Steven Universe Fanfiction

My Pearl

Chapter 14: Hello for Farewell


"Doctor Maheswaran will be with you shortly," a receptionist said as she took the paperwork from Edward's hands.

"Thank you."

The Fengs and the Little Trio managed to make the appointment just on time…after a harrowing drive decidedly above stated speed limits where much panicking, screaming, and prayers were thrown to the wind. Despite her still racing "heart", Patricia couldn't help but find it ironic that they survived and ended up in Delmarva General anyway. To her right, the Little Trio were in various states of catatonia: Rooster sprawled with legs wide in his chair as he muttered to himself, Zippo was on the ground crouched low and rocking back and forth as he nursed the flame from his lighter to the chagrin of the receptionist, and Fortune seemed to have attained inner peace as he sat frozen in the lotus position.

"Everyone alright?" Edward asks, sitting down next to Patricia.

"Well, we'll find out when Doctor Maheswaran sees them. Remind me never to let you drive if we're ever late to anything ever again," Patricia quips.

"I promise the drive back…" Edward starts.

"NO!" Little Rooster and Zippo scream, launching to their feet. Everyone turns shocked eyes to the panicking duo who quickly sit down embarrassedly.

"Living in less than stellar conditions, no problem. Fights that end up in blood and broken bones, sure what the hell? A speeding car down a mostly empty highways and streets with surprisingly little police supervision, everyone panic!" Edward scoffs.

"You took a hairpin turn at 80 mph! Where the fuck did you learn to drift, let alone drive!?" Little Rooster screams.

"You pick up a thing or two," Edward answers nonchalantly.

"I wanna' see a license, man. Last I remembered, none of you Big Bros drove a car and never learned how to," Little Zippo demands.

"Ugh fine," Edward complains as he takes out his wallet and hands over the driver's license within, "It's a legitimate one too, in case you were wondering."

The two take it and scrutinize it deeply, whispering to each other back and forth about how it might be a counterfeit rather than the real thing. Little Rooster laments the fact they don't have those special black lights while Little Zippo contemplates lighting the card on fire and see if the flames burn differently. At the mention of it, Edward immediately snatches his license back.

"That's enough of that. Spirits, I went legit years ago; got my papers and everything now…or close to it anyway."

"How? Everything was lost with the church," Little Rooster questions.

"Well, our dearly departed Reverend Mother was wise enough to keep copies of everyone's religious records at Empire City's town hall. And I mean everyone," Edward answers as he settles into his seat again, "I didn't know about it until someone explained it to me."

"Who?"

"…A neighbor of ours when we were in Charm City for a time: Madame Bellamy."

"French, sounds hot," Little Zippo comments.

"If only you knew…" Edward mutters, causing Patricia to giggle.

"Wait, what's that supposed to mean? Thought you and Mrs. Feng here were tight, ya know?" Little Zippo wonders.

"We lived in Charm City for about seven years until we moved to Beach City. Up until two years ago though, we weren't officially married so he was free to gallivant with whomever he wanted," Patricia answers, resting her chin against a hand with a sigh, "Goodness knows how many women threw themselves at you only for you to break their hearts so callously…"

"I did no such thing!" Edward splutters.

"You did reject them though. Then again, thinking back on it I'm beginning to wonder how much value the sanctity of marriage has to humans…I mean, Madame Bellamy did tell me married men as handsome as you stokes fires in other women's loins…"

There is a collective choke and blushing amongst all humans within earshot at this...less than publicly appropriate observation.

"Something about forbidden fruit or some such thing; what do you think, dear?"

"We're never going back to Charm City or talking to Madame Bellamy ever again is a thought," Edward grumbles.

"Oh, but she taught me so much," Patricia opines, "Perhaps some of the things you find questionably appropriate but I know for a fact that she taught me…"

And here Patricia leans in and whispers softly into Edward's ear. Despite being right next to them, the Little Trio can't hear a thing and they don't want to intrude by leaning in so they bide their time while straining every cell in their bodies to catch some word or anything. That's when they realize that Edward's reactions are a pretty good indicator on what it is she's whispering to him.

