[OUTDATED] ☆The Caged Bird☆ Steven Universe x Siren reader

part 27: safe and "secure"

After finishing up your test, as well as a few other lessons, you and Steven were finally about ready to head out for the day.

You were hardly able to contain yourself as you giddily bounced on your feet at the front door waiting for Steven, your tail wagging as you switched between the two large front windows. You were eager to get back out there, into the cool sea air, and to explore more of the beach city's wonders.

"Okay," You barely heard the opening and shutting of cabinets from behind as Steven spoke up. "Almost done."

Almost?! Your brow twitched. It's been 10 minutes! "O-Okay," You spoke politely. Wonder what he could be gathering...? You huffed but decided it was best to not complain. No use in upsetting him again. You huffed softly to yourself, looking back out at the rolling waters through anxious eyes. Absentmindedly, you reached up, and opened the door, purring at the cool breeze hitting your face. "I'll just wait outside-"

"Ah ah, not so fast!"

You stiffened to a halt at the sharp call from behind you. You stifled a grumble, barely turning your head to glance over your shoulder, trying to keep your brows from knitting in impatience. "What's wrong?"

"What was our rule when heading outside?"

Wait, what-?

It took a moment for you to register the question, but once you had to bite back an irritated growl. "It... was to not wander off without you present." You said slowly, trying to keep your voice as light as possible.

"Yup! Just wait right there a bit longer."

A bit longer. echoed blandly in your head as you stood in the doorway, crossing your arms into a pout. You knew that he meant well with the rule, but you didn't think it would apply to the mere act of waiting outside of a door, let alone a see-through one. A light whine emitted in your throat. This is probably just another tribute to that mistake earlier. You sighed quietly, as you leaned against the doorway in begrudging resolve. Very well then. Just a few more minutes.

As you watched the rolling waves, the minutes started to slow down and drag on as he now appeared to be taking his sweet old time to finish up with his 'outing' preparations.

As...Matter-of-fact, no sooner than he had requested you to wait, all of the faint noises of movement from the kitchen behind you seemingly came to a stop entirely. 5 minutes of this needless waiting went by. You tried to remain as patient as possible, but your tail lashed itself about in irritation. Is he doing this on purpose??

4 more minutes go by, and you were just about ready to walk out. It's not like I'll be far, It'll just be "Okay! All ready!" With a start, you turned to face the teen, just in time to see him putting his phone away, stuffing it into his hot dog duffle bag as he finally walked up to you. "Sorry about that! Just reading through the agenda for today." He offered a warm smile to you. You hummed in response. Couldn't he have done that OUTSIDE with me?

Steven must have read that question through your admittedly adorable, yet visibly displeased expression because he reached into his bag again. "Sorry to make you wait, bud." This time, he suddenly pulls out a (flavor) cookie from it. "How about a little treat to make up for it?"

"O-Oh!" Almost instantly, your face brightened up at the sight of the delectable being offered to you. It was a bit unexpected, but who were you to decline a treat? "I... s-sure! Th-Thank you, milord!" You humbly accepted the treat, with a bright smile.

Steven chuckled softly and ruffled your hair. "Just a little something for listening well." He pats your head and gestures outside. "Now come on, let's get outta here."

You beamed brightly at the teen, before turning to head out for the day, one hand on your cookie, and the other in a smirking steven's hand.

~~~~~{Time skip to beach city}~~~~~

The day progressed smoothly, as you and Steven trekked throughout beach city, revisiting all of the attractions it had to offer, from shopping to playing at the arcade.

The day was a lot of fun, save for the few times Steven had to call you back because you'd unconsciously start to walk at a faster pace than him. It was slightly vexing, but you'd imagined that he'd learn to keep up with you later on.

Besides, who were you to complain to? Whenever you returned to him at his call, you were offered a small reward, like a cookie or a candy, anyways. This treat giving seemed to extend to other acts as well, such as tasks such as picking up litter from the beach, following certain instructions he gave, remembering how to use money, and even saying please and thank you earned you sweets!

It was odd at first, but then you realized that this must be another lesson being taught.

If I do good, good things happen in return! You thought happily, huddling closer to Steven, cuddling the plushie you had won from the arcade. Seems simple enough! I can be good! You smiled to yourself, looking up to meet the teen's gaze. I mean, who could be a better teacher than Steven Universe himself? He's not only magic, but he's practically a hero!

You smiled up at him brightly. To think... he's gonna teach me to be just as good as he is! He chuckles softly, and tenderly ruffles your hair. He made you feel so safe. Hope I can live up to his name... You purred to yourself, as he pulled you close to him.

~~~~~{Steven's P.O.V}~~~~~

Everything's going pretty smooth so far.

Lil universe is a lot sharper than I thought! They seem to remember everything I taught them, right down to saying please and thank you! They were even quick to learn how to make money transactions! I'll have to put that down on my blog.

Of course, patience might need a bit of work. I can see the way they pout when I call them back, but it's nothing this new teaching method couldn't fix. It seems to be working out pretty well! (Name)'s becoming better and better at listening each time I "reward" them! If this keeps up, they'll be the first disciplined siren to ever live amongst humans!

My thoughts were interrupted when I suddenly felt something press into me. Glancing down, I find Lil universe had pressed themselves into me. They looked up at me, and the look they gave me, made me feel oddly nostalgic.

They had... cheer in their smile. So much excitement in their eyes. They had such childish energy about them.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. They... really are no different from me when I was younger, are they?

Always cheerful, energetic, always excited about discovering anything and everything new... there was a lot of ignorant bliss during that time...

And I... I can't let them lose that innocence.

Not in the long run.

I huddled them closer to me, ruffling their hair. I felt them purr against me, and I relaxed a bit.

I'll have to make sure to protect that purity.

I'll keep them safe at any and all costs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Might rewrite it once I can think of a better dialog...