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take-it-on-the-run · 1 day ago

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A Pearl

Fox Mulder x Dana Scully

No matter how desperately he hung onto her cross around his neck, praying to a God he didn’t believe in, she was still there—sleeping, so gently, despite the devices hooked on and through her.

Word Count: 1.7k

Tags: ANGST, loss, not comfortless, but not exactly outwardly comforting, set in season 2's coma arc, implied depression, Mulder and Scully both need hugs, mentions of hospitals, comas and medical devices, brief mention of killing and death

Characters: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Margaret Scully, Melissa Scully, Duane Barry (mentioned)

Read it on AO3!

Taglist: @somethingsomethingcranberries, @sst4r-ddu5t, @ghostlyaccurate, @butterclove

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A/N: Mitski Title! Thank you for checking this fic out, as it's my first MSR/TXF-related writing! This idea mainly came from a post talking about how Mulder not taking off Scully's necklace before he gave it back would've been feral, and I completely agree. Set in Scully's S2 coma/post-abduction arc, Mulder is just a sap who can't help but be in love with Scully. Unbeta'd, every mistake is mine, and I hope you enjoy!

MSR Masterlist | The X-Files Masterlist | Main Page Masterlist

Dana.

He liked that name.

It thundered against his mind constantly, pruning memories drenched in sadness.

It fit her well. He’d searched it out in a book of baby names and their meanings while sitting in a waiting room during one of their first cases.

Wise. Generous. Brave. A pearl.

Maybe, years and years down the line, he’d give his daughter the same name.

He wouldn’t have the heart to tell this hypothetical girl’s mother where the name came from. That, while he was at the FBI, he had a partner he would kill and die for. Because of his inability to let sleeping dogs lie, she was attacked in her home, kidnapped, and never woke up from the coma she was found in.

He could lie and say it was a family name.

But that wasn’t a lie.

She was family.

No matter how desperately he hung onto her cross around his neck, praying to a God he didn’t believe in, she was still there—sleeping, so gently, despite the devices hooked on and through her.

He could barely look at her without wanting to sob, the guilt and rage rushing to him all at once.

If he’d only picked up his phone.

Now, every time it rings, he jumps. He doesn’t mean to, and it gets him more looks than before, but he can’t help it. He cranked the ringer after he missed her call. He wasn’t going to miss anyone’s call ever again.

When he first saw Mrs. Scully and Melissa perched over her for the first time, he could barely get his feet to move. He was shocked he was allowed back into the hospital after the scene he caused when he first came.

All of the bitter sleepless nights he spent thinking of her had come to a rolling boil, sputtering out of the pot as he tugged his shoes on. Sleep-deprived, unshaven, and clutching her cross on his neck, he shot up the highway at Mach speeds, only to get carried out by two security guards as he screamed obscenities and threats at the hospital staff.

Remaining cemented to the ground, he watched her family mourn. Mrs. Scully was holding Dana’s hand, resting her head against her gently rising chest as she muttered prayers under her breath. Melissa’s eyes were closed, and her hands hovered above her sister’s body, moving slowly. Her family, however different in their beliefs, had come to her side, praying in the way each of them knew how.

If either noticed he was wearing her necklace, they didn’t mention it. He’d tried giving it back to Mrs. Scully earlier, but she told him to keep it for when he could give it back.

When he thinks of those weeks he spent searching for her, finding Duane Barry on the mountain, and nearly killing him on the spot, all he can feel is an empty hole where his emotions should be.

If there was justice in the world, Duane would’ve served his sentence with a bullet to the skull the moment they met. If there was justice, he wouldn’t have had to hear that the ventilation she was on wouldn’t likely support her much longer.

He was invited to stay and discuss the matter at hand, but he knew his heart would collapse in on itself if he even thought about it.

He drove home slowly, cruising through different side streets he’d never taken. His apartment was always within reach, but he could barely bring himself to turn into his parking spot. The longer he drove, the longer he could delay the inevitable.

His resignation letter sat askew on his desk, matching the rest of his living space that had been ransacked by the Cancer Man’s men. Skinner refused the letter and told him it was no use giving up on the bureau now.

Mulder didn’t tell him there was no use in the bureau without his partner. Even when Skinner reopened the X-files, he couldn’t get himself to go through them as he had when she was at his side.

Slinging himself on his couch, he could smell the days without showering or sleeping radiating off him, but he could barely get his suit jacket off, let alone drag himself to the shower.

