#ticklish!garnet

[anzynai]

Log Date 7 13 2

Peridot & Steven & Garnet (Steven Universe)

a/n: i genuinely could not find a good gif for this fic so the one above is the one ur getting. ALSO THIS IS THE FIRST FIC IVE WRITTEN IN A WHILE and it’s literally been sitting in my notes app for months unfinished but i finally finished so!! and it’s peri bc she’s beautiful and she was my first character obsession whatever and i’m still obsessed so yes. anyways, enjoy!!

summary: from listening to old logs, peridot is reminded that she doesn’t know what tickling is. steven and garnet teach her.

word count: 1.4k words

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*Click* “Log Date 7148: The Steven has demonstrated a new.. ritual that humans seem to partake in. The name of this ritual is a ‘Tickle Fight’. I do not understand it. I searched for an answer in a large book filled with numerous words and their meanings, but it does not seem plausible. Perhaps, I should look more into it.” Peridot tilted her head. This was an older recording, taken a few months ago. She had never actually gotten the chance to continue her learning of what tickling actually was, helping Steven and the Crystal Gems save the world and all.

However, she had stumbled upon her old tape recorder and decided to listen to a few of her logs. The reminder of her curiosity revolving a “Tickle Fight” arose once more. Tickling, she recalled, was ‘to touch someone in certain sensitive spots to make them flinch and laugh’.

Still, she didn’t understand. How could lightly touching someone incite laughter? Was it an involuntary response? Should she ask Steven?

It wasn’t a bad idea; Steven had always helped her when she didn’t understand something on Earth. She threw her fist in her hand in resolve, searching for the boy.

Luckily, it didn’t take long. He and Garnet were doing something with a sphere, but Peridot couldn’t find herself caring enough to ask.

“Steven?” She asked, loudly, catching the attention of the two.

“Peridot!” Steven exclaimed, setting the ball down and running to the gem. Garnet followed soon after.

“What is ‘tickling’?” She asked, scratching her chin and eyeing Garnet somewhat shyly. Garnet and her had settled their (one-sided) tension, but sometimes, the gem still managed to intimidate her.

“Oh! Tickling! It’s where if someone touches-“

“No! Steven, wait. I know what it means but I don’t understand it. How does it make one laugh?” She inquired, as Steven’s mouth made an ‘o’ in understanding.

“Well, I don’t really know the science about it.. but it has something to do with your brain makes it happen..?”

“Ehh…” Peridot hummed, though she couldn’t say the answer given to her was very helpful.

“Why are you so curious about tickling, anyway?” Steven asked, looking at her then to Garnet.

“Oh, that’s because it was in one of my old logs. I always wanted to understand it but never could find the time.” Peridot said, handing them the tape recorder. They listened back to it, giving it back to her when the recording was finished.

“We’ll help you! It will be fun!! Right, Garnet?” Steven shouted, excited. Garnet only gave a thumbs-up.

And so, the next few minutes we’re spent finding answers about the strange thing. By the end of it Peridot could almost confidently say she understood tickling, or Gargelesis, the scientific term according to to the internet. Well, almost. There was one thing she didn’t quite understand. What did it feel like? She didn’t know. Could gems even.. feel ticklish? Sure, she had seen Steven been tickled before by the other gems but that was all it was.

Still, she didn’t want to ask. It was starting to get late and for some reason she couldn’t explain, the thought of being tickled felt.. embarrassing? That a mere touch can make someone feel so sensitive and laugh beyond their control.

The three of them sat down on the couch in Steven’s house, before Steven began to speak.

“Hey, Peridot.”

“Hm?”

“Have you ever been tickled?” It seemed like an obvious question, the fact being that she hadn’t, but she answered anyway.

Peridot sat up. “No, I.. I can’t say that I have.”

Steven beamed at that, reaching to grab her hands. “Do you want to be?!”

“I mean, Gems probably aren’t ticklish, right? So it would be pointless, wouldn’t it?” She said, though she wasn’t even sure if it is true and to be honest, she did want to know what it felt like.

“They are.” Garnet said, simply.

“O-oh.”

“So…????” Steven spoke slowly, in anticipation. He looked so excited to tickle his friend that she sighed.

“It would help me completely understand tickling. So I suppose it would be beneficial on both parties!” Peridot clapped her hands as Steven resisted squealing in delight, his lips quirked up. Peridot would be lying if she said she wasn’t at least a little nervous, but the best way to understand something was to experience it.

“Yesss!!! Garnet, help me tickle Peri!” Steven exclaimed, practically stars in his eyes. It felt nice to know that the gem wasn’t the only one looking forward to this.

“What should I do?” Peridot asked, unsure if it would only work if she did something in particular.

“Hm,” Steven put his finger on his chin. “Put your arms up— a little higher—yes like that!” He slowly brought his hands to the gems hips, grabbing the belly fat.

“If you are in any discomfort, tell us. We’ll stop.” Garnet added, as Steven squeezed. To say Peridot flinched was an understatement.

It was unlike anything she could have ever imagined and— yes, there’s the laughter the “dictionary” was referring to. Peridot immediately brought her hands down, pushing away at Steven’s hands, squirming wildly. Tickling felt sensitive, and she couldn’t help the toothy grin on her face.

“W-whahahahat?! T-thihihis iHIHIs tihihickling?!” She cried.

“Yes it is! Do you like it?” Steven asked, as Garnet hooked her arms under Peridot’s. Did she like it?

“Yehehehes! Ihihit’s weheheheird buhuhut I l-lihihike it!” She said, though she did struggle to get the words out. She wasn’t even completely sure that Steven and Garnet understood what she was saying.

She was overwhelmed. Not in a bad way, though. She couldn’t stop squirming and flailing and twisting and shaking. It felt as if each new spot that was explored caused her to become more sensitive.

“Can you hold her arms for me, Garnet?” Steven asked, as the gem nodded. She went from in front of Peridot to behind her, hooking her arms with hers. Peridot felt a new wave of anticipation wash over her with this newfound vulnerability.

“Ahahahaha..” Peridot stammered, giggling in anticipation. That anticipation didn’t last long because Steven had already stuck his hands into her armpits, scribbling on the sensitive skin.

She thought that was she had been feeling before was bad but this.. this was a whole new sensation!

“N-NaHAHAH?! W-WHAHAT?! W-WHY IHIHIS IHIHIT SOHOHO bahahaAD?!” She cried, struggling in Garnet’s grasps.

“That’s your tickle spot! Hehe, we found it.” Steven exclaimed, excited. Garnet smiled.

The tickling was beginning to feel overwhelming. Who knew a “tickle spot” could feel so intense? Peridot felt tears of mirth gathering in her eyes, her cheeks beginning to ache from the smiling and laughing.

“N-noHOHOHO MOHOHORE!” She shouted, getting their attention. Almost immediately, Garnet unhooked her arms and Steven removed his hands from her armpits. Garnet patted her back, comfortably, catching her before her knees gave out. The fusion moved Peridot to the floor. Peridot was exhausted. She tried catching her breath, shocked at how exhausted she had become.

“So how was it?” Steven asked, plopping down on the ground with her.

“It.. it was nice. It was overwhelming, but it wasn’t bad.” Peridot admitted.

“Haha, you’re so ticklish! That’s why!” Steven laughed. Garnet decided to sit on her knees and join them on the ground.

“Am I really that ticklish?” Peridot asked, as she scratched her chin.

“Yes, you are.” Garnet spoke, without hesitation, and Peridot blushed slightly.

“This makes us an expert in tickling now, doesn’t it?” Steven inquired, raising a brow.

That was true, wasn’t it? Peridot thought to herself. They spent about half an hour researching and then tickling Peridot so she had experience with it. But… something felt missing.

“Not yet. Peridot has never had a tickle fight.” Garnet voiced and.. that’s right! That’s what was missing! Steven’s eyes lit up as did Peridot’s while her body suddenly seemed much more energized.

