Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They just wanna, they just wanna

Girls just wanna have fun

Catra just knew when she saw the new girl of 7th grade walk into class with her neat blonde ponytail, butterfly t-shirt, faded jeans, and beat-up white Converses, she was screwed.

She watched thoroughly as the girl chewed her bubble gum nervously and tapped her nails on the desk in a familiar yet unrecognizable tune. Something about her had Catra thinking; she thought deeply about how she was just an average girl who got dealt a few bad cards, but she was doing well. Shooting stars of course, never flew for her, but something about this blonde had Catra hoping and wishing they would.

She never considered what it’d feel like to float. Watching as Adora Juliette Grey, (because she always used her full name), performed at the end of the school year talent show, singing Girls Just Want To Have Fun to a beat much rockier than the original, Catra’s heart beat straight out of her chest as the blonde with perfect sapphire eyes sang her soul out on stage.

Nine Months Ago…

It was a normal Tuesday morning for Catra. She got dressed in a mesh long-sleeve with a tight t-shirt on top and the first pair of jeans she spotted in the drawer, released her hair from the french braids she slept in and tossed her curls around until it looked effortlessly messy, and did her usual eyeliner and mascara. Her older sister told her to stop stealing her makeup in the morning but what did Catra care? She wasn’t their mother.

Not that their parents were alive anyway. They died when Catra was too little to remember and when her older sister was ten.

“Catra! Hurry up or you’re walking!” The tween groaned as she quickly grabbed her rugged backpack and ran out to their beat-up car.

“Finally. Any later and we wouldn’t have time to get donuts.” Her sister started to back out of the driveway and onto the road.

Catra rolled her eyes as she watched the houses go by out the passenger window. It was sort of a thing of theirs- getting donuts before work and school every Tuesday when the two-for-the-price-of-one deal was taking place.

Catra scoffed, “You’d never let us miss out on Tuesday donuts. We’d both end up being late for those things.”

Her sister shrugged but didn’t disagree.

“Hey, uh, can you order Chinese tonight?”

Catra turned in her seat to peer at her sister, “Why? You got a date or something?”

Blushing as she made her way into the small drive-thru line, she said, “Or something. It’s nothing special we’re just getting to know each other.”

Catra chuckled, “So a casual date then.”

Her sister rolled her eyes and ordered, “Anyway, I won’t be out too late so don’t even think about setting up for an all-nighter on the couch.”

Catra sighed in annoyance, “ I know, C’yra. I’m not a baby.” Catra sunk lower into her seat.

She was handed a donut as C’yra began to drive off towards the middle school, “I know you aren’t. But as your older sister and legal guardian, I have to say these things.”

They both chuckled at that as the car was stopped in front of the school's entrance. Catra hated that it was so close by.

“Bye, Cat! Have a good day! I love you!” C’yra called as Catra tried walking away as fast as possible, only turning around to whisper-yell a quick “love you.” in response.

She did her usual routine. Drop backpack off at locker. Grab a pastry from the cafeteria (even though she had just devoured a donut) and sit outside in the grass with her two best friends, Scorpia and Entrapta until it was time for their first class.

Catra often tried to skip her first class. She knew that was a bad habit to get into, especially before high school, but she hated Spanish.

It bothered her that C’yra was practically fluent and always understood everything back when she was in school, yet Catra struggled with it since her parents died before they could get her to fluently learn.

And it really did it for her when Señora Cruz had assigned them a family tree project a week ago. It was due today and of course, Catra didn’t do it. She skipped the class for the rest of the week after that and this would be her first day back.

She sat in her usual seat in the back row, sinking into it as she stared at her black chipped nail polish. It wasn’t until Catra looked up and saw the teacher enter the classroom with some new girl by her side and told her to sit down a few rows ahead of Catra that she began to pay attention. She usually tuned out most of what Sra. Cruz had to say, opting to doodle in her tiny journal instead. Today, she was curious. Curious about the blonde girl with her neat ponytail and bubbly outfit.

At some point Sra. Cruz called Catra up to her desk.

“Hola, Catra. I’m glad to see you’re back today. Is everything alright?”

Catra glances off to the side, “Yep. Just not feeling very well.”

Sra. Cruz raised an eyebrow unbelievingly, “Ah, I see. Unwell enough to come to my class but well enough to go to the rest.” Damn. Catra forgot that her teacher could see her entire overview for the attendance.

“I-” Sra. Cruz raised her hand to stop her from speaking further.

“I think I know what this is about.”

“You do?” Sra. Cruz nodded.

“Nenita, I am aware of your family situation. You can always ask me for an alternate assignment, extension, or let me know if something makes you uncomfortable.”

Catra nods and Sra. Cruz continues, “Alright Bebe, I’ll give you time to work on an alternate assignment. And great news! Our new student has requested it as well so you two can work on it together.”

She gestured at the shy blonde that Catra had her eye on since she walked in. She had an alternate assignment too?

Catra thought for a moment about how thankful she was for Sra. Cruz being so understanding. Catra was sensitive to hearing about other children and their full families while she never had the chance to even remember hers.

When Catra sat down in the empty seat next to the blonde she jumped, startled at the new presence. Catra stared at her for a long moment before she stopped giving her shy glances.

“H-hi?”

Catra leaned into her palm on the table, facing the blonde as she greeted her, “Hey. I got assigned to work on this with you.” She tossed the paper on the desk lazily.

“Oh! Um, okay! I’m Adora Juliette Grey! What’s your name?” She seemed to perk up at the opportunity of a new friend.

Catra quirked her brow at the oddity that was Adora Juliette Grey, “I’m Catrina Elizabeth Andrea D’riluth.” Her cheeks flushed; she had never told anyone her full name. Not even her best friends; but it just felt right in the moment.

Adora offered a huge smile, “You have a pretty name, Catrina.”

“Catra. Just call me Catra.” Adora nodded enthusiastically and they got started on the assignment.

It was to ask the other person about their favorite things and fill in the blanks. On the other side was a box to make a collage with photos or drawings.

“¿Cuál es su color favorito?” Adora asked smoothly.

Catra looked away abashedly, “Um, m-mi color favorito es el rojo.” Catra replied slowly.

Adora jotted it down and Catra repeated her question.

“Mis colores favoritos son el rojo, el azul y el dorado.” Adora answered proudly.

“What is el dorado?” Catra questioned.

“Oh, it’s gold!” Did this girl ever stop smiling?

“¿Cuál es su estación favorita?” Catra asked first this time.

“¡Mi estación favorita es el verano! It’s when I get to ride the horses on my Nana’s ranch!”

Catra tried to bite her lips to keep herself from smiling at Adora’s bubbly personality.

Catra told her that hers was fall and they continued. Each time Adora gave a small reason for her answers. Catra learned that Adora liked the sun and hated the snow, and when asked, Catra told her that she loved the rain.

When they finished with some questions Adora would jot little notes down. Catra was able to catch some; one said blue+red=purple. Another saying, sun after rain makes rainbows.

