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The sweat has barely started to dry on Adora's body when she feels Catra shifting, pulling herself out of the bed and out of her arms. They've been cuddling for a few minutes as they came down from their respective highs, but Adora wants to be in Catra’s arms for far longer than that. She resists the urge to whine at Catra to come back to bed. She feels lucky to have had her there in the first place.
"Well, that was fun," Catra says dryly, as she picks up her clothes and casually starts redressing. Adora feels a little smug when she realizes Catra’s legs have a slight tremble to them.
She continues to watch her with careful eyes, looking for a hint of what this experience might mean to Catra. Sure, she clearly had a good time when Adora was touching her, but that didn't mean she’d want to do it again.
Adora tried to work up the courage to ask Catra out any which way she could imagine, and she finally gave up after Catra gently rejected her one stuttered attempt. She could hardly believe it when Catra pursued her at last night's party, dancing with her, then suggesting they go to Adora’s dorm with a whispered promise that she wouldn't regret it.
She'd been right on that point.
She stretches out a bit, not bothering to cover herself. As an athlete, Adora isn't particularly shy about her body. Catra’s seen all of it anyways. Her muscles are pleasantly sore, the stretch making them burn in the best of ways. She lets out a deep sigh of relief as her muscles tense and relax.
"Yeah, it was." She agrees. Adora can be cool, she can be casual. Chill even. She feels flush as Catra eyes her openly, holding her pants in her hand. Adora slowly moves her arms to interlace her fingers behind her head, making sure to flex as she does so.
"Want to do this again sometime?" Catra asks as she stares at Adora's chest and trails her eyes up to her arms, biting her lip.
Adora’s heart thuds in her ears. "You can sit on my face any day of the week that ends with a Y." She blurts out quickly. That's decidedly not casual Adora. She gets to hear Catra’s high-pitched laugh so it's kind of worth it.
Catra bites her lip as if trying to curb her laughter. "I'll keep that in mind. See you around Adora." Her low voice gives Adora goosebumps, reminding her what it sounded like when she whispered in Adora's ear as she came. Adora hopes for a kiss but receives a wink instead as Catra closes the door behind her.
She walks out of Adora's dorm like she hasn't just become the owner of all of Adora's thoughts. The way Catra tasted, the way she moved—it was already a core memory Adora knew she would savor for weeks to come.
Adora sighs, relaxing back into her cheap mattress. It's three in the morning. She really wishes Catra had stayed, maybe let Adora hold her while she slept. It's probably for the best that it didn't happen.
She's been crushing on Catra all semester ever since she noticed her in their finance class. Adora’s there because it was either that or business Calc, but Catra clearly has a real head for numbers. She’s the first to answer the hardest questions, always prepared, never late. Whenever they chatted, she was nice but had a dry humor and wit that sucked Adora in. She can’t help but like Catra.
She'd been disappointed when Catra let her down easy, saying she was busy, but Adora knew when to move on. When her attention wasn't wanted. Now she's at a bit of a loss. Catra made it perfectly clear that she didn't want to go out with her, but they slept together. What did that even mean?
She sighs and she feels her eyes droop, head spinning with all kinds of thoughts. She decides she isn't going to think any more about what this might mean until after she gets some sleep.
When Adora realizes she didn't even bother to ask Catra for her number she kicks herself all weekend.
She has trouble falling asleep the night before the school week starts. On the morning of her finance class, she accidentally wakes up early, nervous about seeing Catra again. She's hooked up with girls before, but never one she liked as much as her.
She arrives early as always, sitting in her preferred seat towards the back where the professor was unlikely to pick on her. It’s a good survival tactic given how bad she is at math.
"Hey Adora!" Bow sits in the seat next to her, accompanying her more out of solidarity than survival. She hands him the coffee she ended up picking up for him before class. "How was your run this morning?"
She laughs nervously, eyes flickering to Catra's desk. "Oh, I ended up not going, still recovering from the weekend." She'd still been sore from the game and then staying up late railing Catra.
Bow, bless the man, doesn’t pick up on that and takes Adora’s words at face value, nodding sympathetically. "I think this unit is supposed to be easier than the last one." Bow comments mildly, flipping through the reading they were supposed to do for the day.
Adora breathes a sigh of relief. "I hope so, otherwise I'm going to fail this class." She isn't a dumb jock by any stretch of the imagination, but ledgers were just beyond her.
"You'd probably do better if you stared at Catra less." Bow said pointedly.
Adora can feel herself turning red as she pulls out her pens. He isn't wrong but does he have to say it like that? And, just because God hates her, Catra chooses that exact moment to walk into class.
When she passes by Adora's desk, Adora freezes up, caught watching her languid gait as she keeps walking for three more rows. The heat of her body next to Adora feels pulsing for a quick moment but she keeps going, nary a pause in her steps until she reaches her desk, dumping her bag onto the ground next to it.
From this angle Adora can only see her silhouette, her long wild hair styled effortlessly and loose down her back, her firm arms and when she turns to pull her laptop out of her bag, she can see her jaw.
Adora’s eyes glaze over with all of those thoughts meshing together, starting with jaws and arms and ending with kissing, touching, biting.
She hears a pointed throat clearing that snaps her out of her thoughts. Bow stares at her, looking more concerned than ever about her mental stability.
She's definitely going to fail this class.
Adora can't help but sneak her eyes towards the table at the far end of the library, visible only between two stacks of books. Catra’s reading a textbook herself, her brow furrowed in concentration, not paying attention to her surroundings.
Adora sighs tugging her hair back as she redoes her ponytail.
"Stop mooning at her!" Glimmer hisses under her breath. Adora straightens ups and looks down at her book, face flushed.
She didn't know Catra would be studying at the library when she had study group with Glimmer and Bow. If she did, she honestly would’ve avoided the library. She still hasn't told her friends that she slept with her a week ago.
If she was a mess around Catra before, nothing could have prepared her for the unmitigated disaster she became after sleeping with her. She started clamming up whenever she so much as looked at the girl.
After a few days passed, she somehow felt more awkward and tongue-tied around Catra than ever. She holds back a groan. She's never getting her number now.
. Catra is still staring at her book, but she gently puts her pen cap into her mouth and it sends Adora into a tizzy. Another unfortunate side effect of sleeping with Catra is that every time she looks at her, she remembers exactly what it was like She once again zones out thinking some very unsafe thoughts for a library.
"Why are you blushing like that? It isn't the first time we caught you staring at Catra. That’s like every other day for Bow I’m sure." Glimmer crosses her arms and closes her book, eyeing Adora in earnest now. She winces as she's reminded of Bow’s first-class seat to her failure of a love life.
"I—I no reason." She stutters over herself, steadfastly staring at her notes and not reading a damn thing. She’s hoping that somehow she can make a clean getaway but it seems more unlikely than ever.
"Adora, you know you can tell us anything." Bow needles as he leans forward, eyes bright and optimistic. That's Bow code for 'hand out the gossip or else'. She's in trouble.
"I just wasn't expecting to see her at the library is all." She hedges, looking back down at her book hoping to avoid questions. She braces herself for more badgering but it doesn’t come.
Instead, she sees a shadow come over her paper and feels someone standing directly behind her. Before she can think too much of it, she realizes exactly what’s happening when her unmistakable voice rings out over the table.
"Hey Adora." The words are low and send chills down her spine. She turns slowly, hoping against hope that she manages to arrange her face into something quasi-normal by the time she has to look up.
Catra smirks with a hand on her hip, her bag flung over her shoulder. Adora freezes for a moment just taking her in. God, she’s so beautiful, even dressed casually in a school t-shirt and a pair of cutoff jeans.
"Oh, um hi." She manages to stutter out, looking at her friends before turning her attention back to Catra.
Catra gives her a weird look but presses forward. "Remember, we talked about studying again? I'm free Thursday if you want to talk numbers." She smiles and adjusts her bag strap as she says it.
