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“We really should go out and give them an encore before they burst through the barricade,” Scorpia laughs as she peeks down at the CCTV stream backstage. “I think the security guys and gals are really struggling to keep those ladies front and centre in line.”
Catra leans back on the desk, snickering softly as she throws her head backwards. The delectable sound of the crowd chanting ‘encore’ over and over again rings through her mind. “Eh they will be fine, let’s give them another fiver,” she counters with a grin. “Let’s make them sweat on it a little. I’ll reward the crowd for their patience.”
Eyes rolling, Adora plants her hands heavily on her hips. “Not everything is about you , Catra. Think of those poor security guards stuck down there too.”
“Well it is their job,” Catra notes simply as she turns to face the blonde and her unmistakable disapproving expression. “Frown all you want, Adora. This fine little ass of mine isn’t going out there until I am good and ready.”
Groaning, Lonnie throws her arms in the air. “Here we go! The Primadonna is at it again.”
Blinking dramatically, Catra spins irritably in Lonnie’s direction quicker than she can bat her eyelashes. “Ex-fucking-scuse me?” she growls threateningly. “What did I tell you about that nickname? Hm?”
Primadonna — mention of the word is enough to make every hair on Catra’s body stand on end. The nickname stuck to her like glue for the last few years. Exactly why Lonnie loves to label her with such a cheap nickname is beyond her. But her lack of understanding of the matter did little to slacken the frustration that enveloped her the instant the nickname dared to be verbalised.
Throat tightening visibly, Lonnie’s tense gaze relaxes as she cowers instinctively. “Nothing I care to repeat around our new little pet ,” she relents, nodding in the direction of Adora.
Scoffing, Catra struggles to hide her amusement. “Who? Adora? HAH!” she bellows loudly, slapping her hands down on her thighs as she laughs. “That little nugget has said way worse to me than you would expect. She isn’t just sunshine and roses that’s for fucking sure.”
Eyes rolling, Adora ejects a hearty sigh. “Don’t turn this into a competition you stubborn brat. Just get your ass out there and do the right thing,” she argues dismissively. She stretches a hand across to Catra, roughly rubbing the top of her head, proceeding to stroke the back of her nearest ear.
Her tail fluffs up, irate in seconds. “Stop touching my ears, Adora!” she hisses, ducking away from her touch, cheeks flushed as she glares across at her. Hands quickly brush across the crown of her head, attempting to straighten her hair. “How would you like it if I touched your poofy thing on the top of your dumb blonde head?”
Scoffing, Adora swipes playfully in Catra’s direction. “Oh come on. You never complained when I rubbed them before you weirdo,” she laughs, raising a brow teasingly. “So stop trying to act all hardcore . We all know that you’re really just a soft , itty bitty, kitty inside.”
“ Adora …” comes Catra’s voice, her warning tone contradicting her clearly flustered expression.
Adora perks up, her smile broadening into a toothy expectant grin. “Yes?”
Swallowing hard, Catra huffs loudly as she attempts to compose herself. “Shut up,” she grumbles, crossing her arms across her chest as she averts her gaze. “We will go back on stage in 2 minutes. Get mic'd up.”
A puzzled expression slips across Adora’s visage as she raises a brow unsurely. “Oh?” She mutters softly, watching Catra storm off heading towards her assistant.
“It’s like magic,” Scorpia notes loudly as she glances between Catra and Adora. The disbelief dripping from her voice is unmistakable.
“I guess you could say that,” Lonnie replies, cocking her head to the side for a moment. “I mean Catra doesn’t go from wildcat to a little kitten for just anyone .”
Scorpia scratches the back of her head. “But how did she do it?” She implores, taking a few steps toward Adora. “This is the third time this week that you have done this. We need to learn your secrets before you leave us, Adora! How do I make Catra my best friend? Help a gal out!”
“Catra thinks with her vagina . I think it’s more about who is doing the convincing if you ask me,” Lonnie counters, amusement tickling her voice. She creeps up behind Scorpia, fingertips wrapping around her closest shoulder as she looks across at Adora expectantly.
Taken aback, Adora stares back at the two unsurely. “What are you both going on about?”
“What?” Scorpia replies, confusion marking her features. “That really doesn’t make any sense, there is no brain down there. Did you fail science in high school? No judgement of course.”
Lonnie pauses, blinking in disbelief as she stares back at Scorpia. “Seriously, dumbass?” she replies at last before pausing. “How on earth did that point literally just fly over your big blonde head?”
Huffing, Adora steps in between the two, arms crossed as she frowns pointedly at Lonnie. “Hey! Don’t talk to her like that!”
Taken aback, Scorpia stares at the back of Adora’s head, starry-eyed. “Why, thank you!”
“She’s just a little on the pure side,” Adora continues with a frown. “That’s not a crime now is it?”
Scorpia clasps her hands together, nodding vivaciously as she smiles. “Pure, yes! I am very pure. I don’t have my beautiful girlfriend do nasty things to me with a very questionable choice of a strap-on. I am pure ,” she rambles nervously, glancing from Adora to Lonnie. “I did the thing, didn’t I? I said too much. Please don’t ask any questions, you know I can’t lie to save my life.”
A brow raised, Adora looks up at Scorpia unsurely. “How questionable are we talking h—”
“Stop! I’ll walk out onto that fucking stage and flash my tits long before I let you elaborate on your sex life any further, Scorpia,” Lonnie counters quickly.
Adora turns to face Lonnie, snickering softly as she nods in agreement. “Didn’t see you disagreeing with my point there by the way, Adora.”
Rolling her eyes, Adora shakes her head. “Because it couldn’t be more incorrect . In the past, we only had each other to rely on. So Catra trusts my judgement, that’s all.”
Lonnie throws her hands in the air. “Oh yeah, sure,” she remarks sarcastically. “It has nothing to do with the fact that you look the way you do or anything.”
Adora turns away, not interested to continue the discussion. She has a show to get back on stage for after all. But Lonnie’s tone bothered her. She looks back at her, eyes narrowing as she searches her eyes for an answer. “What do you mean, ‘how I look?’ What has that got to do with anything?”
Looking across at Adora blankly, Lonnie rolls her eyes. “Ugh! You are denser than Scorpia sometimes. Whatever, let’s just get this shit over and done with already so I can go home to Kyle and Rogelio.”
The appeal of being in the spotlight never ceases to amaze Adora. From the chanting crowds to the crying individuals in the front row desperately attempting to mount the security fence despite warnings from the guards. It fills her with purpose, strength and unwavering confidence.
On the stage, they are Gods among men. Unshakable, talented beings that spewed creativity for the world to lap up eagerly.
