Trying to Smile Again Continued (Steven UniverseUniverse Fic)

Part Seven Chapter Four: Bubbled... Again

Steven awoke with a gasp, was what he just experienced a dream? He sat up off the ground, going to put his hand on his aching head, but stopped. He felt something pointy. He stood up, and started to move, when he realized he wasn't in his bed. He looked around, realizing he was in a red bubble, in his living room.

He also spotted Connie near by, talking to someone on the phone. Maybe she could help him get out of this. He tried banging against the bubble, but it seemed like it wasn't loud enough.

"Connie," he slightly shouted, banging against the bubble once more.

Connie turned her head hastily, taking a step back. Steven noticed how wide her eyes were... she looked scared. Why was she scared?

"He woke up Pearl... I'll call you back-Huh? Oh, yeah, bye," Connie spoke.

She hung up the call, and hesitantly looked too Steven. Steven smiled, motioning for her to come closer. However, she just stood there firmly.

"What's wrong Connie," he asked, finding it weird that his tongue felt something pointy in his mouth.

Connie thought over her words, not wanting to say the wrong things. She wanted Steven to stay calm.

"Steven," she started, hands raised defensively. "Listen to me, ok?"

"Of course."

"What you're about to hear may shock you... it may even anger you," she said looking away, but turning back after. "Promise me you won't lash out."

"Lash out," he chuckled slightly. "Why would I lash out of all people?"

Connie let out a small breath, then spoke again.

"Ok... so do you remember anything about the Diamond Kindergarden?"

"Umm," he hummed, finding it odd he didn't remember much. "Not much... surprisingly.

"Not really," Connie said rubbing her arm. "Let me explain... so... remember you can't get mad! But... you were... are... corrupting!"

Steven's eyes widened, backing up from the edge of the bubble. Corrupting?! Him?! No no no, that couldn't be true! How could he possibly even gotten this disease in the first place?!

"I... no no no-you must be joking right," Steven questioned scared.

Connie looked away from him, rubbing her arm again. Steven got closer to the edge of the bubble, and slammed his fist on the edge.

"YOU'RE LYING RIGHT," he shouted. "C'MON CONNIE, THAT'S NOT FUNNY!"

Connie gasped, almost losing her balance at his outburst. Steven breathes heavily, his eyes turning a pitch black. His pupils became pink diamond shapes. Then he saw how Connie reacted to him, and he slowly turned back to normal... well as normal as a corrupting gem can get.

"C-Connie I-"

Then he saw it. His hand! It was covered in spots of purple circles, varying in tint. Then he fell back, when he saw the rest. Now taking time to let his eyes focus, he could see his reflection in the bubble's side. He had the coloring all over his body, in different areas! It even covered a good portion of his face. Even more noticeable, however, were the horns and fangs that were added to his face! Then, lastly, there was the one eye. The pitch black, pink diamond pupil, eye!

"Wh-What the..." Steven stuttered, reaching for his horns.

They were certainly pointy... enough to kill even, even for their petit size. He quickly stood up, and lifted his shirt. As he thought, his gem looked strange as well. He hovered over his new fangs, feeling their pointy exterior as well. He didn't look like a welcoming hero at all now!

"Connie," he said, banging on the bubble again.

"You gotta let me out of this!"

Connie, still on the ground, looked at him in concern. Steven could see how desperately she wanted to agree.

"C'mon, please! If you do, I can heal myself! I'm sure the fountain still has-"

"No," he heard Connie whisper.

"Huh," he gasped.

Connie stood, holding back some tears.

"We tried that already... it didn't work."

The words cut through Steven like a knife. If that didn't work, and the Diamonds couldn't be trusted... what could he do?! He was so sad! So angry! Angry at his friends for bubbling him. And angry that he wasn't healing.

"Errr," he snarled. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT DIDN'T WORK?!"

Connie flinched slightly, but was prepared this time.

"Steven please-"

"HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU TRY?! WHAT OTHER METHODS DID YOU DO?!"

Connie shook slightly in fear, but knew Garnet's bubble would hold him.

"We tried many times Steven. As for other methods," she paused. "There are none."

Steven growled, slamming his fists.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE AREN'T ANY OTHER METHODS?! WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SUPER INTELLIGENT, ALIEN, SPECIES! THEY MUST HAVE SOMETHING!"

"WE TRIED STEVEN," Connie screamed, tears finally breaking out. "Peridot... couldn't fix it..."

"THAN FREE ME! I'LL DO IT MYSELF!"

Connie looked at the stairway, than back at Steven. She wasn't getting through to him. She couldn't help him like this. There was no way he would get better if he only felt anger. Maybe a new approach would ease the tension in the air. If only they could calm him down... then they may be able to help!

"Steven," Connie started, wiping away the last few tears. "I see you're mad. I see you're upset. I understand why. I... I know I can't help you like this... and I'm sorry."

Steven slightly calmed down, realizing she was talking about something else. Something other than himself. She was talking about them.

"I wish I could be there for you... but I can't. I'm not strong enough as you guys. Even though I've been training with Pearl, and I learned how to sword fight, it's still not enough. After all... I'm human, and all humans die... eventually."

Steven's snarl dipped into a frown at her words, and his eyes softened. He knew how close they once were. He felt bad that he couldn't be there for her... but he started to feel differently... about them. It seems she knew too.

"But... you are half gem. I think that means you live longer. So... you'll need someone who cares for you as well. Someone who's always there for you. Someone who will always have you back, and Ben when you don't intend on them doing so. Someone... who could be closer than a friend."

Steven's eyes widened, and his mouth opened wide. He heard the familiar squeaks of soft shoes. Followed by the familiar image of a pink gem. A good friend of his. A friend he recently started... maybe wishing to be closer to. His good friend that he feels so bad for.
His friend... Spinel!

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(Oh yeah! WINTER BREAK! That's right friends, I'm on my winter break! Luckily for you all, that means... MORE CHAPTERS!!! It'll be fun to be update about... hm... TWO WHOLE WEEKS!!!
Anyway, hope you like the chapter, and thanks for all the love! I love all of you too ❤️❤️❤️
Til next time!)