Archive of Our Own ^beta

Adora watched Catra cautiously from a distance, she was sitting with Melog on the far side of the hidden rocky camp. Everyone else was huddled together, laughing, sharing stories and hopes for the future. Adora was seated next to Bow and Glimmer, holding in her lap a bowl of soup many of them who pitched in were able to brew together with limited ingredients.

Adora had noticed that Catra was distancing herself from the group on purpose, of course things were still tense between Catra and the alliance. Not even a year ago, Catra was the one who was sending bots out to foil any Rebellion plan that was hastily put together. Catra was smart, fast, and efficient. While Adora had never underestimated her, a part of her was shocked at just how driven Catra really was. 

She was a strong addition to the Rebellion and Adora couldn’t be happier. But…

Things are different between them. And Adora doesn’t know what exactly is different. 

Catra is…nicer. Which feels strange to say because Catra can get really, really mean. The Catra that she is becoming is reminiscent of the Catra Adora knew before she fell into a dark cycle of abuse. Horde Prime’s words briefly flash in her mind…

’I saw her mind, so ensnared in rage and grief and pain’

But there are still parts of Catra that Adora knows is lost forever. Catra will never be the person that she was before when they were younger because of the things she had gone through. Adora promised to herself that she would never leave Catra’s side ever again. Ever since Prime captured Catra, Adora didn’t ever want to not be around Catra. She felt a sudden wave of protectiveness shower over her whenever Catra was near her. 

So to see Catra isolated in the corner by herself with Melog, Adora knew she wanted to be there by her side. 

Catra was sitting alone. Because she wants to. 

Not because she’s uncomfortable with the other Princesses. That would be ridiculous. But yeah, she was still alone. At least Melog was with her, Melog trilled at her- 

’Don’t you want to sit with your friends?’

Catra sighs, she places her half empty bowl down on the empty space next to her. “They’re not my friends, for the last time.”

Melog suddenly turns a flushing pink, and Catra feels like she has an inkling to why. She turns her gaze over to the group just aways from her and sees Adora watching her, once Adora notices that Catra is looking back at her- she quickly looks away. 

Catra blushes slightly, she scoffs whispering to Melog who is rolling around, “Stop that, Melog”

Melog is purring, almost loud enough for the Alliance to hear, but settles down. Catra grabs her bowl and puts it in the makeshift wooden crate for dishes, that used to carry mechanical parts for Hordak’s bots. She retreats to one of the more private areas of the hideout, a bigger room with a drapery which muffles the noises outside of the room. Melog stays behind, opting to go and lay on Catra’s cot for a quick cat-nap.

This doesn’t go unnoticed by Adora, she starts fiddling with the edge of her bowl. Adora felt embarrassed that she got caught eyeing Catra, by none other than Catra herself. She jumps as Swift Wind yawns obnoxiously loud which quiets the room almost immediately, “I am BEAT! Say, who’s got the night watch this time?”

Adora smiles, “I do, Swifty. Don’t worry!” 

Swift Wind smiles, and his eyes begin to drift close before they open again. Netossa stretches, “Yeah, I guess it is getting pretty late! Best if we get some shut eye. Horde Prime’s not gonna defeat himself.”

Numerous voices of agreement and yawns make its way across the camp. Adora stands as she puts her bowl in the crate, at the same time- she notices that Catra’s bowl wasn’t even fully empty. 

Glimmer comes up next to her, “You okay?”

Adora sighs, “Yeah, I’m just a little worried about…”

Glimmer raises an eyebrow, “About Catra?”

Adora scratches the nape of her neck, “Can you blame me?”

Bow walks his way over, putting a hands on Adora’s and Glimmer’s shoulders. “I’m exhausted! But things went great today!”

Glimmer nods in agreement, “Yeah, we succeeded today but things are still kinda on the table overall. Horde Prime is gonna regret ever messing with She-Ra!”

Glimmer shakes Adora slightly, teasing her about She-Ra eventually defeating Prime. Adora laughs. Bow and Glimmer begin to walk over to their cots, but they notice Adora staying behind before they can leave. 

“You okay on night watch, Adora?” Bow asks, Adora nods. “Yeah, of course I am. You guys go rest, Catra’s got next watch anyways.”

Bow and Glimmer share a knowing look before they retreat off to bed.

Adora isn’t distracted. Not at all. She’s focused and sure, she’s standing outside the camp, staff in hand and ready for combat if need be. How could she be distracted? 

Adora’s gaze is steely and stern, her stance is tall and ready, nothing can sneak up on her!-

“Hey, Adora”

Adora jumps, her staff going up in the air before catching it and coughing after she nervously sputters, “C-Catra!?”

Adora turns to face Catra who is standing against the wall of the hideout with her arms crossed, stance as sassy as ever.

Adora clears her throat, “I mean-“ 

Adora leans on the rocky wall with one arm in an attempt to look cool, “Catra- Hey.”

Catra laughs, and Adora smiles. She likes making Catra laugh. 

