[OUTDATED] ☆The Caged Bird☆ Steven Universe x Siren reader

part 18: Nothing to worry about

Later that night after having dinner, Steven had taken you back to your place in the greenhouse, taking the time to play with you a bit more until you grew tired, in which he tucks you in, using a rather plush, inflatable mattress he had gotten for you. "Today was a busy day." He chuckled, pulling your soft (color) blanket over your shoulder, while you nestled your head into a plush before leaning down to plant a soft, warm kiss in your head. "Let's get some rest for tomorrow." You turn to him, with a tired, yet hopeful glimmer in your eyes. "We gonna play outside tomorrow?" He hummed, looking away from you in thought. "We'll see. Be good in tomorrow's lessons, and we will!" You immediately perked up at the sound of this, turning around to face him fully. "Can we go visit lapis and the other gems back at little homeschool?"

Steven's smile faltered slightly, as he looked off to the side in thought. "Well, uhm.... I'll... have see about that." He replied steadily. "They could get pretty busy there from time to time, and might not have time to play." You pouted slightly at this, grunting in inconvenience. "Hey, don't be upset. We'll go back there sometime, I'll make sure of it!" You looked back at him, your eyes glimmering slightly. He had an innocent enough smile on his face. Well... he's never lied before. You thought, looking deep into his eyes. They still had the same warmth in them from the day he had proposed in caring for you. Though they did look a bit off, it was most likely just tiredness.

"...Okay." You said, with a little smile, turning to nestle your head back into your pillow, hugging MC bear bear closer to your chest with a reassured purr. "That's the spirit!" You hear him chirp, giving your back a few pats before rising to his feet. "Well, see you tomorrow, lil universe." With that, you hear him making his footsteps fade off into a distance, hearing the hiss of the dome doors opening and shutting, signaling his departure and leaving you alone to think to yourself.

I have no reason to doubt him. You thought to yourself, closing your eyes. He'd never lie to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside of the dome, he takes a breath, and sets a hand on his head, thinking over what he said to you. "That was a close one..." he murmured.

"What was?"

Steven snapped bolt upright, at hearing a soft but abrupt voice sounding from somewhere beside him, stiffly turning to the source. "Th- th- n-nothing!"

Ameythyst frowned slightly in concern. "Hey, what was up with you and (name)? Did they do something wrong?"

Steven bit his lip, itching the back of his head uneasily. "Oh we just... had a little discussion about rules is all. No biggie!"

Ameythyst looked a bit uncertain. "You know, if ya ever need a break from them or something, you know you can come to us, right?" She offered, her smile being playful yet held a bit of a solicitous undertone to it. "I mean, who knows how wild a siren child can get?"

Steven scoffed dismissively. "Oh, you don't have to worry about any of that. I have everything under control with them." He set his hands on his hips in an air of confidence. "Just you wait, Lil universe will be the most loyal, well-behaved crystal gem in the universe!"

Ameythyst chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Whatever you say, dude. But if you ever need us, just say something, ya know?"

"Don't worry, everything's fine!" He assured, waving his hand. "I'm gonna head to bed. We've got a busy day tomorrow."

Ameythyst nodded again, smiling as she turned around. "Alright. By the way Peri called, and she said she really wanted to see the Lil'verse again. They're really popular back at homeschool!" She snickered to herself. "Maybe you should enlist them sometime! Bet they'd be great in my liberty class!"

Steven gulped, scratching at his neck. "Baha... I'll look into that."

"Awesome! Well, see ya tomorrow!" With that, she turns and walks off, with steven watching silently, until her shape disappeared into the darkness.

After he was sure she was gone, he lets out a drawn out huff. "Great... that's the very LAST thing I need.." He growled, remembering the stressful events that happened many hours ago.

He hardly had any control over you while you were there, and you barely listened to him when he called to you. It dragged his mind back to what Vidalia said. 'Kids will want to wander off on their own accord sometimes.' And as much as he wanted to think otherwise, he knew that a child's unbridled desire for new experiences can barely be contained. He should know; not only has he seen onion in various situations, but he himself used to be like that for 13 years.

He couldn't help but think about Ameythyst's question, which repeated itself over and over in his head.

Who knows how wild a siren child can get?

Even if he really wanted to think otherwise; he never actually took such a question into account.

How wily can a young siren get?

...how much control can he maintain over you? And for how long?

He shook his head. "I'm worrying about nothing." He muttered with a light chuckle, making his way to the beach house. How could he let himself think that way of you? "Lil universe knows better." He's had you for months, it's incredibly unlikely that you'd ever want to wander too far off without him. "They still need me... they wouldn't want to go off without me..."

There was a short period of silence as he walked over to the door, setting his hand on the knob as he mulled over his words. "...Yeah... They know better." He sighed, entering the silence beach house, and making his way up the stairs, upto his room. He gets himself dressed into his usual blue pajamas, and climbs into bed, nestling himself deep under his covers, trying to rid himself of the last of his troubling thoughts. "You're worrying about nothing, steven. (Name)'s not going anywhere without you." He muttered to himself, shutting his eyes as he finally let himself succumb to the clutches sleep, with one final thought of reassurance.

After all... they made a promise.