Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The afternoon sunlight streams into the barn’s living room, casting a warm glow over everything. Lapis Lazuli sits comfortably on her hammock, a human book about the oceans of Earth open in her hands. She’s lost in the description of the underwater life of Earth, completely absorbed in the words on the page.

Across the room, Peridot is surrounded by a cluttered array of gadgets, wires, and metal parts. She’s busy tinkering, her hands moving quickly as she adjusts and assembles various components. The air is filled with the sounds of clinking metal, soft beeps, and the occasional mutter from Peridot.

“These clods!” Peridot grumbles under her breath. “How can something so simple be so infuriatingly flawed?”

She tightens a screw on one of her devices, causing it to emit a high-pitched whirr before falling silent.

Lapis, still focused on her book, sighs softly. “Peridot, could you... maybe keep it down a little? I'm trying to read.”

Peridot glances up briefly. “Sure, Lapis,” she says, barely paying attention as she goes back to her work. “Just need to recalibrate this stabilizer—these Earth components are so... primitive.” Her voice is full of disdain as she mutters, “I don’t understand how these clods accomplish anything with them.”

The noise continues, and Lapis’s concentration begins to waver. She tries to stay focused on her book but finds it increasingly difficult.

“Peridot. Quiet,” Lapis says, her voice a bit more forceful this time, though her eyes remain on the page.

But Peridot, still engrossed in her tinkering, continues to mutter to herself. “Primitive clods... If they just used the correct torque ratios, this would be so much more efficient. But no, they have to complicate everything with their... cloddiness.”

The sounds of metallic clanking grow louder as Peridot adjusts another gadget. Finally, Lapis closes her book with a sharp snap and looks over at Peridot.

“Peridot. You’re being... really loud,” Lapis says, her tone deadpan.

Peridot freezes and looks up, blinking innocently. “Oh, was I? I didn’t even realize,” she says, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “These pieces of tech they just demand my full attention. And they’re so... *cloddy*.”

Lapis rubs her temples, taking a moment to compose herself. “I get it. Technology is your thing, but... maybe you could work on them somewhere else?”

Peridot’s eyes widen, and she looks a little hurt. “Somewhere else? But this is the best spot for light, and... Lapis, these clods need me. Without my genius, they’d be useless piles of junk.”

Lapis softens her expression but remains firm. “And this book needs me to focus, or I’ll never find out what happens next. Maybe you could... do both? Tinker, but... quieter?”

Peridot thinks about it for a moment, then nods. She gathers her tools and moves to a different part of the barn, the noise reducing to a quiet hum. Lapis opens her book again, a small smile on her face as she finally finds some peace and quiet.

From across the room, Peridot’s voice can still be heard, though much quieter now. “Clods... So noisy, so clumsy... but I’ll show them. I’ll show them all!”

Lapis smirks to herself, shaking her head slightly before diving back into her book, the atmosphere now calm and serene.

The peaceful atmosphere in the barn is suddenly disrupted by a loud *BOOM* from the other side of the barn. Lapis jerks up from her book, eyes wide, as smoke starts to drift into the room. She hears hurried, uneven footsteps approaching.

Peridot bursts into the room, her bright green skin now smudged with ashes and soot. Her visor sits crooked on her head, and her hair is frizzed, with a few strands slightly singed. She coughs, trying to wave away the smoke clinging to her.

“Why in the *stars* would humans put flammable liquid in their engines?!” Peridot exclaims, her voice full of frustration. “It’s so... *illogical*! If they had used a stable, non-combustible power source, this never would’ve happened!”

Lapis looks at her, trying to hide the amusement on her face as she slowly closes her book and places it on the side table.

“Peridot... what did you do?” Lapis asks, though the smile tugging at her lips shows she already has an idea.

Peridot huffs, planting her hands on her hips. “I was trying to improve that ridiculous Earth engine! It was supposed to be a simple enhancement! But no—apparently, Earth technology insists on using volatile, unstable liquids that combust at the slightest provocation!”

She gestures emphatically, sending a small puff of soot into the air. Lapis finally can’t hold back a chuckle.

“So, what did we learn?” Lapis asks, her grin growing.

Peridot crosses her arms, pouting. “That humans are clods with no concept of safety! Who uses flammable liquids in a device meant to create motion? It’s inefficient, reckless, and—” She pauses, noticing Lapis’s soft laughter. “—and it’s not funny, Lapis!”

“Maybe not for you,” Lapis giggles. “But you have to admit, Peridot, you’re kind of... combustible yourself.”

Peridot frowns, but after a moment, the corners of her mouth twitch as if she’s trying to resist a smile. “Fine. Maybe it was a little... explosive. But I’m still right about the clods!”

“Of course you are,” Lapis says playfully. “Now, why don’t we get you cleaned up before you blow anything else up?”

Peridot sighs but nods, still grumbling under her breath as she heads off to clean up. Lapis watches her go, shaking her head with a smile before picking up her book again. The barn is peaceful once more... for now.

Chapter Text

The barn was bathed in the soft, golden glow of the early morning sun, which filtered through the wooden slats and created a warm, cozy ambiance. Outside, the cicadas began their day’s chorus, but inside, the atmosphere was tranquil and serene. In the corner of the barn, a hammock swayed gently with the breeze. Lapis Lazuli lay nestled within it, her deep blue hair cascading like a wave around her. She stirred slowly, blinking her eyes open to greet the day. Her gaze fell upon Peridot, who was nestled comfortably against her.

Peridot was sound asleep, her green face illuminated by the morning light. Her visor, usually so precise and sleek, was askew, tilted at an odd angle that added a touch of endearing disarray. A small trickle of drool had escaped from the corner of her mouth and was glistening faintly in the sunlight. Despite the uncharacteristic messiness, there was something undeniably charming about the sight.

Lapis couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Her heart swelled with affection as she observed the small, contented snores escaping Peridot’s lips. Gently, Lapis reached up to smooth Peridot’s visor back into place, her fingers brushing softly against the cool metal. Peridot stirred slightly but remained in her peaceful slumber, a small, sleepy sigh escaping her.

“Good morning, Peri,” Lapis whispered, her voice tender and full of warmth. She brushed a lock of hair from Peridot’s face, her touch gentle and loving.

Peridot’s response was a murmured, incoherent mumble, her eyes remaining closed. She nuzzled closer to Lapis, the drool slowly drying on her cheek. Lapis chuckled softly at the sight, the sound like a soft melody in the quiet barn.
“You look so adorable when you’re asleep,” Lapis said with a smile, her eyes twinkling with affection. “Even with your visor all messed up.”

Peridot stirred a bit more, her fingers twitching slightly as she remained in the midst of a dream. Lapis couldn’t help but find it endearing, the small imperfections that made Peridot so uniquely lovable.

Lapis continued to watch over her, the love she felt for Peridot evident in every tender glance. She enjoyed these quiet moments of intimacy, where the world seemed to pause and only the two of them existed in their own peaceful bubble.
Eventually, Peridot’s eyes fluttered open, revealing a groggy but content expression. She blinked a few times, trying to fully wake up. As her eyes met Lapis’s, she gave a sleepy smile, her visor still slightly crooked.

“Mmm… morning, Lapis,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

Lapis laughed softly, her smile growing warmer. “Good morning, sleepyhead. I was just admiring how cute you look, even with a bit of drool.”

Peridot’s cheeks flushed a light green as she reached up to straighten her visor, her embarrassment quickly melting into a grin as she noticed the affectionate look in Lapis’s eyes. “Well, I guess that’s one way to start the day.”

Lapis leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Peridot’s forehead. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

With a contented sigh, Peridot nestled back into Lapis’s embrace, the two of them basking in the morning light. The barn continued its peaceful slumber, a perfect backdrop for their shared moment of simple, unspoken love.

Chapter Text

The Shoshone national forest was vast and seemingly endless, stretching out under the oppressive weight of the summer sun. A heat wave had settled over the Shoshone, turning the once-inviting woods into a stifling oven. The air shimmered with heat, and the occasional rustle of leaves provided the only break from the eerie stillness. It was under these punishing conditions that Peridot found herself hiking through the dense woods, a task she was growing increasingly frustrated with.

Peridot wiped the sweat from her brow, her green bandana soaked through and her hiking boots kicking up clouds of dry dust with every step and her camp pining hearts t-shirt was sticking to her skin. The strap of her backpack dug into her shoulder, the weight of it adding to her growing irritation. She grabbed her radio, its once-lightweight design feeling heavier in the sweltering heat, and pressed the button to speak.

“Lapis, remind me again why I’m out here in this ridiculous heatwave, hiking to pick up a food drop from a lockbox in the middle of nowhere?” Peridot’s voice crackled through the radio, her tone a mix of annoyance and exhaustion.

A moment later, Lapis’s voice came through, calm and laced with a hint of amusement. “Good morning to you too, Peridot. And here I thought you enjoyed the great outdoors. You’re always going on about efficiency and systems—think of this as part of the process.”

Peridot huffed, rolling her eyes even though Lapis couldn’t see it. “Efficiency? Ha! If I were in charge, this whole system would be automated. Drones, Lapis. Drones could deliver food right to our towers.”

Lapis’s soft laugh was almost musical over the static. “Well, until you invent that drone system, I’m afraid you’ll have to stick with the old-fashioned way. Besides, a little hike never hurt anyone. Consider it exercise.”

“Exercise?” Peridot muttered under her breath, looking around at the dense trees that offered little shade. “I didn’t sign up to be a marathon runner.”

Lapis’s voice took on a teasing edge. “You’re doing great, Peridot. Just think of how satisfying that food’s going to taste once you finally get there. Maybe I’ll even share some of my own stash with you. You know, as a reward for braving the wilderness.”

Peridot’s frown softened slightly at the offer. “I might hold you to that, Lapis.”

“Be my guest,” Lapis replied, her voice warm and playful. “But you’ll have to come up with a good reason for me to share my precious snacks. I’m not known for my generosity.”

Peridot couldn’t help but smile at the light teasing. “Maybe I’ll just impress you with my survival skills, boss. I’m sure there’s something to be said for managing to not melt in this heat.”

“I’m already impressed you’ve made it this far without completely losing it,” Lapis quipped, the smirk evident in her tone. “But I’m sure you’ve got some more tricks up your sleeve. Or maybe down the front of your shirt?”

Peridot blushed despite herself, glancing down at her sweat-soaked t-shirt. “Very funny, Lapis. If I had any tricks left, I’d use them to make this heat go away.”

Lapis’s voice softened, a touch of concern creeping in despite her usual playful demeanor. “Just take it easy, alright? There’s no rush. The last thing we need is for you to overheat out there.”

Peridot felt a small flutter in her chest at the concern in Lapis’s voice. It was rare to hear her sound so sincere, and it gave Peridot a strange sense of comfort. “I’ll be fine,” she reassured, her tone softer now. “I just wish the trees would do their job and give me some actual shade.”

“I could always call the trees and give them a piece of my mind,” Lapis teased, the lightness returning to her voice. “But I’m afraid they don’t pick up the phone for just anyone.”

Peridot chuckled, shaking her head as she continued along the path. “Figures. The one time I need nature to cooperate.”

A few more minutes passed in relative silence, the only sounds the crunch of Peridot’s boots on the dry ground and the distant hum of cicadas. Finally, she reached the lockbox, its metal surface glinting in the harsh sunlight. She knelt down and opened it, retrieving the food supplies with a sigh of relief.

“I’ve got the food,” Peridot announced over the radio, her voice tinged with triumph. “Now, how about that snack-sharing deal?”
Lapis’s laugh was warm and inviting. “I suppose I could be convinced. How about this after the end of summer when were back in civilisation—I’ll make some iced tea, and we’ll call it even.”

Peridot’s face broke into a genuine smile, the idea of a cool drink after this grueling hike sounding like heaven. “You’ve got yourself a deal. Just make sure it’s extra cold.”

“Anything for you peri,” Lapis responded, the playful tone now laced with something softer, more intimate.

As Peridot began the trek back to her tower, the heat felt just a little more bearable, the thought of Lapis waiting with a cold drink and a smile giving her the motivation she needed.

Chapter Text

One sunny afternoon, Peridot was tinkering with a new invention near the barn, adjusting the wires on what she called a "gravity enhancer." She was so focused on her work that she didn’t notice the small, fluffy creature watching her from behind a bale of hay. It was a stray cat, with sleek grey fur and bright, curious eyes that flicked between the strange green gem and her creation.

Lapis Lazuli, meanwhile, was floating lazily above the crops, using her water powers to irrigate the fields. She noticed the cat first, spotting it as it cautiously crept closer to Peridot. Intrigued, she gently floated down to the ground, landing silently behind the cat.

"Hey, Peridot," Lapis called, making the cat jump a little. Peridot looked up, startled, dropping her wrench.

"What is it, Lapis? I’m in the middle of—" She paused as she saw the cat, now staring up at her with wide eyes. "What… is that?"

"It’s a cat," Lapis said, crouching down and holding out her hand. The cat hesitated, then took a step forward, sniffing her fingers.

Peridot tilted her head, examining the creature with the same intensity she applied to all things mechanical. "A terrestrial life form. Quadrupedal, mammalian... What’s it doing here?"

"It looks like it’s lost," Lapis replied, her voice softening as she gently scratched the cat behind its ears. The cat purred, leaning into her hand.

Peridot watched, fascinated by the creature's reaction. "It seems to respond positively to physical stimuli. Interesting." She crouched down beside Lapis, her curiosity piqued. "What are we supposed to do with it?"

"I think it needs a home," Lapis suggested. "It’s probably hungry."

Peridot frowned, pondering this. "We don’t have any ‘cat food’ here on the farm. What do they even eat?"

Lapis shrugged. "We can figure it out. Maybe some of Steven’s food will work." She looked at the cat, who was now rubbing against her leg. "What do you think, little one? Want to stay here with us?"

The cat meowed in response, its tail flicking as it padded around the two gems. Peridot’s frown deepened as she watched the cat's movements. "We’ll need to build a proper shelter for it. Something insulated, with adjustable climate control... Maybe even a mini bed to keep it comfortable."

Lapis chuckled. "Or we could just let it stay in the barn."

"The barn is already occupied with important projects!" Peridot objected, but the cat’s purring and the way it curled up against her boot made her pause. "Though… I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have some extra company," she conceded reluctantly.

Lapis smiled and reached out to pat Peridot on the shoulder. "I think it’ll like it here. And who knows? Maybe it’ll help with your experiments."

Peridot scoffed but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "Perhaps. It’s certainly… intriguing."

Lapis stood up, the cat now cradled in her arms. "Let’s go find it something to eat. Then we can figure out where it’ll sleep."

As they walked back to the house, the cat nestled comfortably against Lapis, purring contentedly. Peridot trailed behind, still deep in thought about the practicalities of caring for a new pet. But as she watched Lapis and the cat, she felt a strange warmth growing in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, this little creature would be a welcome addition to their life on the farm.

And so, the cat found a new home, and the two gems found a new friend. Together, they continued their work, the small grey cat always nearby, adding a touch of warmth and life to the peaceful days on the farm.

A few days passed, and the cat had settled comfortably into life on the farm. It had claimed a cozy spot in the barn near Peridot’s workbench, curling up on an old cushion that Lapis had found. It followed Peridot around as she worked, its curious eyes never leaving her as she fiddled with wires and gadgets. Peridot had quickly grown accustomed to the cat's presence, though she’d never admit how much she liked having it around.

Lapis, on the other hand, found the whole situation amusing. She watched as Peridot began to talk to the cat while working, explaining her inventions in great detail as if the feline could understand every word. The cat would respond with a soft meow or a slow blink, and Peridot would nod as if they were having a full conversation.

One afternoon, Lapis floated into the barn, catching sight of Peridot adjusting one of her devices. The cat sat beside her, watching intently, its tail flicking back and forth. Lapis couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“So, have you thought of a name for the cat yet?” Lapis asked, leaning against the doorway.

Peridot paused, looking up at Lapis with a thoughtful expression. “I’ve been considering a few options. It needs a name befitting its intelligence and, of course, its association with me, the Great and Lovable Peridot.”

Lapis chuckled. “Great and Lovable, huh?”

“Yes!” Peridot said with a smirk. “And I think the cat appreciates my genius.” She reached down and scratched behind the cat’s ears, and it leaned into her hand, purring loudly.

Lapis raised an eyebrow. “You know, it kind of acts like you. All that following you around, watching you work… It’s like a little Peridot.”

Peridot blinked, taken aback by the observation. “What? No, it’s just… interested in learning, like any intelligent being would be!” She glanced at the cat, which was now rubbing against her leg, its tail swaying lazily.

Lapis floated closer, kneeling beside the cat and Peridot. “It’s adorable, really. You two are like peas in a pod. Maybe we should call it ‘Mini-dot.’”

Peridot frowned, though her cheeks flushed a little. “Mini-dot? That’s… That’s ridiculous!” She paused, then added, “Though, I suppose it’s better than some mundane name like ‘Fluffy’ or ‘Whiskers.’”

Lapis laughed softly. “I was kidding, but it seems like you don’t hate the idea.”

Peridot huffed, crossing her arms. “Well, it *is* an acceptable name… though I’d prefer something more sophisticated.”

Lapis pretended to think for a moment. “How about ‘Gadget’? Since it likes to watch you work on your inventions.”

Peridot’s eyes lit up slightly. “Gadget… That’s not bad. It’s fitting, considering its interests.”

The cat meowed as if in agreement, and Peridot looked down at it with a satisfied nod. “Alright, Gadget it is. A name worthy of the cat’s inquisitive nature and its association with my brilliance.”

Lapis smiled, noticing how Peridot had unconsciously started petting Gadget more often, even when she wasn’t aware of it. “You’re really fond of it, aren’t you?”

Peridot stiffened slightly, then relaxed. “Well, it’s… pleasant to have around. And it’s nice to have an assistant who actually listens.”

Lapis’s smile widened. “You know, Gadget seems to like you just as much as you like it. Maybe because you’re both so… meticulous.”

Peridot glanced at Gadget, who was now curled up beside her, its eyes half-closed in contentment. “Perhaps,” she admitted softly. “It’s… nice to have someone who understands the importance of precision.”

Lapis chuckled, seeing the similarities more and more. “You know, Peridot, you’re more alike than you think. Stubborn, curious, always needing to know how things work and not to mention hissing and runniong on all four… I think you and Gadget were meant to find each other.”

Peridot huffed, "THAT HAPPNED ONE TIME". Though there was a hint of a smile on her lips. “Maybe. But don’t think this means I’m getting soft.”

“Of course not, Great and Lovable Peridot,” Lapis teased, her tone light. She reached out to gently ruffle Gadget’s fur.

Peridot didn’t reply, but the way she quietly continued to stroke Gadget’s fur spoke volumes. Lapis watched them for a moment longer, feeling a warmth in her chest. They may have come from different worlds, but here on the farm, they’d created something special—a little family, complete with a curious cat who had found its place in their hearts.

And as the sun set outside, casting a warm glow over the barn, Gadget curled up beside Peridot, purring softly, perfectly content in its new home.

Chapter Text

Peridot dragged her suitcase down the narrow dorm hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. She had spent weeks preparing for this—her first semester at university, a place where she could finally focus on her studies without the distractions of high school. Everything was supposed to be perfect. She had meticulously planned her schedule, organized her notebooks, and even color-coded her calendar. The only unknown variable was her roommate.

She stopped in front of the door labeled 302, the faded numbers slightly askew. Taking a deep breath, Peridot fished out her key and unlocked the door. She pushed it open, stepping into what would be her new home for the next year.

The room was small, but not unpleasant. Two twin beds were shoved against opposite walls, with a pair of desks and dressers squeezed in between. The left side of the room was already occupied, clothes strewn across the bed, and posters of bands Peridot didn’t recognize taped haphazardly to the walls. The window was wide open, letting in the cool evening air along with the distant sounds of campus life.

Peridot set her suitcase down by the empty bed on the right and looked around, trying to get a sense of her new roommate. She was a little early, so there was a chance they hadn’t met yet. Just as she began to unpack, the door swung open with a loud creak, and a figure sauntered in.

Lapis Lazuli was everything Peridot wasn’t. She was tall and effortlessly cool, with short blue hair that fell  in loose waves. She wore ripped jeans, a faded band t-shirt, and an air of indifference that Peridot found both intimidating and irritating. Lapis took one look at Peridot and smirked.

“So, you’re the roomie, huh?” Lapis drawled, dropping her backpack onto her unmade bed.

Peridot straightened up, trying to project an air of confidence she didn’t quite feel. “Yes, I’m Peridot. I assume you’re Lapis?”