"Studying?" Adora asks dumbly. She's never studied with Catra in her life she would definitely remember that. She would write silly poems she'd be forced to burn if that happened. Catra sighs, giving her an impatient look and it all clicks.
Catra wants her. Wants Adora.
"Oh! Yeah, I remember! Studying! Of course! Thursday’s fine. Great even!" She trips all over herself trying to recover from her almost slip up—she doesn’t even remember what she’s supposed to be doing on Thursday. Any chill points she earned were now lost, along with all of her dignity. It was a lost cause from the beginning.
Catra rolls her eyes but doesn’t seem too put off. "Okay cool. See you then." Catra makes to walk away but Adora reaches out, quickly snatching her hand. It's warm and soft just like every other inch of her. Adora would know, she’s thought about it enough.
"I don't have your phone number. You should give it to me so we can coordinate our study plans." She explains, gently squeezing Catra's hand.
She doesn't know where she found the courage, but she thanks every star in the sky when Catra gives her a small smile and nods, gesturing for Adora to hand over her phone. She quickly enters her phone and quickly leaves with a "see you later Adora" tossed over her shoulder.
Adora watched her go thinking that Thursday couldn't come soon enough. Then a shrill screech ruins all her daydreams.
"What the fuck just happened between you and Catra D'liruth?" Adora’s head snaps up to find a bewildered Glimmer and Bow staring at her.
"You remember the party last week?" Adora asks as she fidgets nervously.
"Yeah the softball team hosted it and you said you had to make an appearance." Glimmer fills in. She and Bow had been out of town on an environmentalist club kayak trip.
"Catra was there." Adora shrugs her shoulder like that explains it.
"Okay?" Bow asks. "Did you talk?"
Adora blushes beet red, looking away from her friends’ curious glances.
"Wait... did you kiss!?" Glimmer hisses way too loudly for a library. Adora’s head snaps up looking for any sign of Catra.
"Will you keep it down!" She all but begs.
Glimmer shakes her head as if disappointed. "Okay, we need out of this library so I can yell properly." Glimmer hurls her books into her bag and Adora hurries to do the same under her glare. Glimmer can be so intense sometimes.
"So, you kissed her?!" Bow picks up where Glimmer left off, throwing his arm over Adora’s shoulder. Probably ensuring she can’t escape.
"Umm, yes?" She’s really a terrible liar. She loves her friends, but she hates how nosy they can be.
"Adora, what aren't you saying?" Glimmer eyes her suspiciously.
"I might have done more than kiss her," Adora admits hesitantly. She might as well come clean now.
Both Bow and Glimmer stop in the middle of the breezeway, turning to face Adora. "No way!!! You slept with her?" Glimmer looks flabbergasted she almost dropped her bookbag.
"Keep it down still!" She hisses, pushing her hand over Glimmer’s face. She quickly bats Adora’s hand away with an annoyed huff.
"Adora that's…wow!” Bow’s at a loss for words. “How do you feel?"
"Good. It was good." It was more than good. Just the thought of how Catra approached her, eyes hooded with desire as she asked her to dance makes the hairs on Adora’s arm stand on end.
"Oh no you have to give us more than that! You've been crushing on her for months!" Glimmer insists. "I had to listen to you agonize about what color shirt to wear for finance class too many times! I'm getting the good now that it finally paid off."
Adora sputters wanting to deny how kind of pathetic her crush had been up to now but not really having any defense.
"I've never felt like that during sex before," Adora admits softly as she stares at her sneakers. "She's just so beautiful and confident. It was unbelievable."
She couldn’t help the sigh that escapes her. The next day after Catra was long gone, Adora pinched herself to make sure she was actually awake.
"So, you have a study date now? That's a good sign!" Bow cheers. She snorts at Bow and shares a knowing look with Glimmer.
"Um no. I don't think Catra wants to study finance with me." She rubs the back of her neck and bites her lip, trying to stop being the color of a fire truck.
"Ooooh, you're going to teach each other anatomy." Glimmer's voice couldn't be more obnoxious if she tried.
"Glimmer!!" She yells, once again looking around for signs of anyone who knows them.
"Okay, okay, I'm done." She raises her hands in surrender.
"So, you going to try to ask her out again?" Bow asks as they finally start to walk again.
Adora dodges what must be a freshman with a huge rolling book bag. "I don't know. She said no for a reason and just because she wants to you know—" Adora turns red again "—doesn't mean that she wants to date. I think I'll see how Thursday goes."
"Okay well you should also think about what you want Adora. You shouldn't do something that'll make you unhappy in the long term." Bow advises. "I don't think I've ever seen you have a one-night stand before."
She makes a noise of protest. "I have! It's just usually at away games." Being in a new city where she has the comfort of anonymity usually motivates her to go out of her comfort zone. "It's just she's so…" Adora struggles to find the words for how captivating she finds Catra.
"She's hot we have eyes." Glimmer dismisses waving her hand. "What I want to know is how good was it?"
Adora’s eyes go glassy seeing images she'd never share with her friends even if she could. They were hers.
Seems Glimmer didn't need them. She fans herself as if staving off the heat.
"I've seen enough. She definitely rocked your world." She teases as they continue to walk toward the dorms.
Adora smiles to herself. She did. Unquestionably. The question is whether Catra would show up and do it again on Thursday.
Thursday is a terrible idea because Adora just ran through a grueling double practice in the morning. She’s not sure how long she'll be able to last with how sore everything is, but damn if she isn’t willing to try. She’s glad Catra pushed back their meeting time, allowing her to soak in the gym tub for a bit after practice.
She then spent the whole afternoon frantically cleaning her dorm. She doesn't think there’s a level of dirty that will scare Catra away, but somehow it seems to be the only thing that helped her growing nerves.
She tries to remember the countless pep talks she's had in the last two days with Glimmer and Bow but she isn't sure she can keep it together. She's excited but she's nervous. What if the spark from the first time was just gone?
As she tries to drown out her emotions by sweeping, she hears a knock at the door. She straightens out her clothes and shoves the broom out of sight behind the door.
She carefully opens it to reveal Catra.
"Hey Adora." She walks in and casually drops her bag on Adora's office chair. Adora presses her palms to her thighs as she takes in Catra's leggings and crop top, swallowing hard as she does so.
Adora doesn't have to worry about making the first move—Catra reaches out, her hand cupping Adora’s jaw lightly, and then she’s kissing her. The kiss is gentle compared to the ones they shared before and it makes it that much easier for Adora to melt into it. Catra breaks the kiss once they’re both breathing ragged.
"Hey, are you alright with this?" Catra checks in. Adora hears the words, but she isn't really listening, busying herself with Catra's neck, kissing down to her shoulder. Catra moans softly but then gently shoves her, getting her attention. "Sorry, I should've asked before just kissing you." Her split eyes darken. "I've been thinking about doing it since the last time I was here."
Catra thought. About kissing. Her.
She nods like a loon. "It's fine great even. I've thought a lot about kissing you too." She admits shyly, hoping it isn't weird.
Catra smiles one finger trailing up Adora's jaw in a way that feels surprisingly tender. "I think you're hot and it'd be fun to fuck sometimes. Cool with you?"
Catra’s so forward it kind of leaves Adora breathless. She breathes in and really looks at her. Her lips are slightly swollen from their kissing, her hair is ruffled, and she smells so, so, good.
Adora never stands a chance.
"Yeah super cool. I can be casual." She nods her head, her eyes zeroing in on Catra’s lips again. "Can I kiss you again now?"
Catra smirks pulling Adora close. "You better do more than just kiss me." She taunts her breath fanning over Adora’s face.
Adora takes her directions seriously, grabbing Catra by her thighs and picking her up, ignoring the protest of her tired muscles. Catra squeaks in surprise as she puts her arms around Adora’s shoulders and tightens her grip around her waist.
"Warn a girl next time." She complains but she’s breathless, looking down at Adora’s biceps. Adora ignores it, going back to kissing her instead.
