2018-07-02 - Room For Two
| Title: Room For Two | |
|---|---|
| Summary: In which after a heroic stand to save both Tokyo and the world, young Steven Universe returns home to a home that feels... empty. Thankfully a radical dad is there, returning from evacuation. Sometimes talking things over with your father is just what is needed for a problem. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Tokyo Bay - Gem Temple Beach House. | |
| OOC - IC Date: 07/02/2018 - 04/26/2015 | |
Life is a miraculous thing.
When everything seems lost, when it appears as though life as it exists would finally be snuffed out, It comes back. The will of life is a raging, unstoppable thing. Little can stand in its way, evident in its need in the World Tree, blossoming forth with magic at an incredible rate. decades, possibly even centuries passing within moments. As it knew it was needed, it grew and grew until it bloomed with such potency, such vivacity.
Life would not be denied.
And in this moment, Steven got to see it happen. It left him with his own surge of life. A bounce in his step and a smile on his face carried him all the way home.
But sadly, life is not free. It requires a trade. Perhaps something small, such as nutrients from the nearby soil. But the price can go very, very high. As much as having to be a straight exchange. A life for another.
---
The screen door swings open, as Steven walks in, taking a long breath. He was exhausted, a long fight with great teamwork has bested another badguy. Part of him wondered what would happen to the girl who feel into the arms of the Wolkenwritter. He hopes she will be okay. "Finally home." Lion paws his way in, and promptly collapses in front of the couch. It was definitely nap time. "Don't worry, I didn't forget my promise," the boy says, walking in further after removing his flip-flops. His bare feet echo against the solid oak floor. He reaches the center of the household and stops. His gaze turns upon the home. His home.
The place was exactly the same as it was left. A single loft supports Steven's personal belongings and his bed. The back of the home is as mysterious as ever, as a dais made of what looks like pure gemstone sits in a moat, pointed crystals reaching out of it, set before a mysterious door with a star symbol, at each of its points a beautiful gem sits. The kitchen is well appointed and clean. And above the door is a massive painting of the Crystal Gem's original leader, Rose Quartz.
Steven's eyes fall upon that painting and linger. Linger. Linger even longer still.
And the boy drops to his knees. His shoulders sag as he stares at that painting. "I got to... see you... It hurt so bad to leave." The boy holds his head in his hands. The moment was so sweet then. So bitter now. The tears are gone from earlier. He might not have any left to cry at this point. "Is this outcome what you really wanted? Were you sure? I--"
A toilet flush echoes around a corner. Steven is not alone.
"Better. MUCH better." A burly voice comes from around a corner. "I will never get used to Warping. With that whistle or whatever, or with the help of Garnet and Pearl, I--" They come around the corner. It was none other than the retired rock star and radical dad, Greg Universe. "Steven!" he calls out, thundering his way over and grabbing him in a bear hug. "AHHHH! DAAAAD!" Steven calls out, feeling like he is being crushed. Crushed with love. "Oh /man/ things got serious there! The Gems took me to Mask Island when things got bad, and they went to help everyone else! Did you run in to them?!" he asks. A father's worry is not to be trifled with. "Just Amethyst," the boy comments. "We fought a person that had a book! And there was an evil giant in the sky, and we got put into dreams, and me and Amethyst had to fight a giant robot alligator spider thing with all our friends, and I saw mom! And--"
"Whoah, slow down! and you saw WHO?!" his voice near cracks as his eyes grow wide. "Tell me everything!!!"
---
"Wow... that sounds like some fight," Greg says, a leg crossed and an arm slung over the living room couch. "Garnet and Pearl found me trying to drive to safety. The van got clipped by a rising chunk of earth-- it got totaled. Again." The last part is said with disdain. The one thing he does not like about Magic Gem Stuff. His van kept getting involved, and it never comes out unscathed. "It is in the shop, so figured I would come here. It okay if I stay here until it is fixed?" Steven nods his head viciously. "It'll be like last time! Just no whistle." "Right, right," Greg says, batting a hand. "Anyway, those two came back to help evacuate more people while the world turned upside down. They are helping them get home."
The boy nods, and there is a time of awkward silence. So many things the little boy wants to say, but it is Greg that breaks the silence.
"Was she everything you hoped she would be?"
"..." Steven does not speak for what feels like minutes. "...Yes. Yes she was." Deep breaths help keep the calm. Remain coherent. A dream so rear. Able to be sensed, touched, loved. "The dream was so real. I got to see everyone so happy. Especially her. She loved everything. She found everything wondrous. She was so warm, so wonderful." He begins to tear up a little. "I wish she was here still." Greg moves closer, setting a large, strong hand on Steven's shoulder. "Hey. Cheer up, Stu-ball. Everything..." The man pauses for the briefest of moments, something tugging at him. "...is as it should be. This is the future she wanted. Steven... she gave everything to get this far, I guess you could say. The Earth still stands thanks to her sacrifices."
The boy looks to his father with eyes that say so much that he seems unable to say. A story of emotion and concern conveyed in nothing but a singular action. "Did... did she actually want to have me?"
"WHAT?!" Greg exclaims. "Of COURSE you were! Look, your mom knew what could happen if she went through with it. Despite all the risks, it was one she wanted to experience. She... She wanted to experience everything..." he says, those eyes drifting back to a memorable time. A time where walks in the park and a trip to a restaurant were the most awkward and amazing nights a kid with a guitar could imagine. "It just feels so quiet and lonely in here now..." the Gem child says, shrinking some, holding his knees close. Greg can't help but laugh that deep laugh men of understanding have. "Oh... Steven..." Greg says, a small smile on his face. "You of all people should never feel alone. You have Amethyst, Garnet and Pearl in the temple, and your ol' pa to come to when you need it!"
"And you always have Rose with you, too. Shes right there, both in your belly button, and your heart. She's never too far! Always there, always listening, always watching. It is exactly how she wanted it. She is getting to experience every special moment of your life at your side. She doesn't have to be here, to truly be here."
"Really?"
"You bet, champ."
Steven stands up, and runs over to give his dad a hug, and the two share a tender moment together. "Can't say I am not a little jealous of that dream though. But I have tons of pictures and the ol' noggin to remember those good times," Steven's father adds, looking over Steven's shoulder, to that tranquil picture above the foyer. "She did good, Steven. She did good. Just like you did, helping save the world. I am proud of you, son."
"Thanks, dad," comes the response. A few tears might have hit Greg's collar. He won't mind. "Hey! Maybe I can introduce you to some of them!" Greg stands up stretching. "That does sound nice! At first it was just the Gems and you, but now there's like, a whole coalition of magical folk in Tokyo! Would be neat to see some of those you fight with now." A pause. "But another time. people will need time to recuperate. Say... wanna help your old man get some of his stuff so he can shack up here?"
"Let's do it! Can we stop for snacks? I am starving after all that fighting."
"Of course!"
And the two leave the beach house, off to collect Greg's things. After, the home would have an extra person in it, staying together. Just as many as in that wonderful dream.
Full of life.
