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ronyxfic · 7 years

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Educating the Victim - Act V, Chapter VII

Pairing: Lapis/Jasper, Lapis/Peridot, Jasper/Peridot, Lapis/Jasper/Peridotk

Rating: Teens and up

Warnings/Tags: manipulation and threats.

Read it on AO3!

Educating the Victim Masterpost

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CHAPTER 7: Intrigue

The most mysterious out of the four women who now regularly met for Bridge club was certainly the one sitting opposite Marigold.

Her face was often partially hidden. She wore a blue headscarf – always blue; different shades of blue, light blue, sky blue, royal blue. Patterned, sometimes. But never a colour other than blue.

She spoke with eloquence, and never too much. She never drank alcohol.

“Isn’t it against your religion to gamble with money, Azure?” Claire had asked her on one occasion.

Azure Almas had shrugged.

“This sort of money is not something I’ll lose sleep over,” she said calmly.

Marigold Diamond, whose own earnings as a trainee teacher were rather limited, could only stare at Azure.

It would be many, many months until Marigold found the courage to talk to Azure directly.

Rose Quartz was doing most of the preparations for the careers fair, so Marigold Diamond didn't concern herself with it too much.

Except for one thing.

It was Friday afternoon, and Marigold knew that most normal people would have left their offices by now.

Azure wasn't most normal people.

Marigold still had the phone number memorised. Still felt her heart beating loudly whenever she did this. She hadn't talked to Azure in almost precisely a year. This, and only this, was what she had left from back then.

There was a reason for that.

Marigold sighed, then reached out for the telephone. Put in the number. Muscle memory, even now.

The familiar tone echoed in her ears as she was being connected.

Azure had finished a mountain of paperwork as a crunch for the weekend. She found her old mobile ringing (at work, she carried three) and with a quick glance at the date, knew exactly the culprit. Marigold Diamond had always been an odd one. She often thought that if they spoke more, they'd possibly be friends.

Though, ever since she'd grown to be such a successful principal, Azure had reserved a little respect for her.

"Good evening, Marigold. How can I help?" Her voice was cool, smooth. Years of conversations meant she'd learnt that with Marigold, one simply had to take dominance from her. Fight it, tooth and nail, and Marigold would either grow enraged at insubordination or bend down a little to her resolve.

Azure silently prayed today she'd have opportunity for the latter.

Her blood rushed in her ears. Memories plagueing her mind.

"Azure, how good to hear your voice. How have you been?" A conversation with Azure was almost like a fight, a dance, a perfectly rehearsed choreography. Marigold felt her heart beating loudly.

"Successful as usual, my dear," Azure purred, "I've just appointed a new CEO and might be taking some leave next year. We should most certainly meet. Now. Again, how may I help you?"

"A new CEO, you say?" Marigold said smoothly. "Well, I do hope he or she is up to the task! Could anyone ever truly replace you?" Thinking of one of Azure's employees would be running the company felt a little strange to her. It was Azure's company, her accomplishment. Nobody else would be quite the same.

"Oh, she's spectacular. Reminds me of you, ravishing, powerful… ruthless." Azure smirked a little. "You'll meet her at the careers fair. I am, as it's pretty obvious, quite taken by her."

"Still playing your old games, then, I see?" Marigold said. "So who is she? Do I know her?"

"Oh, you may! She used to go to your school. Said she had a lot of fun with her sister there." She tapped a pen on her desk. "The name Aurora sound familiar at all?"

Oh.

Aurora had mentioned that her sister worked in a games company. Marigold had never asked about the details.

"I've heard of her," she said smoothly. "You're still going after the young ones, then."

It's not like I'm any better.

She allowed the thought for half a second, then viciously pushed it aside.

"What can I say?" Azure wasn't about to let anyone make her feel ashamed. Her voice grew a little more husky. Challenging. "I can't help enjoying the taste of fresh berries. Unlike you, it seems. Still got any of your usual brew around?"

"I quit," Marigold said. "For good this time." Being drunk would be really nice sometimes. Most of the time. Marigold saw it as a personal challenge. And she never lost a challenge.

"Oh, my, back with the church programme, I see. How's that going, dear?"

