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Green.
Awful, overpowering green. Fogging up her mind, taking over her senses. Her sensibilities.
Scorpia can't think.
Her claws, her power, her body doesn't belong to her any longer.
And Catra…
Oh, Catra.
Despite her body's state, her heart still sings at the sight of her.
But she's attacking her.
Catra is trying to apologize, and Scorpia—
Scorpia is trying to kill her.
She's attacking the love of her life and she can't stop it.
She’s crying out, fighting as hard as she can, but she doesn’t gain even a muscle of control.
She has to watch as Catra nearly gets injured because of her.
The pity and terror overtaking Catra’s face makes Scorpia want to sob.
She’s awful… Awful… It’s all awful.
Scorpia’s heart is pounding painfully when she jolts awake. She tightly wraps her claws around her body and shudders, trying desperately to catch her breath.
She’s crying and sweating violently, her chest wracked with sobs and her shirt soaked.
A gentle hand is put on her head.
Ah. Right. She doesn’t sleep alone anymore.
“You’re safe now,” Catra whispers, climbing on top of Scorpia and forcing the larger woman’s face into her neck. “You’re okay, Scorpia. I forgive you.”
“Catra…” Scorpia sobs again. She wraps her arms around her and lets herself go, shaking with fear and anguish.
“Oh, it’s okay, big gal.” Catra gently scratches Scorpia’s scalp. Her nails hurt just a little bit, but it helps lift Scorpia out of those awful memories. “He’s gone.”
“I know,” Scorpia says. “But… but… I can still feel him inside my head, Catra…!”
Catra sighs, but it isn’t in disappointment or exhaustion. “I do too, Scorpia. I wasn’t under his control for long, but… I remember hurting Adora. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time, but that was the time I didn’t mean it.”
Scorpia nuzzles Catra’s neck in a half-hearted attempt to make herself feel better. She doesn’t say anything, but she knows that Catra knows she’s thinking a mile a minute.
“You’re okay.” Catra kisses her forehead. “I love you, and we’re safe now.”
Scorpia nods desperately. “I know, Catra.”
“And I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.” Catra sighs and tightens her grip. “Not even me.”
“Oh, Catra, you know I forgave you for all that long ago.”
“And I know I didn’t deserve it. Um, but, thank you, anyway…” She laughs mirthlessly.
“Thank you for being here, Catra.” Scorpia presses a gentle kiss to Catra’s pulse point, feeling the soft fur against her lips. “I love you, wildcat. I’m so glad—” She sniffles loudly. “I’m so glad I didn’t actually hurt you.”
“I’m glad, too. That was terrifying.”
Scorpia is startled into a laugh as Catra wipes her tears. “Well, was I cool at least?”
“I mean, I guess?” Catra says, bewildered. “I was a little busy running for my life.”
“My powers have definitely gotten cooler since then, though.” Scorpia looks at Catra hopefully.
“Definitely. I’m a little jealous, actually.” Catra’s tail lashes behind her. “Never thought I’d be jealous of a princess.”
“Princesses are great! Never thought I’d be saying that, either.”
Catra laughs, a genuine one, her voice cracking shrilly. Scorpia melts. Then her face gets serious and she puts her hands on her shoulders. “I missed you when you were gone, Scorpia. Not just while Horde Prime had you, either. After you left the first time.”
Scorpia blinks. “What?”
“Ask Lonnie, I was a mess. Wait, don’t ask her, she won’t stop making fun of me for the next month. Um, but, yeah. It sucked. I needed it, but it sucked.”
“I missed you too, Catra,” Scorpia says, squeezing the girl tightly.
“Ow—” Catra gasps for air and tries to wiggle away. Scorpia lets her go with a smile. “Th-that’s good. I thought you hated me for a little while.”
“I was angry at you. But I never hated you. I knew you were hurting, but I realized I couldn’t— I didn’t deserve to be hurt because of that.”
Catra’s eyes get a little misty, and she quickly hides her face. “I know. I’m sorry…”
“I know you are, wildcat.” Scorpia smiles at her and pats her head, wishing she had hands so she could pet her properly. “I forgive you.”
Catra nods, sniffling not subtly at all, and lays on top of Scorpia again. “Yeah, yeah, let’s go back to bed. I’m exhausted…”
Scorpia’s heart is at ease as she feels the weight of the love of her life on her chest. Catra is even purring lightly, her tail flicking in contentment. Scorpia notices her own tail relaxing and drooping onto the floor.
She falls asleep almost immediately, comfortable warmth overwhelming her senses.