Chapter Text
Adora came out of her room to see Adam standing on the landing that overlooked the hallway. He looked at Adora curiously as she approached him silently.
Their parents were talking in the kitchen in hushed voices and apparently now she was also eavesdropping.
“Well of course, because you cheated,” Dean whispered and Linda scoffed.
“I did not cheat, I helped. She asked for my help,” Linda responded back and Dean huffed. “And don’t pretend you don’t want to go to this hotel just as much as I do,”
“It would be nice to get those free massages,”
“See! It’ll be fine,” Linda said and Dean could be heard grumbling but nothing else was said. Adam looked at Adora and they shrugged before they headed down the stairs to the kitchen.
“New haircut?” Adam asked curiously as he noticed the shaved part of her head and Adora ran her hand over it with a smile.
“Yeah, I like it,” She said as she sat down to have breakfast.
“It looks great hunny,” Linda said as Dean was packing his lunch and looked up.
“Very nice!” Dean said with a smile and Adora blushed under all the attention.
“Thanks,” she said and heard Catra come into the kitchen. Linda and Dean exchanged a look before Adora looked at Catra. She was dressed in her usual clothing but she had paused in the doorway while looking at Adora.
Adora blushed darker under the stare and Catra finally approached Adora to touch the back of her head. Adora watched her curiously and tried not to shiver at the soft touch.
“It looks nice,” Catra said softly and Adora smiled. When Catra sat down and Adora turned back to the table she noticed Adam grinning brightly at her.
“What?” Adora asked, feeling defensive.
“Nothing, did you guys make up?” he asked, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah, we talked about Weaver and the fake dating,” Adora said and Adam looked at her curiously.
“Nothing else?” he asked, looking between the two of them. Adora glared at him, vaguely aware that Catra was serving him the same look. Adora didn’t need her feelings to be outed at the breakfast table.
“Actually, I also told Adora that I’m gay,” Catra said in a small voice and Linda smiled like she had just won the lottery before she hugged Catra.
“Oh sweetie, thank you for telling us,” Linda said and Dean gave her a hug too. Catra blushed.
“I’m not ready to come out to anyone else yet,” Catra said and they nodded.
“You can tell people at your own pace sweetheart, it's not a race” Linda reassured before she grinned at her husband and lightly bumped his shoulder with hers. Dean pouted at his wife before he grinned at the kids.
“Have a good day at school kids,” Dean said, dropping a kiss on Linda’s cheek before he grabbed his things for work and disappeared out the door to a chorus of goodbyes.
Adam slung his arm around Catra’s shoulder and gave her a half hug. He was smiling with such pride and Adora felt a little jealous spike in her stomach.
“I’m proud of you kitty-Cat” Adam said and Catra huffed before she smiled at him. She looked better rested than she had the night before but still fragile. Adora wanted to wrap her up in protective blankets and sooth all of her pain away. Adora didn’t want to add more confusion to Catra’s life, so despite what she said to Adam, she could wait to tell Catra her feelings.
[...]
It was a strange feeling going to school after everything that had happened. The gossip paper was up to date as ever with a front page article reading “Ding Dong the Witch has Left” which celebrated the resignation of their worst teacher. Luckily it didn’t mention anything about Catra or that Weaver had skipped town.
Once Catra came out to Adora she hadn't expected it to feel so freeing, or make her feel so transparent. Now that she had said it out loud, she expected people to just see it in her. She knew they couldn’t but she was afraid of being outed before she was ready to face it. She had so much shame and guilt about her sexuality that she felt like the worst thing she could do was come out to more people right now.
School added routine into Catra’s chaotic existence. School, clubs, studying, sleeping and doing it all again. Without really noticing it, time was passing and the holes in her chest that Weaver had left were closing and healing.
She had still not heard anything from her mother and she expected she never would again. That part of her life was closed now. Linda and Dean had been nothing but welcoming and accepting, converting the study into a room for Catra, claiming she would need the furniture when they moved next year anyway.
