Chapter Text

Chapter 1 : If I Had a Shot for Every Time

Catra figured that if she went from working at local town bars to more upscale night clubs that the number of creepy men that try hitting on her would decrease significantly. Wrong , the only difference is the amount of money in their wallets. The creepiness is still there but at least they tip better than the low life ever locals did. She hates it when they try to flirt with her, but there are perks to playing nice sometimes. Happy returning regulars mean steady tips. 

“Hey hot stuff, let me get a neat bourbon.”

This guy is at least in his late 40’s, Catra can hear the grunge in his voice. Her back is turned but she can already feel he’s going to be a pain in her ass just from the way he breathes.  It sounds heavy and labored like he’s just run a marathon, and she knows very well that isn’t the case.

It takes everything in her power not to gag at the pet name. If I had a shot for every time I heard that ugly pet name I’d never be able to sober up. Catra pushes down her natural reaction to want to throw up. She walks closer to the bar with her signature cheerful smile. It’s fake of course, but as long as he can’t tell she’s sure she’ll secure a good tip from him. He’s absolutely horrid in looks, and with that voice Catra would be surprised if anyone could love him for his personality. Being a rich snob was probably the only quality he had really going for himself, but not even that can save him. It’s pathetic honestly.

“One neat bourbon ?”

The rasp in her voice enamors more people than she’d like it to now that she’s working here.

“Yep.”

The man smirks as he eyes her up and down like a piece of meat. Biting down on her tongue she refrains from letting her facial expressions slip up. Breathe in and breathe out, remember why you’re here. All Catra has to do is make it night by night so she can pay for college. Nice bar tender equals nice tips. The words repeat in her head like a mantra. This isn’t forever. Soon you’ll be in a shop tattooing people and you won’t have to worry about creeps there. The words serve as a distraction from her actual task at hand. 

“Coming right up.”

She’s sure to keep up that façade of a cheerful tone when she speaks.

There are two things that people find attractive about Catra : her voice, and then her eyes. Heterochromia is rare, yes, but damn to be starred in the eye every time she meets someone new is weird. She’s used to it, well actually she isn’t but she should be. People have been doing this same thing for as long as she can remember. She’s 23 and even now it's still weird to her that at no point does the other person look away. 

I may have heterochromia, but it doesn’t make me heterosexual.

Catra has a lot of self-talk with herself. Just in her head of course, it would be a disaster if she slipped up and said something out loud. Losing a good paying job as a broke college student is definitely not the plan.

She continues to pour the man his requested drink in which she gets a wink that barely passes as a one because his other eye nearly shuts in the attempt to do so. 

If I could, I would throw up on this bastard right now.

In the back of Catra’s mind she’s done the most dramatic gag; just like in those cartoons when they hear, see, taste, or look at something disgusting. Just like that; face turning a sickly green and just barfing up any food they thought they had eaten beforehand.

However, not everyone that comes into the club looks like rich snobs with their heads too far up their asses to see the sunshine.

No, occasionally, Catra gets to glance at someone who is considerably good looking. Like right now, when she looks away from the man thing in front of her she catches a glance of a blonde woman walking through the front door. She's tall, very pristine looking, and from the distance in which she sees her, she looks like she works out. An ultimate gold mine. Catra’s unable to look away from her, that is until she feels a light tap on the bar counter top. 

Looking down she sees a crisp fifty dollar bill slide across the counter. Did I miss something ?  Catra looks up from the money to the man who’s still grinning at her like all the creeps do.

“Oh, you know it’s more common to tip once you’ve paid your tab.”

Catra tries to smile and doesn’t touch the money quite yet.

“Oh, I know, take that one sweetheart.”

“Sir, you do not have to-”

“I’m not very good at taking no for an answer dear.”

“Well…”

She pauses for a moment dragging her eyes up from the money to the man. There is nothing more she wants than to insist he tips after but she knows it will only go downhill if she pushes. When in doubt going with the flow is always the best option.

“ I appreciate it.”

Catra smiles awkwardly as she slides the money into her pocket and walks away from the bar when another tender walks up. 

Letting out a sigh she feels a heavy weight lift off her chest. There’s only so much of that she can take at once before she needs a smoke break. Going out back where no one really ever takes their smokes is great, because it helps her clear her mind. This time however, something compels her to go outside on the balcony where all of the customers usually smoke. 

Catra isn’t fancy like the big muscular men that usually pass through; she doesn’t smoke those unusually fat cigars, but she doesn’t smoke cigarettes either.  But alas she doesn’t want to risk her job so she’s brought a Swisher Sweet from a local gas station she lives near as her smoke for tonight.

“Need a light ?”

Catra hears a more feminine voice ask as she opens the two pack of swishers. 

Turning to the entrance of the balcony her eyes lock with a pair of slated blue eyes.  Oh great gods above she’s hot. Catra’s item of smoke slips from between her fingers, but this goddess has quick hands and catches it before it can hit the ground.

Get it together, Catra. She’s probably just like the rest of them; rich assholes.

“Thanks, but I have my own lighter.”

Catra takes the swisher from the woman's hand and flips a lighter from her pocket. 

Click, click. The lighter fails to light as she rolls her thumb over it. Click, click, click. The lighter fails to light again. Click, click, click, click… Perhaps a rapid fire of trying to get the lighter to work will do the trick.  Wrong.

“Damnit, I just bought this cheap thing the other day.”

Catra mumbles to herself, irritation rolling off her body as she holds the swisher between her lips smacking the body of the lighter in the palm of her hand hoping that moving the fluids around will get it to work .

Click, click, click, cli- fwoosh . Catra perks up at the sound of the lighter working, but the flame isn’t present in her lighter. Looking over Catra sees the flame in the hand of the blonde who caught her attention when she first entered the establishment.

“Sure you don’t want that light ?”

The woman smiles, it’s similar to the smile Catra gets from every customer when they don't have a thought behind their eyes, other than the fact that they like the way she looks. However, something about this woman’s smile is oddly different, it actually seems warm and not that of a facade.

“Uh…”

Do I really want to be bothered right now? She doesn’t really have much of a choice. Her lighter isn’t working and really can’t go back inside without a smoke or else she’s going to lose her damn mind.

“ Sure. Thanks.”

Catra’s voice cracks over the words and it forces her to clear her throat and try the sentence again.

“Sure. Thanks.”

That’s better . She can’t pin-point where the fluctuation in her voice came from, but she’ll just blame it on the fact that she didn’t expect all of this to be happening during her smoke break. Pushing the tip of the swisher in the flame Catra can hear the woman mutter something that she didn’t quite catch.

“I’m sorry ?”

Catra’s eyes widen a bit as she tries to hone in on what she said.

“ Oh, I said no problem.”

The woman flips the top of the lighter closed and slips it in her pocket as she turns to leave.

“Y- you’re not gonna smoke ?”

Catra asks as she brings the smoke to her lips.

“Oh me ? No, I don’t smoke… not often at least. I thought I’d come out here and get a good look at the night sky for a moment.”

The woman chuckles as she continues back inside the club.

Catra can’t tell if that statement is genuine or just an excuse for the woman to get that close to her, but she doesn’t quite regret not taking her smoke out back like usual. Something about that woman is something else, and that’s in a good way that makes her chest and stomach tingle.

That’s a funny feeling, to have just met someone. Catra finds herself thinking as she turns her eyes to the night sky puffing the smoke out into the air. Maybe she’s just being horny. It has been a while since Catra’s been in the company of an attractive woman. With school and work taking up most of her time her sex life was basically nonexistent. Still, she doesn’t even know her and on top of that she isn’t the type to just go around hooking up with random women. Get to know her better and she won’t be random. Catra makes herself laugh a bit, because only she can think something like that just to get off. She tries not to ponder on the thought for too long because a smoke break is supposed to help clear the mind, not make it think more.

When Catra does return from her break the old guy from earlier is gone, and she’s glad, because she absolutely couldn’t stand to put up with another weird smirk from him. Nevertheless, the gods from above never fail to one right after the other.

“Hey beautiful. Let me see those neat tricks of yours.”

This guy is fairly younger than the last, probably about ten years from what Catra can hear in his voice. It isn’t as gruffy as the last guy, sounds like he could have been raised with some manners. It’s hard to tell when Catra hasn’t analyzed the way he looks at her with her back turned, but from the way that last sentence comes off she has her doubts. And per usual her doubts are usually right.

“I’m sorry ?”

Catra turns around as she finishes polishing a glass. She looks the guy up and down for a moment. Perhaps she’s taking the question the wrong way. For his sake let’s hope she’s taking it the wrong way.

“Come on dear, let me see those neat tricks of yours. I know you’ve got some up your sleeve.”

The guy bites his lip as he looks Catra up and down.  

Narrowing her eyes, Catra clenches her jaw trying so hard not to say anything. I am so sick of playing this shit off I swear to god.

“I’m going to assume you’re talking about a bartender trick, like flipping the mixer and shit like that, but let me tell you something… You need to order before going off trying to say slick stupid shi-”

“Sorry to interrupt, but could I get a fruity vodka?”

That familiar feminine voice chimes in cutting Catra off mid sentence and it’s like some spell is cast when Catra looks at her. Because that seething, fuming, white hot anger, is just gone within an instant. Maybe it’s the way she’s twirling a toothpick between her fingers near her lips that distracts her from original anger. Or maybe it’s the obvious tailor made black suit that hugs around what must be well defined muscles she’s wearing that does the trick. The shoulder pads in them look a bit funky, but nevertheless she still looks attractive.

“Aye, can’t you see I was in the middle of getting a drink ?”

He turns to the blonde woman Catra encountered earlier with irritation as if he’s been insulted.

“No, however, I could see how you were trying to hint at sex with a very beautiful woman, who clearly has no interest in you. And the more you try the more she wants to beat your ass, which I wouldn’t be upset if she did. I’d do the same if I had to deal with people like you when I’m just trying to make it through the night.”

“Consider yourself a lucky man. Now, if you don’t mind, I was actually ordering a drink.”

She turns her eyes over to Catra as she continues to twirl a toothpick between her fingers.

“Do you know who I am ? I could buy everything you own.”

He stands to his feet aggressively getting in the blonde's personal space. Catra knows that stance like she knows the back of her hand. An obvious sign that a fight is about to break out and truly it’s one of the last things she wants to happen. Having to make that call not only to the police, but also to her boss who doesn’t tolerate a lot of shit. Surely bar fights being one of the few on the list.

“I do actually, and no you couldn’t …I, however, could buy three times of what you own for fun without having to worry about the expenses.”

Her tone comes off slightly condescending, but nonchalant at the same time. A calm and coolness Catra can respect.

Catra can see the anger rolling off of him and it probably won’t be much longer before he just swings on her. Catra’s eyes dart between the blonde and the guy and then to the front of the club. Her eyes search wildly until they lock on someone. It’s security and with the look of desperation on her face and quick wave of her hand they’re on their way. Letting out a sharp exhale Catra feels a tinge of relief when the security guard marches through the crowd of people toward the bar. 

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

The security guard's voice is booming. If he were to get louder Catra’s sure with his voice alone he’d shake the room.

“Are you serious ? I am a patreon here.”

God he’s a fucking Karen ?

Catra rolls her eyes as she just sits back and watches quietly.

“You’re also threatening a guest so be a patreon some other day. Now get out before I drag you out.”

The guard crosses his arms over his chest, his demeanor becoming a bit more intimidating as he glares at him. Catra snickers softly as she covers her mouth with her hand mumbling, “Drag him.”

Karen scuffs as he looks at the blonde who has a pronounced smug look on her face. The analog clock behind the bar ticking slowly lets Catra know that at least a long ten seconds passed before anyone decides to speak again.

“ Don’t make me say it again.”

Raising her eyebrows slightly Catra looks to the security guard to see that those ten seconds of silence between them was too long for him. There’s a beat of silence amongst them again where the club music playing in the background becomes that of filler music, until someone decides to budge.

“Yeah yeah I’m going.”

Karen snatches his phone off of the countertop and storms out to which Catra grins brightly trying to hold back her laughter.

“Thanks Rogelio, I’ll have to start calling you to get these assholes more often. If only you knew how annoying these guys are.”

Catra says with a dying chuckle in the back of her throat.

“It would be funny if those guys weren’t such assholes.”

Catra deadpans as she goes to polish a glass.

“I’m always at my station, so if you need to just wave your hand.”

“I know, but I thought it was gonna break out into a fight. Trust me when I say I’ve seen way too many of those at my last job.”

Catra clenches her jaw slightly at the thought of her last job, she’s never seen so many people wheeled out on stretchers so often. Hell, she was starting to think it was fake, but she knows for a fact that the people were just relentless for no reason.

“Well, my words stand.”

Rogelio turns on his heels and returns to his place at the front of the building.

“You didn’t have to do that, I would’ve handled it.”

The woman says as she leans on the counter.

“Well consider it as returning a favor.”

Catra says as she turns to the shelves of alcohol looking for the requested vodka.

“Mmm, well, I do appreciate it.”

This mystery woman watches as Catra pours the drink and slides it across the counter to her.

“Vanilla Vodka, just like you asked.”

Catra says as she smiles genuinely for the first time since she’s clocked in.

Digging in her pocket the blonde woman pulls two bills from her wallet. One a cool one hundred and the other a crisp fifty.

“For you, I can see you deal with a lot in one night.”

The woman also slides the glass across the counter along with the money.

“I ordered that for you, you deserve it from what I’ve seen tonight.”

Catra’s jaw slacks open as she looks at the money and then to the blonde woman.

“I- you, don’t have to do that. I go through this everyday, it’s nothing special, really.”

Catra stammers, sliding the money back to the kind woman. It’s a nice offer, but Catra couldn’t possibly just take this woman's money, she hasn’t done anything to earn it.

“And you shouldn’t have to, so I insist.”

The woman stands to her feet sliding the money back toward Catra with an insistent smile, one that nobody can say no to.

“Leaving without even having a drink. What, you just came here for something to look at?”

Catra doesn’t know why she cares to ask but the words slip out before she can stop them. Now that they’re out she might as well try to stand behind them with confidence, so she crosses her arms over her chest with a smirk.

“Yeah, I’ve had quite the night. Think it’s time I go home and refresh my mind for work in the morning. Oh also, it was supposed to be a fruity vodka, but you pour what you like, hm?”

She chuckles as she taps the counter top and turns on her heels. Catra’s eyes widen a bit as she picks up the glass and tries to smell citrus in the vodka rather than vanilla, but she can’t. She should know that you can’t smell vodka, so her eyes target the back of the blonde as she slips through the crowd of mingling bodies. 

When her eyes no longer have anything to lock on Catra looks amongst the crowd on the dance floor and to those seated at tables along the walls. She can only make out a few faces of those who are regulars. Everyone else is a blur in the distance and dim light as they all dance shoulder to shoulder to music that should be illegal to even move to. 

Tilting the glass to her lips she begins to taste that very strong accent of vanilla. Setting the glass down on the bar she clutches the money in her hand, slowly bringing her hands to her chest to think about the woman, but then something strikes her mind. It’s something she said to Catra that makes her body tense up uncomfortably.

‘But you pour what you like, hm ?’

Wait… was that in terms of the drink or… her ?

“Oooh, the people really love you tonight huh, Catra ?”

A woman with locs nudges Catra’s side as she wipes down the counter.

“Pfft, whatever Lonnie, you’re just jealous.”

“ Trust me, you can continue to have them talk to you rather than me.”

Lonnie says jokingly as she rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, well this one was worthwhile.”

Catra sticks her tongue out at her as a taunt.

“Might wanna put that up, people are gonna start thinking you work at a different kind of club.”

Lonnie adds after a beat and chuckles. Catra’s jaw drops as her face contorts into one of disgust.

“I’d rather have my nerves fried and fall to my fucking death before I dance for a man..”

Catra dead pans as she folds the money in half and slips it into her pocket.

“I get it, you hate men. But don’t you think that’s a little overboard ?”

“When it comes to men… hell fucking no.”

“Alright sheesh.”

Lonnie continues to wipe down the bar and leaves Catra be. Catra shakes her head slightly as she knows she’s just trying to get under her skin. She does this all the time, though.  Well ever since Lonnie took notice that the guests really like Catra not too long after she started working there, and Catra only started over four months ago

Maybe working at a hell hole like such wouldn’t be so bad if Catra meets someone like the mystery woman every night. And perhaps that’s what she wants. To just lay eyes on that mystery woman, who is remarkably hot.

Catra goes the rest of the night without being bothered too much, because all she can think about is her savior; the tall, strong looking, crystal eyed, beautiful, hot, sexy, kind, goddess…. Who’s name she didn’t even get.

“I didn’t get her name.”

Catra says as she freezes mid-pour. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I didn’t get her name ? Knowing that she’s had all of this interaction with this woman and didn’t even bother to get her name is going to eat her alive from the inside out.

How do you fuck up this bad ? I mean you’ve done some dumb shit before but this ? This is your greatest act yet. Catra shakes her head in disbelief and disappointment as she regains focus on pouring the drink in her hand. 

“Pardon ?”

A woman sitting at the bar questions as she doesn’t understand where Catra’s sudden outburst has come from. A feminine voice alone brings Catra from her thoughts, because she doesn’t hear many of them around here. Let alone a new one.

“My bad, just thinking out loud.”

Catra tops off the drink before sliding it across the counter.

“Happens to the best of us, doesn’t it?”

She comments kindly as she picks up the glass to take a sip of the drink.

“Usually not…for me at least.”

Catra is brutally honest with the customer and she doesn’t mean to be. Fortunately for her this one doesn’t seem to mind much.

“Lucky you I suppose.”

She says as she raises her glass to Catra. She takes another sip, really savoring the taste of the cocktail she ordered.  It’s only now does Catra really take in this woman's features that she notices that her style is unique. Pink and purple cotton-candy hair shaped into a pixie cut, a noticeable shine in her eye, and Catra’s sure that if they were to stand next to each other that she’s noticeably shorter than she is, ( and Catra’s no giant when it comes to height. ) An unmistaken amount of class, and honestly, this woman is probably giving someone a run for their money. She has to admit her sense of fashion and style is surprisingly stunning.

“If I’m lucky, I’m the unluckiest lucky person ever.”

Catra says as she shakes her head in slight disappointment.

“What makes you say that ?”

The girl laughs slightly as she tilts the glass to her lips once more.

Catra looks away for a split second, trying to stop herself from blushing and make the comment seem as casual as possible.

“Someone came in earlier and I forgot to get their name. I just don’t know when and I’ll see them again. ”

She purses her lips together at the end of her sentence to stop this unwanted smile from creeping up on her face.

“Sheesh, that’s rough buddy.”

The woman purses her lips together as she looks away from Catra.

Catra’s mouth gapes open a bit as she looks at her; one : was that a cartoon reference ? And two: she’s bold. Catra kinda digs it, but not when it’s towards her.

“What ? Never had anyone be honest with you ?”

A smirk spreads across her face as she looks Catra up and down.

Catra crosses her arms over her chest and looks the lady in her eye, because two can play this game.

“Ever had anyone bite back full force?”

Catra tilts her head to the side as she questions.

“Is that a challenge?….”

She looks to Catra’s name tag with a smirk.

“Kitty?”

The name comes off as a pure tease and Catra grits her teeth. What a disgusting pet name. Honestly she hopes no one else heard that, because all it takes is for one of the men; specifically, to call her Kitty and she just might lose her job and likely end up in jail.

“Oh if I wasn’t working behind this bar you are so on…. Sparkles.”

Catra laughs softly as she sucks her teeth.

“What time do you get off?”

Before Catra can open her mouth to answer, a tall dark skin man with a taper fade slides in and grabs the lady by her arm.

“Okay Glimmer, it's time to go home.”

“Oh c’mon Bow. I was just starting to have fun.”

Glimmer smirks at Catra and Bow just shakes his head.

“Leave this nice lady who was nice enough to make our drinks alone. We have to go to the studio in the morning anyway.”

Bow urges as he tries to pull at Glimmer’s arm again.

“Fiiiine. I’ll see you around Catra .”

The name is spat out with an imitation of disdain as Glimmer slides herself off of the barstool and winks at Catra.

“I doubt it… Sparkles .”

Catra chuckles as Bow swiftly apologizes and ushers Glimmer out of the club.

I bet she’s a handful. Catra thinks to herself as she picks up the glasses from the countertop and takes them to the kitchen to be washed. 

Unfortunately Glimmer was Catra’s last spark of entertainment for the night before things went back to the same old boring routine. If I had a shot for every time I had a night like this. Catra would be more sober than an infant born two seconds ago. She shakes her head because she usually never gets to have this much fun at work. Usually work is… work , and boy is it boring. Perhaps how the gods like to send in the creeps everyday they can send some entertainment in every once in a while like tonight. With a hot customer and one that’s actually somewhat fun to talk to.

Four Days Later 

Catra never prayed for this miracle to happen but as the next couple of work days rolled through Catra swore every time she looked up she’s looking at the beautiful mystery woman. Three nights in a row she’s caught her staring at her with a smile that could brighten up the darkest of rooms, but Catra never actually got a chance to speak to her on those nights. More of just catch a glance of her and then she’s gone. At some point Catra thought that maybe she was hallucinating out of desperation. That was until one of her co-workers asked her who the blonde was that kept staring at her. That question alone had to confirm that she wasn’t crazy, right ?

It’s night four of working and Catra sees her sitting on the other end of the bar looking down the stretch at her hovering her 8 oz shot glass above the counter swirling her drink around. Catra looks around for a split second to see if anyone else needs to be served, but from the looks of it everyone is sipping on their drinks, enjoying the music, dancing on the dance floor, eating food, etc. Now’s her chance, she can’t allow another night to go by without talking to this mystery of a woman. Catra throws her little white towel over her shoulder and walks down to the other end of the bar where the woman with the golden hair sits alone like some lone wolf.

“Alright mystery woman, I’ve seen you every day and then before I know it, you’re gone. What’s your game? ”

Catra leans forward on the counter trying to figure out what this woman could possibly want with or from her.

“Mystery woman ? Is that what you’ve been calling me in your head ?”

The woman laughs and that bright smile of hers takes up her whole face and lights up the room.

“Well yeah, I don’t know your name.”

Catra furrows her eyebrows as if it’s obvious that’s what her name was in her head. The woman laughs softly and Catra isn’t sure what’s more pleasing; her laugh or her smile.

“Adora.”

The blonde sticks her hand out for a handshake and smiles faintly.

Catra looks down at the extended hand for a moment and then back to Adora’s eyes which have this comforting warmth in them. Carefully taking her hand she shakes it as she begins to maintain this gentle eye contact.

“Catra.”

She responds while narrowing her eyes before continuing to speak.

“ So what kind of game are you playing here, Adora ?”

“Catra ?”

Adora hums the name softly as if to take it into consideration.

“ Beautiful, much more than Adora. ”

Adora continues as she places her hand back down on the bar smiling that heartwarming, planet shattering smile.

Dammit stop fucking doing that.  

Catra doesn’t understand how she can be so enamored by someone she knows absolutely nothing about. It’s not like her to fall head over heels for someone. It’s got to be that stupid heart of hers taking lead. She needs it to stop. Give the brain a moment to process, truly see this Adora for what she really is.

“You’re very charming, but have yet to answer my question.”

There it is, Catra’s defensive instincts are kicking in, shutting her lustful heart up. It’s vulnerability like that that will get her hurt in the end. So it's best to just shut it down while she has the chance to.

“You have a hard time trusting, but I can understand why.”

Adora’s hand gestures to the men around the club who will all eventually take their turns at hitting on Catra.

“Oh great, we have a Dr.Phil on our hands.”

Catra rolls her eyes as she sighs and pushes off the countertop.

“ But , my game is that you have a beauty that I have struggled to find as of lately.”

Adora’s voice rises just a tad bit, just to keep her from walking away, and that’s all she needs because like a fool Catra gives her that attention she seeks in this moment.

“And there it is. Congratulations, you're one of the longest ‘customers’ I’ve talked to.”

Catra rolls her eyes again, this time determined not to let Adora waste anymore of her time with these romantic smooth talk words.

“Wait, you didn’t let me finish.”

“And you’d love to have me in your bed. I’ve heard it all before, I can’t believe I didn’t see how this was going to end sooner. Your approach was smooth though, so I suppose I’ll tip my hat off to you for that much.”

Catra pulls that white towel from off of her shoulder as she wipes her hands off from a bit of sweat. She can use all her smooth words if she wants to, but if she thinks that I’m gonna be some pawn to her little sex antics she’s got another thing coming .

“Actually, I was going to say I’d love to have to stop by my studio sometime. Every model I’ve tried to hire in the past week hasn’t been what I was looking for. You however. You have an immaculate balance of beauty and dominance. You have a low tolerance for bullshit, I’ve observed that first hand. Yet, you carry yourself with much professionalism, because you have some goal in mind. I’d love to capture that, if you’d allow it.”

Adora captures Catra’s attention before she storms off in a fit with her preconceived notions. 

“I- I’m sorry, you want me to be a model for you ?”

Catra can feel her face flush red, she can’t help it. She gets called beautiful everyday to the point where the words have lost their true meaning to her. So hearing them for what may be the first time genuinely sends her off the rails . What do you think you’re doing ?!

That logical, protective, and dominant side of Catra is screaming to not let this happen, but her desire to please and be pleased has never felt so strong in her entire life, it’s nearly too good to be true. Exactly ! It’s too good to be true!

That inner conflict is so loud that to a normal person who isn’t horny for someone who is way out of their league it would be deafening. But for Catra it’s just not enough to snap out of it, the smell of alcohol and the sound of Adora’s enticing words all make her want to melt away. 

“Yes, that’s exactly it. That is if you want to. I don’t want to pressure you into anything you aren’t comfortable with, but your beauty is worth a thousand words and more. Whether you take the offer or not, do know that you are most likely the finest, most beautiful woman that I have laid eyes on.”

Adora offers that warm smile once again as she reaches into her pocket and pulls one hundred dollars from her wallet alongside a small, sleek, and shiny business card.

The blush that comes across Catra’s face is priceless, so much so that she can barely register that Adora is putting something on the counter. She thinks that I’m one of the finest she’s laid eyes on ? Catra vaguely remembers that she had slid something across the counter  to her. 

“What’s this ?”

Catra says as she looks at the money rather than the card.

“My contact information, if you decide you want to do it.”

“No, I can see that. I’m not blind… the money.”

“Oh, I’ve stolen some of your time while you’re on the clock so I thought I’d pay you back for it.”

Adora shrugs a bit in response as if money is one of the lesser things to worry about. Catra knows that the people that run through here have big money, but the way Adora drops hundreds at a time is impeccable.

“You don’t need to do that, I was just heading out for my break anyways.”

Catra says as she slides the money back towards Adora.

“Well, consider it a token. Well, I really hope to hear from you soon.”

Just like that Adora’s up and gone in a ghost like fashion. Honestly, it’s quite scary how she can disappear amongst the smallest of crowds. Almost like she’s been doing it for years, perfecting a type of craft.

It’s only now does Catra notice this warm tingling sensation, and it’s only now does she begin to calm down a bit. Wait… what did I just get myself into ?! Model ?! What do you know about modeling?!  The music in the room starts to become muffled and the smell of food and alcohol start to become faint as well. What ever happened to think before you speak ?!    

“I see you finally talked to your secret admirer.”

Lonnie’s voice snaps Catra from her inner meltdown and back into the bustling real world. The food, the music, the alcohol, the people, they all settle back into her senses as she looks at Lonnie.

“She’s not my admirer.”

Catra rolls her eyes as she walks around from the bar and goes to the back to grab her jacket, to which Lonnie for whatever reason follows.

“You sure ? She’s leaving you some of the biggest tips I’ve seen you get.”

“Two hundred dollars total. I make that easy with tips in two days.”

Catra shrugs a bit as she proceeds out back behind the club to take her smoke break. To which, still Lonnie follows.

“Well think again, your little woman crush left you more than that.”

Lonnie hands Catra an envelope that clearly isn’t empty but isn’t particularly thick either.

“What’s this ?”

Catra asks as she places her smoke between her lips and carefully turns the envelope over to see that it says ‘ From Adora’ . 

“I don’t know, but I was standing at the front talking to Rogelio when she rushed out the door and came back a couple seconds later, looked at me and told me to make sure you got it.”

Lonnie shrugs a bit as she leans on the brick wall waiting for Catra to open the envelope, because she’s just as curious as Catra is to see what’s inside.

Carefully ripping the seal of the envelope Catra finds a small card inside. Pulling it out she opens it and out comes a couple hundred dollar bills. The card reads, ‘ Sorry for just staring at you for a couple days without a word, I know that’s probably unnerving. Lol, Adora.’  Catra looks at the card for a couple seconds and laughs lightly.

“She is such an idiot.”

Catra shakes her head, slipping the money into her right hand pocket.

“So, are you sure you don’t work at that type of club, because damn ! She’s dropping hundreds like it’s child's play on you.”

Lonnie says as she pushes a loc or two from her face.

“Shut the fuck up and give me a light.”

Catra growls as she carefully puts her swisher in a more comfortable spot so Lonnie can light it.

Lonnie reluctantly lights Catra’s swisher and stands awkwardly across from her as she begins to smoke with this weird smirk on her face.

“What ? You want a swisher ?”

Catra hands over her extra, turning her head to the side a bit as she speaks the inquiry.

“No, no.”

Lonnie puts her hands up defensively as she takes a step back as the smirk on her face becomes more and more smug.

“So what do you want ?”

Catra’s starting to get irritated, because she doesn’t do those guessing games, people unknowingly do all the time.

“You keep messing around with your little admirer and I’m sure you won’t have to worry about working a job or college expenses.”

Lonnie chuckles a bit as she slowly walks towards the door.

“That’s not even close to what is going on.”

Catra gets defensive, because one it’s rude to use people for their money, no matter how much you may need it. And two; does Lonnie think she’d really stoop that low to practically being someone’s sugar baby ?

“Oh so you do have something going on though ?”

Lonnie asks as she raises a brow swinging the back door open looking back at Catra.

“No, not really. I- mind your damn business Lonnie. Damn.”

She rolls her eyes as she turns to smoke her swisher.

“I don’t owe you a damn explanation.”

She puffs out her smoke with irritation.

“Oooh, sounds like I’m hitting a nerve. I must be right huh ?”

“Get back inside before I hit you.”

Catra turns over her shoulder glaring at Lonnie. And again all she does is throw her hands up defensively before walking away.

When she hears the heavy metal door slam shut behind her she lets out a breath she hadn’t quite realized she’d been holding. 

“I’m not about to turn into this woman’s sugar baby, and even if I did, I wouldn’t use her for her money. Even though… I guess that’s what people become a sugar babies for ?”

She tilts her head a bit at the thought.

“What am I thinking ?! I’m just gonna be a stupid little model for her and that’s it . We won’t have to see each other after that. Strictly business. Okay ? Nothing more.”

Catra nods to herself as if this plan is the simplest of terms she could come to. 

“So all of… this.”

Waving her hand to herself referring to the butterflies she gets just thinking of how astonishing Adora looks and how smoothly she talks.

“Has to stop. She said she admires your professionalism. So hold up to those standards.”

That inner conflict between heart and brain she was having earlier ? This is that outloud. Her heart ran 1000 miles before a singular step was taken, but now she has herself in check and she cannot let it happen again. 

Catra pulls out the business card Adora gave her and reads it to the best of her ability, but even for an upscale club there isn’t the best lighting in the alleyway to read anything that isn’t already illuminated.

“Adora Grays-”

She tries to mumble the name to herself, but is then rudely interrupted by the back door swinging open with full force and out comes a tall buff white haired woman who just so happens to be Catra’s coworker and next door neighbor in the apartment she lives in .

“Hey Catra, do you think you could hurry your smoke break up ? We just had a party of people come in and order drinks and-”

Someone runs past the woman talking and out across the alley to throw up by a not so well lit dumpster.

“And we’ve got that going on.”

The woman continues as she rubs behind her head nervously.

“I’m coming in now Scorpia.”

She takes one last good hit of her swisher before burning out the cherry and blowing the smoke out. Scorpia’s a big softie that works in the kitchen cooking the food and serving drinks that aren’t liquor. 

Catra remembers first meeting her in the stairwell of their apartment complex. Catra was nearly about to topple the stairs trying to walk past Scorpia’s big frame while carrying a load of boxes. She had offered to help and then she came over for dinner since they were going to be neighbors. Lucky enough for Catra they’re both attending the same college where she later found out that Scorpia’s a hospitality management major. She likes to call them best friends, but Catra would beg to differ. They just so happen to be friends who talk often, go to the same school, work the same job, and live right next to each other. Definitely not best friends and all coincidences. Okay the apartment and school thing is a coincidence and Scorpia may have helped Catra get this job, but this still doesn’t make them best friends, just some really good ones. 

Very carefully Catra slips Adora’s business card back into her pocket so she can look at it later when she gets home. The moment she makes it back inside and to the bar she can see the sudden influx of people inside. She swears this is the worst part of the night, because usually when there’s big groups of six or more they are the real rich assholess she talks about. Always wanting top shelf liquor, but not wanting to pay top shelf liquor prices. Comparing the prices to other establishments. Catra knows the kind of establishments they talk about, and for them to be so wealthy they sure were going to low quality establishments. 

However, high quality equals higher prices, everyone should know this by now. Especially at most of the guests' ages you’d think they know that by now. However, Catra still manages to run into the ones that act like pubescent middle school boys. 

The rush wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be, but it was still pretty bad to the point that she felt way too much relief when her shift came to an end. She couldn’t have driven to her apartment any faster. That usual forty-five minute drive was cut into twenty minutes; traffic-laws be damned. She’s tired, has classes in the morning, and can’t wait to feel her mattress beneath her. Of course she sped.

When Catra does finally get home to her comfortable mattress she finds herself staring at Adora’s business card. Adora Grayskull, it read.  

That name seems familiar. Biting her lip softly as she looks away from the card and to the blank ceiling hoping that it can help her figure out where she’s seen this name before. After a minute too long of drawing blank Catra whips her phone out and decides to do the research for herself. 

For all I know she could be a serial killer trying to set me up. Catra’s sure that Adora’s not a serial killer just out in public like that, but then you never know. It’s always the ones you least suspect that are the killers. That’s at least what Catra’s overthinking is telling her, plus the one too many LifeTime movies she’s seen .

“Adora Grayskull is a well renowned photographer, videographer, and business person… hmm quite the accolades… Adora Grayskull is one of the founders of Grayskull Entertainment in which some of the best movies within the past couple of years have been filmed and edited under.”

She mumbles to herself, really soaking in the information word by word.

Adora Grayskull has been noted to be very diverse in her photography and imagery, her ability to capture the audience's eye in a singular frame is what’s brought her to fame and fortune. Grayskull describes herself to be very hardworking yet easy to get along with.

Catra continues to read with her lips moving but no sound actually coming out. Whoever wrote this article about Adora must be the most generous person in the world, because there's no way this woman can seem so perfect in only a couple of paragraphs. Either that or… she really is a goddess.

‘Adora Grayskull net worth’

Catra can’t stop herself from looking this up, because if this woman is dropping money on her like she has been doing and she’s doing all of this. She has to be worth at least a million dollars.

Because Adora Grayskull is not only a photographer, but is also a film producer, and owns part of Grayskull Entertainment her net worth is roughly around $3.2 billion dollars.

Catra can’t find any words to explain how her heart just dropped, how her soul just left her body. No words to explain how her jaw could drop to hell if it were possible. Part of her is certain that she died a little bit on the inside.

“There’s no fucking way she wants me of all people to model for her. I’m just a broke ass undergrad student wanting to be a tattoo artist. This isn’t fucking real.”

Catra’s hands begin to tremor at the thought of what she’s really gotten herself into. 

‘My game is that you have a beauty that I have struggled to find as of lately.’ She really meant that ? She wants me to be what she’s looking for. Smooth talk or not she’s got a keen eye I’m sure of it. She cracks a wide smile knowing that this woman who doesn’t owe her anything wants her for something this big. 

“Shit, if I do this modeling shit, I’ve gotta do contracts and shit…. Then I’ll probably have to figure out what’s actually a fair payment, and clothes… I probably can’t wear just anything.”

That smile is quick to fade when the realization hits her, but she allows herself to take a moment to take a deep breath.

“Get yourself together Catra, I’m sure you can just talk this over with Adora when we’re totally not freaking out.”

Catra takes a couple more deep breaths, letting that logical and collected side of her work its magic.

“Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. Just go up there and talk to her and we can talk business.”

Catra nods to herself because it all seems so simple in her head. However, she’s never modeled before, and she doesn’t know how this is supposed to go.