“I’ll get you, Steven!” She shouted, eagerly, pouncing on him, kneading her hands into his sides.

“N-nahahahat if I gehehehet y-you fihihirst!” He giggled, as he tried to tickle the gem back. It seemed Garnet decided to sit this one out, but Peridot didn’t mind. She didn’t know what tickling was, but was happy to find out. Not the mention, the joy she felt spending time with Steven and Garnet, creating new memories with them that she would cherish forever. But for now, she had a tickle fight to win!



[mysteriouslee]

Day 12-13

lee!Pearl ler!bismuth

(they dating in this y'all)

It had been weeks since Steven left and Pearl asked Bismuth out, which shocked everyone even herself. Everyone was conveniently busy and the barn was empty, so the two were hanging out and laying comfortable in a bale, exchanging words of love and affirmation. They were supposed to be fixing the barn's water filter but that kinda went out the window. Pearl would every few minutes to get up and want to continue but looking into Bismuth's eyes would sink her back in. Bismuth lifted Pearl on her shoulders and pinned her against the walls kissing her smaller girlfriend. The two would go on making out for a while until Bismuth's kisses met Pearl's neck which elicited a snort from the former Rose advisor.

"Now forgive me if I'm wrong but I'm assuming this is the part where I tickle you because you accidentally revealed you're ticklish" Bismuth said with an ever cheeky smirk.

"Nohoho it's nohot' giggled the blonde

Bismuth shook her head.

"Wrong answer Pearlie" the rainbow gem replied before blowing raspberries and kissing all over Pearl's stomach. Pearl squealed and was reduced to a mess in minutes.

" Man, *pbbt* are you *pbbt* sure this is *pbbt* the same war criminal *pbbt* I'm dating, I really doubt *pbbt* it, you're too *pbbt* cute" Bismuth teased the Pearl.

"Stahahahp ihihit, no teahahasing" Pearl blushed bright red.

"I don't think you're in the position to make demands" Bismuth announced as she wiggled her eyebrows.

That's when they heard an "ahem" at the door. It was Garnet smirking.

"Weren't you two supposed to be doing something"

[whisperedgiggles]

The raspberry war

Also on Ao3!

Steven and Connie were enjoying an afternoon on the beach, taking in the sun and the sweet scent of seawater. Steven was entranced by the GamePal that Connie had gotten him for his birthday, playing a puzzle game about a detective and his potato-loving dog. Connie was reading a tense medical drama that she'd borrowed from her mom's shelf. Whenever the action got really tense, she had a habit of tapping her fingers on Steven's gem, which occasionally drew a giggle out of him, and an apology from Connie. At one point, Steven made an error in judgement. the mistake? Saying "That's the worst cause it only tickles a little."

To which Connie replied. "Oh sorry, I can ramp things up if you want." A dangerous smirk had crossed her face.

Before Steven could take it back, Connie was on him, squeezing and poking his sides, scribbling her fingers around his gem--truly a ruthless tickle attack.

Steven's surprised squeal was eaten up by his rolling laughter as he desperately swatted at Connie's hands.

"Wait! Cohhahannieee Stahhap! Not under the gem! You mohohonster!"

"Yes, yesss," She teased, "A horrible, hungry tickle monster!"

"H-ha-hungry? Do you, ah! Do you want l-like a snahhahack or--"

"Nah, I got this." in a flash of speed that rivaled Pearl in combat, Connie blew a truly dreadful raspberry right where Steven's gem met his stomach. Steven's back arched and he slipped into silent laughter. Connie sat back and let him catch his breath. It took Steven a second to recollect himself.

"Geez Connie, that might have been worse than when Amethyst--"

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" the Amethyst in question shouted as she landed next to them, seemingly coming out of nowhere. "You're not just going to give the title to Connie! Not if I have anything to say about it."

Steven had dealt with many dangerous and terrifying things in his 16 years, butt in this moment, the fear of death hit him like a truck.

"W-wait, Amethyst I didn't mean--"

"What title?" Connie asked, looking around as if to figure out where Amethyst came from.

"Best. Steven. Tickler. I took it from Garnet when he was eight, ain't no way I'm giving it up without a fight."

Steven looked directly at the camera and squinted. Then Amethyst was on him, her hands a blur of ticklish ferocity. Steven tried to crawl backwards and escape, but the gem was too fast for him. She finished off with an evil, dastardly raspberry that once again sent Steven into silent hysterics.

Now the thing about Connie is that she always felt drawn to be the best, possessing a competitive spirit that her parents instilled into her very early in life.

"That all you got?" She challenged, much to Steven's horror.

"Wait Connie you can both--" Unfortunately, the reasonable rest of that sentence was cut off by Steven's roaring laughter as Connie attacked him with another raspberry. And another, and another...and then Amethyst joined in again, meaning twice the raspberries for poor Steven. This went on for some time before Steven finally had his fill, created a bubble around himself, and hamster-wheeled his way down he beach, away from his tormentors. 

Connie and Amethyst regarded each other for a moment, before Connie piped up: "...Tie?"

Amethyst nodded. "Yeah alright. You wanna chase after him to freak him out anyway?"

Connie smiled.

[eldelascosquillas-blog]

What animated series characters would you like to draw with The Tickle Monster? :3

Oh well, to sum up, since the new Superman series started I thought about doing fanarts again, (I was going to draw both Clark and Lois) I had also thought about drawing Reagan from Inside Job, Sheryl from Final Space, Garnet and Amethyst from Steven Univers.... Also some "old" characters that we all know.

I used to only do single drawing fanarts, now that I do comics and with the tickle monster present, the feeling of seeing those characters we've always wanted to see in ticklish situations being tickled in every panel of a comic, makes it something more... beautiful. 🍷

[starrygalazy]

Random HC's for all the Overwatch characters (mostly Mei) that I've been gathering over the last 3 months (starting Sept. 17)

It's just. Exactly what it sounds like. Fluffy, angsty, funny, probably not spicy (I lied-ish, talking abt a dick). We'll see. Gonna try and post this on December 31 for something

(Sept 17) Zenyatta is ticklish as hell. Typically omnics aren't but he got his touch receptors modified, tho I can't decide if Ramattra and Mondatta tricked him into it or he wanted to try it out

(Sept 20) Genji used to have a dick piercing, when he was young and stupid. After Blackwatch he took it out and now there's just a scar.

(Sept. 29) Mei finds a lot of comfort in music box songs her mom had lot when she was young and it helps her sleep.

(Oct 3) Actually on top of the previous hc, Mei can't do silence anymore. She always needs background noise, so usually she keeps her machines in the science ward running when she's actually trying to sleep. Otherwise she puts on music or uses sound generators if it's a bit too quiet on Gibraltar. The only sound that disturbs her more than just silence is wind blowing through the quiet, because it REALLY reminds her of emerging all alone.

(Oct 20) Mei is a Steven Universe girl. Her favorite Gem as a kid was Garnet because she loved her message about self love and how much Sapphire and Ruby loved each other, and she still knows almost all the songs by heart. She got very good at singing because she sang along so much. Also she probably cried when Steven lost his gem then got it back, and when Spinel sang "Drift Away"

(Nov 4) If Mei geeks out to someone, she really really loves and trusts them. Usually it'll be about her tech, climatology, or any show that she's currently watching. She only does this if she's fully comfortable with someone though

(Nov 19) Mei is one of those people who goes ALL OUT for Christmas. If you've seen those tiktok slideshows abt warm Christmases and tacky Christmases and more, she is ALL OF THEM (a little warmer leaning imo). She'll start looking for stuff to buy as soon as Halloween ends but she refrains from actually making anything until Thanksgiving (as request of quite a few OW agents).

(Nov 19) Cassidy either hates pumpkin spice latte's or loves it. No in between. He loves pumpkin pies though!

