Chapter Text
Looking back, she should have stayed home. The clouds were a little too gray, the sky a little too ominous and foreboding. But Catra wasn’t thinking about that, no Catra was hungry and thinking about Madame Razz’s delicious coffee and food.
The news didn’t call for any rain today, so she thought she was in the clear to ride her bike to the Elberon District.
She should’ve paid attention to the sky, like any normal being, because Catra was not in the clear. Half way into her trip the clouds opened in a downpour, completely soaking Catra through her clothes and down to her skin. Too far gone, she had no choice but to continue on her journey.
She will get her food now, or else this trip was for nothing.
Pedaling faster, she wipes the water from her eyes and face, noticing the edge of the purple building as she draws closer. The magicat sighs with relief as she pulls up to the store. She parks her bike in the side alley, hiding it behind the dumpster, before sprinting into the warmth of Madame Razz’s.
Warm as it may be, her body shivers violently and she wraps her arms tight around herself to try to help. She shakes her body, fur-like skin puffing out slightly.
“Catra?” An instantly recognizable voice calls out to her. It’s almost humorous how fast she turns her head, hoping that her mind isn’t playing tricks on her. And of course it’s not.
Catra instantly warms (figuratively, of course, she’s still freezing), and a soft smile forms on her lips. “Hey Adora,” she responds. Because what are the odds that Adora would be here? Actually, probably small odds considering it was Adora who introduced her to this place.
“You’re soaking wet.” Adora points out as her eyes worry over the feline.
“You’re perceptive.” She quips monotonously, eyes glaring as water drips from her hair. Adora shakes out her worry and turns it to action, standing from her table. She leans down, and that’s when Catra notices the football bag and backpack on the floor beside her. Adora pulls out a pair of grey sweatpants and a small hand towel.
“You must be freezing.” Adora says, handing them over to Catra. “Take these. Go dry off and get out of those wet clothes.”
Catra startles at the immediate chivalry, too taken aback to actually grab the items that Adora is offering her. Her eyes dart down to the items in the football player’s hands, then back up to her favorite blue eyes, then back to the items.
“Catra?” Adora prompts, gently gesturing the items one more time towards the soaking magicat. Catra shakes her head slightly, regaining her composure before she reaches out to take them from Adora.
“You sure?” Catra asks softly and Adora vehemently nods.
“Absolutely. Go dry off, you look miserable.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“No! No - oh gosh, no! I didn’t -me... no, not like that - Y-you look great! You always look great - ”
“Adora,” Catra drawls with a smirk, pulling Adora out of her rambling. “I was teasing.” Adora's face burns pink and Catra bites her lip to suppress a laugh.
“Teasing! Ha right, yeah I knew- I knew that.”
“Thank you.” Catra adds as she takes a side step towards the bathrooms. “I appreciate it.”
“Of course, oh and here have this!” She nearly screams as she rips off her sweatshirt. Her head gets caught in the hole and she struggles to pull it loose, but with a valiant effort she succeeds. Her hair is a mess, ponytail askew, as she hands the hoodie over to Catra.
“Thanks Adora.” Catra whispers before turning around and walking to the bathroom. She locks the door and sets the items on the sink. She works the towel through her hair first, then strips her clothes completely off and wipes down her shoulders, arms, stomach and legs.
When her skin is just slightly damp, as opposed to soaked, she throws on Adora’s clothes. They’re soft. Insanely soft and comfortable, and Catra sighs in relief as she burrows further into the clothes.
And if she just so opens to take in a deep breath of Adora’s scent, well who could blame her?
She takes a second to compose herself, attempting to dry off her hair a little more. She stuffs her wet socks inside her wet shoes, both too far gone to even think about putting back on, picks them up along with the rest of her clothes, and walks out of the bathroom barefoot.
“Thanks again.” Catra says as she sets the towel gently down on the empty side of Adora’s table. The blonde’s head shoots up from where it was buried in a textbook.
“Anytime.” she answers. Catra moves to take a step away but Adora stops her. “Would you… um… like to join me?” Her voice trembles slightly, Catra might go as far to say she sounds nervous and it sparks a small flame of hope inside her. Hope that maybe these feelings aren’t completely one sided.
“Sure.” She says with a shrug of a single shoulder. As soon as her butt is in the chair, Madame Razz is in front of her setting down a tray with soup, bread, and coffee. Catra startle’s slightly, causing Adora to chuckle at her little jump. She shoots a side glare over to her companion before thanking Madame Razz.
