I don't Steven Universe that honor belongs to Rebecca Sugar

The Set Up

"What's that Connie you have something important to say to me?" asked Steven through the phone. "That's great how about we meet up at Fish Stew Pizza's for lunch then?"

As Steven put down the phone stars appeared in his eyes. After all these years today was the day he would declare his love for Connie. Rushing to the bathroom he put on his best shirt and for once combed his hair. As he left the beach house Steven wondered if should buy a gift for Connie. No matter it was a beautiful day.

Kiki was serving customers when Steven walked in with a big smile on his face.

"Morning Steven you're looking handsome today," said Kiki.

"Thanks, hey Kiki I'd like one of your best tables and can I have the deluxe special?" replied Steven.

"Oh expensive tell me are you trying to impress someone?" asked Kiki.

"After being together for over 4 years today is the day I ask Connie to be my girlfriend," said Steven with stars in his eyes.

Kiki started, "Oh really good luck with that!"

Within half an hour Connie came in. Steven gulped, at 16 Connie had grown into a tall beautiful young woman. Seeing Steven Connie rushed up to him and gave him a hug. "Steven you look exactly like the day we met."

"I have something important to tell you," they both said in unison.

Steven blushed, mussing up his hair a little, "You go first."

Then Steven noticed the boy beside her. He was slim and dark skinned like Connie. He appeared distinctly uncomfortable. "Steven I'd like you to meet Mark, my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? When did this happen?" asked Steven his voice cracking.

"Well you know that my parents said I couldn't date anyone until I was 16. I met Mark at a party a couple of months ago and he asked if I could be his girlfriend. Isn't that great?"

"Yeah, great."

"Oh you wanted say something important?"

"Oh yeah, in a couple of days' time is my birthday I'd like to you to come."

"That's great I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Connie as she knelt down and kissed him.

"Connie the ice cream shop is opening soon. We gotta go," said Mark uneasily.

"Great talking to you Steven. See you at the party jam bud," cried Connie as she waved goodbye.

For a while Steven stared out the door, not moving. His vision blurred and he rubbed his eyes.

"Steven, your pizza is ready," called out Koffi.

"Send it back I'm not hungry," replied Steven coldly.

"Excuse me?" reared back the man.

"I said I'm not hungry," shouted Steven. He then ran out the door.

"I've cooked a large deluxe pizza and mozza sticks. What am I going to do with these?" exclaimed Koffi.

"Oh let it go Dad. Steven just got dumped," said Kiki.

Greg was setting up shop at the carwash when his son came in. His son looked terrible and from the redness in his eyes Greg could see that Steven had been crying.

"Hey Stu ball what's the matter?" asked Greg as he mussed Steven's hair.

"It's Connie she got herself a boyfriend. The worst part is that Connie didn't even see me as boyfriend material to begin with. Everybody all around me is growing older and I'm still stuck as a kid," Steven sniffled.

"Aw c'mere forget about Connie today. How about you and me have some one on one time. So what do you want to do sport?"

"Actually could we go drive in the car?"

"That's a great idea. A ride in the country would be great we could visit Ocean Town."

"Actually I thinking more in the line of driving lessons."

"Steven you're way too young to be driving a car."

"Dad, you keep treating me like a kid. But I'm not, I'm going to be 18. I've saved the world two times already. I'm ready for this."

"Steven this is different and you know it. You're not like other people."

"Dammit Dad don't you think I know that! Every day when I look into the mirror I see that. So why can't we pretend I'm normal for once?"

"Steven I'm not letting you drive the car not when you can't even reach the peddles."

"This is impossible. Goodbye Dad, I'm going to see Peridot," and with that Steven marched off.

As Steven searched the town he heard a rustling from the junkyard. Sure enough it was Peridot looking for parts for whatever project she was working on. When she noticed Steven her head popped up and she ran towards Steven.

"Hey Steven you look terrible. What's the matter?" she shouted out.

Steven smiled good old diplomatic Peridot. At least he knew where he stood with her, "It's nothing really. It's just that despite all I've done I'm still treated like a kid. Connie got herself a boyfriend, the gems still won't build walls around my room and Dad won't teach me how to drive. It just sucks."