Crushing his body against the worn leather, staring blankly at the disconnected television, he could almost close his eyes and pretend he was in a motel with her again. He tuned the sound of his radiator running to become the soft snoring she would always insist didn’t happen, the wind batting against the windows as her tossing against the lumpy motel beds they frequented, and the pounding of his heart as hers.

Barely a year as partners, and yet he would break, bend, and bleed just to hear her say his name one last time.

She’d only called him by his first name once, while they were on an off-the-books stakeout. He told her to call him Mulder, and that he even forced his parents to call him by their last name.

Every time he heard it, he was suddenly twelve years old, watching his sister scream out his name as he stood still and couldn’t do a thing to protect her like he promised he always would.

But when she said it, he was no longer trapped in his memories. He was just Fox.

If she said his name enough, maybe he wouldn’t hate it as much as he did.

His phone rang, sending his heart to flutter like a bird in a cage. He knew he should answer it, but his body was clinging to the couch harder than gravity was clinging to Earth.

“Mulder.” He answered flatly, stretching his body off the edge of his couch to hold the phone to his ear.

Electricity shot up his spine and down his legs, slinging up to his feet before Mrs. Scully could finish what she was saying. Life bubbled into him as he dropped the phone in its dock.

Mulder’s feet echoed in the sterile hospital hallway as he walked, his steps slow, almost mechanical, every inch of him unwilling to face what he knew was waiting for him behind that door. But he had no choice.

He didn’t want to see her like this again. He didn’t want to walk into that room where she was tethered to life by machines, her body so small and fragile, and the world outside buzzing with life while she remained suspended in an unnerving limbo. But she was there. And he had to be there too.

Her family had gathered around her. Her mother, her sister—the ones who had the right to be there first. But it was his presence that had been permitted, allowed to enter into that sacred space where the woman he had spent endless nights sleeping beside was now lying in a hospital bed.

He stepped through the door, and there she was.

Dana Scully. Her name felt so wrong, so small, in this sterile, whitewashed room. She looked almost ethereal in her hospital gown, pale, the skin of her face so sunken, and yet, there was something about her that still made his heart ache—still made him wonder how he ever got so lucky, or cursed, to be in her orbit. Her lips, usually full with that determined set, were now parted slightly as she lay motionless beneath the rhythmic beeping of the machines keeping her tethered to this world. The familiar weight of her presence was missing, but the quiet strength still lingered there, just out of reach.

“Hello Fox,” Mrs. Scully said, not moving as her hand laced with her daughter’s.

“Not Fox—Mulder.” Her cracked lips quirked as she quipped at her mother. She gently turned to face him, raising her eyes to his.

In the second she corrected her mother, hearing her say his name was enough to make his throat tighten. She looked over her shoulder at her family, and without a word, they silently left the room.

She was alive and awake in front of him, and as drained as he was, he wanted to scream thanks to her God. Her hand reached out to him, and for the first time in the matter of Dana Scully, he hesitated.

She was here because of him.

“Scully…” he trailed, fighting the urge to let her first name slip out. He took her hand in his, so cold comparatively, and brought her knuckles to his lips. She didn’t do anything to stop him, and he felt her stare drop to her necklace hanging on his neck.

“You kept it,” she whispered, bordering on a question, as she touched it to his chest. He felt his face flush as her delicate fingers played with the pendant, watching her twist and turn it.

“Yeah,” he croaked, looping his hands behind his head to unclasp it, “your mom—Mrs. Scully—told me to keep it ‘till I could give it back to you.” He gathered it in his hands, offering to put it on her, “Here, let me.”

It looked better fit on her, dainty and gilded against her throat, proclaiming her differing beliefs in the mysteries of the world and the myth of creation. It was as if her faith in God had taken him to the ends of his limits and then pushed him even further for the sake of her name.

He’d never called her by her first name. Dana. It had always felt too soft, too familiar, too fragile. She was always Scully. And it wasn’t just a title; it was a shield, a boundary they had created together, a wall that kept everything unspoken but understood. To call her Dana would have been to acknowledge a vulnerability neither of them could afford to expose.

For a long time, he thought about the meaning of her name. Dana. A pearl. A symbol of something precious, something rare, something born of pressure and pain, and yet, something more beautiful than anything else. She had always been that to him. Something he could never hold in his hands but could only try to protect from the world that wanted to break her.

