Lapidot one-shots

.:+ Hang in there (2) +:. ❌

"I can't believe I did this.." Steven exclaimed, placing both hands on his head as he began pacing back and fourth. "Steven- don't worry about that right now, just heal her!" Lapis chimed, still holding the green gem close. Her and Bismuth had arrived to Steven's, once again destroyed, beach house. And only to their horror to find out Steven was the one that cracked Peridot. She wanted to be upset, angry even, but she couldn't blame him after all he'd done for her.

Lapis grit her teeth, watching anxiously as Peridot's gem began to crack even more. Steven had healed her gem, surely he could heal hers? The negative thoughts seem to surround her like an oncoming storm, striking bolts of thunder as more and more possibilities came to mind.

The other four gems watched from across the room with befuddled eyes, each a different rate of worry. Garnet looked expressionless, as always, while Pearl and Amethyst simply had her arms crossed, biting her lower lips in sync. Bismuth had a thoughtful hand on her face, assessing the damage to the house as she picked up a stray piece of board.

Steven looked up from his own thoughts, meeting Lapis' distraught gaze with a subtle one of his own. "Alright, here goes nothing." He murmured, licking his palm as he gingerly reached out to touch her gem. Almost immediately, sparkles began to blossom from her stone, and she watched in amazement as the cracks sealed up by themselves. Panicking, she raced over to the couch and gently lay her down, watching with hope as she waited for her to wake.

A soft hand was placed on her shoulder, and she turned to see Bismuth standing behind her, a slight smile plastered on her face. "We'll be outside, it seems like you two have a lot of things to clear up." With that, she turned and left through the large gap in the house, followed by the rest of the gang as they too headed to the shore. Lapis sighed. Was she going to have to face all her mistakes when Peridot woke?

Lapis stood with her arms folded, thumping a foot as she continued to watch over the smaller gem. Still no movement. The air seemed to spike in humidity as the bile of doubt rose in her throat. What if she didn't come back? What if she was angry? What if she'd never get the chance to say sorry? It all felt too weighing for the water gem, and she sat down, leaning against the couch.

"I hope I get to tell you how sorry I am." She trailed, feeling tears come to her eyes. "I don't want to lose you again." As if Peridot could hear her, she groaned and rolled to her side, facing the back of the couch, falling quiet again. She gave a sigh of relaxation, relieved to know the gem had finally come to after hours of being silence.

Lapis burrowed her head into her blue clothed knees, trying to steer her mind to the more positive routes. There was another soft squeak as Peridot shifted from her resting place. She lifted her head up in response, looking worriedly at her as she watched her writhe about. Was she cold, or having a bad dream? She didn't know.

Without a word, she placed her hand on top of hers, softly rubbing her palm as warm memories of their time together flooded back. Peridot stopped for a few, seemingly soothed as the little gem finally went to ease. Something clawed in the pit of her stomach, a sensation of wanting more.

With a concerned look to Peridot's sleeping shape, she finally decided. She got to her feet, wearily looking around before slipping behind Peridot on the couch, sneaking a quick nuzzle into the crook of her neck. She hoped she wouldn't mind when she woke. After all, it was just to stop her discomfort.

Hesitant to go further, Lapis rested her head on the arm of the couch, placing one hand over Peridot's chest and bringing her in close. Stars, was she cold. Lapis wrapped her other arm beneath her near her waist as she tried to bring her even closer, doing her best to warm the little gem up. Peridot moved once more, flopping over to face Lapis and unconsciously grabbing back, bundling up contently as she began to purr with a grin.

Lapis smiled. She'd only heard Peridot purr a couple times, usually when she was happy or settled, and the blue gem found it comforting. It was nice to hear the soft, droning tone of it as Lapis herself began to feel a small twinge of drowsiness, allowing herself to doze off at last. With a finale glance at Peridot, she closed her sullen eyes, letting sleep take its hold.

...

A soft glint of sun shone into Lapis' eyes, causing her to open them reluctantly. She was still perfectly tucked around Peridot, who was asleep with a smile, clinging Lapis' shirt as she gently snored. She felt a wash of color flood her face, a feeling of devotion running circles around her. Something was telling her that she had to be by Peridot until she knew she was ok, and happily obliged.

There was another soft stir from the little gem, and her eyes fluttered open and met hers. Lapis shot up from her resting place, embarrassed and scooting away to the opposite end of the couch, watching as she woke. The little gem sat up with a mumble, rubbing her face as she came to. She had bags under her eyes and her visor was still broken, yet she still held a face full of confusion.

"Laz," she asked with a whisper, "what happened?"

With a breath of joy, Lapis leaned in and gathered her into a tight hug, placing her head over her shoulder as she hugged her. Peridot took a moment before returning the gesture, hugging her around her midsection as she pressed into the embrace. Lapis pulled away awkwardly, a tint of dark blue masking her cheeks.

She fumbled with words as she tried to find a way to answer Peridot's question. "It's a long story, but a corrupted gem attacked little homeschool. You cracked your gem when we were trying to escape." Peridot looked at her with wide, unspeaking eyes, raising a hand to touch the lime colored stone on her forehead. "Cracked.. my gem?" She asked, still seemingly confused. She only gave a small nod in return, chewing on her lower lip. There was a looming shadow as a new figure entered the house, and not to her surprise, it was Bismuth.

The kind, taller gem waltzed over to where the two were, getting down to set on the floor in front of them. "Hey, Tiny," she mused, "it's good to see you up and about again. Stars, you should've seen the way Lapis protected you." The green and blue duo stiffened at the same time, Lapis face once again changing in color. Peridot adjusted her damaged visors and rubbed one of her eyes. "Go on."

Bismuth gave a hearty chuckle. "Well, I wasn't there during it all, but when I got to the scene, Lapis had bubbled you and herself underneath mounds of heavy rubble to save you, and held out for almost an hour." She said with a smirk. "Now that's some dedication, if you ask me."

All three of them were silent for a while.

Lapis' face had gone up in flames again as she blushed madly, hesitantly moving her eyes to see Peridot's reaction. She wore a face of shock, slightly slack jawed as she replayed the story in her head; and was that a hint of color on her cheeks?

The small gem shuffled her feet awkwardly, peaking at Lapis timidly. "Wow, thanks."