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It's official: Queen Glimmer of Bright Moon is bored. Bored of meetings, bored of subjects, even bored of missions out in space.
Yeah. That's how bad it is.
She's not the only one. Catra was the first to get burned out—or, rather, the first to say it out loud. Bow has confessed to Glimmer, in private, how exhausting everything is getting. Even Adora, Princess of Persistence herself, has taken a step back. Glimmer is the last one standing. But standing for how much longer?
As it is, right now, Glimmer is actually sitting. She's in the main courtyard, perched on the edge of the memorial fountain that was built after the defeat of Prime. She runs a hand through the cool water, taking deep breaths and trying to recentre herself before the next meeting on today's agenda.
Only six to go!
She hears quiet footsteps and instinctively scrunches herself up, hoping to hunker down and out of view of whichever palace guard has been sent to bring her back. But there is no palace guard, nor foreign dignitary.
It's Catra and Adora.
Glimmer watches curiously as they creep past, sharing a smirk and furtive little looks around them as they go. They're also supposed to be in a couple of the day's meetings, and Glimmer feels a rising frustration as they disappear out of sight.
Where could they possibly be going that's more important than the universe? Glimmer decides that she has to find out, right now. And, no, it isn't just an excuse to avoid her responsibilities. Who would dare to claim such a heinous thing?
So, in a flash of glittering pink, the Queen disappears.
Following them is easy. They seem absolutely convinced of their sneaking success. Glimmer keeps her distance as they scamper through the palace corridors, whispering and laughing and altogether having a disgustingly wonderful time shirking their duties. Glimmer follows them out of Bright Moon, across the bridge and into the Whispering Woods.
It's been... a while since Glimmer's wandered into the Woods. They're as tall and mysterious as ever, but Catra seems to know exactly where they're going. Maybe Adora knows, too, but even from behind, Glimmer can tell she's following Catra's lead with that dopey grin on her face. Despite the petulant ire that drove her to stalk her friends through a forest, Glimmer can't deny the sincere joy she gets when she sees Catra and Adora together.
Catra is less of a brat, now. Less, never "not". But Glimmer loves their back-and-forth; no one pushes her to be her best quite like the magicat. And Adora is finally relaxed. There's a sort of unspoken pride that she pulled away when she did. Well, Catra talks about it a lot. Rather loudly.
They have each other's backs.
It's that thought that makes Glimmer pause for a moment. They're taking a well-deserved break, one that Adora deserves more than anyone—and here's Catra, making sure she takes it.
But by now, Glimmer doesn't recognise the area. While spite may have started her on this crusade, curiosity has officially taken its place.
Where they end up is one of the First Ones ruins. It brings a frown to Glimmer's brow. Adora had been used by the First Ones, a tool, chosen out of necessity and designed for destruction. So... why come here?
Glimmer watches the two hesitate at the door, whispering something under their breaths. Then, simultaneously, the two of them shoot off, like there was a starting whistle that Glimmer didn't hear.
They leap up, ignoring the door, and start to scale the sheer crystal walls. Glimmer groans. Knowing them, their race is to the top, which forces her to teleport into a nearby tree for the chance of overhearing or seeing anything. It's precarious, being this high up. Every little movement shifts everything so much more than she expects. The fact that Glimmer can save herself faster than thought doesn't shake off the nerves, and her grip on the branches around her remains rock-solid.
With her new vantage point—don't look down, don't fucking look down—Glimmer can see their destination: an observation deck, ish. It's more like a flat patch of roof, repurposed for actual use. There are blankets, cushions, even two of the special-made mattresses Adora had been given over three years ago—the only ones she can sleep on, the ones that may as well be the crystal floor underneath them with how thin and dense they are—all spread out across the space. There's also one of the palace's magical ice-boxes. Just like the one that went missing about two months ago. Curious.
Really, though. What's Glimmer going to do?
Tell on them?
Adora comes into view first, panting and grinning. Catra, mere moments later, is there with a fake scowl already in place, but it disappears as soon as Adora scoops her in for a delighted kiss. They sway together, then slowly break apart, then wordlessly collapse onto their self-made haven away from home. It's there that they stay, flat on their backs, gazing up at the mosaic of blue skies and leafy canopy.
Glimmer swallows thickly.
It's embarrassing how long it's taken her to realise that this whole thing is just a manifestation of her jealousy. She's the Queen, which means she has a long list of expectations and responsibilities. But she's not one of Entrapta's machines. She has limits. She needs breaks. She deserves to steal away for time with her (also tired and overworked) boyfriend.
After one more second looking at the interlocked hands of her two friends, she teleports back to Bright Moon.
It's time for the Queen to leave some of her duties in the capable hands of someone else. If only for a little while.
The universe can wait. Downtime with the people Glimmer loves is simply more important.