Lapis raised an eyebrow. “Assume all you want, but yeah, that’s me.”

Peridot cleared her throat, already feeling off-balance. “I, uh, noticed that you have the window open. It’s just… if it gets too cold, could we maybe close it? I have a bit of a sensitivity to cold.”

Lapis flopped down onto her bed, propping herself up on one elbow as she watched Peridot with an amused expression. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll keep it open just enough to make sure you stay cool.” She grinned, clearly enjoying herself.

Peridot frowned, her brow furrowing in frustration. “That’s not what I—”

“Relax, Green Bean,” Lapis interrupted, using the nickname with a teasing lilt. “I’m just messing with you.”

Peridot stiffened, her hands tightening around the edge of her desk. “My name is Peridot.”

Lapis chuckled, rolling onto her back and staring up at the ceiling. “Sure thing, Green Bean.”

Peridot gritted her teeth, already feeling the tension building in her shoulders. This was not how she had imagined her university experience starting. She had hoped for a roommate who was serious about their studies, someone who would respect her space and schedule. Instead, she had Lapis, who seemed to take nothing seriously and found amusement in pushing her buttons.

As the days passed, their differences became even more glaring. Peridot would rise early each morning, her alarm set precisely at 6:30 AM. She liked to start her day with a structured routine: a quick shower, a healthy breakfast, and a review of her notes before heading to class. Lapis, on the other hand, was the polar opposite. She would sleep in late, often not getting out of bed until Peridot was already halfway through her day. When she finally did wake up, Lapis would lounge around the room, sometimes with her guitar, strumming random chords and humming to herself.

At first, Peridot tried to ignore it. She told herself that everyone had their own way of doing things, and that she just needed to focus on her studies. But Lapis seemed to have other plans.

One evening, as Peridot was hunched over her desk, diligently working on a chemistry assignment, Lapis decided to make her presence known. She plopped down in the chair next to Peridot, propping her feet up on the desk.

“What’cha working on, Green Bean?” Lapis asked, peering at the neatly organized papers.

“Chemistry,” Peridot replied tersely, not looking up from her work. “It’s due tomorrow, so I’d appreciate it if you could give me some space.”

Lapis ignored the request and leaned in closer, her blue hair falling into Peridot’s peripheral vision. “That looks pretty complicated. You must be, like, super smart or something.”

Peridot bit back a sigh of frustration. “I’m just trying to focus, Lapis.”

“Focusing is overrated,” Lapis said with a shrug. She picked up one of Peridot’s highlighters and began twirling it between her fingers. “Why don’t you take a break? You’re going to burn out if you keep working like this.”

Peridot snapped her gaze to Lapis, her patience wearing thin. “I don’t need a break, Lapis. I need to get this done.”

Lapis leaned back in the chair, spinning the highlighter in the air before catching it with ease. “Suit yourself,” she said, though her tone suggested she found the whole thing amusing.

Peridot took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She couldn’t afford to let Lapis get under her skin. But it was easier said than done. The way Lapis seemed to glide through life without a care in the world, the way she teased and prodded just to see Peridot react—it was infuriating.

Later that night, as Peridot finally crawled into bed, Lapis flipped off the light with a lazy flick of her wrist. “Night, Green Bean,” she said with a smirk.

“Good night,” Peridot muttered, pulling the covers up to her chin and staring at the ceiling.

The days turned into weeks, and Peridot found herself in a constant state of low-level irritation. Lapis continued her teasing, finding new ways to get under Peridot’s skin. She’d switch the labels on Peridot’s meticulously organized binders, leaving her to frantically rearrange them before class. She’d leave her clothes strewn about the room, knowing it drove Peridot crazy. She’d even started writing sarcastic notes in the margins of Peridot’s textbooks, always signing them with a flourish.

Despite all this, there were moments—fleeting as they were—when Peridot caught a glimpse of something more in Lapis. Like when she caught Lapis sitting by the window late at night, her usually relaxed expression tinged with something that looked like sadness. Or when Lapis played her guitar, her fingers moving with a grace and precision that contrasted sharply with her usual carefree attitude. In those moments, Peridot wondered if there was more to Lapis than just a girl who enjoyed teasing her roommate.

But those moments were few and far between, and most of the time, Lapis remained an enigma wrapped in sarcasm. 

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of classes, Peridot returned to the dorm to find Lapis sprawled out on her bed, strumming her guitar and humming a tune. Peridot’s nerves were already frayed, and the last thing she wanted was to deal with Lapis’s antics.

“Could you please keep it down?” Peridot asked, trying to keep her voice steady. “I have a huge exam tomorrow, and I really need to study.”

Lapis looked up, her fingers stilling on the strings. She studied Peridot for a moment, then nodded. “Sure, I’ll keep it down.”

Peridot blinked, surprised by the unexpected compliance. “Thank you,” she said, though she couldn’t keep the suspicion out of her voice.

Lapis didn’t respond, simply turning her attention back to her guitar, this time playing more softly. Peridot sat down at her desk, opening her textbook and trying to focus. But the tension in the room was palpable, and she found herself glancing over at Lapis every few minutes, half-expecting another round of teasing.

But it never came. Lapis played her guitar quietly, her gaze distant, as if lost in her own thoughts. Eventually, the soft strumming became background noise, and Peridot was able to lose herself in her studies.

When Peridot finally closed her textbook hours later, she was surprised to find Lapis still awake, her guitar resting on her lap. The teasing smirk was gone, replaced by a look of quiet contemplation.

“You really care about this stuff, huh?” Lapis asked, her voice unusually soft.

Peridot nodded slowly, unsure of where this was going. “Yeah. I do.”

Lapis looked down at her guitar, her fingers idly plucking at the strings. “That’s cool,” she said, almost to herself.

For the first time, Peridot didn’t feel the usual irritation when Lapis spoke. Instead, she felt something like understanding. Maybe they were more alike than she had thought, both of them hiding behind different walls.

“Thanks for keeping it down,” Peridot said quietly, feeling the need to say something, anything, to fill the silence.

Lapis looked up, meeting Peridot’s gaze. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but it wasn’t the usual teasing one. It was softer, more genuine. “No problem, Green Bean.”

Peridot rolled her eyes, but this time, there was no real annoyance behind it. Maybe

Chapter Text

The summer sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the sprawling campsite. The air was thick with the scent of pine and campfire smoke, mingling with the sound of distant laughter and the occasional bird call. Camp Quartz was a place where city kids like Peridot and Lapis came to escape, though what they were escaping from differed greatly.

Peridot clutched her duffel bag tightly as she made her way toward Cabin Beryl, where she’d be spending the next two weeks. Her oversized glasses slipped down her nose as she walked, and she hurriedly pushed them back up with a huff. She was shorter than most of the other campers, her small frame dwarfed by the towering trees around her. Her hair was a wild mess of blond that stuck out in all directions, no matter how much she tried to tame it.

But if there was one thing Peridot wasn’t, it was alone. Beside her, practically bouncing with energy, was Amethyst. Amethyst had been Peridot’s best friend since their first summer at camp years ago. Short and stocky, with wild purple hair and a mischievous glint in her eye, Amethyst was the polar opposite of Peridot. Where Peridot was cautious and thoughtful, Amethyst was spontaneous and carefree. They made for an odd pair, but it worked.

"Yo, Peri, you’re gonna love our cabin this year!" Amethyst grinned, tossing her bag over her shoulder like it weighed nothing. "We’ve got Garnet as our counselor again, and she’s, like, the coolest."

Peridot managed a small smile, though her nerves were getting the better of her. "I-I know. I’m just… not great with new people, you know? What if our cabin mates are weird?"

Amethyst snorted. "We’re the weird ones, Peri. If they can’t handle that, it’s their loss."

Peridot sighed, knowing Amethyst was right but still feeling the familiar knot of anxiety in her stomach. She always struggled with meeting new people, worried that her nerdy interests and awkward mannerisms would make her stand out in the wrong way. It was why she’d been so relieved to meet Amethyst all those summers ago; she hadn’t judged, hadn’t cared about Peridot’s quirks. She just accepted her for who she was.

As they approached the cabin, Peridot’s anxiety kicked up a notch when she spotted the rest of their group. Standing on the porch, arms crossed and looking effortlessly cool, was a girl with long blue hair. She wore a pair of ripped jeans and a tank top, her expression unreadable, like she was bored with everything around her.

"That’s Lapis," Amethyst whispered to Peridot, as if sensing her apprehension. "She’s kinda quiet, but she’s cool. Don’t worry."

"She looks… intimidating," Peridot muttered, glancing nervously at Lapis.

"Nah, she’s just chill. Doesn’t talk much unless she wants to," Amethyst reassured her, before dragging Peridot up the steps.

Lapis glanced up as they approached, her deep blue eyes flicking over them with mild interest. "Hey," she said simply, her voice low and even.

"Hey, Lap!" Amethyst grinned, giving her a casual fist bump. "This is Peridot. She’s my best bud."

Lapis nodded slightly, her gaze shifting to Peridot. "Hey."

Peridot swallowed, feeling her palms start to sweat. "Uh, hi."

Before the conversation could get more awkward, another figure appeared on the porch, tall and poised, with a pristine posture that screamed discipline. Pearl, another counselor, had a distinct air of responsibility about her, her hair a sharp contrast of pale orange that seemed to match her personality—precise, neat, and always in control.

"Amethyst, Peridot," Pearl greeted them, her voice clipped but not unkind. "I trust you’re ready for the summer?"

Amethyst rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Yeah, yeah, Pearl. We know the drill. No pranks in the cabin, lights out by ten, all that jazz."

Pearl sighed, clearly used to Amethyst’s antics. "Just… try to behave, please? For once?"

"Can’t make any promises," Amethyst said with a wink, earning a small, exasperated smile from Pearl.

"Where’s Garnet?" Peridot asked, more to break the tension in her own mind than anything else.

"She’s helping with the campfire setup," Pearl replied, then added with a fond smile, "She’ll be around soon. You know she loves the first-night stories."

As if on cue, another counselor walked up, towering over the others. Garnet was tall, with a quiet strength that radiated from her every movement. She wore her signature shades, even as dusk settled in. "Everyone settling in?" she asked, her voice calm and reassuring.

"Yeah, we’re good," Amethyst said, though her eyes were already glinting with mischief, probably planning some prank or another.

"Good," Garnet said, her lips curving into a small smile. "Let’s make this a summer to remember."

With that, she led the group inside the cabin. It was cozy, with bunk beds lining the walls and a big window overlooking the lake. Peridot chose a bed near the window, wanting to be close to the view.

As she unpacked, she couldn’t help but sneak glances at Lapis, who had claimed the bed opposite hers. Lapis moved with a languid grace, her actions deliberate but relaxed. She seemed perfectly at ease, completely unbothered by the new environment.

"So, uh, what brings you to camp?" Peridot asked, hoping to strike up a conversation.

Lapis glanced at her, then back at her bag. "Parents wanted me out of the house," she said simply, pulling out a sketchpad and flipping it open.

"Oh," Peridot replied, unsure how to respond to that. She shifted awkwardly on her feet, fumbling for something to say. "I’m… really into robotics."

Lapis looked up, her eyes briefly flicking to Peridot’s face before settling on her hands, which were fidgeting with the edge of her duffel bag. "That’s cool," she said, though her tone was neutral, not dismissive.

Peridot felt a small spark of hope. "Yeah, I like building things. Machines, drones, stuff like that."

Lapis nodded, her gaze returning to her sketchpad. "I like art. Drawing, mostly."

Peridot’s nerves began to ease slightly. "That’s really interesting. I’ve always admired people who can draw. I’m more… technical, I guess."

"Everyone has their thing," Lapis replied, her pencil gliding smoothly across the page. "You just have to find it."

The room fell into a comfortable silence after that, with Amethyst chatting away with Pearl about all the activities she was excited for. Peridot felt herself relax a little more, the initial anxiety fading into the background. Lapis’s presence was oddly calming, and Peridot found that she didn’t mind the quiet. 

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the lake in shades of orange and purple, Garnet called them all to the campfire. They gathered around, the flames flickering and popping, casting dancing shadows on their faces.

Jasper, another camper who seemed to know everyone and everything, joined them, her boisterous laughter echoing in the night air. She was tall and muscular, with a fiery personality to match her wild blonde hair.

The fire crackled, and Garnet began telling stories of the camp’s history, of the legends passed down by campers before them. Peridot listened, enraptured, while Lapis stared into the flames, her expression unreadable but content.

As the night wore on, Peridot found herself sitting closer to Lapis, feeling a strange sense of connection she hadn’t expected. Maybe it was the fire, or the stars overhead, or just the fact that, for the first time, she didn’t feel like she had to try so hard to fit in.

Amethyst elbowed her playfully. "See? Told you this summer was gonna be great."

Peridot smiled, glancing at Lapis, who caught her eye and offered a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Yeah," she said softly, her heart a little lighter. "I think you’re right."

And as the fire burned down to embers, the sounds of the camp settling into the night, Peridot couldn’t help but feel that this summer, surrounded by these people, might just be the best one yet.

Chapter Text

Peridot wiped down the last glass, placing it carefully on the shelf behind the bar. The evening was winding down, but the bar still buzzed with the low hum of conversation, laughter, and clinking glasses. It was a typical Friday night, and The Gemstone Lounge was packed with the usual crowd—locals unwinding after a long week, college students like herself taking a break from the grind, and a handful of regulars who never missed the live performances.

She glanced up at the stage where the final act of the night was about to begin. Peridot had been working here for nearly a year, and in that time, she’d seen countless performers grace that small, dimly lit platform. Some were good, some not so much, but none of them had ever managed to hold her attention for long. She was too focused on her studies, her goal of finishing her engineering degree, and balancing the demands of work and school to get too caught up in the entertainment.

But tonight, something felt different.

The lights dimmed, and a soft, soulful tune began to play, accompanied by the gentle strumming of a guitar. Peridot’s gaze shifted to the stage, and there she saw her—Lapis Lazuli.

Lapis was new to the bar, a singer who had just started performing here a few weeks ago. She had an air of mystery about her, with deep blue hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through you. But it wasn’t just her appearance that caught Peridot’s attention—it was her voice.

As Lapis began to sing, the entire bar seemed to fall into a hush. Her voice was haunting, melodic, and it carried with it an emotion that was palpable, even from where Peridot stood behind the bar. The lyrics spoke of longing and loss, of dreams, unfulfilled and distant hopes. There was a vulnerability in her voice that Peridot found both mesmerising and unsettling.

Lapis strummed her guitar, the soft notes filling the bar as she began to sing a new song, one Peridot hadn’t heard before. The melody was gentle but tinged with a melancholy that resonated in the quiet of the room. Lapis’s voice, rich and full of emotion, wove through the lyrics, drawing everyone in.

*“In the night, I wander far from the shore,
A lonely boat adrift, seeking something more.
But in the dark, I see a light so bright,
A beacon in the storm, guiding me tonight.

Will you be the anchor, keep me safe and sound?
Will you be the ocean, where I won’t ever drown?
I’m reaching out, though I’m afraid to fall,
But if you take my hand, I’ll give you all.”*

And then, in the middle of the song, Lapis’ eyes found hers.

Peridot froze. It felt like time had stopped, and for a moment, it was as if they were the only two people in the room. Lapis sang directly to her, her gaze intense and unwavering. Peridot felt a warmth spread through her chest, an unfamiliar sensation that made her heart race. She wasn’t sure if it was the beauty of the music or something more, but whatever it was, she couldn’t look away.

When the song ended, the bar erupted in applause. Lapis offered a small, appreciative smile to the crowd, but her eyes returned to Peridot once more before she stepped off the stage. Peridot quickly busied herself with wiping down the counter, trying to shake off the lingering effects of the moment. She was just tired, she told herself. It had been a long day, and she was letting her imagination get the best of her.

The night wore on, and as the bar slowly emptied out, Peridot found herself glancing towards the door, half-hoping to catch a glimpse of Lapis before she left. But Lapis was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey, Peri! You coming?" Amethyst’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Amethyst, her roommate and one of the regulars at the bar, had been sitting at the far end of the counter, sipping on a drink and chatting with a few friends.

"Yeah, just a minute," Peridot replied, finishing up her last task before pulling off her apron. She joined Amethyst by the door, grabbing her jacket on the way out.

As they stepped into the cool night air, Amethyst nudged her with a grin. "So, what was that about?"

Peridot frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Don’t play dumb. You were totally staring at that singer all night. I’ve never seen you look at anyone like that before," Amethyst teased.

Peridot’s cheeks flushed. "I was not staring. I was just…appreciating the music."

"Sure, sure," Amethyst said, still grinning. "Whatever you say."

They walked in silence for a while, the sounds of the city filling the gaps in their conversation. But Peridot’s mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t stop thinking about Lapis, about the way she’d looked at her, as if she saw something in Peridot that no one else did.

The next few days passed in a blur of classes and work, but Peridot couldn’t shake the memory of that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she could hear Lapis’ voice, could see those piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. It was distracting, frustrating even, but it also made her heart beat just a little bit faster.

Friday came around again, and Peridot found herself back at the bar, trying to focus on her work. The place was busy as usual, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She hadn’t seen Lapis all week, and a part of her wondered if she would even show up again.

But as the night drew on, the familiar chords of a guitar filled the room, and Peridot looked up to see Lapis stepping onto the stage. She was dressed simply, in a loose blue blouse and jeans, but to Peridot, she looked as radiant as ever.

Lapis started to sing, and once again, Peridot was drawn in. But this time, instead of feeling nervous or overwhelmed, she felt something else—a sense of anticipation, of excitement. And when Lapis’ eyes found hers once more, Peridot couldn’t help but smile.

"In a world that's dark and deep,
I found a place where secrets sleep,
Where the waves crash hard, but I still stand,
With the echoes of your name in the sand.

Oh, the tides of you, they pull me in,
Like a song that never ends, it begins,
I’m drifting on the sea of what we could be,
But I’m anchored to the memory of you and me.

In the night, the stars don’t shine,
The moon’s a witness to this heart of mine,
Every drop of rain, every tear I shed,
Is a wish for you, but the words are left unsaid.

Oh, the tides of you, they pull me in,
Like a song that never ends, it begins,
I’m drifting on the sea of what we could be,
But I’m anchored to the memory of you and me.

And I see you there, across the room,
With eyes that shine like the brightest moon,
You’re the spark, the light, the flame I chase,
But I’m drowning in the waves of your embrace.

Oh, the tides of you, they pull me in,
Like a song that never ends, it begins,
I’m drifting on the sea of what we could be,
But I’m anchored to the memory of you and me.

So I’ll sing this tune, I’ll let it flow,
Like the ocean’s rhythm, like the undertow,
In this bar, with my heart in view,
I’ll ride the tides… the tides of you".

The song ended, and the crowd cheered, but instead of leaving the stage, Lapis walked directly towards the bar. Peridot’s heart leapt into her throat as Lapis approached, her expression unreadable.

“Hi,” Lapis said softly, her voice carrying the same warmth as her singing.

“H-Hi,” Peridot stammered, feeling suddenly awkward. She wasn’t used to being the one caught off guard.

“You’re Peridot, right?” Lapis asked, tilting her head slightly. “I’ve seen you here before.”

“Yeah, that’s me,” Peridot replied, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. “I work here, so…you know.”

Lapis smiled, a small, genuine smile that made Peridot’s stomach flip. “I noticed. You’re always working so hard. I admire that.”

Peridot blinked, surprised. “You do?”

Lapis nodded. “It’s not easy, I’ve been there. But you seem like you’ve got it all figured out.”

“Not really,” Peridot admitted, laughing nervously. “I’m just trying to get by, like everyone else.”

“Well, you’re doing a great job,” Lapis said, her voice sincere. “And I was wondering…if you’re not too busy, maybe you’d like to grab a drink after your shift? I’d love to get to know you better.”

Peridot stared at her, speechless. Was this really happening? She’d spent the last week obsessing over Lapis, convinced that she was just another crush that would never amount to anything. But now, here was Lapis, standing in front of her, asking her out.

“Yeah,” Peridot finally managed to say, a smile spreading across her face. “I’d like that.”

Lapis’ smile widened. “Great. I’ll wait for you.”

As Lapis walked back to her table, Peridot felt a giddy excitement bubbling up inside her. She could hardly believe it, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe, just maybe, things were falling into place.

The night went by in a blur, and when her shift finally ended, Peridot found Lapis waiting for her by the bar. They left together, stepping out into the cool night air, and for once, Peridot wasn’t thinking about school, or work, or the million other things that usually occupied her mind.