"Hrmm…Oh, that was her? But what about…? Ah…"

A furious blush.

"Ok ok but still…"

A hastily wiped bloody nose.

"That was her idea!?"

An impossible shade of red permeates his face now.

"I liked it but that's only because it was you…!"

He's sweating profusely now.

"Knowing it was her idea kind of ruins it but…"

"Oh, then I guess that's out of the question in the bedroom then," Patricia laments.

"I never said that!" Edward panics but then immediately slaps a hand over his loud mouth.

"Big Bro…should we cancel the appointment so you and Big Sis can…get some things out of the way? Maybe relieve some stress or tension of some kind…?" Little Rooster asks, a slight blush on his face.

"There'll be none of that questioning here!" Edward futilely commands, all too late realizing that he's just digging himself deeper. Luckily, the heavens smile upon him with an intervention.

"Will Mr.'s…Rooster, Zippo, and Fortune…please come up to the front desk? The doctor will see you now," A nurse calls out.

"Really?" Edward deadpans.

"Sorry, old habits die hard," Little Rooster says sheepishly.

"So, you're here about a work-injury?" Dr. Maheswaran asks as she goes over the paperwork on her clipboard.

"Uh, not really? I mean, I guess it took place at a place of work and while it is related to her and Big Bro's work," Little Zippo mumbles, pointing to Patricia, "I don't think it's considered a work-injury like that. We were kind of sort of just visiting when the accident happened is all."

"Mr. Feng reported glass shards embedded in your face and an injured wrist; must've been quite the accident for all that to happen."

"Uhh…"

"And while I see a little scarring on your face that will eventually go away, I also notice you're moving both of your hands rather well," Dr. Maheswaran observes, placing the clipboard down as she now pays full attention to the young man sitting on the room's exam table.

"…I got better?" Little Zippo squeaks.

"So it seems. Still, I'd like to have an x-ray done just in case any glass still remains or any internal damage was done to your wrist. Mrs. Feng, seeing as it's you and your husband's insurance that will be covering the costs, will that be alright with you?"

"Yes, Dr. Maheswaran, and I'm sure Edward would agree; it was his idea after all."

"Alright then, if you'll both just follow me to the Radiology department, we'll perform the x-rays and see if anything more needs to be done."

With Little Rooster…

"Alrighty then, if I can just have you take off your jacket and shirt for a moment…" A male nurse asks.

"Wait what, why do you need me to take off my shirt?" Rooster flinches.

"Uh, for the stethoscope? To check your breathing?"

"R-right…yeah…to check my breathing, of course…" He says, slowly complying.

Experience has taught the male nurse not to react but the various scars that riddle the patient's body widens his eyes. Along his arms, scars from defensive wounds from a knife and bullet and…something he's never seen before…barbed wire? His abdomen is very much riddled the same with the addition of burn marks. There is evidence of shoddy stitches, probably done by himself or perhaps a friend with little to no knowledge on how.

Part of the male nurse wants to run some other tests to make sure he's not suffering from some internal infection of any kind that might be festering but considering that the patient is alive and those tests are irregular, he stays his tongue on that subject.

"Alright, just a warning: it's going to be cold when I apply the stethoscope but it'll warm up real quick so just relax and breathe in and out, please."

"Right," Little Rooster replies, closing his eyes and taking deep breathes in and out.

His breath hitches when he feels the stethoscope on his scarred chest but he resumes breathing again. It comes off and is applied somewhere along his back. Moved again and placed somewhere lower by his stomach.

"Ok, you can put your shirt back on but leave the jacket. We just need to run one more test and it's for your blood pressure," the male nurse explains, unwrapping the Velcro strap of the sphygmomanometer, "I'm just going to wrap this around your arm and it'll pump up with air. Another warning: the pressure on your arm will feel weird and very constricting but it is part of the test, I assure you."

"R-right."

With Little Fortune…

"Guess I didn't need to be here after all," Edward observes.