She lays Catra on the bed, her fingers slowly trailing up from Catra's hip bones to her waist, marveling at the soft skin there. Just as she is about to start reaching under her shirt Catra lets out a short giggle. Adora pulls back a bit, confused.
"My ribs are ticklish, touch them and die," Catra warns, but its menacing edge is lost in the echoes of her laugh. Adora buries her face in her neck, busying her lips with the juncture there. Catra sighs softly and relaxes again.
She hums under her breath and instead drops her hands more firmly over Catra's torso, getting a stuttering breath in response. That's more like it.
She pulls Catra's shirt over her head and finds she isn't wearing anything else, her dark nipples pebbling over in the chill air. Adora leans back and stares at the absolute vision Catra makes, her chest flushed and heaving as she stares right back with an intensity that leaves Adora breathless.
"You going to sit there and stare at me all night, or are you going to do something here?" Catra asks impatiently, propping herself u on her elbows. It makes her tits sway and Adora is immediately distracted.
She grins at Catra. "I'm going to touch you all over if you let me." She says unabashedly as she gently cups her breasts. Catra’s breathing picks back up as her eyes flutter closed. Adora leans down and starts to kiss across Catra’s collar bones as she kneads her breasts. She remembers her liking that last time.
"Mmmm just like that. I like how strong and big your hands are, they feel amazing there." If there’s one thing that stands out in Adora's memory of their night together, it's that Catra isn't afraid to be vocal. Adora’s glad that seems to be the case tonight as well.
Adora's kisses trail down, and she starts kissing Catra’s chest, occasionally stopping to suck around her nipples. She sets a meandering pace, dragging her fingers and tongue over her languidly.
She can see Catra’s split eyes looking down at her fondling, the frustration clear in her gaze. Before she can protest how slowly Adora is moving she latches onto a nipple, sucking earnestly as she looks up at Catra.
Catra keens and lets out a long moan."Fuck, keep doing that." She all but orders. Adora’s happy to carry through. She slips her fingers into Catra’s waistband, pulling both her shorts and underwear off.
She moves her hands down to grab Catra's thighs lifting her up slightly so she can drag her down the bed to reposition her. She takes her time touching her thighs which tense as she moves from her outer to her inner thigh.
Catra looks down at her, dazed. "I don't understand how you can get so flustered like you were in the library and be so good at this."
Adora flexes her hands, gripping one of her thighs and placing an open-mouth kiss there that leaves Catra whimpering.
"I've always been good with my hands. Not so good with girls." She admits shyly.
Catra lets out a snort. "I think you're doing just fine, princess."
"Well, I'm glad you think so." She rolls her eyes.
Adora refocused on her mission, and continue to move her hands till she is running a hand through Catra's slick. She's especially sensitive, shuddering at the lightest touch.
"Don't touch directly over my clit and touch lightly," she explains as Adora runs a single finger down her navel while her other hand starts to touch her in earnest. She heeds the advice, alternating between a barely-there touch on her clit and a firmer touch a little bit higher.
"Fuck, yes, like that." She grunts out. Her hips keep moving so Adora does her best to touch her as she wants.
She barely keeps her eyes off Catra, watching the tension in her body increase and the noises she makes get louder. She drinks in the quiet whimpers, the louder drawn-out moans, and soft pants. Still, she keeps her touch steady and light leaning over Catra so she can press her body into hers.
She's shaking, her legs twitching out a little, but the way she bites her lips in frustration tells Adora she needs something else to go over the edge.
"What do you need Catra?" She manages to ask, desperate to just give her whatever it is she wants.
"Fuck, inside. Fuck me, Adora." She pants, her eyes blazing as they connect with Adora.
Adora gingerly slides one finger in, Catra’s hips moving desperately against her hands. She’s unbelievably wet and it takes no effort to sink all the way in. Her eyes are closed again and she’s lost in her own rhythm while. Adora teases her finger in and out, watching closely for Catra’s reaction.
"Adora more." She whines, one of her hands grabbing Adora’s leg and squeezing.
She's not sure if Catra means intensity or speed but she's never let that stop her. She gently slips a second finger in going deeper than before, gently curling until Catra gasps, her body curling up to meet Adora's hand. Her body holds that taut position for a moment longer before she lets out a deep sigh and sinks into the sheets.
Adora gently pulls her fingers back, wiping them on her sheets. She takes a moment to just look at Catra, so gorgeous on Adora’s bed practically radiating contentment. She allows herself some smug satisfaction at the sight.
She lays down next to Catra who cracks one eye open. Adora extends her arms jutting out her lower lip. "Cuddles."
Catra laughs and flops into her arms, nuzzling into Adora’s arms. She seems to find something amiss because she looks down at her with a frown. "You're still wearing your clothes." She notes.
Adora realizes it's true, she is still in her clothes. She laughs, shaking her head. "Sorry, I was more worried about other things." She pulls off her shirt and shucks her pants laying down and holding Catra close.
"Don't worry, I can take care of the rest of that when I catch my breath." She promises, pressing a soft kiss to Adora's neck.
“Would you mind if you didn’t?” Adora asks quietly.
Catra pulls back, a confused look on her face. “Um did you not like the last time—?”
Adora’s eyes widen as she registers the hurt look on Catra’s face. “No, no, no, Catra. Last time was fantastic. Best I’ve ever had, even.” She rushes to assure the bombshell.
Catra eyes her for a moment then a slow smirk crosses her face as she bites her lip. “Best you’ve ever had hmm? Want to elaborate on that?”
Adora groans, squeezing her eyes shut. “You’re being awfully mean to someone who was being very nice to you until a few minutes ago.”
Catra bumps Adora’s arm until she makes space so she can lay her head on her chest. She takes a minute to feel the weight of her body as she leans down and rests her chin on Catra’s head.
“Okay, I mean you don’t have to say why you don’t want to I guess but was it something I did?” She asks quietly.
“God no. I’m just really sore I had double practice today.” She pauses. “I’m on the softball team here at school.” She explains awkwardly.
She feels more than hears the snort Catra lets out. “I know you’re on the softball team Adora, your face is only plastered all over the gift shop.
“Ugh, I hate those pictures they make me look so straightlaced,” Adora complains. “I don’t know like I’d turn in someone’s grandmother for stealing a cookie.”
Catra leans back to look Adora in the eye as she laughs. “I don’t think most people get that much out of a picture, princess.”
She pouts for a minute, mostly for Catra’s entertainment. She runs a hand down Catra’s arm. "I was really surprised when you approached me in the library the other day," Adora admits looping a finger around one of Catra's curls.
Catra rolls her eyes. "Yeah you were being such a weirdo for a second there I thought that other girl was your girlfriend."
Adora laughs at the thought. "Ha! Glimmer is dating Bow actually."
"Oh, I thought Bow was dating that drama major." She waves vaguely as if it will help her remember the name.
"Seahawk? They used to date, but Glimmer and Bow have been dating for like a year now."
"Huh, I had no idea." She says, a pensive look crossing her face.
Adora takes a moment to feel the weight of Catra's body against her own before returning to the conversation. "What about you?" Adora asks tentatively.
"What about me?" She volleys the question back, confused.
"Are you dating anyone?" Adora clarifies.
She rolls her eyes. "Yes, Adora I'm definitely cheating on my girlfriend by sleeping with you—twice now."
"Hey! Polyamory is a valid choice. It's a fair question!" She defends.
She lets out an acknowledging hum. "Yeah, that's true. I'm not really one for dating, not into it." Catra shrugs.
"Okay, that's cool." That doesn’t make Adora’s heart plummet at all.
"Well, I'm probably going to head out. We have finance early tomorrow morning." Catra gives her a tentative smile. "But we can do this again?"
"Definitely. For sure. Like whenever you want." She pulls Catra close enough to kiss but doesn’t do it, feeling like it might cross some unspoken boundary.
