Home World (Steven Universe AU)

Summary:

In which emotions rise in more than one gem.

Blue paced back and forth between the couch and the kitchen. It felt like hours had passed since Steven entered Pearl's gem, though it couldn't have been more than a few minutes. Amethyst, after the initial shock of Blue's theories, had gone back to playing her game—partially to pass the time and mostly to avoid thinking about what she'd just heard.

God, how could Pink—Rose—whoever—do something like this? What will Steven think? she wondered. If this turned out to be true, it would only add to the weight of lies Pink had left behind. She had already hidden the truth about Bismuth, never mentioned the pink lion, and only revealed Bismuth because Steven stumbled upon her. It wasn't surprising that something like this could be another secret. This is all kinds of messed up, Amethyst thought. And Steven would likely bear the brunt of it all.

Blue stopped pacing, noticing Pearl silently tearing up. Something was wrong. Blue could feel the wave of guilt, sadness, and relief radiating from her. Before she could question it, Pearl's gem glowed, and Steven emerged. Blue was quick to catch him, her arms steadying him.

"Did you find…?" she began, but her words trailed off as she noticed the look on his face. She turned toward Pearl, whose tears were now falling freely.

"I wanted to tell you for so long," Pearl said, her voice trembling and thick with emotion. She leaned her head into her hand, unable to meet anyone's gaze.

Blue gently set Steven down on his feet, taking his hands. "I'm confused," she said, indirectly asking what had happened inside Pearl's gem.

Steven shook his head, as if trying to dispel the whirlwind of thoughts plaguing him. Then he looked into Blue's eyes with a bitter smile and mournful gaze.

"You were right. Mom was Pink Diamond," he said.

Was Blue shocked? Not entirely. She'd felt the truth when she touched Steven's gem. Still, hearing it confirmed in Steven's voice was something else entirely. That's when she realized the full extent of why Steven had gone into Pearl's gem: memories and data were stored there. Pearl's excuse about her phone had been a carefully crafted loophole, one she had desperately wanted Steven to find.

"Oh, Steven," Blue murmured, pulling him into a tight embrace. She felt his pain and resentment—it was overwhelming and completely justified.

"Oh, shit," Amethyst hissed. She ran her fingers through her messy hair, abandoning her game entirely. She stood up, only to immediately sit back down. The revelation had knocked the wind out of her. "Oh, shit. We have to tell Garnet, don't we?"

As if summoned by Amethyst's thoughts, the temple door opened, and Garnet stepped inside. Everyone turned to look at her, their expressions a mix of tension and sorrow.

Garnet's fingers twitched at her sides, her demeanor unusually rigid. Not even her future vision had prepared her for this moment—she had seen that one of her friends would bring important news, but not what it would be.

"What is it?" Garnet asked, walking across the room to sit next to Amethyst. Amethyst tensed up but tried to appear casual, leaning back against the cushions.

Blue wanted to tell Garnet herself, but when she saw the determined glint in Steven's eyes, she knew it was best if her mate handled this. After all, Garnet needed to hear it from someone she trusted and had known for much longer—not someone she was just starting to warm up to.

Steven let Blue's hand go and stepped forward, his heart pounding. He wasn't sure how to say it, so he decided to be blunt.

"I went into Pearl's gem and saw her memories," he began, his throat suddenly dry.

Blue silently took his hand again, offering him quiet encouragement. With a deep breath, Steven pressed on. "Mom was Pink Diamond. She faked her shattering and reformed permanently as Rose Quartz."

The room went quiet. Pearl's tears had dried by now, but her expression remained heavy with regret. "Pink Diamond's final command to me was that no one could know," Pearl said softly. A small, sad smile tugged at her lips as she looked at Steven. "But now that you know, Steven, I can finally tell you all everything."

Amethyst sighed, her fingers running through her wild hair. "Man, I was shocked when it was just a theory, but now? Damn. What the actual hell." She shook her head, her usual sarcasm giving way to genuine disbelief. "Thinking's not really my thing, but I'm… yeah, I'm not even shocked anymore."