(Nov 28) Mei genuinely did consider joining Talon instead of Winston's recall in a grief filled moment. However, she immediately remembered her friends and knew they wouldn't want her to go down that path. On top of that, if Mei's struggling with a tough decision, she thinks about what her Ecopoint team would do. She thinks of it as the least she can do considering she believes she was at fault for some of it (even though that's not true).

(Dec 15) Genji has a lot of scuffs on his armor, mostly around his shoulders, although a lot has been buffed and polished out. Most think it's from battle, but a lot of it is actually from Snowball nuzzling him too hard. The same goes for Tokki, Reinhardt, Brigitte, and a few others.

(Dec 15) As a kid and teen, Mei's mom always got her a lot of clothes and she never really got clothes on her own except in the winter time. She'd put buying clothes as a last priority since usually her mother would do that, and it's why she never has a lot of clothes for the summer: she's just still in the habit of putting off clothes shopping.

(Dec 30) Mei would have 100% been a Royale High girl on roblox. You can fight me on this

It's currently almost 1 AM for this on Jan 1st and im posting this now. HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE

[feather-aesthetic]

Steven Universe Headcanons

I literally love Steven Universe so damn much...  I wanna write gem tickle fics but I have no ideas, send me some please!  I’m fully caught up so no need to worry about spoilers :)

Garnet: Often serious, but when that playful side emerges, watch out!  She’ll pounce on whoever’s nearest, or whoever she feels needs a good tickling.  She’s almost always the ler, since she’s so much bigger and stronger than the other gems, who had no idea she was even ticklish until Steven started poking at her to see if she was.  Previously with the other gems she’d managed to control her reactions enough that they thought she wasn’t ticklish, but Steven’s tiny hands (her only weakness) and her unwillingness to shove him away as she would the other gems meant that her secret was revealed.  Her laughter is mostly low giggles that force her eyes shut in mirth, transitioning to more boisterous laughter when the tickling is more intense.  Her neck is her worst spot (Sapphire), and when someone gets her there she’ll fall over and not be able to get up until they stop.  Her hips are also pretty bad, bad enough to make her kick to try and get away.  Light tickles on her stomach are enough to bring out those fits of giggles, but not bad enough for much else.

Pearl: Too dignified to ever really begin a tickle fight with any of the other gems, but if they start something she isn’t going to let a slight like that go unanswered.  With Amethyst, she’s able to tickle her back, but on the rare occasion Garnet decides to attack her, she’s pretty much done for.  Her worst spot is her feet, which make her start kicking frantically and squealing when they’ve barely been touched, so it’s usually only Amethyst that tries to get her there.  She’s also super ticklish on her knees and thighs, so squeezing and scratching her kneecaps and the backs of her legs will have her kicking reflexively and pleading a little.  Her ribs are also a pretty bad spot, making her tense up and scrunch up her face.  Her back and stomach aren’t so bad, but when someone runs fingertips up and down her back or sides, it sends her into these adorable fits of giggles and makes her squirm around in delight—she doesn’t try and escape from those, because they feel so nice and it feels more like the person is trying to make her laugh, make her happy, rather than beat her.  Hard tickles on her torso will make her squeal, but she prefers light tickles because she finds them more enjoyable and comfortable; she can share a fun experience with another person instead of just trying to escape the entire time.  She tries her best to make it seem like the tickling isn’t affecting her, so she’ll hold in her laughter as long as possible, squirming to no end just to avoid starting to laugh.  Often she’ll try to cover her face or her mouth more than actually trying to fight back or protect herself from the ticking.  When she finally gives, though, the muffled giggles quickly turn into cackling as she becomes overwhelmed.  She’ll try to shout pleas out between laughs rather than laughing them out, but more often than not is unintelligible anyway.  

Amethyst: Gem that starts most of the tickle fights, either because she’s bored or because someone needs cheering up.  Garnet is super hard to sneak up on due to her future vision, so Amethyst takes it as a personal challenge to try and tickle her at any opportunity she gets.  Garnet usually ‘sees’ her coming and turns the tables on her (which is fine by Amethyst), but she has to catch her early—if Amethyst gets to her neck then the game is won before it’s really begun.  That’s rare though, and it’s only happened a handful of times—mostly Garnet already knows she’s coming or manages to grab her before she can do too much damage.  With Pearl, whenever Pearl is feeling down and her and Amethyst are on friendly terms, Amethyst will grab her and tickle the snot out of her until she’s literally begging Amethyst to stop.  Despite her usual ability to push things too far, Amethyst always stops when Pearl asks her to, not wanting to upset her by overstepping her limits.  Conversely, when Amethyst is feeling down, Pearl will totally wreck her once they’ve talked it over, knowing that Amethyst loves being tickled.  She loves all human things, so being tickled is just another aspect of living on earth that she relishes taking part in.  It’s also a way for her to feel close to other gems—her fusions aren’t always the most stable, and she’s left alone for the most part, so being in intimate physical contact during tickling is like the next-best thing to fusion for her.  She’s super ticklish on her stomach and sides, less so on her ribs but get under her arms and she might scream.  Her laughter is canonically pretty loud and boisterous, interspersed with snorts and squeaks and words she tries to laugh out.

Peridot: more playful and mischievous, ready to rough-and-tumble as demonstrated when she tackles Steven just after reforming.  She’s totally new to the sensation of tickling but finds that, as with most things on Earth, she secretly enjoys it.  Her laughter is canonically chattery but gets pretty squeaky when she’s been laughing too hard.  Despite how ready-to-fight she is, since she’s so tiny she usually ends up getting trapped and tickled whether she started the fight or not.  Sometimes people will pick her up by her arms to move her, and the thumbs digging into her armpits make her squeal and kick to try and get away, or straight-up collapse onto the ground.  Her lower stomach is also pretty ticklish, especially when someone (Lapis) holds her down and spiders slim fingers all across her belly or scritches fingertips down her sides.

Lapis Lazuli: Her laughter is silly and full of snorts, she’s difficult to amuse but when she laughs it lights up the whole room.  She blushes a lot when she laughs, and is embarrassed that she’s ticklish but only a little.  Her back around her gem is especially ticklish, making her squirm around if she’s lying facedown, or fall over if she’s standing up.  More intense light tickles will make her squeal and snort, but lighter stroking (like when Peridot rubs her back when they’re cuddled up together) will make her giggle sleepily and snuggle deeper into the embrace of whoever’s holding her.  She’s also super ticklish on her sides where they’re revealed by her outfit, and a certain someone (Peridot) will take full advantage of that fact when she’s not paying attention.

[thebest-medicine]

for the drabble prompt, how about polygems and a tickle fight (that garnet loses)?

“No! No wahahaha-” Amethyst cried when Garnet latched onto her side as she tickled Pearl’s feet.

Pearl felt grateful for the brief respite as she kicked her way free of Amethyst’s grip. She was about to help Garnet by getting Amethyst’s arms over her head when Garnet suddenly used one hand to start squeezing Pearl’s side as well. She had both of the other gems sandwiched between her arms, giggling and laughing their heads off.

“Hahahahaha- nohoho Garnet!” Pearl wheezed.

Amethyst cackled her head off at the unyielding treatment. “Mehehehehercy!”

“I don’t think so, you two!” Garnet grinned.

“Amehehehethyst!” Pearl exclaimed. “Truce?”

Amethyst tried to call out yes as Garnet got a hand under her arm and she shrieked.

Lucky for the two single gems, they were already pressed against each other by Garnet’s tickle attack.

A flash of light during a moment of switching tickle spots, and suddenly a much bigger player entered the game.

Opal used her extra set of hands to free herself from Garnet’s grasp.

“No! Fusing is cheating!” Garnet tried, wiggling in an attempt to free herself from where Opal had grabbed her.

Opal gave her a dead stare, then laughed to herself. “Right, fusing is cheating, says Garnet.”

Garnet bit her lip. It was worth a try.

Opal used her two upper arms to hold Garnet’s hands above her head, dangling her in the air just a few feet off the floor.

