Chapter Text
Steven leaned into his seat behind the wheel of the Dondai Supremo, the old two-door hatchback rattling with every bump in the road. Greg’s handiwork still clung to the rear window- a bright yellow Dad on Board sticker slapped right over a faded one that screamed !!USED!! . The seats were worn soft, the tape deck stubborn in its slot, the faint smell of old upholstery and ocean salt mixing in the air.
He’d grown into himself since the last time he made this drive- taller now, with a scatter of facial hair along his jaw and black curls that brushed his collar. His black T-shirt stretched comfortably over his chest, the familiar yellow star riding the center like an old friend.
The farmland rolled past in long green swells until the horizon cracked open to water. There it was- Beach City, crouched across the bay. The lighthouse stood on its cliffside perch, the six-armed stone giant holding aloft his old home, the Gem temple. Near the temple, the crater still yawned where Spinel’s injector had struck, a scar in the sand. And above it all, the water tower kept watch, the words Beach City fading but still proud against the sky.
Steven eased the hatchback under the water tower and into Beach City proper, the town unfolding like a postcard stitched to the shoreline. New storefronts had crept up since he’d last been home: a renovated building had been emblazoned with the sign “the Pixel Temple”, which pulsed with LED icons. From the windows it looked like a game shop stacked with boxed discs and rows of consoles and mobile pads. Ronaldo, still with those blonde dreads that resemble spaghetti, knelt at one of those windows, having an oddly proud look as he wiped a smear away- Steven slowed, heartbeat loosening; Ronaldo was harmless, just…extra. He kept the car moving. Let someone else make the first awkward hello.
Then out of a motel building, bringing boxes into them, there was Sadie Miller- broad-shouldered, haircut short and practical. When her eyes snagged the pale yellow star on his shirt she stopped midlift, then dropped the gear and ran. Her grin split her face the way sunlight breaks open a cloud.
She barreled into him the moment he climbed out, arms looping hard around his ribs. “Steven! Oh my gosh!” she squealed, breath sharp with laughter and beer. He stumbled, then wrapped one arm around her back the way you hold a friend who’s already done something reckless and entirely forgivable. “Hey, Sadie,” he said, voice low with a smile. “Long time.”
“Three months and some change, since you saw my show in Empire City.” Sadie rubbed the back of her neck, “Not very long, compared to other people that know you…”
“I’m going through town saying hello to as many people as I can,” Steven said, still catching his breath from Sadie’s hug. “You’re just the first. The Ex-Suspects in town?”
Her smile widened. “Yeah, actually. We all planned to visit our families here.” She tipped her chin toward the stage gear behind her. “We’ve got a reunion show on the beach tonight.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.” She gave a quick, satisfied nod. “New song and everything.”
“That’s awesome…” His voice trailed as his gaze drifted up past her shoulder, toward the hill that loomed over town- the lighthouse, the carved six-armed figure, and the home waiting at its feet.
Sadie followed his eyes and let out a knowing breath. “Say no more. You’ve got a family to see.”
“I’m taking it slow,” he said, though the words felt like he was trying to convince himself.
“Steven!”
He turned at the voice to see Kiki across the street, mid-jog, her skin gleaming with sweat under the afternoon sun. Dark curls bounced around her face as she waved and crossed the road in long, easy strides.
Steven stepped forward, arms opening, but she twisted away with a laugh. “Wait! Jog sweat!”
He froze mid-hug, grinning sheepishly looking her up and down. “Woops. Sorry.”
“When did you get back, Steven? It’s so good to see you!” Kiki said, still catching her breath from her run.
“Just now. You’re the second person- ”
“Steven! Steven!”
He turned in time to see Ronaldo barreling down the street, one hand flapping in the air like a signal flag.
“Oh, geez…”
“Steven’s back, everyone!” Ronaldo shouted as he closed the distance, sneakers slapping the pavement. He skidded to a stop in front of them, bent over and wheezing, then straightened to bellow again. “Everyone! Steven is back!”
