Chapter Text
The sound of the warp pad reverberated throughout the area as a stream of crystal blue hit the paf and vanished as fast as it came, leaving the now 22 year old Steven ‘Mister’ Universe, dressed in his usual summer outfit of a black cotton short sleeve button up, pink bubble vest, blue jeans, and black and pink sneakers. He took a step off, hands in his pocket as he headed towards his destination. It didn’t take long for him to reach it, as he came to a large fountain with a statue of Rose Quartz, his mother; in the very middle. He sat on the edge of the fountain, kicking off his socks and shoes and dipping his feet in the water. He turned towards the tear streak visage of the woman who gave him birth, with an even smirk.
“Hey Mom.” It was so much easier to call her that these days, no longer feeling the strain of living up to her legend or cleaning her mistakes. “Hope you don’t mind me stopping to check up on you unannounced, just figured I should while I have a bit of time.” He grinned, not getting an answer, not that he was expecting one. “It’s my birthday, I’m officially twenty- two today and man, let me tell you about it so far.”
*earlier that day*
Steven just finished getting dressed, looking himself in the mirror before nodding in approval. He looked at the time read 11:30AM, Connie already left to run her errands and her shift at R&D,a half hour ago. Sighing, he went downstairs to the living room of his and Connie’s home to see a crystalized orb and a pink note beside it that simply read ‘ Mister 💝’. He picked it up with a curious smile, the smell of her chai and lily perfume caressed his senses as he opened the note up.
To my dearest Mister
I’m sorry that I can’t be there with you right now to celebrate your Birthday
But unfortunately ,things are happening at R&D that I need to be there for.
So with that in mind, I figured a way we could have fun together.
A birthday quest.
The orb, it holds part of your gift, but you need a voice activated code to open it.
I left pieces of the code with people I trust to keep a secret. My champions so to speak.
You’re tasked to get their part of the code by winning their challenges, whatever that might be.
As to who I chose, well follow your nose, Mister. You already have the scent of the code.
I hope you enjoy your birthday game and I'll see you later.
💘 🍓
P.S. :Your first clue
'L'.
"A hunt, huh?" Steven thought as he looked at the orb. It shined in the sunlight and was small enough to fit in his pocket. " Well, I've never been one to turn down a wholesome and fun time." Pocketing the crystal in his vest, and the note in his pants pocket, not before giving it another sniff, a relaxed smile on his as Connie’s mischievous grin came to mind; gathering his keys from the bowl near the door, he set off, determined to win Connie’s game.
Steven gave a diamond enhanced sniff every few seconds as he walked around Little homeworld, quite sure that a few of her ‘Champions’ were gems. It didn’t take him long to get a slight waff of the perfume, multiple actually. All moving around except for a couple.One being startries and the other being at funland and for some reason he felt the champ at funland was more menacing than the one at Startries, he made his choice and headed to Startries.
He was surprised to see that the champions weren’t inside but sitting at one of the outside tables. He would have doubted the authenticity of the situation, but the scent was definitely coming from their table. Steven couldn’t believe she got them in on it. He pulled up a chair grinning. “Priyanka, Doug.”
"Good afternoon, Steven."
"How are you doing on this fine day, My boy."
The Maheswarans greeted the birthday star, with warm voices and sly grins.
"Can't complain."The hybrid answered as he looked at the streets of Little Homeworld, seeing humans and gems interact with each other so easily, satisfaction on his face. He turned to the two as he leaned back on his chair "Seem like it's another peaceful summer day."
"That it does." Priyanka agreed.
"So Steven, how does it feel to be twenty-two years old?" Doug inquired.
"Hmm." Steven sat back in thought. "No different from yesterday." He scratched the back of his head, kind of surprised at his answer. He used to feel so much excitement for this day when he was younger. Now after everything he has done..after everything he's currently doing with his life. It almost feels like another day. “Guess it comes with being older. Feel like another day on the calendar.”
“Oh wow…Didn’t expect that from you.” Priyanka responded, honestly. “I assumed you had a party planned.”
Steven let loose a shy chuckle. “That would be my normal MO, but I even forgot my birthday was coming up to a few days ago.”
“Been that busy for you, lately?” Doug asked.
Steven nodded with a smirk. “It’s not bad though. ”
Priyanka looked at him closely, narrowing her eyes at the boy she considered a son. “Hmm..” She leaned back in her chair “Well doesn’t look like you’re overworking yourself..”
“What?” Steven waved his hands in front of him “ No no. not at all! I’m definitely making time to relax.” He reassured “Even today, my plans for the day were just to make rounds around Beach city and Little Homeworld. Check up on everyone." He folded his hands on the table. "That is until, Connie enhanced it."
"Enhanced it. That's a nice way to put it." Doug joked
"I'm still making my rounds, she just made them a bit more fun. Guess she wanted to make sure I'm enjoying my birthday to the fullest" His cheeks turned a bit pink "Just like her to play such a prank."
Doug and Priyanka glanced at each other privately, sharing secret smirks at the loving tone in his voice.
"That being said..." gave them the grin from before."...What game two got for me?
Priyanka sighed as gently folded her arms. "Really, we are having such a good conversation as well."
Doug chuckled. "You can't blame him, he is on a mission for our Kahanni. We gotta play our roles as 'Champions'."
"You’re really getting a kick out of this, Durga." She playfully chastised as Doug nodded.
"So what's my challenge?"
The Maheswarans looked at the eager Steven before glancing at each other and back at him.
"Have you ever heard of the game 'Plead the fifth'?"
They chuckled lowly and mischievously as Steven's eyes widened,his lips pursed together in a thin line and his nostrils flared.
"Oh..You've played before." Priyanka stated, matter of factly, her grin growing a bit more.
