Lapidot one-shots

.:+ Rekindled feelings (2) +:.

Peridot gathered the last of her things and stuffed them into Camp Pining Hearts themed backpack, promptly zipping it closed and slinging it over one shoulder as she eagerly looked out the window.

Within the last few months, Peridot started making more frequent visits to Lapis' house, often just helping her with Meep-morps and Little home School shenanigans. The flood of new gems was definitely becoming more than Lazuli could handle on her own, so she'd offered to help break the ice with the new students, hoping that they wouldn't be too hard to deal with after. Either way, it was a hustle, and both of them soon become pretty stressed with the constant routine of gem education. Today was different, though. All sessions had been canceled because of an incoming tropical storm off the coast, due to strike soon, and since the severity was undetermined, they'd cancelled the day to play it safe. Shortly after the news, Lapis had confronted Peridot on her way home and offered for Peridot to stay the night in that tiny blue house of hers, gleefully boasting about how they would binge Camp Pining Hearts and make more Meep-morps. The green gem was more than thrilled to accept, pleased with the invite as she raced home that evening to pack her things.

Ever since that one stormy night together, she had wondered if it was possible to fix their old bond. She truly missed Lapis, and wondered if Lapis even missed her. Either way, lots of progress had been made in the short amount of time they'd spent together, and very slowly, she felt closer and closer to the water gem.

Peridot wobbled to the door, the weight of her overfilled backpack throwing her off as the rough articles jabbed her back through the fabric. She had multiple CDs, blankets and Meep morp supplies. She probably didn't need them, but insisted on bringing them along anyway. Twisting the front door lock open, she kicked it in and began to waltz out, still struggling to keep her footing on the rough pebble path. She tottered her way over to Lapis' porch, eagerly banging the door with a balled fist, a cheesy smile of excitement spread across her face. Per usual, she heard the shuffle from inside, the click of a latch, before the door creaked open.

Peridot couldn't help but widen her eyes at the figure in front of her. Lapis looked worn, with a poor posture and a tint of red around the rims of her eyes. It almost looked as if she'd been crying.. and maybe she had been.

"Lapis?.." Peridot asked, tilting her head questioningly and anxiously tapping one foot on the ground. Lapis gave a slow blink in response, gathering a shaky breath before she spoke. "I'm fine, don't worry, just exhausted from today. You can come in and get settled." Peridot nodded, eyeing the water gem suspiciously as she slipped by. Something was wrong, but Peridot knew that pestering Lazuli wouldn't make anything better. Instead, she unzipped her bag and reached inside, digging around for the CPH reboot. She wanted Lapis' opinion on the monstrosity of a poor remake.

Lapis leaned against the wall with one leg cocked behind her, curiously watching the technician from a distance. Lapis hadn't expected Peridot to come so soon. Over the last few days, her dreams hadn't been pleasant. Despite all her past trauma being years ago, she couldn't stop the fearful memories that kept sneaking up on her at night, wrapping around her mind and invading every thought. It started with the nightmares about being in the mirror, then being imprisoned on the ship. They later switched to her time with Jasper as Malachite, before eventually turning to one of her worsts memories. Leaving earth.

The dream of her leaving earth seemed to be playing over and over, each one more vivid than the last. It never ended well, either, with earth being destroyed along with everyone on it, and she was always too late to stop the already done damage. That was the one thing she couldn't seem to stand, at least not on her own. She could deal with everything else no problem, but hurting or failing friends she'd cared for was something that continued to stab her every time she was alone. When Peridot's unexpected knock rapped her door, she wasn't prepared to face her with tears in her eyes, an absolute mess of a gem in no state for visitors. She didn't want to turn her away, though, wondering if the green gem's presence would make her feel better. Fortunately for her, it seemed that Peridot hadn't really caught on. She didn't want her to find out she'd been bummed over something that didn't happen, but at the same time, she wanted to talk to her about it. It wasn't worth ruining her night with her own issues though, especially with a rampant storm on its way.