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"Mara, you can't just cancel on people this last minute!" Adora screeches as Mara whips around the room. Their apartment is small, it only takes five long strides for Adora to walk clear across the living room and end up next to the old lamp Mara can’t decide if she wants to get rid of.
Her roommate shoots her an apologetic glance. "I know, I know, that's why you have to go and apologize in person on my behalf." She says as she gathers her keys and shoves them in her jacket pocket.
"Mara! I can't just go on your blind date and apologize!" She loves her friend dearly but sometimes she comes up with some stupid shit. “You know I’m bad with people.”
Adora doesn’t make friends—friends happen to her because of luck. It’s a miracle she manages to muddle through social interactions at the shop.
Mara waves her off. "Look it’s a gorgeous orchard, you'll love it! Looks like a postcard! Have a pumpkin spice latte, apologize to Catra for me wasting her time, and buy her a coffee on my behalf? Please, Adora!" She begs as she teeters closer to the door.
"Why can't you call like a normal person!" Adora grumbles in frustration.
Mara looks guilty again a grimace stretching across her face. "I might have accidentally forgotten to save her number?" She says the end so fast Adora can barely understand.
"Mara! You disaster lesbian!" Adora could not feel more judgmental about this if she tried.
Mara is outright begging now. "Adora I will pay for your next three dates if you do this for me."
"I don't even go on dates!" Adora is too awkward to date anyone, she's given up on the premise entirely. Mara knows this, she must be really panicking if that’s the first thing she could think of.
"Okay well, whatever! Just please go make sure the girl gets a coffee or something and then I will owe you my eternal soul. Now, I must dash love you, bye!" She yells the last of it as she's slamming the door, the words ringing behind her.
"One day I'm going to let Mara pick up her own messes." She says grumpily as she kicks the carpet under her feet.
When she realizes what time it is, she gets dressed—quickly searching for some clothes not covered in grease—and loads up into her own car. She groans when she pops the address into the GPS. This place is beyond the outskirts of town, just this side of the Whispering Woods.
It's a thirty-minute drive. Mara said her plan was to meet this Catra person by the entrance. Adora can buy this girl a coffee and come back and enjoy the rest of her day off, use the time to recharge her social battery, and get some stuff done.
She makes it ten minutes before Mara is supposed to meet Catra. She tries not to be too awkward as she waits, shoving her hands into the pocket of her red hoodie and avoiding eye contact with the people walking up to get their tickets.
The name Catra sounds familiar, but she isn't sure why she remembers it. Maybe she's just heard Mara talk about her date. Either way, Adora has way too many chores to catch up on to be doing this favor for Mara.
She does have to admit that the drive out into the forest was scenic, maybe it did give Adora a small respite from spinning her wheels on her day off task list. But that doesn't give Mara the right to just drop this on her. Adora’s terrible at it, but maybe she should have a boundary discussion, that's what her therapist would say. She—
"Mara?" Someone calls out uncertainly from behind her.
She whips around to face the direction of the voice, the late afternoon sun in her eyes for a moment. "Catra?" She tests the name on her lips as she turns to look at the girl.
She's completely floored by how gorgeous the other woman is. Catra walks right up to her and holds out her hand. "Hey, nice to meet you."
For a moment, Adora just stares dumbly at the brunette, wondering how anything could be more important to Mara than this date. She's short with a cute nose and a heart-stopping smile. She looks cozy in a burnt orange sweater to protect her from the chill, although the sweater looks more aesthetic than practical.
"I'm not Mara." Are the first words out of her mouth. "But I'm here for the date." Crap she meant to say words that actually made sense together but she's busy realizing that Catra has two colored eyes.
"I could have sworn Glimmer said your name was Mara." She says offhandedly as she looks Adora up and down.
"Adora." She introduces herself, holding out her hand. Catra reaches out and shakes it, her fingers lingering on Adora's palm.
She stares at Adora for a long moment. "Alright then, ready to go?"
With dawning horror, Adora realizes Catra thinks that Adora is her blind date. Oh no, she’s definitely bungled up everything and it’s only been five minutes since they met.
Adora stops to clarify, to explain that there's been a misunderstanding, but then she's pinned under those gorgeous eyes, and she decides that there's no way she's saying no to a date with this woman. Sorry, Mara. She isn’t sure where the courage comes from, but something tells her that this will be worth it.