Adora and Catra’s friendship recovered easily and Adam was back to his bestie ways, even if he sometimes offered a little more affection like he did when they were fake dating. Adora kept her promise that she wouldn’t go too far and over the weeks they managed to talk about things they used to avoid.
Holidays at the Greyskull household were easily one of Catra’s favourite things. They always decorated the house to the brim and living at the Greyskulls Catra had been given an allowance like the twins had and she used that money to buy gifts for everyone. She was given a new laptop for school by Santa and Catra almost cried at the expensive gift. Adam bought Mario Party for their switch which was really a present for himself and Adora bought Catra a shirt that said kitten on it with a cat face that made Catra blush. Adora looked so proud of herself so Catra couldn’t be too upset.
The rules about no girls in their bedrooms ended up being pretty easy to navigate. Catra missed sleeping with Adora but they still found time to cuddle on the couch under the heater.
Adora was sprawled out on the longer couch with Catra laid on top of her like a blanket as they watched some terrible movie.
Adam had left to pick up Teela so the four of them could hang out and watch a marathon of the Godzilla movies. Catra had been drifting in and out of sleep for a few minutes, comfortably propped against Adora’s chest as the blonde made an amazing cushion.
The front door opened and closed alerting Catra to the new people in the house but she didn’t bother to move. She felt Adora lift one of her hands off Catra’s back where she had been stroking her and waved at the newcomers.
“Are they always like this?” Teela’s soft voice came closer to the living room. Adam was silent but Catra had no doubt he was agreeing with Teela. Catra and Adora had cuddled a lot more often since the fakeup (fake breakup) and Catra’s life falling apart. She was a great support to Catra both physically and mentally, but her heart was the one thriving under the soft attention.
“Is she sleeping?” Adam asked Adora and she shook a little.
“No, she's just pretending right now,” Adora said with a smile in her voice. Catra pinched her hard on the side and Adora yelped. Catra couldn’t help but smile as Adora pouted and both Teela and Adam laughed at her.
“You should know better than that,” Catra said and Adora grinned.
“Yeah, but who knows how long you would pretend to be asleep if I didn’t call you out,” Adora said playfully and Catra huffed as she pushed herself up.
“Hey Teela,” Catra greeted and Teela smiled.
“Hey Catra, how are you going?” Teela asked, it took weeks for Weaver leaving town to spread through the school but most people knew now which was fine.
“Yeah, good, it's freezing outside, so I am not leaving this house until spring,” Catra complained as she grabbed the blanket hanging over the back of the couch to wrap around herself.
“Hibernation is a valid life choice,” Teela said sitting on the loveseat with a grin. Catra smiled back. She liked Teela and since Adam and Catra had stopped fake dating she could see how much Adam liked her too. They were taking it slow but they both clearly knew where they were heading.
Teela sat back on the couch while Adam put the movie on and sat beside her. He put his arm along the back of the seat and Teela leaned her body towards him casually as they settled into watch the movie.
Adora let out a soft oof sound as Catra flopped back onto of her and Adora wrapped her arms around the now burritoed brunette laying on top of her. This was how she wanted to spend her whole winter break.
[...]
Winter break and Adora’s birthday passed in a blur. Once school started again everyone was focused on college applications and making sure their grades were as good as they could be. Scouts started coming to their football games and Catra was the first of the three of them to get an offer for a cheerleading scholarship to their dream school.
Adora was so proud of Catra, it was the confidence boost she needed to really come out of her shell again. She was starting to act like her old self and Adora loved it. She loved all the cuddles and flirting that became part of their new dynamic. Adora even convinced herself she could be happy with this. Maybe she didn’t have to tell Catra that she loved her if she could have her like this.
The spring formal was coming up and everyone knew that Adam and Teela were going together. Everyone was putting in their votes for King and Queen and Adora was sure they would win the crowns.
Adora hadn’t asked Catra because they always went together, so she didn’t think she needed to. She also knew if she did ask her it would sound like a date and she didn’t know how Catra would handle appearing to date a girl so soon after coming out to them.
Adora was sitting and eating an apple while she waited for practice to start one afternoon, the days were finally warming up so she was wearing her lighter practice clothing.
