Archive of Our Own ^beta

“... Lars, come on, who even knows She-Ra here?”

“I do,” he shrugs.

“But you don’t count!”

“Ouch. Okay then.” He pretends to have been stabbed in the heart.

“That’s not what I meant,” Sadie sighs, vaguely glancing at everyone else. “I… I wanted to wear something different than my Sadie Killer style, but I dunno. I feel so lame.” She looks down. “Especially with a costume as cheap as this.”

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up like that. You look great. Besides,”– Lars gestures at the rest of the house with his plastic cup –“this isn’t Comic-Con, just a regular costume party.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re to say! Your costume is incredible! And you’re a cool pilot!”

“Poe Dameron is nobody near She-Ra.”

Sadie groans, her cheeks pink. “You’re being way too nice. Where’s the Lars I know and love?”

Lars gasps dramatically, “You love me?”

“Not you, I mean the no-nonsense Lars I know.”

“All Larses are one Lars, as far as I’m concerned.”

Sadie hums, then concludes, “... Actually, yeah, you’re the same thick head I always knew.”

Lars smirks with a finger gun. He takes a sip of his drink, something light. He does wonder if he could even get drunk in this pink body… not that he wants to, though.

There aren’t too many people at Sour Cream’s place, and they all seem chill. No one is making any scene. It’s all very casual, the kind of party Lars enjoys. He doesn’t feel like pleasing anyone, and he doesn’t feel alone anymore.

Sour Cream is the DJ (obviously), and Jenny and Buck are somewhere unknown to Lars. Everyone else is a stranger to him, but they seem nice.

“... Oh, Steven knew She-Ra, too,” Sadie suddenly remembers.

“Heh, that’s true..”

She smiles. “He was… a student?”

“Yeah, I think so. Pretty sure it’s a character, too.”

“Oh, okay.” Sadie’s smile is half replaced by a small, concerned frown. “Where is he anyway?”

Lars hums, not finding the kid anywhere.

“Knowing him, he must’ve made friends,” he supposes.

“Ha, yeah. Hope he’s having fun.”

Then they kind of fall in a comfortable silence, Lars eventually reaching Sadie’s hand to squeeze it gently. She blushes and squeezes back, while their free hands hold their drinks, cups nearly empty. They’re not in a rush to get more.

It’s just the two of them, wearing nerdy costumes. Sadie looks really good as She-Ra…

It’s nice.

…

… NO!

The ground trembles, the walls shake, and everyone is thrown off by… whatever earthquake that was.

“W-What was that?” Sadie asks, clinging to Lars in fear. Other guests wonder the same thing, and some rush to the back of the house, where it must’ve come from.

Lars feels something… wrong.

He feels…

Fear.

That yell…

“... Steven.”

“Wha- hey, wait up!”

Lars is driven by his senses, dodging and pushing everyone in his way, until he reaches the way to the garage. There’s… a pink light in there.

“I-I didn’t do anything! He just attacked me!” Someone blares out. “He’s crazy!”

There’s a guy stepping back and joining the crowd, as Steven glows pink, horrified by the amount of people who watch. The more they whisper and ask things, the more distraught he is.

“Hey, give him space!” Sadie commands, trying to get everyone away from the boy. Only Lars approaches, very slowly.

Despite their efforts, Steven is hyperventilating, heaving quickly, losing air and reason and stability. He only shrinks, bracing himself for an attack.

How is Lars going to get through to him? He knows touching him will only make things worse, but Steven gradually loses touch with reality, no sign of calming down any sooner.

Regardless, the older pink boy speaks.

“Steven? Can you hear me?” He’s low and calm. Steven seems to listen as his gasps for air aren’t too desperate. “It’s me, I’m here,” Lars reassures.

The sixteen-year-old raises his head.

But whatever he sees, is not Lars.

Because he’s the most terrified Lars has ever seen him, to the point of scaring him off.

“Steven!”

The kid gets out through the wide garage door, mostly covered by two sheets. Lars rushes after him, seeing that he ran to the right. Steven, however, doesn’t go very far. That would’ve been a relief, except…

Steven vomits right there on the street. A couple times.

It hurts Lars hearing it; he can feel the pain. The anguish. It lasts longer than he wants, yet the moment Steven stops, he seems to have drained entirely.

