Making a Man out of Steven Part 1

Steven has a lot of growing up to do and the Gems are here to help. A lot cleaner than it sounds

Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe that pleasure belongs to Rebecca Sugar

Steven listened to the gems talking in his bed while he was supposed to be asleep.

"Steven needs to grow up fast," announced Garnet." The world is going to change and he needs to be ready."

"Garnet, we're putting him through training how much faster can we go," said Pearl.

"Gems age by experiences lived, look at Amethyst she didn't reach puberty until Rose started seeing Greg." said Garnet. "We coddled her. Now look at you Peridot less than a century old and already growing up. Far more capable than Amethyst at that age."

Amethyst frowned.

Garnet continued, "We need to give Steven more responsibilities and stop treating him like a child. Here's what we're going to do…."

Steven listened to the plans they made in his stead. He didn't realize the Earth was in such bad shape. After hearing enough, he fell into an uneasy sleep.

The next morning, he awoke to see Pearl waiting for him alone. This was not good, Pearl was always the one to give him bad news, in fact she was charged with doing everything that was unpleasant.

The pale gem looked distinctly uncomfortable, "Garnet has chosen me to speak to you on an important matter. There are going to be some big changes in this house and you're going to have to take more responsibilities."

"It's about the Cluster isn't it?"

"How much do you know?"

"I heard some while you were all talking together last night. Tell me how bad is it. Look if you want me to grow up then I need to know everything, be more involved. Pearl so no sugar coating this time."

Steven sat in silence as he listened to Pearl describe what could happen. The devastation, the lives lost and civilization changed forever. He also listened to how people could change during disasters sometimes bringing out the best and more often than not bringing out the worst.

"That sounds horrible how can anybody possibly be prepared for that?" gasped Steven.

"Nobody really but you get ready by dealing with one problem at a time," sighed Pearl.

"Say where's Peridot? I was hoping she and I could share some breakfast and then I could show her the sights of Earth."

"Steven from now on you need to make your own breakfast. You'll be our leader someday and you need to start taking charge."

"Well doesn't a leader take care of his followers?"

So for the next few days while Peridot's arm healed after a botched training exercise Steven took care of Peridot. He took her to the Big Donut once, the library several times. Once he tried to patch things up between Peridot and Connie when the gem mutants attacked leaving the beach house trashed and Steven, Amethyst and Peridot drunk or something. That meant staying in the farmhouse from now on.

Garnet frowned as Steven fawned over their prisoner. They were getting far too close for her comfort. If Steven was to become the great leader, he was destined to be he needed to know how things are. So while Peridot was off with Pearl retrieving gem tech or something Garnet was an opening and took it.

"Garnet, I've been meaning to talk to you," said Steven cheerily.

"You have? Well I want to talk to you,"

"It's about Peridot both," said in unison.

"You've been mean er harsh to Peridot. I mean as soon as everybody's back was turned you placed her right back into the barn and she has no room of her own at the temple."

"Steven, Peridot is not your friend. She is in fact, a prisoner of war and cannot be trusted in the inner circle. The only reason she's not bubbled at the temple is because we need her."

"Don't you think she knows that! Look work on the drill would proceed much more quickly if Peridot had some assurances of her future."

"Well I would like some assurances from her. She has shown no loyalty to us she won't even get rid or her diamonds on her uniform."

"For a gem with 3 eyes and future vision you sure are blind. Very I will do something about the situation myself."

"Steven don't you dare go over my head on this."

"I must if I am to be your leader I need to make decisions on my own." Did his voice just crack?

This event more than anything made Garnet back off. As the 3 eyed Gem watched the boy march off she could see his body was just a little more toned. Well teenaged rebellion was part of growing up.

The young man marched into the barn. He scanned the spare parts from earth until he found what he was looking for. He took a file and set off to work. When he was satisfied with his handy work he stepped out of the barn.

"Amethyst, get the car I need to go back to the beach house," he called out.

It was dark when Peridot and Pearl finally warped back. The pair were laughing as they held bundles of stuff. Peridot was even wearing an I love NY T-shirt.

"Pearl that parts store in York was amazing and that antiquities store who would have thought that -oh hi Steven," said Peridot. Steven loved to see her smile.

"Steven we were just in a settlement buying some supplies," said Pearl looking flustered.

"That's no problem you're allowed to have fun on missions. Anyway I came to see you Peridot," said Steven.

"Me what would you want with me?" Peridot blushed it was so cute.

"All of you come outside, Peridot I want to show you something," ordered Steven.

He led them all to Peridot's sandcastle. Amethyst waved to them as she put the last touches on the building. Now there were actually wooden doors on the gate and domicile itself.