"I was never not with the church programme. Pay attention, will you?" Her religion was a sore point. Marigold hated and admired Azure for the way her religion just seemed to come naturally to her, while Marigold herself struggled so much.

"Now, now, Miss Diamond. Let's not get all agitated. It's been a while since I've seen you. You know people nowadays, enjoying new things. I didn't want to presume." Azure could feel Marigold's anger bubbling away and secretly loved it. "How long have you been sober for?"

"Since before Christmas." All Marigold had were flashes of memory. Unanswered texts to Aurora. Coldness staring her in the face every time she left her office. Marigold still had no clear answer as to what had driven Aurora away.

"Oh! Any prompting to that?" Azure’s tone was sweet, comforting. Genuinely curious. But still more powerful. She needed to get Mari to bend over, or the fair would be hell.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I had medical concerns." A flat out lie; one that nobody would be able to pick up on. Except perhaps Azure.

Oh, and Azure could tell right away. Yes. This would be a way to get Marigold to bend down to submission. If she felt like lying, Azure could play her. "Oh, that's so terrible! I'm very sorry to hear it - you should've let me know, I would have visited you to wish you well. Oh, I could get you with my private medical team, I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I chipped in. Quite expensive, this whole self preservation business, isn't it?"

"I have enough to provide for myself, thank you." The last thing Marigold wanted was Azure's pity. Azure pitied the people she saw as beneath her.

"The offer will always be on the table. And with your liver, I really wouldn't be surprised, my dear."

A trap. One Marigold knew to avoid. "Hence why I quit."

"Mm. I see. That's fair. Forgive me for caring about you, you know I still do." Not a lie. Azure’s tone was warmer. "So. Careers fair. I am still invited, right?"

Marigold's heart did a little flip-flop when Azure said she still cared about her.

"Yes, that's why I called. I was going to give you the exact dates and the arrangement so you can prepare."

"Oh yes, of course. Always good at that, aren't you?" She gave Marigold a little praise and fetched her other phone to find the calendar app. "Go on then, tell me."

"It's in March, just before Easter." It always was. "The sixteenth. It goes on the entire day, starting at nine. You can set up from eight."

"As usual, then." Azure smiled. "I have you down. Is there anything else?"

"Hmm. Heard anything from Roxy lately?" Azure wouldn't have. Marigold hadn't. Roxy had vanished years ago.

"Nothing whatsoever." Azure frowned. "None on your end, then?"

"Not for years." Marigold showed no emotion. "Has she ever done this before?" Azure had known Roxy longer than Marigold.

Azure gritted her teeth, losing herself a little in the sudden upset. "No. She never did this before."

"Calm down, Azure, she might still come back." Unlikely by this point. Roxy could be dead for all they knew. But getting upset wouldn't solve anything.

"I'm fine." Not this again. Marigold knew she needed time when it came to losing people. "I just miss her."

"I see. I can hang up if you need some time alone." It was almost taunting.

Azure nearly gasped. The indignity. "No, no. I'll be alright."

"If you're sure." Marigold sighed. "I miss her too, you know."

"Sure," Azure said. They'd all been there at one point. Closer.

Azure hid her eye bags under her hands before realising no one was watching. "I'll be calling you about things for the fair."

"Good. I'll speak to you soon, Azure." A pang of regret was pushed aside. Marigold knew that associating with Azure more again would be dangerous. She kept it to a comfortable once a year, even though a very large part of her wanted that life back.

But, like with the alcohol, she needed to stay strong.

Azure hung up. She cast her expression down and sighed. This wasn't good. Marigold couldn't see her be sad at all; if she did, it would make interactions… difficult.

The line clicked, and Marigold let out a deep breath. It almost sounded like a sigh.

Her heart was still beating fast. It would only be a few weeks until she would see Azure again.

This time, Lapis had asked Jasper before bringing Peridot home. Jasper, clearly remembering what happened last time Peridot had visited, had easily agreed.

So here they were on their way again.

"How was your day, Peri?" Lapis asked her companion.

"Oh! It was alright. Everyone's getting kind of excited about that careers fair - they're actually starting to care about their grades, too!"

"That's good!" Lapis had heard who would be at the fair - yet again. "I'll be taking that day off. They don't particularly need me at the fair and there aren't any lessons."

