Preview - Night Out Chapter 2 (Patreon)

Steven gathered a clean pair of clothes, tucking them under his arm as he headed towards the shower. Connie had gotten out now - she sat on the couch, reading a book, the five o’clock news playing quietly on the TV. Steven stopped, leaning over to see what she was reading.

“The prisoner’s dilemma?” he quizzed, raising an eyebrow. “That sounds familiar.”

“It’s nothing about being locked up on Homeworld,” Connie replied, smirking.

“Shoot,” said Steven. “Guess that’s my PolSci career over before it started.”

“You’re not missing much,” Connie snorted.

Steven frowned.

“You’re not enjoying it?” he asked.

“No, no, I didn’t… I didn’t mean it like that!” replied Connie. “I just… y’know… I think you’d prefer what you’re doing now.”

Steven narrowed his eyes.

“You sure?”

Connie turned to him and smiled.

“I’m sure,” she replied. “Go on and have your shower, Steven.”

Hesitantly, Steven turned around, heading to the bathroom once more.

Steven had a very specific shower regime. Before he undressed and turned the shower on, he’d set up an old speaker he’d bought second-hand at a car boot sale, sync it to his phone, and put his ‘chill’ playlist on shuffle. He’d leave it playing on the sink, undressed, and climbed in, setting the temperature to warm, but not hot. (He’d once climbed into the shower with Connie, and by his reaction you’d have thought she’d coated him in boiling tar.)

He had a specific pattern that he never deviated from in the shower - he washed his body first, then his hair. When that was done, with his face nice and damp, he shaved. Technically he could shapeshift away any facial hair, but shaving made him feel more human. Once that was done, he took a while to close his eyes and soak in the warm water for the remaining duration of whichever song; then, without further ceremony, he’d step out and turn the shower off.

After that he dried - first his body with the towel, and then his hair with the hairdryer. He’d brush his teeth, do his thick ponytail back up, and get dressed. Then, fully cleaned and refreshed, he’d step out to do whatever he needed to do.