Defenders of the Universe - SU/VLD (Adopted by jorge.Fuentes18)

Chapter 30: Back Home

Author's Note to readers: This chapter takes place after Legendary Defenders, but before The Rise of Lotor.

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"Cream and sugar, you two?" Greg asked his guests, Adam Shirogane and Colleen Holt, from the kitchen. He was making up some coffee while trying not to disturb the napping white fuzzball of a kitten on the counter that was Whiskers II. Adam sat on the couch; with Garnet's kitten, Cat-Steven, curled-up on his lap; working on some papers, while Colleen sat on a folding chair.

Ever since Colleen and Adam learned of what happened to their loved ones a couple of months ago, they've been staying in Beach City ever since. Wanting to be there at the exact moment they come home. Even before then, ever since the disappearance of the Kerberos mission crew, Adam and Colleen have been spending time together to make sure the other was doing all right. Adam's support was needed for Colleen more than ever now, ever since her daughter mysteriously disappeared.

Colleen blamed herself for Katie's disappearance; her daughter believed she had proof that her brother and father were alive. But Colleen, who didn't want to get her hopes up only to have them crushed, told her daughter that she didn't want to hear it. However, Greg, along with Connie's parents, Priyanka and Doug, told her not to blame herself; telling her that everything would be okay.

Greg was used to seeing Steven going on missions with the Gems, knowing full well that they'll protect his son. While he still has faith in them; the fact that he was involved in a war against an Empire far more dangerous than the Homeworld Gems does have him scared more than he liked admitting. However, the plump, middle-aged man still had faith in his kid; even recalling the Crystal Gem motto: "we'll always find a way."

"Yes, thank you," Adam responded with an exhausted sigh, as he placed his paperwork onto the coffee table and rubbed his temples; reclining deeper into the couch. Even though he's in Beach City, Adam still agreed to do some paperwork for the Galaxy Garrison; saying it helps take his mind off worrying over Takashi twenty-four seven.

"Are you doing okay, Adam?" Colleen asked just as Greg handed her a cup of coffee. "Thank you, Mr. Universe." Greg then gave Adam his cup.

"I'm okay," Adam assured before taking a sip. "It's just the paperwork, that's all." He was grading test papers from his top students: James Griffin, Nadia Rizavi, Ryan Kinkade, and Ina Leifsdottir, to name a few. He even believes the four of them all have the potential to be great pilots and space explorers in the future.

"You know it's unhealthy to run on fumes," Greg told his friend.

"I know," Adam admitted. "But it's better than just sitting around and thinking about... you know." Adam has dedicated to staying in Beach City until his husband comes home, but a part of him is missing being back at the Garrison base. Testing out the newest jet model or teaching his students the basic and advanced mechanics. While he still grieved the loss of Takashi; his superiors, Admiral Sanda and Commander Iverson, knew he wasn't ready to take to the skies again. Not that he disagreed with them. There was then a knock on the door.

Greg, Colleen, and Adam turned to the door; with the former walking over to open it. On the other side were Connie's parents, Doug Maheswaran and Dr. Priyanka Maheswaran. They were a middle-aged couple with dark skin and hair. Doug wore his typical tan button-up shirt with a navy-blue tie and dress pants of the same color, with black shoes and glasses. While Dr. Maheswaran had her doctors coat over a typical blue shirt and tan pants with red low-heeled shoes; which signified she just came from work.

"Hey, you two." Greg greeted them before stepping aside. "Please, come in."

"Thank you, Mr. Universe," Priyanka said in a calm tone as she and her husband stepped into the beach house.