Well, Catra wanted something interesting in her life, so here she is taking a leap of faith into something she knows absolutely nothing about. Closing her eyes Catra just figures she can think about it later, but the thought of walking into something blindly scratches the back of her head. Turning over in bed she tries to ignore the intrusive thoughts of doing something foolish in the midst of this whole thing.

“I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.”

Catra’s eyes shoot open and her body springs up out of bed.

“This is going to bother me all night.”

She walks over to her desk in the corner of her room and taps on the mousepad of her laptop a few times so that it’ll wake. 

How to become a photoshoot model . Is the first thing she can think of to type into the search bar of her laptop. Maybe this can give her a good idea of how to even approach Adora when she goes to talk to her. There’s only a few things she honestly found useful after thirty minutes to an hour of searching for things that somewhat apply to her.

• Develop your modeling skills
• Practice posing in front of a camera
• Get a killer portfolio
• Make yourself look better at all times.

Catra walks up to the mirror that sits behind her dresser on the other side of the room and tries posing in front of it. It’s awkward, stiff, and robotic like. I’m sure this shit is supposed to look natural. She sighs as she runs her hands through her short length of hair while groaning loudly.

“I may be the beauty she’s looking for, but I’m definitely not the model she’s looking for.”

Unsure of what to do about her stiff bitch syndrome Catra walks over the bed and plops back down. This is why I just need to go up there and talk to her, because maybe this isn’t for me and I don’t want to disappoint her. Eyes turning over to the business card on her night stand she lays down staring at it until she can feel her weariness dragging her to sleep.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2 : I’ve Been in The Wonder

Twenty. Five. Times. That’s how many times Adora’s counted she’s pulled her phone out during the course of this consultation meeting. Twenty-five going on twenty-six as her phone vibrates in her pocket once again. And just like all the other instances she pauses the meeting to check the notification.

“I’m sorry Ms. Grayskull, is this a bad time? Because it seems whatever is going on with your phone is far more important than what we came here for.”

Out of all the people in the meeting room, from both Adora’s side and the brands, of course it’s a man’s voice that has to interrupt the flow of things. Sure Adora isn’t giving them her undivided attention, but they are not the only people she looks forward to contacting her.

Lifting her eyes from her phone to the man down the stretch of the meeting table she looks to his name plaque and then to him, trying not to press her lips together as if she’s being bothered. The thing is, she is being bothered. They’ve called a thousand times to get this silly consultation meeting. Adora’s not sure if it’s her social status that makes some clients think they have to act like an ass to her or if it’s just their personalities, but she wishes they would just act like it’s a normal conversation. 

This company, Static Shock, likely just hit their biggest break to be running to Adora wanting their best photoshoot yet. She’s seen other companies similar to this one. Excited to get something done by her and usually they have great ideas to give. But this time, she’s been hit with one of those companies. You know, the kind of companies that target the youth and the face of their brand is a teenager or young adult, but then there’s douches like this one on the team who act a fucking ass.

  Yes Malachi , we’ve been here since 12:30 and it is now going on 4:00 and you’ve been practically repeating yourself for almost four fucking hours. ‘ We want this to be the most authentic photoshoot we’ve ever had. We want our customers to know that authenticity is okay.’ It must be some written script they have somewhere because no matter who Adora finds herself talking to, they all say the same thing.

You’re here to sell clothes, not promote world peace.

“No, it’s not a bad time. I’m just trying to make sure that a model I was interested in having for the shoot would be able to make it.”

It takes everything in Adora to not let out an irritated sigh when she finally does speak up, because Malachi speaks as if he wants to belittle her and she has far better things to do than to be belittled by some man with a hairline receding so far that it starts behind his ears.

“Model?”

He questions as he then turns to his colleagues and they all begin to do that very annoying corporate laugh.

Furrowing her eyebrows, Adora looks at her team consisting of her wardrobe managers, Bow and Glimmer and prop managers, Swifty and SeaHawk. Who have all been a lot more lenient with their time. They all shrug as if they too have missed out on the joke. Clearing her throat loudly Adora leans forward on the table.

“I’m sorry, is something funny ?”

“Our apologies Ms.Grayskull. You do not need to bother yourself with finding models. We are going to provide our own.”

This time a woman  whose plaque reads Katie speaks up. She’s fairly younger than the rest of her colleagues, perhaps even close to Adora in age. Twenty-four ? Maybe even younger, not that her age really matters to Adora, but it is noticeable that she’s one of the youngest amongst her colleagues.

“Pardon ?”

Adora bites down on the nail of her thumb, wanting to make sure she’s heard correctly.

“She said we’ll provide our own models. The people we have are going to be the best models you’ve ever seen. So don’t stress yourself out about that lousy one you got coming.”

Malachi has this snappy attitude about himself and it’s really starting to irk her.

Lousy? Who does he think he’s talking about?  Biting down on her tongue, Adora takes in a deep breath and before she can even open her mouth she feels Bow put his hand on her shoulder.

“Mister… Malachi.”

Glimmer starts before Adora can.

“There is no need for you to insert how you may feel about the models we provide here. So if you could please refrain from such it would be appreciated.”

She continues with a proper tone and cheerful smile.

He scoffs softly and rolls his eyes. 

“Well like I said, we’ve got the best of the best coming.”

“We’ll see about that. I will not be calling off my model, just in case.”

Adora tries to match Glimmer's tone but her annoyance makes it falter by a long shot. 

Well it’s not like I can. Can’t call someone off without their number. She thinks to herself with a slight shrug that no one seems to notice.

“Pardon ?”

“If that’ll be all you need from me today. I will do a practice shoot on Saturday in Studio B and we’ll see what happens from there. Now if you don’t mind, you’re starting to cut into my time. My presence is requested elsewhere.”

Adora doesn’t even bother to repeat herself as she slides her phone off of the table along with a folder. 

“ If you have any concerns about wardrobe please speak with Glimmer and Bow.”

She waves her hand between them as they both smile brightly.

“I trust no one but them when it comes to wardrobe. I will see your models Saturday, and if you need to contact me, call my office .”

She continues before letting herself out of the meeting room and then walks down the hallway at a moderately fast pace. Not long after does she hear a door shut in the distance behind her.

“Adora ! Adora slow down!”

The voice belongs to Bow and from the fast thuds that’s coming from behind her she can only assume he’s running to catch up to her.

“What’s wrong with you ? You seemed distracted back there.”

Bow asks as he doubles over, putting his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath.

“Yeah, they’re just starting to get on my nerves and I’m a bit excited to see if this model will show up.” I’d be satisfied with just seeing her again, but seeing her on this project is going to be jaw dropping. I just know it. With beauty like that it’s hard not to see it .

She turns around shrugging nonchalantly

“Okay, yeah, they don’t have the best attitudes, but we’ve seen worse.”

“True, but I actually do need to get going, the people in studio C have been blowing up my phone asking for help.”

Flashing a quick smile Adora turns on her heels and rushes out to her two door black sports car. 

No one really took her to be a sports car kind of gal, but she had been vastly intrigued by it when she upgraded from the four door Sedan she had been driving since a teen. Her windows were tinted dark and the license plate read SH3RA. Was it a bit corny ? Yeah, but who’s really questioning someone with her kind of money ? 

Sliding her suit jacket off of her shoulders she turns the A/C on as she can feel sitting in the car without it any moment longer just may be a suicide mission. It’s 95 degrees outside and there’s no breeze to cool down, so the sweat she’s starting to break is very much warranted.

The drive to the other studio is easily ten minutes, but perhaps stopping by the café wouldn’t hurt. She’s sure they can survive another ten to fifteen minutes without her. She assumed wrong because the moment she steps foot in the café her phone rings. Adora’s tempted to not answer it, but then it would just lead to another call right after another and she’d much rather just avoid it .

“Hello ?”

She answers.

“Hi, Ms. Grayskull, This is Cameron… the uh apprentice you hired not too long ago. I- I don’t mean to be a bother and I know you’re probably really busy, but I’m having a hard time trying to shoot this trailer and… I could really use your help.”

The way he stutters and speaks in choppy sentences is obvious he’s nervous to talk to her, but really he’s a sweet kid with an obvious passion for videography. At least that’s what Adora noticed when she gave him the job.

Looking between the salad bar and the exit, Adora bites her lip for a moment and sighs softly so that it’s not heard over the line.

“I’ll be over there in a moment, just give me like ten minutes, okay ?”

She can hear Cameron sigh heavily before responding.

“Thank you so much Ms. Grayskull. I truly appreciate it.”

“No, problem. I’ll be there soon.”

Adora hangs up the phone and turns to leave.

“You just come to bless us with your presence Ms. Grayskull ?”

A cafeteria worker asks as they walk past.

“Seems like it. A kid in one of the studio’s is having a hard time.”

She chuckles as she continues to the exit and back to her car.

Just as promised she got to the studio within ten minutes, and when she walks inside everything looks to be running smoothly. So what is all this fuss about? Walking towards the camera crew she clears her throat a bit.

“Cameron.”

Adora’s tone is authoritative but still gentle enough to not startle him.

“Oh ! Ms. Grayskull, am I happy to see you. Again I’m sorry to bother you like this, but we have been trying to change the settings on the camera to get this nice wide shot, but nothing we change it to give that cinema effect.”

He explains running his fingers through his long onyx colored hair.

“ We ?”

She tilts her head as she looks at the other cameramen whose eyes avert hers.

“Well yeah, they were just trying to see if they could help.”

He continues with a bit of confusion evident in his voice.

“I understand that, but don’t let other people mess with your camera. Especially the settings. Out of everyone here they should know that.”

“I just thought they were trying to help, I didn’t think it was that serious. I’m sorry Ms. Grayskull.”

That nervousness appears in Cameron’s voice again and she places a hand on his shoulder.

“You don’t have to keep apologizing. I’m just letting you know for future reference don’t let someone mess with your settings. Especially when it’s an external problem.”

“External ?”

Adora bends down to the equipment bag by her feet and pulls out a lens handing over to him.

“Try this lens, revert your settings, and go again.”

She offers him a reassuring smile and so he does just as she told him.

As everyone gathers back in their positions Adora watches as Cameron’s face lights up. After multiple takes of the shot he turns back to her with so much glee in his features.

“How did you figure it was a lens problem ?”

“The nifty fifty.”

She holds the previous lens up in her hand and examines it for a moment.

“Great lens. For photography that is. If you wanna get that money wide shot keep using that lens.”

She continues smiling as she places the nifty fifty in the equipment bag.

“Wow, I really bothered you over something that small..”

Cameron says with a sheepish smile as he rubs the back of his head.

“You’re not bothering me. Really you’re not.”

It’s better than wasting my time in that meeting.

“Plus you’re here for a learning experience. Who am I if I can’t help ?”

Adora continues as she brings up a chair on the outskirts of the set and sits down.

“Oh, you’re staying ?”

He asks as he turns around noticing her presence behind him.

“Just in case you have any other difficulties. I don’t have anywhere else to be. Plus you’ve got a good thing going here.”

“You really think so ?”

That little bit of acknowledgement seems to light his creative fire even brighter.

“I know so, keep at it.”

Adora crosses one leg over the other and that’s when her stomach rumbles loudly. Looking around she can’t notice any snack tables along the walls and she sighs in slight disappointment. She really doesn’t want to drive back to the café, but if she doesn’t eat something she’s going to pass out . It’s burning like hell outside and the stage lights in the studio make it humid. 

I knew I should’ve grabbed something to eat first. Her stomach growls again and she nods to herself as if to give herself confirmation that she was going to get food.  

“I’m gonna run to the cafeteria, have you all eaten since you’ve been here ?”

Cameron shakes his head and so does the rest of the crew. Even the actors shake their heads and Adora’s eyes widen slightly.

“Woah, woah, woah. Cameron, number one rule. You were assigned this project so this is your crew. Whether they’re hungry or not, always provide food.”

He whips out his phone quickly to actually take note of what was being said and hums softly once he’s finished.

“Got it.”

He says as he slips his phone back in his pocket.

“Treat your crew right and they’ll treat you the same way.”

Adora stands up and pats his shoulder.

“I’ll be back with some sandwiches and drinks.”

She continues as she sets a fast pace to her car. 

When she returns she comes back with a platter or two of sandwiches and two carts with water bottles and sets them down. Grabbing a sandwich and water for herself she turns to everyone else who is still vaguely working.

“Everyone take a break to get something to eat. I bought sandwiches and water. I’m sure a lot of you know not to get too close to the equipment with food, but I’m just letting you all know. Stay off the set with food.”

Adora announces and everyone practically drops what they’re doing to grab a bite.

Once everyone has eaten they all look more rejuvenated and ready to work again. Watching the project come together scene by scene is quite interesting. A lot more interesting than that consultation meeting she was stuck in. Bad attitudes, snarky comments, and anticipation was something she needed a break from, though the anticipation part lingers heavily.

By the time the set wraps up for the day it’s noticeably darker outside. Checking her phone Adora reads the time 8:10 p.m. As she sits in her car she recollects the events of the day. Came in at twelvish, that stupid meeting took up like four hours of my time. Helped Cam out and stayed there for a while. Not too bad, a normal 8 hour shift. She chuckles softly because Bow and Glimmer often tell her she works treacherous hours to be a CEO. However she doesn’t think coming in at seven in the morning and leaving at nine at night is all that bad.

As she doubles back on the consultation meeting with Static Shock she sighs.

“ The people we have coming are going to be some of the best models you’ve ever seen .”

Adora rolls eyes as she begins to go on a tangent.

“Models are a part of the package deal. Someone can’t read the fine print.”

She mumbles as she turns the car on taking a deep breath. Today is over, everything is fine .

As Adora’s phone dings for the millionth time today and she whips it out to look at what she’s hoping is a text message she’s met with a hard slap of disappointment. To her dismay it’s not a text. Just a stupid notification from Instagram saying who’s posted lately. Adora’s been looking for Catra to message or call her for a couple days now. Okay maybe she didn’t expect her to say anything the exact next day, but it’s day three and she’s anxious to know her answer. 

Perhaps I should go to the club tonight to see. Would that be weird ? No, I could just so happen to be there to get a drink. But I never really get any drinks though. I should just go to ease my nerves.

After a long mental conflict of push and pull she finally puts the car in drive and pulls out the lot. There’s nothing better than driving and listening to… absolutely nothing. Only the thoughts of your mind. What if she couldn’t find a nice way to put it. What if she thinks I’m weird. Oh god, she’ll really think I’m weird now. Okay, maybe this is a bad idea. Just turn around and go home.

No, we already made up our mind. Going is going to give us some clarity, and 

peace of mind.

Whilst Adora is having this conversation on the verge of a nervous breakdown she’s failed to realize she’s entirely too close to the club to even actually turn around and go home. It’d be a waste of gas, not that it bothers her, but she’ll use it as an excuse to not chicken out. A lot of people have this preconceived notion that Adora is just this go-getter at all times. The reality of it is that she’s not very social. Glimmer and Bow are the closest people she confides in. There are a few others she talks to, such as Seahawk and Swifty, but not as often.

Once she’s in the parking lot she looks around and takes a deep breath rubbing her face a couple times. This is the routine she’s found herself doing ever since the first time she saw Catra. The worry of scaring Catra off lingers. On top of that she has an attitude of a ticking time bomb and you can’t see the timer for when it’ll blow.

“You’re here now, just play it cool. Play it cool.”

Getting out the car she fixes the collar of her pristine white turtleneck, straightens out her black suit jacket that still has those funky shoulder pads, and slicks a couple strands of hair back into her ponytail.

Walking in the club is always nerve wracking because even though she is considered to be a part of high class that doesn’t stop people from staring. She’s never able to tell if it’s out of awe or disdain. Part of her is sure that it’s a mixture of both. She’s young and richer than half the people in there; of course there’s jealousy in the air. Sometimes she’s praised for her success and then there’s the jealous old men who worked their lives away just to scrape up a salary that doesn’t even touch one million. But her success has absolutely nothing to do with their misfortunes, so she can’t let it bother her.

As she approaches the entrance she notices a guy standing there with his arms crossed over his chest and his shoulders holding way too much tension as the bouncer checks his I.D.  Hm, interesting. She simply thinks as she prepares her own I.D. and he walks off as the card is handed back to him.

Once Adora is cleared to go inside she looks around the club. Walking through the threshold she feels it. The stares. From people on the dancefloor, from people sitting upstairs eating their dinners, and people sitting at tables along the walls. It feels like the whole world stops when she goes out in public, like they’ve never seen a blonde woman before, but she knows that’s not why they stare.  

As natural as possible Adora pushes forward through the club and makes a beeline for the bar. When she gets there she’s met with the woman with locs she ran into a couple days ago. She didn’t bother to get her name, she was too much in a rush to get back to the studio to even ask. Now that she thinks about it, that was quite rude of her to just shove an envelope in her hand and run off. Perhaps now would be a good time to apologize for that.

“Welcome back blondie, it’s been a while.”

She says as she slides down the bar with this smug grin on her face. Hm , I wonder what that’s about.

Adora chuckles as she sits down at the bar next to the guy who was getting his I.D. checked earlier. She notices how he picks at his fingernails as he waits for his order to be taken. A bit odd for someone who should know what they want to drink, but she’s not here to analyze strange individuals.

“I don’t think three days is a lot.”

There’s a beat of silence between the two of them which starts to feel awkward the longer it begins to draw out. The apology Adora.

“Oh, I’d like to apologize about the other night.”

“Apologize for what exactly?”

“Well I kinda shoved an envelope in your hand and ran off without a formal introduction.”

Adora’s eyes drift off to the side out of guilt as she speaks and then something dawns on her. Now would be a good time for that introduction.

“I’m Adora.”

She extends her hand quickly across the counter but she doesn’t take it.

“Lonnie. Don’t stress yourself about it. You could’ve done worse.”

Slowly Adora lowers her hand on the counter as she now realizes she’s probably not going to shake it. That didn’t go as planned.

That awkward silence falls over them again and the clubbing music fills the air.

“So.”

Her eyes dart around the bar for a moment and back to Lonnie.

“Is Catra working tonight ?”

That smug look from earlier creeps back up on her face as if she knows something she doesn’t.

“No, it’s her day off.”

Fighting back the look of disappointment that wants to spread across her face, Adora nods her head for a moment as her eyes once again drift across the bar.

“When does she work again ?”

“Friday.”

Hm, can I wait that long ?  Adora wonders if waiting for two days will cut too close to the practice shoot. Biting her thumb in thought, Adora whips out her phone for a moment and scrolls through her contacts. It’s about a minute or so before she sighs and puts her phone back in her pocket.  I don’t know that I actually want to use anyone other than Catra.

“Okay, thanks.”

Adora gets up to leave still biting on her thumb, still somewhat thinking of what to do.

“Is that the only reason you come here ?”

Lonnie questions as she slides over to another customer but yet still speaks to Adora.

“Pardon ?”

Adora’s eyes focus more on Lonnie than being clouded by her thoughts.

“Is that the only reason you come here?”

She restates as if it would make the question any clearer.

“Explain.”

She says as she tilts her head, confusion evident in her tone. Is she referring to just having a conversation ? Or ? 

“I mean Catra. I’ve never actually seen you have a drink or anything to eat for that matter.”

Her face is burning red, she can’t help it, because technically that is the only reason she even brings herself in the club. 

“What would make you say that ?”

The smile on Adora’s face right now is forced. So much so that Lonnie gets a good laugh out of it.

“I mean you make it obvious you’re only here for her. ”

She picks up a glass from the counter ready to take it back to the dishwasher.

“Her and I have business, and I just so happen to like coming to this club.”

With being such a big deal that she is, you'd like to think that Adora’s skill to deceive others was phenomenal, but alas, she can’t lie to save her life.

“I’ve never seen you here before Catra started working here. I’ve been here almost a year and this is the most I’ve ever seen you.”

Shit. Adora actually hates going to clubs for a couple of reasons : one, she doesn’t drink because she’s a lightweight and refuses to admit it. So in order to stop getting into drinking competitions she just avoids alcohol while amongst large groups. Two, they’re always crowded. And last but not least, it’s just not her cup of tea. She’d much rather spend her time at home where it’s comfortable.

Wait, I don’t drink in large crowds ? I don’t drink in large crowds ! Her face lights up at the remembrance of the fact that she indeed does not drink amongst large crowds.

“I don’t typically drink amongst crowds of people, so I actually wouldn’t have brought myself up here the other times I’ve been here.”

Two truths and a lie. A game Adora just started within one sentence. Pretty impressive on her behalf.

“Hey ! Are you gonna talk the whole time or pour me up a drink ?”

The I.D. man from earlier shouts from the other side of Adora.

“Don’t yell at her.”

Adora’s face contorts to that of disgust. Why is it that men feel so obligated to just say and do what they want ?

“And who the fuck are you ?”

He snarls as he turns to her. His frame is fit, but his attitude is all bent out of shape. His clothes fit too tight and he looks like a brat too young to be even sitting at the bar. Disgusting . 

“My name doesn’t concern the likes of you. What does concern you though, is how you speak to women, and how you speak to the people who have to pour your drink. You never know what could happen.”

“This bitch wouldn’t have the gall poison me, I could sue her and this place for more than they can afford.”

“Who are you calling a -”

Lonnie starts and her tone is one to be reckoned with, but with a simple wave of her hand Adora stops her from finishing her sentence.

“Did you know it’s a criminal offense to use a fake I.D. so someone can sell you age restricted goods ?”

Adora’s tone is calm, collected, and all together raising the suspension of the scene.

“Why would I give a-”

“I wasn’t finished.”

She cuts him off before continuing.

“Did you also know that underage drinking can spread toxins throughout the body that will spread and kill you by the time you’re 32 ?”

There’s a beat of silence that hangs for a moment. The fear in the boy's eyes is delightful, which means Adora’s plan is working.

“It’ll start with feeling nauseous, then it’ll move on to headaches, further down to stomach pain, sweating, and high blood pressure. You know what happens when your blood pressure gets too high right ? Oh, that’s right. Death.”

“I- I think I have to go to the bathroom.”

He stands to his feet and the way he nearly trips over them sends Lonnie into a fit of laughter.

“How do you know all of that ?”

She can’t stop herself from laughing, because just remembering the terror on his face as Adora’s list went on and on was one to die for.

“Oh, I don’t. Those were the side effects of a hangover and then I added death to the end of it. The toxin’s thing was made up.”

“Really ?! I was surely starting to believe you too.”

“Yeah, anyways. Thanks for your time Lonnie I really should get going though. I’ve got some things to plan out for work.”

Adora pulls $75 dollars from her pocket and slides it across the counter.

“What’s this ?”

“For your time.”

Standing to her feet she waves Lonnie goodbye and weaves her way through the crowd of people heading towards the bar. Never a dull moment in this club. She laughs under her breath, because there’s always something interesting happening when she goes in there.

Two Days Later

Two days is a lot longer Adora expected it to. She was antsy to run back to the club to see Catra. Just to see her again was enough to fill this void. It’s still a weird feeling to have about a business partner. That is what Catra is to her, right ? Right. Just business, with one of the most beautiful women Adora has ever seen. Previous women she’s found herself attracted to just don’t seem to compare. They were pretty, sure, but they weren’t a genuine dime like Catra.

The way her mix-match eyes glisten under the dim lights of the bar. The way her voice alone is so enticing it could bring her to her knees, and the freckles that dust her cheeks make her look so adorable, can all just make Adora want to wrap herself around her is dumbfounding. Which is why she’s absolutely perfect for this photoshoot. Everything about her from what Adora’s observed is just as authentic as she can think. Just from the handful of times she’s seen or talked to her, it’s obvious she doesn’t sugar coat things. Another reason why she ranks above any other model she’s thought about hiring. 

This is all the reason why Adora’s returned to the club. It’s Friday night, the club music is more booming than usual and she has a good feeling about seeing Catra today. So now the only thing is to… actually… find… her. 

As Adora tightly squeezes past person after person to get to the bar she doesn’t see Catra. Actually, she doesn’t see any bartender for that matter. Huh, she must be taking a smoke outside. Making a sharp turn in the midst of a dancing crowd aggravates a lot of people. The lights are dim, people are sweaty, they’re tipsy, and it’s jam packed tight on the dance floor and the only way around is through it. 

The balcony seems a lot further when you’re excusing yourself past everyone and apologizing for bumping into them. Finally, when Adora does find herself at the doors of the balcony she fixes her suit jacket on her shoulders, wipes her forehead from sweat and slicks back a few strands of hair into her hair poof. 

Pushing the door open she’s met with quite a few things : a nice breeze of cool air, the smell of smoke, and men ? Adora’s heart sinks in disappointment as she steps out and looks around for a moment. Catra’s… not out here ? She just stands there confused. But she’s supposed to be here. There’s no one at the bar. She’s got to be out here. She’s not though. The crowd of men here is a clear sign that she’s not.  Maybe someone’s just standing in her way.

Adora pushes through one group of huddled men and then another, and another until she’s on the opposite end of the balcony. 

“You look lost sweetheart. What are you looking for, your man ?”

A man with a large frame asks while blowing his smoke in Adora’s face as he speaks. Turning her head up to the man she frowns and just pushes through the crowd to get back inside.

“Oh come on toots all I asked was a question.”

He throws his hands up in confusion.

“What is this, the fifties ?”

Adora questions as she rolls her eyes and continues inside.

The beeline to the bar isn’t as easy as it should be, because again there’s a lot of people on the dance floor pushing, pulling, bumping, and walking. When she finally does make it she’s met with Lonnie again. 

“Oh, so you’re back ?”

Lonnie grins as she watches Adora take a seat in front of her.

“Where’s Catra ?”

“Straight to the point huh ?”

Lonnie likes to play games, Adora can see that now. Smug and likes to draw a reaction from people, but she’d much rather not play this game with her right now.

“Okay, gee. Way to take the fun out of it.”

Her playful demeanor tones down a bit as she rolls her eyes, but yet still manages to chuckle after.

“She’s not here.”

Pulling out her phone, Adora doesn’t even unlock it. She’s strictly looking at what day it is. But it’s Friday, she did say she would work again today right ?

“I thought you said she works today.”

“I did.”

Was this some little trick she pulled just to see if I’d come back ?

“So what happened ?”

Adora frowns, because if this was just some little game of hers she’s about to be pissed. She doesn’t have any time left to get Catra’s response. Practice is tomorrow and if she doesn’t have an answer tonight she’s going to have to deal with some models she has absolutely no chemistry with.

“She called out.”

“Would you happen to know why ?”

“You know for you to be handling business with her you sure are getting personal aren’t you ?”

Lonnie raises her brows as a corner of her lip turns up into a smirk.

“I really need her.”

The desperation in Adora’s voice slips and Lonnie pounces on it like a lion catching its prey.

“Oh ?”

The tone is suggestive and Adora turns cherry red in the face as she realizes how it may have sounded.

“It’s still just a business matter. Do you know anything or not ?”

“Mmhm. Unfortunately for you blondie she didn’t say why. She only said she couldn’t make it in time for her shift.”

Fuck. Let’s just pray these models are easy to work with.

“Okay.”

There’s frustration behind Adora’s voice as she swivels around in the barstool and gets ready to leave. 

“This is your shortest visit yet blondie.”

Lonnie calls out and Adora doesn’t even bother to stop to respond.

“I’ve got some serious thinking to do.”

The way Adora marches straight through the dancefloor you would’ve thought she was a soldier with a one track mindset. The way she pushes through everyone with no apologies or remorse shows on her face. She’s got this really unsettling feeling about tomorrow that’s starting to kick in and she just can’t seem to shake it. 

Nearly a week with no contact, Adora should know how to take a hint. She’s been rejected in this manner plenty of times. Especially when she was first starting to get into photography. She had plenty of people say that they’d be in contact with her and then they actually never did. It was disheartening and in the beginning it was easy to want to give up, but now everything’s different. No one has stood her up in a long long time, especially in this manner. This is like reopening a festering sore.

The Next Day

If you thought the frustration with Catra’s rejection in mind was anything, then what’s taking place in the midst of the photoshoot is nothing to compare. These models are models and they are very beautiful, don’t get Adora wrong. But they are not photoshoot models. They are not the authenticity this company wants. They are runway models. Their poses are too exaggerated, their personas are too much. This whole thing is too much . Adora truly aims to give clients what they asked for and then some. That’s usually the fun part about it, bringing their ideas and dreams to life. But it’s hard to do when you have stubborn clients like this who take things into their own hands and don’t have any clue that they’re sabotaging themselves. 

“Stephanie, Layla, Darla… Are you aware of how forced your smiles look ?”

Adora asks as she lowers her camera. She’s been trying to have them look as natural and comfortable as possible for hours, but it’s like they’ve never had a day of relaxation in their lives. 

“Sorry, I’m trying.”

Darla says softly as she rubs her arm.

“What is it you want us to do ?”

Layla speaks over Darla as she crosses her arms over her chest. She’s fairly tall, pale in complexion, and has these ghostly green eyes.

“How about, relax . You look so serious and tense. You all want some music to play over the speakers to help ?”

She suggests as she steps away from the back drop and turns to her laptop set up on a desk  not too far from her equipment.

All three models turn to each other only speaking with their eyes and finally speak up after a moment.

“Yeah, sure. We’re used to music playing while we work anyways.”

Stephanie is the one to speak up, she’s got fair skin, dark hair, and hazel colored eyes. The perfect example of a model yes, but Adora wouldn’t have her for this shoot because she can tell that everything isn’t natural. She won’t name what, but she knows just like the other girls know. Surgery does her well now . Is all Adora can think in a nice way.

Adora turns on some nice upbeat instrumentals and they don’t seem to look satisfied with it. No one usually has a problem with the music she plays, it helps them stay focused and relax a bit, but they look like she just put on straight up 8 hours of screaming music.

“Um, excuse me Adora.”

Darla speaks up nervously, she seems to be the most modest out of the group and so Adora looks at her raising her brows.

“This… isn’t exactly what we had in mind for music.”

She continues as she rubs her hands together.

“Oh, you all can come over and select a playlist if you’d like.”

She smiles because out of the three of them Darla is the nicest and the easiest to work with. She’s just got this shyness about her that Adora is really trying to bring her out of. Stepping away from the laptop Adora waves her hand inviting them to curate a playlist that they’ll actually like.

After a fair ten minutes they walk away from Adora’s laptop and then the music starts to play. When it does, it startles Adora because the speakers in the studio are surround sound and the volume is no joke. The amount of bass in the song visibly shakes the speakers and Adora can feel it rumble from her feet all the way up to her chest. The lyrics are no better, they’re vulgar and just a minute in she’s sure every curse word in the book has been said. 

She has no problem with the style of music, but it just doesn’t seem very professional on their behalf. On top of that, who knows who’ll stop by and hear all of this. 

“I’m just gonna turn it down a bit, wouldn’t want to disturb others.”

Other than changing rooms and bathrooms there aren’t any other rooms in this studio, but they don’t need to know that so she’ll use it as an excuse to lower the volume. 

Grabbing her camera again, Adora approaches the edge of the backdrop and tries to imagine herself having a good time where this isn’t total shit. This isn’t as bad as you're just imagining it. Everything is fine. You totally don’t wish Catra was here. I mean why would you ?  

Her face burns red as she thinks about it, because she totally wishes Catra was here no matter how much she tries to convince herself that she’s fine without her. I bet she’d show all of them up in a single photo. Adora’s only halfway aware of what kind of photos she’s actually taking until she regains her focus. The music, the flash of the camera, the temperature of the room, the way they pose, her phone buzzing in pocket a thousand times, it all starts to settle back into her senses. 

Is it a miracle ? Whipping her phone out of her pocket she answers and frantically prays that it’s Catra on the other line.

“Hello ?”

Adora’s face lights up in anticipation. Holding the phone close to her ear she awaits for a voice to come through, but then there’s nothing there.

“Hello ?”

This time it’s more quizzical because how come no one is speaking back to her ?

“Hellooooo.”

Now it’s out of irritation because now she assumes it’s some telemarketer playing on her phone. After another beat of silence from the other end Adora hangs up and slips her phone back into her pocket.

After five minutes her phone rings again. Trying to ignore it is hard, but she has to try and get these models together so they can be prepared for the real photoshoot. No distractions are needed, but the phone just keeps ringing and ringing.

“Studio D to Adora.”

A walkie talkie goes off as soon as her phone stops ringing.

“Damnit, give me a sec.”

Grabbing the walkie talkie she sighs irritated.

“Go for Adora.”

“Adora ?”

“Go for Adora…”

“Have… seen.. Bow… and… Today ?”

The message is choppy and distorted, Adora barely caught what was transmitted over the walkie.

“Go again ?”

There’s silence over the transmission and the only thing she can hear now is this stupid playlist of music that they’ve curated.

“Sorry about that, I’m not really sure what that was about.”

Adora walks back to the back drop and raises her camera to her eye and miraculously the models look a bit less modelish. 

“Okay, you all are starting to get the hang of it! Just relax some more and I’ll have what I’m looking for.”

Maybe there’s a chance that working with them won’t be absolute hell.

“-Udio D to Studio…”

A bad transmission comes through the walkie talkie again and Adora pauses for a second to try and hear what’s being said but once again it’s too incoherent for her and she goes back to taking a couple photos.

“Okay, these are great photos, don’t get me wrong. But what if you all were to act as if you don’t even see the camera here. As if you all aren’t working.”

Adora suggests in a positive tone.

“I don’t think you understand. If I wasn’t working, I wouldn’t be wearing these bland ass clothes, I wouldn’t be next to these two of all people, and I sure as hell wouldn’t be in this hot ass studio.”

Layla speaks up as her eyes dart over to Stephanie rather than both Stephanie and Darla. 

“If you were hot all you had to do was say something. I would’ve turned the air on.”

Getting over her initial shock, Adora turns around to go find the AC dial on the wall before she hears a loud irritated sigh.

“No, Adora, don't turn the air on for her. She deserves to fucking burn, no one should have to walk on eggshells for Layla’s stupid ass.”

Huh ?!

Whipping her head around quickly Adora turns back to them and she becomes a bit frantic. She hadn’t realized the tension between the two girls the whole photoshoot, and no one made it known to her that there was an underlying beef between the two of them either.

“Woah woah, there’s no need for name calling. The lights can make it a bit hot in here, I was just going to turn it up any-”

Adora makes her attempt to diffuse the situation but she’s just cut off.

“No, who are you calling a bitch ?! You’re just mad I won that fashion show fair and square. Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been saying on Instagram about me. Don’t be subliminal say it to my fucking face.”

Layla snaps back as she points her finger in Stephanie’s face. 

Oh no.  

“You want me to say it ?”

“That’s what I said isn’t it. Or are you too dumb to comprehend that, just like you’re too dumb to comprehend I won that show.”

“Everyone knows you fucked the judges to get tens straight across. Your form was fucking horrible and those outfits were horrid.”

Stephanie shouts as she shoves Layla and she shoves her hard . 

No no no no ! What the fuck ?!

Adora grabs fistfuls of her hair as she watches this hot mess unravel at her feet. Why is this the hand I was dealt ?!

“Guys don’t fight ! Everything was just starting to go right !”

Darla tries to pull Stephanie and Layla away from each other and Adora doesn’t know what to do. She’s stuck, she thought she had suggested something simple of them and now it’s turning to a total disaster.

“It’s only going wrong because she has a bad ass attitude, bringing everyone else’s mood down. All Adora is trying to do is her job and here she is making it a lot fucking harder.”

Stephanie says as she points her finger in Layla’s face and she smacks it away.

Well, actually all you make this a bit harder to do, but okay. Adora thinks to herself as she still finds herself stuck on what to do. If they start fighting it’s going to be a mess, they’re going to break stuff, hurt each other, and even worse. It’s gonna be in my hands.

“Hey can we get a juicer to Studio D.”

The walkie talkie goes off again and for the first time today it was a clear and coherent transmission.

“Wrong channel Swifty.”

Adora relays quickly as the arguing between Layla and Stephanie just turns into a shouting match.

“Go again. I didn’t catch that.”

“Wrong. Channel. Swifty.”

Adora tries to speak over the shouting match going on just feet away from her but she highly doubts it was a good attempt.

“Ohhhh, do you know what channel they have ?”

“Five.”

“Nine ?”

“Oh my god.”

Adora face palms as she just clips the walkie talkie on her belt loop.  Now her phone rings a couple times and from the buzzing pattern she can tell it’s a text message coming through. It’s one right after another. The yelling. The music. Swifty on the walkie. The heat. The lights . The phone. It’s starting to become an overload to her senses and she can feel herself losing her cool.

“Everyone, just stop.”

Adora sighs, raising one hand for them to stop and the other to her now aching head. But the yelling continues somehow getting louder and louder by the second, causing the throbbing in her head to get worse.