“So,” Adora starts with a tiny smirk, her eyes falling back to the book in front of her, “big fan of Madame Razz’s?”
Catra slurps her soup loudly before saying, “Something like that.” Adora looks up, her smirk growing as she smiles at Catra only to go back to her reading. They fall into a comfortable silence after that, Catra munching happily on her food while Adora continues her work. It’s quiet and nice, just sharing each other’s company.
When Catra finishes the last of her food, she sips idly at her coffee while she watches Adora.
“What are you working on?” She asks, drawing up Adora’s attention.
“Just some class work.” The athlete answers as she stretches her arms straight above her head, and leans back slightly. She sighs with relief afterwards, her body instantly relaxing as she drapes herself across the table. “I have an assignment due tomorrow night, but I want to get it done early because of the game.”
Catra tries to pretend like she didn’t just notice Adora’s shirt ride up slightly, revealing a teasing glimpse of what looks like abs. She’s not at all surprised, she expected Adora to have abs, not that she thinks about Adora having- you know what? Nevermind, she just wasn’t expecting it today.
“Right. Yeah. Makes sense.” She mumbles as she picks at a chip in the table with her claw. Adora lets out a low groan as she stretches her back again before leaning back in her chair and closing her book. “Giving up?”
“For now.” Adora chuckles. “I’ll submit the assignment when I get back to my apartment. I’m gonna head out, did you want a ride?” When she hears the offer, Catra turns to look outside the window only to see the downpour has not let up. She turns her head slightly, giving Adora a soft side eye and nodding.
“That would be great, actually.” Adora brightens instantly, jumping up to pack her things.
“Awesome! Okay you stay here, I’ll go pull my car around.” Catra doesn't have time to argue as Adora throws on her back pack, football bag, then pulls an umbrella out of one of their side pockets and bolts out the door.
With a quiet chuckle, she drops a few bills onto the table to cover her meal then walks over to the main door and watches for Adora’s large SUV.
When the car pulls around, Adora gets out with her umbrella again and walks to the door.
“Where’s your bike?” She asks Catra as they both shuffle under for cover. Catra looks up into Adora’s eyes, her breath catching at their proximity. Her eyes glance quickly down to soft pink lips, before shooting back up to Adora’s waiting blues.
“Side alley.” She whispers, her voice barely audible. She clears her throat in order to reset herself, grateful that Adora didn’t seem to notice her wandering eyes.
They walk side by side to retrieve Catra’s bike, and Adora doesn’t hesitate to heft it into her car.
“Yeesh, this rain just won’t let up.” Adora remarks as the two slide into the front seats, shaking off the little remnants of water.
“I like it.” Catra says matter-of-factly.
“You do?” Adora questions, turning on both of their heated seats. Catra nearly moans as her body is engulfed in pure warmth.
“Mhhm.” She sighs, her eyes closed while she bites her lip in pleasure. “I love storms and rain.”
“Any reason why?” Adora asks with a soft laugh, and Catra can feel her pulling onto the street.
“It’s just relaxing to me. Well, it’s relaxing when I’m not caught in the downpour.” She adds with a laugh, and Adora joins in. When their laughter fades, a comfortable silence envelopes the car, the only sound being the soft pitter patter of the rain. Catra crosses her arms and relaxes further into the warmth of the seat.
“Sooo…” Adora drawls out as she drums her fingers on the steering wheel. “Got any plans tonight?” She asks nonchalantly. A little too nonchalantly in Catra’s opinion, causing her to become slightly suspicious. Her fight or flight instincts telling her that something is off, that Adora is reaching for something, some information.
Stop . She has to tell herself before she falls too far down the rabbit hole. This is Adora; sweet, handsome, goofy Adora. She’s not digging for any information. She’s just getting to know you like any other friend would.
She bristles as the word friend crosses her mind, not liking to use it when describing Adora, but not having any other word to use. They are friends, she just wishes they could be more.
“Nope.” She answers, not feeling the need to add anything else. Adora did ask a yes or no question after all.
“Cool, cool, nice.” Adora says. The car shifts slightly as she makes the turn into Catra’s apartment complex, parking in front of the side door closest to Catra and Scorpia’s. Catra’s interest is piqued now, and she raises a singular brow in question.
