Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Catra sighed to herself as she walked down the hallways of the Bright Moon castle. Her blonde girlfriend was off in a private meeting with their queen friend and the Star Siblings. Whenever Catra was alone, she would explore the palace. Since it only has been a couple of months since the war ended, the feline hadn't gotten to know her new home. Of course, she knew where her bedroom was, where Glimmer's was, where Micah's was, where the kitchen was, where the library was. But every time she went on her adventures, she would find a new room. It was one of her favorite past times.

One of the guards walked up to the feline, "Miss Catra? There's a visitor here looking for you specifically," she announced. "They preferred that I keep their identity a secret until you go and see them. We have set them up in your bedroom,"

Catra nodded, "Hm, a visitor for me? I don't get many of those...." she tapped her foot. "Okay, take me to go see them, please." she motioned for the guard to lead the way.

The guard quickly nodded and walked down the hallway and led the feline to her bedroom.

The feline couldn't help but wonder. Who would come and visit her specifically? Could it be Perfuma for a surprise therapy session? God knows she is always doing that. Could it be Scorpia? Or Entrapta? Whoever it was, she was going to be grateful for the new friend to take her out of her boredom.

The guard stopped in front of the feline's and the blonde's bedroom, "Here we go, if you would like, I can stay out here in case you have any troubles,"

Catra chuckled, "Thank you, but I think I got it from here. I have a knack for getting out of tight spaces," she held up her hand and showed her sharp nails. She nicely waved the guard off as she took a deep breath. She slowly opened the door and couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the familiar person inside.

A certain shapeshifter turned towards the door, "Well, hello to you too, darling," they said in a sly tone. A small smirk spread against their face.

Catra couldn't help but feel anger and a bit of pain as she looked at her old friend. She remembered clearly what happened between the two of them before she was taken by Horde Prime. Them essentially calling her out based on her past actions, them confronting her about her true feelings and thoughts. Them tricking her into the position she was in. Although Catra didn't want to admit it, Double Trouble's words made her realize that there was a deeper meaning to her actions. Her love for Adora but also the pain she obtained from the blonde's actions caused her to do what she did in the Horde. But she was not about to tell them all about it.

The feline crossed her arms, "What are you doing here? Here to tell me off again? Betray me? Because you can't do that anymore," she snapped.

The shapeshifter chuckled, "No, believe it or not, I wanted to check in on you. I never really saw you after-"

"After you basically told me off?" Catra cut in and walked into the pink bedroom and closed the door behind her.

Double Trouble nodded, "Well, yes. I have feelings too, you know? I can be a basic human being and care about others too" they twirled the ends of their hair with their index finger.

Catra narrowed her eyes, "You have a hard time showing that" she tried to hold her anger back. She took a deep breath, "So, how did you know I was in Bright Moon?" she walked towards the plush bed and sat down.

Double Trouble followed, "Well, you won't believe what you can hear from a bar if you listen to the right people. I heard some sailors talking about you and how you were quote on quote, 'let off easy,' They said with air quotations.

The feline let her ears go down, "I was not left off easy. I am rebuilding Etheria, and I have plenty of mental and physical trauma to go along with that," she hissed softly. "I was not left off easy. I still deal with the aftermath now that the war has ended" she wrapped her tail around her own leg.

The shapeshifter looked at her, "What? Dealing with Adora? With Glimmer? With Bow?" they scoffed. "I'm surprised they let you stay here. I mean, you kinda put them through a lot" they shrugged. "Maybe they have bigger hearts than I thought,"

Catra scoffed, "Are you going to keep reminding me of my past? Because if you are, the door is right over there" she motioned to the white double doors. She had enough of this shapeshifter and their comments on her past. She let her ears press against her head more. 'The time I need Melog here...' she thought to herself.

Double Trouble huffed, "Okay, fine, I will stop talking about it. But, I am still curious about how you can stay here in Bright Moon?"

Catra turned her head to look at them. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. She panicked as she saw the familiar blonde hair and candy apple red jacket from her girlfriend.

Adora stopped walking as she saw the two of them, "Oh, I'm sorry" she was taken aback by the shapeshifter. They were one of the main reasons why she and Glimmer fought most of the time during the war. She wondered why Catra was talking to them, let alone in their bedroom.

"I forgot you knew Double Trouble, Catra," The blonde said as she walked towards the desk next to their bed. The feline's magical cat following behind her.

Catra looked towards her girlfriend, "Double Trouble is just visiting. They haven't seen me since I was taken by Prime, so we are just talking" she said.

Adora nodded, "Well, Melog wanted to come be with you, so that's why I came over" she grabbed a journal off the desk. "And to invite you to lunch with me, Glimmer, Bow, and the Star Siblings."

Catra blushed, "Oh? Are you finally going to introduce me to the famous Star Siblings?" she called for the magical cat to come to her.

Melog mewed happily and trotted over to its owner. It perched itself next to the feline's leg and rested its head on one of her legs.

Double Trouble noticed the feline's intense blush and couldn't help but wonder why she was blushing so much. They watched Catra's actions closely.

Adora noticed the blush and chuckled, "Yes," she smiled. She slowly walked over to her girlfriend and leaned down to the feline's level, "They have the right to meet my lovely girlfriend," she kissed her lips gently. "Whom I love very much," she locked lips with her once again.

The shapeshifter's eyes widen, 'So this is how she was able to live in Bright Moon' they chuckled to themselves.

Catra kissed her back, "Hm, I love you too," she pulled away. "I will gladly meet you all for lunch. Just let me finish up here, and then I will join you," she kissed her cheek gently.

Adora smiled and kissed her forehead, "Okay, I will see you in the dining room then," she pulled herself back and winked. She walked out of their bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Double Trouble chuckled, "Hm, kitten's got a girlfriend," they smirked. "That's how you're able to stay here. In this beautiful castle..."

Catra turned away, "Yes... Adora's my girlfriend. That's not a big deal. Well, not as big as you are trying to make it" she petted her magical cat for comfort. They were right in some sense. Dating Adora was a big deal to many, and she knew it. The stares, the glares, the whispers, they would get in public.

Melog noticed its owner's mood changing constantly. It shrunk a couple of sizes and jumped onto Catra's lap, fitting perfectly.

Double Trouble laughed, "Not a big deal? That's not a love story you see every day," they poked the feline's arm.

Catra growled softly, "Just..." she looked down at her magical cat. "I have been through the ugly glares and stares, but I get by. We get by. We love each other too much to let that get in the way," she admitted.

Double Trouble nodded and crossed their leg over the other. "Hm, well, I guess you have truly been trying to fix yourself, kitten" they shifted. They looked at the feline, "Look darling, I'm sorry for the way I left us. I never really got to see you after all that. I mean, look at you, you have short hair, different outfit choices, different living arrangements, and a new girlfriend." They turned to her.

Catra looked at them, "I was expecting to never see you again. You said some stuff that hurt me, but it was necessary in the end" she played with Melog's tail.

Double Trouble pursed their lips, "Why was it necessary?" They crossed their arms.

The feline sighed, "You were right. I didn't truly understand what you meant when you spoke to me. but in the end, it all made sense" she closed her eyes. "I went through a lot when Adora left.. and I was willing to give anything for that sense of normality again. After I was taken by Prime, I realized that I had this love for Adora, and nothing was going to change that."

Double Trouble chuckled, "I was harsh.. but it seems to me that you needed to hear my wise words," they nudged her.

Catra laughed, "Yeah, I did..." she smiled softly. "I'm working to change the way my life once was. I know what I did in the past was wrong, but I have people to work it through with..." she opened her eyes.

Double Trouble nodded, "One of the other main reasons I came to see you is to try and make amends. I know we may never be friends again, but it would be nice to have a friendly face by my side.." they smiled. They picked up one of her hands and patted it.

Catra chuckled, "God, you sound just like me when I was apologizing to everyone, " she smiled. She related to Double Trouble. They were still the same way, calling her nicknames, making her feel comfortable, and just listening to her. She looked at their hands for a moment and couldn't help but wonder. What would their friendship look like now that the war was over? They were good together, they would talk whenever they could, and they would enjoy each other's presence. Could they have a stable and loving friendship? Only one way to find out.

Catra looked at them, "Yeah... I would like to try again," she smiled softly. "You know, without the war," she joked.

Double Trouble chuckled and clapped their hands together, "Yay then." they smiled. They nodded, "Maybe this can give us a sense of normality again,"

Catra laughed, "Maybe it will," she said as she finally relaxed herself. Was the shapeshifter correct? Maybe they could go back to the way things were? They were in a new day and age, with people they loved and with people supporting them. Who knows what's in store for them?

Double Trouble chuckled, "Might I say, you have a beautiful girlfriend, darling!"

Catra laughed and nodded, "Yeah, I do. I mean townsfolks always prefer She-Ra, but I kinda like Adora better" she blushed a light pink as she spoke the last sentence.

Double Trouble nudged her, "Well, someone's definitely in love!" They teased. "You know, as I said, this isn't a love story you see very often,"

The feline nodded, "And that's why I think we work. We have no expectations... only the two of us," she smiled. She petted her magical cat.

Double Trouble chuckled, "You are a whole new kitten," they bopped her nose.

Catra laughed, "Yes, I am," The two of them couldn't help but start to get comfortable with each other.

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They spoke for what seemed like hours. They talked and gossiped about whatever came to their minds at the moment. These moments were what Catra missed, someone she could be real with, someone who could relate to her, and someone who would understand what she went through. They could have gone a lot longer if it wasn't for the feline's girlfriend coming in to remind her about lunch.

The feline and the shapeshifter laughed and said their goodbyes as they walked down the hallways of the Bright Moon Castle.

Adora watched them as they both set a time and a place when they could meet again, and they both wouldn't forget it.

Double Trouble looked towards the blonde, "Take care of her for me, sweetie. She seems happy with you, like a whole different person," they smiled. "I'm rooting for a wedding soon from the both of you,"

Adora chuckled and wrapped her arm around Catra's waist, "I'm rooting for it too, and I will take great care of her for you," she kissed the feline's cheek.

Double Trouble chuckled and waved towards them as they walked off, "I'll see you soon, darling!" they smiled as they walked towards the grand crystal doors. They walked out of the castle, leaving the guards to close the doors behind them.

Adora looked down at the feline as they waved their goodbyes, "Hey, are you okay?" she kissed her head.

Catra chuckled and wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist, "Yes, I am..." she purred softly. "I have missed you all morning," she wrapped her tail around Adora's leg.

Adora chuckled and leaned down, "Well, I could make it up by kissing you and taking you to lunch," she kissed her lips gently.

The feline chuckled, "How about you kiss me after we have lunch so we can do some hot and flirty things," she kissed her back.

Adora laughed and pulled away, "Whatever you want," she kissed her cheek. She rubbed her hand against her back, "Ready to go see everyone?" She asked.

Catra nodded and took a deep breath, "Yeah, I think I am," she unwrapped her tail. She grabbed one of her hands and laced their fingers together.

The two girls smiled and walked hand in hand down the hallway to the dining room. They were both greeted by their friends, and they settled in for a meal together. Catra knew she would see Double Trouble again. It was only a matter of time.

Chapter Text

A sleeping Adora kept her arms wrapped around her feline wife as they tried to rest up for the next day. Her crimson red nightgown being held down with the weight of the comforter as they cuddled up closer.

Catra kept her tail wrapped around the blonde's leg, happy that her wife had returned from her mission from the Crimson Waste. She let herself purr every once in a while as Adora spooned her. Her long white sleeve shirt with her periwinkle sweatpants, providing extra heat along with her wife.

The two wives were exhausted from their early morning adventures. Catra handled a fussy baby Finn by herself. Adora traveling back from her week-long mission. They held each other close and did not let go until a baby woke up from their slumber and cried for their mothers.

The feline's ear flicked at the noise. She woke up with a groan. She reached behind her and nudged her blonde wife awake, "Adora, Finn's crying," she sat up.

"I got it, don't worry," The blonde said as she slowly sat up. She stretched out her arms.

Catra yawned, "Are you sure? You just got back. You must be exhausted," she reached for her robe.

Adora stopped her, "I'm sure about it," she chuckled. She leaned over and kissed the feline's cheek, "I'll be right back," she smiled. She quickly got up and rushed over to the baby's bedroom.

She walked up to the crib and gasped, "Oh, sweetie, it's okay. Mama's here," she reached into the crib and pulled the baby out. "Let's see what's wrong with the pretty bab-" she cut herself off as she got a whiff of their diaper. "Oh... I see what's wrong now" she held back a gag. She cleared her throat, "Not a problem!" she chuckled. She stepped over Catra's magical alien pet, who happened to be sleeping next to the crib.

The blonde walked over to the baby's changing table and laid Finn down. As she took off the baby's pajamas and changed its diaper, she tickled, baby talked, anything to help make the young feline smile. She threw her trash in the can next to her once she had finished up. She scooped her baby back into her arms. She smiled, "Now that we got you all cleaned up, you can sleep nice and peacefully now," she bopped its nose.

Finn looked up to their mom and cooed.

Adora giggled, "But knowing you, I know you are going to have a hard time falling asleep, and you are going to be a pain in my butt," she said with a tight smile. She yawned.

Finn kept looking up towards their mom and tilted their head.

"Hm..." The blonde said to herself as she shifted her weight between her legs. She looked back down to her baby, "How about I sing you a little song?"

The feline baby smiled and cooed once again in agreement.

Adora chuckled, "I am going to sing you a little song that for some reason, I seem to remember" she adjusted her grip on Finn. She cleared her throat and sang,

"Evening is a-falling, so rest your weary head
Don't cry little baby, sleep tight in your bed,"

Adora smiled and looked towards the feline baby. She slowly bopped their nose.

Finn purred as they cooed. She looked towards Melog and sang as she stepped over it,

"The jaquins are a-nestling, way up in the trees,"

The blonde walked over to the bay window sitting area and sat down among the plush pastel yellow and blue pillows. She adjusted her grip on Finn and slowly opened the main window in front of her.

The cool breeze ran into the room and through her hair. The fresh nighttime dew, mixed with the different flowers from their garden filled the air as she took a deep breath. She looked down at her baby and noticed their eyes drooping as the tiredness hit them. She smiled and sang softly,

"The scent of springtime flowers floating on the breeze,"

Catra walked up to the bedroom and stopped outside the door as she heard her wife singing. She smiled to herself and leaned against the doorway.

Adora looked up to the moon and smiled to herself. She sang,

"The full moon is a-shining in the sky above,"

She looked down and smiled wider as she noticed the baby had fallen fast asleep. She held the baby closer as she finished up the lullaby,

"Hush now little darling, bundled up with love,"

She teared up as she ended her note. She leaned down and kissed their forehead, "I love you, Finn..." she whispered. She rubbed her thumb against the feline baby's cheek as she leaned back against the wall.

Catra sniffled and walked into the bedroom, "I didn't know you still sang to them," she walked over to her spouse. She sat down in front of her.

"I sing to them once in a while, only when I feel like it." The blonde nodded as she held back her tears. "And today I felt like it..." she let a tear fall.

Her feline wife noticed her tears and grew concerned, "My love, what's wrong?"

Adora sniffled, "I..." she looked down. "I just hate leaving you guys," she admitted. "I just want a time where I can just relax knowing that my family is going to be safe and that I don't have to leave them every other week,"

Catra leaned over and placed a hand on her knee, "You will soon, babe. For now, we are going to make this work. You and I... like we always do" she smiled. "Because I look out for you, and you look out for me. Nothing really bad can happen as long as we have each other."

"Promise?" The blonde said as she held up her pinky finger.

The feline chuckled and leaned forward. She locked lips with the blonde. She pulled away and smiled, "I promise..."

Adora chuckled and got up, closing the window behind her. She walked over to the crib and slowly placed the sleeping baby feline back into bed. She smiled and placed one last kiss on their forehead, "Good night, sweet pea,"

Catra chuckled and followed after her. She placed a kiss on her baby's forehead after the blonde and smiled, "Good night, kitten" she rubbed her wife's back after she pulled away. She leaned against her as they both admired their sleeping child.

"We made a cute kid, didn't we?" The blonde asked as she wrapped her arms around her.

The feline chuckled, "Yes. Yes we did," she smiled. "Makes me want to have another," she admitted as she patted her hand against her wife's arm.

Adora kissed her head, "We will. Soon enough," she smiled.

Catra smiled and turned to face her wife, "Ready for bed?"

"Yeah" The blonde leaned down and kissed her lips gently. "I love you, Catra,"

"I love you too, Adora" The feline kissed her back and smiled against her lips.

"Come on, let's get to bed. We have to be in Bright Moon in the morning," Adora said as she grabbed ahold of her wife's hand.

Catra laced their fingers and purred, "Right behind you, princess," she teased.

The two wives held each other's hand as they walked down the long hallway of their own castle home. They went back into their bedroom and climbed into their plush bed.

The two of them huddled close under the covers and kissed one last time as a good night. Catra snuggled into the blonde's chest and let her eyes close.

Adora smiled and stroked her feline wife's hair. She kissed the top of her head and let her arms wrap around her gently as she closed her eyes.

It felt great to be back home.

Chapter Text

Glimmer looked towards her blonde best friend as she ate her dinner one day. She noticed how she barely touched her dinner or any of her meals that day and how she kept looking down at her hands. She looked towards her mom and quietly motioned to Adora, hoping she would get a clue.

Queen Angella noticed her daughter and nodded. She cleared her throat, "Adora? Is everything alright, sweetheart?"

"What?" Adora looked up to the queen. "Oh, yes, your majesty. I am just fine," she nodded.

"Forgive me if I don't quite believe you," The queen reached over and patted her hand. "Would you like the chefs to prepare you something different?"

Adora shook her head, "No, thank you. I just am not very hungry," she admitted.

The queen nodded, "Then can I ask what's the matter, dear?"

The blonde pursed her lips together and sighed. She let her shoulders fall, "Today is one of my old friend's birthday. This is my first time not being there for her. You know, celebrate it,"

Her archer friend looked towards her, "Oh," he looked towards his sparkly friend then back to the blonde. "Whose was it?"

"It was-" Adora cut herself off as she felt her throat burn as tears came to her eyes. "No one... it's no one," she quickly said as she let herself fall back against her chair.

Glimmer opened her mouth to speak, but her mom stopped her. She put her hand on top of the blonde's arm.

"Would you like to be excused from the dinner table? I can check up on you in a little bit? See if you get hungry later?" Queen Angella suggested as she picked up her wine glass.

Adora nodded and blinked away her tears, "May I?"

The queen nodded, "You may"

The blonde bowed her head towards the queen as she got up, "Thank you, your majesty" She pushed in her chair. She walked towards the door as the guards opened it for her.

The queen and her best friends watched as she walked out of the dining room. Glimmer was the first one to break the silence with her sigh. She looked towards her mom, "I have never seen her like this. She is always such an energetic mood, always laughing, smiling, cracking jokes, and always fun to be around. Today, she just wanted to be left alone," she shrugged.

"Well, darling, she left her life behind in the Horde. She was so accustomed to how things worked things over there. She left her friends, family, rank, official title, and more just to be with the Rebellion. She's going to be reserved for a while, and we are going to have to respect that." Angella clasped her hands together.

Bow sighed, "I just wish she would talk to us. She is usually open to us about what happened to her in the Horde."

Angella nodded, "Maybe the person she was talking about was important to her. Someone that hurt her the most to leave behind,"

"We can ask her about it when we go to check in on her after dinner,' Glimmer said as she picked up her fork. "She might just need some time to herself to think,"

"We will see soon" The queen smiled and resumed eating her meal.

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Adora sighed as she walked down the hallways of Bright Moon. She knew that when she left the Horde, that this day would be the hardest for her.

Her first time not being with the feline to celebrate her birthday. 

She knew that the feline probably wouldn't care now that she was gone, but she had so many fond memories of just waking up early to wish her feline best friend a happy birthday.

She remembered that last year, she tackled the feline as soon as she got out of bed and gave her one of the biggest hugs. Although she knew Catra did not like hugs, she was quite surprised when she wrapped her arms around her waist.

She had to stop beating herself up for it, but it was still going to hurt a bit. For now, she just had to do something to get her mind off the event at hand. Her sword was in her room, her friends were still having dinner, and no one in the castle trusted her. She was alone, like always.

The blonde walked past an open door to a particular room and froze. She backed up and looked into the grand room.

A music room with all different types of instruments. Shelves with music scores. A grand piano towards the back of the room. She looked around before entering the room. She ran her hand over the different music stands as she slowly made her way to the grand piano.

She knew how to play a little guitar, but something about the piano always felt familiar to everything she would come to the music room. She would find herself playing the piano more during her spare time or whenever she wanted some alone time. The others knew she could sing, but she never liked doing it in front of them. Right now would be perfect to let off some steam. She sat down at the bench and opened the lid to see the keys.

She smiled to herself as she viewed the shiny black and white keys of the grand piano. She placed both of her hands gently on the keys and played a random scale. She chuckled to herself, "I wonder what I can play today..." she played a note. She looked to the side table and picked up some papers. A song Glimmer had shown her and was working on. She could never bring herself to play the whole thing.

Maybe today, she finally could with the way she was feeling.

The blonde placed the papers on the stand in front of her and quickly scanned the pages. She hummed to herself and carefully put her hands into position. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She played the first chord.

She opened her eyes slowly and took another deep breath. She let her shaky hands ease up. She looked down at her hands and played the first chord once again. She sang,

"We were both young when I first saw you.

I close my eyes & the flashback starts.

I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air,"

She let her hands glide against the keys as she flashed back to one of the times she went to her and Catra's secret spot. How they were about around the age of 16, and how she found herself flustered around her feline best friend. A subtle blush appeared as they got up close. The two of them locking eyes for a moment. Only for that contact to be broken by their teammates calling for them.

She tensed up but continued,

"See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.

See you make your way through the crowd

And say, "Hello", little did I know..."

She flashed back to the moment she realized that she might have a different interest in her feline friend. Being 13 and questioning if you should kiss your childhood best friend. She stood in front of the mirror that was in the locker room. Splashing water on her face to help get the blush off her cheeks. She looked in the mirror and told herself, "She will never like you like that. You are just confused,"

She cringed at the thought. She shook her head as she sang,

"That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles.

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet,"

And I was crying on the staircase.

Begging you, "Please don't go", & I said..."

She flashed back to the moment when Shadow Weaver caught the young girls sleeping in the same bed at the barracks. The blonde laying on her back peacefully, and the feline sleeping by her feet.

The 11-year-old blonde waking up to the sorceress watching them, "Shadow Weaver?" She rubbed her eyes. "Did something happen?"

The young sorceress shook her head, "No, making sure that you are keeping Catra in line. I know how fond of her you are," she turned away. "I will check in on the both of you in a little bit,"

She looked up to the pages in front of her as she continued,

"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.

I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.

You'll be the prince & I'll be the princess.

It's a love story baby, just say "Yes,"

She stopped playing as she finished the last line. She let out a sigh.

She flashed back to one of the sleepovers they had when they were eight.

The two of them hiding under the blankets with some stolen flashlights, the two of them taking turns to whisper in each other's ear, and the two of them falling asleep right next to each other. The two of them holding each other close and not planning to let go.

She cleared her throat and placed her hands back on the keys. She continued,

"So I sneak out to the garden to see you.

We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew.

So close your eyes, escape this town for a little while,"

She flashed back to one of the last times the two of them were up at their secret spot. The two 18-year-old laughing next to each other as they ate their dinner in peace. Both of them not afraid to make the other laugh with the jokes they would come up with or hear from someone else.

The blonde kept blushing as she watched her feline friend crack up in laughter. Blaming her red face on the heat and all of the jokes they were making. The feline reaching behind her and taking her ponytail off. The feline telling her to let her hair breathe.

She closed her eyes adjusted to the keys. She felt hurt for these moments again, but she knew it might never happen again. She continued,

"'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter.

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet,"

But you were everything to me.

I was begging you, "Please don't go," & I said..."

She flashed back to the time Shadow Weaver got in between her and her feline friend when they were 14. Adora had accidentally missed an extra training session with the sorceress since she had woken up late. The feline had woken her up as she noticed the time. When both of them arrived, the sorceress was quick to blame the feline. Telling her to stop being such a distraction and let Adora climb the ranks.

Adora was quick to defend her, telling her how she overslept. Shadow Weaver composed herself and let the blonde know to never let it happen again. She let the two girls go on with the day.

She pressed her fingers against the keys harder as she felt the anger coming off these memories. Memories that she used to be fond of but now hurt her the most. She sang,

"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.

I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.

You'll be the prince & I'll be the princess.

It's a love story baby, just say "Yes,"

She remembered the last night in the Horde. The two of them crawling into their beds after saying good night. Only for the feline to wake her up in the middle of the night to ask if she can sleep at the end of the bed again.

The blonde smiled and moved off to the side to make room for her. The feline smiling back and getting comfortable towards the end of the bed. The two of them mumbling a good night once again and closing their eyes.

She closed her eyes as she felt tears weld up in her eyes once again. She sniffled and sang,

"Romeo save me they're trying to tell me how to feel.

This love is difficult, but it's real.

Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess.

It's a love story baby, just say "Yes,"

She flashed to when she ran into the feline at Salineas. How Catra tried hard to insult her, and it worked for the most part. The feline knew that she was everything to the blonde, and she knew she had to tug at the heartstrings to achieve her goal of taking down Adora.

How the feline insulted her and her new power, how she tried to talk badly about her newfound friends, and lastly, reminding her that she left her once again.

Catra knew how to get into Adora's head. Adora always thought with her heart and her gut, her brain knowledge would come up with a plan around that. It seems to be that everyone knew that.

She looked down as she felt her throat burn as she was on the verge of tears once again.

Queen Angella walked past the music room and paused as they heard the blonde singing. She gasped softly and walked over to the door. She opened the door a bit and slipped inside.

She held her hand close to her chest. She always knew Adora hid her feelings from the others, but this time, she could hear the pain in her voice. She leaned against the wall.

Adora sang and moved up forward in her seat,

"I got tired of waiting

Wondering if you were ever coming around

My faith in you was fading

When I met you on the outskirts of town

And I said..."

She flashed back to the fight that ended it all for them. The fight at Thaymor. The feline begging for her blonde best friend to come back home. Reaching for her wrist and pleading.

She was not going to go back to the Horde, but she never wanted to leave the feline. Maybe she could have just knocked her out and taken her, but she would just try to leave again.

She remembered Catra zapping her with the zap stick, something she never expected her to do. But then again, love makes you do crazy things.

She felt her throat burn once again as she tried to continue singing,

"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone

I keep waiting for you but you never come

Is this in my head? I don't know what to think

He knelt to the ground & pulled out a ring & said"

This was no love story. She remembered the shock on the feline's face when she transformed into She-Ra and took down the whole force with one movement.

Watching the feline's face move from shock to pure anger, was something she never thought she would see. The look on her face hurt her, she would have chased after her if she could. But Glimmer and Bow were excited about She-Ra. She let her go.

Why did I let her go?

This was no love story. She finally let one of her tears fall as kept singing,

"Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone

I love you & that's all I really know

I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress

It's a love story baby, just say "Yes,"

Her hands lingered on the keys as she finished her last note. She sniffled, "Happy birthday..." She stopped herself before saying the feline's name.

She let out a sob as she moved her hands to cover her face. She wished she wasn't so emotional towards the feline, but how could she not? Catra was everything she loved forward to, and now she had to push her to the side.

Angella heard the blonde's cries and walked over to her, "Adora honey?" she stood behind her.

Adora quickly wiped her tears and got up, "Your majesty," she sniffled. She turned to her, "How can I help you?"

"Not me... you. How can I help you, darling? You don't have to keep a brave face all the time," the queen assured her. "Can you tell me what's the matter?"

The blonde sniffled, "Today Um. It's a friend's birthday today. This is my first time not celebrating it with her.." she wiped her nose. "I know she's in the Horde, but I loved her. So much. I would give anything to have her here with me..."

Angella nodded, "I know honey, but remember this" she walked over them back to the piano bench and sat them down. "You made your choice. You chose to give up everything so you could join the Rebellion. The girl chose to stay with the Horde. You both made choices, and now you have to live with them,"

"So, you're saying that I should hate her?" Adora looked down.

The queen quickly shook her head, "No, that's not what I meant. What I mean is, I don't expect you to give up the memories you made in the Horde. I can never take that away from you. You are allowed to miss your friends. Your family. You are allowed to cry because you miss them." she took her hand in hers. "Don't make it seem that you are fine because I know you aren't. You are still adjusting. And that's okay,"

The blonde nodded, "But why does it hurt so much?" She asked with a slight voice crack at the end.

Angella turned to the blonde, "Adora, be honest with me. Did you love this friend? More than just a friend?"

"I-" Adora held her breath and turned to the queen. "I thought I did..." she rubbed her arm. "But after everything that happened, it's hard to feel that way now,"

"Okay. Well, for now, don't feel that you can't cry. Let out your emotions. Don't let them bottle up. That is not a good many times," Angella smiled.

The blonde chuckled, "Thank you, your majesty," she nodded.

"Of course, darling" The queen smiled. She patted the blonde's hand, "Will you try to eat something tonight? Glimmer and Bow are worried about you. Frankly, I am too"

Adora smiled, "Yeah, I will have a little something" she got up.

"Wonderful," Angella smiled. She quickly hugged the girl, "Just remember that I am always here for you if you need to talk," she pulled away.

"Thank you," Adora gleamed. "Now, we should get back to the dining room, so my friends can ease up," she teased.

Angella clasped her hands together, "Perfect! I will see you there," she walked towards the door.

The blonde watched the queen walk into the hallway. She turned back to the piano and took a deep breath, "Happy birthday, Catra," she smiled softly. She put a kiss on her hand and placed it on the paper.

She nodded and walked back towards the hallway, having some sort of relief because of the queen's words. She knew that she loved the feline, but with the lives, they were living now, it was going to tough.

She looked towards the queen, "I loved her. My friend I mean,"

"Okay," Angella smiled. "I got you. Your secret is safe with me," she took her hand.

The two girls looked towards each other and giggled. They both finally felt comfortable with each other. Adora was still the ex-Horde soldier, but Angella could finally look over the fact and learn to love the girl her daughter was friends with.

They walked hand in hand as they made their way to the dining room. 

Chapter Text

Catra smirked, "Get a strike team together" She walked away from Entrapta's model of Etheria. "We're going to Bright Moon,"

Scorpia looked towards the model and then the Black Garnet, "Bright Moon? Why?"

Catra walked up to the monitor screens, "Because we're going to take out Bright Moon's Runestone" She watched as the snow fell in the Whispering Woods. "And with the Whispering Woods frozen over..." she moved her attention to the screen showing Bright Moon. "There's nothing stopping us" she balled up her fists.

Scorpia looked at Entrapta then back to Catra, "Are you sure this is something that you want to do? We haven't truly gone into battle with Bright Moon and their people. Besides, they have the princesses and She-Ra,"

Catra hissed and looked at Scorpia, "That is my plan, and we are going to do it my way. Get the strike team together. I will meet you in the take-off zone" she walked to the door. She flashed back to her promise with Adora when they were young kids.

"You look out for me, I look out for you.

"Nothing really bad can happen as long as we have each other.

"You promise?

"I promise,"

The feline balled up her fists and shook her head, "You broke your promise the minute you left," she mumbled to herself. She walked out and walked over to her room. As she walked into her bedroom, she remembered what happened in the beacon. Especially her cutting the spider web that Adora was holding onto, leaving her there to fall.

She walked in front of her mirror and took off her red headgear. She sat down on the edge of her bed and ran her hand against her headgear. She sang softly,

"A broken heart is all that's left

I'm still fixing all the cracks

Lost a couple of pieces when

I carried it, carried it, carried it home,"

She put it down next to her and sighed. She looked at the folded up blanket by her pillow. It used to be Adora's. She crawled over to the center of her bed and picked up the soft, blue blanket. She brought it up to her nose and sniffed it. She took in the familiar scent of her blonde ex-best friend. She shook her head and continued,

"I'm afraid of all I am

My mind feels like a foreign land

Silence ringing inside my head

Please, carry me, carry me, carry me home,"

She gasped as she found herself talking about the blonde. She looked at the blanket, "As much as I wish for the old times... you were the one that broke us in the end," she got up and put the blanket down. She walked to the mirror once again and looked at herself. She flashed back to moments from her youth.

"I've spent all of the love I saved

We were always a losing game,"

Adora coming up from behind her after training and hugging her. The two of them going to their secret spot on the rooftop and talking about ruling the world together. Them sharing their meals at dinner time and hanging out with the rest of their squad. Catra sleeping at the end of the bed or even sleeping next to her if her nightmares were too bad.

Catra was angered by these moments but heartbroken as well,

"Small-town boy in a big arcade

I got addicted to a losing game,"

She ran her hand through her mane as she tried to calm herself down, but her thoughts were all over the place.

Thinking about her youth, their promise, Adora's departure, what happened at the beacon, and her hatred for the girl at the moment.

But she also couldn't help but feel the great love she had for the blue-eyed blonde. She clenched her chest and opened her eyes as she felt her tears weld up. She looked in the mirror and sang,

"All I know, all I know

Loving you is a losing game,"

She turned around and took a deep breath. She grabbed her headgear and put it back on. She turned and adjusted her headgear as she looked in the mirror once in time. "This is my time... I'm done being in your shadows" she moved her tail to the side. She walked out of the bedroom and walked down the hallways of the Fright Zone. She held her head up high as she tried not to let her doubts and thoughts get to her.

The feline opened the door to the take-off zone. She took a deep breath and regain her posture. She watched the people as they loaded up the tanks and the skiffs. She placed her hand on one of the skiffs as she flashed back to the moment that led them to where they were at right now,

"I think this must be the Whispering Woods. They say there are strange, old monsters in there, and the trees move when you're not looking. Every Horde squadron they've sent in there has never come out again,"

"Let's go in."

Catra shook her head, "We wouldn't be in this mess if we hadn't gone into those woods," she hugged herself. She shook her head and sang softly,

"How many pennies in the slot?

Giving us up didn't take a lot,"

She thought back to Thaymor, her discussion with the blonde before zapping her.

"Because. It doesn't matter what they do. The two of us look out for each other". And soon we'll be the ones calling the shots. Now, can we go home already? "

"I'm not going home, Catra. I can't. Not after everything I've seen. Come with me. You don't have to go back there. We can fix this."

"Are you kidding? You've known these people for, what, a couple of hours? And now you're gonna throw everything away for them? Ugh. What happened to you?"

"I don't know. But I have to do something. I'm sorry, Catra,"

Catra huffed, "All of this is because of you," she crossed her arms. She tried to push aside the feelings of regret as the thought of the blonde kept going to her head. She shook her head and sang,

"I saw the end 'fore it begun.

Still, I carried, I carried, I carry on.

All I know, all I know

Loving you is a losing game,"

Scorpia noticed the feline and rushed over, "We are all ready for taking off" she handed the tablet to the feline. "We have the first wave of troops on their way to Bright Moon. You will be a part of the second wave, and I will help lead the third and last wave of troops.

Catra nodded and looked down at the tablet. She looked over the notes, "I will take care of Adora. She will drop what she's doing and come after me. You take care of any princess problems we might run into" she handed the tablet back to Scorpia. "Got it?" she looked up to her.

Scorpia took the tablet and nodded, "Yup," she reached to console her, but she stopped herself. "See you on the battlefield," she gave her a soft smile.

Catra nodded and cleared her throat, "Yes, see you there" she turned away and walked over to a skiff. She got on and looked over to the driver, "Let's get a move on" she crossed her arms.

The driver nodded and gave her a quick salute. He turned on the skiff and drove off towards the Whispering Woods.

Catra hugged herself as she tried to push aside the feelings of regret. As she tried to get over her feelings, a new emotion set in. Feelings of pain and anger went through her body as she walked to the back of the skiff. She sat down on a wooden box and look forward. She took a deep breath as she let the wind go through her hair. She flashed back to one of the last times she saw the blonde with her hair down.

Adora was getting ready for the day, and the feline caught a glimpse of the blonde brushing her hair. Catra couldn't help but blush as she watched her. She was always so jealous of the blonde and everything she had. The soft, silky hair, the bigger chest, and the bigger muscles. All Catra wanted was to be held by Adora, but now it is a whole different story.

Catra shook her head and scoffed. She sang,

"All I know, all I know

Loving you is a losing game,"

Catra watched as they got closer and closer to Bright Moon, "What if she didn't make it out of that beacon..." she asked herself. She shook her head, "No, she probably did, and you are going to have to fight her." she got up and put her hand on her hip. "You don't need her anymore, Catra" she took a deep breath and balled her free hand into a fist. She sang,

"I don't need your games, game over

Get me off this roller-coaster,"

Catra flashed back to a memory from her youth, from when they were both teenagers.

Teenage Catra walked down the hallways of the Fright Zone, looking for her blonde best friend, "Adora?" she looked around. She walked until she caught a glimpse of her. She felt her heart skip a beat, and she quickly hid behind a wall. She took a deep breath, "Why am I always so nervous to look at her now?" She asked herself. She went around the corner to take another peek at the blonde. She blushed softly and bit her lip, "She is never going to see you the way you see her, Catra," she told herself. She ran a hand through her hair and took one last deep breath. She walked out and went to her best friend.

Present Catra tried to stop thinking about the blonde. She sang as she walked to the front of the skiff,

"All I know, all I know

Loving you is a losing game," 

Catra kept her head up high as they got into Bright Moon. She looked as the driver parked the skiff. She watched as the first wave of troops were attacking and noticed that Adora was indeed there. She looked at the troops on the skiff, "Go and start attacking. I have a princess problem to take care of" she hopped off. Her blood boiled as she caught another glimpse of the blonde once again. Her great love was covered with her pain and her anger as she walked towards the action. She sang softly,

"All I know, all I know

Loving you is a losing game,"

Catra jumped onto a tank in front of Adora and smirked, "Hey Adora," 

Chapter Text

Adora laughed softly as she walked next to her feline girlfriend, "Where are you taking me?" she held up her skirt as they walked through the Whispering Woods. "Glimmer's going to flip when she finds out we left before we had to leave for Scorpia and Perfuma's ball. " 

Catra chuckled, "I think she wouldn't mind us being gone for a little bit" she smiled. "Besides, I just want to show you something that I found the other day,"

Adora smiled, "Really? Well, this better not be like that time where you took me to a cave, and we ended up getting chased by bats," she laughed softly. "That was not a fun time."

Catra bit her lip and laughed, "No, I promise that this surprise will be much better than last time," she smiled and moved some branches to the side. She looked at the blonde, "Here we are," she walked into a field of light pink hydrangeas. "This is what I found," she motioned to the land in front of them.

Adora gasped and looked at the land in front of them, "Oh.. Catra." she chuckled "It's beautiful!" kneeling, she softly touched some of the petals of the flowers in front of her. "How did you even find this place?" she looked up towards the feline.

Catra chuckled, "Well, the other day, Swift Wind and I went on a bit of a ride. He wanted some apples from Plumeria, and you were busy, so I offered to take him." she admired the blonde. "What do you think?"

Adora smiled and got up, "This is one of the best surprises you have shown me lately" she giggled and kissed her cheek. "Thank you," she squeezed the feline's hand.

Catra smiled and looked towards the field, "Come with me," she laced their fingers together and led her blonde girlfriend towards the middle of the field of flowers.

Adora laughed, "Catra, we have to head back before Glimmer kills us!" she held onto Catra's hand with one hand and her skirt with the other.

Catra looked around in the flowers, "Oh here!" she let go of the blonde's hand and sat down on the ground. "I promise to get us back on time. Just come and sit down next to me for a minute."

Adora sighed playfully and sat down next to the feline, "Are you okay, my love?" she looked towards her.

Catra nodded and smiled, "Yeah.." she looked over to her blonde girlfriend. She watched as the wind swept through her golden hair and couldn't help but smile. She blinked and looked around in the flowers. She felt around, "I also have another part of this surprise. If only I could find it in these flowers." she laughed.

Adora laughed softly, "Another part? What else could you possibly have in store for me?" she said as she watched the feline looked frantically through the flowers.

Catra chuckled and gasped as she felt something in the flowers. She pulled out a wooden guitar, "This is what I have planned for you," she turned to face her.