“Ladies.”

Adora tries again while her phone buzzes once again and it’s obvious they can’t hear her because they just keep going.

“Ladies ! Take a fifteen minute break and you two stay away from each other !”

The silence that falls upon them other than the music playing is immediate and all three of them look at Adora in awe for a moment. 

“See what you did. You made her mad.”

Layla storms off to an opposite side of the studio from Stephanie.

“I didn’t do anything. You were the one being an asshole.”

Stephanie returns.

“I was no-”

“Do not ! Don’t talk to each other. Just- just listen to the music while I step out.”

Adora rubs her head for a moment while she walks out the door to the studio to be met with the length of a corridor and sighs. It’s cooler, quieter, and a lot more peaceful in the hallway than it is in the studio. Well it was, until her phone rang again.

“Hello ?”

She answers as she brings the phone to her ear.

“Ah, Ms. Grayskull. I take it the photoshoot is going excellent, saying you have time to answer the phone.”

The voice is Malachi’s and of course it’s him, because why should Adora be able to catch a break for just one second.

“Um, actually. There is a problem with the models.”

“What problem could you possibly have with them ? I personally did background checks and all. They are the perfect models.”

“Your research was not a detective’s best work. They are not photoshoot models, they are fashion show models. The ones that walk up and down a runway showing off unique clothing for fashion shows. So, they aren’t the right models to promote authenticity. Not only are they not the right kind of models, but Stephanie and Layla unbeknownst to me have a very deep disliking for one another and from what just happened about two minutes ago it’ll be impossible to get them to put their differences aside to make this work.”

“And what about Darla ? What could you possibly have to say about sweet little Darla ?”

“Darla is very shy, I feel I can possibly work with her, but there aren’t any promises.”

“Well Ms. Grayskull, I think it would be in your best interest that you figure something out.”

“Pardon ?”

She feels this rage in the pit of her stomach start to boil. How is her fault that they didn’t do research on their models ? How is it her fault that they went and hired models when the package deal was going to already include models ? This doesn’t seem like an Adora problem. This seems like a Static Shock problem, because this is really out of her hands.

“Ms. Grayskull, we'll be lenient with you and allow you to figure this out. Our models or not, but this needs to be resolved in four weeks time. We'd like to have a grand launch on fifth week presenting our new line of clothes and presenting these photos as well. Good. Day.”

“Now hang on a minute-”

There’s no room for Adora to speak because the end call tone rings through her ears. Are you fucking kidding me ? Mad because you fucked up, not me.

“ I should be fucking mad.”

She mumbles as she walks back and forth in front of the door with her arms crossed over her chest.

“ You dropped the ball, and you want me to pick it up ?”

She scuffs as her pace in front of the door starts to become a bit of a cadence.

“ I think it would be in your best interest… In whose interest ?! I didn’t hire these models. It would be in your best interest to stop pissing me off.”

Adora figures talking to herself will help soothe her anger, but it really doesn’t. It only makes her want to go further on her tangent.

“Hey Adora ! How’s the phot-”

“Bow, do not, ask me about this failure of a photoshoot.”

The anger and stress roll off of Adora’s body as she points back to the studio door. An anger so scary that Bow averts eye contact with her for a moment.

“What’s wrong with it ?”

Glimmer asks as she walks alongside Bow down the hallway.

“You want to know what’s wrong ? How about you come see for yourself.”

 She says as she pushes the door open for them.

“Okay ?”

Glimmer questions as she’s the first amongst the three of them to walk in. Upon entering, Layla and Stephanie shouting back and forth at each other followed by the music can be heard.

Bow is quick to follow behind her, leaving Adora the last to walk inside.

“Ladies ! Again, do not talk to each other.”

She shouts as she marches over to her laptop and turns down the music.

“ This..”

She points to Layla and Stephanie for a second before continuing.

“Is just the icing on the cake.”

Adora laughs maniacally as she pulls the SD card out of her camera and connects it to her laptop.

“So what’s the rest of it ?”

Bow dare asks as his eyes drift across the studio at the scattered models.

“The pictures.”

She pulls them up and leans back in her swivel chair awaiting a reaction.

“What’s wrong with them ?”

Glimmer asks as she squints her eyes as Adora just clicks through the pictures for them.

“They look like models.”

She throws her hands up in exasperation. How can she be the only one to notice that?

“What’s so wrong with that ?”

She still doesn’t quite understand what Adora’s getting at, but then again Adora is very picky about what models she wants on what project.

“If the brand wants authenticity and then this is what they give me, it’s going to be a shit show. If I wanted show models I’d be doing a fashion show shoot.”

“Okay, but you can make it work right ? I mean this is only the practice shoot like you said, right ?”

Bow chimes back in trying to make light of the situation, but Adora just cuts her eyes at him like he’s lost his damn mind.

“Bow, you did see how they were just at each other’s necks, right ? They damn near broke out in a fight ten minutes ago.”

“Right. My bad.”

He scratches the back of his head and glances at the models again and then turns back to Adora.

“What about Darla ?”

“She’s so shy and to herself. Bringing her out her shell would take forever.”

“How about, we try to get Darla out of her shell and you call up that model you were talking about the other day.”

“I would if I could, but she hasn’t responded to my request in almost a week. I don’t think I can depend on her unfortunately.”

There’s a loud rapid knock at the studio door and Adora just sighs as she rubs her forehead. What more hell can be coming my way now ?

“Glimmer, could you get that for me please ?”

“Sure.”

She walks off to grab the door and Bow turns back to Adora.

“So what are you going to do now ?”

“Either work with what I’ve got or be on a model hunt for the next two weeks.”

The defeat in her voice is disheartening, Bow has never seen her look so upset about something like this. Okay, well he has seen her cry over photoshoots when she was still living out of an apartment too small for her and all of her equipment to stay. But it’s been a really long time since she’s looked this defeated about her passion. 

It almost breaks his heart to see it, but he knows Adora’s strength and she can persevere through anything. Compared to all the long nights he and Glimmer helped her perfect this craft, this is nothing.

“Sparkles ?”

That voice ! It couldn’t be ! Adora shoots up from the laptop and looks back at the door to try and see who’s standing there, but Glimmer’s frame blocks her from seeing them.

“Catra ?”

Glimmer responds in question as well and Adora’s so quick to get up from her laptop she nearly knocks it over.

“Catra ?!”

She practically shoves Glimmer out of the way, nearly knocking her to the ground just to see if it was really true.  But she must know who’s standing there already. She can never mistake that raspy voice for anyone else’s.

“Hey, Adora.”

Her voice is a bit sheepish as she looks up at her scratching her scalp softly. Adora’s eyes light up so bright and the joy that overflows her heart makes her almost want to kiss her. Out of joy that is, not because she just wants to kiss her lips that look unbelievably soft. And definitely not to just want to know what she tastes like… That would be weird.

“Damn Adora.”

Glimmer straightens out her clothes and rubs her shoulder softly as she stands next to her.

“Sorry Glim.”

She lets out a hefty laugh as she pats her shoulder a bit.

“Wait a minute, you know her ?”

Glimmer asks as she tilts her head to the side.

“Yeah, you two know each other ?”

“Kinda, I just know she’s the bartender at that one club not too far from the university. How do you know her ?”

“I also… met her at the club.”

Her face burns red as she admits it because like before Adora isn’t a let’s go to the club kind of person.

“You ? The club ? Without us ? That’s not typical of you.”

Glimmer squints her eyes a bit and then they widen a bit.

I know that look Glimmer cut it out. Adora and relationships haven’t been the best of friends for quite some time now, it’s honestly hard for her to recall the last time she’s laid with another woman. She lets work consume her so much that she never has the time of day to think about going on dates anymore. Glimmer and Bow however always try to get her to go out with girls, but half of them only see Adora for her money and it just never works out. She has no problem with spending money on a partner, actually she's absolutely in love with the idea of spending money on her significant other. Taking care of their needs, buying them gifts, and just all around being there for them. But when the whole relationship is just about how much stuff she can buy for them, there’s no happiness in it. Not for her anyways.

“She’s here on business terms.”

She swallows thickly as Glimmer keeps a smug look upon her face. I swear she is, please spare me.

“Business you say ? The business of getting in your b-”

“Remember that model I was talking about the other day ?!”

Adora’s quick to cut her off, because the last thing she needs is to scare Catra off because of Glimmer's antics.

“ She’s your model ?!”

Glimmer’s mouth gapes open and Adora notices the way Catra winces at the question. Glimmer please stop.

“Yeah ? Is that… a problem ?”

“I mean, no. I just…”

The smugness comes back to her face as she continues.

“No no, I mean… she’s definitely your type. Perfect frame and all. And those eyes, just the icing on your- I mean on the cake.”

“Thanks for stopping by Glimmer, but Catra and I really need to talk, plus I think someone in studio B needs some help with wardrobe. So you and Bow should really get going now.”

Adora’s face is burning a crimson red as she walks further into the studio and drags Bow by his arm so that he and Glimmer can leave.

“Adora, this is Studio B.”

Bow furrows his brows confused as he looks down at Glimmer whose smugness never wipes off of her face.

“Did I say B ? I meant D. The people in Studio D really need you guys so please leave now.”

“Are you sure? I’m sure we can stick around and help you out here. Looks like you could use it.”

Glimmer smirks as Catra looks just as lost as day and Adora feels bad for letting her fall victim to Glimmer's little game. 

“No no no, I heard it on the walkie and they’ve been blowing my phone up looking for you, so you should really go.”

PLEASE . Adora widens her eyes begging Glimmer to stop this game of hers before Catra gets too confused or even worse. Weirded out.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go Bow. We can’t keep the people waiting any longer.”

Glimmer grabs Bow by his forearm and smiles at Adora and winks at Catra as she walks out.

“Thank you.”

Adora mumbles with a big sigh of relief.

“Is Sparkles always weird like that ?”

Catra questions as she barely steps inside the studio.

“Um, she just has this funny way of teasing me. She and Bow are my best friends, so yeah I guess you could say she’s always like that.”

It’s only now does she notice that Catra won’t move further into the studio without being invited to do so.

“Oh, come on in.”

She waves her hand into the studio where the music playing is at a lower volume than before and the models all stand a distance away from each other on their phones to keep themselves busy. Adora doesn’t really care, so long as they aren’t at each other’s necks and embarrassing her. Especially in front of Catra of all people.

“You know I never thought you’d call, let alone show up.”

She says feeling this horribly covered up disappointment fade away. Ha, now I finally relax now that she’s here. She smiles to herself as she guides Catra over to the desk where her laptop and camera are.

“Sorry, school got busy.”

Her tone’s gone back to that sheepish one as she turns to look up at her.

“School ?”

She questions with a bit of surprise in her tone. It’s obvious she’s taken aback by the statement as her eyes widen. Did I mistake her age ? No, she’s gotta be at least 21 if she’s a bartender. 

“Y-yeah ? I go to Brightmoon University.”

“I see, I had no idea that you were in college.”

“ Is that… a problem ?”

She looks skeptical as she looks at Adora. Almost say, What , you don’t expect someone like me to go to college?

“Oh, no no ! I’m just trying to think of how I can work around your schedule. Since you obviously work as well.”

She puts her fist to her chin as she turns her eyes up in thought.

“Um, that’s actually what I came here to talk to you about.”

With the use of a somber tone Adora can only start to think the absolute worst. Oh no, this is her coming to let me down softly. Isn’t it? Do I ever get to win ?   Adora tries to keep that professional tone about herself as she takes in a slight breath to speak.

“Go on.”

“I- I don’t know if I can do this.”

Adora feels like her heart could shatter into a million little pieces. That hope she was starting to feel just from looking at Catra is starting to turn back into that pure disappointment.

“May I ask why ?”

The shakiness in her voice is evident and really starts to open up that feeling of disappointment she’s constantly trying to push away.

“I don’t know. Okay well I do, I just feel like these models you have here can do a way better job at posing than I can.”

“Wait.”

She pauses for a moment, her eyes lighting back up with hope, the hope of keeping a flame lit within herself.

“You’re afraid you don’t know how to pose ?”

She continues as she laughs softly.

“Yeah ? Am I ? Missing something here ?”

Catra looks around the room to see what could possibly be funny to Adora but the models still have their noses stuck to their phones, so it couldn’t be them.

“Yes and no. One, I don’t want those over exaggerated poses you see all over the media, and that’s practically all they know how to do. They don’t know how to just,”

She takes in a deep breath and exhales sharply.

“Relax. Two, they see this as a job. I want you, because you have a fresh mind. I want you to have fun, be loose, be you . Not a model. Just because I call them models doesn’t mean I want models . I want people. People who bring the realness out in the photos. They are the real magic. You are the real magic.”

The blush that spreads across Catra’s face when she speaks must mean her words are working. It’s not like she’s pulling some trick on her, the words are genuine, true, and hopefully enough to win her over.

“You really have a way with words. Don’t you ?”

She asks as she covers her mouth with her hand while looking away from Adora’s gaze.

“I’ve been told that often. I was really into poetry when I was younger.”

She laughs some more, and then her eyes widen at a realization. She doesn’t usually just tell people that. Let alone about her childhood, but she tries not to make the scene awkward as she turns to the empty backdrop.

“How about you stand up there so I can see what you look like through the lens.”

Catra’s a bit hesitant to step on the backdrop and when her eyes meet Adora’s once more she’s met with her signature bright smile.

“Go on, it won't get dirty I promise.”

Adora urges her to step to the center and the way Catra just slowly inches to the middle is a bit funny. It’s almost like watching a cartoon character inch closer to their parents when they know they’re in big trouble.

“Now go on. Pose for me .”

She raises the camera to her eye and keeps a smile on her face, though with how big the camera is Catra likely can’t see it.

A couple flashes later Adora lowers the camera to look through the pictures . Aww, she’s just a little camera shy. 

“I know I look as stiff as a light post.”

“No, no, you’re just camera shy.”

She beams at her as she looks up to her. Adora can hear Stephanie loudly whisper something from the other side of the studio, but can’t really make it out saying that they’re standing so far away. Looking up she looks over at her and then Darla and Layla. 

They’re watching Adora, well Catra rather. Layla crosses her arms over her chest and as she opens her mouth Adora cuts her eyes at her.

They aggressively say something along the lines of, “ Say something. I dare you.” When Catra speaks up again that’s when she gives her undivided attention to her.

“I- I am not shy. I may be stiff as shit but one thing I am not is shy-”

Raising her eyebrows she’s not sure why Catra is going off like this and then it dawns on her. She thinks I’m calling her timid.

“No, I mean awkward, kind of shy. You don’t know what to do with yourself in front of a camera.”

She further explains as she raises the camera back to her eye.

“Oh… I knew that.”

Catra’s eyes drift off to the side as her cheeks turn a rosy red out what must be embarrassment.

“Oh sure you did.”

Adora laughs and she catches a glimpse of Catra with part of her walls down. This is the perfect opportunity to get her to loosen up

“Don’t be so scared. I’ll keep you in frame, kay’ ?”

“Oh trust me that’s the least of my worries.”

She laughs softly and rolls her eyes and Adora knows that’s the one. That’s the true Catra peeking through all that shyness. This is it, this is her . The way the lights bounce off her vibrant caramel colored skin and create these beautiful shadows is breathtaking. The glint in her eyes, all the different colors, the different stories within them that they have yet to tell, is enamoring and then some.

When Adora falls silent, so does Catra. The way she’s staring at the camera has a deafening silence to it. When her eyes drag back up to Catra she smiles and waves her to come closer to see the picture for herself. When she finally makes it over to her, her jaw drops.

“Adora, that's beautiful.”

Adora squints her eyes a bit as she looks between the picture and Catra for a moment and laughs putting a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s you. You’re beautiful. When I said ‘ if you’ll let me ’. This is what I meant. Let me capture the real you. Not who you think I want to capture.”

Adora lowers her head to meet her eyes a bit and staring into them could just put her under a spell. And she just can’t help the way she blushes as she looks between both of her eyes trying to differentiate all the different colors within them.

“I think I get what you’re saying.”

She nods a bit and there’s this look in her eye that looks a lot more assured than sheepish when she first came in. 

“Yeah ? You think you can come to my office tomorrow so we can talk more ? Be able to work around your very busy schedule and all ?”

Catra looks down at her phone for a moment or two and then puts away looking back at Adora.

“Yeah, I can do that. What time ?”

“How’s 1:30 ?”

“Sounds great. I’ll see you then.”

“Good. I’ll walk you out to your car. You did drive all the way over here, right ? No one needs to be walking around here. It’s almost 20 acres of space and way too many buildings to not get lost-”

“Adora, it’s okay. Someone led me over here and I drove. Plus I probably would’ve died of heat exhaustion twenty steps in if I walked over here. It’s like 100 degrees outside.”

“Okay, good. Do you need help getting out of here ? I know things can be confusing around here at first.”

Adora follows closely behind Catra as she walks out to her car and she leans on it trying to hide a bit of her face from the sun.

“No, it’s fine. I can just GPS my way out. Thank you though and thanks for walking me all the way out here. I know you were probably busy.

“Pfft, in there ?”

Adora rolls her eyes with a smirk.

“Nah, I was actually losing my mind working with them, two of the models almost started fighting. I had to start yelling at them like they were 5 year olds.”

“Wait, is that why they were all spread out like that ?!”

Catra cackles as she remembers how quiet they were and didn’t even bother to speak to each other.

“Yeah, I told them not to talk to each other so I guess they just grabbed their phones to keep themselves busy.”

“That’s actually funny.”

She grins as her laughter begins to die down.

“Yeah, don’t let me keep you any longer though.”

Adora stands up straight and pats the hood of the car.

“I’m in no rush, but I should get going. Now get inside before you die dummy, you’re wearing a turtleneck in absolutely ungodly weather.”

Catra says as she fans her away from the car, obvious levity behind her words.

“It’s not that bad if you ask me.”

Adora shrugs a bit as she squints her eyes trying to stop the sun from burning them.

“I beg to differ. You look like you’re starting to cook out here.”

She points to her cheek to indicate that Adora was starting to turn red in the face.

“Okay, so what, it's a little hot ?”

She continues as she puts her hand to her face to now block the sun.

“Look if you’re gonna die, don’t do it in front of my car. I don’t want Sparkles to think I murdered you.”

Adora laughs loudly to the point where she snorts a little bit before calming down.

“I’m going. I’m going.”

She says as she backs away from the car a bit.

“Hey, Adora ?”

“Yeah ?”

“Thank you, I really didn’t think I’d end up doing this modeling thing.”

Catra offers her a genuine smile and Adora gladly accepts it by returning it with her own.

“No, thank you .”

There’s a moment between the two of them. No words spoken, just beaming their smiles at each other before Catra looks away clearing her throat.

“Anyways, like I said I should really get going. I’ll see you later.”

“See ya’ later.”

Adora says as she takes another couple steps back from Catra starts the car up and pulls out of the parking space and down the winding road.

God, did you see the way she smiled at me ? How beautiful she is. There’s a feeling that bubbles in the pit of Adora’s stomach that just makes her want to jump up and down like a child. So much so that it makes her burn a crimson red in the face and it’s not from the sun rays hitting her either.  

As Catra’s car begins to disappear in the distance the smile on Adora’s face never fades as she makes her way back inside the studio. The mere thought of the way Catra looked at her with genuine shock in her eyes when looking at that photo of herself is something she will never forget. It’s a memory now etched into her mind that will always be behind her eyes when she shuts them.

Catra’s Tattoo

Chapter Text

Chapter 3 : Arrangements

As the early afternoon light peeks through Catra’s blinds she rolls over in the bed turning onto her stomach. The feeling of something drop on her back makes her reach around to grab it and set it to the side . Slowly but surely that same thing crawls back onto her back, but only this time going to the place where Catra can’t reach.

“Melog~ get off.”

She reaches around her back to try to grab him, but she can’t just reach. A long and loud meow is all she can get out of him .

“Come onnn.. I had a long day at work last night. Just let me sleep a little while longer.”

There’s nothing but another long drawn out meow from him and so Catra sighs loudly into her pillow.

“Okaayy.” 

Turning her head she inhales sharply as her eyes fall onto her phone as it wakes from a notification coming through. Immediately she feels a panic shoot down her spine.

The time read 12:10 p.m. She overslept her 11:30 alarm. Adora asked her to meet her at 1:30. It already takes her an hour to get ready properly and another forty-five to get to the studios. 

“Fuck me.”

Catra mumbles to herself  as she urgently rises out of the bed she runs across the hall to the bathroom and grabs a washcloth from the linen closet. She’s quick to hop into the shower, but immediately regrets it. The water is ice cold and beating down on her like hail.

“Oh shit  !”

Climbing out of the shower quickly she slips over the bath mat and her chest lands on the sharp edge of the marble vanity right next to it.

Eyes widening Catra drops to the floor curling up in pain. 

“What did I do to deserve this?” 

She cries out as she tries not to let actual tears form in her eyes. From outside the door she can hear Melog’s familiar long drawn out meow.

“Shut the fuck up Melog.”

Another meow comes from outside and Catra slowly drags herself off the floor.

“You know you are a sassy ass black cat. What happened to the ones that mind their business?”

She grunts looking at herself in the mirror, lightly touching the now red part of her chest.

Walking back over to the shower she sticks her foot in slowly and retracts it as the water is still cold. What the fuck ? Peeking her head into the shower she looks at the knob and rolls her eyes. The knob was still turned to cold. It was no wonder it felt like she was in the arctic when she first jumped in. 

Carefully trying to avoid the cold water Catra reaches down the length of the shower and pushes the knob over to hot and sighs softly once she’s done. Going over to sit on the toilet she taps her foot impatiently waiting for it to get warmer.

God, I’m gonna look so stupid walking in there late.  

Looking at the clock on the wall she sighs loudly as it reads 12:18. When she figures the water is warm enough to get in she slides into the shower and lets out a relaxing breath as the warmth she’s been chasing this whole time finally hits her skin.

Come on there’s no time to soak in the warmth. Wash up and go . The sudden remembrance that she’s running behind hits her and she hurries to wash herself. The soap smells like lavender and eucalyptus. Gotta smell good when you constantly smell like the bar. Catra’s somewhat convinced that the smell is under her skin sometimes, because she could be miles away from the club and yet she can smell alcohol. Almost as if she bathed in it. Okay maybe not that strong, but she can always catch a hint of it.

Sliding out of shower Catra wraps a towel around her body and slaps another on top of her head. 

She rushes to run back into her room, nearly trampling over Melog in the process. Getting dressed is a struggle when your body is still technically wet. Her shirt is a unique design and go to top . So much so that she has multiple ones in the same and different colors. A shirt with one long sleeve for the left arm and short sleeve for the right and to top it all off a chest window to show off the right amount of cleavage that can still come across in a professional manner. As professional as a boob window can get that is.  

Sliding her pants on is the hardest part, skinny jeans and wet legs don’t go together very well. Jumping up and down into her jeans may look silly but she’s on a time crunch to get to the studio. She doesn’t even rush like this to get to work when she’s thirty minutes behind, so what really makes this so important. Well first of all Adora is hot and the number one rule when being horny is do not leave the hot woman waiting. A fine woman, you don’t leave waiting for more than ten minutes, and cute no more than 20. That’s just the horny thumb rules, Catra doesn’t make them she just follows them.

Second of all the sooner she gets done there the sooner she can come home and lay back down. But it’s not like she doesn’t want to be around Adora, but after such a long and stressful day at work last night she doesn’t think her social meter is very high today. She had numerous customers try to actually touch her. She can handle the flirting to an extent, but she does not do well with unwanted and unwarranted physical touch. It irritates her and makes her uncomfortable, two things that don’t mix well under her personality.

A customer was two seconds from losing their hand as they grabbed her, but it was by their luck Lonnie had diffused the situation before she could react.

She was on her way out to go take her smoke break and as she was leaving from around the bar to go out back when she felt someone grab her forearm. She knew it wasn’t Lonnie because she was still behind the bar and she sure as hell knew it wasn’t Scorpia because she works in the kitchen. When she whipped her head around to look of fucking course it was a guy she was looking at. She could barely make out what he looked like because there were so many things going through her mind.

Her vision became tunneled and all her senses became muted. All she can remember before settling back into them is that she was prepared to beat the ever loving shit out of him. But there Lonnie was, standing between them as if she were the security. Whatever she said to him was enough for him to walk away from the bar as a whole and Catra could only stare at her for the time being. There was no thanks given, but just a simple exchange of nods and she continued to go take a smoke.

Grabbing the towel that’s still atop of her head she ruffles it dry a bit and then slicks it back, right before shaking some of the hairs to fall loose. It's been an easy process ever since she cut it short. She doesn’t have to worry too much about keeping it from getting matted and tangled now. Slick and go , as she calls  it.

Looking down to her phone she reads 12:40 and curses silently. I’m going to be late as fuck. Snatching her keys off of the dresser she slips them into her pocket and throws on a pair of gym shoes before haul assing to the front door. 

“I’ll be back later Melog, don’t tear up my shit please !”

Catra yells as she slams the door behind herself and flies down the stairs. As she gets to the bottom she crashes into someone’s back and freezes for a moment.

“Wild Cat ?”

It’s Scorpia grabbing her mail from her mailbox as she does at this time just about everyday.

“Sorry, Scorp I’m running late for this meeting.”

“Meeting ? Is the school having something I missed ?”

“No, I- I don’t have to explain. Maybe later okay ?”

Catra says as she squeezes past Scorpia and she just looks at her slightly confused as she slowly closes her mailbox.

“Okay, have a good day Wild Cat.”

“Okay, yeah. Thanks Scorpia.”

Catra rushes over to her somewhat outdated Honda Civic. Getting on the highway is no problem, she’s bumping her music and speeding through the city. Brightmoon as a whole is a large city. The fact that it nearly takes an hour to get to the studios makes it obvious enough. It’s by her luck that Catra is able to speed through the city to hit the highway.

It’s when she actually gets on where the problems begin. It’s backed up and barely moving. There’s no way for her to get off now, and driving through the city is likely to take twice as long to get there.

“Are.You. Fucking.Serious ?!”

Catra slams her palms on the wheel as she comes to a stop. 

“Thank you for making me even more late than I fucking am !”

She yells to the top of her lungs not caring about the possibility of someone happening to hear, though the chance was low since her music literally rattles her car.

“Inconsiderate assholes.”

She mumbles as she turns the music down slowly. So much for the horny thumb rules.  She rolls her eyes and digs into her pocket for her phone and opens her messages.

I don’t have her number. 

“Fuuuck.”

She then opens her internet browser and searches for Grayskull Entertainment Studios. Hopefully they’ll have a phone number she can call. Once she finds the number she’s quick to dial it and put it over the car speaker.

As the phone rings she taps her thumb on the steering wheel waiting for someone to pick up. Catra moves slightly forward in the car as the traffic inches slowly.

“Hi, this is Grayskull entertainment studios, how can I help you ?”

The voice sounds like an elderly woman's voice coming over the line and Catra somewhat recognizes it, but with the long  day she had yesterday she couldn’t quite put a face to it.

“Hi, can you connect me with Adora please ?”

“Oh sure dear, I think she’s having a meeting right now, so I don’t know if she’ll answer.”

“Okay, well can you leave her a message for me then ?”

“Of course I can, I just need your name.”

“My name’s Catra. I have a meeting with her at 1:30. Could you let her know that I’m going to be late due to the heavy traffic on the highway.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure to let her know.”

“Thank you.”

Catra hangs up the phone and sighs as the traffic starts to pick up a little bit, but it’s still too slow to get to Adora on time.

While on that thought Catra rolls back in thought to showing up at the studio unannounced yesterday. How Adora had persuaded her to still give modeling a try. It was actually surprising that the models there weren’t satisfying her needs, from what she could understand. She remembers the way Adora stared at the one photo of her with wide eyes. The amount of unnerving anxiety that entered her body when she hadn’t said a word for what felt like several long minutes was massive.

‘It’s you, you’re beautiful. ’ 

The thought of that comment makes Catra’s face burn red. She really thinks I’m beautiful. She starts cheesing as she thinks about it some more. Adora, one of the hottest women she has ever laid eyes on, thinks that she’s beautiful. Catra knows she’s hot, but beautiful is different, because you don’t treat a beautiful woman the same as a hot one. Sure the words can be and are interchangeable, but Catra knows how Adora meant it. She meant like someone you cherish, someone you give your undivided attention to.

You see Adora is a please rail me kind of hot, but her personality is that of someone you sit down and have pillow talk. She seems like the type to give good advice, which also means she’s a good listener. The only off putting thing about her is the funky shoulder pads in her suit jackets. She suits those down and she’ll be  a 15/10. Right now, she’s just at a solid 10/10, which isn’t bad, but you take the jacket out of the picture and she’s automatically 10 times hotter.

Catra chuckles lightly which brings her to think of the very few laughs she’s shared with Adora. She thought that the models that were in the studio yesterday held themselves with much class. They were pretty and… That’s all Catra can think of them, they were just pretty. She didn’t bother herself to even talk with them because, one she didn’t see herself being there as long as she was and two, what the hell was she even going to say to them if she did want to speak. 

Hey y’all I was supposed to be one of the models.  

Catra laughs again as she can imagine how they would’ve probably just looked her up and down as if they were better than her, but with the way Adora wanted to throw them out and replace them she feels as though she’s now the superior one. 

‘I don’t want models. You are the real magic.’ 

That was something along the lines of what Adora said to her and it was just enough to make her feel special. It’s not like she was going to let it go to her head, but it was nice to know that someone actually wanted her in a way. Maybe not in the way that Catra would like, but it would just have to suffice. Some attention is better than none at all.

When traffic starts to pick up pace Catra feels a  bit of the tension in her shoulders release. It may not be fast enough for her to weave in and out of, but it’ll have to do for now until she can. At least now she doesn’t have to stop every two seconds.

Turning her music back up helps the time pass somehow, because shouting the lyrics to songs is somehow an automatic time skip.

“Where were you again ? Somewhere with a friend. While I was in my head, I’m lost again, again. ”

Catra loves listening to music that isn’t played on the radio. The underground songs were the real hits; the hidden gems of music. She could appreciate a couple mainstream songs, but they’re often overplayed and they lose their luster. So she just sticks in her little comfort zone when it comes to her music choice.

By the time Catra gets to the offices the time reads 2:05. Thirty-five minutes late, almost cutting close to how late she’s been in her entire life. The latest she’s ever been was exactly forty-nine minutes, that time was similar to this one, except instead of waking up late she just lost track of time. Was she on her way to her interview at the club she works at now ? Yes, but it doesn’t matter since she got the job. It actually still surprises her that they didn’t turn her away, but maybe they really needed a bartender at the moment and she just happened to stick.

Walking into the lobby is like a brisk walk but on drugs, because weaving through the large parking lot to the large glass doors beneath a ‘Grayskull Entertainment’ sign really puts a lot of stress on Catra’s shins. Upon entering the building she’s met with the fairly large waiting area; two large white leather sofas, a couple of white leather chairs and a large rounded desk where the receptionist sits.  

In the lobby, two people who are too focused on their phones to seem like they’re waiting to be helped by the receptionist sit. Walking closer to the desk illuminated by a  Grayskull Entertainment’ sign really adds to the décor. There were other things hung up on the wall like photos that Catra couldn’t really make out from the distance in which she was standing, but they looked nice even from there.

“Hi, excuse me. I called in a while ago. I have a meeting with Adora.”

Catra announces to the receptionist who she can only figure is the elderly lady she was on the phone with earlier.

“Oh, it’s you dearie. It seems like Mara’s meeting actually went over. I haven’t seen those young ladies come down just yet.”

The receptionist says as she pushes her rounded little glasses up on the bridge of her nose as she stares up at Catra.

“No no. I’m not looking for a Mara. I’m looking for Adora… Grayskull ? Perhaps she might be your boss.”

The receptionist looks back into Catra’s eyes as if she isn’t thinking about a thing. A very blank stare. A soulless blank the longer it goes on. 

“Um… Could you tell me how to get to Adora ?”

She averts her eyes and then looks back to the old lady, now feeling slightly uncomfortable as she’s still staring at her.

“Oh that’s right, you’re here to see Mara.”

“Adora.”

Catra corrects softly, not noticing how she slightly leans forward when she says it. She’s correcting as if she’s correcting her own name. As kind as possible with a little sharp edge to it.

“Adora. Mara. All these names sound the same.”

The receptionist waves Catra off on her correction and rolls her eyes as she turns to look for something.

Catra on the other hand scrunches up her eyebrows  as she looks down at her feet mouthing the two names to herself. A..dora.. Mar…a.. Those names don’t sound the same at all. Catra tries not to judge the woman in front of her because it’s very obvious she’s up in age, but not even a child learning to speak could mistake those names for one another.

“What did I do with that darn phone ?”

The elder’s eyes continue to search the very large yet cluttered desk. Hearing her speak brings Catra to look down at the desk. 

Catra is quick to find the black landline phone sitting on the desk next to  a stack of papers. Why the hell does she have so many papers ? Is she even reliable to keep up with them ? Catra finds herself wondering as she continues to struggle to lay her eyes on the very obvious phone. Clearing her throat Catra tilts her head towards the phone to try and give her  a bit of a clue of where it is.

“Hold on dear, I need to find this darn phone.”

Pursing her lips together Catra watches in pure agony as this lady's eyes miraculously just don’t seem to find the eyesore.

“Um… It’s-”

She tries again to help, but this time she’s cut off.

“Can’t you see I’m trying to find something, dear ? Just one moment before I lose my train of thought!”

She snaps as she frowns slightly, really trying to focus over the cluttered mess on her desk.

“Oh.. okay.”

Catra mumbles quietly.

“Ah ! There it is ! Silly ole’ me.”

She picks up the phone and leans in to see the numbers.

Thank you, finally.  Catra lets out a relieving sigh as she watches her push a couple of numbers and put the phone up to her ear.

After a moment or two the receptionist smacks her lips as hangs up the phone.

“Well it seems she doesn’t want to pick up the phone, but I’m sure if you go to her office she’ll more than gladly welcome you.”

Nodding her head a bit Catra’s eyes drift around for a moment and back to the receptionist.

“Would you happen to know how I can get to her office ?”

“Umm, there’s an elevator somewhere around here. Just follow the signs going that way.”

The receptionist points to the right where a large sign that says ‘Directions’ is hung up on the wall.

“Thanks.”

Catra says as she walks away and goes to read the directory. It gives directions to various places in this seemingly large building. Meeting rooms, props management, clothing management, film management, electricians, vending machines, videography management, and last but not least, photography management.

Though there’s no sign that bluntly says “Adora’s office” if she had to take a wild guess, she’d be on the photography floor. The directory says that would be the 8th floor. Good thing I’m not afraid of heights. Catra finds herself thinking as she pulls a corner to get to the elevators.

Once she’s on she feels her stomach drop. Not because the elevator is moving, no. Because it’s only now does it really hit her what she came here for. This whole modeling thing was about to be set in stone. There was no turning back once she walked through Adora’s office door. She and Adora were going to have a serious business talk and that was a little unsettling in the pit of her stomach.

Before she realizes it, Catra’s stepping out onto the 8th floor. There’s no directory here, just doors along a long corridor. This floor matches the standard of the lobby, very neat and clean. Paintings and what looks to also be achievements strung across the walls. As Catra passes by each door she realizes that each of them have a name plaque on it, which makes her search for Adora a bit easier. Turning a corner she’s met with another long corridor with the same décor of the previous. The only thing that differs here is that at the end of the hall are two large wooden doors. Something about it just screams Adora.

Walking down the hall the unnerving feeling rises from her stomach to her chest. The way her hand slightly tremors is irritating. There’s nothing to be nervous about, just go in there and handle your business. It’s not that hard.

It’s funny because as Catra walks down the stretch of the hallway it feels like the door is just getting further and further. Almost like reality is warping right around her, but that’s not possible. Of course the room is getting closer, but what takes only a matter of minutes to get there feels like an eternity. 

When Catra does finally find herself at the double doors she takes in a deep breath while closing her eyes. 

“It’s just… business.”

The last part comes out slightly disappointed as if there was something else to be expected. 

 Opening her eyes she exhales and reaches out for one of the door handles, but both doors swing open in her face. Hitting her square in the nose Catra flies back a bit holding a hand to her nose. 

“Fuck me !”

There’s no way that her nose isn’t bleeding. It’s throbbing and she’s sure she can feel it pooling in her hand.  Out the door comes two women from the day before. The models, and if Catra had to assume from the way they were cursing each other out they’re the ones Adora was talking to her about yesterday.

“Oh god, Catra are you okay ?!”

Adora calls out as she runs to her side with a handful of napkins.

“Yeah, I just didn’t realize I was walking into a wrestling match.”