Blue tensed, white-hot rage and betrayal boiling within her, but she quickly pushed it down. She realized it wasn't her own emotions—it was Garnet's. Someone spoke, but Blue didn't hear them. Her eyes were locked on Garnet, who stood deathly still, her hands trembling.

"Rose," Garnet growled, her voice low and dangerous. Slowly, she stood, her body shaking as she took a few steps away from the group. "I… I should've—she—" Garnet grunted, clutching herself. Her form flickered, glowing as she struggled to stay whole, but the strain was too much. Finally, she unfused.

"SHE LIED TO US!" Sapphire's voice rang out, sharp and furious. Frost spread from her feet, creeping across the floor toward the kitchen. "SHE LIED ABOUT EVERYTHING!" Her gloved hands gripped her hair in frustration as her emotions overwhelmed her.

When Blue had first suggested that only a Diamond could heal what they corrupted, Sapphire had considered the possibility. But she hadn't wanted to believe it. She hadn't wanted to believe that Rose—her trusted leader, the one she'd fought for, the one she'd built a new life around—had lied to them about everything.

"She looked us right in the eyes and told us to never question who we are as Garnet!" Sapphire shouted, her voice breaking. "Why did it take another Diamond to be truthful to us instead of her?!" A frustrated tear slid down her face, and she furiously wiped it away.

"We couldn't have known," Ruby said gently, holding her hands out as if to offer comfort. She knew Sapphire needed it, even if she wouldn't admit it.

"None of us did," Blue added softly, holding back the storm of emotions raging within her. "I was only going off theories and whatever evidence we had."

But Sapphire wasn't hearing them. Her voice cracked with anger and hurt. "You had the sense to question her. But we didn't!" She turned sharply, stomping toward the warp pad. "I let her make fools of us all!"

Ruby called out her name, chasing after her. "Please! We can stay calm and just… talk about this, right? Let's just talk." Her voice was pleading, desperate to reach her.

"Talk about what?" Sapphire snapped, her voice breaking again. "How our entire relationship was built on a lie? What else is there to say?" Her hands clenched into fists as her head ducked low, and before Ruby could stop her, she warped away.

The room fell silent, the tension suffocating. Blue exhaled slowly, trying to release some of the intense emotions that weren't her own.

Steven and Pearl moved toward the warp pad, determined to follow. "We'll get her back," Steven promised, his voice shaking but resolute. Pearl steadied him as they stepped onto the pad, ready to bring Sapphire home.

They were gone now, leaving just Blue, Amethyst, and a sobbing Ruby. Carefully navigating the icy floor, Blue made her way to Ruby and knelt beside her. "Your love is not a lie," she said gently. Her words were firm yet kind, meant to anchor Ruby in this storm of emotions. It was true—no matter what had led to their formation as Garnet, Ruby and Sapphire's love was genuine. Maybe they were always meant to be together, and Pink's rebellion was simply the push they needed.

Ruby nodded, tears and snot streaming down her face. Blue's words brought some comfort, but Sapphire's hurtful truth still lingered: their love was real, but their entire relationship had been built around Rose—Pink Diamond. Still, Ruby knew deep down that her feelings for Sapphire had nothing to do with Rose. She loved Sapphire because of who she was, not because of how they came to be.

Blue rubbed Ruby's back gently, trying to think of what else she could do to help. Suddenly, Ruby stood and marched over to the table where a notebook and pen lay. She scribbled something down with trembling hands, folded the paper, and then broke into a fresh wave of tears. Without a word, she bolted out the door, leaving Blue and Amethyst stunned. Blue glanced at the folded paper, then at the confused Amethyst, and finally toward the door. Realizing the urgency, she decided to chase after Ruby—knowing how emotional Ruby could be, there was a real chance she might accidentally set something on fire.

Despite Ruby's small stature, she was fast, and by the time Blue made it outside, Ruby was already far across the terrain. "Ruby, hold on! We can talk like you wanted!" Blue called, leaping off the porch and hitching up her dress to sprint after the sobbing gem. Ruby took a sharp turn, and Blue followed, her mind racing for ways to comfort her. Perhaps the calming clouds she'd made for Steven during his panic attacks could help Ruby too. But first, she had to catch her.

