Chapter Text
"Best Friend Squad lunch" was an eternal tradition, ever since Catras' second year of college. The second Tuesday afternoon of the month had become reserved exclusively for pancakes, bacon and hanging out with her best friends. It initially started as an excuse for Glimmer and Bow to drag her out of her student apartment for some sunlight but as these years dragged on and life became even more complicated, the idea of lunch grew on her just like her two idiots.
She still hates the word lunch though.
From graduation to the birth of Finn, all the way until now, these two always stuck by her side and she still doesn't really understand why. But she might just like them too.
This Saturday, Catra found herself tucked in the corner of "Eirelandia," a trendy rustic coffee shop in down town Brightmoon. Fake ivy and moss decorated the walls making it look like an overgrown shack. Their table was made of recycled scrap metal and her coffee was served in a literal jar. Some people may describe it as "Cozy". Catra would describe it as "Dirty".
She loves her two idiots but by god, they can be so boring sometimes! Glimmer was stuck in yet another tirade about her job. Catra begged the world for relief from Glimmer's rant about "Carol from hr" and thanks to a chirp from her phone, that relief came.
It's only been two months since that concert but it felt so much longer. She's tried to be distant, she's tried not to get attached but she still finds herself anxiously awaiting Adora’s messages every morning. Her evenings were now full of online movie nights, late night gaming sessions and flurries of texts.
Catra couldn't hide her smile as she hastily reached into her pocket and grabbed her phone, grinning with anticipation as the screen came alive. But it quickly faded as the notification instead revealed itself to be a message from Entrapta about her latest vacation and not in fact from Adora.
It's been days.
Where is she?
"And that's when I said ‘Snow thank you!’" Glimmer snorted, chuckling at her own story.
Catra did not react at all, her eyes still transfixed on her phone.
Catra:”Hey u ok?” .
"Catra, are you even listening to me?" Glimmer exclaimed, leaning over the table to try to get a glimpse of Catra’s phone.."Who are you texting?"
"What? Yeah of course!" Catra claimed trying to not look at Adoras latest messages. "I'm sorry, work has just been uh, very busy."
"Entrapta’s been on vacation all week." Glimmer smirked. "So Catra, who are you really texting?"
"Argh it's no one, you idiots. She's just an old friend. She keeps texting me all the time it's really annoying"
"She?" Glimmer's smirk grew even wider as she cocked her eyebrow.
"Is she pretty?" Bow excitedly inquires.
"I guess? Why does that matter?"
"So... you do think she’s pretty?" The grin on Glimmer's face only grew. Surveying Catra as a predator does its prey.
Catra just rolled her eyes. As if the simple idea that she could find Adora attractive was so wild, but her blush proved otherwise.
Glimmer's constant jabbering was interrupted by Bow sitting down beside her, cradling his coffee like a beloved infant keeping it safe and tight. "Hey guys they drew an ARROW on my frap- Oh what are you two talking about?"
"We're talking about Catras' new girlfriend, she's really pretty." Glimmer teased revelling in Catras embarrassment.
"She is NOT my girlfriend! Look she's just an old friend I met at a concert, nothing more nothing less. I'm pretty sure she's straight anyways."
For some reason this answer caused Bow to squee. "Mystery Girl!?"
"Wha- what?"
"Scorpia said you ran off with some girl after that Adora Heart concert. Oh my gosh Glimmer she's dating Mystery Girl!" Bow beamed shaking his wife's shoulder. "What is she like? Oh you two are going to be so cute together!"
"I am not dating some random "Mystery Girl," you idiot." Catra hissed.
Bow sulked. "At least tell us about her then, what's her name?"
"Oh uh.... it's complicated."
"Why?"
"You guys really wouldn't believe me, trust me."
"Try us. Come onnn, Catra. What’s Mystery Girl’s name?" Bow frowns, doing his best puppy dog eyes.
"You absolutely won't believe me."
"Try us."
"Well her name... is Adora." Catra can't help but smile as she thinks of her. "Adora Heart. We met backstage a few weeks ago, got some coffee and we've been talking ever since... she's really nice.``
Catra feels a weight lift off her shoulders as she admits it. Ever since she first got that dorky text so many weeks ago, it's almost felt like a dream. A mirage she could wake up from at any moment. but as her beautiful name passes through her lips it finally hits her that no.. this is all real.