Lars rushes at an inhuman speed to catch him before he hurts himself. Steven is heavy, weak…

“Easy,” Lars mumbles, “I got you.”

“Lars!”

It’s Sadie, accompanied by the Cool Kids.

“What happened? Is he okay?” She inquires, her voice small.

“Did he pass out?” Jenny asks.

“No, he puked… a lot.” The rest then notice the evidence on the asphalt. “At least he’s not panicking anymore.”

When Steven tries to move, Lars steadies him, and Buck helps him so the kid is sitting on the sidewalk. Lars sticks to his left, then Sadie takes the right. Steven doesn’t seem freaked out at their closeness, but they try not to engulf him, giving him space to breathe.

Steven is mostly panting in exhaustion, maybe also in relief for not being stuck with the audience. Though still very much pink.

Lars, Sadie, and the Cool Kids are patient, no words whispered. All they do is to make sure Steven is safe.

Suddenly, the kid bursts into tears, hiding himself from everyone.

“Let it out, buddy,” Lars encourages him.

Sobbing, Steven questions, “W-Why are you h-helping me?”

“We’re your friends, Steven,” Sadie responds calmly.

He sniffs. “B-But I’m… I-I’m crazy …”

“No, you’re not,” Lars is firm but not angry. “You’re scared, and it’s okay to be scared, remember?”

Steven gazes at him with pleading puppy eyes, the image haunting him, breaking his heart further. Lars doesn’t think he’s ever seen him in such a vulnerable state. He seems more scared now than when he was sent to Homeworld to die.

“Y… Y-You’re not scared of me?” His voice is so small…

“No.” Some shake their heads as well.

At that, the kid seems to quiet down. Soon he’s… leaning himself against Lars, with a miserable look on his face. The latter rubs his back.

“You’re safe now,” he mumbles. “It’s just us.”

“We’ll look after you, okay?” Sadie pats his back as well.

Steven swallows. “O-Okay.”

The trio remains on the sidewalk, while the Cool Kids stand in front of them. The night seems tense, filled with clouds but it doesn’t look like it’s going to rain. Either way, Steven finally calms down, even if his pink state doesn’t fade. He eventually sits without relying on Lars’ shoulder, now with a serious, concentrated frown on his face.

Sadie clears her throat, “You… wanna talk about it? O-Only if you’re up to.”

Lars observes quietly, expecting Steven to say no. He’s surprised then, when the younger boy talks, his voice devoid of any fear.

“... I thought he was nice.”

“Oh my gosh. Someone pinch me – Steven Universe is standing right in front of me!”

Steven yelps at the guy staring at him with sparkling eyes, to the point of nearly summoning his shield.

“Sorry! Sorry,” the stranger laughs. “It’s just great to finally meet you in person.”

“Oh?” Steven’s cheeks redden. “I-I didn’t know I had… fans?”

“You have a whole fanclub online!”

He blinks. “... I really need to catch up to the internet again.”

The other laughs. He doesn’t seem to be Steven’s age, nor too old; likely Sour Cream's age. He’s not very tall, either. He looks like a rocker, wearing a cool, brown leather jacket. The kind of thing his dad would love to own.

“I’m Sebastian,” he introduces himself, shaking Steven’s hand. “You can call me Seb.”

“I’m Ste…” cue awkward pause, “... van”

Seb laughs again. “I really like your costume! Is it a character?”

“Y-Yeah, it’s… very specific…” Steven clears his throat. “It’s this character who’s half-alien and he’s super strong, but all he wants is to live a normal, casual life, studying at school with everyone else… even if he’s forced to save the whole universe again and again, he’s… his own person besides being a fighter. Aaaaand…” He realizes he’s rambling. Ugh, why can’t he talk to people anymore? “... yeah.”

The rocker hums, not taking long for him to realize, “Oh! Gohan, correct?”

“C-Correct, yeah!”

“He really does suit you,” Seb smiles, once again complimenting, “You look great.”

“Thanks! And…” Steven tilts his head. “Are you a character, too?”

“Uh-huh. Also very specific. Not sure if you’ll recognize him…”

Steven shrugs.

“Okay, uh…” Seb seems a little nervous, his cheeks red. Then he… sings, with an air guitar, “Train to nowheeere, train to nowhere, at least you’re theeeere?”