It is like a drug. Difficult to cut down on and impossible to let go of entirely. But after tonight, their tour comes to a close and with it the high of performing in front of a crowd of over one hundred thousand people. For now anyway.
But these aren't her fans, nor is it her crowd. She is a fill-in for their real drummer who fractured her foot, Entrapta. But she will accept the praise all the same.
The piercing electric twang of Catra’s guitar tears through the air, tugging Adora back to reality as goosebumps speckle across her porcelain skin. Without thinking, her hand springs into action, slamming down on the stand tom while her gaze flicks in the direction of the fiery musician.
Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh
This song is one of my favourite covers of hers, Adora muses silently, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as Catra’s sultry voice rips through the venue. Tainted Love.
As if sensing Adora’s gaze, Catra looks over her left shoulder, winking across at her as she dramatically spins her guitar under her arm and around the back of her neck.
Adora has seen her do such a careless thing on countless occasions, yet every single time her heart drops, and panic immediately sets in as she watches with bated breath as the six-digit electric guitar is spun around her neck like a hula hoop parlour trick.
Catra smirks, catching her prized possession in her hands almost instantly before immediately strumming away at it without even sparing a glance down at her stings. She wiggles her brows cryptically at Adora before turning back to the audience.
W-What was that look for? Adora can’t help but wonder as heat rushes through her.
Sometimes I feel I've got to run away
I've got to get away
From the pain you drive into the heart of me
The love we share seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my life
For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night
A flutter in Adora’s chest unnerves her. Unable to simply focus on the task at hand as her mind wanders back to her — to Catra. Her stage presence is beyond captivating. She is the true definition of a star .
There is no doubt that all eyes are on Catra. How could they not be when she looks like that ?
She looks so damn fine .
Catra’s sense of fashion has always been impeccable and concerts are no exception. The perfect mix between her indisputable masculine energy and punk rock.
Every time Adora’s gaze crosses paths with her at the front of the stage, she struggles to know where to even look without getting flustered. Between Catra’s studded, leash choker wrapped around her neck, and the fishnet blouse layered under her midriff top, accentuating her slender figure and exposed navel, Adora’s heart is left in shambles.
Once I ran to you
Now I run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a girl could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Swallowing hard, Adora spins the drum sticks expertly between her fingers, promptly slamming them down against the cymbals as she sinks into the performance.
The clang of metal sends a jolt of adrenaline down her spine and her eyes flutter closed. She immediately flicks her head up in the air, thighs pressed tight as she rides the near euphoric wave washing over her.
Without even sparing a thought, the drumsticks slam down on the toms, her right foot striking the bass pedal as Catra’s voice rings through her mind.
Now, I know I've got to run away
I've got to get away
You don't really want any more from me
To make things right you need someone to hold you tight
And you think love is to pray
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way
Catra thrusts her hips back and forward as she strums aggressively at her guitar, making metaphorical love to it as her tail whips through the air.
The crowd screeches enthusiastically, women of all ages ratling the barricade at the front of the mosh pit. Several overzealous women flick their bras in her direction on stage one after another, one catching at the headstock of her instrument.
Adora’s teeth sink into her bottom lip and her heart rate skyrockets as she watches on. It is torture just watching her. Hearing other women catcall her and flick their undergarments at her for what reason she isn’t sure, at best she can only assume it is a poor attempt to claim ownership of her, their idol.
Ejecting a sigh, Adora slams her head back and forward, headbanging as she basks in the beauty of the music her and her comrades are making together. Every note by each band member is perfectly crafted in their distinctive voice , from Scorpia’s dreamy vocals through to Lonnie’s aggressive electric guitar performance as she attempts to mimic Catra’s chaotic performance.
Once I ran to you
Now I run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a girl could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Adora’s golden locks flutter over her shoulders as her gaze drifts back to Catra as she bounces energetically across the stage alongside Lonnie, the pair of them screaming the lyrics into Scorpia’s microphone.
Everything about their performance feels natural. Like home . Yet even now a pang of irritation swells in her chest as she eyes the other woman’s bra teetering at the end of Catra’s prized guitar like a trophy of sorts.
It would’ve been easy for her to flick it off. But she hasn’t. It shouldn’t bother her. After all, it’s just an item of clothing.
It means nothing .
But it bothers her. It bothers her a lot .
Don't touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I'm gonna pack my things and go
Tainted love
A smirk slips across Catra’s lips as she nods across at Lonnie. A subtle heads up to the pure unadulterated chaos that was to ensue. Adora knows the look all too well. It is shred-o’clock with the twisted twins , as she likes to call them.
Suddenly, an explosion of electric twangs slice through the air, causing Adora’s breath to catch in the back of her throat as the pair Yngwie kick and scream out the title of the song over and over. Each determined to outplay and outperform the other party as they make their way around the outskirts of the stage.
The crowd is beyond control at this point with several individuals trying to climb the barricade and make their way towards the stage only to be intercepted by security. Every time they shred at the end of a concert it causes trouble for the staff. Catra and Lonnie know this and yet their chaotic personalities throw all sense of logic out the window in the pursuit of the high it gives them both.
Taking a deep breath, Adora claps her drumsticks above her head as hard as she possibly can. Summoning Scorpia’s attention in an instant. She winks at Scorpia and immediately the pair sink back into their place in the song causing the troublesome duo to draw to a halt.
Touch me baby, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Irritated, Catra shoots Adora a glare, flicking her index finger in her direction and licks it.
Eyes narrowing, Adora huffs. Don’t blame me. You were about to cause a safety issue.
Turning on her heel, Catra struts to the furthest edge of the stage, shredding the last few notes of the song. She drops to her knees, arching backwards as she slides her guitar up to her exposed navel as she sings out the final lyrics alongside Scorpia.
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Suddenly the music stops, and just like that, it is all over.
The crowd screeches wildly, begging for more as Catra rises back to her feet. Scorpia and Lonnie walk up to her, their arms draped around her petite shoulders as she flicks her guitar pick into the crowd.
Relief washes over Adora as she throws her head backwards, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Playing with them is more exhausting than I expected. I am going to pay for that move later, aren’t I?
Catra looks over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing as she stares at Adora.
Yep, I am in for an earful! Adora muses, smiling meekly at her irate roommate.
The gentle hum of the car rumbles through the air as Adora and Catra gaze out of separate windows. Despite their electrifying performance, things were undeniably tense.
Since leaving the venue, Catra hasn’t so much as muttered a single syllable. A true feat if there ever is one given her aptitude for arguing at every opportunity imaginable.