Catra was quite confused but thought it was none of her business- they weren’t for her to understand anyway.

“So. Why do you have the alternate assignment?” Adora asked as she drew lightning bolts all over her paper.

Catra shrugged and smirked, “That’s not a question on the list.”

Adora grinned and scribbled something on her paper, presenting it to Catra afterward, “Want me to ask in Spanish?”

Catra just shook her head, “No, I wouldn’t understand you being that my parents died before I could learn Spanish from them. Though, I could’ve used context clues.”

Adora looked at her solemnly for a moment, “Sorry. I didn’t me-”

“No. It’s fine. It’s easier to talk about with someone who gets it, I assume?”

Adora nods, “Yeah. My um, parents died too, actually. I was four and I stayed with my Nana while they were going on a small trip to celebrate their anniversary. They never made it back and from there I think my brain locked the memories of me finding out exactly what happened to them.”

Catra nodded sadly. She was picking her brain for something comforting to say when Adora got her attention.

“Your turn. Ask me something.”

Catra thought for a moment, “How’re you so good at Spanish? Most people in this class can barely roll their r’s while you sound so confident.”

Catra shuts her mouth. She feels like she said too much, but it’s so easy to be herself around this girl she just met.

Adora grins, “My sister studied abroad in Spain for a summer while I stayed with my nana. When she came back she would not stop talking in Spanish so she wouldn’t forget it.”

Catra smiles, “My sister talks in Spanish when she doesn’t want me to know something. I still find out one way or another though.” Adora giggles and Catra can’t help wishing she could hear it on repeat.

When class is over Catra feels a bit cold at the loss of the sunshine that is Adora Juliette Grey.

The next day, Adora’s already seated in her chair by the time Catra makes her way to class. She’s got on a yellow and white plaid button-up with a white shirt underneath and some jeans with flowers on them. She’s such a contrast from Catra in her own graphic t-shirt and baggy cargo pants.

Catra is unsure of if she should approach the blonde after yesterday so she goes to her seat and stares out of the window.

It doesn’t take long for Adora to plop down in the seat next to hers.

“Hey, Catra!”

“Hey, Adora.” Adora blushes for some reason and Catra adjusts so she’s fully facing her.

They don’t get much further into their conversation because the teacher calls them to the front to present their project.

Catra pales. She never finished the other part of her project. She came straight home and started touching up her nail polish while she blasted some CDs on her mini boombox; completely oblivious to the fact that she might've had some homework to do.

“Actually, Señora. We decided to do our collage on one paper since we had good ideas for our favorites combined. Is that alright?”

Sra. Cruz nods happily, “I love that idea, of course, it’s alright!”

The presentation goes pretty smoothly. Catra talks about their interests while Adora explains the collage and those notes from yesterday start to make sense.

The main color is purple because Catra likes red and Adora likes blue. There's a rainbow because of the sun after rain, and more small details that are so clever that Catra wouldn’t have even thought to put them in their project.

“¡Muy bien, chicas!”

When they have work time for their next assignment Catra questions Adora.

“How’d you know I didn’t do my project?”

Adora smiles brightly, “You left your paper in here after class yesterday. I couldn’t find you to give it back so I just decided to do it as one instead.”

Catra looks sheepish, “You didn’t have to do that…”

Adora giggles sweetly again, “I wanted to. I already had ideas so it wasn’t much work.”

That’s the day that Catra begins to consider Adora as a friend.

Chapter Text

I come home in the morning light

My mother says, “When you gonna live your life right?”

Oh, mother dear, we’re not the fortunate ones

And girls, they wanna have fun

Eight Months Ago…

Adora was starting to feel things. Things she didn’t used to feel before. Before Catra D’riluth. Adora had made plenty of friends since starting school a month prior, but she always wanted to hang out with Catra. No matter how many times Glimmer invited her to swim at her house or have a sleepover, she always wanted Catra in her orbit. They were like the sun and moon. Catra even told her she prefers the moon over the sun. She liked night, and Adora liked morning. Catra liked darker shades while Adora liked pastels, and people always say that opposites attract...

What really had Adora confused was the way Catra would make her feel. When she was with Catra her heart would speed up in her chest and time would pause as she stared into her dual-colored eyes.

One time she was in the car with Mara and Replay came on and all Adora could think of was Catra. Her name reverberated in her head like a mantra.

(That girl) like something off a poster

(That girl) is a dime they say

(That girl) is a gun to my holster

And she's running through my mind all day, ayy

Adora’s entire face became flushed as she tried to focus on the trees and buildings passing by. Why was she thinking of Catra like this? Of course, her friend is super pretty and funny and her voice makes Adora’s brain go all fuzzy for a second but what did that mean? So what if Adora always wanted to hold her soft hand or give her hugs at any opportunity? Adora just loved her friend- as a friend. A lot!

When Adora got ready for school the next day, she got up an hour earlier to get ready. She wanted to be her best self for Catra. That was perfectly normal. Who’d want their friend to be all cranky and despondent? So, Adora took a little bit of time for herself.

She put on her favorite top and some capris with designs stitched into them and clipped her hair back with some dainty pins that Glimmer gave her. She was so excited to see Catra that she didn't even care that her hair was tickling her neck. When she got on the school bus and sat next to her friend Bow, he smiled widely at her.

“Hi, Adora!”

“Hey, Bow! Are you ready for that math test?” Adora asked a bit nervously.

Bow nodded, “Yeah. My older brother quizzed me last night.”

“That’s good. Mara took one look at my notes and told me good luck and gave me extra dessert just in case.”

Bow put an arm around her shoulder, “I’m sure you’ll do great!”

Adora bumped her head against his and they continued talking. Some girl tapped Adora on the head from the seat behind them and she turned around looking quizzical.

“Yes?” She thought it was a bit rude to tap someone on the head to get their attention.

The girl grunted, “That your boy toy?” Her voice was really gruff and Adora was pretty sure she saw her smoking a cigarette in the bathroom the other day.

“What? No, we’re best friends.” Adora clarified.

“Why are you asking anyway?” Adora was a bit defensive. What was this girl's deal? Plus, it was totally obvious that Glimmer had a huge raging crush on him. Why would she go for her best friend's crush?!

“Ah, just because a friend of mine may have been interested. Also because I always see you with that punk brunette girl. Thought you two were a thing.”

Adora sputtered, “No! We’re good friends! We just like hanging out!” Adora maybe spoke a bit too loudly, quick to clear things up.

The other girl scoffed and began talking to someone else, abruptly ending the conversation just as it started.

Both Bow and Adora sat back down in their seats properly. Adora crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the scribbles of marker on the green seat. Cringing at the curses and obscene drawings.

“Adora? Are you okay?” Bow asked gently and caring.

“Yes, I’m okay Bow. I’m just getting antsy from being on this bus for too long.” Bow could probably sense that Adora was just making something up to explain her behavior. Plus, they’d only been on the bus for a few minutes.