Eventually, Blue caught up, only to see Ruby had stopped at Greg's car wash. Greg was already outside, hosing down the pavement. Ruby dashed to the open van parked nearby, climbed into the back, and curled up, her loud sobs echoing from within.

"What's… going on?" Greg asked, turning off the hose and walking toward Blue, who came to a stop in front of him, slightly out of breath.

"We just found out that Rose Quartz was actually Pink Diamond," Blue explained, her voice heavy. "Garnet split apart because of it."

Greg's eyes widened in shock, the hose slipping from his hand. "Rose was… Pink Diamond?" he repeated, almost to himself. The revelation hit him hard, though in hindsight, it started to make sense. Rose had always been so secretive about certain topics, and she often spoke wistfully about leaving her home behind. She must have had her reasons, just like Greg had his own secrets—like being a DeMayo.

"How's Steven taking it?" Greg asked, his concern shifting to his son.

"Hurt, but hiding it," Blue replied. She moved toward the van and peeked inside. Ruby was curled up near the front seat, sobbing and whimpering. Without hesitation, Blue climbed in and sat beside her. "We can talk about it if you want," she offered softly.

Ruby didn't respond—not even a shake of her head. She simply clutched her knees, her small frame trembling with emotion. Greg watched from the doorway, his heart aching for her. It was clear she had run here without thinking, seeking comfort in a place she felt safe. Oddly enough, that place was his van. Not that he minded—Ruby was always welcome.

Blue summoned a small, soft cloud in her hands, murmuring something soothing as she tucked it into Ruby's arms. Ruby's loud sobbing quieted, replaced by sniffles and soft whimpers. The fluffy cloud seemed to ease her somewhat, and Blue leaned back against the van wall, watching her with pity.

Greg spoke up, his voice warm and gentle. "We can go for a ride if you want. Talk when you feel ready."

Blue glanced at Greg, then back at Ruby with a small smile. "Yes, that sounds lovely. What do you think, Ruby?"

Ruby sniffled, hugging the cloud tighter. "Okay," she croaked, her voice raw and muffled by the cloud.

Greg gave a reassuring nod, then shut the van doors and locked up the car wash before climbing into the driver's seat. The van started with a soft rumble, and they rolled out, giving Ruby the space and time she needed to begin healing.

The soothing music played softly in the background, creating a peaceful atmosphere in the van. Greg kept one hand on the wheel, his eyes on the road as he drove. He wasn't sure if Ruby liked the music, but since she hadn't said anything, he left it playing. Maybe it would help her feel better. Initially, he had planned to make a short loop around the area and then stop by his house. But as the situation settled in, he realized this felt more like a "long drive" moment.

Greg thought back to when Marty had handed him the millions. He'd splurged during a trip to Empire City but later, thanks to Garnet's advice, he started investing his money instead of spending it recklessly. That decision eventually led to him buying a three-bedroom house with a garage. Still, out of habit and a sense of preparedness, he sometimes slept in his van—"just in case" had become his life motto. But lately, he'd been spending more time in his house. After all, what was the point of owning it if he wasn't going to live there?

As Greg's thoughts wandered to Rose, he found himself wishing she had been more open with him when she was alive. If she had told him the truth about being Pink Diamond, maybe he could've prepared Steven for the revelation. Maybe he could've had the right words ready to soften the blow. But Rose was gone, and none of that mattered now. What he did know was that she loved him, and he loved her. Still, it was hard not to wonder about the "what-ifs."

In the back of the van, Blue sat silently, her gaze fixed on the wall ahead since there were no windows. Next to her, Ruby sat clutching the little cloud Blue had made. The red gem's sobbing had subsided, and while her mood was still heavy, she was calmer. Blue suspected the music was helping, deliberately chosen by Greg to soothe the tense emotions. It seemed to be working.

Blue's thoughts drifted to Sapphire and Steven. Sapphire had been so hurt—furious, heartbroken, and betrayed. Blue didn't blame her. Their leader, the one they had trusted with their lives, had created a war against herself. Thousands of years of conflict, countless gems shattered, and the corruption of Earth—all because of a faked shattering. What could Rose have been thinking? How could she have been so reckless?