She groans scrunching up her face trying to ignore the throbbing pain. When she finally sets her eyes on Adora she feels the blood rush out of her nose a bit faster than before. Somewhere in the back of her head she’s cursing herself out for being so late. 

Adora is hot. Drop your panties kind of hot. She has on a white short-sleeved muscle tank showing off those well worked arms, and those abs… It was obvious she had a six pack under it, and her hair. It was pulled back into a messy bun, an obvious change from her usual slicked back ponytail and hair poof. It was kinda fitting, though her forehead was a bit on the large side it didn’t take away from her very dashing looks.

“I’m so sorry about that. I should’ve known it was a bad idea to bring them in at the same time.”

Adora leads Catra into her office slowly and the worry in her eyes is genuine.

“It’s fine. You’ve never been elbowed by a very excited Scorpia.”

Catra chuckles lightly as she continues to hold the wads of now bloody tissue to her nose.

“Who ?”

“Oh, she’s a friend. Very buff and bubbly-”

“Bitch I will fuck you up !”

Cuts Catra off mid sentence, which reminds her of the two women at each other's necks down the hall.

“Hey, maybe you should call someone to get them.”

Catra suggests as she turns her head to look at them for a moment.

“Don’t worry about them, is there anything you need ?”

Adora shakes her head a bit as she squats down putting a hand on Catra’s knees trying to be more attentive to her needs than what’s going on down the hall.

“No, you should really call someone. Things are about to get real ugly out there.”

“They’re fine. They’ve been bitching and moaning since they got here.”

Adora says nonchalantly as she keeps her eyes on Catra, but she’s too focused on watching the models next move.

“I’m telling you they’re going to swing on each-”

A couple curses, screams, and a loud thud sound from down the hall to cut Catra off and she just purses her lips together to say ‘ I told you so’ .

“Shhhit.”

Adora stands up straight, really dragging out the ‘sh’ sound as she runs around her desk picking up the office phone and punching in numbers hard.

Catra continues to watch in somewhat dismay as the models really start to get some good hits off one another. The shorter one somehow ends up on top and begins to land punches anywhere she can. One punch to the ribcage connects so well that it makes Catra even wince.

“Security to my office immediately.”

Adora spits over the phone before slamming it back into the base and haul assing down the hall. Catra’s jaw drops, not because the fight is that entertaining to watch. No, she’s seen better bar fights than this. It’s Adora that’s got her eye.

The way her muscles flex as she fully sprints down the hallway.  The way her hair is starting to fall out of that sloppy bun. The way that her navy blue slacks hug her thighs and ass in an ungodly manner. It’s a sight to see and see she will. Catra bites her lip softly as Adora finally makes it to the models and rips the smaller one from off top of the other.

“Layla stop !”

Adora slings the model around in her arms trying to stop Layla from getting to her and unknowingly Catra rolls her eyes out of jealousy. God I wish that were me. She finds herself thinking as she leans back in the very soft and plush office chair.

Slowly a couple people peek their heads out their office doors to see what all the commotion is about. But none of them actually dare to help Adora. What a bunch of chumps. Catra scoffs as she rolls her eyes while she watches as this model kicks and thrashes around in Adora’s arms trying to get to the other.

Two security guards soon fly down the hall to Adora and one grabs up Layla who is still trying to get to the girl in Adora’s arms. While the other tries to get Adora to let go.

“ Stephanie, I’m going to let you down and you and Layla are going to go your separate ways. Okay ?”

Adora slowly starts to bring Stephanie’s feet to the ground but Catra just has to intervene.

“Don’t ! don’t do that. She's just going to swing on you all trying to get to her.”

“Okay, well you get on the main elevator with her and you go on the stairwell.”

Adora commands the guards and without any hesitation the one with Layla in hand begins to drag her away. Once she feels Layla has gotten on the elevator or at least close she hands over Stephanie like a used childhood toy and proceeds back to her office.

“How’s your nose ?”

Adora asks as she walks around her desk and grabs a couple things before slipping them into her pocket.

“It’s fine, it stopped bleeding a minute ago.”

Catra removes the tissues from her nose and sniffles a bit.

“Again, I’m really sorry about that, and I’m sorry you had to see all of that.”

“It’s not a problem really, the most entertaining part of my day so far.”

Catra laughs softly .

“Follow me, will you please.”

Adora says as she steps outside her office and Catra looks around slightly confused. Was this not where we  are going to have our meeting ?

“Oh, okay. Are we not… having a meeting ?”

She questions as she stands out in the hall waiting to follow behind her.

“No we are, but I’m quite famished so I thought we’d talk over food. If that’s alright with you, that is.”

Adora closes the doors to her office and turns to look at Catra who is trying to hide the slight blush on her face.

“No, that's fine. I didn’t get to grab anything to eat before I left anyway.”

“Great !”

Her voice is ecstatic as she leads Catra down a different hall from which she came. The building itself was already large so she wouldn’t be surprised if there were multiple ways to get around. Hell there’s a whole floor for vending machines.

Walking alongside Adora, Catra watches as she works to fix her hair that had practically fallen loose from the low messy bun at the back of her head. Her eyes drift to her hands as they flex the stretching of the hair tie out to slip her hair through.

God, you could stretch me out like that anytime. Catra bites her lips as she continues to watch as Adora puts her hair back into a somewhat neater bun than before.

“So, may I ask how you knew about it ?”

Adora asks as she slick some stray hairs back and turns to Catra.

“About ?”

She tilts her head biting back a blush.

“The fight. They’d been making petty threats all day but I didn’t think they had the guts to actually fight it out.”

“Bartender, remember ?”

“Ah, right. That makes sense now.”

“Oh yeah, I’ve seen some pretty nasty fights. I remember one time a guy pulled a classic movie move and broke a glass on the counter. That was a pain in the ass to clean up afterward.”

Catra laughs through the recollection but Adora doesn’t seem to follow and she slowly stops and clears her throat. 

“Um yeah, but the signs were there. As soon as I heard ‘I’ll fuck you up’ I knew it was over with.”

She follows Adora onto an elevator in an area she doesn’t recognize. It’s obvious to her that this isn’t the elevator that she took to get there.

“A keen eye for detail I see.”

Adora smiles as she presses the ‘L’ button to get to the lobby.

“So I’ve been told, but I’m sure you have a better eye than I do. Being a billionaire and all. That’s what got you here anyways.”

Catra looks around the elevator, even now it looks well thought out. Very spacious wooden walls, dim lights, and practically a mirror for a ceiling.

“You’d be surprised. I’ve met a plenty of people who have a much better eye than I.”

Adora comments as she rocks back and forth on her heels as she sticks her hands in her pockets.

“Don’t see them in your position though.”

Catra returns as she shrugs as she looks away from her.

“Well, I thank you for the praise, but those same people are the ones that humble me.”

Adora laughs as she smiles and the elevator dings cheerfully. Waving her hand out she allows Catra to exit first and follows after, only to walk ahead to lead them to the lobby.

“Going out to lunch Mara dearie ?”

The old lady receptionist asks as she hops up from her little chair.

“Yes, Razz. I’ll be back soon. Make sure you grab something cold to drink. It’s quite hot outside, okay ?”

Adora responds with a light tone and smile. 

“Oh dear you worry too much about madame Razz. I will be just fine.”

She waves Adora off like her words were just child’s play. But she was right, the heat was like a demon from hell came up and blew his breath.

“Okay Razz, if you say so.”

Adora laughs as  she pushes the glass door open for Catra to walk outside. Following behind her she looks down at her and she’s staring back at her as if she’s done something wrong.

“What ?”

She asks as she furrows her brows.

“So what, is Adora like your famous person alias or something ?”

Catra asks as she shrugs and shakes her head very confused. 

“I’m sorry ?”

Adora questions as she’s now confused.

“Well that lady, Razz ? That’s what you called her. She’s always calling you Mara and you responded to it. So, is Adora a fake name or something ? Because I read up on you and I don’t recall it saying that was your name unless that’s like your middle name or something-”

Catra starts and starts to ramble a bit and Adora laughs.

“Okay. I can see how that may seem like the case.”

She continues to laugh and whilst doing so guiding Catra through the parking lot.

“No uh, Mara’s my mom. Razz is essentially like my grandmother, she’s gotten our names confused for as long as I can remember.”

Adora’s laugh is watered down to a soft smile. 

“So what she calls you your mom. And your mom Adora ?”

Catra asks as her eyes search the ground for a moment before they turn back over to Adora.

“Yeah. Yeah, that was kinda like our little inside joke.”

The word ‘ was’ catches Catra off guard and she squints her eyes slightly as she tries to read Adora’s expression, but it’s not giving much. She doesn’t know her well enough to try and analyze her off such. Why use past tense if Razz still calls her by her mother’s name?

“Was?”

She’s too curious to not ask, but the nervous tell-tale Adora does is rubbing the corner of her mouth gives indication that what comes out her mouth next may not be the nicest.

“Yeah, umm… My mom- she-”

Adora clears her throat as blinks a couple times and now Catra’s really hooked on what the answer is.

“She’s not with-”

Oh, OH ! 

“Oh my god, you uh- you don’t need to finish that sentence. I-I thought you were leading to something else. I didn’t mean to make you… emotional. ”

She panics, because she’s not really the talk your feelings out kind of person and she sure as hell doesn’t want to seem like an ass if she starts crying and she doesn’t comfort her in a normal way.

“No, it’s fine. It’s always something that uh, just gets me. Ya’ know?”

Adora fixes her fluctuating tone and clears her throat putting on that more happy-go-lucky tone.

“Yeah, of course. I didn’t mean to make you go down memory lane.”

Catra actually has no clue what it’s like to lose someone that close. She didn’t quite have the luxury of a mother of her own either though. It was as motherly as it could get in an orphanage with twelve other kids who also needed to be tended to. So, she tried not to want much, but when she did want something there was no doubt she was going to get it. Even if that may have meant getting into a little bit of trouble here and there. 

A few whooping's as a kid never hurt. Except they did. They were always such extreme beatings that always left quite a few bruises, and they were never light ones at that. Now that Catra really thinks about it she’s sure back fisting nine-year old's in the mouth is illegal. It’s a wonder she still has teeth actually.

“Wait a minute.”

Adora’s voice jolts her back to the present moment and her eyes find her blue ones practically asking the question “yeah what is it ?”

“Did you say you looked me up ?”

She continues actually laughing this time and not one that sounds like it’s going to be followed by a sob story.

“Uh yeah.”

Catra purses her lips as if it were a totally normal thing to do.

“Why ?”

Adora continues to laugh as she stops walking, now leaning on a car that Catra can only assume is hers.

“I had to make sure you weren’t some serial killer that was going to chop up my body and leave it in the woods if I declined your offer.”

She rambles off again, shrugging her shoulders like it’s normal.

“I- what ? What serial killer would go out of their way to do all of that ? A killer just kills, no remorse.”

“Tsk tsk. Everyone knows that a serial killer will have a connection to their victim prior to killing them. Whether big or small it doesn’t matter.”

Catra wags her finger as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“I see someone is either A. into psychology. Or B. into detective shows.”

Adora notes as she points to her.

“You had me at B. Psych sounds boring as hell.”

Catra rolls her eyes at the idea.

“Hah, well that takes that off the list.”

She snaps her finger a bit and sucks her teeth while her eyes drift upward thinking for a moment.

“What list ?”

Catra questions as now she’s curious to what Adora could have possibly made a list of.

“Oh well.”

She shrugs completely ignoring Catra’s question as she leans over and tugs on the handle to the car door and it seems to unlock.

“Ah, so this is your car.”

“Of course it is. Why else would I be leaning on it ?”

“Well saying that we’ve been standing here for a little minute I was starting to think you just wanted to impress me or something.”

Adora laughs loudly til she turns beat red.

“That’s hilarious. I’m not really the type to try and impress. Not on purpose anyways.”

“Well it was that and I also didn’t take you for a sports car kind of gal.”

Catra explains as she shrugs her shoulders a bit.

“You know, you’re not the first to tell me that.”

She smiles as she pulls the door open and waves Catra to climb inside.

“O-oh. You want me to ride with you.”

Her eyes widen a bit as they search the crimson interior. It’s beautiful and actually her favorite shade of red at that.

“I mean yeah. We’re going to the café and it’s really not that far, but I thought maybe you’d just like to save your gas. But you totally don’t have to ride me- I mean ride with me if you’re not comfortable with it.”

Catra thought she was a rambler when things got awkward, but Adora has her beat by a long shot. The way her eyes drift off to the side and her face turns cherry red as she speaks with a nervous chuckle in the back of her throat is definitely unbeatable.

“No, it’s fine. I just- I don’t know what I thought, actually. But um… I- thank you. Thank you.”

She’s quick to climb into the car and feel the leather. It had that even amount of smooth and rough to it. The car smelled like vanilla, which is probably why Adora always smelled like it. Not that Catra’s purposely gotten that close just to smell her or anything. That would be weird.

When Adora closes the car door and walks around to the other side Catra lets out a sharp exhale to recover from the weird encounter. It’s okay, we’re just riding to the cafeteria. It doesn’t mean a damn thing. When Adora finally does get in the car Catra puts on a sly smirk and turns to her.

“You know I actually took you for a Jeep Wrangler kind person.”

“I-... That’s oddly specific.”

She comments as she turns the car and air condition on.

Yeah, that’s because it’s like every masc lesbians dream car. Catra thinks to herself as the sly smirk remains. Was she giving her a ‘Are you gay assessment’ without her even knowing? A little bit.

“However, I was thinking about getting one.”

Adora shrugs and tilts her head a bit as she pulls out of her parking space.

“I fucking knew it !”

Catra announces ecstatically as she begins to cackle and Adora laughs along for a moment.

Once they’ve both settled their laughter down Adora looks over to Catra a few times. It was obvious she was looking, but it was also obvious she was trying to keep her eyes on the road.

“Hey, if you don’t mind…”

Adora starts and lets it hang for a moment until she sees Catra turn her head to her out of her peripherals.

“After we eat and talk over a few things… How about I give you a proper tour of this place.”

She continues as she turns her eyes over to her for a split second.

“Yeah sure, it’s only so much I can see over google images anyway.”

Catra says as she looks out of the window for a moment.

“Ugh no, the images aren’t shit. I’ve seen them. No, they don’t elicit the same reaction as in person. They-they don’t bring out the real magic that’s here.”

Catra smiles as she watches Adora try to find the words to explain it. It’s somewhat adorable to see her so passionate about this place. Of course she’d be passionate about it. She probably put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it. To get to where she is.

“Well now I’m dying to go on this ‘proper’ tour with you.”

Catra chuckles as she looks out the window, figuring that they aren’t passing anything too significant since Adora hasn’t explained the area. 

As the car stops she looks out the windshield to be met with a large white building with glass doors as the entrance. Above the door is a gold sign that says ‘Café’. Now that she thinks about it all of the buildings have this simple build. White building, glass doors, and a gold sign. Simple is better I guess. Catra shrugs slightly as she unbuckles her seatbelt.

“I guess this could count as the start of our tour, hm ?”

Adora says as she climbs out the car and runs around to the passengers side to let Catra out.

“I don’t see why not.”

She responds as she gets out of the car.

“Well, obviously this is the cafeteria. I decided to get it built because well when you direct movies you must take care of the actors. So, instead of them going all far and wide to get food, why not just have it right here?”

Adora explains as she rushes forward to open the door for Catra once again.

“How very thoughtful of you.”

Catra’s eyes immediately scan the place, she immediately takes notice to closed off rooms upstairs, something she can’t say she’s seen before. The walls are white and the decor is gold, classic colors at the point . However, the floor is dark gray wood planks. So she does believe in using different colors. She smirks to herself as she follows behind Adora. The place is set up buffet style, you just grab what you want and go.

“And the cool thing is all you need is a little card to scan and you have access to all the food you want here.”

Adora adds cheerfully as she hands Catra a plate and takes one for herself.

“Reminds me of the dining hall at school. Minus whatever is going on upstairs.”

Her eyes drift back to the top floor and back to the line she’s in to inspect which foods she’d like.

“Oh yeah, I had those implanted for privacy, so that people could eat in peace or handle business while on their lunch break if need be.”

She says as she loads up her plate with a lot of protein and the smallest salad Catra’s ever seen.

“Not a friend of veggies are we ?”

She comments snarkily.

“It’s not that, I just don’t like different foods touching each other, and my hands are kinda full holding this key card and silverware.”

“Oh, I can grab you another plate if you want.”

Catra offers as she turns to grab another plate.

“No, it's fine. If I really want it I’ll just come back myself.”

She says as she tries to wave her off but nearly drops her plate instead.

Catra just nods and loads her plate with an even amount of meat and vegetables before following behind Adora to a counter.

“Ah, so you’ve come to stay this time Ms. Grayskull.”

The café worker says with glee and then looks to Catra with a questioning look.

“Don’t worry she’s with me, just put it on my card, but yes I have finally come to have lunch.”

Adora says as she looks back at Catra and swipes her card with a small smile.

“Alrighty now, you all enjoy your meal.”

The worker says as she sways her arm for them to move along.

“Thank you.”

Catra whispers softly and follows Adora upstairs.

Opening a glass sliding door, Adora allows Catra to walk inside first. It almost reassembled the V.I.P section of the club she works at. Curtain against at the entrance, plush leather couches, dimmed lights, a nice marble top rectangular table.  Catra nods slightly as she looks around and turns back to Adora.

“So, it’s obvious you have a thing for glass doors and the color pattern white and gold.”

She comments as she walks to the table and sets her plate down.

“Ha, was it that obvious ?”

She asks in return as she slides the door shut. 

“How could it not be? It’s one of the most noticeable and blinding colors.”

She chuckles as she takes her seat.

“What is ?”

Adora questions as she walks around to the sofa against the wall and sets her plate down so she can squeeze between the slim space.

“White, obviously.”

“Blinding, yes, most noticeable, not exactly. Most noticeable color.”

She grunts slightly as she takes her seat and leans across the table making eye contact with Catra.

“Is green.”

She finishes with a smile and leans back, taking her silverware to her plate and cutting her meat into small portions.

“Hm, so you say.”

Catra rolls her eyes as she begins to cut up her food as well.

“Would you like to debate ?”

Adora asks as she raises an eyebrow before taking a bite of her steak that looks unreasonably juicy.

“No no, I’d never challenge such a creative mind.”

She bows her head sarcastically before laughing and taking a bite out of one of the few chicken tenders she loaded up on her plate.

“Very funny.”

She chuckles as she takes another bit of food and then picks up a napkin and clears her throat.

“Just for clarification. You work and you attend the University of Brightmoon, correct ?”

Adora adds after a beat and then picks her fork back up to continue enjoying her meal.

Covering her mouth with her napkin Catra nods a couple times before actually speaking.

“Yeah, that bout sums it up.”

“I can only imagine how busy you are. With that in mind do those two ever clash with each other?”

Adora adds as she searches Catra’s eyes for a moment.

“Actually, I have my schedule balanced perfectly.”

“Oh, that’s perfect. Would you mind walking me through what exactly your schedule looks like ?”

“Well since I work late at night I set my classes to mid morning slash early afternoon. My classes only run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And then I work Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Every now and then I’ll pick up some O.T., but trust me I do not do it often.”

She rolls her eyes a couple times as she breaks down practically her whole week very simply, alongside with a couple hand flicks.

“Haha, wow. You really are a busy woman. Busier than me I dare say.”

“Well, college and rent won’t pay for themselves.”

Catra shrugs as she takes a couple more bites of her food.

“Okay, I can’t hold it back anymore.”

Adora sighs as she drops her fork and leans toward Catra slightly.

“I’ve been trying to figure it out ever since you mentioned you go to school.”

She continues to look at her and Catra freezes slowly as she tries not to avert eye contact but the suspense makes it hard not to.

“What is it you’re going to school for ?”

Adora finally blurts out and now she’s staring intensely waiting for a response.

“Ha- are you serious ? That’s all you wanted to know ?”

Catra cackles loudly, nearly falling off of the backless sofa she was sitting on.

“Well yeah, you don’t really make it easy to tell.”

“Well, if you really must know. I want to be a tattoo artist.”

She says after her laughter has calmed.

“Really ?”

Adora sounds surprised and pulls away from Catra to somewhat examine her.

“Yep.”

“Well I guess that explains why you wanted to debate about the most noticeable color.”

“I- excuse you. I never said I wanted to debate. You asked if I wanted to and I said no.”

“Ehhh- sounds like the same thing to me.”

Adora shrugs as she leans back against her sofa with a grin.

“Oh whatever.”

“You have any tats ?”

She asks as she searches Catra’s exposed skin to see what she can see. 

“I wouldn’t trust a tattoo artist if they didn’t.”

She says as she rolls up her sleeve to expose a very large animal looking portrait on her bicep.

Catra looks down at her arm, up to Adora, and back to her arm and frowns a bit.

“Why are you looking at it like that?”

She asks, feeling somewhat small under her eyes.

“It’s nothing, I'm just trying to understand what it means.”

She says as she tilts her head slightly trying to analyze it better.

“It’s just my cat, Melog.”

“I’m sorry, what ?!”

Adora’s eyes bulge out as her they meet Catra’s nonchalant ones.

“It’s my cat. What do you have something to say about my cat ? What’s wrong with him, Adora ?”

Catra’s tone becomes offensive as she rolls her sleeve back down and crosses her arms over her chest.

“I- n-no. I mean, nothing’s wrong. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just- wow- I mean your cat just looks very large.”

“You’re saying my cat looks fat ? You don’t see me saying anything about your forehead, but you want to call my cat big ? How very mature of you.”

Catra rolls her eyes as she scoffs.

“No ! No ! I didn’t mean it like that. I meant like he could probably be the size of a lion in person.”

Adora panics as she puts both of her hands up defensively.

“Panther.”

Catra corrects still holding the same offended tone.

“Panther, yes.”

Adora’s frantic tone begins to fluctuate and Catra’s lip quivers for a moment.

“Are you oka-”

Adora tries to ask but Catra bursts out into laughter to the point of tears.

“I-... Did I miss something ?”

Adora looks around for a moment before looking at Catra who is still going.

“Oooh- you. You are so gullible, you know that ?”

Catra sighs as she holds her stomach while wiping a tear from her eye.

“I- you sure acting isn’t your major ?”

Adora blushes, shaking her head.

“Oh, maybe I should’ve considered that, because you should have seen the look on your face. Eyes all wide, face turning red, it was perfect.”

“Why thank you for giving me such imagery of my reaction.”

Adora purses her lips together for a moment.

“Oh come on, don’t be a stick in the mud now, you know it was funny.”

“Okay, it was a little funny. Just not the part about my forehead.”

She says as she covers it a bit and looks off to the side.

“Alright, no forehead jokes… for now.”

Catra cheeses as she goes back to eating.

“What made you get that tattoo anyways ?”

Adora asks as she too returns to eating.

“Well, there was this assignment to draw our pets as aliens. So I imagined my cat Melog as an alien space panther.”

“Wow you have quite the talent.”

She nods in response before taking a last bite of steak.

“Why thank you.”

“You think you could draw me ? I would do it myself, but I can barely draw a stick figure.”

Adora shrugs as she sets her fork down on her plate.

“You are literally an artist's worst nightmare.”

Catra’s voice is backed by irritation and an eye roll.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I couldn’t ask you for your services free of charge.”

“You wouldn’t get very far if you did.”

Catra chuckles as she too finishes up her food.

“Oh, which brings me back to our original topic. You will of course be paid for your services here.”

“That’s great to know. I’d hate to be some sort of freebie.”

“I’m offended that you think I’d do such a thing.”

Adora gasps as she brings her hand to her chest and Catra chuckles slightly.

“As I was saying, before someone offended me. Beginning and experienced models are typically paid $125 to $175 per hour. However, I am willing to pay you $200 per hour and that’s typically for just the photoshoot itself. But I want you to become acquainted with being in front of the camera, so if you meet me a couple times a week I’ll pay for your time then too.”

Catra blinks a couple times and her eyes fall onto the table trying to process everything that’s been said. It sounds like a wondrous deal, but it feels like it’s too much.

“I- I-. Look this is a beautiful offer and I really appreciate it, but I can’t wrap my head around why you’d bump up the pay. I’m not some super experienced model, hell I’m not even a beginner. I- I’m just me.”

“An extra $25 dollars isn’t going to hurt the company’s pockets and it surely isn’t going to hurt mine.”

“I’m not worried you’re going to go bankrupt, but you still have to go out of your way to practically train me, and quite honestly you don’t have to go out of your way to pay me extra.”

“Truly, I’m not as busy as you may think. I put myself into work. If I were this super busy person all the time I don’t think I would’ve brought you out here, and surely don’t think I would’ve offered a tour afterwards. Now would I ?”

Adora says as she extends her hand across the table to Catra and her eyes are soft and almost sympathetic like.

“I understand that, but you don’t have to treat me like some extraordinary person. I don’t think that’s fair. To get something just handed to me like that.”

Catra’s eyes avert Adora’s as she pulls her hand back.

“Very well then. How about we reach middle ground. $150.”

Adora offers as she folds her hands closer to her body.

“Per hour ? That still sounds like a lot for just an average person.”

She says as she looks up to Adora who now has this very serious darkness behind her eyes that’s unwavering.

“But, I’m getting the feeling that you won’t negotiate any lower.”

Catra continues as she eyes her up and down.

“So $150 it is !”

Adora’s face breaks from that serious one to that bright smile that Catra’s use to and she smiles back as well.

“I just need your phone number so I can send over this document after I edit a couple things to it.”

She continues as she whips out her phone and gets to tapping very fast.

“Oh yeah, sure.”

Catra says as she holds out her hand to receive Adora’s phone.  Once she receives it she puts her contact information in and hands it back. 

“Why thank you. I’ll get that sent to you later on. Just sign it virtually and everything will be all set.”

Adora smiles as she slips her phone in her pants pocket and picks over the rest of her food.

“Sounds perfect.” 

She watches as Adora practically plays with her food and then looks to her own plate.

“It sounds like we’ve handled our business here. So how about that tour you were talking about?”

“I’d love to. I’ll take your plate down to the dishwasher if you’re done.”

Adora offers as she’s quick to her feet.

“Thank you.”

Handing over her plate Catra’s a bit slow to get to feet as opposed to Adora who’s already halfway out the room.

She watches as she moves about the building. So fast, so eager. It was quite adorable actually. It was like telling a kid they were going to the candy store. Moving as fast as possible to see what selection would be available to them.

Not only was Adora excited to take Catra on the tour, but she was very thorough in her explanations as well. There were four studios, all assigned a letter of the alphabet ‘A’ through ‘D’. Sets could be built within them hence their very large space. The fact that a whole movie could be shot out of one of those places was actually intriguing to Catra. There was magic being made in just these couple acres of land. Okay, it’s actually 19 acres of land, but that wasn’t the point. 

The fact that Adora had all this control and actually cared about every part of it was admirable. No wonder people like her so much, she’s not one of the rich snobs, she actually cares about every aspect there is to this stuff. Catra finds herself thinking as she looks outside the window and squints slightly.

“Damn that looks really familiar.”

She says in thought as she stares at the building. It’s a tall castle and pretty hard to miss if you ask her.

“It's the castle from the movie ‘Princess’ Rebel’. If that rings any bells.”

Adora comments as she drives off road to get closer to the building.

“The one movie where that asshole of a tyrant tries to take over all the kingdom’s ?!”

Catra whips her head around to Adora and then back to the castle and it starts to click in the back of her mind.

“Yep, that’s the one.”

Adora beams as she looks out the windshield to try and look up at the top of the castle.

“I fucking hated that emperor, but I must admit he was a well written villain. A villain I love to hate.”

She says, shaking her head and crossing her arms.

“Glad to know he was portrayed correctly. Would you like to take a walk inside ?”

“Wait, this isn’t just for show ? There’s actually an inside to this place

Catra’s jaw drops as she watches Adora turn the car off.

“Of course, all of the built houses and buildings have something you can walk into. Just never a upstairs, because people always have this idea for super tall buildings, and let me tell you, it’s not fun to haul equipment up and down.”

She sighs dramatically and gets out of the car, walking around to Catra’s side to let her out.

“Well the fact that the castle isn’t complete CGI is enough for me.”

Catra gasps slightly as she steps out the car and cranes her neck upward to see the top.

“I bet that would’ve been a beautiful view. Look out across the land.”

She continues as she walks a bit closer craning her neck even more.

“Yeah, it’s something about watching over all of it is so powerful like. Fun fact, that’s why my office is on the top floor.”

Adora nudges followed by laughter and a smile.

“See, you get it.”

She smirks and begins to walk next to Adora as she approaches the side of the castle. It wasn’t like the ordinary boring stone castles everyone was used to when it came to medieval times. No this castle, much like the others in the movie, was much more lively, bringing the fantasy feel to life.

Walking the trail to enter is fun but Catra’s pretty sure Adora could’ve driven her car up here, it wasn’t like there was some drawbridge that needed to be let down. But maybe it was supposed to be some sort of bonding moment. To get more comfortable in each other’s presence, but now that she thinks about it she hasn’t felt out of place with her this whole time. Sure she was a bit nervous at first, but to be quite honest she had forgotten about it. Adora’s nice, funny, hot, charming, a good business woman. Damn she’s a whole package.  

“Welcome to, Brightmoon.”

Adora says trying to put on her best medieval accent and Catra snorts slightly.

“How long have you been working on that ?”

“Can you tell I don’t give tours that often ?”

She laughs in response as they begin to walk through the very open courtyard. The walls favor a pastel pinkish purple with accents of blue . Lively colors indeed, but can easily be made eerie as shown in the movie.

“Sounds like you could use a little touch up to your accent.”

Catra replies as her eyes dart around for a moment, really catching the moment she’s in.

“You know, even though these bright colors aren’t my favorite it’s still aesthetically pleasing to look at. You really outdid yourself didn’t you ?”

She continues to ask as she walks forward . The halls are empty of course but it doesn’t hurt to imagine what it would be like ruling an entire kingdom. It’s more so the power that sounds thrilling. Having everyone at your command ? Who wouldn’t think that’s cool?

“Oh not really, it was just my job to see that the thing was built. Glimmer however gave a couple of ideas to the interior designers. It seemed like they got along just fine.”

Adora says looking around at the walls as if it too could’ve been her first time inside these walls.

“So what, Sparkles is some kind of designer?”

“Yeah, something like that. She and Bow are in charge of wardrobe, and they are very precise about every little detail. That leans more towards Glimmer, but Bow isn’t too far behind.”

“That explains her wicked sense of fashion.”

Catra nods with a bit of impressiveness behind her words.

“Oh, come this way, it’s the dining hall and war room.”

Adora waves Catra through the courtyard and long corridors. Everything about this place was large. Large corridors, large doors to walk through, large long tables and chairs. The place really was outdone for a movie set. If Catra hadn’t known any better she would’ve been convinced that this was an actual place where someone once lived. 

The dining hall looked quite astonishing, there were still pictures from the movie hanging on the walls. Which was quite surprising to Catra, she would’ve thought someone would have wanted them as a keepsake.

“So, everything that’s still in here, the chairs, tables, painting, cups. All of this is the original stuff from the movie ?”

Catra asks as her eyes dart around to everything she named.

“Yep. Keep everything up to par. It'll start to gather some value.”

“That’s a bit surprising.”

“Why’s that ?”

“Well I’ve heard of actors taking things from sets as memorabilia.”

“Oh, they might’ve taken something from the other sets because nothing here is missing.”

“Even the queen’s crown ?”

“I- um… Okay so there’s like one thing missing.”

Adora chuckles lightly as she scratches the back of her head.

“Uh huh.”

“How about we go check out the throne room ?”

Adora says as she pushes a large door open so that they are met with another one of the very large and spacious corridors.

“I’d love to.”

Catra puts a bit of pep in her step, because if the throne is anything like the movie she has to sit on it. Large and looks like it could be floating ? What other way to feel like an absolute god ?

When they make it there everything looks exactly as she imagined, a long walk way and those pristine steps up to the throne. It actually now makes Catra wonder if she can approach it, because the steps look as though they too are floating. One misstep and who knows what will actually happen.

“You can go up there. I promise all of it will support your weight.”

Adora must notice the hesitation in Catra’s body language because her tone and eyes are the most reassuring thing she’s ever experienced.

Turning around to her Catra’s eyes widen slightly before turning back to the stairs that ascend to the throne itself. The walk feels majestic and powerful. It feels like it was her own crowning day, taking her rightful place on the throne. She could hear the dramatic music now, it’s suspenseful yet joyous. It reaches an all time crescendo as her foot touches the last step and turns around to face Adora. 

Taking her seat upon the throne Catra crosses one leg over the other and smirks slightly. The amount of power this throne holds is amazing, sure if it wasn’t for Catra’s imagination she’d just say she’s sitting on a big chair that took a few steps to get to. But this is different. Hearing that imaginary music in the back of her head as she took her place really set up the ambience.

“It’s very fitting M’Lady.”

Adora tries again for her medieval accent and this time it was actually pretty convincing. She also slowly bows as she speaks and Catra laughs softly as she leans back into the throne.

“Honey, you should see me in a crown.”

She responds cockily and watches as Adora perks up with a quizzical brow.

“Song reference ?”

Adora asks as she stands up straight drawing her head back slightly.

“Sherlock reference, but glad to know that someone has a diverse music taste.”

“Diversity comes with the job My Liege.”

Adora bows again as she puts on her accent once more, but this time it falls short from the last attempt. Catra snorts slightly as she leans forward scanning the room. 

“I know I keep saying it, but it really is cool how you had this whole place built… Well except for upstairs, but you catch my drift.”

Catra shrugs slightly.

“Heyy.. It would’ve been a hell of a walk to get up all those stairs with equipment. If it wouldn’t have been such a hassle getting stuff up there trust me you’d be able to go all the way to the top.”

Adora drawls as she crosses her arms over her chest defensively.

“Riiight, you keep telling yourself that.”

“Okay, maybe I would’ve gotten a little lazy after a while, but you can’t tell me you wouldn’t either. Look at how tall this place is !”

Adora’s quick to unfold her arms to become a lot more expressive and Catra can’t do much but laugh at it. 

“Orrr.”

She draws out before continuing.

“You could’ve had an elevator off to the side somewhere.”

Catra tilts her head because that seems like the most obvious option if it were such a hassle to get things up a couple flights of stairs.

“I- No-... Wait… why didn’t I think of that ?”

Adora questions as she puts a fist to her chin in thought.

“I guess all that money doesn’t give you all the wits, huh?”

Catra taps her temple with a rewarding smirk on her face as she begins to stand up.

“I might have to add you to the team, you have quite the eye for detail.”

Adora chirps with a smirk of her own.

“Nope, not my kind of art. I leave all this technical stuff to you.”

She responds by taking a big stretch before descending the stairs.

“Hey, it was worth a shot.”

Adora says as she begins to make her way up the stairs to meet Catra halfway.

“Careful, the stairs get sleek on the way…”

She continues as she holds a hand out, continuing to try and meet her at a midpoint, but it’s by Catra’s luck that she slips. To be honest she doesn’t even know how she slipped, but all she does know is that she’s falling and she’s falling fast. 

Flailing her arms and cursing don’t help her from falling, it just makes her more frantic. However instead of her crashing and rolling down pretty much a flight of stairs she feels very strong yet gentle arms wrap around her. Looking up she’s met with Adora’s crystal blue eyes that she’s never seen hold so much concern. She’s holding me… in her arms… Catra can feel herself about to burst into a blood vessel the longer she stays in her embrace.

“Oh.. um.. I’m sorry. I should’ve warned you about the steps on the way down.”

Adora’s quick Catra to stand upright and turn her head away quickly.

“No, thank you.”

Catra tries to wipe the smile on her face away but it’s persistent and just won’t fade. Even as she tries to think of something totally not related to Adora she feels a grin creep back onto her face. 

Get it together Catra, now is not the time to start fantasizing. Taking in a deep breath she closes her eyes and the grin slowly fades as if nothing ever happened. When she opens her eyes however she finds Adora holding out her hand.

“What ?”

She questions looking from her hand to her face.

“I’ll walk you down the rest of the way. That way you won’t slip again.”

Adora offers her hand some more, almost suggesting that it would be in Catra’s favor to do so.

“Oh, thank you.”

Slowly Catra puts her hand in Adora’s and she tries to make a conscious effort not to think about it, but her mind is always moving a thousand miles a minute. Her hands are a lot larger than mine, and her skin is smooth like a baby. 

