"You two might want to wake up soon. We're here."
Catra's eyes flickered open as Mermista's voice invaded her dreams and woke her from a deep sleep. She saw little light in the van as the morning sun just barely pierced through the heavy clouds in the sky.
Catra felt a weight on her side, and looked to see Adora's sleeping body leaning on her. Her hand was with Adora's, their fingers interlocked tightly. Catra didn't even remember falling asleep.
Slowly, Catra moved away from Adora, gently laying her on the ground as to not awaken her. She knew Adora would need the sleep. They had been in this van for the last three days, but the misery they felt after Catra shared her revelation still burrowed deep within them.
They had slowly come to the realization that they just needed to make these memories while they could. Adora even suggested that they try to see each other again after their journey was done. Maybe it was an idealistic dream, but it was nice to think about.
The future was still uncertain.
Catra moved up to the front seat. "What is it?" She asked the driver, looking out the front window. Mermista pointed to a sign on the side of the road.
'Welcome to Alaska and the Gateway to the Klondike.'
Catra had always dreamed of this sign. For nearly four years now, she had dreamed of passing this sign and going into the final destination of this journey. Where everything had been building towards. She always dreamed of celebrating with many some sort of wine, or finding a nice place to stay.
But when she saw this sign, there was only one thing that came to mind.
"Hey, Adora! Come look at this!"
Catra placed a hand on her partner's shoulder, gently shaking it. Slowly, Adora came back to life as her eyes blinked open. Her vision clearing up to see Catra smiling down at her. "Hey… You okay?" Adora asked.
"Yeah," Catra replied in a soft whisper. "I want to show you something."
Slowly, Adora got to her feet, stretching her arms above her head as she approached the front window. She looked to see that same sign, and Catra watched as Adora's eyes widened slightly. They could only look at their final destination, after everything they've been through.
"Four years," Catra said. "It's taken me… four years to get here. And more than anything…" Catra took a breath. "I'm thankful I got here with the person I care about most in my life."
Adora looked to Catra, and her shocked expression slowly turned into a warm smile. "Oh, and Mermista too. I'm thankful for our driver," Catra smirked, placing a hand on Mermista's shoulder. She let out a scoff, but couldn't help but smile.
"Just don't go dying out here. Alaskan nature isn't exactly a safe place, as pretty as it is," Mermista replied. She put the van back into gear and got on the move again. "I'm going to drop you guys at the nearest town a few minutes away, alright?"
"That's fine," Catra responded as Adora got their packs ready. "Say, Mermista… Why are you here, anyway? I mean, this is a pretty long trip to take by a van."
Mermista looked to Catra for a few seconds, before turning back to the road. "I wanted to come here by a plane, but could barely afford it. I'm a professional swimmer. At least, that's what everyone calls me. And freezing my ass off in these waters during my training might be the next step towards becoming more known. My trainer's going to meet me at a town a few miles off."
"That's impressive," Catra replied. "You trying to go for the Olympics or something?"
"I guess. I mean, I like doing it. But I'm not trying to become the greatest of all time or whatever," Mermista said. "It'd just be nice to leave your mark on the world, you know?"
"I get that," Catra nodded. "Doing something more with your life than just the generic bullshit people expect of you… I respect that. Don't forget to mention me in your interviews when you get big, alright?"
"Sure," Mermista responded with a sarcastic smirk. Catra moved towards the back of the van, where Adora was sorting out their packs.
"So…" Adora spoke as she checked the inside of her pack. "Remind me of your plan again, mastermind. What are we doing in Alaska?"
Catra couldn't help but scoff at Adora's nickname as she sat down. "We're probably going to get a ride by public transport to somewhere called the Stampede Trail, which is almost in the middle of Alaska. From there, it's a hike towards a certain place where Chris stayed for over a hundred days."
"Oh, wow," Adora's eyes widened. "Are… we staying there for a hundred days?"
"Probably not," Catra shook her head. "The Stampede Trail is a harsh place, and the weather is unpredictable. We're going to be staying a while, yes, but not to the point of seriously endangering ourselves. When we decide to leave, we leave. And there's a lot of ways to get out safely."