“Uh, Ronaldo- ”
“Get out here! Everyone, Steven is back!”
“Ronaldo!” Steven stepped forward and caught his eye, forcing his voice through the noise. “I know you’re loud, but everyone who knows me is probably way too far to hear you.”
Ronaldo hesitated, chest still heaving. “Maybe… but…” He dug into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and thumbed the screen with a flourish. “I saw your Supremo and posted it on my blog.” He grinned, cheeks flushed. “They’re out looking for you, bud.”
“Ronaldo! Seriously! I was trying to take it slow!” Steven said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Sadie crossed her arms. “Does anyone even still follow your blog?”
“No,” Ronaldo admitted, undeterred, “but the Steven post got, like… ten views?”
Steven barked a laugh. “That’s the whole town!”
Before anyone could answer, a shadow spilled over him.
Something cold and heavy splashed across his head, drenching his shirt and plastering curls to his face. He blinked against the salt sting, hands swiping at his eyes.
And then she was there. Lapis Lazuli dropped out of the sky, water wings dissolving into spray just above him. Azure skin glistened in the sunlight; chin-length blueberry hair framed her face in soft, wind-tossed arcs, long bangs sweeping across her forehead. Her royal-blue eyes caught his for a heartbeat before she hit him in a tangle of arms and laughter.
They went down together, her hug knocking the breath from his chest, the smell of the ocean still clinging to her skin.
“Hello, Henry!” Lapis said, her arms still locked tight around him.
“Heeeey…” Steven wheezed. “My name’s Steven.”
“Of course,” she said, squeezing even tighter.
Kiki tilted her head. “Don’t see you around often.”
Ronaldo crossed his arms, solemn as if announcing a conspiracy. “The Gems are too good for us Beach City folks, all up in their hyper-advanced city down yonder.”
“Oh, that’s why,” Kiki said with a cringe look.
Steven finally peeled himself free, giving Sadie a parting hug. “See you tonight- good luck with the reunion show.” She waved him off toward the car.
He and Lapis slid into the Dondai Supremo, the seat springs creaking as he started the engine. The afternoon sun stretched long stripes of light across the dashboard as they headed up the winding road toward the temple.
“What have you been up to, Lapis?” he asked.
“Oh, you know- making more Meep Morps. Painting with those water colors and that set you gave me. Night shifts at the hydroelectric plant.” She glanced out the window, the ocean flashing between rooftops. “How about you?”
“I’m visiting for about a month before I decide if I want to head out again. Got in touch with my grandparents, worked at a Patty Queen for a bit- had to quit, though. It sucked.” He flicked a look at her. “Made anything interesting lately?”
She brightened slightly. “Besides a painting of you made from my tears? I took a piece of your house’s broken front wall and made a piece commemorating the organic matter human homes are made from.”
“Broken wall? Broken from wha- oh.”
Her lips quirked. “The time you turned into a bigantic monster?”
“Actually it was broken before… by cactus Steven.”
“I heard about that,” Lapis said. “Hey, Steven?”
“Lapis?”
“Next time, if you think the Crystal Gems kinda suck, come to me and tell me all about it. I’ll be your cactus Steven.”
He almost laughed- then actually pictured it. Lapis, standing there blank-eyed while he spilled every awful, tangled thought in his head. The image made his stomach knot. Yeah… no. That was less comfort and more trauma-dump.
“Still mad about the mirror thing, huh?” he asked.
“Yup.”
He smirked. “You still watching Camp Pining Hearts ?”
“You know it.”
“Even though it’s been off since the reboot?”
She frowned at him. “What are you talking about? There’s new episodes coming out all the time.”
“Wait- what?”
The road gave way to soft sand, the tires humming as they rolled onto the beach. Up ahead, the carved stone giant loomed over the sea, arms outstretched to cradle the temple. Steven made a mental note to hit up his dad’s car wash later before the sand ate the paint.
