I do not own Steven Universe, hence the fan-fiction. -sorrowXdarkness
Chapter 7: I Cherish you
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"I'm sorry!" Lapis bent forward as she stood before Peridot. In the morning, she and Jamie wasted no time as they left the house. Jamie insisted that Lapis work out what to say for when she apologized. Last night, Lapis practically exploded as the water from the sink and from their cups flew into the air. It began to swirl around until it formed a sphere. Peridot and Jamie were confused by her abrupt behavior. Peridot asked Jamie if he cared for her and Jamie took the moment to think about it. As he pondered, he noticed her somewhat anxious expression as she waited for a response. Jamie knew that despite her intellect, she was still like a child.
"I do. I cherish you."
Despite being the one to ask, Peridot was rather surprised by Jamie's response. She expected him to say no or something along those lines. Even when she spent the last few days with Jamie, she felt, deep inside, insecure of herself. Her personality seemed unappealing to most inhabitants of the planet earth so it was unlikely that Jamie cherished her. Still, his actions suggested otherwise unless it was out of pity or obligation for either Steven or Lapis, or both. Jamie was closed to them both that he was compelled to do them a favor of watching her. So why did she ask? More so, why asked that particular question? It was hope. So when Jamie gave her such an answer, she gave a smile and a thank you. She thanked him for cherishing her; for cherishing someone like her. There was also something that she didn't expect. It started when he said "I do". Lapis' fork dropped to her plate though Peridot paid no mind as Jamie continued. It wasn't until a few seconds later that a crack of glass was heard as they turned to Lapis. The water sphere that she formed over her head turned into a fist.
"What do you mean by that?" Her voice lacked any warmth as they were directed toward both Jamie and Peridot.
"L-Lapis? Are you feeling alright?" Jamie voiced as he stood up from his chair. Peridot did the same as she left her chair.
"Has she lost it?!" Peridot exclaimed.
"I'M FINE!" The fist made of water slammed on the table as the wooden furniture collapsed from the impact. The four legs that held the table fell in as the table was split unevenly in half. The plates and silverware landed on the floor as some of them broke in the process. Everything got silent before Jamie walked over to Lapis. He placed a hand over her shoulder, and felt a twitch from her body as Lapis quickly became aware of what transpired. Peridot feared Lapis as she made no move to get closer. She stood behind her chair, as if the chair could provide some protection of Lapis' wrath.
After that, Jamie and Peridot left. Jamie offered to walk Peridot home as Lapis remained to herself, though in reality, she went to Jamie's room and sat on the floor. When she came to, she realized that she made a mess in the kitchen. She also destroyed a few of Jamie's plates and wooden table. As they walked along the shoreline, Lapis realized that the kitchen was still a mess from the night before. Jamie reassured her that they would clean it up later, after she finished apologizing to Peridot. She nodded though became slightly nervous as she rubbed her arm. Her grip on her arm tightened the closer they got until they stood before Steven's house. Once they were by the door, Lapis knocked. After a slight pause, Peridot opened the door.
"Bulbasaur!" She closed the door rather quick. Lapis turned to Jamie and Jamie gestured her to try again. She did. She knocked though this time Garnet answered.
"Yes?"
"Garnet, good morning... can I speak to Peridot?" Lapis asked. Garnet held a stern emotionless expression as she turned to the left. Peridot was hiding behind the sofa as the fear shook her body.
"Be my guest."
"What!? I thought we're in good terms with each other." Peridot cried before returning her sight on Lapis whom walked in. "You! I don't know what I did wrong, but please allow me to apologize for my lack of awareness."
Lapis frowned as she took another step. "Peridot, I should be the one to apologized. You did nothing wrong. What happened last night, that was all my fault. That's why I'm here." Lapis took a deep breath and spoke that simple line. "I'm sorry!" She spoke those words as she dropped her head, her eyes were closed. "I don't know what came over me, but I know you weren't in the wrong. I was."
Peridot said nothing at first, though she did leave her hiding spot behind the sofa. Garnet clapped her hands together before speaking. "Okay. Peridot, this is where you forgive Lapis."
Peridot looked at toward Garnet before looking at Lapis. She was less fearful though was still not convinced.
"Peridot, Lapis is sincerely sorry. She was bothered by what she did last night because she really cares about you. She cherishes you because you are important." Jamie insisted.
"Do you really cherish me?" Peridot asked.
"I do. I really cherish you Peridot and I'm sorry again for last night. Do you forgive me?" There was a slight pause as Peridot thought about it as they stared at each other. Each second that passed made Lapis feared of the potential loss. Despite Peridot's obvious traits that annoyed others, she was still important to Lapis. They were friends to say the least and knew each other for some time. They reconciled at the barn house after they both agreed to become Crystal Gems; their past would remain the past, not allowing it to taint their present and future.