"Oh no, I completely understand. I have a son of my own that's mute too so I know how to handle patients like this one here," the nurse reassures him jovially as she bustles about, "Of course, leaving my own son in a stranger's company for the first time always gets me in a tizzy so don't you fret none about worrying too much; just means you care. Now from what I can tell, your boy here is well and healthy; other than the bruises but those will heal up just fine. Of course, we'll have to have Doctor Maheswaran take a look at the results before anything's final. Next time though, I recommend he be the catcher so at least he has some protective wear if any stray baseball comes flying at him."

"Uh, right, of course…"

"You can put your jacket back on, honey, we're all done here and you can go back to the reception area and discuss about his next appointment, alright? You all have a nice day and stay healthy," the nurse says as she leaves the room.

"Thank you; you as well," Edward bows. Little Fortune mimics him despite trying to put on the top half of his Zhongshan suit at the same time.

They make their way back in silence, passing by other nurses, orderlies, and doctors whom greet them in passing. It's only when they reach a quieter part of the halls that Edward plucks up the courage to speak.

"I'm sorry."

Little Fortune stops to look at him, his eyes scrunched and head tilted to the side.

"I know it doesn't mean much at this point but I still feel the need to apologize for what I have done…and would have done to you and the others. While I wouldn't have done it in front of the boy and if Little Rooster hadn't said your name, I would've killed you all without ever knowing that I'd be killing those I consider family. For that, I am sorry and I don't know what…"

Edward is interrupted when he is handed a fortune cookie slip. Taking it, he reads: To forgive others one more time is to create one more blessing for yourself. The words become blurry through the wobbling lens of tears and then disappear outright when he finds himself engulfed in a great big hug. The tears flow freely now in this great cloud of warmth that covers him as Little Fortune trembles and sniffles in return.

"Thank you," is all Edward can say.

They stay like this for a while until they both silently separate, wipe their eyes, nod to each other, and resume their walk back to the reception area. Eventually they reach it and find Little Rooster sprawled in one of the seats as he looks up at their approach.

"What's up with you two? Your eyes are red," he asks.

"Something that needed to be said," Edward replies as he and Little Fortune settle into the chairs next to Little Rooster, "There's something else but it'll wait until Little Zippo gets here."

"Alright."

And so they wait. Other patients come and go; some of the elderly being sociable enough for small talk and young children with their parents curious enough to poke and prod and ask questions in their guileless manner whilst their parents are distracted. They eventually trickle away for their own appointments leaving the three alone for now.

"So, what's your plan now?" Edward asks suddenly.

"Huh?"

"I'm asking what are you going to do after all of this."

"Oh…same plan as we had before I guess but it probably wouldn't hurt to go back to Empire City and at least get our records back so we can prove that we were born here at least; get some other paperwork started as well," Little Rooster answers with a shrug, digging into his jacket and bringing out a crumpled mess of pamphlets, "Out in the northwest, there are a bunch of these crazy-looking tourist sites. Some of them are hiring and the others we're not sure about but we figure we'll ask around anyway. Even if it doesn't pan out, they all seem to be focused around this one town so we were going to look there as well. Seeing as how you and Big Sis seem to have something nice going on in Beach City, it gives me some sort of hope."

"…sounds like a pretty good plan."

"Yeah well, we try."

"Do you…want help getting there?"

For a moment, nothing is said as Little Rooster contemplates how to answer and Edward wonders if maybe he's pushing it.

"Don't know…going to have to talk it over with Little Zippo when he gets here, I guess."

"Fair enough."

Again, silence ensues. Little Fortune fidgets every now and then while Little Rooster mulls over things in his head. Edward stares at the wall opposite of him, wondering.

"Hey, Big Bro…didn't Brother Dragon work at a hospital once as a…what do they call them?" Little Rooster asks, struggling to find the word.

"Yeah, he used to be an orderly at a children's hospital…"

"Remember how he got fired from that job?" Little Rooster grins.

"Ugh…," Edward groans, "Bad enough he was admitted to the hospital, poor kid was probably scarred for life after finding his mom going at it with Brother Dragon. Hearing her scream and calling Brother Dragon Daddy probably didn't help either. Let me guess, you were visiting him there too when that all happened?"