Unintentionally Catra squeezes her hand. The softness to her hands reminded her of the hands of a massage therapist, so gentle, but still firm in what they’re doing. She didn’t notice until now the sterling silver ring on her middle finger . It screams “GAAY”, so she turns her hand over a bit to see these faded colors. They look familiar but it’s not coming to her at the moment. 

Wait. Wait. WAIT! 

“You’re a lesbian!”

Catra doesn’t even realize she’s speaking out loud and by the time she does it’s too late to take it back. 

“Wait… I didn’t mean to say that… I was talking to myself.”

Catra says frantically and Adora is just kindly smiling at her.

“Well you’re not wrong.”

She chuckles slightly as she opens up her hand from Catra’s looking at the faded colors on her ring. 

“Oh, um… Same.”

Catra’s voice falters in confidence and she clears her throat a little bit. 

“Really ?”

Adora’s face lights up as she asks the questions.

“Yeah… I know you didn’t think I was straight.”

Catra takes an offended tone as they continue walking towards the exit.

“Well I couldn’t really tell and I didn’t want to assume, but I was getting a slight idea that you weren’t but I don’t know.”

Adora takes the defensive tone trying to justify her thoughts.

“Damn, I guess I have to make it more obvious now.”

Catra says as she crosses her arms over her chest in thought.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you mad.”

Adora’s voice is more apologetic than Catra thinks it should be.

“I’m just messing with you dummy… Kinda.”

She teases as she nudges her side.

“Oh.”

She laughs hastily and pushes the door open allowing Catra to walk out first. 

“No but I was slightly offended that you may have thought I was straight.”

“I did it for safety measures. I just said you were. I didn’t fully believe it though.” 

Adora shrugs slightly a bit and smiles as she continues behind Catra leading her back to the car.

“I don’t know if I can believe you on that one.”

She jokes as she looks up to the now dying day sky. How the orange starts to crash with what’s now becoming dark blue, in the middle a beautiful pastel purple. It’s sunset already ? Catra hadn’t even realized how much time she had actually spent with Adora. 

All that worry she had about being nervous and how this would’ve all turned out seemed to be nothing more than a mere fear. Everything was actually a lot more comfortable than she had imagined. They shared more laughs than she thought they ever would. It just goes to show that Adora really isn’t like the rich assholes from work; not that she ever thought that, but it’s good to know that she doesn’t even come close.

“Well, that concludes the tour of Grayskull Entertainment studios, thank you for taking time out of your day to see it”

Adora opens the passenger door allowing Catra to get in the car.

“No, thank you for allowing me to see it. It’s really really beautiful and I bet you’re proud to see your hard work come to life like this.”

She says looking up to her as she slides into the passenger’s seat of the car allowing herself to find comfort in the vanilla smelling, crimson colored seat.

“I am, really I am, but sometimes it still feels like I’m dreaming y’know ?”

She shrugs as she shuts the car door walking around to the drivers side and sliding herself in. She didn’t seem to savor the feeling of the leather underneath her or the smell of the car like Catra did. But it made sense, she drove the luxurious car every day that she felt like going out. 

“No, I actually don’t know if I follow what you mean.”

Catra furrows her brows and turns her head back to the castle, imagining how she would feel if she ran this whole thing. I’d definitely believe that this is real. I can’t imagine how hard she busted her ass to get to this point and she’s only, what 24 ? It’s a lot of success in not a lot of time.

“I mean, this wasn’t how it was supposed to go really. I mean not to get sentimental on you or anything, but my mom was supposed to see all of this happen. I didn’t think I could make this happen without her, but with Glimmer and Bow by my side I still somehow managed to do it.”

All Adora can do while she talks is drive, but it’s obvious she wants to be more expressive, she talks with her hands. Catra can tell with the amount of shoulder and head movement she’s doing while she speaks.

“None of it is in vain, your mother is a part of you. Plus, with the little time I’ve known you I can’t imagine you giving up.”

Catra tries her best to comfort Adora without making it awkward, because she can’t say she’s experienced the same fate of life. She cries at night for many other reasons that she consciously tries to keep at bay for the sake of her sanity.

“Ha, what do you mean by that ?”

Adora laughs heartily as she drives back to what must be the offices because they pass everything they’ve toured already.

“Well, you don’t exactly take no for an answer. You’re kinda stubborn.”

Catra shrugs nonchalantly.

“Stubborn ~”

She draws in response, turning her head looking at Catra with a shocked expression.

“You can look at the road. I’m not gonna take it back. But if you want, I’ll give you a better word for it. You’re determined to get what you want, that’s one thing I really like about you.”

“Well, I guess I can agree with that.”

Adora laughs with a shrug before turning a corner and pulling up into the parking lot.

“That’s because you know I’m right.”

She sits up in her seat and unbuckles herself preparing to get out of the car.

“Um, hey Catra ? Thanks.”

“For ? I was just telling the truth.”

“Yeah well, it was kinda grounding. So, thanks for that.”

Adora unlocks the car doors but doesn’t turn the car off, giving Catra the notion that she’s dropping her off so she can go off to do something else.

“Oh, well you’re welcome, and thanks for the tour and lift. I really appreciate it.”

Catra opens the car door and quickly slides out of the car and turns to find  her own.

“You’re welcome, and welcome to a Grayskull project. I’m really happy you’re here.”

Adora leans toward Catra as best she can with a big bright smile that could take the sun out of business. 

“You make me happy to be here.”

Catra returns the smile and shuts the car door before sliding into her own car. Simple black leather seating that burned at her skin from sitting in direct sunlight for too long. Adora honks her horn as lightly as she can and waves Catra goodbye. Grinning brightly Catra waves back and watches as Adora’s car fades into the distance. 

Taking in a deep relaxing breath she closes her eyes and grips the steering wheel. With a simple three-count in her head she lets out the loudest and most excited scream she can. For a moment Catra flails around in the car bursting into every bit of excitement she can.

“I’m gonna be working with one of the hottest billionaires that ever walked the face of this planet.”

And she’s gay as fuck . She thinks somewhere in the back of her head with a wink.

The only thing to do now other than acknowledge it in the parking lot is to go tell Scorpia like she said she would. Catra already knows how the conversation is going to go; she explains she has a modeling job with one of the hottest photographers, Scorpia asks how, she explains, and then they end up talking more about it.

“Wait wait wait. She gave you your own personal tour of 19 acres ?”

Scorpia questions as she sits up off of Catra’s sofa.

“Yeah, and then after that she took me to my car and we parted ways. Which actually reminds me I need to e-sign this document and send it back over to her.”

Catra shrugs nonchalantly as she pulls out her phone and stares at it for a while.

“Well, from the way you describe her and the way the internet describes her. It sounds like you’ve got a little thing for her.”

Scorpia says just as chipper as she can be and Catra’s eyes drag up from her phone with a deadpan stare.

“I don’t have a little thing for her, she’s just hot.”

She remarks before looking back down at her phone.

“And you like her.”

Scorpia adds in innocently as she raises her pointer finger as if to make her point more clear.

“Uh.. no.. I don’t.. Wanting to bang someone and wanting someone are two very different things, Scorp.”

“Well I’ve never heard someone wanting to seduce someone because of how bright their smile is. That sounds more like a ‘I want a relationship with this beautiful human being,’ kind of thing.”

“Please, you and I know I am not the dating type. The last girl I dated lasted like a week or two and that’s because I got bored of her.”

Catra rolls her eyes at the thought of the last girl she had been with. She was such a bore that she couldn’t even draw her name at the moment.

“You don’t seem too bored talking about Adora.”

“First of all I told you I was gonna tell you and two we have exciting business together.”

“You keep telling yourself that Wild Cat, but I have to get going. I have a date.”

Scorpia stands up from the couch and fixes her dress as it had scrunched up slightly from sitting on the low to the ground sofa.

“Date ? With who ?”

Catra’s eyes shoot up to Scorpia’s large frame, surprised by the information.

“Remember the nice blonde girl I was telling you who’s a therapist and loves wine?”

“The flower power girl that’s vegan and does all that ‘look deep into your heart’ talk ?”

“Yeah her, that’s my date.”

Scorpia smiles sheepishly and Catra smirks slightly.

“That’s good for you, just don’t keep me and the rest of the complex up when you come home.”

“I won’t.”

“Oh ?”

“Not that I plan to do anything like that ! Anyways, call me when you’re ready to accept your feelings about Adora.”

Scorpia frantically speaks before flipping the switch on Catra and rushing for the door.

“I don’t have feelings for her !”

Catra shouts as she turns to the door, but it’s too late. Scorpia was gone in a flash leaving Catra just shaking her head. 

“Tch… Scorpia is crazy.”

She scoffs to herself before returning her eyes back to the document on her phone.

“...feelings.”

“Hah ! Me ? Never .”

Catra continues to mumble to herself before filling in the last part of the document and sending it back to Adora via text.

Adora 🥵📸

                                                                                Here’s  that document all filled out like you asked for

Oh thanks ! 

Np

Are you busy tmr??

I have class and work tmr. Why ?

Ah

That’s right.

I just wanted to see how soon

 we could start practicing

Oh !

I can make time to stop by 

if you need me to

No, no it’s fine

I’ll see you soon

Have a good night

☺️

You too

By the time Catra finds the conversation over she’s laying in bed on her stomach cheesing like some high school girl texting her crush. When she realizes it she flips onto her back and sets her phone down on the nightstand. Her face scrunches up a bit and looks around for a moment, it was weird to think she would feel something towards Adora other than ‘Please rail me !’ But that doesn’t actually exist and is all just a figment of her imagination. 

So she rolls over in bed and shuts her eyes, but instead of nothing but darkness being behind her eyelids, all she can see is the way Adora smiles at her and how contagious it is. The more she thinks about it as she falls into a deep sleep the more she imagines Adora slipping into her dreams. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 4 : When The Camera Stills

Adora is more than excited to start working with Catra, she’s ecstatic . She’s a model other photographers would kill for and yet, Adora got to her first. She has to be strategic with the practice days. It couldn’t be on a day she had class and work, that’d just be an overload that even she wouldn’t be able to handle. So now the perfect opportunity had presented itself. 

Catra never mentioned being busy on a Tuesday and Adora just so happens to be in the studios helping her apprentice Cameron with  his film project. It’s actually coming together quite well, not that she expects any less of him. However, she could tell just from how many takes of each scene he has that editing it is going to be a pain in his ass. Maybe hers too, but she’s hoping mostly for him. For the learning experience of course.

“Hey Cam, how bout everybody take ten you all have been at for a couple hours. Plus it’s kinda hot out here.”Adora says as she puts a hand to her forehead trying to block the sun from her face while pulling her phone from her back pocket.

Turning over his shoulder for a moment Cam looks at Adora and then everyone out in the field with a shrug.

“I don’t see why not.”He responds squinting his eyes from the bright sunlight.

“Cool.”She replies distractedly as she walks away toward a large white tent to get some relief from the sun burning at her skin and opens her messages between her and Catra. The last time she had texted her was Sunday and of course the last thing she sent was a stupid smiley face. 

Really ? I couldn’t have thought of a better emoji to use ? Adora face palms as she shakes her head cringing at her own cheesy actions. 

☺️Catra 🥴

Hey Catra 😁👋🏻

Hey

           Are you busy ?

Nah

Just watching a movie

                                                                                     You down to have 

                                                                                       your first practice shoot ?

Catra doesn't respond immediately like she had been and Adora supposes that she’s probably scared her with the suggestion. It wasn’t until a couple seconds later did her phone buzz again in her hands.

☺️Catra 🥴

Yeah

I can get there

in 25 mins. 

Oh, are you in the area ??

Lol

No

I’m at home

Oh…

See you soon 😁

Adora knows that with Catra going to school at the university of Brightmoon that she's a ways away from the studios, but if she cad get here in 30 minutes she won’t complain. It just means she gets to see her sooner.

As she slides her phone back into her pocket she realizes that she’s done it again. Using those weird ass emoji’s at the end of her last text, it’s a bad habit that she had picked up from Bow back in highschool. But even he had grown out of that phase (kind of), and yet here Adora was behind the times. 

“Excuse me, Ms. Grayskull ?”Cameron’s voice emerges from behind her with a light shoulder tap.

“Yeah ?”She responds tucking her lips and raising her eyebrows  as she turns to look at him.

“We’re ready to get started again.”He comments softly and takes a step back from under the tent and into the light. 

“Oh cool.” Adora says as she follows Cameron out from under the tent. Sliding her headphones over her ears she flips the microphone down to her mouth.

 “Everyone good ? We all hydrated out there ?”She asks as her eyes glance across a field of camera ops and a couple of boom ops as well.

“Affirmative. The actors are ready to go. Ready whenever you all are.”

One middle-aged man's voice responds.

“Great. Sam, once the actors get mid-way through the scene make sure you pan right and immediately snap up to Donnie’s face.  Liam, make sure you’re keeping tight shots on the action. And of course Adam, keep that bird's eye view clean.”Adora calls out over the microphone, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Copy that.” a different camera op responds.

“Everyone’s ready, just waiting on you.”She says, turning to Cameron.

“Right.” He marches forward towards the other camera ops and Adora watches closely.

“Alright everyone, let’s start rolling. This is gonna be the last take for this scene, so let’s make it better than the last.” Adora says as she covers her face from the sun with her hand. As she turns her eyes down to a switcher she awaits to hear everyone rolling.

“Camera One rolling.” Adam says bluntly.

“Two is rolling.” Sam follows after with a similar tone.

“Three rolling.” Liam speaks nonchalantly.

“Four rolling.” Cameron is the only one to respond with so much enthusiasm.

 It makes Adora chuckle a bit because he seems to be the only one not affected by the heat of the sun.

“Audio ?” Adora questions as they had yet to confirm that they were indeed recording audio.

“I’ve been rolling for like two minutes now.” They respond nonchalantly and she just chuckles, because it’s actually quite typical for them to start before she says to. It was quite odd and to be quite frank a bit annoying at first, but eventually she got used to it.

“I hope you have SD cards large enough for all this dead air.” She responds jokingly.

“Yeah, yeah, just stick to your specialty on the cameras.” They poke back with levity. That means there’s a certain level of respect they have for her. And she’s quite proud of that.

It’s actually nice to know that Adora was the boss who was cool enough to joke with. 

“Alright.” She chuckles in response and holds for a beat.

“And~ action.” Adora continues watching as everything unfolds for what must be the seventh time. It wasn’t her production to say whether the other six were good enough. She was just here to supervise and say action. A pretty simple task that she definitely won’t complain about. 

It was cool to be behind the scenes of movies, videos, and pictures because you get to put your name on it. However after all the countless hours of editing are done is the best part. To see what you really put your time into, become something extravagant. 

“Sam, your video’s down, what's going on ?” Adora flips her mic down as she squints at the switcher in front of her.

“Don’t know but I’m still rolling.”

He responds a bit snappy.

“I don’t want to cut blind.”

“So what, do you want me to stop ?” Sam says just as he’s about to pan right like Adora had asked.

“No, I said this would be the last take… just keep rolling til' the end.” Adora quickly flips her mic up as she finishes talking and leans down to the switcher screen feeling her heart race. Please let this work . Reaching her hand up to a cable she pushes it into the port a little further feeling a slight click in the end.

Lifting her head up to look at the screen she sees the video pop back up on the screen.

“I got it !” She laughs nervously, throwing her arms up triumphantly.

“Can’t hear you from this far. What was that ?” Sam asks as he continues to run his camera.

“Oh. I got it, the SDI cable got knocked loose from the switcher a little bit. Everyone keep going, you’re doing great.” Adora flips her mic down to speak again and sighs with relief.

She refuses to be the reason Cameron's film comes out to be trash. Though she’s sure he could use footage from the various takes to fix any mistakes. Especially with the raw and switcher footage, he had more than enough to edit with, but if this “safety shot” is what he wanted then so be it.

As the scene came to a close Adora felt some weight lift off of her shoulders and she waited a beat or two before saying the magic word.

“Cut.” She watches as everyone lowers  their cameras with relief and she feels the biggest grin spread across her face.

“Hey, kid, is that it for outside because it’s hot as hell.”Sam asks as he marches forward toward Adora and the tent where everything is much cooler.

“Haha, yeah. We can rest for a while and head to Studio D.” Cameron laughs slightly as he wipes his forehead from sweat for the first time from what Adora has noticed.

“Or ~” Sam drags out taking a dramatic pause.

“We rest in the studio. Where there’s air.” He continues and the rest of the crew laughs in agreement.

“Okay that makes sense.” Cam laughs along too as he hauls his camera behind himself.

“Well, before anyone ends up inside a studio how about we clean up what we have out here first.” Adora puts on a slight authoritarian tone and starts to break down the switcher starting with the various cables. Being cautious to not bend and snap them. There's nothing worse than having a broken cable, because you can never tell what the problem is until you suggest the very last thing. SDI cables weren’t anything super expensive, but Adora’s had a few too many break on her watch and it was quite embarrassing really.

After carefully placing the switcher back in its case she feels her phone ring in her pocket and she’s quick to whip it out in hopes of it being Catra. For once one of her quick wishes comes through as it is indeed Catra on the other line.

“Hello ?” Adora answers, trying to clear her voice of over excitement.

“Hey Adora, I’m here. Was there a specific studio I was supposed to go to ?”

“Umm, one sec.”

“Ok.”

“Hey Cam, what studio were you all heading to again ?” Adora covers the phone a bit as she turns to Cameron.

“D.” He responds quickly as he continues to pack up his equipment.

“Meet me at Studio C.” She uncovers the phone, nodding a bit and places the switcher into a cart along with a bunch of other equipment.

“Okay, see you soon.”

“See you soon.” Adora responds before hanging up and she can’t help but smile. 

This was probably her most exciting photoshoot yet. Well, next to her debut photoshoot, but it was up there. Catra is everything she could ever dream of. Smart, beautiful, and this wicked sense of humor that never failed to crack a smile out of her. Someone with personality to say the least .

“Hey Cam, I have some business to handle right now, but if you need me I won’t be far. I’ll just be right over in Studio C. Kay’ ?” Adora says as she takes her headphones off and unclips the pack from her hip handing it over to him.

“Oh okay.” He fumbles for a second trying not to drop anything.

“Great, and remember to take breaks and stay hydrated.” Adora spews out quickly as she does a light jog to her car. She had played it smarter than the rest of the crew and parked under a tree so that once she got back in the leather wouldn’t burn at her skin as much.

It was still hot and a bit stuffy when she got in, but that wasn’t anything somehow cool A/C wouldn’t fix. As she pulls out from under the tree she puts the air on max even though she isn’t that far from the studio. She had obviously beaten Catra there since she knows this place like the back of her hand and this was only her third time coming here. 

Sliding out the driver's seat Adora makes her way around to the trunk and pulls out a case inspecting what's inside of it. She checks once, twice, and even three times. It isn’t that anything is missing from the case but she likes to be extra sure that she needs everything she has. There is nothing worse than getting somewhere and just wishing you had brought that one extra piece of equipment.

If there's one thing Adora hates most it's winging it. She can do great work doing it, but it doesn’t live up to her other work when she does have exactly everything she wants and needs. Like she was once told it's better to be over prepared than under. 

“Got everything you need there hot stuff ? I’ve watched you rummage through that bag at least twice now.”

The sound of Catra’s voice makes her jump because she was so focused on checking her stuff that she didn’t even hear her pull up. Let alone get out of the car.

“Oh, yeah. I was just making sure I had everything. Nothing like missing something you could really use. Ya know?” Adora laughs nervously as she blushes once she caught on to the nickname from Catra. She thinks I’m hot ? 

“Yeah, sometimes I leave home without my sketchbook and then I have to draw on loose pieces of paper. It just never works out because it gets crumpled up and the whole nine yards.” Catra shudders as she seems to remember one too many times this incident has happened to her.

“That sounds just as stressful, sheesh.” Adora closes the case and then her trunk walking Catra to the door of the studio allowing her inside.

“Make yourself comfortable while I set up.” Her voice echoes through the room as she sets her case down in the middle of the floor. Jogging to a corner she grabs a large rolled up tan cylinder and drags it to the middle of the floor.

“Do you need some help ?” Catra asks as she watches Adora run back and forth trying to set up .

“Hm ? Nah, it’s just a quick little backdrop and a couple of lights. Nothing super serious, just trying to get you to be used to having pictures taken of you.” Adora turns over her shoulder as she tries to straighten the backdrop out.

“Right, but how do you plan on curing my stiff bitch syndrome ?”

“Your what ?!” Adora snorts loudly trying not to laugh too much, because she knows Catra’s being serious when she says it.

“Stiff bitch syndrome. Y’know, because I look like an action figure trying to pose.” She shrugs nonchalantly as she continues to watch Adora closesly.

“Okay, well if you get comfortable with seeing a camera then the posing will come naturally.” She grunts as she lifts up the light head onto its tripod.

“Sounds… kinda-” Catra starts before taking a brief pause. “ I don’t know I was gonna say ‘sounds simple enough’, but it really doesn’t.” She finishes with a shrug.

“How come ?” Adora turns around halfway raising a quizzical brow.

“Do you know how long it takes someone to get used to something ?”

“A couple days ?” Adora wildly guesses shrugging her shoulders to once again finish setting up.

“No, three to six months… Well for a job that is, and this is technically like a job.”

“And this is why I thought you were a psych student. You know a lot of things no one would typically think about.” She dusts off her hands a bit and turns to completely face Catra.

“However, you already know what to expect…well for the most part, you understand the basic idea I have. So it shouldn’t take as long as you think it should.”  She beams brightly as walks over to her.

“If you think so.”

“I know so, and we also don’t have 3 months to get this done.” She reassures her by placing her hand on her shoulder and leaning down to look her in the eye. She hadn’t really taken notice of their height difference until now. It’s adorable how small she is. Adora grins to herself as she stands up tall and walks away to her camera bag.

“But it seems I’ll have to teach you how to follow instructions too.”

“Excuse me ?” Catra’s tone isn’t offensive but definitely confused.

“I told you to get comfortable and you’re still in that same spot. Tsk tsk.” Adora shakes her head slightly but her tone obviously in a joking manner.

“I asked you if you wanted my help, you said no, so what else was I supposed to do ?”

“You could’ve taken a seat, pulled out your phone, played some music, scrolled through social media. Did you want me to continue ?” She goes down the list as she herself takes a seat to set up her actual camera equipment.

“Yeah, well I wasn’t thinking of all that.” Catra shrugs as she rolls her eyes, now finding it a bit too late to do any of that now that Adora is practically ready to start.

“Well that’s obvi.” Adora states like a smart alec and even goes out of her way to extend her neck at that.

“Don’t ever. And I do mean ever. Do or say that again.”

“Do what ?” She looks up from her camera to Catra with a genuinely confused face.

“ Obvi .” Catra repeats in a taunting voice followed by an eye roll.

“What ? Why ? Don’t people still say that ?”

“Hell no, I would’ve rather heard you say ‘well duh’ instead of that.”

“I hear people say it all the time.” Adora shrugs a bit as she turns her eyes back over to her camera to adjust a few settings.

“What you need to do is stop hanging around these rich snobs so often and kick it with more people like me. Because I can assure you normal people do not say ‘obvi’.” 

She hadn’t even noticed Catra walking up to her. By the time Adora turns her eyes up to her she was poking her in the forehead with her forefinger.

“People like you ?” Adora raises a brow as she stands up and loops her head through the camera strap.

“Yeah, cool people who actually go out. Well, I used to, but it’s nothing to go back to the old ways.” The grin on Catra’s face is mischievous and it actually makes Adora wonder what kind of things she’s used to getting into.

“I am cool.” Adora whines frowning slightly.

“You think so ?” She slightly sashays to the backdrop just to taunt Adora.

“Yeah, but I’m also a pro at what I do, so sorry if I come off a bit stale.” She responds, returning her own little glint in her eye with a slight wink as she walks to the edge of the backdrop.

“Oh ?”

“You don’t quite know me.” Adora chuckles as she lifts the viewfinder to her eye and holds for a second.

“Well now you have me intrigued. So, do tell.” Catra smiles, raising a brow and that’s when the camera flash goes off.

“Well, I wasn’t always of the upper echelon , so I used to go out to parties with Glimmer and Bow. Glimmer’s parents were always pretty wealthy so it was no problem for her to throw a party or two.” Adora grins thinking back on the memories she made back then.

“Whaaat ? Little Miss Poet was a little rebellious ?” Catra grins and one of her canines poke out yet again giving another great opportunity for a picture. So, the camera flashes once again.

“I- you remembered that ?”

“I have almost a perfect memory, that is if I’m sober. If I’m buzzed, things may get a little fuzzy.” She shrugs as the grin on her face starts to fade.

“You drink often ?”

“A shot or two every once in a while, while I’m studying. But I’m not as much of a party goer as I used to be.”

“I felt that first part. Sheesh, trying to learn every aspect of a camera and how to edit really made me feel like downing a bottle wasn’t a bad idea. But, I could never handle that much.”

“Lightweight ?” Catra questions nonchalantly.

“Uh, no. No one should be able to down an entire bottle of liquor and be fine. Not unless you’re a god or something.”

Adora comes off a bit more defensive than she meant to and it’s obvious Catra notices from the way her face lights up with a grin once more.

“I don’t know, it sounds like someone is a lightweight.” She raises the pitch of her voice in an unconvinced tone.

“I’d like to see you drink an entire bottle without being wasted.” Adora huffs back rolling her eyes though she can’t see it behind the camera.

“Oh no, I don’t have a death wish. I’d have to be completely out of my mind to do it.”Catra cackles softly, throwing her head back slightly.  

“My point is proven then.” Adora says with a shrug.

“What point ?” Catra raises a brow as she looks at her.

“That I’m not a lightweight.”

“Me not downing a whole bottle like a maniac does not prove you’re not a lightweight. If anything, your deflection is proving it even more.” Catra points out crossing her arms over her chest.

“Mmm… I’m pretty sure it doesn’t.” Adora moves her hands up and down in thought while pursing her lips

“You’re going to have to actually prove it to me then.” Catra turns the corner of her lips up as she speaks.

“Fine.” Adora huffs like a child as she takes another photo.

“Tonight at eight o’clock.”

“I- wait.” She allows the camera to hang around her neck for a moment with her face burning red.

“Nah, no backing out now. Unless- you’re scared.”

If there’s one thing Adora won’t do it’s shy away from a challenge. Even if she knows there’s a low chance of her actually winning said challenge.

“Tuh- scared ? You must have the wrong Adora in mind then.” She confidently smirks, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“ Good .” Catra’s tone is devious and she has a shine in her eye to back it up. 

Oh shit. Adora feels a bead of sweat form on her forehead. There’s a feeling that she’s made some mistake by accepting Catra’s challenge. 

“You and me. At the club tonight at eight. Whoever gets buzzed first has to buy the other a coffee.” Catra crosses her arms over her chest. There’s a bit of fear in Adora’s eyes that she tries to hold back, but she feels like Catra can see right through her.

“Very well then. You’ve got yourself a deal.” Adora marches forward and puts her hand out so they can shake on it.

“Great, I’m looking forward to that free coffee.” Catra takes her hand with a tight grip and chuckles in the back of her throat.

“Confidence, I like it.” Adora tries to match her energy in her response, but it’s not as spontaneous as hers.

“I’m nothing but that.” Catra’s mischievous look becomes a little bit more taunting.

Adora chuckles and unwraps her camera from her and clicks through the image previews.

“Wanna take a look ?” Adora asks slightly, tilting the camera towards Catra hardly giving her the choice to say no.

“Yeah sure.” She shrugs as she leans over slightly grabbing on Adora’s shoulder to keep herself steady on her feet. The way her eyes light up at sight of the pictures is probably something Adora will  never get over seeing . 

“I mean I already knew you were good at what you do, but those are amazing.”Catra  comments as she smiles, allowing her tooth to poke out a little bit.

“Why thank you. I think the pictures are better if you don’t try to pose. These are organic reactions and they’re beautiful.” Adora says as she clicks over to the next picture and tilts her head to the side a bit.

“What ?” Catra questions as she looks up at Adora trying to follow her eyes on the image.

“Nothing, I wanna see something. Go back and try to pose. Do whatever you want.” Adora pulls away forgetting that Catra was holding onto her for support.

“But didn’t you just say it was better if I didn’t try to pose ?” Catra cocks her eyebrow as she walks further onto the backdrop and tries to pose like she was asked.

“I know what I said, but I have this theory in the back of my mind.”

“And what’s that ?” She asks as she tries to pose by putting her arms on top of her head

“If I tell you it won’t work.” Adora responds as she snaps the photo after a moment.

“Well that’s no fun.” Catra pouts as she tries another pose putting her hands on her face.

Adora doesn’t respond and just snaps another photo. Pursing her lips together Catra tries another pose and then grunts frustratedly.

“I can’t with these girly girl poses. Can I flip you off or something ?”

Adora smiles softly and chuckles.“I didn’t say they had to be feminine poses. You chose to do that.” She replies, shrugging her shoulders slightly.

“Does your theory include you acting like an asshole ?” Catra huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Not exactly, let me take like two more pictures and I’ll explain.” She huffs off out a little laugh and watches as Catra flips her off. 

Snapping two more pictures like she promised Adora lowers the camera. Catra walks over to her and looks down at the preview and back up.

“So what was this bright idea that you couldn’t even talk ?” Catra quirks a brow while crossing her arms. Much like the sun peeking through blinds, Adora's face brightens up.

“So, when you try to pose you’re obviously stiff.”

“Oh wow, thanks for pointing that out captain obvious.” Catra drops her jaw dramatically before rolling her eyes.

“But notice how you were trying to strike up a conversation at every point ?”

“Uh yeah, because just sitting there and watching you watch me is weird.”

“That’s exactly my point ! You prefer a distraction like chatting.” Adora cheeses as she clicks through the photos again.

“Um, okay ?” Catra doesn’t seem to follow as her eyes flicker between Adora and the pictures.

“Oh right… So it's not so much you’re camera shy. You just don’t want to really notice it…. Which I guess if you put into perspective you are camera shy ?” Adora scratches her head trying to make sense of what she’s saying. 

“I guess that makes sense. It’s weird when you don’t know what to do. Plus you said you like the natural reactions so there’s no need to change what’s already working.” Catra shrugs as her eyes drift off to the side.

“Are you ? Are you scared of the camera ?” Adora questions as she quirks a brow with a slight chuckle.

“What ? Why would I be scared ? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard you say.” Catra crosses her arms over her chest turning her head away from Adora.

“Your denial makes it obvious.”  Adora snickers again.

“Obvious of what ?”

“That if you notice the camera that you’re scared you’ll stiffen up and get awkward.” Adora smirks as Catra begins to stumble over her words and eventually gives up on trying to say anything.

“Fuck you, you think you know so much.” Catra blushes as she walks away from Adora.

“I think it’s a part of my job to know what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable.”

“Never heard of such.” Catra shrugs as she turns to face Adora again.

“Would you like to listen to some music ? The speakers are surround sound.” Adora says almost like she’s trying to sell Catra on listening to music.

“Yeah, I don’t mind.” Catra shrugs as she swings one of her legs side to side . 

Adora nods and walks over to a desk before realizing she doesn’t have her laptop. Even when she thought she had over prepared she had still managed to forget something. It was laughable because she never really leaves home without her laptop.

“Shit.” She rolls her eyes and pulls her phone out her pocket to see if she can still connect to the speakers.

“Is something wrong ?” Catra questions as she leans forward to try and get a glimpse at Adora’s face.

“No, not really. I left my laptop at home and these speakers are a bitch to try and connect to.” Adora rubs her forehead waiting to see if the process is going to be as long as she expects.

“You know that’s the most I’ve heard you curse within a minute ?” Catra questions.

Adora turns over her shoulder to look at her wearing a confused look. “Have you been counting how many times I’ve cursed ?” Adora asks, blinking a few times. Only because it was an interesting observation. She wasn’t really the type to curse like a sailor, unlike Catra who had no problem with letting it rip.

“I mean, not exactly, but I can recall the few times you have and they were all separate events.”  Catra shrugs as she begins to pace back and forth. She really starts to show that she is growing bored and Adora is trying so hard to get her phone to connect to the speakers.

“Huh, well I don’t really find the need to curse. I mostly curse to show a stronger emotion.”

“And what strong emotion were you showing when you said, ‘These speakers are a bitch to try and connect to.’  ?” Catra questions tilting her head.

“Frustration.” There can be a smile heard behind Adora’s response. After a beat the speakers make a sound and she sighs with relief. “Alright. Here we go.” She continues as she nods to the music.

“Adora.” Catra deadpans crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yeah ?” She questions as she returns to the edge of the backdrop.

“Could you be any lamer ?” Catra exaggerates her words following them up with a groan.

“I-... What are you talking about ?” Adora’s eyes dart around the room trying to find an abnormality. 

“Instrumentals ? Really ?” Catra speaks with disgust as she walks up to her and snatches her phone from her hand.

“Why does everyone seem to have a problem with instrumentals now-a-days ?” Adora’s jaw drops as she throws her hands up in dismay.

“Maybe because everyone isn’t as lame as you.” Catra holds the phone up to Adora’s face to unlock it. 

“How is that lame ? I’m just being professional.”

“Are you sure you love your job ?” Catra questions as she looks up from the phone.

“Of course I do !” Adora exclaims, offended. How could she think that I don’t ?   Adora practically sleeps, eats, and breathes photography. How could she not love it ? It is an art form after all.

“Then you should start acting like it. Stop being so by the book. You used to party ? Prove it to me.” Catra changes the music to something more bassy. Shoving the phone into Adora’s chest she began to bop her head .

“Very aggressive music.” Adora blinks a couple times trying to understand what the lyrics to the song were.

“That kind of energy makes you more lively.” Catra mouths some of the lyrics and Adora shrugs.

“I feel like this is some kind of bartender thing.” Adora slowly begins to nod her head to the music .

“Oh yeah, you definitely get exposed to different kinds of music at different clubs. Brightmoon is too watered down for the rich pricks for me.” 

The way Catra is feeling music makes her even more photogenic. This is the side of her Adora had been hoping to access and know she knew how to get it. Music and conversation . She found herself making the mental note. She’s sure she isn’t going to forget. If she was being quite frank she liked this combination herself. It’s almost like Catra’s teaching her new ways to approach photography.

“See that’s why you’re so lame now. Around too many prissy people.”

“I may work with them, but I don’t hang out with them.” Adora sounds a bit annoyed when she starts to ponder on the thought.

“That’s an interesting response.” Catra pokes with a slight glint in her eye.

Adora can tell she wants to know more. To know what she meant, but she thought it was kind of obvious. She isn’t friends with the people in the upper class, and honestly she doesn’t find herself wanting to be. 

“Well, like you said, rich people are pricks.” She shrugs in response.

“Oooh, drama in the upper echelon ?” 

“Something like that, but I try not to let it bother me.” Adora shrugs, raising the viewfinder to her eye as a new song begins to start taking pictures again.

“I love this song.” Catra grins. It’s a lot calmer than the last song. Adora has to admit it’s probably something she’d add to her own playlist.

“A pop fan ? Don’t think I would’ve taken you for such.” Adora comments watching Catra sway her hips side to side. She’s kinda glad that the camera blocked most of her face. Watching Catra dance so gracefully is making her blush. She’s cute when she is in her own little world; in her element. It’s quite the blessing Adora gets to see it for herself.

“Maybe, just a little bit.” Catra admits with a blush.

“There’s no shame in it. I was just asking.” A chuckle forms in the back of Adora’s throat as she snaps another picture. There was no response from Catra, just a light hum.

 The work dynamic between the two is phenomenal. It isn’t hard for either of them to strike up a conversation with each other. It’s great, truly it is and Adora couldn’t hope for anyone better. There’s nothing disrupting the workflow. That was until Adora’s phone started buzzing like crazy, interrupting a song Catra was really enjoying.

“I think someone may be trying to contact you.” Catra’s face drops as yet another notification comes through.

“It’s probably just Glimmer and Bow trying to tell me something. They’ll be okay for another twenty minutes.” Adora shrugs. She has a text thread with the two because they are her closest friends. Sometimes they tend to gossip to Adora about things that peak her interest.

She thought it was her best friends until her phone started ringing. No gossip is that serious. Adora finds herself thinking as she feels a little panic shoot down her spine. 

“I’m sorry, Catra. Give me a second.” Adora lets her camera hang around her neck as she pulls her phone out. She was wrong about who was texting. It was actually Cameron. She had forgotten he was in the studio right next to her and now she felt bad.

“Okay.” Catra nods as she pulls her own phone out.

“Hey Cam what’s up ?” Adora turns around. It wasn’t like it was anything secret, it’s just out of habit to not talk in someone's face. Especially if you aren’t directly talking to the person in front of you.

“Ms. Grayskull ! I’m so sorry ! I accidentally formatted the card !” 

