AQUAMARINE

by savanaugh

A/N: Thank you to FF user ffure21 for your review, and that anonymous reader! I really appreciate feedback, it makes my day so much better! Don't worry about the fast update, enjoy it while it lasts- I am notorious for binge writing and then going silent for several weeks, only to repeat. Sweats nervously. Anyway, enjoy! :3

DISCLAIMER: This story is a work of fiction. Steven Universe and all related characters, entities etc. are property of Cartoon Network and Rebecca Sugar.

CHAPTER 4: SLUMBER PARTY

Lapis felt like her head was about to explode with all of this new information. Human technology was crazy! "What is this?" she asked, holding up Steven's blanket. Steven smiled and took it from her.

"It's called a blanket! Sometimes at night, when I sleep, I get cold, and so I wrap myself up all snuggly like this-" he wrapped himself up all snuggly- "and it helps me get warmed up!"

Lapis was confused. "Why would you need to warm up? You're a gem, right? Your body isn't real, it's just a physical projection. It has no real temperature, or at least, any way to feel the outside temperature."

Steven perked up. "Oooh! Story time for Lapis! Hang on, let me get snacks!" He climbed down from his bed to run over to the kitchen to grab some popcorn. He stuck it in the microwave and thought to himself, 'I hope Lapis likes it with extra butter!'

Two minutes and several pops later, Steven carried a piping hot bag of popcorn and some water back up to his spot. Lapis had snuggled herself up in the blanket and looked at him. "Am I doing it right?"

Steven laughed. "You remind me of the time I tried to teach Pearl how to sleep."

Lapis cocked her head, similar to that of a little lost puppy. "Sleep?"

"I'll tell you about that later, when we get really tired. But right now I'll tell you about why I need blankets, and food! Speaking of food, I brought some."

He opened the bag of popcorn and poured it into her bowl. "Here, try some! You know how to eat, right?"

She nodded. She had seen humans do it before, but had never actually tried it herself. She took a small popcorn, and tentatively put it in her mouth. She moved her jaw up and down like she had seen so long ago, and then she spit it out. "Now what?"

Steven had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. "That's not how you eat, well- I mean- not completely. After you chew it, you're supposed to swallow it- like, let it go inside you. Try again!"

Lapis looked repulsed. "Ew! What happens next? Does it just stay in your body forever? That's disgusting!"

"I agree!" came Pearl's voice. She climbed up and wrung her hands shyly. "I was wondering- would you mind if I joined your party?"

Before Lapis could protest Steven said, "Not at all! Come sit, Pearl- you can sit right next to Lapis!" Steven was super happy that he had another guest at his party. "Want some popcorn?"

Her nose wrinkled in distaste. "I'll pass, thank you." she shuddered. "Eating is so… gross."

Lapis nodded. "I mean, it tasted okay. I just hate the idea of it being, you know, inside me."

This wording made Pearl blush. Lapis was pretty innocent to innuendo, considering gems didn't reproduce like that, and she hadn't spent enough time around humans, let alone adult ones.

"Aww, okay. More for me then!" Steven stuffed a handful in his mouth. "Buttery!" he said, voice muffled. Lapis laughed.

"You look like that little animal- the- ship monk? Is that it?" she said, trying to remember.

"Chipmunk," corrected Pearl. "I agree. Steven, chew with your mouth closed, it's impolite."

"Okay, mom." joked Steven, swallowing down what was in his mouth.

"So. Why do you need this again?" asked Lapis, tugging on the blanket wrapped around her. She was genuinely curious.

"I'm only half gem!" declared Steven proudly, lifting up his shirt to show off his gem. "I'm half human! My mom gave up her physical form so I could be here!" he explained, taking another handful of popcorn.

Lapis raised her eyebrows in surprise and confusion, intrigued. "What? How is that possible? Are you like, a fusion between a human and a gem?"

"Sort of, except I'm like a fusion where one of the people in the fusion stays outside the fusion- that's my dad, he's awesome- so yeah. That's why I need blankets and food- my human half needs it!"

"That makes sense. But you also can use your gem powers, right? Like how you healed my gem. Thank you again for that!" added Lapis.

Steven blushed. "Aw, it was nothing. I have the feeling you would do the same for me, if you could."

Lapis found herself surprised that she agreed. Although she didn't know much about Steven, she had taken such a liking to him more than almost anyone she had ever met.

Pearl found herself discreetly staring at Lapis. She must have been a relatively high-ranked gem on Homeworld- after all, she was stronger than Jasper and Garnet, and had maintained such power with a damaged gem nonetheless! That was amazing. She was so strong… and like always, Pearl felt herself drawn to those stronger than her, even if, like Lapis, they didn't look it. Lapis actually looked quite petite and beautiful, effervescent, even.

'Why am I thinking these things? If it wasn't for Lapis Lazuli, the Homeworld gems might not have come back to Earth in the first place!' Pearl scolded herself. There were more important things to be doing than a slumber party… but it was fun, watching Steven explain things to this new ally- hopefully she was an ally, anyway- and she couldn't bring herself to walk away.

"...Pearl? Did you hear what I said?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Steven, I just zoned out. What did you say?" asked Pearl, shaking her head to get back into reality.

"I asked you what my mom was like right before I was born."

Pearl felt her face heat up. "Well, I mean- why are we discussing this? Can't we talk about something else? I'm sure Lapis would prefer not to hear about her alleged imprisoner."

"Alleged, my gem." muttered Lapis quietly, so Steven wouldn't hear.

Pearl ignored this. "Here, why don't we talk about your dad's music? Go get your turntable and his records, and we'll tell Lapis about his music." she suggested. Steven gasped.

"That's a GREAT IDEA PEARL! And then we can teach her instruments and she can play in a band with us- oh hang on, I'll be right back!" he scurried off to find the aforementioned items, leaving Lapis and Pearl alone momentarily. There was an awkward silence.

"I can see that you really care about him." said Pearl softly.

Lapis said nothing.

Pearl sighed. "I hope we can be allies. Maybe friends. For Steven's sake."

This softened Lapis's expression. "...Maybe. Give me time."

They made eye contact, Pearl's eyes serious.

"There might not be much time left on this planet."