"Well I can't say I'm surprised. Humans are highly visual creatures, your father and Connie treat you like a child because you look like a kid. Actually I'd be kind of worried if Connie still wanted to be your girlfriend right now. But the gems they should know better. Most gems come out of the ground fully grown, knowing exactly what they're supposed to do and having the knowledge to do it. The way gems measure maturity is by their accomplishments and you've had quite a few accomplishments. You managed to fuse with a human, you bubbled and extracted The Cluster safely and you've mastered mind diving and that's just off the top of my head. The fact is Steven, you and I both know that you're an adult you shouldn't worry about what other people think."

"It's just that I'm sick of feeling like a little kid."

"Well how about we make you feel like a man? Let's go down to the boardwalk we'll get you a new outfit," said Peridot as she pulled on Steven's hand.

As Peridot walked with Steven to the boardwalk, Steven noticed how tatty her clothes were. The young technician no longer wore her old jumpsuit instead she wore T shirt with an alien face and a pair of cargo pants.

"Peridot how come you no longer live at the barn? I mean I don't know where you live anymore," asked Steven.

"You mean other than the fact that it holds the memories of my time with Lapis? Because it is a domicile for animals and I refuse to be treated like an animal anymore."

"The Gems don't treat you like an animal. It's just that-"

"Steven when I expressed my discomfort at Garnet being fused all the time I was tied to a fencepost with a leash. Then when I expressed interest in living with you at the temple they lied and said they had no room. But wait Bismuth who tried to kill you gets her own room instead. Despite everything I did I was not treated like a teammate, at best I was treated like a slave."

"You went on missions with them helped out. Isn't that what a teammate does?"

"Steven I never got to do anything fun. The last time I did anything remotely enjoyable with the gems was when we went to Funland and that was years ago. Look just drop it. The Clods are much nicer when you're around so it's no wonder you still think so highly of them."

Before they knew it they were at the T shirt store. As Steven looked inside he saw slim pickings but Peridot marched right in and started pulling clothes off the racks.

"Here Steven, try these on," said Peridot handing him a pile of clothes.

Once inside the change room Steven could see the clothes Peridot had got. Khakis instead of Jeans, long sleeved T shirts and hoodies it would be a completely new look. Smiling he tried on a pair of pants only to have them fall off his hips.

"Hey Peridot, can you get me something smaller to wear?" Steven asked.

Later after trying on several outfits Steven sighed in frustration. Either the clothes were too big for him or they were clearly designed for children. Looks like there was nothing for him here. As he left the dressing room Steven saw some dresses on a rack. One of the dresses had little alien faces on it, perfect for Peridot. Smiling he pulled it out.

"Hey Peridot, how about you try this on?" he called out.

"Thank you Steven but where would I wear it?" said Peridot smiling.

"You can wear it to my birthday party in two days' time. It will be at Funland and my family has pulled out all the stops. It's gonna be great."

"You really mean it I can come? Thank you," Peridot's eyes lit up. She rushed and kissed Steven on the cheek after which she went into the change room with the dress.

A few moments later Steven was feeling slightly bored as he waited outside the change room. When Peridot came out he could see it was well worth the wait. She looked so cute. Steven gulped as he took in the sight.

"Do you like it?" asked Peridot as she twiddled with the hem.

"I love it, Peridot how about you and me have day out on the town?"

Connie was sitting on a park bench looking out at the sea with her boyfriend when she saw Steven walking with Peridot on the boardwalk. Her Jam Bud looked so happy, laughing as he shared an ice cream cone with Peridot. She continued to stare at the new couple as Steven flirted with the green gem.

"It looks like Steven recovered quickly from you dumping him eh Connie," laughed Mark.

"Look we were just friends that's all," then why did it feel like her heart broke when she saw Steven give Peridot a light kiss.

Connie inwardly sighed as the little gem held Steven back. Peridot then ran off while Steven seemed to look on smiling.

"Mark come on. We need to shop for Steven' birthday," said Connie.

If it was the last thing she did Connie would get Steven a birthday present he would never forget.