Adora gasped, "Catra..." she smiled as she looked at the guitar. "W-what?"

Catra adjusted the guitar into a playing position, "I want to play something for you" she smiled softly as she strummed a quick chord. She looked at the blonde, "If you would let me?" she bit her lip.

Adora blushed softly and nodded slowly, "Of course, baby." she giggled softly.

Catra nodded and turned to face her. She cleared her throat and looked down at the guitar. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She sang,

"Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave?

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

But watching you stand alone.

All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.

One step closer."

Catra looked up to the blonde and smiled. She felt her nerves go away as she was overcome with a sense of calm. She blushed as she kept watching the blonde's hair move with the wind, how the sun shined against her creamy skin, and the way the flowers just complimented Adora. She took a deep breath and kept going,

"I have died every day waiting for you.

Darling, don't be afraid.

I have loved you

For a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more,"

Adora gasped and smiled as she heard the last line. She giggled and couldn't help but let her face heat up. She got closer to the feline and listened to the rest of her words.

Catra strummed and chuckled,

"Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything take away.

What's standing in front of me."

Catra got up and put the guitar down next to her. She held out her hands to the blonde as she kept singing.

"Every breath

Every hour has come to this.

One step closer."

Adora looked up to her then back to her hands. She put her hands into the feline's.

Catra smiled and pulled the blonde to stand up with her. She put her hand in the blonde's hand and on her waist. She motioned for Adora to dance with her.

Adora blushed and placed her hand on her shoulder. She laced her fingers with Catra's. She smiled and swayed back and forth as the feline continued the song,

"I have died every day waiting for you.

Darling, don't be afraid.

I have loved you for a thousand years.

I'll love you for a thousand more."

Catra smiled and pulled away to spin her around.

Adora chuckled, "You are way too cute," she said as she couldn't contain her happiness with her. She giggled softly as she spun around.

Catra laughed and dipped her, "And you are way too beautiful to be my girlfriend. Yet, here we are.." she smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. She slowly brought up the blonde as she sang the next lyrics,

"And all along I believed I would find you."

Catra kept her hands on the back of the blonde's back. She brought one hand up and stroke one side of Adora's face.

"Time has brought your heart to me."

She took her hand and put it against the blonde's chest. She smiled as she felt her heart beating like crazy. She looked up to her and chuckled.

"I have loved you for a thousand years.

I'll love you for a thousand more."

Adora sighed happily and took a step back. She looked at the feline and shook her head, "I have loved you for so long, my love. I know this is just the beginning for us." she held onto the feline's hand. "We have come a long way." she chuckled.

Catra nodded and smiled, "You're right." she chuckled. "We have come a long way. I have known you since we were six, and I haven't stopped loving you since. First, as my best friend, then as something more," she admitted. "I was madly in love with you for the longest time, and all I wanted was to kiss you. And for years, I never thought it would happen. We were enemies on opposite sides of a war. But my heart could never ignore those feelings for you, as much as I tried. When Glimmer and I were on Prime's ship, all I wanted was to tell you how I truly felt. How I was in love with you for years, and I just never said anything," she turned away. She tucked one of her loose hairs behind her ear, "Then you saved me, even after all these years of war, you decided to come and rescue me," she hugged herself. "I swore to myself that I would do anything to repay that debt to you and that I would protect you at any cost. Because all I wanted was for you to finally... stay," she reached into her pocket. "Then, when you were on the verge of death, I told you that I loved you... and I didn't regret it. I didn't know if you felt that way as well about me" She kept her back turned to her blonde girlfriend as she pulled out a ring box from her pocket. "Then you told me that you loved me too, and we had our first kiss there." she laughed softly.

Adora laughed softly and nodded, "Yeah, I wanted to make sure I kissed the girl that I loved before I died.."

Catra nodded, "But you didn't die instead.... you saved the world. Like you said you would," she smiled to herself. She turned around as she slowly continued her song. She took a step towards the blonde.

"One step closer."

Catra slowly got down on one knee and opened the ring box to reveal a gold banded engagement ring.

"One step closer."

Adora gasped and covered her mouth in shock. She slowly got down on both of her knees in front of the feline and kept watching her in shock. She teared up.

Catra nodded and teared up with the blonde. She took up one of the blonde's hands and sang,

"I have died every day waiting for you.

Darling, don't be afraid.

I have loved you

For a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more."

Adora choked out a laugh as she let her tears fall.

The two girls quickly hugged each other tightly. Catra purred against her and stroked the blonde's loose hair. She gave her a quick squeeze. She sniffled and tried to continue her song as she let her tears fall.

"And all along I believed I would find you.

Time has brought your heart to me.

I have loved you for a thousand years.

I'll love you for a thousand more."

The two girls held onto each other as they tried to stop crying. Catra placed soft kisses on the blonde's neck as she finally composed herself. She helped soothe the girl with these gentle kisses and pulled away.

Catra placed a hand on the blonde's cheek, "Adora, I have never stopped loving you, even when we have our fights. I never stopped loving you, and I never will. You are the love of my life, and I don't see myself spending my life with anyone else. I want to keep standing by your side for the years to come, I want to start a family with you, I want to kiss you and make love to you for the years to come, I want to buy a house with you, and I want to grow old with you.." She pulled her hand away and picked up the ring box once again, "I want to tell our kids and our grandkids about She-Ra, I want to tell them about our crazy adventures in space, and most importantly... I want to tell them the story of how I fell in love with their mommy" she looked towards the blonde. "Once again... I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Because without you... I don't know who I would be," she kissed her cheek. "So, Adora... would you do me the greatest honor and marry me?" she blushed softly.

Adora couldn't help but keep crying after the feline's tearful speech. She sniffled as she heard the feline's question. She nodded quickly and chuckled, "Y-Yes! I will marry you!" she exclaimed as she quickly hugged the feline.

Catra gasped and hugged her back tightly, "Oh, thank god, I don't know what I would have done if you said no," she kissed her cheek and chuckled. She laid them down on the grass and got on top of the blonde. "May I?" she held up the ring box.

Adora laughed and nodded "Of course," she put her right hand on top of the feline's back.

Catra chuckled and took the gold ring out of the box and picked up the blonde's left hand. She slowly slid on the ring and kissed her knuckles once she was done "There... beautiful"

Adora smiled and looked up to the feline, "Well, you better hurry up and kiss me then" she played with Catra's ponytail.

Catra chuckled and leaned down to the blonde's face, "Gladly."

The two girls gently rubbed their noses together as the feline hovered her lips over the blonde's. They both locked lips gently and kept kissing each other back until they ran out of air. Catra pulled away and leaned her forehead against Adora's. 

Adora chuckled and let her chest rise and fall as she tried to catch her breath, "I was not expecting a proposal when we came out here." she laughed and looked up to the feline.

Catra chuckled and laid down next to the blonde. She grabbed the hand next to her and laced their fingers together, "Well, what have I always told you? I'm good at surprises." she said cheekily.

Adora smiled and chuckled, "Wait..." she sat up and looked at the feline. "We aren't going to be late for the ball... are we?"

Catra laughed and sat up, "No, I told you to get dressed an hour and a half earlier because I wanted to make sure I had time to do this" she smiled softly.

Adora chuckled, "Well.." she looked down to her hand to look at the gold engagement ring. Her ring was a gold band that was decorated with different flowers. Roses, daisies, and lilies, and in the middle, red ruby is the main gem. "I was surprised," she held onto the feline's hand. "How did you even learn how to play guitar?"

Catra blushed, "I would watch you when you were playing, and Bow would give me lessons on the side.."

Adora gasped, "Wait... Bow knew about this?" she chuckled.

Catra bit her lip, "And Glimmer... and all of the princesses." she rubbed the back of her neck.

Adora nodded, "Well, they are very good at keeping secrets then," she laughed and looked towards the field of flowers in front of them.

Catra looked at her, "Hey... ready to head back?" she picked one of the loose hydrangeas and put it behind the blonde's ear.

Adora nodded and blushed softly, "Yeah... we can always come back tomorrow," she leaned over and kissed the feline's cheek. "I love you..." she said as she got up.

Catra chuckled and stood up beside her, "I love you too." she leaned down and picked up the guitar.

Adora laughed and scooped her up, "I think I will carry you this time" she smiled towards the feline.

Catra laughed and leaned against her, "God, I love you so much..." she purred softly. 

The two girls looked towards the field one last time then to each other. Adora held the feline close as she walked through the Whispering Woods, wondering what life had in store for her next. 

Chapter Text

Catra bit her thumbnail as she sat on the edge of their white stone air bathtub. She looked at her watch and took a deep breath as she noticed her time was up. She got up and grabbed the pink stick off the sink. She chuckled softly as she saw the positive sign, "Yup. Still pregnant" she smiled. She quickly hid it under the sink, "Another kid. Who would have thought that?"

She smiled to herself at the thought of having another kid with her blonde wife. Finn was 8, Mara was 3, and now, a baby was growing inside of her. She blushed softly as she placed a hand over her belly, "We are gonna tell your mama today," she whispered softly. "You are going to be her little birthday present."

She quickly splashed water on her face and wiped it dry. She quietly opened the door and peeked to check on her wife.

Adora turned onto her side as she pulled the comforter layer closer to her. She mumbled softly in sleep.

The feline chuckled and walked out of the bathroom. She slowly made her way back into bed and under the sheets. She carefully snuggled up behind her and wrapped her arms around her, "My love?" she pressed a kiss onto her back. "Are you awake?" She smiled at the sight of the blonde's silk red nightgown.

The blonde groaned sleepily. She turned around onto her other side, "Are you waking me up because you want to spoon?"

"You already know me so well..." Catra turned onto her side and blushed softly to herself.

Adora slowly opened her eyes and looked towards her wife. She smiled and wrapped her arms around the smaller girl. She leaned down and pressed a kiss into the feline's neck, "Mhm... good morning, my love," she smiled more.

"Mhm, no..." The feline purred loudly as she snuggled up against her. "Good morning to you, birthday girl."

The blonde giggled and snuggled closer. She laid her cheek against hers, "Thanks, Cat," she gleamed.

Catra smiled and blushed more, "So, what does the birthday girl want to do this fine morning?"

"I wanna spend it with my beautiful wife and my kids before anything else. Because knowing you, Bow, and Glimmer, you have something planned" Adora chuckled and moved her head. She placed some kisses on the cheek.

"What? No," her feline wife quickly said. She turned to her head to the side, "Someone's in a good mood."

The blonde laughed, "Well, if you allowed me to, I would love to give my wife a good morning kiss like always."

Catra giggled, "Wait. No, I want to give it to you, it's your birthday" she turned around and locked lips with her wife. She moved a hand in her loose blonde hair.

Her blonde wife wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. She smiled and kissed her back, "Good morning..."

"Good morning to you too, birthday girl," she smiled. She didn't hesitate to kiss back.

Adora leaned in to kiss once again but stopped as she heard a knock on the door.

Catra laughed and bopped her nose, "Looks like you are going to have to wait for your birthday treat."

"Oh. So having sex with my wife on my birthday is a treat? Good to know" The blonde sat up.

"Oh, you know what I mean..." Catra purred. "Having my hands run across your body, causing you to have goosebumps," she ran her hand down the blonde's clothed thigh.

Adora held in her breath and looked down towards her wife. 

The feline moved her skirt fabric up and moved closer to her. "And kissing every inch of your perfect skin," she leaned down and pressed kisses onto her thigh.

"Cat..." the blonde's breath hitched and whispered. "I-"

"All that has to wait because someone's at the door" Catra pulled away. 

Adora blushed madly and moved her skirt back down. She cleared her throat, "Uh, come in!"

An 8-year-old Finn walked in, holding their 3-year-old sister Mara's hand. They smiled at their blonde mother, "Happy birthday, Mama!" They both exclaimed.

The blonde giggled, "Oh my loves! Come over here!" She held her arms out towards them.

Finn smiled and picked up their sister. They rushed over and the both of them got onto the bed. They hugged their mom.

Adora chuckled and placed kisses on their heads, "My babies, thank you for the wonderful surprise."

"We wanted to make sure that we told you happy birthday as soon as you woke up. So when I woke up, I heard you and mommy talking. I quickly woke up Mara, and we walked over here," the young feline said.

"Well, I was thoroughly surprise," Adora gushed.

"Well, kids, I was just about to make your mom some breakfast. Would you like to help me out?" Their feline mom suggested.

"Yes!" The two kittens exclaimed.

Adora blushed softly, "Are you sure you don't need any help? I would be happy to help you o-"

"No need for any help" the feline put her finger on her lip to quiet her. "You just get in the shower and get all pretty because today is all about you!"

Adora moved her wife's hand, "Fine. But only because you told me too" she kissed her nose. She looked at her kids, "I will see you, my babies" she bopped their noses. "Soon"

Catra leaned over and pressed a kiss onto her cheek, "Go get dressed."
————————————————————————
Adora ran a hand through her hair as she stood under the water. She didn't think she would make it this far into her life. Well, she didn't imagine this would be the life she would be living.

She didn't think she would have her own family. Especially with her old feline best friend. She always thought she would die with the Horde and for the Horde. But then she thought she would die for the Rebellion. Now, she has a life she never thought she would live. She picked up her loofah.

Catra quickly and quietly opened the door to the bathroom. She walked over to the sink. She placed a nicely wrapped box on top of the sink as she made sure not to make so much noise.

"Is someone there?" The blonde quickly asked.

The feline cursed to herself. She looked towards the shower, "Yeah, it's me, babe!"

"Oh, Cat, you scared me!"

"I just needed to grab something from the cabinet. The kids and I just finished up making breakfast, and I needed some lotion."

"You put on lotion?"

"Uh. Of course. How do you think I keep this luscious skin of mine this wonderful?"

"Whatever you say, babe."

Catra blushed softly, "Are you almost done?" She pulled off her grey sweatshirt.

"Almost done. I'm just rinsing off my body."

She reached under the cabinet and pulled out the pregnancy test from earlier. She hid it in her pocket of her pants she took off. She walked over. She pushed the black and white shower curtain to the side a bit, "Hm, mind if I take your place?"

"My love... you have been seeking me all morning," Adora blushed softly. She moved to the side to let her come in.

"What can I say?" the feline got in beside her. "I'm a tease."

Adora pulled her close, "Oh, you never did change. Must I remind you of our first Princess Prom,"

Catra purred, "Hm... how could I forget?" She wrapped her arms around her neck. "I also remember you having a lustful dream about it,"

"How did you-"

"Sparkles let me have a peek at your old journals" she laced her fingers into the girl's hair. "You dreamt about me too many times."

"Well, are we finally going to do something, or are you going to keep leading me on...?" The blonde leaned down and kissed her neck softly.

"Someone has to watch the kids," the feline said as a whisper as she leaned her head back. "And guess who finished their shower already..." she patted the blonde's back.

Adora groaned, "Is this your idea of teasing me? Especially on my birthday?"

"I promise that we will later. Trust me, love"

The blonde nodded and chuckled, "Fine" she leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Love you," she got out of the shower.

"Love you too," the feline giggled softly. She grabbed her shampoo.

Adora reached towards the sink for her towel but froze as she noticed the gift box. She looked back towards the shower, "Cat? Did you leave this box on the sink?"

"Oh! That's for you! The kids and I picked it out for you to wear today! Wear your hair down too!"

The blonde grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her chest, "My hair..." she mumbled to herself. She picked up the box.
————————————————————————
The feline hummed to herself as she picked up the dirty dishes from the table. She looked at the kids who sat at the table, still finishing up their drinks, "Did you guys enjoy breakfast today?"

Finn nodded quickly, "Yes, I did, mommy! Those waffles were awesome!"

Catra chuckled and looked towards her daughter, "What did you think, Mara?" she placed her dishes into the sink.

"I liked it, mommy," Mara said giggly. She put down her pink sippy cup.

"Well, of course, it was good! My kids helped me make it."

"Uh, Cat! I don't know about this outfit you and the kids picked!" Adora called from the stairs.

Finn looked over towards their feline mom, "You gave her one of her presents already?" They said excitedly.

"Why yes! She was taking a shower, and I left it on the sink for her as a surprise" Catra chuckled.

Adora came down the stairs and walked into the dining room, "What do you think?"

The blonde dressed in a crimson red jumpsuit with a choker neckline and frills running on the sides. In the same red-colored heels and her hair loose past her shoulders. Lastly, her golden tiara on her head.

"Mama, you look pretty," Mara said while clapping her hands together.

Adora chuckled, "Aw, thank you, darling" she walked over and kissed her head.

Finn noticed the feline's deep blush and giggled, "What do you think mommy? How does Mama look?"

The feline bit her lip and chuckled nervously, "U-Uh..." she cleared her throat. "I think she looks- uh" she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel.

The young feline looked at their blonde mom, "I think you left mommy speechless."

"I can see that sweet pea." Adora giggled.

Catra blushed deeper and cleared her throat, "How about we give Mama some of her presents before we head over to Bright Moon?"

"Yes!" Finn and Mara cheered loudly.
————————————————————————
Mara giggled, "Can I give Mama mine first?" she asked excitedly.

"Only if it's okay to Finn."

"I don't mind."

Catra chuckled and picked up the baby feline, "Come on, you can sit on Mama's lap while you give it to her.

The blonde giggled and held out her arms, "Come on. I got you."

Mara squealed as she felt her blonde wrap her arms around her tightly.

Adora peppered kisses on her cheek, "My darling baby" she moved the girl's blonde hair back.

Catra handed a box to her wife, "Here, here's Mara's gift" she smiled.

"Let's see what the darling baby got me."

"I hope you like it, mama."

"Whatever you got me, I am going to love it" The blonde unwrapped the golden wrapped box and took off the white bow. She removed the lid and gasped at the sight inside, "Oh Mara..." she pulled out a small gold picture frame.

She smiled widely at the sight of the drawing the baby feline had made. A drawing of the whole family. Adora in She-Ra form, Catra, and Finn right next to her in some everyday clothes, and lastly, Swift Wind.

Adora chuckled, "Oh love, this is beautiful! This is going on my nightstand with the picture of your mommy and me," she bopped her nose.

"Auntie Glimmer helped me get the frame," Mara giggled.

"Well, I am just going to have to thank her when I see her" The blonde chuckled. "Thank you, baby."

Finn got up excitedly, "Can I go, next mommy?" They looked at their feline mom.

"Of course, go ahead," Catra chuckled.

The young feline walked over and handed a smaller red velvet box, "Uncle Bow helped me get it."

"Your auntie and uncle really had a hand in your presents this year," Adora chuckled as she took ahold of the box.

Finn rubbed their arm, "I hope you like it. I got the idea after you showed us some of the photos from your wedding.."

The blonde blushed and looked down towards the box. She gasped, "Oh Finn..." she looked up. "It's a ring! With a blue peony!" She took out the golden banded ring with a baby blue resin peony.

"Aww, our wedding flower" Catra smiled.

Adora chuckled and handed the ring to Finn, "Do you want to put the ring on me?" she smiled.

"Yes!" They cheered and took the ring in their hand.

Adora held up her right hand, "Go ahead and put it on my middle finger," she pointed.

The young feline smiled and slowly slipped the ring onto their mom's finger. "Does it fit you?"

Adora clenched her hand into a fist and opened her hand back up, "It fits perfectly," she gleamed.

Finn clapped their hands together, "Yay!"

Catra reached behind the couch, "My turn" she smiled. She pulled out a birthday bag.

"Cat, you didn't have to get me anything. You know that..." The blonde chuckled.

"Like I wouldn't get my wife anything for her birthday. You always do for mine" Catra smiled. "Go ahead" she handed her the bag.

Adora smiled and looked towards the baby feline on her lap, "Mama is going to move you really quickly, love" she kissed her cheek. She helped her off and sat her down right next to her.

Mara giggled and watched her two moms.

The blonde laughed, "I swear, Mara is one of the giggliest babies I have ever met" she picked up the bag to put it on her lap, but her feline wife stopped her.

Catra sat down on her lap, "Thank you for clearing a spot for me."

Adora laughed, "Babe! I moved Mara so I can open this present. Your present?"

"Well, you can just use me as a holder then" she placed a kiss on her cheek.

The blonde rolled her eyes playfully and placed the bag on the feline's lap. "Here"

Catra smiled and chuckled, "What a smartass you are."

"I mean you offered," Adora bopped her nose. She reached into the bag and pulled out a small silver picture frame. "Cat..." she ran her hand against the glass to see a picture she hadn't seen in years.

She looked at the sight of the feline and her when they were still girlfriends living in Bright Moon. It was one of the pictures they had taken on her first birthday after the war and with Catra. The photo of the two girls slow dancing on the dance floor in the garden. Catra dressed in a black velvet suit with a white silk top and Adora dressed in a Burgundy red mermaid fitted dress.

"Where did you get this, love?" Adora showed the older feline that sat on her lap.

"Sparkles and I found it in your old room the other day. We found it wedged in a book. So I thought I would frame it, and you can put it on the vanity." Catra smiled.

"It's perfect" The blonde kissed her lips gently.

"Gross!" their two kids said at the same time. They giggled.

Catra smiled and kissed her back. She looked towards their kids, "When you guys find someone to date and marry, and you kiss in front of us. We are going to do the same thing," she teased.

"Settle down, Cat," Adora laughed. She moved the bag off the feline's lap but felt that there was still something inside. She looked back to the bag, "What?" she reached inside and pulled out a gold medium-sized box with a sparkly red bow. "Babe"

"Don't say anything about it until you open it because I'm not returning it" Her feline wife crossed her arms.

The blonde bopped the feline's nose and untied the bow. She slowly removed the lid and gasped the gift inside, "Catra..." she pulled a golden bracelet.

The feline's gift consisted of a gold charm bracelet with different charms that resembled different parts of the blonde's life. A charm that looked like She-Ra's sword. A charm of a pink hydrangea, the flowers in the field Catra proposed in. A blue peony was their wedding flower. A charm resembled the failsafe from the Heart of Etheria. A charm that resembled her steed Swift Wind. Lastly, two golden hearts, one engraved with Finn's name and the second one engraved with Mara's name.

Adora sniffled, "Oh, it's beautiful" she smiled and hugged her wife tightly.

"Do you like it?" Catra said as she rubbed her back. "The kids helped me plan what charms we were going to get for it."

The blonde chuckled, "I love it" she kissed her cheek. She looked towards the box and the bracelet, "You guys are so sweet and so thoughtful..." she trailed off. "Oh wait, a charm fell off the bracelet." She reached into the box. She pulled out a golden heart, similar to Finn and Mara's charm.

Catra noticed, "Um no. That's an extra charm that we are going to add later." she chuckled nervously.

"A charm for later? What are you planning for this one?" Adora questioned as she held up the charm.

Catra took a deep breath and smiled softly. It was time to tell her the big news. She just had to give it to her straight, "Adora..." she grabbed her hands.

Adora smiled, "What? What is it?" She tilted her head.

The feline blushed, "I-I'm pregnant..."

The blonde gasped, "No. No, you're not!" she pulled her hands away and moved the gifts onto the coffee table in front of them. "Are you?"

Catra nodded and reached into her pocket. She handed her the pink stick from the morning, "I first took a test a few weeks ago, then I went to the doctor, and then today," she faced her. "I'm really pregnant, Adora."

Adora took the stick in her hands and looked at the stick. She teared up at the sight of the positive sign. She let out a sob as quickly hugged the feline. She kissed the top of her head.

Catra teared up and latched onto her blonde wife. She sniffled. She gasped as she heard the girl's cries, "My love, are you crying?"

The blonde nodded, "I just thought.. we wouldn't be able to get pregnant again after everything we went through with Mara's birth and how hard it was to get pregnant with her," she looked up to her. She placed a hand on her cheek, "I'm just really glad and happy that we are having another baby." 

"Me too love," The feline sniffled and laughed. She moved her hands to her cheeks and kissed her gently.

Adora smiled and held the back of her head. She kissed her back, "I love you so much" she leaned her forehead against hers. She chuckled as her tears kept calling

Finn held up their hand and cleared their throat, "Mama? Mommy? Why are you guys crying?" 

The blonde chuckled and wiped her cheek, "Because your mommy just told me that she's pregnant. Meaning you guys are going to get another baby sibling." 

The young feline gasped, "I'm having another sibling?"

Catra chuckled, "Yes, baby. You are!" 

"Did you hear that, Mara? We are getting another sibling!" 

Mara squealed, "Yay!" 

Catra moved off the girl's lap and sat down next to her. She snuggled into her side and purred. She grabbed her hand, "How are you feeling?" she kissed her cheek. 

"Like this is the best birthday that I have had in a while," Adora wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "Like I have the best family in the whole wide world." 

Catra chuckled and snuggled closer. She moved and leaned her head on the blonde's shoulder. She took the blonde's hand and placed it on her stomach. "We're really having another baby"

"Yes we are, my love. Yes, we are" The blonde kissed the top of her head. "Never forget that I love you." she rubbed her thumb against the feline's clothed stomach.

The feline smiled and purred against her wife, "Never forget that I love you too."

Adora pulled away and giggled. She looked towards their kids, "Come on, family hug!" she held out her arms.

Finn and Mara giggled and got up. They rushed over and quickly hugged their moms. 

Adora smiled, "I love you guys." She squeezed them. 

"We love you too!" the two kittens exclaimed. 

"Happy birthday, love..." Catra smiled and kissed her cheek. 

The family snuggled close and relaxed. None of them pulling away. Just happy to be where they are.

Chapter Text

"I'm going to be so late!" A 16-year-old Adora White said as she noticed the time on the microwave.

It was Adora's first day as the Moon Valley High School Hyenas' varsity team dance captain. She had spent her freshman and sophomore year working her way to the top, and in the end, her teammates and coach picked her. It was one of her greatest dreams for the longest time besides finding herself a good girlfriend.

Today was the day she was going to meet the other dance captains from the neighboring school districts for lunch so they can have "common ground." It was stupid to her, in her opinion. As much as they all tried, each team always had a set rivalry with another team all the time. Lately, Moon Valley's rivals were the East Valley High School Wildcats. Always neck and neck whenever they were competing, or whenever they were in each other's presence.

All she could hope for this year was not running into any problems with anyone.

"Bye, mom!" she yelled towards the living room area of her two-story house. She grabbed her car keys and her black leather bag as she ran out the door. She rushed over to her white Jeep and climbed in.

Her mind seemed to be all over the place today. Her day started by waking up late, tripping over her brother Adam's skateboard, her having to-do a list of chores in the morning before she had to go, and most unsettling of all, getting a message from a certain Catra Rivers on Instagram.

She and Catra Rivers used to be the best of friends when they were little, yet a week after Catra's 12th birthday, Adora found out her family was moving to a different town because of her mother getting a job with the local school district and her father becoming a city official. It was hard for both of them. They both promised to keep in touch, yet they adapted to their own lives in their schools. That was their ultimate downfall.

Catrarivers469: Hey

That was the message notification she received during the night. They haven't had a full conversation in four years, and all she says was "Hey." She didn't bother answering her.

She buckled herself in and drove off to the local hotel. Of course, she would be late on her first day. She tapped her fingers impatiently against her steering wheel as she arrived at the traffic stop before her destination. She glanced at her radio for the time.

'12:45. Damn, I was supposed to be there thirty minutes ago!'

She quickly made her turn as the light turned green. She pulled up to the eighteen stories tall hotel and parked in the front parking area. As she ran towards the front doors, she fixed the skirt of the candy apple red dress she had chosen to wear that day. Her bedazzled high heels clicking behind her as she ran. Her loose sandy blonde hair clipped up with golden rose pins flowing behind her.

After asking for directions from the front desk, she walked down the open pink crystal lobby to one of the large meeting rooms. As soon as she opened the door, she noticed all the eyes landing on her. She chuckled nervously, "I'm sorry. I was having a rough morning," she cleared her throat and walked towards the large table in the middle of the room.

Adora's team coach, Mrs. Angella Moon, chuckled, "It's okay, darling. We just got started talking. Your seat has a place card with your name on it."

The blonde quickly nodded and made her way to the only empty seat at the table. She hung the purse on the side of her chair and took a seat. She moved a piece of her hair behind her ear as she adjusted her seating arrangement. While listening to the conversations around her, one voice stood out along them all. A voice that seems to make her shoulders tense up and send a chill down her spine. She looked up and gasped at the sight in front of her.

A certain feline girl who turned to the right caught her attention. The girl in front of her was no other than Catra Rivers. Her former best friend. The girl who texted her last night. The girl with who she hasn't had a real conversation in years.

'What is she doing here?' she thought to herself as she watched the people around her.

'Does she even know it's me in front of her?'

'Did she make one of the captains for Crimson?'

'Might as well be nice to the people around me before I talk to her,'

She turned to the girl who seems to be as quiet as her, "Hi!"

The tall, buff girl turned to her, "Oh hey," she chuckled softly.

"My name's Adora, and I go to Moon Valley High. Nice to meet you," the blonde held out her hand towards her.

The girl took her hand, "I'm Huntara. I go to Crimson High," she shook her hand back. "Nice to meet you too." she looked up and down the blonde's figure. "You know, I would not have taken a girl like you to be a dance captain,"

Adora looked towards her, "I could say the same thing about you. I mean, I can only assume that you are talking about my muscles" she crossed her arms.

Huntara snorted, "Well, yes. I've always been judged about being muscular and being tall. It's nice to have someone just like me," she nudged her.

"Yeah, it is," Adora said with a small smile. She looked towards her old feline friend in front of her. Her heart yearned to talk to her. But, she wasn't about to cause a scene in front of everyone.

Huntara noticed the blonde's lingering eyes and chuckled, "Scoping out your competition or what?" she picked up her water.

Adora snapped out of her thoughts, "What? No. Wait, what?" she turned to face her. "Catra has always been with Crimson, on your dance team for the last couple of years. I should know because I always saw her. I just thought you brought your co-captain,"

"No, well, Catra was part of our team for the past couple of years, but she moved schools towards the end of last school year." Huntara chuckled. She looked towards the feline, "She's the captain for East Valley."

Adora felt her heart drop, "East Valley? The Wildcats?" she could have thrown up right there.

Huntara nodded, "Those are the ones. Why do you think I asked if you were scoping out the competition,"

The blonde looked back towards the feline and closed her eyes, "This day couldn't be going any worse," she leaned back against her chair.

She couldn't wrap her head around the whole idea of hating Catra. They knew everything about each other. Their favorite colors, their favorite cartoons, their sexualities, their favorite subjects, and so much more than a best friend could know. Of course, they were rivals on the dance floor before, but now their schools had a rivalry. Something that forces them not to be friends or even attempt to be friendly.

She opened her mouth to speak but saw one of the other coaches stand up, a Ms. Minerva Queen.

Ms. Queen cleared her throat, "Okay everyone, settle down" she smiled as she saw everyone quiet down.

"Okay, welcome everyone to the annual dance captain's luncheon! Where we all try to get to know one another and hopefully try to get along," she chuckled.

"Before serving today's meal, I would like to share some news." She picked up a notepad.

"Before arriving today, I received a call from the organizers of our first dance competition that is to take place next month. They have told me about the certain... changes that are going to take place."

Catra tilted her head, "Well, what kind of changes?" she crossed her arms.

Adora bit her bottom lip harshly, 'Please don't let it be anything too drastic,' she thought to herself as she watched the feline move her hair. She took a sip of her water.

Ms. Queen chuckled, "I was just about to get there, Ms. Rivers," she smiled. "For this competition, you will not be competing the way that you are all used to,"

She fixed her glasses, "Here," she held up her notepad. "Here is what they said," She read,

"Dance captains will choreograph a dance routine to the song that has been assigned to them and will perform them in a dance battle style. Meaning, two teams will face each other and take turns performing their choreographed dance routine, essentially "trading the spotlight." In the end, the dance captains will shake hands and walk off the stage in a sign of good faith. The results will be revealed at the end of the whole competition."

The lady nodded, "I know this seems very high stakes for your first competition, but it doesn't hurt to spice things up sometimes."

Huntara looked towards the lady, "Okay. If we are dancing with one another, which teams are competing against each other?"

"Well, they have not provided me with the songs that each team will dance, but I guess I can tell you guys the pairs," Ms. Queen nodded.

She flipped through pages, "Okay, so, we have Ms. Huntara with Ms. Alyssa, DT with Ms. Lisa, Ms. Starla with Ms. Maria," she kept reading down the long list. "Ms. Adora with..."

Adora bit her lip, 'I mean, she is only halfway down the list. There's no way-'

"Ms. Catra," Ms. Queen smiled. She kept reading the names.

Adora felt sick to her stomach. She quickly got up.

The people in the room looked towards her. Catra noticed her and got up, "Adora?"

The blonde's thoughts were running through her head a thousand miles an hour. She backed up and tried to speak, but nothing came out of her mouth. How do you talk to someone you haven't heard from in years? She looked towards Huntara then Catra again. She grabbed her bag and ran out of the room. She ran into the bathroom and one of the stalls.

She felt her throat burn as she felt tears weld up in her eyes. She leaned against the walls of the stall as she sniffled.

Why was this happening to her after all this time? Why did this have to happen to her? On today of all days? As much as she wanted to talk to Catra, this rivalry was only going to prevent her. She used to love her for crying out loud. How was she expected to throw out their history for this?

She balled up her fists but gasped as she heard the door of the bathrooms open. She covered her mouth and tried not to make any noises.

Catra peeked into the blue crystal bathroom. She walked in, closing the door softly behind her. "Adora?" she looked around. She crouched down and noticed the blonde's red heels, "I know you're in here. Your shoes give it away, dork,"

Adora chuckled to herself at the name the feline called her. Of course, that would be the nickname she remembers. She sighed and walked out of the stall, "Hey..."

Catra got up and crossed her arms, "Hey Adora," she cleared her throat.

The blonde bit her lip. How do you talk to someone you haven't spoken to in so long? "You look good,"

"Well, because we are supposed to look presentable. I guess I do," the feline joked. "You look just as great, considering the event," she looked towards the blonde.

Adora chuckled, "Thanks..." she looked down to the floor and kicked the ground with the edge of her heel. "I didn't know you went to East Valley now,"

Catra nodded, "I transferred towards the end of the year. Too much happened at Crimson... I needed a fresh start," she sighed.

"Look, Catra, I never wanted to-"

"Leave me?" Catra looked towards her. "Or the fact that we stopped talking for years and we only just looked at each other at dance competitions?"

Adora backed up, "Hey, wait a minute now. You could have easily kept in touch. You know my social media handles because you messaged me last night!"

Catra scoffed, "So you did see my message. Well, can I ask why you didn't answer?"

"How do you talk to the person you haven't spoken to in years! You just said 'Hey' out of nowhere! I was thrown off-guard!" Adora crossed her arms.

"Well, maybe by saying "Hi Catra" or "Hey" back! Perfect Adora White doesn't know how to start a conversation. Would you look at that?" the feline said sarcastically.

Adora gasped, "Oh well, look, it's Catra Rivers, the girl who blames others for her mistakes. When it was her fault as well!"

Catra shook her head, "Last time I checked, I wasn't the one who promised to come up and visit once in a while, the one who didn't tell the other when they changed phone numbers, nor the one who flat out changed her life and left everything in the past in the dirt" she teared up.

"You left me, Adora, not the other way around."

Adora tensed up, "Like I had a choice! You make it seem like I wanted to leave you! I never wanted to! You don't know how hard it was to leave you behind! How I wished I could have stayed behind!"

"Well, I had a hard time believing that when I see pictures of you hanging out with your new best buddies, laughing, cheering, smiling, and more. I don't think you understand what I went through when you left! The things I had to go through! But of course, little miss perfect has everything good coming her way!" The feline hissed.

Adora shook her head, "You have it all wrong, Catra. I lost my best friend just like you did. Stop trying to make it seem like all the pain revolves only around you! We both lost each other!"

"Well, it's a little hard to guess that when all I see is you hanging out with your new friends. I guess someone just happened to move on faster than the other did. With you being a people pleaser and all." Catra narrowed her eyes at her.

Adora, taken aback by the feline's comment, "Last time I checked, I wasn't a people pleaser."

The feline shook her head, "You are not the same Adora White from years ago,"

The blonde backed up, "I grew up. It's time you did too," she walked up to the door.

Catra turned to her, "Well, I guess it makes sense that we are competing against each other. Maybe I can finally stop being second best to the bitch of the century."

Adora teared up and closed her eyes, "Go to hell, Catra" she opened the door and walked out of the bathroom. She started walking, trying to hold back her tears. She walked past the meeting room she was supposed to be in and went straight to the exit of the hotel.

Her thoughts were all over the place once again. She thought maybe she could have gotten through to Catra, but both of them were still in pain from her departure years ago. Why couldn't she have just listened to her? Maybe they wouldn't have said some of the things that were said. Now, all Adora could feel was pain and rage. Her rage was enough to keep her going.

If Catra wanted to fight, she wasn't going to stop kicking until she was on top. If she wants to play dirty, then she was going to play dirty back. If she doesn't want to go back to the way things were, then. She wasn't going to keep trying.

She climbed into the driver seat of the car and placed her bag in the seat next to her. She turned on the radio to her favorite Broadway station, put on her brown sunglasses, and drove straight home.

'Maybe I should take Swift Wind out on a ride later today. Right now, I just need a nap or to hit something,'

'Or maybe when I get home, I will have millions of text messages that I will have to answer from Mrs. Moon or Glimmer asking where am I, where have I gone, or why did I leave?'

She stopped at the stoplight before her neighborhood and sighed. She ran her thumb against a scar in her inner wrist of her right arm. A scar from the last time Catra grabbed her wrist. To give her one last hug before moving.

"Make sure you stay in touch! I will try to make sure I am around for your birthday," The 12-year-old feline said as she gave her blonde best friend one last squeeze.

"I promise I will try," A 12-year-old Adora said as she pulled away. "Remember, nothing bad can happen as long as we have each other." she held up her pinky.

"You are such a dork" Catra hooked her pinky with her. "But a dork that I love."

"I love you too, Catra," she said as tears welled up in her eyes.

The feline grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a tight hug once again.

Adora winced but didn't want to pull away. But with the feline latched on her and purring, she sucked up her tears in the meantime.

She quickly snapped out of her thoughts as she saw the light turn green.

She pulled into the driveway of her two-story house and got out of her car. She shook her head and climbed out. She walked down the brownstone walkway, letting the wind go through the skirt of her dress and her hair.

"Welcome back, Ms. Adora," A brunette young lady gardener said as the blonde walked past the house's front red rose garden. She smiled.

"Thank you, Eira," the girl smiled. "How are the roses today?"

"Oh, they are just lovely. You are doing an amazing job when I'm not here," the lady chuckled. She carefully snipped one of the roses out. She handed it to the blonde, "It looks like you could use it"

Adora chuckled and nodded, "I do," she looked down at the flower. She took a deep breath, taking in the rose's sweet scent.

"Your parents took your brother out, thinking that you were going to be out longer," the gardener explained.

"I was going to be out longer, but-" The blonde cut herself off. "It's a long story," she shrugged.

"Well, I'm almost done here. If you want, I can fix us up some snacks, and you can tell me why you are in such a down mood" She wiped her hands on her apron.

"I would really like that," Adora admitted.

"I don't know what I would do without you, Eira."

"You would probably still have an amazing rose garden," the lady teased. "I would do anything for you, Ms. Adora. You are the one that got me this job after all."

Adora smiled and nodded, "I should let you finish. I will be in my room putting my pajamas back on, and then I will meet you downstairs"

"Sounds like a plan," The brunette smiled and quickly went back to work.

The blonde smiled and walked into the tall white brick house. She went up the stairs and into her bedroom.

She let her mind wander as she picked up a fresh set of white cotton pajamas. She thought back to the recent fight she had with the feline as she slid on her shorts. She quickly grabbed her phone from her bag and put her music on shuffle.

She scoffed as "Just for a Moment" came on, "You have got to be kidding me" she shrugged and continued to change into her tank top. She carefully took off her roses pins, her watch and let her hair down.

She grabbed a small gold vase from under her bathroom sink and set up her new rose next to her bed. She slipped on some pink bunny slippers and grabbed her white fuzzy blanket. She walked down the stairs and sighed.

Eira walked into the house and noticed the blonde walking, "Now, why are you so down?"

