Jasper x Fem! Reader (NOT FINISHED, may continue at a later date)

Chapter 42: Dreams Becoming Reality

It was Saturday afternoon, and you had just locked up the bookstore for the day and were heading down the boardwalk towards home. Tomorrow would make a week since the 'poofing Amethyst' incident. A shiver ran down your spine at the thought of it. You inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly to calm your nerves, walking up to your porch steps. That was just one training session (y/n). This time will be different. It'll be better, you thought, reassuring yourself. You unlocked and pushed your door open, immediately being greeted by Sarge. "Hey, baby," you said excitedly, quickly putting your things down and rubbing his ears. He panted, his tail thumping the floor. "You miss me?" Sarge shook his whole body, his collar jingling from the action. You giggled, walking into the kitchen. "How much did you miss me," you asked, opening one of your cabinet doors. Your puppy howled loudly, circling your feet afterward. "Good boy," you praised, tossing the treat you had taken from the cabinet in the air. Sarge caught it effortlessly, eating it. You scratched under his chin, chuckling. "I'm going to go and change clothes for training. You stay down here until I get finished. Okay, bud?" Sergeant barked once, and you patted his head, jogging upstairs.
    You quickly got changed into your training gear, lacing up your shoes. You then tied your hair up, grabbing your khopesh from beside your bed. You unsheathed it, admiring the metalwork before putting it back into its holster and slinging it over your shoulder. Pearl had attached a leather strap to the holster, making it easier for you to carry around. You looked around for your duffel bag, spotting it on the other side of your bed. You contemplated on whether you would need it or not, deciding against it before making your way back downstairs. "C'mon, boy," you called, pushing your door open. Sarge followed you out obediently, waiting for you on the sand as you closed and locked the door again. You tossed your keys up and down in the air, whistling as you walked down the beach to Steven's house. You climbed his steps with Sarge in tow, pushing the screen door open without knocking. "Hey, guys, I'm—"
    "You can't go there!" Your (e/c) eyes widened at Garnet's outburst, looking around the room at everyone else. Steven was standing in front of Pearl and Garnet with a book outstretched in front of his body. The three gems were still standing on the warp pad while Connie was a little ways behind him.
    "Why not," Steven asked as Amethyst moved to stand next to him.
    "Yeah...why not?"
    "Did...I come at a bad time," you asked, hesitantly stepping over the threshold and letting the door shut behind you. No one answered you as Steven sighed, shutting the book he had in his hands.
    "I thought you were going to tell me everything from now on," Steven said sadly.
    "Oh...Steven, we—," Pearl started but was cut off by the half-gem.
    "Does this have something to do with Pink Diamond? I already know Mom shattered her, so what is it about this that you can't tell me?"
    "Yeah...def a bad time," you said softly, preparing to walk back out of the door with Sarge.
    "No, (y/n)! Don't leave," Steven shouted, turning to you. You froze in place as the young teenager walked up to you, pointing to a picture in the book he was holding. "Did Jasper ever mention anything about a palanquin to you?" You studied to picture, shaking your head softly.
    "No, Steven...not that I remember—"
    "Please, you're making Pearl very upset," Garnet said sternly after Pearl glanced at the fusion.
    "No! I'm very upset," Steven countered, walking back up to the three. Amethyst and Connie took a step back, looking worried.
    "We're. Not. Going. Rose never wanted you to see this place," Garnet said, her fists clenched at her sides.
    "Rose wanted—", Steven paused shortly, becoming visibly angry, "What about what I want? I'm sick of everyone lying to me! Rose is my mom, out of anyone, don't I deserve to know the truth?!" Amethyst had pulled some popcorn from God knows where offering some to Connie only for the girl to reject silently. The quartz then turned to offer you some, but you shook your head as well, your eyes going back to the scene unfolding in front of you.
    "This isn't the time," Garnet pressed on.
    "I. don't. care. I wanna go there now!"
    "Steven," the fusion yelled in a threatening tone.
    "I'm sorry... I-I shouldn't have brought the book," Connie apologized, rubbing the back of her neck.
    "Yes, you should've brought it. It's lucky something has some information that I don't have to get of out them", Steven shouted, pointing at Pearl and Garnet in frustration. "Connie, I need to borrow this book," he said in a calmer tone.
    "Okay, just be careful. I gotta return it to the library in a week," Connie replied, rubbing the back of her neck.