But instead of revelling in the silence, Adora cannot help but feel as if she is living life on the edge. There is no doubt in her mind that her roommate will explode eventually. It is simply a matter of time. But how much time does she have exactly? That is the question.
Clearing her throat, Adora reaches forward, plucking a fresh bottle of water from the pocket of the seat in front of her. “Thanks so much for the water, Waylen. You’re so thoughtful,” she notes loudly, offering a sincere smile to his reflection in the rearview mirror.
She doesn’t need to look in Catra’s direction to know she is rolling her eyes, she can practically hear it.
“What now Catra?” Adora sighs, before proceeding to take a long sip from the bottle. Perhaps it is better to just rip the bandaid off and let her explode now to get this over and done with.
“Nothing,” Catra replies simply, refusing to turn to face her companion.
Eyes widening, Adora lowers the bottle into her lap. Really? Nothing? As if. I wasn’t born yesterday.
“You praised him for being ‘so thoughtful’ but based on your actions earlier today it is hard to believe you even know the meaning of the word,” Catra rambles bitterly, shooting a pointed gaze in Adora’s direction at last. “Maybe it’s just me, but it’s kinda ironic if you think of it, hey?”
There she goes, Adora muses exasperatedly. “I was wondering when you were going to have a little rant about what happened back there. It took you over an hour to bring it up. I must say I am impressed at your newfound self-control.”
Huffing, Catra glares back at her. Her eyes narrow into thin slits as her long nails rake against her pants. “Like you know the first thing about self-control, Princess !”
Taken aback, Adora shakes her head. “You can’t keep using the label that my fans gave me against me.”
“Ah yes, your fans ,” Catra grumbles. “It has nothing to do with that horrid crown you wear when your band plays on stage.”
“Excuse me? You complimented my on-stage persona countless times,” Adora barks unusually irritable. “Also, is that any way to speak to a friend that did the Wildcatz such a huge favour? I mean, I stepped in last minute to help you guys wrap up your sold-out tour. I don’t recall any other notable drummers putting their hands up to assist your band?”
Silence engulfs the car as the pair stare at each other down. Suddenly, Adora turns away, her face settling into the curve of her palm as she rests her elbow on the windowsill. “You are so unbelievably ungrateful. You should’ve just stayed back there with all your groupies.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Catra growls warningly, her ears twitching discontentedly.
Adora arches a brow as she twists her lips, pausing for a moment. “I am not stupid. I know that you were itching to bring one of those women in the front row back to a hotel to rail all night long ,” she mutters, her voice wavering ever so slightly. “No one performs like that just because they are feeling their performance. You might as well have sniffed that bra that got snagged on your guitar and stuffed it in your jeans for God’s sake.”
She turns away, casting her gaze back out the window, tapping her perfectly manicured nails on the windowsill as she eyes Catra’s horrified expression in the reflection of the window. Perhaps she was a touch too honest with her explanation, but what good does sheltering her from her true feelings on the matter do? Nothing good that’s for damn sure.
“Jesus, Adora! What the fuck?” Catra curses as she waves her hands dramatically. “Are you fucking hearing yourself right now?”
Huffing, Adora fights the ever-present urge to roll her eyes. “What? Me sharing my honest observations?” she argues. “I never realised you were so provocative on stage these days until this tour. I’m glad I don’t have to bear witness to you revelling in the chaos your attention-seeking displays brew up with your thirsty fans any longer.”
Catra tugs roughly on Adora’s shoulder, forcing her to flick her gaze back in her direction. “Wow. Tell me how you really feel, Adora!” she exclaims, horrified. “No, really! Go right ahead! Tell me about what a little slut you think I am. I am all ears.”
“That is not what I am saying, don’t twist my words,” Adora argues, brushing Catra’s hand away from her shoulder. “You know that I am all for sexual liberty.”
“Hah! Well, you’ve got to admit that it’s not much of a stretch,” Catra counters at lightning speed. “Either way, it’s not your fucking business what I fucking do or who I fucking do.”
Silence befalls the pair as they stare each other down, both equally irritable, neither willing to back down.
“Then you must not think a lot of me then,” Adora admits at last. Her throat burning in the wake of the painful statement, leaving her raw and vulnerable in its wake. As frustrated as she is, she wants her to prove her wrong. To deny the harsh truth that weighs on her in the wake of their argument as it currently stands.
Clicking her tongue, Catra turns away. “Right back at you.”
Adora’s heart sinks as she stares aimlessly at the back of Catra’s head, chest constricting so tightly that she feels physically ill. “Well I guess it’s a good thing that the tour is over then,” she replies, a pain she has no patience to conceal lingering in her voice.
“Doesn’t mean fucking shit given our living arrangements. I still have to see you every day now don’t I?” Catra cruelly reminds her. A low blow.
Adora turns away, her eyes stinging as she presses her chin into the palm of her hand. The last thing she wants to do is let Catra see her cry. She will only weaponize such an observation when she is this aggravated.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of interfering with your comings and goings,” Adora replies softly, brushing the tears swelling in her eyes away with her free hand as she attempts to compose herself. “It’s not my business after all.”
“Glad to fucking hear it!” Catra fires back, still riled up.
The driver lets loose a lengthy sigh as he runs his hand through his hair. “This is going to be a really long drive back into the city, isn’t it?”
Three days have come and gone since the final concert of the tour, and Adora cannot bare to mutter more than a few short words to Catra. Partly out of frustration, partly due to embarrassment. It is difficult to know which outweighs the other. But on the whole, there is one thing she is certain of, that she does not wish to speak with her on the matter.
That night changed everything and yet it also changed nothing. It was the spark that caused her to finally view the full picture. The reason she always felt so strongly and protectively about Catra.
Love.
It was all due to love. Every fight they had during the tour, every bitter feeling she felt bubbling away in her chest as Catra toyed with other women before her very eyes. It was the reason. It explained it all, spanning back countless years of emotional turmoil surrounding her.
But it was also marked the end before anything could dare to commence.
So silence was best. It was easier in theory. But however, executing the silent treatment is in a word, difficult. Not due to their close quarters or the pain lingering within her. The true struggle comes into play when Catra’s overwhelming desire to make amends kicks in, which as per usual came into play the morning after their fight in the car.
Catra, although stubborn to the core, always struggles with the idea of the two disagreeing on anything, be it what takeaway they get for dinner that night, or a more serious blowout. She simply cannot handle the silence, it eats away at her until she is ready to burst at the seams.
Why exactly she struggles with it so much in relation to Adora is beyond her. After all, Adora has seen her happily ignore other members of their friendship circle and even her band over minor disagreements before.