But she had never needed to hear him say that. She had always known. She was a pearl, too beautiful for him to touch in the way that he longed to, too precious to be made vulnerable by his words, a testament to the definition of her name. And so he had kept it inside. The ‘Dana’ he had never called her. The pearl he had never acknowledged aloud.

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lonelyfanboy48 · 6 months ago

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Steven Universe Of The Creek Chapters 24 & 25

Chapter 24 Lion's Pink Little World

The sky continued to color in shades of orange as the minutes ticked by. After picking up Jessica from the Creek Daycare, the group searched for Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks with the amount of time they had left. Craig had been thinking about what Steven meant, but he won’t show it to him until they find Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks.

Jessica never kept her eyes off of Lion ever since they took her from the Daycare. She wished she was seeing things, but at the same time, she didn’t learn about her brother’s eye problems. Lion didn’t stare at her with him also looking for one more creek kid and her pet. He still thinks he’s being spotted ever since coming here.

“Why couldn’t you take him to the Creek Daycare?” Jessica asked.

“First, animals aren’t allowed in the Creek Daycare.” Craig answered.

“Including lions.” Kelsey added.

“And second, one of the kids may…go inside Lion and won’t be able to come out.” Steven added.

“As in getting eaten by him?” Jessica catched on.

“No, we wouldn’t have him if he eats-” Connie cuts herself the moment Lion groaned at him. “He has a huge aversion towards humans.”

“At the same time, gems don’t eat and Lion’s a gem so, you won’t gain anything if you have the ability to not starve.” Steven replied.

“I would miss food more than staying alive forever.” J.P. commented. “Does that feel weird more than wonderful?”

“If I wasn’t half human, I would’ve stayed at Beach City. And I probably wouldn’t have my dad…or mom.”

“Being a full gem really gives you less company in a family.” Omar spoked.

Steven couldn’t disagree before saving the lives of gems lightyears away in space. But he never lied if he hadn’t thought about spending his life as a gem rather than also being part human. As his group continued to walk, Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks hid behind the trees. Wildernessa has her only chance to meet Lion face to face, including her pet who’s more frozen in the inside.

Then Lion stopped as he turned to the direction where Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks were hiding. “Lion?” Connie took notice.

Lion slowly made his way to the trees with Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks not waiting anymore since they’re also on the clock. Wildernessa slightly kicked Cheese Sticks as they popped out in the open, causing Lion to back off while the group did the same.

“Vanessa!” Craig reacted. “Have you been spying on us?”

“Well…not you all, just…him.” She pointed at Lion which didn’t faze him. “Okay, I was thinking about the activity with Steven but the thing is…no animals were trapped.”

“Vanessa, we would’ve done something else if we weren't going to do that, but Steven has another idea.”

As Wildernessa got off of Cheese Sticks, her pet slowly walked up to Lion with Lion staring straight in his eyes. He wasn’t prepared to dodge from the way the body language of Cheese Sticks. His eyes are the opposite of his, however he is no enemy.

“Sorry, but it has nothing to do with riding on our pets.” Steven walked next to Wildermessa. “Plus, your pet is smaller than mine.”

“I saw you smaller earlier when I watched you fight.”

“It’s one of my powers.”

“It’ll at least be something nice, like can you have her be small?”

“Unfortunately…no.” Connie responded.

Wildernessa lowered her head, thinking she would get a chance to ride Lion while Steven and Connie rode her pet. “She’s also my girlfriend from what we talked about this morning.” Steven said.

“Connie?” Wildernessa remembered.

“Yes. She was a kid when she rode Lion, but she doesn’t have powers unlike me.”

Wildernessa has been thinking about Steven’s gem and its powers. She doesn’t want to see it again, but she can’t tell what is possible for him to do. “If she had the powers of being young, would she want to ride on Cheese Sticks?”

“Not that I don’t like him, but for how the Creek is, I would give it a try.” Connie walked up to Cheese Sticks not long until she turned to Wildernessa. “But sorry, it’s not going to happen.”

“I thought it would be a chance to ride Lion.” She then looked up at Steven and Connie who didn’t like her idea.

“I also wanted to ride on him.” Jessica added.

“We just don’t have enough time.” Steven sighed. “I’m sorry, but this is really important.”

“Again, there’s always tomorrow.” Kelsey commented.

“Maybe, depending on what happens with Craig’s parents tonight.”