Adora is real and she's her best friend.
Just her best friend, nothing else.
Nothing else.
Glimmer and Bow stood shocked, their eyes frozen in surprise "No, no way," he mutters (?) before he and his wife immediately break out into laughter in unison. (?)
"Catra, you really can't think we are that gullible." Glimmer choked on her own laughter as she wiped a tear from her eyes.
"What!? It’s true!" Catra said defensively, desperately scrolling through her phone for any evidence that her claims were in fact true.
"Seriously? Adora Heart!?" Bow giggled nearly falling out of his chair "Is she going to write you a love song?"
"Yeah! ‘Just friends'.' Ok fine fine we get it you don't want to talk about your mysterious girlfriend. That love song better be good, though." Glimmer teases.
Girlfriend
Why does that word feel... so weird. It's not like she even likes Adora that way and there's no way Adora would ever see her in that light either, Adora is just her friend.
Her blonde bombshell of a best friend with the most warming smile and a laugh that melts her heart.
It's not like she'd ever like her that way anyway. There's no point in even entertaining it.
But why does that make her feel so bitter?
“Ok fine you want proof?” Catra exclaims as she presses the VIDEO CALL button.
Come on Adora pick up, pick up.!
The call fades away unanswered. Adora usually picks up within a minute.
“She- she usually picks up?”
“Catra, you've become such a terrible liar. It's almost sad” Glimmer smirks.
Glimmer and Bow can't help but continue to tease her before Catras phone bursts into song, a hard punk song screaming out of her pocket.
"Tell your girlfriend we said hi!" Glimmer teases Catra as she quickly exits the cafe.
“Hello? Adora?” Catra says into the phone almost desperate but the dry and serious voice that comes on the other end is certainly not Adora.
"Mrs Driluth?" The woman on the other end speaks.
Angella Moon. Her best friend's mother…and sometimes her own.
Angella and her husband Micah were always too good to her. Catra found herself homeless after a fight with her landlord shortly after graduation. Without question, They took her in. A random pregnant 20 something they barely knew. It was only meant to be for a few weeks but then they insisted she stayed until Finn was born and then until she recovered. She spent nearly 2 years living in their home. S he cant ever repay them for their generosity and she’d never feel like she deserves it.
Though, this call wasn’t sounding too kind.
Judging by the formal tone rather than a slew of pet names this isn’t just a check in. After all, they are Finn’s principal.
"Speaking."
"This is Principal Moon. An…event has occurred regarding your child, Finn. . Please report to the school office immediately" She sternly orders her.
This day just keeps getting better and better.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catra was never one for school. Its rigid environment, strict grading and restrictive rules just reminded her of her home, she doesn't know why Finn loves it so much. But ever since they transferred into Brightmoon Elementary they have begun to flourish in this supportive environment. Catra had spent many evenings arguing with Finn's old school’s regressive administration staff.
The call came as a massive shock. Finn has always been nothing but quiet and respectful.They better not be hurt. Catra will burn the entire school down if anyone lays a finger on her precious kitten.
Catra pulls into the school ready for war, walking through the reception right past the nosy receptionist demanding she take a seat and wait.
Finn sits across from Angella, grumpily crossing their arms.
Angellas face lights up as Catra walks in, though she tries to hide it. “Ah, Catra. Please take a seat”
“Hey Angella. What's wrong?” Catra inquires, sitting next to her pouting kitten.
“Well Fin- your child got into an
ahem
“incident” with another child on the playground this morning.” Angella informs. “Poor Tyler is currently getting their slashes bandaged up in the hospital.”
“Oh wow in the hospital?” Catra says impressed before regaining her composure and side eyeing her child. “Finn, why did you do that?”
Finn groans and rolls their eyes.
“What exactly happened?”
“Well according to their teacher another student made some very rude comment about your child's uh- quietness. Apparently this has been happening often but it hasn't been reported to any of our teachers before it escalated.”
“Oh! And the punishment”
“ A fight is still a fight so one week suspension.” “Catra, it was suspicious enough getting them into here considering how close we are..” Angella sighs I can't be seen as biased in this matter, no matter the circumstances so Finn will be on a two week suspension”
“But, summer break starts in two weeks?”
“I know” Angella smiles. “I'm sure an extra two weeks of vacation will be a very fitting punishment.”
The car ride home is dead quiet. Not a word being said until they were half way home.