"Maybe a day you don't have softball practice so you don't tap out on me." She teases.
Adora rolls her eyes, but her throbbing legs agree with Catra. "Yeah, I'll text you about it."
She leans her head on Adora’s collarbone for a brief moment before placing a light kiss there.
"Alright, I'm out. Later Adora." She quickly tugs on her clothes and with the flash of a smile she’s gone just as fast as the first time. Adora feels less alone when she lays back in her bed this time, knowing she’ll definitely see Catra again.
Adora knocks, practically bouncing on Catra’s doorstep. When the door opens, Catra looks confused and her eyes widen as she takes Adora in. Adora tilts her head in confusion because there shouldn’t be any. They’d been sleeping together for almost a month now and Catra asked her to swing by her place tonight.
"You're early." She says sounding mildly panicked.
Adora furrows her brow. "I'm not? You said 7." Adora looks down at her phone and… yep, that says 7:03.
Catra looks back into the apartment and still makes no move to open the door fully and let Adora inside.
For a moment Adora has a bad feeling in her gut like Catra’s hiding something from her. Like a girlfriend. Adora dismisses the thought as it crops up, but it leaves a dirty taste in her mouth. Catra wouldn’t do that to her, she’s certain.
"I sent you a text after saying I was busy till 8:30." She’s whispering now, there’s definitely something going on in her apartment.
Adora checks her phone again and finds no such text. "Umm, I don't have that." She looks up at Catra and the sheer stress just radiating off her. Adora’s about to excuse herself, maybe cry herself to sleep over the possibility that Catra’s on a date right before seeing her when a booming voice rips through the apartment and ricochets out the door.
"Wildcat who’s at the door?" The door opens and this absolutely jacked unit of a woman is standing behind Catra. If that’s Catra’s girlfriend, Adora’s in for a pounding and not the fun kind.
"My friend," Catra says curtly but she steps aside, gesturing for Adora to come in.
"Oh, I didn't know you were having a friend for dinner!! Come on in!" The woman absolutely beams sunshine as she fusses over Adora. Maybe she wouldn’t beat Adora up too badly.
Catra holds out a hand gesturing toward the woman. "Adora, this is Scorpia she's my roommate, and Scorpia this is Adora, a friend."
Adora relaxes at the word roommate. Now that she thinks about it, she remembers that Catra did mention her roommate a few times when they met up.
"Nice to meet you.” When she gets a closer look at Scorpia she stops short. “I think I've spotted for you at the gym before?"
She realizes she’d watched over her bench press slightly hoping nothing went wrong because Scorpia was benching some weight.
Scorpia smiles in recognition. "Oh yeah! That sure was nice of you, I do remember that! You hit a monster deadlift that day." Scorpia looks between Catra and Adora for a moment. "I'm going to finish up dinner in the kitchen. Holler if you need anything!”
Catra’s gripping her hands together nervously. "I'm sorry about that I forgot we’d made dinner plans and she's supposed to leave to her girlfriend's place afterward." She rushes through her apology and then eyes Adora.
She feels a bit off balance, unsure what it is exactly Catra wants. "If you want, I can go?" She offers.
"I mean you can go if you want, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable.” Catra looks at her phone and lets out a short, frustrated growl. “And apparently the stupid text didn't send."
She takes a step closer to Catra, ducking her head to speak in her ear. "If you're alright with it, I can stay for dinner and we can see what happens after?"
Catra backs up a little to look at her face. "You don't feel weirded out by my overly cheerful roommate?"
"No Catra, Scorpia seems like a nice girl. I'd love to have dinner if I wouldn't be intruding." She hasn’t really had the chance to hang out with Catra and she really wants to. Maybe this could be a way in.
She nods. "No, it's cool. You can stay."
For a moment they just stare at each other. "So we're friends now." Adora waggles her eyebrows, immediately jumping into teasing Catra. The shorter girl punches her arm.
"Shut up! Yes, we are as a matter of fact." She crosses her arms and looks away, cheeks tinged red.
"Okay good then.” Adora can tell her smile is goofy and wide as she stares at Catra but she can't make herself care.
"Okay, I hope everyone likes spaghetti and meatballs!" Came a lively call from the kitchen.
Adora realizes how close she is standing to Catra then and there. She could make out each of her individual eyelashes. She takes a step back but keeps her eyes on Catra who raises a challenging eyebrow at her.
"Umm guys? Dinner?" Scorpia glances between them with an odd look on her face.
"Yeah! Come on Adora sit down." Catra looks out of her element for once a light blushing on her cheeks as she leads Adora to a small table in the corner of their dorm.
Dinner is nice, Scorpia talks animated and Adora just has to listen. Between Scorpia’s gregarious nature and their mutual love of the gym, they get on alright.
Every once in a while, Adora’s knee accidentally knocks into Catra’s given the small size of the table. After a while, it stops feeling accidental with the way Catra rubs her leg flush with Adora’s. She tries to be subtle, but she thinks Scorpia catches on by the end of dinner with how quickly she excuses herself to go see her girlfriend.
"I'll be gone for the rest of the night! You crazy kids have fun!" She gives Catra a heavy wink and slams the door behind her.
"I'm sorry about her." She offers in an uncharacteristically shy way.
Adora waves her off. "You don't have anything to be sorry about, she's really nice." Her grin turns wicked as she walks toward Catra. "Although you know, I thought we were going to hang out for longer." Adora languidly pulls off her shirt, reveling in Catra's hungry stare. "Whatever will we do to pass the time?"
"Can I ask you something?" Adora bites her lip, already regretting giving voice to the question. She just feels so safe, being held by Catra that for the moment it felt like she could ask her anything.
"You already did." She points out cheekily as she props her head up to look at Adora more clearly.
Adora talks a deep breath. "You said you aren't interested in dating. Is that a general thing or a specific to me thing?" It bothers Adora to think that Catra decided that some part of her just didn’t measure up to what she needed. Catra has a right to feel that way, but it would still sting if it were true.
She lets out a short squeaky laugh. "A general thing, just not what I'm looking for right now. Does that bother you?" Catra furrows her brow. "I thought that’s what you wanted too. You were friendly at the beginning of the semester and then you were down to hook up." She ends with a shrug.
Adora gapes. Catra thought she was being friendly. She didn't realize that Adora asked her out. Her pursuing Adora at the party makes so much more sense now. She swallows down her shock, knowing she's let the silence drag for too long.
"It doesn't bother me." She decides then and there. "I just kind of wanted to know what expectations there were surrounding this." She squeezes Catra into her arms at the last word. It’s been over a month now and she's kind of tired of walking on eggshells when she isn't sure if she's allowed to want something from Catra.
She burrows her face into the crook of Adora's neck. "Well, I guess we are friends with benefits. If we want to keep doing this, I mean." Catra tacks on.
"I want to keep doing this.” Adora bites her lip. “I also want to hang out if you'd like to. Like with our clothes on." She clarifies which makes Catra laugh.
"You don't like naked hangouts? Everyone is doing them these days." She teases.
"Oh no, I'm a fan of anything involving you naked." She moves the covers so she can look down at Catra’s body then sighs softly and places a kiss on her forehead. That’s probably too affectionate. "I don’t want to be shoved into a sex box. I don't think I can sleep with someone regularly without some level of outside connection."
Adora tries to explain her need as best as she can, hoping it won't be too much for Catra. She knows college is about being a wild spirit, but she can't feel Catra so close when they have sex and then not at all. She watches her bedmate nod softly with understanding.
"I get that. I'd like to hang out too." Her face then turns wicked. "You planning on sleeping with me regularly then?"
Adora nods seriously placing kisses on the shell of her ear. "Very regularly." She whispers. She doesn’t expect it when Catra rolls her over, pinning her down with a strength Adora finds surprising and incredibly hot.
Catra grins down at her. "It's your turn again princess. Lie back and let's see how loud you can get."
