Lapidot one-shots

.:+ Eventful night +:. ✅

The summer air carried the scent of sweet flower assortments, the humid, damp air crackling with strange tension as the sky began to darken.

Lapis and Peridot were just going about their day; binge watching Camp Pining Hearts on the cozy little loft, completely lost in the flashing screen and choppy audio. Lapis yawned and picked at a tuft of loose stuffing from the arm of the ruined couch, wrinkling her nose as she pulled out a long, yellow strand. The air felt strange, like it was crowded with unseen energy, something Lapis couldn't describe as she let the warm touch grace her blue skin. Moments after her thoughts, the blinding beam of lightning flashed in the corner of her eyes and she blinked madly as her eyes became stained with colorful floaters. The low growl of thunder was quick to follow, digging blunt claws of fury into the ground as the floorboards creaked and vibrated. Lapis gave a discontented sniff, digging her nails into the spiky fabric of the couch with a groan as the heavy drops of rain began pounding the barn roof with loud thrums. Normally, Lapis enjoyed storms, but something felt off about this one. The negative energy that circled her head began to shadow her mind. With a snort and a wave of her hand, she dismissed the invisible thought bubbles.

"Hey, Peridot, are you-" She stopped abruptly when she noticed the once occupied space beside her had gone empty. "Peridot?" She husked into the open air, alongside the split strike of another bolt of lightning, which was quickly accompanied by it's audible partner with a fierce boom. Furrowing her brows, Lapis sat up from her place on the couch, arching her back into a pleasing stretch as the stiffness of sitting for hours receded from her limbs. Ruffling the front of her shaggy blue hair, she quietly summoned her watery wings, descending from the loft to the main floor. "Peridot?" Lapis asked again, the glow from her gem easing as she retracted her wings. There was a faint shuffle, and Lapis perked towards the sound, tip-toeing closer with a befuddled look. In the far back corner, a lump of cloth lay bundled up over a shivering figure. Lapis tilted her head and cocked an eyebrow. Was her barn-mate.. cowering?

She repeated the thought in her head and wanted to dismiss it. She'd always seen Peridot as a bold, head strong, semi-obnoxious little green technician who wouldn't mind her fears, yet here she was, hiding in the back of their barn from the storm. Lapis didn't have the heart to judge her. Every gem had fears; stars, she even had fears of her own, secluded ones at least, ones hidden deep down in a chest no one could unlock. She didn't like exposing her weaknesses.

With a wary breath, Lapis inched closer to the green gem, her mouth quivering with concern as she drew nearer and the faint sniffs and whimpers Peridot made louder as she honed in, getting in her hands and knees. Suddenly, the blanket flew off the figure, and a tiny little head peered from the dark. "Lapis?" Peridot squeaked, racing to groom her hair back in place. "Sorry, I was just working on a meep-morp."

Lapis knew that was a lie. Peridot was a terrible liar. Shuffling closer, Lapis was finally able to make out the features of her little partner. Peridot's hair was an unkempt mess of yellow spikes and her eyes were wild with terror as she forced herself to hold eye contact with the older water gem, and Lapis was sure she could see the glint of ashamed tears hidden in her eyes. Peridot's fingers were working sporadically, fiddling with the fabric, then her tunic, then her hair as she bit her lower lip harshly.

"What are you up to?" Lapis asked quietly, sitting a good distance in front of Peridot. The little gem looked up and opened her mouth to speak before another fresh batch of thunder and lightning rolled in, prompting her to squeak once more before hiding her face in the velvet yellow blanket. Lapis frowned. She knew Peridot was timid of storms, but she'd never been forced into hiding by them, not like this, not that she'd seen. Usually it was just a flinch or two and then she was fine, just the little bubbly gem she always was. Lapis knew something was off about the storm.