“There’s the episode where Rodrigo and Percy get together,” Lapis continued, eyes bright. “And then there’s one where Jasmine gets kidnapped by weird aliens and given fire powers. That one’s my favorite, but it’s a long read.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s fanfiction,” Steven said.
The Dondai crunched to a stop at the edge of the temple’s shadow. Out front, two massive, round machines squatted in the sand, their sides open to reveal glittering gears and coils. Peridot zipped between them on a hovering metal platform, barking short commands to the whirring parts. Her lime-green skin caught the sun, pale chartreuse hair sculpted into its perfect tetrahedron, the yellow visor over her eyes flaring like butterfly wings.
She spotted him instantly, turning to reveal the yellow star on his old pink shirt he had given her. “Steven!”
Down by the base of the nearest machine, Bismuth straightened from her work. Her hair spilled in bright locks of yellow, purple, and blue, all pulled back under a lilac headband. “S-Steven!”
Before he could answer, Peridot abandoned her platform, letting it clatter into the sand. Bismuth jogged up beside her, both of them grinning so hard it hurt to look at. Then they were on him, Peridot a quick, fierce squeeze at his middle, Bismuth wrapping him up in arms that felt like they could bend steel.
For a second, the ocean wind and the machine noise faded, and all he felt was home closing around him.
The front door above swung open, and two shapes came charging down from the house cradled in the temple’s stone hands.
Garnet vaulted the last step and launched herself skyward, her deep-violet, cube-shaped afro catching the light as she spun. Magenta skin flashed in the sun, her square jaw and full lips set in a rare, open smile as she somersaulted toward him.
Beside her, Amethyst hit the railing at a run, collapsing into a perfect ball of bright lilac. She bounced once off the sand, then unfurled midair- thick pale-lavender hair flying in every direction, one heavy bang still hiding her left eye. Her dark indigo gaze locked on him, plump lips curling into a grin, her small upturned nose crinkling with joy. Arms spread, she barreled in.
Steven caught her with a grunt, almost stumbling backward from the impact. Garnet landed an instant later, and he spun with her weight in his arms, the motion effortless between them.
They all mingled, Steven, Amethyst, and Garnet, arms tangled, foreheads pressed close, breath hitching in short bursts. He had to pull away some, as he could feel himself start to fuse. But he kept gripping. His eyes burned, and judging by the shimmer on theirs, he wasn’t the only one. The salt on his cheeks might’ve been ocean spray, but he knew better.
“Steven!”
The shrill call cut through the sound of the waves. Steven turned to see Pearl sprinting from the road he’d just driven down, ivory skin catching the sun. Her light cyan eyes were locked on him, her pointed nose and thin lips drawn tight in a breathless smile. Light peach hair framed her face in a neat pixie cut, tapering to a single point in the back, and the smooth gleam of her gemstone shone at the center of her forehead.
He broke from Garnet and Amethyst, their hands lingering on his shoulders as he jogged toward her. This time, it was his turn to leap into someone’s arms. Pearl caught him without breaking stride, clutching him tight, her head pressing briefly against his shoulder.
Garnet and Amethyst closed in again, pulling them both into the circle. Across the sand, Bismuth, Peridot, and Lapis stood shoulder-to-shoulder, blinking back tears. It took only a heartbeat before they crossed the distance, wrapping everyone up in one sprawling, laughing embrace.
When they finally loosened enough to breathe, Steven tilted his head. “Wait. Pearl, what were you doing in town?”
“Oh, I was just shopping for some… detergent!” she said, a shade too fast.
Garnet adjusted her glasses. “She was keeping watch for you near the water tower.”
“Oh, Garnet!” Pearl’s cheeks colored.
“I didn’t even see you,” Steven said, squinting. “What’s that green stuff on your cheek?”