“They started it!” Finn grumbles “They wanted a fight so I gave it to them.”
“This isn't the first time they've called you names, right?” Catra asks, trying to hide the anger boiling underneath her calm visage.
“October.” Finn mumbles.
The car is silent for a while before Finn calmly apologises, shyly saying, “I'm sorry.”
“Kid you can't just go around punching everyone who is mean to you, ok? But sometimes you have to do it to get people to back off. Just promise to tell me if anything like this happens again? You don't want that reputation, kid. Trust me.”
“I'm not in trouble?” Finn inquires as the car parks across from a yellow and red building “Loo-Kee’s family funtime pizza palace”
“I did a lot worse at half your age, kitten.” Catra smirks.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ring Ring
Ring RIng
Catra is shaken awake by a dreaded familiar sound. She buries her head under a mountain of pillows hoping it will just go away.
It does not.
Ring Ring
Ring RIng
Catra groans. What idiot calls at this hour of the night. If this is another scam call Catra swears to herself that she will personally burn that cursed call centre to the ground.
Catra reaches across to her end table, grabbing the rumbling, shouting demon and turns on her phone. Its bright light burning her eyes before it adjusts and allows her to read the screen.
Adora H is Calling
Of course, it's this idiot.
Her Idiot.
Catra sighs as she picks up the phone. No contact for nearly an entire week and she only calls now? How dare she.
“What do you want?” Catra hisses.
Loud music blasts through the speaker, Adora is obviously at some sort of night club or party.
“Heyy Catraaaa…'' Adora purrs, she sounds off? Her voice is strained as if she's been crying. “What are you up tooo Catraaa. I've been sooo busy, it sucks.”
“Huh- what?” Catra says, rubbing her eyes.”It's been two weeks, what the hell is going on?”
“I misseeed youuu. I just want to talk,” Adora giggles. “Everyone here is sooo boring, you have no idea.”
Missed you.
She missed me.
“You're the one who didn't call! What the fuck is wrong with you? You had me worried.” Catras voice raises almost into a shout before she realises the time of night and quickly quiets herself back down into a whisper. “You have no right to act so- so casual about all this!”
“Mmm yeah I'm uh. I'm sorry. Stuff has been pretty shitty lately, you have no idea. I'm not even meant to be talking to you right now. Heh like those assholes have any control over what I do with my life.” Adora sighs, “ I.. I can't talk right now. Stuff is bad and I don't want to drag you into my problems again. You don't deserve that. I don't even know if i should have talked to you in the first place. You've always been better off without me.”
“Are- are you drunk?” Catra inquires her angry tone instead switching to one of concern. “Is everything ok?”
“No? Yes? Is anything ever ok? I am on a YACHT PARTY with tons of hot girls and all the booze I could ever drink. I've just made a deal that will make me millions, so yeah,” Adora chokes up. ”I’m doing terrible.”
“Do you… want to talk about it?”
“No. I'm sorry I shouldn't have called you in the first place. Haha I just- I’m meant to love this job y'know? Love this city, SEALINEAS, the city of the stars, the entertainment capital of the world! Half the world wants to be me, the other wants to fuck me…I dont know. Sometimes I just want to.. Escape from all of this. I'm so ungrateful.”
“Well you can always crash on my couch.” Catra jokes trying to ease the tension.
“I'll… keep that in mind.” Adora sighs, “Listen I just- A Lot of news is going to come out in the next couple of days and ugh, I am not that cis het spoilt diva. Remember that. I'm sorry for scaring you. I- am not going to call again…. For a while at least.” Adora chokes up holding back tears. “I'm sorry for getting you wrapped up in this shit.”
“Hey just stay on ok? We can talk about this.” Catra comforts her “It's ok. Everything is going to be ok, just calm down.”
The line is quiet for what feels like hours, Catra anxiously waits for a response.
“You promise?”
“I promise””
“Thank you.” Adora sighs and hangs up.
Click
Catra’s phone screen fades to black and the room grows silent.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adora anxiously paces around the hallway desperately trying to nurse her hangover. Her interview with Etheria Gossip is but mere minutes away. Minimalist colours decorate the bland and boring lobby, just as tacky and uninspired as the journalists themselves. A dozen assistants and producers follow her even now, mid panic attack.
She can never be alone.
In just a few minutes she will walk out into the studio and make an announcement that will shake the world of entertainment and break her heart. An announcement that will throw her right back into the spotlight.
