Y/N's Pov.

The chill of the planet's air bit at my cheeks, a stark reminder that I wasn't in Beach City anymore. Thankfully, I had kept the jacket Pearl forced me to wear; otherwise, I'd probably be a popsicle by now. Garnet and Bismuth, of course, walked like the cold didn't even exist, their gem-powered resilience making me feel a little...mortal. I fumbled through the duffle bag slung over my shoulder, muttering to myself as I searched for the mittens and beanie Pearl had meticulously packed.

"Looking for these?" Bismuth asked with a grin, her deep voice rumbling as she held out a bright orange beanie. "Not much of an outdoor person huh Y/N?

I snatched it with an appreciative nod and tugged it onto my head, grumbling playfully, "Not much of an outdoor person, huh? I like the outdoors! We're 'out-planet that's why!"

Bismuth chuckled, patting me on the back with enough force to make me stumble. "Grow some hair on your chest, you'll get used to it the more you go on these trips with us!"

We shared a laugh as I tried—and failed—to adjust to the alien terrain. Bismuth moved closer, pulling a glowing crystal from her apron pocket. The light it gave off wasn't blinding, but it radiated an inviting warmth that instantly made me feel better just looking at it. She handed it to me, and the second it touched my skin, I felt the chill retreat like a tide.

"Keep this in your pocket, and you won't feel cold again unless you take it out," Bismuth explained with a wink. "Learned to carry these around after Steven joined us on one of these expeditions. Little dude needed all the help he could get back then."

I smiled, tucking the crystal into my pocket as the warmth spread through me. "Steven did this kind of thing too, huh? Guess I'm following in big shoes."

Ahead of us, Garnet glanced over her shoulder, the faintest of smiles curling at the edges of her lips. "Steven loved these trips. He called them 'family adventures.'" Her voice held a warmth that rivaled the crystal's, like the memories were as vivid to her as they had been to Steven.

She chuckled softly, her gaze distant, as if the forest around us had been replaced by a past only she could see. "He always brought his ukulele. Said every great journey needed a soundtrack. Whenever we were feeling down—or when the moment called for it—he'd sing something to fit the mood."

The thought of Steven singing to cheer everyone up made me grin. I could almost picture him strumming away, belting out a heartfelt tune while the gems rolled their eyes with secret fondness.

"You miss those days?" I asked, my voice quieter now, almost hesitant.

Garnet's smile widened, and there was a softness in her tone I hadn't heard before. "Every day. But those moments are never truly gone, are they? They're just waiting to be remembered."

. . .

As we walked into a clearing, Bismuth suddenly stopped and pulled a shimmering crystal from her apron. She tossed it onto the flat, grassy land in front of us, and I jumped back, half-expecting some wild explosion. Instead, the crystal erupted into a fully-formed tent, complete with sturdy walls and even a chimney that puffed a small, warm smoke cloud into the chilly air.

"Okay, that's awesome," I said, blinking in disbelief.

Bismuth flexed one of her powerful arms with a laugh. "You know it! Always gotta be prepared for anything. A cozy shelter in seconds? That's just me showing off."

"Currently my favorite gem," I muttered, finally letting the heavy duffle bag full of Pearl's extra supplies slide off my shoulder and hit the ground with a thud. Ignoring Garnet's amused smirk, I walked straight into the tent and collapsed onto the softest mattress I'd ever felt.

"Call me 'Bis,' kid," Bismuth said as she stepped inside, still chuckling as she started tending to the fire in the small, stone-lined pit in the center of the tent. "No need for formality when we're out here roughin' it!"

Garnet followed her in, settling beside the fire without a word, her expression calm and contemplative. I propped myself up on one elbow, curious but too comfortable to move much as Bismuth spread out a large, detailed map of the terrain.

"Wow, that's...really well-made," I said, leaning closer to inspect it.

