Boiling Gems (The Owl House x Steven Universe)

Summary: Another view in with our little basilisk friend

Masha liked to think they usually had the edge when it came to the strange and unusual side of reality. They openly embraced and ventured into the unknown, and tackled the uncanny with a smirk and a laugh. They were weird, and they were proud of it.

Although, in the case of their half alien friend, they somehow managed to be taken off guard every once in a while. "So let me get this straight." Masha shook their head. "The you that I was talking with was a girl you knew back in high school possessing your body, along with … what was it again?"

"Her witch boyfriend." Steven answered. "He was really nice, but had a strange face I can't recall."

"… It's official." They grinned. "Steven Universe, your life is one of eternal wonders." The three months inside of that prison were worth it to hang out with this kid again. "Seriously, I was this close to joining the weirdness train that day too. Also explains the reading I gave the other guy. His aura didn't match yours at all."

"What does mine look like?" The boy asked innocently.

"Probably sparkles, innocent rainbows, and a hint of desperate fear." The real Connie, suggested with a smile.

"Surprisingly accurate." Masha laughed. "It's very warm and bubbly, and super flexible, like you know how to fit into any situation." They placed a hand on their shoulder. "Probably goes to how you're able to squeeze your way into anyone's heart."

Steven blushed, giving a nervous chuckle, something that seemed to make Connie glare. "Wow, you know how to make a guy feel special … so, what was camp like?" He asked quickly.

"Meh, could've lived without it, but it wasn't all terrible." They shrugged. "I was in a cabin full of like minded free spirits, so that lessened the pain greatly." Those guys were awesome. "Although we were short one cabin member. Some gal by the name Luz Noceda was supposed to show up with us."

"You don't say …" Connie rolled her eyes for some reason. "I've gotta say, for a rebellious teenager you're definitely on the tame side. Compared to Steven being reckless enough to chase down the ocean and someone else I know constantly bringing animals inside." That sounded amazing.

"I see it as less rebellious and more chaotic playfulness, though I am more than happy to play the bad girl role if you're into it." They sent the two a wink.

"Aaahhhh …" Connie was instantly left a mess.

"Right, right." Steven laughed a little, although blushed hard. "Although I'm gonna be honest, I'm not really into tarot readings."

Masha raised an eyebrow. "Scared by what you'll see?"

"Exactly, what if they spoil the end of dogcopter three?!" The boy panicked. "Or what if they tell me every birthday and christmas present I'll get for the next twenty years?! Plus Garnet gave me her future vision one time, and I lost the will to live for a whole day."

"Oh yeah, that was rough." Connie nodded.

"Future vision … your life is wonderful." They grinned. "Okay, no future stuff … what about a classic demon summoning?"

"Ah, maybe not…not that I don't think they can't be friendly…it's just, well, once you open a portal to hell, you might not be able to close it." Steven laughed hesitantly.

"Alright … dream walking?"

The boy's eyes sparkled. "Walking inside of dreams!? Count me in!"

"… The wild is normal and the mundane is amazing." Masha grinned. "I almost feel sorry that you bagged him first." She told Connie.

"What, what are you talking abou.."

"Oh come on, don't be like that." Masha laughed. "It's plain as day that you two are little lovebirds sitting in a tree. Don't deny it, it'd be kinda cliche if you did."

Somehow, Steven began to make a sound that sounded like a mix between a squeal and a pur. Give the kids some cat ears and a tail and he'd be the most adorable cat ever. "I mean, yeah, we are kind of sort of, I mean, neither of us have had an official relationship before, so we're still trying to figure things out and test the waters…"

"Dude, relax, don't hurt yourself, I get it." Masha patted his back. "Don't want labels to get in the way of a good thing. I understand perfectly." They chuckled. "You would not believe how hard it was to come to terms with non-binary when people just list over thirty options. Life is easier when you don't make a big stink over little details like this." 

"Huh, never thought about it like that." Connie nodded. "That's pretty insightful."

"That's what I'm here for. Life advisor for all your untraditional means." Masha smiled. "And if you're into experimentation, I'd be more than happy to lend a non traditional hand, if you know what I mean."