Pearl hesitated. “I may… have been watching from the bushes… with some binoculars… in a ghillie suit…” She plucked a few strings of vegetation from her shoulders. “With paint.”
Pearl swiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand, blinking hard. “I don’t know why I’m crying. It’s only been a year and a half.”
Garnet’s voice softened. “We’ve never been separated from Steven for so long.”
“Pearl not so much,” Amethyst said with a smirk, “’cause she’s a total stalker.”
Pearl’s head snapped around. “Amethyst! Stop making things up about me!”
Garnet adjusted her stance, unbothered. “You did want to hire a private investigator to track him after the first day.”
“And then after the interviews, you nearly bought a car and- ”
Pearl clamped a hand over Amethyst’s mouth. “Okay! We’ve got a big day ahead of us, with the reunion show and whatnot.”
Steven tilted his head. “You’re helping with that?”
“It seemed like it would be a blast,” Garnet said.
Steven hesitated. “Is Connie…?”
Pearl’s gaze lowered. “We haven’t heard from her since she left, too.”
Trying for casual, Steven said, “Too busy at college?”
“She didn’t go to college,” Garnet replied.
Steven blinked. “What?”
Just then, the voice belonging to the subject of the conversation called out as a portal closed behind them. “Steven!”
A flicker of movement on the shoreline caught his eye. Connie rode toward them atop Lion, the great beast’s pink fur rippling in the wind, his light rose-colored mane tossing like waves.
This time, it was Steven’s turn to run. Sand kicked up behind him as he closed the gap, and just as he was a foot away from head butting lion, both he and Connie leapt toward each other. His powers surged on instinct- the world dropped away as they shot skyward, weightless, the air cool and bright around them.
Light wrapped them in a warm, electric glow. Steven’s curls mingled with Connie’s dark hair, strands shifting to a deep violet. Their shapes blended, stretched, and when the light faded, Stevonnie hovered in the sky- barefoot, laughing, arms and legs splayed wide. Steven’s too-small black shirt and jeans clung awkwardly to her taller frame, his faint facial hair shadowing a face sharpened by Connie’s lean build.
They spun once in the air, letting the wind carry them, before drifting down in a slow spiral. The moment their feet touched sand, the glow pulsed again, splitting into two familiar figures; Steven and Connie, grinning like they’d just stolen back a piece of their old lives.
“Steven, I’m so glad you’re back,” Connie said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“I’m glad to be back,” he answered. The words came out smooth, but somewhere in his chest they felt heavier- too tangled with old trouble to ring true.
Pearl clasped her hands. “It must be wonderful to be reunited after all these months.”
Steven let out a small giggle, glancing away. “Yeah…”
Connie’s brow furrowed. “Wha- ?” She caught the odd look in his eyes, then straightened with a quick smile. “Oh! Yes, it’s been a long couple of months!” Her voice wavered just enough to make it sound rehearsed.
Steven rolled his shoulders, pushing past it. “You guys need help setting up for the concert?”
“Well…” Pearl glanced toward the beach. “Bismuth is taking care of the stage. The Suspects are bringing their equipment.”
“Which I’m helping set up,” Peridot added from her perch on a metal platform.
Steven nodded toward the hulking shapes out front. “What’s with the big machines?”
“They’re the caterers for the event,” Peridot said matter-of-factly.
He stepped closer, taking in their odd proportions- big as compact cars, their rounded shells gleaming in the sun. Something about them didn’t look like anything meant for food. “They’re a bit big…”
The sentence trailed off as the light dimmed around him. A shadow rolled over his shoulders, cold and sudden, swallowing the sand at his feet.
The sky seemed to split with light as the familiar shape descended- a massive faceted torso and head like White Diamond’s, flanked by two colossal arms: one bright yellow, the other deep blue. The ship tilted forward, fixing Steven with that eerie, unblinking glare he’d never liked.