"Darn right it is!" Bismuth replied, tapping the map with a proud grin. "Made it myself, based on what the earlier scouts found and my own runs through this planet's regions. Every ridge, every ravine, every weird glowing flower—it's all here."

Garnet nodded, her gaze fixed on a marked area far to the east. "The scouts reported a group of gems hiding here," she said, her voice calm but carrying a note of concern. "They've been staying out of sight for a long time, but it's unclear if they're friendly or hostile. It's also possible there are corrupted gems nearby."

I sat up a little straighter at that, a shiver running down my spine that wasn't from the cold. "Corrupted gems? You mean those monster-like ones?"

Garnet glanced at me and gave a single, slow nod. "This planet used to be under Yellow Diamond's control," she explained. "When she abandoned it, many of her creations were left behind, some exposed to destabilizing forces. Over time, they may have corrupted."

Bismuth looked over at me, her expression softer than usual. "Don't worry, kid. You've got me and Garnet here. We've got your back."

Her confidence was infectious, and I found myself nodding along. "Yeah, okay. I mean, if you two are around, I'm probably the safest person on this planet."

"That's the spirit!" Bismuth said, patting me on the back so hard I nearly toppled forward. Garnet's quiet chuckle was the only indication she found it amusing.

As they continued planning and discussing the best route to the eastern area, I leaned back against the soft mattress, letting their voices wash over me. Despite the cold, the alien wilderness, and the very real danger of corrupted gems, I felt an odd sense of safety here with them.

Bismuth stood up, her fist transforming seamlessly into a massive hammer as she grabbed a smaller bag of supplies from her pack. "Time to get these sensors set up. Just in case we've got any corrupted gems or cranky wildlife lurking around," she announced, her tone as casual as if she were going for a stroll.

I leaned back, grinning. "Be careful out there, Bis," I called, a teasing lilt in my voice.

Bismuth glanced over her shoulder with a wink. "Careful? Me? Please." She chuckled heartily, her laughter echoing as she stepped out of the tent and disappeared into the forest.

As silence settled over the tent, I turned my gaze toward Garnet, who was still seated near the fire. A sly smile spread across my face as I leaned forward slightly.

She raised an eyebrow at me, tilting her head. "What?"

I couldn't help myself. Slowly, I began to chant, drawing out each name with a mischievous glint in my eye. "Ruuuby... Saaapphire..."

Garnet's other eyebrow lifted, though the corner of her mouth twitched in amusement.

I repeated it, louder this time, "Ruuuby... Saaapphire!"

Garnet leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. "Ruby and Sapphire aren't home right now," she replied smoothly, a smirk creeping onto her face.

"Oh, come on," I pressed, my grin widening. "I barely got a chance to meet them properly back at Little Homeworld. Plus, I got knocked out, remember? It's only fair!"

Garnet chuckled softly, her amusement growing as she matched my playful energy. "Nope," she said, her tone teasing. "You'll just have to settle for Garnet."

I groaned dramatically, throwing my hands in the air. "Come on, Garnet! Don't make me pull out the big guns!"

Garnet arched a brow. "Big guns?"

I clasped my hands together in mock pleading. "Please, please, please! I've been dying to talk to them! You wouldn't deny me this, would you? I'll behave, I promise!"

She exhaled slowly, shaking her head, though her expression softened. "You're so much like Steven, you know that?" she said, her tone nostalgic.

"Is that a yes?" I asked, hopeful.

Standing up, Garnet finally gave a small, resigned smile. "Fine. Just this once."

"Yes!" I fist-pumped the air as Garnet positioned herself in the center of the tent.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, her entire form glowing with a radiant light. Slowly, she began to unfuse, her tall, powerful frame splitting into two smaller, distinct forms. When the glow faded, there stood Ruby, fiery and confident, and Sapphire, serene and composed, each looking at me with curiosity and amusement.

"Hi, Y/N," Ruby said, crossing her arms with a smirk.