But for some reason, she falls into a different category.
Adora has her theories on the matter. The most likely of all of them is that she simply cannot handle living with the discourse she revels in with others. After all, it can be truly uncomfortable to be unable to escape the tense atmosphere. Other than that there was the suggestion by Glimmer that Catra simply cannot bear to fight with Adora because of how much she adores her, but after their recent fight, the suggestion is nothing short of laughable.
“Hey Adora,” Catra purrs as she slinks into the bathroom eyeing off her roommate as she attentively applies her mascara.
Adora’s gaze flicks up to the right corner of the mirror, eying Catra for a millisecond before refocusing on the task at hand. Not a single word leaves her lips, instead, all that she ejects is a sigh.
Frustration grips Adora tighter every day that things remain unresolved between them. Usually, after twenty-four hours she caves, giving in to Catra’s pandering. But this time is different . She isn’t ready to broach the subject, to have her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. The topic isn’t as light as it usually is. Instead, it has weight to it. It has risks .
Taking a deep breath, Adora twists her mascara tube shut and rummages through her drawers in search of a hair tie. In her peripheral vision, she watches Catra shift in discomfort. A frown slips across Catra’s beautiful dark features as she crosses her arms and approaches the vanity. Shifting to a much more direct approach.
“Ignoring me still I see,” Catra notes loudly as she leans back against the wall, leaning towards the mirror. “I know you miss me, Princess . I miss you.”
Lips twisting, Adora tries her best to repress the urge to smile in response to her declaration. It doesn’t mean the same to Catra as it means to her. There is no doubt about it now, so why should she lend herself to hope on the matter? To torture herself? Not likely. Making a fool of herself is not something she seeks out.
Adora combs her slender fingers through her hair, pulling her golden tresses up into a ponytail as she chews her bottom lip thoughtfully; careful to avoid any imperfections in her signature hairdo, pinching it tight atop of her head. A few moments later she reaches forward, spritzing her neck and wrists with perfume.
Catra coughs and splutters, her hands swishing back and forward as she side steps. “God I hate that cursed stuff!” she mutters irritably before freezing, her eyes widening as her gaze rakes down the length of Adora’s slender frame. “Wait! Are you going on a date ?” she stammers, disbelieving eyes searching hers.
“I have nothing to say to you at the moment, Catra,” Adora replies distantly, carefully trailing her gaze over her intricate, lace, mini dress for a final check before proceeding to turn on her heel and leave the room.
Thick lashes flutter closed as Adora clutches at her chest, her heart pounding erratically in her chest as she replays the moment in her head. The look of pure shock in Catra's eyes is enough to practically render her catatonic. If she didn’t know any better, she would suspect she is hurt by the mere possibility.
Yet, Adora knows better.
Feelings? Hah. No chance, she muses bitterly as she slips into her Louboutin heels and plucks her Givenchy handbag off the entry table, quickly slipping her mobile phone inside as she pauses and swallows heavily. The weight of Catra’s gaze is unmissable.
“So is this how it’s going to be then?” Catra whispers from behind her. She pauses momentarily, the uncomfortable silence filling the space between them with an unsettling level of discomfort despite its brevity. “You’re just going to get all dressed up and go on dates without even telling your best friend ?” she chokes out bitterly.
Best friend. That really is all there is to this for you isn’t there, Adora notes painfully, taking a deep breath as she threads her handbag over her shoulder.
Hearing suffering in Catra’s voice is excruciating. Hell, it broke her. It was beyond heartbreaking. Her pain is one thing, but to know she is the cause of such distress for the woman she loved is unpalatable.
Exhaling heavily, Adora relaxes her formerly tense shoulders. “Catra, you made a valid point the other day. What either of us does really isn’t the other person’s business,” she whispers at last. Her throat tightens as she bites down on her bottom lip, hesitant to continue to verbalise her train of thought. Saying it out loud feels too real. Too accepting of the hand fate has dealt her.
“Whether it is with friends…or lovers ,” Adora continues at last, her already fragile heart trembling with each and every word. She glances over her shoulder and forces a smile, her heart racing so fast she can practically feel it shatter as she makes eye contact with Catra.
I want you all to myself, Adora notes silently, her throat tightening as she searches Catra’s taken aback expression. “That’s what you want, right?”
Catra’s shoulders slump notably as her tail falls limp to the floorboards, ears downturned. “Y-Yeah, of course,” she mutters distantly, shrugging off her discomfort as Adora turns away and walks out the front door.
“I’ll be back after dinner,” Adora advises distantly, carefully choosing her words as she looks back through the gap in the door before proceeding to lock it behind her. Catra’s downcast expression as she stands in the hallway is forever imprinted in the theatre of her mind.
A sick feeling grips her instantly and Adora leans up against the wall. A hand tugs at her dress as she squeezes her eyes shut, fighting back tears. I am not in the mood to see Glimmer and Bow for lunch at all now. That was far more painful than I anticipated.
Sitting around moping in their apartment never has been Catra’s style and she isn’t about to start to explore that option. Instead, she decides to be productive. What could be more productive than discreetly following Adora to uncover her secrets?
Exactly.
Nothing.
Catra adjusts her sunglasses and shrugs her leather jacket on as she peers through the taxi window out onto the sidewalk, carefully eyeing Adora as she makes her way into Olivieri’s, a hatted Italian restaurant in the centre of the city.
“Of course, her date is taking her here of all places,” Catra growls bitterly as she leans forward, slapping a hundred-dollar bill into the driver’s hand. “Thanks. Keep the change!”
She pops up the neck of her leather jacket, and slips out the door of the taxi, making a run for the restaurant doorway, flinging the door open and quickly pressing her back against the cold glass door as she breathes a sigh of relief. The last thing she needs is for her investigative work to be outed by the press. They will only complicate matters to say the least.
Eyes widening, the front-of-house server flashes her a toothy grin. “Would you like your usual booth, Catra?” she coos happily, gesturing to the booth at the back of the restaurant, a perfectly private location away from prying eyes.
Catra peeks around the bend of the entryway, her eyes instantly locking with Adora’s ponytail as she hugs a tall man . Or at least, he appeared to be one based on his build and clothing choice.
It is difficult to not feel taken off guard by the scene before her.
Not even once has Adora led her to believe that she is attracted to males. Females on the other hand, well, to say her attraction to them is blatant would be a severe understatement given her sizable stash of Victoria’s Secret catalogues she keeps hidden under her mattress, a fortunate yet accidental discovery on Catra’s side of things.
