🌟 The Caged Bird 🌟 [Rebooted Reader Insert]

part 10: For the better

"Ha! This is awesome," Amethyst mused. "Now we got two hybrids in Beach City!"

Pearl clapped her hands once with an air of finality. "Now, to get the highchair set up..." she walked over to the kitchen, as you tottered over to Steven. "Garnet, do you remember what Connie said they were able to eat?"

"Well, we know they can drink milk. But she also mentioned sirens may eat both plants and meat." Garnet stated, reading through the notebook Connie had left them. "But since their teeth are still too small, we should to focus on giving them soft foods and bottle-feeding for now."

"Ah, that sounds easy enough." Pearl notes, as Steven scooped you up into his arms, rocking you instinctively. "I actually think they sell apple flavor baby food at the local store. Maybe we can also make our own here." Pearl suddenly pulled an uncomfortable face. "As for the meat part--"

"Can we try hot dogs?" Amethyst suggested, holding up the half bitten food in question. "This counts as meat, right?"

"No." Pearl deadpanned. "We need something that actually has some sort of nutritional value." Amethyst grunted, with a roll of her eyes, with a playful little pout. "Besides, that food in particular is commonly known to be a choking hazard for smaller beings."

Amethyst scoffed. "Not for me." As if to emphasize her claim, she proceeds to finish off the rest of the fast food in one bite, much to pearl's mild distaste. "Yes well, luckily, we don't necessarily require air. Because if we did..."

"...I'll get their bed set up." Garnet stated abruptly, making her way upstairs.

"Could you set it up in my room?" Steven asks, poking your feet lightly. "I wanna keep a close eye on them."

"Got it." Garnet affirmed with a thumbs up, disappearing up the stairs. Just then Pearl sighed as she finished the highchair set up. "Whew! Now then... got that taken care of... when was the last time they were fed?"

"Well they actually-"

Upon hearing the word "fed", you almost immediately started chirping and squealing eagerly, fluttering your small wings in excitement. You had only eaten about an hour ago, so the idea of feeding now sounded great.

Steven, though initially startled by your sudden outburst, chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "...could go for more, I guess."

Pearl chuckled softly. "Well, bring them over, I think we still have some leftover apple sauce."

Steven tried to get you situated in the highchair, but you kept trying to get to pearl who was briefly searching through the fridge.

"Take it easy, she's coming." Steven spoke, finally sitting you down. He tried to fasten a bib around your neck, but when you saw pearl pull out a half-full jar of apple sauce, you could only squeal louder in glee, bouncing in your seat.

"Goodness, they're quite excitable..." Pearl notes, pouring the substance into a bowl. Steven finally got you to settle down, he quickly fastened the bib around your neck. "I'll say..."

"Kinda like how you were, Steven!" Amethyst chuckled to herself. "Man, it's gonna be just like old times with this little dude!"

Upon hearing the quip, Steven's smile dimmed subtly. "Eheh, Yeah..." even if it was simple phrase, it seemed to bring an odd sense of discomfort to him as he looked down at you.

"Just like old times."

~~~~~~~[That night]~~~~~~~~~

"Slowly. Drink slowly."

Steven cautioned, as you fed feverishly from the bottle he held. At some point he tried to pull it away, but you clung to it stubbornly, determined to drink every last drop. "Jeez, you have a big appetite. Almost as big as Amethyst's!" He remarks, chuckling softly. "I guess that's to be expected from a baby mythos, though..."

Once the bottle finished you finally relaxed, releasing your grip on the bottle, sighing in satisfaction.

"You done for today?" He asked with a dry note in his voice, wiping the formula residue away from your chin. You replied with a light burp and satisfied smile. "...take that as a yes."

He rocks you gently and walks over to your new bassinet that was set up by his sliding glass door. He lays you out on the soft surface and you curl up instantly, with a soft purr.

He took a moment to look at your sleeping form, his eyes flicking between your tail and wings which were highlighted in the silvery moonlight.

He smiled to himself, pulling the blanket over your shoulder.

"It's gonna be quite a journey with you, isn't it?" He murmured out loud, chuckling to himself as he walked over to his dresser to get into his pajamas. His mind trailed as he thought about what could ensue with such a unique creature. "I can't wait to hear you sing for us one day. I bet your voice would go great with ukulele music." He mused as he pulled his drawer open.

"I wonder how strong a siren's power can be..."

He trailed off as he thought about the possibility. After all, he's never dealt with an actual mythos. Who's to say a siren was just limited to singing?

If they did have any powers... what kind would they be?

How well would you manage them?

...how would the gems react to it? How would anyone react to them?

Every second that passed, more questions filled his head. And each one added to that nagging weight in his chest. He looked over his shoulder at you, with a worried expression. "I..."

Would this journey be as turbulent as his initially was?

"No." Steven shook his head. It wouldn't be. Things were different now. Changed for the better.

There was no more danger. No more fighting. And Beach City was far more accepting of unearthly beings than before.

"Everything will be fine." He stated absent-mindedly, as he resumed getting into his nightwear.