"Little Artist cut himself trying to scale a brick wall to paint something, closest hospital we could find," Little Rooser answers nonchalantly as Little Fortune trembles in silent laughter.

"Spirits, he was such a slut…" Edward chuckles, "At least Brother Tiger had some sense in his head about who he fucked with. It was the emotional fallout that was the problem though. Remember when he found that old boom box and did that thing where you stand outside someone's window and played that sappy romance song hoping they take you back?"

"Oh my fucking god, yeah," Little Rooster guffaws, "And then he gets hit by a fucking lightning bolt because of the storm!"

"Only guy I can imagine surviving being struck by lightning with no negative effects…then again, maybe there wasn't much there to begin with, I don't know," Edward grins, "All I know is that the nuns had a field day when we brought in his naked singed body asking for help that night."

"Well, what do you expect? A church full of nothing but nuns that have taken their vows and all of a sudden are presented with Big Brother Tiger's hot mess?" Little Rooster wheezes out in laughter as Little Fortune slaps his knee.

"Ugh, now I'm understanding how that kid felt," Edward mutters, still softly grinning.

"Oh yeah, you grew up there. What was that like, huh?"

"Was a lot of things really. The Reverend Mother was most strict with me but the other nuns were pretty kind. Sister Tina often spoiled me with her butterscotch cinnamon pie whenever I was feeling down," Edward reminisces, "Despite that though, Mother Anna was…still kind in her own way. Only looking back on it do I understand…well, that and…" he trails off, a blank look chasing away the grin.

Before he gets in too deep though, he notices Patricia, Little Zippo, and Doctor Maheswaran entering the reception area and stopping at the desk to talk for a bit. Edward stands to meet them, Little Rooster and Fortune following.

"...the results should come in sometime next week. Ah, hello, Mr. Feng, uh, Rooster, and Fortune; I trust you were all comfortable?"

"Er, yeah, Doc. Thanks," Little Rooster stutters. Little Fortune bows slightly with a smile in response.

"While it's unfortunate that you won't be coming back for regular physicals, I trust you're responsible enough to see to your own health wherever you may go. Speaking of physicals, Mr. Feng?"

"Er, yes?"

"This might've been presumptuous of me but I had a look at your past medical records and you are long overdue for a physical yourself. I'd schedule one with you myself but I have other patients to attend to. Please speak to Abigail our receptionist to schedule an appointment if you could. In the meantime, stay healthy," Doctor Maheswaran says in farewell.

"Right, thank you and you as well, Doctor," Edward replies bowing, everyone else bowing as well.

A few moments with the receptionist and an appointment scheduled later, the Fengs and the Little Trio are back on the road at a much more legal speed. Still, the Little Trio can't help but grip what they can tightly in the off-chance that Edward is inspired to drive crazily again. After some time on the road, Little Rooster observes a train crossing.

"Hey, Big Bro, can we pull over here?"

Edward's eyes cut away from the road briefly, looking into Little Rooster's through the rear-view mirror but he complies as parks the car off road still a few safe meters away from the train tracks. The three pile out of the car and stretch their limbs as they talk and cajole while the Fengs remain in the car. Edward lets out a deep sigh as he settles into his seat and keeps watch. His vigil is briefly broken when Patricia slides her hand into his, grasping it softly as she raises their entwined hands to kiss his knuckle.

"They'll be alright. They are your brothers, after all," Patricia assures him.

"Aye, that they are," Edward mutters. After a moment, he gently retakes his hand from Patricia and fumbles with the seat belt, "I'll be right back. I need to tell them…"

"Go. I'll keep watch," Patricia says smiling. With a nod, Edward exits the car and approaches the three young men.

"…already done a lot for us. Can't rely on him forever, especially since we'll be on the opposite side of the country but…oh hey, Big Bro," Little Zippo waves.