When they got to school, Adora went to her shared locker. Glimmer was already there, spritzing some glittery perfume on herself and applying lip gloss. As usual, she offered some to Adora, but today, she said yes.

Glimmer jumped for joy and Adora chuckled. She had never shared a locker with anyone before, but when Glimmer asked her if she wanted to, Adora felt so happy she couldn’t say no. She didn’t have many friends at her old school…

“I’m really glad no one’s caught us sharing a locker yet.” Glimmer comments as they grab their things for their first class.

“Yeah. It would suck if we had to stop.”

As they walked, Adora half listened as she thought about seeing Catra. What would she say to her? Would she compliment her hair today or say that her eyeliner looked good on her gorgeous eyes? Maybe that was a bit too much…

“Are you going to ask anyone to the Halloween dance? I’m sure there’s plenty of guys falling on their knees to go with you.”

Adora pauses. A guy? She didn’t want to go with a guy. Guys were soooo…bleh.  Plus they looked at Adora strangely at her old school when she started to mature more...

“What dance?” Adora feigned ignorance.

Glimmer chuckles and loops their arms together as they walk, “The dance that I told you about yesterday. I hung up a flyer in our locker and said it sounded fun. Did I spray too much perfume on you and make you dizzy again?” Glimmer asks with actual concern.

Adora nods in faux understanding, “Oh! Yes, that dance. Nope. Nobody asked me…”

“Really? Well, maybe you should ask Kyle. I’m pretty sure he’s been staring at you in ELA.”

Adora furrows her brows. Who's Kyle? The only person in that class looking remotely in her direction is some blonde boy. And she’s pretty sure he’s staring at somebody else in front of her.

Still, she coughs and shuts that idea down, “No, I think I’m okay. Are you dressing up?”

Adora quickly changes the subject, “Obviously! Me and Bow are dressing up together as a Cupid duo!” Glimmer squeals and Adora laughs at her friend's antics.

“I’m happy you’ve taken another step. You should just ask him out already, Glim.”

Glimmer blushes and starts walking away quickly, “Oh! Wow, I really have to get to Art! See you at lunch Adora! Love you!”

Adora waved and chuckled before heading to her own class. When she sits down and the bell rings Adora starts to worry that Catra’s sick or something. Catra gave Adora her phone number recently; why didn’t she make sure she was coming to school before getting all dressed up?

She debated pulling her cell out and texting Catra to make sure she was alright but decided against it. She did not want to end up in detention.

When they were quietly working on an assignment, Catra entered the room and sat down next to Adora.

“Hey, Adora.” She greeted.

Adora perked up, “Catra! You’re here! Are you okay?” Her emotions shifted swiftly as she looked Catra over. She looked how she always did. Was she wearing chapstick today? Why am I looking at her lips?!

Adora was so busy scolding her inner mind that she hadn’t realized Catra had started making silly faces at her. Adora quirked a brow before laughing into her palm.

“What are you doing, Catra?”

“I’m waiting for your brain to catch up with reality, Dummy.” Catra playfully nudged her shoulder and Adora felt electricity at the small touch. What was happening to her? Is this part of puberty?

“I’m fine. My sister overslept and she’s basically my alarm so.”

Adora nods, “I see. Well, your hair looks nice today, Catra!” Did that sound natural?

Catra chuckled and her cheeks flushed, “Okay, thanks Weirdo.” Oh no. Was Adora being weird? Maybe she should’ve thought of a better compliment.

Adora just smiles crookedly and gets back to her assignment.

“Are you going to the Halloween dance?” Catra asks after some time has passed.

Adora shrugs, “I want to go. But I don’t have a date.”

“Oh. You don’t need a date to have fun. You have me. I’m going and I don’t have a date either.” Catra hasn’t really had a date to any of the dances since she and Scorpia had this awkward time in their friendship where they were sort of more than friends, but Catra wasn’t really into it. She still goes to the events though. Mostly because Scorpia begs her and promises she’ll buy Catra a cookie at lunch for a week every single time.

“You’ll go with me?” Adora’s voice is barely louder than a whisper and her heart is doing that thing where it tries to escape her chest again.

“If you want me to.”

Adora just stares at Catra. At some point, her favorite pencil with horses on it and a rainbow eraser falls onto the floor, and rolls by Sra. Cruz’s desk and Adora doesn’t even notice until Catra gets up and gets it for her. She shoves it into her hand and when Catra puts her hand over Adora’s, the extra warmth is enough to shock her back to life and send her brain back to planet Earth.

“I want you to,” Adora says softly and it feels so right that Adora can’t ignore the fact that Catra is becoming her favorite person more and more each day.

“So. What are you dressing up as?” Catra asks.

“The future is still unwritten,” Adora answers cryptically.

“Huh?”

Adora chuckles and tilts her head to the side, smiling cheekily, “It means we’re going to Party City to try on costumes.”

Catra smiles at her in that soft way that Adora rarely sees, but when she does, she wants to bathe in the illumination of it forever.

Adora will remember her time goofing off with Catra and trying on costumes forever .

Catra tries on scary masks and hides so she can pop out and scare Adora- it only works once. She even turns on talking skeletons and tricks Adora into thinking they turned on themselves.

“Catra, I swear I saw you press that button.” Adora smooths a blonde wig onto her head and looks into a mirror.

Catra sticks her tongue out and flips her off in the mirror behind her.

“Catra!” Adora turns around and forces her finger down and Catra slips on another mask once her hands are free.

The brunette rolls her eyes and it sort of freaks Adora out since her eyes aren’t lined up properly with her masks eye holes, “Why are you wearing a blonde wig? You already have blonde hair.”

Adora blushes, “Um, well-why are you wearing that mask when your face is already scary hm?”

Catra laughs, the smooth sound making a melody in Adora’s ears, “That was a good one, ‘Dora. I never expected you to come up with something like that, Princess.”

Adora blushes, “What?”

Catra looks up, her eyes wide, “Um. You just look like a Princess with that wig on is all.” Now Catra’s blushing too.

Adora abandons her previous emotion for one of excitement, “Ooh can I give you a nickname too!”

Catra shakes her head but obliges, “Fine.”

Adora smiles and thinks for a moment, “Okay. What do you think of Kitty?”

Catra looks at her like she just grew an arm out of her neck as a party trick, “Oh hell no. Next.”

They continue to walk through the store and Adora pouts, “Why not? Mara has a cool friend named Kitty and she’s like, so cool! She rides a motorcycle and plays in a band!”

Catra pauses and looks unimpressed, “Okay. Well, I’ll think about it more later and get back to you on that.”

Catra nods and leads them to more costumes. Adora finds some old people masks and they start to goof off again.

“I told you Ustice! I took my meds today!” Catra fakes an old man's voice and waves a fist in the air.

Adora hunches over and grasps at her lower back, “I don’t believe you, Earl! You tried to eat breakfast four times today!”