"It's good to finally meet you properly," Sapphire added, her voice calm and melodic

I clapped my hands together and sat down right in front of Ruby and Sapphire, holding out both hands with a grin. "Alright! Officially meeting the two gems that make up Garnet. This is so cool."

Ruby looked at my hands like she was sizing me up, then smirked and gave me a firm, warm handshake. Her grip felt like shaking hands with a furnace. Sapphire followed, her touch cool and delicate, almost like shaking a snowflake.

"Nice to meet you two," I said, noticing the wedding rings on their fingers. "And by the way, congrats on the whole marriage thing. Wish I could've been there. Bet it was beautiful."

"It was epic," Ruby said with a wide grin.

"It was also... quite lovely," Sapphire added with a soft smile.

I chuckled. "Yeah, figures. Not that Steven invited me or anything. No birthday invites, no letters—nothing! Kid sends me one letter out of the blue, and now here I am!" I crossed my arms and grumbled, "When we get back home, I'm giving him a knuckle sandwich."

That sent Ruby into a fit of laughter, her energy infectious. "Oh man, you're a riot!"

Even Sapphire giggled softly, her voice like a gentle breeze. "I imagine Steven would take it in stride."

"Yeah, yeah, he'd probably laugh it off," I said, grinning. "Anyway, it's awesome meeting you two in person—well, in gemson? Whatever. Garnet is, like, the definition of cool. I can only imagine how much cooler you both are individually."

Ruby crossed her arms, clearly enjoying the compliment. "Well, I am pretty awesome."

Sapphire gave a small, knowing smile. "We both contribute in our own ways."

"Okay, serious question," I said, leaning forward. "What's Garnet's favorite hobby?"

Ruby answered immediately. "Dancing."

"Stargazing," Sapphire said at the same time.

I looked between them, and they looked at each other. Ruby shrugged. "She likes both."

"Equally," Sapphire clarified with a serene nod.

"Right, that tracks," I said, chuckling. "Okay, how about you two? What's your thing when you're not Garnet?"

Ruby puffed out her chest. "I love sparring! Anything physical, really. Keeps me sharp."

"Of course you do," I said, grinning. "What about you, Sapphire?"

"I enjoy contemplation," she said thoughtfully. "Watching the stars, predicting possible outcomes... seeing the beauty in the flow of time."

"That is... very poetic," I said, shaking my head with a laugh. "No wonder Garnet's such a powerhouse. You two are polar opposites, but you balance each other out perfectly."

Ruby grinned at that, punching me lightly on the shoulder. "We're the perfect team. Garnet wouldn't exist without both of us."

"And you both make her who she is," I said with a nod. "Alright, last question—does Garnet ever cheat at games?"

Ruby burst out laughing. "Cheat? She doesn't need to cheat!"

Sapphire tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Though there was that one time she... bent the rules."

I gasped in mock surprise. "No way. Garnet? A rule-bender? Say it isn't so."

"Let's just say she's very resourceful," Sapphire said with a tiny smirk.

I laughed along with Ruby, feeling completely at ease. Sitting here with them, learning all these little tidbits, made me feel closer to them—and, by extension, to Garnet.

"You two are the best," I said finally, leaning back on my hands. "I'm so glad I got to meet you both properly. This whole trip is worth it for this alone."

Ruby grinned. "You're not bad yourself, Y/N."

Sapphire nodded. "You remind me of Steven in many ways."

"Yeah, yeah, I get that a lot," I said, laughing. "Guess he's rubbed off on me."

The three of us sat there, laughing and talking as the moment stretched on. For the first time in a while, I felt a genuine sense of warmth—and not just from the glowing crystal in my pocket.

After a while, Sapphire tilted her head, her serene gaze locking onto mine. "Y/N," she began softly, "remember your promise to behave earlier? Especially while we're on this planet. The surroundings here are... different, unpredictable. It's important to stay cautious."