A warm hand on her shoulder startled Blue out of her spiraling thoughts. She turned to find Ruby looking at her with concern, still holding onto the cloud.

"I'm sorry," Blue said, realizing she might have been unintentionally affecting Ruby with her powers.

Ruby shook her head. "It's okay." Her voice was soft as she stared at the wall ahead. "I'm glad you were born."

Blue tilted her head, unsure how to respond. Ruby continued, her tone steadier now. "I'm glad Steven met you. You helped us figure out something none of us could have understood."

Blue frowned slightly. "But I'm the reason Garnet is no more."

Ruby gave a small smile. "I'm pretty sure this would've come to light eventually. You just sped it up."

Blue blinked, confused. Six thousand years of secrecy hardly seemed "sped up," but Ruby pressed on before Blue could object.

"Besides, Sapphire was kind of right. We became Garnet because Rose said we were the answer." Ruby looked down at the cloud in her lap, her expression thoughtful. Then, with a deep breath, she let go of it, placing it gently between them. Her eyes lit up with a quiet wonder as she looked up at Blue. "But now, for the first time… I'm thinking about me. You know?"

Blue's eyes softened. Ruby's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning yet light with newfound self-awareness. Blue nodded slowly, a small, encouraging smile forming on her lips. "I think that's a good thing."

Blue knew well that, back on Homeworld, Rubies were typically assigned as guards to Sapphires. From the moment they emerged, Rubies and Sapphires were often fused together for one reason or another. For this Ruby, she had always been with other Rubies until she was paired with Sapphire, likely forming Garnet for eons afterward.

"I was always checking in with someone," Ruby said ruefully after Blue nodded her understanding of the first part.

"You seek independence?" Blue asked warily as the van slowed to a stop. She wouldn't force Ruby to fuse back into Garnet, but a pang of guilt lingered—she felt responsible for Ruby's decision to split in the first place.

"Yeah."

A knock from the front of the van caught their attention.

"Hey, you two want some pizza?" Greg called, lowering the volume of the music.

"Yes, please," Blue answered.

"Sure," Ruby concurred.

Greg took out his phone and exited the van. The two could hear his muffled voice as he moved to the back and opened the doors for them.

"What kind of toppings?" he asked.

"Pepperoni," Ruby answered promptly.

"I will eat what you will," Blue replied with a small smile.

Greg continued making the order while the two stepped out of the van, the once-forgotten cloud of tension thinning into nothingness.

All three eventually sat at the edge of a cliff. Funny enough, it was the same one Steven had brought Blue to on one of their many outings.

"So, you want to be independent? I think that's great! You could be like a ranger or a captain on a ship," Greg suggested, showing Ruby a box of comic books that depicted such characters.

Ruby's eyes lit up with excitement as she pulled one out to examine.

Blue smiled bitterly at the red gem. If this was what Ruby wanted, who was she to say otherwise? Sure, she was a Diamond, but this wasn't her world, and Ruby wasn't her subject. Even if she were, Blue would never intentionally force someone to do something against their will.

"How do you feel, Blue? I mean, now that you know you're not the only half-Diamond," Greg asked, his gaze shifting over Ruby's head to the other hybrid, who stared out at the ocean.

All this time, they had been worried about Ruby, but now that Ruby seemed fine, it became clear that someone else still carried negativity. Perhaps it was Blue herself. Admittedly, her powers might unintentionally be leaking into Greg's emotions. Meanwhile, Ruby still carried remnants of the cloud essence, leaving her largely unaffected.

Blue hummed softly, glancing back at Greg. "It changes nothing about our relationship, but I am worried about Steven." She placed a hand on her cheek and dipped her head downward. Her eyes dimmed from a shiny sky blue to a dark, stormy ocean—a brewing tempest within.

"First, he learned his mother was a shatterer, then a deceitful gem, and now it turns out the war was all for nothing."

Ruby perked up from reading the comic book, sensing the familiar hostility in Blue's voice.