Adora pulls the phone away from her ear because she forgot that her volume was all the way up.

“Okay, first stop yelling. Second, what’s the problem with that ?” She furrows her brows and begins to start pacing back and forth.

“I didn’t pull the footage on my laptop. I got distracted and I went to format the card.” He sounded like he had just finished crying.

Adora can understand the frustration with such a mistake, but it doesn’t call for him to cry.

“It’s okay, Cameron. Why are you crying ?” She just has to ask, because she feels responsible for him in a way. 

“I went to tell Sam to try and get some advice on what to do and he just started yelling and cursing. So I thought when I told you that you’d be upset too.” He sniffles.

“He what ?!” That makes Adora’s blood boil. Everyone could tell that Cameron isn’t some tough guy. A kind and nice kid, which meant you can’t just let all your frustrations out on him.

“He yelled at me, but it’s fine. I guess I shouldn’t be crying right ? I’m nineteen. I should be able to take a little criticism.” Cameron chuckles weakly.

“No, no one deserves to get yelled at. No matter what age. Now don’t worry about the footage I was recording off the switcher. So tell Sam to calm the hell down. Matter of fact. I’ll do it, you go take a fifteen minute break.” Adora hangs up the phone and goes outside the studio door. While dialing Sam’s numbering she paces back and forth. 

It isn’t often her blood got boiled like this, but this wasn’t the first time Sam’s done this to Cameron. It’s been on numerous occasions that he’s snapped on him and Adora was getting tired of telling him not to yell at him. 

“Hello ?” Sam answers his phone unbothered, as if nothing had happened.

“Sam, this is my last time telling you. Do not yell at Cameron.” 

“Adora c’mon. He is a grown man just like the rest of us over here. If he’s gonna bitch and cry about everything then maybe he shouldn’t be here.”

“Sam, I really couldn’t give two fucks about how old he is. You can’t just lash out on everyone, because you’re grumpy. So cut it the fuck out and go apologize.”

“I’m not going to apologize, he needs to pay better attention to what the fuck he’s doing.” Sam scoffs.

“You are forty-five years old, cursing out a nineteen year old. How immature do you have to be?”

“Are you being serious right now ?”

“Very.” Adora’s tone drops and there’s almost a radio silence over the phone.

“Fine.” Sam folds and scoffs again.

“Don’t let it happen again. You’re a good camera op, but you will not harass anyone here. Got it ?”

“Yes boss .” 

Adora knows he says it to be petty, but there’s nothing she can do about that. Hanging up the phone she heads back into the studio. She slicks a couple stray hairs back and takes a deep breath.

“Everything okay ? I kinda overheard you out there.” Catra scratches the back of her head as she speaks. 

“Yeah, my apprentice got yelled at by one of the camera ops. It’s a whole thing honestly.” Adora rubs her temples.

“Mmh, sounds stressful.” Catra had sat down in the middle of the backdrop while Adora was outside.

“Yeah, I keep telling him to not yell at the kid. It’s obvious he’s a kind soul, but the op is just an asshole sometimes.” She sighs, shaking her head.

“You look a bit worn out. You wanna call it a day ?” Catra starts to stand up giving Adora a look of sympathy.

“Yeah, I probably have to go over there and keep an eye on them for the rest of the shoot.” Adora rolls her eyes. She’s irritated that her time with Catra has to be cut short because of Sam and his bad attitude. God, it’s like I have to babysit that man sometimes.  

“Okay. Try not to kill 'em.” Catra adds levity to the situation with a toothy grin.

“Ha, I’m just a little irritated. Not violent.” Adora chuckles as she turns her camera off and begins to put stuff away.

“I don’t know, maybe in another universe you are. Because when you said ‘don’t let me have to tell you again’ I really thought you were gonna hurt the poor guy.” 

“You sure did hear a lot.” Adora quirks a brow. She’s starting to wonder if Catra had been eavesdropping on the conversation rather than overhearing it.

“Well I can hear pretty well, and you were yelling.” Catra shrugs. Not really revealing to Adora if her suspicion is correct or not. “Are you still down to get drinks later ? I’m kinda looking forward to that free coffee.” She adds after a beat.

“Yeah sure. And you’re not going to win this little challenge. So you can get that out of your head now.” Adora grins as she zips up her case of equipment. She starts to break down the lighting she had set up and then the backdrop.

“I love your confidence, but I’m still gonna love that cup of coffee even more.” Catra chuckles as she begins to walk away.

“Hey.” Adora calls out, quickly turning around.

“Yeah ?” 

“You did a good job today. The pictures are beautiful.” Adora’s cheeks tint red. 

“Thanks. You’re really good at what you do.” 

Adora can see Catra’s cheeks turn red and it makes her smile. 

“Oh, one last thing.”Adora adds, perking up a bit.

“Wassup ?”

“Where are we going for drinks ?”

“Brightmoon club. I think Lonnie will be willing to give us a discount.” Catra smirks as she continues through the door.

“I’ll see you there.”

“See you Adora.” Catra waves goodbye and then she’s gone. 

Adora waits a beat and then jumps up in excitement. She’s starting to feel like she’s winning at something. Catra wouldn’t make for a bad friend. It’s something about her that just makes her click like a perfect piece to a puzzle.

Adora hadn’t spent too much time at the studio after Catra had left. She supervised Cameron and went home to take a shower. She put on a casual suit. A white dress shirt, black slacks,  and her favorite red trench coat.  It always gets pretty cool at night in Brightmoon, so it’s better to be prepared for the cool breeze rather than shiver to death.

As Adora pulls into the parking lot of the club her hands begin to tremble slightly. She was no longer worried about irritating Catra. But to be meeting her on terms that weren’t some sort of business makes her nervous and excited. The worry of how the others will eye her when she walks in isn’t even a thought in the back of her mind.

Taking a moment to inspect the look of her hair in the rear view mirror Adora sighs softly. Patting the steering wheel she turns her wrist to look at her watch and panics. The time is 8:05. Catra’s probably inside wondering where she’s at. Getting out of the car Adora reaches in her pocket for her wallet to prepare her I.D before she is met by the bouncer .

“Hey Adora.” Catra runs up behind her as she speaks. 

Turning around, Adora smiles and looks Catra up and down. She feels a blush spread across her face as she finds herself staring. Catra has on a burgundy pantsuit. It accentuates all of her curves that you won’t typically see with just regular casual clothes. 

“Oh wow. Hey, you look…. Amazing.” Adora clears her throat as she tries to meet Catra’s eyes.

“You look pretty snazzy yourself.” Catra smiles as she looks Adora up and down. 

“Oh thanks.” Adora feels her cheeks burn in a blush again as Catra compliments her back.

She pokes at Adora’s jacket and shakes her head slightly. “ How do you manage to walk around with these big shoulder pads ?” Catra chuckles as she continues to walk towards the doors.

“What ? I like the shoulder pads. They make me sit up straight. It’d look weird if I slouched with them.” Adora rubs her shoulder a bit and looks at Catra as she proceeds forward.

“Sure they do.” Catra says sarcastically as she rolls her eyes. The bouncer doesn’t even bother to stop her to check her I.D. It makes sense though. She works there, she has no choice but to be of age. 

However the same isn't true for Adora. Stopping at the door she hands her I.D over to the bouncer and is soon let in. Catra had waited for her by the entrance and gave her a wicked grin.

“Ready to lose ?” Catra says as she drags Adora by her hand through the dance floor. It isn’t very crowded tonight, but the music is still bumping like it’s a Friday night.

  Club things. Adora thinks to herself  as she allows herself to be guided by Catra. 

“You know if you want me to buy you a coffee all you have to do is ask ?” Adora is confident that she won’t lose, but it’s a front. She knows she won’t last long, but it’s fun to think she’ll give Catra a run for her money.

If Catra is being honest about her liquor tolerance, then Adora is bound to lose. However, she isn’t discouraged by it. As competitive as she is she was fine with losing this one time. Maybe it’s because it’s Catra and she just can’t help herself around her. Or maybe she doesn’t feel the need to compete tonight. Either way, she’s happy. 

“I like your confidence.” Catra slides into a barstool and taps the counter a couple times to get the bartender's attention.

 “Fancy seeing you here on your day off Catra.” Lonnie says as she slides down the bar and quickly takes notice of Adora. “You too.” Lonnie smirks as she makes eye contact with Adora.

“Don’t get used to it. I’m here to win a bet.” Catra grins as she turns her eyes over to Adora.

“Oh ?” Lonnie raises a brow leaning in closer, obviously wanting the details of the bet.

“Yeah, if I prove that she’s a lightweight she buys me a coffee.” Catra points over to Adora as she speaks.

“You sure this is about a coffee ?” Lonnie quirks a suggestive brow as she looks Adora up and down.

“What else would it be about ?” Catra looks over at Adora and back to Lonnie.

“I mean it’s kinda obvious you’re trying to f-” Lonnie starts.

“Okay Lonnie ! I think I’ll start off with a shot of whiskey.” Catra speaks up quickly, clearing her throat.

Adora furrows her eyebrows as she looks down at Catra and over to Lonnie who is wearing a devious smirk. Now Adora kinda wishes Catra had let Lonnie finish. Does she know something I don’t? Adora finds herself thinking as she glances over at Catra for a split second.

“And how about you ? What can I get you started with ?” Lonnie hums as she rests her chin on her fist. She leans in close to Adora like she has a secret to tell.

“Um, a shot of bourbon please.” Adora feels a bead of sweat form on her forehead as she looks into Lonnie’s green eyes.

“ Coming right up.” Lonnie draws the word out before turning the shelves of alcohol. 

Looking over to Catra, Adora can see her covering her face with both of her hands.

“Hey, am I missing something here ?” Adora whispered in Catra’s ear and she perks up.

“No ! No, everything is fine. Lonnie , just plays around too much.” Catra seems to be trying to get the message across to Lonnie more than Adora.

“Oh, okay.” Adora shrugs.

“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you all alone. For now. ” Lonnie turns over her shoulder rolling her eyes.

“Thank you.” Catra comments gratefully. 

When the drinks arrive Catra and Adora toast each other and throw the shot back. It’s almost with ease, but Adora turns her nose up a bit. 

“Oh yeah, I can taste that sweet, hot, delicious, coffee now.” Catra hums as she wiggles her seat a bit. 

Is this about the coffee ? Adora finds herself to be a bit curious about Catra’s obsession with trying to win the coffee.

“You must really like coffee, hm ?” Adora comments, clearing her throat.

“Spike it with some fireball and it’s immaculate.”

“People do that ?” Adora raises her voice as her eyes widen.

“Duh. I thought you said you lived a little.” Catra tilts her head, raising an eyebrow.

“No, I said I used to throw parties and go to them.” Adora corrects as she tilts her glass to emphasize her words.

“What’s a party without alcohol ?” Catra questions as she rolls her eyes.

“I will not confirm nor deny underage drinking. Plus no one is drinking coffee at a party.”

“Touche.” Catra nods, pursing her lips together.

Adora hums with a smile and Catra nods to Lonnie to give them another shot. Catra is quick to throw hers back and Adora tries to, but something in her mind tells her to order something light to eat.

“Trying to stall the inevitable are we ?” Catra pokes jokingly.

“No, but it’s best to drink with a little something to eat. Would you like something ?” Adora offers as she starts to hand the menu over to her.

“No, I had a sandwich before I left the house.” She declines nicely with a wave of her hand.

“I’d feel bad to just sit here and eat in front of you.” 

“I’ll get something light, like an appetizer then.” Catra says, holding her hand out for the menu.

“Wait. You don’t know what’s on the menu already ?” Adora questions with a slight laugh, handing it over regardless.

“I’m a bartender, not a server.” Catra takes the menu allowing her eyes to search down it for a moment.

“Hey Lonnie.” Catra waves her over sliding the menu across the bar as she approaches. “Let me get a basket of fries and another shot.” She continues giving a slight nod at the end of her sentence.

“May I also get a platter of supreme nachos, no jalapenos please.”  Adora adds with a smile.

“Really ? No jalapenos ?” Catra shakes her head laughing.

“What ? I don’t like spicy foods.” Adora blushes lightly as her eyes avert Catra’s.

“Gosh, you are really square.” 

“How so ?” 

“Instrumentals for music, obvi, no liquor in coffee, no jalapenos. Is there anything else I need to know about you ?” It was obvious Catra’s just messing with Adora. It doesn’t really bother Adora, if anything it’s funny how Catra points out things she doesn’t take too much notice to. 

“Gosh, just pointing out all my flaws.” Adora pretends to be hurt by Catra’s comment but can’t help but laugh.

“Oh don’t be such a big baby.” She softly punches Adora’s arm as she laughs too.

When the food comes Catra’s on third shot of whiskey and Adora is quick to dig into her food. 

“Ya know ?” Catra starts as she bites a fry. “ I would’ve never taken you to be this nice.” She continues, biting into another fry.

“What do you mean ?” Adora wipes her mouth as she turns her attention over to Catra.

“Well, when we first met you seemed to be a little bold . Like the way you spoke was so smooth and almost mysterious.” Catra shrugs as she dips her fries in ketchup before taking a bite.

“You say it like I’ve changed.” Adora grins slightly and then thinks for a beat. “Have I ?” She continues to ask furrowing her brows as if she herself doesn’t know the answer.

“No no, I mean it’s different now. I’m starting to know you better. To be honest I thought you were a rich snob at first.”

“Well ? What do you think of me now ?” Adora taps on the counter anxiously as Catra’s eyes turn up in thought.

“I think you’re kind, generous, and kinda a dork. But in a cute way.” Catra hums, seeming to be satisfied with her answer. Adora covers her mouth trying not to blush because it’s starting to make her cheeks ache.

“Did I just hear Catra give a compliment ?” Lonnie asks as she picks up Adora’s glass to pour her another shot.

“You’re ruining the moment.” Catra scoffs as she rolls her eyes and returns to eating her fries.

“Moment you say ?” Lonnie's tone becomes suggestive and Adora looks to Catra to see what she’ll say. 

We’re having a moment ? Adora bounces her leg on the barstool as she picks up her nachos to take a bite.

“You could say a bonding moment.” Catra shrugs as she glances over at Adora for a moment.

“Mmmh. Well don’t bond too well. Not in the bar at least.” Lonnie shivers like she’s seen some things she wishes she hadn’t.

“Again, ruining the moment. Just pour me another shot please.” Catra sighs, putting her hand to her forehead.

“Right, right. I did say I’d stop.” Lonnie chuckles, pushing Adora’s glass towards her and then scooping up Catra’s.

“Thank you.” Catra rolls her eyes before looking over at Adora who is absolutely destroying her nachos. “You have a big appetite don’t you ?” 

“Hm ?” Adora looks up from her plate and then covers her mouth. “Oh, yeah. You may be good at drinking contests, but food is where I lie.” Adora wipes her mouth with a napkin, as she gets rid of her mouth full of food by swallowing it.

“I see.” 

Adora smiles sheepishly as she continues to wipe the corners of her mouth. Grabbing her glass she takes a quick swig of her alcohol before drinking it whole.

“The food here is good. I haven’t had it in a while.” Adora traces her finger around the rim of her glass as she looks down at her food.

“Oh I know, Scorpia always lets Lonnie and I have the dishes customers don’t want.” Catra leans in close whispering.

“Scorpia ? I think you’ve mentioned her before.” Adora’s eyes turn up in thought for a moment, but she draws blank.

“Oh yeah, she works in the kitchen. She’s also my neighbor, and we go to the university together.” 

“Oh that’s cool. Is she an art major too ?”

“Nah, she’s in hospitality. She’s a big softie.”

“Why’d you say that ?” Adora questions .

“If you saw her you wouldn’t expect her to be so nice. Matter of fact, hold onto that thought.” Catra slips out of her seat and walks behind the bar.

Can she do that if she’s not working today ? She wonders as she rests her chin on her fist. Looking back up Adora notices a silver-haired buff woman practically towering over her. Eyes widening she looks over to Catra who has returned back to her seat.

“That was fast.” Adora comments blinking a few times before smiling softly at the woman. The alcohol is starting to hit her hard, and she is trying to play it off to speak to the woman.

“Hi, I’m Scorpia. Catra told me all about you. It is an honor to meet you.” Scorpia starts to ramble and sticks her hand out for a handshake. 

“The pleasure is all mine.” Adora smiles as she shakes her hand. Her firm grip definitely was opposite of her bubbly personality. I see what she means now.  

“It’s nice meeting you, but I should probably go check on the food that’s cooking back there.” Scorpia sounds a bit frantic as she pulls away from Adora.

“Of course. The food is delicious by the way.” Adora motions to her plate with a nod.

“Aw shucks, thanks.” She blushes scratching behind her head.

“No problem.”

And just like that Scorpia is gone back to the kitchen like she had never come out.

“Well looks can be deceiving.” Adora comments after a beat looking back at Catra.

Catra downs a shot with a nod before waving to Lonnie to bring another. As Catra is about to throw back what must be her fifth or sixth shot Lonnie picks up Adora’s glass and she shakes her head. 

“Nope, I’m good. I think I’ll stop while I’m ahead.” Adora can feel her eyes get low as the buzz starts to really hit her.

“Damn, I thought you’d pull through another shot or two.” Catra grins at her before pushing her glass to the side. Indicating that she too was now done drinking for the night.

“ I wish, but I still have to drive myself home. So it’s just better to stop while my eyes are still opened for the most part.” Adora pulls out her wallet and hands it over to Lonnie. She then pulls out fifty dollars and slides it across the counter. “Split that between you and Scorpia please.” She says flashing a quick smile.

“I could’ve left the tip if you were going to pay for the food.” Catra says as she was in the middle of pulling her wallet out.

“I mean, my wallet was already out so, I didn’t see any reason for me not to.” Adora shrugs slightly as she speaks. “Can I walk you to your car ?” She asks as she receives her card back and slips it back into her wallet .

“Yeah.” Catra stands to her feet fixing her jacket on her shoulders.

As the two walk out into the parking lot the club music slowly fades. The breeze of the night seemed to blow a bit harder against Adora than it did Catra. Really waking her senses from the buzz of the alcohol.

“Hey uh, I really had a good time hanging out with you.” Adora admits with a blush as she holds Catra’s car door open.

“I did too.” Catra says as she swings her legs into the car.

“Maybe we could do this again?” Adora suggests as her  eyes avert Catra’s sheepishly .

“Yeah, and maybe next time I’ll get you to dance. Knowing you and all your squareness you probably don’t know how to though.” 

“Actually, I can dance.” Adora corrects pointing her finger upward.

“Show me.” Catra challenges with a smirk.

Backing up from the car Adora hops around dancing and then bending her knees while shimmying her hips. 

“Oh god, stop this monstrosity.” Catra falls back in her seat dramatically covering her eyes.

“Hey ! Don’t hate on my moves.” Adora continues to dance laughing as she does so.

“It’s not hate, it's the truth.” Catra laughs until her face turns a light shade of red.

“Phew.” Adora wipes her forehead from sweat laughing like a maniac.

“Alright dummy, get home safe.” Catra finally cools down from laughing, wiping a tear from her eye.

“You too. See you later.” She smiles, closing the car door and taking off to her own. Once she’s settled in her own car she turns the heat on and blows into her hands. Then something hits her. Eyes widening Adora’s eyes look out into the parking lot as Catra drives past her.

“Oh my god. I think I’m falling for her.” It has to be the buzz in her that is making her think that. Catra didn’t seem to look at her like that, but she blushed earlier. Actually, now that she thinks about it,  Catra blushes a lot.

“ No, you’re imagining things, Adora. You’re a little drunk. You won’t think any of this in the morning.” She mumbles to herself as she pulls off from the parking space. Part of her is hoping that part of this is true, but there’s another part in denial and it seemed most logical. That the liquor is starting to do its work in her body and that she just needs to sleep it off.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5 : Pieces That Just Click

There was nothing much for Catra to do after coming home last night. Except going to sleep that was. Sleep came easy to Catra with the liquor in her system. If she didn’t have plans for today she would’ve drank a little more when she got home, but she has to be able to get up so she can meet Adora. She may also have class today but it’s the least of her worries honestly.

Sitting up from the bed Catra’s eyes search the bedroom. It’s dimly lit because the lights were off and the blinds were closed. Looking to the right side of the bed she sees Melog curled up still enjoying his sleep. It actually reminds her about the dream she just woke up from. It was mostly a replay of her and Adora going out to drink but then they ended up dancing together. They were both tipsy and dangerously close to each other. The way Adora looked at Catra in that dream felt real. It built up tension in Catra that she knew was there in real life. 

The minor details of the dream were lost, but Catra surely remembers Adora leaning in closer and closer. Then they kissed. After that Catra isn’t sure if it’s her memory that’s hazy or if the dream itself had time skipped, but the next thing she knew was that she was laid up underneath Adora in her apartment. Naked. The thought of all the things they could’ve done to get there makes her face burn.

A light meow can be heard from Melog as he stretches out on the bed. 

“Good morning to you too.” Catra smiles as she goes to rub behind his ears. He leans into her hand and walks forward allowing her hand to run down his spine.

“Want some breakfast ?” She turns her eyes over to her phone to read the time. It’s only 9:05. I've got enough time to kill to get coffee with Adora. Catra yawns as she begins to slide out of bed to get to the kitchen.

“C’mon Melog, let’s get you something to eat.” Catra opens the refrigerator and pulls out half of a chicken breast from a zip-loc bag. She cuts it into smaller pieces before putting it in Melog’s bowl. When he meows Catra assumes it’s a thank you and bends down to pat his head.

Slipping away to the bathroom Catra figures that she might as well take a shower. She isn’t in any type of rush so she takes her sweet sweet time. It’s something about the hot water hitting her skin when she’s just getting out of bed that just makes her want to stay there for a while. Maybe it’s because it wakes her up a bit more or the fact that it reminds her of how warm her bed is. Or maybe the longer she stays there the more she can imagine someone standing behind her holding her tenderly. Oh how she wishes she can share a moment like that with someone. But alas, she’s never had a relationship serious nor long enough to reach that point.

Adora. She thinks somewhere in the back of her mind. It then makes her think about her dream again, and what happened between the kiss and her ending up underneath Adora. 

“God damnit.” Catra covers her face as she finds her face burning with a blush. “Am I in that much of a damn drought ?” She asks herself while laughing. It’s been about nine months since she last had sex. Masturbating isn’t any good without someone in mind. Perhaps with Adora in mind-  

There’s a loud crash of metal outside and Catra can only assume it’s Melog getting into something he shouldn’t. 

“Damn Melog, your cock blocking is on 10 right now .” Catra turns the shower water off and wraps a towel around her body.  Walking into the kitchen she looks at Melog who has miraculously managed to knock down several pots and pans,  turn the sink water on, just to drink from the faucet.

“Get down.” She holds her towel a little tighter around her body as she bends down to pick the pots and pans up. Grabbing his water bowl she fills it up and sets it on the floor. When she turns to turn the sink off Melog is sitting there looking at her almost like he’s offended. 

“I don’t know why you’re looking at me like that.” Catra reaches for the handle and he smacks her hand away. 

“You little asshole.” She goes to try again and Melog smacks her hand again.

“You know what.” Grabbing him by his scruff Catra lifts him up to her eye level and glares. 

“Keep it up and you’ll be eating dry food you spoiled brat.” 

Melog meows while looking away.

“That’s what I thought.” She sets him down next to the water bowl and finally turns the sink off.

Walking away to get dressed Catra checks her phone to see if Adora might’ve texted her. She didn’t, so she takes the initiative to text first.

Adora 🥵📸

Hey Adora

Meet me at Brightmoon Cafe

The one like fifteen minutes from the University.

After putting her underwear on she now finds herself standing in front of her closet. She’s unsure of what to wear. Pulling out her typical boob windowed shirt is easy, but today she feels like choosing something a little different. So, she settles on a  red silk long sleeved oversized button down and a black pair of skinny jeans.  The buttons of the shirt start at the middle of her sternum really allowing her to show a good amount of her skin. It still manages to be appropriate for class, not that anyone will really bother to question her though.

Walking into the bathroom she brushes her hair back and then shakes a couple strands loose. The slick and go method is still effective even though her hair has grown a little bit. When she walks back into her room she slips some socks on and a pair of red shoes to match her shirt. The time on her phone read 9: 55, she had gotten ready ten minutes quicker than she usually does. Hm, new record. Catra smirks to herself as she goes to grab her car keys.

“Alright Melog, I’ll be back later. Try not to fuck up anything else, okay ?” Catra walks past Melog still drinking his water. He looks up at her and meows and Catra takes it as, “I’m making no promises.” She scoffs, shaking her head as she continues out of the apartment and down to her car. 

The drive to the cafe isn’t long. It only takes ten minutes tops to get there. When she gets there there aren't many cars in the parking lot. A good indication that there aren’t many people inside aside from the workers. This is what makes mid to late morning Catra’s favorite time of day. She doesn’t have to be around large bodies of people. Just enough to know the world hasn’t ended overnight, and not enough to feel amongst a crowd.

As she waits for Adora to arrive at the cafe she can hear small chatter from others, the loud scream of the espresso machine being put to work, and cars driving by; it’s all music to Catra’s ears. She takes a seat at a two seat table near the back of the cafe. It’s her favorite place to sit in the cafe because she sees everyone come in and out, but everyone doesn’t particularly see her.

To kill some time she throws her earbuds in and scrolls through Instagram. It isn’t really working since her eyes shoot up to the entrance every time she hears the front door chime. Once the bell had chimed back to back three times she rolled her eyes. It’s the same person leaving out, coming back in, and then leaving again. It was just a worker getting off work and running back in to grab something they had forgotten.

As Catra’s eyes fall back onto her phone she hears the front door chime and for a moment she asks herself if she should even bother to look up. Biting the bullet she looks up and sees Adora walk through the door and look around for a moment. For a moment it seems like a look of disappointment flickers across her face. That is until her eyes glance to the back of the cafe and meet Catra’s. The bright smile that spreads across Adora’s face is contagious and Catra can’t help but smile back.

“Hey Catra.” Adora greets as she begins to walkover to her. 

“Hey Adora.” Catra bites back a blush as she responds. It’s something about the way her own name rolls off of Adora’s tongue that’s just so enticing even in the simplest of tones .  

“You look… amazing .” She looks at her almost in awe as she takes off her black jacket hanging it on the back of her chair.

Dear god. Catra can’t help but stare at Adora for a split second. It’s one thing to see her in those ungodly suits that hug her body. But it’s a whole other thing when she wears sleeveless muscle shirts. If Catra didn’t have any self control she would probably act a fool right now. The way Adora’s arms flex at the slightest of movements. God take me now !  Is what she’s shouting in the back of her head.

“You look pretty good yourself.” Catra grins trying to stop herself from blushing.

“Thanks, it’s a comfy clothes day.” Adora waves her hand up and down to show off the shirt and her light blue jeans. “Why are you sitting all the way back here ? I almost didn’t see you.”  She adds to continue the conversation.

“So I can see the front door.” Catra says, clearing her throat.

“Why do you need to see the front door ?” She questions as she turns around to look at the door.

“It’s just a habit I have.”  She shrugs as her eyes glaze over her again. 

“I see. How was the rest of your night ?” Adora takes her  seat across from Catra and folds her hands.

“Um, it was pretty good. I slept like a baby when I got home.” She responds, resting her cheek on her hand. The question brings that dream back to the front of her mind. Being reminded of how hot Adora is only makes her mind fill in the blank space she can’t seem to remember. How rough or gentle she probably touched her in her dream.

“Same here. I had just woken up when I got your text.” 

Catra’s eyes cut back to Adora’s as she speaks. She hums in response and begins to wonder if she was a gentle sex person. It fits her personality, but then it’s always the kind ones who have the wildest sex.  

“What ? Why are you looking at me like that ?” Adora squirms under Catra’s gaze with a nervous smile. She hadn’t realized she was staring at her while she was thinking about her wild fantasies. So in order to cut the awkward tension she looks over to the cashier.

“Nothing. How bout that coffee ?” Catra grins as she slides out of her chair towards the register.

“Sometimes I find myself wondering what you’re thinking about.” Curiosity is backed in Adora’s voice as she too slides out of her chair.

“Do you ever find yourself to ask ?” Catra turns around, quirking a brow. Does she wonder the same things I do ?  Her eyes drag up and down her frame for a third time today, but tries to make it less noticeable than the last.

“Well, no.” Adora looks away sheepishly as she scratches the back of her head.

“Then maybe you don’t wonder about it too much.” She says as she turns to the cashier whose jaw is slacked open.

“Are you okay ?” Catra’s eyebrows knit together as she tries to follow the woman's eyes. Turning around slowly, she finds herself looking back at Adora. What is she look- oh. That’s right. Billionaire. Being around Adora so much now Catra had nearly forgotten about her high status in society. 

“Oh my gosh. You’re Adora Grayskull. Like, thee Adora Grayskull. I love your work so much. I follow you on Instagram.” The cashier fumbles for her phone in her front pocket. 

Catra watches as the cashier practically starts foaming at the mouth over Adora. As she rambles on and on about how much she loves her, Catra feels herself staring at Adora as she interacts like this is something that’s quite normal. Which it probably is to her, but for Catra it’s a bit awkward. Now everyone in the cafe is staring at them. Great . 

It’s something about unwanted attention that irritates Catra a little bit. Perhaps it has something to do with the attention she gets from old creeps at the club that makes her feel this way. Or maybe it doesn’t have to do with the people staring. It’s the cashier. The way she just drools all over Adora sets something off in Catra. Clearing her throat loudly she presses her lips together into a thin line.

“Oh. Right,” The cashier deadpans as she drifts her eyes over to Catra. “What can I get started for you ?” she continues, but more so addresses Adora rather than Catra.

“Oh she can go first, I’m still looking at the menu.” Adora looks up at the menu to see what she would like.

“Of course. What can I get you started with today ?” She better directs the question at Catra, but her tone is bitter.

“Let me get a medium iced mocha frappe with a double shot of espresso.” Catra casually runs the order off without ever lifting her eyes to the menu above her head. 

“Can I get a name for the order ?” She asks with a marker in hand.

“Catra.”

“Alright that’ll be-”

“Actually I’m paying for both of our drinks.” Adora speaks up quickly leaning forward.

“Oh, then what can I get you ?” 

“Have you eaten anything today ?” Adora turns to Catra before she makes an official decision on a drink.

“No.”

“You want a bagel or something ?” 

“I mean. Yeah I guess, but I can pay for that myself.” Catra hesitates for a second as she reaches for her wallet.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m already paying for the drinks I might as well.” Adora places a hand on Catra’s shoulder chuckling slightly.

“Right. Thanks.” She says as her eyes look over to the display of light breakfast foods and pastries. “Can I get a bacon and egg bagel ?” She continues as her eyes now fall back to the cashier.

“ I think I’ll get the same thing she’s getting.” Adora smiles as she slips her debit card from her wallet and across the counter.

“Um, you do not need a double shot of espresso.” Catra crosses her arms with disapproval written over her face.

“Why not ?” She pouts like a child while crossing her arms.

“I don’t know if you remember, but you were dancing like a toddler outside last night after a couple shots. I don’t know if I’m ready to see you on a sugar high.” 

“Several shots, actually. Plus don’t you have class today ?” Adora rolls her eyes as she receives her card back.

“I’ve got a little less than an hour to spare. It’ll only take me ten minutes to get to class.” Catra shrugs slightly as her eyes glance over to an analog clock on the wall.

“Okay, but how come you can get it but I can’t ? You don’t even seem like the sugar type.” 

“ I'm feeling a little sluggish today. So the extra boost is much needed.” Catra yawns exaggeratedly to further prove her point of being tired. 

“You’ve been up longer than me. How could you still be tired ?” 

“Adora, that logic doesn’t even make sense. If anything since I’ve been up longer than you.  I could’ve been up for five hours and you’d expect me to still be wide awake ?”

Adora looks down at the watch on her wrist to check the time and shrugs. “I don’t know. It just seems like you’d have a longer time to wake yourself up.”  She looks back up to Catra as she speaks

“You. Are such a dork.” Catra chuckles, shaking her head slightly. 

“What ? I’m being so serious.” Adora frowns following Catra to the opposite end of the counter.

“I know you are. That’s why you’re. A. Dork.” Catra pokes Adora’s forehead with a slight chuckle. 

“I beg to differ.” Adora huffs, turning her head away.

“Beg all you like. It doesn’t change my answer.”

“I will.”

As the two of them bicker back and forth their drinks were ready in no time.

“Two bacon and egg bagels and medium iced mocha frappes with a double shot of espresso for… Catradora ?” The barista tilts her head slightly as she reads the combination of their names .

“Catradora ?” Catra cackles loudly. It sounded funny the first time but as it lingers in the back of her mind it actually has a nice ring to it.

“That’s kinda catchy don’t you think ?” Adora comments with a big grin. She seems to entertain the thought the same amount as Catra. 

“It has a nice ring to it, I guess.” Catra shrugs slightly with a slight smile.

As they return to their seats Catra can’t help but stare at Adora and tilt her head slightly.

“What ?” Adora chuckles nervously as her eyes avert her gaze.

“Do you smoke ?” Catra questions randomly as she leans forward.

“I-. What ?” Adora looks back at her confusion written all over her face. It was a random question but it has purpose.

“No no. Answer the question.”

Adora stammers a bit so Catra restates the question.

“Do. You. Smoke ?” This time the question ends more pointedly like she’s backing Adora into some corner.

“No ? Why ?” She answers nervously trying to escape Catra’s eyes.

“Ah hah ! I fucking knew it !” Catra proclaims loudly followed by a laugh.

“Knew what exactly ?” Adora laughs uncomfortably along with her and rubs the back of her head.

“That you don’t smoke.”

“And how did you come to that conclusion ?” She questions as the confusion that was once written over her face washes away.

“That night. When we first met you came out onto the balcony and you helped light my swisher because my lighter wasn’t working. As soon as you got my swisher to light you turned to leave.” Catra explains as she grins bigger by the second.

“What point does that prove ?”

“No one goes outside to the balcony to get a good look at the stars for only a minute or two. If you really wanted to see them you would’ve stayed longer. A lot longer.”

“Alright, alright. You caught me. I may have just been trying to get a better look at a certain someone.” Adora blushes as she admits. She tries to hide it by going to take a sip of her drink but it’s far too late for that.

“I wonder who that could’ve been.”

“I think she knows who she is.”  Adora smirks hovering her drink over the table.

“Well, I must know, did you at least get that good look ?” Catra leans forward folding her hands over her mouth. Adora hums as she looks back at her, keeping that same sly smirk.

“I like to think I did, but since we’re playing the question game it’s my turn now.”

“I didn’t realize I started a game, but proceed with your question.” Catra leans back in her seat taking a sip of her coffee.

“Blonde ?”

Catra raises a quizzical brow with a faint smirk.

“I’m gonna need context on that one.”

“It’s just a yes or no. No context.”

“That’s not fair, I gave you context when you asked me for it.”

“Well you didn’t give it the first time. Sooo…. Yes or no ?” 

“Alright then, yes.” 

Adora’s eyes turn up in thought and pretends to write a check off in the air. Catra shakes her head slightly yet gives her an amused look.

“Noted. Now, muscles or no muscles ?” 

 Catra’s eyes quickly move to Adora’s arms as she tries to bite back a grin. “Muscles- Wait a minute. That’s two questions. If we’re going to play the game you at least have to play it right.” She crosses her arms over her chest pretending to be upset.

“You’re right, you’re right. My apologies, go on with your question.”

“Just know you’re getting a penalty point for that. Keep it up and your privilege to ask questions is getting revoked.”

Adora’s eyes widen as she leans forward a bit. “Wait a minute ! Who said you could do that ?” She raises her voice with a slight frown.

“It’s the rules, I don’t make them. I just follow them.” Catra cheese’s back at Adora as she leans back in her chair huffing like a child. Adora’s eyes turn up in thought, obviously she’s considering Catra’s rule. When she smiles it’s enough confirmation for Catra to know she’s going along with it. Not many people got Catra’s sarcasm, but Adora is just different; she fit together with Catra like the perfect puzzle piece.

“Can you at least tell me how many points before I reach that point.” Adora says with a slight smile.

“Haven’t quite decided yet.” 

Adora rolls her eyes playfully with a slight head shake.

“Just know that you’re not playing fair, but that’s fine.” Adora waves her hand slightly. “ Go on, ask your two questions, but just two. Remember that.” She continues making her last sentence very pointed.

“I’m not the one who needs to remember how many questions are supposed to be asked.   You remember that. ” Catra points at her playfully; Adora writes the number 2 in the air and looks back at Catra with a smirk.

“What was that ?” Catra asks, cocking her eyebrow at her.

