As the days began to grow shorter and colder, Peridot spent the time considering her options. It was well past time for her to make a decision. But that didn't mean it was going to be an easy one. She eventually settled on talking it out with Amethyst. After all, she was the only other inside party in the know. Whether this meant she was breaking up with her or not was irrelevant. If she was, she'd tell her in person. And if not, she'd have to figure out how to let Lapis down easy later on. And so she made her way toward Steven's house and the Crystal Temple. She didn't get more than 15 feet out the door when she heard a voice from behind her.
"Surprise!" Peridot stopped dead in her tracks. Amethyst was once again leaning against the barn door, arms and legs crossed as if anticipating something. "Well, that just saved me a walk.", Peridot said flatly. "Aw, just can't stand to be away from me, huh Peri?" Amethyst's voice carried a lofty flirtation that caressed Peridot's ears. No, enough flirting. This had to end now, one way or another. "Amethyst, we need to talk." Amethyst chuckled quietly before leaning towards Peridot. "I prefer actions to words if you don't mind." Peridot felt ill, almost deathly so, all she wanted was to follow Amethyst's lean in for a kiss. But she knew it wasn't right. She either broke up here on the spot or confessed her undying love. And it would be done through words. No more sex, no more fusion, just plain and honest words.
"No!", Peridot shrieked. Amethyst snapped out of her flirtatious mood. She stared blankly at the gem before her, who seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Amethyst, I really need to talk to you about this whole thing we have going. It's not okay. I'm not okay. I've hurt Lapis, and it's hurting you too!" Amethyst interrupted, "I don't feel hurt by it. I know who you really like..." Peridot stomped her foot into the dirt. "No! That's enough! Stop manipulating me!" Amethyst tightened her hands into fists. "What!? Manipulating you!? All we've done is by your consent! I can't force you to do anything!" Peridot raised her voice into a loud shout, "Yes you can! And yes you have! I can't stand this anymore! I can't continue living my life like it's just one big lie!" Amethyst screamed at the top of her lungs, "Is that what I am to you!? Just a great big lie!? I'm just some dirty little secret for you to hide away from everybody else right!?"
Peridot wiped away her tear stains with her arm. "No. I'm just, having a tough time dealing with this. I know this is all my fault. In truth, I'm the one manipulating you. I've played both of you for fools. All because I'm too scared to face you. So I've tried to live a double life, but even that won't work anymore. It isn't fair for me to do that. I hope you can forgive me, cause I don't know if I can forgive myself..." Peridot began to break up on that last sentence. Amethyst's rage seemed to completely disappear. "Hey! Don't cry, it's okay!" Peridot looked on lovingly into Amethyst's eyes. "Does this mean we're through Perski?" Peridot fell back into the dirt defeated, "No, well not exactly. I don't know. All I know is I'm through trying to keep this ruse up. It's either me and you or me and Lapis."
Amethyst joined Peridot on the ground. After a good minute of silence, Amethyst spoke. "So who is it gonna be?" Peridot rolled over to look at Amethyst, "I don't know. It's so difficult to choose just one of you. I have no idea how I'm gonna make this decision." A sly grin spread across Amethyst's face. "Well, is there any way I can influence your decision?" Peridot stood up confused, "Huh?" Without another word, Amethyst stood up and pulled Peridot in for a kiss. "How many points was that worth? Do you still love me?" Peridot's eyes were starstruck. "I, I do love you Amethyst..."
Just then, Peridot's heart plummeted into her stomach. She froze solid with incredible fear. Just behind Amethyst's embracing arms, stood Lapis Lazuli. She had witnessed everything. "Lapis..." Lapis was awestruck at the scene before her. Her best friend, her sole confidant, now stood before her in pure guilt. Lapis grit her teeth as tears began streaming down her face. Amethyst turned slowly to see what was going on behind her. "What. Are. You. Doing?"