With a flourish Steven pulled out a triangular piece of glass and glued onto the front door. Peridot gasped and tears formed in her eyes. It was probably to do with the playful punch that Amethyst gave her on the arm.

The young man continued, "This expresses the way we all feel. Peridot you're a member of our team and it's time you were treated like it. So from now on you have your own place just like the rest of us."

Peridot just stood there not moving. Amethyst was about to scold her when she waved her fingers in front of the green gem. Peridot was out of it.

"Nice going you broke Peridot," said Amethyst sarcastically.

Ignoring the stunned technician. Steven turned to Pearl, "Pearl I was hoping you would have come in earlier. I want to start seriously pursuing an education."

"Steven you tried school it didn't work out."

"Well there is such a thing as home schooling and if education helped Peridot develop quickly then maybe it can do the same for me" said Steven.

It was getting late so Amethyst carried the still stunned gem back into the car. In the days to come Pearl picked up tests, folders and books on education. It was as Steven had feared. He was way behind in his learning even for his apparent age. The weather was turning horrible anyways and they were no longer staying at the beach house so Steven holed himself up in his room and hit the books. Man this was so hard, especially keeping his concentration. Maybe it was time for some TV or not. He picked up the small tv and placed it outside his room. Later on during the evening Amethyst came up with a tray of food.

"I'm proud of you," she coughed.

Setting Things Right

For as long as Steven could remember Pearl was always working, either tending to him or repairing something. Once a month every Friday she would go on a special solo mission. He never really questioned it when he was younger but now he did. Especially when Peridot brought up Pearl's rank on Homeworld.

He saw Garnet drinking a cup of coffee, all the other gems were busy. Peridot was working on the drill, Amethyst was supervising and Pearl was out grocery shopping. Steven approached Garnet cautiously. He did not know how to say this.

"Garnet, I have something to say. It's about what Peridot said," Steven said hesitantly.

"I'm not surprised. You shouldn't listen to too much Peridot says," said Garnet.

"No I mean yes. It's about Pearl being a servant and I notice that Pearl is working all the time every time I see her. I never see her have any fun."

"Of course she does, when she hangs out with you."

"Not that, time to herself. I mean you and Amethyst do fun things by yourself but not Pearl even before the drill. It's like she is a servant even though you say she's not."

"Steven Pearl likes doing these things, it's the way she was made. She couldn't imagine doing something unless it was constructive."

That seemed to satisfy him until he saw Pearl in the barn talking to Peridot. The pale gem seemed so sad. Peridot just sat and listened holding Pearl's hand.

"…I'm always so tired. If it's not one thing, it's another and its always 'for Steven'. I mean why can't Garnet do the shopping or Amethyst the laundry. I miss my grotto I miss swimming."

Peridot muttered something sympathetic. It was at that time Steven decided to enter.

"Oh Steven we were just," said a flustered Pearl.

"That's all right you deserve a rest," said Steven magnanimously. "Tell you what how about we head into town."

"Steven there's work to be done and we can't leave Peridot alone."

The little gem muttered something unsavory.

"You know as well as I Garnet would never allow you to be unsupervised," reminded Pearl gently.

From outside the barn Garnet called out, "Hey Pearl wrap things up with Peridot and don't forget about your monthly mission tonight."

A look of pure hatred appeared on Pearl's face, "Peridot, Steven get in the car. It's time I did something for myself."

On the ride to Beach City Pearl was filled with brimming anger. The two children dared not speak. As they got closer and closer Pearl seemed to calm down. When they finally got to the beach house Pearl seemed back to her normal self.

Steven decided to risk it," uh Pearl I'm really hungry as we kinda skipped lunch. Could we go to the boardwalk and get something to eat?"

It was starting to get cold as they walked to the boardwalk but Steven decided not to say anything. It was the end of the tourist season and most of the restaurants were closed that left one place open, Beach City Fries.

"Hi Peedee, Mr. Fryman got any fry bits for me?" called out Steven.

"Hey Steven who's your little friend," said Peedee.

Steven did not like the way Peede was looking at Peridot. Neither did Peridot as she hid behind his shoulder. Mr. Fryman ignored this as he took Pearl's money and then poured some fries into a basket for Steven. Some were stuck so he pulled then out with his hands.

"You really shouldn't handle money and prepare food. Not without washing your hands," said Pearl.

"You know for a stripper you really are uppity. Tell me is your little girl going to follow in your footsteps?" said Fryman maliciously.

"Pearl, what's he talking about," Steven could feel tears forming.

Fryman laughed," oh she hasn't told you. Tell me Steven have you heard of the Happy Clam?"

