(⚠️ long read ahead! ⚠️)

Next stop, Steven approaches the the Beach City Fries, where Peedee is lying on the counter, to get his regular order.

"You know exactly what I want." He smiles at Peedee before turning to look to Garnet as he goes to get his order. "Any possible futures here where I'm hurt by this?"

"Hmm..." Garnet thinks deeply for a moment, briefly glancing at you out of the corner of her eye. "Mmm... Tons."

"What?" You felt your eye twitch, and Garnet tensed up slightly. "Like what?"

Garnet hesitated slightly."Well... for starters..."

"He could just be going on about his business, eating his fry bits, and then suddenly he choke to death."

"Or he get so distracted that he falls down a manhole."

"He could get food poisoning or be bullied by wasps."

"...And that's just a few instances off the top of my head."

"...Seriously??"

The sharp tone in your voice made Garnet flinch. "Well-"

"W-What if I stand perfectly still?" Steven asked, in a nervous sweat now as he held his fry bits.

"You'll... probably get a really bad sunburn." Garnet answers slowly, backing up from you, unable to break from your burning gaze. You were staring so hard, she felt like her visors would melt under their gaze.

"...Yeah." She then turns and walks away briskly, prompting Steven to chase after her. "Uh, Garnet, wait up! Come on, guys!"

"...Yeesh, I thought she said the most probable outcome.." Spinel muttered, shaking her head. "Them's some wild assumptions, eh, mama (nickname)?"

You stared silently, as you slowly absorbed the supposed visions you were told.

"Yes." You said lowly. "Wild.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Needless to say, the entire rest of the day was quite tense.

Even though Garnet's predictions were outlandish and maybe a bit exaggerated, you started to think back to what Steven had told you about his past experiences, and what you've witnessed yourself.

From nearly being blown up in a shoddily made rocket to being eaten by a giant gem bird, who really knows what else could happen with this child??

The more you thought about the possibilities, the more erratic your mind grew.

How safe is this kid?

It was a question you asked before, but to have it resurfacing in your mind brought a new layer of unease.

How come there's always so much danger coming this child's way?

Even if he's half-gem, it's ridiculous with how unsafe he is.

How can I keep said dangers at bay? Can it be stopped??

"Hey." You felt a tap on your head, breaking you out of your thoughts. Spinel then stretched her neck so she could clearly look at your face. "You okay there, big fella?"

"Er... yes, hon." You said evenly. "(Name)'s just... thinking."

"Thinkin'?" She tilted her head. "'Bout what?"

You grumbled sparing a glance back over your shoulder, peering behind spinel at Steven, finding his face was buried in your back fur. No doubt his imagination was running wild, contemplating the possible dangers that might await him.

He was so scared. So vulnerable.

So unsafe.

You felt your hackles bristle at the thought, but quickly stopped your thoughts from spiraling.

Don't overreact again. You told yourself. It's a phase.

"...nothing too important." You answered after a lengthy pause. "Don't worry about it."

It'll pass.

~~~~~~~~~~

At lunch time, even under the safety of the Beach House roof, Steven had a dazed look on his face, donning his bicycle helmet as he sat at the barstool beside spinel while you worked in the kitchen. Garnet came up to the counter, noticing Steven's tension.

"Steven." She called to him, which made him yelp, causing you to flinch.

"Can you uh... tell me why you got that on?" Spinel pointed to the helmet with a tip of her head.

"Oh, this?" Steven forced out a chuckle, poorly masking his fear. "Well... You- You never know... when... you're gonna... ride a bike!"

"...but we're inside." Spinel raised her brow.

"Yeah..." Steven smiled nervously, watching as you prepared their food. "Just... watching... (Name) pick up the knife... and... cut our sandwiches..."

He clears his throat nervously as you reached for the knife, eyeing Steven worriedly.

"Pick up the- the knife..."

The closer your paw got to the tool, the more flustered and panicked the boy became.

And once you gripped the handle and raised it-

"Pick up... KNIIFE!"

"GAH!"

You jerked away from the counter, dropping the knife as Steven cried out in panic, hyperventiling as Spinel caught him.

"Woah! Hey, easy does it, buddy!" Spinel exclaimed, gripping his arms to keep him steady on the stool.

"Steven?" You asked worriedly, as he caught his breath. Once he regained himself, he looked up at you with a skittish smile.

"Uh... could you... maybe not cut them this time?" Steven asked with a shaky smile.

You hummed softly in concern. You've never seen him look this paranoid and it made your metaphoric heart heavy.

"That will kill you faster." Garnet made an attempt at joking, but that only made him tenser.

"Garnet." You curled your lip which prompted Garnet's smirk to fall.

"Sorry."

As you served the two uncut sandwiches, Amethyst suddenly runs in, slamming her hands on the counter. "Yo, Mama (initial)! Lemme get that bacon Grilled cheese when I get back!"

You smiled in amusement, rolling your eyes. "Sure thing."

She pumps her fist into the air briefly before noticing Steven. "Nice noggin, Steven." She laughs and steps onto the Warp Pad along with Pearl, who waves at you briefly.

"We're ready, Garnet." Pearl calls, much to Steven's dismay.

"Wait. You're going on a mission?" He then grabs Garnet's arm, as she tried to leave. "Hold on! Don't leave me!" He pleaded frantically, his eyes welling up in tears. "At least tell me what's gonna happen with my lunch! Do I choke on a pickle?"

"Mm, you don't choke on a pickle." She replied, her gaze flicking between you and him.

"That means something else happens with the pickle!" Steven exclaimed, clutching tigher to the gem's arm. You bit your lip, the twist in your chest tighten at how frantic and desperate he seemed now.

"Garnet! Shouldn't we be going?" Pearl calls a bit impatiently to Garnet.

At this, she knelt down to Steven's height, setting a hand on his shoulder. "Steven, I can't be with you all the time." She states firmly. "Just trust me when I say that you are in control."

She gives him a reassuring smile, in which he give back.

You mentally sighed with relief at the sight.

Maybe things are gonna be okay today.

"Do not go on the roof!" Garnet abruptly warned him. "No matter what."

Oh stars dang it.