“Oh no.” Wildernessa sighed. “This could be my only time meeting Lion if that could be the case.”

“If we work this out tonight, he could come back the day after tomorrow.” Craig replied. “So what do you want to show us?”

Steven walked up to Lion while he made sure everyone’s staring at Lion. He took Craig’s hand as Craig paid attention to what he’s getting himself into. Steven placed his hand in Lion’s mane but instead of going through his fur, a glowing portal appeared catching the attention from the kids, including Cheese Sticks.

“Has my eyes turned pink?”

“No.” Steven smiled.

Wildernessa and Jessica couldn’t believe it was possible, as if Lion’s mane is hiding something with that teleportation in him. “I can feel his fur and it feels like there’s something deeper.”

“You can but trust me, you’re gonna have to hold your breath at all times.”

“Okay.” Craig sucked a breath into his mouth, whilst being prepared for what Steven’s gonna do.

“Jump in.” Without hesitation, Craig jumped inside of Lion’s mane while reaching to the end of the teleportation. He jumped out while witnessing the world in Lion’s mane. Far away distances with a sky with clouds while witnessing a tree with a big picture of Rose, something he saw from his pink vision from earlier, before it got uglier.

“Did he just?” Jessica pointed at Lion’s mane.

“Yes.” Steven replied. “Jump in but hold your breath.”

“This could be better than riding Lion.” Jessica holds her breath while jumping into Lion’s mane. Wildernessa felt like the ultimate opportunity’s right in front of her, even bigger than riding Lion.

“How would I ever find another pink lion who could have that?” She asked.

“You won’t and never will.” Steven commented. “Be my guest.”

“Can Cheese Sticks jump in?”

“Shockingly…yes”

As Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks looked at each other, they had the same idea. As she held her breath, she jumped into Lion’s mane and Cheese Sticks doing the same. Due to his size, Lion flinched just like how Steven pulled Bismuth out of him. J.P. Kelsey, and Omar felt speechless from Lion’s mane itself.

“Is there anything happening in there?” Kelsey wondered.

“Not really, but you can find another exit out of the dimension of Lion’s Mane.” Steven answered.

“So Lion is the only pink lion but there’s another person who…mane is pink?” J.P. added.

“Hair, not mane, but you would be in outer space.” Connie replied.

“That has got to be the most unreal thing I have ever seen.” Omar commented. “Better than danger.”

“Anything is better than danger.” Steven said while finding a long stick.

Inside Lion's Mane, Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks looked in their surroundings with the wind blowing on them. Wildernessa felt like she was in a new world for the first time in her life. She didn’t feel like she’s in the creek anymore from the way Jessica played with Small Uncle, while feeling the pink grass itself, despite holding her breath to not let out of her breath.

When she turned to the tree, Craig stood in place while looking at the picture of Rose Quartz. He never forgot what he saw in his pink vision just before Steven punched Eliza when he saw the monster in Steven and Elisa as Rose herself. Then, the effects from Steven returned as his eyes turned pink. Everywhere had turned more pink as usual, but the only thing that changed, is Rose Quartz, turning into Pink Diamond.

If he saw that Rose was Pink Diamond from before, he would’ve picked up on why Steven couldn’t control himself, even though Eliza didn’t deserve what was coming to her. The only thing he hopes is that if his parents knew about what he did to his brother, Bernard, which there’s no avoiding tonight, they'd still allow him to stay no matter what conditions they demanded.

When he turned around, Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks stared at him without even attempting to move anywhere in Lion’s Mane. They know they would go nowhere if they leave, especially when they don’t have anything to breathe in. Soon, they noticed the end of a stick sticking from the pink grass, catching their and Jessica’s attention. It was their sign that their time is up in Lion’s Mane. They made their way to the stick as Craig jumped in along with his sister. Wildernessa and Cheese Sticks jumped in as Craig and Jessica jumped out of Lion’s Mane, catching their breath as Craig’s eyes turned back to normal. When Cheese Sticks popped his head out of Lion’s Mane, he couldn’t get out with Wildernessa still inside.

“Let’s go help him.” Steven spoked while grabbing the arm of Cheese Sticks. “This usually happens when someone big comes out.”

“I can only imagine if a building comes out of him.” J.P. wondered.

“Let’s not think about it, let’s help.” Omar replied. Some of the group pulled Steven while Connie and the rest of the group pulled the other arm of Cheese Sticks. Soon enough, Cheese Sticks is pulled out with Wildernessa finally taking a breath.