They laugh and Catra laughed so hard she collapsed onto the floor, tearing her mask off so she can breathe better. Adora stops laughing at the sight and removes her mask as well. Catra’s clutching at her tummy as she has small tears forming at her shut eyes and her long lashes look so delicate against her freckled and tan skin. Her hair halos around her and Adora thinks it’d be nice to be right next to her on the floor.

She stops and opens her eyes, staring at Adora just as admirably. Her smile is that of agave and Adora thinks she wants to see it more.

Adora sees an employee coming their way and quickly helps Catra up so they can pretend to be paying customers. When they make it to the back of the store they’re breathless and in their own bubble of vibrant life and endless energy.

It seems the employee has followed them because a new voice asks them if they need anything a moment later.

“No thank you, sir. I’ve got all I need right here.” Catra says, staring at Adora and blazing holes into her chest to steal her heart away with her words.

The guy walks away awkwardly and Adora giggles when Catra mocks him by sticking out her tongue in his direction.

They try on more stuff and dance around to the rock songs playing over the store's speaker. When the time has passed and both need to get home, they decide on their costumes and leave together; s aying goodbye to one another with a tight hug and secret handshake that feels boundless to their sisters.

Adora doesn’t tell Mara about how her costume matches Catra’s when she compliments it.

Chapter Text

The phone rings in the middle of the night

My father yells, "What you gonna do with your life?"

Oh, daddy dear, you know you're still number one

But girls, they wanna have fun

Catra thinks this is real. What is this you ask? Her developing feelings for Adora, that is. She knows she starting to think of her as more than friends. She knows it when she wants to run her fingers through Adora’s hair when it shines in the blazing sun as they laugh by the classroom window. Or when Adora looks at her like she did in the isles of Party City. It hurts the most when she has to leave Adora, hugging her tightly and knowing that Adora probably doesn’t feel the same…

Catra knew she liked girls and that she didn’t like boys at all. One day it sort of just clicked for her. She saw a pretty girl and knew she thought she was pretty in a non-platonic way. She had always overheard her sister’s friends talking about how they didn’t know they were gay for so long, and how it was so confusing for them. But Catra never felt that way. It was never hard for her.

The hardest part was finding someone who she actually clicked with. Then, getting them to like her back.

Catra was getting ready for the Halloween dance and she wanted to roll her eyes at the costume. They couldn’t afford a lot of them, but one of the cheaper and decent ones was Princess Peach and Daisy from the Mario Tennis game. Once Adora saw, Adora wanted. Catra knew the moment she begged her with her sparkling blue eyes and her bottom lip jutted out that she couldn’t say no.

So tonight, she put on the yellow tank top and orange athletic shorts. Slipped into white socks and matching shoes, and put the flimsy crown onto her head. Luckily C'yra had an old tennis racket that they painted to match.

When she arrived, Adora was already there. She was dressed similarly to Catra except that she was in a short, frilly pink dress.

She was talking to Glimmer about something and fidgeting with her racket when Catra walked up to them, “Hey, Adora. Sparkles.” Catra greeted.

Glimmer didn’t even bother correcting her this time. Opting to rat Adora out instead, “Adora hates her dress.”

Adora blushes and gently slaps Glimmer on her arm, “I told you not to say anything!” She whisper-shouted at the shrugging Cupid.

“She deserves to know! Anyway, I’m off to find my counterpart. See you later!”

She skipped off towards blaring music and Catra grinned at Adora, “I thought you just had to have these costumes.”

Adora shrinks in on herself, “I know but this dress is really itchy! And too pink! But the game was fun and-”

Catra puts her hands on Adora’s shoulders and looks at her seriously, “Adora. Listen to me. I really want a cookie from the dessert table so I’m gonna need to stop you right there.” Without warning the brunette drags her over to said table and they munched on some snacks for a while.

“And the episode was so lame I couldn’t believe I stayed up just to-”

Catra was cut off by a bubbly voice, “Hello! Excuse me, could you hand me a cupcake, please?”

The girl asks Adora and she kindly does. Catra eyes this girl. She has bright orange curly hair and dark skin and is dressed up as Ulala from Space Channel 5.

“Thanks! I’m Starla.” Adora introduces herself and they talk a bit before Starla compliments Adora’s costume.

“Thank you! We’re Princess Peach and Daisy!” Adora pulls Catra in by the shoulders and Starla finally seems to take notice of Catra’s presence.

“That’s nice. Well, I’m gonna head back to my siblings.” She turns and joyfully waltzes away.

Great . Starla was polite and bubbly and Catra was basically the opposite; Adora seemed to really like her too.

“She was sweet,” Adora says as she turns to Catra as she bites into a cookie.

Catra doesn’t know what to say that won’t be rude so she steals the other half of her cookie as she’s biting into it and eats it. Ignoring her protesting hey, she drags her towards the speaker and dance floor.

“I wanna dance now.” Catra twirls Adora and it’s a little awkward since she’s a bit taller than Catra but they laugh it off and dance to the music.

“Feel the rain on your skin! No one else can feel it for you! Only you can let it in! No one else, no one else!” Everyone in the gym belts the lyrics to Unwritten and dances around as the song continues.

Catra’s having a good time and she loves how Adora’s smiling so brightly that her dimples are showing.

“Feel the rain on your skin! No one else can feel it for you! Only you can let it in! No one else, no one else!”

They sing again and Adora wiggles her fingers as she brings her arms down around Catra to mimic rain, and stops to grab at her elbows and drag her hands down her forearms to meet Catra’s hands and sway them to the music.

Catra’s heart is beating so fast and she wants to watch Adora sing and dance every single day if it means she’ll smile this brightly. Adora’s hair is down and it cascades around her shoulders like a silky, golden blanket. Maybe Catra understands why gold is one of her favorite colors.

“No one else, no one else! Can speak the words on your lips! Drench yourself in words unspoken! Live your life with arms wide open! Today is where your book begins!”

Catra puts a finger to Adora’s lips and she almost keeps it there but she can’t help moving to cradle Adora’s jaw; her skin is so soft under Catra’s hand. She wants to keep it there.

It’s not long before the song switches for a slow dance to take place. Adora blushes and looks away but Catra can’t take her eyes off the shy blonde.

Catra reaches her hand out, offering to dance. Adora places hers in Catra’s gently and they slowly sway along to Waterfalls.

When She leans against Adora she Catches Starla’s eye from across the room and smirks at her deviously as she turns and looks into Adora’s eyes longingly. She then playfully grins and dips Adora and Adora yelps in surprise, lifting her knee in shock.

“Catra!”

“I’ve never been dipped before!” She whisper-yells.

Catra grins smugly, “There’s a first time for everything, Princess.”

When they come back up Adora laughs into Catra’s shoulder and when she tears her eyes away from the view, she sees Starla glaring at her, the liquid from her punch cup seeping out and running down her wrist.

Catra turns back to Adora, “There’s a first time for everything.”

She Looks So Perfect comes on the speakers and Catra can’t help singing the lyrics to Adora as Starla seethes on the sidelines.

Catra could dance with Adora all night long if meant seeing her in this new light. Confident Adora and shy Adora were Catra’s favorite versions of her. Goofy Adora was up next, though.

