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Inhale.
Pause.
Exhale.
Adora lay completely still, face to face, and watched the peaceful magicat with careful eyes, as if the slightest sound or movement would wake her wife from sleep. If not for the soft wisp of the wind just outside the balcony or the chirping birds off in the distance, it’s hardly likely Catra would stir from an intense stare alone.
Deep inhale.
Stretch and a pause.
Pause…
Pause.
Long exhale with the softest whimper.
Adora wanted so badly to brush back the stray hairs that fell over Catra’s face. She looked so beautiful in this light, the sun basked against her warm red-brown fur, giving every curve of her figure the most perfect auburn glow. The tip of Catra’s tail slowly curled up and flopped back down into the mattress with ease, just as it always did when she napped.
The temptation was strong… Adora couldn’t help herself as she oh so carefully brushed back the loose strands of hair from her wife’s face. Catra chirped softly while her nose scrunched at the minor disturbance. Adora quickly coiled her touch back to her chest, as if the heat from a fire stung the very tips of her fingers.
Catra adjusted the position of her hips just slightly and curled the pillow closer to her face. She inhaled deeply once more and easily slipped back off to sleep.
Adora ducked her head low to the mattress and held her breath in anticipation. How close was she to fully waking her wife with that little stunt? Nervous eyes stayed locked on the magicat’s face for just a moment longer to ensure she was in the clear.
Adora carefully and quietly released the tight breath from her lungs, her body settling back into the mattress.
Curious eyes wandered down the curve of Catra’s body, studying the fine details of her figure. Adora’s gaze stopped abruptly and zeroed in on one specific detail. The subtle rise of Catra’s tank top exposed just the tiniest peek of that perfect little baby bump to the blonde. Adora smiled to herself and watched the tiny belly gently rise and fall in tandem with their mother’s rhythmic breathing.
The temptation to touch the bump while Catra napped was unbearably strong. Adora carefully reached out a hand but stopped herself short, quickly curling the touch back to her chest. Laying so close beside her wife, Adora studied even the smallest details; like how Catra’s fur would bend and curl against the bed sheets beneath her. More specifically, the fur along that wonderfully soft tummy.
Gods, how badly she wanted to touch... Adora’s fingers curled restlessly but remained stiff against her chest. She’d rather let her wife sleep. Lately, Catra had been having issues sleeping anyway; Adora didn’t find it very fair of her to interrupt such precious time either. Now in the midst of the second trimester, that pregnant belly was much more prominent, which definitely made Catra far more tired adjusting to the growing size of the baby.
The thought made Adora’s heart soar with pride as she continued to admire the little bump of her wife’s belly. That was their baby in there. For one, there was a baby growing inside of Catra, which was absolutely crazy to think about; and second, it was all theirs. Sure, they had a little help from Entrapta and her science… stuff, but they made that! A perfect mix of the two of them combined into one itty bitty person. Adora could barely help herself, there was already so much love in her heart for the little kit and they weren’t even born yet! The blonde’s fingers curled with temptation to reach out and touch but refrained once more, though her restraint was growing very weak. Those bright blue eyes scanned over Catra once again and admired the soft expression to her face as she slept. Strange to think that Adora’s whole world laid in peaceful content right before her very eyes.
As if sensing her wife’s ache to make contact for the 200th time in the past 30 minutes, Catra inhaled sharply, held the breath for but a moment, and then released the tight hold with a heavy sigh; her cheek nuzzling deeper into the pillow.
She could hardly take it anymore. Adora curled her lower lip in contemplation and flicked her gaze between Catra and the bump. She loved feeling the little kicks flutter against her palm, and even before that, just holding the tiny curve of Catra’s growing belly within her hand made Adora spontaneously turn into She Ra from time to time.
As Adora reached out a hand, Catra suddenly groaned in discomfort, eyebrows gently furrowed inward in disliking of… something. The First One stopped dead in her tracks, tightly trapping the anxious breath in her chest.
Catra’s eyes remained closed as she pressed the pads of her fingers against the lower left side of her bump to better ease the baby from moving so much while she tried to sleep.
Adora clutched the pillow within her grip to refrain from disturbing her wife any more than she already had. Very slowly did the look of minor discomfort slip away from Catra’s face as she nuzzled deeper into the bed. Seems the baby settled down enough not to cause any more trouble... for now. Adora smirked. Just like your mother. She teased the sleeping brunette in her mind and sighed contently.