"Um yeah. I'm ready." She says instead.
Catra reaches out and grabs Adora's hand. It's soft and warm and so small. Everything about this girl is kind of petite and graceful. It makes Adora feel a bit like an oaf.
They make their way to the ticket counter and Adora reaches for her wallet. "I've got it." She mourns having to let go of Catra's hand to give the teller cash for the two tickets, but she does it anyway. She slips her hand back in Catra's as they finally step onto the main property.
Just as Mara promised as she rushed out on Adora, Sweet-Bee’s Orchard looked like something out of a painting. It has a quaint little coffee shop, a pumpkin patch brimming with gourds, and further up ahead, an apple grove bursting with lush fruit.
"So, where to first?” Adora asks her companion, hoping that she knows more about this place than Adora does.
"What's your favorite thing to do in a place like this?" Catra volleys back quickly as she eyes the trees in the distance.
The truth is Adora doesn't know, she's never really been. It seemed like the kind of things established couples did and she never really wanted to take any of her short-time girlfriends even when she did have them.
She looks around, finally setting her eyes on the coffee shop. "How about we get a coffee or something and chat for a bit? Then we can walk around and see what we want to do?" She suggests, hoping it’s not off base.
Catra nods and pulls her along until they're inside away from the chill. She then turns to face Adora. "What do you want? I'm buying." Adora's protest is cut off when Catra leans in, putting her hand on Adora's arm. "Relax, you got the tickets let me get it."
She sighs but acquiesces. "Fine, I'll have a PSL." She says dryly. Adora loves pumpkin spice lattes and always has them in the fall, especially at artisanal-looking places like this.
Catra laughs but not in an unkind way. It sounds like twinkling lights. "That's such a stereotype." She gives Adora a side-long glance as she puts in the order.
"Well, what do you get then?" Adaora challenges with a grin of her own.
"I get different things but today I got the flat white with extra whip." She smirks. "You know instead of the thing everyone gets the moment the leaves change."
"It's the season!" Adora defends. “An essential part of fall even!”
"Oh yeah? Where are you hiding your Uggs?" Catra teases as she looks down at Adora's feet which are thankfully Ugg-free.
"Oh no I might be a white girl but I'm not straight." She shakes her head at the thought.
They get their drinks and sit by a big window with plenty of sunlight. As they sit, anxiety hits Adora in her gut. If she knew she'd end up on a date she would have brought her icebreaker flashcards.
Catra must see how panicked Adora suddenly gets because the near stranger reaches out and holds her hand again. "I can see your thoughts spinning like a Rolodex from here. Chill out, Adora." Catra delivers another one of her gorgeous smiles that leave exactly zero thoughts in Adora's brain. "What do you do for a living?"
Adora knows this one, she can absolutely do this. "I'm a mechanic and I run a small repair shop. Mostly routine maintenance work but I do some more complex stuff when a client needs it." She shrugs taking a sip from her drink. It’s the perfect mix of spices, settling warm in her stomach.
Catra eyes travel between her hands and her arms. "That explains a lot." She says although Adora’s not sure what she means by that. "I'm a book editor. I’ve been working at home mostly now, which is great for my cat, not so great for meeting people.” She crosses her legs and tilts her head back as she laughs. “I just moved into town."
Adora's not surprised that Catra doesn't work with her hands, they are just so soft. She pushes that thought aside. "Is that how you know Glimmer? The book editing world?" Glimmer is a book critic, so she'd likely know editors.
Catra shakes her head as she runs her thumb over the meaty part of Adora’s palm. "Nah, Glim and I go way back to college we were roommates."
Adora’s eyes widen as she finally realizes where she'd heard the name before. "Oh! You're the hot roommate she'd go clubbing with!" She then realizes what she said and absolutely flushes red.
Catra laughs and nods. "Got it in one. We were a bit wild before Glimmer found Bow."
Adora shakes her head. "I mean, I guess I can kind of imagine it but not really. Bow balances her out, they're a good fit." The first time she’d met Bow, she was taken with how clear it was that he made her happy. It’s all she’d ever wanted for Glimmer.
"Definitely. I'm glad she found a good partner in him." Catra agrees as she takes a sip of her drink.
"Alright, so what's our battle plan for the orchard," Adora asks as she rests her head in her hand.
