Chapter Text
“ You want to visit? For what?” Steven looks at his calendar. It’s blank- obviously- but there is still too much pride left within him to admit that, and besides…he wants to keep the conversation going.” No, I don’t think so…You’ve already spoken with Jake? Heh, and I’m just now hearing about this? Cheeky.”
Someone laughs on the other end of Steven’s call, bringing a splitting smile to his face.” Yeah, yeah. Of course, I’d love to have you all. Been a bit, hasn’t it?”
He cringes right after. Mentioning their time apart always opens up a hole in his heart. His flat was always a lonely one-even before he knew about Marc- but now…it feels cold with abandonment. The sink filled with a single spoon, a single fork and plate. The only dishes he’ll ever need.
And it makes him frown.
“ Yeah. Well, alright. It’s the, the 27th you’re all coming? Maybe the 26th for Jake?” Steven holds the phone between his chin and shoulder to mark those dates on the calendar, giggling to himself.
“ No, I just want to be ready. Not very good with dates-remember? Heh, well alright. Until then, laters gators.”
Steven waits a second to hear both Layla and Marc reciprocate his farewell and ends the call with a sad smile.
“ Lovely to hear from them, eh?” Steven sets down his phone on the way to Gus the II and Knight’s - Layla’s name choice- tank. He sprinkles a bit of food and watches the flakes fall down and all around the fish. Their mouths simultaneously blowing bubbles and sucking up the food.
“ And about a surprise visit? What luck.” Steven gently taps the fish tank.” Only a few days until they arrive, will nearly take that long to clean the place up.”
And would it.
Marc was right about his mess. Living amongst stacks of books and loose paper was like exploring a jungle, searching endlessly through trees- paper did come from trees- just to find the hidden temple.
The ‘temple’ being that one book Steven always misplaced.
It was almost maddening having to do it day after day, searching for books.
Steven shakes his head.” A right mess.”
Of course, Steven is just itching to get started with the cleaning, but it would have to wait. His skin is tingling with a filth only small children can pass, children than have been wandering around a grimy museum, and the shower is calling his name.
Steven strips on his way to the bathroom. He looses his jacket and shirt between the kitchen and bed, then chucks the rest off right before entering. It’s one of the perks of living alone- allowing clothes to lay wherever you would like them to- and Steven takes advantage of it.
Though, he probably should fix the habit. Guests are coming, and he’s almost deathly sure that those black socks he likes to wear have been laying on the floor since…forever.
“ How embarrassing.” Steven bends over to pick up the socks with his finger tips and tosses them on the bed. That way, at least he’ll be forced to encounter them again and maybe- maybe- clean them.
But it’s not set it stone.
Steven waves a hand. He giggles when the cold tiles chill his feet and cranks the shower temperature high. A bit of steam forms not even a few second later, but he waits a few more just to make sure.
He hums softly while waiting for the shower to heat up. His aimless staring ends up having his reflection looking back at him.
Not one to flaunt his looks- no matter how many times he flirts to Marc about their handsomeness- Steven appreciates quiet times like these. Where he can just breath in the steamy air and draw funny faces on the mirror. All the while studying his face. The sharp edges of his jawline that’s started to grow soft, his freckles and their uncanny way of disappearing and re-appearing whenever they wanted and his…and his…
Steven stops for a moment. Where his finger tips had been- tracing freckle to freckle- they freeze. A stuttered breath shakes his chest.
Sometimes the mirror reveals new things.
Just last week, he never knew his eyes had flakes of yellow in them. They shimmered in the bathroom light and Steven fumbled to get his glasses just so that he could clearly see they weren’t a trick of the light. It was funny, then. A bit less surprising than anything else, but amusing.
Now, though…his fingers pulling away a lock of curls to reveal the start of roots turning grey, Steven no longer found anything funny.
He let the mirror fog over.