Soon they would be parents. Somehow everything moved by so quickly yet so slowly. Just shy of six months had passed, but they still had nearly three and a half more left... four if the baby was running a little late. Adora looked back down at the bump and curled the pillow closer to her chest. She couldn’t wait to meet them. Adora thought back on the first time Catra expressed she wanted to have kittens, well, rather the second time. The first time Catra said something it was definitely on accident, given the shocked look on her face. It wasn’t long after that, Catra and Adora had a more serious and open discussion on having a family of their own. “I want to carry it.” She remembered just how quickly Catra said it too, nervous at first but confident all the while. Timid eyes looked up at Adora, pupils blown. “If… that’s okay with you?” Ears turned down and tail curled around her body. Adora breathed out the softest laugh and pushed a strand of hair back behind Catra’s ear. The blonde remembered seeing those ears perk back up in delight the very moment she agreed.
Ever since Catra’s pregnancy was confirmed by the finest doctors Brightmoon had to offer, Adora became very protective of her little family to be. Either it be helping Catra with mundane tasks or daily necessities; from fetching something across the room to helping the magicat wash her hair, Adora dedicated nearly all of her time and effort into Catra’s needs.
She hadn’t the slightest idea where the overwhelming urge to protect her wife and unborn kit came from, but the last thing Catra did was complain about it. Adora assumed that maybe it was just instinct? Catra spoke of it enough concerning her pregnancy so maybe Adora had the same thing? It varied in intensity too, at first it was helping to adjust the magicat’s diet to better benefit both mother and baby, and now it had evolved into watching over her wife as she slept.
Adora blinked for what felt like the first time in thirty minutes. The sound of Catra chirping in her sleep cleared away the daze that trapped the blonde. Again, her hand carefully pressed against the baby bump to ease the unruly movements from their kit. Adora felt her heart melt knowing Catra talked to the baby in her sleep, well, rather, chirped to. Regardless, seeing it happen in real time definitely earned its way to the top of Adora’s list of cutest things she’d ever seen her wife do.
And that was the last thing that made temptation finally give way.
Just as Catra removed her touch, Adora very carefully and oh so gently slinked her fingers up under Catra’s tank top to sift through the soft tummy fur before resting her palm perfectly against the curve of the bump. Seconds later, three little kicks thumped against her touch.
“Adora...” Catra grumbled into the pillow.
The blonde snorted quietly in amusement. “What? I’m not doing anything.” She teased in a singsong voice while her finger playfully scratched back at the little flutters within Catra’s tummy.
Those multicolored eyes fluttered open and narrowed in on Adora’s dopey grin. The smirk was returned easily enough by the magicat. “Sure.” Catra groaned in lighthearted amusement. “As if your child hasn’t been squirming around with excitement the second you laid down next to me.”
Busted. Adora snorted and looked down at the swell of Catra’s belly as the magicat snickered. “You’re blowing my cover, little guy.” She whispered and gently poked at the baby, who of course, kicked back with glee at the sound of their mother’s voice.
Catra glanced down at her bump with a grin and felt more of the little movements stir within her. Her stare hovered on Adora’s gentle hand that cupped the curve of her belly and mapped her touch over her wife’s. It was crazy to believe the baby could already differentiate between voices... let alone touch. Granted, it had to be Adora specifically because no other person could get the baby to react in such a way. A “magical connection”, or whatever Adora called it. Catra’s smile did anything but fade as her eyes lingered back up to the blonde, who was definitely caught staring. The magicat snorted in amusement. “What’s that look for?”
A dopey grin spread across the blonde’s face. “Nothing. I just think you’re beautiful.”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Flattery will get you nowhere.” A coy smile lead the way as Catra cupped her wife’s cheek and leaned in for a kiss.
Adora felt her chest rise as she inhaled deep against the embrace. Without fail, Catra could always steal her breath away with just a kiss. The blonde giggled upon feeling the baby kick hard beneath her palm. She snorted and pulled away to sass their very intrusive kitten. “Do you mind?”
Catra smirked at the interruption but was quick to draw Adora’s focus back. “So, since you’ve been very busy watching me sleep,” she emphasized sarcastically. “How much sleep have you actually had?” She perked an eyebrow high with a sassy look to her stare. Though touching how protective Adora could be over the two, Catra liked it better knowing if her wife was just as well rested.
A nervous laugh gave her away. “I’m fine. I got plenty of sleep last night.” Adora tried brushing it aside with a casual shrug. Her body language was obvious as she avoided eye contact and went back to drawing shapes in the fur of Catra’s belly.