"That sounds good to me," Adora smiled as she zipped up her pack. "This is it, huh? All of your planning and this trip… All been leading up to this."
Catra tilted her head from side to side. "Mmm… Sort of, I suppose."
"Why do you say that?" Adora asked.
"Well, you are right. Alaska has always been the final destination, and the place I've been looking forward to most," Catra explained as Adora sat down next to her. "But it's not like this is going to be the most significant aspect to me. This whole journey has been special. This is just the culmination of it all."
"I see what you're saying," Adora responded. "I think I feel the same way. My heart's racing now that we're here, but… Any day I've spent with you has been a good day. The location has just always been a background factor. Being with you… I think that's what made this journey for me. It'll be the thing I'll always remember…"
But as Adora spoke, her smile slowly faded. Catra could see why. After it's all said and done, all they will be left with is memories. They might not even have each other once they get back home. No matter how many times they thought about it, it never got any less miserable.
The separation haunted them.
"… Hey, Adora?" Catra spoke up. Adora looked into her eyes, trying to hide her sadness. "… I know things hurt right now. With what's waiting for us at home… But… If it's okay… I just want to live in the now. For however long we're here. I just want it to be us in this world. I don't want all of this to be overshadowed by what's going to come next. So… if it's possible… Can we just simply be? Right here, right now? Without having to think about… the future and all that?"
Adora looked down at her partner as she spoke. She could see in Catra's eyes the sadness of what was to come. Adora wasn't sure how to respond for a few moments, and Catra let out a sigh. "… I know it sounds dumb," Catra said. "I know we should accept what's to come and not hide from it. But… I've been miserable for so long, and it was only this year where I found happiness. Both with this journey and with you. I just… I want that happiness for as long as I can get it. Before it all goes away."
Adora gently placed her hand over Catra's. She listened to her words, and slowly, she nodded. "We can do that, Catra. I don't care if it sounds dumb. What's wrong with just wanting to be happy that little while longer?" Adora said, and Catra looked up to her, a smile slowly crawling onto her face. "You and me. Catra and Adora. We'll make this last bit as special as the rest. And when the time comes to go home… We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Catra held Adora's hand tighter, and let out a relieved sigh as she gently pressed her forehead against Adora's shoulder. "Thank you…" Catra spoke softly. Adora looked down at her partner, and a wild thought came to mind. She pondered for a few seconds. Her stomach filled with butterflies and her heart raced.
But eventually, Adora slowly leaned down and laid a gentle kiss on the top of Catra's head.
Catra felt it. She didn't know how to respond. Her whole body almost felt weightless. Both of them were stuck in the moment, and neither of them spoke. But they felt it.
"And we're here," Mermista suddenly spoke up, interrupting the moment. Adora looked up to see the van parked on the side of the road in a relatively average sized town, with wet roads and wooden buildings. "You two going to be alright if I drop you off here?"
"Uh…" Catra looked up. She tried to link this town to one she had seen in a map earlier, and eventually, she nodded. "Yeah. We'll be just fine here. We seriously can't thank you enough, Mermista. You saved us so much time."
"Like I said, just don't die out there, alright? I don't want to regret taking you dorks all the way out here," Mermista responded as Adora opened the back of the van. Catra grabbed her pack, stepping out of the van and following Adora around to the passenger side of the van.
Both of them gave Mermista one last wave, and she simply gave them a nod as she started the van up again, accelerating away and leaving the two of them in the middle of a cold, Alaskan town.
Adora could see her breath form as mist in front of her, and she rubbed her hands together as Catra looked around. "You think we should find some place warm to stay?" Catra asked, noticing Adora's shivering body. Adora couldn't help but scoff.
"I think that's a good idea."
Adora rubbed her eyes as she began to realize how late it was. She looked outside the window behind herself to see the dark sky and she slowly raised her arms above her head, letting out a yawn.
Catra and her had been able to find a small cabin to stay in before they commenced their journey. Whilst Catra took stock of their budget and what supplies to bring, Adora borrowed a few books from the library in town to research about the wildlife and flora in Alaska.