“Ahhh, If only there was air in there, we could’ve stayed longer.” Wildernessa panted.

“Is it still fun?” Steven asked.

“Yes! It felt like a pink playground land.” Jessica cheered.

“Minus the slides of course.” Craig added. They then heard the Timekeeper blowing through her Sousaphone. “It’s time to head home now.”

“Well, there’s no way to avoid it.” Steven walked up to Craig and Jessica. “We might as well face the music tonight.”

“I’ll make sure the music isn’t loud enough.” Jessica added.

“At least it was fun while it lasted.” J.P. replied.

“He could come back for another day, just not tomorrow.” Kelsey added.

“Craig’s parents won’t be able to see the good in Steven if they found out about his gem and powers.” Omar added.

“On second thought, maybe me and Lion should stay until after the meeting.” Connie walked up to Steven. “I know there’s no other way to work this out.”

“You're right.” Craig replied. “At one point, they’re gonna see me with pink eyes eventually.”

“This is gonna be a rough family meeting tonight.” Steven sighed.

“Even more than the last family meeting when you got here.”

Wildernessa felt disappointed she might not ride Lion, but on the other hand, she got something more, including her pet. “If they do allow you to stay, I hope Lion does come back.”

“We will work it out by chance.” Connie responded. “Let’s get going.”

Kelsey, J.P., Wildernessa and Omar went their separate ways back home while Craig, Jessica, Steven, Connie, and Lion made their way to Craig’s place. Steven hasn’t seen Craig’s parents since the family reunion, including last night when he slept over when none of them noticed him. He knows Bernard will be there tonight, especially with the incident he had with him back in his old apartment yesterday.

“So Craig.” He spoke to him. “When you got into Lion’s Mane, did your eyes turn pink again?”

“Yes.” Craig answered. “And there was a picture of Rose…who turned into…” He refuses to speak knowing it’ll affect him.

“Pink Diamond?” He guessed.

“Yes. I don’t need to tell you how I felt.”

“I can’t guarantee your parents would feel the same way if they found out about his mom, or even the Diamonds.” Connie commented.

“The truth will definitely make them see you not who you were since meeting them days ago.” Jessica added.

“Why do you have to say smart words for your age?” Steven looked up at the sky.

“It’s her thing, we are born differently, but grow mature fast.” Craig replied.

Chapter 25 Starlight Gospel Side

The orange sky got darker with the streetlights in the neighborhood flickering into life. It was a long day for Steven to spend his time at the creek and even if it wasn’t the best day of his life, he at the very least spent time with Craig and knew him better than he did himself. But tonight has finally come. He and Craig know that Craig’s parents are at their house, possibly waiting for them to arrive. After coming out from the Creek, they walked up to Craig’s house, while also remembering that Lion is still out in the open.

“We need to make sure we show them Lion, but not this way.” Craig walked up to the front door.

“Maybe we can surprise them by not scaring them.” Steven replied. “Lion, can you go to the backyard and wait?”

Lion agreed as he jumped on the roof, making his way to the backyard. “They will know it’s not Santa Claus up there.” Jessica commented.

“We should’ve told him to teleport to the backyard.” Connie flinched.

“Let’s go in…and hope for the best.” Craig took out his house key as he unlocked the front door. The moment he opened the door, he saw his brother Bernard sitting on the steps.

“Hi Craig…and Steven.” He waved. “How was your day?”

“Better than last night.”

Bernard slowly stood up as Craig closed the front door. He still felt uncomfortable all day due to what happened last night. “Please tell me you’re not gonna explode again.”

“He won’t, where’s Mom and Dad?”

“They’re in the living room…waiting.” He then turned to the hallway with the TV on in the living room. “My girlfriend, Alexis, came over to check up on me. She agreed to be part of this meeting tonight.”

“I don’t need to know if you or her told them about last night.” Steven replied.

“Then we shouldn’t keep them waiting any longer.” Connie said.

“Well, here we go, let’s do this.” Craig spoked.

They made their way down the hallway with no food on the kitchen table nor in the kitchen itself. Craig may have had dinner two days ago, but by the looks of this, it’s more serious. When they turn to the left, Duane, Nicole, and Alexis are sitting on the sofa. They heard the front door pushed open and footsteps, knowing they’re skipping dinner after witnessing that Steven’s van was in their driveway. Nicole turned off the TV with the remote, she, her husband and Bernard’s girlfriend turned around to see Steven again.

