Work Text:
Catra examined her tuxedo in her mirror reflection. Today was the day of the wedding. Glimmer would be walking down the aisle to her. Fifteen minutes before the start of the wedding, Catra had donned a formal suit. Her tuxedo was white, with a lavender button-up shirt underneath. Her slacks matched the tuxedo. The cedar-brown strands, usually cascading to her shoulders, were in a ponytail. She adjusted her sleeves and her necktie.
Behind Catra, the door swung open, revealing Adora. The blonde wore a gown inspired by her She-Ra form. Adora's hair was a golden waterfall, reaching the middle of her back. The hair poof was still on top of her head. Catra glanced out the window at the terrace, where everyone would gather. Overlooking the land beyond the terrace was a flower-covered arch. An arch Perfuma had created with her plant powers.
"Catra, are you ready?" Adora asked. "The wedding will start soon."
Ready? Catra gritted her teeth. She had received some scrutiny when she was dating Glimmer. People had often asked how she and Glimmer got together, despite Catra's past. Despite her actions in the Horde. Even if she did one good thing in her life. The good thing? Sacrificing herself to get Glimmer away from Horde Prime. When they had started dating, she had apologized for Angella's fate in the portal. Glimmer had said she had forgiven her.
But Catra didn't deserve forgiveness, let alone Glimmer's love. Yet, she wanted to be with Glimmer. And the queen hadn't ended their relationship. A proposal had led to months of wedding planning. Today was their special day. Catra dug her claws into her palms, shoulders tensing.
"I don't know. After everything I did? After I had attacked Bright Moon in the past?" Catra said. "Yet, Sparkles is accepting of me? I don't deserve any of this."
"Catra, Glimmer has forgiven you-" Adora began.
"Has she, at all?" Catra hugged herself, her heart racing. "Then why do I see the way she paused in front of the mural sometimes? Why do I see the sadness in her eyes if someone brought up Angella? Other times, she acts like it doesn't affect her."
Adora rested her hands on Catra's shoulders. "Look at me. You're not your past. I might be more of the 'punching stuff' type than the emotional one... but I've seen how you struggled to forgive yourself. I've seen it in your eyes when you passed the mural with Glimmer at your side. The way you'd whisper silent apologies. Even if she had already forgiven you."
Tears stung Catra's eyes, and this time, she didn't hold back. She didn't lash out, like she used to in the past. Sniffling, she let the tears fall. Adora pulled her into a tight hug. It was as meaningful as when they hugged each other as children.
"You may have caused a lot of hurt in the past. But you've comforted Glimmer whenever she had panic attacks," Adora said. "You've embraced her after she had nightmares about Horde Prime. And when you had nightmares about him controlling you? You would let Glimmer hold you for a while."
"So, if I'm not my past, what am I?"
"Catra... you're a good person. You're loyal, fearless, and strong. And you'd protect anyone you care about." Adora released Catra from the hug. "Today's your special day. I'll be sitting with Scorpia, watching."
"Thanks, Adora. It's what I needed to hear."
After Adora left, Catra checked her mirror reflection one last time. She made her way to the terrace. The guests had gathered in the seats. Friends, some of her magicat relatives from Halfmoon, and others. Birds chirped, gliding through the air. The fountains glittered in the sunlight. Scents of flowers wafted in the air, floating in the warm breeze.
Catra stood under the arch, waiting. She smiled at Adora, who was sitting next to Scorpia. The scorpioni woman still wore the black gown from Princess Prom. Minus the explosives and other stuff. Music rang through the air, steady and slow, as everyone rose. Glimmer began walking down the aisle. A long, white gown hugged her soft figure. Her shoulder-length hair rustled in the breeze.
The queen's beauty took Catra's breath away as she watched her come closer. When Glimmer stood next to Catra, she took her hands. Micah was here to officiate their marriage. Catra blinked back tears. She pushed the veil out of Glimmer's face, smiling. Glimmer mirrored the smile.
When the time came to exchange vows, Catra was the first to speak. "Sparkles, um, Queen Glimmer-"
Glimmer giggled. "Call me whatever you want."
"Okay... Sparkles, from the moment we bonded on Horde Prime's ship, I saw something special in you. Pretty sure an alien spaceship is the least expected place to fall in love. Anyway, I was developing feelings for you at the same time. I wasn't aware then, as I assumed it was because of the draw to your cell. Then, you told me to do something good for once in my life. And it sparked something within me. I had taken the risk to save you, even at the cost of my free will. I'm not gonna detail everything after that. Sparkles, I fell in love with you. Your kindness, your courage, and how amazing you are."
Glimmer's eyes glistened with tears as she smiled, cheeks turning pink. "Oh, Catra... I fell in love with you around the same time."
"My queen, as long as I live, I will stick by your side. In sickness and in health, through storms and through peace. I will always protect you and I will always love you."
Now it was Glimmer's turn to say her vows. "Catra, for the longest time, during the war... I couldn't have imagined ever being with you. I did have a crush on you, a small one, before the portal. At the time, I assumed it was a mere, delusional fantasy. But when we ended up stuck on Horde Prime's ship, you kept me company. Even if we didn't like each other at first." She chortled. "I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there. When you helped me escape the Velvet Glove, I saw the way you'd fight. The way you'd protect me from the clones. During the journey back to Etheria, my feelings for you became intense. Remember the kiss on the cheek?"
Catra recalled the moment on Mara's ship, the one Entrapta called 'Darla.' That time Glimmer hugged her and proceeded to kiss her cheek. Warmth flooded Catra's cheeks at the memory. There was something endearing about the way Glimmer hugged her then.
"Yes," Catra said. "I remember that."
"Catra... You're smart, brave, and a total badass," Glimmer replied. "As long as I live, I'll always cherish you. I'll stand by you, in sickness and in health. Through storms and through peace."
Then, the two women exchanged rings. The crowd cheered. Catra and Glimmer kissed, their lips locked together. Soon, they ended the kiss, breaking away from each other. It was official. They had gotten married. Catra would stick with her promises for as long as she was alive. And Glimmer would keep her own promises, too.