Humanity - A Steven Diamond X Reader AU

Savior

Warning: Swearing, Violence, Sexual Assault.

As Steven tosses and turns in his bed, he grumbles in frustration. Sweat drips down his forehead, his head hot and his skin glowing a harsh pink. His whole body is throbbing painfully, his stomach begging for food. He tries his best to ignore it all as he trembles.

He reflects on the useless and demeaning day he had, everything he once seemed to have control over starting to slip away. With his new court assigned to him by the Diamonds, he feels powerless to do anything other than what's expected.

As he sat in the Palanquin, being forced to sit through another endless hour of bland reports, he could feel his attention fading as he started to lose consciousness due to a lack of quality sleep. He'd been suffering nightmares for weeks, and now didn't even want to sleep for fear of experiencing another.

However, his intolerable Holly Blue cleared her throat, causing Steven's eyes to snap open as he quickly muttered out a random order to the Gem who was presenting the progress of the nearest kindergarten. He rested his hands on the arms of the Palanquin throne, tapping his fingers impatiently as mere minutes passed, yet they felt like hours.

At one point, a Quartz soldier arrived, dragging a terrified human to the Palanquin.

"My Diamond, this human is a from camp 236. He's 18 years old, yet too weak to do any hard labor. What should we do with him?"

Steven leaned forward, taking a closer look at the young man. He was shaking, perhaps in fear. However, his skin was pale and clammy, and his eyes were weary.

Holly Blue spoke up before Steven could, "What a worthless thing. If he can't do his work properly, then he should be disposed of."

Steven clenched his fists. "No!" He yelled without thinking.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Yellow Diamond's Peridot write something down in her notes. He took a moment to breathe, lest he lose control again. "No. I think not." He said calmer this time. He shot Holly Blue a glare. "I will decide what to do." He made clear.

The young man's pupils shrank, watching with terror as Steven descended from the Palanquin and approached him.

"Please don't hurt me!" He begged.

Steven came closer, but showed with his eyes and his expression that he meant no harm. "Are you alright? What's your name?" He crouched down, trying to ease the tension caused by looking down on him.

The boy's shoulders relaxed slightly, but his hands still continued to clench the ground nervously. "P...Peedee."

Steven carefully reached forward and placed a hand on Peedee's forehead, instantly feeling how burning hot it was. He pulled away and stood up, turning to face his court. "This young man is sick. That's why he's weak. Really... even with all this time you've spent on Earth Holly Blue, you've never seen a sick human before? Just how dull are you?" He insulted her.

Holly Blue showed an expression of pure irritation, turning her head away in contempt.

Steven turned back towards Peedee, noticing the bruises all over his right arm. He glared at the Quartz soldier. "And you! Is this any way to treat a sick person?" He spat harshly.

The Quartz tensed, almost desiring to flee.

He took another moment to breathe, trying to calm his rage. He crouched back down in front of Peedee, the boy clearly confused by Steven's behavior.

"It's okay Peedee. My name is Steven. I'm not going to hurt you. I have healing powers, so stay still and I'll help you." He spoke softly.

Peedee nodded, his body language still showing tension.