“Lucky for us, 4 is better than 2!” Opal grinned, slowly wiggling her fingers as her two free hands approached Garnet’s sides and underarms.

“Hahahahaha! Nononono! Hahaha!” Garnet cried when Opal began an attack all over her mid-section. Sides, hips, stomach, ribs, underarms, neck, nothing was spared.

When Opal had both hands wiggling furiously under Garnet’s arms, her laughter became stronger, her feet kicking out violently. In a quick burst, Opal found herself holding Sapphire’s wrists in one hand and Ruby’s in the other.

“Well, this works for me too!” Opal cheered. “I can just get you both!”

Ruby and Sapphire yelled out “No!” At exactly the same moment, almost as if they were still fused. They knew exactly what was coming as wiggly fingers approached again.

[stray-tickles]

garnet and her gems?

But can you even imagine, her gems are like one of the only spots that really get Garnet, and maybe not long after Steven finds out that she’s a fusion he’s asking her questions and looking at her gems and Garnet just can’t keep from laughing cos it tickles so much, and Steven laughs and of course he loves it, cos he loves his square mom, and maybe it’s the first time Garnet laughs in a long time cos she was so worried of what Steven would think of her when he found out. On a scale of 1-10 Garnet’s gems are about an 8.

[veryblushyswitch]

hey!! I’m so sorry to bug you 🥺🥺 if you have any time could I request any ticklish!steven content? If not that’s totally ok!! i was just wondering!! either way I love ya!! ❤️

Steven Universe

(hcs/random tickle thoughts)

*Garnet will tickle Steven and sometimes even unfuse so Ruby and Sapphire can spend quality tickle time with him. They all cuddle afterwards. ☺️

*Peridot asking Steven to be her test subject for different tickle methods after she first learns about tickling. He of course says yes and has trouble staying still because peridot’s hands can get in between all of his ribs and around his gem.

*Amethyst and Steven wrestling which turns into tickle wrestling which turns into tickle fights which turn into cuddling which turns into falling asleep next to each other. (The concept of Amethyst and Steven having a strong sibling relationship gives me life!)

*Lapis and Steven flying around and they even have weekly little flight days which is almost like therapy for both of them. Lapis will sometimes fly a little high off the ground and wrap Steven’s arms in her wings so she can tickle his armpits and scitter her fingers around his neck and ears.

*Pearl teaching Steven about nerves by tickling him. She loves playing tickle game with him like keep your arms up, what’s the answer, don’t move, spell the word without messing up, etc.

*Lion nuzzling and licking Steven’s neck and tummy whenever he wants something or is just bored. Steven loses it and just hugs Lion closer because he loves when Lion gets all lovey and nuzzly.

*Connie giving Steven back and foot massages but Steven’s too ticklish so he just ends up giggling the whole time. While Connie purposefully tickles his feet every now and then because she thinks it’s the funniest/cutest thing.

*When Steven went to home world and met the little pebbles, they’d tickle him by crawling all over him and around his gem. He didn’t want to risk hurting them so he just let it happen. It’s not like he could fend them off if he tried thought. They’d trip him with small blcoks coming up from the floor so he’d fall and they could crawl under his shirt. I love the little pebbles so much my goodness! 🥰💓

*Bismuth holding Steven in her arms bridal style and tickling his tummy. Maybe she can morph her hand so that it has more fingers which adds to the sensations. She also loves giving him piggy back rides and will squeeze his knees every now and then just to hear him squeal.

*Spinel wrapping her arms around Steven so he’s imobile and taking that opportunity to squeeze and prod his sides and ribs. He jumps and squeals every time which leaves spinel almost laughing as hard as he is.

*Lars and Sadie double teaming Steven. They both love teasing him by calling him “adorable” and “too ticklish for his own good”. Lars loves squeezing Steven’s hips and thighs because he believes Steven’s lower body is more ticklish. While Sadie takes the lighter approach and tickles his neck and ears along with his sides.

*Greg teaching Steven ukulele when he was a wittle baby by pretending Steven was the instrument and strumming his sides. Even pressing into ribs to teach him the chords.

*Peedee and Steven having these adorable little tickle fights every once in a while because they highly needed a little break. Especially Peedee! Awwww! (I need to make headcanons for this pure human)

Tried to fit in a lot of characters. 😊 Hope you like them.✌️

[welcometoyournewhell]

A Fusion Malfunction

A/N: Sorry for horrible typos, did this on the phone. I do like Steven Universe I just haven't seen a full season of it. But I love these two (and I ship Lapidot) so... Here you go.

___

"Oh Ruby, stop! " Sapphire laughed helplessly as her wife tickled her feet. After a harsh battle Garnet had fallen apart. They weren't sure why or how, all they knew was the two couldn't reform Garnet.

Pearl had gone just about crazy trying to figure it out, giving then hoops to jump through and try. Critiquing dance moves, though they never had to dance to become Garnet before.

Earring differently, though Garnet hardly ate. The list just went on. Amethyst was a bit more level headed about it. Unlike Pearl, who was panicking, she tried more calming things that could help humans and gems.

Video games, long hot baths, hot tubs, amusement park rides, massages, but nothing worked. Steven, who had been pretty much ignored all day, finally was able to propose his idea. A date.

"Most married couples have to go on dates every now and then to remember why they fell in love. Maybe that'll help! Or maybe that's why you can't form Garnet? Like there could be a strain in your bond or, or, " he wasn't sure really. But it was worth a shot.

The way they interprited Steven's words was that they could do a lot that they enjoy, but the date ended at midnight. So, for their first event, they decided on swimming. The ocean was warm from the sun baking down on it all day.

They'd put more appropriate attire on for the occasion and borrowed two floating tubes. Ruby had been diving in and out of hers, coming up to tell Sapphire of all the life she saw, as Sapphire floated along peacefully.

Ruby had a bathing suit top that came just before her navel... well if she had one anyway, and swim trunks that fit nicely. She wasn't loosing those anytime soon, Steven had tied them tight for her.

Sapphire had a cute key hole swim suit on. It had a little cat's head on the chest. She had a standard bikini bottom and her hair was pulled up into a pony tail.

They were having a lot of fun! Ruby was starting a shell collection of her wife's tummy when she wasn't talking about the wild life. Some of the shells were in use however, and Sapphire would place them back in the water and explain why she did so.

On one of her trips back up, Ruby heard her wife giggling. She felt her hair for sea weed or anything else, but there was nothing. "Sapphire, why are you laughing? " She covered her mouth and shook her head.

She pulled a moving shell off her tummy, but more were moving around. The shorter's face exploded with excitement. "Aw, are they tickling you? " The other nodded quietly, giggles still escaping her mouth.

They were child tubes, just right for them both to fill the hollow part. The shells couldn't fall back into the ocean, only move from side to side on the giggling gem. "Make them stop, " Sapphire squeaked.

Despite not having true bodies, gem bodies were rather hyper sensitive. They had no reproductive organs, nor did they have true any organs at all. It was a mystery on how Amethyst could digest and process food.

"But I like my laughy Saphy, " Ruby cooked as she climbed back in her own tube. She hung off the side of it from the inside. Her hand kept the two together as Sapphire tried to remove the moving shells.

"Ruby plehease. They tickle! " The red head sighed before saving her giggly and blushing wife. Setting the crawling ones free she kind of... was inspired? It wasn't often they were apart, and Ruby loved being Garnet, but she also loved to see Sapphire.

To touch her, to kiss her, to cuddle, to hold, and to tickle. Sure Ruby almost always lost tickle fights since Greg introduced Rose and the Crystal Gems to it, but it didn't mean she didn't love to tickle her love!

Is seemed the white haired girl knew of her wife's plans. "Ruby, " she warned. She was blushing more now. "Aw, but I love tickling by Sapphire! " She reached her hand over to the other's tummy to um... "prove" her point.