Huffing, Catra glares daggers at the unknown man’s face. His stupid , stereotypically handsome face. Heat creeps up the length of her neck, marking her skin with an irritable red hue. She turns back to the server, massaging her lips together as she slides off her sunglasses with a wink at her. “I want that one,” Catra whispers, pointing to a booth in Adora’s direction.
“A window booth?” the server repeats in disbelief. “But you will have no privacy?”
She forces a grin, eyes lit with excitement as she slips her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “I am counting on it.
“Very well then,” the woman replies with a nod, collecting a menu as she leads Catra through the more populated end of the restaurant. Whispers sound around her as she walks past countless tables, her head held high as she proceeds to slink into the booth just before Adora’s, thankfully without her noticing.
Catra traces her tongue across her upper lip as she examines the menu, silently pointing to her selections; a cup of coffee and a slice of tiramisu. She smiles up at the server, pressing a finger tenderly to her lips, gesturing her to stay silent as she winks.
The woman turns scarlet, her eyes widening as she nods and smiles bashfully, combing a section of hair behind her ear as she leans forward, reclaiming the menu before racing off.
Grinning, Catra leans back into the curve of the seat. She kicks her feet up onto the tabletop, her military boots smacking down hard on the perfectly prepared tablecloth. Sighing, she turns her head, listening intently to the conversation behind her.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you! It feels like we have been texting back and forth for ages now,” Adora whispers, excitement clinging to her voice.
“I know right? Feels so crazy to finally see you,” the guy replies enthusiastically. “I mean, not that I haven’t seen you before. You are all over the magazines with Glimmer and the others after all. God, I sound like a creep don’t I?”
Catra couldn't roll her eyes hard enough if she tried. He reeks of desperation, the desire for approval clings to him as a foul wet dog smell does to a mutt. Jesus, is this the kind of loser she’s into? The little nervous virgin type? Surely there are better males out there. Is this the best the whole male species has to offer?
Adora’s melodic laughter rings through the air. “Oh please, it’s totally fine!”
Inhaling sharply, Catra’s face grows hot as the sound of Adora’s beautiful laugh echoes through her mind, her tail instantly wrapping around her tiny waist. It is rare to hear others invoke that reaction from her. It is her job and equally, her reward. Yet here he is, sitting in a booth with her at a fancy restaurant, making her laugh. She hates it. She hates him .
She grits her teeth as her hands curl into tight balls in her lap, her long nails digging into the palms, a stinging sensation emanating through her hands soon after. I’ve been here, what? All of five minutes and I already want to obliterate this guy.
“Thank goodness, I’d never want to make you uncomfortable,” he replies at last, clearing his throat. “I really love your outfit by the way. I didn’t expect you to be so dressed up! I feel so underdressed by comparison in my off-the-rack Moschino fit.”
Fit? Who the fuck talks like that over the age of sixteen? Catra muses, practically choking as she tries to hold back a burst of laughter. Dude, just stop before you make this worse for yourself. She is completely and utterly out of your league in every way.
“Oh, you cannot be serious! I love it! Their clothing is always so fun and upbeat. You look handsome! It suits you,” Adora replies kindly.
“No, it doesn’t. He looks like Ronald fucking Mcdonald,” Catra quips softly, unable to bottle up her sass for a moment longer. Wait! Hold up! Did she just call that numbskull, handsome? Her eyes peel wide as she leans forward, sliding her boots off the table as she looks over her shoulder at the back of Adora’s head. You have got to be fucking kidding me?
The man laughs sheepishly, “You’re too kind. It’s nothing special but I really do have a soft spot for their designs.”
“Oh, by the way, where is she?” Adora replies, changing the topic as she turns her head back towards the entrance.
Catra sinks into the booth, her ears flattening as her heart rate goes through the roof. That was far too close!
“Who?” the man repeats unsurely.
Yeah, Adora! Who? Isn’t this a date? Who else could you be expecting? Catra grumbles bitterly, her tail fur standing on end as her irritation gets the best of her at long last.
“Glimmer, of course!” Adora laughs in response.
“Oh! Of course! Duh!” the man laughs, slapping what Catra can only assume is his head. “Glimmer is in the bathroom. She got a little wet in the sunshower we had earlier and forgot to bring an umbrella so she’s drying herself under the hand dryer.”
Glimmer? As in Glimmer in her band Glimmer? Catra notes, completely taken back. She carefully pops her head over the edge of the seat as Adora turns her attention back to her company. Catra’s eyes narrow as she sighs softly. Just how many people are you dating at the moment, Adora?
“Poor thing!” Adora replies, clearly saddened. “I might go to the bathroom to check on her if that’s alright?”
“Totally! I feel bad that I didn’t go in with her,” he replies quickly. “I am sure she will appreciate it!”
“Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes. If they ask for my order please get me the Linguine arrabiata,” Adora chimes happily, sliding out of the booth, a giant grin gripping the corners of her lips.
Catra sinks back down into her booth, her breath hitched in the back of her throat. Can’t ever ignore a person in need, even such a minor inconvenience like this. Typical. Her hands claw at her chest as she exhales slowly, her eyes fluttering closed as she attempts to calm down. It’s been like three days and I’ve missed that stupidly cute smile so much.
“I don’t know if I can pronounce that but I will do my best!” the man laughs as Adora walks off briskly heading towards the bathroom.
The server walks back to Catra’s table carefully placing both items before her. They exchange smiles before she walks away silently.
Catra’s smile dissipates as she leans forward on the table, taking a big swig of her piping hot coffee, her eyes narrowing as she loses herself deep in thought. As she sees it, she has two decent options, both plans equally thrilling.
Option one being to continue to sit in her booth, overhearing their date for a while before ducking out the back entrance at the first sign of the media arriving. When they don’t see her, Adora will be the one they turn their attention to, thus ruining her not-so-secret date and justifying her knowledge on the matter as it becomes public knowledge.
Then there was option two, undeniably the most tempting of the two plans. To confront her date head-on, intimidating him and getting him to back down now while he’s clearly behind, not that she is keeping count. If she is lucky, she could get the threats in now before Adora gets back to their table.
But which would yield the best results? Based on his clearly, beta behaviour, she cannot help but feel option two would be the best course of action.
Smirking, Catra chugs the remainder of her coffee and takes a sizable mouthful of her tiramisu, swallowing it quickly and wiping the chocolate from her lips with the back of her hand as she rises to her feet. Her hands sink into the depths of her pockets as she turns to face him, their eyes immediately locking with one another.
“W-Wait! You’re Catra from the Wildcatz!” the young man exclaims, his eyes peeling wide as he stares up at her in wonder. “Oh god, I really admire you! My name is Bow! I mainly play the violin but I also play the guitar!”
