Opal, Ruby, Sapphire AU | Steven Universe

Three Gems and a Baby

Opal blinked, staring down at the tiny creature. "He's so. . . small!"

"He will grow bigger," Sapphire said. Her eye was hidden beneath her tufty fringe.

Greg nodded and turned to the fusion. "Humans don't start out like Gems. We're born small, and then over the years we grow."

"But. . . that's so. . . inefficient!" Opal cried. "Gems are made with the information and physical capabilities ready to start work immediately! How are humans supposed to do anything at all when they're that size?"

"Well. . . they don't," the man said, puzzled. "They just sort of. . . sit around. And eat. And sleep. Don't you guys know anything about babies?"

The three Gems stared at him.

"Oh boy, I guess not," he said, rubbing his balding head.

"Hey, tiny human," Ruby called to the helpless creature. "What's your favourite food?"

"Uh. . . he can't talk yet," Greg explained, looking baffled.

Ruby was gobsmacked. "He can't talk? How come you can?"

"We learn. We learn to talk and walk and go to the toilet and all that stuff as we grow up."

"Ohhh," Ruby said, still looking confused.

"Do you play games with him?" Opal asked, seeming to have softened, and wiggled her fingers over the baby. He laughed and reached out to grab them.

"Yeah, when he's not sleeping. He usually just likes to look around."

"And what did you name him, again?" Ruby asked, gazing down at the giggling thing.

"Steven," Sapphire said. Her tone was emotionless.

"Yep! Steven," Greg replied, seemingly oblivious to her tone. "Rose really liked the name. She would have called him Nora if he'd been a girl."

"That's adorable," Opal smiled.

Greg chuckled. "Yeah, I guess."

"Steven will soon need a nap," Sapphire broke in, fiddling with her skirt. "We should go back to the Temple."

"Oh no, it's fine, really, you can stay as long as you want," Greg assured.

Sapphire turned away. "No. I predict you will need peace and quiet to settle him down. Let's go, Gems."

"Don't boss me around," Ruby huffed, crossing her arms.

"Do we really have to go?" Opal asked, gazing wistfully at the baby.

At that moment, Steven gave a jaw-cracking yawn, and Greg stood and raked a hand through his hair, cradling him in both arms. "Looks like Sapphire was right. I better go put sleepyhead to bed."

"Aww," Opal whined, much like a child. Though she was the leader of the Gems, occasionally Amethyst's childish tendencies shined through.

"Does he need warming up first?" Ruby suggested. Her hands burst into fire and Greg hurriedly backpedalled.

"No!— No, haha, but thanks Ruby. I don't want him to overheat."

"Okay," she shrugged, flames extinguishing. "See ya, Universe! Bye, Steven!"

"Bye Steven," Opal said wistfully, and then with effort ducked out the door, Sapphire leading the way into the snow.

✧✧✧