The half-gem blinks.

“Not ringing any bells?” The guy wonders.

“Um… no?”

“Yeah, common reaction,” Seb sighs. “He’s from Infinity Train, and he travels the whole country as a musician. I won’t spoil anything, though; you need to check it out!”

“Heh, okay, thanks for rec!”

They’re smiling at one another, until Steven finally suggests, “I think I’m gonna get a drink, you wanna come with me?”

“Uh, yeah ? Partying with Steven Universe…” Seb dries his eye, pretending to cry of joy. “Today’s the best day of my life.”

Steven giggles, flattered.

“Thanks, Seb. You’re really nice.”

“... He was… so happy to know me. He wasn’t a snarky douchebag, Seb genuinely liked my company, and he listened to my dumb, personal thoughts the whole time,” Steven narrates. “The more time I spent with him, the more carefree I was. The happier I was.”

He pauses.

“... And I drank alcohol for the first time.”

Everyone’s eyes immediately widen, but no one speaks yet.

“Seb told me to loosen up, so he always refilled my cup with… whatever it was,” Steven resumes. “I didn’t even like it but I kept drinking it because I was having a great time with him. I only grew more and more gleeful…” Pause. “He’d still tell me I looked great in the costume, and he gradually started calling me handsome. I was… too breezy to really look into it.”

He sniffs.

“... Then, Seb said we would be more comfortable somewhere private. S-So, he took me to the garage.” His hands tighten into fists. “Even though I was acting dumb, laughing at every little thing around me, I d-didn’t like being there, it was so dark... I tried to tell him we should go back to the party…” he gulps, “but all he said was, ‘it’ll be quick’.”

His friends are attentive, apprehensive.

“Then… he kissed me,” Steven drops the bomb. “It wasn’t bad , but I told him I didn’t feel that way about him, and he said he’d change my mind.” There’s a small commotion at the last sentence, yet he moves on, “So Seb pushed me against the wall and he kept kissing me, t-trapping me, silencing me…” He shuts his eyes. “H-He only stopped because my powers kicked in. Or else…” he shudders, “I don’t want to think about it.”

The half-gem almost wants to break down again, but he’s lost everything to the alcohol and tears and fear. There’s nothing left in him.

“Oh, Steven… that’s so awful,” Sadie comments. “No wonder why you were so scared.”

“Seb… I think he was one year ahead of us,” Sour Cream recalls.

“You mean a GROWN GUY kissed a TEENAGE BOY?!” Jenny yells. “Oh my god !”

“ Gross ,” Buck sounds very bitter.

Steven flinches at their anger, even if it’s not at him. He only sulks in silence. Sadie is the only one as quiet as him.

Meanwhile, Lars isn’t loudly angry, but he contributes:

“Wait, that guy calling you crazy… was that Seb?”

The younger boy looks down. “Yeah…”

“ Seb is the crazy one here!” Jenny protests.

“He’s probably long gone by now,” Sour Cream sighs. “I’m really sorry, Steven.”

“N-No, don’t be!” Suddenly anxiety fills his nothingness. “Y-You were the DJ and host, I know you were busy. I-I know you were all busy, so please don’t blame yourselves for it! You couldn’t have known!”

“The same applies to you too, Steven,” Lars ensures. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Steven considers, and exhales. “Yeah.”

They all fall in silence, concerned about him.

At least he got it all off his chest.

Steven takes a deep breath, and soon he’s no longer pink.

“You alright?” Lars asks.

“Yeah.” Steven sniffs. “I… I wanna go home.”

He almost stands up alone, but even if Lars and Sadie didn’t get a hold on him, he wouldn’t have been able to walk without falling. Once again, Steven is pretty much weary.

“We can take you home,” Sadie offers, and Lars confirms.

“Are you gonna be okay?” Jenny softens.

“Yeah, of course,” Steven replies.

“Stay hydrated,” Buck advises in his deep, nonchalant voice, still filled with affection. It brings a little smirk to Steven’s face.

“Right. Thanks.”

Their nice moment of gratitude and goodbyes soon… disappears.

Somehow, he senses a presence before anyone else does.

Turning pink again, Steven automatically clings to the closest person around; in this case Lars, who softly asks him what’s up… only for him to catch on the approaching threat.

