Chapter Text
“Name: Spinel Heartstring
Age: 16”
“Soon to be 17!”
“Years in System: 6
Age Put into System: 11
Number of Homes: 9
Arrests: 10
Reasons: Fighting 3,”
“They deserved it.”
“Underage smoking 2, Vandalism 1,”
“I was just trying to make the wall look betta.”
“Indecent exposure 1,”
“I was drunk come on.”
“And obviously underage drinking 3.” The woman who’d been talking sighed heavily.
“Spinel you have at least another year of being in the system, and it’s getting harder and harder to even find a home that’ll take you. So this is your last chance. I found a nice couple who is willing to take you in until you reach 18.” Spinel picked her teeth completely uninterested at what her case worker was saying.
“Spinel! Look if you screw this one up that’s it. I’ll let you rot in juvie until you’re 18!” Spinel looked away from her case worker not being able to meet her eyes. She sighed again setting Spinel's paperwork down.
"Look I know it sucks and all but please. You're a bright kid with good grades despite everything else you do care about becoming something right? So please keep out of trouble for this last stretch and I'll make a call to my friend to help you get into art school." Spinel glanced at her in disbelief but saw no trace of dishonesty in her eyes.
"Fine. Where am I heading to this time?" Her case worker smiled and shuffled her papers finding the one she needed.
"It's a small town in Delmarva called Beach City."
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Spinel climbed off the bus, pulled her garbage bag filled with her life out of the bottom compartment, and stood there staring at the large wooden sign reading Beach City population 15+. Spinel sighed,
*Okay this wasn’t so bad. Small but cute. Next to a beach maybe I can learn to surf while I’m here.*
She tried to think optimistically but honestly she had her doubts that this place would any better than her last 9 homes. She reluctantly made her way into the town throwing her skateboard down and riding past all of the people. She glanced down at the map she’d been given, she really didn’t feel like going there yet. That’s when she saw it, as she passed a hill the setting sun catching her attention making her turn to get her first full look at the ocean glistening in the twilight. She skidded to a halt kicking up her board.
“Surly they won’t care if I’m a few minutes late.” She reasoned with herself as she changed her direction to head to the beach. For such a beautiful spot there was no one in site. Taking a deep breath in smelling the salty air she dropped her things, put on her headphones, kicked off her shoes, and threw her hoodie off. Chance by NEFFEX began as she stretched loosening her joints that were stiff from the long bus ride. Without a second thought she did a round off sticking the landing flawlessly. She continued performing different acrobatic moves mixing them with fighting techniques she’d learned over the years, completely unaware she had gained an audience member.
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Steven had been hanging out helping Bismuth with some construction to Little Homeworld which was now 85.7 % done, according to Peridot. He was taking his time walking across the warm summer sands of the beach with his sandals in his hand when something caught his eye, well someone is more accurate. It looked like a human but they were performing flips, handstands, kicks, and punches with the grace of Pearl but the flair of Sardonyx. So he stopped taking a seat in the sand to watch in amazement. Their punches and kicks had so much force behind them he wouldn’t be surprised if this person could stand up to a gem, after every few punches or kicks they would do a backwards flip, cartwheel, or a number of other moves he couldn’t name with such ease you’d think they had no bones. They finished with a flip that started with them facing their invisible opponent and ended with them behind them kicking their invisible back. The person had been moving so fast Steven never got a good look at them but now that they had stopped he could see them better. She stood a little under Connie’s height with long dark reddish pink hair pulled into two tight pigtails. She wore a black sports bra that stopped before her tight stomach and a pair of navy green sweatpants with no shoes. He watched as she made her way to what looked like a garbage bag sitting on the beach which she proceeded to pull a box out of he only realized the box was a cigarette box because she flicked a lighter and lit one in her mouth. Figuring she was done he stood, dusted himself off and went to close the gap between them.
“You shouldn’t do that. It’s not good for you.” He found himself saying before he could think better of it. She took a big hit of the cigarette and blew it out into Steven’s face causing him to cough before she responded.
“And you shouldn’t perv on people it’s creepy.” Steven’s face turned red.
“I wasn’t! I didn’t mean it like that… you just looked really cool. Sorry. Um let’s start over… I’m Steven Universe.” He held out his hand hoping she’d take his offer of peace. She rolled her eyes blowing out another puff of smoke aiming it to her side instead of at him as she shook his hand.
“Spinel but most call me Spin.” Steven smiled brightly.
“Why Spin?” He asked, putting his hands into his pockets. She reached down, slid her shoes on, tied her hoodie around her waist and slung the garbage bag over her shoulder.
“Cause when I knock someone out I hit them so hard they do a wittle spin.” She held a sickening sweet smile on her face when she answered causing Steven to stay silent before trying to break his nervousness with a laugh. To which she clicked her tongue, turned, grabbed her skateboard, and started back towards the sidewalk.
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She could hear the Steven kid following her in the sand, when they got to the sidewalk she turned to face him.
“Any reason you’re now stalking me kid?” His face turned red again.
“I was just hoping to talk to you some more. I’ve never seen you around before.”