"Oh!" Peridot gave a little frown. "You don't do an English stall?"

"They'll have people from outside coming in. Publishers, writers, the lot. They don't need me. What am I even gonna tell them - how to fuck up your life so bad that you have to become a teacher because it's literally the only thing you can do?" She shrugged. "Oh, here we are," she then said, getting out her keys to unlock the door.

Peridot gave her a look, but couldn't quite summon the words to respond with. She only placed her hand on Lapis' back and quietly mumbled, "Being a teacher ain't so bad. I got you guys."

Lapis didn't show her surprise. It was rare that Peridot initiated touch, but this wasn't the first time it had happened. Their lunches together seemed to have made Peridot trust Lapis.

Instead, she just smiled. "I'm glad you see it that way. Are you looking forward to seeing Malachite again? She's missed you!"

"Oh, most certainly! I'd love to touch her again. She's just so cool! I asked my mom if we could get one and she only said yeah to guppies." Peridot then took out her phone and showed a tank with two little freshwater fish. "That one is Clod. And the other one is Robonoid. I most certainly did not name them."

"Aww. Cute! But Malachite's better." Lapis opened the door carefully. "A-ha!" Malachite had betrayed herself, and Lapis quickly caught her before she could run outside. "Little bugger," she said fondly. "Come in, come in."

She was still holding Malachite and was about to close the door when she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, damn."

Peridot eagerly bounced in, looking at the lizard with wide eyed curiosity. "The big, pretty girl is here. Hello!"

"Yes. Can you hold her?" Lapis didn't wait for an answer before thrusting Malachite at Peridot. "Jasper?" she called.

"Yeah?" came the reply from the living room.

"Ah, good, you're here. Um." She turned to Peridot. "Awkward situation. I forgot my laptop at school, and I kind of really need it do do work over the weekend. So I need to go back."

Peridot gave a sad look to Malachite. "That's not good. I can come with you if you want?"

Lapis considered it for only a moment, but then sighed. "No, it's okay, I'll probably get there faster by myself. No offense." She hesitated, then grabbed Peridot's wrist and pulled her into the living room.

"Jasper," she said, "I've gotta go back to the school to get my laptop. You be nice to Peri, yeah? Don't hurt her. You'll regret it."

Jasper nodded. She was very calm. "I won't, Lapis. Come back soon."

Peridot seemed oddly alright about the arrangement. "That's okay! Now I get to hang out with two cute girls. Isn't that right, Malachite?"

Jasper raised an eyebrow at Peridot.

"But the other cute girl is just leaving," she pointed out, looking at Lapis.

Lapis rolled her eyes. "Don't get up to anything silly while I'm gone." And then the door fell shut behind her and Jasper was alone with Peridot.

"You can set her down," Jasper said, nodding towards Malachite. "She doesn't like being held for too long."

Peridot blinked, "Oh! I didn't know that. Sorry, you go and run now!" She watched Malachite scamper under the table and gave Jasper a bright beam. "Wow, thanks! I wouldn't have wanted her to be upset."

"That's alright." Jasper was watching Peridot closely. Lapis wasn't here. What... exactly did Lapis expect them to do?

"Do you, um. Want something to drink?" she offered clumsily.

"Oh, sure!" Peridot nodded as she tore her gaze from the lizard and looked at Jasper. "I don't mind! I'll have whatever you're having."

"Okay then!" That was simple. Jasper got up and opened the fridge to pull out two beers. "This okay?" she asked, holding it out for Peridot.

Peridot cocked her head. She didn't really drink. At all. Ever. "Uh. Haven't had that one before, but sure! I trust you!"

Jasper cocked her head. Had Peridot really never had beer before? Oh well - there was no real reason not to let her try it. At the very least, it would be funny. Jasper opened hers. "Cheers," she said before taking a large gulp.

Peridot seemed delighted at Jasper's new kindness and took a sip before her face knitted into a deep frown. She looked at the bottle. Then at Jasper. Then at the bottle. Then at Jasper's half empty bottle.

Jasper watched.

"Don't you like it?" she asked when Peridot frowned. "It's okay, I can get you something else."

"It's... the worst thing I've ever had. Why would you consume this... odd... bread flavored carbonate?" Peridot slid it back. "I'm in awe of your talent. And iron stomach."

