"What do we tell them?" Lapis asked Peridot, sitting together in the truck bed that they had pushed into the top part of the barn. Peridot had her head resting on Lapis' shoulder, watching the television in front of them in an attempt to ignore Lapis. "We can't keep this our little secret forever, you know."

This past month has been hectic. So many things have happened that Peridot and Lapis have been kept out of the loop on. Steven, Greg, and Pearl went to Empire City. Another human in Beach City had troubles with his parental figure, while a different human had troubles with overexerting herself. When Steven told Lapis and Peridot that he had been in a war, they almost had heart attacks; theoretically speaking, of course. But when he told them that he had been jettisoned into space, to the point where he had to put himself in a bubble to survive, they naturally freaked out.

During these events, Lapis and Peridot spent most of their time at the barn. Of course they still lived at the temple, and usually spent the nights outside to let Steven sleep, but the barn was where they got the most privacy for themselves. Peridot, against Lapis' advice, wanted to keep their relationship a secret. At least until the green gem grew the confidence to confess her feelings to Amethyst as well. But as mentioned before, it's been a little over a month since that day when Lapis agreed to date Peridot.

"I know.." Peridot said in a bit of a whine. "I'm so scared, though! You know that."

Lapis sighed. She took Peridot by the chine and forced Peridot to look at her. "Look, I don't know Amethyst all that much. You know her much better than I do. But even I know that she's not the type of gem to just bully someone else for what they feel."

Peridot knew this was true, but there was no fixing an irrational fear. Despite herself, though, a smile crept to her face.

"I know.." Peridot said again, shyly taking Lapis' hand in hers. "I'm.. really happy you're okay with this. Being with me, even if I have affectionate feelings for another gem."

"Hey, you're cute." Lapis said, smirking as Peridot's cheeks puffed out in slight annoyance. "And like I said before, I've seen weirder. And, considering the only other relationship I was in.." Lapis trailed off here, averting her eyes from Peridot's.

"That doesn't matter anymore." Peridot said with a stern voice, and Lapis returned to looking into Peridot's eyes, surprised to see such a serious expression. Peridot became a bit embarrassed at herself and blushed, turning away to cough into her hand. "A-anyway.. you have me now. And even if, even if I can't give you all of my attention, I want you to know that I care about you. A lot."

Lapis smiled and gave Peridot a quick kiss to her forehead. "Thanks, Peridot."

Peridot's face practically glowed as Lapis turned her attention back to the television. Lapis quite enjoyed the silence that followed that little exchange of words. She really couldn't blame Peridot for being speechless. That was the first time that Lapis had done anything so affectionate aside from just enjoying each other's company. But then Peridot finally found her voice.

"Well, whenever I do talk to Amethyst about this.." Peridot gestured to herself and Lapis, and Lapis watched out of the corner of her eye. "..if she and the other gems do accept my feelings and allow me to be with Amethyst as well.." Peridot stopped talking, and Lapis nudged the green gem with her elbow.

"Come on, what are you thinking?"

"I don't know." Peridot admitted, rubbing her arms. "It's a stupid thought, anyway."

"Peridot, I already told you that I'm with you through and through." Lapis said, a hint of annoyance to her voice. "Just tell me what's on your mind."

"Well.." Peridot hesitated. Then she spoke her mind in a single breath. "What do you think about dating Amethyst, too?"

"What, you mean like how she does with Pearl and Garnet?" Lapis asked, and Peridot nodded. Lapis let a smirk curl her lips. "Thanks for the offer, but I'd need to get to know her better before anything like that happens."

"Oh. Okay." Peridot seemed to accept Lapis' answer without any trouble. "I just thought that-"

"I know what you thought, Peridot." Lapis interrupted, turning her head just enough to be able to look at Peridot directly. "I'm fine though, really. You've treated me more than well enough to get over what I went through."

These words were all that needed to be said. The rest of their time together, or their "date" as Peridot learned it was called through the internet, was spent with cuddling and watching Camp Pining Hearts. Eventually, though, Peridot and Lapis would return to the temple to face the others. Peridot just hoped that Steven wouldn't be there. She wanted to do this without his annoyingly adorable support.