“Huh. You’re still pink…”

The Cool Kids take the front, while Lars keeps Steven behind him.

“You must really have no dignity for you to show up like nothing happened,” Jenny bites.

Seb isn’t even smug. He sounds… genuinely concerned: “I just wanted to know if Steven was okay.”

“Aw, you clearly care about his feelings,” Lars ridicules. “Surely you weren’t the punk that called Steven crazy while he was having a panic attack because of you.”

“He just scared me! He knows I like him, we had a great time together. Right, Steven?”

Steven cannot even open his mouth. He just hides himself further.

“The only person that had a good time here is YOU,” Lars points out, “because you only care about yourself. Steven doesn’t even matter to you.”

“What are you talking about? Of course Steven matters! I made sure he had fun, too!” Seb is disturbingly casual about it all. “We had a true connection, he likes me! I know he does!”

No one was expecting his next words…

“He won’t admit it, but I know he secretly liked our alone time.”

“Alone time” sounds like a curse.

Hence the commotion.

“Dude!”

“What is wrong with you?!”

Seb doesn’t even seem malicious. He isn’t like Kevin who’s an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk. He maintains an innocent face all along. He truly looks harmless to the outside world. Steven might even believe him, too.

Everyone is yelling curses and accusations at the guy, who just merely dodges them with apparently sincere points. They are incredulous, appalled, repulsed.

Lars though…

In the next second, he’s lifting Seb by his jacket with tight fists.

“You groomed a kid for your own sick amusement, so don’t you dare speak over him, you fucking prick .”

They’re all speechless at Lars’ ferocity, even if he’s not yelling like they were. Sadie supports Steven, only for him to run without tripping, shockingly, until he’s next to Lars.

“Lars, let him go!” The sixteen-year-old begs.

“See?” Seb insists. “He likes–”

“Shut your disgusting mouth right now , or I’ll make sure you’ll never speak again.”

Steven is lost, aware that if he says anything else, Seb will use it to his defense, and Lars will only get angrier and Steven truly fears the guy might end up at the hospital.

So, he shyly pulls Lars’ jacket, staring at him with begging eyes. Lars’ are fierce. It… reminds Steven of Lion, when his loyal pink buddy protects him from harm. Lion cannot speak, so he roars and growls. Lars has the fury of a lion, but he has reason. The older boy’s enraged expression softens quickly, leading him to sigh and drop the felon.

Seb appears to be relieved, as Steven catches sweat drops rolling down his face.

“Now beat it!” Jenny shouts.

“And never show your face around here again!” Sour Cream joins in.

The moment Seb looks at Steven, Lars is standing between them boldly.

“ And if you get near Steven again…” he starts, but never finishes the threat. He probably gives the guy a death glare.

That’s enough to scare Seb off for once and for all.

Steven once again stops glowing, letting out the most relieved sigh. He doesn’t fall thanks to Lars, because truly his body has no more energy left.

“Can I go home now?” He whines, too tired to apologize for his childish tone.

“Of course, buddy.” Lars wraps an arm around him, as does Sadie, who smiles sadly at Steven.

“Thanks guys, we’ll take it from here,” she tells the others.

“Steven, please don’t hesitate to call us if you need,” Jenny pleads.

“You can always count on us, man,” Sour Cream reassures.

“We’ll make sure to have a great hangout soon, just us,” Buck suggests.

Steven smiles truthfully. “That’d be great.”

“Bye, Steven!” Jenny ruffles his hair.

“See ya.” Sour Cream fist bumps him.

Buck doesn’t say anything, only takes his glasses off enough to wink at Steven. And that’s more than enough.

“Are you up to walk, Steven?” Sadie asks.

Lars is faster than Steven’s answer. “Don’t worry, guys. I got a shortcut.”

“Oh, right. Your screaming portals.” Sadie doesn’t sound like she’s fond of them.

“Just this one time. For Steven?” Lars gestures at Steven, then he does puppy eyes.

She smirks. “Yeah, for Steven.”

“Alright!”

Lars poses like he’s an anime character (while in a Star Wars costume), proceeding to inhale and finally release it. They’re all a little startled at how loud it is, Steven can also distantly hear people gasping inside the house.

Quickly enough, the Cool Kids wave goodbye, as the other trio disappears into the light.