Jasper gave a deep rumble of a chuckle and picked up Peridot's beer. "It's an acquired taste," she admitted. "We have some juice as well, if you'd like."

"That seems much more pleasurable." Peridot gave a tiny nod, utterly unaware of any innuendo.

Jasper narrowed her eyes.

Peridot didn't seem to mean anything of it.

Jasper gave an odd little smile. "You know, sometimes I can actually see why Lapis likes you so much."

Peridot tilted her head. "Oh yeah, she said she did. I like her a lot, too. Ever since you had that word with her, she's been very kind. It's so nice of you guys to have me back again."

Jasper opened the fridge.

"Hmm, we have... orange juice, apple juice... coke. Tap water, I guess." She cast a look at Peridot.

Endearing, she was.

"What kind of apple juice?" She peeped over. "Are the apples on the carton green? Because that's the only kind of apple juice I like. "

Indeed, they were. Jasper took the carton out and got a glass for Peridot.

"You have a thing about colours, eh?" she asked matter-of-factly when she passed the glass to Peridot.

"Colours. Textures. Smells." Peridot shrugged. "That's human, isn't it?"

"It's normal to have preferences," Jasper said. "But people don't tend to colour-code their food." She sat down, next to Peridot this time rather than on the other sofa. "But hey, people are different. Nothing wrong with different." She should know; after all, she was different from the norm in so many ways.

Peridot looked at her with wide eyes. "You think... it's okay?"

"Being different?" Jasper laughed. "Have you seen me? I'd have to hate myself if I didn't think it was okay. Not that I don't."

"But you're... just fine! You're not like me. I'm... You wouldn't get it." Peridot sighed, but then offered Jasper a smile. "Thanks, though. You're really kind, too, Jasper!"

Jasper sighed. It stung.

But yeah. She wouldn't get it.

"I try." She didn't look at Peridot.

Peridot's foot accidentally brushed against Jasper's as she sipped. "I don't think someone like you would need to try hard to be nice. You seem like a good person."

Jasper jumped at the sudden contact.

She dug her hands into her hair.

Not now. Fuck. Not now.

Lapis wasn't here. Lapis wasn't here.

"Y- yeah." She didn't even really register what Peridot had said.

Peridot noticed right away and furrowed her brow. "Oh, I'm sorry! I don't like some touches, either. I can get you some water! That helps me with sensory overload."

"O- oh. Sure." Jasper had trimmed her nails only a few days ago; she regretted it now. She had to work so much harder to feel pain. Pain grounded her. Calmed her.

Her breathing was harsh, laboured. Heart beating loudly. Not now, please, not now.

"Oh. Oh, here. Come with me. I don't want to just leave you here. Unless you can't move." Peridot did something Lapis seldom did. Her voice was quiet. Calm. Sensitive. Smooth and cool enough to be level. She outstretched her hand.

Jasper's body expected Lapis.

Instead, she got soft words. No touches.

And - it didn't get worse.

Jasper closed her eyes. Tried to breathe. Loosened her fingers a little.

Peridot gave a tiny smile. "See. It's okay. Everything's okay. Nothing to be scared of, alright? Would you like me to sit back down?"

Yes. Yes. The panic subsided. Jasper found that she could breathe.

She nodded.

Peridot gently sat beside her. Her size meant that she barely moved the couch. "Is there... anything I can do to help you, Jasper? I would like to help."

Peridot. It was Peridot. Lapis wasn't here.

Jasper breathed.

"I'll... be fine," she said softly. Miraculously.

"May I touch you?"

"That... would actually be appreciated," Jasper said.

Lapis had never asked.

Peridot softly curled her arms around her. "That frightened me. A lot. Are you sure you're going to be alright?" She smelt of apples and mint. It must've been her shampoo.

"Yeah. Sorry. It kind of... happens all the time." Jasper let her hands drop. Opened her eyes. No blood. No pain. "How... how did you do that?"

Peridot gave a little titter. "Whaddaya mean?"

Jasper narrowed her eyes. Did she... really not realise what she'd just done?

"It's almost impossible to get me out of an attack this quickly," she said. "I didn't even hurt myself. Lapis can't do it and she knows me better than anyone."