Adora took a deep breath, "I saw Catra for the first time in 4 years."

Chapter Text

Catra rubbed her eyes with the edge of her hands after waking up from one of her daily naps. She yawned as she stretched out her arms and legs. She slowly sat up and looked towards the left of her to see if her blonde girlfriend had indeed come to join her in her slumber. She sighed as she noticed the empty spot.

"Where did that blonde dummy go?" her tail flicked to the side as she looked around the pink bedroom. She slowly stood up and walked over to the tall windows, pulling the curtains open to let some more of the sunlight come in. She walked past the waterfall and to her closet. She hummed as she went through her different drawers. Looking for something that happened to be important to her. Her sketchbook.

The feline had taken up painting and drawing as a past time while Adora was in meetings without her. She would sit at the balcony outside their room, by the waterfall, on the bed, at the blonde's desk and drawing whatever came to mind. Melog, her friends, the princesses, different nature sights, her blonde girlfriend, or anything that fit her mood. Perfuma was the one that suggested it as part of her therapy. No one really knew about it. She thought she would be made fun of. Hence, the hidden sketchbook in the closet.

She peeked out from the closet as she heard the doors of the bedroom open.

Adora peeked inside to notice the empty pink cushiony bed. She slowly looked to the side and jumped at the sight of her glaring girlfriend. "Hey Cat..." she chuckled nervously.

"Hey, Adora," Her tail flicking to the side sharply. She crossed her arms. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

"I-" The blonde rubbed the back of her neck. "I know I said I would come up and take a nap with you, but Glimmer needed some help setting up for the guests that are stopping by later on tonight. I promise I was planning to come spend the afternoon with you" she held up her hand.

Catra raised an eyebrow, "Really?" She crossed her arms. 'We both know how you are with promises' she thought to herself.

"Yup, and I even brought you something to make it up to you!" She admitted.

"Really? Now, what could you have possibly brought me that would make up for the fact that you missed naptime today?"

Adora stepped outside and pulled in a small food service bus cart filled with different kinds of the feline's favorite foods. Different kinds of berries, a couple different finger sandwiches, finger foods, some small teacakes, and lastly of all, lemonade. "I know you missed lunch as well, so I thought I would bring you some of your favorite foods. I know how hungry you tend to get."

The feline blushed softly and tapped her finger against her arm. As much as she was upset at the dumb blonde for not coming up to take a nap with her after the day she had, it was still a kind gesture in the end. She kicked the floor as she looked down, "I suppose I can forgive you this time."

Her girlfriend smiled widely. She closed the door and carefully pushed the cart over to their bed. 

Catra smiled as she watched the girl got onto the bed and patted the spot next to her. She walked over and crawled onto the bed. She patted the girl's lap, "Move your legs."

Adora chuckled and moved her legs apart.

The feline chuckled and sat down in the spot meant for her. She kissed her cheek. She snuggled up against her blonde girlfriend, "Mhm, you smell good" she buried her face into the crook of her neck.

Adora squealed and giggled, "Cat, I'm ticklish!"

"I know, princess. Why do you think I'm doing it?" She looked up. "But also because you actually smell really good."

The blonde smiled and wrapped her arms around her. She rubbed her hand against the feline's arm. She looked towards the cart of food, "What would you like to munch on first?"

Catra picked up her head and looked towards the food. Her tail flicked to the side, "Hm, maybe the steamed buns..." she bit her lip.

"Of course, anything you want" she reached over and picked up the plate of food. 2 perfect steamed buns filled with meats, veggies and still warm to the touch. She handed it to the girl, "Here you go babe,"

She picked up one of the soft buns and took a small bite of it. 

Adora smiled and kissed the side of her head. She rested her head on the girl's shoulder. She loved to watch her eat. Eat well at least. In the Fright Zone, the girl wouldn't eat in fear of Shadow Weaver or just because she didn't think she deserved it.

Catra picked up the second bun and handed it to the blonde, "I'm not going to eat alone, am I?" She smiled. "Besides, you have brought me plenty of food that I plan to share with my dumb girlfriend."

"I am not dumb" she took the bun. She took a bite.

"Sure you aren't" she placed a kiss on her lips before going back to her food.
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Adora smiled softly as she held up a blueberry, "You want the last one, babe?"

The blonde now up against the golden headboard. The two of them in a loving embrace.

The feline laying back onto her girlfriend's chest and sitting on her lap.

Their legs intertwined with each other.

Catra giggled as she nodded. She leaned up and took the berry out of the girl's hand. She purred more as she leaned back down against the girl's chest.

The blonde chuckled and wrapped her arms around her. She kissed her cheek, "Feeling better?"

The feline nodded and leaned her head onto Adora's cheek. "One of the better dates we have had in a while." she purred.

"Aww, well, anything for you, love" Adora smiled.

"Thanks... I mean. You didn't have to go through all this trouble just for me."

"Cat! Of course, I wanted to do this for you. I love you. Of course, I would be willing to do anything for you. Especially to make it up to you for not coming to nap with you after I said I would." She placed a kiss into the girl's short soft hair. 

The feline looked down and at their intertwined fingers. She wrapped her tail around the girl's leg, "Adora, can I ask you something?"

"Anything you want."

"You know how you asked me the other day if I wanted to get my hair trimmed, and I said yes?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I was thinking, and I was wondering if... I could grow out my hair instead?"

Adora smiled, "Really? Is that what you want?"

"Yeah. I mean. Yeah, I got used to my short hair, but I always preferred my long hair better. And it just reminds me too much of Prime..." she looked away.

"Oh, Catra... you don't have to ask me permission to grow out your hair! If this is really what you want. I'm going to be there every step of the way. And I am going to love seeing it again."

Catra purred loudly as she turned around to face the girl. She leaned in and quickly kissed her.

The blonde kissed her back. She smiled against her soft lips, "God, you are so beautiful..."

"No... I'm really not." Catra blushed softly. She pulled away and looked down.

"Babe..." she placed a gentle hand under her chin. She lifted her head, so their eyes met.

Adora's cool blue/grey eyes locked with the feline's mismatch blue and yellow eyes.

"You are beautiful. Nothing is going to change that. If you grow out your hair, if you put on a little weight, or dress differently..." the blonde moved her hand to the girl's cheek. "I'm still going to see you as the most beautiful girl in my life."

The feline leaned against her hand and purred, "My love..." she blushed madly. She was used to Adora's high praises, but they always seem to bring a smile to her face.

"I love you..."

"I love you too..." Catra hugged her.

Adora kissed the top of her head as she hugged her back. 

The feline looked up to her and giggled. She wrapped her tail around the girl's leg. She stayed curled up in her lover's arms. Enjoying the scent coming off Adora. Her sweet scent that seem to always be around her, mixed with her rose and lavender scented soaps. She closed her eyes.

---- 

"So," The blonde spoke up after a few minutes of silence. "I got you a little present," she kissed one of the girl's ears. 

"What? Adora, you didn't have to get me anything," Her ears fluttered at the soft kiss. She opened her eyes and looked up towards her.

"Yes, I did, now close your eyes."

Catra smiled and closed her eyes. She held out her hands. 

The blonde leaned over and reached into her nightstand. She pulled out a new sketchbook wrapped in a red ribbon, tied into a neat bow. She placed it into the girl's hand. "Now open them!"

The feline opened her one of her eyes and looked down at the gift in her hands. She gasped. "How did you-"

"I accidentally saw your book in your closet when I was putting some of your clothes away. But I didn't look through it! I wouldn't do that to you. But I thought I would get you a new one in case you needed some more space.."

Catra smiled and looked back down at the book. She bit her lip excitedly, "Thank you, Adora..." she chuckled.

"Of course, my love..." she bopped her nose.

"You have officially made up the fact that you did not come to take a nap with me!" The feline exclaimed. "You are hereby released to do whatever you want."

"Oh? Whatever I want?" The blonde raised an eyebrow as she placed a kiss on her lips.

"Yes, whatever you want," Catra chuckled as she kissed her back.

"What if you....are what I want to do?" she wrapped her arms around the girl's smaller waist.

"Then... that falls into the same category" The feline put her gift on the nightstand.

"Oh... then that is exactly what I want to do..." the blonde locked lips with the feline's once again.

"I'm all yours then, babe." she chuckled and kissed her back. 

Adora smiled and quickly flipped them around.

"Ah! Adora!"

The blonde looked down at the girl, "Yes, my love?" 

Catra blushed, "I love you, I really do."

Adora smiled, "I love you too."

The girls giggled as they locked lips once again. Both continuing on the passion they had earlier that day. Both of them locking lips, laughing, smiling, and showing each other their pure love for each other. When it was time for them to have dinner with their other best friends, they couldn't help but laugh as the pair asked them what they did in the afternoon.

Adora answered by simply saying, "Just showing Catra how much I appreciate her"

Chapter Text

"Adora! Come on! You're going to be late!" Adora's mother, Marlena, pushed down the lever on the toaster.

"I'm coming, mom!" Adora put down her makeup brush. She got up from her vanity and smoothed out her skirt.

Adora was dressed in her school uniform that consists of a plaid skirt, a white button-up shirt, a crimson red tie, and a grey blazer. Underneath her skirt, she wore solid black pants to ensure her safety when she rides with Catra on her motorcycle. Her hair in a high ponytail with a small hair poof in the front. Lastly, to tie the whole outfit together, stud diamond earrings.

The blonde sighed, "Another day, another skirt" she shook her head and slipped on her plain black flats. She grabbed her phone and her backpack as she rushed out of her room. She ran down the stairs and walked to the kitchen, "Morning mama," she kissed her mother's cheek.

"Morning, sweetie. I see you chose to wear a skirt today, and I must say, you look beautiful, honey. But the pants, what's going on with that?" Marlena chuckled and smiled.

Adora laughed, "Remember? Catra's picking me up on her motorcycle today, so I have to wear pants under my skirt. Don't worry. I will take them off at school."

"I thought Eric was picking you up?"

"Just because he's my boyfriend, doesn't mean he's always going to pick me up" She took a piece of toasted bagel from her mother's plate. She took a bite and giggled.

Marlena gasped, "You know, I just made you some" she chuckled as she handed the blonde a napkin.

Adora laughed softly, "But it's not as fun as stealing it off your plate" she took the napkin.
--------------------------------------------
"Catra! Come on! You're going to be late!", Catra's aunt, Sandra, called out for the feline.

"Coming mom!," Catra sighed as she put on her leather jacket. She looked in the mirror and admired herself. was dressed in her school uniform that consists of a white button-up shirt, crimson red tie, and the same colored red pants. "Well, at least she will like my hair," she ran her fingers through her long, loose, brown hair. She grabbed her backpack and ran down the stairs. "Morning, Aunt Sandra," she said towards the lady.

"Well, someone looks nice today," Sandra said as she looked up from her newspaper. "Are you planning to have breakfast this morning?" she sipped her coffee.

Catra shook her head and put an apple in her backpack, "Can't. I'm picking up Adora today."

Sandra chuckled, "Oh right...Adora," she winked.

"Seriously?" Catra groaned as she crossed her arms.

Sandra chuckled, "I'm sorry! My baby niece has her first crush, and it happens to be her childhood best friend!" she giggled.

Catra sighed and grabbed her helmet. "Aunt Sandra, we have been over this! I don't know if she likes girls besides she's dating Eric." she said while playing with her helmet's straps.

"That doesn't mean I can't root for you two" Sandra shrugged and got up.

Catra blushed and shook her head, "Bye, Auntie, love you" she kissed the lady's cheek and rushed out the front door. "Can't believe she still teases me about liking Adora," she said as she walked over to her motorcycle. She clipped on her helmet. She turned her bike on and drove off to the blonde's house.
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Adora looked at the door as she heard the feline's motorcycle coming down the street. "Oh, Catra's here," she kissed her mom's cheek, "Bye, mama," she grabbed her helmet and rushed out the front door.

"Well, look at you, Princess. In your pretty skirt," Catra said as she pulled up to the blonde's driveway and parked.

Adora rolled her eyes and clipped on her helmet, "Well, good morning to you too," she said as she sat down behind the feline. "No comments on my clothing, please" she wrapped her arms around the feline's waist.

Catra blushed a bright red, "Whatever you say" she picked up her brake. "Hold on tight" she backed up off the driveway and rode down the street to school.
———————————————————
Catra pulled up to the high school's parking lot and parked in front of the school. "Here we are," she said as she took off her helmet.

"Thanks for letting me ride with you today. Adora unwrapped her arms from the feline's waist and hopped off the bike.

The feline chuckled, "You're welcome. What are best friends for?" She cringed to herself at the last part of her sentence.

The blonde laughed softly, "You're right about that," she said as she unclipped her helmet. "Oh, before we go meet up with Glimmer and Bow, can we stop by the bathroom so I can take these pants off?"

Catra nodded and smiled, "Of course, now come on, we don't want to be late!" she took the blonde's hand and ran towards the doors of the high school.

"Ah! Wait! Cat! I'm gonna fall!" Adora shouted as she followed after the feline.

The principal, Ms. Angella, stopped them, "Good morning, girls," she smiled.

Adora smiled, "Good morning, Ms. Angella" she held the feline's hand tightly.

Ms. Angella chuckled, "Sorry for stopping you. I just wanted to make sure that you were still singing in the talent show tonight". She looked down at the blonde.

Adora chuckled and nodded, "Yes, ma'am, I am. Eric and I had our final practice yesterday, and we couldn't be even more ready than we are"

"Understandable," Ms. Angella laughed softly. She turned to the feline, "Good morning to you too, Catra. Nice to see that you are following the dress code today."

Catra chuckled nervously, "Yes, I am, ma'am" she cleared her throat.

Ms. Angella laughed softly and moved to the side, "Run along now, I'm sure you are eager to meet your friends" she smiled.

They both nodded and smiled.

"Have a good day!" The blonde said as they rushed through the doors of the school.

"Okay, so, where are we meeting your friends again?" Catra chuckled as she let go of the blonde's hand.

She handed her helmet to the feline, "In the cafeteria," she looked at her. "How about you go put our helmets in our lockers while I go change in the bathroom? From there, we can meet each other at the entrance of the cafeteria."

Catra laughed, "See you later" she patted her back and rushed off to their lockers.

Adora sighed as she watched the feline run off. Her heart fluttering with excitement. She gripped onto her backpack strap, "You know you can't think about her like that, Adora..." she mumbled to herself. "But, she just makes it hard.." she shook her head and walked off to the bathroom.
————————————————————
Catra looked at her watch as she waited in front of the cafeteria. "Where is she?" She crossed her arms.

Adora rushed over to Catra and panted. "I'm sorry! I was running over, and I kinda slipped and fell"

Catra chuckled and smiled. She blushed as she got a better look at the blonde's outfit for the day. She couldn't help but think of kissing her right there, running her hands under the blonde's skirt, pinning her against the wall, and caressing her hand on Adora's thigh.

"Earth to Catra? Are you okay?" The blonde waved her hand in front of the feline's face.

The feline snapped back to reality, "What? Oh, I'm sorry. Something caught my attention," she chuckled nervously. "Um, ready to head inside?" She opened the door to the cafeteria.

Adora chuckled and nodded, "Yes, I am" she giggled and walked inside.

"Oh, I can't believe that just happened," Catra mumbled to herself. Adora smiled as she saw her friends, "Glimmer! Bow!" She rushed over.

Glimmer turned around and smiled, "Hey girl!" She giggled as they hugged.

"Well, look at you, you look amazing!" Bow smiled.

The blonde chuckled and smiled, "Thanks, I thought I would dress up nicely today" she gave them a little twirl.

Glimmer laughed softly and looked at Catra, "Morning, Catra!" She smiled more. "You look just as amazing!"

"Thanks, but I'm not going to twirl for you," Catra snorted. She laughed, "Where's your boyfriend, Adora?"

A boy around the squad's age, with hazel hair, green eyes, fair peachy skin, and built/buff came up behind the feline. Adora's boyfriend, Eric, "Well, right behind you." he crossed his arms.

Catra jumped and looked behind her, "How the hell did I not hear you?"

"Well, would you look at that? The cat couldn't hear me" Eric laughed.

The blonde sighed, "Babe, I thought you said you're going to stop being mean to Catra." She walked over to the boy.

"Not my fault she makes it so easy" Eric looked at his girlfriend.

Catra hissed, "You're just lucky that you're dating my best friend. If you weren't, you wouldn't have that pretty face of yours intact" she crossed her arms.

Eric smirked, "Oh yeah? How about you show me what you can do?" he got closer to her.

"Oh, I will gladly show you," the feline said as she brought up her fist to him.

Adora got in between them, "The both of you stop it! Why must you fight every time you guys are around each other?"

Catra looked at the blonde, "All I have to do is just exist near him, and that is enough for him to get fired up!" she exclaimed. "I have tried so hard for months to hold back, Adora. But I'm done," she backed up.

"What are you talking about?" Adora looked at her as she tried to grab the feline's hand.

Catra took a deep breath and pulled her hand away, "I just... need a moment. I'll see you in class" she shook her head and walked off without saying another word.

The blonde sighed and shook her head, "Hey, Bow? Glimmer? How about you go ahead without me? I want to talk to Eric...alone" she looked at her friends.

"Yeah, of course, we will see you at lunch." Glimmer said as she grabbed her boyfriend's hand. "We will see you at lunch," she said as she walked off next to Bow.

Adora turned and looked at Eric, "What is going on with you? Why must you fight with Catra every time you're around her? Does that give you some sort of validation or something?"

"It's not my fault! She's the one that starts it sometimes!" he exclaimed. "She has been out to get me since the start of this relationship, and that's not fair."

The blonde shook her head, "But that doesn't give you the right to treat her the way you treat her sometimes. She's my best friend, and you know that. I just want you both to get along." Eric groaned, "I know that! But, god, Adora. I swear you only protect her when it comes to this. It's like you're in love with her and not me."

Adora, taken aback, "I-I" she shook her head. She took a deep breath and looked at her, "She's my best friend, of course, I love her, and I will protect her fiercely" she grabbed his hands. "But, I just want the both of you to get along. Can you please try that for me?"

Eric scoffed and pulled his hands away, "She's the problem here. She is the one that's getting in the way. In between us. But honestly, I wish I didn't have to do this, but I have to do this." He looked at her. "You are going to have to choose... Catra or me."

The girl gasped, "Eric, that's not f-fair," she sniffled. "How are you going to make me cho-," she was cut off but the boy kissing her lips.

Eric pulled away and looked at her, "You can and you will" he shook his head. "You can make your choice, her or me. You can tell me after school" he walked away.

Adora watched the tallboy walk away and sighed, "But what if I am in love with her..." she hugged herself.
————————————————————
Adora noticed the feline walking to her next class and rushed up to her, "Hey," she smiled.

Catra looked at her, "Oh, hey Adora" she hugged her books close to her chest. "What can I help you with?"

Adora looked at her, "I wanted to check in on you after the disagreement you and Eric had," she bit her lip.

Catra scoffed and shook her head, "Disagreement is an understatement" she looked at her. "Why do you stay with that loser? You can do so much better than him" she kept walking forward.

"I guess... I just want to give him a shot. He's in almost every club I am in, and he's a good first boyfriend" The blonde shrugged.

The feline huffed and kept walking, "Well, maybe you should have picked a better boyfriend, someone that would respect me" she walked past Adora.

"Catra!" Adora noticed and rushed up to her. She grabbed her wrist and turned to face her, "Please talk to me about this! Eric just gave me this choice between you and him, and-"

Catra's eyes widen, "And you were actually thinking about it?" she pulled her arm away as she teared up. "I would have assumed that you would've automatically picked me..."

"Wait. That's not how I wanted it to come out." The blonde grabbed her hand once again but only for it to be pulled away once again.

The feline backed up and shook her head, "Well, why don't I just make it easy for you and just walk away. Have fun with your little boyfriend" she let a tear fall as she ran off.

Adora shook her head, "No..." her arm froze in place, where Catra pulled her arm away. She finally brought her arm down as she heard the bell ring.
————————————————————
Adora sighed as she sat at her lunch table with her best friends but couldn't help but miss the feline next to her. She shook her head and tried to relax by eating her sandwich.

Glimmer noticed the blonde's mood, "Hey, so Adora, did you get to see the pictures from the party last Saturday! You missed an amazing one!" she chuckled.

Adora chuckled, "That's not what I heard. I heard people were hooking up with people left and right, and there was a lot of drinking and games." she looked towards the doors. She noticed the feline and gave her a soft smile.

The feline ignored her and walked off to her other friend's table. She got comfortable next to her friends, Entrapta and Scorpia.

The blonde sighed and bit her sandwich, "Anyways, Double Trouble sent me some pics last night, but I hadn't had the chance to look at them."

"Well, look at them now! DT usually takes the best photos when it comes to parties!" Bow chuckled.

The blonde chuckled and nodded, "You're right about that" she reached into her backpack and pulled out her phone. She opened her phone and went straight to her messages. She opened the photo folder and smiled as she saw some of the beginning photos. People singing karaoke, people dancing with each other, people playing beer pong.

"What kind of photos did they send you!" Glimmer chuckled.

Adora chuckled, "It just of people dancing, singing, playing games" she smiled. She kept scrolling through the photos and gasped softly at the last couple of photos. She got up from her chair as she felt her heart race. It was her boyfriend grinding and dancing with one of her classmates, Savannah. It was not only dancing. It was her sitting on his lap, her talking in his ear, them making out on the couch, and finally, Eric leading them out of the party scene and up the stairs of the household.

"I-I'll be right back" She teared up and ran out of the lunchroom, leading her stuff behind.

Glimmer got up and tried to follow her, but Bow stopped her.

Bow looked towards her, "Maybe we should give her some space. The last time we chased her, she didn't even bother talking to us."

Glimmer nodded and took a deep breath. She started to pack up some of the blonde's things and threw her lunch away.

Catra watched everything unravel, Adora getting up from her chair, a shocked look on her face. Her running out of the lunchroom without looking back. She couldn't help but get up. She looked at her friends, "I will see you guys later" she grabbed her bag and ran out of the lunchroom. She may have been mad at the girl because of their disagreement earlier, but hell if she was going to leave her alone when she needed someone most.
————————————————————
Catra pushed open the door to the rooftop and relaxed as she saw the blonde standing near the school's rooftop garden. "Adora? Are you okay?" she slowly walked up to the blonde.

Adora sniffled and nodded. She quickly wiped the tears that were falling down her face before turning around to face the feline, "Yeah, I'm okay," she said with a soft smile.

"Adora! Why are you crying? Did something happen to you?" The feline rushed over. She looked at her with concern on her face. "Who do I need to beat up?" she asked to try and cheer her best friend up.

"Have a look for yourself. DT took them at a party from last weekend," the blonde shook her head and looked down to her phone in her hands. She handed it to her.

Catra took the blonde's phone and gasped as she saw what had unsettled Adora. She looked through the pictures of Eric cheating on Adora with their classmate, Savannah. "That bastard" she looked at the blonde. "Adora, I'm so sorry. You do not deserve any of this. You don't have to shed tears for him. I am going to teach that asshole a lesson" she handed Adora her phone back.

"No, don't" Adora stopped her by grabbing onto one of the feline's arms.

"Why shouldn't I! He hurt you, and I vowed to you a long time ago that if he ever hurt you, I would take care of him myself," Catra looked at her. She saw her tear up again. "He is making you cry, Adora."

The girl shook her head as she wiped some of her tears, "I'm not crying because he cheated on me. Well, I mean it's the majority of the reason, but these are also tears of joy." she let go of the feline's arm.

The feline looked at her, in shock, "Joy? What do you mean, joy?"

Adora looked away and bit her lip, "Cat, I need to tell you something. But please try to understand me..." she could hear her heart beating louder in her chest. She started to breathe a bit heavier.

"You know that you can tell me anything," Catra assured her.

The blonde nodded and took another deep breath, "I always knew a part of me had some sort of feelings for girls. But I didn't know how I felt about dating boys. So when Eric asked me out, I thought I could try it out with him. But after a while, I didn't feel anything for him. Or for boys... p-period" she hugged herself.

Catra looked at her, stunned at the blonde's admission, "Adora... are you saying what I think you are saying?"

Adora turned around and faced her, "I only see myself getting married to a girl, having a family with a girl, growing old with a girl.." she let a tear fall. "Catra... I'm g-gay."

The feline gasped, "B-but you have been dating Eric for three months. When did you realize?"

"After our two month anniversary," the girl rubbed her arm.

Catra nodded and took a minute to process what the girl said. She took a step forward, "Why did you hide it?" she looked up at the blonde.

"Because... I'm scared of what people will think about me when I come out. I'm student body president, cheerleading captain, Color guard captain, and more. I'm afraid. I'm afraid people will look at me differently, or they are going to be treating me differently. I'm still Adora. Just not the version people want me to be," Adora looked at her with sad eyes. She looked back down.

The feline chuckled, "Of course, you're still Adora" she walked up to her and grabbed her hands. "I don't see you anymore different than I did this morning. You are still the most beautiful , the smartest, and most wonderful girl I have ever met and had in my life. You are still the girl that likes to drink slushies instead of soda at a movie theater, you are still the girl who loves to dance when no one is watching, and most importantly, you are still my best friend. You may not be perfect, but that is what sets you apart" she smiled.

"Thank you," Adora chuckled and pulled the feline into a tight hug.

Catra laughed, "Anytime," she held onto her blonde best friend. "I love you, you big dummy."

The blonde laughed and snorted a bit, "I love you too."

Catra rested her head on the blonde's shoulder, "I'm sorry for storming out on you,"

Adora's heart skipped a bit at their current position. She smiled and gave her a tight squeeze, "Don't worry about it. I never meant to have doubts about you. I was doubting it all because I was afraid to come out. But, with you, I'm not going to be afraid."

Catra chuckled and smiled, "I'm here for whatever you need."

"Thanks," the blonde smiled.

"What are you going to do about Eric? Aren't you singing with him at the talent show today?"

Adora groaned, "You're right..." she rubbed the feline's back.

"Wait. What if we use that time to our advantage?" Catra suggested as she picked up her head. "Do you want to get back at him?"

"Yes. Why? What are you suggesting?" she raised an eyebrow.

"A public breakup" The feline took ahold of the blonde's hand and rushed them back into the school.

Chapter Text

Catra sighed as she sat at the bay window inside of their bedroom in their castle home. It was already nighttime. All three of their kids were fast asleep. 16-year-old Finn asleep in their own room. 11-year-old Mara and 8-year-old Alex were having a sleepover in the baby feline's room.

The feline lady dressed in a black long sleeve fuzzy sweater and grey lace pajama shorts couldn't help but wonder where her blonde wife was. She had left early in the morning. But now, it was way past the time she usually gets home. She spent the whole day either playing and hanging out with the kids. Whenever she could, she tried to call the lady on her tracker pad or just plain out worry.

This wasn't like Adora. She would usually call if she was coming home the next day. Her heart yearned to hear the blonde's voice. She never failed to call at least once every day on her week-long mission. But this wasn't a week-long or month-long mission. She just went out for a day.

Her ears flicked at a sudden noise. The doorknob maybe? She turned her head as she quickly stood up, "Adora?"

"Mom?" Finn peeked into the room.

"Oh Finn, it's only you," she relaxed. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I was wondering if Mama had gotten home yet."

"No, kitten. Mama hasn't come back yet," she hugged herself.

"Mom? Have you heard from her at all?" Finn walked towards their mom.

The feline shook her head sadly. "I have been trying to call her, and no answer."

"What about Aunt Glimmer and Uncle Bow?"

"They're on vacation," The lady sighed. "I don't know what to do Finn. She isn't like this. She would usually call or send me a message if she was coming late."

The younger feline thought to themselves. Their mind was conflicted. Their mom was always home. She only went to work once a week, going on week-long missions at the end of the month. Their blonde mom was always mindful of her family.

But what was their parents' marriage like? Did they fight? Could the blonde not come home because of a disagreement?

"Mom?"

The feline turned towards her kid, "Yes, love?"

"Do you think... do you think Mama..."

"What?"

"Do you think Mama would cheat on you?"

Catra looked stunned, taken aback. She looked away, "I-" she shook her head.

She sat back down on the edge of the bed and looked down towards her hands. She ran a finger against her golden wedding band. The word "Promise" written in the blonde's cursive handwriting, engraved on the bottom. She shook her head, "N-no. Your mom is different. She turns people away. She..." she couldn't help but tear up as she covered her mouth.

"No-no-no. I didn't mean to upset you, mom" Finn rushed their feline mom's side. They sat down, "I'm just trying to figure out what happened to her. You're right. Mama is different than everyone,"

"But..." the lady feline's tail wrapped against her leg. "Your mom loves you all to pieces and... maybe our marriage just burned out, and she was just staying for you guys."

"No Mom! Don't think like that. You are thinking too much into it."

"Finn, I-" her ear flicking once again. The bedroom's doorknob moving once again.

The blonde walked in, noticing the two.

The feline lady turned to the door and gasped. She stood up. "Adora,"

"Cat? Finn?" she turned on the light. "Why are you two still awake? Did something happen?" she held her arm close.

The lady feline gasped, "Oh my god, Adora, what happened to you?" she rushed over.

The blonde's right arm wrapped in gauze and bandages. Her uniform dirty with dirt and soil, and her hair coming out of her ponytail.

"I'm fine. I just got hurt." Adora put a hand out in front. "I was trying to come in quietly, and then I heard voices." she sniffled.

Catra looked at her, "Love, where have you been all day! We were worried sick and-" she was interrupted by the blonde kissing her. She teared up as she wrapped her arms around the girl's neck.

Adora pulled away and put her forehead against hers, "I'm so sorry. I was in the Crimson Waste with Huntara then we were ambushed. I tried to transform to fight back, but then I fell backward into this ditch. Huntara had to help me out, and it was a struggle. But I'm okay. I really am, my love."

Her feline wife froze at the mention of the former Horde officer and current leader of the Crimson Waste's name.

The blonde did admit she had feelings towards the lady before they got together. Could Finn's suspicions be right? The blonde's feelings were just unpredictable as hers.

"It's okay. You are home now. I was so worried when I tried to call you, and you didn't answer" her wife pulled herself away.

The blonde noticed the girl being a little cold. She looked towards her feline kid, "Finn..." she smiled. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Mama. Happy to see that you're back" they smiled.

Adora looked back to her feline wife, "Cat, what-"

"You should shower" she backed up.

The lady felt hurt. She quickly nodded, "Yeah," she cleared her throat. She unbuckled her belt as she walked into the adjourning bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Finn was confused. Wasn't this what their mom wanted? For the blonde to be back home. They looked back to their feline mom, "Mom? What was that all about?"

"She lied to my face. She's cheating on me."

"What? No, mom. I put that idea in your head. Mama is head over heels over you. She has been for years. Since I was a baby and I am 16 years old! She showers you with kisses, hugs, cuddles, laughs, and so much. I just said what I said because I was just trying to figure out what  happened to her. You saw her! She's filthy! She's hurt! She came home. If she was cheating on you, she would be clean and not hurt. She looked hurt when you rejected her"

"How do we know that?" she sighed. "Look, I have my doubts. I have my insecurities. Your mother leaving me for someone else was always one of the things on my mind" she crossed her arms.

Finn bit their lip, "Can I tell you something?"

"What is it?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, bud."

"And Mama loves you too."

"Finn. I know she does. I mean, she could love me with all her heart. I could love her with all of mine. But that doesn't stop anyone from getting into bed with someone else."

"No offense, mom. I love you. I really do. But do you hear yourself correctly?"

Catra sighed softly and looked towards the bathroom door as it opened.

The blonde stepped out, wearing grey sweatpants and a white short sleeve shirt. She rubbed her hair against a towel. "Oh, you two are still talking."

The feline lady looked back towards their kid, "Hey Finn, can we talk in the morning? I wanna talk to your Mama by ourselves"

"Yes, of course," Finn smiled. He kissed their mothers' cheeks. "Good night, Mom. Good night, Mama."

The wives nodding and smiling, "Good night, love," the two of them stated.

The young feline smiled as they walked out of the bedroom.

Adora cleared her throat after the door closed. She hung her towel on the side of their hamper, "Cat, what's wrong?"

"Are you sleeping with someone else?" the feline blurted out quickly.

"What? Wait. What? What makes you think that?" the blonde looked towards her.

"You have been missing since this morning. I have been worried sick. I have been with the kids all day, putting on a brave face. I lied when they asked me what's wrong. I was calling and calling, and you never answered! You disappeared. I was worried something happened, and then you come home and tell me that you were with Huntara-"

"Huntara and I are nothing! We are friends, and that is all!"

"How can I believe that?"

"Because I promised you 18 years ago that I would love you and only you! I sealed that promise the minute I put that ring on your finger and said I do."

"Well, we both know how you are with promises!" she quickly exclaimed.

Adora gasped. She really did it. She brought up the 'promise' card. Her heart sank. 

She teared up and nodded, "Okay. You want to play that card. Then play that card" she let a tear fall. She walked towards the door.

"Where are you going?" The feline's attitude quickly changed at the sight of the blonde's tears.

"I'm going to go sleep in the guest room. We both have some feelings. We can talk about this in the morning because I am exhausted" she wiped her cheek.

"Adora, I-"

"Good night, Catra."
----
Adora sighed as she tossed in her bed. She couldn't sleep. She and her wife hadn't fought like that in years.

Her wife accused her of something serious. She didn't want to listen.

She didn't want to reason.

She just fought.

She brought up an old card.

The 'promise' card.

That was not fair in her opinion. She was on a mission. She was with Huntara, but only for business. She did fall into a ditch.

She did get hurt.

She just wanted to come home to her family.

To her wife in bed.

To hold someone close.

She groaned softly as she hugged the cold pillow next to her.

Catra took a deep breath as she stood in front of the guest bedroom the blonde was in. She knew that she upset the girl. She did indeed miss her. She did want to kiss her, but her mind was telling her other things.

She sighed and opened the door slowly. She peeked inside and looked towards the plush bed, "Adora? Are you awake?"

"No," The blonde sighed.

"Babe.." she closed the door behind her.

"Can we talk?"

Adora sighed and sat up, "Fine," she turned on the lamp next to her.

The two ladies stay in their spot, silent for a couple of minutes. They were both unsure of what to say to the other.

But one thing that Adora knew for sure, she was not sleeping with Huntara or anyone else.

"Catra?"

"Yes?"

"You know I love you with all my heart right,"

"Adora, I-"

"And I would never do anything that would jeopardize that love."

"How-""How do you know that? Because I have never lied to you," she looked at her.

The feline looked towards her, staying silent in her spot. She hugged herself. They did have fights like these before. The other accusing the other of cheating but when they were girlfriends. They were wives now.

For 18 years.

Their fights usually would have dissolved already, but tonight it seems that it couldn't.

The air between them, stale.

The blonde bit her lip and pushed the covers off. She stood up and started unwrapping the wrap around her arm as she walked towards the feline.

Catra's mood changed at the sight in front of her. "W-what are you doing?"

"Showing you that I'm not lying" she turned on the bedroom light and showed the feline her arm.

The girl gasped at the sight before her, "Oh baby..." her hand hovered over the wound.

The blonde indeed have a wound. A long gash/cut that a branch caused when she fell into the ditch. After getting out, Huntara helped her get it properly cleaned and stitched up.

The feline looked at the stitched-up arm, "I- Let me help you wrap this back up. It should not be uncovered," she helped her wrap it back up.

They both fell back into their silence.

Catra's mind stayed conflicted. Adora was wounded like she said it would be. How could she get certainty that the blonde was saying the truth? She could have gotten hurt in a different number of ways.

The girl finished up wrapping her wife's arm back up. She looked up towards her, unsure of what to say.

Adora looked towards her and yearned to kiss her. But the feline kept her distance. She sighed, "Let's just talk in the morning. You seem to have your mindset on the idea of me cheating. We are just going back and forth. We aren't getting anywhere" it took her all not to cry right there.

"Yeah. We should just talk in the morning" Catra looked away as she walked back to the door.

The blonde turned off the lamp next to her while her feline turned off the overhead light. "Good night, Cat."

"Night, Adora," the feline answered back as she walked out. She closed the door behind her.

Adora sucked in a deep breath as she finally let herself tear up. She cried softly into her hands once she became overwhelmed with emotions. She wasn't much of a crier but with the feline and her family, it was a much different story.

The feline heard the blonde's cries, and it took her all not to walk in and scoop her up into her arms, to console her and tell it that she was sorry and that she loved her. She did love her, but her doubts seem to be in play. She cleared her throat as she made it back into their bedroom.

Both of them seem to miss the other. But Catra's emotions and past feelings were the ones in charge at the moment. That is what upset both of them.

The blonde finally stopped crying after a few minutes. She felt lonely. Her wife didn't greet her like she usually did when she came home from work. It wasn't her fault that she got hurt, it wasn't her fault they got ambushed, and it wasn't her fault that Bow and Glimmer went on vacation, and that's why she ended up going alone last minute, and that's why she got home late.

She sighed as she settled herself in bed. She turned onto her side. She knew that it would be a long night ahead of her. She looked around the small guest bedroom. The metal brass ball pendant light fixture hanging over the bed. The white table lamp, and the rustic dark brown wooden nightstand next to her. The small queen-sized bed and the lavender bedsheets and plum purple velvet bed comforter. The adjourning bathroom and closet space.

She sighed as she closed her eyes, trying to let herself get some type of sleep.

The feline settled herself into her side of the bed. She was used to sleeping by herself when the blonde was on missions, but this time it was different. The girl was inside their castle home. In a different room.

Of course, they had their fights. But this time, it was different.

She turned herself onto her side and placed a hand on the blonde's empty side of the bed. She looked around their bedroom. The white gold crystal chandelier hanging over their king-sized bed with the creamy white bedsheets and cotton red bed comforter with the small gold details. The shiny white stone nightstand next to either side of the bed.

There was so much to their room that she truly noticed now that the blonde wasn't next to her.

She sighed and closed her eyes, "I'm sorry..." 

The house stayed quiet throughout the whole night. Catra stayed in their bedroom, and Adora stayed in the guest room.

Their kids were unknowing of the events that took place.

One thing for sure was, Adora and Catra had no idea what to do with the other.

Chapter Text

"I can't believe that we did that," a 25-year-old Adora stated as both of them laid in front of a fireplace in their new castle home.

Both wives undressed after their private moment together. Resting on top of a soft, comfy blanket, they nuzzled into each other's grip. The blonde held the blanket that covered the two of them. Both of their nightclothes resting on the chair next to them.

Catra snorted, "Yes, babe. We did" she smiled. "I told you it would be fun."

"Yes, you were the one that suggested it. I will admit that."

"You won't admit that we had fun?" the feline laughed.

"Yes, it was a lot of fun. It was fun like all the other things you have suggested before this, now shut up," the blonde blushed.

Catra smiled, "Well, that is definitely a way to use our new home to use" she joked.

"You are naughty."

"I'm just stating the obvious. We would have never had sex in front of a fireplace if we were still in Bright Moon," the girl poked her chest.

"Well, because anyone could have walked in on us."

"You are horrible at defending your point. You just proved mine."

"I-" Adora went silent. "Shut up."

"Fine, fine," the feline chuckled.

The blonde looked around the small area they were in. One of their new house's libraries. She looked at the different books that surrounded them.

Fiction books, history books, art books, and so many more possibilities. Their new castle home in the Whispering Woods was big, yet there were only two of them. Could they possibly need all this space?

Two years of marriage did change them. For the better, the blonde thought. They were so much closer and intimate. They were in love, and they were young. So many things were in store for them. Getting this castle home was just the start for them.

What else could they do?

Adora was still She-Ra. She was needed once in a while. But she had gotten used to just spending time with her friends and her new wife. Could this be the start of their new 'relax' lifestyle? Is this what it feels like to take a real break for once?

Catra looked up towards her blonde wife, "What?"

"It's nothing" she rubbed her hand against one of the girl's bare arms.

"If it's nothing, then you wouldn't be staring off to the distance," the girl propped herself up. "What's on your mind?"

Adora sighed and quickly sat herself up. "I just. I can't help but wonder what's in store for us. We were dating for two years, and now we have been married for two more years. We moved into this beautiful castle. I can't help to think about the future" she shrugged.