Adora is trying to watch the movie, but Catra’s hands keep distracting her. They keep running up her abs and then lingering to that spot on her ribs that Catra knows not to touch if she isn’t looking to get railed. She gives her a glare.
"This is a hang out Cat, we aren't having sex today." They decided at some point that they would say when they expected something to be platonic to avoid confusion.
"Princess, if I was trying to sleep with you, you'd know it." Adora flushes at that. Given how often Catra calls her princess right before she comes, the word has become synonymous with sex in Adora’s brain.
"Then what’re you doing with your hands in my shirt?" She complains. It’s kind of surreal to think about but Adora feels more at ease with Catra than she ever could’ve imagined.
"Cuddling," she says petulantly. "This should be a naked hangout. No one around but us and we can just cuddle while we watch this awful movie you picked."
Adora has to admit the idea of wrapping around Catra with no barriers between them sounds very nice.
"This is a classic!" Even as she protests the attack on her movie choice, she whips her shirt off and lays back down. Catra grins as she follows suit.
"You have to admit I have the best ideas." She is practically melded into Adora’s side laying flush against Adora.
Adora tightened her arms around Catra. “Maybe you’re onto something.”
Adora walks into the study room she had arranged to meet Catra in, dropping her bag loudly in the chair next to her. Catra sends her an irritated look at the noise.
Adora holds a hand up in apology. "Shit sorry—I just—I got an A on the finance quiz!" She tries to keep her voice to a whisper but she hasn’t gotten an A on a math class quiz since middle school.
Catra lights up a gorgeous smile blossoming across her face. "Adora that's amazing! I know how hard you studied for that.”
Adora smiles reaching out and grabbing Catra’s hand. "I have a great teacher. Thanks for helping me get ready for that. It's my first A on a quiz this semester."
Catra waves her off, rolling her eyes. "It wasn't a big deal you're really smart, you picked it up just fine."
She shakes her head as she sits down across from Catra. "All my grades have done better since we started studying together you know." She points out.
"That's because I don't let you run yourself into the ground."
Catra has some sixth sense when Adora is about to spiral or when she is too burnt out to study and makes her take a break. Between Catra’s guidance in finance and the mandatory breaks, she has never felt more refreshed for class and softball practice.
Catra smiles cockily at her, looking her up and down. "I'm not surprised my smarts just rubbed off on you."
Adora raises her eyebrows thinking of making a "rubbing off" joke and trying to suppress it. Catra groans, seeing it on her face.
"Ugh, I can't believe I sleep with you. You can't make a dirty joke to save your life." She complains.
"I can make you dirty." Adora winks and shoots her finger guns for good measure.
Catra lets out a deep groan as if pained by Adora’s corniness. "Let’s study before I change my mind." She grumbles.
Adora manages a rough draft of a short response essay for her leadership seminar and is about to move to the next thing when she feels Catra’s hand on her own.
"Time for a break, princess." She says softly.
"Okay." She agrees easily smiling brightly at Catra. She interlaces their fingers and leans forward.
"So, I was wondering if you would like to come to my game next week?" She asks, glad her voice didn’t crack. She’s been thinking about inviting Catra for a while and this seems like the perfect game for Catra to see her in action.
Catra eyes her oddly, letting her fingers slip away. Adora suddenly feels like she’s made a mistake. "I don't know doesn't that seem like more of a girlfriend thing?"
Adora stills at the question. "I mean not really? My friends all come to support me. It's not like I'm asking you to go to steady and wear my jersey on the bleachers." Adora wants that, she’s just not stupid enough to ask for it.
She sighs. "If you don't feel comfortable you don't have to. It’s just a big game and I thought it would be fun. You can see me in my element."
She flexes and sports a smug grin to hide the seriousness behind the statement. Catra is just so impressive in everything she does, Adora thought that maybe she could impress her for a change.
Her gaze flickers from her laptop up to Adora and back again. "I'll come to the game." She finally decides.
Adora brightens. "Great! If you want, you can sit with Bow and Glim or not whatever you want it's not a big—" She‘s interrupted with a kiss. It's gentle and sweet and makes Adora’s heart ache from how badly she wants more of this type of affection. Catra’s hand is back in hers and her heart might pop out of her chest.
"It's fine Adora I'm a big girl, just don't expect some big kiss on the field if you win." She rolls her eyes good-naturedly.
"What do I get if I do win?" She gives her a cocky smirk.
"I could wear your jersey after the game. You know while we celebrate." The way her eyes roam over Adora’s form leaves no doubt as to how she plans on celebrating.
She is struck with the image of Catra laying in her bed, the name Grey across her back and her ass up in the air and she suddenly has never wanted to win a softball game more.
She takes in a shuddering breath and eyes Catra carefully. "I could wear the strap?" She suggests breathlessly.
Now Catra’s eyes glaze over as she seems to think about it. She bites her lip. "You won't be too sore? After the game?" She asks, a touch concerned.
Adora shakes her head vigorously. "I'm never too sore to be with you." She’ll just skip her team work out and deal with the consequences if it comes to that.
"To fuck me you mean." She grins impishly. "Alright, princess seems like you have a game to win."
Catra’s still wearing one of her clean jerseys—although it isn't clean anymore after what they'd been up to for the last few hours. She picked one from a few seasons ago, the material worn enough that it was softer than the rest.
She barely has the energy to remove the strap before she collapses onto the bed, Catra climbing on top of her to snuggle.
She looks completely blissed out, boneless as she drapes over Adora. "I can't believe you have a possession kink that I didn't know about. We are definitely doing that again." Her voice is a mix of the suggestive tone she uses when she’s fucking Adora and what she sounds like when she’s about to fall asleep.
Adora feels her cheeks heat. She honestly didn't know she was into that either before Catra sat on her wearing nothing but her jersey and a defiant smile and said if you want me to be yours then take me, Adora.
Something inside Adora fucking snapped. She's glad the strap she wore was on the smaller side because she was rougher than she'd ever been before, pushing Catra to the brink and slamming into her from behind.
"I'm glad you liked it." She mutters uncertainly.
Catra doesn’t seem to pick up on that, still stretching and finding a comfortable position. "Oh princess, like doesn't cover the half of it."
Adora can't help but hide a little in Catra’s shoulder. After a few moments, Catra registers Adora’s more reserved attitude.
"Hey hey, what's up?" She asks, gently moving Adora's face so she can see it.
"Nothing. It's nothing." She convinces herself. It's stupid to be embarrassed when they just did all that together.
"I don't think it's nothing. Let me take care of you, Adora." Her voice is a whisper but her stare is stern, clearly not up for bullshit right now.
It's a contentious issue that had come up before, Adora not taking the aftercare she needed. She nods and lays down on Catra, letting the brunette wrap her arms around her and run her fingers through her hair.
"I just feel weird. Like what I did to you was wrong." She explains awkwardly.
"What fuck me?" Catra says with a twitch of her lips.
"No just, I was really rough, and I said some shit that was kind of mean and—"
Her fingers move to cup Adora’s cheek, "Adora, you didn't do anything I didn't like or asked for. Repeatedly." Her voice carried residual heat that makes Adora shiver.
She flushes at the reminder of how she made Catra beg for her to fuck her, then beg for her to spank her. She shakes her head.
"It freaked me out the way I was thinking about you. You aren't an object for me to have that way Catra, you're a person." She presses her lips together. She doesn’t feel terrible or anything but she respects Catra and she doesn’t think what she just did with Catra honored that respect.
"Adora." Catra’s gaze is unbearable soft. "You've never been anything but giving to me. It’s okay to take too." She leans in and kisses Adora softly like she’s made of glass. It makes her feel small in the best way. "And that whole thing? Babe, that was hot. It's just a fantasy and it's between us. I wanted to be yours, to be taken by you at that moment more than anything."