"I get it a lot. It's just about giving your head some time to realise that everything's alright. She doesn't do that?"

"She... has her ways. Lets me ride it out." Jasper shook her head quickly, almost like a shiver. "I... uh. Sorry you had to see that."

She looked at Peridot, who was still hugging her.

Cautiously, she hugged back.

Peridot smiled into the hug, as if she'd barely received contact in a while. "It's okay. Like I said. I get it. You even caught me during one."

"Really?" Jasper tried to think. Huh. "In... the bathroom that one time?"

"Yeah. Lapis called me 'special'. I... don't have a lot of good connotations with that word."

"Oh." That was... absolutely understandable. "You should tell her. Or I could, I don't mind. She doesn't want to hurt you, you know."

"She hasn't, since you spoke to her. Like I said, I like her a lot now!" Peridot then shrugged. "But I appreciate it, too. You're pretty cool, yanno."

Jasper huffed. "You just don't know me well enough." She was sure if anyone was to ask Lapis, the last word Lapis would use to describe her would be 'cool'.

"But you're actually in a relationship and you have things in check. It's a lot cooler than living with your mom or still being a... well, Virgin for anything. "

A smile. "Lapis told me you'd never kissed someone. Guess that's actually true, then?"

Peridot looked down, shameful. "I've been told anime makes it look much more exciting than it actually is."

Jasper laughed.

She couldn't help it. Peridot was so cute.

Okay, no, she could definitely see why Lapis liked her so much.

And because her brain was still slightly messy from her panic attack and because Peridot had still not stopped hugging her and Jasper had stopped having any kind of filter for what was appropriate or not, she asked, "Do you wanna find out?"

The blink was almost childlike. "Well, duh!"

"Okay."

She was probably going too far.

She didn't care.

Gentle fingers tilted Peridot's chin up at her. Jasper leaned in. Hesitated, just so Peridot could pull away if she wanted to.

Peridot's eyes widened. Oh. She hadn't expected Jasper to offer one at all. It had been entirely hypothetical. But she didn't pull away. She let herself taste Jasper.

Even if Jasper wasn't green.

A soft smile.

Jasper kissed Peridot gently, briefly, then pulled away.

Peridot's face was bright red.

"So that's that, then." She licked her lips and looked up into Jasper's cat-like eyes. "Wow. Thanks."

Jasper chuckled.

"You're welcome."

She looked up when she heard the door being unlocked.

Peridot suddenly snapped back into reality. "You're... in a relationship. That was cheating."

Jasper shrugged.

Lapis let the door fall shut behind her. "Jasper? Peridot? You both still alive?"

Peridot's face turned into the deepest blush and she attempted to scramble away from Jasper's arms.

"Hey, it's okay." Jasper loosened her arms, but gave Peridot the option to stay anyway.

Lapis came into the living room and saw them, still suspiciously close.

She narrowed her eyes.

"What... have you two been up to?" she asked.

Jasper flashed her a smile. "Well, I didn't hurt her," she said.

"Lapis, oh my stars, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I shouldn't have done that!" But Peridot didn't leave those arms. She couldn't.

"Done... what?"

Lapis looked at Peridot. Then at Jasper.

"Jasper, what did you do?" A flash of threat in her eyes. Jasper would recognise it. Peridot wouldn't.

Jasper tensed up.

"Uh," she said. "Cuddle?"

Peridot was an awful liar. "Yep. We did. Absolutely nothing. That was. Uh. Something cosmically new for me. Nope."

Lapis saw through her immediately, and the guilty look on Jasper's face was confirmation enough.

"I can explain," Jasper said quickly.

Lapis stared her down.

"Okay then," she said. "Explain."

Jasper swallowed nervously.

"I had a panic attack," she said. "Peridot got me out of it. It was... it was crazy. I didn't even hurt myself. I -"

She saw Lapis's face and fell silent.

"Liar," Lapis said.

"It's true. Okay. We kissed but it was only because I told Jasper that I didn't know what it was like and she asked me if I wanted to know what it was like and I was like... yeah, of course I do but then we started doing it and wow your girlfriend kisses really good, nice catch, but the rest of it is true!"