“And you know everybody in this city?” He nodded proudly, Spinel sighed dropping her board and climbing onto it.
“Fine I just moved here.” she started moving slowly so Steven could keep up.
“Where from?”
“Indigan, Trout originally, but I’ve been around.”
“Oh your folks work a travel job?”
“Nope foster kid, hence the bag.” she shrugged the bag on her shoulder.
“Oh…” Steven’s voice was laced with the one thing Spinel despised, pity. She slammed her board to a stop causing Steven to run into her. However before he could apologize she snatched the front of his collar pulling him down so he was staring into her eyes, which now he could see were a deep magenta color.
“Don’t fucking use that tone with me EVER! You got that Mistah Universe?” Steven felt his blood turn to ice but he managed to nod.
“S...Sorry I didn’t mean… um sorry.” She took a deep final drag of her cigarette and flicked it to the ground, letting the smoke fill her lungs before blowing it into his face and watching him cough. She let go of his collar with a small shove almost knocking him off his balance. She was a little surprised when she heard the sound of his flip flops hitting the pavement continuing to follow her as she resumed her slow boarding pace. She decided it was her turn to ask some questions.
“So what’s the school like around here?” She asked catching Steven off guard.
“I don’t really know, I’m home schooled. But my best friend Connie goes to it and she’s super smart so it must be good.” She let a small snort out.
“Whatever. What about the party scene?”
“Well my friends play in this band called Sadie Killer and The Suspects and they always bring an awesome crowd. Otherwise Sour Cream occasionally still holds his mixers and those are really fun. I can take you to some if you want?” Spinel doubted these mixers or concerts were what she was looking for but she’d at least humor the obvious angel.
“Sure whatever sounds fun.”
“How old are you?”
“I’ll be 17 in October.”
“I’ll be in August! Cool!” Spinel chuckled at his silliness.
“Hey um.. Spin? Where are we going?” Spinel shrugged, she had no intention of showing him where she was going to be staying but at the same time she doubted she could get rid of him without telling him to scram.
“Well where are you staying?” *Damn it.* She cursed to herself.
“Why do you wanna know?”
“It’s just getting late and the fact that you have all of your stuff with you must mean you haven’t been to your new place yet right?” he wasn’t wrong the sun was nothing but a thin line on the horizon now, it’d soon be gone she had to get to her new place and soon.
“So?”
“So I thought maybe I’d show you the way if you want.” She stopped and spun herself and her board around to look at this goofball.
“Why? You thinking I’mma let you in for quicky or something?” Steven’s face lit up fifty shades of red at once causing Spinel to burst into laughter, she had to admit he was kind of cute when flustered. Immediately he started trying to stutter out no’s and of course not’s, only making Spinel laugh harder.
“Chill Universe I’m fucking with you. Geez. Look, my case worker gave me this map but I sorta veered off path so here if you can figure out where the place is I might give you a BJ as a reward.” She nearly fell over laughing watching Steven go so red she thought he’d get a nose bleed. He snatched the map from her hands grumbling as he looked it over.
“That won’t be necessary regardless I do know where this is, even know the family so I’ll take you.” Spinel stepped aside doing a little bow telling Steven to lead the way.
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They walked while Steven talked giving Spinel a small tour of what they passed. Spinel carried her board watching him excitedly tell her about different shops and things to do or eat. The walk itself took at least a half hour probably because Spinel made sure to walk slow making Steven do the same so she could stall. But alas soon Steven was pointing to a simple two floor house telling her…
“Tada! Welcome to your new home.” Giving her a beaming bright smile as stars twinkle in his eyes. She faked a return smile and knocked on the door. A plump woman answered the door wearing a yellow floral dress and a large smile.
“Oh let me guess you must be Spinel? Your case worker said you might dilly dally. Oh Steven is that you?” Steven chuckled,
“”Hello Mrs. Green nice to see you again.” Before Spinel could escape Mrs. Green stopped her giving her a look of wanting an explanation.
“Sorry I got distracted by the water. Steven helped me find my way. It’s nice to meet you.” She said through a half ass fake smile that Mrs. Green didn’t seem to mind returning with a pleased smile.
“That’s perfectly fine deary. We have a gift waiting for you in the kitchen, why don’t you say thank you to Steven, put your bag by the stairs and come join the rest of us in there when you’re done.” Spinel walked into the house and dropped her stuff walking back to the front door to say her goodbyes.
“Well there’s still a little more than a month left before school starts up again. Maybe we could hang out and I can show you around town some more, you know when it’s not so late.”
“Sure Universe sounds good.” Steven smiled, making Spinel want to mess him up again. So she smiled back letting her teeth show some.
“So see you later than?” Steven began to turn when Spinel stepped out fully on the porch closing the door behind her.
“Oh Stevie.” She sang causing him to turn back at her with a raised eyebrow.
“You got me home safe and sound. Don’t cha want your reward?” She had a wickedly evil smile spread across her lips. Steven turned red slowly backing up with his hands up defensively until his back hit the porch beam.
“Spinel come on don’t joke like that.” He tried to laugh it off but it was obvious he was freaking out. Spinel loved it, she placed a hand firmly on his chest pinning him to the beam.
