Backstage Protection

A Steven Universe Fanfiction

Chapter Five

A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry this is late again... I'm going to try to update at least once a week now, I promise. The Lapidot portion of the story should be picking up a bit in this chapter.

As the hours passed, Lapis's exhaustion grew. The flapping of her wings was growing increasingly floppy and forced, and her unnecessary breath was coming in quick gasps. Her arms were sore from the slightly shorter gem in her arms weighing her down. She was struggling to remain high up enough in the air to see her destination from her current location.

"Do you need to take a break?" Peridot asked, looking up at her with concern in her light green eyes. Lapis had to give her this much credit, she was making it hard to keep the affection at bay.

Unable to catch her breath enough to give a simple 'no,' she just shook her head and continued on her path. Peridot gave a tight lipped frown but didn't object further, just keeping her eyes on the path.

It took a while for her passenger to speak up once more. "You really need to take a break. You'll have to retreat into your gem if you exhaust yourself too far."

There was logic in that statement, but it didn't defer the gem from her stubborn refusal to stop flying. "We need to get there soon."

"But why do we need to go to Beach City? That's where those Crystal Gems that are always destroying my things live. We don't need a run in with them." Peridot whined suddenly, catching Lapis off guard.

The ocean gem sighed heavily and spoke between heavy pants. "We can avoid them, it's not impossible. We're going there because not only is Steven Universe there, if Jasper follows the Crystal Gems will more than likely confront her and we'll be safe wherever we decide to hide."

"Remind me why the Steven is so important?" She didn't need to look at the green gem's face to know she was pouting.

"He's my friend. He's done nothing but try to help me." She knew her companion wouldn't necessarily understand, considering Peridot had only had a few friends in her lifetime. "He healed my gem and helped me get back to the Homeworld. Then he tried to get me to let him break out of his prison. I think he tried to contact me while I was stuck under the ocean." A pause. "He's important to me, Peridot."

A huff of acceptance was the only response. At least she wasn't trying to argue. Maybe it was because she knew that Lapis wouldn't hesitate to leave her behind if she refused to come alone.

Well, maybe she'd hesitate a little, but she'd definitely leave.

"About how long until we get there?"

"We're a little less than halfway."

"You're not gonna make it."

An unamused and slightly insulted look was given as Lapis continued moving.

"I'm serious. And even if you do make it, you'll be out of commission for a while, and I don't know a thing about Earth geography."

"Would you have a little faith?" She snapped, patience wearing thin.

Peridot put her hands up and spoke defensively. "I'm not having a lack of faith, Lapis. Your stamina isn't good enough. I know you well enough to tell you that."

It was kind of hard to ignore flat logic, but Lapis was doing her best to.

"Lapis, please. Let's land and camp out for a little while. You need rest."

The concern in her voice was enough to make the ocean gem sigh heavily and give in, slowly going downwards at an angle to land. She set Peridot down on the ground and landed next to her, catching her breath and sighing a little in relief when the pressure was off of her arms.

"Are you alright?" The green gem asked with a small tight frown.

Lapis nodded slightly and slowly sat on a nearby log. Luckily, she had found another clearing in another forest, so the two aliens were fairly covered and secure. The temperature of the air was far higher than it had been when they took off, indicating that they were farther south than their previous location.

Peridot seemed to hesitate before sitting beside her with her arms at her side. "Uh, if you want to lay down you can use my lap as a pillow."

The ocean gem gave her a slightly suspicious look and checked her face for any malice. Upon finding none, she laid down slightly awkwardly with her head on the other's lap. Sure enough, her energy appeared to be recovering more quickly.

"Thank you…" She murmured, closing her eyes and relaxing. She didn't sleep – there was no time to imitate that human habit – but she was far more at ease than she had been before.

And so the two gems stayed like that for a few hours, getting strength back and waiting for the sun to rise.