Infinity Train Book SU: Gem Shards (Steven Universe AU)

Chapter 9: The Therapy Car

"So are we just not going to talk about this?" Steven's conscience says, taking the form of Hologram Steven.

Steven is walking in between two train cars, heading towards the next entrance. He is slouched over with his hands in his jacket pockets, completely enveloped in his own head as he walks. It has been about a day since the love boat car, and he has passed through several train cars since.

"I don't need to talk about it, Everything's fine," Steven says stubbornly.

"HUH... Bingo! I got Steven universe bingo!" Hologram Steven teases, "Let's see, taking in a person who needs help while refusing to let them help you. A tirade about violence never being the answer. Falling in love with someone you just met. Refusing to let someone you love leave, and now the 'Everything's fine' line. Now if you could give me a cash price that would be nice"

"You really are a jerk, aren't you?" Steven grunts, getting angrier at his conscience.

"Well when you do the same things over and over again, it gets fairly easy to predict." Hologram Steven responds. "You're even willing to go gay to achieve this, it's quite remarkable actually. Next time I make a bingo card I should add 'reconsidering sexuality' to the board."

Steven continues to march forward, ignoring his conscience, while it only grows in size and strength.

"You can't just ignore me you know, we're the same person," Hologram Steven explains.

"Watch me" Steven responds.

"Believe me, if I could stop watching I would," Hologram Steven snaps back, "It's like watching a show that's been dragged out way past its end, it just a never ending vortex of characters learning the same things and forgetting them by the next episode, except it's literally your life."

Steven begins to glow pink, his hand curling into a fist.

"God you have so many self confidence issues. Who are you getting mad at, me? I'm literally you, you're getting mad at yourself!" Hologram Steven points out.

"Maybe if you actually wanted to help instead of being mean to me then I'd listen, instead you seem so hellbent on insulting me, aren't you just insulting yourself?!" Steven responds.

"YESSS... You've finally cracked the code, I hate myself! Now what are we going to do about it," Hologram Steven shouts in frustration.

"This," Steven says before burying his conscience, preventing him from speaking by immediately cutting him off with different thoughts or ideas, before eventually his conscience gives up and quiets down.

Steven reaches the next door, twisting the handle, and opening it. Inside the train car is a room about the size of a living room in a normal house. Inside the room is a couch and a chair facing towards each other. There are several bookcases scattered throughout the room, filled to the brim with an assortment of books ranging in size and color. The room has a series of windows on one wall, showing a beach next to a large blue ocean. There is a coffee table in between the couch and the chair, with several magazines and a box of tissues placed on there.

Inside the chair is a woman in her 30's with short brown hair, glasses, and red earrings. She is dressed professionally in a blue blazer with a white blouse underneath, and blue dress pants. She sees Steven as he walks in and greets him.

"Well hello there, you're just in time. I have time for an hour-long walk-in appointment starting right now, come on in." The woman says while signaling Steven to sit on the couch across from her.