Huffing, Catra lifts her chin in the air and glares down at him menacingly. “Well, good for you Bow ,” she growls clearly annoyed. “But keep that bow in your pants away from my , Adora.”
He blinks unsurely, his eyes searching hers for long moments before a single sound escapes him. “Huh?”
Gritting her teeth, Catra slams her left foot up onto the booth seat opposite his, slapping her arm down on top of her knee as she leans down towards him, seething. “Don’t act stupid! You’re out here trying to get in Adora’s pants. I am not an idiot. So back the fuck up.”
Bow laughs nervously, a hand scratching the back of his neck as he stares across at the short but intimidating woman towering over him menacingly. “Ah, look, with all due respect, I don’t think you realise what this whole lunch thing between us is really for.”
“Of course I do. All men are the same, fuck now think later,” Catra quips matter-of-factly.
He opens his mouth to argue only to quickly close it, wincing as he hesitates. “Ah, I can’t argue with you on that, a lot of guys do give us a bad name,” he laughs nervously.
“See you admit it!” Catra rages, slapping a hand against her thigh. “Just know that you’ve lit a fire under my ass. I won’t lose her to you . I won’t lose her to anyone .”
Wincing, Bow spins his hand around in a circle, a nervous smile plastered across his lips.
Eyes peeling wide, Catra stands up straight, her ears flattening as she turns to meet Adora’s blue eyes instantly. “Shit.”
“Yeah, that’s an understatement,” Adora growls, crossing her arms under her breasts as she taps her heel irritably. “Care to explain why you are harassing my band’s new guitarist ?”
“Oh?” Catra whispers, realisation hitting her like a semi-trailer. This means she is not dating someone or even that she likes men. It’s a colleague! Her mind screams in utter agony. If she could hide under a rock that would be great. Her face turns scarlet, and she instinctively slides her foot off the seat, gaze lowering submissively as she repeats; “Oh...”
“Yeah, oh !” Adora barks, planting her hands on her hips as she scowls. “What the fuck ?”
Taking a deep breath, Catra straightens her back, jaw tightening as she slips her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket. “I’m sorry , alright?”
“Now say it with less attitude this time,” Adora quips, brows pinching together as Glimmer taps her on the shoulder.
“Oh it’s okay, it’s clear she’s really upset over things, Adora,” Glimmer reasons, her concerned eyes searching her friend’s irked expression. “Maybe she is jealous o—”
“She’s not jealous! Can you stop saying things that imply that Catra likes me?” Adora snaps, her scowling eyes flicking across to her friend, her hands flying up into the air dramatically. “Can you tell her, Catra?”
How ironic, Catra muses, exhaling heavily as Adora’s heart-rending gaze falls upon her once more. “I don’t like you,” she replies quickly, her eyes searching Adora’s desperately trying to read her.
Eyes growing glassy, Adora swallows harshly, hesitantly tearing her gaze away. Accepting the answer she has been provided with. “See, I told you so drop it al—”
“You ruin me. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can’t think of anything but you,” Catra cuts in, ears twitching nervously as she gently exhales. “I want you to etch your kisses into my skin so when we are apart you still feel a little bit closer. I need you to be mine. I want you all to myself. I always have.”
It isn’t the best timing. It never is. But an opportunity presented itself. One that is undeniably more attractive to her than the others she has been presented with to date.
Catra sighs heavily, her gaze softening as Adora turns to face her once more, jaw agape as she listens intently. “So, no. I don’t like you, Adora. I love you,” she admits at last, her heart palpitations reaching an all-time high.
Adora’s hands cover her mouth as she stands there silently for long moments, setting Catra on edge. “I don’t know what to say, Catra.”
Huffing, Catra forces a fake smile. “It’s fine. I get it. Whatever,” she replies, voice harsh and distant, the walls around her heart fortifying with every breath she takes in an attempt to prevent her heart from shattering into a million fragments. What did I expect? Honestly?
A searing feeling emanates in Catra’s chest, so painful that makes it almost impossible to piece together a sentence. The urge to drop to the floor, clutching her heart is overwhelming.
Rejection. Heartbreak. Humiliation. The list goes on and on.
If she could fade away right there she would appreciate it. So instead she does the next best thing, she slaps a handful of cash down on her table for her meal and runs .
Eyes squeezing shut, Catra fights the tears that desperately urge to flow down the curves of her cheeks. The last thing she wants is to be seen being weaker than she already has, and in public no less.
Flinging the restaurant door open, she is immediately bombarded with camera flashes and the drone of reporters hurling questions at her.
“Stay the fuck back, I am not in the fucking mood to deal with any of you right now!” she howls, pushing an overly gutsy reporter out of her way as she walks onto the road to wave down a taxi.
“Come on, tell us who you were meeting in that restaurant?”
“Sources claim you have been linked to the new drug on the market, black garnet. Any comment?”
“Any news on when we can expect the new EP to drop?”
Inhaling deeply, Catra grits her teeth and waves her hand out in front of oncoming traffic, her stress level skyrocketing as she attempts to bite her tongue. Keeping her patience in the presence of persistent members of the press have never been her strong point. But to do so when she feels so raw is virtually impossible.
“You are rumoured to be dating your temp drummer, Adora from the band Etheria’s Maidens, is there any truth to this?”
They finally did it. They struck the wrong nerve.
Upper lip quirking upwards, Catra storms over to the sidewalk, seizing the man in question by the collar of his shirt and tugging him down to eye level. “Don’t push me today loser! I’m just looking for a reason to kick someone’s ass right now.”
“There we go again! Reporter beater, Catra is at it again! Manhandling yet another member of the reporters guild!”
“Wildcatz, more like Wild Catra!”
“Catra! Wait!” Adora calls out, flinging the door of the restaurant open as she rushes forward, tugging her away from the innocent man. “Calm down. Just relax, okay?”
Instantly, Catra feels herself recoil. The sound of Adora’s voice soothes her rage in an instant. She is the cause. But also, ironically the remedy. Love is impossible, maddening even.
But even if her love is unrequited and hurts beyond compare, she would not change it. Any deeper connection to her is a necessity. Without it, she is not sure she can survive. It gives her purpose. She gives her purpose.
“What are you doing, Adora?” Catra whispers as she searches her eyes desperately, foolishly hoping for something, anything that might rectify the sharp ache in her chest. She pushes away from Adora, her lips pressed together tightly as she lets he brain regain control of her actions, her heart is not the smartest, especially at present.
Catra swallows heavily, slickening her dry throat as she takes a few steps backwards. “I’m fine. Just give me some space. It’s fine .”