I was about to respond when Ruby politely cut her off, waving a hand. "Relax, Sapphire! Y/N's not some helpless kid. He can handle himself." She shot me a grin. "Sure, it's his first alien expedition, but that doesn't mean he can't explore and have fun. That's part of the adventure, right?"

Sapphire blinked, her calm demeanor slipping ever so slightly. "Fun is important," she admitted with a nervous chuckle, "but precautions are equally important. My future vision can only show so much, and with the chaos of this planet, even that's unpredictable."

Ruby smirked, crossing her arms. "You're starting to sound like Pearl."

That earned a faint blush from Sapphire as she glanced away, her lips twitching into a nervous smile. "I... That's not entirely fair."

I couldn't help but chuckle at their dynamic. "Don't worry, Sapphire. I promise I'll have fun—but not too much fun. I'll keep my nose clean. Mostly."

Ruby punched the air triumphantly. "See? He's got this!"

Sapphire sighed, her expression softening. "Thank you, Y/N. I do appreciate your sense of responsibility."

"Hey, I'm not about to let anyone down," I said with a grin, giving them both a thumbs-up.

They both nodded in unison, then turned to each other, their fingers intertwining as if by instinct. The glow of their rings seemed to brighten for a moment as they joined hands.

"Ready?" Ruby asked, her voice brimming with energy.

Sapphire nodded. "Always."

In a graceful, synchronized motion, they stepped together, light emanating from their forms as their silhouettes blurred and combined. Moments later, Garnet stood before me, her signature cool confidence radiating in waves.

"Alright," she said, her voice steady and composed. "Let's get back to work."

I grinned, standing up and brushing off my pants. "Lead the way, Captain Cool."

Garnet let out a small laugh, and we continued onward, the air still buzzing with the lighthearted energy of Ruby and Sapphire's little exchange. Even on an alien world, it felt like I had two reliable—and endlessly entertaining—friends watching my back

A couple hours later. . .

Once Bismuth returned after finishing the sensors, we didn't waste any time getting back on the move. With a packed lunch from Pearl in my stomach—honestly, she outdid herself on those sandwiches—I was feeling pretty good. Garnet led the way, her gauntlets already summoned and ready for action. Bismuth, right behind her, had donned her armor, her right hand still morphed into that hammer form. Meanwhile, I was in the middle, keeping pace and glancing around this alien world that seemed straight out of a sci-fi novel.

After a while, I slowed down to walk beside Bismuth. "So, Bis," I started, still marveling at her hammer-hand, "you can shapeshift parts of your body into weapons, but Amethyst can shapeshift her whole body into, like, anything. How does that work? Is it a gem thing, or...?"

She chuckled, her deep, hearty laugh making the alien forest around us seem a little less intimidating. "Well, kid, gems like me? We were made for forging weapons. It's in my design to shift into tools or weapons—natural, you could say. Amethyst, though? She's a Quartz soldier. Built different, you know? Full-body shapeshifting's more her thing. But me?" She tapped her hammer-hand against her chest armor. "I'm fireproof, lava-proof, and good to go in just about any hot zone."

I couldn't help but laugh. "That's impressive. I think that'd make you pretty popular back on Earth. You'd be the queen of barbecues."

She grinned. "Stick with me, and maybe I'll show you how to cook on molten rock someday."

As we continued walking, the scenery changed. Garnet led us toward a mountainside dotted with massive holes carved into the rock face. From the moment we approached, I felt a strange unease settle in my gut.

"What is this place?" I asked, stepping closer to Garnet as she stopped to survey the area.

"This," she said, her voice quieter than usual, "is a Kindergarten. One of Yellow Diamond's projects to mass-produce gems for her army. These holes?" She gestured toward the carved-out spaces in the mountain. "That's where gems emerged. Made to do her grunt work. Most were abandoned when their purpose was deemed... unnecessary."

I glanced around, spotting huge injector machines—some broken, some still lodged into the mountainside. Their towering, twisted forms loomed over the area, like eerie remnants of a forgotten factory.

