Lapis got an early start to the morning. She didn't need a reason to be up this early, she simply enjoyed the feeling. The cool and crisp early morning air, the feeling of the wet dirt between her toes, the smells of the fresh grown fields. She felt a calm sensation overwhelm her. Veggie's echoing barks and yelps on the morning air indicated that Peridot would soon awaken.
Peridot was getting off to a groggy start by contrast. Dragging her feet across the floor she made her way to the barn's entrance. She could easily make out the top of Lapis' hair in the sea of green in front of her. "Lapis! I'm up!", she called. Lapis turned to see Peridot weakly waving by the barn door. Deciding it was time to head in anyway, she flew from the fields toward Peridot. "Morning Peri.", she said jubilantly. It wasn't uncommon to find Lapis in a good mood nowadays. But today she looked like Armageddon couldn't wreck her day. Peridot was tired but at least her mind wasn't frayed. "Good morning Lapis", she spoke in-between a long yawn. "You okay Peri?", Lapis asked. "Yea, just a bit tired.", Peridot responded.
Lapis couldn't help but wonder if Peridot felt something other than tired. Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar whistling. The two turned to see Jamie climbing the hill from the road. He had a handful of mail and a small package in his arms. "Ooh! The mail's here!", Peridot said as she shook herself awake. Jamie handed Peridot her package as he began sorting through various letters. "Package for Peridot and let's see... I have 4 letters for the two of you." Lapis graciously took the letters and turned to see Peridot greedily eviscerating her package as Jamie walked away. "What did you order?", Lapis asked.
Peridot held up a tan-colored baseball cap with a green leaf symbol on the front. "Just some more Camp Pining Hearts merch!" Peridot shoved the hat into her hair, causing it to comically poof through the back and out the front. "Oh, right... I forgot..." Peridot said discouraged. Lapis snickered loudly, "Hold on, let me give you a hand with that." Lapis sat Peridot down on one of the oil drums by the barn. Taking her time she carefully slicked Peridot's stubborn hair back, taming it into two ponytails. "There, now keep your eyes closed." Lapis fastened Peridot's hat to her head and picked up a mirror. "Okay, now you can open them." Peridot was astonished at her new look. "Lapis, this is amazing!" Peridot embraced her friend in a soft hug.
Lapis blushed deeply, "It's just a little something I saw once on TV. You're welcome Peridot." Suddenly Lapis remembered, "Oh yeah, I still need to check the mail! Picking up the pile of letters she scrolled through each one carefully. "What did we get?", Peridot asked. "Let's see; cable advertisement, letter from Mr. IRS again..." Peridot sighed disgusted, "Ugh, when will he leave us alone!?" Lapis continued, "We got another magazine ad, and a letter from Steven!" The last part caught Peridot's attention. "Let me see let me see!" Lapis read the letter aloud, "Dear Lapis and Peridot, you've been cordially invited to come to Steven Universe's super awesome movie night. Please come in pajamas and bring your favorite choice of film. Hope to see you there, signed Steven Universe."
"Yes!", Peridot squealed enthusiastically. "Time to watch the one hour Season 5 Special of Camp Pining Hearts! And what great timing for you Lapis! You're only 5 episodes away from this point in the series!" "How is it?", Lapis asked. "You'll never be fully prepared for the twists and turns of this one Lapis! This'll leave you crying on the floor begging for more!" Lapis was more than satisfied with that synopsis. Later that night, Lapis and Peridot generated pajama outfits and headed out. Peridot grabbed the special and Lapis took her favorite cult classic 'Gone With The Breeze'. They made it to the door just as the sun began to set. Steven opened the door, "Ah, you guys are just in time! Come on in and get settled on the bed."
The pair stepped inside. Steven directed them to lay their films in a pile of movies with each guest's name labeled on the front. Garnet, being unable to decide between 'Mission Improbable 2' and 'Citizen Bane' decided to unfuse and select both films. Pearl brought 'And Then There Were Some' while Greg stuck with a favorite of his; 'Galactic Wars V, The Empire Strikes Again'. Connie of course brought her copy of 'Dogcopter III'. Amethyst lay on her belly at the edge of the bed, fidgeting with her copy of 'Stocky II' where she beckoned the pair to find their seats. It wasn't long before the popcorn was finished, the soda poured, and the movies were in full swing. By 1 AM the group was half asleep and nearly through Galactic Wars when Peridot noticed something. Amethyst was slumped over her head and playing with her ponytails.
