breathing but not heavy enough to call it exhaustion. He begins anew; a heavy swing at waist height thunders through the air but it doesn't stop. He rotates with the weapon, moving faster and faster, him and the weapon becoming a roaring whirlwind. Sand is thrown everywhere with each heavy stomp as he surges forward, bracing himself in the fine earth before bursting out and digging in again. The gem on the weapon shines brightly, illuminating it and Edward. With a roar, he brings the weapon down on the sand, an explosion bursting up like a wave before settling down again.

His breaths come in harder now but he is not exhausted yet, a slight sheen of sweat covers his upper body despite the cool beach air. Still, it is late and there is another day of work in the morning. He still believes this training is worth it though. Hefting the gem weapon across his shoulders, he makes his way back to the shop. Entering, he regrets not bringing a flashlight for navigating the darkness becomes a laborious affair. Slowly he makes his way across, feeling for tables with the chairs upturned on them as he makes his way to the counter. He finds it, now he gingerly feels the wall behind it for the resting place for the weapon. He feels one hook; moving a straight line to the side he feels the other. Carefully, he places the battle axe in its place before taking the door to the kitchen and finally, the stairs to their room.

The room is strangely lit. The source is his wife, sleeping but not in peace if the frown is anything to go by. A projection is coming out of her gem, nothing but static…at least for now. Experience has taught him to merely sit by, wait, and watch; be there for her when she wakes. A sleepless night, he thinks. The projection remains static for just a bit longer...


Author's Note: Again, one of those things where it's not up to the usual length but it felt like a good spot to stop. Initially, I had planned on getting Garnet in on the meeting later in the chapter but I have since moved that fateful (heh) meeting to a later chapter. If anything, I hope I got Steven Universe's character right.

Funny thing how you do all this research to make sure everything is up to snuff but then you forget to research how PEARL of all Gems is described when you describe another Pearl that isn't Pearl and yet similar to Pearl (confused yet?). Thankfully, this mistake isn't so bad that it can't be fixed so I hope that whatever damage control I did was enough to make Patricia unique enough.

Anyways, I believe you all know what's coming next but I hope you enjoyed this chapter and story thus far, y'all take care of yourself.