Steven was stuck in a dark abyss. He wasn't sure what to make of it
"What's going on? Where am I?" He suddenly appeared back in front of White Diamond. She was towering over him
"White?!" Steven turned his head to find his gem half in a cage
"My gem!" He ran towards it only to already find himself in the cage
"What?! Let me out!" Steven banged on the cage bars and tried calling out for help. No one was around to hear him
"Please somebody help! Garnet! Amethyst! Pearl! Dad! HELP!!!" Tears were streaming down his face. White Diamond suddenly spoke to him
"Come on Pink. Enough is enough. Stop hiding."
"Wait, no! I'M NOT MY MOM!!" White was charging up a blast from her eyes and aimed at Steven
"STOP! NO!" As the beam was heading towards him, Steven screamed bloody murder which jolted him awake
He sprung up in a sitting position in his bed. Not only was he sweating but he was crying in his sleep too. He sat there panting for a moment before realizing what happened
"It was just a dream" He thought to reassure himself. Pearl was just on the couch and she ran over to him immediately
"Steven! Are you okay?!"
He looked up at Pearl with the most innocent eyes. "I-I-" Steven broke down and started sobbing uncontrollably. His chest physically hurt from all the pain he's been feeling
Pearl sat down on the edge of his bed. She gently pulled Steven closer to her. She then proceeded to cradle him in her arms. The sound of his cries were muffled by Pearl's shoulder
Even though Steven was still wailing, his body relaxed into Pearl's. Her touch was warm and very comforting to him
Pearl gently rubbed his back to see if that would soothe him. And sure enough, it did. At 4am Steven was asleep in her arms
He was a little heavy for her but she didn't mind at all. She didn't want to leave him alone so she quietly positioned herself to lay down in his bed while Steven was still in her arms
Pearl simply layed there peacefully while listening to the sound of Steven's delicate snoring
She looked down and smiled at the exhausted child on her chest. At least right now she can keep him safe. And she will do everything she can to protect him in the future
She looked back up at the ceiling and whispered something to herself and Steven
"Don't worry Steven. Momma's here."