Work Text:
Adora certainly hadn't expected to win the grand prize for her company raffle. A whole month stuck on a luxury cruise around the Eternian isles? As the executive assistant to Angella she couldn't think of a bigger waste of time. She would have rather won the dollar store bath bomb.
Regardless, here she was trying to 'relax' or whatever the fuck it was. She'd never been able to in all 28 years of her bland and unexciting life; there was always work to be done, another task to complete. Her friends and the majority of the staff had insisted she take the opportunity, because quote "she wouldn't ever even think about going on vacation".
Currently she was lounging on the deck, reading a book she'd been given last Christmas about kindness and generosity and a million other things that sounded nice, but Adora knew firsthand it wasn't something a lot of people practised. She was in the middle of a passage about how all anyone craves is to be heard when someone fell unceremoniously into the deck chair next to her.
"Man, couldn't this have actually been a fun cruise? There's nothing to actually do here- I mean, you're reading a book for crying out loud!"
Adora had been on this cruise liner for a week now and had barely spoken to anyone, and now here was someone just entering a conversation with her as if they were on friendly terms. The blonde put down her absolutely enthralling book to face the initiator; the first thing she noticed were the person's eyes. A brilliant electric blue and yellow. They filled her vision and held her absolute attention until she realised she was staring.
"Hello? Did I startle you or something? I'm not that scary am I?"
Adora shook herself and refocused to look at the person in their entirety; they were a woman with skin coloured somewhere between tan and copper, (possibly chestnut?) and a magnificent mane of fluffy hair that even while sitting down Adora could see would nearly reach their lower back. She was wearing a plain white sleeveless crop-top, jeans with many tears in them, and to top it all off, a blue and grey striped flannel tied around her waist.
"Hey, you gonna respond? You're kinda zoning out there." The woman waved a hand in front of her.
"Oh uh no! No! I'm good. You just took me by surprise, that's all." Adora stammered. Shit she'd gotten distracted again! Not her fault the powers that be had dropped a literal beauty in front of her. With her brain working overtime to reign in the conversation, she managed to get out "And yes, it's been quite dull so far."
"Nice to know someone agrees with me. I didn't even know I was going on this trip until a couple of weeks beforehand; my local queer support group was holding a raffle and I just happened to be so lucky to win the grand prize! I immediately tried to give it to someone else but they all thought it a good idea for me to 'get out there and meet someone'. Like, who's ever heard of getting into a relationship on a cruise ship?" The woman threw her hands up exasperatedly. "It's not a trope I've ever heard of before- hey what's so funny?" She turned to look at Adora quizzically. The blonde in question was trying to hold back her laughter, but was unable to prevent a few snorts from escaping.
"Oh it's just- you said- a relation ship on a cruise ship ." Adora managed to get out between several giggles and snorts. "I don't know why but my brain thinks that is the funniest thing right now."
"Wow, of course the first person I try to talk to because they look as bored as I feel turns out to be a complete dork." The brunette said teasingly, but void of malice.
"I am also laughing because I, too, won this cruise from a raffle."
The woman stared at her in amazement. "No way! You're shitting me."
"Nope. Got the proof right here." Adora reached into one of the pockets of her khaki cargo shorts and pulled out a worn pamphlet-coupon thing.
"And here I was thinking I was special." The woman said in mock disappointment.
"Where's the evidence to say that you aren't?"
"Are you one of those people that goes around giving motivational speeches? You definitely seem the type."
"It was definitely a career I considered." Adora smirked.
"Given that you weren't shitting about the raffle win I genuinely cannot tell if you're pulling my leg about that."
"Haha, nah, I'm an executive assistant to the CEO of Brightmoon industries."
The woman stared at her blankly. "Okay just give me the truth already."
Adora put a hand on her chin, pointer and thumb forming an 'L' "Hmmmmm, no. I think it'll be way more fun for you to try and figure it out for yourself."
"When I said I wanted something fun to happen I didn't exactly picture this."
"Me neither, but hey, at least we both have someone to hang out with now."
