Worth Protecting | Lapidot Human AU

9: Stuck Self-Torturing

     I sat on the couch listening to Set It Off and looking up at the ceiling with my eyes closed. My speakers were blasting so loud I'm surpised my neighbors weren't complaining. Lapis went out to grab us breakfast cause I forgot to go shopping. "My eyes are stapled open wide. As I lay down on my side. I am bouncing off these walls!" I sing, or more like shout the words to the song. Right as the chorus hits I jump up and fling my flannel off leaving my in ripped up jeans and a tank top with an alien on it, hitting the edge of the couch like a drum. "As I focus on the clock! Time stands still but I cannot! I just strap myself in bed. I guess I'll sleep when I am dead!" I dance around the living room only to see a blushing girl with blue hair standing in the doorway. I stand on the couch staring at her, a dark crimson blush covering my face. "Please don't stop!" Lapis practically shouts with a bright smile, causing me to blush more. "Only if you join me." I say motioning to the couch before holding my hand out. She immediately drops the food on the table and runs over to me, taking my hand and jumping up on the couch with me. We start dancing around the room and laughing. "I hear edgy music! Count me in!" Amethyst yells as she bursts in the door and jumps onto the now empty couch. "Normal people knock!" I yell crossing my arms. "Fuck knocking! You're like my best friend I'll come in when I want!" She yells back before laughing. Her over the shoulder strap was falling slightly, her shirt having a bright purple design that read 'defective but powerful' on it.
     We just spent the next two songs dancing and singing like idiots until Pearl of course had to ruin the fun. "Guys we got work today! You're all gonna be late!" She snaps as she stands in the doorway. She apparently was waiting for Amethyst in the car. "Amethyst when are you gonna get a job?" I ask, jumping down from the couch and putting my work shirt on over my tank top. "When my dad stops transferring me thousands a year." She smirks, rubbing her fingers together to represent cash. Amethyst's dad was loaded opening his car business and building the fastest race cars out there. He produces better models every year, he is practically a multi-millionaire. He honestly is a huge inspiration to my technician side when it comes to building. Amethyst and I grab a donut from the box Lapis set down on the kitchen table. "See you in a bit." Lapis says before giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. I smile and run out to follow Amethyst.