“I thought yesterday would be the last time we would meet.” Nicole stood up from the sofa. “But after what Bernard told us, we don’t see you the same way as when you got here.”

“You didn’t think Bernard’s making things up?”

“We wouldn’t be good parents if we thought that.”

Nicole and Duane walked up in front of the group, looking straight at Steven, while Alexis stood in place. “Steven, we heard about you…exploding with Benard in your old apartment yesterday.”

“Did he tell you I have something hiding in my shirt?” Steven guessed.

“Yes and everything Craig told us a few days ago, we thought about him.”

Steven and Craig decided to cut to the chase as they walked by the TV to show them the truth. “Three nights ago when I met him after leaving the Creek, I bumped into him where I felt…” Craig stopped himself as Steven filled in by lifting his shirt up.

“He felt my gem.” He replied as Craig’s parents witnessed his gem for the first time.

“Also.” Jessica chimed in. “His shield was made out of magic.”

Steven used his powers to have his shield reappear, catching the attention from Craig’s parents. “Before you ask, I’m not a magician.”

“Then who are you exactly?” Nicole placed her hands on her hips.

Steven lowered his head while giving her the answer. “A Crystal Gem.”

With the words out in the open, Nicole and Duane knew there’s tons of information, but they would be here all night. They can tell the term Crystal Gem is a lot more private than it looks. As if what he did during their family reunion was all a lie about his life.

“Steven, you better understand we live in a healthy and stable family life.” Duane said.

“Having a gem in your belly button with…shields appearing out of thin air is the last thing people would expect.” Nicole added. “And secondly,” She walked up to him while looking down at her son. “We don’t give guests special privileges.”

“I wasn’t gonna leave him out in the rain.” Craig replied.

“That doesn’t mean you can have him stay without our permission.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Williams.” Connie chimed in. “Not that I don’t agree with you, but his life changed when he left Beach City three months ago.”

“That doesn’t change how he nearly harmed Benard.” Alexis replied.

“It was an accident.” Craig replied.

“I didn’t mean to harm Benard yesterday, I just wanted to leave to protect my social profile.” Steven said. “I’m not a terrible person because I have powers.”

“That’s the problem. We never saw you with your powers.” Nicole retorted as she turned to Craig again. “Craig, what powers did he show you?”

“He can fight, but not in a bad way.”

“Not helping.” Steven awkwardly grinned.

“He can go faster on a bike in pink and, he can shrink himself to a kid like me.”

“Anything else?”

Craig lowered his head while trying to stay on topic with his parents. “He gave me pink eye visions with his saliva.”

“Really!?” Nicole reacted. “Stranger danger levels.”

“I’m still a teen.” Steven replied. “I was trying to make him feel happy when he used my shield, I didn’t know his eyes turned pink.”

“If you can control your powers, are you capable of fixing him?” Bernard asked.

“Someone in public could see him if he had pink eyes.” Duane said.

“We’re working on it, this is the first time I’ve experienced this.” Steven sighed.

“This isn’t like how he helped me with my eyes.” Connie added.

“Do you expect me to believe you’re willing to fix him? If a doctor can’t give him eye drops to fix his eyes, I don’t believe you will.” Nicole crossed her arms.

Steven and Craig wanted to find the positives, but from the way Craig’s parents are catching on, they won’t allow Steven to sleep over for a week. “You don’t have to believe me but please, I wasn’t gonna leave and have him have pink eyes forever.” Steven said.

“Steven, we’re not allowing you to stay.”

“This isn’t a neighborhood from where you live if you actually expect them to have you stay.” Alexis commented.

“Plus…you're not family.” Duane added. “Cold, but it’s the truth.”

When Steven turned to the backyard, it was the only option he had left to prove to Craig’s parents on how his life’s privacy shows he needs to set things straight by any means necessary. “You're right.” Steven crossed his arms while heading by the patio door. “But I’ve always helped people’s problems from Beach City.”

“Every problem doesn’t center around you.” Nicole replied.

“But what we’re dealing with right now…is his and my problem.” Craig said.

Steven then opened the patio door, catching everyone’s attention. “My girlfriend Connie didn’t come by vehicle.”

Nicole and Duane looked at each other while Bernard and Alexis did the same. “I was wondering how your girlfriend got here.” Bernard spoked.