"Hehehe!" The blue gem didn't protest much as she kicked her legs slightly. Her hair dragged under the tube as she laid her head back. "Aw, does my laughy Saphy like being tickled? Huh, does she? "

The red spread across the blue "skin". " Ruby! Nhahao teasing! " Small snorts escaped the physic as skilled fingers moved up to her ribs, or where ribs would normally be. "Ah! Sthaop, okay, okay! Hahahaha! Y-Youve had your fun! " The other giggled a bit before kissing her love's gem.

"Not really, no. " Sapphire didn't have to move her bangs to know where this was going. "Ruby, no! " The red head laughed in triumph. "Ruby, yes! Whoa! " In her excitement she'd lost her grip and fallen out of her tube.

The psychic took a moment to breathe before realizing Ruby still handy come up. She didn't need to breathe, she could live under water if she wanted too. A small fear of something grabbing her filled the taller's mind.

She didn't want to loose the small shell collection though. It would upset Ruby. "Ruby?! " She lifted her bangs and tried to peer down into the water. She saw no outcome of danger or enemies.... so where was she?

That's when it happened. "Eek! Nhahao, Ruby sthahahop! " An afro and squinting eyes peeked over the tube as fingers tickled the ice gem's feet. She was still holding her bangs.... well death gripping them. Her other arm held across her body and grabbed at the other bicep.

"No, no, no! Dhahaon't! " She tried to put her feet back, but they were being pulled in a head lock on the other tube's edge now. "You should let go more often. It's cute. " She could fully see her wife's face, the blushed, the facial expression, everything!

She felt... so in love. she'd loved Sapphire forever, and would continue until the end of time. "Oh Ruby, stop! " Sapphire laughed helplessly as her wife tickled her feet. She was a bit surprised to see her plead worked.

Catching her breath, she went to let her bangs down, only for them to be moved back out of the way. A small blush spread across Ruby's face for how the bright moon hit her wife. She was.... amazing.

She took Sapphire's hand within her own before leaning forward to kiss. Opening their eyes again, they were a bit surprised to see how small the tube had gotten. That's when it clicked. "I did it, " Garnet cried triumphantly.

As she raised her hands above her head she let out a quick yelp before falling back in the water.

Steven stirred in bed, feeling as something were watching him. "Lion, go back to bed. " The state didn't let up. "Steven wake up. " That voice!

The fourteen year old sat up with excitement. "Garnet! " He wrapped his arms around one of his mother figures. She chuckled softly as she rubbed his back. "I have a present for you from Ruby and Sapphire. "

He peered up at her. "What could be better than this? " He gasped softly when he saw the shells in a grocery bag. "Just a little thank you for helping them out. " He looked at the shells with excitement before hugging his mom again. "I love them. "

[bovine-providence]

More Like A Collar

Illuso x fem!Reader

A sweet gift from your lover leads to a passionate tryst.

This is my entry for @saccharine-darling’s Breed Me Collaboration!

CWs under the cut!

[CWs: rough sex, biting, marking, light power dynamics, claiming discussion, cumming inside, breeding]

​It never failed to surprise you how different Illuso was behind closed doors.

​In public, especially around the rest of the team, he was, admittedly, borderline insufferable. He would pick fights with some of the others, and pull pranks to annoy Ghiaccio or Prosciutto. His attitude around them was also aggravating, pompous and arrogant. Hell, he even acted like that when the two of you first met, which was why it surprised you when he had asked you out on your first date four years ago now.

​Since then, you’ve come to know the man intimately, and how that same attitude was a cover for a softer, caring side. He was a loving partner beneath the surface, he had just needed to find the right person to expose that part of him.

​You were presently laying on your bed in loungewear in the home you shared with Illuso, scrolling through your phone. It was a lazy day, with you and Illuso doing your separate things around your home.

​“Miele?” you heard from the door. You turned and saw Illuso standing there, holding a box of some sort.

​“Hm? What’s up, Lulu?” you inquired, sitting up. He smiled warmly at you before stepping forward, making his way to the bed, sitting down next to you.

​“I got something for you,” he explained, holding out the box. Intrigued, you carefully took it from him and opened it. You gasped; inside was an amethyst pendant in a teardrop shape, connected to a silver chain. You looked up at your handsome partner.

​“Lulu, you shouldn’t have,” you chuckled breathlessly. Carefully taking it out, you observed it more closely. It was beautiful, the light catching on its facets and making it shimmer.

​“Here,” Illuso gestured for you to turn around as he grasped the necklace. You felt his hands brush against your neck as he clasped it there, then his lips pressing against your shoulder.

​“How do I look?” you asked, giggling, as you turned back to face him. His eyes fell to where it hung on your collarbone, before trailing back up to your face.

​“Beautiful as always,” he responded lovingly. “But…”

​“But?” you questioned.

​“I wonder…” he leaned forward, teasing at your shirt strap, “…how it would look with nothing else?” You bit your lip, fluttering your lashes.

​“Why don’t we find out?”

>>>>

​And that was how you found yourself beneath your garnet-eyed lover, wearing nothing but the pendant as you held onto him as he thrust deeply into you.

​“You’re so beautiful like this,” Illuso gasped, gazing at you lovingly.

​“You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself,” you moaned, reaching up to cup the back of his neck. With a gentle grasp, you pulled him down into a kiss. He pulled back with a pleased moan, before leaning down further to begin sucking a hickey into your neck.

​“Lulu-!” you gasped, instinctively wrapping your legs around his waist. You heard a pleased hum as he continued, the ticklish painful-pleasure of his sucking continuing. You rolled your hips against him, and he bucked harshly against you in response. As he finally pulled back, he glanced down and smirked.

​“It matches the necklace,” he noted. You couldn’t help but notice his thrusts grew harsher the longer he stared at the hickey.

​“God, Lulu, that feels so good,” you whimpered, biting your lip.

​“Oh? When I fuck you hard?” he smirked. “Well, I have an idea.”

​He pulled out of you then, and at your desperate whimper, he chuckled.

​“Hold on, [Y/N],” he soothed, before turning you onto your front and raising your hips. As he entered your needy pussy once more, you let out a particularly loud moan. He felt so deep inside.

​“Oh fuck,” you whimpered as he began to regain his previous pace.

​“That’s it,” Illuso grunted, “just let me make you feel good.”

​The feeling of his deep strokes was delicious, and you could feel an orgasm building.

​“Lulu!” you gasped wantonly, “Feels so good!”

​“Good,” he panted from behind you. You felt him lean down behind you, his hair tickling your shoulder blades as he began to nibble around your shoulders and neck. It was almost overwhelming.

​“You like when I mark you like this?” he gasped into your ear between bites, “when I mark you out as mine?”

​“Mhm,” you whined. You wanted more, and Illuso was more than willing to give it.

​“I bet you like being claimed by me,” Illuso continued, dipping a hand down to your sex, adding to your pleasure.

​“I love it,” you gasped, trying to press your hips further against his.

​“Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I finished inside, hmm?” he questioned teasingly. “You being stuffed to the brim with my cum, belly becoming swollen with my child… do you think it would take? I bet you’d love to be bred by me.”

​You could feel him getting excited at the thought, as his thrusts were becoming punishing with his roughness. And the thought did electrify you. You, round with his child, the most primal way for you to be marked out as your lover’s. You needed this.

​“Please, Lulu,” you whimpered beneath him.

​“Please, what?” he teased, a soft whisper against your ear as he stilled his hips. You tried to buck your hips to feel that pleasure again, but he held you still.

​“Use your words, miele; what do you need?” As he massaged your hips, you gave in.

​“I need you to finish inside me,” you responded quietly. “Please breed me.” You swore you could feel his smugness oozing off of him.

​“That’s my good girl,” Illuso remarked, before he began moving his hips again. It wasn’t long before he was pounding into you once more, and his hand returned to rubbing your clit. You could feel yourself giving in to the pleasure, your gummy walls clenching around his cock.

