"Now each one of you needs to apologize to one another," Steven announced to the newly allied gems, "Lapis, Peridot, you two are first."
"Okay," Lapis replied wearily, but was happy to assist Steven's efforts.
Steven smiled, "Okay, everyone else out to the beach to have some fun," he grabbed Jasper's large hand, "Come on, Jasper. I'm gonna show you how to build a sand castle!"
"Uh, what?" Jasper asked as she was pulled outside with the other gems.
Peridot and Lapis were now left alone.
"This idea is stupid," Peri concluded.
Lapis glared, "If you think this idea is stupid, then you think Steven is, too and I don't like that very much."
Peridot scoffed, "What are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing," Lapis answered as she sat down on the couch, "I care about Steven and if he wants me to apologize and make nice with everyone, then I will. He spared our lives. He could have just let us be bubbled by the crystal gems and left to rot with those other corrupt gems, but he didn't."
Peridot lost her argumentative edge. Lapis had a point. With a heavy sigh, Peri plopped down on the sofa next to her.
"I suppose it was nice of him- but they're all still trying to keep us here on this miserable planet."
"So? What would happen if you actually ended up going back home?"
Peri cringed at the thought and looked away. She had completely failed all her mission objectives and broken protocol several times. After a moment of silence, she looked over to Lapis.
"I apologize…even though I did nothing inherently wrong to you."
"Then, I'm sorry…for the fact that I just about ignored your existence and didn't hurt you in the slightest," Lapis huffed.
Then, both of them grew wide-eyed in realization. It wasn't like they were on the same team, but they definitely weren't enemies.
"So, is this it?" Peri asked.
Lapis pursed her lips together, "I guess," she got up, "I'll go get Steven."
But as she took a step toward the door, suddenly, she felt a few fingers grab her wrist. She turned and was surprised to see Peri in an overwhelmed state.
"Wait a minute," she stuttered out, her face screwed up in pain.
"What?" Lapis frowned, quickly moving back to the other's side and sat down.
"I realize this may sound a bit…selfish, but I…I'm all alone here. Like hell Jasper cares about me. And I know you don't care much for me either, especially with my crude behavior, but I-"
Her voice cracked and she stopped talking, finally running out of the confidence needed to talk about this kind of matter.
Lapis stared for a moment before asking, "Are you trying to say you want to be…my friend?"
Peridot bit her lip and nodded.
Then, Lapis reached over and cupped her cheek.
"What are you doing?" Peri questioned, perplexed.
"Steven had told me to 'kiss and make up.' It's a human custom apparently."
Peri was apprehensive, but didn't pull away, "If it is what Steven wants."
Lapis leaned in. Their lips met and it was chaste and quick. As they stared at each other in the aftermath, there was a quiet understanding and they leaned back in. This time there was much more movement and passion. They wrapped their arms around one another and let their lips slide softly against one another. Nether of them had experienced such a kiss before and they were both eager to continue on for the next few minutes. That is until they heard the creaking of the screen door.
"How long are you two going to take because I-"
Jasper stopped dead in her tracks as she spotted the two in a close embrace on the couch. The couple broke apart slightly, Lapis keeping her arms around the other. She was not as worried about being caught as Peri was.
Lapis glared daggers at Jasper, who after a second backed away through the door to leave, muttering about 'stupid sand castles.' Once she was gone Lapis turned back to a nervous Peridot.
"Let's continue making up," she smiled bittersweetly.
Peri swallowed hard, "Okay."