Edward returns the wave but doesn't say much else; just stands there as he contemplates how to start. The others seem to catch on that something's about to go down and so they wait. Minutes pass and nothing is said still as they all fidget under the heavy silence.

"You're not Little anymore," Edward starts.

"Yyeeeaaahhh…that's what happens after years pass and you get older," Rooster replies.

"Damn it, that's not what I mean," Edward grumbles before taking a deep breath and trying again, "What I mean is…you were right, Rooster."

"Wait, what?"

"You, Zippo, and Fortune managed to take care of yourselves for years. And then we meet again only for me to belittle that by trying to take care of you as if the time apart never happened."

"Wait, Big Bro, we get it but…" Zippo tries to intervene but Edward isn't allowing it as he raises his hand in a silent gesture.

"No, this needs to be said," Edward takes another deep breath.

"Edward!" Patricia calls out which is soon followed by the horn of an incoming freight train.

"Shit!" Rooster curses as he and the others take a few steps closer to the tracks and wait for an opening.

"Damn it, ok, long story short…" Edward starts.

The head and engine of the freight train passes.

"…You aren't my Little Brothers anymore…"

"Dude, what the fuck seriously!?" Zippo screams as they run alongside the freight train now.

Several flatcars and a tank car have passed on now.

"…You've proven you're more than that! Better! That's why you are not Little anymore! From here on, you are Brothers Rooster, Zippo, and Fortune! Do you understand!?"

"Big Bro…" Rooster whispers.

Finally, boxcars.

"Damn it, I know we're having a touching moment now but focus!" Edward yells, his eyes scanning frantically, "There! An open one!"

The Brothers make a mad dash for it now, grabbing onto whatever they can to pull themselves inside. Fortune requires something of a boost but manages to stumble on with everyone's help. Entry accomplished, the three can only look tearfully back and wave frantically at their elder and his wife as they rapidly disappear from view. But before they're completely gone…

"YOU CAN DO IT! LIVE AND BE HAPPY!" Edward screams out, his voice going hoarse.

"WE WILL! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, BROTHER PHOENIX!" Edward hears faintly, the horn of the train blasts out again.

For a long time, he just stands there, staring into the horizon to which the train disappeared. Though he is stock still, Patricia knows better. Slowly, she walks up and hugs his arm, staring into that same horizon. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see shining droplets fall onto the grass. Gently, she guides him back to the car. This time, he in the passenger seat while she in the driver's. It is only after being settled in does Edward begin wiping furiously at his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry, I…"

"It's fine, Edward," Patricia reassures him as she starts the car and drives onward to Beach City.


In their room and freshly gotten out of the shower, Edward contemplates the plain black leather bound journal lying on the desk before him, the creases shining under moonlight. This journal and his wife, he remembers; the only two things he managed to escape with. His gaze breaks away from the journal to the bathroom door to the right, the shower hissing faintly. His eyes return to the journal as his courage fails him. Would this be enough or too much? Maybe he should give this to her in the morning…or perhaps some time during the day. It is a bit of a read, not to mention it would be a terrible thing to read just before sleeping. And yet if not now, when? He does not trust himself. How can he?

The bathroom door rattles open, steam escaping from the tiled confines in a white haze out the open window. A part of him screams not to look but he turns anyway, seeing Patricia walking out in nothing but the towel wrapped around her slim form, another in her hair forming a towel turban that faintly drips of excess. His gaze goes back to the journal. He tenses but relaxes immediately upon feeling Patricia sidle next to him, her chin resting on his shoulder as she sighs. For a moment, they say and do nothing. Just…breath in the atmosphere. Gingerly, he slides the journal towards her.

"This…belonged to my mother…or at least, the closest thing I had to a mother. I want you to have it…for now. I mean, I want it back but I want you to read it at least once because it's a part of my past I've never shown anyone and since our talks I've been thinking about how when I remembered I still have this. Not that I'm pressuring you or anything, I mean you can get around to it whenever you want. I just hope it's enough and…" Edward rambles. The word vomit ends with a gently-placed finger to his lips.

"I understand. But are you sure?" Patricia asks.

"Yes…and no."