​“You close?” he asked playfully, rubbing your clit harder. You could only moan for an answer.

​“Cum for me, [Y/N],” he panted, eagerly pressing himself against your back. He couldn’t hold on much longer either.

​The heat of Illuso’s body pressed against yours, coupled with the pounding of his cock inside you and his fingers against your clit, forced an orgasm to rip through your body. With a whimper, you felt yourself tighten in Illuso’s grip.

​“That’s it,” you distantly heard Illuso murmur, easing you through your orgasm. But it wasn’t long before you heard his grunts as he felt his end near as well, your walls massaging him to completion. As he panted into your ear, you felt the warmth of his cum inside you.

​The two of you stayed like that for a moment, catching your breaths, before Illuso tiredly lifted himself off of you.

​“Alright,” he started, “let’s get you settled.” Carefully pulling himself out, he gently turned you so you lay on your back. Meeting his eyes, you smiled sweetly up at him.

​“You sore anywhere?” he asked, his eyes drifting down to your reddened pussy. Noticing the cum beginning to drip out, he leaned forward to gently push it back inside you.

​“A little,” you admit, wincing a bit from the oversensitivity of his finger against your entrance.

​“I’ll take care of that while I clean you up, then,” he decided, eyeing you softly. Stretching as he got up, he headed for the bathroom. You watched his nude form disappear from view, only to return in a matter of moments, washcloth in hand. He was quick to resume his place before you.

​“You were so good for me,” he stated proudly as he began to wipe away the excess semen trailing across your thighs, massaging the sore muscles beneath.

​“Thank you,” you responded shyly. You glanced up at him. “So… do you think it’ll take?”

​“I hope it does,” your partner replied as he finished his cleaning and was left with soothing your skin. “If it doesn’t, well, we can always try again.”

​“I wouldn’t mind that,” you giggled. As Illuso finished up, leaning down to place a kiss on your stomach, he glanced back up to you, his eyes spotting the necklace you still wore.

​“Let me take that off for you,” he offered. “I don’t want the chain to break in your sleep.”

​“So it’s just a daytime marker that I’m yours?” you teased. He rolled his eyes.

​“Unless you want to show off your hickeys.”

​“Just the necklace is fine,” you assured, leaning forward for him to unclasp it before he placed it on your nightstand.

​“Good,” Illuso smirked, settling down next to you. As you snuggled into his chest and allowed him to wrap his arm around you, he hummed contentedly.

​“I love you, [Y/N].”

​“I love you too, Illuso.”

​This was where you belonged, in your lover’s arms.

[bella-caecilia]

Re: WIP Meme

Garnet? Seems like a curious name and I'm curious as to what it's about.

The name of the fic is mainly symbolic and it's supposed to highlight the colour red. It's one of my angstiest WIPs or works in general. And since angst isn't my forte I didn't dare continue writing it for a long time. But it's about the pregnancy in s1 and about the what if's with a dark twist (if that makes any sense). But I'll give you a little snippet as well.

Garnet

>> It was one sunny morning on their walk, and Cora nearly felt as if humming a soft tune, when it first occurred. Robert was talking about his latest correspondence with the war office and Cora was close by his side. It took her a while to comprehend the ticklish sensation on her inner thigh. Her breath hitched and her steps slowed but Robert didn’t seem to notice. <<

[mimik-u]

Togetherness

Summary: The aftermath of Steven transforming into a huge reptilian monster brings back old memories for Pearl, who remembers another time Steven was scared so many years ago.

A/N: This piece was written for the Pearl-focused I am a Pearl! mini-zine a couple of months ago! It was a great opportunity to get to explore Pearl's mind space after the events of "I am My Monster" and how her friendship with Greg has evolved over the years. ;w; Thanks to the mods for a great zine experience! <3

AO3 Link / Zine Tumblr Link / @iamapearlzine

—

Steven is sixteen years old when he erupts into a scaly, pink monster—fifty-foot tall and inconsolable.

Everyone tells him that they love him, but because words are rarely ever enough, they show him that they do; they embrace him; they hold him; they press their fingertips into his reptilian skin. His scales are cold and sharp against Pearl’s palms, keratin hard and impenetrable. She tells him that he shouldn’t have to keep anything from her, all the while burning with shame that he’s kept so much from her.

He’s felt responsible for her fragility and loved her enough to tiptoe around the Diamond in the room.

His mother.

His mother and the complicated history between them.

The love.

The torture.

The grief.

The love.

(Because what is grief after all but a manifestation of love? A reminder, its echo, and its painful, lingering, lovely ghost.)

Connie kisses Steven, very lightly, very softly, and he falls from the sky, a boy again. 

Pearl wraps him in a blanket.

Garnet carries him into the wreckage of their home.

And approximately one hour later, they’re all standing on the deck, waiting for Priyanka Maheswaran to finish her professional assessment of him as the sun sinks into a honey-colored sea.

Pearl cradles her face in her hands, elbows sinking into the railing, trying to retrace every missed sign in the blackness of her own head. She sees his skin glowing pink in the darkness—at the Reef, in Little Homeworld, just moments ago in the living room…

So many flares in the night.

And Pearl had watched them all fizzle.

—

Steven is six years old when he moves into the newly minted beach house, and he tells Greg that he’s afraid of the silence. Nearly all of his life, he’s been surrounded by noise—the gentle rumble of the van’s motor, the susurrant murmur of the sea, wind, rain, buskers playing guitars on the Boardwalk, the whoosh of the rollercoasters at Funland. 

His dad’s snores echoing off the tin ceiling.

His dad’s laughter.

His softly-sung lullabies, too.

The beach house is really quiet at night, Steven tells Greg who tells the Gems, and he doesn’t like that…

He’s trying really hard to like it, though.

Maybe things’ll get better next week.

Pearl never looks at Greg as he delivers this news, tapping her fingers against the side of her leg as she sits at the kitchen table, ankles primly crossed. He stands in the doorway—right beneath Rose’s painted image—wringing his hands and looking too awkward to be allowed. She resents him for this—for his awkwardness, for his intrusion into their lives, and for everything else, too. 

(Namely for Rose.)

She inwardly knows that she’s being unfair. 

That loathing a person on the basis of his existence is morally suspect.

Wrong.

But what are rightness and wrongness to emotions? To the sheer primality of grief?

Grief is irrational, she rationalizes to herself—she self-justifies; it knows nothing of ethicality.

“Why didn’t Steman tell us this?” Amethyst asks, absently scratching her nose. “If it’s noise he wants, I got an old drum set he can knock himself out on.”

Pearl frowns, well-remembering the ten straight years Amethyst played the drums through the nineties. Rose loved it; Pearl spent many hours alone in her room to decompress. 

“He’s still intimidated by you three,” Greg shrugs kindly. “And shy. You just have to give him reason enough to trust ya with stuff like this. Tucking him in at bed at night, y’know. Checking under the bed for monsters.”

“There aren’t monsters under his bed,” Garnet says, practical as ever. “They wouldn’t fit.”

Greg chuckles, running a flat hand across the back of his neck as he peers between the three gems. When he and Pearl lock eyes, she meets his stare coldly, her mouth pressed into a thin line.

“But Steven doesn’t know that,” he mumbles, glancing away, his cheeks flushing. “You gotta shine a flashlight down there and show him there’s nothing there.”

“Doesn’t that seem patronizing to you?” Pearl asks, taking little care to disguise the condescension in her voice. Across the room, Garnet’s visored stare finds her—blank, inscrutable, and arcane—but Pearl knows her fellow gem well enough to understand that this is chastisement, silent and brutal.

Arching a thin brow, she ignores Garnet.

She demands an answer from Greg.

“Maybe,” the man concedes, but when he acknowledges her gaze again, there’s a little defiance in his eyes, an edge in his scratchy voice. “But maybe not. That’s what being a parent is sometimes. Patronizing the kid! Playing along. Showing him that you’re listening to what he needs. Letting him know that you’re there… haven’t you ever been afraid before, Pearl?”