"I like walking in the pumpkin patch, and I like the hayrides. I'm not too fussed about anything else." Catra says with a shrug of her shoulder.
"I like those things too. Especially the hayrides. Do you think they'll let us pet the horses?" Adora asks excitedly, her thoughts pulling her in another direction like always.
"I'm not sure if that's the kind of horsepower mechanics are usually looking for, but sure why not." Catra quips.
"You're really funny," Adora says as she laughs at Catra’s commentary.
For the first time, the other woman turns bright red. "Uh, thanks." She stutters out.
Adora grins openly enjoying the blush. "What? Can't take compliments? You must get them all the time."
"Maybe about my looks sometimes, but people hardly find women funny. And they usually find me to be an asshole." She explains as she purses her lips.
"Well, I think you're funny." Adora doubles down, mostly to see if her cheeks would redden again. She's delighted to find that they do, and they look better than the apples in the groves. "So, let's go to the pumpkin patch then?"
"Sounds good," Catra confirms. She’s not done with her drink yet so she takes it with her.
The walk to the pumpkin patch is a short one, all kinds of differently shaped and colored squashes strewn about.
"I usually walk around and if there's a nice pumpkin I buy it to carve jack o’ lanterns. Although might be too early for that right now.” It’s only the beginning of October, so Adora sees her point. “We can scope them out and buy something later though, don't want to carry a pumpkin all day," Catra comments as they walk side by side.
They spend some time looking around and once again, like a magnet Catra’s hand ends up in Adora’s. Adora occasionally tugs the other girl to look at other parts of the patch and then she realizes Catra is slowing down on purpose so Adora will tug on her hands. She shoots her an exasperated look and Catra just smiles innocently.
As they look around Adora sees the ugliest pumpkin in the days of her life. It's a weird color and shape, looking nothing like its vibrant larger neighbors. Adora holds up a sad misshapen little guy. "Catra, look at this." She holds it up for her to see.
Catra squints at the thing. "That's barely a pumpkin, Adora." She wrinkles her nose at it as Adora brings it closer to her.
"But it's so unlovable, it's gonna stay here forever! We have to take it with us!" She's mostly joking but there’s something about all the pumpkins getting picked and this silly little gourd being left behind that made her heart ache.
Catra sighs but her eyes are bright. "Let’s put it in a good spot. If it's still there at the end of the day we will take it with us. What do you think?"
Adora's kind of floored by how quickly Catra just agreed to do something like this for Adora. She usually isn't one to be openly silly but when she is she usually got eye rolls that made her regret her choice to indulge her lighthearted side.
"That sounds really nice," Adora says as she leans in toward Catra until their arms are flush together. They end up putting it by a big oak tree. “I’ll probably see you later little guy,” Adora says to the ugly gourd. She then turns to Catra who’s smiling at her. "Let’s take a few pictures. Isn't that something people do in pumpkin patches? Adora asks.
Her smile grows wider. "It is. Strike a pose, Adora." Catra pulls out her phone camera and takes a bunch of pictures of Adora although she didn't strike poses so much as sits on a large pumpkin with a nervous smile.
"Let me take a picture of you." Adora offers, pulling out her own phone. She focuses the camera on Catra who looks like a vogue model leaning down in a wide-leg stance. She stares for a moment before snapping a few pictures.
Catra comes around to look at the picture. She then flips her camera. "Let’s take a picture together." She suggests, holding her arm up for a selfie while wrapping her other arm around Adora’s back.
Adora does the same and smiles brightly. She snaps the quick picture and then puts it away and they continue to walk, leaving the area with more trees and favoring the path leading to the pumpkin patch entrance.
"Do you like Bright Moon so far?" Adora asks as they make their way out of the pumpkin patch and through a few little tables set up with crafts and knickknacks.
"I do. Haven't seen that much of it though. Last week Glimmer took me out to brunch and then to see downtown which was cool." Catra looks at the tables occasionally but her eyes always come back to Adora.
Adora vaguely remembers being invited to that. "I was probably working at the shop, weekends are really busy."
"Yeah, I get the sense that you work a lot." She comments dryly.
Adora laughs, her hand coming up to rest on her neck. "I mean yeah, the shop is my baby. Built it from the ground up and had really little help. It was rough at first." She doesn’t want to remember the terrifying first few months where she wasn’t sure if she’d made rent.