“Oh nothing, just your two penalty points.”

Catra’s eyes widen and she’s so quick to lean forward she nearly knocks her cup over. “Huh ?! For fucking what ?! I didn’t even do anything !”

“Sassing me.” Adora returns plainly with an innocent smile. 

Oh she thought that was sass ? She has no idea.  

“You ought to stick to the question game, because this one ? Is one I will always win.” 

Catra smirks to which Adora gives a challenging look. 

“Let’s try and find out. However, you have two points. So, choose your words carefully. Unless you’re forfeiting your turn, I advise you to ask those two questions.”

Catra bites her lip for a moment before rolling her eyes.

“Fine. What’s your favorite way to relax ?”

“Hanging out with Glimmer and Bow. We always have fun together.” The way Adora smiles shows Catra she means what she says.

“Hm, alright. Do you prefer the coffee shop or the bar ?” 

“Coffee shop.”

“Why-” Catra starts but catches herself, because asking why would technically count as a third question and she knows Adora would catch it. 

“What was that ?” Adora quirks a brow.

“Nothing. Why’d you choose a coffee shop ?” 

“That’s your third penalty point.” Adora smirks.

“No, you asked me a question.”

“What ? No I didn’t” Adora’s expression drops to a confused one as she looks at Catra smirk back at her.

“You asked ‘what was that’ I answered ‘nothing’. That’s a question and an answer.”

“You can’t do that !” Adora whines.

“Mmm, I think I can, so just answer the question.” Catra continues to smirk, waiting for Adora to answer her question.

“Remember that. I chose coffee shop because I get to actually talk to you and don’t have to worry about you drifting off to talk to customers.”  

Is she jealous that other people get my attention ?  Catra knits her eyebrows together for a moment, but quickly fixes her face as Adora fixes herself to ask a question.

“What was the straw that broke the camel's back in your last relationship ?”

“Relationship ?” Catra tilts her head thinking to herself. “I just lost interest, actually- I don’t think my interest was ever really there.” She adds.

“Oh, wow.” Adora clears her throat a bit as she goes to take a sip of her coffee.

“If you could only eat one snack for the rest of your life, what would you choose ?” Catra’s quick to move on, noticing the slight shift in Adora’s demeanor. 

“Umm, probably popcorn and marshmallows.” Adora says with her eyes turned up in thought.

“I said one, Adora.” Catra deadpans slightly.

“No no, popcorn with marshmallows.”

“Huh ?!” Catra’s eyes widen as she looks at the woman across from her. 

“What’s wrong ? It’s a great snack. Sweet and salty.” Adora hums as she closes her eyes. She’s probably imagining the monstrosity behind her eyelids and Catra turns her nose up in disgust.

“You’re not supposed to do that . That’s what’s wrong.” Catra exclaims leaning away from Adora.

“What ? You’re definitely supposed to eat popcorn like that. Especially when the popcorn is stuck together. Ugh it’s so good. You have to try it.” Adora exhales dramatically as she gives a chef’s kiss in the middle of her talking. 

“No, I’d rather keep my teeth. That is unnecessary sugar.”

“Really ? I think you should look at what you’re sipping on there.”

“I- that’s different. I told you I need a little boost this morning.” Catra stammers for a moment as her eyes fall to her cup.

“Oh sure it is. I bet you’re just hiding your snack combos from me.” Adora laughs and Catra chuckles softly.

“I can promise you, I eat regular snacks. Like popcorn with butter and salt .” Catra grins as her laugh dies down and her eyes fall down to her phone as it buzzes on the table. She feels a bit of fear shoot down her back.

“Shit I’m late for class.” She lifts up from her chair quickly, nearly knocking it over.

“Oh. Sorry to hold you up for so long.” A bit of disappointment shows in Adora’s voice as she gathers herself and stands to her feet.

“No, it's fine. I should’ve been keeping track of the time.” Catra scoops her drink up and starts for the front door. “Hey, you wanna hang out after my classes ? I’m not done lecturing you about that damn monstrosity of a snack.”  Catra stops dead in her tracks to turn around and speak to Adora.

“O-oh yeah. That sounds cool.” Adora’s face brightens up as she looks at Catra.

“Cool, see you later.” Catra rushes out the door to her car. She’s been late to class before but twenty minutes is far too late for her professor.  She already knows she’s going to hear it from him. How in the real world you can’t just show up when you feel like it and blah, blah, blah. If there is one thing Catra wishes she is never late to, it’s class. Her professor has always been quite the stickler on time. 

As she tries to silently slip into the class to work on a project she hears the professor clear his throat.

“Ms. Horde, how very nice for you to join us… Thirty minutes late.” 

“Yep.” Catra pops the ‘p’ as she purses her lips together, turning around to face her professor. He’s a rather tall man with a large frame, if she had been anybody else she might’ve been intimidated by the height difference.

“Do know that-” He starts his tangent but Catra swiftly cuts him off.

“You can’t get away with tardiness in the real world. Yes, I know, but I must know if this isn’t the real world we’re in right now. What is it ?” She continues crossing her arms over her chest. The classroom almost falls silent as their eyes travel between the two.

“Take your seat and continue your project.” The professor huffs turning his back on Catra and his reaction is enough to feel rewarded with a sense of winning.

“Hey Catra, where’ve you been ? I almost thought you weren’t coming.” A girl named Emily slides over in her rolling chair toward Catra and her easel. 

“No where that concerns you.” Catra sighs as she  takes her seat in a rolling chair staring at a practically blank canvas. There’s a single pencil mark that doesn’t show what direction she wants to take her project.

“You sure ? You set a new late record today.” Emily pushes as she spins around in her chair. 

“Yes, I was just having coffee at the cafe.” Emily is one of those mutual friends Catra has with Scorpia. She doesn’t really talk to her, but she definitely finds a way to talk to Catra. 

“Oh, okay.” She pauses for a beat as her eyes drift over to Catra’s canvas. “So… whatcha’ gonna do about your final project ? Y’know the semester ends in three weeks.” She continues as she sways back and forth in her chair. 

“I’m well aware when the semester ends Emily.” Catra’s jaw is taut as she stares at that singular pencil stroke. The project is really up in the air for interpretation which Catra supposes she is grateful for, but now she’s stuck. Unsure of what to pick to be her final project to be. She could just do a self portrait, but it feels too cliche. She wants this to be something no one has ever seen before, because maybe if she gets a good word in here she can find an apprenticeship that will help skyrocket her tattooing career.

“Well the time is ticking and then we’ll be in the real world as Mr. Hor dak puts it.” Emily chuckles as she emphasizes the first part of the professor's name. It’s cheesy, but manages to get a slight smirk from Catra.

“Yeah, I know. I just have to figure it out.” Catra sighs leaning back in her chair, staring a hole into the canvas hoping that something will come to her. Just as she thinks something may come to her, her phone buzzes in her pocket. It’s a text from Adora.

Adora 🥵📸

Hey

Sorry to bother you.

I know you’re in class.

but you never mentioned 

what you want to do after 

your classes ended.

Is there something you had in mind ?

The indication of Adora typing starts and then stops. A moment it starts again but then stops. Catra watches the pattern for a minute or two before Adora’s message actually comes through.

Adora 🥵📸

Maybe we can hang out at my place ?

If that’s okay with you.

Catra stares at the message with wide eyes for a moment. Suddenly her mind becomes a bit hazy as her eyes idly drift around the classroom in shock. 

“Whatcha got there ?” Emily spins around over Catra’s shoulder trying to look at her phone.

“Emily ! Have we not had a conversation about personal space and privacy.” Catra jumps bringing her phone to her chest. Her eyes grow wider as she looks over at her.

“Whaat, I just wanted to know.” Emily pouts as she slides away from Catra a bit, yet still intrigued by what’s on her phone.

“It’s nothing, plus don’t you have a sketch to finish-” Catra spins around in her chair to look at Emily’s canvas and her words are caught in her throat. The drawing on her canvas is practically finished. 

It’s obvious to Catra over the course of the years that Emily is a scenery person. Everything is always a scene like vacation spots or rooms to express someone's mind. She and Catra are almost one in the same when it comes to art, they have the ability to draw the raw and real emotions from someone. The only difference between them is that Catra draws more people and animals, she even has a little taste for character design; via her tattoo of Melog.

“Well, I think I’m almost done with my sketch, but I feel like something’s missing.” Emily says as she turns to look at her canvas tilting her head slightly.  As Catra looks at it she can’t find anything to suggest so she turns her attention back to her phone.

Adora 🥵📸

Maybe we can hang out at my place ?

If that’s okay with you.

Yeah that’s fine.

Okay, cool 

Here’s my address

5098 Thaymore Dr.

Okay 

I’ve got one more class after this one

Is there anything I should bring over ?

Like ?

Idk

Snacks ?

Oh no, I’ve got that.

I don’t know.

After that information earlier I 

don’t know if I trust you with the snacks.

I-

You can trust me

I won’t have anything 

Out of the norm… I think

That doesn’t sound very trustworthy

🙄🙄🙄

Everything will be fine.

😂😂😭

I’ll let you know when I’m on the way

Okay

See you soon

See ya

“Is that your girlfriend ?” Emily says abruptly as she leans her chin on Catra’s shoulder.

“Again. Personal space.” Catra hunches her shoulders to move Emily from her space.

“Right. Sorry.” Emily swivels in her chair so that she’s more in front of her.

“What ?” Catra deadpans as she looks at her.

“Well ?”

“Speak English.” 

“Is that your girlfriend or not ?” Emily reiterates as she flicks her wrist towards Catra’s phone.

“No, she’s not my girlfriend.” Catra rolls her eyes. She’s not sure if she’s irritated with the assumption or the fact that it’s not true but there is a bit of malice behind her words.

“Well that seemed rather flirtatious don’t you think ?”

“It’s not flirting.” Catra defends, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I may not be the best at relationship stuff, but I think I know flirting when I see it.”

“You wouldn’t know flirting if it was in big bold letters”

“Those were bold letters, were they not ?”

“You know wh-” Catra starts before suddenly getting cut off.

“ Is there any reason you two are chattering so much back there ?” Hordak approaches the two of them, his hands calmly folded behind his back.

Catra and Emily look over to each other and back to Hordak. They both shake their heads and turn back to their own projects.

“As I thought.” Hordak says as he walks away and Catra rolls her eyes.

“Asshole.” Catra mumbles under her breath as she stares at her canvas. Suddenly she starts to get a vision of what she wants her final to be. Pulling her pencils and sketch book out she starts to lightly sketch something. Allowing her mind to guide her hand she slowly but surely starts to create her vision.

 Each pencil stroke gives way to the story she wants to tell. This isn’t some fiction story she’s come up with. This is her story she’s drawing out, it’s emotional but she becomes invested. She tries to fit as much of her story in the page, but there’s not enough space on one page so she moves over to the next. 

By the time Catra looks up again she notices everyone walking out of the room. Class is over ?  She turns her eyes over to her phone and sure enough two hours have slipped by her in no time. Packing her things she stands to her feet and picks the canvas  up from the easel.

“Ms. Horde.” Hordak calls out just as she was about to hit the door.

“Yes ?” She spins on her heels to face him and he walks forward to tower over her.

“I expect that your project will wow us all away. Given your tardiness today.” He says as he raises a brow to get some sort of confirmation.

“Have I ever failed to do so ?” Catra’s smug as she clutches her sketchbook in her hand.

“Very well then.” Hordak turns on his heels and Catra’s quick to do the same.

“God damn.” Catra exasperates, slumping her shoulders as she begins to walk out of the building. As her phone buzzes in her back pocket she quickly pulls it out in hopes that it’s Adora texting her. It’s just an email saying that her English class is canceled for the day.  Great, I get to see Adora a little sooner. She smiles to herself as she feels her chest warm up a bit. 

“Hey Wild Cat !” Scorpia shouts from behind, running to catch up with Catra. 

“Hey Scorp, what’s up ?” Catra turns around to give Scorpia a faint smile.

“I missed you this morning. I knocked on your door but there was no answer.”  She smiles back, rubbing the back of her head.

“Oh, I went to have coffee with Adora this morning. Was there something you needed ?” Catra walks forward forcing Scorpia to walk and talk.

“Oh ! Speaking of Adora.” Scorpia nudges Catra’s side a couple times.

“C’mon now. You have sharp elbows, Scorp. What is it about Adora ?” She says rubbing her arm with a slight frown.

“She’s very nice, you all fit each other well.” Scorpia smirks mischievously.

“What do you mean we fit well ? We’re just friends.” Catra retracts her neck slightly and her eyes drift off to the side. 

“Are you sure ? You surely pulled me from the kitchen to meet her. I don’t think you’ve ever wanted to introduce me to a friend of yours. But that ? That was new.” The suggestive tone never waivers from her voice as she goes to nudge Catra again.

“ I had a little liquor in my system. Plus I had made reference to you so I thought it would just be best for her to just meet you.” Catra smacks Scorpia’s arm, rolling her eyes.

“Oh please, you can’t blame that on the liquor. I’ve seen you at parties, you can’t use that excuse on me.” 

Damnit. Catra’s eyes avert from Scorpia’s as they start to approach her car. 

“There’s nothing there Scorpia. You’re just reaching. Even if we do fit together. Adora doesn’t like me like that.”  Catra can’t help the disappointment that slips through her voice as speaks the last part.

“But you like her like that.” She smiles softly, easing up on her teasing. “Plus if she didn’t like you, do you think she would’ve gone to get coffee with you?” Scorpia continues.

“Again, I don’t want her . I want to fuck her. Friends with benefits at most. That way I don’t have to deal with all this emotional stuff. Just fuck and go.” Catra beams brightly while Scorpia frowns.

“Oh gosh. Wild Cat your denial is so toxic it’s blinding you from the truth.”

“Are you in an almost year-long dry spell ?” Catra quickly questions as she opens her car door. 

“I- No.” Scorpia burns red as she admits it and turns her eyes away.

“Alright then. So I think I know the difference between horny and wanting a relationship. Kay’ ?” Catra slips into her car shutting the door with her lips pressed into a thin line. 

“Oh c’mon Catra, anyone who looks at you two can see the inevitable.” Scorpia raises her voice as she leans down to the window. 

“I can’t hear you.” Catra shouts as she starts up her car. “Now if you don’t mind I have to go meet someone.” She continues as she switches gears within the car.

“Okay, just don’t say I didn’t tell you so when you two end up dating.” Scorpia shrugs as she takes a step back from the car.

“Bye Scorpia !” Catra shouts disregarding her comment, pulling out of her parking space. 

As Catra finds herself down the street away from campus she sighs softly and shoots Adora a text message that she’s on the way.  Shit I should probably stop by the house first to leave Melog some food.  Looking down at the GPS she shrugs slightly; it won’t take her long to run inside and prepare the food, so she bites the bullet and makes a u-turn at a stop light. 

When she gets home Melog is sleeping on the couch so all she has to do is leave the food out for him to enjoy later. Quickly running down the stairs Catra slips herself back in her car and turns the  GPS back on to get on track. 

The drive is about thirty minutes from Catra’s place and of course the neighborhood is so beautiful that it’s mind-boggling. The houses are mansions; which isn’t surprising given Adora’s net worth,well kept, breath-taking exterior, and of course fancy cars in the driveways. 

“Your destination is on the right.” The GPS announces before it cuts off. 

“Damn, this place is nice .” Catra’s eyes glaze over the building and then the lawn as she parks in the driveway. As a kid she used to wish to live just a piece of Adora’s lifestyle. Fancy car, big house, and probably a couple pets to keep her company. However, she’s found a decent amount of comfort with living in Brightmoons nice apartments.

Just as Catra is about to reach down for her phone Adora’s front door swings open and out she comes onto the porch. She still has on the muscle tee from earlier, but there’s something about watching the sun beam down on her shoulders that makes Catra a little weak. 

“Good gods, help me.” Catra leans her head down on the steering wheel and exhales sharply. By the time she lifts her head again Adora is making her way to the car with her signature vibrant smile.

“Hey, Catra. I saw you pulling up. I thought I’d be the first to  give you a warm welcome to the neighborhood.” 

Catra smiles back and slips out of the car smiling and takes a glance around. “Thanks, I feel very welcomed.” She turns her eyes back up to Adora who beams at her a little brighter.

“Let’s go inside shall we ?”  Adora offers her hand and Catra takes it without hesitation. 

If she thought the outside of the house was a sight to see, then the inside is just pure heaven. White and gold must really be Adora’s favorite color combination because it’s everywhere. Off white walls with light hints of the gold splashed around. The only thing that differs here than the studio is that there are faint hints of cherry red here and there. 

The first decor that catches Catra’s eye are the grayscale paintings hung on the walls. Some are abstracts and others clearly portraits of people. 

“I thought those would catch an artistic eye such as yours.” Adora says closing and locking the front door.

“What, did you put those up just for me ?”  Catra teases as she turns back to her. 

“If I say yes, does that take away my penalty points ?” Adora asks innocently and Catra chuckles lightly.

“Only if it’s the truth.” 

“Damn.” Adora drops her head defeatedly. 

Suddenly there’s a quick pitter patter of feet and panting coming closer. Just as Catra turns to question the noise she feels something jump up on her. Startled by it she steps back wide eyed to find herself staring back at a golden-retriever.

“Oh god, I’m sorry about that.” Adora says quickly stepping between the dog and Catra. “Swift Wind back to your room.” She continues forcing the dog to back up.

“Ha, why am I not surprised.”  Catra shakes her head with slight amusement.

“What ?” Adora questions turning back to her.

“Of course you have a dog. A golden retriever at that.” Catra scoffs with amusement.

“What, don’t tell me you’re scared of dogs now Catra.” Adora smirks.

“I- what ? No, I just personally wouldn’t have one. They’re too needy for my liking.” Catra flicks her wrist in response.

“Oh yeah ?” Adora’s smirk becomes devious as she turns back to Swiftwind. “Show her some love Swifty.” She coos and Swiftwind barks before jumping up on Catra .

“Oh god no !” Catra turns her head every which way as Swiftwind tries to lick her face. Somewhere in the background Adora is laughing her butt off, but Catra’s too busy fighting for her life with the dog to really register it.

“Alright, alright, Swifty, let’s go to your room.” Adora sighs softly as she calms her laughter down. With a snap of her finger Swiftwind is down and prancing away to a different room. 

“Ugh, dog fur.” She  wipes herself off and shivers lightly.

“Oh come on , he’s a sweet boy.” Adora walks over and helps Catra get rid of some of the shedded fur.  The way her hands lightly graze over Catra’s collar bone makes her pause for a moment. Her touch is like feathers tickling at her skin; causing a feeling she wants to escape yet chase all at once. 

When Adora’s hands graze over the top of her shoulders and down her arms, Catra swears time slows for just a second and they make eye contact. If she didn’t know any better she’d think this was Adora taking a chance to feel her up.

“Sweet or not, I’d prefer to not have his fur all over me.” Catra rolls her eyes as she swipes the last bit of fur off her shirt .

“You have a point. I’m sorry, but it was too funny not to.” Adora nudges Catra softly before leading her to the living room. 

“Shit.” Catra’s breath hitches slightly as she looks around.

“What’s wrong ?” Adora whips her head around quickly looking for abnormalities.

“Nothing, your house is just… Wow. ” Catra sighs breathlessly. There’s a white dining room set off to the right enough to seat six people and a beautiful square chandelier above it. ‘L’ shaped leather couches across from each other to the left, and a TV hung up on the wall. 

“Oh thanks. That’s quite the compliment.” Adora laughs sheepishly while scratching the back of her head.

“You’re welcome, it’s just-“ Catra walks forward, turning slowly to take in the view. When she pauses, Adora joins her at her side trying to follow her gaze.

“What’s wrong  now ?” Adora questions.

“Well what is this ?” Catra points to the coffee table sitting between the sofas with a grin. There’s a bottle of fireball whiskey and two 8 oz shot glasses sitting there, staring back at them.

“Oh, that ? I planned for us to continue our little game from earlier. But this time yes and no questions. If the answer is yes you take a shot. If the answer is no, well… you don’t.”

“Oh ?” Catra’s face lights up as she walks around the couch to inspect the bottle.

“So ?” Adora starts and pauses for a beat. “You wanna play ?” She has a faint smile on her face and Catra turns back to look at her.

“Oh you are so on.” She grins back, setting the bottle back down. Things just got a bit more interesting. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 6 : Where Threads Intertwine

Adora allows Catra to sit on the sofa first and she follows after her. It took her a while to think of what they should do when Catra agreed to come over to her place. She first thought that watching a movie would be fine, but then she was afraid that would be too boring. She didn’t want to bore Catra and make her leave before feeling satisfied with the amount of time they spent together. The next thing that came to mind was playing a card game of some sort, but Adora has been reminded on numerous occasions that she sucks at playing cards; so that was thrown out the window because she’s too competitive sometimes. Alas she went back to the question game they were playing earlier; it was actually quite fun even if Catra had started cheating.

“Ready to lose at your own game ?” Adora gives a challenging smirk as she cracks open the bottle of Fireball. It’s a brand new bottle too, she noticed that Catra mostly spoke of whiskey’s and that’s all she drank last night too. So, this would probably tickle her fancy, or so she hoped.

“Lose ? Did you not admit last night that I have you beat when it comes to drinking games ?” Catra smirks as she refreshes Adora’s memory.

“Did I say that ?” Adora turns her eyes up in thought with a smile on the corner of her lips. She knows what she said but this isn’t just straight shots, so maybe she actually has a chance of winning. 

“Yeah, I mentioned how you have a big appetite and you said, ‘you may be good at drinking contests, but food is where I lie.’ I believe it was.” 

“That doesn’t sound too much like a confession to me.” Adora shrugs slightly.

“Oh please, you tapped out before me. I think we both know who the drinking queen is around here.”

“Careful, you make yourself sound like an alcoholic.” She teases with a smirk.

“I- that’s not even close to what I said.” Catra playfully hits her arm rolling her eyes.

“ Drinking queen. If I didn’t know you I wouldn’t know how to take that.” Adora laughs softly as she reaches for one of the shot glasses. 

“I was simply saying that between the two of us I can hold my liquor better than you.” Catra leers as leaning back into the sofa with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Oh c’mon, don’t look at me like that.” Adora smirks, nudging Catra slightly as she hands her the shot glass.

“As a bartender, it hurt to watch you pour that.” Catra shakes her head while tipping the glass to her lips.

“Hey ! You’re supposed to wait for a question to drink.” Adora frowns slightly, rolling her eyes.

“You poured more than a shot, plus I couldn’t resist.” Catra clears her throat as she eyes her glass for a moment swirling the liquor around, creating a slight vortex within the glass.

“Well, would you like to pour the drinks from now on ?” Adora raises a brow, rolling her eyes once more.

“No thanks, I have the day off. On top of that it’s fun to watch you try and impress me.” Catra smirks and Adora sputters for a moment with a blush dusting her cheeks.

“Anyways. Would you like to go first ?” Adora clears her throat as she asks. 

“No no. Your place, you go first.”

“Alright. Did your classes go well even though you were late ?” Adora hums before coming up with an easy question. It’s the way Catra’s eyes drift in thought for a moment that makes her think that she may have gotten her in trouble. Only when she tips the glass to her lips and drinks down the liquid does that anxiety seem to settle.

“Brunette ?” There’s a smirk at the corner of Catra’s lips as she asks the question. For a moment Adora doesn’t understand what she means by that, but then she remembers what she asked her earlier about blondes. 

“Real smooth.” Adora comments as she tips the glass to her lips and refills their glasses. This time she turns to Catra once she finishes and raises her brow. “Was that to your satisfaction ?” 

“Could’ve been a better pour, but do keep trying.” She grins with satisfaction as Adora frowns yet looks determined at the same time.“Have you always lived a lavish lifestyle ?”

Adora hums slightly, it’s an interesting question but she leaves the glass on the table. Sure she’s been to fairly decent schools as a kid, but her lifestyle was far from lavish back then. There were some struggles that she had almost forgotten about until Catra asked. Not that she’s forgotten where and what she’s come from, but it’s never good to dwell on the past for too long.

“Do you have any siblings ?” 

Catra frowns in thought and leaves her glass on the coffee table. She grew up in foster care with a bunch of other kids, but she never got along with any of them. So no, she doesn’t consider them to be her siblings despite growing up with them.

“You ?” Catra returns the question to her surprise Adora lifts her glass and sips half of her shot. “Okay, wait. I need an explanation on that one.” She says because she only assumes that the answer is yes and no. 

“Technically speaking I have a twin brother, but I’ve never met him.” Adora shrugs slightly.

“Did he ?” Catra hesitates for a moment remembering how she mistakenly thought Adora’s mother was still alive.

“Hm ? Oh no, he’s alive- I think he still is, just never reached out to him. So the lack of connection makes it a no for me.” Adora pours Catra’s glass and notions to her to drink. “Also, penalty shot.”

“What ?!” She yells, jerking her head back.

“You asked two questions. So, penalty shot.” Adora notions to the glass again and Catra snarls with annoyance.

“Asshole.” She mumbles and Adora knows it was a cheap move to not tell Catra about penalty shots, but Catra isn’t the most fair at playing games either. So in a way they’re even from earlier with the penalty points.

“What was that ?”  Adora questions a bit tauntingly leaning closer to see Catra’s lips as she takes her shot.

“You heard me. Asshole.” Catra emphasizes the word, obviously not one to cower away from a challenge.

“Oh yeah ?” 

“I already told you Adora, this game isn’t one you want to play with me. Or do you really want to play that game with me ?” 

“Penalty shot~” Adora sings, filling Catra’s glass again, but to her surprise she snatches the bottle from her and fills her glass.

“Penalty shot yourself.”

“Wait.” Adora blinks for a moment.

“Oh yeah, was a question. So, penalty shot yourself.” Catra throws back her shot aggressively and grins at Adora waiting for her to take her shot.

“Damn.” She mumbles to herself as she throws back her shot and then rolls her eyes.

“Now that we’re even, it’s your go.” Catra smiles with her eyes closed just to work at Adora’s nerves a bit. She can see how this is going to go already, Adora is going to try and get off on easy questions and penalty shots. But if she can get to her first she gets to see a tipsy Adora again and have a little buzz by the end, she wins .

“Have you always liked to draw ?” Adora seems to ask an innocent question, but Catra’s jaw goes taut. Sure she loves to draw, but there was a time where she hated it. Her foster mother was to blame for that. She would either rip up her drawings in her face or make her draw until her hands would cramp in pain. Catra’s not sure what she ever did for that woman to hate her so, but living under her guise was like hell.

“Hey, you okay ?” Adora notices the way Catra clenches her jaw and how that playful look slowly turns into one of malice. Catra’s eyes snap over to Adora and she blinks a couple times coming out of the hazy feeling of hatred and smiles.

“I’m fine, it’s your go.” Catra flashes a quick smile and Adora looks at her for a moment.

“It’s actually your go.” She corrects with concern still washed over her features. 

“Oh, hm… If you never would’ve gotten into photography would you have still been little miss poet ?” 

That makes Adora snort for a moment, she tends to forget that she told Catra about her little secret with poetry. Yeah, she would’ve pursued that if the photography thing didn’t work like she hoped. So she throws back her shot.  

“Nerd.” Catra chuckles, shaking her head. 

“Whatever. Is there a special song your parents sang to you as a kid ?”

Damnit, there she goes again. Catra knows she hasn’t told Adora a lick about her childhood, but damn this is upsetting. She doesn’t like to think about Ms. Weaver and all the tormenting punishments she went through as a kid. She thought that the older she got that simple questions like these wouldn’t be so triggering to her, but obviously not.

“Did I say something to upset you ?” Adora takes notice of Catra’s sudden change in mood again and now she’s starting to feel bad. Maybe her childhood hits a nerve for her, but this is only the second question she’s asked about it and she reacted the same way to her last question.

“Penalty shot.” Catra pours Adora’s drink as she huffs leaning back into the sofa. 

“I’ll take it, but can you at least answer ?” She pleads holding her glass to her chest looming with anxiety.

“Let’s just steer away from those kinds of questions, okay ?” Catra eyes Adora as she throws back her shot with a nod. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean-”

“ Don’t apologize. Please don’t do that.” Catra cuts her off as she puts her hand up. That’s the last thing she ever wants. Pity and someone blaming themself that has absolutely nothing to do with them. It’s not Adora’s fault she hasn’t worked through her childhood trauma quite yet. 

“Right. It’s your turn.” Adora allows her finger to trace the rim of the glass for a moment.

“Did you go to college ? Or are you just that good at what you do ?” Catra smirks slightly as she meets Adora’s eyes. She sets her glass down and shakes her head. It’s not that she’s been that good, but she was determined to learn everything herself. Again, she hasn’t always lived a life of lavish. So going to a university was going to be one more burden on her mother that she didn’t need. 

“I had thought about it, but once I graduated from highschool I found that it would be too expensive for my mom to try and help. Then when she passed I knew it was really going to be hard for me, but then all this happened.” Adora gestures to the house and everything around them. Catra didn’t ask for any explanation, but she feels this warm comfort around her where she feels safe enough to talk on this level. Usually she leaves stuff like that for Glimmer and Bow, but there’s just this feeling about Catra that fits right in. Like the piece of a puzzle that’s been missing for so long.

“ I see. Thanks for sharing that with me. It means a lot.” Catra smiles warmly looking around for a moment to acknowledge Adora’s accomplishments. Adora fills their glasses back and leans back into the sofa.

“So, do plan on being a big time tattoo artist.”

Catra cackles a bit and shrugs.  “Well if you mean being a big billionaire, no. I just want to be good at what I do and make a good clientele. It’d be nice to make bank like you do, but that’s not really the plan.”

“That’s understandable, I didn’t really plan on being rich.” Adora picks up her glass and drinks before filling it again and drinking again.

“Why’d you do that ?” Catra questions slightly taken aback.

“Well, I didn’t really analyze when you asked if I had gone to college. I had to take a couple business courses to be able to build Grayskull Entertainment, so I guess those count as college courses. So a penalty shot for lying.” 

“Well I appreciate the honesty, but you could’ve kept that to yourself. Because now I’m destined to win.” Catra leers with amusement as the corners of her mouth curl up in a smirk.

“Oh whatever, I don’t even feel anything yet.” Adora should’ve kept her mouth shut because she feels a warm feeling ignite in her. 

Catra hums slightly and turns her eyes up in thought for a moment. “Are you vanilla ?” She knows it’s a risque question, but flustering Adora is one of her favorite pastimes now. 

“A what ?” Confusion overcomes Adora’s features and Catra’s grin grows wider. That question alone almost immediately answers her question, but she still wants to see how Adora goes red in the face.

“Look up what it means to be vanilla.” 

Adora pulls her phone out and her fingers fly across the screen before coming to a halt. Her eyes shoot up to Catra’s and back down to her phone.

“I-” She stammers for a moment as she slowly turns beet red. Am I ? She doesn’t know how to answer that. She would like to think that she isn’t, but she can't really think of anything spontaneous about her sex life. “I would like to think that I’m not.” She responds setting the phone down. Adora knows she’s flushed as she looks back at Catra, but she can’t help it. It was quite a bold question to ask.

The way Adora seems embarrassed by it is absolutely delicious to see, and Catra is drinking it up like water. “That answer sounds like a yes, so just go ahead and take that drink for me.” She chirps leaning into the comfort of the leather sofa.

“What ?! But you wouldn’t even know !”

“Okay, so give me an example of something to prove me wrong.” 

“I- Nevermind.” Adora tilts her glass back and downs the drink to which Catra cackles. Oh this is so good. She finds herself thinking until Adora throws the question back at her. It makes her laugh more to the point that she holds her stomach.

“No, I know how to get a little spicy.”

“Oh yeah ? Well, give me an example.” Adora tries to mock in order to save face, but it only adds fuel to Catra fire. 

“If I found myself on the bottom,” Catra swings her legs around so that she’s sitting on her knees and slowly crawls towards Adora. “I’d drag my nails down your back leaving those fresh, red, marks.” She continues ending with one of her hands on Adora’s thighs. The way Adora squeaks at the contact is delightful. The liquor now starts to take its course through Catra before she quickly retracts herself back to her side of the couch.

“Only if you’re into that kind of thing of course.” She adds with a big grin while Adora is a big mess trying to collect herself.

Even in her mind Adora stammers over her thoughts. It’s like her mind is going into a code red. Which is just her brain malfunctioning as she reorganizes her thoughts .  I mean that doesn’t sound so bad.  Adora turns red again as she realizes what she’s thinking and puts her face in her hands. On the other end of the couch Catra bursts into laughter obviously watching how Adora is falling apart.

“Gosh, have you seen how red you turn when you blush ? Even your ears go red. It’s cute.” Catra snorts as her laughter starts to calm.

“Would you really do something like that ?” Adora asks with her mouth gone dry. Catra picks up her shot glass and smiles.

“Only if the person is into that kind of stuff. Or if I y’know get lost in the moment.” Catra sips on her drink and freezes for a moment. “Penalty shot, princess.” She adds humming softly feeling a tiny warmth in her chest.

“Okay, that’s fair.” Adora pours her shot and takes it back. She can’t pinpoint if the warm feeling buzzing around is the liquor or if she’s still flustered. Either way she kinda likes this feeling.

“When someone’s single do you think it’s okay for them to…” Catra pauses trying to find the right words to say next. “Do you think it’s okay for them to hmm, let’s just say sleep around ?” Catra’s eyes drift to the side as she finally gets the question across. This isn’t something she would typically ask if she was completely sober, but the fireball is really taking its course.

“Hm.” Adora hums with a shrug before tilting her glass to her lips. “I mean only if the people they mess with understand that they aren’t looking for a relationship, then I guess it’s fine.” She explains as she goes to fill their glasses once more.

“Have you ever fallen asleep in the middle of foreplay ?” 

Catra spits out before cackling and her cheeks turn rosy red.

“No, but I have thought in the back of my mind what the fuck is even going on ?” She explains slipping her shoes off and bringing her knees to her chest. “Do you tell your friends about your sex life ?” Catra asks as she fiddles with the hymn of her shirt.

Adora hovers her glass over the coffee table while her eyes drift in thought before putting her glass back down. “I don’t tell them, they just make wild assumptions that I neither confirm nor deny.” She isn’t sure if that counts as telling them if she doesn’t directly say who she's slept with. Catra hums at the response and seems somewhat satisfied by the answer. 

“Do you think of me while you’re working ?” Adora blurts the question out before thinking about how Catra’s answer might affect her. Does she want her to think of her ? Sure, but she won’t actually be hurt if she says no. It’s about how she says no that will affect her.

“Sometimes, yeah.” Catra responds with her nose turned down into her glass to hide her blush. “Do you ?” She returns the question dragging her eyes to meet Adora’s. It’s something about the way she quickly tips that glass to her lips that makes her freeze. 

“Would you work under me if I was your boss ?” Adora asks, filling their cups. It wasn’t a trick question to get Catra to change careers; she’d never try to change someone’s  passion, she’s just simply asking. To which Catra sips half of her drink.

“You seem like a great boss, truly, but as you know your form of art and mine are a bit different.” Catra explains trying to avoid the confusion in her answer.

“On a dare would you kiss a complete stranger ?” Catra asks, trying to spice up the questions again. Adora shakes her head trying to hold back her blush. She doesn’t think she has that much courage about herself to do that.

“Would you kiss someone you consider a friend ?” Catra thinks about it for a moment and eyes Adora for a long second. Usually no, she wouldn’t kiss a friend even if she was drunk because she wouldn’t want them to think that there’s some sort of relationship forming. However, she considers Adora a friend now and she would definitely kiss her so that must count for something, right ? Tilting her glass back she sets it down on the coffee table before turning back to Adora. 

“Do you consider us friends ?”Catra asks and Adora’s heart thrums against her ribs hearing the question. Of course she does, Catra fits right in the place, but considering the question she just asked her makes her heart skip. As she goes to reach for her glass Catra pushes her hand away and leans closer. The tension forces Adora to look at her. 

“The drink.” Adora manages to push the words out, but Catra shakes her head.

“Fuck that. Do you want to kiss me ?” Catra looks down at her lips and then to her eyes, placing a hand on her thigh. Adora stammers for a moment before shaking her head yes. Catra brings her hand to Adora’s cheek slowly leaning in so that their lips meet.

Slowly as the kiss becomes more heated Catra climbs into Adora’s lap hovering over her. Adora holds Catra’s hips as she leans upward to catch more of her lips, but then pulls away for a moment opening her eyes.

“Wait wait, you’re not drunk are you ?” Adora asks as she looks in Catra’s eyes. She can tell the liquor has affected her to an extent, but she can’t do this if she doesn’t even know what she’s doing. 