Pulling out my phone, I snapped a few pictures. "Creepy," I muttered. The air here was heavy, as if the mountain itself remembered everything that happened.

"Stay close," Garnet warned, glancing back at me. "We don't know if this place is entirely abandoned."

"Got it," I said, slipping the phone back into my jacket pocket. Bismuth adjusted her hammer-hand and nodded at Garnet, ready for anything.

As we walked deeper into the area, I couldn't shake the feeling that this place held more than just old memories. Something about the stillness here felt alive, like we were being watched.

I kept pace with Bismuth as we ventured deeper into the Kindergarten, the cracked and weathered machinery casting long shadows across the desolate terrain. Garnet had already gone ahead, her towering presence leading the way with calm authority, her gauntlets primed and ready for any danger we might encounter. Bismuth, on the other hand, seemed more relaxed, even playful as she examined the broken injector nearby.

I stayed a few paces behind, watching her closely as she crouched down next to a half-buried injector, her armor glinting in the faint sunlight.

"Hey, Y/N," Bismuth called, grinning as she looked up at me. "I need you to do something for me."

I raised an eyebrow, a little wary. "Something risky, I'm guessing?"

She chuckled, her deep voice vibrating the air. "Oh, it's nothing too bad. Just need you to check the wiring on this injector for me. I'll hold it steady since, you know, unless you want to hold it up instead?" She flashed me a confident smirk, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

No shot I was going to try and get turned into a pancake

I hesitated, glancing over at where Garnet had gone. There was no sign of her—she was ahead, scouting out the area. I looked back at Bismuth, who was already shifting the injector into a more manageable position with her hammer-shaped hand. The thing was enormous, the size of a small car, and it looked like it could snap into action any second.

"You're sure about this?" I asked, my voice a little unsure as I took a step closer.

"Relax, kid. It'll be fine," Bismuth said reassuringly, though the gleam in her eye made it clear she was enjoying this far more than I was. "Just make sure to be careful with the wires. I've got this under control. Just look for a glow, just a quick check so I can deactivate this later"

I sighed but stepped closer, crouching down by the injector and beginning to inspect the wiring. The smell of rust filled the air, and I could feel the ground under my feet shake slightly as Bismuth adjusted her hold on the massive machine. Everything around us felt like it was on the verge of collapse.

I gingerly reached toward the exposed wiring, taking extra care to avoid touching anything that might be live. The tension in the air was thick, and every small sound echoed in the stillness. My fingers hovered over the wires, ready to make the necessary adjustments—but something felt off.

Suddenly, there was a loud click—and before I could pull back, the injector whirred to life.

I froze.

The machine began to hum, its gears grinding as it jerked upward. I barely had time to react, but the injector lurched forward, threatening to crush me under its weight.

I scrambled back just as the thing shifted, a jagged piece of metal scraping across my arm in the process. Pain shot through me, but I was too focused on the chaos unfolding in front of me. I stumbled, my foot catching on a stone, and I almost lost my balance, but before I could fall into the pit below, a strong arm wrapped around me.

"Bismuth!" I yelled, panic rising in my chest.

In an instant, her large hand shot out, pulling me away from the falling injector just before it toppled into the canyon of sharp rocks. She grunted, lifting me like I weighed nothing, and set me down on solid ground, her face suddenly serious.

"You alright?" she asked, her voice calmer now, though still tinged with concern.

I nodded, though I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah, just... a little shaken up."

Bismuth's grin was back, though it was a little more apologetic now. "I knew that thing was unstable, but I didn't think it'd go off like that," she admitted. "Sorry, kid. I should've had you back off sooner."

Just then, I heard footsteps behind us. Garnet had come back, her expression unreadable as she looked from Bismuth to me, then down at the still-functioning injector.

"You two..." Garnet's voice was low, almost dangerous as she took a few steps forward. "What were you thinking?"

Bismuth straightened up and put her hands on her hips. "Relax, Garnet. It's alright now. We're fine."