Catra makes a sound of approval. "That's pretty cool. What made you decide to become a mechanic?"
"I mean I've always been very dexterous." She wiggles her fingers and Catra stares. "Liked cars when I was younger. Someone I know taught me the ropes." She shrugs. If it weren’t for Huntara taking her in as an apprentice she’s not sure what she’d be doing now. "What about you? I'm assuming you like to read?" She knows that anything in the editing industry is competitive.
Catra laughs. "Of course I like to read, silly. Honestly, wasn't even my first choice though. I wanted to be an English teacher when I first got to college." She confides.
Adora’s eyes widen as she looks down at the brunette. "English teacher?" She asks skeptically.
Catra points a finger at her, poking her arm. "See everyone says that! Do I look like I'd be a bad teacher?" She asks.
"No, just kids sound horrifying." And Catra seems like a person with a very low bullshit tolerance, but she keeps that part to herself.
Catra gives Adora a conspiratorial look. "And that's why I didn't do it."
Adora laughs and they manage to reach the hayrides. As they wait, Adora takes a minute to look around, the deep reds and oranges in the treetops look absolutely unreal. She never realized how vibrant the leaves could be this far into the Whispering Woods.
“Aren’t the leaves pretty?” She comments as she looks up at them, watching some of them fall and dance in the wind.
“Yeah, it’s my favorite part of fall. It’s why I suggested we come out here even though it’s a bit of a hike.”
Adora takes a risk and wraps her arm around Catra, loosely so she can shake her off if she doesn’t want that. Catra glances up at her, surprised but leans in closer as they wait for the next wagon. The horse is coming back around and Adora bounces on her toes in excitement. She tries to act normal around the horse and is about to climb in the wagon but Catra tugs on her hand.
"Hey, is it alright if we pet the horse?" Catra asks the guy who is running the hayrides politely.
"Sure, I was gonna give him a treat anyway. You can do it instead." He hands over a carrot and Catra gives it to Adora.
"Oh Catra, you didn't have to do that." Adora blushes, looking at the steed. He’s chestnut brown and has the fluffiest tail she’s ever seen on a horse.
"What do you mean? You said you wanted to, it's not a big deal." She shrugs, her boot scuffing the dirt near the wagon.
Adora loves how big the horse is. She's actually never been this close to a horse, always feeling too awkward to say anything the few opportunities she'd been near one. She slowly holds the carrot out and is surprised by how quickly the horse snatches it.
"Wow." She breathes. "Hey buddy." She reaches out and touches his nose, and he snuffles against her hand. She coos at him and strokes his nose a few more times before she remembers she's supposed to be on a date.
Catra is waiting for her, smiling broadly at the scene which makes Adora turn red. "I know you'd be cute about the horse."
Adora smiles at her feeling like bursting. She's never felt so seen on a first date before. They sit next to each other, and the wagon starts moving. All around there are people walking about but the noise from the busier parts of the orchard gives way to the silence in the thick of the forest. The smells of warm baked goods and nutmeg become distant as the crisp forest air thickens around them, fresh pine and smoke most prominent in Adora’s nose.
"Why didn't you ask the guy about petting the horse?" Catra asks mildly.
She worries her lips between her teeth. "I guess I felt awkward. Maybe a bit anxious. I kind of have a lot of social anxiety." Social things were so hard for her to gauge and usually, dates were the worst social activity, riddled with unspoken cues everyone is just supposed to pick up that Adora can't seem to grasp.
"Alright, that makes sense." Catra leaves it at that, no judgment, and no follow-ups. Adora notices that Catra holds her arm, rubbing them up and down.
"Are you cold? You can have my hoodie." Adora makes quick work of handing over the item. The air is chilly, but she doesn’t mind it.
"Are you sure?" Catra asks but she reaches out and puts it on, sighing as she relaxes into it. “I should give this back. You’re going to freeze.” Catra says as she looks at Adora’s shirt.
She hadn’t been planning on sticking around for so long or she would have picked something nicer to wear. It’s an old ripped-up muscle tank, the sides a bit exposed and her arms are out. She can feel her own skin pebble, but it feels kind of nice after being almost overly warm in her sweater.
