Steven Universe Fanfiction

My Pearl

Chapter 11: Time Apart


"Quit squirming, Little Zippo, do you want to bleed out to death!?"

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one with glass shards in his face and a crushed wrist!"

"You're right, I'm sorry…or at least I would be if you didn't just attack two women and hold a child hostage! What the hell was our number one rule back in the day!?"

"No women, no children; yeah, we know but here's the thing, we were kind of that thing that drives people to doing things they don't really want to do but do anyways because we're ya know…DESPERATE!?"

And so, it went back and forth at high volume, Edward sitting at a table screaming at the young man as he delicately digs out whatever glass shards are embedded in the young man's face, disposing them in a trash can. The young man in question gives as good as he gets as he returns fire. Pearl and Steven watch from one side of the room, the gem's arms wrapped protectively around the boy as she glares. Steven, with his cheek bandaged, looks on with a bit of fear but unbound curiosity as well. Patricia has taken to mending the big one known as Little Fortune, his shirt off revealing his fat but somewhat muscled build. Little Fortune flinches with a whimper as she places an ice pack on heavily bruised area around his protruding middle.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'll try to be more gentle. Is there anywhere else that hurts?"

He shakes his head with a sniffle.

"Are you sure?"

He nods his head as he struggles to put on his shirt.

"Oh, let me get that for you," Patricia offers with a smile as she helps him put the shirt on, patting his shoulder gently, "There we are. Just be sure to apply ice regularly and the swelling and bruises should be gone soon enough, alright?"

Little Fortune nods, looking away with a blush. Patricia returns the nod and picks up the first-aid kit, walking towards the scowling man leaning against the wall as his eye observes everything.

"I'm fine," he says.

"Still, I'd like to make sure you're alright as well. It was a bit of a nasty fall, don't you think?"

"Nothing I can't handle," he mumbles.

"Don't be stubborn, Little Rooster," Edward calls out as he begins to pat down Little Zippo's face with a damp wash cloth.

"OH MY GOD, SERIOUSLY!? I AM TWENTY AND I'M STILL…GRAARRGGH!" Little Rooster explodes, pacing back and forth agitatedly, "Ok! Seriously, I'm fine! Sure, that chick over there tripped me up and held me up to whatever the hell she was holding but come on!"

"It was a spear, you dolt. And language; there's a child present," Edward scolds, jerking his head towards Pearl and Steven, "By the way, all of you owe an apology to them."

The statement is met with grumbles but they move to apologize none the less. Little Fortune is the first, kowtowing before Steven and Pearl with his forehead touching the ground; a difficult task given his girth but he manages.

"Oh, hey, you don't need to do that. Um…all is forgiven?" Steven says, uncomfortable at the idea of anyone groveling before him.

Little Fortune reaches into his chest pocket, pulling out a fortune cookie. Unwrapping the cookie and divesting it of its fortune, he hands Steven the fortune as he pops the cookie into his own mouth.

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget them…Oh geez."

"I don't understand," Pearl says as her grip around Steven tightens just a bit, "What are these odd pieces of paper he keeps on handing out?"

"Hey, that's just how he communicates, alright!? Leave him alone, you…stupid bird!" Little Zippo yells.

"Excuse me!?"

"Fucking…take it easy, Zippo! Look, just play with your lighter and calm down or something, man," Little Rooster intervenes. Little Zippo grumbles as he complies, shakily taking out a lighter from his pocket. With a flick and a flash, a small flame is born and Little Zippo just stares into it sighing, Little Rooster breathing in relief as the other calms down, "But yeah, Little Fortune is mute. He can't talk at all so he has to resort to the fortune cookies. I mean, he can make gestures and all but you know…"

Little Rooster leaves that sentence to hang though as he mimics Little Fortune, kneeling before Pearl and Steven as well.

"We're sorry. I don't know what else to say to convince you other than that. I mean, we broke the one rule we always lived by and we were desperate but that's not an excuse. Please forgive us."

"You know, it's not that bad," Steven says tentatively with a shaky grin, "I've been hurt lots of times and well, close to dying at some point but uh hey, it never got that far!"

"Wait, what?" Little Rooster asks as he raises his head, his eye widening. Little Fortune and Zippo also look at the boy, astonished, "Why would…you're just a kid though."

"Hey, no questioning the person you're apologizing to. You three, wait for me outside on the patio, we'll talk there. We have a lot of catching up to do, after all," Edward says.

