(Narrator's POV)
"Can't wait to see Steven. I wonder how it went with your half of the family, Greg? I know you were apprehensive but you know he needed this." Vidalia said as she and Greg waited by the airport as they awaited Steven's return from a vacation of sorts for the young teen. Despite Greg being apprehensive about his son going to a gathering that would no doubt have him encounter many members of his family, he knew this needed to be done.
"I just hope things went well. I know my parents, Vidalia. I know how my family is and how they aren't too accepting. I told you about how Andy was when he first met Connie, didn't I? I swear he was only polite because of Steven." Greg said as he remembered how his cousin was when Steven introduced him to his girlfriend Connie. And while the man was polite, he did seem to have a well hidden disdain for the girl, though Steven didn't really seem to notice it.
"I remember. But Andy's changed since then. He's already accepting of Steven despite him being half Gem. So who's to say he hasn't let the rest of your family know ahead of time. I think you're overreacting, you know? Steven's got to find out about his human half, come what may. And for all you know, things may have gone great." Vidalia said as Greg was about to respond until Steven's plane arrived and out came the hybrid.
"Well look who's home! Get over here, Steven. We missed you." Vidalia said as she and Greg hugged the teen who had a look of depression on his face. One he was doing his best to mask but was doing horribly at.
"Steven? Are you alright?" Greg asked as Steven simply sighed.
"Let's go. Have to check in with the Gems. They're waiting for us, right?" He said as the 3 of them got in Greg's van and drove back home where Steven was greeted by the Gems. It was clear he was missed dearly.
And while the other Gems were fooled, one Gem wasn't by a long shot. Garnet could just sense something wasn't right with Steven's demeanor. So while Steven was being chatted up by Peridot and Lapis, the fusion walked over to Greg and Vidalia.
"You could tell too, Garnet?" Greg asked as the fusion nodded.
"I didn't even need to get a close look. Just from his body language and how quiet he seems I can just tell something happened. But we need to be careful in how we approach it. The last thing we need is another incident where he self corrupts." She said, remembering that frightening day when Steven had his worst breakdown ever.
"Yeah. Hang on. Steven? Could you come over here please? We need to speak with you about something." Vidalia said as Steven came over to her, Garnet and Greg.
"Steven. You know you can tell us anything. If something happened while you were gone...." Greg began to say until Steven turned away from him.
"It's nothing, OK? Things went fine." He said. And right as he said that, his skin turned pink, causing Garnet to cross her arms. Now there was no hiding it: Something happened.
"Steven? Why's your skin Pink, dude? That only happens if....uh oh. Did something happen while you were gone?" Amethyst said as she and Pearl came over after catching a look at what was going on.
"It's nothing, alright? Just....leave me alone. Why can't you guys just leave me alone?!? You're no different that them!! You're all the same!!!" Steven snapped as he ran off towards the Temple with his super speed.
"No different than them? Who does he mean? Not Andy and....what on Earth happened?" Greg asked as his phone rang. It was Andy. Quickly answering it....
"Hello Andy. Did you call to check on Steven to see if he made it home OK?" Greg asked as he put Andy on speakerphone.
*That and I wanted to see if he's OK. I didn't want to bring it up to you, Greg. But the others...were pretty harsh to him. They treated that poor boy like an outcast. Like he wasn't even family. I hated it. He tried to get to know his cousins and they shunned him. Tried to get to know his aunt's and they acted like he had a disease. It was horrible. Is he OK?*
"What?!? Andy, how could you let that happen?!?" Vidalia snapped over the phone.
*I didn't! I told them how horrible they were acting! Now you see why I never went to visit much! It was just a disaster. *
The Gems were furious and worried. Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst headed towards the Temple while Greg talked with Andy about what could be done about this.
*Back at the Temple....*
"Steven? Steven, come on. We just want to talk to you, dude." Amethyst said sadly as Steven just looked at them.
"I don't have a thing to say to any of you! Don't you get that already?!? Just...leave me alone!!!! I don't belong anywhere: Not here, not anywhere! Not even my own family wanted me! I...... I'm just.......meant to be alone. " The hybrid said in a combination of both sadness and anger. He was truly heartbroken.
"Steven...you do have family that loves you so much and they're right in front of you. You need to know: It doesn't matter what your human half of the family says. They don't know anything about you and don't have any right to judge you. You'll always have a place with us." Garnet said as she, Pearl and Amethyst all wrapped Steven in a hug.
"I still can't believe it, Garnet. I was so excited...and so hopeful...for that trip. But the way they treated me...." Steven began to say until Pearl kissed his cheek.
"Shh. Don't let it bother you, Steven. What's important is that you understand how much we love you. You should never feel like you don't have a place or that you don't belong anywhere. Because that simply isn't true. We will and always will be your family." The Pale Gem said as Steven smiled.
"Yeah dude. Forget those jerks. They're the ones who are missing out on getting to know an amazing guy like you. It's their loss, not yours. You'll always have us, Steven." Amethyst said as Steven nodded.
"Thanks guys. I love you too." The hybrid said as the 3 sat on the couch in each other's embrace.
I've written stories/one shots where Steven is accepted by his human half of the family, but realistically? Some parts of the family (at least Andy's parts) will shun him as heartbreaking as that is.
