prompt: “Stop trying to be cool. That's my job.”
ship: Peridot & Garnet

 by: neverwantedtodance

“Nice sunglasses,” a voice said from behind her, and Peridot yelped, turning around and nearly running straight into Garnet’s stomach. The older student smirked at her.

“I know we’re going through a small heatwave, but don’t you think you’re taking this too far?” she asked.

Peridot adjusted the brim of her wide sunhat with a huff. “Easy for you to say, Garnet. Your skin doesn’t instantly turn red the moment step into the sun.” Peridot had put on about four layers of sunscreen over the past hour and she still felt like her pale skin wasn’t being protected enough.

Garnet shrugged. “Fair enough. I still say the sunglasses are a bit of an overkill. Trying to look cool?”

Peridot turned around with a grumble, walking away. Naturally, Garnet followed her.

Garnet raised her own sunglasses and gave Peridot a knowing look when her question wasn’t answered.

Peridot couldn’t help but notice the way how everything Garnet did seemed effortless. It was like she was the most chilled out person on the planet. Peridot had no idea how she could manage this - she was always a bundle of college-induced stress, and Garnet was even in her final year. She should have been as hurried as Peridot, even worse, but instead … she remained completely laid-back. Peridot envied her. But there was also something else. Some other underlying emotion she couldn’t identify.

She sniffed. “I don’t have to try to look cool,” she bragged as they walked across the campus. Classes was over for the day and yet it still felt like midday. The sun was sweltering in the sky, still going strong, and the air was hot and humid like a rainforest. Peridot tugged at the strap of her tank top irritably. She hated hot weather. It always made her uncomfortable and study. She sneaked a glance at Garnet. She looked composed as always.

Garnet smirked. “Whatever you say, Peridot.”

“I’m serious,” peridot replied, as they made their way into the shaded quad area. She sighed as finally some of the heat was off her shoulders. It was nice to finally have some respite.

Out of the crowd, she noticed Lapis and Jasper sitting under a tree, their mouths moving at a rapid speed, no doubt arguing about something.

A few paces away sat Pearl, Amethyst, and Rose. Their conversation seemed mostly one-sided, Amethyst chatting on and on whilst Rose nodded contently, Pearl’s head resting in her lap. Peridot wondered how they could stand PDA when it was as hot as this, but they were grossly over-affectionate. They probably couldn’t bear not to.

She sighed. It was difficult having two completely separate groups of friends, but somehow she still managed to upkeep her friendship with Garnet.

They stopped in the middle of the quad, knowing that now it was time to go their separate ways.

“I’ll see you later,” she said, a hint of melancholy in her voice. It was kind of annoying having to balance her time between her group of friends and being with Garnet, and she wished there was an easier way to do this.

“And stop trying to be cool,” Garnet said as she walked backwards, lowering her glasses as she flashed an impish grin at Peridot. The sparkle in her eyes made Peridot’s cheeks heat up red instantly.

“That’s my job.”

And then she was gone.

“Uh-huh,” Peridot managed to breathlessly stamme rout, but already she was alone.

She sighed, blowing her bangs away from her forehead and turning to walk towards her friends.

Garnet was certainly proving harder and harder to balance.