Not kissing Peridot last night was extravagantly hard, much harder than it should have been for a gem my age. I was seconds away from leaning in when I felt her start to tremble and pull away. Ironic considering what I had just been singing. I could see the confusion and resulting fear in her eyes though and that alone stopped me harder than anything else could.
I shored up my patience once more and took some metaphorical steps back in my head. She wasn't ready yet and that's okay. Last night proved that she is starting to move in the right direction.
True to my word, I've resolved to spend more time at the barn. No more running away and hiding my emotions. I mean, I'll still be hiding them mostly, but there is no point in pretending like I don't care anymore. Also, while I gave her space last night, I'm going to be working hard now to slowly pop that space bubble of hers...starting now.
We finished getting the tractor repaired last night (aka-she did all the work and I just floated her stuff as needed or lifted items that were too heavy for her) and so today is the test drive.
"LAZULI!" the little nerd yells unnecessarily down to me from her spot on the tractor seat. "DO YOU WANNA RIDE TOO?!"
I look up at the seat and realize a fact that she obviously hadn't considered before her offer and smirk.
"Sure," I reply, getting up from my corner.
I climb the tractor slowly instead of my normal method of flying up. It'll make what I'm about to do easier. It's not until I'm practically at the top that the triangle head realizes the flaw in her invitation and starts looking around for a solution. I already have a solution though. I grab the tractor steering wheel with one hand to hold myself in place and I wrap my other arm around her middle and pull her into me.
"Lazuli what are you...? She starts ask before I cut her off by lifting her easily up and sliding myself down into the single person tractor seat and placing her back down, though this time into my lap.
She squirms uncomfortably and I can see her blushing but she keeps herself looking forward. "T-this iissn't what I had in mind!" She stutteringly yells, her default volume.
"Oh?" I shoot back innocently, my smirk still in place. "And did you have a better idea? There is only one seat after all. This seemed the most effective method." I try sounding purely logical but I'm not sure how much of my orneriness bleeds through.
"I...well..yes. This position is optimal for the given space." Peridot agrees, trying to sound in control again. It's cute.
I lean in so that my face is next to hers and so that my chin is on her shoulder before saying "So, shall we?" I can feel her body move as she gulps and nods emphatically. I move back and slowly wrap my arms around her as she starts the tractor, for safety reasons obviously.
A few hours later, I strike again (getting down from the tractor barely counted as an attempt cause she practically jumped off the tractor in her haste to get off of my lap and run away). Peridot is sitting up in the truck bed, just staring off into the distance. I know she is waiting for me to join her for our nightly camp pining hearts marathon. She usually yells for me though.
I fly up after a few moments consideration of what to say to her. "Hey Peridot. We starting season 5 tonight?" I begin with as I land.
I can see her visibly shake off whatever was on her mind as I mention the infamous season 5. "Do we have to?!" She complains loudly, practically whining. "That season is literal trash. The character..." the dork continues her explanations as I sit down next to her, keeping my usual space for now. "and that is why we should skip it!"
"Okay," I agree with a shrug. "Christmas special?"
"Much better." She easily falls into my trap, getting up to retrieve the tape from the stack.
While her back is turned, I smoothly slide to the center of the couch, still not in her space, but closer. She doesn't notice right away and it isn't until she's gotten the show started and is getting comfortable in her own seat that I see her do a double take from the peripheral of my vision but I ignore it in favor of watching the show, bidding my time.
Unbeknownst to the CPH nerd, I have been watching and rewatching this episode anytime she is not around (blame my hopeless romantic heart), and have memorized one of the Christmas songs. I tried having Steven find a CD of it for me, but the one he got sounded different so I dutifully memorized it from the video.
Not soon enough, the scene came. On screen, Percy picks up the guitar from beside the couch they are sitting on and starts to play. I start to hum along to the tune, causing a very focused small bean to jump.
"I don't need a lot for Christmas." I sing a slow duet with Percy. "There is just on thing I need." I steal a glance over at her. I've captured her attention. "I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree." Percy and I pause. I know that at this part he looks up soulfully , but that doesn't feel right for Peridot and I. Instead I move a little closer, looking down into my lap, hoping she understands at last what I'm trying to say. "I just want you for my own, more that you could ever know" my voice starts to break but I try to contain it. "Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas, is you." I resolutely don't look at her, fixing my eyes on the screen, gripping the couch on either side of me now as Percy and I repeat one last time. "Yeah all I want for Christmas, is you."
On the screen, Percy is leaning in for a kiss, but I just sit quietly and wait. The next move is Peridot's to make or not make.
Seconds tick by in silence. Then minutes. I prepare to move away as the episode is finishing up but I feel a shift beside me and a hand touch mine before I move. I look over and meet Peridot's eyes as she starts to sing. "I'm not sure what this is supposed to be," Her breath catches "but, when the time comes" I'm surprised as she skips to the end. "baby don't run." She moves closer to me as she breaths out, "Just kiss me slowly." Her eyes shift down from my eyes, telegraphing her intentions.
I lean down and meet her lips on their way towards mine. She squeals a little in surprise into my lips which causes me to smirk. It's a strange feeling to have her lips on mine, but not unpleasant at all. After a few seconds, I pull away to see the little cutie's face. She's completely flushed a light green and I can't stop myself from ducking down and gently kissing her forehead.
"You okay?" I ask, slowly linking my fingers with hers. Vigorously, she nods her head.
"Good." I smile at her, settling back into the couch, happy with this new feeling in my heart.
And that is how I fell in love with Peridot, facet 5, through music.