"Then maybe I shouldn't…"

"If I wait on giving it to you, it'll probably never leave my hands. Well, not that I want it to on a permanent basis but I do want you to have and know about it. And…"

Patricia decides that if nothing is done soon, her poor husband will talk himself to oblivion over it. She takes the journal and holds it before her gem, the pristine jewel glowing as it converts the journal into bits of light that are absorbed into her gem.

"Better?"

"Y-yes…but…"

This time, she stops him by gently turning his head and meeting his lips in a deep soft kiss. Surprised yet hungry, he partakes in the kiss with gusto as he lifts her onto his lap and presses into her a little more; the muffled shriek that dissolves into quieter giggles disappearing into his mouth just as her pale hands disappear under Edward's ink-black hair. They breathe deeply of each other, the vanilla-scented shampoo they share mixing with the musk of tea leaves. His hand roams to her head, undoing the towel turban and letting her peach pink hair cascade down.

She ends the kiss with a wet pop much to his chagrin as he moans into the air between them. She doesn't say anything, only unravels the towel from her beautifully pale body as Edward stares on in awe. With a mischievous grin she crawls into their futon on all fours, making sure to give him a very good look and a wiggle of her derriere. A rumbling growl has him stripping his sleepwear aside as he stalks after her, looming over her as his hair forms a dark curtain around them. He grinds betwixt her legs, eliciting a moan.

Their eyes meet as they take in the other slowly and lovingly. He places a soft kiss on her gem and nestles into her bosom, breathing deeply.

"I don't deserve you," he whispers.

"And yet here we are,' she whispers back, gently stroking his head and hair.

What magic she weaves in her dexterous hands he knows not for sleep comes heavily upon him like a tide even as he struggles to stay awake and say more.

"Sleep," she whispers encouragingly. And that is the last thing he hears before the darkness overtakes him.

Hours into the night, Patricia still watches Edward sleep. She observes his smooth face akin to a mask as his nostrils flare with every deep breath. A small moment of idle madness: she pinches and smooshes his cheeks, giggling softly. Assured that he is deep in slumber, she gently extradites herself from his arms and places a pillow in her place. A poor substitute but it'll have to do. She sits at the desk, her gem glowing. A soft burst of light and the journal is before her once more. Turning once more to Edward, just in case, she sees him still asleep as an obnoxious snort escapes him. Satisfied and giggling, she turns back to the journal. She tried to stay her curiosity, she really did. But the desire to know more about her tight-lipped husband was stronger and goodness knows when the next opportunity might arise. Carefully, she opens it to the very first page; a crisp page that only has these words in elegantly flowing cursive: Property of Anna Von Braun, Abbess of Saint Martin's Church.


Author's Note: It's times like these I kind of sort of hate the slow burn path I'm taking and also wonder if I'm abusing the flashback filibusters (I'd like to thank Potat0s0Verlord's review for that chance at loose alliteration). The ones I have definitely planned are the much asked for How Edward and Patricia Met, How they Fell in Love, and How Patricia Got Cracked/Poof'ed. Regarding how they met, I once told a reviewer via PM that I planned that for after the canon The Return and Jailbreak episodes but after reviewing the vague timing and timeline of episodes, that flashback will actually come a lot sooner. Anyways, for now, this is the last we'll see of the Little Trio (or Triad) but I am juggling ideas about their return after a certain pivotal moment regarding the fan-known Big Buff Cheeto Puff.

As always, I am interested in what readers think of character interactions, conversations, environment, etc. This chapter was a little difficult since the only glimpse we have of Doctor Maheswaran's workplace is the episode Nightmare Hospital. One worry that pops up is the lack of Patricia as a focus as a character, which I brush off as these chapters focusing on Edward and his past (which I will definitely make up for when we delve a little more into Patricia's). Still, I'm interested in thoughts regarding this.

Also as always, thank you to those who have read, reviewed, favorite'd, and followed this story. I am glad and humbled that you do and I hope you continue enjoying this story (slow as it is) as it develops. Again, thank you and see you all next chapter.