Easy To Love | LapiDot (Human AU)

XIV

content warning: mentions of domestic violence, descriptions of injuries, mentions of suicide.

Peridot's POV

"So..." I begin as I scroll through a selection of movies, "anything look interesting?"

The rain outside is coming down hard. Lapis, who is busy laying a blanket on the floor in front of the couch, pauses to look up at the TV.

"Uhh...ooh, how about the Hunger Games?" she suggests. I shrug and click on the first movie, before looking back at her from the couch. She's currently attempting to assemble a comfortable spot on the floor, while Pumpkin happily tramples over her progress. I chuckle and call the pup up onto the couch with me to get him out of her way.

Just as the movie opens, there's a knock at the door. Lapis rushes to answer it and Pumpkin jumps up to follow. In a few short seconds, the both of them happily trot back over, Lapis carrying a pizza and 2 liter soda. Setting them on the nearby coffee table, she sits on the floor amongst the many pillows and blankets, patting the spot next to her to invite me to sit. I take my seat as Pumpkin happily curls up in Lapis' lap.

I glare playfully, "you took my spot, stinky," I joke to the dog. Lapis giggles.

"Am I ever going to get attention again?" I look to Lapis and ask jokingly.

"Well-" she begins, before she's cut off by the puppy in question scurrying off. She takes a moment to process before saying, "motherfucker took my pepperoni," and chasing after the dog. I let out a laugh at the ensuing chase.

~

The credits of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire roll and I let out a relaxed sigh. "These movies are always an emotional rollercoaster," I chuckle. Lapis nods in agreement.

Suddenly, Lapis' phone starts ringing. We exchange a confused look, as it's not often anybody calls her. She excuses herself to the other room to take the call, and I play around with Pumpkin in waiting.

She comes back into the living room shortly, looking panicked and rushing to put her shoes on.
"I gotta go," she says plainly.
Confused, I stand up and question, "Wait, why? What's going on??"

"My mom is in the hospital," she says distressed. My eyes widen with both shock and confusion. I've never heard much about, much less ever met, either of her parents. But she seems to be in quite a panic. I rush over to her and put my shoes on as well.
"Well, I'm coming with you. I love you, but I'm not letting you drive my car," I joke. Judging by the lack of a response, now's probably not the best time for jokes.

After I got Pumpkin in his crate, with much struggle, we both hurry into the car. "Okay, which hospital?" I ask. After recieving the address, I start off in that direction, my anxiety building.

~

I wasn't let in with Lapis, as only family members and doctors are allowed in the area where her mother is being kept. So I'm currently sitting in the waiting room, tapping my foot, racking my brain for any guesses as to what's going on.

Lapis' POV

While it may not be appropiate for the setting I'm in, I'm practically sprinting to the room number I was given. Once I reach it, I take a deep breath before stepping in, bracing myself for whatever I might bear witness to.

My mother lay in the hospital bed, on oxygen and with various cuts and bruises scattered around any and every visible area of her skin. As she notices my entrance, she looks over at me slowly. I'm at an absolute loss as to what to say.  Both her eyes are bruised and bloodshot. 

"Hi honey," she wheezes with a weak, feigned smile. I break from my thoughts and rush over to the bed, where I discover what is arguably the worst mark on her body.

A long, dark bruise accompanied by a rope burn lie across the front of her neck. I feel my heart drop to my stomach.

"...M-Mom...what happened...?" I choke out, though I fear I already know the answer. Her face drops and she sighs, looking to the side.

"Well..." she begins hesitantly, "you um...well you know how your father is..." I stay quiet with a worried expression, wordlessly asking for more detail.
"I don't know, I suppose it's really been getting to me lately..." she weakly motions to the violent injury on her neck.

I look her up and down confusedly.
"...What about everything else...?" This is another question to which I fear, 
yet also expect the grim reality of the answer.

She hesitates for what feels like ages before quietly confirming my fears.
"The rest of this was your father."

~

Peridot's POV

I've been attempting to distract myself on my phone in Lapis' absence, but my mind continues to race. It feels as if it's been hours, but in the end, Lapis comes back after about half an hour. My heart drops as I notice her vacant expression - the same vacant expression I've seen on her face before. She treads over slowly, hanging her head. As she approaches me, I stand up and give her a hug.

"Hey, what happened??" I ask in a panic. She looks to me, but her expression is still rather blank.
She states quite plainly, "My father beat her half to death, and she tried to hang herself. He's in prison for it," before she begins silently walking towards the hospital exit.

"...Pardon???" I rush after her. "Are you serious??"

"No, I'm joking." She deadpans with a light glare.

What do I even say in this situation? Anyone could have guessed that Lapis' relationship with her parents was far from decent, but I can't say I ever saw something like this coming.

As we step into the car, she speaks up again briefly - "Can you just take me back to my apartment, please..."

"Are you sure you can handle being alone right now?"

"I'll be fine."

"..Can you promise me that?"

She hesitates before giving a simple, "Yeah..."

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