I opened my eyes with the sensation of only half waking up, like someone emerging from a dream within another dream. The darkness wasn't the same as before—this time there were outlines, traces of sensations, and most surprisingly… pain.
Did I come back to the same place? I thought, feeling my mind still wavering between nothingness and reality. Does time even exist here? And what's the point of calling myself Steven if nothing changes?
The name echoed in my chest with a strange warmth. Steven… it reminded me of Sofía's voice, her wide eyes whenever she talked about the show she loved. Was she still alive? A knot of hope and guilt tightened in my throat. I wanted to hold onto that hope, but I didn't have time to dwell on it before something new pulled me further into consciousness.
Am I… feeling? I wondered, first noticing a tingling, then a faint sting, and finally something clearer: pain. I have pain receptors again. Well… that's something.
My eyelids burned; they felt heavy, like they hadn't opened in years. Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes as I forced my muscles to obey. With effort, I managed my first real look.
It wasn't the sky from my city, nor the ceiling of my university. Above me stretched the curved, metallic surface of a van. Sunlight hit it directly, forcing me to squint. Around me, the air smelled… different—an unfamiliar mix I couldn't quite identify, like the world had placed a set of clues in front of me that I didn't yet know how to read.
I tried to move more deliberately. My body responded clumsily—arms that didn't quite understand their length, hands that felt different, a younger, more agile strength that wasn't mine. It was strange, and at the same time familiar in a way that hurt—like wearing someone else's shoes that slowly begin to fit the more you use them.
I pushed myself up slowly, placing my palms against the metal. From that height, I could see more of my surroundings: fragments of a landscape that promised to be different, but not enough to terrify me. There was movement below, distant voices, and a murmur that could've been the ocean… or just the hum of a city that refused to fully take shape.
Still unsure whether what beat in my chest was hope or fear, I whispered like a mantra:
"Steven."
The name rolled off my lips, bringing with it a new mix of uncertainty and determination. Something—a door, a promise, a curse—had just opened. And I, with my hand resting on the cold metal of the van and my eyes still heavy, felt like I was about to take my first step into a world that wasn't mine.
The van door suddenly swung open. A strange man stepped in—hard to define. Too young to call old, yet marked enough by life to not be truly young. There was something familiar about him, like I'd seen him somewhere before.
The adult looked at me with a calm smile."Hey, Stevon. How are you, little champ?"
I froze. Stevon? How did he know my name? And why did he say it like it was the most natural thing in the world?
Unbothered by my confusion, the man kept talking."You know, Stevon, you've been spending a lot of time with your dad lately. You need to see other people, socialize more. Don't be like your old man. You gotta have friends… or family."
I stared at him, confused. He mistook my silence for shyness and smiled even wider."Wow, you're quieter than usual today. Well, I'll leave you with the Gems. They're like your family, you know? Be good."
With that, he stepped out through the back of the van, as if expecting someone.
"Gems?" I thought, raising an eyebrow. Everything sounded so unreal. In my head, I mocked it silently:They named me Steven, not Stevon… so screw you, old man.
Before I could process things further, the sky cracked open with a thunderous sound. Three figures descended as if gravity had forgotten them.
The first to land was a pale woman, so white she almost seemed unreal. Her expression carried cold calculation, her sharp gaze directed disapprovingly at the man—Greg? Her presence made me nervous.
The second landed shortly after: shorter, purple, and strangely familiar. Something about her compact figure and the way she moved stirred vague memories of the show Sofía used to watch.
Finally, the third appeared. Taller than the others, with square-shaped hair and a firm posture, she looked at me with the most serious, dry expression I had ever seen—whether in my old life or this new one.
The three stood before me, and my heart pounded.
Even through the confusion, the truth began to settle in.
I had fallen—literally—into the world of the Crystal Gems.
Wait… Steven? I'm Steven? I thought, now fully realizing my situation. Alright… I ended up in a fictional world. I thought my name would just be that—a name. But now… clearly not. Looks like that being brought me here… or I've completely lost it and my imagination just unlocked a new level of insanity.
"Greg," said the one I recognized as Pearl, snapping me out of my thoughts."Why did you call us?"
