Common (Garnet x Reader): The Sequel

Demayo

The desk was immaculate, the papers neatly arranged, and you were prepared for your first session in Beach City. When the doorbell rang, you rose from your seat and answered the door.

"Is this the-" began the person you recognized as Steven Demayo. There was something oddly familiar about him. He paused abruptly, staring at you for a prolonged moment.

"What were you about to ask?" you inquired, curiosity piqued.

That was certainly a clumsy start, but you eventually caught up to each other.

"Universe? As in Steven Universe?!" you exclaimed. His momentary shock had passed, and he offered a small grin from across the desk.

"Yeah," he replied, scratching the back of his neck. "I prefer not to use Steven Universe for situations like these. Most people don't take my appointments seriously, so I go by Demayo."

"I had no idea your real surname was Demayo! Although Garnet once told me your middle name was officially Cutie Pie. What's the deal with all the food-related names?" you asked, leaning on the table.

"Hah, my real surname is Universe actually, my dad changed it. But I'm from the Demayo family," he said with a smile. "So, how have you been? It was hard to recognize you."

"Well, as you can see, I've spent my entire adult life studying psychology. Sorry for not visiting Beach City sooner," you sighed. "And what about you? Look at you! If you hadn't told me you were Steven, I might not have recognized you. You've grown so much!"

"Well... I moved out just one year after you left. I've been studying as well; I'm majoring in Biology," he answered, and you couldn't help but giggle.

"I should have expected that," you laughed. "Let me guess, you're studying gemstones?"

"Yep! I'm one of the top students in my class," he chuckled. "Not really though, I don't know anyone there; it's tough making new friends in the big world. I missed this town a lot, and there's this new center where I can specialize in minerals, so I came here and I'm staying with the Gems!"

"Really?! I'm going there too to get a Master's degree! I'll see you around then. When do you start?" Surprised by his reply, you asked.

"Next week, and that's so cool!" he exclaimed.

It felt like minutes, but it had been hours that you spent talking about life. It wasn't until you checked your watch that you realized.

You shifted the conversation to something more serious. "Hey, Steven? It's been really nice, but I can't have you as my patient because you're a friend of mine. I know your friends, and you know mine, and-"

"What?! You can't?! Oh, man, but you're the only physical therapist I could find!" he exclaimed, putting his hands on his head.

"Whoa, calm down, is everything okay?" You stood up.

"It's not! I-I need you to be my therapist, please, just for these months! I can't revert again!" He turned a bright pink, and you knew something was seriously wrong.

"Can't you find someone else? I know plenty of online therapists; let me recommend them to you-"

"No! I can't do online sessions! I tried once, and..." he paused, taking in deep breaths. "When I open up like this, it corrupts the signal, I can't do online sessions. But I can't skip them; I need them!" he explained, his voice cracking.

"Corrupts with the signal?! What are you talking about?" You placed your hands on his arms, trying to calm him down.

"My powers interfere with the signal... Look, it's either you being my therapist or me having to go back home," a single tear streamed down his cheek. "Please, don't let it be the second option."

"Okay..." It took you some time to gather yourself.

You were lucky you didn't have any more patients that day because you spent the entire morning in that clinic with Steven.

"Gosh, it's already 2:00 PM?! I haven't even had lunch!" You said as you checked the time again.

"Well, you could come to the temple; I'm making lunch!" He quickly offered.

"Oh, Steven, I don't think it's a good idea," you replied, a hint of concern in your voice.

His smile faded. "Come on, I'm sure the Gems would be happy to see you, especially Gar-"

"No," you interrupted him. "I'm sure she- they won't. And I don't think it's a good idea now that you're my patient."

His eyebrows furrowed. "Are you serious?! Garnet has been so... Flipping sad since you left! She really misses you!"

"Sh-she... she has?" Your tone was pained.

"Yes! And I thought you would too! Don't you want to at least apologize?" You had to admit, he was really good at convincing.

He clearly won the argument, dragging you to the Beach House with him.

"Guys! Look who I found!" Steven shouted from the door.

"Steven, what did we say about raising your voice like th-" Pearl's words were cut short when her eyes landed on you.

"What's all this ab-" Amethyst began but was also silenced when she saw you.

"H-Hey," you stuttered, worried about their shocked expressions.

"Garnet!" they both exclaimed simultaneously.

After several seconds, you heard a sweet "Coming" from inside the house. It took you only a moment to recognize whose voice it was, causing your heart want to jump outside its rib cage.

Garnet pushed past Pearl and Amethyst, not even registering her surroundings. Moments passed before she could react to what she was seeing.

"Garnet..." you muttered. You couldn't even begin to describe your feelings. Was it love? Why did it feel like pain? Yet it didn't hurt, so why did you feel so guilty? Perhaps Garnet was hurt, so why did you feel so good?

"I-I..." she started, unable to find more words.

"Maybe we should leave them alone for a while," Steven whispered to Pearl and Amethyst, who silently agreed and left you two alone on the porch.

Suddenly, you hugged her, leaving her speechless. It took her almost a whole minute to react.

"I'm sorry," you whispered against her chest, holding her tightly.

She moved her hands to your back, you could feel her gems against your skin. "Better late than never."

You smiled against her skin, squeezing her even tighter. "Can we talk? Inside?"

"Sure."