Slowly But Surely

Realization

Steven stared at her, bewildered.

"I," he breathed. "Huh." He barely squints down at his hands, but he can still see. Sure enough, small pink blotches covered his hands and forearms, with little claws resting at the end of his fingertips.

He blinked, then clenched his fists.

"Corrupted." He repeated silently, then closes his eyes. "....how?" He questioned. "You're powers are all tied to your emotions, Steven." Garnet began to explain. "You are what you think you are."

"..monster." He muttered. The gems worriedly looked at him.

"Hhaa..." he muttered, pained. "Tch, my everything hurts.." he groaned. Pearl put a hand on his shoulder. "Is no one seriously gonna turn of that light? It's killing me." The gems look at each other, then back to Steven.

"Steven, there really is no lights on." Garnet deadpans. Steven inhaled, then exhaled bluntly. He put a hand over his face again. He muttered something under his breath about his head pounding. His other hand traveled it's way to lay on his forehead but it immediately jolting backwards due to a pain in his palm.

"Ow! What was that!?" He roars. "..we just told you that you were corrupted." Amethyst sighs. Steven stops. "Ah, right. Well I didn't think I had scars since I'm half human..." a mumbles. Pearl chuckles. Steven squints his eyes open. He groans.

He flops over and plants his face in his pillow. "Wh... how the hell can I still see the light!?" He stifles a scream as he barks into the pillow. The gems grow concerned.

"Steven, let us see your eyes." Garnet demands gently. Steven doesnt move for a second, then reluctantly turns around at sits up.

"I'm not keeping them open for long, though. The light hurts." Steven complains. "Okay, just open them for a second..." Garnet reasons. Steven sighs and obliges.

He squints his eyes open halfway...