"Oh, you wanna hang out with me?" The woman seemed a little surprised.
"Yeah, you seem cool enough."
"Cool enough ?" The brunette said indignantly. "Excuse me but you don't get to define 'cool' when you're wearing what the average guy wears in summer." She gestured to Adora's red and white polo shirt and cargo shorts.
"I'm sorry I don't sport a wardrobe as extravagant as yours."
"You think this is extravagant? Oh I'm gonna knock some fashion sense into you by the time this cruise is over, Princess."
The two continued bantering well into the evening, and only stopped when they realised the sun was setting.
"Oh gosh, where did the time go?" Adora said, looking around as if she'd woken up somewhere unfamiliar.
"Wherever it went, it beats reading a book all day surely." The woman responded.
"Oh that was the most fun I've had all week! Meet again tomorrow?" Adora said, hopeful.
"Uhm, sure, but what about tonight? You aren't thinking of going to that trivia night thing are you?" The brunette mimed out a retching motion. "I'd rather go swimming with sharks, thanks."
"Uhhh, no, I wasn't. (She was) Was gonna probably go see whatever's on TV after I've had dinner."
"I was going to resign myself to the same fate, but..."
Adora narrowed her eyes. "But what?"
"Since we're going to be doing the same thing," The woman said shyly as she blushed a little, not meeting Adora's gaze. "why don't we do it together?"
"Is this how you ask all the girls out?" The blonde said smugly.
"I- wh- I didn't- This is not because I like you." The brunette stammered. "You're just the most tolerable person on the entire ship." She crossed her arms, huffed, and looked away.
"Riiight. Anyway I'm starving let's go eat."
~
The two had eaten, and now Catra (They had swapped names over dinner after realising they hadn't even shared them, much to their humour. Catra had immediately searched her up and spat out her drink when she found that Adora absolutely was the executive assistant to the CEO of Brightmoon Industries) was leading Adora to her cabin. It was a floor down from the blonde's own cabin, and closer to the prow.
As they reached it, Catra made Adora promise not to comment on anything, and while Adora even pinky swore (What a dork, Catra thought), she had the fingers on her other hand crossed behind her back.
Upon first glance, it was pretty much the same as Adora's own cabin; TV, couch, a kitchenette, and doors leading to a bedroom and bathroom. As she really looked around, Adora spotted the bass guitar propped up against the side of the couch. "Oh wow you didn't tell me you're a musician."
"I told you not to comment on anything." Catra grumped. "And no, I'm not going to play it for you, you gotta wait until the stupid talent show night that I signed up for out of boredom a couple days ago."
"Given how absolutely riveting this cruise is, you'll be the best act."
"Shut up." The brunette whined. "You haven't even heard me yet."
"Like that guy we saw on deck in that ridiculous outfit is gonna amaze people with a magic trick or whatever." Adora chuckled.
"I always expect the unexpected, and that includes some rich fuck showing off that they can drink while upside down."
"Oh you hate rich people now do you?" Adora said, a hint of worry leaking into her tone.
Catra giggled, and Adora found the sound so sweet she wanted to hear it forever. "Don't worry, not you, you practically throw the money you don't need away on other people, which I find so admirable of you." The woman had stepped into the blonde's personal space and they were so close Adora could make out every individual freckle splayed across Catra's face. Adora tensed slightly at her proximity and the room suddenly felt ten degrees warmer. She was relieved yet also disappointed when the brunette pulled away and sat on the couch. "Now come on, lets see if there's a crappy show we can make fun of people on."
At that moment Adora could think of nothing better to do.
~
Three days later, Adora was sitting in one of the many bars the luxury cruise liner boasted, as Catra did a final sound check. Even though it was a casual event, and not a nationally televised performance, the woman had been rather anxious about it, even forsaking some of their time together to go practice in her cabin. Adora didn't complain of course, cause she wanted Catra to feel her best while playing but she felt she was really the only one to impress.
Unless there was someone else Catra was also playing for.