Even just the words, remembering exactly what Catra looked like splayed out for her, makes Adora’s gut drop low with want. Something else flits through Adora’s mind—you don’t want to be mine. Not really. Not the way I want to be yours. She lets the thought go with all the other thousand things that swirl as Catra looks at her with kind eyes.
"You're right." Adora nods. She isn’t sure why she feels so weird about the whole thing but she didn’t cross any lines with Catra which is the most important thing.
"If you want, we don't have to do things like that again. But I liked it and I don’t want you to think you hurt me in some way." Catra explains, eyeing Adora for a moment longer.
“I think I’ll feel okay in a bit. Could you hold me a little longer?” She pleads. Catra hums and gathers her in her arms, gently rocking Adora until she feels better.
Catra lays on her chest burying herself between her breasts. Occasionally she plants a soft kiss on one and then the other. They’d gone grocery shopping for the week together and then hooked up in Adora’s dorm room. Catra’s groceries were packed in her fridge, and she isn’t sure when they’ll be taking them across campus.
Adora eyes the enthusiastic way Catra nuzzles her tits with amusement. "You just going to live there now?" Adora asks biting her lip to contain her grin.
Catra nods sleepily. "Best pillows." She murmurs into them.
She runs a hand down Catra’s back. "Do you have to go home?" Adora doesn't want her to go, but she knows she will eventually.
"Nope, my home tonight is right here." She murmurs as she somehow nestles herself deeper between Adora’s boobs. The words tug at Adora’s heartstrings.
"Do you want to take off your shirt at least? Be comfier?" Adora tries cajoling her to no avail.
Catra grumbles, barely moving her head. "No." She harrumphs.
"You'll get to feel more boobs like that." Adora points out grasping at straws. Catra stops her nuzzling for a moment as if contemplating her words. Then she petulantly lifts her arms in the air, the rest of her still flush against Adora.
"Well then, get on with it." She mumbles. Adora laughs and tugs at the shirt, gently lifting Catra up to slip it over her head. Catra sighs, wiggling back into her embrace.
"Much better." she approves.
"You can kick me out whenever, just let me know." Catra's words slur as she makes the offer. Adora takes a minute to respond, watching Catra’s breath even out until she hears her light snores.
"You can stay as long as you like." She whispers softly, gently running her nails down Catra’s back as she dozes.
"So are you and Catra dating now?" Glimmer asks slyly.
Adora chokes on her sandwich. "Nope."
Glimmer stares at her agape. "What do you mean? You've practically moved in together."
Adora refocuses on her sandwich, it’ll probably be a better friend to her by the end of this conversation. "We are strictly friends with benefits."
"Are you kidding me? You are staying over at each other's places like three times a week. You study together all the time." She lists off, her volume getting precipitously closer to yelling with each word. "She goes to all your softball games. Last game she wore your jersey to the game!"
Adora flushes red at the reminder of Catra sending her a smirk and a wink, tugging on the jersey she was wearing as if Adora wasn’t already about to have a conniption. She knows Catra only did that to fluster and goad her, but she couldn't tell Glimmer the real reason.
"It's a lot of benefits?" She tries with a grimace.
"Yeah? And you're alright with that?" Bow asks, his lips pressed together in concern.
"Yeah! I mean you know how bad I wanted to ask Catra out." She looks to Bow for support on this one.
Instead, he shakes his head in disappointment. "I mean you did ask her out. And now you're sleeping together instead."
She coughs, embarrassed. "So, Cat didn't realize I was asking her out."
"What do you mean?" Glimmer asks, tone dangerously low.
"She just thought I was being friendly." She explains. Both of their friends look at each other and then slowly, Bow starts to nod.
"Yeah, I can see why she thought that." Bow breaks in nodding thoughtfully.
"What? Bow!" She screeches.
"Adora. You dragged me along for emotional support. She probably thought you meant a group hang." He explains gently.
"Why didn't you say anything?" She demands. Bow looks like he’s dreading the answer and honestly, Adora isn’t sure she really wants it. "Well whatever, not the point now. She says she isn't looking to date and I'm fine with that."
They both look at her dubiously.
"It is!” She insists in the face of their skepticism. "Look she is really special to me. Would I rather she was my girlfriend? Yes. I'd date her in a heartbeat. Do I feel like I'm losing out by enjoying her friendship and"—she clears her throat—"other things? No, absolutely not. I'm happy with how things are."
She doesn't need a big declaration from Catra to know that she cares about Adora. She makes it clear in the way she treats her—how she leaves post-it notes on her nightstand if she has to leave early for work, how she checks in when Adora gets too in her own head to enjoy sex, how she holds her close late at night.
Bow sighs. "Alright well if you're happy, I'm happy for you." He says as he picks at his fries. Glimmer looks like she is about to say something, but she looks up and stops.
"Hey Adora. Mind if I sit here?" Catra’s standing there with one of the cafeteria lunch trays smirking at her like they’re in Adora’s room alone.
"Of course not." She scoots over to make room for her.
Catra slides onto the bench her leg flush with Adora's. Under the table, she places a hand on her knee.
"What are you all up to?" She asks casually as she starts unwrapping her burger.
"Just telling Adora that she really ought to figure out her date for the softball end-of-the-season party." Anyone who looks at Glimmer would think she’s smiling sweetly at Adora, but Adora knows the face of true evil.
"It's not a date thing. It’s just a party. Do you want to come with me?" Adora offers quickly. She does want Catra to come with her but she doesn't want her to feel pressured or weird about it.
"Sure princess. I'm always down for a good party." The hand on Adora’s knees starts drawing lazy circles that drift up to her thigh. The combination of the nickname and Catra’s touch makes her thighs twitch. She knows Catra can tell from the smirk on her face.
"Princess?" Glimmer asks with a wide grin. Adora's head snaps up to glare at her friend. Catra looks briefly panicked like a kid with their hand in a cookie jar. The look melts away and she just looks back at Adora.
"Yeah. Doesn't she look like a princess?" She rolls her eyes and squeezes Adora’s knee under the table. "I have class I’ll catch you guys later." She slips her half-eaten burger onto Adora’s tray and walks away.
"She calls you princess?" Glimmer asks again, once Catra is out of sight.
"We aren't talking about it," Adora says resolutely trying to keep herself together. She walks away from the cafeteria, texting on her phone the moment Glimmer and Bow can’t see her.
That was mean what you did at the cafeteria table.
The response was instant: What? I didn't do anything princess.
She’s walking toward her dorm when she realizes exactly what she’s going to do for revenge. It's alright I'm in my room now and I'm going to take care of the problem myself.
She sees the three bubbles indicating typing coming on and off the screen three times. She grins, glad to be the one in control for once. It'll be better if you wait for me, is what Catra settles on.
Adora starts stripping the moment she gets to her room. You have 30 minutes. I'm starting without you though.
Now THAT’S mean!
Her body feels like it might overheat but the tension keeps rising, never quite feeling like it'll crest.
Catra's three fingers deep in her and Adora swears the whole world could burn down and she wouldn't notice. All there is, is Catra in between her thighs with a wickedly smirk as she takes in Adora’s flushed skin. She slowly pulls her fingers out and there's no hope for Adora to keep in her pouty whine. She clenches down on nothing and outright glares at Catra.
She just laughs. "Relax princess I'll take care of you when I'm good and ready." She informs her smugly.
She brings the fingers that were just buried in Adora up to her lips, making a show of licking them clean.
"Princess you’re so wet. Are you enjoying yourself?" Catra grips Adora’s hips, rolling her fingers down but never quite getting back to where Adora needs her.
"I WAS." She shoots back trying to nudge her hips forward to get some friction. Catra smirks, denying Adora again.
"Lay back." She commands gruffly. She hadn’t even realized she’d pulled herself up, now almost face to face with Catra.
For a moment Adora considers telling her to fuck off but Catra’s so fucking hot with that dark look in her eyes and all her calculated control and Adora’s just so close she really doesn't need much at all if Catra would just—
She feels Catra press her down gently and she lets her. There's a question in her eyes for a moment until Adora smiles at her reassuringly.