~~~~{That night}~~~~

It was a heavy downpour outside, as everyone retired for the night, with the gems in the Temple and you on the living room floor with Spinel on your back, ready for sleep.

Usually, you'd have no issue with letting the rain lull you to sleep, but the sounds of Steven's whimpering kept you up as he was curled up by the window of the house as thunder crashes loudly outside.

"What could possibly happen to me on the roof?" He whimpered, staring up at the ceiling.

"Nothing, dewdrop." You reassured gently. "Just stay indoors."

Thunder crashes again and the front door suddenly bursts open, startling Steven and snapping Spinel awake.

"The heck??" Spinel groggily looks to the open door, and stretches her arm over to it, shutting it. At this point Steven was sitting up straight, breathing heavily.

"Yeesh, Stevie, settle down." Spinel softly chided, resting her chin on your head. "Maybe get a snack to settle yourself.."

Steven considers the idea, looking over at the fridge, but he hesitates. "But what if..!"

You could hear Steven's frantic breathing and sat up to look at him, and he looked ready to burst in fear. You've never seen him look this scared out of his wits before, even in the more dire situations you've experienced.

"Steven-"

As you got up to walk over to him, the thunder clashes again, prompting Steven to scream and run over to you, hiding underneath you clutching your midarm as he begins to cry in fear.

"Steven!" Spinel slinked off your back, crouching beside him. "Hey, it's okay, bud! Just breath!"

She looks around briefly before catching sight of one of his discarded teddy bears, and stretching her arm over to offer it to him. "Here! Lookie, it someone's here to cheer ya up!"

Steven looked at the plush, and took it into his hands. "Ugh! Master of Ceremonies Bear Bear."

He stared at it as he slowly gathered himself. "What's happening to me? I'm supposed to be... a Crystal Gem."

"Yes, but Steven is also a child..." You reassured him, running your fingers through his hair. "It's okay to be afraid."

"But... I'm supposed to be a Crystal Gem!" He repeats, frustration seeping into his voice.

"Crystal Gem or not, Steven can be scared!" You stated more firmly. "Steven is still a child!"

"Ugh! (Name), I--"

CRASH!!

"AAAAAHHH!"

"Oof!"

The resulting thunder crash caused him to jolt, smacking his head into your chest. This proved to be the last straw for him, as he gets out from under you with an angered groan.

"Steven-?"

Spinel was cut odd by Steven suddenly running outside, prompting your eyes to widen in alarm and fear.

"EEY!?"