Catra had ran a bath for herself in the other room, and Adora made a note to take one herself before they left the next morning. She closed the book before her and went over to her pack, picking out a few clothes for the beginning of the hike the next day.
She packed warm, but efficient. Enough to make sure she didn't freeze, but not too much to weigh her down. Adora heard Catra step out of the bath in the other room, and she zipped up her bag as Catra emerged into the bedroom, wearing a towel around her body.
"That's probably the last warm bath I'm going to have in a while," Catra chuckled as she went over to her own pack. The bedroom had one bed, of course, but Adora and Catra were used to it by now. As Adora undressed herself into some comfortable clothes for bed, Catra did the same behind her. Neither of them looked at each other as they changed.
"… Hey, Catra?" Adora spoke up as she sat on the bed. Catra had just finished changing by the time Adora was in bed, and she turned to look at her partner.
"What's up?"
"I've been wondering about something," Adora started. Catra sat down on the bed next to her partner as Adora brought her knees up to her chest. "About Chris, specifically."
"What about him?" Catra asked, raising an eyebrow. Adora let out a sigh, looking at the wooden floor beneath the bed. It was a question that had been on her mind the last few days, but Adora figured now was a good time to ask.
"Well… I've been wondering what he's up to nowadays."
Catra's eyes widened.
Adora looked at Catra, who opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. She pondered about how to tell Adora all this, and yet nothing came. Adora only had to look at Catra's reaction to get her answer.
"… He's dead. Isn't he?"
Catra heard the words, and slowly, she nodded. "Alaska was his grave," Catra replied. "He was stranded. And his body was found by moose hunters a few days after he died."
This was the first time Adora had ever heard these words, and yet she had assumed this outcome for the last few weeks. Catra never mentioned Chris in the current day, nor did Adora even think about what he might have done after he finished his journey.
"What happened to him?" Adora asked. Catra could barely look Adora in the eye.
"A… A wild potato seed. He knew what seeds and berries were okay to eat. He had been surviving so long, after all," Catra explained. "And wild potato is usually safe to eat. But… he missed an almost miniscule amount of mold on the seed. That mold was enough to practically poison him. He couldn't keep down food or water, and he starved to death. Alone."
Adora looked at Catra, and more than ever, she could only see sadness in Catra's eyes. Like she was talking about a close family member. After all, she did have a high level of respect for Chris. But after almost four years of knowing his story, Adora figured Catra wouldn't be so sad about telling of his demise.
"… I'm sorry I never told you," Catra suddenly said after a while. "I thought that you'd be too scared if you learned what happened to him. That you'd want to go back. And… going back meant being taken away. So… Fuck, I'm just making up excuses," she sighed. "I should've told you. And I didn't. I'm sorry."
"Catra…" Adora spoke gently. "I'm… I'm surprised, to be sure. But… I won't let that discourage me. It's awful what happened to him… But we've learnt from him, right? And so many others. And we have each other. I'm sure we'll be fine," Adora smiled.
It was the genuine truth. She had assumed Chris' death for a while, but it didn't strike fear into her. She was sad, but she never let it get her down. Catra looked at Adora's smile, and she couldn't help but return with a similar expression. "Ever the optimist…" Catra sighed with a smile.
"You know me," Adora replied.
"… Do you want to know Chris' last words?" Catra asked, looking out the window into the dark, Alaskan sky. Adora nodded. "'I have had a happy life and thank the Lord. Goodbye and may God bless all'. He was a man of faith, I think. They found those words by his body, written in one of his books."
"I guess that's nice," Adora replied. "You know… dying without regrets and all that."
"Yeah…" Catra spoke with a soft voice. Adora looked to her and saw that Catra was almost in a trance, and slowly, she reached out and ran a hand through Catra's hair.
"You okay?" Adora asked, snapping Catra out of her state. Catra looked to her partner and saw her smile. The smile that always kept her going, and the smile that would save her in Alaska no doubt.