     Work was dead, the shop was empty and we were practically just sitting around all morning. Lapis wanted to get out of the house and showed up an hour after we got there. She was just messing around in the employees only room and playing video games on the spare TV. I sigh and play with a pencil at the front counter when I hear the door chime. I look up to see who finally walked in, I feel a chill as I spot Jasper and she glares me down. "Chill runt, there's security cameras so I can't kill your ass even if I wanted to." She says pointing to the camera in the corner. I wanted to say that helped calm me down, it didn't. "I'm here for her." Jasper says pointing to Pearl. We all look confused, while Amethyst on the other hand looks angry. Jasper walks over to Pearl and leans on the counter. "You're Pink Pearl, aren't you? Rumor got around." Jasper whispers. Pearl nods with a slight blush. "I always thought the name was just a coincidence, who would've thought the girl all about safety and rules used to be a cold-blooded criminal." Jasper says with a smirk. Don't do it Pearl. I think as Jasper leans over the counter and smirks at her. Pearl backs up slightly and Jasper drops the smile. "Where's Pink?" She asks with a cold tone. I totally forgot about her crush on Pink Diamond, well Rose, till just now. "I'm not telling you Jasper. She wants nothing to do with the gang, and especially you." Is she an idiot?! I think to myself as Jasper's look changes to one of anger. She grabs Pearl's shirt by the shoulder rather then the collar like she does when she lifts someone, Amethyst finally cuts in. "Get away from her!" She yells pushing Jasper away. "She's mine! Keep your damn hands off her!" Amethyst growls. Jasper looks down at her and laughs. "Your Pearl?!" She asks laughing more and turning to Pearl. "This is your upgrade from Pink Diamond?! A powerful leader to a defective runt?!" Jasper smirks and looks down at Amethyst. "Maybe I'll just have to steal her from you for the hell of it, show her what a real woman is." Jasper says with a smirk. "Fucking. Try." Amethyst barks back. "That's enough!" Pearl yells. "Both of you! Out!" Pearl snaps. Amethyst looks at her with a shocked expression. "But Pearl-" Pearl cuts her off. "No more violence! I belong to nobody!"
     Pearl walks around to the other side of the counter and starts motioning for them to leave. "I wasted too many years of my life doing things for others! Well now I'm doing things for me! And I want nothing to do with you!" She snaps motioning to Jasper. "And as for you!" She adds shifting her anger to Amethyst. "I just want you to drop this protective exterior, we're in this together as equals." She says, crossing her arms. Amethyst smiles slightly before huffing and walking out of view behind a shelf. Pearl sighs and walks back behind the counter. "Yes!" Lapis yells from the back, probably winning the game she was just playing. "Lazuli?!" Jasper yells. I quickly jump past Pearl and block the employees only door. "You heard Pearl, leave Jasper." I snap, blocking the door with my entire body. The door opens behind me as Lapis appears into view. As soon as she sees Jasper her face went pale. I reach behind me and grab her hand, still blocking Jasper. "You're gonna stay away from her Jasper. Enough is enough." I order with a harsh tone, she just smirks at me. "And what makes you think I will listen to you runt?" She says with a smirk. "She wants nothing to do with you, just like Pearl, and just like Pink Diamond." I say trying to stand my ground. Jasper gives me a look of anger and raises her hand only to bring it down to smack me across the face.
     Lapis goes to speak but I correct my position, ignoring the stinging pain in my cheek to stare Jasper down once again. For once I'm not afraid, I'm angry. Jasper has put Lapis through so much and I'm not gonna let her control Lapis or me anymore. "Runt thinks she's tough eh? Why are you even protecting this whor-" I shut her up with a quick shove to the ground. I may be small but with all the lifting and skateboarding I do my strength is not to be underestimated. "Cause Lapis is worth protecting. Unlike scumbags like you. Now stop PMSing over losing possibly the best girl ever cause you can't keep your damn hands to yourself and get the fuck out." I yell in anger, as I point to the door. My glare never left Jasper's eyes, I stared her down with every ounce of rage I could muster. Jasper gets up growling in anger and looks at Lapis. She smirks at her and walks out. I close my eyes and sigh, starting to turn towards Lapis. "Are you okay La-" Lapis cuts me off, putting her hands on my face and kissing me. "That was awesome!" Amethyst yells, coming out from her hiding place behind the shelves. "I told you to leave!" Pearl shouts. "Yeah, and I didn't. If Jasper tried to hurt you I would've killed her." Pearl tried to look angry but her smile was burning through. "I love you so much Peridot. I can't believe you just did that for me, you either love me too much of you're just insane." Lapis says with a smile. "I meant it Lapis. You're worth protecting, I know you can handle yourself but I'm not gonna let her hurt you." I say moving my hands to cup her face and kiss her forehead. "Is your cheek okay?" She asks, moving her hand up to brush her thumb across the now red hand print across my face. "Yeah, just stings a little. I'll be fine." I mumble putting my hand over hers. I was lying, it hurt like a bitch. "Wanna explain?~" Amethyst says bringing both of our gaze to her. We both panic and separate, this is gonna take some explaining.

     I sat in the living room playing games while I waited for Lapis to finish whatever she was doing in the bathroom. She sat next to me, wearing an over the shoulder top that showed some of her tattoo. Her hair was wet from her shower. She had her gun in her hands as she sat down. "Um, Lapis? What are you doing with that?" I ask as I look down at the pistol. It had a blue tint on top of the black metal, with a blue diamond etched in the handle. "Just thinking about stuff." She says with a tone like she is still spacing out even while talking to me. "About?" I ask curiously, hoping it's not bad. "I keep thinking about Jasper. About going back, about all the things I can't do. I feel like I'm torturing myself with all these negative thoughts." She says with a sense of fear to her voice. "I wanna be happy with you but it's like, I can't let my past go. I can't have closure." I pull her close moving my arms around her waist. "It'll take some time to adjust but, we can do it together." I smile. "Yeah, you're right." She half smiles.