“Why?” She asks, and Adora’s face flushes pink as she looks anywhere around them except for Catra. The feline smirks at her actions, her stomach swelling with butterflies.
“No reason,” She says with a shrug, and Catra’s heart deflates. “Actually no, that’s a lie. There totally was a reason.” Adora huffs to herself and shakes her head. Catra hums in question and Adora takes a deep breath in as she picks at the skin on her fingers.
"Would you, maybe, want to get dinner tonight? With me?" Adora mumbles, her eyes staring at her hands that fiddle in her lap. Catra's eyes are calculating as they gaze over the football player. Is she nervous? Could this mean… is she asking…? Catra has to hold in a surprised gasp, but her heart and stomach are alive with butterflies. Her hands are sweaty and shaky, so she tries to wipe them off on her pants as she composes herself.
"It's Friday." Catra says and Adora's face scrunches in confusion at the blunt, but correct information.
"Yes it is." Adora confirms.
"You have a game tomorrow." Catra continues, prompting, when Adora doesn't seem to be getting the idea. How on earth does Catra know Adora's plans, before Adora?
"What does that have to do with dinner ton-ohhhhh" Adora trails off, finally realizing what Catra was getting at. Dinner. Tonight. On a Friday before their game. She totally forgot about her team dinner at her coaches house.
"Yeaahhh." Catra drawls with a smile.
"I'm sorry I totally forgot." Adora slumps in the driver's seat.
"Don't worry about it." Catra laughs sweetly. She takes a deep breath, and before she can think twice, she continues on. "We can do dinner tomorrow night." She adds. "You know, after your game. If you're free."
Adora's lips break out into a bright white smile, her eyes shimmering with excitement. "Yes! Yeah I am- I'm totally free after the game tomorrow. Wait do you not have a show tomorrow?"
Catra bites her lip with a sharp fang and shakes her head no. Adora smiles, her body absolutely buzzing with excitement.
"Cool. Great yeah great. Tomorrow." She rambles, head nodding with each sentence. Catra chuckles softly as she reaches for the door handle.
"It's a date." She states before swinging the door open and exiting in a flourish. Adora sits still, eyes staring in shock as she watches Catra run through the rain to get to her building.
Date. She definitely said date.
Adora was riding on a high.
They won their game, another blowout.
She, herself, ran in the first touchdown.
Scorpia broke the school record for most sacks by a defensive player.
And now she has a date with Catra.
A date! With Catra!
With a wide smile and a skip in her step she tosses her bag and gear in the back of her car. She shuts the door and looks at her reflection in the mirror; fluffing up her now dry hair, picking the non-existent lint off of her light blue Henley shirt, fixing the front tuck of her shirt into her best blue jeans.
She smiles to herself, feeling good.
" You got this, Adora ." She whispers to herself. " You scored a date with a pretty girl, now all you have to do is woo her with your charming personality. Easy-as-..."
"Are you talking to yourself?" A teasing voice stops her monologue and causes her to whip around. Catra stands behind her with a smirk, a singular eyebrow raised in question.
"He-heeey Catra!" She nearly yells. "I wasn't, pft- I wasn't talking to myself. No ma'am." She shakes her head vehemently as a blush falls over her cheeks.
'Not the best start Adora.'
She takes a deep breath to compose herself and uses the moment to get a good look at her companion for the night. She smiles softly at how adorable Catra looks in her cropped black sweater and high waisted checkered black pants tucked into black combat boots.
"You look- wow you look great." Adora says in a breath and Catra blushes hard.
She turns her head slightly and clears her throat, mumbling a quiet, "Thanks. So do you."
A nervous silence falls around them.
"Congrats on the win." Catra says, trying to rid them of the awkwardness. And it seems to do the trick, because Adora instantly launches into a thank you as well as details about the game. Catra smiles softly at the jock, casually walking closer as Adora gets more adamant.
"Sounds intense." Catra adds with a smirk, bringing a hand to wrap around Adora's bicep. Something she's always wanted to do, but never had the courage. Now that they're on a date… well now's the one and only chance she'll ever have. She squeezes slightly and shudders at the tense muscle she feels underneath.
Adora breathes out a shaky breath and nods. She looks down at Catra as the girl leans against her arm and short circuits. She's so close, oh my. This is. This is amazing.
"It-it was. Uh-um are you hungry?" She gestures her thumb over her shoulder at her car. "Do you wanna head over to the restaurant?"