"Oh yeah, figuring out where the two of us are would be great." Steven smiled as Connie looked ready to pass out. "So, dream walking?"

"Dream walking. First we got to get a lot of chile to make our dreams super lucid. From their, we should be able to create a spiritual doorway into each other's heads."

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"Alright, today we're going to be dealing with the communication tower." Garnet looked up at the thing. "Right now it's randomly sending out distorted signals everywhere."

"The bane of TV!" Steven shouted, cutely running up to it and slamming his tiny hands against the pillars. "I'll save you crying breakfast friends! You will live to subtly teach me life lessons I wouldn't otherwise think too hard about!" Adorable .

"Are you sure we should have brought Steven along?" Pearl asked.

"Don't tell me this is a trust issue, because I will end you." Their newest recruit, Lapis Lazuli, threatened.

"No, it's a matter of organics." The pale gem looked upward. "Between the length and diameter of every pillar, combined with the material and size of the total structure …"

"Boring words!" Amethyst ran forward, spinning as they tackled the pillar, dealing a small scratch.

"It'll take about a month to tear it down." Pearl continued after that. "Even if we include Lazuli's ability to purify the salt water, he'll run out of food and snacks within two days."

"That's why we're going to decimate the structure as quickly as possible." There was no needed for subtly, and there was no one around to get hurt in the crossfire. "Amethyst." She turned to the rampaging gem, getting them to stop. "We'll be using Sugilite."

"SUGILITE!?" Pearl shouted.

Amethyst's eyes widened. "Aaahhhhh." They started.

"Wait, Sugilite?" Steven questioned. "Wait … are you two gonna …"

"AAAAHHHH." Amethyst continued to scream in excitement.

"Fusion!" Steven cheered. "That's like, the most awesome power you guys have!!" A flatterer without even realizing it. "Giant woman! Giant woman!"

"Garnet, wait, think abut this for a second." Pearl went up to her. "Sugilite's not exactly the most…restrained gem. When you and Amethyst are together, you tend to get more…violent."

"There's no reason to be cautious when civilization is this far away." She pointed out. "And the faster we destroy the tower, the quicker we can head home."

"I can't believe it, I can't believe it, I can't believe it, this is actually happening!" Amethyst stretched her arms. "Sugilite comes around less than Opal, and she's ten times more fun!"

"And Opal was super fun!" Steven said with sparkly eyes. "How big of a giant woman is she? Five stories, ten, a hundred!? Does she have multiple arms too? What's her weapon, what's her favorite food, is she more of a nice girl or a bad girl?"

Garnet was about to just say wait and see … [ Tower collapsing, away from everyone.] "… We'll tell you at home." Garnet pulled the boy back just a bit.

CRASSSSSH

The tower came down into pieces instantly. "Wha …" Amethyst looked baffled, and completely disappointed.

"Figured i'd just go ahead and do it." Lapis shrugged, waving a massive glob of water over there heads. "We're on an island, not like I'm low on ammo."

"… She really does make everything easier on the power side doesn't she?" Amethyst noted.

"That was completely reckless, you know!" Pearl berated their new member.

"You mean how I attacked it from the opposite end so it would fall away from Steven, instead of the front like you guys seemed about to do?" She asked.

"You..you..YOU could've at least alerted us what you were about to do!"

"Not like it would've made a difference. I decided to cut straight to the point while the rest of you were yapping." Lapis shrugged before turning to the boy."Sorry to ruin the fun Steven."

"It's cool … but I want you to make it up." They grinned mischievously.

"Sounds interesting. What's the plan?" Garnet was going to have to supervise this and stop an arrest, wasn't she?

"Let's see what kind of fusions you can make with the gems!"

There was a moment of silence. "Ah…" Pearl said with clear discomfort. "I..I don't mean to rain on your parade, but not all, I mean, it takes years of knowing each other to even…"

"I'm not comfortable with fusion, Steven." Lapis said bluntly.

The boy tilted his head. "Why … it's like working together for a super strong new friend, right?"

Another moment of silence. "Garnet, I feel this is your territory." Amethyst admitted.