Mermista came out of the change room and Adora waved when the raven haired woman approached her.
“Hey Greyskull, do you have a date for the Spring formal yet?” Mermista asked without any inflection in her voice. Adora blinked at her in confusion for a moment before she frowned.
“Uh, not exactly…” Adora said blushing softly about having to explain about her standing friend date with Catra.
“Great, go with me, we would look hot together,” Mermista said and Adora frowned in confusion.
“Aren’t you going with Sean?” she asked, it was hard to keep track of Mermista and Sean’s relationship status, maybe they were on another break.
“No, he’s trying to make me jealous by going with Catra, so you should come with me,” Mermista said and Adora’s eyes widened as her stomach swooped. Catra was going with Sean? Adora hated that idea so much, not only because it wasn’t Adora she was going with but because Catra still felt she had to hide who she was.
“O-oh…when did that happen?” Adora asked, trying to hide the disappointment and jealousy on her face.
“Earlier today, he made a big show of it. It was mortifying, I felt kinda sorry for Catra,” Mermista said and Adora nodded solemnly as the knot in her chest tightened.
“Oh…uh…sure, we can go together…” Adora said and Mermista punched her in her shoulder pad.
“Great, we are a shoe in for those crowns,” Mermista said, cracking a small smile before she walked away to join the rest of the assembling team.
“Yeah…” Adora said, her stomach twisting as she threw her apple in the bin. She wasn’t feeling very hungry anymore as another emotion filled the space inside her body.
[...]
Catra was riding a high from her scholarship offer and the playful flirting she and Adora had been doing.
She had been waiting for it all to come crashing down and life didn’t disappoint her. The good vibes couldn’t last so she should have seen it coming when Sean made a very public proposal to the dance. Catra had been mortified and with so many eyes on her she felt shame fill her body until it was choking her. Wrestling with her embarrassment she agreed to go to the dance with him just so people would stop looking at her. She felt too seen, like if she said no to him that everyone would know she was gay and she wasn’t ready for that. Maybe she could turn him down in private, surely he wanted to go with Mermista, right?
It wasn’t until after practice that same day that Catra heard Mermista talking about going to the dance with Adora and her jealousy reared its ugly head. Adora was on the other side of the field with Adam so no one was there to stop Catra approaching Mermista.
“You’re going to the dance with Adora?” Catra asked and Scorpia, who had been talking to Mermista, had to stop mid-sentence.
“Yeah, we are going to be the hottest couple in the place. Heard you’re going with Sean, good luck with that?” Mermista said sarcastically and Scorpia was wringing her hands nervously.
“What are you two playing at? Is this some weird jealousy thing?” Catra snapped, she didn’t want to be used as a tool to make someone else jealous. Not when it caused her only jealousy to burn so bright.
“No, I don’t care what he does. He asked you because he clearly thinks you’re hot,” Mermista said and Catra blushed as she glared at her.
“And you?” Catra asked and Mermista smirked as she looked over at Adora, who was approaching now with the rest of the team.
“Well obviously Greyskull is hot as fuck and I think I can show her a good time,” Mermista said said, turning her smirk back on Catra who was now seething. She wanted to yell at Mermista to stay away from Adora but how could she?
Adora agreed to go with Mermista, so she clearly liked her as well. Adora wasn’t Catra’s to claim and just because Catra had told Adora she was gay didn’t mean she was ready to be out and gay. Even if she told Adora about her feelings and Adora felt the same, Catra was nowhere near ready to tell the rest of the world about her feelings. Adora deserved better than someone who was ashamed of themselves and too embarrassed to be seen with her.
“Fine,” Catra snapped, her nails digging into her palms as she squeezed her hands into fists. Mermista raised an eyebrow at the obviously hostile display but Catra just walked away. She should be happy for Adora but all she wanted to do was cry.
[...]
Adora wasn’t sure if she was projecting, but Catra seemed a little distant in the days leading up to the spring dance. Adora was trying to be supportive of Catra going with Sean but she was silently kicking herself for not asking her first. She wanted to be the one taking Catra to her senior dance and wearing matching outfits. Instead she was getting ready at Mermista’s house and her suit matched the blue and gold of Mermista’s dress perfectly.
