Adora woke with a start to find she wasn't alone. "Catra?" Adora bolted up to a sitting position. Her expression was that of confusion. Was Catra really here? Why was she here?
"Hey Adora," Catra replied in her usual sultry tone reserved just for the other girl. She sat perched on the side of the bed, her arms wrapped around her knees.
"What are you doing here?" Adora had a flash of fear as she imagined Bright Moon being surrounded by Horde soldiers. Her gaze shot to the window.
"Don't worry, I came alone."
Adora swallowed. "That doesn't answer my question."
"I needed to talk to you."
Catra looked so forlorn that Adora's guard dropped and her heart began to ache for her former friend. "What is it?" Her voice now filled with concern.
Catra cast her eyes downward. This was hard. Perhaps she wouldn't be able to have this conversation after all.
"Catra, whatever it is, you can tell me." Adora couldn't help her next movement. She sidled closer and pulled Catra into a tight hug. "I've missed you."
Catra wanted to hum out in happiness. She wanted to hug Adora back. Instead she shoved her away. "How can you be like this after everything I've done," she spat out.
There was hurt in Adora's eyes. "Because you're my friend," she replied simply. "And I love you."
More anger flared in Catra. Adora just had to be first at everything, didn't she? Those were the words Catra had wanted to say, even though deep down she knew she would never have been able to manage them.
Catra wasn't good with words so she decided to get her point across in another way. Grabbing both sides of Adora's face she pulled and leaned and pressed until their lips were touching and then she did what she had wanted to for so long, she began to kiss her.
Adora couldn't believe what was happening. Was she really kissing Catra? She melted into the embrace, never wanting it to end.
But it did end, far too soon, leaving Adora's head spinning.
Catra smirked. "Somebody enjoyed themselves."
Adora's heart was pounding. "Why did you do that?" She demanded.
"Because I love you too, idiot." Catra tried to sound sassy but her words were riddled with tender emotion.
"You do?" Adora felt her heart might burst. "Does this mean you are staying?"
Adora's first words had made Catra's heart soar, but the next words sent it crashing back down to reality. Her brow furrowed, darkening her features. "No." Why did Adora always expect her to abandon her whole life, just like that?
"Oh." The disappointment was clear. It almost caused Catra to reconsider.
Then resolve passed over Adora's features. "I guess that means I'm coming with you." In a flash she was on her feet and gathering her things.
Catra stood, also. "What?" Hope flared inside her. This was all she had wanted to happen for so long! She rushed to stand in front of Adora stopping her with a hand to the chest. "Are you serious?"
Adora pursed her lips and nodded. She moved to pick up her sword. Staring down at it, she asked, "Do you think I should leave it? Do you think they could find a new hero to lead the rebellion?" Her lower lip trembled.
Catra's eyes widened and she gasped. She grabbed hold of both of the other girl's shoulders. "Adora listen to me, you can't come back with me." She gave her friend a small shake to make sure she was absorbing the words.
"What? Why not? I thought you said that you..." Adora glanced back to her bed as she remembered the kiss they had just shared. When she looked back at Catra she couldn't keep the tears from her eyes.
Catra reached a hand to Adora's cheek. "I do! That's why I can't let you come back to the Fright Zone. You don't belong there. This is where you belong."
Adora was quick to wrap an arm around Catra's waist, pulling the smaller girl tightly against her. She feared Catra might try to bolt as she had so many times before, and Adora wasn't about to let that happen. "I belong with you," she insisted firmly. "I'm never letting you go, again."
Catra could hardly keep her brain working with the way Adora was holding her. Didn't that idiot know what kind of effect this might have? She grinned the other girl's words. "Wow." That was all she could manage for a moment. Then she wriggled free, and put a bit of distance between them so she could think clearly. "Adora... just because I'm part of the Horde and you are in alliance with the Rebellion... that doesn't mean we can't be together."
Adora's eyes grew wider. "But..."
Catra shook her head and moved close to Adora once more, putting a finger to her lips. "Trust me."
Adora swallowed and nodded. She did trust Catra.
The sun was almost on the rise. Adora began to worry that Catra might get caught. "You better get out of here before people start waking up."
Catra had stopped touching her lips but Adora could still feel the lingering sensation. She didn't want Catra to go. "When will I see you again?"
Catra's heart drummed hard. If Adora kept looking at her the way she was, she might never be able to leave. "I'll figure something out." Then she darted from the room before she lost all willpower.
Adora drew in a deep breath as she tried to process what just happened.