That thought made Adora's stomach feel like it was suddenly sideways, and while the blonde believed she had no right to feel that way, a little part of herself was hoping against all hope that Catra didn't have her eye on anyone in that way. All evidence pointed to no, as far as Adora knew, Catra hadn't spent any of her time with another passenger beyond a brief conversation. No one had come up to Catra to wish her good luck or anything as other passengers performed silly little acts and showed off quirky talents. One person did, as Adora predicted, attempt a magic trick with some playing cards, but they dropped the entire deck halfway through.
Soon, silence settled as Catra, seated on a barstool that had been hauled onto the stage, tapped the mic in front of her a few times. "Hey everyone, I'm Catra D'riluth and I must say this whole luxury cruise experience has been very underwhelming." She got a couple of laughs at that. "But I met someone who in the span of three days has changed my mind on regretting this whole thing." She looked at Adora, and even she could see the blush on her face. "This one goes out to the blonde in the middle right over there."
Catra started plucking her bass in a simple rhythm, and while she did open her mouth, she didn't sing.
"Girl, I see you walking past my home.
I see you talking on your phone.
I see you walking on your own.
And I don't know why ‘cause you're fit, girl."
Adora felt the heat rush to her face as she finally processed that Catra was singing about her. She already thought it was the best music she'd ever heard even though it was just some spoken words over a simple riff.
"I got these pictures in my head.
“Of the two of us laid on a bed.
“Somewhere in Greece and you're so wet."
Catra paused playing for a second. Adora's brain had ceased to function as it attempted to parse the implication of the phrase. Did she mean that or was it just part of the song for comedic effect? Her thoughts raced so fast she almost missed Catra starting up again.
"Fuck it, now I've said it." The bassist chuckled. "Girl,
"Must be the way you wear your jeans.
"What are they bootcut or long and lean?
"Whatever they are they look fucking mean.
"They look mean as fuck, oh girl."
By now everyone was getting into it, most people bobbing their head or tapping their leg to the beat. It was such a simple song yet Catra was pouring her heart out, all for the dorky blonde she had her eyes trained on.
"I think you need to come around to my yard for some tea.
"Now I got herbal, chamomile and I got coffee.
"And if you burn, I got some weed.
"It's Northern super mix so you gotta be really easy on it." She got a few more laughs out of that one.
"Anyway, girl.
"You look like you could have some fun.
"And even better you look like I could be the one.
"And I think you need to join me in my dream in the sun.
"You know what I mean?
"Cause it's fucking beautiful, come on girl."
All of a sudden, Catra relaxed the grin she'd been wearing throughout the song, closed her eyes, and launched into what Adora thought was the most melodious singing voice ever. It put to shame every pop-star she'd heard on the radio.
"I may not be some superstar.
"I may have one too many scars.
"But I tell you now that I'm the boss, oh I'm the boss.
"Believe me oh girl.
"I'm begging oh girl.
"I got to have you my girl.
"Oh you're the one my girl.
"Oh girl." Opening her eyes, she turned to face the audience, and dropped back to her normal speaking voice. Adora, almost in tears over the whole thing, wished she got to hear more of the brunette's singing, and, judging by the content of the song, it may well be in her future.
"And there you see this girl? Oh lord have mercy you just don't know, so undainty you don't know it, it's just like, yuh, you see her? She's kinda good. I can see in a couple years time, I dunno, we have a little boy, maybe name it Kyle or something, and I dunno, what, live out the rest of our days in the sun or something and uh, the heat is heavy, believe me, heavy. Oh lord have mercy, just ew, you know what I mean, it's like,
"Oh girl." Catra strummed heavier on the last line, and went silent. A moment later the bar erupted in a chorus of applause and shouts. Adora didn't move however, because she was too busy trying to decipher if the woman had meant all that on a personal level. That last part about kids felt like a joke with how it was phrased; who already names their kid with someone they aren't even dating? But the rest of the song, however, Adora felt that it was all genuine.
Catra looked at her fondly from up on the stage, and Adora knew that the rest of this cruise was going to be far from uneventful.