Corrupted Heart - Steven Universe x Reader

Chapter 19

My eyes languidly opened. The pain had finally stopped, I thought it all over. But something wasn't right. I couldn't move. My senses felt numbed. I could still feel things, but for some reason, my muscles refused to move. I glanced around, attempting to figure out where I was.

The Hub? What am I doing here?

I suddenly noticed my face reflected onto some kind of machine I was next to. Something didn't seem right. My face shape was different. My body figure seemed a little slimmer than before and my nose was slightly longer.

Was I...

Pearl?

I couldn't believe it, but it's really true, I was Pearl. Or, I was in Pearl's body. How did this happen? Pearl suddenly hopped into the machine and began driving it across the hub.

What is she doing?

Using green tractor beams, she began putting the pillars back into place.

She's fixing it?

It was true. Pearl was repairing the hub. I was intrigued to see more until I suddenly heard the faint calling of my name, a gentle shake and I was suddenly back in the kitchen.

"(Y/N)! Thank goodness, you're ok", Steven beamed with contentment in his eyes. My eyes groggily glanced around me. I was slumped against the counter, my hand severely close to the shattered glass shards that were scattered across the floor. Steven kneeled over me, a hand on my shoulder. I gently shrugged it off, leisurely standing up. " Wh-What happened?", I asked.

"I came home and you were just lying on the floor and your eyes glowing!", Steven explained, "I saw the broken glass and thought the worst. I'm so glad you're ok!".

I held my head, trying to make sense of it all. It was like I was struggling to understand what was real and what wasn't. Could it have been something I ate? I turned my head towards Steven, "Where's Pearl?", I asked.

Steven tapped a finger on his chin before shrugging. "I don't know", he replied. "She probably went out to catch Peridot".

Suddenly, Steven pointed outside, " Garnet's back!". He ran up to the door, "You stay here and rest. I left some doughnuts on the counter for you". And with that, Steven was outside, skipping down the stair onto the beach. I leaned on the kitchen counter, my mind still spinning in repeated circles.

Suddenly, one of the temple doors opened and Pearl stepped out from it. Her head whipped around cautiously, as her eyes scanned the room as if she was looking for something. "What are you doing?", I asked, my voice making Pearl jump slightly.

" (Y/N)!", she said as if she wasn't expecting me to be here. "W-What are you doing here?".

I raised a brow in scepticism, "Am I not supposed to be here?".

Pearl shook her head rapidly and almost immediately, "No, of course not", she paused, "I mean, yes--I mean...". It was safe to assume that Pearl was acting a lot warier than usual. My weird vision flashed before me. No, it couldn't be. I was fatigued and dreaming, it wasn't real. Though I had to admit, ever since I started hanging out with the Crystal Gems, I can barely understand what can be classified as real and imaginary. If there was the slightest chance what I saw was true, I had to be certain.

I attempted to be as direct as possible. "I saw you".

Pearl slightly trembled, "What do you mean?".

"I saw you fixing the hub".

Her face froze as she bit the bottom of her lip, turning her head away so she wouldn't have to look at me. So, it's true. What I saw was real. I just need her to confess. It shouldn't be difficult since Pearl was a fairly honest person. I hardened my face, trying to look as intimidating as possible. Pearl caught a glimpse at me, but she tried her best to not notice. The hostile glares and thick tension went on for a while until she finally gave in.