Steven collapses on the closest surface he can find, so he’s found on his couch, sinking in an instant.

“You’re gonna be okay, right?” Sadie wonders. “I, uh, I told my mom I wouldn’t be home too late.” She then looks at Lars, who’s sitting near Steven. “You’re going home too, Lars?”

The younger boy’s mood instantly drops, yet he doesn’t say it out loud. He doesn’t want to hold Lars back after everything that happened tonight.

When he notices Lars looking at him either way, Steven is too late to protest.

“I’ll look after him,” the former smirks.

“Great,” Sadie smiles in return. “You can still call me if you need anything, okay?” She goes up to Lars, giving him a goodbye kiss. “Good night, you two.”

“‘Night, Sadie,” Steven manages out.

Lars waves at her quietly, with the most lovestruck expression he’s ever borne.

Once she closes the door, it’s just the two pink boys, home. Steven feels safe for once, relieved that he won’t spend another lonely night with his thoughts.

Either way, Lars gets him some water, as well as the trash bin, maybe in case Steven vomits again.

“Drink as much as you need,” the former tells him. “If you need more, just ask.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Steven finishes the cup in one go. He asks for at least two more, to regain a bit of the energy he lost tonight.

Lars is next to him, observing him. Again, kinda like Lion. Steven can’t really help the subtle smile. It’s too bad Lion isn’t home today, but he respects the big cat’s privacy.

Steven is holding his empty cup, pondering too deeply into it. Processing the whole night, as he was in too much distress to actually think everything through. Eventually… he realizes something.

“I was… alone, at the party.”

Lars listens.

“I mean, I was super excited to be there. I haven’t been to a party in two years. I thought I’d have a fun time, making friends, finding a group I belonged to…” Steven sighs. “But me being away for two years is exactly the problem. It changed me. It changed everything .”

No response, only silent encouragement to continue.

“When I got there, I felt like an alien. I mean, I’m technically half-alien, but still, I felt alone and- and lost , like maybe I shouldn’t have gone there. I… I couldn’t fit in anymore.”

He can tell Lars opens his mouth, but Steven is quick to stop him.

“I didn’t want to bug you or Sadie or the Cool Kids, because you were all in your circles, and I didn’t want to cling to you like a baby,” he argues. “I'm sixteen, I know I should handle things myself.”

“Steven…”

Again, he continues.

“Then, Seb found me, and everything changed. He was so interested in me that I really felt whole. He made me feel noticed. Special.”

He frowns at the cup in his hands.

“Maybe that’s why I let him manipulate me.”

The silence this time is loud, and Lars will object, but Steven defends:

“I could’ve refused the alcohol. I could’ve told him to buzz off. Heck, I considered going home before he showed up, I could've just left. I could’ve prevented all of this,” he only sounds more upset at his lack of action, despite not lashing out, “then I wouldn’t have made a scene at Sour Cream’s party and probably ruined everyone’s time, like I did to you guys.”

Steven simply… drops the unbreakable cup, rejecting it. It’s near his feet and he can’t possibly care.

“I was too clingy and lonely and stupid to stand up for myself, that I let him walk all over me, and I screwed everything up like I always do.” He sighs. “I shouldn’t even have showed up in the first place. What was I thinking? It was bound to go wrong, because I should’ve-!”

“That’s ENOUGH !”

Steven flinches at the intensity of the scream, his guilty train of thought losing its voice. He’s too scared to resume his arguments with Lars’ ferocious glare on him, eyes dimly glowing white.

“Don’t you dare blame yourself,” he growls. “It’s that CREEP’s fault. He took advantage of you, not because you let him, but because he’s a fucking GROOMER! An ADULT that should know better than kiss a teenage boy!”

“But–”

“I said ENOUGH, Steven!” Lars repeats. “I don’t want to hear any more excuses for that asshole!”

The more the older pink boy speaks… the more noticeable his angry tears are.

“You feeling alone and clingy does not justify him violating you,” he insists. “Like, Jesus, he urged you to drink to the point you could barely consent. How is that YOUR fault?!”

Now he sounds hurt.

Steven has nothing to say.

Lars rubs his eyes, taking a deep breath. Then he’s grabbing Steven by his shoulders, firmly, not angrily.

