I do not own Steven Universe, hence the 'fan-fiction'.-sorrowXdarkness

Steven Universe: Roommates

Chapter 8: The Crossroad

When Jamie returned, he returned not alone. Steven stood there along with Lion as Jamie carried two boxes. As soon as they entered, the smell of something delicious entered their sense sponges. Peridot quickly appeared before them, as Lapis gave a smile to Jamie upon seeing him. It was returned with a smile of his own, as he gestured the boxes in his hands.

"We brought pizzas!" Steven exclaimed quickly as they took notice of the "stuffed" pies.

Jamie placed the boxes on the counter-top as everyone that ate began to take a slice from the pre-sliced pies. As they ate (those that did) and chatted, Lapis stood next to Jamie and looked up at his face. Jamie took noticed as he poured his attention to the gem as she flared a deep sapphire.

"N-Nothing...it's just...isn't it weird that these 'pizzas' are in a flat circular shape while in a flat square shaped box?" She turned away. In truth, she was trying to imagine his sleeping face. It bothered her how frequent he got to see hers though she was partly to blame. When the movie they watched came to an end, so did her consciousness. Almost like a spell, her eyes began to feel heavy as she struggled to stay awake; completely futile. Even so, her heart sprang out to see the yet to be seen; his unconscious self close to her.

"You know, I never thought of that..." Jamie pondered for a bit. "It is weird." He declared as well.

Lapis continued to provide topics to discuss as she tried to steer her eyes from looking at his face. It was different when he wasn't looking back at her. Each time she caught a glimpse, a force from within tried to pull her eyes to his direction. In a sense, it was a constant struggle that bothered her all the way home. When they arrived to his house, he guided her in. Unbeknown to her, Jamie had tremendous news. He asked Steven to refrain from telling anyone until tomorrow. If anyone was to hear about it first, it would be Lapis. She, like Jamie, appreciated the classics and the arts as much as him. Before he spoke, Lapis insisted that he start the movie as she would go and prepare the snacks. As she dashed to the kitchen, Jamie was left standing there. He was perplexed by her behavior since his return to Steven's house. To him, it felt like she was avoiding him; refusing to make eye contact and made sure she wasn't blocked for a quick getaway. Why would Lapis be avoiding him? Thinking back, he figured they closed the distance enough to be comfortable with each other, so why the sudden push?

As if on cue, Daisy's face pop in his mind. To him, she was a friend. To her, he was a servant (at best). He heard some terrible things from her lips, but the worst was the day he left. He didn't bother to tell Daisy of his departure, though somehow she found out just before he left. He remembered perfectly of the words spoken by someone as corrupted as her and it pained him to voice them out.

"Men are nothing more than beast to be tamed. Any girl you meet, no matter how innocent, would eventually understand that reality. Then again, you are hardly a beast yourself. You're more like a pup that any girl would love to have as a pet. Believe me... I do."

That was not the type of love he wanted; still wanted. His version was filled with energy, warmth, and happiness. That was his love, though he began to wonder. If reality was as cruel as Daisy said, his love would never bloom. The most it could be, was a bulb from his feelings alone; his unreciprocated love. This thought left him in a state of depression as he forcefully picked a movie. Continuing with his past, he remembered confessing his "undying love" for the gem Garnet. What a fool he was! When he first laid eyes on her, she seemed unreal by her beauty and somehow alluring without being deliberate. Rushing to pursue her, he wrote a letter of his spontaneous affections for her. It ended with her rejection and he eventually found out (through Steven) that Garnet was the relationship between two smaller gems. His suddenness and forcefulness of his love only provided evidence that what Daisy may be true.

When Lapis arrived with the popcorn in hand, she had this almost stale look on her face. As if she was forcing a smile... She walked over and placed the bowl strategically in between them. The movie began, though it didn't feel like it did. Normally, at the start of the movie, Lapis would brush her shoulder with his and toward the middle, her head would already be using Jamie's shoulder as a pillow. None of that happened, as Lapis kept the set distance between them; the bowl filled with popcorn acted as the marker. The movie reached its climax, though his mind refused to take notice of it. Distracted by something confusing or abnormal, Jamie began to ask himself several questions. Why was Lapis behaving like this? Did he do something that made her feel uncomfortable? Did they reach the height of their relationship, as it traveled down the steep mountain exponential-like? He reached out to grab a piece of popcorn, only to be met with her hand as she thought of the same thing. When they touched, he instinctually latched his hand to hers. Before he could get a firm grip, she pulled her hand away; as if his hand was molten lava to her ocean water. Jamie retracted his hand though as it lay on the floor, it became a tight fist. Men are nothing more than beast...