"That is something we are going to figure out together. Like we always do. You promised to bring me home years ago. You did just that"

"I know, but-"

"Adora, you are working yourself up too much for nothing. Can't we enjoy this moment? Just the two of us. Not thinking about what we have to do tomorrow or in the next couple of hours. Just us? In front of this fire. In front of each other?"

The blonde looked towards her and let out a deep breath. She nodded, "Yes. Because, in fact, I just had an amazing time with the lady I so desperately love" she leaned over and placed a hand on her cheek.

Catra blushed softly and chuckled, "Wow. What a sap you are," she teased as she put a hand on top of the blonde's.

She gasped dramatically, "Excuse me, I am your wife!"

"Exactly. I don't have to remind you of how much of a sap you are. All you have to do is look down at your hand, see our wedding bands, and all of a sudden, you are getting teary-eyed."

"Cat."

"I just had to say it," the girl shrugged.

Adora snorted. She looked back around the library and took a deep breath. "What are we going to do with all this space? We have all these rooms, and we only really use a couple of them" she laid back down.

"Well, we have Melog. They are getting their room." the girl laid herself back down next to her lover. "I already have things in the works for their room."

"Oh really? What kind of things?" the blonde scooped the girl up and pulled her closer.

"Oh, you know, a new bed, some new toys, and some new blankets, you know, the basics," the feline laughed. She snuggled into the blonde's grip.

"Ah, I see now" she smiled.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it" she leaned up and pressed a kiss onto the girl's cheek.

Adora laughed, "What about the other couple of bedrooms that we have? What are we going to do about that?"

The feline shrugged but stopped herself.

Was this the right time to bring up what she has been contemplating to ask the last couple of weeks? What Glimmer put in her head. Would the girl agree with her? Only one way to find out.

She looked up to the girl. "Adora."

"What?"

"Do... do you want to have kids?"

"What?" the blonde looked towards the girl. "You want to have kids?"

"I mean... we. We had a pretty shitty childhood. We had a mother figure that hurt us in different ways" Catra looked down. "I just thought we could... I don't know. Give our kids the best life we could give them."

Adora blinked.

Could they do it? Could they have kids? It was a thought that came to mind a couple of times when they were dating.

But she never really considered it. This is what Catra wanted as well. This is what she wanted to do with her.

They would start their own family, and they would be parents. They wouldn't abandon their kids, and they wouldn't get left behind like they were. They would have a whole family with them. They had their princess friends, Micah, Castaspella, and so many more people.

"I never thought you wanted kids.." the blonde admitted as she sat up.

"I didn't know I wanted to. But after I saw how happy Sparkles and Bow are now that she's pregnant, I want that for us. We had a rough life growing up. This is what we have always wanted. A family. We can do that" the feline sat up and turned towards the girl.

"What do you say?"

Adora kept a firm hand on her chest as she tried to keep herself covered. She watched as the girl sat there, waiting to hear her wife's answer.

Kids.

Were they ready for that? Well, one thing was for sure in Adora's mind.

She wouldn't pick anyone else to have a baby with.

The blonde looked back to her wife, "I would love to have kids with you," she smiled.

"Wait, really?" the feline asked excitedly.

"Yes, my love. Let's have kids, and let's show them the best life that we can give them. Let's- Let's start a family, Cat" the blonde smiled.

"Oh, Adora...I-" the girl hugged her tightly. She placed her face into the crook of her neck.

Adora smiled and wrapped her arms tightly around the girl. She chuckled, "I love you so much."

"I love you too" Catra smiled and picked up her head.

The two girls smiled softly as they locked eyes with one another. The blonde's blue eyes and the feline's mismatched eyes.

Adora smiled, "You're so beautiful" she leaned in.

"So are you," the feline smiled back, leaning in as well.

The two of them locked lips. The feline wrapped her arms around the girl's neck as they kissed once again.

Her heart fluttering as she felt her blonde wife lay her back down, her head hitting the pillow gently.

Neither of them pulled away, nor did they want to. Both of them safe in their love bubble. Both of them trading kisses back and forth. They held each other close as they enjoyed their intimate time together.

Both of them pulled away and laughed breathlessly.

Catra smiled as she placed a hand on the girl's cheek. She took in her lover's face. All the different small features. Her light blush on her cheeks, her big blue eyes, and many more small details. She definitely married the right girl.

Adora blushed darkly, "What?"

"Nothing, I am just admiring the person I get to spend the rest of my life with."

"Oh, and I'm the sap?" the blonde teased.

"Oh damn, I'm rubbing off on you."

"Well, that's not the only thing I can rub," Adora smirked as she moved one of her hands down and rubbed the girl's bare thigh.

"Well, look who's making dirty jokes now," the feline smirked.

The girl smirked, "That's not all I do, you know" she pressed a kiss onto her wife's lips.

"Oh? What else does the pretty princess do?" Catra said, getting the clue.

"Would you like to see?" the blonde leaned down and pressed kisses onto the feline's neck.

"I would gladly like to see. Show me what you can do," the girl grinned. She laced her fingers into the girl's hair.

"Gladly..." the blonde leaned back up and locked lips with her wife.

Both of them trading kisses back and forth. Both of them trading their high praises for the other. Both of them enjoying their intimate moments together, starting up the passion that made them end up in the spot they were in from the start.

When it came time for them to go to bed, they put out the fire, got themselves back into their night pajamas, and made their way back to their bedroom.

They crawled into the queen-sized bed and snuggled in close while they couldn't contain their happiness and their excitement.

They said their goodnights and gave each other their last good night kiss.

Tomorrow would be a new day for them. A day where they were going to start planning for the future.

Chapter Text

Catra panted as she laid across the blonde's weak body. Her heart pounding as loud as the Heart of Etheria's was in her ear. She propped herself up and held the blonde close. "Adora, you have to stay awake," she felt horrible yet determined to keep this girl awake.

She had to.

She had to because the blonde's story was not over.

Not yet.

No one's story is going to end this way.

Especially not hers.

Adora's body and eyes felt heavy with pain and weakness. She was breathing heavily. She couldn't handle the tiredness that was overcoming her. She looked up to the feline, hoping to catch one more glimpse of her before she closed her eyes, maybe for good.

The girl she could never tell her true feelings to.

The girl that she wanted. The girl she has always wanted.

The blonde let out a raspy breath, "I'm sorry."

The feline put a hand onto the girl's cheek. She teared up as the girl leaned into it. She could feel how cold she was getting and how much paler she was looking.

Adora didn't have much time, the girl feared.

Adora's hand dropped after bringing it up with the feline's. She struggled to keep her eyes open.

Catra let her tears fall as she scooped up the girl. "Adora!" she shouted as the girl closed her eyes.

She gasped as she felt the blonde's grip on her loosen. She pulled away and covered her mouth as she noticed the girl's closed eyes. She shook her head, "No-no-no" she placed a hand on her cheek.

'No. This is not how it is going to end for us,' she thought to herself. She looked back to the girl, "This is not how it ends for us... not for you..." she looked around the area. She shook the girl gently.

Her heart dropped as she saw the blonde's arm stay limp against her. She moved her hand to the girl's lower back, and her other hand cradled the girl's head.

How does this girl deserve something so horrible?

She took a shaky breath and tried to assure herself. She needed to try and reach out to her.

What was a good way?

She looked back down to the girl and cleared her throat. She sang shakily,

"Wish I could, I could've said goodbye

I would've said what I wanted to

Maybe even cried for you."

She looked down at the girl's face, taking in the different features. Her soft, peachy tone skin. Her sandy blonde hair in her stupid ponytail. Her dark brown eyebrows. Yet, she couldn't see the one thing she wanted. Her big icy blue eyes.

She took a bigger and stronger breath and sang,

"If I knew, it would be the last time

I would've broke my heart in two

Tryin' to save a part of you."

She wished she had stayed behind after the blonde had gotten the failsafe. Maybe she would have taken her, and they would have protected one another. Maybe, they would have gotten there faster.

Or would it still end with them in the same spot?

There was no way of knowing.

There was one thing for sure. This whole thing was one big self-sacrificing mission that she had no control of.

She sniffled as she let a tear fall.

This girl had been through the good and bad with her. How do you move on after that? After 15 years?

She might as well tell her what she felt how she truly felt. It was now or never. She sang,

"Don't wanna feel another touch

Don't wanna start another fire

Don't wanna know another kiss

No other name falling off my lips."

The lady moved her hand from the back of her waist, back to the girl's cheek. She sang,

"Don't wanna give my heart away

To another stranger

Or let another day begin

Won't even let the sunlight in."

Her life would change without the blonde in it. Adora was the one person who truly knew her and what she stood for. She was everything to her.

Even if she might not want her the same way she has been wanting her since she got back from Horde Prime's ship.

Tears kept streaming down her face as she sang,

"No, I'll never love again

I'll never love again, ooh,"

The girl chuckled to herself as she tried to think of the good times between them. She thought back to the different times they were together in the Horde. The different times they would race around the buildings in the area, fight in training sessions, or just laugh on the blonde's bed.

The twinkle that was in their eyes when they turned to face each other in bed. The way the blonde would wrinkle her nose when she was sleeping.

Despite growing up in a war area, they had great times. Especially now that they made their way back to each other. They were making new memories, like always.

Their tight bond.

Since they were six.

She sang,

"When we first met

I never thought that I would fall

I never thought that I'd find myself

Lying in your arms."

She remembered the time the girl had found her all those years ago. The girl in an applesauce crate. Unsure of how she got there but Shadow Weaver let her keep her. They connected.

They bonded just by glancing at one another.

Adora helped her get settled in. By helping her get some new clothes and just introducing her to everyone.

Every friend.

Everything.

She snapped out of her thoughts and looked back down at the girl. The grown-up version of her. The even more breathtaking and stunning version of her. The version she kept falling for.

But her love for her ran deeper than that. She loved her from the start. But now, this couldn't be the end for them.

Not for their story.

She sang softly as she rubbed her thumb against the girl's soft cheek. She sat down on the back of her legs.

"And I want to pretend that it's not true

Oh baby, that you're gone

She watched the girl's breathing as it kept stalling once in a while. She sniffled and tighten her grip.

She looked around her. The Heart and Prime's virus. Adora was only unconscious for a few minutes but the world kept going on. The battle above was still going on. Her being gone would stop everyone only for a bit. But then they would keep going on. Would they forget about her?

She shook her head as she sang,

"'Cause my world keeps turning, and turning, and turning

And I'm not moving on."

Why did this girl matter so much to her?

Why love someone she knows that she could never have in that way?

Adora was someone important in her life. She was going to keep her promise until the end. She wasn't going to leave her side again.

Not after the failsafe.

Not after years of pain that they caused each other.

Not after the blonde had just gotten back into her life.

Not now.

She let out a sob as she became overwhelmed with emotions. She struggled to grasp the idea of leaving the girl behind to die. She sang,

"Don't wanna feel another touch

Don't wanna start another fire

Don't wanna know another kiss

No other name falling off my lips."

She let her tears stream down her face as she watched the girl's breathing grow slower. She scoffed and let out another sob. She shook her head as she sang,

"Don't wanna give my heart away

To another stranger

Or let another day begin

Won't even let the sunlight in

No, I'll never love"

Catra sniffled and moved the girl back onto her lap, propping her up.

Her heart belonged to the girl in front of her. She didn't want anyone else.

"Adora, you are all I want. You have been all that I have ever wanted," the feline struggled to express. She sniffled and wiped her cheeks. "Please, wake up... or something."

She waited for the girl to react.

Something. Something so small. Anything at that point.

She looked up to the Heart of Etheria. "You did this. You are doing this to her. You and the First Ones. You took someone so innocent, someone so fierce with love, someone who deserved so much more than she was given in life. She got dealt a bad hand of cards. You just made it worse!" the girl shouted.

She started bawling. "Someone who deserves to understand what... what it is like to relax. Someone who doesn't have to have the weight of the world on her shoulders! One of the people that truly deserve to have a future. To know how it feels to be loved and wanted for who she is. Not for what she could offer," she exclaimed. She looked back to the faint girl. She took one of her limp hands and placed it on her chest, near her heart. She sang,

"I don't wanna know this feeling

Unless it's you and me

I don't wanna waste a moment, ooh."

She shook her head and sang fiercely,

"And I don't wanna give somebody else the better part of me

I would rather wait for you, ooh."

'Who else could love me... as you did? Who can give me the same attention as you did? Who else deserves to see the part of me that you see?' the girl thought to herself.

Her tears never stopped streaming. They seemed to intensify if she looked back to the girl. She wanted to hear her dorky laugh. She just wanted to see those blue eyes. The part of her that was so different from everyone else. The part that makes her, her.

She looked back down at the girl's face. She released a shaky breath as she tried to relax. She leaned down and got close to her. She sang in a whisper like voice,

"Don't wanna feel another touch

Don't wanna start another fire

Don't wanna know another kiss

Baby, unless they are your lips."

She clasped the girl's cheek tightly and leaned their foreheads together. She wrapped her into the tightest embrace she could give her. She wanted to feel the last bit of the girl's warmth in case this was the end for her.

To give her one last message.

She sniffled and let her tears flow. She was not holding anything back. She sang,

"Don't wanna give my heart away

To another stranger

Or let another day begin

Won't even let the sunlight in

Oh, I'll never love again."

She whimpered as she stayed close. She gasped as she felt the Heart above them starting to act up again, making the whole place tremble. She looked back at the unconscious blonde. She hadn't felt her move. Just breathing. Maybe she wasn't gone yet.

But that could change at any minute. She sniffled and looked back to the Heart above them. She kept the young girl shielded. She sang,

"Love again."

"Oh, I'll never love again

I'll never love again."

She released the breath she was holding. She let her shoulders fall. She pulled away and cradled her. Just like Adora did after they fell off the platform.

But this time, the blonde was the one on the verge of death. And, Catra didn't have the powers to heal her.

She looked towards the blonde and cradled her head. She sniffled as she sang in a hushed voice,

"I won't, I won't, I swear I can't

I wish I could, but I just won't

I'll never love again

I'll never love aga-"

"No," Adora finally spoke in a whisper.

Catra gasped. She looked towards the blonde figure in her arms. She looked back down to her chest and saw the slow breathing. Did she say something?

She shook her head, "Adora?"

Chapter Text

Frankly, Adora was always scared of Catra and her plans.

Her plans were always too wild for her taste. It was always doing something crazy or something simple. What was it going to be this time?

After the whole rooftop talk, Catra seemed to be in her head a lot. She would listen in class, but when Adora tried to talk to her about what she was planning for the boy, she would shush her and tell her the same response.

"I'll tell you after class."

But she didn't. She would say the same statement during every class but never mean it.

Finally, the blonde had enough. She didn't want the feline to get in trouble because of her. What was this crazy plan? Would it get them both in trouble? Would it hurt Eric?

"Catra!" the girl called for the feline after the final bell rang. She rushed down the hallway. "It's after school now, so you can't keep telling me the same, 'I'll tell you after class'"

Catra turned towards the taller girl and sighed. "I don't want you to worry about it, but if I tell you exactly what my plan is, will you let it happen?"

Adora raised an eyebrow, "Depends what it is?"

She grabbed her arm and led to her motorcycle, "Come on, I'll tell you on the way to Sparkle's place, she's waiting for us there."

"Can't you just punch him and call it a day?" the blonde followed.

-----------------------------------------------

Glimmer put the blonde's phone down on her white crystal dresser after viewing the incriminating photos of the girl's soon-to-be ex-boyfriend. She shook her head, "I say Catra should have at least taken a swing at him."

"You see, I'm not the only one!" Adora exclaimed from her sparkly friend's plush lavender bed.

"Shush!" The feline walked over. "A physical scar can heal, but a public breakup can hurt his reputation! We're going to have to keep going to school with him for two more years. So might as well."

"What do you propose we do?" Bow asked as he wrapped a comforting arm around his blonde best friend.

"Well, today we have the talent show, so I say Adora sings. Without him," Catra crossed her arms.

"How are we going to pull that off?" 

"Well, I can ask some jazz band to help out." the feline shrugged. "They owe me after I filled in a spot at one of their competitions," she said proudly. "A guitar, bass, keyboard, and drum player."

Glimmer laughed softly, "You are just going to need a bass, guitar, and keyboard player. I will play the drums."

The boy jumped up, "Make that just a bass and guitar player! I will play the keyboard!"

Adora blushed, "You guys would do that for me?" she moved some of her loose hair back.

Bow chuckled, "Of course. You have a heart of gold. We have to match up to that standard" she leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Don't worry about the bass. I will play it" The feline walked over. "Like I would leave you all alone"

Glimmer smiled, "What about the guitar? Who would we pick for that?"

The blonde shrugged. "I know some of the jazz kids are good players."

"Oh, we won't have to look far," Catra smirked. She looked towards the blonde, "She's going to play it."

"Cat!" the blonde smacked her arm.

"You play the guitar?!" The couple exclaimed.

Adora chuckled nervously, "Yeah. Mara taught me a bit before she went off to college." she rubbed her arm.

Glimmer clapped her hands together, "It's settled! Oh, I need to figure out what you are going to wear!"

The blonde looked away, unsure of what to say.

Catra noticed the blonde's mood change, "Hey Bow? Glimmer? How about you take my debit card and you go get Adora a new outfit at the mall. Something that is going to make her stand out," she said as she reached for her backpack.

The sparkly girl gasped. "Wait really? You are going to let us just pick her outfit?!"

"I mean, I would dress her myself, but I trust you both more. I mean, Glimmer, you dressed her for Homecoming court this year," Catra chuckled. She handed the pair her wallet. "You guys go wild. I want her to be a star."

Glimmer cheered, clearly excited for her newfound freedom, "Don't you worry! You can definitely trust us two!" she grabbed ahold of her boyfriend's hand and rushed out.

Catra smiled and waved towards her friends.

Now to figure out what was going on with the blonde.

She picked up one of the larger stuffed animals from the bed and tossed it to the door, causing it to close. She looked towards the girl, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's nothing," Adora quickly stated.

"Really? If it's nothing, you would look me in the eye and tell me that it was nothing" the feline crossed her arms. "What is it?"

The blonde looked over. She stayed silent and laid herself down in the middle of the bed.

Catra laid herself down next to her, "You know that you can tell me anything," she nudged her.

Adora sighed silently and turned her head towards her, "Don't you think we are being a little harsh? I mean, I held a big secret from him as well."

"But you didn't cheat on him!" Catra exclaimed as she propped herself up. "We both know the true meaning of cheating. What Eric did to you was cheating. Flat out"

Adora looked away. She felt like she was. She was in love with Catra the whole time she was with Eric. Her heart yearned to tell her right there. Now was not the time. She was getting over the news that her boyfriend cheated on her, even if she didn't like him.

Catra sighed, "Adora, look," she turned onto her side. "I know, you feel like you are the one that did the most damage. It's not like you slept with him, and now all of a sudden you're coming out as gay. He slept with someone. He kissed someone else that was not you while the two of you were still dating" she scooped up one of her hands. "I just want to show that idiot what kind of person you can be without him."

The blonde rubbed her thumb against her knuckles. She looked up and locked eyes with the girl. Her blue and yellow eyes. Her heart beating against her chest. She thought of kissing her right there. Pushing her down onto the bed and just kissing her. Being on top of her, unbuttoning the girl's creamy white button-up shirt.

"Adora? Are you okay?"

"Hm?"

Did she really think about that?

"I'm good now." she smiled.

Catra stood up and held out one of her hands towards her, "What do you say? Do you want to do this?"

Adora looked towards her hand then back to her friend's face. She chuckled and nodded. She placed her hand in hers, "Let's do this. And I think I got the perfect song."

------------------------------------------

"Set it All Free? You think that's the perfect song?" Catra questioned as she sat behind her.

"Absolutely! Just think about the lyrics!" the blonde chuckled as she shifted in her chair.

Glimmer stood behind her to finish up the girl's curls. Her back to the feline. 

She sang, "I followed my heart into the fire. Got burned, got broken down by desire. I tried, I tried. But the smoke in my eyes. Left me blurry, blurry and blind."

"Hm. I guess you're right. One of the better break up songs I have heard," she nodded. She looked over and picked up her cherry red bass guitar, "Let see if I find some music" she looked through her phone.

"Relax, we are going to be able to figure this out. Bow is in the garage right now trying to figure out the keyboard part of it while Glimmer fixes me up" Adora smiled.

Catra chuckled, "Alright, alright," she smiled. She looked towards the sparkly girl behind her, "Make sure you make her drop-dead gorgeous. We want Eric to be begging for another chance."

"Relax. Besides, Adora is already pretty. I am just adding onto her beauty," Glimmer giggled. She put down the curling iron on the crystal counter next to her. She scooped some of the girl's bangs.

The feline rolled her eyes playfully. She looked down towards her phone, reading the first couple of chords for the blonde's desired song. She hummed the start of the lyrics.

----

"Okay! We are all done," Glimmer cheered. She quickly put down the bronze bobby pin in her hands.

The feline looked up from the music sheets on her phone and looked towards her the sparkly girl and the sitting blonde. She smiled, "Alright, let's see it" she covered her eyes.

The sparkly girl giggled, "I think you are going to like it." She placed her hands on the chair, "Okay, 3....2....1!" She spun the chair to face the feline.

Catra uncovered her eyes and gasped at the sight in front of her, "Woah," she smiled.

Adora did not look the way she did before. Her sandy blonde hair curled into soft beach curls, with her bangs in her signature hair poof. Her eyelashes coated with black mascara. Her cheeks colored lightly with a light rosy blush and a golden glitter highlighter. Her lips topped with a nude lip-gloss. Everything looked so natural and soft on her.

Glimmer noticed the feline's lingering eyes, the blush on her cheeks, and the smile that spread ear to ear. She always seemed to catch her in a state of awe. What kind of best friend does that with their other best friend?

The blonde picked up the mirror and looked at herself. She gasped, "I-I."

Catra rushed to her side and placed a hand on her arm, "You look amazing!"

"I think I did a pretty good job," the sparkly girl applauded herself.

Adora smiled as she stood up, "We are going to crush Eric!" she balled her hands into fists excitedly.

She could not believe she was finally excited to do this. She was so against it since Cat told her about it on their way to the girl's house. But now, she had all this anger that she needed to turn into excitement. He did betray her trust, and that is not something she takes lightly.

"Uh yeah, you are! You don't think we knew that already" she smiled softly.

Glimmer clapped her hands together. "Now that is done..." She rushed over to the bed and picked up one of her shopping bags. "Here. This is your outfit for tonight! Go into the bathroom and try it on. Try not to judge it too harshly."

"Well, let's see how it comes out" she chuckled as she took ahold of the shopping bag. She quickly went into the adjoining bathroom.

Glimmer chuckled as she waved off the girl.

Now it was the feline's turn to make an impression. She turned to the girl and crossed her arms.

The feline sat back down on her previous chair, "What?"

"I'm dressing you."

"What? No!"

"Oh, come on Catra, I'm just doing it to help you."

"What? I don't need help. Besides, what do I need help in?"

"Oh, you know what"

"Know what?"

"When are you going to tell a certain someone that you're in love with her?"

Her eyes widen, "Sparkles! No!" she reached over and covered her mouth.

The sparkly girl swatted at her hand. "Get your hand off of me!" she said muffled.

Catra sighed and pulled her hand away. She hugged herself, letting her ears flatten against her head. She sighed, "We are planning her breakup. Besides, we don't even know if she likes girls" she cleared her throat.

"Well, you won't know if you don't try!" Glimmer walked over. "I know how it feels to be in love with your best friend. It took me a while, but I finally got the courage to tell him. And look at us now."

The feline nodded as she bit her lip. After Adora came out to her, she debated if she should tell her how she felt. After all, they were best friends. What if she tells her and she doesn't feel the same way?

She wasn't ready to lose the one person who has been by her side for years.

"Wait. How did you even know-"

"Well, first of all, you are very open with your sexuality, and you seem to reject most of the girls that come your way. Second of all, you seem to stare off into the distance or at her when she's talking."

Catra blushed softly. 

"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me," she winked.

Adora quickly opened the door, "Um, Glimmer, this outfit is... not me" she walked out, her shoes clicking on the crystal tile.

She turned to the girl, "Oh, come on, I told you to give the outfit-" she cut herself off after catching a glimpse of her. "It's perfect."

The feline looked over and sucked in her breath. Of course, she was breathtaking. "Woah," she chuckled.

The girl dressed in tight, high-waisted, ruby red leggings with the same colored jewels scattered throughout her waist, pelvis area, and her legs. Her shirt, also tight, was a top covered with ruby-colored glitter and sparkles, strapless with a sweetheart neckline. On top to pull it all together was a black leather jacket.

Adora tried to step forward but stumbled in her jet black simple pumps. She looked towards them, "I don't think I can walk in these either.."

"Hey, we are going to walk with you! Don't worry. We will walk with you and hold onto you until you get the hang of it." Catra took ahold of one of her hands.

"What if I get better, but then I get on the stage and start stumbling-"

"Stop talking yourself out or down! You are going to do great, sweetie!" Glimmer exclaimed.

"I don't-"

"Adora!" The two girls shouted.

"Fine, fine!" the blonde groaned.

"Now, let's get downstairs, and let's practice walking," the feline stated as the two of them helped the girl out of the bedroom.
------------------------------------------------------
Adora took a deep breath as she walked into the school. She wore a long red coat, covering her new clothes. Just to keep everything a surprise. She held her guitar case close.

She couldn't believe she was doing this. Performing in front of hundreds of people. Her friends. In front of the whole school.

Was it too late for her to drop out of this?

No, she had to do this.

No pressure.

Marlena, Adora's mother looked up from her phone once she caught sight of the young girl. "Oh, Adora! There you are!" she stood herself up after leaning against the wall near the auditorium door.

"Mom! What are you doing here?" the blonde blushed as the lady came up and fixed up her hair.

"Like we would miss you and Eric!"

"Wait we?" she placed her guitar case down.

"Yeah! Me, your dad, and your brother!"

The blonde tried not to freak out at the news of her whole family being there. She could handle her brother Adam being there but maybe not her parents.

'Maybe it isn't too late to back out.'

"I mean, look at you, you look beautiful! Now, let me see your outfit." the mom clapped her hands together.

"Mama!" Adora sighed. She looked around.

"Adora, I just want to make sure your clothes fit alright. Eric got you the dress you are supposed to be wearing right now, and he didn't know what size you were"

'Oh crap, I forgot about that.'

"Uh... Mom, I'm not wearing the dress he got me," she

"What are you wearing then... Wait, Adora. If you are naked, so help me, I will-"

"No!" the blonde groaned. She sighed and quickly unbuttoned her coat. She opened it, just enough for her mom to see her sparkly friend's choice of clothing.

The lady peeked and gasped, "Love, that is not what you were planning to wear earlier."

"I know, but things changed. But trust me. This will all make sense in the end." the girl assured.

The lady sighed and nodded, "It better" she looked towards the main entrance, catching sight of a familiar boy. She looked back to her daughter, "You better button yourself up. Eric's coming this way."

Adora quickly closed her coat back up and fixed her hair. She turned around.

"Oh, Adora! There you are! I was wondering if you were coming after all" The boy smiled. He leaned down and placed a kiss on the girl's cheek. "You look beautiful as always."

"Oh, thank you, Eric. You look just as amazing."

"Hm, well, I'm just glad that you were able to pick me over... Cat," he said hesitantly. He wrapped an arm around her smaller waist.

"Yeah," Adora answered shyly.

Marlena looked towards the couple, "Um, I will leave you two alone." She chuckled nervously. She looked back towards the guitar case in her hands, "Oh Adora, where do you want me to leave this?"

"Oh, can you take it to Cat backstage? She signed up late for the show, and she left it at the house. So I thought I would just bring it," Adora quickly lied.

"Oh, well then, you two kids have fun up there and break a leg!" Marlena quickly kissed the girl on the cheek and walked away.

Eric raised an eyebrow, "Catra? I thought you were going to leave her? Remember what I told you earlier?"

"I do, and I am going to leave her. After tonight. I just want her to have one last good memory."

"Well, to celebrate this newfound relationship, I say we go back to my place," the boy suggested as he picked her up off her feet, pulling her close.

"And do what?" Adora asked, worried. She tried to keep her face straight as she felt a pit growing in her chest, fearing that she knew what the boy was going to ask.

"Something we have been holding back to do..." the boy said in a low, husky voice. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her ear.

"Eric, I already told you that I wasn't ready..." Adora pulled herself away.

"You told me it's because you didn't want to get pregnant. You're on the pill, and I already said I would use a condom." He held onto one of her hands.

"I can't, Eric. I don't feel comfortable. But you also just make it seem like you are just using me for my body." 

"Oh, come on, Adora. You know I wouldn't want to hurt you. We have just been dating for a while, so I just thought I would ask again..."

"I just can't, okay? I have told you certain times. You just need to be patient and listen to what I want."

"I have been patient."

"Eric, I-"

"Hey, Adora!" Glimmer waved towards her.

"Oh, hey, Glimmer" The blonde smiled.

'Finally, I can get away from this asshole,' she thought to herself.

She looked back towards the boy. "Sure, we can go back to your place. Just no sex" she pressed one last kiss on his lips, trying not to gag.

"Perfect then," the boy smiled. "See you soon, babe" he kissed her back gently.

"Of course," she winked. She rushed over to the sparkly girl and took a big, deep breath. "I'm so glad I never have to kiss that asshole ever again," she shivered.

Glimmer laughed, "Come on, let's finish getting you ready for your big debut." 

The pit in the girl's chest didn't seem to go away. The growing anxiety of this whole thing seemed to only make it worse. She looked towards the sparkly girl, "Glimmer, do you think I am making a mistake?"

"I don't think so. Like Bow and I said earlier, you have a heart of pure gold. Eric does not deserve someone like you."

"Well, then. Who does deserve me?"

"Not Eric that's for sure," the girl nudged her.

Adora stayed quiet as they kept walking down the hallway. Her mind wondering.

'I'll never have the perfect girl... well, not the girl I truly want,' she thought to herself.

Glimmer looked towards her, "What is it?"

"I'm just nervous. I may be popular and stuff, but this is something new," she quickly lied.

"Don't worry. You are going to do great," the girl assured her. "Now come on, Bow and Catra are both waiting for us."

Chapter Text

"Catra! Catra!" a 17-year-old Scorpia yelled as she ran down one of the hallways of Moon Valley High School. She clutched the flyer that she held in her hands close to her chest as she tried not to bump into people.

A 17-year-old Catra Rivers picked up her head from her phone as she heard her name. She knew it could come from one person only.

Scorpia.

"Catra!" the taller lady panted as she stopped in front of her feline friend. She crouched down and rested her hands on her knees, "J-Just give me a minute. I just... just ran from across campus."

"Why didn't you just call me?" She raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms.

"I thought you would be in cheer practice." the scorpion answered back as she stood herself upright.

"Well, I was just on my way" she adjusted her black gym bag on her shoulder.

"No, you're not."

"Uh, yes? I'm the captain?"

"I sent everyone home."

"Scorpia! Why would you do that? The basketball team has a game in a couple of days" she grabbed onto the girl's arms.

"Because you are trying out for the school's musical today" she handed her the flyer she was clutching so closely to her chest. She smiled, "I saw it when I was on my way to the gym."

The feline looked down towards the paper and pulled herself away. She took ahold of the crisp paper and carefully read the details written.

Come and try out for this year's musical production of Romeo and Juliet! Also known as R+J! Looking for people with different vocal abilities and tones!

Have one minute of any song of choice for your audition!

We welcome all!

Catra gasped and covered her mouth as she tried not to squeal out of excitement. "Omg! I have been waiting all of the thanksgiving break for this!"

"I know! I saw it, and I thought of you! I know how much you have been wanting to try and get the lead this time."

"Wait, what about the cheer squad?" She brought her hand to her chin and started biting her thumb nail.

This is what she has been wanting. Another chance at getting the leading role!

Could this be her moment?

"Well, duh, you have me as your assistant captain! I will gladly take care of the squad while you are at practice"

She started biting her lip.

Theater was not always one of her favorite things to do in middle school. She actually hated it back then. But now that she was in high school, she wanted to try new things.

First, it was color guard, fashion club, culinary club, cheer squad, and now theater.

She only did theater when she had the chance to. She didn't get to do the last spring show since she was too busy with the cheer team.

But now, things were different. The squad was barely working on cheer routines and color guard was just finishing up their long season. Everything was lining up.

Catra looked up towards the smiling girl in front of her and blushed. She nodded quickly, "Okay! I'm going to do it!"

"That's my Wildcat! You are going to knock them dead! Actually don't," she laughed.

The feline laughed softly, "Well, what about you? Why aren't you trying out?"

"Well, as much as I love singing and performing, my moms keep telling me to rest my vocal cords more now that I am cheering and yelling on the field. Next musical though." she winked.

"Okay! Uh, well, I don't even know what to sing" she rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

She wasn't exactly ready with a song at bay for an audition.

"Well, you still have 10 minutes to figure something out. So, go put your gym bag back in your locker, and I will meet you in front of the auditorium. In the meantime, I will look through my music to see if I can find anything"

"Good. Just make sure it is something I know!" she nudged her.

--------------------

A 17-year-old Adora took a deep breath as she paced back and forth in front of the auditorium.

Glimmer rolled her eyes, "Adora! Why are you panicking! You are thinking about this too much."

"How can you not be panicking about this too! This is Romeo and Juliet for crying out loud! This is one of the 'the' high school shows to do" she paused in front of the smaller girl.

"I thought jocks don't like being in theater?"

"I may be a jock. But I am also on the dance squad and captain of the basketball team!" she sighed as she held the bridge of her nose. "I know I don't seem like a theater 'geek', but I enjoy doing it! I just haven't had that much time to do it."

Glimmer chuckled softly and stood from her bench. She grabbed one of the girl's shaky hands and smiled at her, "Relax. You can do this! Besides, Bow and I are auditioning as well. You will have us to look at when you are doing your audition. We will calm your nerves."

The blonde looked down at their hands and released a deep breath. She nodded slowly, "Okay, okay. I believe you."

Adora had and has been one of the most productive girls in school. Always trying out for different sports teams but only really sticking to soccer, basketball, softball, and even football when it was in season. Part of the drill/dance team, on the student council, and one of the star students.

Theater was something fun for her to do with her friends, and she felt like she belonged there. But still, she couldn't contain her nerves.

She never really tried out for a musical before. Plays were more her thing. But this was going to be something new for her. An adventure, like Seahawk, would say.

Although she didn't think her voice was good enough to impress the directors, Bow and Glimmer assured her that she was going to blow everyone out of the running for the lead.

She still had her doubts. But it was now or never.

A 17-year-old Bow Moore panted as he ran up to his girlfriend and best friend.

"Woah! Bow, deep breaths," the blonde urged.

"S-Sorry! I just didn't want to miss the auditions" he held his chest. "But my brothers did not want to let me go."

"Are all of your brothers back in town?"

"Oh yes."

"That explains it" Glimmer shrugged.

The boy took one last deep breath as he finally caught his breath, relaxing as well.

The plum purple-haired girl chuckled and took ahold of one of his hands. "Now we can go in there and get settled into some of the house seats and just relax."

"What are you doing here?" a voice behind them asked.

The voice made the group of friends turn to face the source.

Adora gasped and narrowed her eyes, "I could ask you the same thing."

Catra took off her headphones, sliding them down to rest on her neck. "I thought the famous Adora Grayskull doesn't do musicals?"

"And I thought you were too busy puffing up your pom-poms and dancing in that tiny skirt of yours to be in theater?"

Catra Rivers and Adora Grayskull were theater rivals. Catra always trying to snatch the leading role from Adora whenever they auditioned for the same show.

It was always for the same place.

"The Importance of Being Earnest"

"Moon Over Buffalo"

"A Midsummer Night's Dream"

"Alice In Wonderland"

Many more. All different roles. All different leads.

But now, it was one of the big ones. Both of them trying out for a musical.

This was going to be messy.

"What are you doing here, preppy princess?" The feline raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't use your mouth often enough to sing."

"And I thought cats were supposed to be quiet, yet all I hear is you talking." the blonde snapped back.

Catra hissed as she tried not to pounce forward. "Forget it. You are not worth my time, preppy."

"Could say the same thing about you," she mumbled.

She growled but stopped as her scorpion friend placed a hand on her shoulders.

'Deep breaths, Catra. Deep breaths. You can easily beat this girl,' she thought to herself as she shoved herself past the taller girl.

Adora gasped, "Hey! Watch it!"

The feline turned to her as she opened the door, "Sorry about that. Sometimes I just block you out of my memory and forget that you exist" she winked before turning to walk into the theater.

Bow bit his lip nervously. He knew exactly how Adora was feeling.

"Adora?" He asked as he inched close.

The blonde figure turned towards him before clenching her fists, "I am going to crush her."

------------------------------------

Scorpia bit her lip nervously as she noticed the feline's tail flicked around angrily.

The girl dressed in a new blue wool-cropped sweater, tight black leggings, and a high ponytail.

She had no real idea why the captain of the cheer squad and the captain of the basketball team hated each other. It was part of their high school lives.

Whenever they would run into the other, either in the gym or in the hallways, they would make remarks about the other.

Some thought it was just a natural thing for them.

Some of them thought it was popularity.

Some thought it was a failed relationship.

Yet, it didn't make sense. They used to be the best of friends in middle school. What happened to them now? 

She turned back to the stage as she listened to the different people belt out notes.

Glimmer. Bow. DT. Mermista. Perfuma. Different voices. Different people.

But Catra didn't seem bothered by it.

She just kept her eyes on the girl a few rows ahead of her.

"Thank you, Perfuma, that was lovely." Ms. Angella smiled as she took off her gold-rounded reading glasses.

"Thank you, Ms. Angella." she chuckled. She quickly bowed and walked off the stage.

The lady smiled softly as she moved her loose lilac purple hair to the side before standing up. She turned to the group of kids behind her.

All of them in the house's red velvet seats. All of them still filled with excitement.

She smiled softly before clearing her throat. "So, we have about five more kiddos before we close out the day here today." she looked towards her clipboard, running her finger down the list of names. "Up next, we have Catra Rivers."

The feline gasped softly at the mention of her name. She looked towards her scorpion friend.

"You got this, Wildcat," she whispered.

She nodded and quickly stood up from her seat. She made her way up towards the stairs.

'Deep breaths, Catra. You got this. You know the song well. You got this. Don't think about Adora. Don't think about anything. Just the song.'

"What will you be singing for us today, Miss Catra?" Ms. Angella smiled softly.

"Uh, I will be singing, 'Speechless' from the Aladdin movie," she smoothed out her sweater.

"Wonderful song," she smiled. "Remember, one minute of whatever part you want to start, or you can start in the beginning." she turned to a smaller purple-haired girl. "Miss Entrapta, would you prepare the song for us please?"

The girl nodded excitedly, "Already ready to go!" she turned back to the feline. "Where would you like to start?"

"In the beginning please,"

She nodded. "Whenever you're ready." she smiled.

Catra released a breath as she shook her hands out, letting out the lingering nerves that she still had.

'Just a simple audition. No pressure'

She nodded towards the purple-haired girl, letting her know that she was ready.

Entrapta nodded and hit play.

She turned to the crowd and took a deep breath. She sang while keeping her head down. 

"Here comes a wave

Meant to wash me away

A tide that is taking me under

Swallowing sand

Left with nothing to say

My voice drowned out in the thunder."

Ms. Angella snapped her head up from her clipboard at the young girl's voice.

Low yet soft and gentle. It wasn't booming or belting like the people before her. She smiled as she watched the girl slowly pick up her head towards the crowd.

Catra let go of the tight grip she had on her hands, releasing the reminding tension she had on herself.

She sang,

'But I won't cry

And I won't start to crumble

Whenever they try

To shut me or cut me down."

She brought a hand to her chest, feeling her heart pounding against her chest from her nervousness, but the people around her couldn't tell.

Finally, time to make this her moment.

She sang,

"I won't be silenced.

You can't keep me quiet

Won't tremble when you try it

All I know is I won't go speechless."

Ms. Angella smiled widely, "Now this is what I'm looking for," she mumbled to herself as she looked down to her clipboard to write.

She quickly took a glimpse at the blonde basketball star and tried not to chuckle as she noticed the inaudible gasp.

