"Times up. Pens down."

Adora felt the pen slip from her hand almost instantly as soon as those words were uttered. Her hand felt like it was on fire from writing so much. But now, she was free from the burden of exams, tests and classes. At least for now.

She looked up at her classmates. She could see the happiness on some of their faces. After all, this was their last exam. Leaving those doors meant the holidays, once and for all. At least until they need to start thinking about their futures.

Adora still hadn't gotten to know the faces of her new classmates, even after all this time. There was no Bow or Glimmer or anyone else she really recognized. Maybe it was on her to get to know them, but she could never bring herself to.

Eventually, the teacher up front collected all of their papers. Adora hoped for a pass at least. It was all she really needed.

"Alright, you can go," the teacher said after a few minutes. Adora stood up along with everyone else, grabbing her small backpack and walking towards the front door. The backpack felt like a feather compared to the heavy pack she used to carry for all that time.

She opened up the front pocket of her backpack, fishing out her phone. A new one. She saved up and paid for it herself, but she mostly used it to talk to Bow and Glimmer ever since they moved interstate to New York.

As Adora walked from school to the train station, she scrolled through her messages. It was almost like a ritual at this point, but she always opened her text chat with Catra. She wasn't sure why. Maybe there was some chance Catra would respond to the fifty unread messages Adora had sent.

But ever since Adora was separated from Catra a year ago, she hadn't heard a single word from her partner.

Adora sighed. She pocketed her phone as she approached the train station. It still looked the same as ever, basked in the orange sunlight. The many people in school uniforms standing on the platform, discussing parties, alcohol and events for the holidays.

Adora wasn't sure what she was going to do.

She looked towards the city on the horizon as she stood on the train platform. Looking down on the multiple buildings and lights and cars reminded her of the job she used to have in Vegas. She'd camp atop a large hill, looking down on Vegas with her partner.

Thinking back to the journey always filled Adora with weird, mixed emotions. She regretted absolutely nothing about the journey. But she missed it all the same. She missed the places. She missed the views.

She missed her partner.

Adora still loved Catra, even after all this time. She always wondered what Catra was up to these days. She said she'd have to repeat schooling. Maybe she was finishing up her last exam too? Maybe she had ran away from it all yet again?

Adora could only do that. Wonder.

Until suddenly, she heard a rapid series of footsteps to her right. The echo ringing throughout the platform. Someone was running towards her. Adora's eyes widened, and she turned to see someone with a large bag around their shoulder sprinting towards her.

Adora's heart stopped as the person ran pass her. The sun behind them, reflecting off their figure. Adora felt like everything had gone slow motion. Her breath had caught in her throat, and her world had stopped.

"Ca…" Adora croaked out, but as soon as she did, the person continued to run from her. Adora saw that they were late for their train, but this time, they had boarded it. They dropped nothing from their bag. They did not even notice Adora.

Adora wasn't sure what she was thinking. She wasn't sure why her hands were shaking.

She sighed.

As her train arrived, she suddenly felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. As she made her way through the crowd of people and onto an empty space to stand on the train, she pulled out her phone to see she had gotten a text from Perfuma.

FlowerPower39: I hope I haven't miscalculated my time-zone, but I want to congratulate you on finishing your last exam! How does it feel to be free?

Adora smiled upon seeing the text. As the train began to move and she held onto the railing above her, Adora texted back.

AdorablyScary33: I'm just glad it's over. Being held back a year was really awkward since everyone in my class saw me as some dumb adult. I guess I just feel a little confused about what to do now.

FlowerPower39: I remember feeling the same once I graduated school. Back then, on top of everything, realizing I was trans just made for a… weird time in my life. But meeting Scorpia really helped me through everything.

AdorablyScary33: That's really nice to hear. How are you two doing?

FlowerPower39: Absolutely wonderful! It's really early morning in Paris so I had to make sure I didn't wake Scorpia by sending you this text. I'll have to send you the pictures later.

Adora looked at her phone with a smile. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard for some time as she pondered a question. She likely already knew the answer, but she couldn't get it out of her mind. Adora took a breath.

AdorablyScary33: Hey, so I know this is out of nowhere, but… have you two heard from Catra recently at all?

FlowerPower39: Oh, Adora… The second we get a text or any message from Catra, the first thing we'd do is let you know. But I'm sorry, we haven't had any luck either.

Adora sighed. She wasn't sure why she asked in the first place.

AdorablyScary33: That's alright. Thanks, Perfuma. You should probably get some sleep now.

FlowerPower39: Are you okay, Adora? I'm always here if you need me.