“Catra, you didn’t allow me to reply to what you said earlier. I need to talk to you,” Adora replies calmly.
Smirking, Catra shakes her head. “I know what you are going to say. I have been prepared for that answer for a while now. So just leave me alone. I don’t need your help or your pity, Adora . ”
Catra turns on her heel and marches down the street, tapping at her phone screen, ordering an Uber, a majority of the press in tow.
“Catra…”
The clinking of the front door unlocking catches Catra’s attention. She stares across the living room and down the hallway from her position on the couch, curled up in a blanket with a tub of choc-chip ice cream, a Metallica concert blaring away loudly.
The instant the door flings open, their eyes meet, and all at once, the feeling of worthlessness swells in her chest once more. Averting her gaze quickly, Catra digs her spoon into the tub, shoving a massive iceberg-sized chunk of ice cream into her mouth and chewing irritably.
Did she have to look so fucking adorable today just to break my fucking heart? Seriously! Her mind screams as she senses her walking down the hallway in her peripheral vision, tactfully avoiding looking back in the same direction. She will be damned if she makes the same mistake twice.
Adora leans against the doorframe, a hand resting on her hip as she ejects a sigh. “Are you going to let me talk to you now?”
The tables have turned, haven’t they? Catra muses her eyes lit with excitement as Metallica hit the chorus in Master of the Puppets, subconsciously headbanging for a moment until Adora walks into the room, taking a seat next to her on the couch.
“Metallica, of course,” Adora muses out loud, offering a smile as she leans forward and gazes across at her roommate. “This is an old concert, which concert is it?
“1989 in Seattle,” Catra replies simply, still refusing to look across at her.
Ejecting a loud sigh, Adora reaches for the remote between them and presses pause.
“For the love of God, Adora. Do not make today worse for me by starting an argument,” Catra whines as she points the chocolate-covered spoon in Adora’s direction. “Metallica is the only thing keeping me from opening Twitter and arguing with all my anti’s online discussing what happened in the restaurant in one of those stupid news articles. Also, one of those reporters basically accused me of running a drug ring! Me!”
A soft laugh slips from Adora’s lips as a smile pulls at the corners of her lips, a hand covering them quickly as she attempts to stifle her laugh.
Instinctively, Catra leans forward, pulling Adora’s hand away from her mouth. “Don’t…” she starts to say only to cut her thought short and retract her hand. “I don’t know why you’re pushing this discussion still. There’s nothing more to really say about it,” Catra grumbles bitterly as she arches a brow. “I get it. I was an embarrassment today. I jumped to conclusions.”
Sighing, Adora turns to face her completely. “I know you didn’t mean to do those things though.”
“But I did! I didn’t check my facts and I got all territorial over you when I don’t own you,” Catra rambles irritably as she throws her head back into the couch cushion, covering her face.
“Can I talk now?” Adora asks gently.
Catra groans, completely ignoring the question. “Oh man, and don’t even get me started about how I poured my heart out to you in the middle of a fucking fine dining establishment, knowing that I would most likely be rejected,” she growls, sliding her hands dramatically down her face. “I swear to God, I just want to crawl into a hole and live there for the next decade.”
“Catra, will you let me speak now?” Adora replies, reaching across and resting her hand delicately on Catra’s thigh.
Throat constricting, Catra jolts upwards her eyes fixed down at her thigh, bright eyes quivering as she stares intently at Adora’s hand placement. It is difficult to not overthink things, to not imagine a reality where such a gesture that invokes such an electric response in her body actually means something . But paired with the tenderness present in Adora’s voice it is virtually impossible.
Shoulders relaxing, Catra inhales deeply, her chest rising and falling dramatically as she turns to make eye contact with Adora at long last. Her soft expression instantly takes the air from her chest. Clearing her throat, she quickly massages her lips together nervously and ejects a sigh.
“Fine, let's get this over with then,” she mutters grimly.
But then something amazing happens.
Adora’s cheeks perk into a full-faced smile. Her striking blue eyes tear up as she leans closer, her warm palms cupping Catra’s cheeks as she cocks her head to the side. Stray strands of golden hair flutter past her eyes as her thumbs gently caress Catra’s cheeks.
Catra’s teeth sink into her lower lip as she stays silent, doing her best to allow Adora the opportunity to say whatever she desperately wishes to share without interruption.
“You’re spiralling, Catra,” She whispers at long last, amusement evident in her voice as her gaze flicks down to Catra’s full lips.
“I don’t think that requires pointing out Adora,” Catra quips, her tail whipping against her lower back.
Adora nods slowly, her smile fading as she closes the gap, pressing her forehead up against Catra’s. “You’re so impatient. If you waited a few minutes longer I could’ve saved you a lot of distress you know.”
Inhaling sharply, Catra feels Adora’s hot breath glide across her cheeks. The urge to kiss her grips her like a vice. Everything about her is an addiction . An uncontrollable hunger deep within her that no amount of tender touches can truly sate.
“You rejected me, why would I stick around for the eulogy?” Catra retorts, attempting to conceal her pain with humour. “Nothing you could say or do would ease the embarrassment I felt. I know you aren’t interested in me like that. You admitted it.”
“I didn’t actually,” Adora cuts in quickly.
“Yes, you did,” Catra argues hotly, brows furrowed as she stares her down. “I know what I heard.”
Adora sighs gently. “I know what you think you heard,” she counters quickly. “But all I mentioned was that I didn’t know what to say.”
“Exactly! So you clearly don’t feel the same way!” Catra barks defensively. Why are we even discussing this?
Taking a deep breath, Adora’s hands slip from Catra’s cheeks and flutter down to rest in her lap. “I didn’t even realise until recently. But for the longest time, I have been waiting for this ,” she whispers, eyes anxiously flicking down to her fingers as they toy with the hem of her dress.
A brow raised, Catra stares at her unsurely. What? To reject me? Are you for real?
“Through the countless years we’ve spent together, I always believed that any moments we shared that felt special in a way that I couldn’t explain, were just you being playful,” Adora explains with a shrug, a nervous chuckle slipping through her clearly rattled expression. “I ignored the confusing flutter you stirred in my chest each and every time because my explanation made perfect sense to me. It did for the longest time.”
Watching Adora transform into a vulnerable shell of herself puts Catra on edge. Her honesty is never concealed, yet witnessing her raw emotions in such a manner is both confronting and utterly heartbreaking in one breath. The urge to reach forward and seize her hand, caressing it to provide some form of comfort is hard to shake. But will she find it rude? Or more importantly, is it even acceptable now given how complicated things currently are? Making her uncomfortable is something she would never seek to do.