'Time to finish off strong,' she thought to herself.

She sang,

"'Cause I'll breathe

When they try to suffocate me

Don't you underestimate me

'Cause I know that I won't go speechless."

Before the girl could pause her music, the group of kids and Ms. Angella all started clapping, causing Catra to blush softly.

She wasn't used to this kind of attention.

Not for her voice at least.

She quickly bowed before rushing off the stage.

"Thank you, Catra, that was so wonderful. Very nicely done." Ms. Angella chuckled as she turned to the crowd.

"That was amazing Wildcat! I'm so proud of you," Scorpia exclaimed.

"Thanks! The adrenaline just kicked in, and I just sang" she sighed in relief as she sat back in her seat.

She smiled as she placed a pincher over her hand.

Ms. Angella cleared her throat, "Next, we have..." she trailed off as she looked back down the list of names. "Adora Grayskull"

The blonde took a quick breath as she looked towards her boy best friend next to her. Her previous negative thoughts coming back to her.

"You got this!" he whispered. "Remember, you have the voice. Just let everyone hear it" he reached and squeezed her hand.

She nodded and sighed quietly. She stood herself up and made her way to the stage and up the stairs.

'You got this. Just try not to focus on the negative thoughts. Give it your all.'

"What will you be singing for us, Adora?" the older lady said while putting her reading glasses back on.

"I will be singing, 'Don't Forget Me' from the TV show Smash" she cleared her throat.

"Ah, another great song," she smiled. "Entrapta?" she turned to her.

"Already ready!"

"Remember, one minute of whatever part you want to start, or you can start in the beginning." she started writing on her clipboard.

"Where would you like to start?"

"Uh. Around 1:08." Adora said as she rubbed her hands against her thighs.

She nodded. "Whenever you're ready." she smiled.

She cleared her throat. She glanced over to her friends who held up two thumbs up.

An act of encouragement.

She nodded towards the girl with music.

'Focus on the lyrics, Adora.'

Entrapta nodded and hit play.

She turned to the crowd and took a deep breath. She sang while keeping her head up high.

"But forget every man who I ever met

'Cause they only lived to control

For a kiss, they paid a thousand

Yet they paid fifty cents for my soul."

Ms. Angella smiled contently.

This was a major difference from Catra. Her voice was confident, yet you could tell in her statue that she was nervous still, unsure of her vocal abilities.

But she could work with that in the end. She could work with both of them.

Catra and Adora.

She crossed her leg over the other.

The blonde patted her hand against her chest as she sang,

"They took their piece

The price of fame that no one can repay

Ah, but they didn't buy me when they bought my name

And that is why I pray."

She tried not to let her voice shake as she notice people start watching her closely. All eyes on her.

'Keep it together, Adora'

No nerves.

No panicking.

She sang,

"That when you see someone's hurt

And in need of a hand

You don't forget me

Or hear a melody crying from some baby grand

You don't forget me."

'Come on, Adora, you got this.' she thought as she brought her hand down, singing with the passion and drive she had when she was practicing alone.

She looked towards the friends, blushing at the sight of them holding back their excitement.

She sang,

"When you sing happy birthday to someone you love

Or see diamonds you wish were all free

Please say that you won't;

I pray that you don't forget me."

Ms. Angella looked towards the purple-haired girl, "Hey Entrapta, once she gets to the minute mark, keep the music going until I say so. I want to see something."

She nodded and turned back to the laptop on her lap.

Adora stomped her foot down on the floor as she sang,

"There are some in this world who have strength on their own

Never broken or in need of repair

But there are some born to shine who can't do it alone

She glanced at Entrapta and Ms. Angella as she noticed the music kept going. 

The lady motioned to her to keep going. 

She knew what was coming up, yet she didn't know if she would able to hit it.

The big belting note.

She sang,

"So protect them and take special care

Take care"

The feline's mouth dropped in amazement. "She can sing..." she blushed softly. "Wow.." she said breathlessly.

Adora sang, letting her arms spread out,

"And don't forget me

Please take care

And don't forget me."

"There," The lady quickly told the girl next to her.

Entrapta paused the music, causing the blonde to stop and drop her arms.

She looked at the group who was in awe. She backed up, "Uh..."

"Adora?" Glimmer asked as she noticed the girl breathing heavier.

"Uh, thank you" she gave them a quick smile and bow before rushing off the stage.

"That was fabulous. We have quite the bit of talent here today!" Ms. Angella smiled towards the group.

She blushed softly as she made her way back to her friends.

She tried to gather her thoughts.

'I did that..." she thought to herself.

"I really did."

————————————————————————

Catra took a deep breath as she watched the different group of friends all walk out of the school excitedly, ready to celebrate the weekend.

The energy and happiness still on their faces as they climbed into their cars and drove out of the almost empty parking lot.

She stood near the entrance, holding her gym bag close as she waited for her scorpion friend.

Adora pushed the doors open as she released a deep breath, ready to curl up into bed and relax.

She held her gym bag close as she twirled the end of her ponytail with her free hand.

The feline looked towards the door and chuckled at the sight of the blonde, "Hey, preppy princess." she crossed her arms.

Adora turned her head towards the source of the voice. She chuckled, "Well, isn't it, my favorite kitten."

She rolled her eyes playfully, "Anyway, heading back home? Have a chick there waiting for you?"

"No... no girlfriend. Just my bed and my pillows. After this long week, I miss sleep and my bed" she kicked at the gravel in front of her.

"Hm.. you know that's not only what a bed is meant for?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Hm...you were always a dirty kitten," she smirked.

"You know me. I'm quite the flirt."

"Yeah. I know" she looked away.

Catra took a deep breath as she saw the girl shift to the side, "But what I did want to say is you did pretty good. I kinda hoped you would fail, but you didn't"

Adora snorted, "Thanks. You did well too..."

Catra bit her lips gently. She held out her hand, "May the best person win?"

She chuckled, "May the best person win" she shook her hand.

"Pretty sure it's going to be me, but oh well," she joked.

"Sure kitty. We'll see," she winked before walking away. "See you Monday," she waved as she walked into the parking lot.

Catra waved back as she blushed softly.

"Ready to go, wildcat?" Her scorpion friend walked out of the front doors with her car keys and her backpack.

The feline snapped out of her thoughts, her cheeks still heated. "O-oh yes," she nodded.

Scorpia noticed her cheeks and chuckled, "Did something happened to you? Your cheeks are red?"

"What?" She asked as she brought a hand up to feel her heated cheeks.

'Was I blushing at Adora?'

"Ah, it's probably nothing..." she chuckled nervously. "How about we get going?"

"Of course!" She answered as she started walking towards her black Jeep.

The feline bit her lip nervously as she tried to think to herself about what just happened.

She turned back towards the school's entrance then back to the scorpion's car.

'Let's try not to worry about this..' she thought to herself as she made her way to the girl's car. 

Chapter Text

25-year-old Catra Rivers sighed loudly as she leaned back in her black leather cushion rolling chair. She felt like her eyes were burning after staring at her computer screen for what felt like hours.

Apparently, she still hated coloring her latest fashion designs on her computer.

Running a new fashion empire was not that easy.

Catra's new and trending fashion business was filled of all different kinds of women's clothing. Dresses, long and short, blouses, slacks, scarves, and most importantly and popularly being her suits.  

Starting this business was not easy for her, but at the end of the day, she was able to cut off the red ribbon of all three stores that she had opened in the past year.

She knew from the start that it would be a tough race and a hard one to get into. But she knew if she played her cards right, she would be among the richest of the rich.

Of course, she already had good money, but she was always using it back into the business, sometimes herself. But something about being a multi-million fashion designer and business owner was something she always wanted. But for now, it was going to have to wait.

A 26-year-old Scorpia peeked her head into the girl's office, "Hey Wildcat, how are you doing?"

"Hey Scorpia," she sighed as she rubbed the side of her head.

"What's up?"

She shrugged, "Nothing much, just finishing up my "show-stopping" piece for our newest collection," she answered as she peeled her golden-rimmed computer glasses off her face.

"Oh? I didn't think we were starting the next collection so quick."

"Well, if we want to finish on time, we are going to have to get started sooner than later" she stood up.

"Well, can I take a peek?" She batted her eyelashes towards the brunette.

She snorted, "No way." she stood up. "You all will see it at the meeting at the end of the week."

"You wouldn't even let your dear best friend see it?" she batted her eyelashes once again, with a quivering lip.

Catra chuckled as she shook her head, "Nope. Besides, this is how we always do it" she shrugged as she walked over.

"I know, I know. But know that DT and I are excited to see what you have up your sleeve in this collection."

"Thanks. I just hope I can pull this outfit off. It's just missing something" she crossed her arms.

"Well, why don't you go to the fabric room? That's where I go for inspiration," she suggested as she backed out of the doorway.

"That was where I was heading anyway. I just need some color samples."

"Just be careful. A certain Anne Boone is collecting fabric samples too."

Catra groaned. Anne Boone had been after her for months, but she never thought of her as her type. She was always early to meetings, always perky every time she called her to her office, and sometimes even seductive if she caught her at the right time.

She would never act on the girl's advances.

Of course, she was always looking for someone to date and possibly spend the rest of her life with. But Anne was not the right person.

"When are you going to let her down gently?" The white-haired fashion designer asked.

"I will figure out when." She sighed. "For now, I need to figure out what I am going to do with this outfit and this missing color I can't settle" she rubbed the side of her head once again.

Scorpia noticed the girl's discomfort, "Uh Catra? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, my head has been hurting from how much I keep staring at my computer. I have been ignoring it, along with the stomach aches I have been having"

"You know that's not good" she crossed her arms.

"Ugh, do you have to be mama bear friend right now? Just when I was about to head out."

"Yes, now. I will get you some pain meds, and we can figure out why your stomach is hurting," she said as she started walking towards the break room.

"Scorpia, I'm fine, really," she said as she took a step forward. She gasped and stopped moving as she felt something. "Damn it," she whispered to herself. She froze in her spot.

The white-haired lady stopped as she didn't hear or feel the other girl's presence. She looked around before turning back. She noticed the girl's uneasy stance, "Wildcat? What's wrong?"

"Uh, Scorpia, you are going to need to help me to my office."

"Why? What's wrong?" She rushed over.

"I may have figured out why my stomach is hurting," she whispered.

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow.

Catra looked around the common office area. Everyone still busy with their work. People finishing up last-minute designs to present to the boss at the end of the week, working with social media, working with the website, or different people going into the sewing rooms to make a prototype.

She cleared her throat quietly as she looked back at her tall friend, "I got my period," she whispered.

Scorpia looked up and down the girl's nervous statue and quickly nodded, "Okay, okay. Uh, well, do you have anything to-"

"Yes. But only for right now. I will have to go to the store to get some more," she took the girl's hand, leading her back to her office.

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, that's okay. I should be able to go in and out. I just have to make sure I keep to myself and keep my sunglasses on"

"Okay. Well, DT, Entrapta, and I will keep things running while you're gone"

Catra chuckled as she stepped into her office, "Thanks. And I will try not to take so long this time." she said before closing her door.

————————————————————————

"Are you kidding me, Adora?" Glimmer asked as she crossed her arms.

"I know, I know. But I really need you to go for me. Please," the blonde asked as she brought her hands together, begging.

"I am not going to the store for you to get tampons. You are just going to have to get them yourself. Or just go to the nurse and get some" she shrugged.

"Ugh. The nurse, Glimmer? I don't want the kids knowing" she covered her face.

"Well, going to the store is a lot less embarrassing. You will just go in and get out. Simple. You are in and out in 10 minutes."

"You are seriously the worst friend."

"You better get going if you want to make it back in time for the next class."

"Fine. Whatever," the girl rolled her eyes as she walked out the doors of the other's classroom.

"Love you!" She blew a kiss.

"Yeah, love you too," she sighed as she closed the door.

'You are just making this a bigger deal than it is,' she thought to herself as she walked back to her own classroom.

Adora White was one of the physics teachers at Moon Valley High School. Although not her first passion, this was just a pit stop while she got to where she wanted.

She was 26 and a graduate student at the local university. She was trying to get her Master's in the science of Astronomy, just to be able to teach at the local school and college campus. No pressure whatsoever.

Her workload was heavy, but she was able to manage everything. As long as it was in her plans, she would be able to do it.

But today, she did not plan for her period to show up out of nowhere. A twisted fate that's for sure. Especially with the fact that she was wearing a skirt.

But for now, she could just go to the store and pick up what she needs, maybe pick up some lunch while she was at it. Right now, this was about her work, and that's it.

She stepped into her empty classroom as the bell rang. Her conference period.

She walked to her desk and quickly picked up her purse and her phone. But stopped as she caught sight of a brightly colored post it on her computer screen.

She peeled the sticky note and brought it up to her eye level.

"If you're not too busy, I hope you can join me for lunch today. I know a little place around the corner. You can join me if you don't have plans." - Chad Moore.

Adora groaned, "How many times do I need to tell you that I am into girls" she threw the note to the side.

Chad Moore was a friendly guy. Nice, good-looking, good at his job as the main P.E. coach. But Adora was not going to go out with him. The two main reasons being:

A) She's gay

B) He already tried to feel her up in her classroom

He was a great guy when she first met him. But he seems to think that her wearing skirts were an invitation to feel her up.

He still does not take her rejection.

She took a deep breath as she leaned down, turning off her computer screen. "I'm just going to go to the store and forget all of this." she shivered as she made her way to the door.

————————————————————————

Catra kept her head down as she walked down the aisles of the local grocery store, trying not to get either recognized or get stopped in the aisle.

She hated going out in public. Being a new "rising" fashion designer can do that. Coming from nothing, all of a sudden being chased by paparazzi, can do that.

But if she just kept her sunglasses on, she would be fine. Everything about her was normal from a bystander's viewpoint, other than her formal business attire. Her jet black slacks, olive green turtle neck sweater with a white coat on top. Her black ankle boots and her loose hair that went past her shoulders. 

Her eyes are the most recognizable. If she had her glasses off, that's where people would start forming the line to talk to her.

So now, she just had to go in and out. No questions asked.

She stood in front of the smaller aisle and looked up towards the sign.

Feminine products 

She groaned but relaxed at the sight of no one being in the aisle. 

She moved her smooth brunette hair out of the way as she walked towards the middle of the all-white row. The only real colors were the boxes and bags of the different products.

She squatted down to her usual brand and read the different options. She picked up three boxes, one for home, one for the office, and one for her car. No more embarrassing trips to the store for a while.

'Finally. Going back now,' she thought to herself as she got up.

She made her way towards the exit of the aisle. But before she could, she bumped into a strong force, causing herself and her sunglasses to fall.

The force quickly squatted down to her level, "I am so sorry! I should have been paying better attention!" They said.

"You better!" Catra snapped as she rubbed her eyes. "You should-" she cut herself off as she looked up towards the force.

The force was Adora, clearly upset by the ordeal she had caused. "I'm really sorry about that, ma'am..."

Her eyes quickly roamed the tall figure. 'Grey pencil skirt, peach colored high heels, Sheer white blouse with long sleeves, long, softy curled blonde hair... very fit body.  Who is this lady?' she thought to herself. 

"N-no. It's okay. It happens to the best of us" Catra blushed.

"Well, let me help you up," she blushed softly after noticing the girl's stare, noticing her two different colored eyes.

Baby blue and bright yellow.

She held out a hand towards the girl on the ground.

Catra gladly accepted her hand, getting help from the stranger. "What's your name? If you don't mind me asking..."

"Oh uh. It's Adora.." she giggled. "Yours?"

"Oh uh... Catra" she looked away.

"Catra?" She looked back to the girl then the sunglasses. "Wait, are you Catra Rivers?"

The brunette cringed. 'Here it comes,' She thought. She took a deep breath, "Yeah... that's me" she rubbed her arm shyly. 

"I should have known. I should have known those beautiful eyes- I mean. You're beautiful- I mean- I," she cut herself off before she could embarrass herself more.

"You think I'm pretty?"

"Pretty? I think you're gorgeous- I mean. Yes," she groaned softly as she covered her face.

Catra snorted, "Thanks. I'm not one for compliments. But you're sweet. So I must accept." She kneeled, picking up her glasses.

"I'm just a blubbering idiot. I have no control over what I say sometimes. Especially in front of a pretty girl."

"Oh!" Catra's cheeks flushed into a bright red.

Adora noticed and placed her face in her hands. "I should just go before I keep embarrassing myself in front of you" she turned to walk, but Catra stopped her.

"I uh. No. It's okay," she giggled. "You're fine. Besides, I don't think you got what you came here for"

"Oh, I just needed some tampons, but I can just.. go to another store," she said as she started to walk again, but Catra stopped her.

She handed her one of her boxes, "Here. I was just taking some extra boxes. You can have one of them."

"Are you sure? I mean, I totally deserve to go and get my own box. Like walk of shame kind of thing."

"As much as that is tempting to watch, this whole thing was just an accident" she smiled.

"Okay..." she blushed as she took one of the boxes from the girl's grip.

They stood there for a good couple of minutes, unsure of how to say bye to the other after what just happened.

But they also didn't want this moment to end. 

Adora cleared her throat, catching the other's attention. "Well, if you insist that I take one of your boxes, then can I buy you a cup of coffee? Or whatever you drink?"

She blushed softly, "Oh, that's not necessary" she rubbed her arm.

"I insist. We can pay for our boxes. Then after that, I know this coffee shop across the street. It will seriously be my treat."

Catra chuckled softly as she looked at her watch.

'11:30 AM. It shouldn't take so long.'

"I guess I will take up your offer."

"Perfect," she smiled widely.

"Come on. I wouldn't want to take you from your life for too long,"

"I mean, my life isn't that interesting. I'm just a high school teacher"

"You are going to have to tell me about that," she winked as she walked back out of the aisle.

—————

The café they were in was quite simple but the different scents of coffee beans, chocolate, and wood was definitely warming. The line to order was what made the place tight.  The two of them waited in line, chatting away as they moved forwards. Catra didn't think a girl like her could be so interesting. Her school life was much more different than her own. But she wasn't about to tell her all of that right there. 

Adora loved the way Catra talked about her work. She had such passion in her voice and love for her work. She seemed proud of who she was and what she was doing for her brand.  She had never met anyone like the girl in next to her. 

After ordering, the blonde suggested the brunette to find them somewhere to sit for a little bit as she waited for their order. 

The fashion designer boss was beaming with joy as she walked around the small café. 

Who would have thought going to a grocery store would let her meet someone as nice as Adora?

She walked past the different old and new band posters, the cozy brown velvet booth, and different tea tables. 

She settled herself and her items at one of the smaller white gloss tea tables. 

She didn't know what she was so nervous about as she watched the blonde teacher make her way to their new table. But for now, she was just going to put it to the side. 

"So let me get this straight, you are a high school physics teacher, but your main passion is Astronomy?" The brunette looked towards the girl as she walked back.

"Yes. I mean, not many schools offer Astronomy. I could easily move to one of them and teach there. But I want to bring Astronomy to the school I work at. So I'm getting my Masters." She placed the coffee cups down in front of the other girl.

Catra chuckled, "Well, I think that's pretty cool. You must care for others to do that," she said before picking up her paper cup.

"Well, I love what I do. People like my class, so I am going to keep doing it until I can't."

"Well, when you said high school teacher, I thought you meant PE. Because I mean... look at you," she motioned to the girl's toned arms. 

Adora blushed madly before taking a sip of her coffee. "I uh. I get that a lot. Then they see the skirt and the ponytail. Much different perspective."

"Oh well, I think you have pretty good fashion sense" she picked up her purse.

"Wow. A fashion designer telling me I have good taste. That's rare," she snorted.

'Wow. She even has a cute snort,' she thought to herself as she looked through the bag. She rummaged through her purse, looking for her phone. She gasped as one of her bank cards fell out. "Uh, sorry, I guess I am such a klutz today."

"Don't worry about it. It can't be as bad as me with you today" she smiled.

Catra chuckled softly, "You're right, that was pretty embarrassing," she chuckled as she bent down under the table. She looked around for her card and gasped once again as she caught sight of the girl's legs.

She blushed, 'This girl is definitely fit...' she bit her lip. The girl really did look good in her grey pencil skirt and her high heels.

"Did you find your card?" Adora asked as she noticed the brunette's long disappearance.

"Oh, sorry!" She snapped out of her thoughts and quickly scanned the floor.

Her card was right next to the other's heels.

Figures.

She picked it up and sat back into her chair, "Yeah, sorry about that. I seemed to be in my own world today."

"No worries," she chuckled.

Catra fiddled with the black card in her hands. She definitely felt something for the girl, but she didn't want this relationship to end up like her past ones.

Just using her for her money.

But something felt different about Adora. Should she trust her gut?

"Uh, well, thank you again for the coffee. You were right. It's pretty good," she picked up her cup.

"No problem, anything for a new friend," she blushed.

Catra blushed madly and nodded. "Uh, Adora?"

"Yeah?"

"Will I see you again? Or can I see you again?"

The blonde blushed softly.

Someone famous wants to see her again. This day keeps getting more and more interesting.

"Of course... give me your phone, and I will give you mine. We can exchange numbers..."

"Sounds great," she quickly said as she held out her phone before she could chicken out.

The girls exchanged their phones and typed in their own numbers. No catfishing here.

Catra placed the phone down and took a deep breath, "Maybe next time I can take you out to dinner."

Adora almost dropped her phone as she heard the girl's statement. "D-dinner? With me?" She blushed madly.

"Yeah, maybe I can get to know more about the pretty girl in front of me."

"I-I" she bit her lip gently. She quickly nodded, "I would like that."

Catra stood up, picking up her personal items and her cup. "Keep an eye on your phone. I will let you know when it is"

"O-okay," she smiled.

She smiled and turn to walk away, but she stopped herself. She walked back and leaned down. She pressed a kiss onto her cheek, "See you soon."

Adora could have melted there if she could.

She blushed a bright red, "Bye Catra,"

"Bye Adora," she stood up before taking a glimpse back. She towards the door.

Maybe going to the store wasn't so bad.

Chapter Text

Catra woke up with a gasp of air and a hand on her chest as she woke up from her usual nightmare of the night. Her blue/yellow-colored eyes quickly scanned her room and relaxed as she didn't catch the familiar green light of Horde Prime in her room.

The different hues of pink and purple lights surrounded her brig-like room. 

This was only her fourth night on the ancient ship and freed from the grip of Prime's chip, but her nightmares were still like the former flashes.

Her panting finally calmed as she tried to ground herself, the feeling of the cotton sheets under her fingertips and her tail wrapping around her waist.

She quickly swallowed and shook her head as she was overcome with frustration. She had not been able to get a good night's sleep after being freed from the chip. She only slept a couple of hours at a time at different times of the day.

The one time she was able to sleep calmly was after she ate with the squad. When Adora checked on her after her panic attack, she decided to sleep next to her.

She still remembered how gentle the girl was with her that night. How they naturally became comfortable with one another as their eyes became heavy with sleep. How Adora carefully pulled her close and held her close. They hadn't done that since their time in the Horde.

She groaned and laid herself back down on her smaller bedframe. She just wanted to get a full night of sleep.

No tossing and turning.

No nightmares.

Just quiet.

She sat up and looked back towards the door to the main hallway. She debated her next course of action. She could stay in her room and hope she can stay asleep or go to the blonde's room and try sleeping with her  again.

She had never really gone to the blonde's room, nor had she ever seen the inside of it. She knew that the ship was big with several rooms. Some had a couple of bunk beds, or it could be like Adora's, a private bedroom.

She stood herself up and grabbed her blanket. She could not believe that this was her decision.

------

The feline found herself standing in front of the blonde's bedroom of the spaceship. Her tail flicked harshly to the side.

She still debated the whole thing. She still feared hurting her even though the girl is comfortable with her once again.

She bit her lip and took a deep breath, "No, I'm not going to do it" she turned to walk but stopped herself. "But how am I going to sleep?"

She went back and forth on her thoughts. She physically turns to the door or turns away to walk.

'I shouldn't bother her...'

'But what if she isn't asleep?"

'What if she is asleep?'

'Why is this so difficult?'

"You know what, I'm just not going to do it!" she started walking, her blanket dragging behind her.

She stopped in her tracks. But if she didn't do it. Maybe it would mean no sleep for her.

She groaned loudly, "Nope, doing it" she walked back to the door and pressed on the door pad so she couldn't change her mind.

She gasped breathlessly at the sight of the blonde sitting at her bed, brushing her hair.

Adora looked up, her hands still in her hair, "Catra? Are you okay" she pulled her hands away, letting her hair fall past her shoulders.

'Oh good, she's still awake,' she thought to herself as she watched the blonde cross her leg over the other.

"I just wanted to see if you were still awake," the girl quickly lied as she walked over to her bed.

"Yeah," Adora chuckled nervously. "I haven't been able to sleep well since we left Etheria," she admitted.

"Really? How come?"

"I don't know," the blonde stated. "Before we left, I was having nightmares about the Heart of Etheria or Prime...."

Catra nodded. She chuckled as she caught sight of the girl's hairbrush, "You even have a nice, very princess, hairbrush" she motioned to the crystal handle of her brush as she sat down beside her.

"Yeah," she laughed. "This was one of the first gifts Glimmer gave me when I came to Bright Moon. She told me that I needed something of my own. Something that was not Horde-related. Something that would remind me of home," she chuckled.

The feline laughed softly.

"What?" the girl turned to her.

"Sorry, you two are just so cheesy and emotional."

"Oh, look who's talking" she narrowed her eyes.

The both of them took a second as they stared at the other. They burst out laughing, both of them hunching over.

They both wiped their eyes as they calmed their laughter. It was such a stupid joke, but it was enough to break the tension between the two of them. Catra felt like she could breathe and not be scare to talk or laugh around her former best friend.

Catra chuckled and wiped her cheek, "I'm kidding. It's a nice hairbrush. And I'm guessing the belt clip on your jacket also came from her?"

"Oh well, actually, I picked it. After we went to get my jacket from Thaymor, I realized that I needed to get rid of my Horde belt clip. Yet, I still needed something to hold my jacket close. So when I went to go see the Bright Moon tailors to get some new pajamas, I noticed it and asked if I could have it" she shrugged.

"Ah," she answered as she looked back to the hairbrush in the other's hands.

"What is it?"

Catra hesitated as she watched the girl turned towards her. "Can I brush your hair? I mean, I would ask you to brush mine, but my hair isn't exactly long enough."

She blushed softly and nodded, "Yeah, of course" she placed the brush in her hands.

She smiled and gripped the handle.

She watched as the blonde turned away from her.

The way her stupid blonde hair shined against the different hues of yellow, blue, and purple light. The way her hair rested past her shoulders and on her back.

She looked down past her hair and blushed at the way her pajamas fit her just right.

'She always picked the right ones. Not too short. Not too long,' she thought.

She quickly shook her head and picked up some of the girl's hair. 

It felt so familiar. 

As if she was touching it yesterday. The soft strands of hair running through her fingers and hands as she ran the large brush against it.

It wasn't as hard anymore now that the girl had taken out a majority of her knots, but it still had its troubles.

Her hair smelling the same. The Bright Moon soap she used. Roses and Lavender. It fit her oddly.

The Horde's soap just smelled like the classic 'Fresh Linen' soap.

But Adora didn't smell like that anymore. Moving to a new place could do that to you. She always knew she was near. That scent was unforgettable. She always caught a whiff of it when they were fighting.

She pulled her hands away and looked back down to her hands.

Adora noticed the girl stopping and turned back around towards her, "What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just, I haven't done that since we were kids. So just past emotions" she shrugged.

She smiled and placed a hand over hers, "Well, we did have good memories from our past." she said while looking towards her.

"You're right about that," she chuckled, locking eye contact with the girl.

She laughed softly crossed her leg over the other.

The feline laughed but slowly stopped as she remembered the real reason she came into the room. She had second thoughts about it now.

'What if asking her just ruins the moment we are having now?' she quickly looked away and shook her head.

'Come on, just ask her. No more being afraid.' she took a quick breath.

"Adora?" she looked back up towards the girl.

"Yeah?"

"Can I sleep here with you? Like I said earlier, I haven't been able to sleep well, and the last time I truly slept well lately has been with you" she flicked her thumbnail against her index finger.

The blonde bit her lip and chuckled softly, "Of course you can, Cat." she smiled.

"Really?" she perked up.

"Yeah. I mean, maybe you can help me get some sleep too" she shrugged.

She hid her excitement calmly. She nodded, "Maybe."

"It's settled then," she stated as she stood up.

Catra smiled softly and watched as the girl walked over to the light switches for the bedroom. There was more in her room than her own.

She looked around the small bedroom. For a spaceship, it was a lot nicer than what she was used to in the Horde, or maybe she just wasn't used to nice or comforting things.

There was a stiff bed made for one, a grey steel vanity to the right that came with a matching chair, and blankets at the edge of the bed. The girl's uniform for the next day, sitting on said chair. Her small amount of grooming and beauty items on the counter space and in front of the mirror.

Adora had never really been one for getting dressed up, but she did take care in making sure she was presentable or having a secure ponytail.

In front of her, right now, she sees how being in the Rebellion changed her. But for the better, not for the worst like she had thought all these years.

She broke out of her thoughts after hearing a wince coming out of the blonde. She looked over to see the girl holding her right arm.

"Sorry, I have just been a little sore since that encounter with Prime's ships," she assured her.

She nodded slowly and chuckled, "I mean, hey, if I was going to go out and beat up Horde Prime's ships and win... I think I would be sore too."

"True," she chuckled.

She smiled and watched as the girl moved her hair to the side. She remembered that time Adora ran out of the ship and destroyed Prime's ships. She did it for her. 

She did it for her friends. 

But there was still something nagging in her head.

This princess looked much different than before. She was used to seeing a dorky tall princess with a tiara and shorts. But the person she saw the other day, that was someone else. She didn't look much like a princess.

In her opinion, she looked more like a warrior.

Catra stood up, "Adora? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can," she said while massaging her arm.

"I saw you transform in front of my own eyes. I mean, I have seen you do it before. When we were in the Fright Zone after Princess Prom, but this time, you didn't look the same. You looked taller, and you didn't have the same dorky skirt and hair. You looked like a completely different person. You also made a sword appear out of thin air, which was also different. So I guess my question is, what happened to you that caused to give She-Ra a different look?"

Adora froze, unsure how to answer.

But there was a clear start in all of this.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to." The feline assured her.

"N-no," she held out her hand in front of her, assuring her. She took a deep breath, "No, I'll tell you" she walked back towards her bed.

"Okay," she nodded as she followed her.

Adora explained about what happened on Etheria, right before Horde Prime came in and took over. She talked about Scorpia reconnecting with the Black Garnet, which caused the activation of the Heart of Etheria.

She talked about the information Entrapta had given her while they were in Beast Island. The information that explained what the Heart of Etheria was. And how in the end, it was up to She-Ra or Adora to fire the unstable mass of magic. She talked about what happened to Mara and Light Hope, the ultimate act of betrayal in her opinion.

Catra looked away before sitting down. "That's why Sparkles told me that Light Hope used her. She betrayed her" she took a glimpse of the girl.

Adora nodded. "Light Hope betrayed Mara. Lied to her about what the Heart of Etheria truly did."

"So, what did you do when you found all of this out?"

"I had to stop it."

"What did you do?"

"When I got there, Light Hope was already getting to work. She moved us out of the shadow dimension that we were in and into the wider universe."

She gasped, "That's why there were so many stars..."

She nodded, "When it came time to fire it, she was trying too hard to make me raise my sword against my will. I fought hard because it was right. She told me that that it was my destiny. But I knew that wasn't it. So, I fought. I told her that I wasn't going to be a weapon, I wasn't going to be controlled by her, and what others expected me to do. That was not my destiny. I fought against her powers until she let go. I turned my sword around and slammed it hard into the ground. I shattered it, stopping the Heart of Etheria."

"You decided to give up all your power?" she bit her lip.

"i-" she sucked in her breath. "I loved being She-Ra. She was a being of pure magic, someone I could rely on. But I didn't think about my actions at the moment. I just had to do what was right," she sighed.

Catra nodded. "So what happened next?"

The girl went on to explain how they lost Bright Moon to Horde Prime. He kept attacking, bombing, sending in bots. In the end, they could not protect it. They left.

She went on to explain her struggles with not being She-Ra, her nightmares, and her feelings about what Glimmer had done in the end.

"I spent the next couple of weeks trying to get a good sense of life now that I wasn't She-Ra. It took me a while to get used to fighting without my sword or my powers. I was still recklessly running into battle. I guess I was stuck in that mindset because I wanted to rescue Glimmer."

"So you went into space... where in the end, I helped her escape" She played with the grey sheets of the bed.

She sighed as she nodded.

"So, how did She-Ra come back? Or what led to She-Ra coming back."

She bit her lip and laid herself on the stiff bed. She explained about the ship running out of fuel, how they had to stop at a deserted planet to find the crystals that they needed, and how in the end, they met the Star Siblings.

"Two sisters and one brother?" she turned to her.

She nodded, "Starla, Tallstar, and Jewelstar. All siblings and from the same destroyed planet. We all worked together to get the fuel crystals since they needed them as well. Entrapta helped us navigate through the rough crystal caves. She told us whenever there were earthquakes about to happen. While we were in these caves, Jewelstar and Starla went with Bow and Glimmer across this opening to get the fuel crystals. I stayed with Tallstar to hold open the opening we came through and had to exit through."

"So what happened next?"

"Well, this is when I had my first glimpse of She-Ra's magic again."

"Oh?"

"The bridge that we created started to become unstable, and Bow and Glimmer were stuck on the other side. The opening that we came through started to crumble under the weight of all the earthquakes and Tallstar ended falling. I grew mad."

"At Tallstar?"

"No... at Prime. And myself" the blonde sat up. "But that's beside the point. I was furious. I guess I was mad at Prime because he was hurting our home, he had taken Glimmer, and you were there.." she trailed off.

"Adora?"

"A small spark of She-ra's magic helped me break the crystal to a wider opening. Glimmer grabbed the crystals that we needed, and we headed out."

"I think we both know what happens next" the feline wrapped her tail around her waist.

"Hey, I don't blame you for that," she nudged her.

"I know, I know. But I still caused you pain. Probably the same amount I caused you during the war." she looked away.

"You may think that way, but I don't see it like that. I just see you as the person who brought She-ra back right now."

"What?" she picked her head up towards her.

Adora nodded and looked away, "When I kept seeing little glimpses of you coming back, trying to break out of Prime's hivemind. I was hopeful, thinking I could reach you. You reached out to me, but Prime did not like that. After he made you jump, I held you."

"I-I... I don't remember that" the feline looked up towards her.

"I know. You were on the verge of death. I don't expect you to remember." she looked down at her hands as she picked at her nails. "But, you were slowly breathing slower, you were wheezing, and all I felt was anger, sadness, and guilt."

"Guilt?"

"I was feeling guilty at the fact that I had to leave you in the Horde all those years. With that action, I thought that was how it was going to end. That our story was going to end right there."

"So, how did She-Ra come back?"

"I had all this anger, drive to take Prime down. To make him hurt like I was hurting. All of a sudden, I just felt this power going through me. And before I knew it, I was She-ra. Taking down everyone in my sight," she moved her hands back to her sides.

"Damn," the feline chuckled.

"So that costume change you're talking about came from that moment. Well, She-Ra's magic started before that, but I didn't get the clothes until I was with you."

"Hm," Catra leaned against her. "So, do you know what the trigger is to all of this?"

"I-" she looked towards the feline that laid against her shoulder. "Maybe... don't know."

"What do you think it is?"

"Well-" she started.

"What's the trigger into making you transform, is the better way to put it."

"Hm." she turned to the feline. She sang,

"Since the moment I fell into the Crystal Well

Whenever my emotions swell

I set off a magic spell."

She stood up, leaving the feline to perk up. "So you think your emotions are causing all of this?" she looked up.

"Think about it. The crystal caverns are where I got the first glimpse of my powers again. That's where it started for me. Think back to what I said about you. I had all these emotions at that moment. It brought She-ra back" she shrugged.

She sang,

"It is wondrous if I'm elated, or proud, or glad

But if I'm anxious or mad, or sad

It can turn out really bad."

She looked to the side, bring a hand to her chest. "So, with that being said, I have to do what I must until I can get these new powers under control."

"Oh? What are you planning to do then?"

Adora bit her lip, she knew that Catra was not going to like or understand what she was about to say. She sang,

"The only thing to do to keep those around me safe

Is lock my feelings up inside and make sure they don't escape"

This drew Catra to her feet.

The blonde sang,

"I must hide all my emotion

For they cause too much commotion

From now on, stay cool and calm, no waves in this here ocean."

She grabbed ahold of the girl's hands as she sang,

"So get used to the notion

Of this new path, I have chosen:

Keep my feelings to myself, they're better left unspoken."

"I'm not saying that I disagree, but your feelings, Adora. That's what makes you, you. You think with your heart and your gut. That's how you have always been. Shouldn't you focus on that?" the feline asked as she gripped onto her forearms.

"I can't rely much on that anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because Prime used that against me!" Adora pulled herself away.

"W-what?" Catra watched as the girl walked back to the bed.

She covered her mouth and shook her head.

"What are you talking about?"

She uncovered her mouth and sang,

"There's one topic that certainly will make me blue

I'm talking about you-know-who

And everything he put us through."

"Adora..." the feline sighed quietly.

The blonde froze at the mention of her name, but she continued to sing,

"It is better if I never hear his name at all

Or else the past I will recall

And set off another magic squall."

Her eyes glowed a bright blue, her anger sparking up her magic.

Catra's eyes widen at the sight of the girl's eyes. She quickly took ahold of her hand to help calm her down. She rubbed her thumb against her soft skin.

Adora noticed and quickly blinked her eyes fast, causing the glowing to go away. She sang,

"The only thing to do to keep those around me safe

Is lock my feelings up inside and make sure they don't escape"

'You've got it all wrong, dummy....' the feline thought to herself.

She watched as the girl held her hands close, not letting go.

Adora sang,

"I must hide all my emotion

For they cause too much commotion

From now on, stay cool and calm, no waves in this here ocean."

The feline frowned. 'What are you thinking?" she thought to herself.

Adora thought back to how Prime kept calling the feline, "Her Catra..."

Prime knew the feline was her weakness in some way. She used her as a bargaining chip.

She had to stop using her feelings in that way. If people start noticing, what happened with Prime can happen to anyone. Another villain like him could easily use anyone in her life.

For now, she had to try.

She looked back to the girl in front of her and placed a hand onto her cheek.

Catra flinched but relaxed at the warmth of it. Not cold or hard like Shadow Weaver's or Prime's hand. She knew this was Adora's tactic of getting the girl to listen. She looked up towards the girl with wide eyes.

The blonde sang,

"So get used to the notion

Of this new path, I have chosen:

Keep my feelings to myself. They're better left unspoken."

Catra placed a hand on top of hers and sighed, "I can't stop what you're thinking, right?"

She nodded in agreement as she sang,

"No waves in this ocean

Leave it all unspoken."

The feline nodded and sighed softly, "Adora, you may think that your emotions are your downfall. At some points, it can be." she pulled the girl's hand away from her cheek. 'I, for one, did take advantage of your emotions during the war. I am not going to deny that. But you are who you are because of how you think."

The blonde looked down towards her and sighed, "I don't want people to get hurt on my behalf. What. What if I blind myself-"

Catra quickly hugged her, causing the other to stop rambling. She shook her head, "You got it wrong, dummy."

She hesitated but hugged her back, holding her former feline friend close. The smaller figure against hers. She had cradled the smaller body when they were coming back from Prime's ship, but now, she was hugging her. A hug that she did not pull away from.

-----

Adora was the first one to break the silence and the embrace after a few minutes, "We should get some sleep. We have quite the day tomorrow. "

"Yeah, I strangely feel tired," she lied, but she knew the girl needed sleep more than her. Right now, she just needed to sort through what just happened in the past moment.

"Come on then," she smiled. "You can get yourself comfortable while I get the lights off."

Catra sat herself down on the right side of the bed and watched as the blonde walked to the light switches. She looked back down to the bed, 'How does she want me to sleep on here?'