Mermista was right, they did look great together. Mermista had helped Adora do a braided style to her hair to show off her new haircut and some minimal makeup and jewellery. Mermista was dressed in gold extravagant jewellery and a blue and gold wrap around her body and over her shoulder. She looked gorgeous.
“Damn, we look hot,” Mermista said playfully as they looked at themselves in the mirror. After some embarrassing photos by Mermista’s parents they were allowed to leave. Adora drove Mermista’s car simply because Mermista didn’t want to take off her heels.
They arrived fashionably late according to Mermista and the dance was already in full swing. Adora scanned the crowd easily with her height advantage and spotted Catra already on the dancefloor with Sean. Her stomach swooped with confusing feelings. Catra looked amazing, her black and red dress was tight and had a slit up one leg to let her dance easily. Sean was wearing a matching tux with a red silk scarf wrapped around his throat and red tails on his jacket. They looked really good together but there was no way Adora even remotely matched Catra and it made her heart sink.
Mermista whistled softly beside her “Damn, Catra is wearing the hell out of that dress,” Mermista said and Adora nodded her head mutely. “Hey, I get it, we both have someone else we would like to be here with, but let's have fun ok?” Mermista said and Adora looked down at her with surprise. She looked flushed as she watched Sean for a moment before she looked back at Adora and Adora smiled.
“Yeah, let's have fun,” Adora said, feeling more relaxed. She could handle making sure Mermista had a good night. “Want to dance?” She asked and Mermista offered her hand with a twinkle in her eyes.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Mermista said playfully.
[...]
Adam and Teela were in green and gold and had taken the dance by storm upon their entry. They didn’t even notice anything outside of each other as they danced the night away.
Adora arrived at the spring dance like a wrecking ball to Catra’s heart. She looked amazing in a navy blue and gold tux with her hair in a braid down her back.
Sean had been nothing but a gentleman with her, polite, though sometimes annoying company. She felt almost like a kindred spirit with him, he was also from a very religious family and despite his straight passing relationship with Mermista he had struggled with leaving his own closet over the years.
They danced, making eachother laugh and spending time with other friends. It wasn’t long after Adora and Mermista arrived that they naturally gravitated closer to them. Sean was smitten with Mermista and it was easy to see, despite their disagreements.
“Would it be ok with you if I asked Mermista to dance?” Sean asked and Catra nodded.
“Yeah, dude, got for it,” she said and he beamed before he kissed her hand needlessly and he approached Mermista. Catra watched the interaction, suddenly feeling alone in the crowded room. Mermista and Sean walked to the dancefloor and Adora’s eyes landed on Catra with a heated gaze.
Catra swallowed the lump in her throat and like magnets they were drawn to each other. Catra stopped before Adora and smiled up at her shyly.
“Nice suit,” Catra complimented.
“Thanks, nice dress,” Adora said, her eyes skimming over Catra’s form for a moment.
“I prefer you in white,” Catra said playfully and Adora coloured.
“Me too,” she agreed. Catra didn’t want to read too much into it but she hoped Adora meant it the same way she did. She liked it much more when Adora and her were a matching set.
“Would you like to dance?” Catra asked and Adora glanced over at the dancefloor where their friends could all be seen enjoying themselves.
“Maybe later, I wouldn’t mind some fresh air,” Adora said softly and Catra smiled and nodded.
“I could use some air,” Catra agreed and Adora led them out of the gymnasium into the cool night air. Catra hadn’t really dressed for a brisk spring evening, but Adora was quick to resolve the issue by taking off her jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders.
“Thanks,” Catra said, her cheeks colouring as Adora put her hand on her lower back and led them over to some nearby benches. Catra pulled the jacket around her shoulders as she sat down and Adora sat beside her. Catra tried to arrange her dress to cover her leg but the heavy fabric was fighting her.
Catra was biting her lip trying to get the courage to say something bold when Adora broke the silence first.
“I wish I came to the dance with you,” Adora said softly as she looked out into the darkness of the oval. Catra felt butterflies erupt inside her chest at the admittance.
