As we entered Lapis' bedroom, I once again looked around the room, briefly examining the several artistic contents. "This might not...matter that much to you, but I've been wanting to show you anyways." Lapis muttered, rummaging through her tight closet. I was definitely curious as to what she could possibly be so timid about showing me. I took a step closer, attempting to subtly look over her shoulder to see what she was retrieving, like the nosy ass I am. She then quickly turned around, startling me and causing me to immediately take a few steps back once again.

My eyes slowly panned down to an article of clothing she was gripping in her hands. My eyes widened, and my throat suddenly felt incredibly dry. In her hands...sat a dark green flannel. A familiar dark green flannel...my dark green flannel. I just sort of stared at it, without exactly responding right away. "D-do you...remember this?" she asked quietly, looking away. My gaze switched up to Lapis' flushed face, and I could feel my own face heating up. She...kept my old flannel? I haven't seen that thing in...years. "Y-you...kept my flannel?" I slightly stuttered, adjusting my glasses.

Lapis' face turned at least three darker shades of red, and she pursed her lips tightly. The first emotion that came to me was flattered. It actually...meant a lot to me that she kept something like that for so long. "Y-you had lent it to me once...and I guess I kinda forgot to give it back...but you never took it back before you left Beach City..." she answered finally, "I...thought I should give it back now." My mouth stood agape as I looked back down at the flannel, and I then felt a lump form in my throat. I managed to give Lapis a smile, before I approached her more closely. "W-wow..." was all I could say. "You look more shocked than I thought you'd be." Lapis chuckled nervously.

"I-I just...thought that you'd probably throw something like this out...especially since I just left town so suddenly." I said, scratching the back of my neck. "I would never throw out something like this..." Lapis whispered, barely audible. I tilted my head, and sighed through my nose. I shakily reached my hand out, requesting to hold it. The bluenette then slowly handed it to me, and the moment I felt the soft fabric, my mind flooded with memories. I stared down at it as memorable images danced around in my head of...Lapis and I in college. There was a very long silence in the room, and I figured Lapis had just watched me as I reminisced with this flannel.

"I figured I should give it to you now since your other 'jacket' is...torn up." Lapis explained with a laugh. "O-oh yeah, heh. Thanks..." I murmured. Lapis then frowned and looked everywhere but me, and I scrunched up my eyebrows. "What's wrong?" I asked, and she tensed up. "It's just...a little embarrassing that I had one of your flannels for so long..." she avoided eye contact with me. I smiled wider, and shook my head. "Lapis...I definitely am flattered that you'd keep this. It makes me feel more...relevant." I giggled, hugging the article of clothing closer to me. "Try it on." Lapis then suddenly said, and I squeaked in surprise.

"H-huh?" I blushed profusely, gripping the flannel tighter. "Try it on. Let's see if you've grown." Lapis chuckled. "I-I have not grown! This was mine when I was already an adult, Lapis!" I protested, feeling flustered. "Yeah, yeah, whatever just put it on!" Lapis pleaded, giving me big, hopeful blue eyes. I rolled my eyes and grunted loudly, hesitantly slipping the flannel on. It had fit me just as I remembered, and a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It's still so warm, I thought, hugging it a bit closer to myself. I then spotted Lapis intently staring at me, and I quickly cleared my throat.

"H-ha, I probably look like some lumberjack, or frat boy, huh?" I stammered, getting ready to take it off once again - I was already starting to feel beyond embarrassed. Lapis slowly walked up to me, and eyed me more intensely. I almost felt intimidated under her stare, and I anxiously looked to the side - my heart was beating much faster now. I couldn't look at her, because any time I did, my eyes would dive deeper into hers - I really didn't want to feel vulnerable right now. However, Lapis did not move, and it felt as though she were waiting patiently for me to look back at her. If that meant this close contact would end sooner, then I would absolutely oblige. I slowly turned my head to look at her fully, and of course there were those two dark blue orbs.

I tried my hardest not to deepen the eye contact, and I hoped that she would just put an end to whatever she was doing at that moment already. I could already feel my body involuntarily relaxing though, and my tight grip on the flannel I was wearing had already loosened. Our faces were inches away from each other, and her expression was very serious for this brief moment. I could feel my bones trembling within my body, and it felt like I was going to combust right then and there. All of a sudden, I almost couldn't process how fast my glasses were snatched off my face, and I felt Lapis' hand on top of my head.

She then proceeded to ruffle my hair - therefore mESSING IT UP. I growled loudly and thrashed as I could feel my poor hair being assaulted. Lapis snorted as she succeeded in messing up my previously gelled hair. Hghh, it took me forever to maintain my hair. "What was that for?!" I raised my voice, feeling my cheeks heat up to a boil. Lapis didn't reply, and only placed my glasses onto her face. She scrunched her lips up into a mocking frown, and placed her hands on her hips firmly. "WhaT wAs tHat fOr?!" she mimicked me in a nasally voice, and I was extremely taken aback. "H-HEY!" I yelped, furrowing my eyebrows. "According to my calculations, I have to constantly be perfect, and if you even dare touch my business hair, I will spontaneously combust and sue your mother and father. My mother owns Microsoft." Lapis teased in that mocking voice, and I lowly growled.

"You're not funny." I deadpanned, and Lapis was laughing her ass off. "I am hilarious." Lazuli argued sarcastically, grinning at me. I had to admit, my glasses didn't look too bad on her, but her teasing me distracted me from admiring her looks. "Gimme my glasses back, I can barely see." I grunted, balling my fists. "You have an unbelievably strong prescription. I can't see anything through these." Lapis said, attempting to look down at her own hands. "Because I can be considered be LEGALLY BLIND!" I groaned. "You're so dramatic." she snorted, taking the glasses off. However, instead of giving them back to me, she blinked a few times and stared at me. Her eyes widened, and she looked at me as though she were a deer in headlights.

"Wh-what?" I asked, slightly irritated and mostly confused. Lapis didn't reply, and she kept staring at me in awe. Her previous mocking expression slowly fell into a more glum one. I was wondering if I had something on my face, or just on me in general after putting on the flannel. I was thinking hard, starting to feel a a little insecure under her shocked gaze. She still had my glasses, so I couldn't really tell if she was mad or...sad. I looked down at myself, and really couldn't see any difference besides me wearing the flannel and...my hair being morbidly messed up. "...Lapis?" I asked, now a little concerned.

I heard a sniffle, and I squinted hard. What?! Lapis dropped my glasses, and I cringed at the 'clack' noise they made when they hit the floor. "H-hey th-those were-" I was cut off by the sight of Lapis slapping her hands over her face, and lowering down to her knees. I took a step back in fear, then I took a small step forward out of concern. Is she crying?! WHY IS SHE CRYING?! I could hear her quietly sobbing here and there, and she kept ugly sniffling.

"...Lapis?!"