"I tire of all these things. I tire of feeling Steven's insecurities and the burdens Pink left upon him," Blue continued, her tone growing more discontent. Her hands clenched her dress, and her hair seemed to bristle as her emotions surged. "He doesn't deserve it—not him, not Garnet, not Ruby, or Sapphire, or anyone."

Blue abruptly stood, covering her face with her sleeve as the wind picked up suddenly.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" she shouted, her voice carrying the force of an earthquake. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the ocean ahead of them roared, splitting violently into towering, dangerous tides.

Greg and Ruby quickly got up, retreating from the edge of the cliff in case another tremor struck. Blue remained unmoving, like a statue, though her hair and dress whipped furiously in the gale.

"All those gems, corrupted because of that foolish Diamond," she said bitterly.

The pain she had left behind, the destruction she had caused—it was too much. Why had any of it happened? None of it was justified. None of it needed to happen. Now, everyone had to suffer because of HER.

Greg cautiously placed a hand on Blue's shoulder, grounding her in the moment. She blinked, suddenly reminded that Greg and Ruby were there. She inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, attempting to calm herself and regain control. This wasn't about her—it was about Ruby.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, smoothing down her hair with her hands.

"It's okay. You have a right to your feelings," Greg reassured her gently.

Blue shook her head somberly. "Not if it affects those around me." She wrapped her arms around herself, her expression heavy with regret.

Before Greg could counter her statement, headlights approached. A car pulled up, and Greg's face brightened slightly. The pizza had arrived.

'Maybe dinner will calm her down,' Greg thought. 'Maybe she's just hangry or something.'

He walked over to the parked car, retrieved the pizza from Jenny, tipped her generously, and quickly returned to the other two.

Ruby smiled, clearly grateful for the distraction. Blue, still quiet, took a slice and sat back down, eating silently.

Greg and Ruby chose not to sit by the cliff's edge this time. They chatted casually, and after a while, Blue joined the conversation—not out of eagerness, but for the distraction. She needed something, anything, to anchor her growing resentment, to keep others from feeling the weight of her emotions.

=======

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the tranquil landscape. Greg and Ruby sat quietly, serene smiles on their faces as they took in the peaceful view.

"Uh, hey guys."

Startled, the two turned around to see Steven and Amethyst approaching.

"Steven? How'd you find me?" Ruby asked, her voice laced with surprise.

The purple gem wiggled her fingers in mock mysticism. "We sensed you~"

Steven offered a crooked smile. "We, uh… heard you ordered pizza."

His brown eyes scanned the area, curiosity flickering in his expression. Didn't Amethyst say Blue had run after Ruby?

"Blue and Ruby told me about your mom," Greg interjected gently.

Steven's face fell, his expression tinged with pity. "Oh… uh… are you okay?"

It must have been strange for Greg to reflect on it—all this time, he had fallen in love with a Quartz, only to later learn she was really a Diamond. But Greg smiled, his accepting gaze drifting to the calm ocean below.

"Well, I fell in love with Rose Quartz, and she fell in love with Mr. Universe," he said with a small shrug, briefly closing his eyes. "Sure, she never told me she used to be Pink Diamond." He chuckled softly, looking back at his son. "But I never told her I used to be Gregory DeMayo."

Right. That's… relieving?

Steven shifted his focus to Ruby. "So… how are you holding up, Ruby?"

The red gem beamed at him. "I'm fine now. I talked with Greg and Blue." She held up the pizza box, which still had a few slices left. "Want a slice?"

Reluctantly, Steven took one. "Where is Blue?"

Greg and Ruby's expressions immediately faltered. They exchanged a glance before Greg spoke.

"She's hiding in the van. She was adamant about not wanting to use her powers around us," he explained.

Amethyst slid the pizza box from Steven, who didn't seem to care. Without another word, he walked to the back of the van and quietly opened it.

Blue was curled up on a literal cloud, fast asleep.

"I'll let her sleep," Steven muttered, closing the door as softly as he could. He returned to the group, sitting down with a pensive expression.

"So, what are you going to do now?" he asked Ruby.

The red gem grinned, her confidence radiating as she gave him her answer.