“Me too,” Catra agreed softly, and Adora looked at her with soft sad eyes.
“I wish you didn’t feel like you have to hide,” Adora said and Catra shivered under the intense stare. Adora clearly thought she was still cold and put her arm around Catra to help keep her warm. It worked immediately as Catra blushed.
“Me too,” She said softly.
“No rush, obviously, you take the time you need,” Adora reminded her, and Catra smiled as she laughed softly.
“I know dummy,” Catra said softly, and Adora looked like she was thinking. She had a little frown between her brows and Catra lifted her hand to poke the little wrinkles that built there. “Don’t think so hard,” Catra teased and Adora huffed.
“I was just thinking about something Glimmer told me,” Adora said softly, a little colour coming to her cheeks which didn’t seem to be from the cool night.
“Yeah, what wisdom has the mighty Sparkles bestowed upon you?” Catra joked and Adora smiled but her focus didn’t waver.
“Just that when you said you liked me over the years that it might not have meant what I thought it did,” Adora said softly and Catra felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. It was bad enough managing her friendship with Glimmer as one of her few confidants without Glimmer running her mouth.
“When did this come up?” Catra asked and Adora smiled sheepishly.
“Back when the fake dating thing came out,” Adora said and Catra rolled her eyes.
“And you waited all this time to talk about it?” Catra asked in a huff but Adora was still watching her cautiously. Catra felt like maybe she was missing something when Adora looked at her like that.
“I want to tell you something, and it's fine if you don’t feel the same, but before that I have something for you” Adora said and Catra watched curiously as Adora pulled a small ring sized box from the pocket of her suit. Catra’s eyes widened as Adora looked a little embarrassed.
“I wanted to give it to you at Christmas but I couldn’t resist that kitten shirt,” Adora started and Catra frowned a little but nodded her head.
“You’re such a jerk,” Catra said and Adora grinned playfully.
“Yeah,” Adora said and handed Catra the small box. She looked at the box with butterflies in her stomach before she pushed open the lid.
Inside the box was just what she hoped for, the gold ring with a marquise cut aquamarine stone sat within the box.
“Is it…?” Catra asked as tears welled in her eyes.
“The same one? Yeah, I found it at the donation place and thought I would buy it for you again,” Adora said softly and Catra tried to blink her tears away without ruining her makeup.
“You’re going to make me ruin my eyeliner,” Catra complained as she tried to tilt her head back to stop the tears from falling. Adora laughed gently.
“Should have used waterproof then,” Adora teased and Catra scoffed.
“I can’t afford that shit, so don’t make me cry,” Catra scolded and looked back at the ring before she took it out of the box and slid it on the pointer finger of her left hand. She smiled as it glittered in the soft light, it was small, but it made her feel like she matched Adora. Not Adora’s suit, but Adora. The gem glistened like the sunny sky of her best friend’s eyes and the gold was like her hair. She had missed this ring and it made her feel like she belonged.
“Thank you,” Catra said and Adora smiled softly, but it looked a little sad now. Catra frowned with confusion at the change in her mood. “What did you want to tell me?” Catra asked, suddenly concerned.
“I talked to Bow and Glimmer about living with them at Unive-”
“What!?” Catra cut her off, looking shocked. “Why?! We have a plan” she asked, confused and panicked.
“I know, it's ok, just listen to me ok?” Adora said, taking her hands firmly and Catra clicked her mouth closed before she nodded. Her stomach twisting uncomfortably.
“I talked to them because I want to tell you something and I don’t want you to feel trapped. It won't change anything and I’m always going to be here for you, so you don’t have to worry about that.” Adora said and Catra could feel the tears welling in her eyes again.
“You’re scaring me,” Catra said softly, feeling a little pathetic for admitting it. But it was true, she didn’t want Adora to live somewhere else, she wanted to live with her and cuddle in the evenings and maybe even sleep in the same room again if it wasn’t weird.
