💫Still Not Giving Up💫

Chapter Four

(if you're rereading, i got rid of the SUPER weird spit healing part, because idk what younger me was thinking when i wrote that. super gross. if you're new, ignore this and enjoy!)

you walked home quickly, hoping you didn't look as nervous as you felt. you really didn't want to talk to Steven about... what happened.

when you opened the front door, everything seemed... calm. you walked through the living room slowly, stepping over broken glass shards and fallen furniture from whatever your parents last fight was about. your parents were in the kitchen, gathering their coats and wallets.

your father turned to you with a smile. "hey kiddo! we're going out for donuts, wanna come?"

this was the first time in years your parents were willingly doing something together. they looked happy, genuinely happy, and you couldn't help but question their mental health. were they okay? did they hit their heads?

"um, sure..." you said uncertainly. you followed them through the front door, and the three of you started towards The Big Donut. your father led the way with an out-of-character skip in his step.

"your father got a raise, we can finally pay the water bills!" your mother said cheerfully, and squeezed your father on the shoulder.

you nodded, only offering a small smile. an uncomfortable silence developed in the air, and you wished you knew what to say to break it without the risk of setting one of them off.

eventually you reached the shop, and your father strolled to the counter with a smile. he tapped his fingers on the counter to the tune of a song you probably wouldn't like.

"hello there family, what can i get you?" the cashier, Mr. Dewey, asked. his face was botoxed into a permanent smile, which made it hard to look him in the eyes without feeling unsettled.

"let's get a dozen chocolate and a dozen glazed!" your father pulled out his wallet.

your mother stepped forward with a hand out, forcing out a airy laugh. "honey, we can't be spending all that money." she pushed his wallet away from Mr. Dewey's waiting hand.

your father glared down at her. "why don't we splurge once and a while, honey? it's a special occasion." he gritted his teeth.

"here we go." you sighed.

your mother whirled around to glare at you instead. "what did you say?"

your eyes widened. you didn't think she would be able to hear you. "i said, 'let's just go'."

"shut up! i'm not going to let my child boss me around!" your mother snapped, "i birthed you!"

"stop yelling at her!" your father shouted back at her. he grabbed her arm to yank her away from me, eyes filled with anger.

you stepped forward to separate them, arms half-outstretched. but your father, blinded by anger -although it's no excuse- turned and slapped you across the cheek. the shop became silent, and your mother gasped dramatically.

"oh my stars, are you okay?" someone asked from behind you. at some point during the argument Steven fucking Universe had walked inside, and witnessed everything. your mouth stood agape in shock, a little bit of blood tricking from your lip.

"you always do this!" your mother started screaming unintelligible nonsense at your father, and Steven gently grabbed your shoulders to pull you away.

your father turned to you tensely. "i'm so sorry kiddo. here, let me see-"

you cut him off. "stop, you... you've done enough." you turned with Steven, letting him guide you out the door. "that's the last time i try to stop them from embarrassing themselves in public." you scoffed, wiping more blood off your lip. as soon as the breeze hit your face, Steven turned to the left, steering you subtly towards his house.

you didn't protest, occupied with the stinging on your cheek and the angry thoughts swarming your brain. Stevens arm was wrapped around your shoulder so he could guide you easily, and every few seconds he would steal glances at you to memorize your face in case you ran off again.

you two walked up the steps to his house, and he held the door open for you. you paused before stepping through the doorway. "wait, where are we?"

Steven held back a laugh. "oh, my house. i'll get something for your lip." he couldn't exactly kiss you to heal the cut -although he wouldn't complain if he had to-, so steven wet a cloth from his bathroom before returning to the living room.

you were sitting on the couch now, admiring the warm and open space. you were especially captivated by the gem's door and the warp pad, knowing what they were from Jasper's detailed descriptions and stories.

"here, put this on your lip." Steven handed you the washcloth, and you did as he said. the cloth soaked up the blood and cooled your cheek.

he cleared his throat. "i would heal you but, um, i didn't want you to get grossed out or anything."

"heal me?" you repeated with furrowed brows.

"i have... healing spit." he said, seeming almost ashamed.

you were intrigued. "really? are you a gem? you look human." you knew most gems had some sort of special ability, but they were all colorful and giant. Steven was just some white guy.

"i'm half gem, on my moms side." Steven explained.

"oh." you mused.

"yeah." there was a long pause. "so, do you want to talk about it?"

you looked down at your hands. "um- i don't..."

he waved his hands frantically. "it's okay! i just-if you need someone to talk to, i'm here."

just like Jasper said. you smiled at the thought.

she's almost always right.

almost.

she was wrong about one thing though.

Steven Universe is not annoying.

(edited!) ((again))