"Please take care of me." She begs. It's clearly what Catra’s waiting for because she smiles and gives Adora a hungry kiss. Catra tastes of Adora but she doesn't care biting her lip and pulling her close thankful to have a brief respite from Catra just towering over her tauntingly.
Catra breaks the kiss and leans back dropping one shoulder between Adora’s thighs as she spreads them again. This time she leans down and sucks on her clit while her hands cup Adora’s ass.
Suddenly she's back on the precipice she was on moments before. She knows she's saying something, but she isn't even sure what she's begging for anymore, for Catra to keep going or for her to just put Adora out of her misery.
Catra slips two fingers inside of her and Adora’s eyes fly open at the sensation. The sight of Catra enjoying herself with her eyes trained on Adora, one hand inside of her and the other gripping her thigh sends her over the edge.
"Hey, you alright there princess?" Catra sounds kind of muffled. She turns her bleary eyes to Catra confused by the concerned way she asks the question.
"Hmm yeah, m'fine. Sleepy." She mutters as she pulls Catra close.
"You kind of conked out on me there." She says worriedly.
"You were just too good." It was the only explanation really. She feels Catra relax beside her when Adora nuzzles under her chin.
"Do I hafta go?" She murmurs, eyes still half asleep. Her dorms aren't that far of a walk she could make it if she needed to. Maybe.
“No, you can stay.” Something weird's going on with Catra’s voice but she ignores it because she’s dead tired and she has something important to say before she falls asleep.
“I want to be the little spoon.” Adora pouts. Catra laughs and turns her, pulling her close and gently rubbing her scalp until she passes the fuck out a few moments later.
Adora tries her hand at making a stir fry and it actually comes out pretty good. She’s plating it as she waits for Catra to get off the phone with her mom. The rapid blur of Spanish sounds so pretty, especially when interspersed with Catra's laughs.
She says he final goodbyes, muttering something about letters, then she finally sits down at the table, looking at the meal. "Thanks 'Dor you didn't have to cook."
"I wanted to." She smiles. Catra’s still looking down at her phone, a mix of fondness and quiet sadness Adora can't understand.
"Do you want to tell me about them? Your family?" Catra’s pretty private about her personal life so Adora’s surprised when she nods softly as she picks up her fork.
"Yeah. My mom is really the only family I have. She's really special to me, raised me on her own." She starts haltingly as she spears a few veggies and chicken. "I can't afford to go back home to visit for spring break. She wants me to finish my studies so I can be free and do what I want. She doesn't want me to get distracted."
Adora nods, digging into her own plate. "That's understandable. I don't think any parent wants their kid to not do well." She looks up at Catra teasingly. "Do you think I'm distracting?"
She rolls her eyes kicking under the table and just missing Adora’s shin. "Incredibly distracting princess."
They eat quietly for a moment before Adora gets the courage to speak up. "So, your mom wants all these things for you, but what do you want?"
Catra chews slowly, clearly thinking the question over. "I guess I want those things too. It’s one of the reasons why I decided not to date you know?" She sighs. "My mom had me when she was really young. She had to drop out of college because of me. Pregnancy isn't usually a concern for me as a lesbian but it stuck with me. Once I have my life figured out there'll be time for dating."
Adora reaches out, grabbing Catra’s hand. "Yeah, that makes sense." She hesitates for a moment. "Although I think a good partner should support you. Make reaching your goals easier, not harder."
Adora shoves a huge mouthful of food in her mouth before she says something stupid, like how if she was Catra’s girlfriend she'd move mountains for her to chase her dreams.
Catra eyes her for a moment. "Maybe you're right." She finally settles on turning her attention back to her plate.
She hasn’t felt this homesick, well, ever. She's sitting out in a hotel hallway when she hears her phone ring.
She breathes a sigh of relief at the caller ID. "Hey Cat. How's everything?"
"It's good. You’re missing some complicated shit in finance."
Adora groans. "No, I thought I could pull off a low A!" She whines, banging her head against the wall.
Catra laughs at the pitiful display. "Don't worry too much I'm taking notes for you." She assures. "It's crazy that you have away games for this long."
The schedule really fucked them, leaving their longest away road trip right before finals.
"Yeah, I know I'm not used to being on the road for a week. I'm sleeping like shit." She whines miserably. Really, she sleeps like shit when she doesn't have Catra’s comforting presence next to her, but she probably shouldn't say that. "I miss you, Cat."
It slips out of Adora unbidden, but she can't really help it. She hopes it isn't too much.
She hears Catra’s steady breathing and not much else. "I miss you too Dor."
She is silent for a moment not sure what more to say to this woman who isn't really hers but she's given herself freely to. It doesn't happen often but between missing her and not being with her even when they are together, her heart throbs painfully. She thinks of all the warnings Glimmer and Bow have given her about being reckless with Catra.
"I'll be back soon." She offers. She hears sniffling on the other end of the line and that simultaneously makes her feel better and about ten times worse.
"Promise?" She asks softly. Timidly. As if she has no right to ask this of Adora.
"I promise." She responds, resolve sinking into her skin. Loving Catra might be stupid or reckless like her friends think, but she doesn't really have a choice in the matter anymore.
"Grey! I hear you're bringing your girl to the party?" Netossa yells as she brings down a keg from the back of a truck.
"I don't have a girl." Her reaction is knee-jerk at this point. She sticks her tongue out as she tries to balance two coolers on a dolly cart to get it into the house.
"Oh, come on you can't bring her to most of the games this season and expect us not to notice," Netossa says with a roll of her eyes.
Adora gently puts down the cart and puts all her focus on Netossa. "Look, we aren't dating and I'd appreciate if the team could be cool about it? At least for tonight? I don’t care what you say to me but I don't want her to feel uncomfortable."
Netossas eyes soften as she looks at her. "Okay. I'll talk to the rest of the team."
Adora reaches out and pulls Netossa into a quick hug. "Thanks, Captain!"
"Yeah, yeah. You're getting a ribbing later though!" She threatens.
By the time she finishes helping set up and goes upstairs to shower, Catra’s already downstairs talking with a few of her teammates.
"Hey Adora." She smirks and gives her a little wave.
Catra looks entirely too good in a crop top that leaves her midriff bear and a pair of dark shorts that make her ass look amazing. Then it hits Adora. She's wearing the same outfit she wore the night they first hooked up.
"Speechless from my ethereal beauty?" She cracks, but her eyes are knowing. She did this on purpose.
Adora gets close and lets her fingers touch the dip on the outside of her hip. "Always." She promises. "I can't wait to take you home," Adora whispers in Catra’s ears. “I loved taking you out of this the first time but I have a feeling it’ll be even better tonight.” She feels Catra shiver against her and smiles.
"Then take me home." She raises an eyebrow in challenge. Adora looks around and sees Netossa shake her head but give her a small nod. The rest of the team hoots and hollers as Adora grabs Catra’s hand and pulls her outside, a wide grin on her face.
The three extra miles she has to run for leaving a softball function before it even started was more than worth it.
Adora keeps scanning the room for Catra, not sure when she's planning on showing up at the party. As she waits, a girl from one of her business classes approaches her.
"Hey! I haven't seen you at one of these before." The girl has to yell to be heard over the music. For the life of her, Adora can’t remember her name.
"Well, you know I usually stick with team stuff, never actually been to a sorority party before." One of Catra’s friends invited her and Catra extended the invite to Adora.
"Well, it can be a lot of fun, you just need to know who to hang out with." The girl leans a little too close for comfort, making Adora straighten up to create some distance while still being polite.
"I'm sure I'll have a good time." She says diplomatically. She finally spots Catra walking over to her. She tries to catch her eyes, but she’s just looking at the girl Adora is chatting with.
Catra casually wraps an arm around her waist, the other gripping her bicep. Adora looks down, surprised that Catra would be this familiar with her in public. She couldn't help but melt into Catra a little.