From the diamond-cut forehead, a flawless pearl-white sphere emerged out before floating down toward the beach. It shrank away, releasing the three towering figures in a spill of light.
White stood front and center, arms outstretched in her signature pose, pale as moonstone. Yellow’s stance still bristled with the readiness of a conqueror, all sharp lines and authority. Blue’s face, however, softened instantly- her eyes bright with open gratitude.
“Steven!” Blue’s voice rolled over the surf.
Even Yellow and White’s composure melted at the sight of him, their usual grandiosity shrinking into something warmer.
“Oh, Steven,” White breathed, stepping forward with a shake in the ground. “I had hoped you would be here. Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t here again.”
“Again?” Steven asked, blinking.
He and Connie shared a quick, knowing smile.
“They’ve been visiting regularly,” Connie explained. “Checking on Little Homeworld… and playing board games.”
Yellow exhaled, folding her arms. “Honestly, it’s our break. The work of undoing the damage from the empire has been nonstop otherwise.”
“Except when we’re playing!”
The voice sang out before a blur of pink tumbled into view. Spinel uncoiled from White’s shoulder like a slinky gone rogue, her long limbs bending and springing until she landed in front of him. Her pigtails bounced messily, dark cerise against her pink complexion, mascara-like streaks under each eye giving her an almost theatrical look. Puffy hot-pink sleeves and rose shorts puffed with every movement as she stretched her arms wide.
She lunged for him-
- and Steven stepped back, just out of reach.
“Hey, wha…?” Spinel’s grin faltered.
Steven’s hands fidgeted at his sides. He drew in a breath, feeling Connie’s presence at his shoulder, her calm anchoring him.
“I’ve… been told…” His voice trembled, but he pressed on. “That I need to work on my boundaries when it comes to touch. Especially with people who’ve hurt me in the past.”
The words hung heavy in the salt air.
The Diamonds stood motionless, worry tracing their features. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl stayed rooted in place, their expressions carefully still. Only Connie moved, resting a gentle hand between Steven’s shoulder blades.
The waves filled the silence that followed.
Spinel’s eyes widened, the edges trembling. “B-but… don’t you remember the big hug we all took? The one that helped you? I was there too- ”
“I know, I know.” Steven’s voice softened, but he didn’t step closer. “And I appreciate what you did… but one-on-one? It’s not the same. I need time.”
Her shoulders slumped, pigtails drooping. “O-okay…”
Blue knelt slightly, her tone coaxing. “Spinel. Why don’t you stay with us for now?”
“Yes,” Yellow added quickly, already motioning her over. “Show us that new twisty trick you wanted to try.”
Steven’s chest eased as Spinel backed away toward them. His gaze drifted beyond the Diamonds- where a cluster of familiar figures approached along the sand. Sadie’s band spilled onto the beach with instruments slung over shoulders, Sour Cream in a sun-bleached hoodie, Buck waving lazily, Jenny flashing a grin. The knot in his stomach loosened into a smile.
It was late afternoon, the sky fading to gold as music drifted over the crowd. On stage, Sadie belted out lyrics beside Shep, who breathed notes from that odd, slender instrument Steven recognized the first time he saw them play with Sadie. An Electronic Wind Instrument. Sour Cream stood behind the beat pads, nodding in rhythm, while Jenny plucked a slow, steady bassline. Buck strummed an acoustic guitar, glancing at Jenny between verses.
Steven knew the stories now- how Sadie had chased her music with Shep, how Sour Cream had started a fishing business with his stepdad but still DJed on the side. Buck and Jenny were saving for a move to Empire City, working shifts at the Fish Stew Pizza together in the meantime.
From the edge of the crowd, a familiar voice called out.
“Hey, Schtu-ball!”
Steven turned to see his dad making his way over. Greg had kept the hair at the sides and back trimmed short, letting the last of it drape a little over his shoulders. They wrapped each other in a hug.
“Hey, Dad.”
