Don't let me be alone

Chapter Ten Bonding

"We should probably get up at some point." Peridot said, although not wanting at all to leave the arms of Lapis.

"Perrriiiiiii just five more minutes!" Lapis said, pretending to be tired and nuzzling against Peridot. Peridot laughed, something she didn't do a lot.

"Stop that it tickles!" She said, grinning and pulling Lapis closer to her. Lapis continued to nuzzle her just under her neck, making her laugh a little louder.

"Lapis stop!" Peridot giggled. She kissed Lapis on the top of the head and hopped out of bed, quite happy. Giddy even.

"Perrrriiiiiii come baaaaaaack!" Lapis whined, holding her arms out while laying on her side. She gave Peridot puppy eyes, but the green gem was unfazed. She pulled Lapis up in a hug and stood her on her feet.

"You big baby." Peridot said, rolling her eyes.

"Your big baby." Lapis replied with a big smile. She stood on her toes and kissed Peridot's gem. "Come on. Let's go see Steven."

Peridot followed Lapis back to the Crystal Gems temple. She was a little nervous.

"Are you sure you wanna go see them so soon? I can bring Steven up to the lighthouse. I'm sure he will wanna see you. We don't have to go see that vile Pearl." Peridot said, feeling very protective. She wanted Lapis to be a safe and happy gem.

"It will be fine. They can't do anything to me. I'm the strongest gem I know. Not the cutest one though." Lapis said, making Peridot smile and blush.

"Does this mean that...we...um...you know?" Peridot asked awkwardly. Lapis nodding vigorously.

"You're too cute to pass up." She said, drenching Peridot in waves of relief. Lapis began skipping down the hill to the temple, Peridot hurrying to catch up.

When they reached the temple entrance, they saw the Steven and Connie watching TV up on Steven's bed, and the other Gems discussing what to do with Jasper's gemstone.

"We should just bubble her. She'll never see the light of day again." Amethyst said, just as Lapis and Peridot walked in. Peridot stood protectively in front of Lapis upon hearing that.

"Oh hi Peridot! Hi Lapis!" Steven said, jumping down to meet them. "Are you enjoying your new home? Is it all decorated?" He looked up at the two of them in his goofy, Stevenish way.

"Yes Peri and I are doing fine Steven." Lapis said. She crouched down to Steven level and made the scariest face she could, scaring the little boy.

"You know what  I'm going to do to you now?!?" She said menacingly. Then she placed her hand over her mouth and made a farting noise. "Pbbbbbbbbt!!!"

Steven and Lapis were laughing, but Peridot had her arm cannon out and was pointing it at the Crystal Gems, who had all drawn their weapons and taken offensive positions. Peridot scooted in front of Lapis a little more.

"Leave her alone!" Peridot said in her best don't-you-dare-hurt-my-precious-gem voice. They stood down, putting their weapons away and looking ashamed. Lapis stood up and addressed them.

"Seriously. If there was anyone in the house I would want to hurt, it wouldn't be Steven. Just look at him! He's adorable." She said. She ruffled his hair a little, making him smile and make one of his goofy faces.

"We are sorry. We are not yet used to other gems visiting and not wanting to kill us." Garnet said, deadpan.

"That's fair, but you are going to have to learn to trust us." Lapis said, pushing Peridot's arm cannon down. "We don't want to start a fight Peri."

"Peri?" Pearl asked, curious despite herself.

"Yes. Peri. That's my name for her." Lapis said, refusing to make eye contact with Pearl.

"Haha! How could you like such a vile little gem...oh. Oh I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that." Pearl said, covering her mouth and looking ashamed. Peridot glared at her.

"I'm right here Pearl. I may be "vile" but at least I care. Unlike you." Peridot said. She turned to leave, walking out the door and helicoptering down to the beach to sit in the sand. Lapis and Steven looked at eachother and ran out to follow her, Connie close behind.

"You shouldn't have said that. That was rude and uncalled for." Garnet said.

"Yeah Pearl. Even I'm not that mean." Amethyst said.

"I know I know...I'm just not used to them yet. And they attacked us and tried to kill Steven and everything...it's just so hard...I don't mean to be mean." Pearl said, going to sit down. "I'm not mean am I?"

"They think you are. Peridot resents you personally for keeping Lapis trapped, and Lapis just wants us to leave her alone essentially. She just likes Steven as a friend." Garnet told her. "We're going to have to make it up to the two of them soon if they are going to be joining us. We need all the help we can get."

"I know...I I'll try. I mean, if Steven can handle them, they I can too."  Pearl said.

"You might want to start by apologizing for making Peridot cry." Garnet said, motioning Pearl to the door.