Chapter Text

The gymnasium was transformed into a swirl of lights and colours, the once-ordinary space now filled with music, laughter, and students dressed in their finest. Streamers hung from the ceiling, and the DJ’s table was surrounded by a group of enthusiastic dancers. It was the night of the school dance, a night many had been looking forward to for weeks. But for Peridot, the night had been met with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

She had never been one for these kinds of events. The noise, the crowds—it was all a bit overwhelming. But when Lapis had asked her to go together, Peridot couldn’t bring herself to say no. After all, Lapis was her best friend, the one who had always stood by her, protected her from the cruelty of other students, and made her feel like she mattered. Lapis had been her anchor through the storm of high school, and Peridot couldn’t imagine saying no to her.

As they entered the gym together, Peridot couldn’t help but feel self-conscious. She wasn’t used to wearing a dress, and even though she had carefully chosen something simple and green—her favourite colour—she still felt out of place. Lapis, on the other hand, looked effortlessly stunning in a dark blue dress that matched her eyes. She had her hands shoved into the pockets of a black jacket she’d thrown over the dress, her usual laid-back attitude firmly in place.

“You sure about this?” Lapis asked as they walked inside, her voice low and teasing. “We could always bail and go grab some food instead. I’m good with that.”

Peridot shook her head quickly. “N-no, it’s fine. I’m fine. We should stay.”

Lapis smirked, leaning in a little closer. “You’re the boss, Peri.”

They made their way to the edge of the dance floor, where the music was loud but not deafening. Peridot scanned the room, taking in the clusters of students talking, laughing, and dancing. Despite her nerves, she couldn’t help but feel a little excited. She was here with Lapis, after all, and that made everything better.

“Wanna dance?” Lapis asked, snapping Peridot out of her thoughts.

Peridot blinked, looking up at her. “Dance? With me?”

“Yeah, with you,” Lapis said, rolling her eyes playfully. “Who else would I want to dance with?”

Peridot hesitated. Dancing wasn’t exactly her strong suit, and the idea of doing it in front of so many people made her stomach twist. But the way Lapis was looking at her, with that familiar mix of teasing and warmth, made it hard to say no.

“Okay,” Peridot agreed quietly.

Lapis grinned and took her hand, leading her onto the dance floor. The current song was upbeat, and Lapis started moving to the rhythm, her energy infectious. Peridot tried to keep up, her movements a little awkward at first, but she quickly found herself laughing along with Lapis as they danced. It was fun, more fun than she’d expected, and for a moment, she forgot about all the eyes around them.

As the song ended, another one started, slower and softer. The lights dimmed slightly, casting a warm glow over the room. Couples began to pair off, moving closer together, and Peridot felt a flutter of nervousness in her chest.

Lapis looked down at her, a gentle smile on her lips. “Wanna slow dance?”

Peridot’s breath caught in her throat. “I—I don’t really know how…”

“It’s easy,” Lapis said, her voice soft and reassuring. “Just follow my lead.”

Before Peridot could protest, Lapis stepped closer, her hands gently resting on Peridot’s waist. Peridot hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly placed her hands on Lapis’s shoulders. The world around them seemed to blur as they began to sway to the music, moving together in time with the slow, steady rhythm.

Peridot’s heart was pounding in her chest. Being this close to Lapis, feeling the warmth of her touch, was almost too much to handle. She’d had a crush on Lapis for as long as she could remember, but she’d never dared to think that Lapis might feel the same way. They were just friends, right? Best friends. That’s what this was.

But as they danced, something in the air shifted. Lapis’s gaze softened, her blue eyes locking onto Peridot’s with an intensity that made Peridot’s breath hitch. The teasing smile Lapis usually wore was gone, replaced by something else—something tender, almost vulnerable.

“Peri,” Lapis murmured, her voice barely audible over the music. “Can I ask you something?”

Peridot nodded, too nervous to speak.

“Why do you think I asked you to come here with me tonight?” Lapis asked, her tone serious.

Peridot swallowed, trying to ignore the way her heart was racing. “B-because we’re friends?”

Lapis shook her head slightly, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “That’s part of it. But it’s more than that, Peri. I wanted to be here with you because… well, because I like you. A lot.”

Peridot’s eyes widened in shock, her mind struggling to process what Lapis had just said. “You… like me? Like, as more than a friend?”

“Yeah,” Lapis admitted, her voice low and sincere. “I’ve liked you for a while now. I didn’t want to push you into anything, but… I couldn’t go to this dance without at least telling you how I feel.”

Peridot felt like the floor had dropped out from under her. All this time, she’d thought her feelings were one-sided, that Lapis could never see her as anything more than a friend. But here they were, Lapis confessing her feelings on the dance floor, and Peridot couldn’t believe it was real.

“I—I like you too,” Peridot whispered, her voice trembling. “I’ve liked you for a long time, Lapis.”

Lapis’s smile returned, soft and full of affection. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Before Peridot could say anything else, Lapis leaned in, closing the distance between them. Peridot’s breath caught as she felt Lapis’s lips gently press against hers. The kiss was soft, tentative, but it sent a wave of warmth through Peridot, filling her with a sense of rightness she’d never felt before.

For a moment, everything else faded away—the music, the crowd, the world around them. All that mattered was Lapis, the feel of her lips, the way her hands held Peridot as if she were something precious.

When they finally pulled back, Peridot’s face was flushed, her heart still racing. Lapis looked at her with a mixture of happiness and relief, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“So… does this mean you’ll be my date?” Lapis asked, a playful glint returning to her eyes.

Peridot laughed softly, nodding. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Lapis grinned and pulled Peridot close again, resuming their slow dance as if nothing had changed. But everything had changed, and Peridot couldn’t stop smiling. She was here with Lapis, not just as friends, but as something more. And as they danced together under the soft lights of the gym, Peridot couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment.

Chapter Text

The party was in full swing, the thump of bass reverberating through the walls of the old, sprawling house. It was the kind of college bash that Peridot had imagined when she’d agreed to come along with Amethyst: loud, chaotic, and overflowing with people she didn’t know. She had lost track of her friend almost immediately after arriving, and now she found herself in a sea of unfamiliar faces, feeling more than a little overwhelmed.

The taste of alcohol, which she’d tried just to fit in, was unpleasant to her—bitter and sharp, leaving her with a sense of discomfort she couldn’t shake. The music, while energetic, was a constant barrage of sound that only heightened her sense of disorientation. She glanced around, hoping to spot Amethyst, but she was nowhere to be seen. The crowd of strangers only made her feel more isolated.

In desperate need of a breather, Peridot decided to escape the raucous atmosphere. She spotted a door labeled “ROOF ACCESS” and headed for it, pushing through the crowd and up the narrow staircase.

When she finally reached the roof, the noise from the party below faded into the background, replaced by the gentle rustle of the wind and the cool night air. Peridot let out a sigh of relief as she stepped outside, her nerves starting to settle. She moved to the edge of the roof, taking in the view of the city lights and the star-studded sky.

As she leaned against the railing, she noticed someone lounging on a nearby bench. A girl with dark blue hair and a relaxed demeanor, smoking a cigarette with a nonchalant air. Peridot squinted, recognizing the figure as Lapis, a classmate she knew from a few of her classes.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” Lapis said, taking a drag from her cigarette and exhaling a cloud of smoke. “Didn’t expect to find someone like you up here.”

Peridot stiffened slightly but forced herself to relax. “I needed some fresh air. The party downstairs is… overwhelming.”

Lapis chuckled, the sound low and amused. “I can imagine. Not everyone is cut out for this kind of chaos. What’s got you here alone, though? I didn’t think you were the party type.”

Peridot sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I’m not. I came with Amethyst, but I lost her in the crowd. And honestly, I’m not enjoying the music or the alcohol. I just needed a break.”

Lapis raised an eyebrow, an intrigued smile playing on her lips. “Sounds like you’re having a rough night. Alcohol and loud music aren’t really your scene, huh?”

“No, not really,” Peridot admitted. “I don’t even like the taste of alcohol. I thought it would be different, but it’s just not my thing.”

Lapis nodded, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, at least you’ve got some taste. Most people here would probably drink anything just to fit in.”

Peridot gave a small, appreciative smile. “Thanks. I guess it’s just… not where I feel comfortable.”

Lapis took another drag from her cigarette, her gaze thoughtful. “I get that. I don’t usually hang out at these kinds of parties either. I’m more of a quiet, night-owl kind of person. I just came up here to escape the noise and get some peace.”

Peridot’s eyes softened as she looked at Lapis, appreciating her honesty. “It’s nice to find someone else who feels the same way.”

Lapis grinned, a playful glint in her eyes. “Well, you’ve found me. So, what are your plans for the rest of the night? Wait for Amethyst to come find you, or do you have something more exciting in mind?”

Peridot chuckled, shaking her head. “I was just going to wait for Amethyst. I don’t know anyone else here.”

Lapis tilted her head slightly, the smile on her face widening. “How about you hang out with me for a bit? I promise I’m more fun than this party.”

Peridot raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “More fun than the party, huh? What do you have in mind?”

Lapis shrugged, taking one last drag before flicking the cigarette butt away. “We could talk, get to know each other a bit. Or just enjoy the night sky. I’m not exactly a party animal myself.”

Peridot hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. I’d like that.”

Lapis patted the spot on the bench next to her, inviting Peridot to sit down. As Peridot joined her, Lapis leaned back and looked at her with a hint of mischief.

“So, Peridot,” Lapis began, her tone light and teasing, “what do you do for fun when you’re not avoiding college parties?”

Peridot chuckled, her nerves easing. “I mostly read or work on projects. I’m kind of a geek like that.”

Lapis grinned, nudging her playfully. “A geek, huh? I didn’t take you for the type. I guess there’s more to you than meets the eye.”

Peridot blushed slightly, but she met Lapis’s gaze with a shy smile. “I suppose so. What about you? What do you do when you’re not escaping parties?”

Lapis shrugged, a relaxed smile on her lips. “I’m into art and music. I like to sketch or listen to vinyl records. It’s a nice way to unwind.”

“Sounds cool,” Peridot said, genuinely interested. “I’ve always admired people who can draw or create art.”

Lapis tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Well, if you’re interested, maybe I could show you some of my sketches sometime. Or we could listen to some music together. You might like it.”

Peridot’s heart skipped a beat. The idea of spending time with Lapis outside of this chaotic party was both exciting and comforting. “I’d like that,” she said softly.

Lapis’s smile widened, and she leaned in slightly. “It’s a date then. And who knows, maybe this night won’t be so bad after all.”

Peridot’s cheeks flushed, but she felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the cold night air. As they continued to talk and enjoy each other’s company, the loud party below seemed to fade away completely. For the first time that night, Peridot felt genuinely at ease, her earlier discomfort replaced by a sense of connection and possibility.

Chapter Text

The overgrown town was eerily quiet, the remnants of a once-bustling world now tangled in vines, crumbling asphalt, and shattered glass. Rusted cars lined the streets, overtaken by moss and plant life, as nature reclaimed what humanity had abandoned. In the distance, the faint sound of wind howled through broken windows, and the occasional rustle of leaves kept them on edge.

Lapis and Peridot made their way carefully through the desolate streets, stepping lightly to avoid making too much noise. The infected weren’t frequent out here, but the world was never truly safe.

“Why does it always have to be creepy abandoned towns?” Peridot muttered, her eyes scanning every shadow. She adjusted her glasses, pushing them up on her nose, as she swung her backpack higher onto her shoulders. “We couldn’t, I don’t know, scavenge a nice forest for once?”

Lapis, walking just ahead, smirked and glanced back over her shoulder. "You scared, Peridot?"

Peridot huffed, her face already flushed from the midday heat. "No! I’m just being *logical*. It’s more efficient to look for supplies in less obvious areas. And, y’know, fewer things trying to kill us.”

Lapis grinned, enjoying the way Peridot always tried to rationalize her nervousness. She slowed her pace to match Peridot’s, letting her fingers brush the leaves of an overgrown bush as they passed. "You sure? You’ve been twitching at every little sound. You’re practically vibrating."

“I’m not twitching, I’m... being aware of my surroundings," Peridot corrected, keeping her voice firm but betraying herself with a quick glance over her shoulder. "Survival 101, Lapis. You could learn a thing or two."

“Uh-huh.” Lapis rolled her eyes playfully. "If you say so, survival expert. But maybe tone down the trembling, or I’ll have to start calling you Shakes McGee."

Peridot shot her a glare. “I do not tremble. And that’s not even clever.”

Lapis stifled a laugh, sidestepping a rusty grocery cart that had been tipped over. "I thought it was pretty clever."

Peridot scowled but didn’t argue, her focus now on the tall, overgrown building they were approaching. Its windows were shattered, and ivy had completely claimed the brick walls. A faded sign that read "General Store" dangled from a broken chain. 

"This looks promising," Peridot muttered, adjusting her backpack straps. "We might find food, tools… maybe even batteries."

Lapis shrugged. "Or we might find a bunch of old, moldy junk."

“Yeah, well, moldy junk might be worth something to someone,” Peridot quipped. “You never know.”

The two crept toward the entrance, Lapis leading the way. She peeked inside, her eyes scanning the dim interior. The shelves were toppled, some still standing but mostly bare, dust swirling in the soft beams of light that broke through cracks in the ceiling. Nature had made its way inside, vines curling up the walls and across the floor.

"Clear," Lapis whispered, signaling for Peridot to follow.

They stepped cautiously inside, their footsteps muffled by the soft layer of dirt and debris that had accumulated over the years. Peridot immediately moved toward the shelves, inspecting them for anything that could be useful.

Lapis, meanwhile, wandered around the aisles, her hands idly brushing the vines, picking up a few cans here and there, shaking them to see if they held anything. After a moment, she looked over at Peridot, who was bent over, inspecting something in one of the lower shelves. 

Lapis raised an eyebrow and smirked to herself. “Nice view.”

Peridot froze, her head snapping up to look at Lapis with wide eyes. “W-What? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lapis just gave her a playful shrug, grinning like she knew exactly what she was doing. "You know… from back here."

Peridot’s face turned redder than Lapis had ever seen, and she stammered incoherently for a second before turning back to the shelves, grumbling something under her breath.

"Relax, I’m just messing with you," Lapis teased, stepping closer to help search through the dusty cans. "I thought you’d be used to it by now. What, a couple of compliments too much for you?"

Peridot huffed but didn’t respond. Instead, she pulled out a half-empty box of batteries, shaking it like she’d found treasure. "Aha! Batteries. *Functional* ones, no less."

"Nice," Lapis said, impressed. "Not that I doubted you, or anything."

Peridot gave her a smug look, puffing out her chest a bit. "You should doubt me less often, Lapis. I’m good at what I do."

Lapis grinned, leaning closer to inspect the batteries. "Yeah, you’re right. You are pretty good at finding small things in tight spots."

Peridot blinked, furrowing her brows. "What’s that supposed to—"

“That’s what she said,” Lapis interrupted with a sly grin.

Peridot’s eyes widened again, and she groaned, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. "You are *the worst*."

Lapis chuckled, nudging Peridot’s arm. "Come on, that was a good one."

Peridot shook her head, but there was the tiniest hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth. “Focus, Lapis. You can flirt with me after we’ve got enough supplies to survive.”

Lapis raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that a promise?”

Peridot shot her a sharp look, but she couldn’t quite hide the smile this time. “Just keep looking for stuff.”

They scavenged for a little while longer, picking through the debris and finding a few more useful items — some canned food that was only slightly expired, a flashlight, and a couple of bandages. It wasn’t much, but in their world, even a little was a win.

As they made their way out of the store, Lapis glanced at Peridot, her teasing smile returning. "So… about that flirting."

Peridot groaned again but couldn’t hide the smile that tugged at her lips. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

“Not a chance,” Lapis said, grinning as they walked side by side through the overgrown town, back into the uncertainty of the world — but for now, at least, they had each other.

As Lapis and Peridot made their way through the streets, the eerie quiet settled back over them. The sun was starting to dip behind the broken skyline, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. The wind rustled through the overgrowth, making the town feel even more abandoned than it already was.

Lapis adjusted her backpack, keeping her eyes sharp as they passed another row of rusted-out cars and tangled vines. Peridot was walking beside her, still holding the box of batteries tightly, clearly pleased with her find. 

But Lapis couldn’t shake the growing feeling in her gut — the feeling that something wasn’t right. She had been through enough abandoned towns to recognize when it was *too* quiet.

Just as she opened her mouth to say something, there was a low, guttural growl from somewhere behind them.

Both of them froze instantly.

Lapis slowly turned her head, her heart hammering in her chest. There, shuffling out from behind an overturned truck, was a lone infected. Its clothes were torn and filthy, its skin pale and mottled with fungus. It stumbled toward them, its movements jerky and unnatural, but its milky, dead eyes were locked on them.

"Lapis," Peridot whispered, panic creeping into her voice as she instinctively backed away. "What do we do?"

Lapis quickly pulled out her knife, already calculating how to deal with the infected. One, maybe two, she could handle, but the real problem was the noise. If they attracted too much attention…

“We’re fine,” Lapis whispered back, her voice calm but tense. “Just stay behind me.”

Before she could move in, though, a louder, more familiar sound echoed through the streets — the unmistakable clicking of a Clicker.

Lapis felt her blood run cold.

“Oh no,” Peridot whispered, her voice barely audible. “Oh no, oh no, Lapis—”

“Stay calm,” Lapis hissed. “We can’t make any sudden moves. It can’t see us, but it can hear everything.”

The Clicker emerged from a crumbling building, its head twitching grotesquely from side to side, the fungal plates covering most of its face, leaving it blind. But its body was tense, moving with purpose as it searched for the source of the noise.

Lapis swallowed hard, her mind racing. They were pinned between the infected shambler and the Clicker, with no way out that didn’t involve getting noticed.

The shambler let out a gurgling moan and stumbled closer.

"We’ve got to take out the regular infected *quietly*," Lapis muttered, crouching low and gripping her knife tighter. “You stay behind me. If anything happens—"

“I’m not leaving you,” Peridot cut in, her voice shaking but resolute. “Just… tell me what to do.”

Lapis’s heart swelled for a second, touched by Peridot’s stubbornness, even though this was the absolute worst time for it. “Fine, but don’t do anything stupid. You let me handle the Clicker.”

With a quick nod, Lapis moved in on the shambler, her steps light and deliberate. She approached from the side, staying out of its direct path, her knife held at the ready. As it passed her, she lunged, plunging the blade into the infected’s skull. The body collapsed instantly, a sickening thud echoing in the street.

But the sound was enough to set the Clicker off.

It screeched, its head snapping in their direction as it clicked frantically, its hands twitching and reaching out.

"Run!" Lapis shouted, grabbing Peridot’s wrist and yanking her along.

They bolted through the street, dodging debris and overgrown bushes as the Clicker gave chase, its awful clicking growing louder behind them. Lapis could feel her heart racing in her throat, her grip on Peridot’s wrist tight as she led them through the narrow alleys.

"We can’t outrun it for long!" Peridot panted, her voice filled with panic.

“I know!” Lapis scanned the area ahead, spotting a small, half-collapsed building with a narrow doorway. It was risky, but they didn’t have a choice. “In here!”

They ducked inside the ruined building, the door barely hanging on its hinges. Lapis quickly pulled Peridot down behind an overturned table, both of them breathing heavily as the Clicker’s clicking grew louder, searching for them outside.

Lapis held her breath, her arm still around Peridot protectively as they listened.

The Clicker paused near the door, its twitching body just outside. It clicked again, louder this time, as if trying to get a read on them. Lapis could feel Peridot trembling beside her, but she squeezed her arm, trying to offer some comfort.

Just then, a loud crash echoed from somewhere further down the street. Another building collapsing in the distance.

The Clicker let out another screech and lurched toward the sound, leaving the building behind.

Lapis waited, her breath shallow, listening intently for any sign that the Clicker might come back. When the clicking finally faded into the distance, she let out a long, shaky breath and slumped against the wall, her heart still pounding.

Peridot, still trembling slightly, turned to Lapis, her eyes wide behind her glasses. "I thought… I thought that was it."

Lapis chuckled softly, her own adrenaline still buzzing through her veins. "Yeah… me too."

For a moment, they just sat there in the quiet, the weight of what just happened settling in around them. Peridot’s hand was still gripping Lapis’s sleeve, and Lapis realized she hadn’t let go either.

"Hey," Lapis said, her voice softer now, trying to break the tension. "You did good out there, Peridot."

Peridot blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly, though whether it was from the adrenaline or Lapis’s words, Lapis couldn’t tell. "I… I was terrified."