The three pause to look at each other. Little Rooster is the first to move though as he walks towards the side-door and holds it open for Little Fortune and Zippo. Little Rooster follows, the door closing with a soft thud.

"I'm sorry you got involved in all of this," Edward apologizes as he turns to Pearl and Steven, "They…they were part of a gang back in Empire City, no older than Steven when it was still around. I had two brothers that helped me look out after them. Thinking back on it, we were more of a homeless family than a gang. My brothers and I were more involved with the…unethical aspect of it all. The only time we would ever be a gang in that way was if another gang tried to harass people within our district."

"So, you were like the Paradisers?" Steven asks.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"The Paradisers; it's a book about a band of brothers that look after one another in Trinity town separated by wealth, hoping for a better life as they protect those around them. An unfortunate misunderstanding involving a girl with their rival gang the Ambitions results in the tragic death of one of their members and they struggle with how to respond but it ends with them fighting one another until only one is left," Steven explains. Edward barks out a harsh laugh.

"If only it were another gang…" he mutters.

"Huh?"

"Nothing, nothing, just…thoughts," Edward says, heaving another sigh as he moves towards the front and flipping the sign "Closed" and then darting towards the side-door, "I'll go check on them, make sure they're not getting into trouble."

"Oh, I'll make some tea and…" Patricia starts.

"NO!" Edward snaps, immediately regretting it on seeing Patricia flinch, "I-I mean it's fine. They, uh, don't like tea that much. Patricia, why don't you go with Pearl and Steven to the temple a-and…talk?"

For a moment, Patricia doesn't answer right away. She just stares into Edward's eyes, looking for something. With a sigh, she turns away.

"I'm sorry, Pearl, Steven; do you mind waiting a moment?"

"Of course," Pearl nods, "We'll be just outside."

With that, Patricia disappears into the kitchen as Pearl takes Steven out the entrance, leaving Edward alone as he looks at the spot where his wife stood. She wanted to stay, she wanted to be there for him but he cast her out instead and for what? To keep her safe? Some perverse sense of preservation in the hopes that she would love him still once all of this was figured out? A slight shake of his head delays the festering thoughts as he takes out his phone and dials a number. It rings three times.

"Hello, this is the Delmarva General Hospital. How may I direct your call?"

"Hello, is Dr. Maheswaran available tomorrow for an appointment?"

"I'll look that up for you, sir. In the meantime, can you please state the nature of this appointment?"

"There was…an accident. Glass shards to the face and an injured wrist. I'd like to be sure that he's well and there isn't any permanent damage."

"Has the patient been to this hospital before?"

"No, not to my knowledge. I imagine he won't be a returning patient either unless something horrendous were to happen again but…"

"I understand, sir," a pause as Edward hears the tics and tacs of a keyboard, "Dr. Maheswaran is available at noon tomorrow but since this is a first-time patient, we ask that you arrive fifteen minutes early to fill out some paperwork. Is that alright?"

"Yes."

"Ok, you're all set. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"

"…"

"Sir?"

"Sorry, was thinking whether or not to ask but, do you think Dr. Maheswaran is able to take on two more patients at the time? Not for anything extensive but like, uh, like a check-up of some kind?"

"I'm assuming they are also first-time patients to your knowledge?"

"Yes."

"If it's just a check-up, we can have our nurses on staff perform it as the other patient is with Dr. Maheswaran. She will then examine the results and have her observations sent to you by mail. Is that alright?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Alright then, you're all set. Thank you and have a nice day."

"Thank you and you as well," Edward replies before ending the call. That matter settled, he then walks out the side-door.

Outside, the soon-to-be setting sun gently caresses all in its warmth in contrast to the biting breeze as the chill of the season and night settles in. On the patio, Edward sees that the Little three have settled at one of the tables: Fortune sitting upright with hands settled on his legs, Rooster slouching and resting his head on the table, and Zippo balancing precariously on the rear legs of the chair as his feet anchor him on the edge of the table top as he plays with his lighter, flame still lit. Edward sets himself heavily on the remaining chair across from Little Rooster.

For the longest time, none of them speak. Maybe if they had met again under more positive circumstances, their talk would've been more free-flowing, easy-going. Still, Edward thinks, it is good to see that they are alive.

"So…how are you?" Edward begins.

"Well, you know, got our asses kicked but we're alright," Little Zippo replies off-handedly, his uninjured hand nimbly flipping the lighter between his fingers.

"Right."