When they took a break to cool off and get a drink, Starla stopped them.

“Hi there, Adora! Cool moves- ahem.”

Starla slowly slipped between Catra and Adora, clearly trying to steal her away.

“Adora? Can I ask you something?” Starla asked innocently.

Adora nodded and sat her cup down, “Great! Um. I was wondering if you liked anybody.”

Adora looked anxious. She scratched at her arm and glanced around, “I-I’m not sure.” She answered honestly.

Catra’s world slowed down at that. Who wasn’t she sure about? What was Catra expecting her to say? Gosh, why did this Starla chick have to bud into everything on their night? What did she even want Adora to say to that question anyway?

“Oh, okay. Well, that’s good to know. I’m actually pretty bored, do you want to catch one of the last songs?”

Nooo! Say no, please! Catra begged whoever had the power to stop this interaction.

Adora looked sheepish and conflicted. Ugh, she’s probably doing that thing where she’s thinking about how if she says no she’ll be letting Starla down or something.

“Well, I-I um I came with Catra. So. I mean- we’re here together and-”

Starla quickly swiveled to face Catra, “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to steal Adora for a dance.”

Catra bit her tongue until she tasted metal. She would not let this girl ruin their night.

“Actually, I was thinking Adora and I would hit the photo booth during the last few songs. You understand, don’t you? The lines are gone and all.” Catra said faux innocently.

Starla peered at Catra and Adora cheered behind her, “I forgot about the photo booth! Let’s go! Bye Star!” Adora grabbed Catra’s wrist and ran to the booth, giggling.

Catra felt like a goddess.

They took silly pictures and posed with their rackets. Catra decided to be bold and kiss Adora on the cheek. The photos came out perfect and in the one after the kiss, Adora blushed as she held her cheek where the feeling of Catra’s lips still lingered.

The tingling was still there when the dance was over and they were hugging goodbye.

“I had so much fun, Catra. Thank you for coming with me.”

Catra wrapped her arm around Adora’s shoulders as they walked to their awaiting siblings, “I had fun too, Princess.”

“Which pictures do you want?” Catra asked and Adora quickly claimed the one with the kiss.

“We just look really cute.” She nervously explains to Catra’s smug and smirking face.

“Of course. I think you’re the best dance date I’ve ever had, Adora.” Catra says honestly.

Adora smiles widely, “Really? Well, you’re my first dance date. But if I ever go with anyone else, they’ll have a lot to live up to.”

If she ever goes with anyone else.

Catra would rather Adora didn’t kill her with her word choices just as she’s starting to feel like maybe Adora might be the person she sort of likes.

When they officially bid their goodbyes, Catra can hear Mara teasing Adora about the pictures and Catra chuckles. C’yra was busy talking on the phone with someone by their car so Catra decided to send a message to a certain cunning redhead.

“Hey, Star girl.” She greets lazily.

Starla glares at her, crossing her arms she says, “Catra. I see you’ve stopped following Adora around like a guard dog. Did you enjoy her giving you so many treats tonight?” She probably saw them crossing their arms to feed each other cupcakes early in the dance.

Catra narrows her eyes, “Adora and I had a great time, together . I think the worst part was you spoiling it. Honestly, if anyone's a guard dog it would be you . Following us around the entire night, sniffing for crumbs.”

Starla looks about ready to chew Catra’s head off. Catra half expects her to say, I’ll show you a dog , and then attack her from how angry she looks, but she’ll never know what was going to happen next because Starla’s siblings whisk her away, and C’yra calls her to the car.

“Care to tell me about tonight, Cat?” C’yra asks from the driver's seat.

Catra does. She tells her about how this was probably the best night of her life, and how she didn’t let Starla intrude.

Chapter Text

That's all they really want

Some fun

When the working day is done

Oh, girls, they wanna have fun

Adora was having a bad day. Rain clouds followed her around and it didn’t get any better when Catra was late to Spanish again.

“I had to catch the bus. Our car broke down.” Adora nodded sadly when Catra told her.

Of course, Catra noticed, “You’re not yourself today.” She comments idly.

When she puts her pencil down, she looks at Adora with so much care that she could break from the strength it holds.

“Are you doing okay? Or did you stay up too late on your DSI again?”

Adora shook her head, “No, um. Today’s just not a good day.” She found out that her grade in math went down to a D last night and she cried herself to sleep because her teacher never gave them any time to really absorb the material. Plus, Adora struggled to pay attention anyway, so that was not a good mix.

Catra smiled gloomily, “Okay. Well, I think as your best friend, it’s my mission to make you laugh at least once today.”

Oh yeah. That happened. After the dance, they declared themselves best friends. Adora maybe screamed into her pillow that night from so much buzzing excitement yet frustration.

Adora smiled, “Thanks, Kitkat.” Catra allowed Adora to call her that on occasion and it seemed like now was the perfect time. It came to be when she stole some candies from Adora's basket the day after Halloween.

“So. I may have brought some leftover birthday cake for lunch today.”

“Catra! You need to eat actual food.” Adora scolded playfully, her mood already improving.

Catra shrugged, “It is food. Maybe not your ideal lunch, but I love it, so.”

Adora rolled her eyes and Catra offered, “Swapsies? I can smell the Halloween candy on you.”

Adora smiled and held her hand out, “Deal.” They shook on it and began to work on their notes.

Adora was crying in the girls' bathroom. After Spanish class, her day had dulled again. Some girl named Octavia made fun of her in their math class when the teacher asked Adora some geometry questions. Adora got it terribly wrong because who’s actually good at geometry? Octavia then said she belonged in the remedial math class.

Adora wasn’t usually so sensitive to insults, but it really stung her today. She wished she could call Octavia a dumb face. Or something worse. A dumbass. Adora didn’t usually curse though. Not like Catra did. Catra was also thirteen now. There were probably tons of teenage things she did that Adora didn’t. But what would Adora know? She was still twelve.

As if summoned, Catra walked into the bathroom, pass swinging around her wrist as she whistled some tune.

“Oh, hey Adora-” She paused at the sight of her distressed friend.

“Adora? What’s wrong?”

Adora sniffled, “Everyone thinks I’m stupid.” She stuffed her face into her arms which were perched atop her knees and sulked further.

Catra sits by her on the floor, despite the voices in her head screaming at her for breaking the one rule she ever gave herself. Never sit on the bathroom floor. She’s seen things.

She cradled Adora in her arms and spoke soft yet firm, “You’re exceptional, Adora. The most clever girl I’ve ever met.”

“Maybe to you. Plus, you have to say these things; you’re my best friend.”

Catra scoffs, “Adora. You know I don’t bullshit. Remember when you showed up to my house in that horse onesie? I told you that it was dumb and deserved to be burned-”

“And when I frowned you gave me ice cream and brushed the mane for me.” Adora finished softly.

“Exactly. Aren’t I the best?”

Adora shoves her gently, “Why does geometry have to be so confusing?”