“Why are you up? Your watch isn’t for another couple of hours.” Adora asks, curious. Catra flicks an ear at her and avoids Adora’s gaze, “I don’t know…bored, I guess.”

”Bored?” Adora teases with a snort. Catra looks a little shy at the fact, “Yes, bored. If you want me to go, I can. I didn’t mean to distract you.” She says sincerely. Adora is quick to respond, “No!- no, you can stay. I want you to stay.” 

Catra stays. 

Adora steps away from the entrance of the hideout to focus her gaze back onto the forest in front of them, Catra goes over to Adora’s side.

”It’s weird, isn’t it?” Adora starts, Catra raises an eyebrow, “What is?”

”The stars. I never thought we’d be able to see them.” Adora says in a wistful tone, looking up at the stars. Catra looks up to the sky. She observes the stars, and it brings about many revelations. When before night time used to be scary, it was darker and more mysterious. But now the night was brighter than ever. It was no longer grey and cloudy, but starry and serene. Catra sees what Adora sees, and she thinks it’s amazing.

“Yeah…I guess they are kinda weird. Just tons of dots in the sky.” Catra says thoughtfully.

There is that tension.

Adora and Catra are standing side by side, looking up at the starry sky. Adora sighs, “They look kind of like your freckles.”

Catra turns red, “What’s that supposed to mean!?”

Adora puts her hands up in defense, one hand still holding the staff, she’s about to respond- “Nothing! They’re-“

Rustle

There’s a noise coming from the bushes, it’s loud in the quietness. Catra jumps with a yelp and Adora is quick to draw her staff. She goes to stand in front of Catra protectively, pointing the staff at the bush and one arm keeping Catra close to her. 

rustle rustle rustle…

A bunny hops out of the bush, and Adora lowers her staff with wide eyes. Catra’s tail goes down from it’s frightened position. 

The bunny sniffs twice at the two women before hopping away. Adora looks back to Catra with a smirk and raised eyebrow, slightly relieved herself, “Just a bunny.”

Catra sighs, “I swear these woods are gonna be the end of me.” 

Adora shrugs, “You don’t have to stay out here with me, you can go sleep if you’re tired.”

Catra’s ears fall flat on her head, she hugs herself. Adora notices her change in demeanor, she’s quick to go over and put her hands on Catra’s arms. “What’s wrong?”

She doesn’t know how to respond, not because she doesn’t want to but because she doesn’t know what to say. Adora is right here in front of her, and there is so much left unsaid. So she does one thing that she knows Adora will understand. 

Catra cups Adora’s face, and Adora lets out a quiet gasp. 

Millions of thoughts are running through Adora’s head, ‘What’s going on!?’, ‘She’s holding my face’, ‘She’s pretty’, ‘Is she going to kiss me?’

But 

Catra brings their foreheads together and Adora finally exhales, shakily. She hadn’t even realized she wasn’t breathing the whole time. 

Adora closes her eyes and relishes in Catra’s touch. She cups Catra’s hand against her cheek with her own. “Thank you…for saving me. For coming back. I didn’t deserve it but you came back anyways.”

Adora feels her throat close up, of course she came back for Catra. She couldn’t just leave her there. Not with Prime. Not ever again. Adora responds, “I’m never leaving you behind, Catra. Never.”

Catra begins to pull away, but her hands remain in its spot and Adora’s hand remains cradling Catra’s hands against her face. Despite there being more distance, they stay in this position for a bit. Adora feels like she’s on cloud 9, it’s been so long since she’s been this close to Catra. 

Adora’s eyes flick down to Catra’s lips and she notices, she gasps slightly. Catra’s eyes widen and so do Adora’s. Adora can’t believe she just did that right in front of Catra. But Catra isn’t pushing her away. 

So Adora leans in slightly, and Catra lets her. Catra’s hands still cradle her face but Adora’s hands have moved to Catra’s lower back, barely touching as to not make her uncomfortable, but still touching.

She leans in a little more and Catra’s eyes are starting to close.

Catra can feel Adora’s breath on her face and their lips touch slightly before-

Entrapta swings out from the entrance of the hide out- “Oh, Good! You’re here! Have you seen- Oh, Hi to you too, Catra!”

Catra jumps away from Adora, hissing. Adora is red in the face as she quickly turns to Entrapta. 

Adora is exasperated, “Entrapta- what do you need?”

”Oh, right. Well, I kinda sort of, maybe, lost my voice recorder. I was using it to study the chips but after dinner, I just couldn’t find it. I was hoping you knew where it was!” Entrapta asks. Adora is about to respond, but Catra beats her to it. 

“I-I’ll help you find it.” Catra says, she tries to sound nonchalant, but she just sounds nervous. She doesn’t spare Adora a glance as she goes towards Entrapta. 

“Great! I could use a set of eyes like yours!”

Catra and Entrapta enter the hideout again. Leaving Adora to her patrol. 

Adora couldn’t help but be disappointed at the interruption, but she knew that Entrapta meant well. She’s red in the face as she touches her upper lip. The only part where Catra’s lips touched hers slightly. She tries not to think about it for the rest of the night.