Steven Universe: Time Split

Chapter 45: Same Old World

Y/n, Steven, and Peridot are telling the other gems about their experience underground. They were all sat in a small circle outside the barn, with Peridot being the most vocal about the mission.

"It was so intense down there! We were already a few layers into the Earth's crust, WHEN SUDDENLY -- WA-PAMO! KA POWIE! All these gross Cluster limbs started clawing at the drill. So, I whipped out the old Photon Blaster and, 'PEW PEW P-CHOW CHOW! Take that, Cluster!'. And Steven was all, 'My feelings!', and then up and passes out on us! Then everything started glowing and... well, yeah, wait." Peridot rambled on, but soon stopped as she looked over at Y/n, who was more focused on the barn.

"I'm sure Y/n could explain his part in the mission." Peridot relented, sitting down as the gems turned their attention towards the metal man.

"Hm? Oh!" Y/n focused his attention back on the group. "Sorry, I'll be right back, I'm sure Steven could tell you how he saved everyone though!"

With a few confused glances, Y/n stood up and walked into the barn. He didn't have his armour on this time, but that was fine, he didn't need it anyway.

Y/n sat down, next to a pile of hay that held up a familiar blue girl. "Lapis ..." Y/n muttered as he held up his head with his hands, worried for the blue gem as she had put herself through so much.

"I see you're worried about your friend." Garnet said as she walked through the barn door.

"Yeah ... She spent so much time keeping Jasper away from us, wanting to protect us."

"Lapis spent an unbearable amount of time fused with Jasper. The emotional and physical strain of that type of fusion; I can't imagine. She's gonna need a lot of time to recover." Garnet informed, placing a hand on Y/n's shoulder for comfort.

"You're right." Y/n sighed as he looked at Lapis' sleeping face. It was nice that she was finally getting some rest, but whether she was at peace when she was sleeping was another story.

"Come on, I'm dying to hear more about what happened underground." Garnet smiled.

"Okay, but I didn't do much down there." Y/n chuckled as he stood up and rubbed the back of his neck. "I was just there for moral support to be honest."

"Either way, I'm glad you supported Steven and Peridot." Garnet reassured. "We couldn't have done it without you, Y/n."

"I guess ..." Y/n smiled a bit, not used to this much praise.

"Y/n!" A little boy shouted as he ran into the barn. "Oh – Lapis ..."

Steven's excitement was quick to die down once his eyes landed on the blue gem that was still fast asleep on the pile of hay.

"Is she ... Gonna be okay?" Steven asked as he looked at the ground, worried if the answer wasn't going to be good.

"She should be fine, Steven." Y/n smiled. "She's just tired is all."

Steven looked up at Y/n, hope dancing around in his eyes. "Come on you two." Garnet's voice broke the silence that had briefly engulfed the three. "Why don't we continue sharing stories, hmm?"

The two humans nodded at the tall gem fusion and without missing a beat, the three left the barn to continue their story.

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"Steven, you get some sleep, I'll keep an eye on Lapis." Y/n told as he stood next to Steven's caterpillar sleeping bag.

"But what about you?" Steven asked with an eyebrow raised. "You need sleep too!"

"I'll be fine, I won't be up for long, trust me." Y/n smiled, but after a few grumbles from Steven, the little boy agreed to let Y/n take the first watch.