“I’m thinking of that more than being happy to see her.” Alexis added.

“Please, I want to show you this.” Steven got out of the living room.

“This better be a good example.” Nicole follows Steven. Everyone got out with the sky officially turning nighttime. Steven went down on the backyard porch as he turned around, next to Lion who was waiting patiently. Craig’s parents shook the moment they saw a lion in their backyard. Nicole almost screamed, but she covered her mouth while she and Duane went down the porch.

“That’s…a Lion!?” Bernard reacted while Jessica and Connie shushed him.

“Not so loud.” Connie replied.

“Sorry.”

Nicole and Duane slowly make their way to Lion, but they’re afraid he might jump and attack them. “He might eat us for dinner.” Duane shooked. “Then we won’t have dinner tonight.”

“He’s not gonna eat you.” Steven filled in.

“He’s not a predator.” Craig added.

“Whatever he is, I’m still not coming down.” Bernard stood by the patio door.

Nicole got close to Lion as it stood in place. Soon the presence of the big animal didn’t alarm her since he’s not causing any problems. “Was this the reason we heard stomps from the roof?” She asked.

“Yes.” Connie answered while following from behind. “Lion’s the reason I’m here is because he can teleport…and when Garnet told me that Steven needed support.”

Jessica walked up to Lion, eventually standing right next to him. “He’s really friendly and not scary, we can also jump into his mane.”

Nicole and Duane took their daughter’s words as they placed their arms through Lion’s mane, causing it to glow. “You came out from his mane?” Nicole turned to Connie.

“No, it’s not that type of teleportation.” Connie answered.

“Trust me, we had to hold our breath in there.” Craig filled in.

“Steven may not be family but Craig got curious about his gem powers.”

“Two nights ago and this morning, he told me what his life is and I couldn’t help myself, he’s like the only Crystal Gem we’re ever gonna meet.” Craig said while lowering his head. “Also, we had a good time hanging out in the creek. We didn’t do everything but we want to do more.”

Craig’s parents turned to Steven as he placed his hands in his pockets. “It’s not a good excuse to stay but I’ll do anything, I can pay for rent if you need it.”

Nicole and Duane took their time to process Craig’s relationship with Steven. They hope he can fix Craig’s eye problems before he leaves but if it requires more time, they have no choice but to keep him for a long time.

“Steven.” Nicole responded. “We’re gonna have you stay.”

“For one week?” Steven caught on.

“Maybe more than a week, but under a few conditions. You don’t have to pay rent however, at the very least, make a friend that’s your age in Herkleton.”

“Just one friend. Bernard can help you, starting tomorrow.” Duane turned around to see Bernard still next to the patio door. “It’s also important to work out your issues with him.”

“From the way I saw him today, he needs more time until he wants to be your friend again.”

“They can work on it as long as they need, me and my friends can help also.” Alexis replied.

“You want me to find a friend at my age tomorrow?” Steven replied. “Which means-”

“You’re not going to the creek tomorrow, you can do it the day after tomorrow.” Nicole answered. Steven wished he could come back to the creek and he will but not like this. “We’re not doing this for you. We’re doing this for Craig.”

Craig knew his mother was right. She wouldn’t do it any other way. However, he’ll have to let his friends know Steven won’t be around tomorrow. “Okay, I accept.” Craig responded.

“Also after every dinner from here on out, starting tonight, we want to hear about your life as a Crystal Gem.”

“If Craig believes you, then we might do the same.” Duane added.

“We won’t judge, but if you’re that different out in the open, maybe we might protect you if something bad happens.”

“Fine by me.” Steven agreed. “I haven’t eaten all day.”

“I would’ve taken you to The Creek’s Kitchen, but there were too many places, I forgot about lunch.” Craig’s stomach groaned. “I really got side tracked.”

“Okay then. I’m gonna make dinner for all of us, including Steven Universe.” Nicole smiled. “I still wouldn’t leave a guest starving.”

“Thanks Mrs. Williams.” Steven smiled.

“Well, I’m gonna leave, I still have college tomorrow.” Connie climbing on top of Lion. “I’ll come back for Kelsey’s book club if I have the chance.”

“Okay, but you better appear in our backyard, nowhere else.” Nicole demanded. “We don’t want anyone to know we have a lion here.”

“They might see him as a predator, unlike us.” Bernard added. “And I’m sure they don’t want to ride on him unlike kids from the creek.”