"Hey babe, miss me much?" She asks sweetly while pressing herself into Adora’s space. The girl Adora was speaking with looks upset and excuses herself while Catra nips at Adora’s ear lobe.
"That's kind of territorial don't you think?" She looks down at Catra quite literally hanging off her arm.
Adora isn't really upset, although she knows she probably should be. She can't really think when Catra trails her lips down her neck like that. The smirk Catra gives her suggests that she knows that too. For a moment Catra's smirk fades and she looks taken aback before she notices Adora’s grin. She then loops her arms around Adora’s neck and presses close.
"Are you trying to tell me that you'd rather sleep with her than with me?" Adora can feel her breath against her ear as she asks the question and all of it, all of her, tugs at her gut.
"No. Just you Cat." Adora knows there's too much there the moment the words slip out of her mouth. She sees Catra’s eyes widen with it but it's hard to pretend she isn't everything Adora’s ever wanted. "You want to get out of here then?"
She slides her hand down around Catra’s waist, squeezing her close.
"I just got here." She points out. "Let me find Perfuma and hang for a bit then we can go."
She grabs Adora’s hand interlacing their fingers. It makes Adora's heart thump louder than the bass of whatever pop song is thrumming in the background.
"Catra! You made it!" Perfuma yells over the music
"Yeah, I did. This is Adora " She introduces her simply, lifting their joined hands.
Perfuma eyes her up and down then looks at their interlaced fingers, a small smile on her face. "Nice to meet you, Adora. Catra’s told me so much about you."
Adora looks at Catra playfully. "Aww, Cat you talk about me? That must be so embarrassing for you."
"Whatever dummy, it's not because I like you. You're just around all the time." She rolls her eyes.
Perfuma eyes the exchange with fondness. She and Catra chat for a bit. Catra's holding Adora's hand, not in a bid of possession like when she plastered herself to Adora earlier, but in a natural way.
Adora takes a chance and lightly wraps her arm over Catra’s shoulder pulling her close. She's always more hesitant with what she and Catra do in public, not wanting to overstep any boundaries. But right now, Catra leans into her as she talks to Perfuma relaxed as ever. It feels like they could be a couple.
Catra doesn't want to date Adora, and that's fine, but Adora can't keep these feelings inside of her body. She decides to pour them out onto Catra’s skin, hoping she won't notice the reverent touches, will confuse Adora’s desperation with lust.
She manages to strip Catra bare with very little effort. She places her thigh between Catra’s, listening to her moans for guidance on how to move. She moves her leg and slips her hand between them, it isn't the best angle but Adora wants to be pressed up to Catra, wants to taste and smell all of her.
She starts by trailing her fingers across her lips, just south of what she really wants. Catra lets out a groan of annoyance, attempting to shift her hips to get the contact she wants. Adora grins into her neck, enjoying teasing her for a moment, but soon she sinks her fingers lower and slips them inside. She bites her lip at the sensation.
"You're so wet for me Cat." She tells her, though she can probably tell from the borderline obscene noises that she is making.
"You look so gorgeous falling apart for me." Adora encourages her feeling her breath coming in short pants, the more she works her up. "I want to feel you, Cat. Will you be a good girl? Give me what I want?"
Catra keens and nods at Adora's words, her back arching as Adora continues to touch her and whisper in her ear. "Your body is incredible, it's the single most sexy thing I've ever seen." Adora means every word but she knows that soft praise is what Catra likes when she's close, and Adora loves giving Catra anything she might need. "I almost took you in the bathroom when I saw you at that party tonight."
Catra lets out a loud moan at that her hips grinding down hard as Adora's fingers thrust in and out. Adora sees her tense, but she can tell she isn't quite there. She leans down and takes Catra's nipple in her mouth tugging gently.
It's like a snapping thread—Catra's legs straighten out, her back arches and her eyes close tightly as she lets out a deep breath, cumming almost silently. She immediately slumps into the mattress, opening her eyes briefly to give Adora a gorgeous smile. Adora presses soft kisses to her cheeks, her nose, down her chin and shoulders, anywhere she can reach while she has Catra bundled up close like this.
"You did so good Cat. You're so beautiful like this." She whispers gently. Catra is beautiful in every way, but Adora can just say it's in the moment and maybe that’s allowed under their arrangement.
She gently runs her hands over her hips, using one to bring her closer still, pressed from head to toe. She can feel Catra’s foot running over one of her calves.
Catra stills almost unnaturally against Adora causing her to furrow her brow. She feels something wet on her shoulder before she hears the sniffles. Adora stays still in turn.
"Cat are you okay?" She tries her best to keep the panic out of her voice and release the tension in her body but she's really worried. Catra nods her head and takes a shuddering breath, collecting herself.
"I—I'm fine I—" and then the floodgates open and Catra’s sobbing into Adora’s chest. Adora does her best to rub her back fighting her own panic hoping that she didn't do something to ruin them.
It takes Catra a full five minutes to stop crying and for her breathing to slow, but the wait feels eternal.
"Cat what's going on?" She begs, wanting to understand why she made Catra cry when all she tried to do was love her, just for a moment.
"I've never felt like this before. And I'm scared." She manages to get out.
"Felt like what." She prompts.
"I just—I like it when we cuddle. Not just post-sex." She clarifies. It doesn't really clarify anything. "I like it when we hold hands." She whispers like it's an earth-shattering secret.
"I like those things too Cat that's why we do them together." She says slowly. She always wants to touch Catra whether the touch is platonic or more. Catra shakes her head.
"No, you like those things because you're normal and good and kind.” She looks at Adora as if she hung the moon. “I love those things because I'm doing them with you."
Adora shakes her head and pulls Catra closer, but she pushes against her, lifting her head up to look at Adora properly.
"And then today there was that girl and I acted like such a bitch, like I owned you or something and instead of getting mad you just did that." She points between them like that would somehow explain what she meant.
"Catra I'm really lost right now." She admits with a sheepish smile, still rubbing a hand gently across Catra’s back.
"I love you. I'm so sorry." She burrows her head into Adora’s neck with another sob. Adora tightens her hold on her feeling dazed.
"You're sorry you love me?" Adora rearranges the words, none of them making sense in any order.
"That isn't what we agreed to and now it’ll be too weird for you and you'll just—I’ll lose you." She hiccups. Adora places her finger to Catra’s lip, staring into her eyes. Adora places a soft kiss on her forehead and holds her close.
"Cat, you could never lose me. I love you too." She says gently.
"What?" Her eyes widen as she looks at Adora.
"Yeah. Of course, I do. You remember the beginning of the semester when I was being friendly?" She doesn't use air quotes but it's a close thing. "I asked you out Cat. I gave up thinking you thought I was a creep or something!"
She shakes her head. "No way. Bow was there half the time we talked!"
"Bow was there to make sure I didn’t die, I thought I was going to pass out every time I talked to you." She laughs.
Catra gives a water giggle then sniffles a bit more. "Yeah, you scared of me, princess?"
She presses her forehead to Catra’s with her eyes closed. "Scared within an inch of my life.” She admits readily. “I still can't believe you didn't realize I was asking you out from how hard I was stammering and sweating."
Catra shakes her head disbelievingly. "You have no game Adora seriously."
"I happen to think I have tons of game, the best woman I know said she was in love with me tonight." She finishes softly, leaning forward hoping for a kiss. She isn't disappointed.
The kiss is soft but also searing, leaving Adora breathless.
"Do you want to go on a date with me? And be my girlfriend?" Adora hopes this is what Catra wants too.
She nods placing another kiss on her lips and tugging her body closer. "Of course, princess."
"You sure? Don't want to distract you or anything." Adora teases, too emotional to say anything else without crying.
Her eyes go incredibly soft as she looks at Adora. "Someone once told me that your partner is supposed to support you, not stop you from reaching your goals."
Adora is definitely crying now. "Always Cat.”