“Cat, I like you,” Adora said softly and Catra’s chest felt like it was bursting with happiness, but Adora wasn’t done talking. “And I understand if you don’t feel the same way, I just need you to know, and I’ll probably need time to get over it so it doesn’t make you feel weird and I hope it doesn’t make you uncomfortable,” Adora rambled and Catra just stared at her. Adora liked her, but did she mean like-like her?
“Adora, what do you mean when you say you like me?” Catra asked softly and Adora stopped and looked at her with a flustered blush on her cheeks. It's so cute.
“In a gay way,” Adora offered and Catra couldn’t help but laugh. She was so happy to hear those words. Adora liked her?! It seemed too good to be true. Adora looked embarrassed and confused, which shook Catra out of her internal victory dance.
“Adora, I’ve been in love with you since we were eight years old,” Catra said and Adora looked surprised, like genuinely surprised that her feelings were returned. Adora was still like a statue so Catra leaned forward to kiss her softly and it seemed to snap her out of it as she took Catra’s cheek in her hand and kissed her firmly.
Catra kissed her back as she leaned into her warmth. The kiss was pretty tame, soft and gentle like a promise. Adora wrapped her arms around Catra and when they separated from the kiss Adora rested her forehead against Catra's.
“Wow…I was seriously understating my feelings by the way. I love you too,” Adora said softly and Catra laughed with relief as she ran her fingertips over the back of Adora’s head, enjoying the short soft hair she found there.
“You’re such an idiot,” Catra whispered, her words dripping with affection.
“Yeah, but I could be your idiot,” Adora breathed back, her eyes closed as they shared each others air. Catra hummed, her heart too big for her chest.
“I would like that, so much…” Catra said, her voice carrying a sad lilt to the end which caused Adora to pull back and make eye contact with Catra. Catra couldn’t help the guilty look on her face.
“I don’t want to have to hide you while I’m still working things out,” Catra said remorsefully, “you deserve better than that,” Catra said and Adora frowned a little before she smiled softly.
“I want to be with you Catra, whatever that looks like. If we have to pretend to be friends at school and I still get to show you how much I love you at home. Then I can do that until you’re ready,” Adora said softly as she stroked Catra’s cheek gently and she leaned into the affection.
“You’re too good for me,” Catra said softly and Adora frowned.
“Weaver is not allowed in this conversation,” Adora said firmly, and Catra blushed before she nodded.
“Sorry, it's something I’m working on,” she said gently and Adora nodded, a small smile growing on her lips again.
“I know and I love you so we can work the rest out as we go,” Adora said gently and Catra smiled. Letting out a sigh of relief as she felt a weight being lifted off her shoulders. She felt so light that she might just float away so she clung to Adora tightly and hid her face in her shoulder.
“I love you too, Dummy,” She whispered.
[...]
Adora was riding a high like she had never known. She got to dance with her best friend under a tacky disco ball and way too many plastic vines to terrible songs she knew by heart. They didn’t dance to any of the slow songs but Adora made it her personal goal to make Catra laugh so hard that she couldn’t breath.
Mermista and Sean hadn’t been seen since they went to dance and neither Adora nor Catra found their night lacking without them. They were likely making up and would show up eventually.
After the dance wrapped up at 10pm some of their friends went back to Glimmer's house to keep the party going. Linda and Dean already knew they were staying at Glimmers after the dance so they had an easy night of freedom.
Mermista and Sean arrived at the party on Sean’s motorbike an hour after Adora and Catra caught a ride home with Glimmer. Scorpia, Perfuma, Adam and Teela all joined them to end the night with some good music and alcoholic drinks.
Adora finally got her slow dance, surrounded by rainbow lights and a tacky bubble machine in the pool house out the back of Glimmer's place. Catra was so close that there was barely any space between them. She was rocking slowly with her head on Adora’s shoulder as a soft slow song played. The group was all couples so everyone was in their own little world as they rocked to the music.
Adora leaned down, her chest bursting to say those three simple words every chance she got for the rest of her life.
“I love you,” Adora whispered into her ear and Catra shivered before she squeezed Adora closer and tilted her head up to look at the blonde.
“I love you too,” she whispered back, the words being lost in the song playing and Adora beamed like the sun. Catra smiled and rested her head back on her shoulder to continue their dancing.