Fans rejoice as Adora Heart and Sebastian “Seahawk” Seaworthy are back together at last.
Their fake relationship first began during the early years of her career. Her managers thought partnering her up with rising star Seahawk fresh off leaving his boy band would be a big boost to her career, and unfortunately they were correct.
2 and a half years of torture and her fans loved it. They ate up all the love songs and they ate up all the break up songs. Even now people draw fan art and write fan fiction of them when they haven't even been in the same room in 3 years.
Seahawk hated it too at least. He was always vocal about his undying love for his bands drummer from day one so instead they spent many “date nights” cooped up on his party yacht watching dumb old movies. In another life she thinks they could've been good friends.
She can't do it.
She can't do it.
She can't go in there and sell that lie all over again. She can't go back to living that life. She can't go back to fake dates, living in secrecy and most of all she can't go back to kissing that disgusting moustache.
An excited cheer roars through the building growing as he comes closer and closer.
Seahawk bursts into the room, fan girls following quickly behind him worshipping the ground he works on.
“Oh Adora, it is so lovely to see you again.” Seahawk tips his sunglasses down before dramatically throwing them away into the horde of fans. “How I've missed you, my love.”
“Yeah yeah, I guess” Adora sighs, barely hiding her disdain for this entire situation.
Seahawk flashes Adora an apologetic gaze before quietly mouthing “Play along.”
“Oh- OH!” Adora takes a deep breath before falling into character. “It really has been too long
gulp
my love””
Seahawk leans in close, whispering, “I'm so sorry” before reluctantly kissing her on the cheek and leading her into the studio hall.
Hand in hand.
The interview room was bright and jarring, covered in disgusting mismatching neon and bright hues. She always hated this room, so many dumb interviews have been spent here saying scripted phrase after scripted phrase; at least this should be easy and clean. Announce their relationship, play it up for the cameras then she gets to go home and forget this ever happened but her hopes for an easy no frills interview was destroyed when a sleek, green form shifted into the room.
Not them, please anyone but them.
Double Trouble cockily strutted into the room wearing a tight smirk . Darius Danielle Tantalising Trouble ( Yes, that is their legal name) is the most ruthless “journalist” in the city. They thrive off gossip and drama. They've built an entire media empire around revealing others’ secrets.
There's no way she's going to convince them this isn't a publicity stunt. This is going to be a disaster. They're going to be exposed on live TV.
“Gooood evening, Etheria.” DT smugly waves to the live studio audience. “Now who's ready for some trouble?” The crowd hollers even more. “Now we have some very special guests today. I’m not sure if you know them hmm… SEAHAWK AND ADORA GRAY! CAN WE GIVE THEM A WARM ETHERIA GOSSIP WELCOME?”
The crowd hoots and hollers like a pack of hungry chimps.
“Hehe, hello everyone.” Adoras mind races with thousands of intrusive thoughts on the worst case scenarios. It feels like she's dying. This panic attack might just kill her but she simply smiles and waves to her fans.
“Now Adora no need to be so shy. So what exactly are you two doing here? A new collaboration? A charity event? I think we all know why you two are really here. I'm sure everyones heard the rumours by now. So is it true, you two love birds?”
Adora feels the tension in the air. The silence as the crowd inches forward on their seats ready to hear the news. Everything is silent, everything is calm and once she says it nothing will ever be the same again.
She opens her mouth ready to speak, finally ready to sell the lie only to be interrupted by Seahawk grabbing the microphone and yelling
“I love my girlfriend, huzzah!”
The crowd erupts into glorious applause..
“Now please forgive us for being just a tad suspicious. After all, your last break up was quite explosive,” DT chuckles. “So please tell us, how do we know this is for real?”
“Well we want to give it another try y'know? Everyone deserves a second chance. That's what my new album is about actually.” Adora smiles. “Life is complicated, people are complicated. We all change in little ways every single day and it's been a massive inspiration for this album.”
“Well a lot of us here have heard certain rumours. The industry talks y'know. Tell me, have you ever heard of a certain musician named Teela-”
“My new album is about sharks.” Seahawk interrupts. “You can't get cooler then that!”
“Sharks?” Dt inquires leaning closer. “Why sharks, exactly?”