Catra pulls her in closer, “Don’t ask me. Geometry is like my neighbor's dog barking whenever she talks to it. I have no idea what is going on or what they could possibly be talking about.”

Adora wants to laugh at that but she’s too miserable, “I need a math tutor now.”

Catra pats her head, “There’s nothing wrong with that, Adora. Maybe Bow can tutor you.” Catra suggests.

Adora shakes her head, “He’s too busy with archery club after school. Glimmer’s been complaining every night over the phone about how much she misses walking around the mall with him.”

Catra chuckles. Those idiots need to just get together already. Catra thinks for a moment. Adora is stronger than she let’s on and wouldn’t cry for just any little reason.

“Who said it?” Catra asks seriously.

“What?” Adora looks up at her, eyebrow raised in question.

Catra stares ahead, “Who called you stupid?”

Adora gulps, “It’s okay, Catra. I don’t want you to get detention again. Then I won’t be able to walk to my bus with you.” She reasons.

Catra nods, “I won’t do anything. I just wanna know who to imagine next time my sister brings me to break room therapy.”

Adora smiles and rolls her eyes, “Fine. It was Octavia. But please don’t say anything to her! She’s twice your size and she smokes with Huntara in the downstairs bathroom! She’ll probably burn her cigarette on you.”

Catra chuckles, “I won’t let her touch me.”

Adora smiles at her and after skipping the rest of their class, they leave the bathroom. Catra made good on her promise and made Adora laugh so hard when they talked on the phone after school.

It isn’t until the next day that Adora hears from Mermista who heard from Perfuma who heard from DT that someone tried flushing Octavia’s clothes in the locker room toilets in PE and clogged them up.

“There was water everywhere, Octavia was so mad! She nearly ripped the toilet from the ground! She had to walk around in her smelly gym uniform and throw her clothes away after getting them out of the toilet! It was the dirtiest one too!” Some random girl was gushing by her locker after she had already heard the story four times that day.

Adora sighed when she made it to their Spanish class.

“Did you do it?” She asks Catra in a whisper.

The brunette shrugs, “Maybe. She deserved it, though. Maybe she’ll be smarter before calling you names.”

Adora pretended to be bothered but she secretly loved it when Catra defended her. She risked getting into a lot of trouble for Adora; that thought made Adora's tummy tingle with dancing butterflies.

“Well. Would tickets to the fair make you feel better?”

Adora breaks into a huge and toothy grin, “Catra.” She says seriously.

“Catra, are you serious? You know I’ve always wanted to go to the fair!”

Catra nods, “C’yra doesn’t want to go with me.” She lied. She begged C’yra to give her money to pay for Adora to come with her. Now she just had to clean the kitchen for the rest of the month. But she was sure it’d be worth it.

“Ohmygosh I’m so excited!” Adora jumps from her seat and brings Catra into a bone-crushing, soul-stealing hug.

Catra could only smile with her squished cheeks; her larynx clogged with a syrupy sweet sensation.

The fair was bustling with people as the best friends entered and immediately gawked at the sight with wide, glistening eyes. It was so colorful and Catra was oozing with energy to hop on some rides.

Adora dragged them to get treats first and they shared most of them since they cost the price of a lung.

They first went on something more tame. It was fast but not too fast. Then, Catra made Adora ride the Cloud Chaser. It went upside down like ten times and held you in mid-air. The first time they rode it, Adora screamed her head off and clutched to Catra for dear life. If you had to take off your shoes and be weighed, something was seriously wild about the ride in Adora’s eyes.

The second time was entirely different. The sun was setting and Adora felt at peace with herself and her life as she was suspended in mid-air; capturing this image in her mind. She looked at Catra and her eyes were closed, enjoying the moment. Adora wished she could stay there in perpetuity with her best friend as they were twirled a few more times before being let off.

They held hands as they retrieved their shoes, “That was so much fun! Let’s do the duo ziplines next!”

And so they did. They were propelled across a grassy area and slowly reeled back in. When Catra suggests they play some games, Adora wins her a giant cat plushy even though she was planning on wooing Adora with her non-existent carnival game skills.

“I’ll call them Melog,” Catra said happily as Adora continued to lick her ice cream.

“What should we do now? We have a bit longer before Mara said she’d pick us up for the sleepover.”

Catra didn’t even have to think twice, “Wanna ride the Ferris wheel?”

Adora enthusiastically agreed and when they were finally at the top, watching the bright and colorful lights of the fair, it felt like magic.

“It’s so beautiful.” Adora comments, eyes scanning the world beneath them.

“You’re so beautiful.” Adora turns and Catra is looking at her with so much fervor and intensity that Adora’s entire body lights ablaze under the attention. It felt as if her heart began to bleed chocolatey syrup, melting and oozing with affection for the girl in front of her.

“Catra?” She hums in response.

“Can I kiss you?” Adora doesn’t know how she gains the courage to ask but there's no going back now. She offered to trade her heart, would Catra accept?

Catra smiles softly, “I’m so glad you asked.” And they’re leaning in.

The kiss is soft and innocent and it’s more than Adora ever dreamed of it feeling like. She’s not too sure what to do next, but she cradles Catra’s face and Catra grabs at the side of her waist, pulling her in deeper.

When they separate, fireworks go off in Adora’s heart. They’re starting to descend again and Adora wishes this night would never end. She almost forgets they’re going home together when they don’t have to hug goodbye at the end of the night.

Mara asks them how it was and they gush over the rides, neither daring to mention the kiss- that was just for the two of them.

Later, it feels like they sleep closer to each other. Both wanting to kiss again but not knowing how to ask. They just talk and hold a stare until they eventually fall asleep, limbs, sheets, and their hearts, all entwined.

Chapter Text

Some boys take a beautiful girl

And hide her away from the rest of the world

I want to be the one to walk in the sun

And girls, they wanna have fun

Catra and Adora spend the last remaining warm days of fall riding their bikes through a dense forest. Adora hates the snow so she spends these days wisely. Outside with her…best friend? A best friend that she kissed at the top of a Ferris wheel.

They hadn’t talked about it. That was fine. Adora didn’t know what to say anyway. She didn’t even know if she was gay. Yes, she was practically allergic to boys. And yes, she found Catra very attractive in every possible way. But Adora wasn’t the gay expert. She could just be falling for Catra because she’s so nice to Adora.

“Denial is a river in Egypt, Adora! And you are desperately drowning in it!” Glimmer would say to her every time she brought up the kiss.

Adora would argue that it was De Nile , and her best friend would deadpan and slap her forehead, groan, and give up for the time being.

Adora was too busy thinking to pay attention to what Catra had said. Then, she was on the ground, and blinking up at orange trees and a concerned brunette.

“What did you say?” Adora asks drowsily.

“I said, Adora! Watch out for that huge stone!” Catra was inspecting her and Adora’s cheeks warmed as she clutched her hand with worry.

“I think you’re just scraped up.” Catra stood and dusted the dirt from her knees before helping Adora up slowly.