"Yeah sure, I could eat." Catra answers with a shrug. She gives her arm one final squeeze before heading over to the passenger side door. She feels a breeze brush over her shoulder and looks up to see Adora jogging past her and opening the door with a sweet smile. Her feet stumble for a second, not enough to be noticeable but enough to make her take a moment before continuing into the car.
"So where are we going?" She asks as Adora pulls onto the street.
"Somewhere really cool." Is all she gets in response. She piques a brow in interest but Adora doesn't elaborate. She drives, and drives until they come to a stop in front of a place Catra has never seen before.
Craft Axe Bar N' Grill
Catra gasps, "Is this…?"
"An Axe Throwing restaurant? Why yes. Yes it is." Adora smiles before pushing open her door. When the car is empty Catra lets out a quiet shriek of excitement before exiting the car.
"Ready to get your axe handed to you?" The jock smirks to her date as they walk inside. "... get it? Cause Axe sounds like-"
"Yeah Adora, I got it." Catra chuckles softly and gives her a gentle shove into the building.
The hostess sets them up at a wood table just at the base of a lane, and walks them through the process of how to safely throw the axes, then how to keep score.
They place an order for food and drinks while they each take turns practicing throwing. They share laughs, and sweet smiles as they toss the axes into the wood. They share competitive digs and jabs once they start to keep score. But most of all, they share an amazing night together.
A night Catra never thought she could have.
"You know, you're scary good at this." Adora says as she takes a sip of her beer, watching Catra raise the axe over her head to throw it.
Bullseye .
"See!" She yells and Catra only laughs as she pulls the axe from the wood and sets it on the rack.
"It's actually pretty easy to pick up." She answers as she sits next to the athlete.
"Oh yes, so easy." Adora says with a roll of her eye. She lost. By a lot.
"Is someone a sore loser?" Catra teases, leaning close to Adora with her chin resting on her fist.
"Yes! I'm super competitive, Catra! I'm trying very hard not to lose my cool and embarrass myself in front of you right now!"
Catra just chuckles and shakes her head. Adora realizes just how close the magicat actually is. Her eyes dart down to pink lips then back up to multicolored eyes, and she gulps.
She could do it.
She could lean forward and kiss her.
It would be welcome, wouldn't it?
They've really hit it off on the date so far, a kiss doesn't seem out of the question.
She's too far in her head and Catra pulls away before she can react. She mentally kicks herself and takes a hefty sip of her beer.
"We've cleared the place out." Catra says.
"Huh?" Adora responds, her head snapping around the building to see they are the last two there. She checks her phone for the time.
9:45. The restaurant closes in 15 minutes.
"Oh wow, we really lost track of time." She gestures to the waitress for the check and they gather their things while they wait. Adora pays and leaves a … hefty … tip for the slight inconvenience.
There's a slight chill in the air as they exit. Their arms brush as Catra leans closer to her date, and Adora won't let this pass her up like she did the kiss. She holds her breath, counts to three, then threads their fingers together. It's dark, and there's little light in the parking lot, but she swears she can see a slight upturn of Catra's lips. She blushes and puts her chin to her chest, staring at the ground with a soft smile.
"That was a lot of fun." She says as they reach the car.
"It was. Great idea." Catra agrees and Adora's chest puffs with pride. The car ride home is silent, save for the soft music Adora has playing through the radio. A nervous tension covers the two of them, both knowing what is technically supposed to happen next.
With what little courage she has, Adora grasps Catra's hand and links their fingers together over her center console. They stay that way until they reach Catra's apartment complex.
"I had a really great time tonight." Adora says softly into the silence. Catra turns to look at her with a sweet smile.
"Yeah me too."
Another tense silence falls over them as they look over one another. Catra's eyes are calculating as they flit over the football player, and it's… intense. Adora clams up, intimidated under the Magicats gaze.
'You can do it.' She tells herself. 'Just count to three, like you did to hold her hand'
One
Two
She leans forward slightly, her elbow resting against the console. She raises their hands up… and presses a kiss to the back of Catra's hand.
Catra releases what seems like a disappointed sigh, but smiles softly at the action.
"Have a nice night, Adora." She says, and with a final squeeze to her fingers she gets out of the car.
Adora waves to her as she enters the building, then let's her head smack against the steering wheel.
She should've kissed her.
Fuck
.