As if on cue, Jamie began to feel nauseous. Sick. He was sick of himself. He somehow ruined his chances (if he had any) and perhaps it was because he was himself. Despite meeting and greeting, with the beginning of the journey clear of any storm, in the end, it rained. Even now, he made it worse. Lapis must be tired of this "movie-night", but was compelled to continue it for his sake. She was too nice for her own good. Obligation did not spell out friends. She wasn't doing it because she wanted to (not anymore). She had to, so she could preserve this friendship for his sake. Maybe she believed that Jamie could not handle the loss or was too much of a hassle. He was not sure what to believe, but kept any waterworks from dripping. Friends did things, not because they were friends. It was because they were friends, they did things. It naturally happened, and without any force that resembled obligatory commands.

Lapis, on the other hand, made sure that the sandman's spell eluded her. Each time she yawned, she would pinch her legs as the pain gave temporary relief of any drowsiness. She refused to look at him still, as she feared that she would be pulled in to rest her head on his shoulder. No matter the warmth, the temptation, and the smell, she would keep her distance. She was going to see his sleeping face, one way or another. When their hand made contact, she quickly pulled away. That was close, she thought. Any longer and her resolve would be crush. She tightened her hand into a fist to display the firmness of her resolve. When the movie came to an end, Jamie walked over to turn off the television and remove the VHS tape from the machine. Lapis noted how tired Jamie seemed as his eyes were downcast. She was hoping that he would fall asleep first and she'll be the one to tuck him in bed. Sad to say, it didn't happen. They said their goodnights, and each one went to their respective bed.

"There's always next time..." Lapis said openly as she was in her room. With that one thought, she closed her eyes and entered the land of dreams.

Jamie, on the other hand, stood awake. It was clear to him that it was over. "I guess all good things eventually comes to an end."

oooOOOooo

"You haven't told her yet?" Jamie cringed from the sudden outburst from Steven. Early in the morning, he gave Steven a call to let him know that he hadn't yet told Lapis of the news.

"No. Something happened, and I couldn't find a good time to tell her. I'll try for today, but please...don't tell anyone until I tell you."

"Okay... I won't."

"Sorry... I know how much you want to tell all the others... I really want to tell Lapis first." Jamie said, feeling bashful afterwards.

"I completely understand. Good luck Jamie."

"Thanks."

The call ended and Jamie returned his phone to his pocket. He stared at the popcorn in the trash. Last night, they barely reached for the bowl; not since they touched their hands. Lapis was still asleep, but Jamie couldn't do the same. Sleep was a luxury that he could no longer afford. When he submerged himself into the sea of dreams, reflections of Kansas appeared and how everything seemed to be different. It felt like a remote planet that he visited and suffered in trying to stimulate into their culture and lifestyle. It wasn't his ideal spot; not anymore.

The day came to an end quickly as Lapis was in Jamie's room, picking another movie for the night. Jamie was in the kitchen, preparing the snacks. Last night, the bowl was left untouched. It wasn't until this morning that Lapis noticed the popcorn in the trash. She wondered if Jamie wasn't hungry that night, or maybe he was ill. Even today, he seemed restless. Steven did inform her that humans tend to get sick in the changing of the season among other things. Could that be happening to Jamie? Did a sudden affliction of the sickness proved too much for Jamie? Now she was worried. Should she suggest canceling tonight's movie night?

"I got the snacks." Jamie said, entering his room as his gave a noticeably sheepish smile. He was putting effort into that smile; Lapis' decision was made.

"Jamie...maybe it's better if we cancel movie-night tonight."

Crack!

Jamie dropped the ceramic bowl filled with snacks as the impact to the ground, shattered the bowl. Jamie's body leaned forward as he held his stomach, as if in pain.

"Jamie!" Lapis rushed to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder while reaching to touch his forehead with the other. Jamie quickly moved away as he used the wall to support himself. The blow was sudden, though inevitable.

"I'm fine. Really, I am." Jamie insisted.

Lapis tried still to reach him, though his outstretched arm prevented her from getting any closer.

"I was expected this... I'm glad you suggested this. Now, you don't have to force yourself to watch boring movies with me." Jamie said as he gave a strain smile.

"What! I didn't mea-" Before Lapis could continue, Jamie's body succumbed to the fatigue due to the lack of sleep, stress, and painful memories. Before his body made its way to the ground as the bowl did, Lapis latched herself onto him. She nearly fell alongside with him, but managed to support him.

"Jamie? Jamie! Jamie!"

That was all he could hear before the light turned off. Everything then became dark and spacious for Jamie as he pondered. Would they still be roommates after this? Or would she leave to find a new place to stay? Weird. It felt like he was in the darkness for a moment, and the moment passed. His vision of the material world returned as he opened his eye. It was still dark, though unmistakably different. This time around, he could see his surroundings. He was still in his room, though not on the floor. He was on his bed, resting as the bed-sheet covered his body. His head still felt light as he felt a small aching pain across his body.