"We've been alright, Brother Phoenix. Just…getting by as best we can," Little Rooster answers.

"How?"

"We drift from job to job, hustling, you know. Kind of like back in Empire City, just…a little more dangerous now what with being older, you know?"

"I see…did you see anyone else from the gang? The church maybe?" Edward asks hopefully.

"Nothing…we got caught up in the system so we have no idea where they are now. I was lucky to see Zippo and Fortune again," Little Rooster replies, sighing through his nose.

"Ah," Edward lamely says.

"So, you've been alright, Brother Phoenix. Nice shop, wives and a kid, town's alright too," Little Zippo comments, his chair resuming its normal position as the front legs land heavily on the concrete.

"Wait, what?"

"Didn't peg you for such a freak though…twins, really?" Little Zippo continues.

"Fucking…," Edward curses, running a hand frustratingly down his face.

"Yes, that's how you make kids," Little Zippo quips.

"I have only one wife, their resemblance is only a coincidence, and the boy is not my son! The other woman was the boy's…aunt or guardian, for lack of better titles."

The three are surprised by the answer, looks shot between them.

"What's with that?" Edward asks, the question laden with suspicion.

"Naw, it's nothing, Brother Phoenix. It's just what with, uh, after…you know," Little Rooster struggles to say. Edward sighs.

"I've had five years to mourn for…her," Edward says slowly, "I'm alright. Patricia helped me with that and…I'm better now."

Little Fortune digs out another fortune cookie, opening it with ease as he hands Edward the slip of paper within.

"Hold on to the past but eventually, let the times go and keep the memories into the present," Edward reads, eliciting a chuckle, "You're getting too good at this, Little Fortune."

Little Fortune responds with a wink.

"So…Little Zippo seems to have developed some obsession with fire and might become a sarcastic little shit of an arsonist, Little Fortune has grown up like a bamboo shoot and is a prophetic fortune teller, and then there's you," Edward comments as he eyes Little Rooster, focusing on one thing, "What happened to your eye?"

"Nothing."

"You don't lose an eye over nothing, Little Rooster."

"Look, it happened, I'm fine, get over it!"

"Bloodbath…" Little Zippo mumbles.

Edward's blood runs cold.

"What did you say?"

"Shut up, Zippo!" Little Rooster screams as he forces the lighter shut, snapping Little Zippo out of his trance-like state.

"What? What happened?"

"You lost your eye in the Bloodbath!?" Edward rages, shooting to his feet in towering fury, "You know what, no! Never mind that, what the HELL were you doing even participating in the Bloodbath!?"

"None of your damn business!" Little Rooster shoots back as he stands on his feet as well.

"None of my…!? Are you fucking kidding me!?"

Little Fortune whimpers as he panics, looking back and forth between his fellow brothers and the big brother that looked out for him and the rest all those years ago. Little Fortune begins to cry, cursing his inability to communicate. Little Zippo notices and stands up to make his way around so he can lay his uninjured hand on Little Fortune's shoulder. At this point, Edward's rage has fizzled into despair as he sinks back into his chair.

"What the hell am I going to tell them tomorrow?"

"How about nothing because it is nothing!?" Little Rooster fires.

"You think a doctor is going to believe that?" Edward laments, his answer shocking the three, "What? Little Zippo is injured and we have no idea how hurt he really is so I made a call to the hospital. I also made appointments for the two of you to get checked out as well."

"The…!? We can't go to the hospital!" Little Rooster screams.

"Why the hell not!?"

"Because…! We don't have anything! How the hell are we supposed to afford a doctor!? Our records are shit and and…!"

"Relax! I will pay for it and we'll use my information! Everything is going to be fine!" Edward interrupts.

"Uh hey, I wouldn't mind going to the hospital. I've been pretty chill about it but my wrist hurts like fuck and I kinda' sorta' wanted to swipe some meds too so…" Little Zippo trails off.

"Shut up, Zippo! Come on! You too, Little Fortune!" Little Rooster screams as he turns about and rages away, "We're getting the hell out of here, we don't need this!"

"Where are you going!?" Edward calls out.

"Away from you! We got by for years without you and we don't need you all over our backs anymore, alright!? So just fuck off!"

"Aw man, this sucks," Little Zippo whines as he drags himself off after Little Rooster, "Later, Big Bro."

Little Fortune is conflicted as he is once again stuck in between, looking at the retreating backs of his brothers and the older brother that cared for him so long ago. Ultimately though, he bows to Edward before running after the other two.

