Steven Universe: In Too Deep

A Sincere Compliment

Steven and Peridot stand next to each other in silence as Lapis sets herself down on the silo. Steven looks over at Peridot. "Err, sorry. Thought this was gonna be okay. I forgot that the last time you saw each other...wasn't so okay."

Peridot faces Steven, growling. "That was in the past! It's not like that now! UGH!" Peridot storms away from Steven. Steven tries to smile, assuring her. "I know." Peridot stands still. "But obviously she doesn't."

Peridot turns around to face Steven. "She's the one who needs to know. I want her to understand!" Steven is endeared by Peridot's efforts. He blushes as his eyes shine.

"Aw, Peridot. That's sweet. That's the you you need to show her." Peridot raises an eyebrow. "Show her my sweet?" Steven winks as he snaps his fingers. "I got you." Steven walks towards the paintcans.

He pushes them aside with a grunt. "Okay." Steven pulls out a big sheet of paper the size of a posterboard. He sends it over to Peridot and sets it down in front of her. Steven sits down next to her.

He grabs the giant sheet of paper and folds one end of it to the other side. Peridot looks down at Steven. "What are you doing?" "Well, I'm helping you out." "By folding a piece of paper?"

Steven opens up the flap to make a card. "Cards are a great way to tell someone something if you can't be face to face with them." Steven looks up for a moment, remembering what Lapis said earlier.

"Or if they don't wanna see your face." He looks down at the card again and starts drawing with a green sharpie. You gotta give her a taste of the sweet version of Peridot." Peridot cringes at thought of it.

Steven finishes drawing the picture on the front of card and then hands it to Peridot. "Here, look." Peridot takes the card and looks at the cover. A picture of Peridot and Lapis holding hands next to clouds and tulips stares her in the face.

"It's you and Lapis holding hands!" Peridot judges the drawing. "Where are our noses?" Steven closes his eyes and puts his hands on his hips in truimph. "Oh, that's kinda part of my style lately."

"Is not having fingers also your style?" Steven opens his eyes, facing Peridot. He shrugs. "No, I'm just bad at drawing hands." Steven pats the ground, gesturing Peridot to sit beside him.

"So here's your part. Come here." Peridot sits down next to Steven and sets the card down. She flips the cover over. Steven faces and points at the card.

"Write an apology inside to Lapis so she knows how sorry you are about before. And that everything is okay now." Steven closes his eyes and he puts a hand to his heart. "If you write it from your heart, your feelings will reach her!"

Peridot looks away, not interested with doubt. Steven opens his eyes and faces Peridot in an awkward moment of silence. "Just try to be sincere." Peridot puts a hand on her chin, contemplating. "Hm."

Time passes as Lapis lounges on the silo. Steven and Peridot walk out of the barn with the card towards her. Lapis closes her eyes and lets out a relaxed sigh. Peridot then shouts nearby to try to get Lapis's attention.

"Hey, Lazuli!" Lapis's eyes widen, her face is anguish. "Hey, Lazuli! Hey!" Lapis puts her hands on her ears as she turns to her side, groaning. "Lazuli! Hey!" Peridot finally stops shouting and looks over at Steven.

"Why isn't she responding?" "I'm not sure. I thought she was up there." Steven starts shouting up to Lapis. "Lapis!" "Huh?" Lapis turn back to look down at Steven as she puts down her arms. "Are you up there?!"

Lapis calms down a bit as Lapis brings out her water wings to glide down to him. She swoops down from the silo and lands on her feet. "Yes, Steven?" Steven urges Peridot. "Go on!" Peridot walks to Lapis.

She hands her the card. Lapis frowns as Lapis takes the card. Peridot moves back to Steven, smiling. "Steven did the outside." Peridot gestures herself proudly. "And I did the inside!"

Lapis opens the card with an unimpressed look. She reads Peridot's note aloud. "Sorry I interrogated you. You were just full of such useful information. That's a sincere compliment. Peridot."

She looks up from the card, still unimpressed. Peridot and Steven stare at her hopefully, the latter grinning in expectance. They blink awkwardly for a few moments before Lapis finally responds.

"No." Peridot's expression flushes with anger. "What?! But I-" Steven quickly shushes her and whispers. "Don't you worry. We'll think of something else." Lapis grins.

She flies away back to top of the silo with the card. After she sits down, she tears Peridot off the cover along with her note and drops the pieces. The papers drift away as the wind carries them.

Peridot argues with Steven, unaware of what Lapis just did. "Why, that clod-" "Shh!" "Steven, It was a sincere compliment!" "Peridot. We tried. Come on." "But-"

Steven grabs Peridot's arm and drags her away with him. Lapis continues to watch the scene with a smile, getting exactly the reaction she was looking for from Peridot.