Homesick
Monster attacks were a fairly regular occurrence in Beach City, one which the locals were able to just shrug off, but after nearly a year of living there, Greg Universe did not think he'd ever, ever be able to consider it as something that was just 'normal'.
Still, he had gotten used to the routine of it. It rarely got actively dangerous. The Crystal Gems had every attack well in hand, and usually managed to defeat any monster in a matter of hours, tops.
… this one wasn't a regular attack.
It was ginormous, and spat flame, and three cars had already been destroyed. Every single human had already fled half an hour ago, and the only reason Greg hadn't gone with them was because of his dogged determination to follow Blue's wishes and observe her enemies as closely as he could. Never knew when or how the Crystal Gems might reveal something critical to his son's survival.
What also wasn't normal? The giant mystery Gem who showed up out of nowhere, and managed to destroy the monster with a single arrow.
There were only supposed to be four Crystal Gems. Four. Just that many was already terrifying enough. And now it turned out there were more of them?
As soon as Greg was certain it was safe, he scrambled out of his hiding place in the shallows, running up to the Crystal Gems. Garnet was putting out a fire that had caught on the boardwalk by rolling over it, while Rose Quartz was speaking with the mystery woman, congratulating her on a job well-done.
"Uh. Hi," Greg said, wringing water out of his hair. "Thanks, for, uh, saving us?"
The Mystery Woman glanced down at him. Her eyes widened, and her proud smile turned into a slightly-predatory grin. "Mr. Universe!"
"...How do you know my name?"
The Gem's grin spread wider. "Can't you recognise me?"
Greg was pretty sure he'd recognise a giant, four-armed woman with a light bow. "Uh, no."
The Gem laughed.
"Oh, Opal, stop teasing him," Rose giggled. At least now Greg knew her name. "Mr. Universe, this is Opal. Amethyst and Pearl's fusion."
"...Fusion?"
An explanation followed. The whole idea was alien and ridiculous, but Greg managed to take it in stride. Not just because now that'd he'd been told he recognised both Gems' features in Opal's sharp face, or because he'd gotten used to the fantastical over the last twenty-odd years. But because, now that he thought of it, he did vaguely recall Blue mentioning something like this. It had been brief, only in passing, and Blue hadn't seemed to think it was important, so he'd never pressed-
But this seemed pretty important to him.
Gems could just… combine like that? How did it happen? Was it accidental? Did it hurt? Could it be reversed? What happened to the people inside? Did they remember who they were? Did they have any control over themselves?
… Could this happen to Steven?
"How does it work?" Greg asked, but both Opal and Rose Quartz just laughed.
Opal didn't stick around much longer. With a flash, she was gone, replaced by Amethyst sitting atop Pearl's head. While Greg was, admittedly, relieved to know it wasn't permanent, he kinda wished Pearl hadn't had to come back.
Rose Quartz set off with Garnet to tend to any immediate dangers, and Greg took off after Amethyst, figuring she was his best bet for getting any explanation for what had just happened. Unfortunately, she was in one of her Kid Moods- distracted, deliberately giving silly answers, doing her best to annoy him.
Greg wouldn't give up that easily, though.
"Does it only work with Gems, or humans too?" he asked. After all, if it was only with Gems, it was probably okay- Pearl, their Pearl, would be sure to take care of Steven no matter what, he was sure. But if Steven could accidentally fuse with a random human… that might be trouble.
Someone laughed at his question, high and mocking. Pearl. The rude one.
"Don't be stupid," she said. "Fusion is the most profound connection between Gems. And humans. Are not. Gems."
Greg sighed, and resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Besides," Pearl said, twirling around him like an extremely obnoxious ballerina, "even if humans could fuse, it wouldn't matter."
Greg was very much aware that Amethyst was sitting on the ground, munching on some charred sand, watching this whole exchange with rapt interest. He ground out, "What do you mean by that?
Pearl came very close. "You're just a phase."
"... what?"
"You don't even know Rose," Pearl said, and Greg realised what she was talking about. "Your life is but a fleeting snowflake, bound to melt when the sun rises. You don't have the deep bond necessary to accomplish such profound magic with her."
"Right," Greg said. He knew he should probably be doing more to actually act offended, but he just didn't have the energy.
"In fact," Pearl continued, taking on an even more innocent tone, "you don't have the deep bond necessary with anyone, do you? Living alone in your van, barely even interacting with humans, spending all your free time with us…"
"Shove off, Pearl," Greg said, and pushed her away.
She let out a surprised, indignant squawk, and for a terrifying moment, Greg was afraid he was going to have a spear plunged into his chest.
But Pearl just laughed, and flounced away.
Amethyst scrambled to her feet, glancing between him and the other Gem. Finally she took off after Pearl, calling back, "See you round, Mr. Universe!"
Greg stood there, breathing very heavily, pushing back against the prickling in his eyes. Finally, he shook himself, and trudged off for van, hoping it hadn't been burned to a crisp in the attack.
He missed Korea. He missed home.
He missed his family.
oOoOoOo
Authors' Note: Another piece from our fic writing stream! This one based on the prompt: "Greg meeting a fusion for the first time (besides Garnet)." This one is in-continuity with the main story, taking place about a year before the story started.