“Nah I’m used to the weather, when it’s nice outside I leave the garage open as long as there isn’t snow.” She leans closer, her leg pressed against Catra’s. “But maybe you can warm me by sitting closer.” She says with a cheesy grin.
Catra laughs and wraps her arms around Adora, pulling her so that she’s practically sitting in her lap. It jostles the wagon a bit and the hay is kind of itchy, but it’s the most fun Adora’s had in ages. She’s disappointed when she can hear the noise of the crowds. They must be on their way back.
As they get out of the wagon, Catra pulls them away from people towards the apple trees. Adora reaches up and pulls two of the fruits off of a low-lying branch, polishing one on her shirt before handing it over to Catra. She takes the offered fruit and bites into it, walking until they happen upon a bench.
They sit down in companionable silence. Adora’s surprised to realize that the sky is slowly turning pink and purple, the sunset coming closer. She hadn’t noticed the time pass.
“We should get home soon.” She notes, already thinking about what a nightmare it’s going to be to drive back if it's full dark out. The roads are winding and there are few lights this far out of town.
“We still have to go back to pick up your ugly pumpkin.” Catra reminds her.
Adora laughs. “Can’t forget about that.”
She turns to look at Catra and then realizes that she’s way closer than she thought. Sitting, there isn’t that much of a height difference. It’s the closest Adora’s been to Catra’s face all day.
The air between them changes, it feels loaded with tension and magic. Catra leans in slowly and Adora can see every freckle and eyelash. She wishes more than anything to kiss her, but something besides the butterflies in her stomach grips her.
"Wait." Adora breathes out. Catra stops looking up at Adora with wide eyes. "I really want to kiss you right now but I just want you to know that you really were supposed to go on a date with Mara." She rushes to explain. "I was supposed to tell you that Mara couldn't make it and buy you a coffee as a sorry but you're just so gorgeous and nice I—"
"Adora I know." Catra smiles indulgently at her.
"—thought that—wait what?" Adora sputters to a stop staring at the shorter woman.
Humor dances behind Catra’s eyes. "You're Glimmer's best friend, of course I know who you are. I definitely would have remembered if she set me up with you."
"Oh." That makes so much sense. But then— "Why did you pretend you thought I was your blind date?"
"Have you looked at yourself in a mirror lately?" Catra flirts making Adora feel bashful as she hides her blush behind her hand. She then shrugs looking a bit shy, with her hands in the pocket of Adora’s hoodie. "I figured if you really didn't want to, you'd say so."
"Oh wow. I mean, obviously I wanted to! You're just so beautiful and kind. I don't think I've ever met someone like you." Adora sighs then realizes that Catra is staring. She must have messed this up. "Fuck was that too much? Is that creepy? I'm sorry I—"
Then Catra is kissing her, a soft but charged kiss that Adora feels down to her toes. When it breaks, Catra is still right there her eyes boring into Adora’s. "You could never be too much." She assures with a smile. "I mean, when Glimmer thought of this dumb blind date idea, I was hoping she'd ask you."
Adora grins broadly now. "Oh, you like me? That must be so embarrassing for you." She can't help but tease. Before Catra can respond, she leans closer pressing their foreheads closer. "I like you too." Adora offers up freely.
She then leans down slowly and kisses her again, this time lingering, taking the time to cup her face and memorize the way her lips feel. When they part, they stay close, wrapped up in each other as the sky keeps changing colors.
"Want to do something fun?" Catra asks with a wicked smile.
Adora nods, not really knowing what she has in mind but willing to try anyways. Catra snaps another selfie of them, this time with her placing a kiss on the corner of her lip while Adora looks at the camera and smiles, cheeks red with her blush. It's a cute picture, anyone who sees it would think that they are dating. The thought warms Adora.
Catra cackles as she scrolls through her contact her finger hovering over Glimmer’s phone number. She looks at Adora and when she sees the blonde nod, she sends the picture.
Immediately, Catra’s phone starts ringing and an unflattering picture of a young Glimmer appears on her screen. "How are you kissing Adora when I set you up on a date with her roommate!?" The shocked angry yelling makes Adora and Catra laugh.
"It's a long story Glim but it turned out for the best," Adora speaks up sending a smile Catra’s way as she reaches around and pulls her close.
Catra rests her head on Adora’s shoulder, letting out a soft sigh. "It definitely did, sparkles." She agrees softly.