Catra led them to her bike and looked at her expectantly.

“What?”

Catra rolled her eyes, “We obviously need to go get some bandages. So, hop on.” Catra gestured at her bike seat.

“Catra.” She deadpanned.

“I’m fine. If I can ride my bike with no hands, then I can ride with a few scrapes and bruises.” She reasons.

Catra just crosses her arms. She remembers the sight of Adora pedaling freely, arms wide, and tasting the air on her tongue.

“I don’t trust you not to bust your head again. Get on.” Catra demanded.

Adora shakes her head and gets onto the bike, “We’ll come back for yours later.” Says Catra as she gets on and hovers above the seat, pedaling them to her house.

When she would stop she’d lower a bit to touch one foot to the ground, telling Adora to hold onto her for whatever reason. It felt as if the wheels weren’t even on the ground when Adora’s arms enveloped her torso in a comforting warmth. She was supposed to be taking care of Adora, but the blonde was rocking her world at every possible moment.

When they got to her house, Catra told Adora to sit on the kitchen counter. She brought some bandages and cream from the bathroom and cleaned Adora’s cuts. Then, soothing them with the cream and placing bandages with a skull design over them.

Adora smiled softly as Catra kissed all her bruises, tied her shoelace that had loosened at some point, and then helped her down.

“Thanks, Kitkat.” This felt like a nickname moment.

Catra looked sheepish, watching a bunny hop around her backyard from the kitchen window, “Yeah, whatever. I’m hungry.”

She takes a giant thing of cheese puffs out of a cabinet and tosses a few in her mouth. Adora opens her mouth and tries to catch the ones Catra throws her.

After playing around a bit they eat a few more properly before getting distracted by something or the other.

It isn’t until after dinner when Catra realizes they never went back for Adora’s bike. C’yra’s resting out back, staring into the night sky like she usually does after dinner. Catra sneaks out the front door and walks the distance to the forest. Luckily, Adora’s bike is still there. Catra picks it up and rides it to Adora’s house.

She’s not scared of all the strange people and runners she passes by. She’s just peaceful, enjoying the nightly ride and hoping she’ll get to experience this again sometime as she arrives at Adora’s house.

She knocks on the door then rings the doorbell for good measure and it’s being swung open before Catra can even remove her finger from the doorbell.

Adora answers and she’s teary-eyed and her face is puffy and red; Catra’s heart shatters.

“Adora! I told you to let me answer it!” Mara rushes and breathes a sigh of relief. Holding a phone to her ear as she rubs soothing circles into Adora’s arm with her free hand.

“There you are. We thought something happened to you, Kiddo.” Mara heads to the kitchen to finish talking to whoever she’s on the phone with and Catra doesn’t even register Mara’s words- too busy worrying about Adora.

“What happened? Why are you crying?” Catra puts a comforting hand on Adora’s shoulder but it’s slapped off immediately.

Catra’s pretty sure that her shattered heart has just been put through a shredder at that action.

“No! What happened to you, Catra?! C’yra called us asking if we had seen you and I thought something happened to you- God, Catra, I can’t lose you.” Adora was sobbing and she pulled Catra in for a tight hug. The door was still open, cold air enveloping the pair in a metaphysical ice storm.

Catra felt tears pricking at her eyes. She hugged back, “I’m safe, Adora. I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think to ask before leaving. I went to go get your bike.”

Adora looks up from Catra’s shoulder and leaning next to the porch is her white and gold bike. She just looks at Catra again and cries harder. 

Sniffling into Catra’s jacket, she says, “That was stupid.”

Catra nods, “It was fucking dumb of me, wasn’t it.”

Adora pulls back, “Very. But thank you. I was just going to get it tomorrow.”

Catra shakes her head, “It’d be too cold. It’s also probably gonna snow.”

“I hate snow.” Adora reminds her.

“I know.” And Catra knows.

She knows just about everything there is to know about Adora Juliette Grey; except for the fact that she is wholly in love with Catra D’riluth.

“C’yra’s on her way!” Mara yells from the kitchen and Adora quickly shuts the door before asking Mara to make them some hot chocolate.

They drink their hot chocolate on the couch and Adora doesn’t let her go. She clings to the brunette and cries again when she has to go.

Chapter Text

They just wanna, they just wanna

They just wanna, they just wanna

They just wanna, they just wanna

Girls just wanna have fun

Catra and Adora only grew closer as the school year progressed. They went to all the dances together and made plenty more memories. Catra learned that it wasn’t so bad to spend time with all their friends, and Adora learned that she was allowed to say no sometimes. She also learned that things aren’t that much different when you turn thirteen.

Catra had no idea what Adora had been up to lately. She kept on whispering around with Sparkles, Arrow Boy and some girl with blue hair that looked insanely cool.

Catra maybe felt a little left out. But Adora was entitled to her personal time with other friends! Catra just leaned against the schools walls as she waited for the blonde.

“Catra!” Catra groaned.

“Finally. Any later and you would’ve missed your bus.”

Adora wraps an arm around Catra, “C’yra would’ve given me a ride and you know it.”

Catra rolls her eyes, “What were you doing anyway?”

Adora blushes and glances off to the side, “Nothing much. Anyway, I can’t make it to yours tomorrow. I’ve got a doctor's appointment.”

Catra peers at her, “Doesn’t Mara usually schedule those for the morning?”

Adora spots her bus and hugs Catra tightly, “Not this time! Bye!”

She runs and hops on the bus. Today they didn’t have time to talk in front of it since it was about to leave. Not long after, Bow gets on too.

Catra sighs as she sees C’yra pull up and hops into the car, her heart still tugging on the walls of her body, craving the presence of her best friend.

They finally get to hang out on the weekend when Adora invites Catra to the mall. She says it’s just to walk around but it seems like she’s searching for something in particular.

“What about this? Is it too baggy?”

Adora comes out of the dressing room for the billionth time as Catra slurps her melted slushy.

“No, it fits you pretty well. Can I ask what prompts the sudden interest in a wardrobe upgrade? Usually, you don’t really care for walking around the mall.”

Adora slips back behind the door, quickly changing, “Ah, no reason! I just thought a new outfit would be nice.”

Catra slurps her drink again, “Alright. Show me the next one.”

She pops out in a white vest with golden embellishments and pants to match. Catra’s jaw is in the underworld by the time she asks for her opinion.

“You look amazing, Adora. If you don’t get that I will get it for you.”

Adora looks flustered for a moment, “Okay.” She smiles as she purchases the outfit and a few accessories before they walk around the mall aimlessly.

Adora gasps, “Build A Bear! We need to stuff a bear right now, Catra!” Adora begs eagerly.

Catra chuckles and follows after the blonde.

They choose a cute little brown bunny and go to stuff it. They put one of those voice hearts in it and they fill out the certificate.

“Let’s name her Clover Happysmile Applesauce!” Adora proclaims loudly.

Catra just giggles at her best friend, stunned she writes out the name, “Clover Happysmile Applesauce D’riluth-Grey.”

