A/N: this was written for avr-arts' b-day on tumblr, im about a month early rip

Knock Knock.

Who the fuck was up at this hour!? She thought angrily, and swore if it was a another stupid teenager again she would pummel them. Even in her sleep deprived state.

Peridot didn't expect to open the door (at 1 am, she might add) and see the roughed-up figure of her best friend. Her dark blue hoodie had several gashes, and her jeans were looking a bit worse for wear. Peridot rushed her in, and she didn't like what the added light allowed her to see.

Lapis had long, shallow gash running from her left cheekbone down to her jawline, along with a few more minor scratches. Dried tear tracks could also be seen, making the pale blonde even more concerned. She already had an idea who did this, and wondered why Lapis was out at this hour with her.

"Was this...Jasper?"

Lapis nodded, and looked away. Peridot sighed in frustration, and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Look, we can deal with this in the morning. Just," she paused, looking at her friend sadly, "Let's take care of you first."

"It's already morning."

"Huh?" she said absentmindedly, making her way to the bathroom, a silent cue for Lapis to follow.

"It's like what, 1 am? It's technically morning." the Hawaiian gave a small smirk. It didn't reach her eyes.

"Shut it, smartass." Peridot said while rifling through the cabinets, finding some bandages and disinfectant.

"Okay, keep still."

As Peridot was fixing her up, Lapis took in the blonde's appearance. She looked tired, hair mussed and eyes lacking the spark of her usual mad scientist-like energy. Hell, even her cute freckles seemed dull.

Cute?

Then Lapis realized how close Peridot was. Long, pale digits touching the skin near her cut delicately, acting as a support while her other hand applied the disinfectant. She could feel herself heating up as Peridot's warm breath ghosted across her face.

You shouldn't think like this. You've seen what you do to Jasper. What you two do to each other. Do you want the same with Peridot? You would hurt her.

You would break her.

"Laz? Laz!" Peridot's worried voice snapped her back to the bathroom.

"I-I have to go." She knew it was irrational and stupid. She did it anyway.

"What?"

"You heard me, I have to leave." She was making her way to the door, ignoring the pale girl's pleas. When Peridot realized she wasn't getting through to her, she gripped Lapis' wrist harshly, and spoke in a firm, concerned tone.

"Lapis, you're hurt. I'm not letting my best friend out this fucking late alone."

There was steely determination in her emerald green eyes, and Lapis knew better than to argue.

The Hawaiian allowed herself to be led into the freckly blonde's room.

As she expected, it was a mess. It looked like a mini tornado had passed through, old clothes and papers (notes? Lapis couldn't tell) thrown carelessly to the side. She noticed her desk had more papers strewn about, various pieces of tech she had dissected, and a pitiful looking lamp.

"Uh, d'you want something to change into?" Peridot's cheeks flushed, and she sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck.

The idea of being surrounded by Peridot's scent was too tempting to turn down.

Stop. Don't think those things. You're taken.

She stifled her intrusive thoughts, and nodded. The blonde went to go find her something.

Shit. She could feel Lapis' eyes on her back.

Okay. Take a deep breath. You should have a pair of old pjs in the closet.

Quickly grabbing them, holding them up and deciding they were roughly Lapis' size. She balled them up and threw them to the girl on the bed, aiming for her chest. Lapis grunted, and looked at her sourly. They both knew there wasn't really any venom to it.

"I'll step out. I have to go find extra blankets anyway."


Peridot insisted Lapis take her bed - "It'll be better on your injuries!" - and the blue haired girl reluctantly accepted. She didn't want Peridot to have to fit her tall, scrawny cute ass on her tiny couch.

So here Lapis was, staring up at the ceiling, in slightly too big pajamas, trying not to think about the girl in the next room. About the situation with Jasper, because goddammit she just wanted to sleep. She just wanted to sleep and try to forget everything that happened with the brute.

She really didn't have anyone she fully trusted outside of Peridot and Steven, and Steven was 14, a kid that shouldn't worry about the shit decisions of his fuck-up of a friend. And Peridot, well, she was scared of these stupid fucking feelings for her.

Lapis sighed deeply, getting out of bed. She headed for the kitchen, deciding a a glass of water might help her dry throat. She leaned on the counter, idly sipping.

You're still with Jasper. You can't be with Peridot, not like that. Not like you want to.

The lump on the couch stirred and groaned breaking her out of her reverie, and Lapis set the half-full glass down on the counter.

Was she up? Probably. That couch was a torture rack.

"Peridot?" she whispered, walking over and squatting down, putting a hand on her blanketed shoulder.

"Mmmph. What is it Laz?"

"Get up."

Peridot turned around, and bleary eyes tried to focus on Lapis. A soft, warm hand covered hers, and she was suddenly grateful for the dim light. Otherwise the Hawaiian would see how flustered she was.

Are you in middle school? Pull yourself together, you useless lesbian.

"Wait, where are we going? I wanna sleep -"

Lapis cut her off, "Oh, please. You can't sleep on that thing."

She looked like she wanted to continue, eyes hesitant. She bit her lip, and Peridot couldn't look away.

Stop staring you idiot!

Peridot swallowed audibly, "Then where do you suggest I sleep? On the floor? Because obviously that's preferable."

"N-No," Lapis' heart was beating hard in her chest, blood rushing in her ears.

"Then what -"

"Sleep in the bed." she blurted.

"But, your injuries -"

"With me. We can share." Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why did you say that?!

Uncomfortable silence followed. Lapis was beet red, face ablaze, and Peridot wasn't much better. The Hawaiian expected her to decline, she could feel how tense the blonde was. It was practically radiating off her.

A harsh intake of breath, then Peridot's voice broke the silence, "Okay."

Lapis stared in disbelief.


Peridot kept their hands clasped together as they walked to her room, and Lapis tried not to feel self conscious of how much she was sweating.

You just asked her to sleep. With you. In her bed.

Lapis was possibly the biggest dumbass in the universe. The bed isn't even big, because it's meant for one person. So that means more of being pressed up against one another, and Lapis' mental fortitude being tested to its limits.

Peridot flopped down on her bed, and curled up, clinging to the edge of the bed. Lapis cautiously took the left side of the bed, back turned, but still feeling the heat of the other. It drove her insane.

"G'night." the blonde slurred.

"Night." she didn't have the energy to tease her about it still being morning.

A/N: please review! feedback is much appreciated 3