On the first week of December, Catra got a call that the Fright Zone had landed the opportunity to open for The First Ones on tour. It was a 10 week tour that kicked off mid-February and the contract was sent for them to approve. Catra looked at the amount being offered and immediately quit her job, despite everyone's objections. It was later discovered that the owner of Etheria had a farewell party that Catra had not been invited too. Of course, they didn't sign the contract right away, but after both of Bow's dads had looked it over and sent it to their lawyer, they gave the okay to sign.
"Hey! You'll be in New York week 5," Adora said brightly, skimming through the tour details they had sent post signatures. Catra was helping Glimmer put up holiday décor while Adora pretended to help. She was invested in her reading.
"Yeah, I actually wanted to talk to you about that," Catra said, picking up a glass ornament that was quickly snatched away by Glimmer. Catra shrugged and picked up another which was also taken away. "Do you want my help or not?" Catra turned to Glimmer.
"No," Glimmer said plainly. Catra continued to pick things up while Adora muffled a chuckle.
"Ehem," Adora pressed, waiting patiently.
"Oh, I uhh, I thought maybe you'd like to come. Meet us in New York. Both of you," Catra said, rolling an ornament back and forth in her hands as she looked between the two.
"New York City?" Glimmer clarified.
"Yeah, the shows in Brooklyn," Catra shrugged.
"Oh wow, I've never been to NYC before," Glimmer looked in a daze. Catra rolled her eyes and groaned.
"You can't act like that if you come," Catra said, tossing the ornament back into the box and rubbing her hand across her forehead like she was trying to get rid of a headache. Glimmer huffed and checked the box to make sure nothing was broken.
"I'll be good," Glimmer added quickly, trying to hide the smile growing on her cheeks. Catra raised her eyebrows and looked to Adora, who had stayed quiet thus far.
"I'd love to come," Adora said, giving Catra a small smile but drawing her attention back to the paper in her hands. Despite making up, Adora had been rather quiet since their fight, feeling an assortment of emotions that she was sure Catra saw when she looked at her. Even still, Adora felt Catra's eyes staying on her and glanced back up in her direction. Catra huffed and before Adora knew it, she had walked over and sat herself down on Adora's lap, curling into her. Adora smiled and tried to stop the papers from being crushed. Catra didn't seem to care either way. "Catra!"
"What? I'm not doing anything," Catra responded, snuggling up into Adora's side. Glimmer smiled at them. Catra looked up at her girlfriend from her spot in the crook of her neck. Adora brushed the wild hair out of her face and peered down at the other. The truth of the matter was that Adora was nervous. Nervous to revisit New York with the one who never wanted her to go in the first place. Oh how the tables have turned, Adora thought to herself, practically laughing at the irony. As if Catra could read her mind, she broke the silence.
"I'd like to see your life there," She said. Adora tensed but then relaxed, meeting the gaze of the woman in her lap.
"That's not my life anymore," Adora replied quietly, shaking her head. Catra just shrugged, like the statement was subjective. Adora gave her a smile. "But sure," She added, feeling Catra happily curl back into her. Adora took a deep breath, pretending to be inhaling the holiday candles Glimmer had lit, but really just taking in her girlfriend, hoping to lock that smell up in her brain before she was bound to leave. Then, as quickly as she had come, Catra got up and rejoined Glimmer. Adora wished she hadn't but let her go, knowing they would have plenty of time later for time alone.
The holidays came and went a little too quickly for the friends. Adora and Glimmer hosted a yankee swap party where Glimmer got a wand and crown that she wore for the rest of the month, making everyone call her Queen Glimmer. Adora unwrapped a giant pretend sword and Bow had received a child's bow and arrow set. They immediately agreed to become a superhero duo and gave themselves elaborate backstories. Catra got a pile of sweets that she inhaled in two seconds along with a secret homemade gift from Adora and Glimmer of her own Fright Zone tee that had the same writing as the rest of them but with rips throughout like someone had clawed it and torn off the sleeves. Catra tried not to act excited but hugged Adora for just a little longer than usual. The party had been an overall success and even Scorpia came, offering a wrapped gift that turned out to be a toy scorpion that shocked you if you squeezed it.
Late that night Adora dragged Catra outside and into the snowy backyard. Once the door had closed behind them, she pulled Catra to her and kissed her deeply. Catra responded by pushing them both into a giant snow pile and receiving a yelp from Adora. Catra smiled as she wrapped her hands around Adora's waist, letting herself fall over so they were both lying in the snow, looking up at the sky. Adora peered over to her, and their eyes met. They shared a look that reminded Adora why she had fallen so hard for the other. Catra's attention fell to Adora's lips and then she leaned in, kissing her slowly. Adora placed a palm to Catra's cheek, gently pulling her deeper into the kiss. She thought about how soft Catra's lips were and how cold the snow was and how deeply she wanted to lay in it forever if it meant laying here with Catra.