"Yeah, well, so was I," Lapis admitted, her tone light. "But you didn’t run off or freeze up. You stayed with me, and that’s all that matters."

Peridot swallowed, her eyes lingering on Lapis for a moment longer than usual. “I couldn’t leave you behind. I mean, logically speaking, I’d have a much lower chance of survival alone, but…”

“Uh-huh,” Lapis smirked. “Totally just survival instincts, right? Nothing to do with, y’know… me.”

Peridot’s face turned a deeper shade of red. “W-Well, I mean…”

Lapis laughed softly, leaning her head back against the wall. "You’re such a nerd."

“Yeah, well…” Peridot hesitated for a moment, then, with a deep breath, she leaned slightly closer to Lapis. "I’m your nerd."

Lapis blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the softness in Peridot’s voice. She turned her head and found herself inches away from Peridot’s face, her usual snark fading into something gentler. 

For a long moment, they just looked at each other, the tension of the chase slowly melting away, replaced by something warmer, more intimate. Lapis felt her heart skip a beat.

“Yeah,” Lapis whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You are.”

Before Peridot could respond, Lapis closed the distance between them, pressing a soft, tentative kiss to her lips. It was brief, just long enough for Lapis to feel Peridot’s breath hitch in surprise, but when they pulled away, Peridot’s wide eyes had softened into something quiet and content.

Peridot, still flushed and slightly dazed, managed a small smile of her own. "If… if you’re trying to distract me from the fact that we almost died, it’s working."

Lapis laughed, feeling her own cheeks warm. "Good. We’ll have to do it again, then."

Peridot’s smile widened, and for the first time all day, the world outside didn’t seem quite so terrifying.

Chapter Text

Lapis fidgeted with the sleeves of her oversized hoodie as she stared at the clock on the wall. Her fingers tapped nervously against the fabric, heart pounding in anticipation. She had invited Peridot over for a sleepover, which wasn’t unusual — they had been friends for years, after all.

But to Lapis, it felt like more. A lot more. She had always been drawn to Peridot’s quirky intelligence, her passion for technology and weird inventions. Peridot was the definition of “nerd” in the best way possible, and Lapis couldn’t help but smile whenever she saw her friend animatedly talk about some obscure science fact or start an argument about a random video game character.

Lapis let out a breath and tried to calm her racing heart. It was just a sleepover. They’d done it a dozen times before, watching Camp Pining Hearts and joking about how Peridot had memorized every line of dialogue.

There was a knock at the door.

Lapis jumped, feeling her nerves spike, before hurriedly walking to answer. Opening the door, she was greeted by the sight of Peridot standing there, clutching a backpack almost half her size. Her green eyes sparkled behind her square glasses, and her short blonde hair was slightly mussed, like she'd been running to get here on time.

"Hey!" Peridot said, her voice full of energy. "You ready to binge the greatest show in the universe?"

Lapis felt her heart flutter at the sight of Peridot’s enthusiasm. "Yeah, of course," she said with a soft smile, stepping aside to let her in. "I’ve got snacks, and the new season’s queued up."

Peridot made a beeline for the couch, dropping her backpack next to it and immediately rummaging through it. "I brought my special Camp Pining Hearts commentary notebook," she announced proudly. "We can log every inconsistency and character development!"

Lapis chuckled, shaking her head fondly. "Of course you did."

They settled in, with Lapis pretending she wasn't hyper-aware of how close Peridot was sitting next to her. The night went on like that — episodes of Camp Pining Hearts playing in the background as they laughed and commented on their favorite parts, Peridot pausing now and then to jot something down in her notebook. But Lapis barely paid attention to the show. Her mind kept drifting to Peridot’s voice, the way her hand occasionally brushed against Lapis’s arm when she got particularly animated, the feeling of warmth that filled the room because of her.

It wasn’t until much later, when the clock was ticking past midnight, that Peridot yawned and stretched. "Man, I’m beat," she said, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Think we should call it for the night?"

Lapis nodded, though a part of her wished they could stay like this forever. "Yeah, you’re probably right."

Peridot stood and glanced at her bag. "I forgot my pajamas," she realized with a frown. "I could just wear this, I guess..."

Lapis shook her head quickly. "No, I’ve got some you can borrow," she offered. "They might be a little big on you, though."

"That's fine. Anything's better than sleeping in jeans." Peridot grinned.

Lapis rummaged through her dresser and pulled out a pair of pajamas she rarely wore anymore — soft, light blue, and, as she mentioned, definitely oversized. She handed them to Peridot, who looked at the bundle with mild amusement before heading to the bathroom to change.

A few minutes later, Peridot emerged, wearing the loose-fitting pajamas. The sleeves drooped past her hands, and the pants almost dragged on the floor, but she seemed completely unbothered. In fact, she looked adorable.

Lapis swallowed, trying not to stare. "I, uh, told you they'd be big," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

Peridot looked down at herself, pulling at the too-long sleeves. "Yeah, I look ridiculous," she said, but there was a playful smile on her face. "But they’re really comfortable. Thanks, Lapis."

Lapis felt her face heat up. She cleared her throat and tried to focus on something else. "No problem."

They set up their sleeping bags on the floor of Lapis’s room, and soon, Peridot was lying next to her, staring at the ceiling. The room was quiet, save for the sound of their breathing and the occasional rustle of blankets.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Lapis thought Peridot had fallen asleep, but then she heard a soft voice beside her.

"Hey, Lapis?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks for inviting me over. I know I’m a little... intense sometimes."

Lapis smiled, even though Peridot couldn’t see it. "I like your intensity," she said, her heart pounding again. "It’s... one of the reasons I like being around you."

Peridot was quiet for a long moment. Lapis thought she’d gone too far, said too much. But then she heard Peridot’s voice again, softer this time.

"I like being around you too, Lapis."

Lapis swallowed hard, her mind racing. She had to say something, had to let Peridot know how she really felt. Her heart was practically screaming at her to speak up, but her nerves held her back. What if she ruined everything?

But then Peridot shifted beside her, turning on her side to face Lapis, her glasses now off and her green eyes bright in the dim light. "Lapis... are you okay?"

Lapis hesitated, feeling like she was on the edge of a cliff. Then, before she could stop herself, she whispered, "Peridot... I think I like you. Like, *really* like you."

For a moment, the room was so silent that Lapis was sure her heart would explode from the tension. But then, Peridot’s lips curved into the tiniest smile, her cheeks turning pink.

Silence hung between them, thick and almost unbearable. Lapis could feel her pulse in her throat, and for a split second, she wished she could take the words back. But then, slowly, Peridot’s lips curved into a soft smile, her cheeks warming with a pink blush that made Lapis’s breath catch.

"I... I think I really like you too, Lapis."

Lapis blinked, the weight on her chest lifting as those words settled in. Before she could even process her relief, Peridot shifted closer, her face just inches away now, her expression more serious than Lapis had ever seen. 

For a moment, Lapis could only stare, her heart hammering in her chest, every thought and feeling colliding at once. And then, without a word, Peridot leaned forward and pressed her lips to Lapis’s.

It was soft, tentative at first, and Lapis could feel her heart stutter, caught completely off guard. But then she melted into it, her hand gently brushing against Peridot’s cheek as she kissed her back, feeling like everything in her world had clicked into place.

When they finally pulled away, Peridot’s face was flushed, and she had a dazed look in her eyes. “That… that was nice,” she mumbled, pushing her hair awkwardly behind her ear.

Lapis couldn’t help but smile, her heart lighter than it had been in ages. "Yeah, it really was."

Peridot laughed softly, her usual nervous energy tempered by something sweeter, something new. She nestled back into her sleeping bag, her arm brushing against Lapis’s, and for the first time all night, Lapis felt calm.

As they lay there, side by side, the quiet night surrounding them, Peridot whispered, “We should have sleepovers more often.”

Lapis chuckled softly. “Definitely.

Chapter Text

Peridot sat in the back corner of the school library, her laptop balanced precariously on a stack of science textbooks. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, the screen reflecting a jumble of data and formulas. But despite her focus, she couldn’t stop her thoughts from drifting to something—or rather, someone—she didn’t understand.

Lapis Lazuli.

Every time Lapis was around, Peridot felt… weird. Her heart would race for no reason, her palms would get clammy, and her usual sharp, logical brain would completely short-circuit. She hated it. Peridot liked *understanding* things. And this? This was something she didn’t understand.

“Why does my heart rate increase in the presence of Lapis?” Peridot muttered to herself, typing a query into a search engine. “Is it an allergic reaction? A physiological response to stress? What’s happening?”

Her search results, however, were far from scientific.

Signs You Have a Crush.

10 Ways to Know if You Like Someone.

Do You Have a Crush? Here’s How to Tell!

Peridot blinked at the results, her brow furrowing. “A… crush?” she whispered. She clicked on the first article, her eyes scanning the list of symptoms: increased heart rate, nervousness, trouble speaking, wanting to be around the person all the time.

Her eyes widened. “No… no, this can’t be right.” She shook her head in denial, but the more she read, the more it made sense. Everything lined up. The sweaty palms. The racing heart. The fact that she couldn’t stop thinking about Lapis.

Peridot slammed the laptop shut, her face flushed. “I have a crush on Lapis,” she whispered in horror, sinking into her chair. 

Just then, Amethyst, her best friend and fellow chaos enthusiast, plopped down in the chair across from her, causing Peridot to nearly jump out of her skin.

“Yo, Peri, what’s got you all freaked out?” Amethyst asked, her mouth full of chips as usual. “You look like you just found out the moon’s a hologram.”

Peridot sat stiffly, not sure how to explain. “Amethyst… I think I’m experiencing a problem.”

Amethyst raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A problem? What kind of problem?”

Peridot hesitated, looking around to make sure no one was listening. “It’s about… Lapis,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Amethyst grinned wide. “Ohhh, this is about Lazuli, huh? What’d she do this time? Did she steal your wrench again?”

Peridot shook her head, her face turning an even deeper shade of green. “No. It’s worse than that. I think… I think I like her.”

Amethyst froze mid-chip, then slowly lowered the snack from her mouth, her grin widening into something far more mischievous. “Wait. Wait. You’re telling me you’ve got a crush on Lapis?”

Peridot groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I didn’t know! I thought it was just some sort of physiological anomaly, but then I looked it up and—ugh! Why is this happening to me?”

Amethyst couldn’t help but snicker. “This is hilarious. Peridot, the emotionless science nerd, has a crush. On Lapis, of all people.”

“This is not hilarious!” Peridot snapped, her voice muffled by her hands. “This is a disaster! I can’t function properly when she’s around! She makes my brain stop working!”

Amethyst chuckled, leaning back in her chair. “Oh man, this is gold. So, what’re you gonna do about it? Tell her?”

Peridot’s head shot up. “What? No! Why would I do that?”

Amethyst shrugged, a teasing grin still on her face. “I dunno, maybe because you like her? People usually, y’know, talk about that stuff when they’ve got a crush.”

Peridot shook her head furiously. “I can’t! What if she thinks I’m ridiculous? What if she laughs at me?”

Amethyst leaned forward, smirking. “Peri, Lapis already teases you like 24/7. I don’t think a crush is gonna change that. But hey, who knows? Maybe she’s into nerds.”

Peridot groaned again, slumping in her chair. “This is a catastrophe.”

Amethyst popped another chip into her mouth. “Nah, it’s not that bad. You just need to stop overthinking it. Go with the flow. You’re not building a rocket ship here, you’re just catching feelings.”

“But feelings are so… illogical,” Peridot muttered. “They don’t make sense.”

Amethyst laughed. “Exactly. That’s why they’re fun.”

---

The next day, Peridot’s “catastrophe” hit its peak when she found herself alone in the hallway with Lapis. Lapis, as usual, was leaning against a locker with that casual, laid-back attitude she always had. She saw Peridot coming and grinned, already sensing an opportunity to tease her favorite target.

“Hey, Peri,” Lapis said, her voice as smooth as ever. “What’s up, short stack? Built any world-ending machines today?”

Peridot froze, her heart immediately speeding up. Her brain, which normally would fire back with some sharp remark about Lapis’ lazy approach to life, decided to completely malfunction.

“N-no,” Peridot stammered, her face heating up. “I—I mean, not today. I’ve been, uh, busy.”

Lapis raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Busy, huh? Doing what? Thinking up more ways to tell me how inefficient my lifestyle is?”

Peridot opened her mouth, but no words came out. Instead, she just stood there, flustered and awkward, her thoughts a mess of conflicting emotions.

Lapis tilted her head, her grin widening. “You okay, Peri? You seem… off today.”

Peridot’s heart raced even faster. *Just tell her you like her!* a voice in her head screamed, but another part of her—the part that was terrified of rejection—kept her frozen in place.

Before she could make a complete fool of herself, Amethyst came strolling down the hallway, sensing the tension from a mile away.

“Hey, Lazuli!” Amethyst called out, sauntering up with her usual carefree swagger. “Peri’s probably just short-circuiting ‘cause she’s been up all night reading about quantum mechanics. You know how she gets.”

Lapis laughed, and Peridot felt a rush of relief as the spotlight shifted away from her. “Yeah, sounds about right,” Lapis said, still smirking. “Well, try not to overheat, Peri. We still need you around to remind us how we’re all doing everything wrong.”

With one last teasing grin, Lapis walked off, leaving Peridot standing there, still flustered, still a mess.

Amethyst watched Lapis go, then turned to Peridot with a knowing look. “Dude. You *have* to tell her. You’re literally gonna explode if you don’t.”

Peridot groaned, her face in her hands again. “I can’t, Amethyst! It’s too embarrassing! And besides, what if she doesn’t like me back?”

Amethyst grinned and slung an arm around Peridot’s shoulders. “Then you move on and get back to being the world’s smartest nerd. But who knows? Maybe she’ll surprise you.”

---

The days dragged on, with Peridot getting more and more flustered around Lapis. She was a walking ball of nerves, unable to focus on anything whenever Lapis was nearby. Amethyst, growing tired of watching her friend suffer, finally decided to take matters into her own hands.

One afternoon, when Peridot was sitting in the lab, pretending to work but really just thinking about Lapis, Amethyst waltzed in with a smirk on her face.

“You’re gonna thank me for this later, Peri,” she said casually.

Peridot frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Amethyst shrugged, still grinning. “I may or may not have told Lapis that you’ve got something you wanna say to her.”

Peridot’s eyes widened in horror. “You what?”

Before she could panic any further, the door swung open, and there was Lapis, looking mildly curious.

“Hey, Amethyst said you wanted to talk?” Lapis asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Peridot’s mind went blank. She turned to Amethyst, who gave her an encouraging nod, then back to Lapis, who was waiting patiently for her to say something.

*Now or never,* Peridot thought.

“I—I like you!” she blurted out, her face immediately turning bright red. “I’ve been trying to tell you for days but I—ugh! You make me so nervous and it’s messing with my brain and I don’t understand why and—”

Lapis blinked, clearly taken aback. For a moment, she just stared at Peridot, who was still rambling.

“And I know I’m probably overanalyzing everything but I can’t help it and I just—”

Lapis stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Peridot’s shoulder, effectively stopping her word vomit. “Peri, breathe,” she said softly, her teasing grin gone, replaced by something… softer.

Peridot took a shaky breath, her heart still racing.

“You like me, huh?” Lapis asked, her voice quiet.

Peridot nodded, feeling like her chest might explode.

Lapis tilted her head, then smiled—genuinely this time. “Well, that’s good to know. ‘Cause… I like you too.”

Peridot’s eyes widened. “You… you do?”

Lapis chuckled. “Yeah, I do. You’re a weirdo, but you’re my weirdo.”

Amethyst, watching from the doorway, grinned triumphantly. “Told ya,” she muttered under her breath.

Peridot, still in shock, felt her brain finally catch up to the situation. She smiled—awkwardly, but genuinely. “So… what now?”

Lapis shrugged, still smiling. “Now? Maybe we hang out sometime. Just the two of us.”

Peridot felt her heart flutter, but for once, it wasn’t terrifying. “I… I’d like that.”

Amethyst, unable to resist, threw an arm around both of them. “Look at you two lovebirds. This is gonna be fun.”

Lapis laughed, and Peridot, for the first time in days, felt herself relax. Maybe feelings weren’t so illogical after all.

Chapter Text

It was late, past midnight, and Peridot sat at her desk, the soft glow of her laptop screen illuminating the small, cozy room she shared with Lapis. The room was a clash of their two personalities, divided almost down the middle. Peridot’s side was meticulously organized—books stacked in neat rows, notebooks color-coded, and her bed crisply made with plain, practical sheets. Her desk, the one she sat at now, was a mess of diagrams, notes, and small tools from her engineering classes, though even that chaos was carefully controlled.

Lapis’ side, on the other hand, was far more relaxed. Her bed was unmade, a deep blue comforter tossed haphazardly over it. Sketches and doodles were pinned to the wall above her headboard—most of them in shades of blue, some abstract, others detailed renderings of nature scenes or people. Lapis had this effortless creativity that sometimes drove Peridot crazy, especially when she threw her art supplies all over the floor. Right now, her side was littered with discarded paint tubes, a half-finished canvas propped up against the wall. Lapis never seemed to mind the clutter.

Peridot sighed, rubbing her eyes and checking the time. 12:46 a.m. Lapis wasn’t home yet. She had gone out earlier with Amethyst, promising that it would only be “a couple of drinks” at the bar off-campus. But knowing Amethyst, “a couple” would turn into far too many, and Lapis would come back late and drunk, as usual. 

Peridot had tried to stay up to study, but it was hard to focus. She found herself worrying about Lapis—though she’d never admit that aloud. She clicked idly on her laptop, trying to drown out her thoughts when the door to their shared apartment suddenly swung open.

Lapis stumbled into the room, her body swaying as she tried to navigate the doorway. She was laughing softly to herself, her deep blue hair messy and falling into her eyes. She was still wearing the black crop top and ripped jeans she’d worn earlier, though now her shirt was a little wrinkled and one of her shoelaces was untied. Her black boots, scuffed and worn, clunked loudly against the floor as she half-staggered, half-gracefully entered the apartment.

Peridot immediately shot up from her chair, her eyes narrowing in concern. “Lapis, what the hell? You’re drunk.”

Lapis looked up at her, her blue eyes gleaming under the dim light of the room, a lazy grin spreading across her face. “Maybe just a little bit,” she slurred, holding up her fingers with a tiny gap between them to emphasize. She kicked off her boots haphazardly, one of them landing in the middle of Peridot’s carefully ordered side of the room. Peridot winced but didn’t comment.

“You said you weren’t going to stay out that long,” Peridot huffed, crossing her arms as she watched Lapis wobble. Her tone was sharp, but deep down, she felt a knot of anxiety start to unwind now that Lapis was safely home.

Lapis, completely unfazed by Peridot’s scolding, looked up at her, a playful glint in her eye. “What, did you miss me or something?”

Peridot blushed and turned her face away, pushing her glasses up on her nose to cover the reaction. “N-No, of course not. I was just—concerned. You do stupid things when you drink with Amethyst.”

Lapis walked closer, unsteady on her feet, until she was standing right in front of Peridot, gazing at her with that same dopey smile. She was so much taller, and right now, she was radiating warmth, her presence overpowering in the small room.

“You’re so cute when you’re mad,” Lapis murmured, reaching out and gently poking Peridot on the cheek.

Peridot’s face turned even redder. She swatted Lapis’ hand away but couldn’t help the way her stomach flipped at the contact. “I am not cute. You’re drunk, Lapis. Go to bed.”

But Lapis didn’t move away. In fact, she took another step closer, her breath warm and smelling faintly of alcohol as she looked down at Peridot. “Maybe,” she said softly, her voice a little less playful now, “I don’t want to go to bed yet.”

Peridot swallowed, her heart racing as Lapis swayed slightly, leaning in closer. “You’re being ridiculous,” she muttered, but there was no strength behind her words. Lapis was close enough now that Peridot could see the details of her face—the sharpness of her jawline, the way her dark lashes framed her half-lidded eyes. 

Lapis smirked, her voice dropping lower, softer. “You know… you’re kind of attractive when you’re all bossy like this.”

Peridot froze, her brain short-circuiting. “W-What?”

Lapis giggled at Peridot’s reaction, stepping even closer, their bodies nearly touching now. “I’m serious. You’re always so organized, so in control. It’s… cute. And kind of hot.”

Peridot’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She felt like her brain was malfunctioning, unable to process what Lapis was saying. This was just the alcohol talking, right? Lapis didn’t really mean it. But the way Lapis was looking at her right now, her eyes soft and sincere, made Peridot’s chest tighten.