Pearl just ran as fast as she could away from the boardwalk and away from the Frymans. The fry bits no longer tasted good. In fact, for the rest of his life Steven no longer enjoyed the taste of fried foods. Steven tried to run after her, but Peridot just held him back shaking her head. The little technician could see Pearl needed to be alone.

Peridot stood by stiffly, "Steven you're old enough to drive?"

"Doesn't matter Pearl has the keys," said Steven numbly.

The pair walked slowly back to the beach house. When they got in Steven opened the fridge to find something to eat. There was not much as most of the food went to the farm house now. That was okay Steven wasn't hungry anymore. A couple of hours later Steven tried reaching Pearl on the phone. The gem wasn't answering.

When it got dark Steven heard a knock on the door. Peridot took the initiative and opened it hoping it was Pearl. It was not. There waiting was a very distraught and embarrassed Ronaldo.

"I just heard what my father said to you and I am truly sorry," said the fat boy.

It must have been bad because Ronaldo was ignoring the green alien standing right in front of him. He went inside.

Ronaldo continued, "Pearl is one of the bravest people I know. My father had no right to say those things and if you want me to do anything."

"Is it true?" growled Steven.

"Steven you must realize that fighting monsters isn't exactly profitable."

"Is it true?"

"Yes, Steven it is I'm afraid, I'm sorry you had to find out this way," sighed Ronaldo.

This time Peridot spoke up, "Do you mean that the Crystal Gems have been risking their lives with no compensation? That that isn't fair."

"Peridot things work differently here on earth," said Steven.

"I know that. Steven I don't know what the gems told you about Homeworld but one thing I can tell you. If you perform a service for Homeworld you end up being compensated," said a bewildered Peridot.

"So nobody does anything in Homeworld without expecting a profit? That's selfish," asked Ronaldo.

Peridot countered, "That makes sense, if you endanger yourself it is only right that you get a reward. Besides some of our greatest Gem heroes never even survived to receive their reward. The gems look after the world and Steven, isn't it right the world looks after them?"

Steven was feeling lightheaded. He couldn't hear half of what was being said. There was only one thought in his mind.

"I want to see for myself," said Steven.

"Er come again?" asked Ronaldo.

"I said I want to see for myself," shouted Steven.

"Okay, I can't let you in there but the Happy Clam closes at 2 am."

At around 1:30 they all bundled into Ronaldo's car. They headed inland on the other side of town as Pearl liked to call it the wrong side of the tracks. The Happy Clam was a big box of a building. It looked like an oversized boathouse only it had no windows. The forest green wood siding only served to give it a cheap air. The atmosphere in the car was no better. Even Ronaldo could feel the rage and hurt burning off of Steven as he sat next to him in the front seat.

In desperation he turned to Peridot, "You look like the alien who sent a distress signal a few months ago."

"It was me. I lost my limb enhancers," replied the little gem.

"No time for chit chat here she comes," barked Steven.

It was indeed Pearl, she wore a trench coat and a hat as if ashamed but her pointy nose gave her away. Around her were other young women some of them still in stage makeup.

Steven cried her name as he ran out the car. She tried to hide somewhere but it was too late.

"Why Pearl?" Steven asked in a hurt voice. "Isn't Dad's money enough."

The other women looked uncomfortable.

Pearl sobbed, "Oh Steven you must be so ashamed of me but no your father's money isn't enough. There are bills to pay, the materials to fix the farmhouse and the property damage incurred when we fight in beach city."

"But you're smart Pearl why can't you do something else?"

"Steven any other work is a full time job I wouldn't have time to do anything else. With the tips I can support us doing this once a month."

Then it all made sense the leering looks the mayor gave. The way half the men in Beach City felt uncomfortable around Pearl when she was the least intimidating gem of the lot.

"I for one have lost all respect for Garnet and Amethyst," stated Peridot. "You keep saying how good you are. But good people don't degrade their friends like this"

Pearl said calmly, "Peridot things are.."

"Different on Earth I know. I'm reminded of that every single day. But this is how you would treat a Pearl on Homeworld. If they're so fond of money let them earn themselves," ranted the little gem."

"Pearl I don't want you doing this anymore," said Steven.

"But Steven how are we going to make ends meet?" asked Pearl.

"We'll figure that out, together. Let's go home," said Steven.

It was early dawn when Pearl and the children reached home. The farmhouse was quiet when Steven slammed the car door loudly. He marched right in, Pearl and Peridot trailing in after him. Amethyst had made a huge sandwich and Garnet was drinking coffee like nothing happened.

It was time to give his speech. Steven began, "Right you two I know all about Pearl's monthly missions. From now on we are making some much needed changes." A pimple appeared on the young man's face.