Steven Universe - Shattered Future

Family Matter.

Connie clocked out of work, the familiar sound of the timecard machine punctuating her day. “I'm leaving, boss!” she called out cheerfully, her voice echoing softly in the nearly empty store. 

“Alright, see ya tomorrow,” her boss replied nonchalantly, not looking up from the paperwork spread across his desk.

With a light heart, Connie stepped out into the crisp evening air, her fingers instinctively swiping through notifications on her phone. She glanced up momentarily, the vibrant colors of dusk painting the sky.

“Hey, Connie!” a friendly voice called out. Surprised, she looked up and spotted Steven leaning casually against his car, a warm smile lighting up his face. 

“Steven!” she exclaimed, her own smile breaking wide as she hurried toward him. In her eagerness, she stumbled slightly, her pace quickening. 

“Whoa there, slow down, Connie!” he joked, his laughter filling the space between them.

“S-sorry, but I'm just so happy to see you again—s-sorry, I didn’t mean for it to sound like that!” Connie stammered, a rosy blush creeping into her cheeks. 

“Like what?” Steven teased, his playful smirk making her heart flutter. 

“N-nothing!” she replied quickly, laughter bubbling forth, slightly nervous yet exhilarated. “Right, anyway, it feels like ages since we’ve hung out.”

“It really has been a while,” Steven said, pushing himself off the car with an eager glint in his eye that hinted at the excitement of seeing Connie again. The sunlight reflected off the chrome, making it shine, much like the anticipation building between them. “Want to catch up while we take a drive?”

Connie shrugged, a slight frown appearing on his face. “That would be nice, but honestly, I don’t really know my way around here,” he admitted, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish smile. “I’d probably end up a little lost on the road.”

Steven raised an eyebrow, contemplating the situation. “Hmm, well how about we go to my place?” he suggested, his voice upbeat, trying to keep the mood light.

“Your place?” Connie repeated, a hint of curiosity mixing with surprise in his tone.

“Yeah,” Steven replied enthusiastically. “My place is a decent size, but I promise it’s way more fun when you’re there with me.” Connie couldn’t help but grin at that playful remark.

“Really? Are you sure you want me there?” Steven’s sudden change in demeanor made Connie hesitate for a moment. 

“Of course we’re friends, right?” Connie replied with a teasing lilt in her voice, slowly breaking down the wall of uncertainty that Steven had subconsciously built.

“Right, I—” Steven began, his words hanging in the air, but before he could finish, the shrill sound of his phone ringing cut through the moment. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen, his expression shifting when he saw it was Christine calling.

“Sorry, but I need to take this,” he said, offering a nervous smile as he gestured apologetically to Connie.

“I’ll wait,” Connie said softly, her eyes shimmering with warmth and understanding as they met Steven's. 

“Thank you. I’m really sorry about this,” Steven replied, his expression turning serious as he stepped away with a slight frown. He answered the incoming call, concern mingling with a hint of curiosity in his gaze. Connie observed him with a blend of amusement and patience, a playful smirk tugging at her lips as she waited for him to conclude the conversation.

“Hello?” Steven answered, his tone shifting to one of attentiveness.

“Steven, I need your assistance,” Christine’s voice came through clearly yet urgently.

“Hmm? Assistance? On what?” He inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“On Spinel,” she replied, a hint of exasperation underlying her words.

“Her? What’s wrong?” Steven asked, his curiosity piqued further.

“Nothing's wrong, but I need your help with Spinel,” Christine explained, her tone growing more serious.

“Sure, how do you want me to help her?” he asked, confusion creeping into his voice.

“By taking her out on a date…” Christine said, her expectation evident, while Steven’s face twisted into a baffled expression.

“I’m sorry, what!?” he exclaimed, disbelief washing over him.

“I know this feels unusually odd, but I need you to help her understand that there are still good men out there,” Christine pressed.

“What is going on!? Why would you think to ask me something like that!? She’s my cousin!” Steven stated, his voice rising slightly in incredulity.

“I know this is a lot to ask, but I want her to know that there’s hope,” Christine asserted, her resolve unyielding.

“She is my cousin!” he reiterated passionately before Christine interrupted him.

“Starlight, I’m not asking for much! Yes, this isn’t a typical family request, but I really need your help with this.

“I got to go, Christine, I'll talk to you later about this... And I'll think about that... Just because you helped me.” Steven relauntedly said.

“Oh, I thank you, starlight,” Christine said happily.

“Alright, later,” Steven said before he hung up. He let out an exhausted sigh. “This is going to be odd..”