“Lapis, you’re drunk,” Peridot said again, her voice shakier than she wanted it to be. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I know exactly what I’m saying,” Lapis whispered, her hand gently brushing a stray lock of blonde hair away from Peridot’s face. Her touch was light, almost tender, and it made Peridot’s breath catch in her throat.

For a moment, everything felt too still, too quiet. The room, usually filled with the sounds of their contrasting lives, felt like it was holding its breath.

Peridot’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. She had known Lapis for so long, and in all that time, she had never expected… this. They were roommates, sure. Friends, maybe. But there was something in Lapis’ eyes now, something raw and unfiltered by the alcohol, that Peridot couldn’t ignore.

“I’ve always thought you were cute,” Lapis admitted, her voice soft and slurring just a little. “But you know… it’s more than that. You’re… you’re just… ugh.” She waved her hand, frustrated with her inability to articulate what she meant.

Peridot’s heart was pounding in her chest. She didn’t know how to respond. Lapis was her roommate, her friend. This was just the alcohol talking, right? But when she looked up at Lapis, she saw the sincerity there, buried beneath the haze of drunkenness.

“I…” Peridot started, but her voice faltered. She wasn’t used to this—she wasn’t good at this kind of thing. 

Lapis just smiled again, this time softer, and she gently cupped Peridot’s cheek. “You’re really something, you know that?” she murmured, her thumb brushing lightly against Peridot’s skin.

Peridot’s breath hitched, and for a moment, she couldn’t think of anything else except the warmth of Lapis’ hand on her face, the softness in her voice. She didn’t know how to respond—whether to pull away or lean into the touch. All she knew was that, right now, Lapis was closer than she had ever been, and it was overwhelming in the best and worst ways.

Lapis chuckled softly, her hand dropping away as she swayed slightly on her feet. “I’m really tired now,” she mumbled, her playful energy starting to fade as the alcohol took its toll.

Peridot, still flustered, nodded quickly. “Y-Yeah, you should definitely go to bed.”

Lapis gave her a sleepy smile, her eyes half-closed. “Night, ‘Dot,” she whispered before stumbling toward her unmade bed, collapsing onto it with a soft groan. Within moments, her breathing evened out, and she was fast asleep, sprawled out messily across the mattress.

Peridot stood there for a long moment, staring at Lapis’ sleeping form, her mind still reeling from what had just happened. She slowly turned and sat down at her desk again, staring blankly at her laptop.

She had no idea what to do with the feelings Lapis had just stirred up, but one thing was certain—nothing would ever be quite the same again.

Chapter Text

Weeks had passed since their encounter with the Clicker in that overgrown town, and Lapis and Peridot had fallen into a rhythm. They were moving steadily now, heading down an abandoned highway toward Beach City. The cracked asphalt stretched out ahead of them, scattered with rusted-out cars, overturned trucks, and patches of grass and weeds that had pushed through the cracks. The sun was setting behind them, casting long shadows over the desolate landscape.

Lapis was walking just ahead, her trusty crowbar resting casually on her shoulder. She had found it a while back and had taken to using it as her primary weapon. It felt right in her hands, and she had been training Peridot to defend herself better, too. Peridot was a quick learner, though not exactly graceful with a weapon.

“So,” Lapis said, glancing over her shoulder at Peridot, a smirk already forming on her lips. “When is a door not a door?”

Peridot groaned, her face scrunching in mock annoyance. “Please, Lapis, don’t.”

Lapis ignored her and continued with a grin, “When it's ajar.”

Peridot let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head. “That’s terrible.”

Lapis just laughed, clearly amused by herself. “Come on, you know that one was good.”

“It really wasn’t.”

Lapis stopped walking for a moment, turning to face Peridot with an exaggerated pout. “I’m trying to lighten the mood here! You could at least pretend to laugh.”

Peridot crossed her arms, her expression serious, but the corners of her mouth twitched. “I think the only thing you’re lightening is the air around us with those bad jokes.”

“Hey, bad jokes are a form of art,” Lapis shot back, still smiling. She lowered her crowbar and started walking backward so she could face Peridot as they talked. “Besides, I thought you liked my terrible sense of humor.”

Peridot adjusted her glasses, her face turning slightly pink, though she tried to hide it. “I tolerate it. There’s a difference.”

Lapis chuckled and winked at her. “You love it, admit it.”

Peridot didn’t respond, though her flushed cheeks and the small, almost imperceptible smile said enough. Lapis felt a little triumphant spark inside her. It had become a game between them now — the flirting, the jokes, the teasing. It helped, in a way, to keep the darker parts of the world at bay.

As they walked further down the highway, the skeletal remains of an old FEDRA checkpoint came into view. It was perched on the side of the road, rusting and weather-beaten, with barricades and abandoned trucks still scattered around. Vines had crept up the sides of the concrete walls, and graffiti covered what was left of the old military signage.

“Look,” Lapis said, pointing ahead. “Think we should check it out?”

Peridot nodded. “Might be something useful. At least, it’s worth a look.”

They approached cautiously, weaving through the barricades and past the old rusted trucks. The place had clearly been abandoned for a long time. Empty bullet casings littered the ground, and the walls were pockmarked with bullet holes. The silence of the place made the hair on the back of Lapis’s neck stand up.

Lapis hefted her crowbar, gripping it tightly as they stepped inside the checkpoint. “Stay close,” she muttered.

Peridot nodded, her hand resting nervously on the small knife she kept at her belt — a weapon Lapis had given her and spent time training her with. They had gone over fighting techniques almost every day. Lapis didn’t want Peridot to ever be caught defenseless again.

As they moved deeper into the checkpoint, Peridot paused, her eyes catching on something just up ahead. “Lapis, look.”

Lapis followed her gaze and saw it too — a body, slumped against a makeshift barricade. The soldier’s uniform was barely recognizable beneath the grime and decay, but the FEDRA insignia was still visible on the faded fabric. One hand was wrapped around a pistol, while the other was limp at their side. A dark stain on the ground around them told the rest of the story.

Peridot crouched down, gingerly reaching for the gun. She hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Lapis, who nodded encouragingly. With a deep breath, Peridot took the weapon from the dead soldier’s hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she held it. It was heavy and cold, a reminder of the harsh world they were in.

“Do you know how to use it?” Lapis asked softly, stepping closer.

“I’ve… read about it,” Peridot said, her voice a little shaky. “But I’ve never actually… you know.”

Lapis placed her hand over Peridot’s, guiding her gently. “It’s not like a book or a diagram. You’ll need practice, but this could save your life one day. You’ve already gotten better with the knife. This is just… an upgrade.”

Peridot swallowed hard and nodded, tightening her grip on the gun. She looked over at the soldier again, her eyes lingering on the crumpled figure. That’s when she noticed a small, folded piece of paper tucked into the soldier’s vest.

“What’s that?” Peridot asked, pointing to it.

Lapis knelt down and carefully pulled the note free, unfolding it with a frown. The paper was worn, and some of the ink had smudged, but the message was still legible:

We held out as long as we could. The fucking Fireflies tore this place apart, they took one of the mortars from the south and used it on us. Comms were down so reinforcement was not an option and not fucking likely they would have shown anyway. We didn’t stand a chance. We ran out of ammo, and when the infected broke through, it was chaos. I don’t know if anyone else made it, but I won’t wait to find out. I’m not becoming one of them. If anyone finds this — know that we fought until the end.

Lapis’s heart sank as she read it, the weight of the words pressing down on her chest. She glanced at Peridot, who had gone pale as she read the note over Lapis’s shoulder.

“The fireflies attacked,” Peridot whispered, her voice small. “And the infected… they finished the job.”

Lapis sighed, folding the note and slipping it back into the soldier’s vest. “This world doesn’t leave many options. When you’re stuck between people who want to kill you and infected trying to tear you apart…”

Peridot looked at the gun in her hands again, her brow furrowed in thought. “I don’t want to ever have to do this. But I know I might have to.”

Lapis reached out and gently turned Peridot toward her, their eyes meeting. “You won’t have to. Not as long as I’m around.”

Peridot’s eyes softened, and she managed a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You can’t protect me forever, Lapis.”

Lapis grinned, brushing a strand of Peridot’s hair out of her face. “Maybe not. But I’m going to try.”

For a moment, the harsh world around them seemed to fall away. Lapis could feel the warmth of Peridot’s hand still gripping the gun, could see the flicker of doubt and fear in her eyes — but also the determination. They had come so far together, survived so much, and Lapis wasn’t going to let anything take that away.

“You’re a terrible flirt, you know,” Peridot muttered, her blush returning as she looked away, trying to hide the smile creeping onto her face.

“Terrible? I thought I was getting better,” Lapis teased, her grin widening. “Besides, I’m only trying to distract you from how much you clearly like me.”

Peridot groaned, rolling her eyes. “I never said that.”

“You don’t have to,” Lapis said, leaning closer. “Your face says enough.”

They stood there for a moment, the sun setting behind the highway as the sky turned shades of orange and pink. Even in the midst of the apocalypse, moments like this made it all a little more bearable.

Peridot huffed but smiled, looking down at the gun in her hand. “Well, if I’m going to survive, I guess I need a little more training with this.”

Lapis smirked, her crowbar resting on her shoulder again. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

With one last glance at the abandoned checkpoint, they turned and continued down the highway, the fading light guiding their way as they moved closer to Beach City, together.

Chapter Text

The night had settled over Beach City, bringing with it the soft crashing of waves and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Inside the quiet of the Crystal Temple, Peridot sat on the edge of the bathtub in Steven’s bathroom, fidgeting with a loose string from the towel in her hands. Her usual confident demeanor was gone, replaced with a fragile kind of frustration that Steven had rarely seen.

Steven leaned against the doorframe, his heart heavy with concern for the small green Gem. He could see that she was hurting, even though she hadn’t fully explained why. Ever since Lapis had taken the barn and left, something had been off with Peridot. She'd tried to mask it with her usual bravado and technical talk, but her emotional walls were crumbling.

“Hey, Peridot,” Steven said softly, stepping closer, “I know it’s been tough… with Lapis leaving. But, you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here for you.”

Peridot’s hands stilled, clutching the towel in a tighter grip. She kept her gaze locked on the floor, as if looking at Steven might cause her to break down completely.

“I don’t need comfort, Steven,” she said, her voice trembling just enough to betray her words. “I’m… perfectly fine. This… this is nothing.”

Steven sat down beside her on the edge of the tub. “It’s okay to not be fine sometimes.”

Peridot’s shoulders tensed, her entire posture stiff and defensive. She looked like she was trying to keep herself together by sheer willpower. But after a long, heavy silence, her face crumpled, and she buried it in her hands.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this,” Peridot whispered, her voice muffled by her hands. “We… we were a team. We built so much together. The barn, the pumpkin… I thought… I thought we could be—”

Steven’s heart ached at the sight of her so vulnerable. He placed a gentle hand on her back, offering silent support.

“I miss her, Steven,” Peridot admitted, finally lifting her tear-filled eyes. “But it’s not just that she’s gone… It’s that I never got to tell her how I really felt. How much she meant to me.” She clenched her fists. “I… I’m so stupid.”

Steven’s eyes widened slightly as he began to understand. “You… you cared about her a lot, didn’t you?”

Peridot let out a small, bitter laugh, wiping at her eyes with the towel. “Cared about her? Steven, I was in love with her.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with all the unspoken feelings that Peridot had kept buried. She had always been so guarded, always focused on science and logic, but this was a part of herself she couldn’t rationalize or push away.

Steven’s heart swelled with sympathy. “Peridot…”

“She made everything feel different,” Peridot continued, her voice cracking. “Lapis made me feel like I wasn’t just some failed technician, some… useless part of a broken system. She helped me see things in a way I never would’ve on my own. And now she’s gone, and I don’t know if she’ll ever come back.”

Steven gently squeezed her shoulder, his voice soft and understanding. “I think she knows how much you care. You’ve been by her side through so much, Peridot. But… I’m really sorry you didn’t get to tell her how you feel.”

Peridot swallowed hard, blinking away the tears that kept threatening to fall. “I wanted to, but… she’s so… complicated. So much of her is tied up in pain and fear, and I didn’t want to make things worse by telling her. So, I just… stayed quiet.”

Steven frowned sympathetically. “It must’ve been hard.”

“It was,” Peridot said, her voice quieter now. “And now she’s gone, and I’m stuck here… in this stupid bathroom.” She forced a weak chuckle through her tears, shaking her head at the absurdity of it all.

Steven gave her a sad smile. “It’s okay to feel like this, Peridot. It’s okay to feel sad and angry. But I believe that Lapis cares about you, too. Even if she’s not ready to be around right now.”

Peridot took a shaky breath, finally lifting her gaze to meet Steven’s. “Do you think… do you think she’ll ever come back?”

Steven thought for a moment, then gave her a gentle, hopeful smile. “I don’t know when, but I think Lapis just needs time. She’s dealing with a lot, and sometimes people—and Gems—just need space to figure things out. But when she’s ready, I’m sure she’ll come back.”

Peridot didn’t respond right away, but she nodded slowly, letting his words sink in. She wiped the last of her tears and glanced around the bathroom, managing a small, bittersweet smile.

“I guess I’ll have to work on my bathroom etiquette in the meantime,” she muttered, trying to make light of her situation. But there was still a flicker of sadness in her eyes.

Steven chuckled softly, happy to see her making an effort to lighten the mood. “Yeah, and maybe we can work on fixing up the bathroom a bit more. I don’t think the toilet paper roll should be an emergency button.”

Peridot rolled her eyes but smiled. “Human inefficiency at its finest.”

They sat in silence for a few moments longer, the weight of Peridot’s confession still lingering in the air but feeling a little lighter now. She wasn’t alone in her pain, and that made it just a little more bearable.

Steven stood up, offering his hand to her. “Come on, let’s go watch some TV. We can watch Camp Pining Hearts.”

Peridot hesitated for a moment, then took his hand, standing up and straightening her posture. “You know… that doesn’t sound so bad.”

As they left the bathroom, Peridot glanced back one last time, as if leaving behind more than just a room. She wasn’t sure what the future held for her and Lapis, but maybe, just maybe, things would get better in time.

Chapter Text

The bus rumbled down the highway, the low hum of the engine lulling most of the students into a drowsy stupor. Peridot, however, was far from relaxed. She sat rigidly in her seat, arms crossed tightly over her chest, glaring at the window as though the passing scenery had personally offended her.

“Of all the people to get stuck next to,” she muttered under her breath, shooting a glance to her right where Lapis Lazuli was slouched, earbuds in, staring out of her own window.

It wasn’t that Peridot hated Lapis exactly. No, hate was far too strong a word. It was more that Lapis had this… ability to get under her skin without even trying. It didn’t help that Lapis had this laid-back, uncaring attitude that was the complete opposite of Peridot’s high-strung, precise nature.

“This is going to be a nightmare,” Peridot whispered.

“Talking to yourself again, Peri?” came a voice from behind her.

Peridot whipped around, finding Amethyst sprawled across two seats behind them, her feet kicked up and her hands behind her head. Amethyst gave her a knowing smirk, clearly enjoying the situation far more than she should.

“Shut up, Amethyst,” Peridot hissed. “This isn’t funny.”

“Uh, yeah it is,” Amethyst shot back, still grinning. “You’re sitting next to Lapis for a five-hour bus ride to the middle of nowhere. It’s hilarious.”

Peridot turned back around, her face flushed with frustration. Lapis, to her surprise, hadn’t said a word. In fact, she seemed completely oblivious to the whole exchange, her head resting against the window, her eyes closed as if she was already asleep.

“Great,” Peridot muttered to herself. “She’s probably going to sleep the whole way and leave me to suffer in silence.”

But that wasn’t how the trip turned out.

Two hours into the ride, the bus hit a particularly bumpy stretch of road, jolting Lapis awake. She blinked groggily, pulling out her earbuds and stretching lazily in her seat. 

“Ugh, how much longer?” she muttered, her voice heavy with sleep.

Peridot, who had been trying to focus on reading a scientific journal on her tablet, glanced at her. “We’re about halfway there,” she said tersely.

Lapis turned her head and smirked. “Wow, you actually answered me. I thought you were just going to ignore me the whole trip.”

Peridot flushed. “I—I wasn’t ignoring you! You weren’t even talking to me!”

Lapis chuckled, her smirk widening. “Relax, Peri. I’m just messing with you.”

Peridot huffed, turning back to her tablet. “Of course you are.”

They fell into a tense silence again, the rumble of the bus the only sound between them. But this time, Lapis didn’t put her earbuds back in. Instead, she shifted in her seat, turning slightly towards Peridot.

“So, why’d you sign up for this trip anyway?” Lapis asked casually.

Peridot didn’t look up. “For the educational experience, obviously. The national park is home to several rare geological formations that I want to study firsthand.”

Lapis raised an eyebrow. “Of course. You’re always about the educational experience.”

Peridot shot her a glare. “And why are *you* here, then? I doubt you care about geology.”

Lapis shrugged. “Amethyst talked me into it. Said it’d be fun to get away for a weekend.”

Peridot couldn’t help the scoff that escaped her. “Typical.”

Lapis chuckled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Peridot turned to face her fully, crossing her arms. “You never take anything seriously, do you? Everything’s just ‘fun’ and ‘getting away.’ Do you even care about school?”

Lapis’ smirk faded slightly, her expression growing more serious. “I care about stuff. Just not the same stuff you do.”

Peridot blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. She opened her mouth to retort but found herself pausing. She hadn’t expected Lapis to respond like that.

Before she could say anything, the bus hit another bump, and her tablet slipped off her lap, tumbling onto the floor.

“Great,” Peridot muttered, reaching down to retrieve it.

Lapis, quicker than Peridot expected, reached down too, and their hands brushed as they both went for the tablet at the same time.

Peridot froze, her heart skipping a beat. She snatched her hand back quickly, her face heating up. “S-sorry,” she stammered.

Lapis, however, didn’t seem phased. She handed Peridot the tablet, her smirk back in place. “You okay there, Peri? You seem a little jumpy.”

“I’m fine,” Peridot snapped, taking the tablet and holding it tightly in her lap. “Just focus on your own business.”

Lapis chuckled, leaning back in her seat. “Whatever you say.”

By the time they reached the park, Peridot was more than ready to escape the confines of the bus and the uncomfortable tension she couldn’t shake around Lapis. As soon as the bus stopped, she grabbed her backpack and practically bolted off, eager to dive into the scientific wonders waiting for her.

The group was given free time to explore, and while most of the students—including Amethyst and Lapis—headed towards the scenic trails, Peridot made a beeline for the rock formations she’d been so eager to study. 

She spent the better part of an hour scribbling notes and examining the unique geological structures, losing herself in the comfort of her research. But after a while, she noticed something—or rather, someone—approaching.

Lapis strolled up, hands in her pockets, looking thoroughly uninterested in the rocks. “So this is what you ditched everyone for, huh?” she asked, glancing around at the formations.

Peridot scowled. “I didn’t ‘ditch’ anyone. I’m here to study.”

Lapis shrugged, stepping closer to one of the rocks and running her fingers along its surface. “So, what’s so special about these rocks?”

Peridot paused, surprised by the question. “Well… they’re part of a rare type of volcanic formation that only occurs under very specific conditions,” she explained, her voice becoming more animated. “These kinds of structures can tell us a lot about the earth’s history and—”

She stopped herself, realizing she was rambling. Lapis probably didn’t care about any of this.

To her surprise, Lapis didn’t seem bored. Instead, she was watching Peridot with an expression Peridot couldn’t quite read.

“You’re really into this stuff, huh?” Lapis said after a moment.

Peridot shifted awkwardly. “Well, yes. It’s important. Science helps us understand the world.”

Lapis nodded slowly. “Yeah, I get that.”

Peridot blinked. “You… do?”

Lapis chuckled softly, her eyes still on Peridot. “Yeah. I mean, I’m not a science nerd like you, but I get it. You care about this stuff because it means something to you.”

Peridot didn’t know what to say to that. She wasn’t used to Lapis being… sincere.

The silence between them stretched, and for the first time since the trip began, it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was… nice.

Lapis broke the silence with a grin. “Wanna show me some more of these rocks? I figure if I’m gonna be stuck here, I might as well learn something.”

Peridot hesitated, then nodded. “I suppose I could.”

They spent the next hour wandering among the formations, with Peridot explaining the significance of each one while Lapis listened with surprising interest. The more they talked, the more Peridot realized that maybe she had underestimated Lapis. She wasn’t just lazy or careless—she just cared about different things.