Amethyst was laying on the couch with her hands behind her head, her legs crossed. With all of the stuff that had happened this month, she couldn't really find the time to think about her personal life. After losing to Jasper that one time, she practically became obsessed with winning. Pearl was absolutely clueless until she saw the ruins in the state it was after Steven and Amethyst fought. After getting yelled at, Pearl tried comforting Amethyst as best she could. Amethyst smiled at the thought.

But when all the dust has settled and Amethyst was actually able to think, her mind wandered to Peridot. What had the green gem meant when she said love hurts? Of course, it was pretty obvious to Amethyst that Peridot felt like that toward someone, but why did the green gem run away like that? Was she embarrassed? Nah, Peridot wasn't the type to get embarrassed. At least, not to the extent of running from the house.

Amethyst stared at the ceiling as she pondered this. She didn't notice when Garnet had sat at her feet until the taller gem coughed to get Amethyst's attention.

"Oh.." Amethyst said absently, looking down her body at Garnet. "Hey, G."

"Something on your mind, love?"

It was just like Garnet to be able to read the atmosphere. Amethyst smirked and pulled herself into a sitting position, her legs crossed under her, facing her girlfriend.

"Sort of. I was just worrying about Peridot, is all."

"About how you said she ran away from you?"

Amethyst nodded. "Yeah, it was pretty weird. She asked me about what me, you, and Pearl have, then said love hurts and ran out the door. I think she's got her eyes on someone."

"Who do you think she fancies?" Garnet asked, and Amethyst fell backwards to lay down again, groaning.

"Ugh, I don't know!" Amethyst exclaimed. "It's so frustrating! She tried so hard to help me when I was goin' off the deep end about Jasper, and I shot her down. Now she's hurting like this and I can't do anything to help."

Garnet put a finger to her chin in thought. She tried to use her future vision, but like usual, there were many possibilities. Garnet really couldn't get a handle on the situation through so many visions, but she did know that doing something was better than doing nothing at all.

"Maybe she likes you."

Amethyst snorted, sitting up again as she laughed. "Pfft, you're a riot, babe. There's no way Peridot could like me. She's way too controlling and I'm a hot mess."

"Well Pearl loves you."

"That's different, and you know it." Amethyst stated. She sighed and turned herself around so she sat side by side with Garnet. Amethyst snuggled up to Garnet as closely as she could without it being considered inappropriate if Steven were to come through the door. "You, mean, Pearl.. We've known each other for years, got to know what gives us our kicks. Peridot, she's know me for almost a year. That's like, a minute to us. Not to mention during one of our earliest get togethers, I tied her up. There's no way she could have any feelings for me."

"Well.." Garnet wrapped an arm around Amethyst's shoulders. "..do you like her?"

Amethyst wasn't prepared to receive this question. By all logic, Amethyst shouldn't have any romantic feelings for Peridot. In all of their interactions, there was really only one particular moment that could even be considered romantic, and even that was an accident. Peridot saved Amethyst's life.

But there were other times when Amethyst just genuinely enjoyed Peridot's company. When she saw Peridot win that alien plush for herself, when she saw the smile on Peridot's face at feeling the worth she held.. for the lack of a better phrase, it gave Amethyst butterflies.

"Would you be mad if I did?" Amethyst finally replied, looking up into Garnet's face.

Garnet removed her shades, and there was nothing but genuine kindness in her eyes. "I love you. We're already in a relationship, you, me, and Pearl. We're happy, and even more lucky just to have you with us, as a friend and lover. I'm sure that as long as you're in our lives, Pearl and I will be just as happy if you add one more romance to yours."

"Aw jeez, Garnet.." During Garnet's little speech, Amethyst could already feel tears starting to form in her eyes. She wiped them away with her fingers, smiling widely. "I love you so much."

Garnet chuckled, and the two shared a quick kiss. Garnet returned her shades to her eyes and stood from the couch, hand on her hips. "I love you too.. And even though I'm positive Pearl would be okay with it, I still think you should talk to her. Her opinion counts just as much as mine."

"Garnet, I'm ashamed of you." Amethyst put her hand to her chest, pretending to be offended. "To think I'd go behind Pearl's back like that! Shows how much you trust me, huh?"

"You know I'd trust you with my life." Garnet replied. She bent down and gave Amethyst another quick kiss, then made her way to the temple. "I hope everything works out for you. I'll be in the temple, looking over the bubbles. Tell me what happens, alright love?"