I suppose we were going to have this talk eventually. Best he learns now instead of on his own. It'll stop him from doing something stupid later on. "Steven.." Garnet kneeled down and looked at the boy at eye level. "Fusion is the closest type of relationship one can have. It's close and intimate…but not all gems want to have that level of intimacy."

The boy looked confused for a moment, before his eyes widened. "… Is this like the birds and the bees talk you all tried to give me?" That was rough. Pearl explained the biological parts, Garnet explained the romantic closeness, and Amethyst … just pulled porn off the Internet. That's what happens when the boy's father wasn't involved in Steven's life.

"Something to that extent." Garnet sighed. "The point is that fusion is something both parties need to give themselves wholeheartedly to. If there's even the slightest bit of hesitation or discomfort, it can cause the fusion to fall apart, and leave both parties uncomfortable."

"Steven, I just got freed from being trapped in a mirror." Lapis continued. "A prison where I was nothing but a mind, endless stuck unfeeling with absolutely no control." The blue gem turned away. "But now I have my agency back, I can finally choose for myself and speak for myself. I don't…I don't…the idea of sharing that freedom….puting half my agency in the hands of another gem….I can't…I wont do it."

"Yeah, no, I'm sorry." He amended. "I didn't know all of that, I mean the fusion but not the mirror bit, you don't have to worry for asking and-" And now they were rambling.

"Sssh." Garnet hugged the boy. "It's alright Steven. Now you know for the future. What's important here is that no one has done anything they would regret."

"Would it be a bad time to point out that the tower fell on the warp pad?" Amethyst pointed to the distance…where there were cracked pieces of crystal on the ground.

"That….That was what I meant." Pearl sighed. "You're extremely helpful, Lazuli, I don't deny that, but don't be careless. We already have enough trouble with Amethyst."

"Hey!" Back to the usual banter … hopefully it would stay like this.

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Kiki began spinning yet another pizza in the air. When homework was finished, one worked. That's how it was in this family when you didn't make free time beforehand … not like Kiki actually needed it considering the lack of friends to hang with. Work was pretty much her life. School, work, and running. That was how her days were spent twenty four seven. Sometimes even longer, for the day's she ended up covering Jenny's shift…which was half the time.

Maybe that's why everyone called her a workaholic. By this point, it was natural to run on four hours of sleep a day. If she was lucky, she would wake up before she drowned in that dream where she was sinking into pizza. "Yo, Kiki." She turned to see her sister walk up to her, stirring the tomato sauce. "How about tomorrow we take the day off. You can hang with my pals if you want."

"The cool kids?" Kiki asked, a little unsure. "I..I don't know Jenny, I don't know them as well as you do."

"That's kind of the point of a hang out, Kiki." Jenny laughed. "To know each other, kind of teenage one oh one. You can't be afraid to put yourself out there."

"I'm not! It's just…well, their always going to be more your friends then mine. I'm not exactly apart of the 'cool' crowd."

"We'll if not my friends, who else are you going to hang out with?" Jenny paused. "Unless you're going to tell me you have a boyfriend that lives in Canada."

"Don't even go there, sis."

"Sorry, girl friend that lives in Canada."

"JENNY!"

"What, I'm being open minded here, there's no shame in liking who you like." Her sister laughed.

"Come on, Jenny, I'm not dating anyone." And she had a feeling it was going to stay that way. She didn't even know what personality she liked, let alone anything else on that spectrum. "It's just … hard to find someone I share interests with."

"And what exactly are those interests? Cause I have never seen you run a marathon even with those jogs you take every morning."

"Do you know how expensive those things are? I'm saving up for the right time." Kiki countered. "And..I don't know, someone athletic and fierce…maybe? You know I bad at this stuff."

"I was talking about your hobbies, not what you're looking for in a partner." Jenny smirked. "But I'll be sure to look out for anyone athletic and fierce." Well she walked into that one. "But come on, you got to live a little, trying something new every once in a while. Steven's always trying something new and crazy, and it always works out for him."

"Because he doesn't understand the social concept of shame."

"Because he's not afraid of shame." Jenny corrected.

"Even when he was thrown through the window and earned the glare of Nana?" A fate no human wishes to befall.