"No, no," Lapis said. "She lied about having a panic attack. You're not even bleeding, Jasper. You should know better than to lie to me."

"No, I-"

There was no point. Jasper sighed and looked down.

"I... I helped her, though." Peridot's voice began to warble. It was as if she was internalising Lapis' anger at Jasper.

Lapis's gaze was fixed on Jasper. A million thoughts running through her head at lightning speed.

"She did, Lapis," Jasper said softly. "If you don't believe me, can you at least believe her?"

"You..." Lapis stopped, scoffed. "You manipulated her into lying to me."

Jasper laughed out loud despite the tension. Just from the sheer absurdity of Lapis's accusation. "You know I'm shit at manipulating. Peri is shit at lying. That's the stupidest thing you've ever said. And here I thought you were smart."

Lapis's eyes narrowed.

"Peridot," she said, eyes still on Jasper. "Can you give us a moment alone?"

Peridot gave a firm squeeze to Jasper and then sighed. "Sure. Lemme know when it's okay to come back."

Jasper avoided Lapis's eyes until Peridot was gone.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

Lapis sniffed, her face projected a scowl terrifying enough to shake an ocean backwards. "Go into the bedroom."

For a long moment, Jasper thought about resisting. Challenging Lapis.

But she remembered too well what had happened last time she'd angered Lapis. Better not make it worse.

Without a word, she got up and did as Lapis said.

Lapis gripped the set of keys in her pocket, her knuckles white and fist shaking. As she followed her into the bedroom she said only one, cold word. "Strip."

"Lapis..."

Resistance, Jasper knew, was futile. Reluctantly, she took off her top.

Lapis cold only glare with disgust. "Shut up." She grabbed the chains at the bed. They wouldn't hold Jasper down forever. But they'd teach her a lesson. "I thought we agreed. Your terms. You were mine and I was yours. Are you so dense you forgot your own agreement?"

Jasper looked down. Hair fell into her eyes. "I had a panic attack," she said softly. "She was there. She calmed me down. You... you know how I get after panic attacks."

"That's bullshit. If you'd had a panic attack, it wouldn't be possible for me to communicate with you right now. You turn fucking crazy."

Jasper looked up. Met Lapis's eyes.

The chains held her back. Jasper knew she could break out of them if she wanted to. She struggled.

"She calmed me down," she said. "She caught me right as it was coming and calmed me down. She's better at it than you!"

Lapis only managed to catch herself an inch away from Jasper's face before she'd made contact. "Don't you ever say that again," she hissed. She then backed out. "Stay here. Don't make noise or I'll be back to gag you. I need to deal with my guest."

Jasper hissed, but stayed silent. Struggled. Lapis had about five minutes before Jasper would be out.

Lapis knew this. She closed the door behind her. "Peridot?"

Peridot was hiding in the bathroom. Hands under a cold tap as she counted her breaths. She heard Lapis and found herself not yet ready to move. "I'm here!"

The bathroom. "Are you okay?"

"Just cooling off! Be right... I'll be right there." Her voice dropped off lamely as she dried her hands.

"Alright. I'll be in the living room."

She sighed heavily. Decided to check on Jasper, quickly. Said nothing as she tightened the chains. She needed more time.

When she finally took a seat on the sofa in the living room, Malachite scampered up to her. Lapis picked her up.

"Looks like you're just about the only one I can depend on around here, hm?"

Malachite stuck out her tongue.

Peridot soon returned, looking tearful. Her face was pale. "Lapis. I'm so, so sorry. I honestly never meant it to happen. I barely knew what was going on. I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me for that."

Lapis looked up. Her expression softened.

She put Malachite down. "Come here," she said. "It's not your fault, and I'm not angry at you. Jasper violated an agreement we had. I don't blame you."

Peridot seemed taken aback by the calm. She smiled at it and eagerly bounced over. "You really don't? Oh, that's so good. I was so worried you'd hate me and was getting ready to pack my bags and move my mom to like Japan or something so that I can teach physics there instead of facing you."

Lapis laughed. "No, no," she said. "Can you tell me what happened, though?" Just so she knew just how much she needed to punish Jasper.

"She asked me if I wanted to kiss and I misunderstood. I just thought it was hypothetical. She seemed to be a little off, too. I got so worried."

