Peridot was a simple scholar who set out on a trip with her dear friend and captain of the ship, Jasper. What no one planned though is her disappearance during a typhoon that hit the ship. Would she meet her end underneath this cold abyss or she'll end up find a greater treasure that would change her entire life?
PERIDOT'S POV
Generic Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, Steven Universe belong to its respective owner.
"Dialogues"
Inner thoughts
"Dialogues in memories"
Chapter IX: Stranger?
I ran into the beach where the voice led me, hearing said voice slowly turn into giggles before being reduced to hums… no… someone is literally humming by the beach.
I stopped on my tracks upon seeing a woman seated on a rock. She was facing out in the ocean, which didn't allow me to look at her face but my attention was captured by her wavy shoulder length hair that seems to catch the wind as it danced with the gentle breeze, resembling the calm ocean with its deep blue color.
I slowly made my way to the mysterious woman, her humming being more audible as I go. I couldn't help but think how angelic her voice is… extremely captivating. She tilted to the side, showing her high bridged nose, her slender shoulder, collar bones and her… her…
I felt the blood rush to my face as my now slower pace once again turned into frantic running. I didn't care if she could hear my labored breathing or the loud thumping of my feet on the sand, I just need to get to her.
"HEY YOU THERE! LADY BY THE BEACH! PUT SOME CLOTHES ON THIS INSTANCE. HAVE YOU NO DECENCY?!" I screamed as I ran towards her, my voice catching the mysterious woman's attention.
She turned to fully face me, a dark blue ribbon the only piece of fabric that covers her whole being. I couldn't help but turn a blush harder at the sight.
I removed my coat and quickly draped it on her shoulders, leaving the blue haired woman speechless. I could see her eyes widen and light up in adoration. I swear I could see stars in her deep blue irises as she stared.
I began to mumble under my breath grumpily as I caught my breath to cover my embarrassment. I dared to take another peek towards the taller girl's direction, seeing tears well up her eyes.
"W-wha—"
What is up with this girl?!
She wiped the tears and gave me a small smile, confusing me further. I didn't even know who this girl is and she's crying in front of me like I'm some long lost friend.
"What's wrong with you, lady? And why are you hanging around in the beach na—" My gaze directed down from her face, landing on the fabric tied around her neck. It looked… familiar…
I took the deep blue ribbon in between my fingers, examining it's texture and tailoring. I turned one of its end around and surely enough, embroidered on it is the initials P.D.—MY initials.
This is not just a familiar piece of cloth… this is MY ribbon tied around this girl's neck. I stared in wonder.
How in the world is MY ribbon in the possession of this beautiful exhibitionist!? She looks like a decent individual, why in the world is she naked in the beach?!
I had so much questions running in my mind as I observed the ribbon that is surely mine. I turned my gaze back at her, to which she returned with a curious yet trusting look.
A breeze went past us and I notice her shiver, holding my coat closer to her form for some kind of shield from the coldness.
Whatever this woman's deal was, I couldn't just leave a woman naked in the beach like this, so I decided to do the most logical idea that my brain managed to produce—I held her hand and invited her to my place… definitely logical and DEFINITELY no perverted thoughts or motives what-so-ever.
"You can't stay here like this. I'll take you back to where I live and then you could tell me why in the world you're naked like that here." She merely nodded, squeezing my hand as she looked down and blushed.
Damn it. Why does she have to make this more embarrassing than it already is?!
I felt my cheeks heat up again, tugging at the slender girl's hand in mine. She stood up unsteadily, awkwardly moving her legs to support her weight.
She stumbled before falling on to my chest, holding onto the fabric of my shirt. At this point I'm 100% sure she can feel my heart thumping wildly in my chest.
"I-I'm sorry. I don't think I can walk just yet." She said in a sheepish voice, leaning her head on to my chest to hide her reddened cheeks. It was extremely adorable… but this is a bit of a problem.
I looked down and saw how my short coat just barely goes past her waist. I took another layer of my clothing, thankfully I was wearing a tank top underneath my under shirt, wrapping it around her waist as a makeshift skirt.
Since she could not walk I did another of the most logical idea my brain managed to produce—I carried her bridal style, letting her wrap her arm around my neck for support. She didn't complain as I lifted her, even obediently holding onto me to further support herself.
Surprisingly, lifting her up has been easy which is rather surprising since I barely lift anything. I didn't even know I would have the capacity to actually lift her, mainly acting on impulse when I did so. But right there at that moment, I felt like everything is in its place… like lifting her up is the most natural thing in the world.
I don't know why this lady would trust herself with me like this but it was worrying to some degree. If I didn't come to her aid at that moment, would she gladly do so with some other stranger?
Though, I could probably link her ease to the fact that she is somehow related to me in some way, evident with the ribbon that is around her neck. The feeling of familiarity is not hers alone though, for even if I just met her today it felt like I've been in this kind of situation before and no, I do not carry random naked women to my place like this.
"Peridot." I heard her melodious voice once again, laced with embarrassment as her reddened cheeks further stressed. On another more worrying note, I didn't remember giving my name at all.
"How did you know m—"
"Thank you." Her voice seems so gentle and comforting, my thoughts just went flying out the window. She leaned her head on the crook of my neck, sighing contently as she did so.
Somehow it feels like, right here with this mysterious woman in my arms, is where I'd rather be and what I'd rather do than everything I was supposed to. I felt contented and whole. This has been what I have been missing since my return. It feels like she's the missing part of my heart.
It confused me to no end. I can't remember her no matter how hard I raked my memories but it feels like she's someone important… someone special to me.