“I’ll say it again: it’s not your fault. You wanting a friend, someone to be interested in you, someone to listen to you? Not your fault. You rightfully reacting out of defense? Not your fault. You needing help? Not. Your. Fault.”

The half-gem isn’t scared of him anymore, knowing that Lars’ anger isn’t at him. The latter bears the same angry-protective look from before, except now it’s filled with sadness. The vulnerability… It truly makes Steven reconsider everything.

“You deserved to have a good time,” Lars adds. “Hell, you could’ve stuck with me and Sadie, we were really not doing anything much. Sour Cream was the DJ, sure, but I bet Jenny or Buck would have welcomed you with open arms, maybe even introduced you to good people.” He squeezes Steven’s shoulders. “You would never be a bother to any of us, because you aren’t, you’re our friend, and we want to see you happy and safe.”

After everything that deprived Steven of his, well, essence, he feels tears welling up in the corner of his eyes.

“So, please, reach out to us, we’ll be glad to help.” Lars is no longer angry, just really sad, at this point not even hiding his own tears. “Promise me you’ll come to us. Promise me you’ll come to me whenever you want or need, okay?” He starts cracking. “You deserve to be happy.”

Oh, stars, Steven’s going to break.

With his pink instinct, Lars catches him immediately, hugging him tightly. Steven is already sobbing, clinging to his friend as tightly in return. Lars weeps quietly, so he doesn’t silence Steven’s pain.

The sixteen-year-old cries with so many things at once. He’s relieved, he’s sad, scared, angry, tired… it’s a mess. He’s a complete mess. Even then, Steven isn’t glowing pink, because he’s not in danger anymore. He’s protected and cared for.

Lars embraces him for as long as he needs, rubbing his back, sometimes clutching his shirt into fists and rocking him side to side. He’s probably trying to calm himself down as well, to be sure that Steven won’t get hurt again.

Time is irrelevant, so the half-gem is not too worried about how much has passed. He just sighs it out, returning to the real world. Only then does Steven notice the teary mess he left on his friend’s shoulder.

“... Oh no, your costume! I-I’m sorry!” He distances himself.

Lars barks out a laugh.

“You really think I care more about my costume than you?” He playfully punches Steven’s arm. “Ya knucklehead.”

“It just looks so well crafted, i-it’s nothing like mine–”

“I’m sorry, are you Sadie disguised as Steven? ‘Cause she said the exact same thing about her costume.”

“Wait, really? I thought hers looked great.”

“Yeah, so why isn’t yours cool?”

“Because it’s lame , no one cares about Gohan unless he’s fighting to save the world,” Steven mutters.

Lars pauses, then squeezes his shoulder again, though slightly shaking him.

“Well, I do, and I know many others who do, too,” he says. “Even if it might not look like it.”

Steven manages to smile. Quietly, but it’s something.

“Alright.” Lars claps his hands. “Are you hungry? Do you still feel queasy?”

“No. I mean, not queasy. I… want to eat, but I don’t know what.”

“You’d better go for something light, like crackers.”

“Okay, I got those.”

He stands on his feet for one second before he falls back on the couch.

“Uggghhh, I don’t wanna get up…”

Lars snorts. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“Okay.”

Steven watches him checking the cabinets, the fridge… he’s not sure if there’s anything good. He usually does the groceries himself, but he kind of postponed it because he wanted to work on his costume.

“Oh good, you have Gatorade,” Lars voices out.

“Huh, forgot I had that…”

Lars moves around some more, then he stops.

“Alright, so if you want crackers, you’d better eat them plain,” Lars suggests. “Might not be delicious, but it doesn’t overwork your stomach, at least.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I like them plain.”

“Great.”

Steven hears the sounds of plates, then Lars is back with the plate of crackers and the Gatorade bottle.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Lars sits next to him again, checking his phone. Steven eats and drinks slowly. Might be a weird combination but it’s not bad.

As his friend texts someone, Steven already goes back to square one, his tranquility perturbed once more by all the what-ifs in his head.

“Y-You, um… you don’t have anywhere else to be?” He wonders.

“Hm? Oh, no. I’m all free.”

“Huh.” Steven bites his lip. “You want to be here, right?”

“Steeeeeeven, it’s fine .” Lars shakes him again, though not in annoyance.

“I…” the other boy almost argues again, but it won’t go anywhere. Still, “... sorry.”