As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the park, they found themselves at the edge of a cliff overlooking a wide valley. Lapis leaned against the railing, looking out at the view.

“This place isn’t so bad,” she said softly.

Peridot stood beside her, glancing at her out of the corner of her eye. “Yeah. It’s… beautiful.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, the wind ruffling their hair. Peridot’s heart, which had been racing earlier, now felt steady. Calm.

Lapis turned to her suddenly, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You know, you’re not so bad, Peri.”

Peridot blinked, surprised by the comment. “You’re… not so bad either,” she admitted, her voice soft.

Lapis chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “See? This trip wasn’t a nightmare after all.”

Peridot smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the sunset. Maybe—just maybe—this trip had turned out to be more than just an educational experience.

Maybe it had turned out to be something much more meaningful.

Chapter Text

Peridot paced around the barn, her footsteps quiet over the hay-strewn floor as she scanned over her checklist. She’d written the entire plan down in precise detail: decoration placement, snack prep, timing adjustments, and even the optimal lighting setup to highlight each corner. Steven had, after all, left her in charge of making sure the decorations were perfectly arranged.

“Have you seen the fog machine?” she called over her shoulder, pushing her green goggles higher up her nose. Her lab coat—a perfect fit, mind you—billowed as she turned, catching Lapis walking in through the barn door.

Lapis stood there, framed by the dim afternoon light, her cape catching in the breeze as she pulled it up over her face in a dramatic sweep. The fangs she wore were slightly oversized, gleaming against her grin. “You mean this fog machine?” She held up a small metal device in one hand and tapped it playfully, her smile showing the tips of her fangs.

Peridot scowled, her nose crinkling. “Yes, that fog machine. You know, if you break that, Steven will be inconsolable.”

Lapis chuckled, placing the machine down on a crate. She took a few steps closer, letting her cape fall open to reveal her “vampire” look—fitted black jeans, a dark red corset top, and combat boots. It was simple, but on her, it looked… well, Peridot had to admit, it looked stunning.

“Don’t worry, science nerd. Your precious fog machine is safe with me,” Lapis teased, circling around Peridot. “But shouldn’t you be more in character? Where’s the evil laughter? The ‘mwahaha’ and whatnot?”

Peridot crossed her arms, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. “I’ll have you know that mad scientists don’t just laugh all the time. They’re, well, they’re sophisticated. Driven by ambition!”

“So you’re an ambitious nerd tonight.” Lapis grinned, tossing her cape over one shoulder. “Got it.”

The barn looked festive, Peridot had to admit. Orange and purple string lights lined the rafters, flickering with a warm, soft glow. Cobwebs adorned the corners, and paper bats hung suspended from fishing wire, giving the room an eerie, whimsical feel. A hay bale stack had been set up as a makeshift buffet, overflowing with treats that Steven and Connie had been excitedly baking all day.

Steven had promised to bring Sadie, Lars, and the rest of the Crystal Gems later that night, making the barn party their very first Halloween gathering. The Gems were all curious about this “Halloween” and eager to see what all the fuss was about, especially after Steven had gone on and on about how much fun it would be to dress up and “scare” each other.

Peridot turned her attention back to her list, attempting to focus, even with Lapis hovering nearby, inspecting the fog machine. “You should actually read this checklist I made,” Peridot murmured. “It would help you understand the layout and efficiency of our setup.”

“Oh, I don’t think I need a checklist to tell me how to have fun at a Halloween party,” Lapis replied, folding her arms. She was trying to hold back a smile, and Peridot noticed her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Fun? You think science is all about ‘fun’? This is about precision, order, and… and…” Peridot trailed off as she saw Lapis’s grin widen. “Oh, never mind!”

Lapis chuckled. “Come on, it’s Halloween. We’re supposed to be… what did Steven call it? Spooky and mysterious?” She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “And maybe a little mischievous?”

Peridot froze as Lapis leaned just a bit too close, her cool blue eyes twinkling with something that made her cheeks heat up again. Lapis wasn’t supposed to be this good at the whole vampire act. Yet there she was, inches away, practically radiating mysterious allure.

“S-so, um, why the vampire costume?” Peridot stammered, hoping to steer the conversation somewhere less… intense.

Lapis shrugged, her voice light but her gaze still holding Peridot captive. “Thought it suited me. Mysterious, dark, and just a little dangerous.” She reached out, tapping Peridot’s goggles with one finger. “But don’t worry, I’m not gonna drain your blood, mad scientist. You’re safe.”

“Safe?” Peridot scoffed, trying to regain her composure. “For your information, I’m a mad scientist, and mad scientists don’t worry about vampires! If anything, I’d be studying your kind in a lab!”

Lapis laughed, the sound light and playful. “You’d study me, huh? You think you could handle that?”

Before Peridot could respond, the barn door creaked open, and Steven and Connie burst in, followed closely by Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. Each one of them was decked out in costume—Steven as a pirate, Connie as a witch, Pearl as a detective, Amethyst as a zombie (complete with fake blood), and Garnet as a rather stylish Frankenstein’s monster.

“Whoa, this place looks amazing!” Steven exclaimed, taking in the decorations with wide eyes. “And you two look awesome!”

Pearl glanced between Lapis and Peridot, nodding in approval. “Very festive,” she noted, adjusting her trench coat collar. “Peridot, the lab coat suits you.”

Amethyst sauntered over, giving Peridot’s goggles a playful flick. “Lookin’ smart, Doc! You gonna whip up some love potions or somethin’?”

Peridot scowled, adjusting her goggles. “No, because that’s not science.”

Garnet chuckled, her deep voice calm. “Looks like we’ve got everything we need for a proper Halloween. Nice work, Peridot.”

As the party got underway, Steven cranked up the music, filling the barn with upbeat, spooky-themed songs. The Gems mingled and sampled the treats from the buffet, laughing and admiring each other’s costumes. Even Pearl was warming up to the whole Halloween idea, joining in as Amethyst challenged her to a “spook-off.”

Lapis, meanwhile, was still hovering near Peridot, keeping up her vampire act. She’d slip in and out of the shadows, sneaking up behind Peridot and giving her the occasional playful “Boo!” just to watch her jump. It was clear she was having way too much fun with it.

“So, mad scientist,” Lapis whispered at one point, appearing beside Peridot yet again, “are you going to ask me to dance? Or are you too busy with your precious checklist?”

Peridot froze, feeling her face go warm. “Dance? Well, I mean, dancing isn’t exactly… scientifically productive.”

“Oh, come on.” Lapis held out a hand, her eyes glinting. “Halloween’s all about letting loose, right?”

Peridot hesitated, her eyes darting to Lapis’s outstretched hand. She could feel everyone else’s eyes on them, too—Amethyst nudging Steven, Connie stifling a giggle. With a resigned sigh and an attempt to suppress her blush, she took Lapis’s hand.

“Fine,” Peridot muttered. “But only because you’re making it sound like some kind of experiment.”

Lapis grinned, pulling Peridot to the open space in the middle of the barn where others had already started to dance. The song was upbeat, its rhythm infectiously catchy, and though Peridot stumbled a bit at first, she soon found herself matching Lapis’s movements.

Lapis danced with a laid-back confidence, occasionally flashing her fangs and giving Peridot playful “bites” on the shoulder, laughing each time she made Peridot squirm. Peridot’s awkward shuffling gradually turned into a clumsy sort of groove as she tried to follow along, her stiff posture relaxing little by little.

As the night wore on, the party became livelier. Steven and Connie started a limbo competition with a broomstick, and even Pearl joined in, surprising everyone by bending gracefully under the stick with ease. Amethyst, however, upped the ante by doing it backward, to which Steven declared her the “Halloween Limbo Champion.”

Peridot had nearly forgotten her checklist as she laughed along, caught up in the festive energy. But she was most aware of Lapis, who kept finding her between activities, pulling her back onto the dance floor or making playful comments. And each time Lapis leaned in with that mischievous gleam in her eye, Peridot felt her heart skip.

Eventually, Lapis pulled her aside, leading her outside where they could look up at the stars. The barn was glowing warmly in the night, the muffled sounds of music and laughter drifting out.

“So,” Lapis said softly, breaking the comfortable silence, “how are you enjoying your first Halloween party?”

Peridot crossed her arms, glancing away to hide the smile she could feel creeping onto her face. “I suppose it’s… satisfactory. For a holiday built on illogical superstitions.”

Lapis laughed. “You’re such a dork.”

“I am not a—” Peridot protested, but Lapis interrupted her, stepping in close.

“It’s cute, actually,” she murmured, her voice softer. “You, being all serious while everyone’s just having fun.” She reached up, adjusting Peridot’s goggles slightly, her fingers brushing over Peridot’s cheek.

Peridot felt her breath hitch as Lapis’s gaze held hers. “I—well, someone has to keep things in order, you know. Otherwise… chaos.”

“Maybe a little chaos isn’t so bad.” Lapis smirked, leaning in just enough that Peridot could feel her breath, a teasing glint in her eye. “And besides…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I am a vampire tonight, remember?”

Peridot felt her heart racing. She didn’t know if it was the costume, the holiday spirit, or just Lapis herself, but the air felt charged, like there was something unsaid hovering between them.

“So…” Peridot swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. “What’s, um… what’s a vampire supposed to do, then?”

Lapis smiled, her fangs glinting in the moonlight. “Oh, I think you know.”

And before Peridot could respond, Lapis leaned in, brushing her lips against Peridot’s in a gentle, teasing kiss. It was quick, barely there, but enough to leave Peridot’s heart pounding and her cheeks flushed.

When Lapis pulled back, she was grinning. “Happy Halloween, Peri.”

Peridot blinked, stunned, as Lapis gave her one last wink before slipping back inside to join the others, leaving Peridot alone in the cool night air. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts, but when she did, a smile crept onto her face.

“Maybe… maybe Halloween isn’t so bad after all,” she muttered, turning to follow Lapis back into the warmth and light of the barn, ready to dive back into the festivities with a newfound appreciation for the chaotic charm of Halloween.

Chapter Text

The waves crashed softly against the shore, a rhythmic whisper beneath the quiet hum of insects in the warm night air. The moon hung heavy above the ocean, silver light casting long shadows on the deck of the Beach House. Peridot stood at the railing, her hands gripping the wood so tightly her fingers ached. Her shoulders hunched, tense. She hadn’t spoken to Lapis all day.

Lapis had come back.

But the barn was gone.

Everything they had built, obliterated in an instant.

And now, instead of being back in their home, Peridot was here, staying in Steven’s house like some lost cause. The mattress Steven had set up for them was fine, but it wasn’t their space. It wasn’t the barn. It wasn’t the comfort she had come to know.

She exhaled sharply, clenching her jaw.

A soft creak of the door behind her made her grip the railing even tighter.

“Peridot?” Lapis’ voice was quiet, uncertain.

Peridot didn’t turn around.

Lapis hesitated, then stepped onto the deck. “I know you don’t want to talk to me.”

“No, I really don’t,” Peridot muttered, her voice sharp.

Lapis sighed. She leaned against the railing beside her, but Peridot shifted away. The distance between them felt massive, a void filled with anger and grief and too many words left unsaid.

“I—” Lapis started, but Peridot let out a bitter laugh, finally turning to face her.

“You what? You’re sorry?” Peridot’s voice cracked, her yellow eyes burning. “Sorry you just left? Sorry you ripped everything away without even talking to me?”

Lapis frowned, arms crossed tightly. “I thought—”

“You thought? You thought?” Peridot’s voice rose, a furious, wounded edge to it. “You didn’t think, Lapis! You ran!”

Lapis’ expression hardened. “I was scared, Peridot. You don’t—”

“You don’t get to say that! I was scared! You left me! You didn’t even tell me!” Peridot’s breathing was uneven, her hands shaking as she took a step forward. “ You were gone! I waited! Days, weeks, wondering if you’d ever come back! And then you just—what? Show up like nothing happened?”

Lapis took a breath, but she didn’t look away. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

Peridot let out a strangled sound, somewhere between a sob and a bitter laugh. “How fucking dare you,” she spat. And then, before she could stop herself, before she could even think, her hand moved.

The slap echoed in the silence.

Lapis’ head snapped to the side, her eyes wide.

Peridot stood there, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her hand still trembling in the air between them. The anger that had been bubbling under her skin boiled over, then collapsed in on itself, leaving behind something raw and broken.

Lapis didn’t move. She just stood there, her cheek dark blue, her lips slightly parted in shock.

The weight of what Peridot had done hit her all at once.

Her breathing hitched, and suddenly, all that anger twisted into something else. She let out a choked sound, stepping back, gripping her own wrist like she could stop herself from falling apart.

“I—I—” Peridot stammered, but her voice failed her.

Lapis slowly turned her head back to her, her expression unreadable.

Peridot took another step back. Her vision blurred. She didn’t know if it was from the tears or the guilt, but she couldn’t look at Lapis anymore.

“I hate you,” she whispered, voice shaking. “I hate you for what you did to me.”

Lapis swallowed, her throat bobbing. “I know.”

Peridot let out a ragged breath, pressing her hands against her face. “I waited for you,” she sobbed. “I thought you were never coming back.”

Lapis stepped forward, slowly, carefully. “I did,” she murmured. “I came back.”

Peridot shook her head violently. “It’s not that simple, Lapis! You don’t get to just come back and expect everything to be okay!”

“I know,” Lapis said again. Her voice was quiet, steady. “But I am back.”

Peridot let out a heavy, shaky breath. Her whole body felt like it was burning, like she’d been holding all this pain inside her for too long and now it was eating her alive.

She felt Lapis move closer, but this time she didn’t step away.

She wanted to hate her. She should hate her. But when she finally let her hands drop from her face, when she finally looked at Lapis again, she only felt tired.

Lapis reached out, hesitated—then, carefully, rested a hand on Peridot’s arm.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me,” she said softly. “But I’m not leaving again.”

Peridot squeezed her eyes shut. A fresh tear slipped down her cheek.

She wanted to scream at her, to push her away, to make her feel the way she had felt for so long. But instead, she just stood there, letting the weight of everything crash down on her under the cold light of the moon.

Chapter Text

Peridot didn’t want to be here. That much was obvious.

She sat stiffly on the edge of a plastic bench near the pool, arms crossed so tightly over her chest that it looked like she was trying to fold in on herself. Her green one-piece swimsuit clung uncomfortably to her, and her bare feet were pressed firmly against the wet tile floor. Her expression was locked in an unreadable scowl. It wasn’t just that she was uncomfortable, she looked downright miserable.

Amethyst, of course, didn’t care.

“C’mon, ‘Dot, you’re wasting a perfectly good Friday night sitting there sulking.” Amethyst stood at the pool’s edge, water dripping from her short purple swim trunks, her dark hair slicked back from diving in only moments ago. “You actually showed up in a swimsuit and everything, and now you’re just gonna sit there?”

“I didn’t plan on getting in immediately,” Peridot grumbled.

Amethyst snorted. “Yeah, yeah, we know. But here’s the thing: we’re already here, and you sitting there all night is making me sad.”

“You’ll survive.”

“Oh, I will. But you won’t.” Amethyst grinned.

Peridot barely had a second to react before Amethyst lunged forward, grabbed her by the wrist, and yanked her toward the pool. There was a brief, pitiful moment where Peridot scrambled against the tile, trying to fight gravity itself, before she toppled forward with a strangled yelp and hit the water with an awkward splash.

The world turned to chaos around her. Chlorinated water stung her eyes as she sank, limbs flailing, air bursting from her lips in a rush of bubbles. She wasn’t a great swimmer, okay, she was a terrible swimmer, and panic overtook her as she fought against the water. She kicked, thrashed, and barely surfaced long enough to gasp before she sank again.

A sharp whistle cut through the chaos. Then a splash.

Before she could process what was happening, an arm wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her up, guiding her toward the pool's edge. Peridot coughed violently, sputtering as she clung to the nearest solid surface.

“Hey. Breathe.”

She blinked water out of her eyes and turned her head, meeting the deep blue gaze of the person who had just saved her. A girl.

A girl who was, for lack of a better word, stunning.

She had dyed blue hair, wet strands clinging to her forehead, tan skin glistening with droplets of water, and an expression that balanced somewhere between exasperation and amusement. She wore a red lifeguard swimsuit, the word ‘LIFEGUARD’ boldly printed across the chest.

Peridot swallowed hard, coughing again.

“Uh—”

“You okay?” the girl asked, her grip still firm on Peridot’s arm.

“I—” Peridot wiped a hand down her face, composing herself. “Yes. Fine. Perfect. No thanks to that gremlin over there.” She shot a glare at Amethyst, who was howling with laughter from a few feet away.

The lifeguard sighed and cast Amethyst a look. “Seriously?”

Amethyst shrugged, still grinning. “She needed to lighten up.”

The lifeguard shook her head. “You good to get out?”

“Yes. Absolutely.” Peridot grasped the edge of the pool, but her arms felt like jelly. She tried to haul herself up, failed spectacularly, and flopped back against the wall with an embarrassed grunt.

The lifeguard stifled a chuckle. “Here.”

Before Peridot could argue, the lifeguard lifted herself onto the pool deck with ease, then reached down and grasped Peridot’s arm, pulling her up effortlessly. Peridot tried to pretend that her face wasn’t burning as she was hoisted onto solid ground.

“Thanks,” she muttered, pushing her soaked bangs out of her face.

The lifeguard smirked, arms crossed. “You don’t swim much, huh?”

Peridot bristled. “I can swim fine. I just wasn’t—prepared.”

“Right.” The lifeguard tilted her head, clearly unimpressed. “You looked like you were trying to fight the water itself.”

Amethyst whistled. “Damn, Peri, already getting rescued by a hot lifeguard? That’s one way to make an entrance.”

Peridot whipped her head around. “I am going to kill you.”

The lifeguard snorted. “Alright, alright, don’t start a murder in the middle of the pool. You should probably go dry off before you melt.”

Peridot huffed, wringing water out of her swimsuit straps. “I’m never coming back here again.”

The lifeguard tilted her head, a teasing grin spreading across her face. “Shame. I was just about to ask for your name.”

Peridot froze, blinking up at her.

“What?”

The lifeguard smirked. “I’m Lapis. In case you were wondering.”

Peridot swallowed. Her brain felt like it had been short-circuited. “I—I’m Peridot.”

Lapis grinned, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Cool. Well, if you ever decide to risk the water again, maybe I can give you some pointers. I mean, unless you enjoy drowning.”

Peridot’s face burned. “I was not drowning.”

Lapis arched a brow, crossing her arms. “Mmm. Sure. If that’s what helps you sleep at night.”

Peridot had no idea what to say to that. Lapis gave her one last teasing grin before walking off, swaying slightly as if to rub in the fact that she was perfectly at home in the water.

Peridot stood there, dripping, speechless, and feeling very, very doomed.

Amethyst grinned. “Oh yeah, you’re definitely coming back.”

Chapter Text

The rain came in quietly, as if it didn’t want to interrupt.

It started sometime around noon, a hush that settled over the city, flattening all the usual sounds. The occasional car rolled by on wet pavement. A dog barked distantly, but otherwise, it was just the steady patter of droplets against windows and rooftops. Lapis had cracked open the window in the living room just enough to let in the sound. The air smelled like wet grass and pavement, and she liked it that way.

Peridot didn’t say anything about the window. She rarely did anymore.

Instead, she sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by small circuit boards, wires, and tools laid out meticulously on a towel. She had a screwdriver clenched between her teeth, glasses sliding down her nose, and socks that didn’t match, one had little green aliens, the other was just striped.

Lapis sat on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, sketchbook balanced on one knee. A half-finished drawing of the window scene took up the top page: the soft light filtering through gray clouds, the corner of their fire escape, a bit of ivy climbing the bricks.

She glanced down at the page, then looked back at Peridot. Her pencil hovered.

It wasn’t unusual for them to spend days like this, quiet, near each other but wrapped in their own little orbits. They hadn’t planned it. It had just… happened. Over the last few months, since Lapis had moved in, they’d slowly fallen into a rhythm that didn’t need much talking.

Sometimes, silence said enough.

A low crack of thunder rolled across the sky, long and distant. Lapis paused her sketching to listen. She always liked thunder. It reminded her of something she couldn’t quite name, something vast and honest and alive.

"Static levels just spiked," Peridot mumbled, more to herself than anything. She adjusted something with a pair of tweezers. “Hmm. Not ideal.”

Lapis smiled faintly. “Maybe it’s the storm. Or maybe the universe is just mad at you.”

“No,” Peridot said, not looking up. “It’s my soldering. I knew the angle was off.”