They stayed up late drinking and dancing before they arranged pillows and blankets on the floor of the living room and everyone paired off to sleep. Adora was excited to sleep with Catra in her arms again. It felt like it had been months since the last time and she missed it.
Catra looked equally excited as she settled in beside Adora. Something felt so different and so charged about this embrace that it made it almost impossible to sleep. Adora could see with enough light that Catra’s eyes were open as she looked back at Adora with barely an inch between them. Catra’s eyes moved down to Adora’s lips and Adora bit into her lower lip.
Catra mimicked the action subconsciously as she moved closer to her and slotted herself under Adora’s chin. Just like that the tension was gone, Adora ran her hands up and down Catra’s back. She didn’t feel like she was missing out by not getting a kiss but she was excited for the next time they could have one.
[...]
Catra woke with her back sore from the hard ground and a heavy weight on top of her. She groaned softly and tried to roll off her back but found herself pinned. She cracked her eyes open lazily to find Adora sleeping on her chest with one arm and leg around her. No wonder she couldn’t move. She tried to wiggle out from under the dead weight but was unsuccessful.
“You guys are cute together,” Mermista’s soft whisper came from beside Catra and she snapped her head in that direction. Mermista was sitting up in her many pillows she called a bed and despite the early morning she still looked practically flawless. Sean, Perfuma and Scorpia were already missing from the room but Bow and Glimmer were still sleeping wrapped around each other and Adam and Teela were sleeping close together but not quite touching.
Catra was embarrassed but she noticed a lack of shame filling her chest as Mermista watched her with understanding in her eyes.
“Thank you,” Catra said softly. The first step was acceptance, right? It was progress. Mermista nodded.
“Don’t mention it, or I’ll deny it,” Mermista threatened and Catra laughed softly.
“Sure,” she said and Adora moved beside her to snuggle somehow closer. She seemed to deem that uncomfortable and moved again immediately. She rolled onto her back and pulled Catra with her. She giggled softly and that seemed to wake Adora as she looked at her with bleary eyes. Catra smiled back, vaguely aware that Mermista got to her feet to leave the room. Catra pressed a soft kiss to her sleepy girlfriend's face and a scandalised gasp came from the direction of Glimmer's pillow palace.
“Bow, Bow!!” Glimmer’s excited whisper came with a groan from the man himself.
“Sleeping,” he mumbled and Glimmer just shook him harder to his loud protest. Teela and Adam woke to the sound of Glimmer's not so effective whispering but Adora was almost back to sleep by this point.
“Bow, they did it!” Glimmer said, and climbed out of the blankets, pulling them with her. Bow groaned again at being completely uncovered and sat up to glare at Glimmer.
“What happened? Tell me everything!” Glimmer said, grabbing Catra by the shoulders and shaking her. Adora groaned as Catra was taken from her arms and finally woke up for real this time.
“Glimmer, people are sleeping,” Adam said with annoyance as he sat up and Teela did the same before lazily leaning against him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she closed her eyes again.
“I don’t care, are you together now? How did it happen?” Glimmer asked and Catra blushed as Adora sat up beside her and gently pulled Catra from Glimmer’s clutches.
“Glim, she's not out, so stop it will you,” Adora defended and Catra smiled at her protectiveness. She snuggled into Adora’s arms and sighed happily.
“Wait, I’m confused, what's happening then?” Glimmer asked, looking confused.
“We are together, but I’m still in the closet right now, so we aren’t telling people, you losers have to keep a secret,” Catra explained and Glimmer pouted before she nodded.
“Ok, fine,”
“Aw, I am both touched and outraged to be part of this secret,” Teela offered and Catra snorted before she grinned at Adam.
“I like her,” Catra said and Adam blushed but smiled at Teela.
“Me too,” he said softly, and Teela blushed.
“You’re alright, I guess,” Teela said and yelped when he pinched her on the side. They all laughed as Teela tussled with Adam to pinch him in return.
[...]
Catra was sitting on the swings in the park between her old house and the Greyskulls. Things had been going amazingly and the weather was warming up again. Adam and Adora had finally been offered Football scholarships to their dream school and everything was coming together just like they planned.