"Yuh-oh."

~~~~~~~~~

"STEVEN!!"

You raced outside after him, your eyes widening in horror as you watched the boy scale the house and stand atop the roof.

"Okay. I'm here." He said, his voice firm with resolve. "What are you gonna do to me, future?"

"STEVEN!!" Your voice bellowed over the pounding of raindrops. "Get down from there!"

"No!" Steven shot back. He looked both desperate and defeated. "If something is going to happen to me... Just let it happen."

Your eyes shot wide open.

Let it happen??

Let him be...

"Steven! This is ridiculous!" You shouted back, desperation seeping into your voice. The burn was returning, but you quickly reigned it in. Surely this would resolve itself? "Nothing would happen to Steven if he stood inside!"

"No, (Name)! You don't understand!" He exclaimed back, before grabbing his head in panic. "Everything I do shoves me violently towards the end! The more I know, the more I know that I don't know!" He falls to his knees, raising his hands in distress. "I can't live like this!"

You grunted, biting your lip as as the fear in your abdomen become painfully tight, forcing you to let out a huff of steam. "This isn't the answer to the issues! It'll make things worse! Future can't hurt Steven if he won't let it! J-Just get down! Please!"

"No, (Name)! You don't know that!" Steven refused to budge.

You were starting to lose patience.

"Steven has until three to get down!" You growled. "One!"

"(Name)! Cut it out!" Steven furrowed his brow. "Just let me get this over with!"

"Two!"

"I'm serious! I can't go back in until I know what'll happen to me!" He turned away, crossing his arms. He clenched his eyes shut. "Just... Just go inside!"

You saw crackles of lightning in the sky above him, and felt something snap in your head.

He won't listen.

"Three!"

Your body acted on its own as you reared up and slammed your paws into the side of the house, your clawed fingers digging into the wood. Your voice had dropped a few decibels, and steam bellowed from your maw as you stared up at the house with glowing eyes.

Steven yelped at the small quake you caused and knelt over the side of the roof, gasping as you looked ready to scale the house yourself.

"THAT'S IT! (NAME) WILL COME UP THERE AND DRAG HIM DOWN HERSELF!!"

"No, stop!" He jolted back from the edge in alarm. "You might get hurt to!"

"(NAME) DOESN'T CARE!" You shot back, barely aware of the warmth running down your cheeks as scrabbled at the wet wood, looking for a grip. "(NAME) DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS, BUT SHE'LL BE SHARDS IF SHE EVER LETS IT TAKE HER BOY TOO SOON!"

"No! Please don't!" He scrambled backwards from your direction. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me!"

"TOO BAD!" You finally found your grip and began to pull yourself up.

"(NAME) WILL GLADLY GIVE UP HER FUTURE TO SAVE STEVEN'S!"

You barely heard the desperate cry from Steven over the thudding of rain as he saw your forepaw clutch the edge of the roof.

"But mom--!"

"Steven! Get off the roof!"

You stopped upon hearing a familiar voice. Turning your head, you see Spinel at the door of the house, pointing to you with Garnet at her side.

"Garnet." You snarled, making her flinch. The fuzziness in your head turned to anger as you looked your gaze on her visors.

T̸̗̑h̶i̷s ̵̑w̵à̶s̸ he̷r fault̸.

Sĥ̷͎e̸ h̷̠͒u̶ṙ̷ͅț̴̚ h̵̙̒i̶̪̚m̵

You released your grip on the house and stormed over to her, the pleas from both Steven and Spinel falling on deaf ears as you clutched her shoulders desperately in your forepaws.

"Why!? Why did Garnet reveal future vision?! Why did she tell Steven about the roof!?" You exclaimed, shaking her slightly. Garnet didn't react, but her lips were pressed together tightly. "What's going to happen to Steven on the roof?!"

She was quiet for a moment. "...This."

"...What?" Your eyes widened in shock.

"I... knew he might do this if I told you all about my power." She explained softly. "I saw this, and... I told anyway."

"But why?" You clutched her shoulders again, not too angry anymore but now desperate. "Why would Garnet do this to Steven??"

"I... took a risk at his expense." She admitted with a wince. "There was a chance he'd understand this, and we'd be closer."

Your glower softened as she took off her visor, looking at you with three, sad, tri-colored eyes. "(Name), I see so many things that can hurt him."

"...I should never have let one of them be me."

You felt your anger slowly fade as your paws slid off her shoulders, in which she takes a step back and places her visors back on. She then looks back up at Steven, who was still peering down from the roof with a worried expression. "There are millions of possibilities for the future, but it's up to you to choose which becomes reality."

She then directs her attention to both you and spinel as she made her way to your side, hugging your forearm. "Please understand. You choose your own future."

There was a long pause as everyone digested her words.

"I do understand. I..." Thunder rumbles above as a realization hits Steven. "What am I doing?... I guess I can't really see a future for myself up here."

With a sigh, he slides down from the roof and gives Garnet a hug. "I'll watch out for myself from now on."

You let out a small huff, feeling the tension fade from your body now, leaving the coldness of your wet fur clinging to your back.

That was too close... again...

These gems... they need to get their act together... because now...

You brought a paw to your head with a groan, your thoughts slowly coming back into focus.

This is starting to hurt...

Steven then threw himself into you, burying his face into your chest fur. "I'm really sorry I scared you..."

"It's... okay..." You reassured softly, pulling both him and Spinel closer to you. "As long as Steven is safe now... and (name) will do her best to keep him and Spinny safe from future dangers."

Garnet smiled briefly at the tranquil display before glancing up at the sky.

You then looked up to the tall gem just in time to see her raise her hand, effortlessly blocking a lightning strike from hitting you all.

"What was that?" Steven asks, his voice muffled by your fur.

"...Oh, nothing important." Garnet states plainly.

"...yeah." You added. "No need to worry."
~~~~~~~~

...Yeah, this was lengthy. 2722 words.

Not my usual thing, but uuh... I have a reason.

It'll be explained next page when it comes.