“Aw is wittle Stevie scared?” She teased as she straightened herself nice and tall. Steven closed his eyes, his breathing was sporadic and Spinel could feel his heart beating out of his chest.
*Geez he’d have a damn heart attack if I actually did give him a BJ.*
Spinel took the opportunity of Steven closing his eyes to lean forward and plant a deep firm kiss on his quivering lips. She felt his body stiffen in shock but didn’t break the connection yet waiting until he relaxed and kissed back to finally pull away still sporting her vicious smile that now held a great deal of pride. Steven stared at her his eyes doing that star thing again, causing her to chuckle at his cuteness. She leaned back off of her tiptoes and licked her lips as she took a step back.
“Well well well Mistah Universe you ain't too bad at that.” She gave him a wink before turning on her heel to head back inside.
“Catch ya later Stevie.” She closed the front door trying to hold back her laughter. She glanced out of the window next to the front door to find Steven still standing there stunned before he seemed to come to and lightly touch his lips, a large smile covering his face as he turned and rushed home. When he had finally left Spinel doubled over with laughter,
*How could he be that cute and be the same age as me.*
She sighed making her way into the kitchen where her new temporary family waited. The dinner table was set with plates full of food like roast beef, potatoes, and vegetables. Around it sat three other kids all younger than her, a man who she learned was Mr. Green, and Mrs. Green with an empty seat for her where a small white box with a pink bow sat on the empty plate.
*They actually got me a present?*
Spinel took her seat and opened the box, inside sat a new phone. She looked up at the Greens in disbelief causing Mrs. Green to walk over to place love hands on Spinel’s shoulders making her tense up.
“We don’t want you to feel restricted here honey. We know you’ve had some… trouble in the past. But we want you to have a fresh start. Now we’ll make you a deal.”
*Oh great here it comes?*
“We’ll give you a phone and as much freedom as possible if you make sure you text or call us if you’re going to stay out past ten and you keep close to Steven. He’s a good kid and should be a good influence on you.” Mr. Green nodded in agreement.
“So I can stay out late if what I send you a picture of me and Steven hanging out?” Both of the Greens nodded.
*Not a bad deal.*
“Alright deal. And thanks I love the phone.” she held out her hand to make it official but received a hug instead. With all of the deal making the roast was cut they ate and introductions were made giving names to the three kids as Kimmy the youngest at age 10, Lance as the middle at 12, and Ella as the oldest at 13. Spinel decided to ask if Mrs. Green happened to know Steven’s phone number and to her surprise she did, apparently he had babysat for them once or twice so it made sense. Spinel was even more surprised to find out she got her own room down in their newly renovated basement. She collapsed onto her new bed and just about melted. She pulled out her new phone and typed the first ever message…
“Looking forward to making ya blush again Mistah Universe. (kissy face emoji)”
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At first Steven couldn’t process what was happening, one second they were talking about hanging out later the next he was pinned against a porch bean with lips pressed to his. His brain had shut down letting his instincts take over instead as he slowly fell into the kiss and kissed back only for it to end much too soon. She pulled away, giving him a wicked smile that sent chills through his entire body.
“Well well well Mistah Universe you ain't too bad at that.” She gave him a wink sending another chill through him, before turning on her heel to head back inside.
“Catch ya later Stevie.” She shut the front door and Steven couldn’t move, his brain quite working. He reached up lightly running his fingers across his lips before he smiled.
Strawberries.
Realizing he was still standing on the porch, probably looking as much like a dork as he felt, he quickly turned and left. He hadn’t realized it but by the time he stopped he was at the Big Donut so he leaned against the cool brick building letting the coolness counter his burning skin.
*She… She… She… Kissed me. That was my first kiss!!*
Connie had only ever kissed his cheek and last time they’d talked, before she went away to space camp, they had agreed to just be friends until they had more time to figure things out. But this new girl, Spinel, just stole his first kiss. His heart was racing, his body felt hot, his legs were numb, and all he could think about was the strawberry flavor of her lips.
*Okay… okay Steven pull yourself together. It was just a kiss. No big deal. I’m totally not about to have a heart attack. Yeah… I’m fine.*
Steven took a deep calming breath which didn’t help so he took another five. Once he felt more stable he stood back up and finished the walk to his house, ate dinner, changed, and proceeded to collapse into his bed. His eye lids felt like anvils had been taped to them, he was so ready for bed. Just as his eyes had closed his phone chimed and they shot open again, groaning he flipped to snatching the annoying device off of his night stand. He didn’t recognize the number but the message made it clear who the sender was, as he read it he felt his face reheat itself.
“Looking forward to making ya blush again Mistah Universe. (kissy face emoji)” He tried to think of a witty comeback, really he did, but all his blood was currently in his face and not his brain so it went into autopilot and typed the first thing that came to mind.
“I’m free tomorrow.” (Grinning smiley emoji.)
He immediately regretted but it was too late as his thumb hit the send button. He wanted to scream at himself but when no response was sent back he opted for putting the phone back and going to bed.