Lion groaned which caused Bernard to flinch. “He heard that.” Connie called. “But sure, we’ll only appear in the backyard. Hope things work out for you Steven.” Lion roared beams from his mouth as a portal appeared in front of him. He and Connie jumped through the portal and disappeared.

“Okay, maybe the backyard isn’t the best idea if the lion’s gonna roar like that.” Nicole picked her ear plug.

“Let’s just have dinner and I’ll tell you a bit about myself. I’ll call Connie to work on that problem.” Steven replied.

Steven, Alexis, and Craig’s family head inside as they have dinner tonight. Soon after that, Steven had a private meeting with Nicole and Duane, but Craig isn’t allowed to take part. He brushed his teeth while getting into his pajamas, heading inside his bedroom. With Jessica and Bernard in their bedrooms and Alexis leaving, he couldn’t get to sleep. He sat on his bed waiting if Steven did come up to his room before he headed to bed. It took longer than he thought, even more when he showed him his gem two nights ago. His parents really need to know him all the while trusting him enough to stay.

After thirty minutes, he heard his door pushed open, revealing Steven himself in his pajamas with a blanket and pillow. “So how did it go?” He asked.

“Not bad, but not good either.” Steven replied. “I also want to point out that I have to sleep in your room instead of on the sofa in the living room.”

“That’s fine, my top bunk bed isn’t big, but it’s better than sleeping on the ground.”

Steven smiled as he sat next to Craig. “It is better, I was actually happy your Mom allowed me to sleep in here.”

“Did you tell them about Ruby and Aquamarine?”

“No, I didn’t want them to be in a panicked mood, they don’t deserve it.”

“True, but at least they don’t know where you’re sleeping.”

Steven knows he’s safe from Ruby and Aquamarine with them not knowing his whereabouts, but even by finding a friend tomorrow, he’ll keep an eye out for them. “You know when we met Maya by the waterfall, you know they might be paired with Xavier?”

“It’s a possibility, but I haven’t seen Xavier since the Capture The Flag war.” Craig then took a deep breath, knowing he won’t be around Steven tomorrow. “I don’t think I’m gonna protect myself if they find me in the creek.”

“Well I know they could be with Xavier, but on the other hand, I don’t know where he lives.”

“I know he has a brother and sister, and his house but I don’t have a picture of it.”

“We’re worry about that the day after tomorrow. If Ruby and Aquamarine find you, head straight home. You will be safe. Or you can go to your friend's house, J.P. or Kelsey’s. I know they won’t break in when they get caught.”

“Good idea.” Craig crawled on his bed as Steven got off. “I don’t think I’ll have a chance against them.”

“No one will, believe me.” Steven turned off the bedroom light as he got on top of Craig’s bunk bed with his blanket and pillow. “And Craig.” He laid his head on his pillow. “Maybe if I can, I might have you meet Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst through my phone. It’s the least we can do if you want to meet them.”

Craig wouldn’t pass the opportunity but he doesn’t know what to say. Especially Steven might also include the other Crystal Gems like Peridot, Lapis, and Bismuth. “I would wait if we needed more time. I’m still bummed they won’t come over to meet me face to face.”

“I would love to have them come over Craig…but it’s better to keep things simple.” Steven yawned while closing his eyes. “I still need to work things out with your parents.”

“I know.” Craig also yawned.

“Good night.”

The two fell asleep in slumber with their day officially over. They won’t be together tomorrow, but they'll take it until the following day. They’re thankful they'll be friends for a little longer while there’s a lot more in the creek to see, including the other side.

Outside of Craig’s curtain and window, Aquamarine and Ruby were eavesdropping from the outside, hearing everything from Steven and Craig’s conversation. “Oh Steven, we're always a step ahead from you.” Aquamarine whispered.

“We'll make sure Craig doesn’t find sanctuary when we keep him occupied.” Ruby added. Aquamarine flew away while carrying Ruby. They will tell Xavier about what they’re gonna do tomorrow, and continue more on their alliance, all the while giving Steven a really great friend of his age. They know Steven will meet Xavier soon, but they’re sure he won’t find out about their plan and what they’re gonna do next.

#fanfiction #steven universe #cartoon crossover #crossover #craig of the creek #craig williams #cartoon network #wildernessa #jessica williams #lion #nicole williams #Duane Williams #connie maheswaran #j.p.#kelsey pokoly #omar #alexis

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