“Hmm…” Catra narrowed her eyes on the blonde, knowing it was the farthest thing from the truth. She slowly leaned in and whispered. “You’re not a very good liar, Adora.” The magicat huffed and rolled over to one side of the bed, placing her feet on the ground in preparation to stand.
“I-I…” Adora fumbled for only a moment before quickly shoving the accusation aside. In an instant, she jumped up to round over to the other side of the bed. “D-don’t get up! I can get you what you need.” She offered very eagerly.
Again, the brunette huffed in exhaustion and ignored the First One’s offer. “Adora, it’s fine. I am fully capable of taking ten steps across the room to grab a book.” Catra cringed upon realizing what she said because sure enough… Adora immediately darted off, snagged the book off the desk, and returned to Catra like a golden retriever - she even had the tail wag down.
“Here you go!” Adora beamed with pride.
Catra released a heavy sigh but couldn’t hide a smirk, it was almost out of pity. “Every day I tell you you don’t have to do this, and yet every day, you still do.” She sighed with a weak smirk, knowing damn well it was never intentional on the blonde’s part; she just wanted to help.
Adora wrung her hands anxiously with the book held tightly in her grip. “Y-yeah... but I wanna do this for you.” She muttered beneath her breath and looked up to her wife, who returned Adora’s sheepish stare with a very sassy grin. “I just don’t want you tiring yourself out. Like... what if you get sick? Or what if you hurt yourself- or worse, the baby!” She emphasized but it had little effect on the brunette as the stare remained the same. Adora fumbled through her words as she continued, hoping she could still convince Catra to understand. “O-or… pull a muscle? Um… o-or maybe-”
Catra cut off her rambling wife with an index finger pressed to her lips. Timid blue eyes matched with a surprisingly gentle, yet stern glare that said, “are you done?” with just a look. A beat of silence passed between the two before the magicat finally replied. “It’s not like I could get into much trouble with you following me around all day, Adora.” She teased lightheartedly and held out an open hand to have the book be passed her way. As her fingers met the spine, Catra was quick to put it aside and instead gently trailed her palms up to cup Adora’s face, the heavy bags unmistakable beneath her tired stare. “You’re doing it again, aren’t you?” Catra sighed, the slightest smile hidden within her concern. “You haven’t slept in days.” She quietly stated with a sour taste still lingering on her lips.
Again… she was doing it again.
After being rescued from Horde Prime, Adora stayed awake to make sure Catra was okay. Even after his defeat did the blonde continue assuring the magicat’s safety, for she would be sure nothing would hurt Catra ever again. Adora hadn’t done it in at least three years, and now she’d suddenly picked back up such an unhealthy habit.
There was no denying it. If Catra was aware of it happening then, she’d certainly be aware of it happening now. Adora shamefully turned her stare away but curled into the delicate touch that cradled her face. “I-I just...” her voice cracked. “I need to keep you two safe.” The very tips of her knuckles gently brushed against the soft fur along Catra’s sides.
“From what?” The magicat almost snickered at the reply. “What’s there to be afraid of, Adora? Etheria hasn’t had a real threat for at least two years.” Catra brushed her thumbs along Adora’s soft cheeks and leaned in close to press their foreheads together. “We’re safe now. We don’t need to keep our guard up anymore.”
Adora swallowed hard, repressing the nightmares she’d had along with it. All the what ifs that kept her awake at night. How could she know Horde Prime was really gone for good? What if he wasn’t the only threat out there? She Ra was bound to have more enemies, right? Just by having such an important title to uphold, the Princess of Power and Savior of Etheria, someone would challenge her sooner or later… right?
“Y-yeah… b-but what if-” Adora tried to rebuttal but stopped, rather, not by Catra, but by herself. She knew they were safe, just as they have been for years. The weight of all the insecurities she fought every single day were deafeningly loud. Intrusive thoughts that ranged from “what if there’s a bigger threat than Horde Prime?” to “what if I’m an awful mother?” – as if her brain couldn’t decide which anxiety to rot over first.
The only voice Adora was fighting was her own.
“Hey,” Catra’s voice gently pulled the blonde free from the negative thoughts with just a touch, her thumb tapped beneath the First One’s chin. “You look out for me,” a playful smile easily spread across both of their lips as the magicat finished their old saying. “And I look out for you, remember?” Catra took her wife by the hands and gave them a soft squeeze.