"Yeah. I am. It's just… hard to talk about all this," Catra responded. Adora wondered why that was the case. "… Actually, can I ask something?"
"Sure. Anything," Adora replied.
"You remember when we cuddled for warmth in California?" Catra asked. It was one of Adora's fondest memories. She nodded. "Well… I know we're warm now… But… I'd still like to cuddle with you. You don't have to. It's just a stupid suggestion…"
"I'd love to," Adora responded without hesitation. "I can tell there's a lot on your mind. I'm… in a similar state. But right now, I just… want to be close to you."
Both of them could almost explode with the feelings that had been building up for a while now. Their chests felt warm and their stomach fluttered. Wordlessly, Catra turned the bedroom light off and laid down in bed, facing Adora.
Adora did the same, pulling the covers over the two of them and taking her hair out of its ponytail, simply letting it sprawl on the pillow below her as she laid and faced Catra in the bed. Catra put a hand up between them, and Adora placed her hand over it.
They held onto each other as they faced each other in the bed. Adora saw Catra's eyelids slowly lower, and she did the same. But they never let go.
They never wanted to let go.
Adora and Catra stepped off the bus and into the cold Alaskan air.
All around them was an endless highway, with each side of the highway being surrounded by trees. The leaves on the trees were of a dark green, which contrasted against the gray sky. Adora could see her breath form before her.
As the bus left the two of them behind and barrelled down the endless highway, Catra looked around them. "If we walk a few blocks north, we should be at the start of the trail," Catra explained. Adora nodded, and adjusted the pack on her shoulder, walking behind her partner. "You nervous?"
"I was going to ask the same thing of you," Adora replied. "This has been your dream for four years, after all."
"Not going to lie… I'm just fucking excited," Catra admitted. "My heart is about to explode, I swear. I've gone through this moment a thousand times in my dreams. This doesn't even feel real. I've nearly convinced myself the last eight months have been a dream."
"Well… If this was a dream, would you want to wake up?" Adora asked. Catra looked to her for a few moments.
"… Probably not."
Adora couldn't help but scoff as Catra kept on walking ahead. She looked at the cold road and tall trees, and took in the smell of nature. Her pack no longer felt as heavy as that day when she first left Atlanta.
This was the final test. More than any exam, this was the ultimate test of her growth, Adora figured. This was the test to see how far she'd come from that excited woman in Atlanta.
"And… here we are."
Adora looked over to see a small separation within the trees besides the road. It led down a long, winding path which became more open as it went on. Adora and Catra looked down the path together, standing still.
"It looks smaller than I thought it would," Catra commented. "The entrance, I mean. The trail is about forty miles."
"So… once we go down here, we're going to reach the place Chris camped?" Adora asked. Catra nodded.
"It might take a few days, but yeah. We'll stay there for however long it may be. And we'll turn back once we think we should," Catra said, turning to her partner. "You know this is your last chance to pull out, right? Once we go down this path… Well, it's hard to say what will happen."
Adora took a breath. "Do you want to head back?" She asked.
Catra scoffed, shaking her head. "Fuck no. This has been four years in the making. I'm not turning back now."
"Then I'm coming with you," Adora immediately said. "We're a team. We're travel partners. We started this together and we're finishing it together."
Catra smiled at her partner. She looked at the ground beneath her for a few seconds, and took a breath. "… Thank you for coming all this way, Adora," Catra spoke, looking up into her partner's eyes. "Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for sticking with me despite all the fuck-ups and despite my stupid moments. You'll… You're the most special person to me."
"And thank you for helping me keep my promise to myself," Adora replied. "You had every right to leave me behind at any moment, but you always kept me around. I'm… still not sure why. But you've made me happier than I think I've ever been in my life. You're special to me too, Catra."
The two of them looked at each other for a few more moment, and it was Catra who eventually took a deep breath, looking ahead. She grabbed onto the straps of her pack, and let out a deep sigh. "Well… Off we go then."
"Right," Adora responded. A few moments of silence. Contemplation. Thinking. And Adora eventually felt her cold body begin to move.
And so, they stepped forward into the wild.