"She didn't actually have a panic attack, right?" Lapis asked. There was no way.

"I don't know. I guess so? No one would just pretend... would they?"

Lapis frowned. "It doesn't make sense," she said. "She didn't even like you that much."

"We cuddled, though. And she was really nice to me. Gave me a beer, too. It wasn't very nice."

None of it made sense. None of it.

"I'm really sorry, Peridot," Lapis said. "This must all be so weird for you."

"I liked it!" Peridot gave a smile. "It felt nice. But I'm sorry if it hurt you. Where is Jasper, anyway?"

"Timeout," Lapis said without missing a beat. "She should be back here in, ah... two minutes? Give or take."

"Oh. I guess that's... wait, why did you punish her? It's my fault, too. You should be angry at me!"

"She broke the rules. Not you."

"Oh." Peridot frowned. "I suppose. I'm still sorry."

Lapis shrugged. "Apology accepted, I guess. I'm gonna get Jasper. Be right back."

She got up and made her way to the bedroom.

Peridot watched her leave and picked Malachite up. The second she was sure Lapis had left, she pressed her lips at its scaly forehead. So. That was kissing.

Jasper had almost gotten out of her shackles.

Lapis didn't help her, just watched as she struggled.

"Can you tell me what the fuck is going on in your primitive brain?" she challenged. "First you hate Peridot, then you manipulate her into kissing you by faking a panic attack? What the fuck, Jasper?"

Jasper avoided Lapis's eyes. "I didn't fake anything," she said. "Or manipulate - she's - she's cute, is all."

Lapis rolled her eyes. "Fine, whatever. But you'll pay for this later. You can come back through now."

Jasper managed to get out of the chains. She rubbed her wrists.

"Was that really necessary?" she complained.

"Shut up."

Lapis didn't wait for her before returning to the living room.

Peridot looked up from the iguana. "Hello, again. I'm still in total admiration of this small beauty."

"As you should be." Lapis smiled warmly. "Well, now that Jasper's made all of this sufficiently awkward, should we actually... do something? You wanted to learn how to cook, right?"

Jasper shuffled into the room after Lapis, looking suitably chastised. She wouldn't meet Peridot's eyes.

"Yes! I'd love to learn." Peridot beamed. "Oh, hey again, Jasper. Back from doin' time?" She attempted at a faux cool finger gun.

Jasper looked like she'd been slapped.

"Yeah, I'm... gonna go back to the bedroom," she said. "Bye."

"Oh." Peridot frowned. "See you around!"

"Come back, Jasper," Lapis said, oddly gentle. "This isn't something you should run away from."

Jasper's eyes flashed. She reached out and grabbed Lapis's arm in a crushing grip.

"And what do you know!" she snapped. "You're thinking I manipulated her! You don't even believe me when I tell you I had a panic attack!"

"Jasper," Lapis said, her voice carefully controlled, but laced with fear. "Let go of me. Now."

Jasper didn't loosen her grip.

"Guys. Please, stop it!" Peridot had finally had enough. "Who cares if she did or didn't? She's okay. That's all that matters."

Jasper froze. Lapis turned to Peridot.

Jasper's hands fell to her side, limp.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"So," Lapis said to Peridot without reacting to Jasper's words, "what do you suggest we do to fix this?"

"I... I guess..." Peridot swallowed. "Let's take it methodically. The issue is that we kissed, yeah?"

"Yes," said Jasper.

Lapis shot her a look.

"It's a bit more complicated than that," she said.

"Then maybe elaborate?" Peridot suggested, kindly. "So we're all on the same page."

"We kind of... had an argument a few weeks ago," Lapis said. "And came to an agreement. Jasper, you remember what it is, don't you? Why don't you tell her."

Jasper sighed heavily.

"I'm all yours," she said. "You're all mine."

"And do tell, who was it that wanted that sort of rule in the first place?" Lapis said.

Jasper swallowed.

"I did."

Peridot thought for a moment before turning to Jasper. "Why did you kiss me? Just because I wondered what it was like?"

Jasper didn't like finding herself under such scrutiny. She looked away.

"Answer her," Lapis said.

Jasper let out a heavy breath.

"I don't know. I wanted to."