"I forgive you."
Lapis went to hug Peridot whom stood there as she awkwardly received the hug. Garnet smiled as she gestured Peridot to hug Lapis back. She did. Jamie smiled at the display.
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After that, Jamie received a call from the mayor. It seemed that Mayor Dewey required his presence in his office and that it was rather urgent. Jamie excused himself though Lapis detached herself from Peridot. She asked if she should tag along, to which Jamie said it wasn't required.
"I'll be back soon." Lapis and Jamie were inclined to hold hands for a moment, though before they could, they saw a well-aware Garnet as she gave the thumbs up.
"Then, I'll be here for your return."
When Jamie left, Lapis wasn't sure what to do. Garnet didn't stay long, and both Pearl and Amethyst were nowhere to be seen. Peridot said that Steven went out to walk Lion. Despite the hug they shared, there wasn't much they could do together since they didn't have much in common. Peridot then remembered the television. She discovered that the television was the most common ground activity. Lapis didn't mind as they went up the stairs to Steven's bed. Peridot turned on the television as she sat on the bed closer to the wall. Lapis took her seat on the edge as Peridot picked out the show. Five minutes into the show, Peridot turned to Lapis.
"So, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure. What is it?"
"How important is Jamie to you?"
"Why the sudden question?"
"Well, I figured the reason why you nearly exploded yesterday was because of your jealousy."
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean, you felt threatened by my presence. Right?"
Oh, she thought in her mind. It was starting to make sense of what Peridot was getting at. If Lapis was jealous, then jealousy could explain her behavior last night. If that was true, why did she feel threatened? Peridot didn't mean it as anything more than friends. Did she feel threatened? What else could explain what happened last nigh? "I'm not too sure..."
"You're not sure?"
"Well..."
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"You wanted to see me, Mayor Dewey?" Jamie walked into the mayor's office, after being checked by the security guards.
"Jamie my boy! Glad you can make it. I got some great news." He smiled as he stood up from his office chair and walked over to Jamie. He had something in his hand that was rolled up as he placed his arm over Jamie's shoulders.
"Sir?"
"I got here a copy of your play and it got my approval. As long as it within the budget, then by all means, do your play."
Jamie eyes trembled along with his body, but he regained his composure as he accepted the task. "Thank you Mr. Mayor."
"Just as long you continue the good work."
Mayor Dewey gave Jamie information concerning the funds and the expected date of the actual performance. Jamie thanked the mayor once more before taking his leave. He was ecstatic by the news. He submitted three rough drafts that he personally came up with, and by joy, one of them was accepted. He needed to build and prepare the set as well as to hold auditions for the parts. There was so much to be done, and he needed to act now.
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"Well, do you know how he feels about you? I mean, you live with the hu-... Jamie."
"I know he really cares for me and like me...but...Ooooh! I don't want to think of it." Lapis shook her head as she held it with her hands.
"Wait, why?" Peridot was confused.
"Because! I get this obscene vision in my head and I can't get it out!"
"Obscene? How?"
How exactly was Lapis going to explain to Peridot of what she had in mind after watching that film? She wasn't even trying to think along those lines, but her mind subconsciously formed images that played together like a scene from the movie and gave rise to the explicit. "Argh! The thing that Paulette and Percy did in Camp Pining Hearts."
"Oh...that." Peridot turned her head and stared at the blank television. The awkward pause lasted no more than a few seconds. "So...you want to do that with Jamie?"
"I don't know...yes?" Lapis rested her head on her knees. She pulled up and continued speaking. "I never felt like this so I'm not sure what I'm suppose to do."
"Do you have to do anything? Couldn't you just let things happen on their own?"
Lapis turned to Peridot. She did have a point. Why must she take actions now? "Yeah, I could... thanks."
Omake:
"Jamie!"
"Steven! What are you doing here?"
Jamie was on his way back when found Steven and Lion by the boardwalk.
"I promised to buy Lion a whole bunch of his favorite treats and then we started walking around. What do you got there?"
"Oh this, I got approval from Mayor Dewey to work on my next play. This one is something I wrote myself."
"Really?! Can I audition again?"
"Sure. I just hope more people will come as well. We did great the last few times, but I hope to have a bigger cast of people."
End of Omake
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Author's Note:
Thank you for reading and enjoying my story. I read the reviews and I want to discuss a few things. I'm not planning to make a harem, though I do believe that love rivals make the story more interesting and dramatic. They help to develop character, especially for the protagonists. There was also the request of making Lapis pregnant. Please understand the pace of the story. Jamie and Lapis are only on the "holding hands" phrase, so to conceive a child all of a sudden, seems unrealistic right now. I thank you for the reviews and I'll see you next time! -sorrowXdarkness