"I gotcha, babe." Amethyst said, smiling after her girlfriend. Garnet then disappeared into the temple. Amethyst sighed and hugged herself when she was left alone. She turned her gaze toward the house door, as if knowing, somehow, that Peridot would come through that door any second. Of course, Amethyst wouldn't make any decisions without Pearl's permission. Their love came first, far above any newcomers that may enter the equation.


Peridot and Lapis stood in front of Pearl on the beach. Peridot's head was bowed and her hands clasped together, as she had seen people do in some of the internet things she had come across. This was a gesture of apology, as well as one of pleading. Lapis stood with her arms crossed, casually waiting for Pearl to speak. They had met each other half way on the beach, heading in the same direction of the temple.

Pearl seemed rather perplexed. What Peridot had just told her sent her thoughts into overdrive.

"So.." Pearl started, her voice skeptical. "You're asking me permission.. to ask Amethyst.. to be your girlfriend along with Lapis."

"I-I'm not trying to take her away from you." Peridot quickly said, looking up from her bowing position. "I'm not even expecting her to accept my feelings. All this time, she's the gem I came closest to besides Lapis, and I can't just.. put one gem I have feelings for over the other. I wanted to ask you and Garnet first because Amethyst is your girlfriend, and before anything happened between us, if at all, I wanted to make sure it was okay with you."

"This is so sudden.." Pearl said, clutching at her arm. She looked at Lapis. "And you're okay with this? Sharing Peridot?"

Lapis shrugged. "I don't really consider it sharing. I just wanna see Peridot happy, is all. And like I told you, I've seen weirder."

"And when did.." Pearl gestured to both gems in front of her. "..this happen?"

"About a month ago, when I first ran away from Amethyst." Peridot admitted. "I collected my thoughts in the barn and concluded that I have feelings for both Lapis and Amethyst."

Pearl sighed, but finished with a small smile. "I.. appreciate you asking me first. I love Amethyst so much, and I don't want to see any harm befall her. The fact that you asked me if I'd be okay with your relationship, if it were to become a reality.. Well, that makes me believe that you would treat Amethyst right."

Peridot's breath caught in her throat. Did Pearl mean what she thought Pearl meant?

"So.. I give you permission to be with Amethyst should she so desire it."

"Oh thank you!" Peridot practically sprang forward, wrapping her arms around Pearl's waist. Pearl's face glowed in a blush, and Lapis laughed as she watched the normally pristine gem become so flustered.

"Alright, alright!" Pearl pried Peridot off of her, and Peridot stood there, practically beaming. Lapis was reminded of the time she had made Peridot smile like that. It felt good to see such elation from the green gem again. Pearl pat down the front of her clothes, her cheeks puffed out. "I gave you permission, but it's still ultimately Amethyst's decision on whether she wants to share in yours and Lapis' relationship or not. Not to mention Garnet."

"Oh, of course." Peridot nodded, fidgeting back and forth on her feet excitedly. "I'm still not going in expecting approval."

Lapis chuckled. She watched as Peridot and Pearl had a conversation about Amethyst. About how Amethyst was. About how Amethyst was so fantastic, and even though she was a slob most days, and downright rude some other days, even inappropriate. Lapis could feel a bit of jealousy rise within her. Of course, it was only natural. Lapis' girlfriend was talking about another gem, practically gushing over her. Any other person would get angry to the point of cutting a relationship off entirely. But when Peridot turned to face Lapis, extending her hand to be taken, the jealousy in Lapis' core was snuffed out by the feeling of happiness and adoration.

Lapis took Peridot's hand, and the three gems began walking to the temple. Even if Peridot were to be with another gem, Peridot still obviously felt for Lapis. Peridot wanted to care for Lapis, make sure she was emotionally stable, well cared for, to make sure Lapis felt loved. And she did.

Even if Amethyst did accept Peridot's proposal, well.. Lapis could live with that.


Author's Note:

Hey again, sorry for the wait, and thank you for your patience. I had originally thought that this story wasn't really going to go anywhere, and I wasn't one hundred percent dedicated to it, but I really like where it's going, and how it's gotten to where it is so far. No piece of work is going to be perfect, and I just have to accept that.

The next chapter of "Dirty Ambitions" is coming out next. As always, so long for now.