“Oh totally, did you know Sharks are older than dinosaurs? They've been around for over 450 million years, it’s what inspired my new hit single ‘eally Old Shark’,” Seahawk perks up. “I spent all of last summer at the Salineas Shark Sanctuary, their sharks are so big, it's amazing!”
“Oh, well that sure sounds interesting but I think Adora should really answer my question-” They smirk.
“So I guess your lovely audience doesn't want to hear about how a shark attacked me there? Of my daring adventure and grievous injuries?” Seahawk interrupts, pulling down his sleeve showing a giant bite on his forearm and a bite mark on his stomach. Seahawk turns his head, winks at Adora. “I've got this.”
“No they don’t, so Adora what do you think about all these rumours about you being a lesb-”
“Give us the shark story.” A small voice yells in the audience.
“Yeah, tell us about the sharks!” Another voice yells growing in intensity. Soon the entire audience is yelling in unison demanding to hear about the sharks.
“You lovely lads and lassies want to hear about the sharks?” Seahawk smirks as the audience cheers in response. “Come on, Trouble, I've brought video recording.”
Is he really doing it? Is he really derailing this entire awkward interview with shark facts?
Adora is almost impressed.
Somehow the entire interview is derailed by an hour long presentation on sharks and the grievous bodily injuries that occur if you try to swim with a shark when you are very very drunk. All thanks to Seahawk.
Adora still doesn't know if he's a genius or an idiot. Maybe he's both.
Adora leaves the interview into her dressing room in disarray, her phone already exploding with texts and phone calls but none from the person she worries the most about.
Seahawk awkwardly enters. His usual swagger fading away without the ever watchful eye of fans. “Are you ok?” He inquires leaning against a wall avoiding eye contact. “I really am sorry about this too. I thought they would have stopped after last time.
“I guess…”
Seahawk signs, taking off his trademark sunglasses showing sunken tired eyes “Me and Mermista were about to get married this summer, even go official to all the press. She won't even talk to me now.”
“I'm sorry. I had no idea. This is all my fault I shouldn't have-”
“It's not your fault. Don't let them ever tell you that ok?” Seahawk interrupts. “ You're one of the strongest people I've ever known.The man (?) upstairs is just getting desperate for more sales.”
“It's been Prime Industry's most profitable year, though? My albums have never sold any better?” Adora looks at him, clearly confused by him saying this given the evidence she’s been shown.
“I think I've already said too much. I’ll see you around.” Seahawk heads towards the door.
“Wait. Why did you help me back there? You completely derailed the interview. They're going to be furious.”
“Because we’re friends.” Seahawk smiles, popping back on his sunglasses as he heads out the door. “Take care of yourself, ok?”
Friends
She knows what her boss told her. She knows the threats he's peddled, she knows Catra would be safer if she stayed away but… she can't resist.
Adora H:” Hii so uh you probably saw the news? Yeah, real sorry about that. Business is messy…. I've missed you.”
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catra sits at home curled up on the couch under piles of fluffy blankets trying to catch up on work. Day one of Finns “Suspension” flew by atleast.
Barely a year into their new school and they're already getting into fights, she really is mother of the year.
They deserve better.
After yet another failed attempt at fixing an annoying bug, she gives up and resigns herself to another wasted afternoon of mindlessly browsing her phone.
Still no texts from Adora.
Catra sits at home trying to get some work done after leaving work so early when an announcement appears in her “Princess Alliance group chat”
GlimGlam:”GUYS GUYS GUYS LOOK AT THE NEWS HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP OMG OMG CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY”
Wildcat:”Is the meteor finally coming to hit us?”
QueenOfHugs:”This is just WOW, so exciting”
ArrowBOI:”I Know right!!! AAAA”
Wildcat:”Can you idiots just tell me what's going on?”
Glimmer finally shows Catra mercy by posting a link to a news article.She expects more dumb fandom or celebrity drama but instead shes hit with a punch to the stomach.
Adora Heart and Seahawk Back Together at Last! Kiss live on TV.
So what? Adora is famous, of course she's going to date other famous people. It’s none of her business.
But a guy?
Really? A Guy!?
It's not like she cares, they're barely friends anyways but why did she say all that stuff last night if-
It doesn't matter.
Adora doesn't matter. She couldn't care less if Adora ever contacted her again. She means nothing to her..
An all too familiar hum shakes her phone as a new alert pops up
New Message From Adora H
Catra opens it in an instant.