When she gets to the belongs to portion she writes both her and Adora’s names and then they finally decide to leave the mall. Mostly because they’re broke now.

It was a good day. Catra spent time with Adora finally. Adora’s secret surprise wasn’t spoiled. And Clover goes home with Adora for the first night. Catra’s pleasantly surprised when she can smell Adora’s scent on the bunny the next night; she clutches Clover with all her might, wishing it were Adora next to her.

Adora was up to something. Catra wanted to know what, but she didn’t want to invade Adora’s privacy. She asked around to see if her friends would hint at anything but they just told her some lame excuse each time.

“Adora had a tutoring lesson,” Bow said. Which was a lie. She only had tutoring on Mondays now.

“Adora had to help her sister clean the attic.” Which was also a lie. Clearly, Adora had never mentioned to her supposed other best friend, Glitter, that she didn’t have an attic to clean since their attic was turned into a chill room for Adora and her new friends the summer before she switched schools.

“I don’t know. Adora told me that she was like painting some room in her house or washing her sister's car or something.” Mermista groaned when Catra tried telling her that she didn’t believe it. But when Catra came over to her house unannounced, there she was, washing Mara’s car in a paint-stained shirt that was soaked through, revealing a cut-out one-piece underneath.

Catra gawked, “What? But-I thought-”

“Oh, hi Kitkat! Sorry, but I promised Mara I’d wash her car if she lent me some money for something a while back.” Adora explained as she rinsed the soapy suds off the pristine vehicle.

“Oh. Well, I guess I’ll see you later then.”

Catra began to walk away, not knowing that Adora was expecting this, and had Mermista tell Catra exactly what she had been planning to do already.

“Catra?” Adora questions before Catra can get too far.

“Yes, Adora?” She turns and isn’t expecting a full-power blast of water from the hose.

She sputters, blocking the water with her palms, “A-Adora! Stop it!” Adora stops and giggles.

“These are my favorite jeans!” Catra’s soaked and she’s definitely already plotting ways to get the blonde back.

“Well then, I guess you better go change.” Adora challenges with a smirk and Catra runs into Adora’s house and up to her room, searching for something of Adora’s that she can wear through this war.

Catra finds an old T-shirt and some shorts that she knows are too small for Adora now. She puts her wet clothes in the dryer and wrings her hair out, putting it in a messy top knot afterward.

When she comes back out Adora is holding two full water guns, offering one to Catra, “Thanks, Princess.” Catra whispers and Adora can feel her breath close to her face.

Adora was too distracted to notice the water gun slowly getting closer to her face, and a moment later she was being blasted with icy water.

When she finally gathers herself she gets Catra back and the two girls go back and forth, spraying each other with their water guns. A while later Mara comes from the backyard and checks on them.

“Is my car clean?” She asks as she leans against the doorframe.

Adora nods. She also dried it off a bit after rinsing.

“Good. Dinner will be ready soon so you girls should probably finish up out here and come in and dry off.”

The girls clean up and head inside to do as Mara suggests. Catra was so happy to be with her Adora again. They were freshly showered and their tummies were full of barbequed meats as they watched some random movie on the television. Adora’s arm was around Catra’s shoulders and they couldn’t be more content to revolve around one another as did the Earth around the sun.

It was time for the end of the school year talent show and Adora was nowhere to be found. Catra had only come because Adora said she’d go. But where was she? Catra even searched for her friends and was only able to spot Glimmer, slipping out of the double doors of the auditorium.

Catra sighed and took a seat as the show was about to begin.

…

Fifteen performers in and the seat next to Catra was still cold and empty. She debated just walking out after the next act.

“And now we have The Rebellion performing Girls Just Want To Have Fun!”

After some applause, the stage went dark and Catra heard the beginning of a guitar.

The stage lights come on and Catra is enthralled at the sight. Adora looks captivating as her long silky blonde hair flows like a calm waterfall down her back and around her shoulders as she stands center stage in that outfit.

Bow’s on the drums and cool girl Mermista is on the guitar, and she and Glimmer are doing backup vocals.

Her eyes stay glued to her best friend the entire time, listening intently to her extraordinary voice.

The phone rings in the middle of the night

My father yells, "What you gonna do with your life?"

Oh, daddy dear, you know you're still number one

But girls, they wanna have fun

That's all they really want

Some fun

When the working day is done

Oh, girls, they wanna have fun

It seems Adora’s shimmering eyes stay on Catra the entire time as well as she sings with that of a blazing fire, rushing through a forest and clearing her path in this world.

Some boys take a beautiful girl

And hide her away from the rest of the world

I want to be the one to walk in the sun

And girls, they wanna have fun

That's all they really want

Some fun

When the working day is done

Oh, girls, they wanna have fun

Catra smiles so wide as it clicks. She remembers Adora tapping this tune on her desk the first day she arrived. It feels so long ago that that had happened. They’ve both come such a long way.

Passion boomed through Adora’s arteries as she finished and closed the song.

They just wanna, they just wanna

They just wanna, they just wanna

They just wanna, they just wanna

Girls just wanna have fun

Catra stood and clapped and she didn’t care if she was the only one, she cheered at the top of her lungs and Adora bowed sheepishly. Catra’s heart was thumping in her chest and she could practically hear it when the noise quieted.

Catra didn’t even watch the rest of the show. She quickly made her way out the double doors and to the backstage area, in search of a particularly talented blonde.

When Catra spotted her chatting with Mermista she didn’t care. She grabbed Adora’s shoulders and turned Adora to face herself.

“Adora. That was amazing. Why didn’t you tell me you sang?”

Adora chuckles abashedly, “I guess it never came up and I’ve always been a bit shy about it.”

Catra shakes her head, “The world needs to be graced with your voice, seriously Adora, you did wonderful.”

Catra was breathless and Adora was smiling at her so fervently that Catra couldn’t hold her feelings back any longer.

“Adora.”

“Catra.”

They were both practically whispering at this point but it was enough and it stayed between them.

“I’m so in love with you Adora Juliette Grey.” Catra gulps when Adora’s smile grows wider and illuminates her world.

“You are?”

Catra smiles and rolls her eyes, “Deeply. Madly, even.”

Adora’s smile falls and she looks into Catra’s eyes with so much depth that it feels like she’s glowing under the attention.

“I’m so in love with you too, Catra D’riluth. Truly and wholeheartedly.”

They stare for a beat longer. Eyes full of devotion and hearts full of desire.

“Catra?”

“Adora?”

“Kiss me.” Her voice is firm so Catra places a firm and dedicated kiss onto Adora’s lips and it’s everything and more.

Catra wouldn’t have believed you if you told her that she’d be kissing the new girl of the 7th grade backstage at the end of the school year talent show; she didn’t think it’d be possible for someone to tug on and play her heartstrings, creating a melody just for the two of them to listen to.

It seems that shooting stars could fly for Catra D’riluth; if that star was Adora Juliette Grey, then she’d be happily waiting in perpetuity for her to fly and cross her path.