It was almost overwhelming how good things were going and Catra felt like she was walking on eggshells as she waited for something to ruin the fragile happiness she had built for herself. Adora had been a patient and understanding girlfriend. They didn’t always communicate the best but they had kept their promises to never run too far.
Catra was keeping that promise right now since she and Adora had a mild disagreement. Catra was upset that Adora was ok with Catra hiding Adora from the world and Adora tried to reassure her again that she was fine with it. Adora didn’t mind and she wasn’t getting frustrated or anything. She had been so understanding and patient with Catra’s choice to stay in the closet while they were still in highschool and she would work on coming out when they had moved. It was a common argument between them because Catra felt like Adora was angry with her, or frustrated. Catra would hate it if Adora wanted to hide her like an embarrassment so why was Adora ok with it?
“Hey Kitten,” Catra looked up, she didn’t even realise she wasn’t alone anymore as she rocked back and forth on the swings deep in thought. She expected to see Adora but she was instead greeted by Dee who had a camera strap over their shoulder. They were wearing an outfit that looked like a suit on the top and a dress on the bottom. It billowed in the spring wind and shimmered.
“Don’t call me that,” Catra said with an annoyed frown and Dee smiled.
“Sorry, I forgot, I have to be at least six foot for you to like it,” Dee said, twirling their platinum blonde hair around their finger casually.
“Can I help you with something?” Catra asked and Dee laughed.
“Not exactly, I think I am here to help you,” Dee said and stepped forward. They lifted the camera and clicked a few buttons before they showed Catra a photo on the little display. Catra’s eyes widened at the image of Adora and Catra kissing outside during the spring dance.
“How do you have this?” Catra asked and Dee pulled the camera to sling it back over their shoulder.
“A little birdy took it for me. It was suggested that I write a story to match it but it came to my attention that you are not out yet,” Dee said and Catra gasped.
“You write the gossip paper?” she asked in shock as they laughed and flicked their hair.
“Guilty, you and buff Barbie are really good for sales, but I’m not trying to out someone before they are ready,” they said and Catra looked back at the camera before she looked at Dee again.
“Thank you,” Catra offered and they tutted and waved their hand.
“Don’t thank me darling,” they said and picked some fluff off their suit jacket. “I do have some advice for you though, from one queer to another,”
“What is it?” Catra asked, trying to force down the shameful blush that wanted to colour her face at the accusation.
“Our parents may raise us but they don’t get to tell us who to be,” Dee started and Catra frowned at the reminder of Weaver and everything she put Catra through. “But if you hide who you are then it just reinforces that you think you are doing something wrong. If you know who you are, be proud of that person,” Dee said and Catra frowned as she thought over those words and let them reside in her chest. She found that she felt a little lighter.
“Thanks Dee, spoken from experience?” She asked and they smiled as they started walking away.
“Lets just say there is a reason I live with my nanna rather than my parents. See you later Kitten,” they said and Catra huffed but didn’t correct the nickname this time.
She stayed a little longer, watching the sun change the colour of the sky and feeling the temperature drop below comfortable.
She got up from the swing and headed for home, ready to apologise and snuggle with Adora until everything was good again. She knew she had a long road ahead to deal with the emotional scars her mother left behind but little steps forward were still progress.
She arrived at the Greyskull house to see Adora sitting out the front. She had been watching the sky change colour but she perked up as she noticed Catra. As she got closer Adora stood and smiled at her.
“Hey,” Adora said, a little nervous but still hopeful.
“Hey Dummy,” Catra said, stepping closer to hug the blonde and having Adora wrap her arms around her in return.
“I’m sorry,” Catra said and Adora let out a sigh of relief as she held her.
“I’m sorry too,” Adora said gently even though she hadn’t done anything wrong. Catra held onto her tighter and melted into her embrace.
She would work her hardest to learn to be the person she wanted to be. Not only was it what Adora deserved in a partner, but it was what Catra deserved too. When she worked out who she really was, she wouldn’t have to hide anymore.