Greg stepped back, smiling. “It’s been a long time- well, aside from that trip to Empire City.”
Steven took a sip from his cup of punch. “So, how’s being Sadie and Shep’s manager working out?”
Greg scratched at the side of his beard. “Full-time gig with Sadshep. Luckily, it’s just Shep’s EWI and a mic for Sadie, so equipment’s easy. It’s the connections, marketing, and-” he sighed- “funding I gotta worry about.”
“Funding?” Steven grinned. “Aren’t we filthy, stinkin’ rich?”
“They wanted something… you know… sustainable.” Greg waved a hand. “Anyway, how was your trip?”
“Oh, you know.” Steven’s shoulders lifted in a small shrug. “Back and forth down the country, a few motels, a few nights in the Supremo. Even made it to the Great White North.”
Greg’s eyes lit up. “That’s great! How was their poutine?”
Steven’s smile widened. “De. Licious.”
Greg forced a smile, rubbing the back of his neck. “You know it is.” His eyes flickered nervously. “So… hey. Sadie mentioned you visited my parents.”
Steven’s gaze softened. “I did. They were great. Even asked about you- wondered where you were. They miss you so much.”
The memory hit him sharp and clear- his grandmother’s quiet tears when she thought no one was watching. The weight of all those lost years settled heavy in his chest. Greg had a son out there, and they hadn’t known.
“I’m sorry, Steven.” Greg’s voice cracked just a little. “There’s too many problems there for me to face. I’m not as strong as you… especially when it comes to estranged family.”
His glance flicked toward the Diamonds, who sat cross-legged on the sand, their vast presence somehow calm in the afternoon light.
Nearby, the massive spherical machines Bismuth and Peridot had built loomed- four-legged behemoths topped with compartments bristling with robotic arms. They moved steadily, ferrying giant trays stacked with giant bowls of mixed giant chips and giant pretzels, plates of giant finger sandwiches, giant pitchers of iced tea and lemonade, and stacks of giant cookies and giant brownies wrapped in clear giant plastic.
Steven had to double take and wonder where the heck all this giant stuff came from. And how they got the Diamonds to actually eat and drink.
Steven straightened, a determined set to his jaw. “Speaking of…”
Greg’s eyes softened with understanding. “You say what you need to, Schtu-ball.”
They embraced, the scent of Greg’s shampoo faint in the summer air. “By the way,” Steven whispered into his shoulder, “don’t tell anyone me and Connie travelled together during her gap year.”
“You got it,” Greg murmured.
Steven stepped back and moved toward the Diamonds. Yellow spotted him first, her eyes narrowing slightly before she reached over to give Blue a quick pat. Blue’s lips pressed together, then she reached up and tapped White’s arm at the same time as Yellow - a hesitant, almost nervous gesture, as if the two needed each other’s courage to get White’s attention. All at once, the three towering figures turned their gaze on Steven.
Steven’s voice trembled. “Hey, White. I just wanted to say… I’m sorry.”
White’s eyes widened, shock flickering across her pale face. Yellow and Blue watched, their usual cool masks melting into captivation. Spinel perched silently on White’s shoulder, her gaze flicking down at Steven, but she squashed her form, hiding from Steven.
“I’m sorry I took control of your body, and tried to hurt you.”
White opened her mouth to reply. “Steven, you don’t need to- ”
“I do,” Steven cut in, voice steadying. “Not just for you, but for me. I betrayed you, and I betrayed the person I wanted to be.”
Blue’s gaze softened. “You are still that person.”
Yellow nodded, voice low but firm. “Seriously, I’ve done a lot worse than you have.”
White’s eyes drifted away for a moment, a shadow crossing her expression - as if silently saying, I have done much worse than anyone here.
“That doesn’t excuse what I did,” Steven said quietly. “I can’t downplay it. I shouldn’t.”
White’s expression softened, the sharp edges of her usual severity blurring. “…I forgive you, Steven. Though to be honest, you were hurting yourself more than me. I don’t know if you remember, but I was the big Steven, and you were the smaller me.”