The film echoed quietly in the dead silent room, "You've learned much young Skyfalker. But you are not a Jen'Dai yet..." "Is this the part where they fight dad?", Steven asked. Greg, who had fallen half asleep awoke quickly. "Huh? Oh yeah! Pay attention here Steven, here comes the big twist ending!" Peridot shuffled a bit to counter Amethyst's playing without her notice, when suddenly Lapis, now asleep with her dolphin, decided Peridot would be a great slumber pal. Leaning her arm unconsciously over Peridot's shoulder she pulled her in for a hug. Amethyst noticed this and began to tug a bit harder on Peridot's tails. Peridot was in absolute hell.
The film went on as another war played out silently without notice, "Impressive... Most impressive..." Lapis began to fall away from Peridot's body, but not before snagging her arm and dragging her down with her. Not loosening her grip either, Amethyst fell forward onto Peridot. The three lay together in a clump over the bed. Amethyst shot Peridot a playful smile, "Hey Per..." Peridot was anything but amused. Trying her best to wiggle out of the cluster of gems she eked out just enough to catch the rest of the scene. "Obi-Nan never told you what happened to your father..." Peridot wriggled her legs but to no avail. Amethyst wouldn't budge.
"He told me enough! He told me you killed him..." Amethyst unconsciously rolled over off of Lapis and right onto Peridot. Her screams were muffled by both Amethyst and the film. "No Duke, I am your father..." Steven nearly raised his voice into a yell, "What!?" Greg looked down at his son, "I'm right here Steven." "Dad! Is he lying? It can't be true! Right?" Peridot could hear or see none of it. Squirming violently she could barely tap the floor with her arms legs pinned down. Giving up she tried in vain to sleep. This was going to be a long night.
The next morning came as Pearl lifted Amethyst's body from Peridot, who had trouble standing up from her all night faceplant. Pearl gasped, "Oh! There you are! Lapis we found Peridot!" Peridot's grumbles were unheard, even as Pearl placed her standing up straight by the bed. Her face read of intense irritation and exhaustion. "Oh, sorry about that Perski...", Amethyst said through a yawn. Lapis flew into a quick hop toward Peridot. "Peri! Are you okay?" Peridot's voice was low and groggy, "Yeah, I'm fine..." Steven looked up at the scene just above his head, "Oh, hey Peridot! Sorry, you and Amethyst just missed breakfast. I can get you something from The Big Donut if you want..."
Peridot scoffed wordlessly. Amethyst however, hopped down and immediately snatched the 20 from Steven's hand. "Are you sure you aren't hungry Per?", she called. Peridot would've liked something to eat, but between being crushed half to death the whole night and having to continue dealing with this awful love triangle she decided to pass. "No thanks, I'll just skip on eating today." "Suit yourself.", Amethyst said before leaving. Lapis and Peridot bid the gems goodbye as they made a slow walk toward the beach head. "Are you sure you're alright? That didn't look too comfortable.", Lapis asked. Peridot was trying to wipe a smudge of spilt soda from her gem, "Just a bit of a gem-ache Lapis it's fine. Lapis knew something was up, and now looking around her she knew she had time to ask. "Peri, you've been acting very strange lately."
Peridot cringed one hand out of Lapis' view. Did she have to have another one of these conversations? Why oh why couldn't everyone just leave her be? Peridot tried to act like she couldn't hear her. "Peri, I know you can hear me perfectly fine. What's going on?" Peridot knew she had to say something. But what was she going to say? She had no idea. "Peri! Answer me!" Peridot took a deep breath, "It's, just there's a lot on my mind lately Lazuli. Nothing more." Lapis knelt to look her lover in the eyes, "Like what? You told me the relationship should be about honesty and communication. Well that works both ways. Now tell me what's going on."
Peridot was quickly running out of options again. She hated when she got like this. "Like a lot of things." Lapis was getting a bit irritated, "But what specifically!?" "I don't know!", Peridot shrieked. Lapis paused herself for a moment. "It's not any one thing in particular Lapis. I've just got a lot going on right now. Between you and Homeworld and the Crystal Gems and getting used to Earth and..." Lapis cut her off laughing a slight bit, "Okay I got it! No need to give me your life's story." Peridot looked up at Lapis with eyes that looked clearly hurt. "You can tell me anything, okay? Anything at all. And I trust that if something in particular is really bothering you, you'll talk to me." Peridot tried her best to smile for Lapis. "Now come on, what do you say we got to that nice diner in the next town over?"
Peridot was thrilled at that prospect. "Only if I can get the pancakes and the hash browns!" Lapis laughed, "We'll talk about it when we get there." Peridot hopped atop Lapis' back and the pair flew off into the sky. Peridot had narrowly averted Lapis' interrogation, but she needed to find a more permanent solution to this problem and fast. Lapis was certainly not stupid. And sooner or later she would have to know the truth...