    "Thanks," Steven said bluntly, walking past his best friend and approaching you. You stepped out of the young boy's way, allowing him to walk out of his home.
    "Wait, Steven! Where are you—," Connie started, but Garnet rested her hand on the girl's shoulder to silence her. The fusion then followed him out, the door creaking softly behind her.
    "Well that was intense," Amethyst commented, eating the popcorn box. Connie sighed, moving to sit on the couch as she rested her elbows on her knees. You moved to sit next to her, rubbing her back.
    "Hey, don't look so glum. I'm sure everything will turn out fine." Connie smiled softly at you, looking back down at her feet again. You glanced up at Pearl who's hands were still covering her mouth as if she were hiding her words behind them. Her blue eyes met with yours for a moment before she turned her back to you, walking into the door that led into the temple.
    "Oh, shit," you heard Amethyst curse as she hastily moved away from the window, very obviously eavesdropping on Garnet and Steven's conversation. The fusion moved back into the house, wiping her eyes and then putting her visor back on.
    "Garnet is everything okay," you asked, standing up.
    "No...I—I tried to convince him, but he wouldn't listen. I won't be able to protect him this time around." You squeezed her arm, your facial expression softening at how hurt she sounded.
    "Where's he going that's so dangerous? I could follow him if you can't go yourself. Maybe he'll let me tag along," you offered, trying to catch her eye. Garnet sighed, pinching her nose before letting her hand fall to her side again.
    "I—I don't know, (y/n). My future vision isn't being very helpful right now, and I'd hate to be the one to let you run right into trouble because of me. You've been through enough already."
    "I understand," you said softly, going to grab your keys off of the table. "Come on, Sarge." You walked over to the door, stopping before going out. "Try not to worry about Steven too much, Garnet. He isn't a little kid anymore." You then let the door close behind you and your puppy, trotting down the stairs back onto the sand. So much for training today. You glanced back up upon hearing the sound of Steven's screendoor opening, revealing Amethyst. She ran down the steps, catching up to you on the beach.
    "(Y/n)! Are you really just going to go back home," she asked, slightly breathless from her jog down to you. You snorted, shaking your head.
    "I started training with Pearl to get my head back in the game but to also be of some use to you guys. You're my friends! So I'm going to follow Steven to wherever he's going for Garnet." Amethyst grinned, bouncing around you.
    "Aw, yeah! When are we leaving?"
    "We aren't leaving. I am. But I need someone to watch Sarge for me...you up for the task?" Amethyst groaned, and you laughed, handing your dog off to her along with your house keys. "Have fun! I have a Steven to catch up to!" You ran down the beach, going through the patio door to get into your home. You grabbed the duffle bag you had by your bed, unzipping it. It was filled with a few clothes, some snacks, and a large water bottle. "Good enough," you said to yourself, wrapping the strap around your torso where your khopesh already was. You then jogged back out of the backdoor, passing Amethyst again. You waved at the gem and blew a kiss at Sarge before turning to run down the long road past the Big Donut. If Steven wants to get somewhere, the next person he's bound to ask is his dad.
    When you got halfway down the road, you slowed your run to a fast walk upon seeing Steven get into the van with Greg. You heard the vehicle start, and they pulled out of the It's A Wash driveway, taking a left to drive out of the city. "Fuck...how am I supposed to follow them now," you thought aloud with a loud sigh. You turned your head to the right after hearing a loud growl, more like a yawn, coming from the bushes. You approached the area with caution, quickly moving the brush aside. "Lion!" The pink feline opened one of his eyes, looking up at you dully. "Hey, Lion," you said sweetly, scratching his ears. He purred loudly, stretching. "What do you say about doing me a favor," you asked, moving your hand to scratch his favorite spot under his chin. He frowned at you, huffing. "Oh, c'mon! It's for Steven! And to prove myself to the gems!" The creature blinked slowly at you, deadpanning. "I'll incorporate some snacks into it", you cooed, patting his mane. "A lot of fancy tuna has your name on it...or if that doesn't sound great, how about ten pounds worth of steak?" Lion stood up at the sound of that, making his way out of the bushes. "That's a good boy," you chuckled, climbing onto his back. "Follow Steven for me. And try and stay out of sight!" He stretched, running after Greg's van. You lowered your body, tightening your legs against his sides as you held onto his mane gently to keep from falling.