“You’re not allowed to say the S word anymore.”

“I just…”

Steven thinks.

“... I’m not used to this, is all.”

It’s whispered so quietly, he doesn’t expect it to be heard.

Yet Lars quits his teasing smirk, noticing how innocent he sounded. Steven doesn’t give any more details, instead resorting to sadly looking away. Mostly at the temple door, and the untouched warp pad.

He’s broken out of his trance with an arm around his shoulders. Lars is quiet as well, smiling in support, reassuring him he’s not leaving, promising him it’s okay to want company and safety.

Steven might believe it for once.

Lars half-hugs him a little tightly, soon letting the boy finish his meal. He speaks after some texting noises:

“I was texting Sadie and the gang that you’re home with me. They all wished you a good night.” He pauses. “Buck might also be planning a potluck next week, if you’re up to it.”

Steven beams, so flattered by all the attention. “Y-Yeah, that’d be great.”

Lars returns with a grin, then he’s back to his phone.

When Steven’s done, he feels alright. Less weak, though still very much exhausted.

He sighs exasperatedly, “Guess I gotta go change and get ready for bed…”

With all the loud effort to merely stand up, Lars rolls his eyes affectionately.

So, Steven is lifted off the floor.

“Wh- Lars!!”

“Don’t sweat it. You weigh like a bag of grapes.”

“Come oooon…”

Lars smirks at his misery.

Worse, he carries Steven more than once, since the bathroom is downstairs. Steven feels embarrassingly needy, not even Garnet did this even if she liked picking him up. He only blushes harder when Lars tucks him in, while the latter sits at the edge of the bed.

“You’re doing that face again,” Lars points out.

“What face?”

“The ‘I’m sorry for existing’ face.” This is said in concern.

Steven sighs. “Y-You’re doing so much for me… You didn’t need to stay–”

“Steven, I am going to tickle you if you don’t stop.”

“But–”

“Don’t try me,” Lars fake threatens.

Steven pouts at him, getting a smug as a reply. He softens again.

“I…”

“Hm?”

“It’s…”

His cheeks are burning so hot, he might as well fry an egg.

“C… C-Could you…” Steven sees the small, encouraging smile Lars gives him, allowing him to finish, “... sleep with me?”

Lars snorts but not to tease him. It’s actually rather fond.

“Sure, dude. Not sure if I can sleep though, but I was going to keep an eye on you anyway.”

“Okay.” Steven feels guilty about the other’s lack of sleep, but he knows that overthinking it will only bring him more pain. Besides, he really doesn’t want to be tickled.

“Just lemme…” Lars removes some accessories and the jacket, leaving him with a white shirt and dark pants, as well as some skull themed socks. “All set.”

Finally, he’s lying on the left side, while Steven owns the right, next to the bedside table.

Lars sounds pleased. “Whoa, this bed is… paradise.”

Steven is the one that laughs now.

“Well… good night, Steven,” Lars says as he stretches his arms.

The other boy turns off the lamp. “Good night.”

Steven shuts his eyes, hoping to get some rest… but the dark… kind of scares him. It’s not even that dark, but… it sends him back to the garage, huge, empty, running out of air…

When he looks, Lars is staring at the ceiling, questioning his role in the universe.

The younger boy blushes again.

He scoots closer to Lars, enough to touch his chest. Steven hides his face as he reaches to the other desperately.

“You okay?” Lars whispers, worried.

“... it’s dark.”

He gets it.

“I’m here.”

Lars cradles Steven, soothing his dark curls and his back. The latter melts and snuggles closer, not wanting this to end.

It’s so comforting, that words slip up from his mouth before he catches them.

“... I love you.”

Which… isn’t a secret to anyone, really. But Steven has never said it with so much sincerity and trust before.

Lars briefly stops the soothing hand, and Steven almost fears he screwed up, but he’s squeezed a little in the former’s arms.

“I love you too, Steven.”

It sounds like Lars might cry.

They don’t have a crying breakdown again, but they do cling to one another in this silent beach house, away from the haunting darkness, the loneliness they’ve both been trapped in.

Steven listens to Lars’ slow heart, finding some strange comfort in it.

That’s the last sound he hears as he drifts off to sleep.

He smiles, content.

Today, right here, right now,

He feels found.