Chapter Text
(Narrator's POV)
"Now then. The key to proper swordfighting is not wildly swinging it like an undisciplined ronin, but rather in a graceful motion. Observe and then you try it yourself, Finn." Pearl said as she was demonstrating a swordfighting technique to the wild and somewhat headstrong Finn who shook his head.
"Aw come on, Pearl. What's wrong with how I do it? My way kicks way more butt." Finn said as Luz shook her head at her brother.
"Finn, that's not the point. You've gotta be more disciplined with your swings. Otherwise you could hurt someone or yourself." She said as Pearl nodded.
"At least you understand, Luz. And you don't even use a sword. Now then. I think it's time for some more practical training. Steven, would you please stand across from Finn?" Pearl said as she looked around and noticed that the hybrid wasn't present.
"Ahem! Finn. Where is Steven? He knows better than to skip training!" Pearl asked as Finn rubbed his head sheepishly.
"Uh...you see.....me and Steven were up late last night playing video games.....and.....well Steven's sleeping in back at the house." He explained as Pearl facepalmed.
"Ugh! I KNEW it was a horrible idea to allow Steven to live away from us! This isn't going to do at all! Living with Greg and that Camila woman is going to make Steven lazy and complacent!" She exclaimed as Finn shook his head.
"Look Pearl. Give Steven a break, would you? He does his best and you always seem to give him a bunch of guff no matter what he does." He said in defense of his brother.
"What would you know?!? You never lived with us!" Pearl snapped as Finn looked hurt and walked away just as Greg and Camila arrived, the latter giving Pearl a look.
"Listen, Pearl. We've been over this with you, Garnet and Amethyst. It's better for Steven to live with me and his father and his siblings. He has an actual family now that ---" Camila began to say until Pearl cut her off.
"WE are his family! Steven is a Gem like us! So by all rights, we should be the ones that are watching over him!!!" She snapped. But Camila wasn't backing down.
"The point is you aren't, bottom line! So get over it! The only reason you want Steven to live with you is so you can try and make him into a clone of his birth mother! He deserves to live his own life without having some long dead legacy to live up to! He is his own person, not some carbon copy of his birth mother that you want him to be so desperately!!!!!" Camila snapped as Pearl glared at her but was silent.
"Come on, you two. Enough." Greg said, trying to be peacemaker as he looked at Finn.
"Head to the van. We're going to grab some food on the way home." He said.
"OK Dad. Come on, Luz." Finn said as Luz followed Finn to the van as Pearl glared at Greg and Camila.
"This wasn't and never has been any of your concern. Rose entrusted US to watch over Steven. She would want him to follow in her footsteps and we are in the best position to make sure that happens!" She said as Camila crossed her arms.
"Oh really? What if Steven doesn't WANT to follow in his mother's footsteps? What if he just wants to live his own life? Have you ever considered that or is your head so far up Rose's rear end that you can't see anything else?" She said as Pearl growled.
"Greg. Take your human pet and LEAVE before I lose my patience." Pearl said angrily as she stomped off back to the Temple.
"She's a piece of work. But it's still not a good idea to make her mad, Camilla." Greg said as Camila gave him a look.
"You may be scared of them but I'm not. Pearl's just a loudmouth. Plus you aren't married to her. So who should you fear more: Her or the woman you share a bed with?" She asked with a smirk on her face as Greg chuckled before the two got in the van and drove home.
(At Greg and Camila's house)
"Hey. Steven and Star. We're home--" Greg began to say until Star shushed him from the couch where her and Steven were, the hybrid with his head on her lap.
"Shh. Steven's sleeping." She said as Camila smiled before walking over to the two and kissing the sleeping Steven on the forehead before Luz did the same.
"How was training with Pearl, Finn?" Star asked as Finn sighed.
"I don't want to talk about it." He said as he went upstairs to the bedroom.
"I'm assuming it didn't go too well? Good thing I stayed home. I would have torn Pearl a new one." Star said as Luz smiled.
"No need. Mom already took care of that. Made Pearl so angry she stomped off. I was laughing from the van." She explained as Star smiled.
"Serves Pearl right, then." She said.
"We're all a family whether Pearl wants to accept it or not. And that's how it'll always be. I know Steven has to go to the Gems to learn more about his powers but that's all he needs from them." Camila said as she sat next to Star on the couch while Luz and Greg set up dinner.