Adora looked at the text from Perfuma for a while. She wanted to brush her off and simply go about her day, but in her heart, she knew that ignoring this was only going to make it hurt even more. She looked out the window to the orange sunset for a few seconds, before typing back.

AdorablyScary33: I know it has been a year, but… I still really miss her.

Adora felt a lump build in her throat as she sent the message. She put her phone away for a few seconds, looking up to the roof of the train as to not let any tears flow. She swallowed down the lump, and yet it only kept building as she thought of her partner again and again.

Adora felt her phone vibrate. She let out a shuddered sigh, and looked down.

FlowerPower39: I know, Adora. You two were really made for each other. But I'll tell you this. I just can't see a future where you two aren't together. This may hurt now, but I believe this isn't permanent. One day, you will see her again.

Adora looked at the text and felt a warm trickle of honey through her heart. It was a nice thought.

AdorablyScary33: You really think so?

FlowerPower39: I'm not too confident about many things, but of that, I am completely confident. I'm sure Catra misses you too. Just push through with your future, Adora. I'm sure Catra will be down the line somewhere.

AdorablyScary33: Thank you so much, Perfuma. I think I'll be alright. Thinking of her usually gets me into a down mood, but I'll move forward.

FlowerPower39: I think that's what she'd want for you. I'll talk to you later, alright?

AdorablyScary33: Alright. Good night, Perfuma.

FlowerPower39: 3

Adora pocketed her phone as the train slowly arrived at her station. She pushed through to the exit, leaving behind the station and walking down the street to her home.

The streetlights slowly flickered to the life as the world turned dark. Adora walked underneath each one, looked at the path ahead of her as the sky above her turned a deep shade of purple and blue. The strings of clouds contrasting against the dark sky.

She fished her house key out of her bag and opened up the front door. Adora took her shoes off as she entered the house and saw one of her mom's in the kitchen making dinner.

"Hey, Adora," her mom smiled at her as she entered. "How was your last exam?"

"Fine, I guess," Adora shrugged. She noticed a single envelope on the dining table, and her mother noticed her eyes directed towards it.

"That came for you today," her mother nodded to the envelope. "Have you got a friend in California?"

Adora's eyes widened. "I… I don't think so…" Adora shook her head as she grabbed the envelope from the table. She took it up to her room, confused as to who it was from. It couldn't be her. Adora already knew it couldn't be her.

She entered her bedroom, closing the door behind her as she sat on the bed. The envelope definitely came from California, judging by the sticker on the front of it. She wasn't sure if she wanted to open this envelope, but sooner or later, her curiosity would get the better of her.

Slowly, Adora tore open the top, and fished out a folded piece of paper. It was a letter, and when Adora opened it up, she saw some cash drop from it. Her eyes looked at the money dropped onto her lap. Someone had sent her a few hundred dollars.

Adora's eyes widened as she saw the green notes. Money in an envelope…

Her eyes looked to the letter.

'Hey Adora. It has certainly been a while…'

Upon reading those first two words, her partner's teasing tone came to mind. She kept going along.

'I'm sorry I left you behind without a word. I felt like complete and utter shit for ages over the fact that we didn't even get to say goodbye before the cops took me away to Shadow Weaver. I barely got a say in the matter. I wanted to contact you for all this time, but I wasn't able to get a phone or get a letter out or anything. Shadow Weaver was pretty upset, to say the least. But no matter what she did or said to me, I was never going to let her get under my skin again. Because you gave me hope, Adora. And you gave me an escape.'

'Getting out of Tennessee was a pain in the ass, but thankfully, that money you worked for as a waitress in Vegas actually came in handy after the journey. Once I finished my last few exams a few weeks ago, I was able to afford a plane ticket out of that house.'

'I still can't believe it. I moved out of that house. Legally, this time. I'm old enough and I've finished my schooling. She has no hold over me anymore. I made damn sure of that. I'm still trying to get my hands on a phone, so this letter will have to do for now. But by the time this letter gets to you, I'm sure you'll be in a similar state as me. No more exams, no more school. Nothing to hold you back for the time being. Maybe I'll have finished my exams before you. The perks of taking easier classes!'

'Anyway… Out of all the places I wanted to move to, I figured why not make it the favorite state of my dear partner? It's nice here in Cali. The beach is a few miles away, and we're a few minutes away from town. Well… Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself by saying 'we'. After all, you might not even remember my name.'

"Oh, shut up…" Adora spoke softly, her voice hoarse.