"You guys gonna grill me?"
"It's just five questions, Son. You can survive five questions without pleading the fifth,right?" Doug teasingly taunted.
"Five invasive questions."
"I promise not to get too invasive Steven." Priyanka swore, though her grin said differently.
"I'm afraid of that 'too'." Steven admitted with a sigh. " But I trust you. " He gave them a strained smirk. "I'm ready. Ask away."
"What is it that you want for your birthday?"
Priyanka turned to her husband a bit embarrassed at his crassness. "Really Doug."
"Hey, can't blame me for taking the opportunity." The security officer shrugged. "Besides, he could plead the fifth...He'll lose his right to our piece of the code..buuut.." He smirked as he left his statement hanging.
"It's ok." Steven laughed. "I did the same thing to Connie when we played once...Though that was about...Something else." He paused a bit of a longing look on his face, before shaking his head. " But yeah my birthday, have no idea. Like I said had to be reminded of it by Connie." Steven looked up towards the sky and took a moment to ponder the question. "Though I've been trying to get back into my tube tube, maybe something towards that."
Priyanka glanced at her husband to stop him from giving them away, he was already in position to punch the sky in celebration.
" Who knows maybe you will." Priyanka said with a fox grin. "Now that Doug asked his ONE question-"
"I'm satisfied with my question, thank you very much." The man Interjected giving his wife a kiss on her temple, getting an eye roll and a hand squeeze.
"It is my go, ready?"
"No. and that counts."
Priyanka's mouth was agape at his cunning, but soon nodded a bit impressed. "Fine. three questions… One. What did you ask Connie, when you two played this game?"
Steven smirked." I asked her many things. How long her hair was, who’s her favorite fictional character. A lot of things."
"You said you asked her something similar to Doug's question towards you. What was it?"
"What kind of ring she wants to be proposed with."
Priyanka eyes widen at the confidence in his voice. There was no blush, no shaking, no bashfulness. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Yup and that's question number five." He breathed out before grinning, doing a small little jig "I win..I win."
"You let him have that." Doug stated in a whisper in her eear.Giving her temple a kiss.
"It is his birthday, after all." The Maheswaran mother said weakly, trying to save a little face. She turned to the twenty-two years old and clapped her hands in flux applause. "Congratulations on your win."
"Yeah!....OK, I'll stop now." He chuckled as he tapped the tabletop.
"So ready for your code, your spoils of victory." Doug dramatically flared as he crossed his arms.
"Yes sir" Steven sat up straight puffing out his chest.
"You are both silly." Priyanka sighed as she shook her head, a half smile on her face. She signaled Doug to go inside the bakery to get his prize. He did, stating he'd be right back, leaving the two alone.
"She worries." Priyanka stated as Steven lay his head down.
Steven sighed. "I thought that was my job…"
"It's a 'THING'...mutual thing. You want the person in your life to be happy. " Priyanka answered expecting him to refuse the status. She was surprised when he seemed to nod in agreement.
"True enough...and I am happy. Happier than I've ever been in a while…" He turned his head towards Priyanka. "Your daughter gave me a quest for my birthday and it is already my favorite."
Priyanka nodded before squeezing his shoulder giving him a motherly smile. "She would love to hear that…"
Before he could answer the fragrance of her perfume ignited his senses. He was surprised to see a box, wrapped in rose pink paper with a red bow land in front of him.
Wrapped in the bow was a pink paper, the same one the note was written on. He took the paper breathing in the scent, before unrolling the paper. "ove"
"Love.." He admired. "Certainly smells like it." He chuckled, putting the note with the other one. He turned to the box and was caught off guard at the expecting looks of the Maheswarans.
"Happy birthday, Steven." They both announced with matching smiles.
Steven tittered in surprise as he undid the bow and tore open the wrapping paper.
"Guys, you..Aw man." In front of him was a whole recording setup for a home studio. "I don't know what to say…" He gave them both a tight hug. "Thank you so much for this."
"It's no problem." Doug assured.
"We're happy to do it, Steven."
Steven released them turning back to the box for the moment. "Aww man. I just want to set this up and start recording and streaming… I want to but, still gotta a way ahead of me."
"Don't let us stop you." Priyanka assured "We'll drop it off at your home later" Doug added.
"You sure? I mean, I don't want to take you out of your way." The hybrid commented, feeling a bit guilty.
" I'm not taking no for an answer. Trust us, ok?" Priyanka told him as she took the box in her hands. "Now go. You gotta quest to finish" She commanded him in motherly tone.
"Better do what she says.." Doug joked. "You don't want her to get the abacus."
Steven took a look at Doug before turning to Priyanka who arched an eyebrow, challenging him to defy her. "Pssh.. Mean." He pouted before getting up.
"Get going young man." She snickered as he rose.
"Yes mom." He droned in play before smirking. "You guys wouldn't know the code..Would you?" His eyes lingered to the set up. " Just wondering."
"No. She didn’t say...And you'll be able to play with this when you're done." Priyanka reprimanded. " swear boys and their toys, no matter the age."
"You better get going Steven," Doug added with jest. " She might really get the abacus."
"OK, I'm as good as gone." Steven announced as he began to walk away, only to turn and give them one more hug. "Love you guys." With that he was gone heading toward his next destination, Funland.
As the two watched they found themselves wrapped in another hug which they returned.
"Were you watching this whole time?" Priyanka asked.
Connie Maheswaran gave her mother and father a kiss on their cheek, before nodding. "You guys did awesome...Even if you went easy on him mom."
"It's his birthday." She defended. "That being said..Ring size?" Priyanka added in tease.
Connie took the box from the table, grinning cheekily. " I plead the fifth."