The blonde flipped the three switches back down to turn off the different light fixtures, letting the room go dark. The only source of light being the stars and the little lines on the ways that glowed purple, blue, and pink.

She turned back to the bed and noticed the feline looking lost. She giggled, "What?"

"I uh..." she blushed softly. "I don't know how you want me to sleep."

"Whatever you are comfortable with."

She chuckled, "You really are trying to make me feel comfortable" she laid down on her back.

"Well, if others aren't going to treat you well, I am going to have to pick up the slack for them," she admitted as sat down beside her.

The feline noticed her and turned to face her, "Even if I deserve all the hate?"

"No one deserves to be hated. Well, depends on who the person is. I'm just making up the fact that I left you." she laid down beside her. "Because I missed you, Catra."

Catra tried not to gasp at the girl lying beside her. She moved closer as she sighed, "As much as I didn't want to admit it, but I did miss you," she tried to avoid the girl's glance by looking away, rubbing her tail against the other's leg.

She smiled as she blushed softly, "Good night, Cat..."

She finally looked back to the girl and was met with the girl's gaze. She blushed softly and by instinct, snuggled closer into her former blonde best friend. A grip that she knew would be warm and comforting. She closed her eyes, "Good night, Adora."

Adora gasped but wrapped her arms around her feline friend, holding her close. She remembered doing the same thing right around the time she freed Catra from her chip. They both had a restless night, so Catra invited her to go sleep with her.

This seems to be routine now. As if, now that they are back together, under the same place, they want to fall back into old patterns. The patterns they were used to in the Horde. But they're still getting used to their new lifestyle. Adora was still used to the Rebellion's lifestyle. The princesses, the castle. A whole new world that she was still getting used to.

Catra had been with the Horde, and she climbed the ranks. She was still used to that lifestyle. And by what Glimmer told her when she first came back from Horde Prime, she tried to do the same.

If Catra was able to come to join the Rebellion, how would she react to it all? She initially didn't want to come to join them. What would happen now?

She looked back down towards the feline who still had her eyes close. She looked much different than she did when they were in the Horde together. But she also knew the haircut was involuntary.

As much as she missed her long hair, Catra still looked beautiful in her opinion. No matter what she or others thought.

She pulled the smaller figure closer as she sang, "Leave it all unspoken..." she slowly let her eyes droop close.

-----

Catra opened her eyes slowly and looked back at the sleeping blonde. She noticed their firm embrace, but she didn't want to pull away.

The warmth that she always seems to provide when she held her was enough for her. She snuggled in closer as she sang, "Unspoken..." she wrapped her tail around the others. She closed her eyes once again, letting her sleepiness take over.

For the first time in a long time, the two girls stayed asleep for the whole night.

Resting in each other's grip. 

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

"I don't know what else to tell you, Cat! I have told you over and over the same thing!" Adora exclaimed as she stood by the front door of their castle home.

She made the mistake of trying to settle out their fight after a couple of days of not talking to one another much.

The feline seemed to keep pulling away from Adora, not listening to what she had to say when she talked about the Crimson Waste. She seemed to just micro analyze her statements.

"Okay, okay, but why would Huntara help you-"

"Because I'm her friend, Cat!" She groaned.

"Well, I'm sorry if I want to know if my wife is sleeping with someone else-"

"But you know I am not capable of doing that. Hurting you or the kids." she hissed. She shook her head, "I have and never will sleep with someone else. Let alone flirt with another girl that isn't you!" she inched closer towards the feline.

"Here you are, making all these promises, but I can't accept it right now," Catra sighed.

"I promised my life with you, and I did just that! I'm not going to forget all that."

"I accepted that promise, but I don't have solid evidence-"

"When is my word going to be enough for you! When are the words from my mouth going to be enough?" She teared up.

"When I know for sure!" Catra hissed.

Adora scoffed and quickly wiped her cheeks. She knew the girl wasn't going to listen to a single word until she heard what she wanted, or at least she thought she wanted. "You know what. I'm done for tonight" she walked over towards the living room couches and picked up a blanket. "I don't want the kids to wake up to us fighting."

"Adora-" the feline turned towards her, quickly changing her tone.

"Good night, Catra," Adora simply stated as she walked up the spiral staircase, back to her guest room.

Catra sighed, "Good night..." she shook her head as sat herself back down on the brown leather couches.
————————————————————————
A couple of weeks past and Catra sighed as she sat down in the living room area, waiting for her kids to get home from school.

The feline family was left alone once again.

This time with Adora leaving on a week-long mission that she did not need to attend. But she wanted to give Catra space.

Before the girl left, they tried once again to talk through the events that took place when Adora first got home.

There was a lot of yelling, back-talking, walking away, and one line being crossed.

The line being, Catra slapped Adora.

No scratch marks. Just a big slap across her face.

The blonde was deeply hurt by it. Of course, they had their fights before, but it was never really physical. Mostly yelling and getting mad. But a line was crossed when Catra slapped her on a whim.

The next day, Adora left a note for the feline, telling her that she was leaving to the Northern Reach and then Plumeria on her way back.

It upset Catra for days, but she also knew it was her fault for driving her away. If Adora didn't cheat on her before, she probably has now.

Melog, now the size of a house cat, rested on the feline's lap, purring against her for comfort. They could feel the mixed emotions she was feeling.

Adora was still on her mind, her kids, the work she has due at the end of the week for Glimmer. Just too much to handle at that moment.

For now, she would try to focus on her kids getting home and making them dinner.

The two felines perked up at the noise of the front door's doorknob moving around.

Catra slowly moved her magical pet off her lap and chuckled, "I'm coming! I'm coming!" she rushed over to the door to help the person struggling.

She walked over and unlocked the second lock, causing the door to open. She pulled it open, expecting to see one of her kittens. "How was-" she cut herself off at the sight of someone new. She gasped.

Adora, back from her mission a day early, stood there instead. Her bags plopped next to her.

"Adora...?" she backed up. "I-I-"

"Hey Catra." she rubbed her arm.

"W-what are you doing here?"

"I-I want to talk to you... I can't keep giving you the silent treatment, and I miss you" she looked away.

Catra looked away and sighed softly.

Seeing Adora right now did hurt. But she knew the blonde was hurting just as much, if not more.

If Adora came back early to talk, then it had to be worth it.

Right?

The feline nodded, "Come inside." 
-----------------
Catra took a deep breath as she walked back to the kitchen, "I just made some fresh coffee if you would like some"

"Uh, no thanks. I had some earlier" she cleared her throat, walking up to the stone kitchen counter.

"Well, I guess I can wait a little bit. Just so that I can talk to you..." she met her on the other side of the counter.

The air between them still stale as ever. Both of them unsure of what to say or start with.

The blonde looked down at her hands and played with her wedding band.

Both kept looking down towards their hands, taking secret glances at one another.

Catra watched as the other kept playing with her ring. A nervous tick of hers. 

She could see the girl still tense and nervous to be around her.

Of course, it was her fault.

She took a deep breath and sighed, "Adora, I... I am so sorry for what I did to you a few days ago."

"What?" Adora snapped out of her thoughts, looking back up towards her feline wife.

"It was never in my intentions to hurt you the way I did. The both of us fought. And it got worse. But I never wanted to hurt you the way I did, and I crossed a major line when I slapped you. And for that, I am so so sorry. You had a right to feel hurt. So I guess it was also right of you to run away on another mission" she hugged herself. "But you also hurt me."

"W-what?"

"First, it was you coming late. You didn't leave me a message or anything. Then, you ran away. You left again" she shook her head. "You didn't even say goodbye. You left on a week-long mission, and all you left me was a note. I know we were fighting. I know you are mad at me, but I was hurt at that moment. You left me with the kids, and they were even more worried."

She shook her head in disbelief, "Cat, that was never my intention-"

"Funny how intentions work isn't it" she looked away, rubbing her arm.

The blonde looked away and sighed. "Cat, this all started because of one mistake I made. But not the mistake you think it is. I came home late. No warning. No advisement. Just silence. You had every right to be mad at me. I admit that now and will always. But you accused me of something so awful. So cruel. Something you know I am not capable of doing."

"How do I know that you aren't cap-"

"Because I promised my life with you, Cat!" she shouted as if they were starting up the same argument again.

"Well, you broke a promise a long time ago-"

She smacked her hand against the counter space. "You keep pulling the promise card, but I will not stand for it anymore."

The feline's tail flicked sharply to the side, but she backed up, hugging herself.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "I have a family with you, Cat. I have given you everything you and I have wanted." Adora pounded a fist against the surface. "We have three beautiful kids together. We have been married for almost 18 years! I wouldn't trade any of that for orgasms that would last 15 seconds. You are everything to me, and I will never stop saying that because it's true. You have always been enough for me, and I don't need to go seeking someone else. I have and always will only love you."

"Adora, I-"

"I love you. I love you so much that it hurt when you slapped me. It hurt to leave for that week-long mission, but I did it because you didn't want to talk to me" her hand clenched her chest. "It made me feel furious, and hurt, and disappointed, and I miss you. And I'm angry at myself for missing you. But I can't give up everything I have worked for in my life because that would mean giving up on you."

Catra struggled to get any type of words out. She felt conflicted, but the girl had truth to what she was saying.

If she could go back and take back her initial accusation, she would do it in a heartbeat.

In reality, Adora had never thought of cheating on her. She always felt uncomfortable with people flirting with her around her. Sure it would feel nice, but she would never engage in it. And Catra knew that. But she felt that now that they were getting older and Adora was getting more bored, maybe she was trying new things.

When Finn put the initial idea of her cheating on her in her head, she took it and started convincing herself that it might be true.

But here Adora was right now and weeks before saying that it was false.

Now was the time to do what was right.

She watched as the girl tapped her finger against the marble stone counter.

She reached over and placed a hand over the anxious hand. She swallowed hard, "I'm so sorry, Adora. I never meant to make you feel the way you did. I-" she cut herself off, searching for the right words. "I love you too, my love. And I always have. This idiotic idea of you cheating on me or leaving me has always been in the back of my head. So when someone suggested that you might be cheating, it was like a flip of a switch, and all of a sudden, I was in panic mode. I never meant to make you feel the way you did. You had every right to walk away. And you get to be mad at me. But just know. I'm sorry."

Adora looked up and was met with her feline wife's gaze. Her mismatched eyes fixed on her. That was enough to make the other girl tear up. All she wanted was the feline to understand her.

The apology felt genuine.

But now, it was her turn to make things right.

She took the feline's hand into hers, lacing them together. "I'm sorry too. I know my promises and apologies might not have the same impact anymore since I broke your trust in the Horde. But my love, try to believe that I am so deeply sorry for leaving you with no answer from me that day."

"I know. You made a mistake, and it was an accident. I understand that now. I have started to trust you. An example of that is me being married to you and having babies" she looked back down at their hands, smiling.

Adora chuckled, "Cat-"

"Yeah?" She looked up, biting her lip.

The blonde rubbed her thumb against her knuckles. "I meant every word I said right now. You have always been enough for me."

"I am?" Catra perked up, a slight blush coming onto her cheeks.

She nodded softly and walked over. She wrapped her arms around her from behind and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Emotionally." she leaned down and pressed a kiss on her shoulder, "Intimately." She chuckled. "And everything else between. I'm never going to find another person like you anywhere else."

Catra teared up as the girl put her head down on her shoulder, holding her close. She couldn't help but purr against the familiar warmth of her blonde wife.

A touch she missed so much. It was not sexual or inappropriate. It was just warm and loving.

Adora teared up once again as she held the feline close to her. This was all she wanted when she first came home late, to hold her wife close once again. To feel the familiar warmth. She rubbed her cheek against hers.

Catra turned around and looked up towards her wife. "I love you, and I'm sorry again."

The blonde smiled softly, "I'm sorry too, and I love you too."

Catra placed a hand on the other girl's cheek, admiring the girl's face before her.

The fair skin with soft wrinkles, still breathtaking as ever.

Signs of aging.

The big blue eyes that made her different from everyone.

"What?" Adora giggled as she placed a hand on top of hers.

The feline bit her lip excitedly, knowing something still felt like it was missing. "I believe I owe you something."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." she snorted.

"Well, shut up and let me do it" the feline rolled her eyes playfully as she snorted.

She laughed and nodded.

Catra leaned in slowly and locked lips with the girl gently.

Adora gasped but gladly accepted the other's kiss, kissing her back. She moved her hands down, holding her waist close.

She giggled, letting her arms wrap around the other's neck. She pulled her lips away gently and smiled widely.

Adora opened her eyes and blushed madly, "What?" She chuckled.

"Welcome home, my love..." she chuckled, kissing her once again.

"It's good to be home" she smiled softly as she kissed her back.

"Hello? Is anyone home! Mom?" A voice from the living room made the wives pull away from their kiss, still holding each other close.

Adora smiled softly, "I guess we better get out there..." she whispered.

"Yeah.." she blushed softly. "But think about it. You get to sleep in your bed tonight," she winked as she pulled away, making her way out of the kitchen area.

"And with the one person, I desperately have wanted to see." She blushed as she followed.

Catra blushed softly as she froze, catching a glimpse of her wife, "Yes, my love. Whatever you want" she smiled. She looked into the living room area, "Kids! Guess who's home?"

Chapter Text

Catra sighed as she sat up, not being able to sleep once again after a nightmare that woke her up from her deep sleep.

Of course, a dream about the former Shadow Weaver would scare her awake.

The former sorceress was gone for years.

But it seemed that she still had a hold on her.

Especially now that she has a family.

She turned to the sleeping blonde, dressed in a simple grey sweater and fuzzy pants, next to her and envied the way she could sleep.

She slowly and quietly moved the sheets off her legs, getting up from the soft, plush bed.

But her wife was still as sensitive as ever, turning onto her other side as she felt the sudden movement.

The feline quickly froze in her place, preparing to explain to the blonde what she was doing awake.

But she didn't have to.

Adora pulled the covers closer to her chest, adjusting herself to her new position.

She released a breath in relief and quickly made her way out of their bedroom, closing the door behind her quietly.

'What to do now?' she thought to herself as she looked down the long, dimly lit hallway.

Her family was asleep, and Melog was in the shed with Swift Wind.

She sighed to herself once again.

'Catra...' a voice she thought she heard say.

She quickly turned around, thinking the former sorceress was around. She looked back towards her tail, noticing how fuzzed-up it got. She smoothed it out.

Her paranoia was worse at night, especially after her nightmares.

'She's not here... she's not here," she thought to herself as she closed her eyes.

'Come on, Catra. Get a grip on yourself' she hissed.

At times like this, she didn't know what to do. 

But for now, she just needed to get out of the mindset that her dead mother figure was somehow alive.

She walked down the staircase of their castle home, turning on the lights behind her.

'It was just a nightmare, Catra. She's not here. She's been gone for years. She's not going to come back all of a sudden,' she told herself as she stepped into the living room area. 'No matter how powerful she is'

She looked around, turning on the main light. She scanned the room for a shadow or anything that resembled the woman.

"You have no power over me now," she said in the open space. "I have the life I have always wanted. A life and a family that I was able to control" 

She continued towards the backyard door, "I married the girl of my dreams, the love of my life, the mother of our kids... she just happens to be your golden child" She chuckled.

It was funny to her once she thought about it. Shadow Weaver was always holding Catra away from Adora. Marrying her was just a 'screw you' in the face.

The outcast and the golden girl getting married and having kids. That definitely would have killed her just at the mention of it.

She opened the door to the backyard space, "You know, it's funny. When we first found out we were going to have Finn, I freaked out. Yeah, I was happy but worried,"

She stepped into the cold night air, pulling her robe closer together. "I was afraid that I was going to be like you. That no matter how much I tried, there would be a moment where I would be a cold-hearted bitch like you. But then I realized something. The two main reasons that you were able to treat me the way you did was because you didn't want me around Adora, or since I wasn't your kid, I was worth nothing to you."

She hugged herself as she walked towards the blonde's rose garden to the side.

"As we get older, you seem to be on my mind a lot more. But this needs to stop" she moved some of her loose mane to the side. She sat down on the wooden bench in front of one of the rose bushes. "Because Adora isn't you, and we as mothers are not you" she leaned back against the bench.

She released a breath as a cold breeze ran under her robe, "We aren't going to abandon things."

She looked down towards her hands, taking out her claws.

One of the main ways she was able to take her down before the Battle of Bright Moon.

She took a deep breath, singing softly,

"And all I remember is your back

Walking towards the airport, leaving us all in your past."

She looked back up towards the bush in front of her, her mane still flowing in the cold air.

Shadow Weaver leaving her at the Fright Zone after building up her trust was one of the most impactful things in her opinion.

It was one of the main reasons she turned to evil, especially after the portal.

She sang,

"I traveled fifteen hundred miles to see you

Begged you to want me, but you didn't want to."

She teared up, thinking about the past times. Thinking about the times that the former sorceress would pick other people before her.

Either it was Adora or someone else.

She was always the runt.

She never really thought any good of herself.

Second or last place.

Hell, she sacrificed herself because she didn't see any more value in her, just a bargaining chip.

But that changed the minute Adora rescued her.

She was given a second chance, and she took it.

She smiled at the thought of her blonde wife. She sang,

"But piece by piece, she collected me up

Off the ground, where you abandoned things."

She sniffled, wiping under her eyes.

She thought back to different moments during the war. The times where they were still on the spaceship, trying to fix up the broken friendship.

It wasn't hard at all.

Adora wanted to fix things.

So did she.

That made it easy.

She sang,

"Piece by piece, she filled the holes that you burned in me. At six years old."

She brought her knees to her chest, letting her tail fall on the top of her feet. She sang,

"and you know

She never walks away

She never asks for money

She takes care of me

She loves me."

She did not doubt that Adora was not like Shadow Weaver. Adora thought with her heart, her gut. She was the example of someone who deserved all the love in the world. Someone who doesn't compare or hate.

A true lover and wife.

She put her head down on her knees as she sang,

"Piece by piece, she restored my faith

That a woman can be kind and a mother could stay."

She released a breath.

Stay.

The blonde did that.

She did that after the Heart of Etheria. 

Shadow Weaver didn't. She didn't stay in the Fright Zone. She built up her trust and used it against her. It got her sent to the Crimson Waste. 

In the end, Adora upheld and kept her promise.

She brought her home.

But why now? Why, after having a family, giving herself a name, is the former lady still haunting her dreams once again?

Could it be unfinished business?

She sang,

"And all of your words fall flat

I made something of myself, and now you wanna come back."

She shook her head. Her family was single handily one of the most important things in her life.

The family that she and her wife decided to have.

They weren't forced to have kids.

But they wanted to have them.

Thinking about Shadow Weaver, that may also be one of the main distinctions between them.

She sang,

"But your love, it isn't free. It has to be earned.

She looked away, remembering one of the many times she was cast aside because Adora was number one. She sighed before singing, 

Back then, I didn't have anything you needed, so I was worthless."

'Worthless' was probably one of Shadow Weaver's favorite words to use at her. 

But now that she was free from that woman's grasp, she saw the true meaning and value of her life.

That there truly were people who wanted her for her.

People that enjoyed her presence.

But there was one person she had to thank for that.

Adora.

The girl who would pull her to the side, wrap her up in her arms, press a kiss against her lips, and state for hours, how important she was to her.

She smiled at the thought of her blonde wife, getting up from her bench. She walked down the stone marble walkway as she sang,

"But piece by piece, she collected me up

Off the ground, where you abandoned things."

She looked up towards the sky, seeing the clear sky with the brightly lit stars.

She took a deep breath as she walked, singing,

"Piece by piece, she filled the holes that you burned in me. At six years old."

She wrapped her arms around herself, hugging herself as comfort.

The cold winter air blowing through her loose mane and robe once again.

She sang as she kept walking,

"and you know

She never walks away

She never asks for money

She takes care of me

'Cause she loves me."

She closed her eyes as she felt the tears well up once again, trying not to become emotional.

Love was such a powerful emotion.

Maybe if Shadow Weaver loved her, it might have been different between them.

There wouldn't be as much resentment towards one another while they were in the Horde.

Adora was all love. Either it was towards her, Finn, or Mara.

Something Shadow Weaver wasn't.

She walked past the small waterfall that led into a lit-up pond. She sang,

"Piece by piece, she restored my faith

That a woman can be kind and a mother could stay."

She finally let some of her tears fall as she kept making her way around the backyard area.

Life was so much more different than she expected it to be.

She never expected to be in love and be married to the love of her life.

She never expected to have kids with Adora.

She never expected to be out of the Horde and enjoying the free world.

She never expected to be a part of a family.

She expected one day to either rule the world with Adora or be killed because of Shadow Weaver.

She had the life she thought she didn't deserve at first.

She sang softly,

"Piece by piece"

But at this moment, she had to see the good. Everything she has right now is good.

Her marriage, friends, and kids.

There it was.

The difference between her and Shadow Weaver once again.

She willingly had kids. She had kids and wanted to give them the best life possible. The life that her and her wife didn't get.

The one they didn't deserve to have, is what Shadow Weaver said to them.

It was all lies.

She stopped in her tracks as she sang,

"Piece by piece, I fell far from the tree

I will never leave them like you left me."

That was a promise. What kind of mother would she be if she left her kids?

She never wanted them to feel the pain she went through when Shadow Weaver betrayed her trust and escaped.

The anger, the fear, and the pain.

She turned back to the castle home, making her way back. She sang,

"And they will never have to wonder their worth

Because unlike you, I'm gonna put them first."

No child should ever have to go through that pain.

The feeling of being compared to your siblings. The feeling of being second best or the last place.

Her kids would always be number one.

There was no comparison.

They were special in their ways.

That was the difference between her and Shadow Weaver.

The fact that she could see that each child is special in their way. Not putting one on a pedestal and having everyone else try to be them.

She already went through that with Adora.

Like hell, if she was going to do that with their kids.

And Adora... her Adora.

The former golden child is now the savior of the universe. But she never really let that get to her head.

This blonde was so much more different than the former sorceress.

There wasn't even a comparison.

She is an amazing mother to the kids. And a great lover.

She put a hand on her chest as she kept thinking about her wife. She sang,

"and you know

She'll never walk away

She'll never break their hearts

She'll take care of things. She'll love them."

She let out a small sob as she stopped walking. She shook her head, placing her face in her hands.

It was sad for her to think like that. To make all these promises to herself just because she was so fucked up from her childhood.

But just like her promise with Adora from long ago, she was going to uphold her end of the bargain. She sang softly,

"Piece by piece, she restored my faith.

That a woman can be kind and a mother should be great."

She slowly picked up her head as she felt something falling on her shoulders. She gasped at the sight of fresh snow. She looked around, smiling.

Snow meant change.... a good chance if she remembered correctly.

Calm.

She watched as the small flecks of white landed on the ground around her. The cold air now being a little more harsh than earlier. She chuckled. 

She rubbed her arms as she finished making her way back to the entrance back into their castle home. She sang,

"Piece by piece"

She stepped back into their castle home, closing the door behind her. She smiled softly as she walked towards the nearest window.

She watched as the fresh snow started falling onto the blonde's rose garden and stone walkway.

"Your story is finished, Shadow Weaver...." she whispered. "But mine and Adora's... is still going."

Chapter Text

"Then let's do this. Together" Adora smiled as she held her friends close in their tight embrace.

Life was going to change for the Best Friend Squad. They were going to experience a world where there wasn't war going on everywhere they turned.

Glimmer with the help of her dad was going to go back to running a kingdom and helping repair Etheria. Bow was going to be able to share his experiences with his dads and maybe even have a real relationship with them. Catra was going to be able to learn what Etheria truly is like, not the version that she learned in the Horde. Adora was finally going to be able to put her sword and her guard down and be able to learn how to relax.

There was plenty of things they needed to work on, with each other and with themselves. But for now, they could celebrate the end of the ongoing war. They could move on with their lives and just enjoy each other.

They could go back home.

The group pulled away, Catra and Adora still hand in hand.

Glimmer caught sight of them and smirked, "What is that I see?"

"What?" the two girls spoke at the same time. They looked towards one another.

"That!" she pointed to their hands.

The blonde and the feline looked down towards their adjourning hands and blushed.

Catra looked up together with the blonde, "I guess it was just second nature for me. I mean, I did grab your hand on that spaceship several times."

"Yeah, you did..." she smiled.

Bow noticed them and chuckled, "What is going on with you two?"

The two girls looked at each other shyly.

After Catra's declaration of love and the kiss that ultimately helped reawaken She-Ra, the two of them couldn't help and want each other the way they have been wanting to. That's why Catra seek for the blonde after she took down Prime.

They both couldn't forget the first moment of true peace they felt when they did find each other. They put their foreheads together and relax under each other's touch.

What could they tell their friends? That they finally declared their love for one another? Could Adora get judged for it? Would they be against it?

"I-" Adora tried to start. She looked for the right words. "At the Heart, I almost died. I was hurt from Prime's virus, and I couldn't wake up."

Glimmer and Bow gasped. "So we were right when the Heart under the ground started acting up. We thought you died down there, or that the failsafe didn't work?" the queen asked as the boy wrapped a supporting arm around her.

The blonde nodded and looked towards the feline, "But there was one person who reminded me that I was worth more than I could give to other people."

"What?" Catra turned to her.

"I saw Mara before all of the Heart of Etheria stuff happened. She talked to me and held my hands. She asked me what was the purpose of what I was doing. I told her that it was my duty. If I died, it was my duty as She-Ra. She told me that was not my destiny and not my purpose. That I was worth more than what I could give to other people. That I deserved love too..."

Bow felt tears form in his eyes, "So, how were you able to activate the failsafe?"

Adora pulled the feline close, yet she had a hard time forming the words in mind.

Catra bit her lip as she watched the blonde struggle to state what happened between the two of them. 

Her heart seem to beat faster and harder, her cheeks and tips of her ears heating up. 

She would have exploded right there, but she simply wrapped her tail around the girl's leg.

The blonde smiled, "I-"

"We love each other! I told her that I loved her, and she told me that she loved me back!" the feline exclaimed. "SO I KISSED HER"

"That's how the failsafe activated. Our love for each other helped heal us up and helped give me the power to stop Prime."

Bow and Glimmer smiled widely and looked towards each other. They laughed softly.

"What?" Catra asked as her tail twitched. 

"Oh, we knew that there was something between you two. You two were always too close to be just best friends." the sparkly girl smirked.

The two girls blushed madly and turned to each other.

"What's going to happen to you two now?" the boy asked.

Adora smiled and blushed, "Well, there is one thing I want to do for sure."

"What is that?" the feline answered back.

"This" she leaned down and pressed a kiss onto the girl's lips. She pulled her waist close.

Catra was taken by surprise, but she gladly enjoyed the kiss provided by the girl she had loved for years.

The tension from before still there. The kiss still as soft as it was in the Heart. Maybe even sweeter.

Taking in the moment of peace even more.

She kissed her back as she wrapped her arms around her neck.

Their friends gasped and laughed. They couldn't help but be happy for their friends. If anyone in the world deserved to be loved in this way, it was Adora. Someone that is going to ground her and make her feel wanted.

Make her feel loved in more ways than one. 

Bow looked towards Glimmer. Ever since they expressed their love for each other, they hadn't talked about it. But he knew they would when they had a chance. Their relationship was just starting.

The girls pulled away and blushed. "You are such a dork," the feline laughed.

"Well, now I'm your dork so..."

Glimmer laughed, "She got you there, Horde Scum," she nudged her.

"Is this how it's going to be for you two?" she looked at her other friends. "Are you two going to tease us?"

They took a glimpse of each other and burst out laughing. "Oh yeah," Glimmer said before hunching over.

The feline chuckled and turned back to the girl beside her.

"Adora?" Perfuma called from behind the group.

The rest of the celebrating princesses and their partners coming up behind her.

Adora turned to her and smiled, "Hi guys..."

They smiled and quickly ran to her. They hugged her tightly.

Melog meowed loudly as they caught sight of their feline owner. They tackled her to the ground.

"Melog! I'm fine!" She smiled.

Micah chuckled as he looked towards the blonde, "I think most of us are wondering how you were able to do most of this" he motioned to the colorful land in front of them.

"Well, I couldn't have done it on my own," she smiled widely.

"Adora!" the girl's steed neighed happily.

The blonde looked over as she heard her name, excited to see her steed still okay. "Swift Wind!" she smiled as she pulled away from her friends. She rushed over, only for the horse to tackle her once again.

"Ah!" she chuckled softly.

"Sorry, I was just worried when I couldn't sense you when you were at the Heart, and I couldn't get to you-" he stopped rambling as the girl placed her hands on both sides of his face.

"Swifty, I'm fine! I'm better than ever" she pressed a kiss onto his nose.

Castaspella smiled but paused at the sight of someone missing. Someone rude but missing. She looked towards the blonde and the feline, "Wait. Where's Shadow Weaver?"

The feline froze at the mention of the name, thinking back to the events that happened maybe a couple of hours ago. 

"You're welcome..." rang in the feline's head. She stood herself up.

The group turned back to the lady as they felt Adora get tense, her face turning sad.

"Adora?" Catra looked at her with tears.

"I don't think she did," the blonde said, confirming the feline's suspicion.

The feline quickly hugged the girl in front of her, not caring if the others saw the tears before she was in her arms. She sniffled.

"I thought she was awful to them?" Mermista asked but was quickly hit by Netossa.

"Show some respect. That was one of the only people that was like a parental figure to them," Micah stated.

"Shadow Weaver came to save me when I was taken down by Prime's virus. But she chose to sacrifice herself when Catra needed help." Adora explained as she rubbed the feline's back.

Catra sniffled and sighed, "She wanted to do one last good thing" she looked towards the queen.

"Oh, Catra.." Glimmer shook her head.

Micah nodded, "We all don't agree with what Shadow Weaver before, and I didn't agree with how she handled things" he looked towards the girls. "But you have every right to feel upset about what happened."

Adora took a deep breath and looked towards the feline. "Nothing will change what she did to you and me, and her sacrificing does not change whatever she did in the past. The stuff she did to you when I left the Horde. The stuff she continued to do when she was staying in Bright Moon. The stuff she did to Glimmer, basically turning her against me. The abuse she put you through. She did a lot of unforgivable things, but the one thing I don't regret about her doing was letting you stay with me."

Catra sniffled and chuckled, "Yeah... I guess that is the one true good thing she has done for us" she smiled as a blush crept onto her face

"Now, why is that a good thing?" Frosta asked.

The girls looked back to one another before laughing.

"Catra? Adora?" Netossa asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh well... long story short. None of this," the blonde motioned to the land around them. "Was not possible without Catra."

"What?!" the group exclaimed.

"An ex-Horde soldier helped you... save the world?" Mermista crossed her arms.

Catra backed up, but the blonde stopped her.

"She is so much more than that. I can't speak for what she has done in the past. Hell, she did things to me that will take a while for me to get over. But what I know right now is that I love her, and she helped me realize that I am worth so much more" she smiled.

"You love her?" Scorpia chimed in. "Like romantically?"

Catra and Adora took a quick glimpse at one another and blushed. She chuckled, "Absolutely."

"Woah, I was not expecting that," Frosta stated.

"Now... I-I" she bit her lip nervously. "I know you guys might have some opinions about this. But I can't put my feelings on hold any longer. I did so during the war, and that's what led to my actions-"

"I love Adora. That may seem hard to see, but I love her. I have loved her since we were teenagers. Maybe even before that. But she truly.." she sighed as she glanced at the girl next to her. "She truly changed my life and will continue to. I know we have a lot to work through, but I will do it for her and myself..." she gripped the girl's hand. "But most importantly," she turned to the princesses. "For you guys. I hurt you guys deeply, and I am going to live with that burden. I know I won't be completely accepted yet, but if you would give me the chance. I would like to get to know the real you. Not the Horde's way of teaching me."

Glimmer stepped forward and placed a hand on the feline's shoulder, "We did it with Adora. You were all hesitant from the start. I know Catra did way more things than Adora did in the Horde. But I know Catra" she smiled. "She is just like Adora. She comes up with great plans, but most importantly, she thinks with her heart and her gut. She decided to sacrifice herself, so Adora didn't have to come to get me from Prime's ship, not knowing that Adora would still go back for her."

Bow stepped forward, "Glimmer and I got a first-hand experience of seeing Adora and Catra working together. Catra brings out a side of Adora that we have never seen before. She brings out the person we know she is. The fierce protector, loving, compassionate, and so much more. We forgave Catra, but we didn't forget what happened to everyone. But, I am willing to give her the chance to see who she is out of the Fright Zone. Out of the Horde"

Perfuma smiled towards the group, "I for one, don't mind having Catra with us. She has a lot of healing to do. With herself and with the people around her. I would do it for her in a healthy environment."

Catra gasped softly and tighten her grip on the blonde's hand.

Spinnerella and Netossa moved forward, "Catra convinced me that I would get Spinny back because she had first-hand experience of the chip and how Adora was able to save her from it. Now, I have Spinny back." She said as she smiled widely. "She helped me when she didn't have to. We might not have gotten along from the start, but now, I don't mind having her here" she nodded.

Entrapta looked back to Hordak and then back to Catra, "I forgave Catra for all she did to me, and I know now that she's different" she looked back to the feline and her friends. "She's not the same as she was in the Horde. I would know.." she smiled.

Catra chuckled and smiled. "Thanks, Entrapta"

"Even though she technically ruined Princess Prom, she wasn't a bad person when she came back to Etheria." Frosta chimed in. "I wouldn't mind getting to know her a little more."

The princesses chuckled.

Catra looked over to the mermaid princess who seemed to be one of the only people who looked truly baffled by this situation.

She knew she just had to be patient and let everything happen.

She took a deep breath, looking back to Mermista. "I know you have feelings towards me. Truly valid feelings. I hurt you the most. I came for your kingdom first and took over. You are allowed to hate me for however long or maybe forever. But do know that I am truly sorry for what I have done to you and your kingdom."

She looked back to the feline, who was supported and surrounded by her princess friends.

It was hard for her. Adora knew how much damage it caused her.

She just couldn't give in to the feline.

She needed time.

"I," she sighed. "Fine," she looked back away.

The feline looked back to the scorpion princess, tearing up. "And I hurt you," she admitted. "You were just trying to be the friend that didn't abandon me. You told me that yourself. You wanted to be my best friend, and I didn't let you out of fear. Fear that one day, you would leave."

She let her shoulders fall as she inched closer to the smaller feline, "Wildcat-"

She held up her hand, "Hold on," she chuckled as she sniffled. "Scorpia, you were my friend in the Fright Zone, but I was just in so much rage not to see it. Then after the portal, I turned into a major bitch. Because I made a mistake and I knew it, and because I truly thought I lost Adora for good. But now, I want to be your friend. Be the friend I wasn't to you. We may not be best friends, or maybe we will. But just know that I am willing to try again."

The scorpion smiled softly before taking one of the feline's hands into hers.

She gasped, looking up to the taller girl in front of her.

"Okay," she patted her hand, smiling wider.

Catra smiled softly, "Okay," she chuckled.

Glimmer smiled, "I think it's settled" She looked towards her blonde best friend and her girlfriend. "Welcome to the Princess Alliance!"

The feline blushed softly as the crowd cheered for her. She tighten her grip on the blonde's hand.

Adora giggled as she smiled.

It was finally time for new possibilities. 

Possibilities that she was going to be able to experience with her friends... with her girlfriend.

She was going to be a part of a future she didn't think she would be alive to see. 

It started with... now. 

Finishing up a promise.

She looked back to the feline girl next to her. "I think it's my turn to uphold my end of the bargain" she said, turning to the girl.

"What bargain?" She asked, bringing up her hands to the girl's collar. She tugged shyly. 

The blonde smiled as she looked at the princesses around her, watching.

A moment of peace.

She looked back to the girl in front of her, wrapping her arms around her waist. She leaned down, pressing a deep kiss against the feline's lips. She pulled away, moving one of her hands onto the girl's cheek. "Let's go home..."

Chapter Text

"Oh man, where is it?" Catra asked herself as she rummaged through her closet.

Leave it to Catra to not find the things she was missing right when she needed it.

Lately, she had been working on a sketch that Micah asked her to do of the late queen, Angella. He wanted a painting to be made and hung up in the hallway, so the gardeners and the sculptures could work on an actual statue to put in the garden.

After he caught a glimpse of the feline's work, he knew that she was the perfect person to start with.

After she finished her sketch, she would send it to the royal painters where the real painting process would start.

Catra worked on a rough sketch for weeks while putting paint swatches on the side, so others could get an idea of what the end product would look like.

Today was the day she was going to present the sketch to the king and Glimmer. But at the moment, she was missing one of the last paints that she needed. A glittery purple for the darker part of the lady's hair.

"Come on! I just used it last week!" The feline groaned as she closed the closet doors.

Ever since the war ended and she started attending therapy, Perfuma suggested that she should pick up a hobby to occupy her whenever she was feeling anxious or just needed to getaway.

First, it was baking, and now it was drawing/painting.

She would usually paint outside and store her art supplies in a small container in her closet.

But right now, she couldn't find that one paint she was looking for.

She ran a hand through her hair in frustration as she took a look around the large pink bedroom.

'Breathe, companion, you won't be able to find what you are looking for if you keep getting angry and frustrated," a voice popped into her head as she stormed to her nightstand.

The feline looked towards her alien cat, who laid on her and Adora's bed, and sighed. "It's hard to do that when you are literally trying to make a simple piece of art for one of your best friends and her dad."

'Finally calling Glimmer a best friend?" The cat meowed, flicking its tail to the side.

"I-" Catra held up a finger. She groaned, turning back to her nightstand. She opened the drawer, "I can tolerate Sparkles," she rummaged through her stuff.

Melog picked up their head, 'What are you even looking for?'

She pulled her hands out of the drawer, "Damn it," she closed it before walking over to the crystal desk in their room. "I'm looking for that dark shimmery purple paint I used the other day."

'I believe I saw your mate picking it up yesterday, but I don't remember where she put it' they hopped off the bed.

"Mhm," the feline stopped in her tracks. "Maybe I should check her closet" she walked over.

'Why don't you just go to the market and get another?" They walked over to her side.

"I don't want to spend money just for a whole new bottle when I just need a little. Besides, Sparkles and Micah are going to decide the final colors," she said as she opened the blonde's double door closet, squatting down to check the floor of it.

'True,' the alien cat meowed in agreement, sitting back down beside her.

She rummaged through the different inner drawers and shoe caddy, hoping to catch a glimpse of her missing paint.

When that didn't work, she got up. She reached up to the top shelf and pulled down three different boxes. She put them down on the floor and sat herself down.

Melog watched her, "I haven't seen those boxes before."

"Me either, buddy, maybe some of this stuff is new," she said as she removed a lid from of the boxes.

She quickly gasped as she caught sight of an old item.

Adora's old force captain pin.

She took it out, running a thumb against the shiny surface of it.

'What's that?' The cat butted their head against her shoulder.

She glimpsed back towards the cat then back to the pin. "I uh... it's Adora's old pin from the Horde. They would give it to force captains, Adora and I had one"

'And she kept hers?'

"It would seem so" she shrugged as she put it back in the box. She shuffled through it.

"There just seems to be two journals from the war and some other loose papers," she sighed as she put it down, moving onto another box.

Melog moved over and peeked into the box, moving some of the papers around.

"Careful buddy," she warned as she opened another box.

The alien cat nodded, going back to the task at hand. They stopped as they caught a glimpse of a sealed envelope.

"Catra" was written across the front of it in the blonde's cursive handwriting.

The cat looked over and meowed, 'I think I found something in here' they backed up.

"What is it bud?" She asked as she put the current box in her hands back on the floor. She looked back into the previous box.

They motioned to the envelope, mewing.

She looked over and tilted her head, "What the?" She picked it up. "What is this?"

Melog looked towards her. 'I know what you're thinking...'

"Pft. No, you don't-"

'She is not leaving you. These items seems to be stuff from during the war. And besides, this morning, you guys were happy' The alien cat laid their head down on her lap.

Catra looked at the envelope, turning it around. She unsheathed her claws from her free hand and quickly opened the top edge of it.

'Catra, don't do it. Maybe she hid it for a reason' the cat looked towards her.

She ignored them, taking the paper from inside.

She took a deep breath, carefully unfolding the paper. She caught a glimpse of the girl's normal handwriting.

