Talk To Me

-Two Birds-

It had been a tumultuous string of days. The sudden call to action on Homeworld, the Diamonds coming to Earth, and the utter joy that accompanied the healing of the corrupted gems was a lot to handle. But things were starting to return to normal. The Diamonds left (to the relief of many) and Steven was eagerly getting to know every new gem that he saw. Some left and some stayed, finding lodgings in the Temple. A couple of gems were trying to get their house in order as well. Um, their barn, rather. They had practically begged Bismuth to come down to the field and assess the damage. The Barn had to be moved first, and the change in location made them all a little damp. Water powers are not good for architectural jobs. Bismuth shook her multi-colored dreads, spraying droplets everywhere. She nudged a scrap of metal with her foot. 

"I gotta tell you, Lazuli. The way you owned Blue Diamond by dropping in on her," She chuckled at her own joke. "Was pretty awesome, but... I don't know if I can fix this."

Peridot puffed out her chest and gestured to the mess.

"It's in no worse shape than Steven's house was! There are just a few splinters, that's all!"

Just as she finished her sentence, a piece of the roof collapsed and fell next to the three. Peridot jumped back and squealed.

"Okay. It's bad. But! If all of us pitch in, it should take no time at all! I happen to be a highly skilled engineer, right Lapis? 

She gently nudged the blue gem with her elbow.

"...Oh, yes. Very skilled."

Lapis sighed and rubbed her arms. Peridot laid a hand on her shoulder, looking worried. Bismuth tapped Peridot's visor a little impatiently.

"Hey, why'd you want me out here so early anyway? Steven's not even awake yet, and he wouldn't stop talking about how soon he wanted morning to come so he could make us a 'special breakfast'."

"I didn't want him to worry about the barn. He's not...the best...when it comes to manual labor."

"You got me there."

They stared at the remains of the barn in silence. It became increasingly awkward.

"I'm gonna head back to the temple. I think it's best if we wait to fix this. Besides, you two have some catching up to do," Bismuth said with a grin.

Lapis and Peridot watched Bismuth head off to the warp pad some distance away. They said nothing for a few seconds. Then Peridot surprised Lapis with a boisterous hug. She turned her face up towards Lapis'.

"I never really got the chance to do this after all the Homeworld stuff. And the fountain stuff."

"Yeah. That was pretty crazy." She reciprocated the embrace. "What is this called again?"

"A hug!"

"It's...nice."

Lapis gently eased herself out of the hug, placing her at arm's length.

"Peridot, I think Bismuth was right about the barn. It's just a mess."

"But, we can still fix it. Right? Or at least a part of it. Oh! Let's look for our meep-morps!"

Peridot started digging through the wreckage, trying to find pieces of her old life. Most notably, her Camp Pining Hearts tapes.

"Oh look! I found a piece of your meep-morp with the TV." She held up a cracked mirror to Lapis.

Lapis winced at the sight of it and rubbed her arms again. Peridot registered her discomfort and dropped it on the ground.

"Sorry. I'll find something different."

"No, that's okay. I'll look on my own."

Lapis traipsed across the wreckage, unfurling her wings when she tripped over something for the third time.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm sure."

"I just don't want you to feel alone."

"What?"

Lapis turned to face Peridot, surprise widening her eyes.

"I don't feel alone. You're right here, aren't you?"

"Uh, yeah, but I haven't been here! You've been away on the moon, and then you came back, but we haven't really, talked."

"Should we talk?"

"Yes! Oohhh, AHH!" She stumbled over a dented paint can and landed flat on her face.

Lapis floated over and hoisted up Peridot, whose visor was askew. She looked disgruntled in a cute sort of way.

"This is not dignified at all," she grumbled.

"Ha, sorry." Lapis put her down. "Do you wanna sit down, or..."

"Ooh, yes! I haven't felt grass in a looooong time. It's a little dusty..."

Peridot plunked down on the grass and Lapis pulled her knees up against her chest across from her. Despite the fact that there's so much they wanted to say to each other, they were both very silent. Lapis picked at her sandal straps, waiting for either one of them to speak up. Peridot inhaled shakily.

"Do I mean anything to you, Lapis?"

"What?"

"You just left. Without even saying goodbye. You left Pumpkin too!"

"I-"

"Let me finish, please. Look, I know you were scared, and you didn't want to feel trapped again, but you hurt me, too! I tried so hard to make you feel better, all the time, but you never asked how I felt! I-I, oh geez."

Peridot reached trembling fingers up under her visor and felt wetness. She started wiping her tears away, but they just flowed faster. Lapis was tempted to use her powers to help but decided it would be in poor taste. 

"And-sniff-We just didn't communicate. Sniff-It felt like you didn't want to tell me anything."

"It was hard. I didn't-" She sighed heavily. "I didn't want to burden you."

"I know it's hard! It was hard for me too, Lapis! I was stranded on Earth, I had to learn so many confusing things about living here, and no-one trusted me! Ooh, I remember now though, I used to be a little...devious."

"I know that. It's different for you, Peri. You don't feel bad all the time. You don't know what it's like to be so afraid, of everything."

Peridot wiped her face again. "I don't. But you can tell me when you feel bad. We're friends! What else are friends for?"

Lapis tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and made eye contact with Peridot.

"...Did I really hurt you?"

"Yes."

Lapis clenched her fists in her lap.

"I'm so sorry Peridot. I made terrible mistakes."

"I forgive you."

Peridot extended her arms outward and wiggled her fingers. Lapis hesitated for a second and then scooched over, accepting the hug.

"I don't deserve a great friend like you."

"Yeah, I am pretty great," Peridot proclaimed proudly.

"Ha ha ha!"

Lapis let her arms rest around Peridot, who shifted her gaze back towards the Barn. Despite the resolution they had seemed to find, sadness still lingered in the air.