"Despite the contradiction... Hm..." Peridot went back into thinking. "Thank you for being honest. Lapis. How do you want to move on?"

With Peridot guiding the conversation, Jasper found that her breathing remained even. Anger didn't bubble up quite as quickly. She didn't want to hurt Lapis quite as much.

Lapis noticed as well. A quick look from Peridot to Jasper, then back to Peridot.

She considered Peridot's question.

"I'm willing to let it slide," she said. "Under one condition."

"And that is....?"

"I get to kiss you too." A devilish grin.

A little more cautiously, she added, "If you're okay with that, of course."

Peridot spluttered a surprised cough. That was the last thing she'd expected. "What?" After... all this? "I mean, sure, I'd be okay with that, but... what?"

Jasper looked up.

Lapis shot her a glance.

"She violated the agreement," she told Peridot. "So I get to do the same. Isn't that right, Jasper?"

"Y...yeah." Jasper nodded hesitantly. "It's only fair."

"If it'll fix things." Peridot looked nervous. "Golly. No kisses for twenty six years and then boom! Two people in one day. Nice one for Peridot."

"It's kind of how we do things," Jasper said.

"Yeah," Lapis agreed. "Remember how I told you this wasn't exactly a normal relationship? But anyway. Jasper?"

Jasper pouted. "I don't get to watch?"

A stern look from Lapis, and she gave in and left.

"I don't mind if she watches." Peridot shrugged in good humour and then flushed. "This is all kinda new to me."

"You might not, but I do," Lapis said. She crossed the room and sat down next to Peridot. "It's okay," she said. "We don't have to do anything if you don't want to."

Peridot nodded. "I'd like to kiss three pretty people." Her voice turned into a whisper. "Don't tell anyone but I gave your little Malachite a smooch, too."

Lapis laughed. "Malachite isn't a people, though. Even if I treat her like she is." And with that, she curled her arms around Peridot and leaned in to kiss her.

This was much different. Lapis wasn't as soft. Her lips weren't as plump but Peridot found herself actually kissing back and actually... enjoying the feeling. Before she knew it, she had a soft hand on Lapis' waist.

Lapis smiled at that. Pulled Peridot closer and deepened the kiss. Her heart was beating loudly. This wasn't Peridot's first kiss like Lapis had hoped, but it was still amazing.

Peridot blushed as she allowed Lapis more in her mouth and grew confident enough to touch her hair. She'd wanted to touch it for a while.

Aside from green, she was also very partial to blue.

Lapis reciprocated, ruffling Peridot's hair fondly before drawing back, breaking the kiss. She kept close to Peridot, though, still touching her.

"How was that?" she asked softly.

"I liked it. I liked it a lot. Thank you." Peridot gently touched Lapis' cheek before withdrawing.

Lapis smiled.

"Jasper?" she called.

Jasper poked her head in.

"You can come in," Lapis said. Jasper did, then stood by the door, looking sheepish.

"I want to make a new rule," Lapis told her.

"Rules are good!" Peridot nodded. "As long as they're sensible."

"What's your rule?" Jasper asked.

Lapis grinned smugly.

"We both can kiss Peridot anytime we want, as long as she wants it too," she said.

Peridot audibly gulped. "Oh. Oh. I wouldn't mind that."

"Yeah," Jasper said. "I'd be okay with that too."

"It's a deal, then!" Lapis said and, on impulse, kissed Peridot again. Because she could.

Peridot was taken aback once more. She didn't touch Lapis again, not with Jasper there. But she closed her eyes. This felt good.

Jasper watched and found, oddly, that she didn't quite know who she was feeling jealous of.

She marveled at the situation, though.

Lapis broke the kiss with Peridot and then grinned at Jasper. Got up, put her arms around Jasper's neck and kissed her too.

This was great.

Peridot found that... she liked to watch. She liked to see them happy. She felt satisfied with helping them resolve before things got ugly.

"So," she said when they broke off. "Dinner?"

Lapis laughed softly. Even Jasper was smiling.

"Yeah," she said. "Let's make dinner."

> Act V, Chapter VIII

#jaspis #lapidot #jaspidot #jaspisdot #steven universe #su fanfic #educating the victim #etv act 5 #roleplay logs #illustrated

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