"Little Fortune!"

He turns for a brief second back.

"Look out for them, yeah?" Edward finishes lamely.

Little Fortune nods before going back, leaving Edward alone at the table in the dying light. He sighs, wondering where everything went so wrong. He just…wanted to help, right? Protect them? Then again, maybe that was the problem. They were old enough that they didn't need a protector…maybe just a friend or someone that would support them and be there for when they fell.

His mind wanders to his own argument with Patricia over this subject. Startled, he remembers sending her away with Steven and Pearl. The flash of hurt when she turned away. Spirits, what the hell was he thinking when he said that? Does he dare to go to her after this or does he give her space? Does she even want to see him? Questions and thoughts boil and fester in his head as he wearily places his head into his hands, wondering what he should do.

Meanwhile…

Patricia, Pearl, and Steven make their somber way back to the temple. Steven does his best to lift the mood and the pearls humor him with smiles but still it hangs over them like a dark cloud. Valiantly though, Steven fights on with his endless enthusiasm going as far as picking up a little blue crab as a prop. Eventually, they reach the temple and as Pearl and Steven make their way up the path, Patricia pauses. Steven notices this and comes to a stop, bringing Pearl to a halt as well.

"Mrs. Feng, aren't you coming too?" Steven asks.

"Oh, y-yes of course. It's just…the shop andandand then there's the fresh fruits that need to be stocked and…"

Pearl makes her way back down and firmly holds Patricia steady by her shoulders; their gazes locked gently as Pearl smiles at Patricia.

"You know, despite our agreement we've never actually spent time or talked with one another, have we? And it would be rude to have you walk all this way without offering some hospitality, after all. Won't you come in?"

"Oh my gosh, Pearl's right! You've never been to our house before! Well, you have but that was outside and not inside," Steven says excitedly.

"I wouldn't want to intrude…" Patricia demurs.

"Please, we insist that you be our guest," Pearl responds.

"I…" Patricia begins to say but she sees Steven bouncing on his feet with boundless energy and a wide, toothy grin; how could she possibly say no? She answers with a small curtsy and smile, "…I humbly accept. Thank you for your hospitality."

Steven cheers but stops himself. With a light "ahem," he then bows to her with a flourish before immediately dashing up the path towards the house in good spirits. The pearls follow at a much more sedate pace; Patricia giggling as Pearl looks on with a smile, chuckling at the boy's antics. Stepping into the house, they see that Steven has joined a recently-awoken Amethyst on the couch.

"Yo, P' squared, how's it hanging?" The purple gem greets them lazily with a wave and a grin.

"Pardon?" Patricia asks.

"Ya know, there are two of you so P' squared," Amethyst answers with a snort, standing up to stretch and twist before shapeshifting into her Purple Puma persona and dramatically flexing, "So, ready to rrruuummmbbbllleee!?"

"No, Amethyst, no rumbling. Steven and I invited Patricia over so she can relax and well, perhaps get to know one another better since we'll be interacting with each other more in the future," Pearl intervenes, Amethyst booing in response as Pearl walks into the kitchen, bringing out a tea kettle and what appears to be a tea bags, "I'm sorry we don't have quite the collection you and your husband have but…"

"Oh no, it's perfectly alright. I don't want to impose on you any more than I already have."

"Honestly, it's no trouble at all," Pearl tuts good-naturedly as she fills the pot with water and sets it on the stove.

"Seriously, we're like always over at your place so high time one of you came over to hang out," Amethyst says as she and Steven walk over to the counter; Steven plopping down on one of the stools as Amethyst lazes across the top when she notices Patricia still standing, "Come on, pop a squat. Take a load off."

"Amethyst, please sit on a stool or if you really must be on the counter, at least sit up and perhaps not block Patricia?" Pearl scolds. Amethyst replies by blowing a raspberry but complies.

"Oh, um, thank you," Patricia replies as she sits down, "But you know, our home is also a place of business so really, it's only natural that we receive visitors. But I suppose there is merit to visiting your home every now and then."

"Mi casa es tu casa," Steven says jovially.

"Thank you, Steven," Patricia returns with a pat to his curly-haired head. She ponders for a moment, turning to Amethyst, "You seemed rather enthusiastic earlier about fighting with me earlier…are you part of this test that Pearl mentioned?"

"Oh, got told already, huh?" Amethyst says with a toothy grin, "And the answer is: we all are!"

