@your-reference-here and I were chatting about the She Ra finale and getting emotional over catradora and how far representation in animation has come since Legend of Korra and then, well, this happened!
Bright Moon was quiet. In the past there was always an underlying tension that accompanied it, but now, for the first time, everyone and everything in its halls was calm. The silence was peaceful now, so much so that the moment Adora returned she passed out for a much needed nap.
Adora took a breath. Her eyes opened and she stared at the sunset-soaked curtains above the bed in her old room. For a brief few seconds she was thoughtless, still basking in the haze of her first real sleep in a while. It was the lack of a warm body at her side that finally brought her to reality. She sat up and looked around the room, and panic surged through her chest when she couldn’t find the person she was looking for.
“Catra?”
“Adora?”
Adora sighed, relief immediately washing over her at the sound of Catra’s voice. She rose from the bed, pulling one of the blankets around her shoulders, and walked out to the balcony where she’d heard the voice call from. Sure enough, Catra was there, sitting with one knee hugged to her chest on the cushioned bench, watching the sun sink to the treeline. Their eyes met, and Adora smiled.
“Hey.”
Catra smiled softly back. “Hey.”
“You okay?” Adora asked. Catra’s smile fell, but she scooted over on the bench, offering a wordless invitation. Adora sat beside her and wrapped her arm and the blanket around Catra’s shoulders. Catra sighed and leaned into her, resting her head on Adora’s shoulder. Adora smiled softly, allowing herself a brief moment to marvel at how easy it was for them to be so close now. A few weeks ago she wouldn’t have believed it possible. Now she couldn’t imagine things any other way.
“Nightmares are a pain,” Catra grumbled.
Adora frowned and rubbed her hand along Catra’s arm under the blanket. “Nightmares?”
Catra shrugged. “It’s not the first time it’s happened.”
Adora looked down at Catra, but she wouldn’t meet her eyes. Even with the recent shift in their dynamic, old habits die hard. Still, it didn’t mean Adora couldn’t try.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked gently. Catra was quiet, and Adora half expected her to remain so, which is why she was somewhat surprised when Catra did eventually speak.
“They’re usually about you. About the Heart. Or our fight in Hordak Prime’s ship.” Catra chuckled darkly. “On special occasions it goes all the way back to that attack on Thaymor.”
Adora’s brow furrowed. “Thaymor?”
Catra nodded. “When you first left.”
Adora’s heart cracked. That day in Thaymor felt like decades ago now. She could remember the feeling of betrayal on her end, but hadn’t considered it from Catra’s side until now. Guilt flooded through her and she looked down to the floor.
“I’m sorry,” Adora whispered, at a loss for what else to say. Catra shifted next to her, and Adora looked up to meet eyes that matched how she felt.
“Me too. For so many things,” Catra whispered back. Their foreheads met and Adora closed her eyes, feeling the light sting of tears. It was hard to hide the sniffle that followed. Somehow, despite the intensity of the emotions around them, Catra chuckled.
“I always forget how much of a crier you are,” Catra teased gently. Adora opened her eyes, a tear falling freely down her cheek. There was still pain in Catra’s eyes, but it was lessened somewhat with her teasing. “Especially since those princesses softened you up.”
Adora let out a watery laugh. Catra’s eyes softened and she reached up to swipe her thumb across Adora’s cheek. Adora leaned into her touch.
“You’re one to talk,” Adora replied, a smug smirk spreading across her face. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you purr so much since you started hanging around them.”
Catra raised a challenging eyebrow before suddenly leaning in to capture Adora’s lips. Adora’s eyes widened in surprise, but quickly fluttered closed as she kissed Catra back. She felt the smile on Catra’s lips before she saw it, but it was just as obnoxiously satisfied as she expected when they pulled apart.
“If I knew kissing you was a guaranteed way to wipe that smug grin off your face, I would have done it sooner.”
Adora raised an eyebrow and leaned closer. “Oh really?” she challenged, her voice low. Catra’s pupils widened in a way that reminded Adora of when she was about to pounce, and it made her stomach twist up in knots. This time Adora leaned in first, and the little squeak Catra let out was so incredibly satisfying that she couldn’t help smiling into the kiss now. Catra pulled back with a huff, but Adora persisted and peppered kisses on her cheek and jaw. Catra half-heartedly tried to shove her face away, grumbling in protest, but Adora could see the blush and smile on her face and it wasn’t long before they were both laughing. They settled into a comfortable embrace, their laughter fading into a once again peaceful silence.
“I love you,” Adora whispered into Catra’s ear. Catra nuzzled against her gently.
“I love you too.”
Adora opened her eyes and noticed that the blanket had fallen to the floor of the balcony. She’d brought it with her out of habit; a blanket around their shoulders was a familiar comfort from their days in the Fright Zone. There was something so wonderfully poetic about seeing it there on the ground now, unneeded, because for the first time in their lives they could fully rely on each other for that comfort.
“Come here,” Adora whispered as they separated, gently pulling on Catra’s shoulders. Catra raised a curious eyebrow, but allowed herself to be guided down until her head was resting on Adora’s thigh. Adora shifted so that her other leg was tucked up onto the bench before she settled in. She ran her fingers through Catra’s short hair, her fingernails gently scratching her scalp, and the purring returned in force. Adora smiled, closed her eyes, and let out a content sigh, enjoying the last of the sun’s warmth as it slipped below the horizon.
since i have not seen anybody share information on this here, please pay attention to the philippines right now and provide any support you can. if this bill passes, people’s basic rights to free speech will be taken from them.
anyone seeing this from the ph, please stay safe and stay strong. these are scary times.
why isn’t anyone allowed to be wrong anymore? it’s okay to be wrong. no one should be terrified of every tiny little mistake they might make. being wrong, and realizing you were wrong, is how you learn and grow and change.