Yellow shifted uneasily. “Maybe this should be a more private discussion…”
The quiet tug of their conversation pulled eyes from the small crowd nearby. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl exchanged furtive glances, all doing their best to hide how closely they were listening.
Steven caught their worried stares and smiled- a small, grateful curl of lips.
He stayed with the Diamonds a while longer, trading stories from the road. They blinked in surprise when he mentioned working fast food jobs, and Steven cringed as they compared it to “a job for pearls.”
“Of course,” Yellow said with a smirk, “Pearls do a lot more than that now. I’ve even seen Hessonites volunteer as greeters.”
Laughter bubbled around the group as they are regailed about the time Steven was chased by a moose in the Great White North.
Steven’s gaze drifted, landing on Pearl, sitting further down the beach, close to where the waves can nearly touch her. With a nod, he slipped away to talk with her.
Pearl stood by the ocean, eyes fixed on the horizon. A somber smile played at her lips.
“Hey, Pearl. How are you doing?” Steven asked gently.
“Oh, just… enjoying the sight. The fact that I get to see it every day.”
Steven frowned, then offered a knowing smile. “Yeah, it’s beautiful. But it gets old eventually.”
She nodded slowly. “Eventually. Lars visited a couple times, you know. We thought we’d see him today, but I guess he got caught up in another adventure.” Her gaze drifted skyward, the sun slipping low, stars waiting to bloom. She looked like she might sit there all night, waiting.
Steven’s stomach tightened. He could feel the undercurrent- Pearl wanted to leave, to reach for the stars again. But he forced himself to breathe, to let the feeling pass.
“You wanna go out there, don’t you?”
“Is it surprising?” Pearl’s voice softened. “Remember UUU Space Travels ? I nearly killed you.”
“I remember.” Steven smiled, though his eyes held the memory’s edge. “It was scary. But I had a lot of fun anyway. I think you should do it.”
Pearl’s breath hitched; tears spilled free. Her voice cracked. “You must be so tired of seeing me cry every time we have to talk about something serious.”
“I’m used to it.” Steven winced inside for sounding rude. “If you do go, I’ll miss you a lot. Even more when I go back on my trip. But I’ll know I can reach you.”
Pearl smiled, voice soft. “I’ll visit as much as I can. I’ll buy a phone plan with extragalactic reception.”
Steven snorted. “Pretty sure they don’t sell those.”
They giggled together, folding into a warm hug.
Then suddenly, a shadow spilled over them.
Pearl’s eyes sparkled. “Looks like Lars actually made it.”
Steven laughed nervously and looked up. “I can’t wait to hear about his latest adve- ”
He cut off mid-sentence, eyes spreading wide, frozen in fear.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as all eyes snapped skyward.
Above them hovered a new sight, not the first of the impossible, but new. A slow-spinning pinwheel of slender arms, each tipped with a large hand. In every palm, a single wide-open eye stared unblinking, cold and searching.
Then the eyes locked onto him, and a chill spiraled through his chest, icy fingers tightening around his heart. He whispered, voice trembling, “Please… I thought it was over.”
The air thickened with tension, the salty breeze stilled. A sandal fell out of Steven’s foot. Then chaos exploded around him.
Lapis summoned towering water fists that crashed against the sky, droplets spraying like rain. Yellow unleashed fierce bolts of crackling lightning, the air sizzling with ozone. White’s eyes burned bright beams that scorched the clouds, humming with raw energy. Peridot’s robonoids whirred and clanked, hurling scraps of metal and stone into the swirling sky.
Only then did Steven realize- he was rising, helpless, away from the crowd and toward the pinwheel of arms.
A rough, cold hand closed around him, fingers tightening like iron bands. The air grew thin; distant shouts and screams muffled beneath a ringing buzz in his ears.
He was being taken.