“A little buzzed but not drunk. You ?” Adora leans back into Catra’s touch and hums softly.

“I’m buzzed, but I like this.” Her eyes drift down to Catra’s hips for a moment. She’s taken in Catra’s figure through a couple glances and from taking pictures of her, but now she can actually take in the sight. She can feel the curves of her hips under her oversized shirt. The way her shirt starts at her sternum teases at the idea of seeing her whole makes her heart race.

Catra smiles and leans back in hungrily taking Adora’s lips against her own. Adora meets her with the same eager energy. Her hands run up Catra’s back, trying to feel her as best she can. 

Catra smirks slightly as she feels Adora’s needy hands against her back. “Do you want to take it off ?” She asks and no matter what Adora tries to do she turns red in the face, but she still manages to nod her head. Catra eyes Adora’s hands as they slowly reach around to her front. 

Cautiously, Adora unbuttons the silky red shirt and Catra allows it to drape off her shoulders once the last button is undone. Adora can’t help but stare for a moment, and it makes Catra squirm. She’s never had someone look at her with such a gentle gleam in their eye. Usually it was just people ogling her or a look of hatred; but this, this is nice. It makes her feel warm inside and in some different places too.

“Can I ?” Adora asks breathlessly as she reaches her hand to the hook of Catra’s bra. She can feel the warmth of Adora’s hand hovering there. For a moment her logic side can’t believe that this is actually happening. 

The longer Catra takes to answer the more worry that begins to wash over Adora’s features. She must have noticed, because she snaps from her half-second daze and nods her head. 

The moment Catra feels the tension of her bra release she feels a twinge of excitement shoot down her spine. Adora pulls away for a moment as Catra slips her bra off and her face contorts for a moment and her eyes avert from Catra off to the side.

“I-... I’m sorry this… feels wrong.”  Adora stammers as she looks back to Catra and then to the side. Perhaps that was the wrong way to word it from the way Catra’s face goes to shock and fear.

“No, I mean, I want to do this, but in the living room feels wrong.” Adora rephrases to which Catra chuckles out of relief.

Climbing off of Adora’s lap with a smile she looks around for a split second. “Would you like to lead the way ?” She asks with a slight grin. 

“With pleasure.” Adora stands to her feet and takes a hold of Catra’s hand leading her to the staircase to the right of the living room. 

If Catra wasn’t in a somewhat drunk lust haze she would take a moment to admire the paintings and portraits strung across the walls of the hall going down to the bedroom. If Catra’s never seen a master bedroom before then she’s certain that she has now. 

Adora’s bedroom is massive. Probably too massive for just one person to be living here, but maybe she likes the space. She surely has enough knick-knacks around to fill the empty spaces. Speaking of massive, Adora’s bed has to be king-sized, because you can probably fit 3 people on it. The third person would probably be at the foot of the bed, but that’s besides the fact. They have plenty of room to do what they’re about to do.

Adora shuts the door behind them and when she turns to face Catra again she’s met with their lips crashing. The hunger in the kiss takes her by surprise at first, but she’s quick to melt into it. Catra’s lips just feel so right against hers. They’re soft and plump, and if Adora kisses back hard enough she can taste the cinnamon of the liquor on her lips. Catra is eager to feel Adora, so she pushes her against the door. She runs her hand up her shirt to feel on those washboard abs.

The more they kiss the hotter the room gets. Adora is still fully clothed and Catra still has her bottom half on. The moment they pull apart, Adora's rushing to take her shirt off and then she’s back to Catra’s lips once more. This time Adora becomes more handsy, she’s clumsy at first, but she manages to get her hands on Catra’s thighs. She pulls her forwards and lifts her up with ease.

Catra knows she isn’t anything heavy, but the way Adora picks her up like she weighs nothing is probably the hottest thing anyone has done to her. Catra can feel the room swaying around and for the split second that she opens her eyes she sees that Adora is walking her over to the bed. She fully expected Adora to throw her down on the bed, because they’d been rough for the past five minutes. But she doesn’t, she gently lays her across the bed while managing to keep their lips in close proximity.

Adora sits up from the bed for a moment and looks down at Catra putting her hands on her hips. “You’re okay with this right ?” She asks breathily. 

“Yeah, yeah this is great.” Catra exhales sharply, catching her breath. 

“Okay, good.” Adora says as she moves her hands to undo Catra’s jeans. When she first tries to slide them down her legs they don’t budge, so she tries again with a bit more aggression and they come off like butter.

Dammit that was way too hot. Catra bites her lip as she looks down at her bare legs and back up to Adora who more gently slides her underwear off. Oh fuck. Catra knew what was about to happen, but being completely bare under Adora’s gaze intensifies the feeling pooling between her legs. 

Adora is carefully spreading Catra’s legs, she could see the glistening on her thighs when she took her pants off. But now she gets to see Catra in full. Once her legs are spread just where she wants them she eyes her. She takes a mental image, to replace the one she usually sees when she closes her eyes. Yes, this will make for a much better image. 

The moment Adora decides to run her fingers through Catra’s slick is the moment Catra really feels her body catch fire. It’s been so long since she was touched, especially by slender fingers like Adora’s. Adora leans over her and puts her fingers to Catra’s lips. Happily, Catra takes her fingers in her mouth before realizing the tangy flavor on her tongue is herself. Not many people had found themselves in the position to do that to her, so the taste isn’t something she’saquainted to.

What really shocks Catra about having Adora’s fingers in her mouth is when she pulls her fingers out and has a taste for herself.   So maybe she isn’t as vanilla as she was thinking, because that was hot. Catra strains herself up to catch Adora’s lips when she pulls her fingers away. 

Adora chuckles a bit and leans into Catra’s needy kiss before slowly guiding her hand between her legs. Catra jumps a little at the feeling, but she doesn’t stop kissing Adora so she keeps going. Teasing at her clit in slow deliberate circles. Adora only earns herself low moans from Catra, but it’s rewarding enough because it’s absolute music to her ears. However, she wants more, she needs more. She wants Catra to writhe to her touch and sing her a song full of that beautiful melody. She doesn’t just want part of the song, no, she wants the whole thing.

Adora turns those slow circles up in pace and pulls away to watch Catra gape her mouth at the feeling. Yes, that’s what she wants. She wants Catra to contort her face in pleasure. “You’re so beautiful.” She whispers in her ear before kissing it softly. When she turns back to catch Catra’s lips her cheeks are burning red. 

Catra still isn’t used to being called that. It really does something to her, it makes her heart hammer against her ribs and clit throb under Adora’s hand. She wants to hear it again but she gets something even better when Adora says, “Gorgeous.” Yeah, that really turns her on. 

Adora leans in to kiss her again and this time she moves her hand to tease at Catra’s entrance. Catra’s breath hitches at the sudden movement and bucks her hips against her hand. She earns a light chuckle from the blonde above her and when she looks to her eyes they’re dark with lust. Fuck, why is everything about her so hot. 

When Adora finally slips her finger inside she gets a satisfied moan from Catra. She allows her to take in the feeling, because she knows her fingers are  quite long. When Catra begins to whine beneath her she slowly pumps her fingers in and out. 

“Yes.” Catra whispers, shutting her eyes. The sensation is great, and even better when Adora returns to making out with her. The moment their lips disconnect is the moment she whines again. She wants her back, she wants to taste her, but she gets something far more rewarding than Adora’s lips on her mouth. She drags them down to the curves of her breast, feeling a kiss and then her tongue against her nipple. 

Slowly but surely Adora makes sure to show love to all of Catra’s skin. She eventually makes her way between her thighs and kisses the inside of them. It’s romantic, a little too romantic for them to just be hooking up, but as long as Catra keeps moaning above her it must be fine. The moment she starts to eat her out is also when she decides to spice things up by slipping another finger inside of her. 

That’s the stimulation that gets Catra to buck her hips more. That’s the writhing Adora had been chasing. “You look so beautiful taking my fingers.” Adora’s voice is low as she speaks. 

“Fuck.” Catra rolls her eyes. She was really talking to herself, because why is this so much hotter than her fantasies. 

“Is this good enough for you ?” Adora asks before returning her mouth to her cunt. Catra can’t quite manage to get the word ‘yes’ out, but Adora gets the message through her low moan. 

Catra is needy and gets acclimated to Adora’s fingers and tongue rather fast. However, she can feel herself teetering over the edge. She just needs that little push over to get there.

“Fuck, f-faster…” She pants out fisting Adora’s hair to somewhat hold her in place. Adora barely manages to catch the words so she tries to lift up a bit, but Catra is quick to push her back down. Finally what she said registers and she can’t help the slight smirk that spreads across her face.  

Adora picks up her rhythm moving faster and faster until the grip in hair tightens. It’s hard to tell if it’s a warning that she’s going too fast or if that’s just right. So, cautiously she slows down a bit until Catra bucks her hips into her mouth and against her fingers. Picking the pace back up Adora allows her free hand to roam to Catra’s hip, then her breast groping softly.

Catra’s body locks up as a euphoric feeling washes over her. She held the position for a beat before exhaling softly to catch her breath. “You okay up there ?” She hears from between her legs. Opening her eyes she realizes she still has a death grip on Adora’s hair and she instantly releases it.  

“Yeah, yeah.” She huffs out, closing her eyes still attempting to catch her breath. Once she has it she sits up looking at Adora who’s resting her cheek on the inside of her thighs. “Did you ?” Catra starts to form the question, but Adora just sits up on her knees shaking her head.

“No, no, watching you is far more entertaining than receiving. Do you need anything ?” Adora climbs up next to her in bed, laying down and looking up at her.

“No, not right now.” Catra returns, laying down and wrapping her arms around Adora’s torso so she can nuzzle closer.

Stunned for a second, Adora looks down at Catra before pulling the comforter over them. She won’t fight being close to Catra anymore, especially not after a moment like that. Wrapping her arms around her, Adora shuts her eyes as the adrenaline starts to wear off and the liquor begins to drag her to sleep.

Catra’s the first to wake from the post-sex nap. Turning over in the bed she reaches down to her pants on the floor to grab her phone. Pausing for a moment she realizes this isn’t her bed, let alone her room. Flipping over quickly, her eyes widen looking at Adora who is sprawled out on the bed with her face down in the sheets.  Quickly her eyes drop back to her phone to read the time 8 : 37 p.m. Shit. Quickly she scrambles out of bed putting on her underwear and pants before running downstairs to gather her things.

Adora almost immediately felt the cold air hit her body when Catra rushed out. Sitting up off the bed she turns her head to see Catra missing and slowly drags herself out of bed to make sure she’s alright. She can hear rumbling from downstairs so she only assumes it’s her.

“You okay ?” Adora’s words are slightly slurred, but she’s trying her best to be attentive.

“I-... Yeah, I just gotta get home to Melog.” Catra’s startled by Adora’s sudden presence, she thought she would’ve heard her come down or been gone by the time she realized her absence. Plus she's struggling to put her bra back on.

“You can’t drive like that, you’re gonna get pulled over.” Adora can hear the slight slur in Catra’s words too, and with the way she’s fighting with her own bra she probably won’t drive straight.

“Gotta make sure my apartment is still intact.” Catra finally clips her bra and trips over her own feet as she goes to grab her shirt off of the floor.

“I’m not gonna hold you hostage, but at least stay until you sober up. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” Adora yawns before turning back to the stairs and heading to her room.

Catra stands there for a moment watching the room sway around her. She’s right, and I don’t have time to get my license suspended. Walking towards the stairs Catra goes to climb back in bed with Adora .

This time around Adora is the first one to get up. She has a slight headache from the alcohol, but that’s nothing a little aspirin can’t fix. Slipping out of bed she ties her hair back into a messy bun and puts on a tank top so she can grab a glass of water. Maybe Catra would like some when she wakes up. She thinks to herself as she glances over her shoulder to look at her. When she returns with two glasses of ice water she can see Catra sitting up to grab her phone. Carefully she walks around the bed and holds the glass out to her, waiting for her to take it.

“Thanks.” Catra says softly as she props herself up on her elbow to take the glass. She’s quick to drink half of it down.

Adora watches her for a moment before fiddling with her shirt a bit. “I- I had fun today…. A lot of fun actually.” She says, unable to help the blush that spreads across her face.

“I did too.” Catra smiles looking up at Adora’s eyes as they sparkle in the moonlight peeking through the window. Quickly her eyes fall back to her phone to check the time.

Adora catches a glance of the time too and it reads 10:45 p.m. “I guess you need to get going.” She says with disappointment slipping through her tone. She can’t help it, she doesn’t want Catra to leave, but she also knows she can’t neglect her pet.

“Yeah, Scorpia’s been blowing up my phone. I don’t want her to send out a SWAT team looking for me.” Catra chuckles lightly as she stands up lazily buttoning her shirt back.

“Right.” Adora nods softly, that disappointed tone still present as she speaks. “I’ll walk you to your car.” She slips on some slides while Catra slips on her shoes.

“What, not a safe neighborhood at night ?” Catra jokes as she looks up at her.

“I- no. It’s just common courtesy.” 

“I’m just messing with you… Thank you.” Catra nudges her side as she walks past. As the two of them walk down to her car they’re silent. It’s a comforting silence for the most part, but there was an awkward tension lingering in the air.

“Get home safe.” Adora says as Catra swings her legs into the car. 

“Thanks, get some rest.”

“I will.” This is their way of saying goodbye because Catra just closes the car door and starts the car up. 

Adora walks back up to her porch and watches as Catra pulls off down the street. Heading back inside she locks the door and leans against it for a couple seconds. 

“Holy shit !” She shouts turning red and then jumping up and down. Swiftwind barks before running into the room and she looks down at him.

“Sorry Swifty, you can go back to sleep.” She pats his head and walks him back to his room before heading to her own. She feels like a highschool girl when she makes it back to her room. Closing the door and jumping into bed to kick her feet and scream into her pillow.

Catra makes it home at 11:30, she was cautious of her driving just in case she was still a little intoxicated. A DUI on her driving record won’t look good for her future, so it’s better safe than sorry. When she finally gets inside her apartment she notices Scorpia sleeping on her couch with Melog in her lap. Relief washes over her seeing the two of them. She wasn’t actually worried about Melog leaving the place in shambles, but sometimes he requires supervision.

“Wild Cat ? Where’ve you been? I was worried something happened to you, I heard the little guy in here screaming, so I thought maybe something bad had happened, it just turns out he wanted some attention.” Scorpia must’ve woken up the moment she felt like she and Melog weren’t alone anymore because she’s quick to bombard Catra with questions.

“Didn’t mean to scare you. I was hanging out at Adora’s and lost track of time.” Catra wipes her face while closing the door behind herself.

“That explains the messy bed head.” Scorpia snickers, setting Melog aside.

“I- anyways. Thanks for watching Melog.” Catra clears her throat trying to hide her blush.

“Of course.” Scorpia says, still grinning as she gets up from the couch. “So, did you all…” She lets the question hang in the air and Catra swings the front door open pointing out into the hall.

“Absolutely not. I am not talking about that with you.”

“You don’t have to. I’m just saying. Late at night. At Adora’s place.” Scorpia puts her hands up defensively with a suggestive tone.

“Good night Scorpia.” Catra slams the door in Scorpia’s face and she can hear her chuckle from outside. 

“Night Wild Cat.”

After a long moment of leaning against the front door Catra drags herself to her bedroom. Plopping down onto her bed she snatches up one of her pillows and covers her face with it. Inhaling sharply she lets out a scream while kicking and flailing her legs.

“Holy shit !” Catra shouts, feeling a blush burn on her cheeks.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7 :  Beyond The Framing

Waking up this morning felt surreal to Catra knowing what she knew. Knowing the fact that not even twenty-four hours ago she slept with Adora is enough to put an ear to ear smile on her face. She can’t even go a minute without cheesing at the mere thought . She hasn't been this happy in a very long time. So much so that she can’t really wipe the smirk from her face as she dresses herself to go to work.

If she was a gossip girl she would’ve told Scorpia all about it, but this feels exclusive. There’s not too many people in the world who can say they slept with a billionaire. Gosh that thought alone makes her cheeks burn red.

Behind her as she stands in the mirror fixing her hair there’s a long drawn meow. Turning around she picks Melog up from the floor holding him at eye level.

“I feel amazing .” 

Melog stares at her with wide eyes before meowing again.

“Thank you, thank you.” Catra cheeses as she puts Melog down before walking across the bedroom to grab her car keys. “I’ll be back, be good.” She continues as she snatches her jacket off her office chair, then heading out to her car. 

By the time she makes it to work she’s set a new record, and for once it’s not for being late. She’s actually five minutes early. It not only surprises her, but even Rogelio at the front door who seems to just be getting settled.

“You’re.. Early.” He says looking her up and down for a moment.

“I know, surprising right ?” Catra chuckles slightly before heading to the bar to clock in. There’s no guests inside right now so it’s easy to walk through. 

The moment Catra’s fingers touch the screen to clock in she feels a familiar presence staring at her. Looking up from the keypad she tilts her head as she makes eye contact with Lonnie. She’s… smiling at her? 

“What are you cheesing about ?” Catra asks, raising a brow before returning to put her pin in.

“Oh nothing.” Lonnie's voice feigns  innocence.

Furrowing her brows further, Catra looks back at Lonnie looking her up and down for a moment. “What did you get laid before coming in?” Her eyes cross the room to Rogelio who’s minding his business at the front door.

“No, but I know someone who did last night.” Lonnie’s voice fluctuates with suggestiveness.

Catra’s eyes widen as she clears her throat for a moment. “Congrats, I guess.” She avoids eye contact as she speaks, trying not to blush. She knows she’s been caught somehow, but perhaps with a slither of hope this is just a coincidence.

“Oh c’mon~ you know Scorpia couldn’t keep all that gossip to herself.” Lonnie nudges Catra’s side with a slight grin.

“Ugh ! I’m going to kill her !” Catra puts her face in her hands trying to hide the blush spreading across it.

Followed by a light gasp Lonnie says, “Oh my god, you really did bang her.” She chuckles lightly and then it begins to turn into full blown laughter.

“No I didn’t ! I mean- I’m not talking about this with you.” Catra sighs frustratedly, dragging her hands down her face.

“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you alone. For now. ” Lonnie’s laughter dies down as she walks away. Probably going to check some things before customers start strolling through.

“Damn. Can’t tell Scorpia anything. I didn’t even tell her ! She made speculations !” Catra mumbles and rants to herself as she goes to polish some glass.

 As the hours went by Catra was able to drift her mind from Adora and their actions. She had to so she could actually serve people and get her good tips for the night. It was all until she found a peaceful moment to herself and Lonnie stood a little too close for comfort.

“So are you like her sugar baby now ?” Lonnie questions sliding some coasters off of the bar.

“I- what ?” Catra blinks at her, slightly bewildered. “No, I’m not using her for money.” She continues in a whisper so that patrons passing by won’t hear her.

“Oh, so you all are dating ?” Lonnie corrects herself.

“No, not at all.” Catra rolls her eyes because she can tell it’s going to be a long night with Lonnie around.

“Friends with benefits ?”

“It only happened one time. You can barely consider it that.” Catra scoffs lightly. It’s taking everything within her to keep her focus on wiping down the counter so she doesn’t blush. She’s staring so hard she’s certain that if she continues to look in one spot she’ll burn a hole into it.

“You can if you keep going.” Lonnie straightens her back and thrusts her hips slightly. 

As much as Catra tried not to divert her attention from the one spot on the bar she couldn’t help but notice Lonnie’s movement. With her gaze wide she shoves Lonnie shouting her name. God she’s so damn embarrassing. 

“Well, that’s my cue to go.” Lonnie chuckles before swiftly disappearing to the back.

“You little rat-” 

“Hey Catra.” Adora’s voice cuts through making Catra whip her head around. For a split second Catra can’t bring herself to speak. She’s drawn to the navy blue suit she’s wearing. Damn have her clothes always been this fitting ?  Catra wonders for a moment trying not to make it obvious that she’s checking Adora out, but with the way Adora’s eyes drift to the side for a moment with a blush she knows she’s failed at that.

“Hey, Adora.” Catra pushes past the lump in her throat biting back her own blush.

“Can I get two shots of bourbon and two shots of Don Julio?” 

Catra can sense the slight uneasiness from Adora and she doesn’t make it any better with the way her eyes drift to the analog clock to the right on the wall. 

The night is still fairly young for drinking at only 9:45, and Adora has proven to Catra multiple times that she isn’t a drinker. Carefully Catra looks back at Adora trying to put on her professional posture.

“I can’t let you have both dark and white. I don’t want you to get sick.” Her words are hesitant at first but she has to make her point clear. She wasn’t expecting to see Adora so soon, especially after having sex with her. It was already a lot that they had seen each other two days in a row. Catra feels like she needs a breather. Or to just talk to Adora. After having time to herself without Lonnie hounding her with jokes, a worry had presented itself. 

Did having sex with each other mess up their future relationship ?

“It’s not for me-”

“Is she giving you a problem ? I know how to get a pretty lady to act right.” A middle aged man throws his arm over Adora’s shoulders. Trying not to cringe at the comment Adora shrugs his arm off of her.

Catra blinks confused trying to hold back her natural reaction of disgust. Adora turns to the man patting his shoulder softly.

“Malachi, please meet me upstairs. I’ve reserved our room, I believe some of your colleagues are there already.”

“Alrighty, you just let me know.” Malachi winks at Catra before disappearing into the crowd and reappearing on the staircase in the distance.

“I’m so sorry about that. I uh, have some business to attend to.” Adora’s face is red from second-hand embarrassment.

“It’s fine, I’ve heard way worse working in other bars.” Catra brushes off the odd interaction with a shrug and goes to pour Adora’s requested drinks. “So, how’s your day been ?” She continues flowing into a more natural and comfortable conversation.

“Umm, I've kinda been napping all day. I ended up missing a meeting at the studio so in a halfway awake frenzy I told them to meet me here.” Adora shrugs slightly leaning on the bar as she responds.

“Gosh, you’re so lightweight that you couldn’t even get out of bed ?” Catra teases as she turns to put a bottle back on the shelf.

“I’ll have you know I didn’t go straight to sleep after,” Adora pauses for a beat “you left.” she continues with a cautious tone.

Catra turns back to face Adora and leans close to her face with a grin. “What ? Couldn’t stop thinking about me ?” Her grin grows slightly as she watches Adora start to turn red.

“Ehem, work now, fuck later.” Lonnie says zooming past.

Now it was Catra’s turn to turn red in the face. Perking up slightly Adora looks at Lonnie and then Catra. “Did you ?” She starts and Catra’s face turns even more red.

“No, it’s a long story, but no I didn’t tell her.” Catra quickly explains to erase Adora’s suspicion.

“Will I ever get to hear that long story ?” Adora asks curiously.

“I- I mean. It’s not really that long, but this isn’t quite the place to mention it. Especially with Lonnie present.” Catra’s eyes drift to the left catching Lonnie cheesing at the both of them from the corner.

“I understand.” Adora flashes a quick smile to Lonnie in the corner to which she waves at them.

“I’ve got some other customers to take care of, but I’ll see you around.” Catra pushes the four shot glasses towards Adora with a faded smile and then leaves the counter. 

“I’ll probably be making a few trips down here. With my guest and all.” Adora carefully picks up the glasses and navigates through the crowd gracefully.

Catra can’t quite bring herself to look away from Adora as she disappears upstairs, but the rhythmic taps on the bars counter forces her to.

“I’m sorry, what can I get you tonight ?” She blinks, dragging her eyes away to notice a familiar purple and pink pixie cut.

“Something got your attention Kitty ?”  Glimmer grins as she looks back at Adora disappearing around the corner of the staircase.

“ Don’t call me that. You’re gonna give the other customers ideas and I don’t want that.” She crosses her arms over her chest as she looks down at Glimmer.

“Mmm, I don’t know, I think I like it though.” Glimmer grins at the frustration spreading across Catra’s face.

 “What do you want ?” Catra grumbles, trying not to roll her eyes for other patrons to see.

“A long island please.” Glimmer beams annoyingly, almost trying to get on Catra’s last nerve.

“You here with Adora ?” Catra raises a brow before turning her eyes to the staircase again.

“Yeah.” She responds with a reluctant sigh.

“I’m gonna be honest, a long island is gonna fuck you up, especially if you’re in a meeting.”

“Have you met our company ?” Glimmer rolls her eyes for a moment and Catra pauses for a moment. 

Oh damn. 

“Okay that’s fair, come back afterwards and you’ll get it on the house.”

“Oh ? I’d never turn down a good deal. Let me get a shot of rum in the meantime. Actually make it a double shot on the rocks.”

“You’ve got it Sparkles.” Catra grins as she turns to grab an 8 oz glass and pulls a large square ice cube to fill a majority of it.

“A little birdie told me you’ve been meeting up with my best friend outside the studio.”Glimmer traces her finger along the bar and Catra nearly drops the 30 oz bottle of rum.

“Where’d you get that information from ?” She steadies her hand as well as her breath as she goes to pour the shots.

“A lady never kisses and tells.” Glimmer smirks bringing her eyes to Catra’s.

“Then why bring it up ?” 

“I just wanna know what all you’ve been doing with my best friend.” 

“We just went out for-”

“Adora’s your best friend ?” Lonnie butts in leaning on the counter top with a mischievous grin.

“Depends on what you know.” Glimmer says as she turns her attention over to Lonnie, nearly matching her grin.

Catra can feel her heart sink into her ass when Lonnie’s grin grows wider. Lonnie I swear to the gods if you peep one word. 

“A lady never kisses and tells right?” Lonnie’s expression becomes smug as she pushes off the counter and drifts to help a customer on the other end.

“I like your friend.” Glimmer chuckles as Catra slides her drink across the counter.

“Please don’t.” Catra deadpans.

“No.” She over exaggerates the ‘N’ before spinning around into the crowd and up the stairs.

Pointing at Lonnie to grab her attention Catra flicks her off before going around the counter and to the bathroom. Lonnie just rolls her eyes and laughs with a slight head shake. By the time Catra returns she sees Adora swiveling on her feet with refilled glasses in her hands. 

“Shit.” Catra mumbles under her breath trying to get back to the counter before she gets too far away. 

“Adora, wait.” She says trying to catch her but the music is bumping too loud to be heard at a normal volume. “Fuck.” She mumbles under her breath as Adora disappears up the stairs and around the corner.

“You missed your sugar momma. Should’ve seen the look on her face when she didn’t see you.” Lonnie leans into Catra wearing that annoying grin on her face. 

“Would you,” Catra starts and then punches Lonnie’s arm full force. “Stop calling her that. She’s not a fucking sugar momma.”

“You sure ? She surely likes to tip big.” Lonnie flashes a cool fifty at Catra with that sly smirk growing a bit more.

“She’s a fucking billionaire, just giving back or whatever.” She rolls her eyes and wipes down the counter of spilled liquor.

“Giving back to what cause ?” She raises a brow slightly moving out of Catra’s way.

“I don’t… fucking know Lonnie.” Catra wipes her face with a stressed sigh.

“Alright, alright. I’ll leave you alone before you burst into a blood vessel.” Lonnie puts her hands up and goes back into the kitchen.

“Thank you, that would be very appreciated.” Catra sighs shakily as she watches a customer approach.

“Hello darling, can I get a shot of tequila on the rocks ?” The man is elderly to the point where the pet name isn’t him trying to flirt, but him just being an old head.

“Of course, how are you doing tonight sir ?” Catra tries her best to look like she’s happy to be here, but with Lonnie’s taunting and not being able to actually see Adora she feels like she’s going to lose her mind. She can’t shake this feeling that sleeping with Adora messed up their relationship with each other. 

You just had to act on your lust. She thinks as she mentally punches herself in the face. The answer from the small old man barely registers as she does so.

“How are you doing dear ?” He asks with a little innocent smile curling on his lips.

“Oh I’m just fine, thank you for asking.” Catra spits the words out without thought. It’s a natural reaction when people ask that question; a second nature to her yet to be worked through trauma.

The moment she slides the drink across the counter the old man slaps down a couple bills before hobbling over to a group of his associates whom had been waiting in the corner for him. With no one else coming to the bar for the moment and Lonnie swearing to leave her alone, Catra is stuck with three things; her phone, the club music, and worst of all… her thoughts. She’s not really allowed to be on her phone during her shift and she’d rather not get in trouble right now. The DJ isn’t playing anything good enough for her to focus on. So, she really is left with the worst thing possible right now. 

Leaning on the empty back wall by the shelf of the liquors Catra starts to drift into her thoughts. What if the interaction with Adora was awkward because of what I did ? Did I make her uncomfortable last night ? Fuck me. Catra can feel a slight tremor in her hands at the thought. 

Damn, Adora didn’t deserve that and I totally over stepped. She clenches her jaw tightly as she watches someone approach the bar. She can’t bring herself to push off the wall, but luckily Lonnie swoops through. 

What if I’m overreacting to all of this though ? Am I fucking up something that wasn’t even messed up ? Damn it all. I just need to talk to Adora. But what if she doesn’t really want to talk ?

“Ughh, fuck. Why do I always do this to myself ?” Catra growls, grabbing fistfulls of hair before storming from around the bar. She can’t be indecisive for too long or she’s actually going to mess things up. As she’s weaving through the dancing crowds to make it upstairs she’s building up her courage to just go in that room and pull Adora to the side to ask what all this means for them. That was until she crashed into someone making them spill their drink and drop the glasses in their hands on the floor.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” Catra quickly kneels down, starting to pick up the broken pieces of glass.

“Stop, you’re gonna cut your hands.” The victim of the accident pulls Catra up which lo and behold turns out to be Adora.

Quickly looking down at her shirt Catra realizes she made her spill on her shirt. “I am so fucking sorry.” She tries to wipe off the liquid but it doesn’t make the wet stain go away at all.

“Catra, it’s okay. Are… are you ?” Adora dips her head a bit to get a better look at her face in the dim lights. The concerned look from Adora makes Catra’s breath hitch for a moment.

“I’m…” She starts, ready to spew out that second nature response before taking in a sharp breath. “Can I talk to you ? Somewhere a little more private?” She continues, settling her frayed nerves.

“Yeah of course. Is everything alright ?” There’s concern in Adora’s voice and Catra hates it. It feels like pity and that’s the last thing she ever wants from anyone.

“Follow me.” Her voice is low as she turns to descend the stairs. 

Leading Adora out back into the alleyway by the kitchen she starts to pace for a moment. It’s nippy outside and her nerves were too shot to grab her jacket. She knows Adora is just watching her waiting for her to speak, but damn are her nerves fried. Pulling a swisher and lighter from her pocket, she continues to pace as she tries to light it.

The lighter clicks but no flame comes out. “Oh come on.” Catra mumbles rolling her thumb over the lighter again but still no flame.

“Need a light ?” Adora inquires with a soft voice and Catra shakes her head furiously.

“No, this thing was just working earlier.” She clicks the lighter again but to no avail does it light. So, she tries for a rapid fire and then she finally hears it, the sound of the flame being present. However as she eyes her lighter the flame isn’t present. Looking over at Adora she has the flame in her hands.

“Are you sure you don’t need that light ?” Adora offers again with a genuine smile.

Pushing her swisher in the flame Catra mumbles a thank you and then inhales the smoke. As she exhales she sighs slightly. Okay, let’s just get this over with. Turning to look up at Adora she holds her swisher at her side.

“Was… Were you ?” Catra starts and stops again trying to push past her nerves again. “Were you okay with last night ? I just have this gut wrenching feeling that I over stepped and made you uncomfortable, and the thought of that is really fucking me up right now-” She continues but the more she talks the faster she begins to speak and then Adora cuts her off.

“Woah, woah. Catra everything is fine. You didn’t overstep, I told you last night that I enjoyed everything.” Adora grabs her free hand to try and calm her down.

“I know what you said, but my mind just does this thing sometimes and I just… I don’t know.” Catra feels a huge weight lift from her chest. Well that’s one less thing to worry about. “This doesn’t mess up anything does it ?”

“If you mean professionally… No.” Adora speaks with an easy voice.

Okay that’s another worry out of the way-

“Wait, does it mess up something else ? You specifically said professionally.” 

“No, it doesn't mess up anything at all. It just… leaves me yearning for you.” Adora’s eyes drift off as she blushes.

Catra’s eyes go wide for a moment and then she blinks. “Does that mean you want to continue what we’ve started? I’m sorry I just… wow. Yearning is a big word.” Catra’s cheeks dust red and Adora’s even more.

“I mean, yeah, I’d like that a lot.” She chuckles a little as she squeezes Catra’s hand a little bit.

“Oh, okay.” Catra squeezes Adora’s hand back as she looks into those soft blue eyes.

“I uh, I should probably get back to my meeting. Don’t want them thinking I ditched out on them.” There's a hint of shyness in Adora’s voice this time.

“Oh that’s right, I totally forgot about them. Who are they anyway ?” Catra asks before putting her swisher to her lips again.

“I’ll tell you later, this is Glimmer calling me right now.” Adora says as she pulls her phone from her pocket and answers.

“Alright I won’t hold you any longer then.” Catra smiles as Adora begins to dip through the doorway inside. 

The moment that heavy duty door slams shut she’s smiling hard. Adora wants to have sex with me. She was yearning for me. If it weren’t for the fact she was smoking Catra would jump up and down right now.  That giddy feeling from earlier is starting to return. Maybe this conversation should’ve waited until she got off work because now she won’t be able to focus on anything else.

 Walking inside after finishing her break must have riled Lonnie back up because the moment she hits the corner of the bar she’s grinning maliciously at her. Damn it here she goes again. 

“What now ?” Catra rolls her eyes with a sigh as she steps up to the counter.

“I saw you guys go out back. What were you up to back there ?” She raises her brows a couple times to hint at something suggestive.

“I had to talk to her about something, that was all.” She rolls her eyes again as she takes a white towel to wipe down the condensation from non-coastered drinks. 

“Talking with your lips ?” 

“How else are you supposed to talk dumb ass.”

“I- you know what I meant.” Lonnie rolls her eyes as she takes her apron off.

“What did you mean Lonnie ? Enlighten me.” Catra smirks as she watches a customer approach.

“Ugh, never mind.” Lonnie hangs her apron on the wall and leaves the bar, probably to take her small break.

Catra chuckles a bit as she throws the towel over her shoulder in a traditional bartender fashion and puts on the facade of a smile. For the rest of the night she can only think of one thing really; Adora yearning for her. When she got home she was quick to crash onto her bed after giving Melog attention and pets. 

The moment she closes her eyes to go to sleep her phone starts to ring. To her surprise it’s Adora, it’s 2 a.m. though. Is everything alright ? 

“Hello ?” She answers the phone, sitting up cautiously.

“Hey Catra, how was work?” Her voice sounds like it's trying to fight off sleep.

“It was pretty good actually. You okay ? Ya know it’s like two in the morning right ?”

“Y-yeah, I just wanted to hear your voice.” She sounds like she’s biting back a yawn as she speaks.

Catra feels her face grow warm at that response. How is she this smooth even when she’s tired ? She chuckles to herself. “Well you’re hearing it, what do you wanna talk about ?” Slowly she begins to lay back into bed to relax. 

“The guy from earlier, that’s Malachi. He’s one of the representatives for the company that wants the photoshoot that I hired you for.” The word hired comes out uneasy from Adora’s mouth, almost like she thought it was the wrong word to use.

“That’s who they sent out to rep their company? Sheesh .” Catra rolls her eyes followed up by a chuckle.

“Yeah he’s a real prick, but the rest of the team is nice, but I guess he’s like the head of them because anytime I get a call from them it’s him on the other line. He really boils my blood.” Adora groans and sighs, obviously irritated by the thought of Malachi.

“Damn, I know that’s gotta suck. Is this like a really big company ?”

“Well they just hit their big break and now they’re getting some good attention. I think they’re clothes would pique your interest though.”

“Oh really ? What’s the name of the company?”

“I’ll just send the link to their website to you” 

There’s a beat of silence before Catra’s phone dings with a notification. Opening the link the clothes immediately catch her eye.

“Ooh, the clothes look great actually.” Catra perks up in bed as she browses through the website. They promote a lot of alternative clothing, something you don’t see in the mall too often.

“Ooh, what’s this ?” Catra grins to herself as she stumbles across a section that really catches her eye. Items that can definitely be perceived as suggestive, almost like her boob window shirts.

“What ? What is it ?” Adora sounds intrigued, almost like a puppy who wants to see what makes their owner happy.

“I’m gonna send you a screenshot.” She responds in a low dark chuckle.

“Oh, that’s… wow. I didn’t know they had that kind of stuff on here.” Adora clears her throat a bit after a long moment of silence.

“You think I should buy one of these leather tops ?”