Adora glanced down at the delicate touch and for a moment, her stare fixed on the magicat’s pregnant belly. Of all the bad thoughts spiraling in Adora’s head, nothing could shake the fact that this one thing standing before her was real. When looking forward, Adora tended to hypothesize all the ways something could go wrong. That was the soldier engrained in her, to think ahead and plan for every worst possible outcome.
Sometimes its hard to forget that she doesn’t need to do that anymore. To wake at a moment’s notice and follow a captain’s orders no matter what; to do as you’re told and obey.
Even when it was just the two of them fighting to survive in the Fright Zone. It was always her and Catra…
It doesn’t matter what they do to us…
Catra’s question repeated in her head, how they’ve always had each other’s backs. “I do.” The blonde gave a shy smile and brushed her thumbs along the back of Catra’s hands before looking back up into her eyes.
Nothing really bad can happen as long as we have each other…
“Then let me take care of you.” It almost sounded like a plea. Sure, Catra wasn’t as capable of doing things now that she was pregnant, but that didn’t stop her from giving back to Adora just the same as she received.
A hushed snicker escaped her breath. “You promise?” A cocky grin curled Adora’s lips upward. It always amused her falling back on their old saying; but it worked, and for both of them. Like a tether guiding them back home.
Catra nearly rolled her eyes at that but still smiled back just the same. “I promise, idiot.” She nudged at the blonde’s shoulders before Adora retaliated with a sloppy kiss on the lips. “Okay, okay! Lay down, ya’ sap!” Catra giggled loudly and pushed the dork away. “You’re taking a nap whether you like it or not!” The assertiveness only went so far when masked by an amused laugh, but a playful shove down into the mattress worked well enough.
Adora flopped onto the springs with a bounce as Catra crawled on top of her, a coy smirk to glued to her face. “I’m not even tired.” The First One lied through a smile. Her lips hovered so close to Catra’s as they exchanged warm breaths.
At least Catra saw through Adora’s poor performance; she hardly even acknowledged the claim. “Mhm, sure.” The sarcasm evident in her tone as she pulled away from her wife with just enough teasing to get Adora to follow along.
Adora propped up on one elbow and watched as Catra climbed into the bed to make herself comfy once again – of course, after Adora woke her from her nap. With plenty of pillows tucked behind her back, Catra finally settled into the mattress with a content sigh. “Come here.” She gestured at her chest for Adora to lay on.
The blonde scoffed, a sassy eyebrow perked high. “You’re really gonna make me take a nap? Even though I already told you I’m not tired?”
Catra’s stare narrowed on her wife, a bit of a sharpness behind those eyes. “I’ll say it again, Adora; you’re not a very good liar.” She let her words linger for a moment longer before she gestured once more for Adora to lay down with her.
The First One sighed in defeat, there was no point in arguing over it. “Fine. If it’ll make you happy...” she groaned in annoyance but couldn’t resist how tempting laying on Catra’s chest looked. As Adora reeled closer and laid her head down, Catra carefully removed the band that held the blonde’s hair in a ponytail.
Gentle claws pushed through Adora’s hair, tingling deep at her scalp. Catra immediately felt her wife begin to relax under her touch. “You interrupted my nap regardless, so you owe me, you stubborn brat.” She teased with a soft flick to that gigantic forehead.
Adora flinched at the harmless attack and snickered as she curled herself deeper into the warmth of Catra’s chest fluff. “I was perfectly well behaved… it was this one that woke you up, wasn’t it?” She pointed an accusatory finger at the little baby bump before her. And of course, on cue came a flutter of kicks from the little stinker themselves. Adora chuckled at the tiny greeting and gently poked back to say hello. “You’re not exactly helping my case right now, little one.” She whispered sharply.
That damn magical connection…
As little shapes were drawn into Catra’s fur, the gentle thrumming of a purr vibrated against Adora’s head. The smile on her face did anything but fade as her eyelids began to grow heavy. It was the sound of home, or at least, what she could best describe as home. It wasn’t the Fright Zone where they grew up or the towering halls of Brightmoon Castle. No, Adora’s home was Catra.
Because regardless of the fights they’d had, or how far apart they were – even on opposite sides of the war – nothing really bad could happen as long as they had each other.
And that was a promise.
Inhale.
Pause.
Exhale.
Not more than a minute had passed before a very loud snore left Catra trying her hardest to contain an outburst of laughter. And just like that, Adora was fast asleep.
“She’s gonna take such good care of you, little one.” Catra whispered to her kitten with a gentle thumb stroking down her fur, the other hand combing through Adora’s blonde hair. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.”