I strode with the bluenette in my arms—away from the beach, past the usually busy port until finally reaching my home. The whole trip included me, who is doing her absolute best to not catch the attention of anyone and be thought of as a weirdo who is abducting a helpless lady, and said pretty lady in my arms.
I gently laid her down my bed, noticing how her chest rose and fell with her calm breathing… the damn woman has fallen asleep. How careless is she to do that?! I might not seem like I'm capable of harming her but—! She needs to take more care of herself.
I once again reddened like a ripe tomato. There is a barely clothed girl on my bed, sleeping defenselessly in all her glory. I ran my fingers on her face, observing how her skin was completely blemish less.
I pulled my hand back and sat on the chair beside my bed, fearing that I would wake the sleeping woman and make the situation a lot more awkward. I felt a sudden wave of exhaustion, leaning back into my seat.
There is no way in hell I'll be able to sleep on my bed beside this woman, so I decided to tuck her in and sleep in the same chair Jasper would often sleep in the past few weeks after I got back.
I stifled a yawn as I stare blankly at the window opposite me, the curtains were draped to prevent the light of the port from entering the room. My thoughts drifted to the absurdity of the situation, running the thoughts in my mind as I felt my eyelids grow heavier. I sunk back into the chair and dozed off.
-o-o-o-o-
"I don't want you to go…"
I woke up from my slumber, quickly shielding my eyes from the sunlight coming from the window facing the port. Damn it, I thought the curtains were not drawn back when I slept last night. I remember… It WAS NOT drawn back! T-then…
A cough suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts, any form of sleepiness complete gone as I stared at the towering woman leaning against the door. Jasper had a smirk on her lips but her eyes are dull and threatening.
"I knew I wasn't seeing things last night when I saw you enter. Care to tell who this woman is and why is she sleeping on your bed, Peridot?" I gulped. Her tone sounded calm but her aura in itself makes me feel like she'll eat me whole.
A million scenarios played in my head as I try to process and pick the best response that would properly explain the situation that would satisfy and convince Jasper.
It didn't help that she lowly loomed towards where I was sitting, her facial features darkening as she approached. I raised my hands in defense, pressing the chair further from the gigantic woman and onto the side of the bed where the sleeping maiden is peacefully residing with no care in the world.
Unfortunately, after a second impact of the chair colliding with the side of bed the blue haired girl stirred, sitting up the bed as she rubbed her eyes of the sleepiness. At that moment, I knew that my grave was finally dug for me. All I need to do is jump inside it and be gone forever.
The slender woman on my bed faced us, her cleavage and stomach visible from the obviously-too-small-for-her open coat that I lend her last night. I felt a heavy grip on my shoulder, the weight was enough to make my knees weak and all I could do is tremble in fear. I don't need to look behind me to know the expression Jasper is making.
"J-jasper, I-it's not what it looks li—HIII!" I finally looked behind me, seeing Jasper make a sinister expression. Her eyebrows are knit with her sharp glare. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if I were to see a vein pop on the side of her head.
"Then explain and you better make it quick, ya nerd." Upon seeing the imposing figure threatening me, the woman on the bed latched on my arm and held onto the Jasper's arm.
"Let go of her, you brute! What did Peridot ever do to you?" She stood up in my defense, pressing her front possessively on my arm which only irked the buff woman standing opposite us.
Ooh my stars, they're pressing on me. Soft mounds are currently pressing on my arm.
I shook my head as I cleared my thoughts, she's trying to defend me here! I cannot let my mind drift into such perverted thoughts right now, else her defense would've been a waste.
I raised my hands up in surrender, thinking of trying to calm down the other occupants of the room before they go beyond being at each other's throats and into something more violent and dangerous. I shivered slightly at the thought.
"Okay Jasper this is—" I stopped. I haven't asked her of her name. Fuck. I could feel the sweat on my nape slowly travelling down to my upper back. Jasper looked like she's about to open her mouth again when the blue haired girl spoke, her voice cutting the captain off.
"Lapis, Lapis Lazuli." She looked at me with a saddened smile before turning to glare at Jasper, who scoffed and crossed her arms grumpily.
"You didn't even know her name, Dot. How in the world are you able to keep this vile woman in your house?!" I can tell that Jasper is trying her very best to appear calm no matter how conflicted and angry she is right now.
"Vile?! How dare you—" Lapis was about to lunge at the taller woman but I held onto her arm that is wrapped around mine and gave her a smile, to which she willingly backed down only to pout in defiance.
"Jasper, trust me in this. I know what I'm doing. Lapis is a kind person, I just know it… no, I feel it." I clutched at my chest, feeling my heart that is beating rapidly, each pulse just calling out to the woman beside me. I've never believed in crap like love at first sight or being fated for each other, but now I felt just that.
The Amazonian woman merely sighed, ruffling her hair vigorously as she stood from her seat.
"Whatever you say Peridot… but you, I'll be watching you." She pointed at Lapis, who stuck her tongue out to Jasper, before walking out of the room and silently shutting the door.
I sighed as well, staring at the now closed door where Jasper walked out of. I know Jasper has always been a protective person but somehow she's much more riled up about this than usual.
I should talk to her about it…
Lapis leaned her head on my shoulder, causing me to shift my attention to her. As of now I need to know more about this mysterious woman, then I could probably convince Jasper more about this new development.
vacation is peeking right at the corner, same as all the deadlines and exams for finals
tho hello, it's nice to be bacc n sorr for the huge delays UuU
finally learned how to use the horizonal lines lmao