"You're awake...thank god!" He turned to the source of the voice. He knew of whom the voice belonged to, but he was still surprised when he saw her face very close to his. She was in bed beside him. The sheet that covered his body, also cover hers as he felt his cheeks flaring.

"Lapis! What are you doing here?"

"Do you have any idea how worried I was when you suddenly began to fall? I panicked after catching you! I finally found sense to put you in bed and call Steven. Steven's dad came and explained that you were suffering from 'fatigue'. He said something about lack of sleep along with some other stuff, but after a good rest, you should fine. Even with his reassurance, I couldn't leave you alone so I laid myself beside you and watched you sleep."

"You did all that?" Jamie felt a sense of gratitude swelling up from his stomach to his chest. He wanted to reach out and caress her face, but found that he couldn't. His hand, it was stuck on something underneath the sheets. He felt a tightening of sort, and realized that Lapis' hand was holding his down.

"Of course I did, why wouldn't I?"

"Well...be-"

"Before that, answer me this: Why do you think I was bored with watching those movies with you? I only suggested that because you were tired and was acting strange."

"I was acting strange? What about you?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you. You were avoiding me all of a sudden."

"No I wasn't."

"Yes you were. Last night, when our hands touched, you were quick to retract it among other things. I thought I may have done something wrong."

"No no. I wanted to-" Lapis stopped herself. All she wanted was to see his sleeping face, which she did. Once Steven's dad came to examine Jamie, Lapis crawled into bed and stared at Jamie's unconscious self. Despite getting what she wanted, it wasn't what she wanted. Actually, it may have been her fault that Jamie suffered human fatigue.

"You wanted to what?" Jamie asked, his eyes were staring at hers intensely. Lapis made a mistake before, so she wasn't gong to do the same again.

"Promise you won't laugh."

"Promise."

Lapis took a deep breath before speaking. "I wanted to see you sleep. Every time we watched something late at night, I would usually be the first one to fall asleep. You would carry me to my bed and get to see my sleeping face. I wanted to see yours, so I tried keeping myself awake. I pinched myself to stay awake and kept my distance so that I wouldn't rest on your shoulder."

"Why?" Jamie curiously asked.

"Well, because I tend to get too comfy and have no trouble sleeping."

"I see..." Jamie smiled. Everything was beginning to make sense. She wasn't distancing him at all. Daisy was wrong about Lapis.

"I'm sorry for causing this misunderstanding."

"No, I'm glad you did."

"You are? Why?"

"Well, I feel like I know you even better than before..."

"Me too." Lapis said as she felt the touch of his other hand caressing her face. It gave a warmth to reassure that he was fine; to worry not. "You should sleep some more. Your body should still be tired."

"Alright."

Lapis was planning to leave, but decided against it. Instead, she turned to Jamie and forced herself to speak. "Just for tonight, would it be okay for me to sleep by your side?"

"I'll be fine by the morning. Honest."

"I know, but for tonight... I want to be by your side." She gave a hopeful smile as if a pout of sort as she awaited for his response. Oh, if Jamie knew of the act she committed while he was away. Tonight would not be the first night that she slept in Jamie's bed. It would be the first to sleep alongside him or anyone for that matter (disregarding the fact that she lay next to an unconscious Jamie moments before).

"Alright."

Lapis happily lay beside him though they kept their bodies at a distance. Lapis didn't have the pillow below her head, but she was comfortable where she was. This was just like before, but this time around, his scent was a lot stronger. The only crossroad between the two would be the hands that happily intertwined with each other.

End of Chapter 8

oooOOOooo

Omake:

"What will it be?" Kiki said as she looked over to see whom it was. When she saw it was Jamie, her eyes went big before returning to their usual shape and size. "Well well, look like Willy Shakespeare has made his appearance. What will we have for today? The usual?" She smiled as she leaned over the counter.

"You know me. One box please."

"One box, coming up!" She turned around and began preparing the pizza in front of him. As she prepared his order, she continued the conversation. "So, I heard you returned from Kansas. Were things not what you imagined them to be?"

Jamie's expression shifted upon hearing the word "Kansas". In truth, his time over there was dreadful. It left a bad aftertaste that continued to persist despite returning for a few weeks now. "Well, let's say the people there were not as friendly as the people here in Beach City."

Kiki looked over to Jamie as her hands continued the task. "I see... I'm glad you're back before they could change you."

"Me too."

There was an awkward pause as Jamie waited for his order. Then it came to him as he spoke out.

"Oh, and could you make it two to go?"

End of Omake

oooOOOooo

I'm sorry for the delay. I wrote a chapter 8 of this story, but found it to be too soon. There was something that I wanted to first "introduce", so I decided to re-write a new chapter 8; hence the delay. Please let me know what you think. Until next time! -sorrowXdarkenss