"Oh come on, it could be worse." Jenny patted her back. "You could be a wannabe cool guy that's always posing and hiding their true self, like Lars."

"True, true." Kiki nodded. "Alright, I'll think about it."

"… That's the best I'm gonna get, isn't it?" Her sister glared.

"Just give me time. I just…just give me a while to figure myself out."

"Will do sis, but if you start stalling, I will push harder. For that's not just my duty as your sister, but my obligation as your twin sister."

"Twin sisters aren't obligated to push their siblings around, that's older sister." Kiki pointed out. "Twin sisters just agree to side when convincing a parent about something."

"Agree to disagree, sis."

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"Aww, these snow globes are lovely. Thank you Onion." Vee thanked the little kid as he handed them the little object."

"....." Onion silently responded as he grabbed the sack he was using, put his hand inside, and started throwing them out into the street, one of them hitting and knocking out a man passing by.

"Why do you hang out with him?" Connie asked.

"A lot of people think he's dangerous and a criminal, but I choose to believe Onion is simply a misunderstood boy who needs a friend." Vee smiled.

"...He's setting fire to that trashcan right now."

"Onion!" Vee shouted. "We only set fire to firewood and gas stoves, public property is off limits for that stuff!" They returned to smiling. "Just some guidance here and there."

"Whatever you say, Vee." She never expected to hear anyone else say her 'real' name ever. She's lived as Steven for so long that it was almost instinct to always respond to it. Vee had to admit…it was nice to have someone to know…and for that someone to be the best human she's ever met. "So …" Connie muttered. "Am I the first to …"

"I told Lapis in order to relate to the fact we were both imprisoned by tyrants." She explained. "She apparently wanted to stay on earth because someone she can see light in lives here."

"That explains the clinginess." Connie groaned.

"It's not that bad…" Mm

"Vee, she skipped Amethyst across the ocean yesterday because she ate a handful of popcorn she made for you."

"And Amethyst immediately came back, shouting to 'toss her again'." Vee countered. "If it was you or another human, then we would have a problem."

"What about the day before when she held a water truck over the fryshop because they closed two minutes sooner than usual when you wanted fries?"

"… Alright, she has a temper, but we're working on it." Vee admitted. "It's not easy to control your emotions when you've been held up for so long. I was lucky I was so young when I escaped the Emperor's coven. A couple more years…and I might've not been the same Vee you know today."

"Don't say that. I can't imagine you as anything other than sweet and adorable." Connie rubbed her face as she blushed. Vee gave a squeal at that, feeling her whole face flush when the shapeshifting faltered a bit.. "I'm sure the real you shines no matter what."

"Real me…" Those words sent a bit of a pit in her stomach. "Most people run when they see the 'real' me."

"I'm sure that-"

"You said you were locked in a cage with a monster." Vee bluntly reminded her. "Not that I hold it against you … at least you and Rhonaldo took it better than witches took my 'magic eating' thing." Honestly Rhonaldo being cool in any sense was a miracle in itself. "The fact is my life is only as good as it is because I'm living someone else's life. Heck, I got off lucky with the real Steven not even being mad about it."

"Right … yeah." Connie nodded.

"Again, don't hold it against you. Cartoons and anime make monsters and demons a lot cuter than they actually are." Vee chuckled. "I'm just saying that 'being Steven' has been better than 'being' Vee. That's why I have to keep the lie up."

"But you told Masha about the 'witch' thing." Connie pointed out.

"I …" Vee squirmed. Multiple reasons went into that one, some that Connie probably would get mad at if she knew. "I already have to lie about myself, I didn't want you to have to do it too." She sighed. "That in of itself is too close for comfort though. All it would take is one slip up in front of the gems, and it's over."

"You could just … tell them the truth." Connie suggested.

"Tell them what? That I'm not the son of their late leader they've all clearly miss beyond a reasonable doubt?" She raised an eyebrow. " 'Hello there. My name is Vee, and I've switched places with the child of the woman who gave you all happiness, who's also currently stuck in a demon dimension? There's no need for me to feel existential about living with you guys because I'll forever wonder if it's just pity since I have nowhere left to go.' " She mimicked. "And then we'd get to Mr. Universe …" She let the silence fill the air. 