“No,” she protests immediately, bristling.

“Pssh,” Amethyst snorts. “Last week, you jumped ten feet in the air ‘cuz you saw a snake.”

“You did,” Garnet smiles wryly. “I was there.”

Pearl scoffs, trying and failing to ignore that her cheeks are suffused with blue blush…

… and that Greg is staring at her with an almost distinguishable emotion in his eyes.

If she didn’t know better, she would say it was pity.

—

Dr. Maheswaran tells them that Steven is okay; he’s tired and sore—transforming expended a lot of his energy—but he’s ready to see everyone now. She tells them to be quiet and to maybe go in one by one, so he doesn’t get too overwhelmed.

Firmly, she warns them that it’ll take more than a good night’s sleep for him to heal .

And she doesn’t mean physically.

“Here’s a number of a good therapist I know,” she says, placing a card in Pearl’s hand. “Her office opens at nine.”

Pearl folds her fingertips over the edges of the glossy card stock but doesn’t quite glance down to look at the name—too fixated on watching Greg stand in front of the doorway, palming the screen door as he seemingly steels himself to go in. 

He’s aged so much in the twenty-something years that Pearl has known him—from his nearly bald head to the branching lines creasing the corners of his eyes—but for some reason, it is only now, in this ephemeral moment, that she realizes how old he is.

She doesn’t mean physically either.

As the others gather around Dr. Maheswaran, asking her questions, voicing their concerns, Pearl takes one deliberate step and then another.

—

Garnet tells Steven that it’s okay—there are no monsters under the bed—and when she shines a flashlight beneath the mattress, Amethyst is there, shapeshifted into a tiny kitten, purring at the child sweetly.

“See, dude?” She laughs, bounding out from beneath the bed. In an instant of blurred matter and color, she becomes herself again, her bangs sweeping inelegantly over her eye. “No monsters under the bed, only cute kittens.”

“Only kittens?” He repeats, grinning that famous gap-toothed smile that everyone adores. His legs are nearly swallowed by his oversized shirt.

“Kittens and dust bunnies,” Amethyst confirms, knuckling his curls playfully and smiling broadly when he laughs. “G’night, Steman.”

“Night, Amethyst!”

“Goodnight, Steven,” Garnet murmurs, lifting the six-year old into her arms and gently placing him onto the bed. She tucks him beneath the covers. She tenderly kisses him on the head.

“Nighty night, Garnet.”

And then it’s Pearl’s turn. Garnet and Amethyst head towards their temple rooms, and Pearl settles down on the edge of the comforter, balancing her left ankle on top of her right knee.

“Don’t forget about M.C. Bear Bear!” She teases softly, reaching over and placing the stuffed animal next to Steven’s arm. “He needs a snuggle buddy.”

Steven nods in agreement, his brow furrowed seriously over his eyes.

“Yep,” he says importantly. “I’ll be sure to hug him tight.”

“Excellent,” she says primly.

“Excellent,” he echoes playfully.

She lightly skims her knuckles across his soft cheek, smiling when he giggles a little, always ticklish…

… but then, when she withdraws her hand, letting it fall away from his face, the moment that immediately follows is quiet.

Too much so.

So quiet that Pearl can hear the softness of Steven’s breath, quiet enough that Greg’s words from earlier haunt her in the absence of noise.

Haven’t you ever been afraid before, Pearl?

Contrary to what Garnet and Amethyst may believe, she isn’t afraid of snakes —pestilent creatures though they are.

She’s surprised by snakes.

And afraid of much bigger things—five-thousand-year old secrets and equally ancient insecurities, for instance.

Six thousand years ago, after all, she was coded to believe that her highest order in life was to be a slave.

And sometimes—if only sometimes—she fears that her weaknesses were ingrained then, in the very moment she emerged from a shell and was called a pearl

One of so many.

Disposable.

Programmable.

Objectified.

Sometimes, she barely knows what it means to be herself, much less what it means to be a parent .

Indeed, Greg Universe of all people seems to have the idea down better than she ever could.

So, yes, Greg, she is afraid.

(Afraid of failing Steven.)

(Terrified that she’s already failed her. )

Patronize him, Greg suggested.

Play with him.

Show him that you’re listening.

Let him know that you’re there.

—

“Greg?”

Pearl places a light hand on Greg’s arm, startling him from his trance as he turns around to face her.

“Pearl!” He exhales, his breath coming in short bursts. “Y’scared me!”

“I’m sorry,” she says sincerely, not quite moving her hand away yet. His skin is warm beneath her fingertips, soft like wave-washed sand. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Yes,” he returns immediately, and then—taking one look at her imperiously raised brow—just as quickly rectifies himself. “No. I don’t know. I’m freakin’ terrified, Pearl. I feel like a failure of a parent. I don’t know what to tell him. But I gotta go in there anyway.”

He says it all very rapidly, as though he’s talking to himself.

Encouraging himself.

And putting himself down to do it.

“I’m his dad,” he concludes, his voice breaking, tears standing in his dark eyes. “I’m his dad, and I didn’t… I wasn’t there for him, and I should have—“

“ Shh, ” Pearl cuts across him gently, patting his arm as tears threaten to slide down her own face. “Shh. There are so many hypothetical should haves that we’ll all have to face soon when it comes to Steven. But not today, Greg .”

With her free hand, she conjures a tissue from her gem and hands it to him, unflinching and kind, even when he needs to wipe his nose.

“Today,” she murmurs, her voice inhibited, a hundred emotions thick, “we just let him know that we’re here.”

—

“Pearl?” Steven asks.

Pearl blinks rapidly, coming back to herself; she’d been lost in her own thoughts, nearly consumed.

“Hey,” she smiles, placing her hand on top of Steven’s own. His skin is so warm and soft; she absently wonders if her alienness feels sharp to him… hard… cold… “Here’s an idea—how about I sing you a lullaby before you go to sleep?”

“You know how to sing?” Steven’s eyes widen incredulously, his mouth shaping itself into a delighted smile.

“Don’t look so surprised,” she laughs playfully. “When we were younger, your mother and I used to sing all the time—hymns from our home planet and the like…”

A pause, infinitesimal, hesitant. 

“...I could sing one for you if you’d like?”

“You could?” The child dares to be hopeful; the very emotion shapes the pitch of his question, the light in his eyes.

He has his mother’s eyes.

Dark and full of stars.

“I could,” Pearl repeats. “I’d sing as long as you wanted me to.”

“How about fooooorever?” 

“Let’s just start with until you fall asleep,” Pearl laughs. “That’s a part of forever, yes? This moment?”

“If you say so, Pearl,” he wrinkles his nose skeptically.

“I know so, Steven.”

As she sings him to sleep in her mother tongue, Pearl admits that this must be something that Greg knows, too.

The importance of hereness to a child.

Togetherness on scary nights.

[anzynai]

❀ masterlist

My masterlist for all my works!