Eventually they sat up and Catra presented a small gift from her pocket. It was wrapped in newspaper and badly taped. Catra blushed as she passed it over. Adora smiled brightly and unwrapped it. Inside was a disposable camera. "I bought myself one too," Catra said, searching Adora's expression. She cut in before Adora had a chance to respond. "I just thought maybe, while I'm gone, we could take photos of whatever we're doing and then maybe get them developed in New York or something," Catra's face was turning red and she shook her head, starting to laugh, "And you will not tell anyone how much of a sap I am.. mm." Catra's speech was cut off as Adora kissed her.
"Thank you," Adora said as she pulled away, coming back for a moment to give Catra a kiss on the cheek, "It's perfect," She whispered. Catra blushed.
"Here," Adora pulled her own package out of her pocket. It was perfectly wrapped in colorful tissue paper with a ribbon wrapped around it. She presented it to Catra and watched her rip it apart without a second thought. Adora sighed and shook her head while her handiwork was torn to pieces. Catra pulled the last chunk off of the packaging and saw the art piece in front of her. It was a smaller version of the piece she had picked up at the store. A blue and silver tech piece that formed a heart. A string of gold shimmered throughout it and Adora had signed the bottom. She bit her lip, watching Catra's expression. When Catra did look back at her, she held the piece close to her chest and practically jumped into Adora's lap, throwing her back into the snow once more and planting a kiss on her lips. Adora took that as a thank you.
Soon enough, New Year's Eve came around and although the group had plans, those plans turned into a last-minute show at Etheria with the Fright Zone on stage and Glimmer too sick to join. Adora found herself alone in the crowd, exhausted, and in need of sleep. Catra gave her a look of apology from the stage, but Adora just waved it off, giving her a nod that it was all good. She had never understood the hype of New Year's anyways.
She yawned as she unlocked the front door of her apartment and threw off her shoes and jacket, tossing them wherever. Glimmer sat up from her spot on the couch and looked tiredly at Adora. "It's not even midnight yet," Glimmer said sleepily. Adora groaned and plopped herself down on the other side of the couch, curling her feet up.
"We can watch together then," Adora said, hoping she could manage to stay awake that long. She laughed when she saw that Glimmer was giving her a similar expression. They groaned in sync. "How are you feeling?"
"Oh fine," Glimmer sniffled, "Just a cold I think." Adora handed her a tissue and Glimmer whispered a thank you. The two managed to stay up until the ball dropped and counted it down with cups of seltzer water and a small clink and woo at midnight.
"I wish I could kiss Bow," Glimmer said glumly. Adora booed her and Glimmer covered her face as she laughed. "Ughh I know. I'm so embarrassing."
"Nah, it's cute," Adora added, giving her a small nudge. Glimmer uncovered her face.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen Bow this happy," Adora laughed, realizing the truth of the statement. Glimmer blushed.
"I think he's "the one", ya know?" Glimmer bit her lip, "He just… I don't know. He clears my head. He makes me better. He's like a ray of sunshine in cloudy Seattle." Glimmer seemed to be in a daydream as she looked off into nothing. Adora nodded beside her even though she was pretty sure Glimmer wasn't paying attention to her. When she looked back, she was surprised to find Glimmer's eyes on her. "You understand, though," She nodded back. Adora raised her eyebrows but found that she did.
"Yeah. Except Catra is like a snowstorm in the middle of summer."
Glimmer laughed.
They sat in comfortable silence besides Glimmer's occasional sneezing fits. Finally, Glimmer turned to her awkwardly and Adora gave her a questioning look. "I'm actually grateful for some time with you," Glimmer said, suddenly more awake than she was just a minute ago.
"Oh yeah? Why what's going on?"
"I'm uhh applying to grad schools," Glimmer said brightly, looking embarrassed. Adora looked up at that, happily surprised.
"Oh Glimmer! That's awesome!"
"Thanks," Glimmer blushed, smiling, "I just don't want to lose Bow. But at the same time, this is my life and I have to push for my own dreams." Adora stayed quiet, feeling the words in her soul. "It's nice that you have your dream here in the shop." When Adora laughed it was Glimmer's turn to look at her questioningly.
"The Heart is my mom's dream. We didn't have the best relationship growing up and I wanted to help her get it up and running. I wanted to give her something back. You try putting months and months of work into something and not getting attached," Adora shook her head, "But if I had it my way I'd be out there. Creating and painting and pushing the art world." Adora stopped and blushed. She hadn't said these words outloud to anyone. She thought maybe she should be embarrassed or feel bad, but she didn't. It was the truth.