"Yeah, dude!" said the purple gem—Amethyst. "It's snowing, you know? Not exactly fun being out here."
Garnet simply looked at Greg without saying a word.
"Well, girls, I wanted to ask a favor… Could you watch Steven for me while I take care of some work? Just cheer him up, that's all," Greg said, scratching his head.
The Gems looked at him, then at me.
I don't like that look, I thought.
"Alright," Garnet finally said.
"Great, thanks, girls."
"We're doing this for Rose," Pearl added dryly.
"Okay…" Greg said, now uncomfortable. "I'll leave Stevon with you."
He approached me and tickled my belly, making me smile."Be good, Stevon. See you later. I'll leave you with your aunts."
They didn't seem to like that title.
"Well, I'm off," Greg said, heading toward the car wash to defrost the machines.
My father… Greg, if I remembered correctly—and hopefully I wasn't wrong—left me with them. Pearl looked at me with disapproval.
"Well," she said, "what's your name?"
I tried to look as serious as possible… which didn't really work given my age. Am I two years old? Seriously? And she expects me to talk?!
"Oh, can't you?" Pearl said with disdain. "You don't even look like her."
What the hell is wrong with these Gems? I thought.
Amethyst crouched beside me."Well, Rose, how long are you going to keep this up?"
I looked at her, thinking: I'm screwed.
Garnet watched silently.
Then Pearl said, glancing toward where Greg had gone:"You know… now that Greg isn't here, we could do something."
The other two looked at her.
"What?" Amethyst asked.
"What if we remove the gem? That way Rose will come back."
I went pale.
What the hell? They're going to kill me.
"Let's take the van. Pearl, drive," Amethyst said. "We'll get you back. This is for you, Rose."
They all got in and drove off.
Meanwhile, Greg, returning, saw his van leaving."Huh? Are they taking him somewhere? Wait—he doesn't have his sweater!" he shouted in panic, running after them.
Inside the van, silence. Meanwhile, Steven—me—was desperately thinking:
How do I fly at two years old? Shield? Turn pink? Anything?!
I just came back to life and they already want to kill me. Damn it.
Unaware of my internal crisis, the Gems spoke.
"Well," Amethyst said, looking at me as I smiled, "looks like he's talking to us, Rose. This human is laughing."
Garnet watched from behind.
The van stopped.
"Alright," Pearl said, anxious and emotional. "Rose… come back. I know you're upset, but please. Don't hide in that human. He's weak—he can't even speak."
I stared at her, mentally praying:Oh mighty God, please—get me out of here or save me from this. I swear I'll become religious or whatever you want.
Pearl lifted my shirt, revealing the glowing gem."Come on, Rose. Give us a sign," Amethyst said sadly.
Garnet watched, tears in her eyes.
If you miss my mom that much…
Pearl placed her hand on the gem."We'll take you out," she said, almost feverishly.
What the hell?! I thought. Think. What would a kid do?!
So I grabbed her hand… and smiled.
She froze. Tears filled her eyes. The others began to cry too—they knew it was wrong.
"Her choice," Garnet said softly, glowing.
Two figures briefly appeared… then merged again.
"I'm sorry," Pearl whispered, choking up. "We just wanted to see you again… We didn't respect your decision. But try to understand… you left us… you left me…"
Steven—me—just watched silently. Because, of course, I couldn't talk.
Then someone knocked frantically.
Garnet opened the door. Greg stood there, exhausted.
"You guys could've told me you were taking Steven out. He didn't even have his sweater—he could get sick!"
He stepped inside, put the sweater on me, and only then noticed the atmosphere.
"What happened? Are you guys okay? Need some water?"
The Gems, embarrassed, just shook their heads.
"Well… let's head to my place. A good hot coffee always helps."
And just like that, they drove back.
The ride was silent. I occasionally made noises—I just wanted to move.
But thanks to that moment, to a cup of coffee, and to one very energetic kid… a broken relationship slowly began to heal.
Not overnight—but with effort, and with a child in the middle of it all, nothing would stop them from moving forward.
And so, five adults and one child began building something better together.
End of Chapter 2.