"..Okay, so telling them the truth has….issues." Understatement of the century. "But I'm sure…"

"It's more than just lying to them…all those corrupted gems we fight…they used to be like them, and Rose was the one with healing powers…healing power that the real Steven probably has…powers that I don't have." Vee sighed. "I wouldn't just shatter my entire life…I'd take away their hope of fixing that mess."

"Hey, look on the bright side." She turned to Connie with curiosity. "If Rose didn't do it, then they probably don't have any expectations that you could do it!"

"...Is that really the best you could come up with?"

"I'm trying here!" Connie grabbed her hands. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want to make sure I'm doing the same for you."

"Look, Connie, I appreciate it, but it's fine." Vee smiled. "Just as long as I can live this happy life, I'll be content." She chuckled. "I've got junk food, people that care about me, the ability to walk around … admittedly the legs are the one complaint I have about the human body."

"We have hair and skin compared to scales, and yet that's what you find offputting?"

"Slithering is so much easier … I could probably catch up to Onion before he sets fire to that police officer."

"Downtown, we have a code garden, I repeat a code garden! Onion's assaulting another officer! Officer down, officer down!"

"You grab Onion, I'll grab the bike." Connie nodded. Such a dependable girl.

=======================================================================

Greg yawned as he exited the bathroom, plopping onto the bed. A perk to having a drinking buddy/unofficial girlfriend was when they were kind enough to let him stay over at their house. "I didn't think vets made so much money." He noted, looking at the house. "You got off on a lucky career interest." Meanwhile the only options Greg had were math and music …the latter went nowhere and the former was his own personal hell.

"Protecting and helping small creatures has always been at the forefront of my mind. Then again, who wouldn't want to help a dog with a broken paw, or a cat with a missing eye? It's just natural." Camila nodded.

"Yeah, cute little critters you just wanna feed and offer a night away from the rain … I can see that." He nodded. "Rose used to have the same tendency every once in a while..always picked up whatever she found interesting." Like Greg himself.

"You know, you always complain about your kid that never spends time with you… but you've never really talked about Rose." She mentioned.

"It's…it's a painful topic…" Greg sighed. "Back then, she was my world, I thought as long as I had her, nothing could bring me down…but…."

"Then life crashes down and leaves the world hating you, and the only light in your life is a rambunctious little kid." She weakly chuckled. "Manny was the same way … walked right in with a cat that had rabies and asked for some bandaids." The woman sighed. "The pain never truly goes away…it fades…but you know its there."

"I know..I know all too well." Greg sighed.

"If I didn't have Luz in my life, I'd go crazy." Camila weakly laughed. "Heck, I was on the verge of it.."

"You weren't that bad." Greg reassured.

"No, I was. I nearly lost it...but Luz...she's coming home one day…I don't know when…but she will."

"..You found your daughter?" That was news to Greg. The woman went on and on about how hopeless the situation was originally.

"I did…I can't explain the details, but I talked to her, and I know for a fact she'll come home." Camila smiled. "I can't explain it other than a miracle."

"You don't say.." Greg wasn't sure he was liking where this was going. "You mentioned a lot about how much trouble she got you in."

"I was frustrated, yes, but I don't nor will I ever hate her." She responded. "What kind of self-absorbed monster hates their own child?"

"Hmm." Best to not answer that. "So..no hard feelings at all?"

"No..Manny's death was hard on us both…She was just acting the best way she knew how." Camila sighed."She always went with me when we went to Manny's grave … comforted and held my hand … I tried to be there for her and I blew it in the end …" Her face steeled up. "But I won't this time. No matter what it takes, I'm going to be there and support my daughter no matter what."

"Right.." Greg didn't like this. They connected so well because of their crappy relationship to their kids. "So..are you going to join me in bed.."

"Sorry, not tonight. I took a late shift at the Clinic, I'm going to be gone all night." She answered as she put her coat on. "Have a good night, and try to clean up in the morning, it's starting to smell like your van in here."

"Will do." He nodded as she walked out. "... damn it." He groaned as he hit the sheets. "One happy thing in my life and it goes to shit …"