[OUTDATED] ☆The Caged Bird☆ Steven Universe x Siren reader

part 9: hiding something...

"Good job, (name)." steven smiled. "Just flip that E there and you're all set."

You looked up at him, trilling softly as you gnawed lightly at the pencil tip before erasing the backwards letter, and rewrote it in the proper direction, looking back up at him for approval. to your delight, he has a proud, approving smile on his face. "Yeah, there we go!" He praises, picking up the piece of paper, reading over the words; "MY NAME IS (NAME) AND I'M A CRYSTAL GEM!" With a little grin. It was still messy in some parts, but overall, it was much more decent than the previous attempts, because this time, you went slow and took your time writing on this one, thanks to your ever growing patience. He smiles proudly at the paper. "You're getting better with each take!" He chuckles and sets the paper aside, reaching into his pocket to retrieve your prize. After unwrapping it, he offers your favorite treat, (candy). you happily take it, and devour it all down in a matter of seconds, fluttering your wings in euphoria at the taste. Steven giggles lightly and ruffles your hair a bit. "I think we've earned ourselves a little break, wouldn't you say?" As soon as you heard this, nodded quickly in agreement, almost instantly dropping your pencil to your feet and stretching your arms over your head. Steven giggled in amusement at this. "Me too, buddy."

He walks over to a nearby beanbag chair and slumps into it, heaving a tired huff as he rubbed a hand through his curly hair. With a soft coo, you tottered over to him, quickly climbing onto his belly and laying on your back, purring with content at his warmth. He smiled down at you and tickled your belly with his index finger, making you giggle in a dolphin-esc manner. Steven chuckled at this. "You know, I don't understand how you could be considered dangerous." he watched with amusement as you squirmed slightly to get yourself comfortable, pulling his hand over your belly like a blanket. "I bet there's actually a lot of good sirens out there... they're just too afraid to come out." his bright aura dimmed suddenly, as he relaxed deeper into the cushion chair. "ya know... with the reputation and all." he sighed.

"It's awful to have people assume who you are, ya know? Without knowing you really are off the bat.. Only going by the words of others." You tip your head back and look up at him, a concerned grumble emanating from your throat. His rather gaze was focused off to the side, looking troubled. "I know how that feels. To have everyone assume I'm someone else. For... most of my life anyways." He tried to smile, but it came off as more of a sad sneer than a smile. You frowned at this, noting the familiar note of wistfulness in his voice. He groaned softly, rubbing his forehead, before sliding his hand down to his face to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I mean... the person I was accused of being wasn't... bad... but... she wasn't entirely good, either." You stared at him, a newfound curiosity flaring up. "I know she didn't mean it, but... that doesn't... excuse the fact she..." His voice trailed off as his hand slid down to his mouth and stood there for a while, as a sad, troubled gaze stared ahead, at the clouded glass window of the dome. He looked like he was experiencing conflicting thoughts. About who...?

Who was he talking about?

His eyes then fell onto you, who was staring back at him with a sympathetic frown. "I... said all of that out loud, huh?" He chuckled sheepishly, rubbing your belly reassuringly. "S-sorry about that. Don't worry about it, though. I-It's nothing."

...Nothing, huh?

You must have looked more skeptical than you wanted, because he suddenly became strangely unsettled by your contemplative stare. "C-come on, don't look at me like that! I promise, it's... nothing for you.. or anyone to worry about... okay?" You stared pensively for a moment before offering a small closed-lipped smile, in which he returned, though it was much brighter. "Good. now, let's just relax for a few more minutes then we'll get back to work. alright?" You nodded in affirmation, and rolled over to lay on your belly, relaxing a bit more against him, to which he smiled and hummed in content approving as he himself relaxed against the beanbag, sighing as he let himself bask in the sun's rays. poor steven... you thought as you laid there purring as he stroked your wings, listening to the beat of his heart. While you may not fully know the boy's origins... You spared a glance up at him. part of you knew what he was talking about isn't nothing.

~~~~~~~~
Later that night, steven had you in his arms, rocking you gently as you cooed tiredly in his arms. "You did good today, little buddy." He murmured soothingly to you, slowly pacing back and forth to relax you further. You shut your eyes murmuring to yourself as you started to feel drowsy. "...You only broke about 3 pencils today..."

He chuckled wearily, sliding his gaze over to the table, where three pencils laid, two of which snapped in half, and one had the tip chewed off from sharp piranha like teeth. Guess we should take a break from math for a while. He sneered slightly shaking his head with a dismissive chuckle, continuing his pace back in forth, looking down at your small form bundled up in a fluffy pink blanket. "You know... it's nice to have someone to actually relate to.." He contemplates your peaceful features for a moment. "You really are a lucky find... aren't you?" he asked, not really expecting an answer. You only yawned, in response, getting sleepier and sleepier with each step, letting yourself relax in his hold, leaning against his chest, purring lightly at the soft sound of his heartbeat, clicking quietly as you finally fell silent, having submitted to the clutches of sleep. Steven smiled at the feeling of you sinking into his grip, along with the light vibrations of your purring against his chest.

"Yeah... A very special find." he smiled warmly.

"A little treasure."