By the time you all warped back to the Beach House, it was still quite late in the night.

"OH MAN, THAT WAS SICK!" You heard Ameythyst guffaw behind you as you stepped off the warp to prepare the two young gems for bed. "(Name)zilla literally just blew up the WHOLE warp pad!

"I know right!?" Spinel beamed excitedly. "She was all like it doesn't matter and all of a sudden," she went on to mimic an explosion sound, with exaggerated hand gestures.

"Oh! Oh! Did I mention that she can bubble things now?" Steven added joyously. "When those robonoid things pushed us out of the warp, she made a bubble around me to protect me!"

This made Spinel and Ameythyst gasp in awe. "Are you serious?! Ha ha! I tell ya, The Big G's getting better and better by the day!" Ameythyst exclaims, clapping a hand to spinel's back.

"You guys were actually pushed outta the warp stream!?" Spinel gaped in awe. "What was it like?!"

"Cold. Really cold." You rumbled tiredly. "We'll get into that tomorrow. For now though, we turn in for the night." You gently nudged Steven towards his loft. Now that everything was settled with the warp pad suspicions, you hoped that Steven would finally get his well deserved, well earned rest. "Get into PJs, dewdrop. Spinny, wait for (Name)."

Steven nods in affirmination and scampered up the stairs, while spinel made her way to the couch. With a long yawn, you stepped out of the warp room, dimly aware of Garnet and Pearl following behind.

"That was impressive, (Name)." Garnet said with a smile. "It'll be a while before any homeworld invaders can reach us now."

"As it should be." Your voice was slightly hoarse, worn from the intense heat it was subjected to. "No off-earth intruder is to harm a hair on any earthling's head." You said matter-of-factly. "Not without severe consequences, that is."

"Ha! Like anyone would ever WANT to try and challenge the Big Puffy Powerhouse!" Ameythyst snickered, rumaging through the fridge for a midnight snack.

"Only an idiot would." You chuckled, trying to ignore the subtle ache in your throat as you walked to the kitchen and grabbed yourself a glass. "If anyone's going to protect Rose's valuables, it's going to be (Name)." When you said this, Pearl hastily made her way into the kitchen, looking oddly anxious as she cleared her throat quite loudly.

"Ahem- while we're on the subject, we should really talk about what you said before-" She was cut off by Garnet setting a hand on her shoulder, followed by a soft shushing noise.

Fortunately for them, you didn't fully hear the question as you shut the cupboard. "Talk about what now?"

Pearl opened her mouth to repeat herself, but garnet spoke first.

"Just a few things to discuss for our next mission." There was a slight haste in her speech, which prompted you to look at the fusion suspiciously as you filled your glass with chilled water from the tap. "Good work again today." Garnet said again, though she sounded a bit hurried as she nodded once to you. "We appreciate your efforts."

"...No problem." You replied after a pause.

Pearl gave a bewildered side glance to the visor gem who then mouthed the words 'not right now' to her. Her unseen eyes briefly flicked to you, who was now staring at the two with a brow lifted.

"Well, We'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." With that, she turned and walked briskly to the temple gate. However, pearl lingered behind a bit longer, meeting your eyes yet again.

"...Goodnight, pearl." You said calmly, sipping your water without breaking eye contact.

Pearl hesitated for a moment, but furrowed her brow slightly in resolution. "(Name)-"

She was cut off by a hiss at the temple gate.

"Not the time, Pearl!"

She looks at Garnet, who was standing in the open temple door impatiently, then at you, who now had a sharp look of mild irritation. "Yes?"

"Ah- uhm- G-Goodnight and uhm... good job. Today." She flashed a skittish smile at you, waving to you briefly before speedwalking to the temple gates, disappearing behind the blue doors.

...must have spooked them again. You sighed quietly to yourself, finishing up your water. I really need to get to the bottom of these instincts... You huffed shaking your head as you wiped off the glass with a rag. But maybe now they'll be more careful with the little ones... You set the cup on the drying rack and stretched out your four arms. Speaking of little ones...

You turned and made your way to the living room, walking over to the spinel sitting on the couch. Purring to yourself, you approached the pink gem and gave her a loving lick between on her head. "Give (Name) a moment."

She nodded and made your way up the stairs, purring upon finding Steven sitting at the edge of his bed, waiting for you with a mellow smile.

"How is Steven feeling now?" You asked.

His smile brightens as he reached his arms out instinctively for you to hug him. "I feel a lot better now." He chirps as you scooped him up and returned his hug. "Especially after today. That was awesome."

"It certainly was." You mused, nuzzling his hair. "Steven can rest easy now."

He hums pressing his face into your thick chest fluff. "Thanks to you."

You smiled. "Anything to make Steven feel safe."

You gently tucked hum into bed, pulling his covers over him.

"Uh... hey, (name)?"

"Hm?"

"About... what you said with mom..." He appeared hesitant as he snuggled himself deeper beneath his covers. "Do you... really think that they didn't take me seriously because I'm not a-?" You gently cut him off by lightly booping his nose. "Nonsense, dewdrop. The Gems didn't take Steven seriously is simply because of..." You thought for a moment. "...hubris."

Steven furrowed his brow in confusion. "Hubris?"

"It's common among older beings; sometimes they think they know more than others because they existed longer and lived different set of experiences. Since Steven is still inexperienced, they only assumed from their experiences that his claim was a false alarm." You explained with a shrug. "It's nothing to take personally."

"Really?" Steven's brows lifted, looking surprised for a moment, before he tilted his head with a small, somewhat playful smile. "Wait a minute, If that's the case, why don't you have hubris?"

You chuckled softly, ruffling his hair. "Simple, (Name) doesn't have the experiences for it." You smiled, but felt a bit of weight in your chest as you looked down at your paw. "After all, she can't exactly know much since her corruption has her memories fuzzy."

Steven hummed, noting your somber expression and set his hand on yours. "You know how to keep everything in order." You looked to him as he took your hand into both of his, his smile brightening. "And you're really good at keeping me and spinel safe!"

You purred and wrapped your arm around his back, pulling him into a hug and nuzzled his cheek. "(Name) only wants the best for everyone. Especially her little ones."

Steven hummed, returning your nuzzle. "Yeah..." he murmured, seemingly to himself, idly pressing his cheek deeper into your chest fluff, enjoying your warmth. "You do."

You both stood like that for a few seconds before you pulled away. "Steven must get some rest now. It was a long day for him."

You pulled the covers over him and pressed a soft kiss into his forehead. "Goodnight, Dewdrop."

You turned and trotted down the stairs, unaware of Steven watching as you disappeared from his sight. He smiled to himself, snuggling into his bed.

Down below, you circle the spot you normally slept in, then plopped down which signaled spinel to go over and nestle herself into your midarm's embrace, falling asleep the instant she was comfortable.

With a soft huff through your nostrils, you laid your head on your arms.

The last thing you saw was the box on the coffee table before you succumbed to the fatigue of tonight's escapade.