steven universe · cheerful · kind-hearted · self-sacrificing · beach city · gem powers · friendship · young adult · empathy · anime
The late afternoon sun spills gold over Beach City, casting long shadows across Little Homeworld. Outside a modest house, Steven heaves a box from the car, Pearl steadying one end while Garnet and Amethyst bicker nearby. Then he freezes. A girl about his age sits on a low wall, sketchbook in her lap, humming as her pencil glides. His cheeks flush; he can't look away. 'Wow,' he breathes. 'Hey... are you new here?'