2021 Onseshot Book!

Saiibo (Gem AU): I'll Protect Him, Even If It Kills Me

(A/N): Hey, so remember that KamuKoma one shot I did a while ago? Think of this as a sequel. So before Izuru/Hajime's gem cracked, Izuru began working on an experiment to create a gem completely on his own. The product didn't emerge until after Hajime had forgotten Izuru, but he and Nagito took it upon themselves to raise the little partial gem creation. Nagito named him Kiibo in honor of how the Pearl saw Izuru. Basically, Kiibo is the equivalent of Steven in this AU. Nagito sees him as the last bit of Izuru that still exists. Shuichi is the equivalent to Connie. Gems themselves are rocks, so in this story, they can present as whatever gender they want; Homeworld doesn't really care.

Warnings: Mentions of overly self sacrificing behavior

"You want to what?" Nagito asked the human before him doubtfully.

Shuichi's cheeks reddened as he rubbed his neck nervously. "I-if you're willing... I'd like you to teach me to use a sword."

Kiibo stared at the shy boy, confused. "But... why?"

"I... during gem attacks, I can't do anything. I can't even protect myself..." He pushed down his guilt. "b-but I want to learn to fight so I can help!" Shuichi looked over at Kiibo and blushed. "I want to protect you, Kiibo."

Kiibo felt the heat rise in his cheeks. He looked over at Nagito; the pearl had a strange look in his eyes, but he seemed happy.

"Are you... quite certain?" Nagito questioned the dark haired teen.

Shuichi gave a firm, determined nod.

Nagito smiled widely. "You seem genuine, so I'll teach you."

Shuichi's golden eyes lit up under his hat. "R-really, Mr. Nagito?! I-thank you! I'll be a good student, I promise!"

Kiibo wasn't quite sure why, but something about the glint in Nagito's eye made him grow uneasy about the entire situation. But, if Shuichi wanted to learn, who was he to keep him from it?

***

Shuichi started coming over on the weekends exclusively for training with Nagito.

Kiibo sometimes went to watch their training. It never ceased to surprise him how realistic Nagito made holographic adversaries.

Honestly, it scared him when Shuichi got grazed or bruised when training, but he looked so happy knowing he had some training under his belt that Kiibo did his best to ignore him nervousness regarding the entire situation.

What made it weirder is that Nagito never told the other gems about the lessons, like he didn't want them to know.

A few of Nagito's fighting tips were a bit... strange. He seemed to acknowledge Shuichi's feelings of worthlessness by tying his purpose to protecting Kiibo. After talking to Shuichi about it a few times, he grew concerned enough to bring it up with the other crystal gems, Kokichi and Kyoto. (A/N: Kokichi is an amethyst and Kyoto is the fusion between Makoto and Kyoko and is a garnet)

"Sooooooooo... why'd you look like Shumai dumped you for a model?" Kokichi inquired teasingly.

"Kokichi!" Kyoto glared at the small gem. "Don't rush him!"

Kiibo's face burned red. "W-we aren't e-even dating!" He stammered loudly.

Kyoto stared at Kiibo intensely for a minute before looking away. "You're concerned for Shuichi."

"Well... yes." Kiibo admitted. "Ever since he started training with Nagito, I've had this weird feeling..."

The gems exchanged a look. Kokichi looked uncharacteristically solemn.

"W-what? Is it something I said?" Kiibo asked confusedly.

"Good thing you didn't go to Hajime about this." Kokichi said in a low voice. "He would've flipped if he saw Nagito doing it again."

Kiibo's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Kyoto sighed. "I'll explain... you know that Hajime was once a diamond, yes?"

Kiibo nodded.

"Nagito was his pearl. None of us are completely aware of the extent of their relationship, but it was clear that Nagito held his diamond above himself... he saw himself as nothing but a stepping stone to be used by the diamonds to better the empire. He gladly got poofed in his diamond's place numerous times. It is quite possible that Nagito may see himself in Shuichi... and he could be acting on that."

Kiibo's stark, blue eyes widened. "Are... you implying that Nagito is teaching Shuichi to sacrifice himself for me?"

"Possibly." Kyoto answered grimly, making Kiibo jump off his bed.

"I-I have to snap Shuichi out of it!" He exclaimed, running to the warp pad.

"Go Kiiboy!" Kokichi cheered. "Go get your man!"

Kyoto sighed exasperated my at Kokichi's antics, but made no move to stop Kiibo.

***

"SHUICHI!" Kiibo zoomed over to the navy haired boy.

The taller teen looked at him as he subconsciously blocking an attack from Nagito. "Kiibo?"

Nagito told Shuichi to take a quick breather as he walked over to Kiibo. "Kiibo? What's going on?"

"Is Shuichi okay?!"

"I'm fine... why wouldn't I be?" He asked, his eyes narrowing pensively.

"I..." Kiibo gulped, unsure of how to say what he needed to say. "what have you been you been learning from Nagito?"

Nagito blinked in surprise at the question, but he said nothing.

"Oh!" Shuichi perked up, grabbing his sword again. "Nagito was helping with my stances! I was trying out some new strategies for sparring, so it seemed-"

"Why are you preparing for battle?!" Kiibo asked in alarm, unintentionally cutting him off.

"Because I'm going to fight with- wait no, I'll defend you!" Shuichi corrected himself.

Nagito smiled proudly at Shuichi's answer.

"I'll be your knight!" Shuichi finished proudly.

Kiibo had never seen Shuichi look so assured, which made him all the more nervous. "W-why don't we just fight alongside each other?" Kiibo suggested.

Shuichi shook his head, dropping to his knees. "No, Kiibo. Your life is precious. Mine is far more disposable, so I can-"

"N-NO!" Kiibo pulled Shuichi up. "Your life matters too, Shuichi!"

Shuichi stared at him blankly. "But..." His face grew slightly desperate. "I-I want to be useful to you, Kiibo. After all, I've never been so connected with anyone..."

"But you already are useful, Shuichi! You make me happy!" Kiibo pressed.

Shuichi gasped. "I..."

"Kiibo..." Nagito said quietly. "what... why... I don't understand..."

"Shuichi is my friend!" He grimaced slightly as he friend zoned himself. "But even if he wasn't, I don't want people sacrificing themselves for me!"

"B-but!" The pearl sputtered desperately. "Your life is so precious! I can't risk loosing you again!"

"I don't care about that!" Kiibo cut him off, not understanding what the pearl's last sentence was supposed to mean.

Tears welled up in Nagito's eyes. "Just... JUST LET ME DO THIS FOR YOU, IZURU!"

Kiibo sucked in a breath, unconsciously grabbing Shuichi's hand. "Nagito..."