So instead, Catra sits quietly, her heart brimming with empathy as she watches the woman she loves slowly pull down the walls surrounding her heart. Even if the reason is not to provide the exact response that she is after, Adora’s willingness to do so for her sake means so much.
Inhaling and exhaling heavily, Adora relaxes her shoulders, her gaze still fixed downwards. “I saw the girls dated throughout the years. Every single one of them was so perfect, and well, I’ve always just been me ,” she rambles, her voice trembling for a moment before pausing and biting down on her lower lip, carefully constructing her next sentence. “So why on earth would you ever look at me like you did them? It is because of this that I was so sure anything I felt at the time was to be dismissed. It had to mean nothing to you given these facts.”
Eyes widening, Catra feels a tug inside her chest, her heart aching as she stares across at Adora in disbelief. Since when has she been so self-conscious?
“Adora…” she whispers simply. “You are perfect just as you are. Those girls, every one of them meant nothing compared to how I have always felt about you. You should’ve spoken to me.”
Lips quivering, Adora peers up at Catra through her curtain of golden locks, her pale face, red and blotchy as she tries her best to contain her emotions. “I should’ve, but I didn’t really know what to say. Besides, no matter how much all of this weighed on my mind back then, it didn’t really worry me all that much because you were still in my life. I just needed you close,” she continues, a soft smile teasing at the corners of her mouth. “You were my constant even then. My rock. My best friend.”
A pang of guilt hits Catra as she exhales softly. But then it changed. Everything did when I got signed to my label.
Adora looks up at Catra momentarily, tenderly brushing a section of hair behind her ear as she searches her eyes nervously. “Then you became famous. You have tours, a demanding schedule and countless commitments. Suddenly my world became a little smaller. A little dimmer too,” she explains, her voice fragile as her attention drifts nervously back down to her lap.
“So when you asked me for my help with the latest tour I was so happy to help, but it was hard because things felt so different ,” Adora’s voice strains as she manages to choke out the last word, pain evident in hern expression, try hard as she may to withhold it. “Even though we live in this apartment together, sharing walls and meals. Touring together made me realise just how far you have drifted from me. You evolved so much as a person and as an artist and I missed it. I missed you . I missed you so much it broke me.”
It made sense. So much so that it only served to worsen the sense of guilt that grips Catra as she sits there. With her tours spanning over months across the country, they did drift apart ever so slightly. But with that distance she only found her love for Adora growing stronger, it consumed her.
“Perhaps helping us on tour was a bad idea then. I knew I should’ve just asked management to reschedule,” Catra relents, running a hand through her hair as she sighs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to make you feel that way. I just missed you too. I saw it as a great opportunity for us to spend some time together, and knew you would fit right into the band with your wicked skills.”
Adora slips both her legs up onto the sofa and crosses them as her gaze softens. “No. It’s okay. It’s not your fault, you didn’t know. How could you? Besides, the tour also meant that I witnessed your interactions with other women time and time again,” she replies. “Watching you flirt with them, touch them, kiss them. It hurt, but that pain helped me realise something important. I was jealous of them.”
“Wait. What?” Catra whispers in disbelief as she lifts Adora’s chin gently, her eyes nervously searching hers. Is she implying what I think she is?
“I didn’t understand the gravity of my feelings towards you until our fight in the car the last night of the tour,” Adora whispers, pressing her lips together as she fights back tears. “For the longest time, all my fondest memories, the memories we share, have been littered with clues, and every single one of them leads me to the same realisation.”
“And that is?” Catra urges her, her heart racing as she swallows heavily.
“That I love you,” Adora whispers, a gentle smile enveloping her perfectly plump lips. She reaches forward, taking Catra’s hand and lifting it to her cheek. Her eyes flutter closed as she breathes a sigh of relief and turns to plant a kiss on the back of her beloved’s hand. “I took so long to realise everything. I’ve been so blind. But admitting this right now, it feels like I am seeing clearly for the first time.”
Inhaling sharply, Catra’s lips buckle under the weight of her emotions as she stares back at Adora, half in shock half in relief. She bites down on her quivering lower lip as she fights back tears that seem intent on welling in her eyes.
“You’ve been blind?” Catra whispers at last, lifting her free hand to her mouth, proceeding to trail her fingertips down the centre of her trembling lips as she loses herself in the moment. “How did I also fail to put two and two together?”
Adora laughs softly, tears rolling down the curves of her cheeks as her eyes flutter open once more. “We’ve both been idiots, haven’t we?” she whispers, her voice cracking as she lowers Catra’s hand down to her lap, still clutching it tightly.
Snickering, Catra cocks her head, a kind smile seizing her lips as her heart drums erratically in her chest. “I think calling us idiots is too kind given the level of sheer stupidity we have somehow managed to unlock,” she muses as she climbs across onto Adora’s lap, her hands gently tracing through her hair as she looks into her eyes lovingly.
“I can’t argue with you for once,” Adora notes, her eyes never leaving Catra’s.
Catra wiggles her brows as she draws in close, her lips stopping barely an inch from Adora’s as she smirks. “Wow, is this what it is going to be like now?” she muses teasingly. “What did you do with my stubborn, combative, best friend?”
“Girlfriend,” Adora corrects her quickly before pausing, her face flushing crimson as she looks up at her, clearly panicked. “Unless of course that’s not what you wan—”
“Just shut up already,” Catra orders with a devious grin as she pushes Adora backwards onto the couch, straddling her waist. She traces a hand teasingly down the centre of Adora’s chest; “I’ve got a big night ahead of me. I need to devour all five feet and six inches of my Girlfriend .”
Adora swallows thickly, her throat tightening as a shiver rushes down her spine, her body alight under the touch of her lover. “Yes, Ma’am,” she whispers breathlessly.
“You’re such an idiot,” Catra laughs as she leans closer, her lips tenderly brushing against Adora’s, their noses rubbing ever so gently as she relaxes into the kiss.
Whimpering, Adora rakes her fingers down the centre of Catra’s back. Her hips rock forward, deepening the kiss as she moans ever so tenderly.
Catra swallows up her pleas of joy in an instant. Her hands slide up to Adora’s wrists, pinning them above her head, chest fluttering with excitement. She traces her tongue along the rim of her lips for a moment before biting her lower lip gently, breaking the kiss.
Adora wriggles contently under the weight of Catra’s body. “Catra?” she whispers at last, breaking the silence.
“Yeah?” Catra replies breathlessly as she proceeds to trail butterfly kisses down Adora’s jawline, one hand gripping her chin delicately.
“I’m so glad that you fell in love with me.”