TickleTober Masterlist - 2023 //COLLAB

300 Follower Event Masterlist

➸ Genshin Impact

Fics:

To Convince (Kaeya x Albedo)

To Ask (Childe x Zhongli)

Sibling Bonding Time! (Aether and Lumine)

The Ultimate Method to Relaxation (Ganyu x Keqing)

Revenge gone wrong..? (Aether and Lumine)

Natural Curiosity (Xingqiu x Chongyun)

Melodic Sounds (Scaramouche x Kazuha)

One Last Gift (Xingqiu x Chongyun//BDAY)

Petals (Xiao x Venti//MYTHOLOGY AU)

Go figure… (Xingqiu x Chongyun)

Q&A ft. Gorou [YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED‼️😱] (Itto x Gorou//YOUTUBE AU)

Wagging Tails (Gorou & Kazuha)

Golden Smiles and Silky Laughter (Xingqiu x Chongyun)

The Best Comfort (Aether & Lumine)

Character Hcs:

Xinyan Hcs

Bennett Hcs

Razor Hcs

Ganyu Hcs

Xiao Hcs (Ler)

Scaramouche Hcs

Pairing Hcs:

Kazuha with s/o Hcs

Xingyun Hcs

Xiaoven Hcs

Lumine and Aether Hcs

Drabbles:

Kazuscara: Ticklish and Tipsy

Yantao: Salty Cookies

Kazuxiao: Ticklish Cuddles

Kazuscara: Untitled

➸Twisted Wonderland

Canon Tickle Scenes

Fics:

Still the Same (Octatrio)

Two Times the Trouble (Jade & Floyd & Reader)

As Per Tradition (Octatrio)

Bad Apple (Epel & Rook ft Vil)

Bugs (Kalim & Jamil)

Study Break! (Riddle & Ace & Chenya)

Genuinity (Epel x Riddle)

A Laughable Solution (Ace & Deuce & Reader)

fEELing (Jade & Floyd)

First Time for Everything (Azul x Jamil)

Headcanons:

Housewarden Hcs

Vice Housewarden Hcs

April Fools with Octatrio Hcs

Heartslabyul Hcs

Twst Hcs

Drabbles:

Eye Contact (Azul x Jamil)

Small Drabble Collection

➸ Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun

Fics:

Entertainment at its Finest (Hanako and Kou)

Entertainment at its Finest pt.2 (Hanako and Kou)

Daikon Legs

In the Courtyard

Character Hcs:

Hanako Hcs (Lee)

Hananene Hcs

Nene Hcs

➸ Project Sekai

Mommy…?! (Kaito & Rin & Len)

Splattered Cheesecake and Tickles (Ena and Akito//BDAY)

Akito’s Crush (Ena and Akito)

Ease Your Nerves (An x Kohane)

Idiot (Nene x Tsukasa)

New Discoveries (Akito x Toya)

Character Hcs:

Tsukasa Hcs

Kanade Hcs

Wonderlands x Showtime Hcs

Drabbles:

Pom Poms (WxS)

➸ Misc. Fandoms

Seraph of the End

To Admit (Mika x Yuu)

Hazbin Hotel

Only You (Husk x Angel Dust)

Kitty (Husk x Angel Dust)//Part2

Angel Dust & Reader: Untitled Drabble

Yuri!!! on Ice

Yuri Plisetsky Hcs

Viktuuri Hcs

Dr. Stone

Sengen Hcs

Sengen Drabble - Hiccups

Tears of Themis

Luke Pearce Hcs

The Promised Neverland

Play with Us! (Ray & Don & Phil)

Steven Universe

What You Wanted (Pearl x Reader)

Log Date 7 13 2 (Peridot & Garnet & Steven)

[belpheroo]

Title: Lullabies Pairing: Lucifer x f!MC Rating: T Summary: MC finds Lucifer asleep at his desk and puts him to bed.

This wasn’t the first time, not even the second, third or fourth time that she had found Lucifer asleep at his desk. Papers were scattered around the dark wooden surface, a pen held limply in his hand. His arm was outstretched and his head resting on it, a few strands of hair falling over his face as Lucifer breathed in and out, deep and even.

She smiled to herself, enjoying the rare treat of seeing him, unguarded and open, his expression soft and somehow younger without the furrow in-between his dark brows. His jacket was hanging off his chair and the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows, gloves off. She reached out and gently brushed his hair out of his face, his eyelids fluttering slightly as he stirred.

Lucifer peered up at her with eyes half-lidded, but they still held in them the fogginess of sleep. Anyone else and he would have reacted quite differently, but even in drowsiness, his dark gaze with just that glint of garnet, recognized her.

Seeing that, she smiled and kept her voice a soft whisper, “Hey baby...”

Lucifer grumbled, turning his face into his arm, too tired to recognize what she had called him at least.

“Time?”

“Late. C’mon, let’s get you to bed. Hmm?”

“I...” Lucifer hefted a sigh and sat back heavily into his chair, “... I have more to do.”

“No, not tonight.”

For a second the firmness and command in her voice made him frown, an objection on the tip of his tongue. If Lucifer had been less tired he might have stubbornly voiced it, but even his pride felt exhausted to the point he lacked the strength to protest. 

“Just... an hour or so then.”

“Mmhm, c’mon.”

She took his hand in hers, tugging gently until Lucifer turned in his chair and stood. His steps were slow, entirely at her mercy as she guided him from the office and through the door and into his bedroom. Lucifer sat heavily on the edge of his bed and then promptly fell backwards unto the mattress with a groan.

He was vaguely aware of her motions, hands working to remove him of his shoes and then undoing his slacks. Lucifer caught her hand, grumbling, “I’ll get it... I’m not a child.”

He heard her chuckle in the lowlight, the weight of the bed dipping as she climbed up next to him, propping her chin up on one hand as her fingers idly began to unbutton his shirt. She had Lucifer half way out of it before he stopped her hand again, but this time he guided it beneath the fabric and pressed her palm over the center of his chest.

Lucifer shut his eyes and let out another sleepy breath. He felt the softness of her lips against his forehead. Half-asleep again, he let go of her hand and rolled unto his side, wrapping his arm around her and burying his head to her breast. He curled in on himself in a manner that he would have himself considered undignified, but made her only hold him tighter.

Her movement woke him again, a groan in his throat as he moved to pull away.

“Sorry...”

“No... no, come here. Just sleep, baby.”

“Not a baby.” Lucifer mumbled.

“Okay, honey.”

Lucifer, despite himself, chuffed a laugh, his breath ticklish on her skin.

“Just sleep, I won’t tell anyone.” she said, voice quiet again as she gently ran her hand through his hair over and over, nails bluntly running against his scalp until she felt him go lax and quiet.

She hummed, a mix of tunes from her memory and from impulse until she too was lulled to sleep in their shared warmth.

[stray-tickles]

can you do 'another otp ask meme' for polygems? thank you! youre one of my favorite headcanon makers!

Can do!!

1.who tickles who more?Garnet is the perpetual ler, and the victim is always a bit of a toss up between Pearl and Amethyst, depending on who seems like they deserve/need it more on that particular day. Once or twice they’ve managed to gang up on Garnet, and once they tickled her so hard she unfused.

2.whats the main reason for tickles?Hmm, in general I’d say it’s just as a cheer up/to mess around. Amethyst will usually hide behind the excuse of wanting to win a fight, but mostly she (like the others) wants to make the people she cares about laugh and mess around without being too serious.

3. Has anyone ever been bruised or even scarred from a tickle fight?Well gems don’t really get hurt (certainly not scarred), but I’d say that Amethyst has done her share of damage given that she wouldn’t hold any punches when she’s being tickled.

4.how often do they tickle each other?Not terribly often, but enough that it’s still a nice surprise when it happens, and none of them really turn it down. When one decides ‘now is the time for tickles’ the others just kind of climb on board.

5.who is more likely to tear up whilst being tickled?Peeaaarrllll, she’s by far the most ticklish of them, and since she’s physically weaker, can’t really push them off when she’s started to feel like she’s had enough. Of course when the others see that she’s done, they stop right away. (Okay, once or twice Amethyst has gone overboard)

6.who can stand being tickled longer?Imma say Amethyst, so long as she doesn’t kick anyone in the face. Pearl hates the helplessness and Garnet will (literally) fall apart, but Amethyst kind of loves the attention and the feeling, so she’ll take it for a long time :D

7.whos more sensitive to soft or hard tickles?Pearl’s more sensitive to hard tickles, but she likes light tickles too. Hard tickles make her scream and buck and curl up into a ball. Garnet and Amethyst both fall apart at light tickles. Something about the gentle touch drives them crazy because it plays on their feelings of how much they love this. Hard tickles have a ‘you can’t get away’ vibe, while light tickles are more along the lines of ‘you don’t want to get away’.