Melog nudged her with her head, "Catra-"

"I regret so much from the war. Adora... she forgave me for what I did to her. I scratched her up really bad-"

"Which she heal-"

"Which she still has scars from" The feline girl looked towards them. "Whatever this paper says... it was for me. I have a right to know-"

Melog looked at the paper and mewed sadly. 

Catra took a deep breath, opening the paper. "Here goes nothing," she said to herself as she adjusted her sitting position.

Dear Catra,

You are my enemy now, and you always will be. I know that now. All this time, I had hope. Hope that you would see the light. Hope that you would realize that Etheria is a beautiful place that needs to be saved, and not destroyed.

The feline covered her mouth, "Oh my god..."

Melog shrunk down to the size of a house cat and quickly jumped into their feline owner's lap. They purred for comfort.

She sighed as she felt her stomach starting to knot up. She shook her head, going back to the paper in her hands.

She always knew Adora had her thoughts and her feelings. They talked about it for a long while.

But to see and read something from that time was even more heartbreaking.

She cleared her throat as she wiped her nose. She looked back down to the paper.

I have no more hope now, and that makes me sad. So sad. Because I miss you, Catra, and I will always miss you .

'Catra, stop reading it... it's only hurting you' the cat's voice rang in her head.

She scoffed, "It doesn't matter anymore. I have been hurt plenty," she said, trying to convince herself.

'But you are reading your mate's words,' they meowed.

Catra sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's just... this is how she felt about my actions in the Horde. This is from that time. It just hurts differently than words can describe," she said as she wrapped her tail around her leg.

She moved a hand down, giving her alien cat some pets on their head.

"I just need to keep reading," she shrugged, looking back down to the paper.

Melog purred against her, rubbing their head against her warm hand.

I miss your smile. I miss the gleam in your eye when you would beat me in a race during training. I miss laughing with you when we would play a prank on one of the other cadets in the barracks. I even miss you snoring in the bunk above me.

She let out a sad chuckle, a tear falling onto the cat's head.

They looked up, sitting up. They licked her cheek.

She wrapped an arm around them as she sniffled, "Oh Melog..."

She cleared her throat, going back up the note.

Those are the things I remember when I think about you. I'm going to try to remember the good things about you, instead of the bad ones. Because those break my heart.

I'm sorry things ended up like this. I really am. But even if we could go back in time, I wouldn't do things any other way .

Love,
Adora

She didn't know she was crying until she felt her feline pet jerk around as her tears fell on them.

"Shit," she cursed as she wiped her cheeks. "Sorry, Melog," she whimpered.

'No, no. It's okay, companion,' they meowed sadly.

Catra nodded, leaning her head back onto the closet doors. She shook her head as she tried to hold back her tears.

'It's okay to cry...' they looked up.

"I know, buddy..." she mumbled, shaking her head. "I just..."

"Because those things break my heart..." rang in her head.

The past sentences just seemed to come flooding back.

'I have no more hope now, and that makes me sad. So sad.'

'Because I miss you, Catra, and I will always miss you

"Crap," her voice cracked as she put her face in her hands.

———————————————————————

Glimmer looked at the clock on the wall of the former war room, now meeting room, as she sat back down beside her dad, "Shouldn't she be here already?" She asked towards her blonde friend.

Adora looked at the clock and nodded.

'5:15.... she's fifteen minutes late. She's usually punctual,' she thought to herself as she played with the stack of papers in front of her.

Micah looked over to Adora, "Should we check on her?"

"I don't even know where she could be" the blonde shrugged. "I got up early because Mermista needed me in Salineas."

"Oh well, she was working with me until like lunchtime then she asked if she could go back to you guys' room to finish up her sketch for today," Glimmer pointed out.

Adora nodded, getting up. "So, that's where I will check first" she smiled. "I'll find her. Don't worry."

Micah got up, "And tell her she has nothing to worry about with us. I could tell earlier that she was very nervous to show us her work. Just let her know we are very open-minded."

She chuckled, nodding. "I know that would give her some ease" she smiled as she walked towards the door.

Adora didn't mean to leave her feline girlfriend for most of the day. She was asked to go to the mermaid princess's kingdom to help with the rebuild of the Salineas sea gate, letting it close and open at the princess's ease.

Since Catra and Mermista are not on the best terms still, the blonde decided to get up early and leave, making sure she still had time to get back in time for her girlfriend's presentation with the royal family.

Which reminded her, she hadn't even checked on her since she got back.

She quickly jogged towards their bedroom door, rushing past the guards.

She just about arrived at the door as she heard a strange noise. She carefully pressed her ear up against the door, seeing if she could get a more clear sense of what it could be.

Sniffles? Whimpering? Sad purrs? 

"Is that... crying?" she mumbled to herself as she stood back.

She slowly knocked on the door, fearing that her girlfriend could be in more trouble than she thought. "Cat? Love?"

Catra quickly closed the open box and grabbed the other two, getting up to put them away. "Yes, babe?" she said, hoping the girl would stay out.

But the blonde had already pushed her way inside. She peeked over the closet doors, "What are you doing?"

The feline closed the door, "I was just looking for some missing paint," she said, clearing her throat.

Adora looked up and down the girl's statue.

Her tail swirled around anxiously, she was hugging herself, she had puffy under eyes, and she was unable to look her in the eye.

"Catra? What's wrong?" she walked over.

But Catra backed up, holding out a hand. "I'm fine," her other hand behind her back, trying to hide the letter.

"But you don't look fine," the blonde pointed out. She tried to look to the side, trying to see why the girl's hand was hidden.

"I'm fine. Just nervous for the whole unveiling," she said, walking to the bed.

But just as Catra turned, she saw the paper. Without even thinking, she reached over and grabbed the paper.

"Adora!" the feline shouted, reaching back forward.

"Is someone sending you death threats again?" she said as she looked back down to the paper. "Because so help me, I will-" she cut herself off as she read some of the words.

'You are my enemy, and you always will be'...

'The letter...' She thought to herself as she looked back at her girlfriend.

Adora's shoulders fell, backing up, "Where did you get this?" she asked.

"Melog and I were looking for missing paint, and they told me that you had picked it up the other day. So I thought I would check your closet. I saw the boxes and it just sort of clicked that it could be there." she hugged herself, looking away.

The blonde shook her head, "This is from-"

"The war... I know" she rubbed her arm. "But... nevertheless, they are your words. Your words from that time. Your feelings, your thought process... your love for me written down on a stupid piece of white paper,," she said as tears came back to her eyes.

Adora moved to comfort her, but the feline still kept her distance.

"How could you ever take me back in, even if that is how you feel about me?" Catra asked in a soft voice.

The blonde's face changed, blinking, "Was... not is."

"What?" she snapped her head back up towards her.

"That was how I felt about you at that moment," she said, making the effort to go forward once again.

"But still-"

"Catra. I wrote that letter because Glimmer noticed I was going through some sort of depression when I first came to the Rebellion. She said that if I wrote my feelings down, it could make me feel better about how things ended. I was heartbroken, angry, and sad. A part of me thought I should go back so I could be by your side once again. But another part of me, my morals, was telling me that I was making the right choice," she said, picking up the paper closer to her once again. "This was 18-year-old Adora, an Adora that had no idea what she was signing up for when she first decided that she would take on the She-ra mantle." She walked towards their bed.

The alien cat looked at their owner then back to Adora. They followed after her.

Adora sat down on her side of the bed, taking the letter into both hands. "An Adora that didn't and couldn't make sense of her wants, desires, and needs because she was so used to giving up everything to make others happy."

Catra sat down beside her, watching how the girl put the paper back down on her own nightstand.

"Also, an Adora who couldn't make sense of how she truly felt for her best friend..."

Her feline girlfriend gasped, "Adora-"

She slowly turned back to her girlfriend and sighed, picking up her hands. "I regret so much from the war. I should have tried harder to bring you to the Rebellion. So when I wrote that letter, it was 18-year-old Adora expressing her regrets." she looked down towards their hands and chuckled. "But right now. In front of you, you have a 21-year-old Adora, who grew because of everything that happened during the war. An Adora that now knows what she wants, what she desires, and what she needs. And you are exactly what I want and need in my life."

The feline let out a sad chuckle as she felt her girlfriend move a hand onto her cheek. She sniffled, placing a hand right on top of it. She shook her head, finally letting some of her tears fall, "I'm so sorry," her voice cracking, the guilt once again setting in.

Adora quickly wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. She pressed a kiss onto her head, letting herself tear up. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I know it was hard for you to come to the Rebellion. It just took you longer to join me."

"But how could you ever love a villain?" she whispered. (If you know who wrote this line in their fic, I love you)

The blonde moved the feline back and wiped the girl's cheeks. She rested her hands on them, "Even if you were a villain at one point, I could never stop loving you. And I will never stop loving you. You and I went through a lot during the war. But what matters now is what we are going to do now that the war is over."

Catra sniffled as another tear fell, quickly wrapping her arms around her tall girlfriend. She buried her face into the crook of her neck.

Adora held her tightly, pressing a kiss onto her head once again. "You aren't on the side of evil anymore. You're with me, Bow, and Glimmer now. I'm here till you want me gone." she whispered.

She nodded, curling up closer into the girl. She wrapped her tail around the girl's wrist.

The blonde just held her. She knew they were more late to the meeting than before, but she didn't have the heart to break up their embrace.

Catra exposed her feelings about the letter, and she just exposed her own reasons for writing it.

Maybe it wasn't the right moment to pull away.

Catra picked her head up, putting her chin on the girl's shoulder. "What time is it?" She sniffled.

Adora quickly chuckled nervously. She looked at the clock on the wall, "Almost 5:40."

"What!" The feline pulled back, looking at her girlfriend. "You didn't bother telling me we were late to that meeting with Glimmer and Micah!"

"Well, you were going through something, and I didn't want to bother you."

Catra looked at her girlfriend and couldn't help but laugh. 

Of course that dummy wouldn't say anything. 

She leaned forward. "Aw, you are too sweet" she pressed a kiss onto her lips.

"You're getting sappier," she smirked, kissing her back.

"Oh no, princess, that's all you," she chuckled, kissing her deeply.

Adora held back as the feline tried to kiss her. "If you keep kissing me like that, we are not getting out of here anytime soon," she mumbled against the girl's lips.

"Oh?" She smirked. "Still upset that I left you hanging last night?"

"Very" she raised an eyebrow.

"Where I just kissed you over and over" she kissed her lips passionately.

Adora quickly gasped, moving a hand back onto the girl's waist. She kissed her back.

"And how my lips slowly went down," she mumbled against her skin as her lips made their way down her neck.

"Catra...." She pleaded, groaning.

"All that has to wait, princess," she said as she pulled away. "Until later" she winked as she got up.

"What the- Cat!" She sat up.

"Sorry princess, I'm late for my meeting. I don't want them to walk in on us," she winked as she scooped up her sketchbook and her basket of previous paints.

Melog meowed, causing the girls to turn in their direction. They held up the missing bottle of paint on their head.

"Aw perfect, Melog!" Catra smiled widely. "Come on, we don't want to keep Sparkles and her dad waiting," she said as she opened the door for the trotting cat.

"Traitor!" The blonde said, getting up.

"Hm. I wonder where I have heard that from," she snorted as she walked away.

"That's not fair," Adora chuckled, running after her.

So with that, Catra and Adora made it to the meeting.

Catra explained to the family that she was not having the best day, and after getting a reminder of her hard past, she kept herself hidden. But she thanked her girlfriend for helping her out of her thoughts and apologized for making them wait.

Micah quickly stopped her, stating it was not necessary to apologize for her feelings. Her feelings were always going to be valid.

The feline nodded, finally feeling some sort of relief.

She quickly flipped her sketchbook to the sketch, explaining the meaning behind the painting and her main color palette.

It so happened that the missing paint was the family's favorite color, saying that it was the perfect one.

After shedding a couple of tears for his late wife, the former king ordered the guards to tell the staff to find the perfect canvas.

And he stated that Catra would be the one to paint it.

Chapter Text

"Ms. Catra, we are going to have to take your wife into surgery," a female doctor explained as she helped pick up the bars on the side of the blonde's hospital bed, inside the purple and pink hospital room.

"W-what? Why?" The feline lady rushed over, their newborn baby still in her arms.

"Because we are experiencing complications-"

"I- w-what kind of complications. Y-you told me that-" she struggled to get her words out.

"I know I said the birth went smoothly, but things can change very quickly. I can stand here and explain what happened, or I can take your wife into surgery."

Adora looked up and took ahold of her wife's hand. "Love..."

Catra looked back down to the newborn kitten in her arms and back down to her wife. She nodded, "Okay..." she leaned down and pressed a kiss onto her lips.

She kissed her back gently, "I love you... If I don't make it, promise me, you'll never leave their side."

"Don't talk like that," the girl pulled away.

"Catra-"

"Adora..."

The blonde looked towards her, almost pleading with her eyes. "Promise me..." she whispered towards her.

Catra looked towards the baby feline in her arms. The way they cuddled up against her warmth. The way they didn't have a care in the world.

She looked back towards her wife as the nurses helped the girl lay back down against the pillows. She sighed, nodding. "I promise..."

The doctor nodded, placing a hand on the feline's back as she motioned to the nurses to take her wife. "She's in good hands, Ms. Catra. I am going to do everything possible to save your wife."

"She just had a baby, Dr. Allen" she turned towards the doctor, shaking her head.

The lady looked towards her "I know, but now all you can do is just hope and pray everything comes out well. For now, watch over your new baby." she patted her back.

"Please, Dr. Allen," she nodded. "There's only one of her. Just do everything possible."

"I will" she nodded. "I will send someone to give you updates once in a while" was the last thing the lady said as she walked towards the door.

----

"Oh, Cat. They are so precious," Glimmer exclaimed as she cradled the newborn feline in her arms, pacing around the large hospital room.

"They truly are so cute. Adora called them a mini-me when she saw them" she chuckled softly. "We both made a bet on whose colored hair they were going to have. But luckily, they both got something from us."

Glimmer giggled as she rubbed a thumb against their soft, fuzzy cheek, the baby cooing softly. "Your brown hair and Adora's blue eyes?"

"I'm just glad they have something of Adora's." She admitted as she leaned against the wall. "When the doctor told us that they might be a magicat, I could tell that she didn't think they were going to have some part of her. Now I can tell her that they have her eyes."

Bow chuckled, "Motherhood is going to change you for the better, Cat. Plus, I know that you are going to do great things."

Catra smiled softly, "I want to give them the life Adora and I didn't get to have. No war, no fighting for the favorite spot. Just unconditional love. They are going to have a good life with us."

Glimmer and Bow laughed to themselves.

Soft Catra was very cute.

The couple stopped as they heard a knock on the door.

Maybe the surgery was finally over.

The feline looked back towards the door, pushing herself off the wall.

Dr. Allen slowly opened the door and cleared her throat, "Ms. Catra?" she held her scrub cap in her free hand.

Catra noticed her statute. She stood tall yet nervous, she fidgeted with the edge of her scrub cap, and she looked tired with a touch of sadness.

She nodded, "Yes?" she walked over, crossing her arms.

"Ms. Catra. Your wife's condition was a lot more severe than I thought it was. The main reason I took her into surgery was because she was suffering what we call Postpartum Hemorrhage, and I was trying to take care of it with surgery. But in the end, it was just too much bleeding."

She gasped softly, covering her mouth in the process. She shook her head, "Well, w-what are you saying?'

The doctor cleared her throat, rolling her shoulders back, "I did everything in my power. I did extraordinary measures and more. But in the end. Ma'am, I am so sorry, but Ms. Adora did not survive the surgery. She died on the operating table."

Catra backed up, "No.. n-no," she teared up. She let out a sob, "No."

Glimmer gasped, holding the feline baby close. She looked towards her husband, "Go get her" she fought back her tears.

Bow nodded, trying to push through his own emotions. He rushed over and held up his feline friend as she crouched down, picking her back up, "I got you. I got you. It's okay."

Catra let her tears fall as her body went limp against the boy's, almost falling. "No..."

Dr. Allen shook her head, "I am so sorry, Ms. Catra-"

The feline let out a sob and shook her head, fighting against her best friend's grip.

"Ma'am-"

"Get out! Get out! Get out!" the feline almost leaped at her, but Bow held her back.

Bow used all his strength to hold the girl back. He held her close, "Catra. No, it's not going to change anything. She's gone!"

"No! Bow! Let me go!" she said with a growl.

"No! Catra, you need to calm down" he turned her around to face her. He looked towards the doctor who looked like she was on the verge of her own tears, "Please, let her be for a little bit."

She nodded, putting her scrub cap in her pocket. "Okay," she looked back to the distraught feline. "I'm so sorry" she tried once again.

"Get out!" The feline exclaimed through her tears.

"Yes, ma'am," she backed out of the room slowly, closing the door behind her.

"Cat... you need to calm down." the boy said, looking back towards her friend.

"I can't" she hit her hand against his shoulder. "No..." she let her tears fall. "She was my everything." she crouched down onto the floor, the pain in her heart becoming almost unbearable.

He kneeled beside her. "I know. I know..."

"All she wanted was a family. That's what we both wanted," she wheezed as she tried to talk as her tears kept streaming down her cheeks. "And she died having it!"

"You can't think about it like that, Cat," Glimmer said, holding the newborn baby close. "No one could have predicted this"

"I lost her for real now," she said in a soft voice. "I told her that she could have the baby. She said she wanted to have it...." She placed her head against Bow's shoulder for comfort.

Bow looked back to his wife as he wrapped his arms around her gently.

"She didn't even get to hold the baby..." she whispered.

Glimmer bundled the baby back up, "I'm sorry you never got to meet your mama" she let a tear fall.

Catra could not handle the pain, burden, and grief as the boy held her close. She didn't know what to do. She planned her life with the blonde. A family.

----------------------------

"No!" the feline snapped awake, sitting up as she panted heavily. The book that she fell asleep reading fell off her chest and onto her lap. She swallowed hard as she tried to calm her breathing, putting a hand on top of her chest.

Her eyes quickly scanned the room, trying to ground herself.

The baby crystal chandelier in the middle of their room, the coffee brown hardwood floors, their small closet doors, and the door to their outdoor balcony. She slowly turned her head to the side and relaxed at the sight of her blonde wife sleeping peacefully next to her.

'It was just a dream,' she thought to herself as she rubbed her hand against her chest, feeling her breathing slow down.

Her wife held the carmine red colored sheets close as she breathed in slowly, dressed in her usual white nightgown. Her nose twitched once in a while.

Catra looked towards her nightstand and turned on her lamp.

She looked back down to her lap to the open book that had fallen when she snapped awake. She placed a hand on her face, feeling how damp her cheeks were from her previous tears.

'Damn, I cried a lot,' she thought to herself as she picked up the book from her lap. She looked at the opened pages.

Most common and possibly deadly complication, Postpartum Hemorrhage

She sighed and rubbed her eyes gently before putting the book back on the wooden nightstand next to her. She moved the sheets between her and her wife and carefully tried to move her wife's arm.

The blonde groaned softly as the sudden movement woke her up. She shifted as she opened her eyes gently.

Catra bit her lip, "I'm sorry, babe," she quickly said.

"No, no. It's fine, love," Adora assured her as she yawned softly. "Are you okay?" she said in her groggy voice.

"I uh..." her tail flicked sharply to the side. "I had a nightmare," she simply said, hoping the girl didn't get mad.

Her wife moved the sheets she was holding. "Oh, love. Come here" she moved her arm and patted the spot next to her.

She blushed softly and moved into the spot meant for her. She purred softly as she caught a whiff of the familiar scent of her wife. Gardenias. She buried her into the girl's grip.

The blonde smiled softly as she brought the sheets back up to cover them. She rubbed her cheek against the top of her wife's head gently as they snuggled close. "I got you..."

Catra took a deep breath as she listened to the girl's breathing, one of the many things she had to do once she had a dream about her beloved wife dying.

She hated having these kinds of dreams period, especially now that they were trying to have a family.

The one thing she knew Adora deserved.

Catra relaxed as she saw the girl's chest go up and down slowly. She rested her tail on top of one of the girl's thighs, snuggling in closer.

Adora moved her hand and ran her fingers against the ends of her hair, "Do you want to talk about it? Your dream, I mean?"

The feline sighed softly, 'Not really.' she thought to herself. 

But she knew that Adora wasn't going to let up about it.

Ugh, sometimes a supporting wife was exhausting.

 She moved her head onto her wife's shoulder, "I fell asleep reading that pregnancy book that Sparkles gave us a while back, and I just happened to finish reading about one of the more harmful complications in labor or after childbirth" she placed a hand on top of the girl's stomach.

"Oh?"

"It's when you give birth, and you end up bleeding more than usual. Sometimes it can be resolved easily with medicine, or sometimes you have to have surgery," she explained.

"Okay," the blonde nodded slowly.

She looked down and rubbed a thumb against the girl's clothed stomach. "So after you gave birth, you couldn't stop bleeding. So you needed to get surgery." She closed her eyes, remembering her nightmare.

The crying, the sadness, the news of your loved one dying. "And let's just say you didn't survive it," she said quietly.

Adora gasped softly, "Cat-" her hand stopping its stroking.

Catra started, "I was so overwhelmed with sadness and anger-"

"Catra..."

Catra looked towards her, "Adora, what if..."

"We can't think like that," she said as she gave her a little squeeze.

"I already almost lost you once" she shook her head before putting her hand on top of the other's.

"I know." the blonde took a deep breath. "I can't possibly see what you see. I know there's not much to say that can ease your nerves" she took her hand and placed a kiss on top of it. "At this point, we just have to play it by ear. We will follow the directions the doctor tells us when we get pregnant, and maybe everything will work out in the end."

Catra looked back up towards her wife. 

She hated all of these maybes. Her life was filled with maybes. 

Maybe you will succeed. 

Maybe Adora loves you.

Maybe you will be accepted into the Princess Alliance. 

But there was one thing she knew for certain. 

The feline looked towards her, "You realize that if it were to come down to you and the baby to save, as much as I want to have both of you, I'm picking you."

The blonde gasped. "Catra..." 

"No, don't you 'Catra' this" she pulled herself away. "There is only one of you, Adora. We can make another baby, or we can adopt. But I can never replace you." she teared up. "You don't get to be the martyr anymore."

Adora looked back towards her, "Okay," she nodded.

The feline kept rubbing her hand against the girl's stomach, whimpering softly. The thought of losing Adora to their unborn child was something she never really thought about.

But was she being selfish for picking Adora first?

Did Adora still not value her life?

"Am I selfish for picking you in a life and death situation?" She asked in a soft voice.

The blonde looked over and noticed the girl's little tears falling, "Oh Cat," she sat up. "I... you picking me is your decision. You just got me back after years of impossible situations, and you want to continue living this dream life with me. Or maybe I'm wrong, and you are making this decision for a whole other reason. But this is your decision, one you probably don't even have to make. I love you, Cat. Never, ever, forget that" she reached down and tried to wipe the girl's tears.

Catra placed a hand on top of the girl's, "Love...."

Adora smiled towards her, "But, don't let this nightmare scare you into not wanting kids anymore. There are always risks in everything we do in life." she assured her. "As much as this is scary and new to us. I don't want to give it all up because of something we don't even know is going to happen."

The feline sniffled, wiping her nose with her free hand.

She knew deep down that being a mom was something she wanted.

She also knew that this was all Adora wanted too.

Having a family.

She knew that her wife was right.

She hated when she was.

"You still want to do this?" Catra asked as she sat up. "Even with all the big and scary risks that could possibly be in that book." she motioned her thumb towards the book on her nightstand.

Adora looked over the feline's shoulder, seeing the tall shiny book. She snorted softly, "Yes, even with all the big and scary risks that could possibly be in that book" she chuckled.

Catra smiled as she purred, hugging her wife, "I love you..." 

"I love you even more," she giggled as she pressed a kiss onto the girl's forehead.

"For the record" the feline said as she pulled away, wrapping her arms around her wife's neck. "Despite all the risks, we could possibly have some cute kids" she giggled.

The blonde raised an playful eyebrow, "Possibly?" 

"Yes possibly." she snorted, playing with her wife's loose hair. "Because if they come out looking like me, they are not going to be cute" Catra shrugged. 

"Oh no" Adora said as she moved her hands down to her wife's hips. "If they come out looking like you, they are definitely going to be the cutest kittens in the world"

Catra gasped, playfully smacking one of her wife's shoulders. "What have I said about calling me cute!" she sassed. 

"Hm, I don't seem to remember" the blonde said, winking. 

"Oh really?" the feline asked, pulling away from her wife's grip slowly. 

"Yup", her wife said while popping her lips on the 'p'. 

"Oh, I wonder how I could get you to remember" the feline said as she secretly picked up a pillow from behind her wife. 

"There is no way. I have a memory of a pea" she shrugged, smirking. 

"Oh yeah!" she said, bringing the pillow forward. She hit the girl's shoulder, "How about now?" 

Adora gasped loudly, clearly hurt. "No you did not!" she dramatically exclaimed. 

"Oh yes I did" The feline smirked. "What are you going to do about it?" she held up her pillow. 

The blonde quickly reached behind her, picking up one of her own pillows. She quickly struck her wife back. 

Catra gasped, getting on her knees. "Oh it's on!" she hit her back. 

The wives went back and forward, hitting each other at their hearts' content. Both of them laughing until they couldn't breathe. 

They stopped once they got tired, finally figuring out that neither of them were going to win their dumb little pillow fight. 

They laid back down besides each other, pulling their comforter close. 

Adora wrapped her arms around her wife as she closed her eyes, feeling her eyes finally feel empty. She mumbled an 'I love you'

Catra, stayed awake a little bit longer. She thought back to what was said earlier before she let sleep overcome her as well. 

The wives understood that everything would come with a risk.

Whether it was a purchase or even cutting your own hair.

They would have to prepare for the worse and for the future.

For now, they just had to focus on the present.

The present was trying to get pregnant. They were still in that phase.

Well, so they thought.

Little did they know, one of them was already pregnant. 

And it would end with a healthy baby feline and no risk of either wife dying. 

Let me know what you think!

Chapter Text

The new wives giggled as they stumbled into their hotel room, laughing as they closed the door behind them.

After a day filled with crying, laughing, and partying, they could not wait to head into the privacy of their hotel room.

It was the day that Catra and Adora got married in the courthouse, signing the papers that would say they promised themselves to each other.

Catra knew that her social status would prevent them from having any sense of privacy in a whole wedding ceremony, so Adora came up with the perfect idea.

To get married in the city's courthouse.

To gather their closest friends and their family to witness it all.

Catra dressed up in a crimson red velvet suit, white button-up suit, and black-tie. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail with pieces of hair left out to frame her face.

Adora dressed up in a bright white dress with puffy white sleeves that cinched up at her wrists. The dress reached up just above her knees and a white silk belt wrapped around her waist. Her wheat-colored hair was left down with some hairs twisted to the back of her head.

The fiancées listened to the judge recite the usual scripture, both of them couldn't contain their excitement as they held each other's hands, looking at each other once in a while.

They slipped on each other's rings. Adora slid on Catra's wedding band. A gold band circled with white gold diamonds. Catra slid on Adora's wedding band, a simple gold band on top of her engagement ring.

They ended the ceremony by picking the slick black pens, signing the official wedding license. Once the judge finished the scripture, Adora pulled her new wife close and kissed her deeply. The brunette wrapped her arms around her neck.

The courthouse erupted in cheers, congratulating the new wives.

The couple with their wedding guests went to one of the local bars that they rented out and spent the night partying, enjoying the night.

Catra and her friends sang karaoke at the top of their lungs, Adora and her friends danced in the middle of the bar, sometimes with drinks in their hands.

Catra and Adora enjoyed the whole night, the blonde holding her wife's waist from behind as they sang with their friends. Both of them danced together during the slow songs. Both of them joined in on the wedding toast.

As the party came to an end, the wedding party said their goodbyes as the couple walked out of the bar, hand in hand. They got into the cab that would take them to one of the nicest hotels in town they have rented.

Both of them held onto each other, enjoying each other's presence as they walked through the door of the large hotel room.

As they entered the master bedroom, settling down into their new arrangement, they realized that the night was still young, with a lot of endless possibilities at their hands.

They were newlyweds. They could do what they pleased.

With this in mind, they did the one thing they had in mind.

They would have their own little private dance.

There would be no one to take pictures, just the two of them, holding one another in the comfort of their honeymoon suite.

Catra pulled out her phone and looked for the right song for this moment, something not too overdone or too weird.

A song that could describe their relationship to the fullest.

She scrolled through her many playlists, skipping song after song as Adora took off her wedding veil.

Adora looked over and laughed as she saw her new wife tapping away at her phone. She laid her veil out on one of the nearest chairs, "Love, it's not rocket science."

The brunette looked over, "We have been together for almost three years to the date. I just want something that just screams us."

She snorted as she walked over, "That's going to be hard because..." she stood in front of the shorter girl. "We are not a common couple."

She looked up and raised an eyebrow, "What? A rich boss lady marrying a middle-class teacher?"

Adora held up a finger in protest but quickly let it fall, "Not a lie there." she shrugged.

Catra laughed, looking back down at her phone, "I want this moment to be right. It's our first real moment as wives, and I want us to remember this."

The blonde couldn't help but smile, "I am always going to remember this day. Because it's the day I married my best friend and the love of my life."

The brunette looked towards her and grinned widely at the gleaming person in front of her. She sighed loudly, "What would I do without you?"

"Be lost," Adora said bluntly.

"Rude"

"That's you."

The smaller girl narrowed her eyes, handing the phone to the taller lady in front of her, "You try finding us a song."

"Gladly," her wife said as she took the phone into her hands, once again, going through the playlist. She hummed to herself as she looked through her phone, putting a hand on her hip.

Catra crossed her arms as she looked up towards her wife, batting her eyelashes innocently.

Adora quickly glanced over to her wife, almost smirking.

She loved proving her wrong.

She looked over, motioning her up, "Get up."

The brunette went wide-eyed, "You found a song already?"

The blonde nodded proudly, "You ma'am, was just overthinking it" she said as she put the phone down on the nearest dresser.

She scoffed, playing it off, "I was not-" she shook her head. "What even is the song?"

She smiled, "You'll see," she said as she tried to finish setting the music up.

Catra rolled her eyes, standing up from the comfort of the plush bed.

This snarky/cocky Adora was cute and hot. She was also a lot of things.

She quickly turned her head as she heard the soft playing of the song's instrumentals. She raised an eyebrow, "Babe?"

Adora smiled, walking over, "Yes?"

The brunette smiled, listening closely to the starting lyrics of the chosen song.

"It's like you got superpowers
Turn my minutes into hours
You've got more than 20/20, babe
Made of glass the way you see through me."

Catra looked back to her wife and laughed, "It's perfect."

The wife held out her hand towards her, nodding, "Love?"

The brunette giggled, accepting her hand. She placed her other hand onto her shoulder.

She smiled, still holding onto her hand, wrapping her other hand onto Catra's waist.

The wives looked towards each other, locking eyes with one another as they started to sway to the beat of the music.

"You know me better than I do
Can't seem to keep nothing from you
How you touch my soul from the outside
Permeate my ego and my pride."

Adora was the lead, holding her wife close as they swayed, like nothing else was important in the world, just this moment.

She smiled as she noticed Catra was a blushing mess. She extended her arm, spinning her wife around.

The brunette laughed, as she let herself get spun.

"I wanna love me
The way that you love me
Ooh, for all of my pretty
And all of my ugly too
I'd love to see me from your point of view."

Adora pulled her back close, admiring the beauty below her as they swayed, thinking back, seeing that the lady was still the same Catra she was a few years ago.

The same wide-eyed eager fashion designer that wanted to make a difference with her chosen career.

The same beautiful lady that she didn't think she could fall in love with.

The lady she thought would be too way out of her league. How grateful she was that she was wrong in the end.

She moved her hand from the side of her waist, now wrapping her arm around her waist, pulling her close. She pressed her forehead onto the top of her head.

Catra smiled, putting her head on the lady's chest.

"I wanna trust me
The way that you trust me
Ooh, 'cause nobody ever
Loved me like you do
I'd love to see me from your point of view."

The brunette looked up as she pulled away, getting a different idea.

Adora noticed and raised a curious eyebrow, "What?"

Catra extended her arm out, spinning the blonde around, "My turn."

The blonde laughed, "Cat!"

"I'm getting used to receiving
Still getting good at not leaving
I'ma love you even though I'm scared
Learning to be grateful for myself."

Catra pulled her close as she took the lead. She let herself admire the girl in front of her.

She was still the passionate, caring, and the stunning lady she was years ago when they first met.

She was still the dorky girl who laughed at the smallest things.

She was still the most loving girl in the world, who could make anyone smile with her own smile.

She was still the most headstrong person she had ever met and someone who knows how to get what she wants.

She spun them both around, now letting them glide around the space in front of the bed.

"You love my lips, 'cause they say the
Things we've always been afraid of
I can feel it starting to subside
Learning to believe in what is mine."

Catra moved her grip to wrap her arms around the lady's neck, letting her hands get tangled into the familiar wheat-colored hair.

Adora blushed darkly as she leaned down. She pressed their foreheads together as she wrapped her arms firmly around her waist.

They shifted their weight side to side, letting themselves feel the music, dancing to the steady beat.

"I wanna love me
The way that you love me
Ooh, for all of my pretty
And all of my ugly too
I'd love to see me from your point of view."

Adora ran her hands against the lady's hips, taking back the lead, letting the other lady's smaller body press up against her.

Catra blushed as she smiled, leaning into her wife's touch. She closed her eyes gently as she let herself be led.

Adora smiled as she noticed her, closing her eyes as well, enjoying the swaying motion between them.

"I wanna trust me
The way that you trust me
Ooh, 'cause nobody ever
Loved me like you do
I'd love to see me from your point of view."

After all the shit Catra had been through, she was in love. After all the shit Adora had been through, she was in love.

They were both in love.

Love with each other.

And as much as the people around them questioned, they didn't let that get in the way.

Adora changed Catra and Catra changed Adora.

They grounded each other in the best possible way.

Catra was on her way to being the type of person she wanted to be. A leading fashion designer that she could prove her former classmates wrong with.

Adora was a part-time professor like she wanted, an astronomy professor at the high school she was teaching.

They had each other to thank for that.

"I couldn't believe it
Or see it for myself
Know I be impatient
But now, I'm out here falling, falling
Frozen, slowly thawing
Got me right."

This was no regular love story.

It was not the rich lady falling in love with her hot model employee.

It was not the middle-class lady falling in love with her neighbor.

These two ladies, despite all odds, were able to find each other in the most simple and basic way.

Catra and Adora never knew that they would be each other's forever. They didn't know that forever could be found so quickly.

"I won't keep you waiting, waiting
All my baggage faded safely
And if my eyes deceive me
Won't let them stray too far away."

Adora opened her eyes only to be met with a wide-eyed Catra, a bright smile on her face.

As their eyes met once again, the previous memories between them flooded into their own thoughts.

The first date, the first kiss, the first touch.

The firsts of everything.

First time making love, the first 'I love you.'

The different times they would hold each other to sleep after a nightmare.

The different times they would wake up in each other's arms.

The different times they would catch the other looking at them.

Adora looked at her wife and slightly picked her up off her feet, spinning her around.

"I wanna love me
The way that you love me
Ooh, for all of my pretty
And all of my ugly too
I'd love to see me from your point of view."

With tears in her eyes as Adora put her back down on her feet, Catra put her hands on the blonde's cheeks.

Adora noticed and looked down, putting a hand on top of one of hers.

They met each other in a soft kiss as the music kept playing behind them. Both of them held each other in a tight embrace.

"I wanna trust me
The way that you trust me, baby
'Cause nobody ever
Loved me like you do
I'd love to see me from your point of view
Yeah"

They pulled away gently, a small blush on their cheeks, laughing softly as the song faded out.

Catra sniffled, wiping under her nose, "Well, if that isn't the sappiest thing we have ever done, then I don't know what is."

Adora chuckled, shaking her head, "Nope, I think your proposal was a lot cheesier."

She blushed, shoving the girl playfully, "Last time I ever want to have a private moment with you."

The blonde laughed, pulling her wife close as she sat down on the edge of the bed, "Nope."

The brunette raised an eyebrow as she wrapped her arms around the girl's neck, "Nope what?"

"This won't be the last private moment between us," she said as played with the back of the girl's shirt.

"Oh?" she snorted. "What are you suggesting Mrs. D'riluth?"

"Well Mrs. D'riluth, we still have a lifetime in front of us. Right now, we have a whole night to get through," Adora suggested as her wife pushed her down onto the bed. 

Let me know what you think!

Chapter Text

After the defeat of Horde Prime, the Best Friend Squad made their way back to the Bright Moon castle.

Adora was finally able to fulfill her promise of bringing her feline... friend? Back home to Bright Moon.

Once the group arrived at the steps of the castle, they were in awe that the inside was still intact, it looked untouched. Unfortunately, the outside walls did not have the same fate.

But not too much work had to be done to fix it.

As the squad walked down the hallways, they decided that they could work the next day, making up a plan of how to rebuild the castle and start Project: 'Rebuild Etheria'.

They resigned for the night, heading to their rooms.

Bow went with Glimmer naturally and Catra went with Adora.

The next morning was eventful.

After a quick breakfast prepared by Glimmer, the squad met in the former war room, greeting Castaspella and King Micah for the morning, setting up the plans for the next few months.

Adora was tasked with getting the guards back in order and start sending them to the different towns of Etheria.

Bow was tasked with Entrapta to figure out what to do with the remaining clones and to start a new invention that will help with the rebuilding of towns.

Catra was tasked with helping Glimmer with administrative work since she had prior experience of doing this kind of work in the Horde. The usual budget reports, council meetings, mayor meetings, etc.

After the meeting, the group went their ways, just trying to settle back into the castle a little more before they had their first official Princess Alliance meeting the next week to discuss plans of how to help their each other.

Bow went with Glimmer to go help his dads back into their library home.

Catra and Adora went off on their own, going back to the comfort of their bedroom.

Adora could tell that the feline had some of her thoughts going on in her head while they were in the meeting with their friends.

During the meeting, Catra held the blonde's hand under the table, playing with her fingers as the people around her talked. She would only stop when it was her turn to speak or Adora's.

Other than the attack on her hand, she would just stare off into nothing or zone out.

Adora decided it was easier to take them back to their room to talk or relax than take her out into a social scene right after the war, especially since she was now the 'former Horde officer"

It didn't help that the two of them hadn't officially decided what they were going to do with their new relationship.

Yes, they still remembered their first kiss from the Heart of Etheria.

Yes, they still remembered their handful of shared kisses during their celebration after the war.

They just hadn't talked about it.

Maybe they could.

The feline stretched her arms out as they walked into the comfort of the blonde's very pink bedroom, Melog greeting them at the door.

The blonde smiled, kneeling to the alien cat, "Hi buddy," she petted them.

They meowed in response, putting their head down to receive more pets.

"Do your meetings always feel so long?" Catra asked as she popped her back, settling down on the edge of the flat purple bed.

Adora snorted, "Glimmer is just thorough. She likes to make sure everyone is on the same page before we are dismissed for the day," she said, pushing herself up.

"Well, that's one thing Sparkles, and I don't have in common," she chuckled, crossing her leg over the other.

She looked over and hummed, "Being thorough?" she walked over.

"I am thorough, just not like Sparkles," Catra said as she shrugged. "But I do it myself. I let other people do the work. I was the one that checked it."

"Sounds like you were busy and important in the Horde," the blonde said as she sat down beside the brunette.

She scoffed playfully, "I overthrew Hordak. Of course, I was important," she said, looking beside her.

"You have to tell me that story one day," Adora chuckled.

"Yeah...." she nodded, looking down at her hands. "One day..."

The blonde noticed as the feline went quiet, growing concerned once again. She took a glimpse over the alien cat who now had its head on Catra's lap.

She hated a Silent Catra.

She first noticed when they first arrived back on Etheria after being in space for the longest time.

It was minor things. Not talking as much in conversations, not talking much during dinner times, and sometimes just going to bed early to avoid everyone.

She silently sighed, moving closer to the feline.

How to even approach this without making her shut down?

Well, maybe she could talk about the other issue at hand first.