"You know," Glimmer said softly, reaching a hand to place gently on top of Adora's, "I work at that shop too. You both do so much for that place but Angella will be okay if you decide to leave," Glimmer stopped, thinking for a second before pushing on, "You deserve your own life too, Adora." Adora's eyes widened but Glimmer just replied with a soft smile. A wash of gratefulness poured through Adora and she also sniffled, grabbing for a tissue from Glimmer's pile and quickly dabbing at her eyes.
"I think I'm sick too," Adora nodded. Glimmer laughed.
"Mhm, sureee."
By the time February rolled around, Catra was counting down the days, bursting with excitement. The night before they left there was a big goodbye dinner that consisted of more than a few bottles of wine, a lot of hugs and kisses, and to conclude the evening: a performance by The Fright Zone ft no instruments. They all laughed and cried and Adora, at some point in her tipsy and happy state, flung an arm around Scorpia and gave her a small hug. Scorpia made a noise but didn't move away, just giving Adora a look of confusion that turned to a small smile in return. As the night came to a close, Adora and Catra clung to each other, holding tightly as they made their way back to Catra's apartment to collapse on her bed. Catra was kissing softly at Adora's neck, straddling Adora while she lay beneath her. Adora's eyes fell to an empty dresser and suitcases lined up at the door.
"I'll miss you," Adora whispered, running her hands through Catra's hair. Catra peeled herself off of Adora's neck to peer up at her.
"I'll miss you too."
"Oh yeah?"
Catra nodded, returning to kissing at her neck. Adora gently tugged Catra back and gave her a mischievous smile. Catra's eyes lit up. Adora flipped them over, throwing Catra down so she was on top instead. Catra always gave her a look of surprise when Adora showed her how strong she could really be, but tonight Catra's expression was much darker, her eyes brimming with desire and need. Adora fed into it, straddling her partner and reaching down, moving like she was going for a kiss but diverting at the last minute to kiss Catra's cheek. Catra groaned. "Adoraa."
"What will you miss about me?" Adora asked, grinning into Catra's neck. Catra groaned.
"I'll miss this," She started. Adora murmured in agreement.
"This?" Adora asked, kissing down her neck to Catra's chest. She gently pulled aside Catra's shirt, revealing a barely there bralette that made Adora's stomach do backflips. Adora ran her fingers over the bralette, listening to Catra's breathing. She tugged at the fabric, exposing Catra's naked chest and watching her girlfriend close her eyes in agreement.
"Yes, very much that," Catra argued as Adora lowered her mouth to her chest, her fingers moving around Catra's soft breasts. Adora gazed up at her, watching Catra's reactions as she continued to slowly play with her.
"What about this?" Adora lowered a hand down Catra's chest, unbuttoning it as she went. Catra helped her and pulled the shirt off, throwing it to the floor without a second thought.
"Adora," Catra said with warning as Adora continued to move painfully slow, unbuttoning Catra's pants and sliding them down her hips with her fingers. Catra stared at her unblinking. "Yes, I will miss this," Catra smiled. She sat up and wrapped a hand behind Adora's neck pulling her to her and kissing her hard and rough. Adora gave in a little but then pulled back giving Catra a look like she should be more patient. "Okay maybe not this because you are killing me," Catra added but she smiled at the other, leaning back to allow Adora to do whatever torturing she needed to do.
Adora stifled a laugh and got back to work, running a hand up and down Catra's stomach and down to her legs. Catra stiffened as Adora's fingers worked their way between her legs and mumbled what Adora thought sounded like a please. When they locked eyes again, Adora no longer had self control left and lowered herself between her partner's legs, allowed her some satisfaction as she listened to Catra cry out.
As they lay together in the dark that night, after hours of constant touch, they still found themselves clinging to the other. Both were naked and sweaty, but they didn't care. Catra's fingers floated through Adora's hair, softly brushing it. "I'll be back before you know it," Catra whispered into Adora's hair, kissing the top of her head. Adora nodded.
"I know," Adora mumbled unhappily, "But I still expect constant updates and don't forget your disposable camera." She felt Catra smile.
"Already packed."
Adora peered up at Catra from her spot at her chest. Catra was staring at her, looking like she wanted to say something. Like her lips were almost forming at the words but then she stopped and looked away, the moment gone.
Adora wondered about that look the next day when they kissed goodbye but instead, she just waved and Catra blew her another kiss, and her and Glimmer watched the band disappear into the airport. To stop herself from crying, Adora promptly left and drove herself to Angella's house using Catra's car. No one was home but Adora was grateful for that. In a moment of emotion, all she could feel was a need to get it down on paper. Quickly, she got her paint supplies together and set up a space in the backyard. As she placed brush to paper, she thought of the emotions raging in her chest. She thought of Catra and the last few months and she smiled as she put brush to paper.