Lapis let out a breath of amusement and returned to her drawing, adding the gentle slope of Peridot’s shoulder, the wild flicks of her hair. She didn’t always draw people, but when she did, it was usually Peridot.

She didn’t say that part out loud.

The rain grew heavier. Lapis reached over for the soft throw blanket and tugged it over herself, letting it drape across the couch like a lazy waterfall. It smelled faintly of lavender dryer sheets. Comforting. Familiar.

"Tea?" she asked, after a while.

Peridot blinked, looking up for the first time in a while. Her expression was slightly surprised, like she hadn’t realized how long she’d been absorbed in her project. “…Sure.”

Lapis got up, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders like a cape. The kitchen was just a few steps away, really more of a nook than a room, but it still gave her something to do. She flicked on the electric kettle and rummaged through the tea tins stacked like makeshift towers near the sink.

“Peppermint or chamomile?”

“Chamomile,” Peridot said, stretching. Her spine popped audibly. “Peppermint makes my mouth feel… too awake.”

Lapis smirked. “God forbid you feel awake in the middle of the day.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Peridot called after her. “It’s too… zingy. I prefer mellow.”

Lapis didn’t respond right away. She just let that word sit in her chest for a moment. It felt like the right kind of day for it.

By the time she came back with two mugs of steaming tea, Peridot had packed up her tools and was sitting on the couch, cross-legged and waiting.

“You moved,” Lapis observed, handing her the mug.

“I was promised warmth,” Peridot said, deadpan. “And cozy blanket conditions.”

Lapis rolled her eyes, but dropped the blanket over Peridot’s lap anyway before settling beside her. They didn’t touch, not quite. Their shoulders were close, though. Close enough to feel the shared warmth between them.

For a while, they just sipped their tea and listened to the rain.

The city faded into a soft blur beyond the windows, lights in the fog, occasional movement, cars with their headlights on early. The apartment was dim but comfortable, lit by the gray sky and the soft orange glow of the salt lamp on the side table.

“I used to hate days like this,” Lapis said quietly.

Peridot looked over. “Rainy ones?”

Lapis nodded, resting her mug against her knee. “Back when I lived with… well. It just made everything feel heavier. Like the walls were closing in.”

Peridot didn’t say anything at first. She just set her mug down and looked at her hands.

“But now?” Lapis continued, voice quieter. “Now it’s kind of nice.”

Peridot’s gaze flicked up. There was something unreadable in her face, something between curiosity and caution.

“I like that you don’t fill the silence just to fill it,” Lapis added. “It’s… peaceful.”

Peridot tilted her head. “Most people find me too loud.”

“You’re not loud,” Lapis said, and surprised herself with how quickly she said it. “You’re just… passionate.”

That made Peridot squint suspiciously. “Is that a polite way of saying ‘annoying’?”

Lapis gave a lazy shrug. “If I thought you were annoying, I wouldn’t still be living here.”

Peridot seemed to think about that for a while, fingers curling around the blanket. Her socks brushed against Lapis’s leg under the throw, and neither of them moved away.

“I like rainy days,” Peridot said finally, like she had decided something. “They make everything feel like… it’s paused. Like the world stops expecting things from you.”

Lapis looked at her. “That’s exactly it.”

Another beat of silence.

“…You wanna watch something?” Lapis offered. “We could rewatch that documentary about, what was , the haunted toaster?”

Peridot’s eyes lit up just a little. “The Toaster of Terror was both inaccurate and incredibly entertaining.”

“So that’s a yes?”

“Yes. But we’re watching it ironically.”

Lapis smirked and leaned forward to grab the remote. As the TV flickered to life and the opening credits rolled, she let herself relax fully for the first time all day. She sank into the couch, shoulder brushing Peridot’s now, and didn’t bother to shift away.

Peridot didn’t either.

The storm kept rumbling outside, steady and constant. Inside, they passed the afternoon together, mugs refilled, blanket shared, and sarcastic commentary passed back and forth like a secret language only the two of them spoke.

Chapter Text

The sky was clearer than it had been in weeks.

Lapis stretched her arms overhead, arching her back until she heard a satisfying pop, then dropped her hands to her sides with a sigh. “Alright, this should be far enough.”

They stood on the edge of a quiet field, just outside of town far from the streetlights, far from the noise. The grass was cool and a little damp beneath their shoes, but Lapis didn’t care. She looked up at the sky, already scattered with stars.

Behind her, Peridot was fiddling with her backpack.

“I brought the laser pointer,” she announced, tugging it out triumphantly. “And my constellation app. And snacks. And a thermos of hot chocolate with the exact ratio of cocoa to milk to sugar. So, all in all, I’m well-prepared.”

“You sound like you’re prepping for a NASA mission,” Lapis teased.

Peridot shot her a look, but there was no real bite in it. “Stargazing is a mission,” she said matter-of-factly. “A mission of knowledge. And also romance, I suppose. Since you insisted on coming.”

Lapis raised an eyebrow. “I insisted?”

Peridot’s ears turned a little red. “Okay, well. You may have gently suggested it. And I may have pretended I didn’t already have the perfect spot in mind. Whatever. The point is we’re here now.”

Lapis smirked and dropped her blanket on the grass. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

“I’m not flustered,” Peridot mumbled, setting up a small pair of collapsible binoculars and avoiding eye contact.

They sat down side by side. The blanket was just big enough for the two of them, and their knees brushed, but neither moved away.

For a while, they just watched the sky.

The stars glittered quietly above them, soft and slow, and the night hummed with cricket chirps and the occasional rustle of wind through trees. There was something sacred about it, like time slowed down out here.

Peridot, ever the scientist, began pointing things out.

“That’s Vega, one of the brightest stars in the northern hemisphere. And that’s Lyra, the constellation it belongs to. Right there! See those stars? That’s part of the Summer Triangle.”

Lapis leaned back on her hands, eyes fixed upward.

“How do you know all this?” she asked, genuinely curious.

Peridot beamed. “Because it’s fascinating. The night sky is like a storybook written across millennia. Ancient civilizations navigated by these stars. They made myths about them. And now we use them for GPS and planetary science. It’s—” She stopped herself, blinking. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to ramble.”

Lapis smiled. “No, I like it. I like hearing you talk about things you love.”

Peridot glanced at her sideways. “...I love a lot of things.”

“Like hot chocolate with the perfect ratio?” Lapis teased.

“Obviously,” Peridot said. “And maybe you, a little bit.”

Lapis turned to look at her.

“You maybe love me?” she asked, a little breathless.

Peridot bit her lip, then exhaled. “Okay, maybe more than a little. Like, a statistically significant amount. Which is terrifying, and weird, and also kind of wonderful.”

Lapis blinked. Then she leaned in, cupping Peridot’s cheek, and kissed her gentle and sure under the stars.

When she pulled back, Peridot’s face was bright red.

“I like you too,” Lapis said softly. “A lot. Maybe even exactly as much as your hot chocolate ratio.”

Peridot snorted. “That’s dangerously close to poetry.”

“I’m a menace,” Lapis deadpanned.

They laughed together, the kind of easy, open laugh that only happens when your heart feels full and your guard is down.

Later, Peridot lay on her back, pointing out even more stars, tracing invisible lines in the sky with her finger. Lapis curled beside her, head resting on Peridot’s shoulder, soaking in the warmth and closeness.

“You ever think about how small we are?” Lapis asked after a long stretch of quiet. “Like, how tiny we are in this massive universe?”

“All the time,” Peridot replied.

“And it doesn’t freak you out?”

“No,” Peridot said, “because we’re still here. You and me. Against all odds.”

Lapis closed her eyes and listened to the sound of Peridot’s breathing.

“I’m glad we found each other,” she murmured.

Peridot tightened her grip around Lapis’s hand.

“Me too.”

Chapter Text

The sky above Little Homeworld was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy clouds and the golden hue of late afternoon. A soft breeze rustled the trees that lined the edge of the settlement, their leaves whispering secrets to one another. Peridot didn’t care about the sky or the trees or the way the breeze moved through her triangular hair like it was trying to style it for her.

She was too focused on her tablet, frowning as she crouched in the dirt outside her greenhouse.

“Come on, come on…” she mumbled, poking at the screen. “Why aren’t you photosynthesizing at maximum efficiency? You have optimal soil conditions, I triple-checked the nitrates—”

“Whatcha working on?”

“AH!” Peridot flung her tablet like it was a weapon. It flew a few feet and landed in a bush. She whipped around, glaring, only to see Steven standing behind her with a sheepish grin and his hands raised defensively.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that, Steven!” she shouted.

“I said hi when I walked up,” he said gently, “like, twice.”

Peridot huffed, grabbing her tablet from the bush and dusting it off. “Well, try three times next time.”

Steven chuckled and sat down on the low stone wall beside her garden. “So what’s going on? You seemed really focused.”

Peridot glanced at her greenhouse, which was full of assorted Earth plants, many of which she had named things like “Leaf Unit 7” or “Carbon Friend.” “I’m experimenting with hybridizing desert flora to survive in humid environments. Lapis said she’d help irrigate with controlled water pressure later, but—”

She stopped. Her eyes widened slightly. A flicker of panic passed over her face.

Steven tilted his head. “But what?”

“Nothing!” she said quickly. Too quickly.

Steven raised an eyebrow. “Okaaay. You sure? You kinda looked like your brain short-circuited for a second.”

“I don’t have a brain, Steven. I have a gem, and it’s functioning at full capacity!”

Steven smiled. “Right.. Got it.” He leaned back and squinted up at the clouds. “So… how’s Lapis been doing?”

“Fine,” Peridot said, folding her arms tightly. “Perfectly fine.”

He peeked at her. “You’ve been spending a lot of time together lately.”

“Well, she’s competent! And useful! And… she doesn’t destroy my experiments on accident like some clumsy humans did when trying to help!”

“Hey,” Steven said, mock-offended. “That only happened once. And I apologized!”

Peridot muttered, “Still regrew that tomato plant from nothing…”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, with Steven watching her fidget with her fingers. Her fingers never fidgeted unless she was hiding something. After years of being friends, Steven could tell when something was bothering her.

“So,” he said casually, “Lapis.”

“What about her?!” Peridot practically shouted, jumping a little.

Steven blinked. “Just… asking.”

“She’s FINE,” Peridot said again, teeth clenched. “She’s… She’s Lapis. She’s powerful. And terrifying. And majestic. And has eyes like the depth of a gravitational anomaly.”

Steven’s eyes widened. “Uh… what?”

“Nothing.”

There was a pause.

Steven grinned slowly. “Peridot…”

“What.”

“You have a crush on her.”

Peridot’s face turned a deep shade of green that almost rivaled her visor. “N-no I don’t!”

“Yes you do!”

“No I don’t, Steven, don’t be ridiculous! Crushes are irrational! They serve no tactical purpose!”

Steven held back a laugh. “That’s not true. They serve an emotional purpose.”

She crossed her arms. “Emotions are unreliable. You can’t store them in a hard drive or catalogue them in a spreadsheet.”

“But you do have them,” Steven pointed out.

“Unfortunately,” she muttered.

He watched her a moment longer. “So… you don’t want to talk about how you just said Lapis’s eyes look like a gravitational anomaly?”

“That was a metaphor,” Peridot snapped. “I’m trying to expand my vocabulary. You encouraged that.”

“Sure. But that’s a very specific metaphor.”

She opened her mouth to retort, but then clamped it shut. Her fingers started twitching again. Steven sat patiently, letting her squirm. Eventually, her shoulders slumped.

“It’s not a crush,” she said quietly. “I don’t… have crushes. That’s a human thing.”

“You hang out with humans all the time,” Steven said. “You’ve picked up all kinds of human things.”

Peridot was silent.

Steven leaned forward. “I’m not gonna make fun of you. I think it’s really sweet.”

“Sweet?” She scoffed. “There’s nothing sweet about this! It’s a catastrophic malfunction of my logical systems! Every time she talks to me, I forget my words. I forget what words ARE. She gets all glowy and floaty and water-bendy and it makes my insides feel like they’re being turned into—into spaghetti code!”

Steven stifled a giggle. “That’s kinda sweet too.”

“No it’s not!” she cried, flailing her arms. “I’m a precision based gem! I don’t do… fluttery internal reactions and—and warm chest sensations! That’s not what I was made for!”

“You weren’t made to love Earth either,” Steven said, voice softer now. “But you do.”

Peridot stared at him, mouth halfway open, like she was ready to argue. But the words didn’t come. She looked away.

“…She’s just so cool,” she admitted, almost whispering. “And I know she’s been through so much. I mean, I’ve read every report in the data logs. She’s a hydrokinesis specialist, she held her own against Homeworld elites, she lived in isolation, she survived trauma, and she still—she still tries. Even when she’s scared. Even when she thinks she’s not enough.”

Steven watched her closely.

“I used to think she hated me,” Peridot went on, wringing her fingers. “Because I was loud and annoying and called her ‘terrifying’ all the time. But she didn’t. She just… didn’t know how to talk to someone who wasn’t afraid of her.”

Steven smiled gently. “And you’re not afraid of her?”

“Of course I am!” Peridot shouted. “She could crush me like a tin can!”

Steven laughed.

“But…” she added quietly, “I trust her not to.”

There was a long silence.

Steven finally asked, “Does she know how you feel?”

Peridot froze like someone had yanked her power supply.

“…No,” she said eventually. “I couldn’t tell her.”

“Why not?”

“Because!” Peridot threw her arms in the air. “Because it would make things weird! And she’d think I’m gross or clingy or-”

“She wouldn’t,” Steven said firmly.

“You don’t know that.”

Steven stood up and walked over to her, crouching beside the tablet she was now gripping like a security blanket.

“I don’t think you give yourself enough credit,” he said. “You’ve changed so much since we first met you. And Lapis has too. You two built a barn together. And then a friendship. You’ve stuck by each other through some pretty tough stuff.”

Peridot bit her lip.

Steven added, “And even if she doesn’t feel the same way, I don’t think she’d ever stop being your friend over it.”

Peridot said nothing for a long moment. Then she quietly mumbled, “You think I should tell her?”

“I think,” Steven said with a smile, “you’d feel better if you did.”

They sat for a moment, the wind rustling the leaves again. Then, slowly, Peridot nodded. “…Maybe.”

Suddenly, a voice from above startled both of them.

“Hey, Peridot!” Lapis was descending from the sky, hovering gracefully with water wings outstretched. “I’m ready to help with the irrigation if you still need me!”

Peridot squeaked and dove behind a potted plant like a startled animal.

Steven grinned. “Perfect timing.”

“Steven!” Peridot hissed from behind the plant. “Abort mission! ABORT!”

Lapis landed with a splash of water and raised an eyebrow. “Uh… is she okay?”

Steven turned to her with a wink. “Better than okay. She was just telling me something very interesting.”

Peridot groaned into the soil.

Lapis glanced between them. “Should I be concerned?”

Peridot slowly peeked over the plant, her face still tinted green. She gave Steven a warning glare that said if you say anything I will destroy you and your entire garden.

Steven raised his hands innocently. “I’ll leave you two to it. Good luck with the plants!”

And with that, he strolled away, whistling cheerfully.

Lapis looked after him, then down at Peridot. “…Did I miss something?”

Peridot slowly stood up, brushing dirt off her knees. “Yes. No. Maybe. It’s… complicated.”

Lapis waited patiently.

Peridot stared at the greenhouse, at the soil, at the sky, anywhere but Lapis.

And then, softly, she said, “Hey… do you wanna stay after the irrigation’s done and maybe… watch some Camp Pining Hearts reruns?”

Lapis blinked. “Sure. That sounds fun.”

Peridot’s fingers twitched again. “Cool. Great. Logical.”

As they walked toward the greenhouse together, Lapis glanced sideways at her.

“You know,” she said casually, “I think you're pretty cool too. Oh and loud as well.”

Peridot tripped over her own foot and faceplanted into a patch of clover.

Lapis smiled.

Chapter Text

The music was too loud.

That was Peridot’s first thought as she followed Amethyst into the packed house. The bass thumped through the floors, and bodies swayed in every direction. Red solo cups were everywhere, and the scent of weed mingled with cheap beer and overapplied cologne.

“This is terrible,” Peridot muttered, arms crossed tight over her chest like a defensive wall.

Amethyst just grinned over her shoulder. “Relax, you nerd. You agreed to come, didn’t you?”

“Under duress.”

“And because you knew Lapis might show up.”

Peridot stiffened. “That’s… That’s irrelevant.”

“Oh sure,” Amethyst said, pushing past a couple making out against the banister. “You didn’t spend forty-five minutes deciding which shirt made your eyes pop.”

Peridot flushed, tugging at the hem of her forest green flannel. “This was a last-minute choice.”

“You changed three times.”

“Shut up.”

Amethyst cackled and snagged a drink from the kitchen counter, clearly in her element. Peridot, on the other hand, was already scanning the crowd for the quickest way out, until she saw her.

Lapis.

She was leaning against the far wall, sipping from a red cup with that usual air of detached coolness like the party was just something she was tolerating until the world started making sense again. Her black crop top showed just a sliver of stomach, and her jeans were ripped at the knees, hugging her hips like they were designed just to make Peridot sweat.

And sweat she did.

Lapis caught her eye from across the room. That slow, almost mischievous smile crept across her face. She tipped her cup in a lazy toast and nodded.

Peridot looked away instantly, ears burning. “This was a mistake,” she muttered.

“Nope.” Amethyst gave her a gentle shove forward. “You’re staying. In fact, we’re playing spin the bottle.”

“What?” Peridot choked. “Amethyst please.”

“Too late. You’re playing.”

Before Peridot could bolt, Amethyst had already looped an arm through hers and dragged her to a circle forming in the living room. People were sitting cross-legged, laughing, sipping drinks, and cheering when the bottle landed on someone unlucky or lucky, depending on how you saw it.

And just her luck, Lapis was in the circle, sitting on a throw pillow, legs stretched out, looking bored and devastatingly hot.

Peridot practically tripped over herself taking a seat.

The game had already started by the time she found a spot between Connie and some frat guy she didn’t recognize. The bottle spun, and people laughed, shouted, and occasionally booed when someone chickened out. The rules were simple: spin the bottle, kiss who it lands on, no backing out. If you don’t kiss, you drink. And people here were drinking plenty.

Peridot watched nervously as the bottle spun round after round. When Lapis spun, it landed on Pearl, who gave her a flat look and muttered, “Don’t even think about it.” Lapis just laughed and took a sip of her drink instead.

Eventually, it was Amethyst’s turn, and she got a high-pitched cheer from the group as the bottle landed on a very flushed Sadie, who stammered something unintelligible before Amethyst smacked a sloppy kiss.

Then it was Peridot’s turn.

Her hands were clammy as she reached forward, gripping the neck of the bottle. She gave it a half-hearted spin, praying for it to land on literally anyone non-threatening.

But of course, the bottle slowed… stuttered… and clicked to a stop pointing straight at Lapis Lazuli.

Peridot froze.

The room erupted in teasing cheers and whoops. Amethyst howled with laughter and slapped the floor.

Lapis blinked slowly, then smiled.

“Well,” she said, putting her drink down. “Rules are rules.”

Peridot’s mouth was suddenly very dry. “I—I mean, we could skip? I could just drink.”

“You could,” Lapis said, rising to her knees. “But where’s the fun in that?”

Peridot didn’t move. She was hyper-aware of every eye on them, the heat of the room, the way her heart was thundering in her chest like a terrified rabbit. Lapis crawled across the space between them, eyes locked on hers. Her knees brushed against Peridot’s legs.

“Is this okay?” she asked softly, low enough that only Peridot could hear.

Peridot nodded, just once.

And then Lapis leaned in and kissed her.

It started simple. A gentle brush of lips, a question more than a statement. Peridot expected it to be quick, perfunctory, just enough to satisfy the room and the rules.

But then Lapis’s hand found the curve of her jaw, her thumb stroking gently under Peridot’s ear. Her lips pressed deeper, warm and insistent, and Peridot, God help her, melted.

Her hands, useless at her sides, twitched forward, unsure where to land. One found Lapis’s hip. The other gripped the edge of her flannel in a panic. Lapis’s lips parted slightly, coaxing, and when their tongues brushed. Peridot let out a tiny, helpless sound that made Lapis smile against her mouth.

The room erupted again in laughter and whistles, but neither of them pulled away.

When Lapis finally did lean back, her pupils were blown, her cheeks faintly flushed. Peridot was stunned into silence, mouth slightly open, glasses askew.

“Damn,” Amethyst muttered, “get a room.”

The bottle kept spinning, but for Peridot, the rest of the night blurred into static.