"No, we're not fine." Garnet's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "What were you thinking, Bismuth? He could've been seriously hurt."

I winced, rubbing my arm where the metal had scraped me. It wasn't deep, but it still stung. I looked at Bismuth, who seemed to be taking it a little more seriously now.

"I get it," she said, her usual bravado dimming a little. "I didn't mean for it to go down like that. Y/N's tougher than he looks, but... I shouldn't have pushed him like that. I won't do it again."

Garnet's gaze softened slightly, but she still looked upset. "You need to think about the risks before you ask him to do something like that. He's not a gem, Bismuth. He can't handle everything we can."

Bismuth opened her mouth to argue, but Garnet cut her off, her voice firm. "No excuses. He could've been seriously injured."

Garnet's pov.

Ruby's voice echoed in my mind, loud and angry, like a spark of fire.
"I should have known Bismuth was going to try something stupidly reckless with Y/N!"

Sapphire's response was quieter, measured, almost like she was trying to calm the storm.
"He'll be fine. But you need to think before you speak. I'm angry too but Bismuth probably wanted to let Y/N try someth-"

But Ruby cut off Sapphire again.

"I know, and I remember what I said that Y/N could handle himself. But what if Bismuth wasn't there?! what if we were too slow to come!?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to shut out their voices, but it was impossible. Ruby's worry was understandable, but Sapphire was right, we had to be practical. We couldn't keep treating Y/N like he was one of us—not yet, anyway.

I glanced at Y/N, who was rubbing his arm where he'd been scraped earlier. He looked okay now, but I couldn't shake the image of him getting hurt, of the injector almost crushing him. It had been too close, and I felt the tightness in my chest again.

Sapphire's calm voice whispered through my thoughts:
"He's strong. He'll adapt, just like Steven did. But we have to be careful with him and keep in mind that he's not some child that needs to be babied"

And yet, I knew Y/N wanted to prove himself. He wanted to help, wanted to be part of this world we'd built. I could see it in his eyes. I wanted to believe he could handle himself, but sometimes, reality had a different way of showing itself.

I shook my head, feeling the heat of Ruby's frustration mix with Sapphire's cool reasoning. Why did this have to be so difficult?

. . .

"Are you okay, Y/N?" My voice was softer now, more concerned than I'd intended. I didn't want to sound weak, but I couldn't help myself. He was okay, but that moment had shaken me. I didn't want him to get hurt, not like this.

He nodded quickly, trying to reassure me, though I could see the discomfort in his posture. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a little sore."

Bismuth slapped him on the back with a loud, forceful laugh. "You handled it better than I thought. You're a tough kid."

The laughter didn't help. I felt the tension in my muscles finally start to loosen, but only a little. I still couldn't let go of the feeling that we had pushed things too far. I'd been too lenient, too trusting in a situation that wasn't meant for him.

I breathed in deeply, pushing Ruby's and Sapphire's voices to the back of my mind. We're a team. We've always been a team. But Y/N isn't a gem, and that makes things different. We need to treat him carefully.

I looked at Y/N one more time, his earnest eyes catching mine. He wants this, I reminded myself. He wants to be here, with us.

And despite the risk, despite my fears, I knew that if I didn't let him try, I'd be holding him back from the very thing he craved most—being part of something greater.

"We'll keep moving," I said, my voice steady despite the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. "But, Y/N, you need to promise me. No more dangerous stunts like that."

He grinned, obviously trying to lighten the mood. "I promise. No more playing with dangerous machinery."

"Good," I said, my lips twitching into a small smile despite myself. "Let's keep it that way."

I felt Ruby's voice settle, quiet and pleased, as I took Y/N's shoulder gently, guiding him forward. We'll make this work. We have to.

To be continued. . .

(I swear to God, finding parts where these emotionally secure characters start to 'crack' or break is getting more and more difficult lol. but I love the challenge. Let me know are you team Ruby, or Sapphire?)