She cleared her throat, catching her friend's attention, "Hey Catra?"

"Hm?" Catra hummed in response.

"Can I talk to you about something?"

She stopped petting her feline pet, looking over towards the girl, "Yeah, what's up?"

"I just... uh," she said, biting her lip.

"Uh, what?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

"About our kiss?" she said.

"Oh?" Catra said, blushing as her ears flatten.

"And about us?" she said, clearly struggling to even ask.

The feline bit her lip nervously, letting her shoulders fall, "Sure... what about us?"

Adora quickly blushed. She didn't think she would get to this part. "I guess... I just never knew you felt the same way I did about you," she admitted.

"What? That I love you?" she asked.

The blonde nodded, playing with her sleeve.

"I... well," Catra chuckled nervously. "I always knew a part of me cared for you. I wanted you to always be in my life in any way possible. Even before you left the Horde, I always wanted to tell you how I felt. How my heart would race when I saw you... How I would blush once in a while... how I always wanted you to be by my side."

Adora couldn't help but blush darker, clearing her throat. "How long did you know?"

She shrugged, "Since I was a teenager. That's when I first really noticed a change in myself and how I saw you." she blushed. She looked towards her friend, "How about you?"

The blonde looked back towards Catra, "It was a few years before I left the Horde... a part of me knew that I was always going to be there for you. That I would fulfill my promise of ruling Etheria with you. I knew that no matter what, I wanted to come back to you, to hold you and to love you with all my heart"

The feline bit her lip, holding back a smile. "We both always had our feelings for one another..."

"We just didn't know how to tell each other," Adora finished for her.

"Yeah..." the feline admitted.

The blonde nodded, "Is that why you finally told me about your true feelings at the Heart?"

Catra tensed up, quickly looking away. She got up.

Adora noticed, regretting her question, "I'm sorry, I know it's still a sore subject."

She shook her head, "No, no... I knew you were going to ask me that question at one point" she sighed. "I told you how I felt because I didn't want you to die thinking that there wasn't someone that loved you for you. I just happen to love you from the very start."

The lady blinked as she felt her eyes water. She shook her head, "Wow."

"I know... sappy," the feline mumbled as she hugged herself.

Adora looked up, "That covers part of it" she winked.

Catra blushed, looking down at her feet.

She swallowed, pulling at her pants, "Well, where does that leave us... meaning our relationship with one another?"

The feline's ears flatten, "I- well-"

"What is it?" The blonde asked.

Catra rubbed her arm.

How do you tell the one person you want to be with... that you can't be with them?

That it would just be an awful idea?

"Catra?" Adora tried again.

She took a deep breath. "As much as I want to be with you... I don't think it's safe for us to be together," the feline said.

Adora was taken aback, "W-why not? I thought-"

She walked over and kneeled in front of the girl, "Yes, I love you with all my heart. Yes, I want to be by your side for the years to come. Yes, I want to be with you... but"

"But what?" The blonde asked.

The feline bit her lip, lowering her head. "I did so many horrible things while in the Horde. Me and you... people are going to start questioning you and I don't want that to be because of me." she said, scooping up one of her hands. "I don't want your reputation to go down because of me. You deserve all of the praise. You deserve for people to bow and kiss your hand. You deserved to be worshiped... you're a goddess for crying out loud."

Adora shook her head, "I wanted one thing at the end of the war. I wanted you. I gave up everything of myself to be She-Ra. I knew in the back of my head, that when I ended the war, you would be the person I would go find. Even if you were still on the Horde side. I tried so hard to let go of you as Light Hope said but I just couldn't"

Catra looked up towards her and sighed, "Adora... please understand me. I can't drag your name down."

The blonde looked down to the feline at her feet. She placed a hand on her cheek. "I..." she cleared her throat. "Can I tell you how I feel at least?"

The feline thought about it.

Did she want to hear her side?

It would probably make her change her mind.

But then again... she owed it to her. After years of people denying Adora having her thoughts and feelings.

Catra slowly nodded.

Adora nodded, letting out a breath. She pulled her hand away as she tried to organize her thoughts.

What was the best way to get to her?

What was the best way for the feline to realize that she was wrong and was deserving of this relationship?

Adora had never really been the type of person to just blurt out her emotions.

She was the "punch your feelings out" type of person.

Now was not the time to do that.

She looked back to the feline. She was still the same, cutthroat girl she loved from her childhood. She was still everything to her.

She was still the same girl she wanted to rescue all this time from the Horde.

She was still the girl who only showed her soft side too.

The girl she yearned for while standing at her balcony.

She perked up as she finally figured out the right way.

She cleared her throat, letting her shoulders fall. She looked to the side, looking out the tall windows of her pink bedroom. She took a deep breath before singing,

"All those days watching from the windows

All those years outside looking in

All that time never even knowing

Just how blind I've been"

Catra perked up as she noticed the blonde getting up from her seat. She adjusted herself on the floor, sitting crisscrossed.

Adora walked past the feline on the floor, looking around the soft bedroom. She sang,

"Now I'm here blinking in the starlight

Now I'm here suddenly I see

Standing here it's all so clear

I'm where I'm meant to be"

The blonde turned back to the door of the balcony and walked over.

The feline turned her body towards the girl, still sitting in her spot.

Adora opened the door, walking into the open space as she sang,

"And at last I see the light

And it's like the fog has lifted

And at last I see the light

And it's like the sky is new,"

The blonde rested her hands on the golden railing, looking ahead at the open view.

The rows of the crisp green grass, the rows of colorful trees from the Whispering Woods.

The blue sky in front of her with birds flying by.

"And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted."

Adora bit her lip excitedly. She turned back to the door behind her, looking at her feline friend that sat on the floor.

She slowly smiled as she sang,

"All at once everything looks different

Now that I see you."

Catra couldn't help but blush as she saw the blonde turn back around to face the nature view.

She knew hearing Adora's side would affect her in some way.

She loved Adora. She loved her so much that her heart did ache when she said that she couldn't be with her in the way she wanted.

That's what she fought so hard for.

For the chance to say the three words she knew from years ago.

I love you...

Catra looked towards her blonde crush, her face feeling heated once again.

She was not the same Adora from the Horde. But in every way, somehow she kinda was.

She was still the girl to want to risk it all. She was still the girl who thought with her heart and her gut. The girl would come up with numerous plans, only to go with one.

She was still one of the most beautiful girls she had ever set her eyes on.

And all this time, she didn't think Adora felt the same way she did. But after all this time, she proved her wrong. 

Catra got up, taking a deep breath as she did. She sang softly,

"All those days chasing down a daydream

All those years living in a blur

All that time never truly seeing

Things, the way they were"

The feline looked around the bedroom, getting another look at what kind of person Adora grew to be.

She-Ra... a literal goddess of the free world.

A friend to all.

She grew and became someone new in Bright Moon.

Maybe she could grow here.

She looked back to Adora and smiled. The same dumb wheat-colored hair and the red jacket.

Someone who was better with feelings than her.

She sang as she walked towards the balcony doors.

"Now she's here shining in the starlight

Now she's here suddenly I know

If she's here it's crystal clear."

Adora turned around as she heard her feline friend, almost gasping.

Catra walked up to her blonde friend and smiled as she looked up towards her friend. She held out her hands towards her.

The blonde noticed, blushing softly. She put her hands into hers.

The brunette pulled her closer as she sang,

"I'm where I'm meant to go."

Her blonde friend laced their fingers together as they sang together,

"And at last I see the light,"

Catra stayed focused on her crush's face as her ears flatten against her head, moving closer. She sang,

"And it's like the fog has lifted."

They made eye contact, neither of them wanting to pull away.

They sang together,

"And at last I see the light."

Adora blinked her eyes as she was quickly overcome with emotions. She sniffled a bit as she move a hand to move some of the feline's hair back to the side.

She sang as they rejoined hands,

"And it's like the sky is new."

They squeezed their hands once more after resuming their strong hold, still keeping that same eye contact.

The wind flowed through their hair as they sang,

"And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted."

Catra's heart pounded against her chest as they both grew quiet.

Adora bit her lip, looking at her friend in front of her.

This felt... right?

They both knew it.

Catra took a deep breath, putting a hand on the blonde's cheek.

They both sang gently,

"All at once everything is different

Now that I see you,"

Catra couldn't help but tear up. Damn it.

Adora's side did impact her.

She sang by herself to the girl in front of her.

"Now that I see you."

The feline chuckled tearfully, "I love you... I love you so much..."

The blonde joined her in the teary eyes, giggling. "I love you too,"

The girls quickly locked lips, kissing each other passionately, Adora picking the girl off her feet.

As the strong girl put her down, Catra chuckled, "You see what you have done to me, princess," she said as she wiped under her eyes.

"Made you see that you have emotions?" The blonde quickly teased.

The feline gasped, "Screw you,"

The girls quickly laughed softly, trying to compose themselves once again.

Adora cleared her throat, "So... what do you say? You still don't want to be by my side?"

Catra sighed, crossing her arms. "If you think that your name doesn't matter or you don't care about your legacy..." she trailed off. "Then I would love to be by your side."

The blonde smiled, holding out her arms towards her. "Girlfriends?"

Catra looked at the girl in front of her, nervous to make it official. 

But at the end of the day, she knew it would change a lot of things for them. 

She chuckled, hugging the blonde tightly, "Girlfriends...." She purred as she snuggled into the tall girl's grip.

Chapter Text

I know I haven't updated in a long time, but that's because school is kicking my butt. But I am finishing up some drafts so I can give you guys something to read. But I have something to share with you guys....

I GOT A COMMISSION FOR THE FASHION BOSS AU! 

I had requested it from one of my favorite artists of all time and they did it so perfectly that I could never imagine seeing it in front of me. I am still figuring out how to put pictures on AO3, so for now, it is only posted on Wattpad under the same title. So if you guys want, you can head over to my Wattpad, and put in "Catradora Oneshots" with my same username. Go to the chapter named, "Surprise!" and the picture will be there. 

But for now... 

The art is from the Private Dance oneshot from the Fashion Boss AU! I am so so so so so so happy with how it came out because there is no other way I could have seen them coming out. You guys have to check out this amazing artist. Their Instagram handle is @applesartt and their Twitter is @apples_dashie 

You guys should definitely follow and like their art because they have everything from She-ra to their own OCs. They listened to what I wanted and made it so easy to get it. Whenever you guys can, I suggest you get a commission too. 

I have currently ordered another commission for another AU (but this one has not come out yet). 

I hope you guys check them out and give them a follow. If you are a She-ra fan and looking for more art.... they are one of the first stops! 

This art was made by @applesartt and only them. If please not pass it as your own since they have worked very hard on this. Thank you!

Chapter Text

"And Darla? Make it quick," She-Ra said before turning back to her pair of friends, hunching over the blonde's feline friend.

The ship quickly burst through the wall, flying away from the main flagship, getting away from the danger.

She looked toward her friends, tears in their eyes.

'No...' she thought to herself as she walked over, kneeling beside them.

She carefully scooped up the smaller feline, holding her in her arms. She took a deep breath as she looked at the not breathing girl. "Come on, Catra. You're not done...not yet," she said as she put their foreheads together. She teared up, "We're going home." she said in a whisper.

She-Ra, trying her best, uses her healing powers, not knowing if it was going to be enough.

As the powerful golden light surrounded them, the warrior princess held the girl close.

She focused her energy on the girl, on the idea that maybe Catra could open her eyes again.

After all this, Prime doesn't get to win that easily.

She-ra transformed back into Adora, quickly looking back down as her feline friend.

Seeing the brunette's short pieces of hair framing her face a bit as one of her tears fell.

Adora quickly shook the girl, hoping to awaken her. "Cat?" she said in a soft voice.

No answer.

Glimmer held back a gasp, her boy best friend putting a hand on her shoulder as he realized what was going on.

Adora's healing didn't work.

Catra was gone.

The blonde tried once again, "Catra?" her voice cracking a bit.

No answer, once again.

No... no...

Adora gasped, "No, no, no!" She yelled at the end. She pulled the girl closer, hugging the lifeless body. "No, no..." she stroked the feline's short brown hair.

Glimmer looked at Bow, quickly hugging him as his tears formed in his eyes,

"No..." the blonde whispered. "We were going home..."

She thought her powers could do anything.

She went through all these troubles, with no powers.

Getting into Prime's flagship.

Fighting a Chipped Catra.

Now escaping with her best friend.

She should have at least gotten to hear her real voice and get to feel her warmth once again.

To hear the familiar laugh. The loud, breathy laugh.

Adora couldn't help but let herself cry as she kept stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry," she said, struggling to get some of her words out.

Bow sniffled, "I'm so sorry, Adora" was all he managed to say, not knowing what to say.

She shook her head, "I love you so much," she said as she lowered the girl back down onto her lap.

She looked up and down the girl's limp body, seeing the Horde's uniform up close.

The snowy white uniform with the black Horde symbol in the middle.

The short sleeves with the connecting cape. The long, skinny pants that ran to her ankles.

Adora sniffled, shaking her head. She looked down at her leather belt, putting a hand on her belt buckle. She unclipped her belt, taking off her red jacket.

Glimmer noticed, quickly wiping her face, "What are you doing?"

But Adora ignored her, putting her belt to the side. She opened up her jacket and draped it across Catra's chest.

"Adora?" Bow said, trying to get the girl's attention.

She wiped under her nose, going back to holding the feline lady. "Can you guys get one of the spare rooms with a bed cleared out?"

Glimmer and Bow shared a look of confusion before the purple-haired lady spoke up. "Adora, she's-"

"Don't... I know," Adora said, looking up as she felt her tears weld up once again. "She's dead. But I'm not going to put the one person who I have known since I was five in a box right now. Not until we get back to Etheria."

Glimmer opened her mouth to speak but Bow stopped her, knowing that he could not understand the pain that their best friend was going through at the moment. "You're right," he said as he got up. "Just stay here and Glimmer and I will be back,"

The blonde nodded, holding the girl close as the pair of friends pushed open the door out of the main control room. She looked towards the open space through the nearby windows.

The endless sea of stars.

Big ones, small ones, colorful ones. So many endless possibilities.

"I finally saw the stars, Cat." She said, adjusting her grip on her friend. "The white little specks that I would see in my dreams. And you said I was crazy" she said, chuckling to herself.

She looked down back at the brunette, rubbing her hand against one of her arms. "I wish you were able to see them with me... because they truly are so beautiful."

A part of her was waiting for her to say something like, 'You're such a sap' or 'You're a dork'

A part of her wanted to hear the same laugh she had for years.

A part of her wanted to see her blue and yellow eyes once again.

But now, she knew it wasn't possible.

She couldn't hold the frustration anymore.

She quickly burst into tears, shaking her head, "I should have tried harder. I should have gotten there sooner. I should have brought you to my side... and maybe. We wouldn't be in this mess..." she let her shoulders fall.

Could this have been all of her fault?

"And I think the worst part of it all is that I didn't get to tell you that there truly was one person in this world that loved you," she said in a soft voice. "And that was me."

There it was, the one regret that she would carry or have for the rest of her life.

Never expressing her love.

Never doing what she was afraid of doing.

Never letting herself do what she wanted.

And now she wasn't going to be able to.

"Adora, wake up."

Adora's eyes were burning with tears, but that voice that filled the air, it couldn't be... right?

"Adora, wake up."

She lowered her head, her eyes glazing over to Catra, who was craning her head up to her. Adora blinked, her voice seemingly getting caught in her throat.

Her jacket fell off her chest, making Adora tense up and hold her arms tightly around the feline, not risking letting her go. Not again, not ever again.

"I'm here... it's okay," Adora was able to barely whisper out.

Catra's eyes opened, the familiar blue and yellow eyes peeking through her eyelashes. She said again, "Wake up."

"Wake up?"

------

The sound of metal rang in her ears as Catra threw her hands onto her shoulders, her nails biting into her skin, "Wake up! Wake up!" She started to shake her, the world starting to spin around Adora's vision.

"Adora! Adora! Wake up!" Catra's voice seemed to ring in her head as Adora's eyes opened to blue and yellow. She let out a gasp, shooting up.

Catra retracted her nails, looking at her girlfriend. "Hey, hey, it's okay. You're okay. I'm right here for you."

The blonde looked in front of her as she tried to catch her breath.

Her Catra.

She quickly threw her arms around her, hugging the figure in front of her. She let herself bury her face into the girl's neck as she cried, letting her guard down completely.

Catra rubbed her back, trying her best to ease the girl's cries. "Sh sh, I got you, I got you," she said as she pressed a kiss onto her head, holding her close.

Adora's sobs filled the room as she stayed buried in her girlfriend's grip, not wanting to move.

Not wanting to move from the warmth she was missing in her dream.

Not wanting to break the spell of... maybe this was a dream too.

Catra kept holding her, rubbing her back, assuring her that she wasn't going to leave her. She moved a hand into the girl's loose wheat-colored hair, stroking it.

They stayed like that until Adora's sobs turned into sniffs and it seem that she caught her breath.

Catra carefully pulled away, putting a hand on one of the girl's cheeks. "Feeling better?"

The blonde nodded softly, not saying much. She put a hand on top of hers.

She nodded, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Adora looked at her, seeing her girlfriend's blue and yellow eyes focused on her.

She hated the fact that she had to wake her up once again because of her nightmares, ones that have haunted her since the end of the war.

The blonde hiccupped, "I had a nightmare about you."

She nodded, rubbing her thumb against the girl's cheek. "Okay, what happened?"

She sniffled, "It was right after we rescue you from Horde Prime. Everything was the same. The whole Darla getting out of Prime's main flagship and me scooping you up in my arms. But when it came time to heal you as I did in real life... It didn't work."

Catra let her shoulders fall. "Babe-"

She pulled herself away from her girlfriend, looking down at her hands. "I would not have been able to forgive myself if you had died because of me."

The feline looked at the girl, trying to figure out what was in the girl's head.

"Prime used you against me because he knew that you meant something to me. I mean, he saw your memories..." Adora shrugged. "In that dream, I felt all of my regrets at once. My regret for not trying to bring you to Bright Moon with me. My regret for fighting you and ignoring all of the pain you were probably going through. My regret of losing She-Ra in the first place at a time we needed her most and getting her back just when I needed it." She played with her fingers.

Catra noticed, "But Adora... I'm right here in front of you."

She nodded, "I know, but what if my healing didn't work. Why would I need She-Ra ever again if she couldn't do the one thing I asked of her?" She said, tearing up again. "I did so many things for her and Etheria. I gave up so much just to be who I am."

The feline moved close and placed a hand under the girl's chin, moving her gaze to her eye level.

She saw as the girl still had tears in her eyes. She just sniffled and tried to hold back her tears. How she also tried to avoid her eyes.

She moved her hand onto the girl's cheek, wiping one of her tears. "I know. I know you have a lot of what-ifs in your head. But right now, I need you to see what did happen."

Adora wiped her nose, "What?"

She moved some of the girl's hair back, "Listen up because I am only going to be this sappy once," she hummed. "You saved me when you didn't have to, Adora. You say that you would have been the reason I died on Prime's ship in the first place, but in all reality, I was dead before you even saved me."

"Catra-"

She moved her hands down and gripped her hands, "Prime chipped me, and I was a mindless drone. I fought you, and I hurt you. But before that even happened, you decided to go save me from Prime. You convinced me it wasn't because you were the hero, and I was the damsel in distress. You convinced me that you did it because I mattered to you. And Adora, you matter so much to me right now."

Catra moved to hug her, rubbing her back gently, "You made the effort when I thought I mattered to no one in the world anymore. You came to me when I was in my darkest hours, and you woke me up, bringing me back to life. After all that, you still fought for me. You still wanted to have a future with me, even though I fought against it for weeks. And when I did finally reveal my feelings, you did the same thing, accepting the whole thing with one magical kiss."

Adora couldn't help but laugh at the last sentence, putting her face back into the crook of her girlfriend's neck.

"I will always admire you for what you did in the war. Someone who decided that she was going to do everything in her power to save everyone, and I am always going to be grateful for what you did. For the people of Etheria and me. Because if I had died, no one would have stopped you from sacrificing yourself." The feline said as she wrapped her tail around her waist. "So don't you dare forget all the good. Don't you dare forget the real narrative between us? Don't you forget that even though you have all these regrets, you are working through them? And don't forget that you are still the love of my life, and uh..." she cleared her throat.

Adora noticed and chuckled. She moved her face, putting her chin on the girl's shoulder. "Run out of sappiness?"

The feline blushed, "Moment's over, princess." she said as she pushed the girl back down onto the bed.

The blonde snorted, pulling the brunette down with her, "No, no, tell me."

Catra couldn't help but roll her eyes as a small smile came onto her face.

How could she deny this dork what she wants?

She crawled on top, settling herself down on top of her. "And uh... thank you for saving me."

Adora smiled softly, putting a hand on the small of the girl's back, "You're welcome. I would do it any time again."

The feline bit her lip shyly, laying down on top of her. She snuggled into her, putting her face in the crook of her neck, "You are such a dork."

She giggled, rubbing her back, "I love you."

"Love you, too," she purred softly against her.

The blonde giggled, moving her hand up and putting it on the back of her girlfriend's head. She pressed a small kiss on top. "Thank you..."

Catra moved her head to the side a bit, "For what?"

"For helping me through everything. My nightmares... my panic attacks..." Adora said, whispering gently.

The feline smiled a bit, "I'm just returning the favor," she said as she purred softly.

The women laid like that for a while, holding each other close, talking in whispers about whatever they wanted.

At one moment of quiet, Catra picked up her head and noticed her girlfriend had drifted off to sleep. She smiled to herself as she slowly moved herself to lay back next to her. She placed a hand on the girl's cheek, causing the blonde to nuzzle her cheek against the warm hand.

Catra giggled a bit to herself, rubbing her thumb against the soft skin of her cheek. "Never forget that I love you with all my heart," she whispered before snuggling in closer to her girlfriend.

She closed her eyes, letting herself drift off to sleep. Both of them slept through the rest of the night.

Chapter Text

Angella stepped out into Bright Moon's garden after catching sight of the blonde princess at the new horse stables.

She noticed that Adora had started to become more distracted whenever she would come back from missions or after spending time with her friends. It was either at dinner or simply outside the balcony of her room.

She never really brought it up out of fear of upsetting her. But since her last mission to recover a pass that the Horde had taken over while the Battle of Bright Moon, she could tell that something was on her mind.

She slowly walked over to the small stable, being mindful of her cape and the different plants around her.

Adora was in the stable, brushing her steed's coat. She had gotten used to hanging with Swift Wind whenever something was on her mind, especially after having that heart to heart when trying to fix Light Hope's watchtower. Brushing the horse's pearly white coat was one of the many ways for them to bond.

The horse picked up their head after hearing a branch snap nearby, "Who goes there?" he asked, looking around.

The blonde quickly put the brush down, looking to her horse, then the door. She picked up her sword from the side.

The queen peeked her head inside and smiled at the sight of the pair, "Relax, it's just me."

"Oh, your majesty!" the two of them exclaimed, glancing at each other.

Adora put her sword back down beside her, "I'm sorry about that, your majesty. You know me and Swift Wind, we are always prepared for battle," she chuckled nervously, picking up her horse brush once again.

She chuckled, nodding as she walked toward them. "I can understand that," she smiled. "What are you guys up to?"

Swift Wind looked over and neighed softly, "Adora usually likes to come and brush my coat after we train, go on missions, or when she just wants to hang."

"I see." she looked up and down the horse's profile. "I can see that she does an excellent job," she admired as she placed a hand on one side of the steed's face.

"Oh, she does! She always makes me feel comfortable!"

She let out a small laugh. She looked back to the girl who kept standing off to the side, "How did you learn how to brush him?"

"Books, and some of the workers here. They said if I wanted to bond better with Swifty or just have something to do, this was something good," she admitted, patting the horse's side.

The queen nodded, moving her hand towards the horse's mane, "I suppose it does give you a sense of purpose."

"Yeah, it does" she moved back, walking towards the small bucket of tools that she used to maintain the horse.

Angella watched as the girl rummaged through the different bags and buckets that surrounded the area. She did seem a little distracted and not willing to talk.

But her being the mom she was, she was not going to leave her alone.

"Well, I just came to see if you would like to go on a ride with me?" she smiled, looking back toward the girl.

Adora quickly snapped her head to the lady, "You ride horses, ma'am?" she stood up, cleaning off her pants.

She nodded, chuckling, "Glimmer's father and I would ride all the time" she pulled her hand away from the steed's mane, turning towards the blonde. "We just loved riding through the different flower fields, exploring the Whispering Woods, and just enjoying the fresh air."

"Not going to lie... that surprises me," she chuckled softly, walking towards Swift Wind with a hair comb for his mane.

She snorted, "I am full of surprises once you get to know me" she brought her hands together.

The blonde hummed in response. She took a small section of the horse's colorful mane, carefully running the comb through it. "What was your horse's name?"

"Moon," the purple-haired queen smiled. "She was this gorgeous black horse with this silky white mane and hooves."

"What happened to her?" the princess looked over.

"Oh, she's still alive. I just didn't ride her often once my husband died. She spends most of her time with other horses at the Bright Moon market square. She has Micah's horse there too with her. I visit them and brush them when I can."

"Oh," Adora stopped.

Angella bit her lip as she noticed the girl grow quiet once again. She cleared her throat, "Uh, so what do you say to that ride with me? We can head to Bright Moon's square, pick up Moon, and we can go for that ride around."

The blonde looked toward the shimmering queen in front of her.

How could she say no to her, even if she wanted to?

She mostly just wanted to be alone after everything that she had been going through.

"Uh-"

Swift Wind quickly looked towards his blonde owner, "Oh, can we Adora? We have been training too hard lately! It might do us some good to just walk around and just enjoy the day."

'Oh, why did you have to say something like that...." she thought to herself as she put a hand against her head. 'You know I am not going to be able to say no."

Se looked back towards the horse and sighed, "Okay," she looked towards the queen. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to get some fresh air."

"Perfect then!" she clapped her hands together. "Let me quickly get ready then" she walked towards the exit.

Adora and Swift Wind looked toward each other, "Get ready?" they asked each other.

———————
"What are you doing to your hair, Adora?" the horse asked as he watched her tie off the ends of her hair.

"Glimmer taught me this new way to do my hair. I kind of got the hang of it. She says it's called a French braid." She chuckled. "It's keeping my ponytail from slapping my face as we ride."

"Interesting," the horse said as he looked towards the stable. He sighed, "Do you think that the queen is still coming? It's been a while since we last saw her" he quickly laid himself down on the ground.

She sighed, looking around, "I don't know, Swifty. She's usually one to keep her word about stuff. Maybe she just got caught up with her work this time" she shrugged.

"Well, I can wait ten more minutes before I'm going to get going. After that, I am heading back to my stable." Swift Wind huffed as he put his head down.

She chuckled, keeping watch as the two of them waited for the sparkly queen.

It was true, Adora had been in a bitter mood since she came back from getting back the pass from Scorpia and the Horde. Especially after the whole Northern Reach experience.

The way Catra deliberately used the corrupted First Ones disk to infect her. She didn't think of the consequences, she didn't think about how she would feel. She just thought of it as being an advantage.

She thought that Catra didn't see Adora the person. She saw Adora, She-Ra. It was hard on her.

Yes, they had their fights, but to have her purposely do something like this. To turn her into a monster.

She remembered vague things from when she was under that disk's spell.

She remembered that she went after Glimmer.

Then she remembered that she almost killed Catra.

Everything else was a blur, remembering things here and there.

She also remembered her drunkenness after that.

"There you guys are!" she heard a voice from above announced.

She looked up, smiling widely. "Oh hi, your majesty!" she nudged her horse with her foot.

The horse quickly stood up, expanding his wings, "Hello majesty! I was just uh.... stretching my legs." he cleared his throat.

The queen smiled, landing next to the blonde girl. She tucked in her wings, "It's okay, Swift Wind, I know I kept the two of you waiting. I was on my way to get dressed or at least change into something more athletic, but then someone needed my signature and then it turned into this whole thing. I didn't even get to change" she waved her hand off, chuckling.

Adora chuckled nervously, "Oh, well, if you are too busy your majesty-"

"No, no... besides, I just cleared up my schedule so I could do this. Besides, Glimmer was going with Mermista and Bow to Plumeria to help Perfuma with something. So I don't have much to do either way" she smiled.

The blonde nodded slowly, "Uh, well, the stable workers told me that they were just gearing Moon up and that she would be out in a few minutes."

She nodded, "I don't mind waiting." she chuckled. "Gives me a chance to finally talk to you and Swift Wind. It's been a long couple of days for me and you guys,"

"Tell me about it, your majesty. The other horses in the stable are giving me so much attitude because I don't match up to their standards anymore" the horse huffed.

"They're just jealous of you. Jealous that you have wings, a horn, and a voice." She chuckled.

He nodded, "And because I have the best owner," he slowly looked towards his blonde owner, nudging the girl with his hoof.

The princess looked over, forcing a laugh. She rubbed her arm, "Oh, you're just stuck with me. I'm not best at anything."

Angella looked at her, almost taken aback, "Whatever do you mean, darling?"

Adora bit her lip, knowing she had said too much. 'Why did I open my mouth?' she thought to herself.

Sure she had many talks with the queen. About her former feelings about Catra, training with Light Hope, and her thoughts about herself.

Of course, she was dying to tell the queen what happened in the Northern Reach.

But how do you even start?

Oh, your majesty, I had finally Catra pinned down, but when I moved to 'kill her', I couldn't bear to do it. So in a moment of weakness, she turned me into a corrupted version of She-Ra, almost killing her daughter in the process and showing everyone that she does have a weakness.

Yeah, not a good conversation to have.

She opened her mouth but stopped as she heard the nearby barn doors open. She looked at the queen, "Oh, you know... I'm still working on being She-Ra,"

The queen smiled, "Oh well, for just starting and learning about the life you are destined to live... I think you are doing an amazing job" she walked towards the barn.

Swift Wind looked towards his blonde owner, "Adora?"

Adora hummed in response, walking over.

"Are you okay? Like really?" He asked, nudging her with his muzzle. "You keep staring off into space like you are stuck in your thoughts. When you're not doing that, you are rubbing your arm and you look like you have your head in the clouds."

She scoffed playfully, trying to get the attention away from her. She waved her hand, "I'm super. Just thinking about the different tasks that I have to do for the day or later on in the week. That's just my thinking look..." she said, hoping the horse will believe her.

He raised an eyebrow, "Sure..."

Angella on top of her noble horse, Moon, trotted over, smiling. "Are you guys ready to ride?"

Moon, huffing in agreement.

Adora looked towards Swift Wind, chuckling, "As ready as I'll ever be" she motioned her horse over.

———————
"Mhm, nothing like fresh air when you're riding on a horse" Angella smiled as she took a deep breath of the cool Bright Moon air.

Adora chuckled, "There is truth in that" She took a deep breath as well.

The two ladies slowly made their way out of the Moon market after leaving the stable. Of course, there were some stares, mostly toward the queen.

Who would expect to see their queen on top of a horse, riding out?

Swift Wind towards the queen, "Your majesty, how come you don't ride Moon more often since you enjoy doing this so much?"

Adora pulled the horse's mane a little to quiet him.

The queen noticed and chuckled, "No, no, I can answer him, Adora," she said as she looked back forward. "As you know, my husband passed away, and well this was one of his favorite things to do with me. I just hadn't gotten around to it since his death. I tried for a while, but it was just a lot of grief to do it on my own"

Swift Wind nodded, "Sorry for my question,"

She smiled, "Nonsense. It's a perfectly valid question. Today well, I'm not alone anymore. I have Adora riding with me" she looked towards the girl.

The blonde smiled, "Yeah.... You do" she looked back forward. "Where are we riding to?" She asked the queen.

"Oh, there is this beautiful land just outside of the Whispering Woods. A little cliff site Micah and I loved going to." She chuckled. "I won't give away much because I want it to be a surprise," she said as she clapped her hands.

Adora couldn't help but smile and laugh a bit. She always saw the queen as someone of tough and mean nature when she first got to Bright Moon.

But as they got to know each other a bit better, there was trust for one another.

Adora opened up about her experiences in the Horde. About her old squad, about Catra, and about what Shadow Weaver did.

Angella told her more about what happened with Micah. The contents of the battle and how she received the news.

Adora truly saw her as the mother she never had. And Angella saw her as the daughter she never had.

Angella led them into the Whispering Woods, carefully advising her about the loose branches that were around.

They rode in silence for a bit, just listening to noises around them.

Until Angella decided to break the silence.

"So, uh, how are your missions going? The last one you went on, you and Glimmer went straight to her room," The queen said, chuckling a bit.

Adora held back a gasp, clearing her throat. "Uh, well, it's the Northern Reach, I was cold the whole time," she said. "I thought She-Ra would be enough, but once I de-transformed, it was freezing."

"Did everything run smoothly?" she looked over.

Adora tried not to react harshly, letting her shoulders react, "I uh, well-"

"You know you can be honest with me, Adora," the queen said, smiling. "I can see that something is on your mind, and you are not telling me something."

The princess sighed, pulling on Swift Wind's mane a bit, signaling him to stop.

Angella noticed and pulled on Moon's reins, signaling to walk back to Adora. "Are you alright?"

The blonde shook her head, "I didn't get to tell you how the mission went because...' she rubbed her arm. "The mission was not a complete success."

"What happened?"

She took a deep breath, "We got to the Northern Reach, and ran into Catra and her team. Me being me and her being her, we went after each other. The others went to fight their own person. Glimmer and Seahawk tried to fight Scorpia and Bow went after Entrapta." she looked down at her hands, playing with her fingers. "Catra was fast, and she was all over the place. I tried to keep up by transforming my sword into different things. A spear, a rope. I finally got her down, and when I put my sword in front of her, I stopped myself. Because she got into my head."

Angella gasped, "Darling-"

"She saw that and used that to her advantage," she teared up, putting her face in one of her hands. "She used that stupid, corrupt piece of First Ones tech on my sword, and I couldn't control myself. I almost attacked Bow, I almost killed Catra, and I-I went after Glimmer."

The queen reached over and picked up the freehand. "Adora, look at me."

The blonde shook her head, some of her tears falling.

"Adora..."

The princess sniffled, looking up at the queen next to her.

Angella moved a hand up, wiping one of her tears. "I understand your hesitation and why you couldn't do what you were supposed to do. But don't you dare blame yourself for what happened" she assured her. "Catra played dirty, and she took advantage of your former friendship and feelings. You were under different control, and I do not blame you for what happened."

"But I attacked your daughter," she said in a small voice.

"If Glimmer was truly upset, she would have come to me the second you guys came back." she bopped her nose. "Even she doesn't blame you,"

Adora chuckled, wiping under her eyes, "You're not that mad?"

"Of course not," the queen smiled. "You guys came back safe and sound. That's all I could ever ask for,"

Swift Wind neighed in agreement.

Angella hummed as she looked around the open forest space.

The blonde noticed, "You okay, your majesty?"

She nodded, "Yeah, I just realized that it has been a while since I haven't been out and about of the castle." she chuckled. "I forgot the true beauty of the Whispering Woods."

Adora chuckled, "It's funny." she hummed. "In the Horde, they always told us that the Whispering Woods was a place of danger. Somewhere that we could die as soon as we took a step in or where an animal or plant can kill you,"

Angella held back a laugh, "Well, let me teach you a small lesson," she said, moving Moon to walk forward once again.

The princess raised an eyebrow, "Come on Swifty."

The queen looked around the scenery. The wild, colorful flowers that sprouted out of the ground around them, the floating fireflies, and the tall purplish and greenish trees.

All of the sights she saw with Micah and sights that she missed.

It was great to just ride out and take in the fresh air.

With her daughter's best friend.

The one that is having one of the hardest times adjusting to the life around her and blames herself for the smallest mistakes.

She was going to help her see the good in not just the world around her, but also in herself.

Angella sang as she motioned her hand to the scenery,

"Watch all the flowers
Dance with the wind
Listen to snowflakes

Whisper your name,"

Adora smiled, looking around the open scenery. She moved a hand to hover around one of the fireflies that flew around her.

The queen smiled as she sang,

"Feel all the wonder
Lifting your dreams
You can fly,"

She snapped the leather reigns gently against her horse's smooth coat, encouraging Moon to go a bit faster.

Swift Wind noticed and followed suit.

Angella sang,

"Fly to who you are
Climb upon your star
You believe you'll find your wings

Fly to your heart,"

Adora's shoulders fell, relaxing a bit.

The queen looked back and hummed, 'Now we're getting somewhere,' she thought to herself.

She looked up to the sky as she sang,

"Touch every rainbow
Painting the sky
Look at the magic
Glide through your life,"

She motioned to a pond that they passed through, seeing their reflection in the crystal blue water.

She sang,

"A sprinkle of pixie dust circles the night you can fly,"

Adora looked down at Swift Wind, smiling a bit to herself as he moved up to be next to the purple-haired queen.

Angella resumed as she once against encouraged her horse to go fast, now at a brisk run,

"Fly to who you are
Climb upon your star
You believe you'll find your wings
Fly"

Swift Wind noticed and followed at the same speed.

The blonde gasped as she heard the lyrics once again. Of course the queen would sing a song about finding your true self. But, what if that was hard?

What if all of the thoughts in her head were just overshadowing what is her true self.

What if, she was destined for something else?

A lot of what-ifs.

She looked toward the queen.

Angella smiled as she sang,

"Everywhere you go
Your soul will find a home
You'll be free to spread your wings
Fly, you can fly to your heart,"

Angella resumed her grip on the horse's reigns.

Adora looked to the side and was met by the gaze of the queen, tears coming back to her eyes.

Damn it, she knew the queen was going to make her cry at some point. She sniffled.

All she wanted was to find her purpose.

She found it, to be She-Ra.

But she knew she needed to find herself first.

Who is she when she isn't She-Ra?

Who is she without the influence of the Horde?

Who is she without Catra?

She needed to find her home.

Right now, she knew that she was meant for greater things than just doubting herself.

She chuckled to herself.

Angella noticed as she let Moon keep running alongside Swift Wind, knowing that Adora was now feeling better.

She was met with Adora's gaze as they kept moving. She nodded as she sang,

"Rise to the heights of all you can be
Soar on the hope of marvelous things,"

--------
Catra kept her arms wrapped around her girlfriend's waist as the two of them rode on her loyal steed. Glimmer and Bow riding on Moon beside them. She pressed herself against her as she tried to hold on. She laughed, "Adora!"

Adora encouraged Swift Wind to run even faster, holding onto the horse's mane. She sang,

"Fly to who you are
Climb upon your star
You believe you'll find your wings
Fly"

Catra looked up to her girlfriend and smiled widely as she noticed how much happier she was.

The girl dressed in just her white long sleeve shirt, olive green pants, and her boots. Her hair was out of her ponytail and flowing in the wind as the horse ran through the Whispering Woods.

The feline purred against her, watching as her girlfriend finally let herself relax to the fullest, knowing that she was finally happy with herself.

Glimmer held onto Bow as they held Moon's reigns together, happy with themselves and their friends next to them.

Adora sang,

"Everywhere you go
Your soul will find a home,"

She teared up, remembering her late mother-like figure, but also remembered that she was following her message.

She was free, with her friends and the girl she loved.

She finally felt at home, and she brought the one girl she wanted, back with her.

She brought an arm out as she sang,

"You'll be free to spread your wings,"

Glimmer looked over and smiled, 'She did it, Mom,' she thought to herself as she held onto tighter.

Adora smiled, "Slow down a bit, Swifty," she said before she sang.

"Fly, you can fly,"

Swift Wind neighed in agreement, slowing down his pace. He took a right, going in a new direction.

Catra looked over, adjusting her grip on her girlfriend.

Bow slowed down the pace of Moon to match Swift Wind's, making her take a turn as well.

Adora smiled widely as she saw the cliff, the one Angella took her to... the one that Mara had talked to her on.

All the green that surrounded the land, the trees, the flowers, the grass that was growing out of the ground because of the magic, and the orange-tinted sky.

Now a cliff that she could visit freely.

With the people she loved.

Adora slowed Swifty to a stop as they got closer to the edge.

Bow brought Moon up next to her, looking around the scene in front of him.

Adora smiled widely as she sang,

"To your heart,"

Chapter Text