She didn’t even remember getting up until she found herself out on the back porch, gripping the railing and breathing in the cool night air. The music was muffled out here, and the buzz of conversation inside felt like it belonged to someone else’s life.

Her lips still tingled.

“Hey.”

Lapis.

Peridot jumped and turned. Lapis stood a few feet away, hands in her jacket pockets, hair a little mussed from party heat and god-knows-what else. She stepped forward, head tilted.

“You okay?”

“Define okay,” Peridot said weakly.

Lapis smirked. “You looked like you were about to self-destruct in there.”

“I You…You kissed me.”

“Yeah. That’s how the game works.”

“You didn’t kiss anyone else like that.”

Lapis stepped in, close enough that Peridot had to lean back against the railing. The air between them sparked.

“Maybe I didn’t want to kiss anyone else like that.”

Peridot’s brain short-circuited. She opened her mouth, shut it, then opened it again. “Why?”

“Peridot.” Lapis leaned forward until their noses were nearly touching. “You really don’t get it?”

“I…get…what?”

“You,” Lapis said, and her voice was soft now, dangerously so, like it was something she’d been sitting on for a while. “You’re cute. Like, stupidly cute. You walk around all tense and twitchy and passionate about space and magnets and you’re so bad at pretending you don’t want me to kiss you.”

Peridot blinked. “I’m not pretending…I mean I wasn’t aware I was doing that.”

Lapis chuckled and reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from Peridot’s face. “You were staring at my mouth for, like, ten full seconds before I spun the bottle.”

“I wasn’t!”

“You totally were.”

“I was thinking about thermodynamics!”

“Uh-huh.”

Peridot groaned and buried her face in her hands. “I’m a mess.”

Lapis stepped in close. “You’re my mess, if you want to be.”

That stopped her.

Peridot peeked through her fingers, wary. “You mean like… hypothetically?”

“No. Like right now.”

Lapis leaned in again, this time slower. Peridot didn’t move. She couldn’t. And when Lapis kissed her again, there was no audience, no cheers, no spinning bottle.

It was soft. Patient. But heavier than before.

Lapis’s hands slid around her waist, tugging her forward so their hips brushed. Peridot gasped, half from shock, half from sensation. Her hands found Lapis’s shoulders, unsure where to go but desperate to do something.

Lapis pulled back just enough to murmur, “Still okay?”

Peridot nodded, dazed. “More than okay.”

“Good.”

The next kiss was deeper.

Lapis pressed her back against the railing, lips hungry now, her body warm and solid against Peridot’s smaller frame. Her tongue traced the seam of Peridot’s mouth, teasing until it opened, and the kiss turned hot and slick and breathless. Peridot whimpered into her mouth, and Lapis caught the sound with a soft growl of her own.

Peridot’s hands slid up, clutching at the back of Lapis’s neck. Her knees wobbled. Her glasses slipped down the bridge of her nose.

Lapis broke the kiss only long enough to push them gently up with a thumb. “Adorable,” she whispered.

“You’re ridiculous,” Peridot breathed.

“You like it.”

“…maybe.”

Lapis kissed her again. Her hand found the hem of Peridot’s flannel and slipped underneath, not far, just enough to feel skin. Peridot shivered.

“We should go somewhere,” Lapis said against her throat.

Peridot swallowed hard. “Where?”

“My dorm’s closer than yours.”

“I…I don’t know.”

“We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for,” Lapis said quickly, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. “But I kind of want to make out with you somewhere that doesn’t smell like keg beer and frat sweat.”

Peridot snorted. “That’s… valid.”

“So?” Lapis held out her hand.

Peridot hesitated.

Then, slowly, she took it.

Lapis squeezed her fingers, warm and sure. “Come on, nerd.”

They slipped away from the porch, hand in hand, leaving the party and the spinning bottle behind.

Chapter Text

The dorm was unusually quiet.

Peridot had taken full advantage of that rare moment of silence. Amethyst had gone out for the afternoon, something about a thrift store run and then crashing at Steven’s for a Mario Kart tournament. That left Peridot alone with her laptop, her earbuds, and a curiosity she had been putting off exploring for far too long.

She sat cross-legged on her bed, still wearing her oversized camp pining hearts, but with flushed cheeks and an expression somewhere between fascinated and overloaded.

She wasn’t even sure what made her click it. She had typed in a search almost academically. For research. For knowledge. Right? Totally innocent.

But the second the video had started playing, she’d realized two things.

One: She was not ready for this.

Two: She couldn’t look away.

The soft moaning in her earbuds made her stomach twist in a nervous, fluttering way. Her thighs pressed together unconsciously, and her breath had gotten just a little uneven. It wasn’t even that graphic, but the way the two women on screen touched each other, looked at each other, it was raw and intimate and intense in a way that made her chest tight.

Her fingers hovered nervously near the spacebar as the scene escalated, as hands slid under clothes and mouths opened in gasping tension. Peridot squirmed, wide-eyed and pink-faced, letting out the softest breath.

The door opened.

“Oh—hey, Peri, I was wondering if—”

Lapis’s voice froze mid-sentence.

Peridot slammed the laptop closed so hard it bounced. Her earbuds yanked out of the jack with a loud pop. She lunged for a pillow to cover her lap.

Lapis stared from the doorway, one hand still on the knob, eyebrows raised high, mouth hanging slightly open.

“…Hi,” Peridot croaked, voice unnaturally high.

Lapis blinked. Then blinked again. “…What were you watching?”

“Nothing!”

“Oh really?” Lapis stepped inside and gently nudged the door shut behind her. “Because it looked like you were… very into that nothing.”

Peridot scrambled off the bed, still hugging the pillow like a life raft. “It was research! Just casual, innocent, purely informational!”

“You were squirming.”

Peridot’s whole body flushed scarlet. “You saw that?!”

“I thought it was cute,” Lapis said, her tone amused but not mocking.

Peridot backed into her desk, nearly knocking over a stack of textbooks. “Please forget everything you saw.”

Lapis tilted her head. “So… you like girls?”

Peridot froze.

Then she slowly slid down into her desk chair and buried her face in her hands. “…I don’t know. I think so? You’re not going to tease me?”

“No. I mean…” Lapis leaned against the wall and gave her a crooked smile. “You could’ve just asked me for a demonstration.”

Peridot’s head snapped up.

“W-What?”

Lapis crossed the room with the lazy confidence of someone completely in control of the situation. She crouched next to Peridot’s chair, resting her elbows on her knees, eyes intense.

“I mean,” she said softly, “if you’re curious about… what that feels like.” Her voice dropped lower. “Touching. Kissing. Breathing against someone’s skin.”

Peridot’s brain short-circuited.

“You’re not joking,” she said faintly.

Lapis shook her head. “Not even a little.”

A silence stretched between them, thick and charged.

Then, hesitantly, Peridot reached out, her fingers brushing Lapis’s hand.

“I… might want to try,” she whispered.

Lapis smiled.

She stood and gently tugged Peridot to her feet. “Come here.”

Their mouths met in a soft, tentative kiss. Lapis’s lips were warm and plush and slow, giving Peridot time to melt into it. Her hands settled lightly at Peridot’s waist, thumbs tracing gentle circles.

Peridot gasped softly when Lapis deepened the kiss. Her hands fumbled, unsure of where to go, finally landing on Lapis’s shoulders as their bodies pressed closer.

Lapis murmured against her lips, “You can tell me to stop anytime.”

Peridot just shook her head, eyes wide and glassy.

“I want to keep going.”

So they did.

Lapis kissed her again, slower now, with more pressure. Her hands slid under the hem of Peridot’s hoodie, skimming the skin at her hips. Peridot shivered, letting out a shaky breath.

“You’re really warm,” Lapis whispered, lips ghosting along her jaw.

“S-so are you.”

Lapis chuckled softly and began guiding her backward toward the bed.

Peridot’s knees hit the mattress and she sat, Lapis following, climbing into her lap with a surprising grace.

“You’re allowed to touch me too,” Lapis said, smile lazy.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Then let me show you.”

Their lips met again, and this time, Peridot pulled her in closer. Her hands slid up under Lapis’s shirt, fingers trembling against the curve of her back. Lapis hummed into the kiss, her own hands mapping Peridot’s thighs through the fabric of her leggings.

Peridot let out a soft whimper when Lapis ground her hips forward, slow and deliberate. It sent a jolt through her, like a live wire had been pressed to her spine.

She clung to Lapis like she might float away.

“Feels good?” Lapis murmured, kissing behind her ear.

Peridot could only nod. Her thoughts were a mess of heat and sensation.

Lapis moved slowly, purposefully. Her fingers skated under Peridot’s hoodie, brushing up her ribs, making her gasp and cling harder. The kisses grew messier, deeper, their breathing tangled in the quiet air of the dorm.

Lapis pulled back just enough to whisper, “You okay?”

Peridot nodded again, cheeks flushed, hair mussed.

“I think I really, really like girls.”

Lapis grinned and leaned in for another kiss. “Good.”

They stayed like that for a long time, teasing, tangled up on the bed in a haze of soft moans and whispered affirmations. No rush, no pressure. Just discovery and warmth and heat pooling low between them.

Eventually, Lapis curled up beside her, fingers laced with Peridot’s, brushing kisses along her collarbone.

Peridot’s laptop sat forgotten on the floor.

“This,” Peridot whispered, breathless, “was a way better demonstration.”

Chapter Text

It started innocently. As it always did with them.

Lapis had just stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped lazily around her chest, hair dripping in dark waves down her back. Peridot sat cross-legged on the bed, fiddling with her tablet, pretending not to notice the curve of Lapis’s bare thigh or the little droplets that trailed down her collarbone.

She was failing miserably.

Lapis caught her staring in the reflection of the full-length mirror by the closet. A slow smile spread across her lips as she adjusted the towel  lower just slightly.

“Something on your mind?” she asked, voice light, teasing.

Peridot’s gaze snapped up. “N-no. I was just. Processing data.”

“Mmhm.”

Lapis turned toward the mirror, her back to Peridot, and let the towel slip.

It hit the floor in silence.

Peridot’s breath caught.

In the mirror, Lapis was a vision. Damp, bare, glowing in the soft lighting. Her back tapered down to her hips, curves smooth and perfect, skin glistening with lingering moisture.

She didn’t cover up. She just stared at Peridot’s reflection over her shoulder, lips parted, eyes dark.

“You’ve been watching me a lot lately,” she said quietly.

Peridot couldn’t speak.

Lapis turned slowly, facing the mirror, facing Peridot. Still completely naked.

“Do you want me?” she asked.

Peridot finally found her voice. “I’ve wanted you for months.”

Lapis walked toward her slowly, each step deliberate. She stopped at the edge of the bed, close enough that Peridot could see every drop of water on her skin, every twitch of anticipation.

Then, she leaned down, placing a hand on either side of Peridot’s thighs, caging her in.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

Peridot obeyed.

The kiss was hot and messy, mouths crashing together like they’d been waiting years. Lapis straddled Peridot’s lap, the towel forgotten, her bare body pressing against Peridot’s still-clothed one.

Peridot’s hands found her waist, fingers splayed against warm, damp skin. Lapis rolled her hips slowly, dragging a gasp out of her.

“You’re wearing too much,” Lapis murmured.

Peridot practically tore her shirt over her head. Lapis helped, tugging off her bra, tossing it somewhere behind them.

“You’re beautiful,” she whispered, running her fingers down Peridot’s chest, over her stomach. “I love how soft you are here.”

Peridot shuddered. “Touch me more.”

Lapis grinned, wicked and sweet.

She leaned down, kissing a trail from Peridot’s throat to her chest, circling a nipple with her tongue before sucking gently. Peridot gasped, her head falling back, hips lifting involuntarily.

Lapis’s hands explored everywhere; her back, her sides, slipping beneath the waistband of her pyjama bottoms.

Peridot moaned.

Lapis pulled away just long enough to tug the last piece of clothing off Peridot’s legs. Then she pushed her gently onto her back, crawling over her until their bodies aligned, skin to skin, heart to heart.

In the mirror across the room, Peridot caught sight of them.

Her back arched at the view of Lapis on top of her, her mouth on her chest, her hips grinding slowly, deliberately. The reflection made it more raw, more vulnerable, more real.

“You’re watching us,” Lapis whispered against her skin.

“I can’t look away,” Peridot admitted.

“Good.”

Lapis slid lower, kissing her way down Peridot’s stomach, nipping gently at her hipbone. Peridot trembled.

When Lapis’s mouth finally reached her, it was like fire.

She licked slowly, teasingly, tasting every inch. Peridot cried out, one hand gripping the sheets, the other tangled in Lapis’s hair.

Her eyes never left the mirror.

She could see everything, Lapis’s head between her thighs, her own flushed skin, the way her body arched with every flick of Lapis’s tongue.

When she came, it was with a strangled moan, her eyes fixed on their reflection, her legs shaking uncontrollably.

Lapis didn’t stop until she was writhing, gasping, begging.

Then she crawled back up and kissed her  slow and deep, letting her taste herself on Lapis’s tongue.

“My turn,” Lapis whispered.

Peridot flipped them before she could think twice.

Now Lapis was on her back, hair a mess of dark waves against the sheets, eyes glazed and hungry. Peridot kissed her neck, her collarbone, her chest, paying attention to every sound she made, every hitch of breath.

She kissed lower, over Lapis’s ribs, her stomach ,until she was between her thighs, just like Lapis had been.

She glanced at the mirror.

Lapis looked completely unraveled, one arm above her head, chest rising and falling quickly, thighs parted and glistening.

Peridot leaned in and tasted her.

Lapis screamed from sheer sensation.

“P-Peridot—oh god—”

Peridot didn’t stop. She used her tongue like she was solving an equation; precise, rhythmic, relentless. She slipped one finger inside, and Lapis nearly came apart instantly.

“You feel so good,” Peridot whispered, breath hot against her. “So wet. I could taste you forever.”

Lapis whimpered, her hips bucking, hands tangled in the pillow.

Peridot curled her finger just right and Lapis shattered.

Her whole body arched off the bed, her mouth open in a silent scream, legs clamping around Peridot’s head.

She collapsed afterward, boneless and shaking.

Peridot kissed her way back up and held her close.

They lay there, tangled, trembling.

“Look at us,” Peridot whispered, glancing at the mirror again.

They did.

Bodies still pressed together, skin marked with love bites, hair messy, lips swollen.

They looked like something out of a dream.

Chapter Text

The night had passed in complete stillness, yet Peridot couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt more restless. Sleep had never really come. She’d spent most of it staring at the ceiling of Steven’s living room, counting imperfections in the drywall, replaying the scene on the porch over and over until it became unbearable. Every time her eyes closed, she saw Lapis’s expression both hurt and understanding, the way her mouth opened in shock, the faint sting of the slap she’d delivered, and the words she’d screamed echoing in her own ears. “How fucking dare you.” It hadn’t brought her the satisfaction she thought it would. If anything, it left her feeling more lost, more fractured.

Now morning sunlight crept through the window, casting warm, golden slants across the floor. It made the room feel gentle, almost inviting. She hated it. Peridot kicked off the blanket, moving with jerky, uncoordinated motions. Her body felt too tight, too full of static. She needed to move, to do something.

She crept down the hallway and locked herself in the bathroom. The cold water from the sink bit at her skin, and she welcomed it. She splashed her face over and over until she was dripping, trying to wash away the heaviness sitting in her chest. When she finally looked into the mirror, her eyes were puffy. Her hair stuck up in awkward angles. Still, she didn’t look tough. She looked hollow.

Through the walls, she could hear voices. Steven’s upbeat,and Lapis’s. Quiet. Uncertain. Peridot froze, listening to the faint rise and fall of that voice she had once known so intimately. It had once made her feel safe. Now it twisted her stomach into knots.

She stayed locked in the bathroom for another ten minutes before she could face the world again.

The following days unfolded like a series of awkward missteps. Peridot and Lapis floated around Steven’s house like opposite magnetst, never touching. If one walked into a room, the other found an excuse to leave. They didn’t share meals. They didn’t sit on the couch together. They barely acknowledged each other’s existence. And yet, the awareness was constant. Peridot could feel it when Lapis was nearby, like a shift in air pressure. She could smell her shampoo, feel her presence behind her, hear the way she lingered just outside the room sometimes, like she wanted to speak but didn’t know how.

Steven, ever the optimist, tried his best to keep things from falling apart.

“Anyone up for Camp Pining Hearts tonight?” he offered one evening, holding up the remote with that familiar hopeful grin.

Peridot didn’t look up from the circuit board she was fidgeting with. “I have a headache.”

Lapis muttered something vague and retreated to the porch. Steven looked between them, disappointment flickering across his face, but he didn’t press.

Later that night, Peridot found something in her pocket,something small and sharp edged. It was a piece of the barn’s weather vane. She must’ve picked it up on instinct before they fled the wreckage. She turned it over in her hands again and again as she curled up on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. The metal was charred at the edges, slightly warped, but still recognizably part of the place she had called home. The last piece of something that no longer existed.

On Tuesday, the universe decided it had had enough of their limbo.

Steven approached her while she was on the floor of the living room, soldering a salvaged cable to a broken datapad. “Hey,” he said gently, crouching beside her. “Can you and Lapis help with the warp pad outside? It’s been offline since the fire. I’ve tried everything, but I think I made it worse.”

“Can’t Garnet do it?” she asked without looking up.

“She’s off world with Pearl for a couple days. And… Amethyst glued two donuts to the command console and called it a ‘field upgrade,’ so…”

Peridot sighed heavily. She could say no. She should say no. But some stubborn part of her, the same part that once insisted on finishing a project even when the sky was falling, made her close the datapad and stand.

Lapis was already out at the warp pad when she arrived, crouched and frowning at the array of damaged components. She didn’t look up when Peridot stepped closer, though her posture tensed slightly. Steven handed them a bag of tools and gave a nervous thumbs up before backing away like a retreating soldier.

They worked in silence.

It was excruciating.

Lapis handed her a connector wire at one point. Peridot snatched it without a word. She could feel Lapis flinch at the sharpness of the motion but said nothing. The tension between them was so thick it was practically another person on the platform.

“You missed a ground,” Peridot muttered after a while, not even meaning to.

Lapis adjusted it without looking at her. “Thanks.”

Another long silence.

“I know I messed up,” Lapis said eventually, voice low. “I know sorry doesn’t fix it.”

Peridot didn’t look at her. Her jaw clenched so tight her teeth ached.

“I just want you to know…” Lapis paused. “I’m not going anywhere this time.”

Peridot turned sharply, her glare cutting through the air like a knife. “You don’t get to promise that,” she snapped. “You always go.”

Lapis didn’t reply. She just knelt there, surrounded by loose wires and half-destroyed circuits, and looked smaller than Peridot remembered.

“I’m trying,” she said finally. “I don’t know what else to do.”

Peridot’s hands shook. She tightened a bolt too hard, the metal protesting under her grip. “Then maybe just… don’t say anything,” she muttered, blinking hard. “Just… stop talking.”

Lapis didn’t argue. She stayed quiet.

That night, Peridot couldn’t sleep again.

She wandered the house in the dark until she ended up in the garage, which still smelled faintly of dust and memories. Steven had been clearing it out slowly, but the shelves still held scraps of old projects, half-disassembled drones, and a few things left behind from the barn.

In the corner sat a cardboard box labeled Pumpkin’s Stuff .

Peridot froze. Her fingers hovered over the edge before she lifted the lid.

Inside were his toys. The cracked frisbee. A chewed-up ball. His tiny blue bandana. A few snapped photos Steven had taken, Pumpkin curled up on Lapis’s lap, Pumpkin sleeping between them in the barn loft, Pumpkin bounding through the fields of sunflowers behind the barn.

The ache in Peridot’s chest bloomed like wildfire.

She clutched the bandana to her chest and collapsed to her knees, the sob hitting her like a freight train. It was ugly and loud and impossible to control. It tore out of her in gasps and chokes and bitter, wordless grief.

She didn’t hear Lapis until she was already beside her, kneeling just close enough to be there, but not so close as to crowd.

“I’m sorry,” Lapis said softly. “I should’ve… I should’ve come to find you sooner.”

Peridot didn’t look at her. She was shaking too hard, clutching the bandana like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

“I miss him too,” Lapis whispered. “He was the best thing we ever had.”

Peridot finally turned to her. Her eyes were red, her voice a raw scrape when she said, “I don’t know how to forgive you.”

Lapis didn’t try to fix it. She didn’t ask her to. She just nodded. “Then don’t,” she said. “Just let me stay.”

Peridot didn’t answer, but she didn’t push her away either.