"What?" Patricia asks. A harsh whistling sound from the kettle signals the water is hot enough and Pearl places three cups onto the counter, each with their own tea bag.

"What Amethyst means is that we have devised a series of obstacle courses that will test your strength, agility, ingenuity, and determination which culminates in one-on-on duels with each of us," Pearl answers as she pours the boiling water into the cups, hot steam smelling of the tea bags puffing up in great plumes.

"I designed the obstacles!" Steven says proudly but then pouts, "I would've been part of the dueling but…"

"We talked about this, Steven; not until you've had more training with your powers. Don't worry, your time will come and I have no doubt in my mind that you'll be exceptional," Pearl says comfortingly.

"Really?" Steven asks, eyes shining.

"Really," Pearl answers kindly.

If Patricia had a heart, she imagined it would be filling with warmth seeing the two interact. And yet, seeing Pearl acting…being a mother to Steven filled her with a feeling that, if anything, she might equate to jealousy and longing. A slender hand rests atop her belly; wondering, hoping.

"Alright over there, P-Two? Eat something funny on the way or is it just a rumbly in your tumbly?" Amethyst asks.

"Oh no, I'm fine, I was just…I'm sorry, 'P-Two'?"

"Well, like I said, there are two of you but because I met you second: P-Two. Pearl is P-One obviously," Amethyst says with a grin but it disappears as quickly as it appeared, "But seriously, are you ok?"

"I assure you I'm fine, I just got a little lost in my thoughts."

The blank look on Amethyst's face chills Patricia. She never would've imagined that such a vibrant and emotional gem like her capable of looking so…dead. If she looks a little more closely though, she imagines that she can see some sort of sadness and pity in them but before she can confirm it, Amethyst shoots her an easy-going smile.

"Hey, no worries, your tea is getting' pretty cold though."

"O-oh right, of course. Thank you," Patricia responds and takes a sip of the warm tea. Not the best tasting, she thinks. Then again, when you and your husband run a tea shop, one's taste does develop into something border-lining snobbish.

The warp pad bursts into a pillar of light to reveal Garnet.

"Garnet's back! Awww, you brought back a friend too! Did you just come back from another mission? How did it go?" Steven exclaims as he approaches her. True and strangely enough, there appeared to be serpent nestled comfortably in the fusion's hair; its tongue lazily slipping in and out of its mouth.

"Yes, but this friend won't be staying long and will be returned to whence it came. Yes but I haven't finished it yet. I just so happen to need yours and Amethyst's help on this particular mission," Garnet answers.

"Really!?" Both Steven and Amethyst ask excitedly, as the latter rushes onto the warp pad, "What are we waiting for!? Let's get goin' and get it done!"

"Yeah!" Steven cheers as he swiftly joins the fusion and the gem on the warp pad when he notices something, "Wait, what about Pearl and Mrs. Feng? Oh oh! Wwwhhhaaattt if Mrs. Feng came and helped us on this mission? This could be the actual test instead of the obstacle course for her and and…!"

"Hmmm…that is a thought," Garnet muses, "But you were rather excited about the obstacle course you so lovingly designed for her."

"But this would be our first mission with a new friend that is a gem! It would've been nice if Mr. Feng were here too which would've been our first mission with a friend that is human as well as our very first mission with our new gem and human friend that are married to each other but maybe we'll get lucky next time!" Steven manages to say in one ecstatic breath.

"Maybe," Garnet suggests with a small smile before looking at Patricia, "What do you say? Want to come along?"

"Me? I-I don't know, this is all so sudden," Patricia says, taken aback at the turn of events.

But then she thinks about. If the original idea of the obstacle course was to test her and Edward's qualities in contribution to the defense of the Earth, why not take the opportunity that comes up? She also imagines that perhaps Edward would…appreciate…the time apart. They were dear friends to him and would probably need a lot of time to get reacquainted, after all. Not to mention the physical work of this mission might just be what she needed to work off her negative energies.

"You know what? Yes, I will come along."


Author's Note: If I'm reading it correctly, it's been about a month since I updated. To be honest, I wish I could update more often but a chapter a month doesn't strike me as too bad a ratio. That being said though, thank you for being patient and I really should not jinx myself when I say or even think, "Oh goody, I have time to write!"

As always, thank you to those who followed and/or favorite'd this story, reviews are appreciated, and I am glad that many of you have come to enjoy this story. I hope you continue to do so as it goes along so again, thank you and see you next chapter.