'But if, by chance, you still even care about me… Well, that money is for you. A plane ticket to California is around two-hundred dollars or so. I'm not going to force anything on you, Adora. Your life is your own. I have no right to control you. I feel pretty selfish doing this. But the money is there. And if you want to continue this journey… I'll be waiting.'

'The choice is yours. And whatever you decide, I just want you to know I still love you. You have made me a better version of myself. The world has looked much more colorful ever since that journey, and I think I smile a bit more these days. Thank you for everything. You'll always be dear to me. Love, Catra.'

'P.S, don't you dare send that money back! I know how polite and kind you like to be, but I will personally come over there and kick your ass if you return that money!'

Adora saw a few droplets hit the paper of that letter. She already knew it was her own tears.

Her lips wobbled and her face scrunched up as she looked at the first words Catra had sent in a year. Her throat felt tight and her heart felt like it was being squeezed, but more than anything, she felt an insane amount of joy.

Catra still loved her.

Adora let out a sob as she held the letter close to her. Somehow, it smelt like Catra. Adora didn't even care who heard her. These sobs were all she could manage for some time. The memories of their moments flooded her mind as she held Catra's words close to her heart.

"Catra…" Adora choked out, gritting her teeth as she looked at the words again. Slowly, a smile crawled onto her face as she imagined Catra's voice whilst reading those words. The way she teased Adora and the way she smiled as she talked sometimes.

Eventually, Adora's eyes were directed to the money that had fallen onto her lap. She knew what this money was intended for. What she needed to do. She was under no obligation, but in Adora's mind, this money would serve only one purpose.

Continuing the journey.

Adora could already feel the Californian heat as the plane wheels screeched whilst dragging against the ground beneath it.

She sat next to the window, looking out into the night sky and the distant city. Everyone around her was slowly awakening as the plane rocked out during landing, but she hadn't slept for the last twenty-six hours. The excitement of being able to see Catra had become too much.

It had been four weeks since she received that letter. Purchasing a ticket was easy enough, but she also had to pack most of her things and find a way to convince her parents. She wasn't going to just leave them behind again with nothing but a note.

However, to her surprise, she had found her parents to be supportive. They were upset, but she had promised occasional visits and that she wasn't going to waste her own time in California. She was simply going to live the life she wanted with the woman she loved.

Adora wasn't sure how to feel about her parents. Running away and going on a journey seemed to have made them realize their mistakes, and she wasn't sure if she considered that a good thing or not. The thoughts would have to come later.

Adora looked ahead towards the front of the plane as it slowly began to taxi towards the terminal. She rolled her head around, cracking her neck and getting rid of any aches that came from the uncomfortable seat. Her heart was pounding, roaring within her chest.

Adora had sent a letter back telling Catra she had accepted her offer, but she had no clue if Catra received it or not. It was the trouble with sending letters. She just had to hope Catra knew what time and what day to wait at the airport for her.

The process of telling Glimmer, Bow, Perfuma and Scorpia was joyous as well. Adora was glad to have so many friends happy about their possible reunion. Glimmer was a bit of a realist as per usual, asking Adora if she was sure about her decision.

It was true that Adora thought she was being a tad hasty. That she may have not entirely thought this through. But her heart was screaming at her to do this. In her mind, Adora saw herself as chasing after what made her fulfilled. Catra was the woman she loved. She wanted to be with her.

And Adora didn't see much wrong with that.

Eventually, a tone rang out through the plane, and everyone went to undo their seatbelts. Adora stood up from her seat, going to her overhead compartment and pulling out the small pack she had brought on board with her. The rest of her luggage would be picked up in the airport, and she had organized most of her other items to be moved if Catra accepted Adora's offer to move in.

Adora never realized she'd have a home so soon. Granted, it was likely just an apartment. But any place with Catra was home in her eyes.

Adora pulled out her phone from within her small bag, taking it off airplane mode and checking her messages. Most of which were wishing her luck on her journey. Glimmer had sent her a picture from New York, and Scorpia and Perfuma had sent her a picture from a plane as well, just before they took off for home.

Adora smiled upon seeing all the messages. The shared happiness she had wasn't just with Catra. It was with all of these people. Those who supported her and loved her through the journey she's had in life.

Eventually, Adora pocketed her phone as the airplane doors opened up. She walked through the aisle, thanking the attendants on the way out as she stepped onto the bridge towards the terminal. The heat outside was blitzing through the walls somehow. Adora thanked her past self for dressing up in sleeveless shirt and denim shorts.

She eventually entered the large airport building, seeing how many people were walking to and from places. How many shops were open, even nearing midnight. How many families waited for their own flights. Everyone was in their own journey.

