After Lapis and Jasper unfused, Malachite dissapeared. Only this time, it is meant to be for good for they have officially made their final good-byes to her. Jasper went along with Bismuth while Lapis wandered away alone. I was carried away by Eyeball back to the barn in her arms.

It would be the same routine ever since the night she first gave me a massage. Eyeball would first lay me down on the ground and I would stretch out as she locks the door so no one can disturb us. She would then crawl up to me.

I would slide off my jacket and she would take off my shirt. A night later, she also took off my shoes. After that, we would make out until we fell asleep on top of each other. Sometimes, she would push it a step further with either some time on my neck or tongue. She does both rarely.

Ten nights after Malachite beat me down, Eyeball gave me a certain request. "Can I make..." She clears her throat. "Love with you?" I put my hand up, refusing the offer. "Not until the time is right." I didn't regret it for not that long later, Lapis swoops into the barn.

"Can I talk with you guys?"
We shrug. "Eh, sure." Lapis sighs as she sits down in front of us. "I don't get it. Jasper has Bismuth and you have Eyeball. So why am I alone?" I wince. "Lapis, maybe you'll meet another Gem soon."
"Was Peridot my only chance?"

She sniffs. "I miss it you know. I just can't forget that nice, warm feeling that you get from someone who truly cares about you. Someone who always has your back and will always be there for you. Someone who can understand you in ways that nobody else can."

Her voice shakes. "Steven, Peridot. They understand me. Yet they're gone and...I have no one now. Was I just destined to be this way?" She looks down at the ground. "Even Ruby and Sapphire are together even though they aren't Garnet anymore."

"Where do they live?"
"They aren't far from here. They live in a cabin down by the forest. I never went to go see them, but I would always pass by their place during my walks." She looks back up at us.

"Jasper and I could've been together. Sadly, I prefer our unhealthy, abusive relationship over this." She places her hand on the ground next to her. "It's just like the mirror. I may be free...but I'm not free. Why am I not free?"
"Maybe you just need to wait a bit more."

"FOR HOW LONG EXACTLY?!"
"Lapis, I don't know." Lapis points a finger at me, glaring.
"YOU DO KNOW! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SHATTERED PERIDOT AND YOU ARE ALSO THE ONE WHO TOOK MY ONLY FRIEND AWAY FROM ME!" She breathes heavily from her rage.

"I'm sorry. I need to go...think about a few things to myself." She gets up and she sprouts her water wings. She flies off through the window and Eyeball and I exchange anxious looks. "She's acting like you before we fought Holo Pearl. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Should we go after her?"
"No. It's best if we don't."
"But what if she attempts it?"
"She can, but she's probably going to just think about it. Look, don't worry about her for right now."
"But I caused her all of that pain."

"Ame, please don't beat yourself up over this. We know dang well Eloc did all of that."
"But she was right about Steven."
"What?"
"I had a fight with him in his bubble and I ended up killing him just to save Lapis and get myself out of there."

I tear up. "I put myself before my family. I always do. What if I do something like that with you?"
"Ame, please. Don't worry about that."
"What if I end you?!"
I sniff. "What if I can't handle myself?!"

"Ame-!"
"ENOUGH!"
Eyeball quickly moves back a bit. "Do you want to-!"
"NO!"
"Do you want me to-!"
"I CAN DO IT MYSELF!"

Eyeball's frown quivers. She squints her eyes for a moment, hurt from my guilt. "Okay. Goodnight, Amethyst." She lays down and she turns away from me. I huff before I take off my shirt and shoes. I lay down next to Eyeball and I turn away from her.