Adora saw a railing ahead. She was on a top floor, and would have to go downstairs to collect the rest of her luggage. But first, she put her hands on the railing, looking down at the ground floor. Scanning the crowd of people. Scanning for her.

People waited for friends and families, some holding up signs. Reunions were happening all around, and Adora was looking for her own. But wherever she looked, she couldn't spot her.

Adora assumed the letter she sent hadn't arrived. It was a tad disappointing, but not the end of the world. She'd just have to find Catra in her own time. As Adora's hand slipped from the railing, she looked to the crowd one last time.

And then she saw her.

She had gotten a haircut, trimming her hair down to a short length so that the ends of it touched the back of her neck. But without a doubt, Adora's eyes laid on her. Her partner. Her girlfriend.

Her Catra.

Catra stood behind the crowd of people, her arms crossed as she scanned the many people descending down the escalator. Catra, too, had an expression of disappointment. Perhaps she thought Adora hadn't arrived yet.

Adora looked at her partner. Her heart felt like fireworks. Her chest fluttered with a billion butterflies. Her legs felt numb. She gripped the railing tight, her body feeling lightweight as she sucked in some air. She didn't care who saw or heard. She let out a scream.

"CATRA!"

The echo of Adora's cry made almost a thousand set of eyes direct towards her. She didn't care. Because out of everyone who was looking at her, she only focused on one person.

Catra looked up to the railing as she heard her name being called. Her eyes widened, and her lips curled into wide smile as she saw the woman she loved most. Someone she had been waiting for, someone she hadn't seen in over a year.

Adora's legs gained some feeling once she saw that smile. Before Catra could shout back, Adora's legs had already begun to move.

She pushed through the crowd of people, slipping and ducking between families, friends, lovers and partners. She panted as she ran, her heart beating faster than ever before. Everything felt like a blur. Nothing felt real.

And yet, it was real. Catra was real. Their journey was real. Their reunion was about to be real.

Adora descended down the escalator as fast as she possibly could. She slipped sometimes, and nearly fell other times. But throughout it all, she kept her balance. And finally, she made it to the ground floor.

And when she looked to her left, she saw Catra sprinting towards her. "ADORA!" Catra cried out, tears streaming down her cheeks endlessly.

Adora laughed, running towards her partner.

And in that moment, they met for the first time in over a year.

Adora wrapped her arms around her partner, using the momentum of Catra's running to spin her around as they held onto each other. Catra's beautiful laughter echoed with Adora's own. Adora placed a hand on the back of Catra's head as they hugged.

The feeling was so familiar. The way Catra held onto her tightly, and the way her hair tickled Adora's neck was everything Adora needed and more. She wasn't sure how long she hugged Catra for. Maybe it was an eternity. Maybe it was two.

But eventually, Adora pulled back slightly, her arms still wrapped around her partner. "Catra…" Adora gasped, looking her partner up and down. The tears had begun to flow a while ago, and she simply let them loose. "I missed you so much…"

"I was afraid you had forgotten all about me…" Catra chuckled through the tears, putting her hands on Adora's cheeks and pushing her forehead against her partner's.

"How could I ever forget someone as amazing as you?" Adora asked, closing her eyes as she simply took in Catra's presence. Her touch. Her smell. Her laughter. Her smile. "How could I ever forget the person I love more than anything?"

"You…" Catra spoke softly. "You still love me?" Catra asked, opening her eyes slightly to look into Adora's. "Even after all this time?"

Adora slowly brushed her knuckles over Catra's cheek, and felt her short hair. "Always."

Catra felt another round of tears burst furth as she couldn't help but chuckle. "Fuck… That means we missed our first anniversary…" Catra laughed. "I forgot to get you a present."

Adora laughed in response. "That's alright… I think all of this more than makes up for it," she replied, unable to stop herself from chuckling. Catra didn't really mind. She loved Adora's laughter.

"… Hey Adora?" Catra asked, looking directly into her partner's eyes.

"Yeah?" Adora replied.

Catra let out a gentle sigh, and softly gripped Adora's cheeks. "I love you too."

Adora looked to her partner for a few more seconds. Silence followed, but Catra's eyes gazing towards Adora's lips was enough to tell Adora exactly what she wanted. And lucky for her, it was also what Adora wanted.

And so, Catra passionately pushed her lips to Adora's in the middle of that airport.

They closed their eyes, and took in each other's kiss. They took in every single second of their closeness. They didn't care who saw. They only cared about each other, and their future. The continuation of this journey, together.

They kissed, and in that moment, they experienced the bliss of life. The joy that comes with love. The beauty of the world.

They experienced shared happiness.

The End