Double Trouble tapped the clipboard in their hands with an impatient smirk when Adora strolled in to the venue. She took a moment to look around the large empty room as Double Trouble swept in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. The Crimson Waste looked different in the sunlight and Adora found it was actually quite nice when you got past the grime that seemed to be on every surface. She stole a glance towards the stage, hoping for a glimpse of the band, but it was empty beside someone setting up mics. Double Trouble cleared their throat, stealing Adora's attention and offering a hand with a pleasant hello. Adora took it, offering a firm handshake as she took them in.

They were tall, Adora knew that much, but they looked even taller up close. With a lean frame and low shoulders, Double Trouble loomed over her, their upturned chin and nose only accentuating their long neck and the sly smile that spread from one high cheekbone to the other. They looked attractive and powerful and Adora was momentarily impressed. She was startled by the resemblance between them and Catra. Something in Double Trouble's eyes were so familiar to her; a mischievous glint she had seen many times on her girlfriend's face.

As Adora looked them over, they did the same to her, their eyes trailing over her as their smile turned tight and forced. Whatever conclusion was made was quickly hidden behind a masked expression and a returned bright smile. Adora pretended not to notice. "Adora," They said happily, giving her hand a tight squeeze before releasing her. "So glad you came."

Adora nodded absent mindedly, thanking them for the invitation with a plastered smile of her own. Movement backstage suddenly caught her attention, but Double Trouble stepped in front of Adora again, blocking her. She tried not to huff as they wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tugged her away from the stage and towards stairs leading to the second story. "It's better if we don't tell them you're here yet," They whispered in explanation, "Wouldn't want to distract them." Double Trouble didn't wait for a response as they pushed her through but cast a glance of uneasiness towards the curtain.

She thought about defying them completely. After all, this was her girlfriend and she had a right to see her but something still stopped her. Perhaps the importance of being on Double Trouble's good side, or perhaps she did believe she was a distraction of sorts. The thought gave her pause, and in that moment, Double Trouble pushed them through to the second floor and Adora caught a glimpse of the band walking on stage.

They were chit chatting mildly. It sounded like Bow was sharing something about Glimmer with a big smile on his face. Catra looked bored and Scorpia, whose smile was larger than anyone's, was listening intently, adding in her own comments about how nice it had been to meet new people last night. Adora grinned at the group, hoping Catra would look up and smile back, but she went unnoticed. Instead, Catra refocused on the task at hand, listening to someone with a walkie-talkie tell them where to stand and giving signals to the light guy.

Adora watched, mesmerized by the band at work. She wished to be closer, to be standing with them, and leaned over the railing to listen. She loved to watch Catra like this, so focused and steady. There was no indication of a late night or lack of sleep. Adora tried not to smile as Catra placed a single hand on her hip and leaned into it with a raise of an eyebrow, a pose she usually took when she was about to show everyone up.

"She's done well," Double Trouble said from her side, joining her against the railing. Adora watched them, their eyes following the band with as much curiosity as Adora. No, not the band - Catra. They smiled fondly at her while Adora watched them. "Come sit," They said after a moment, waving a hand and taking a seat at a small sticky table next to the bar. Adora looked to Catra, wanting to stand longer but feeling Double Trouble's eyes on her, waiting. With a sigh, she joined them, crossing her arms as she sat down.

They didn't speak, just grinned with that familiar glint stuck in their eyes. Adora felt a knot growing in her stomach.

"So Adora. I hear we're encroaching on your territory."

"My territory?"

"New York," Double Trouble explained. Adora laughed.

"It hasn't been my territory for awhile."

Double Trouble nodded knowingly and made their way to the bar behind them. "Coffee? Tea?"

"Uh coffee," Adora mumbled, her head begging for caffeine. They nodded, bringing her over a dark black coffee and placing cream and sugar at her side. Adora ignored them, taking a large gulp of the steaming cup and letting it warm her from the inside. When her attention returned to Double Trouble, they were leaning relaxed in their seat stirring a cup of tea, watching her.

"So. Why is that then?"

"Why is what?" Adora took another gulp, finding it surprisingly good for dirty bar coffee. Double Trouble clenched their jaw.

"Why is it, Adora, that New York is no longer your home?" They waited patiently. Adora felt they had planned this conversation ahead of time.

She flushed. "Contrary to popular belief, I can still be an artist in Seattle. Plus, it's cheaper." She smiled at the other, raising her eyebrows at them. They chuckled but it sounded pained and forced. Adora tried not to laugh for real.

"Really? Have you done any work that I could see..." They paused, looking for the right word, "anywhere?" They tilted their head in question. Adora gave a tight smile, placing her coffee down on the table and taking a deep breath. Preparing for a conversation she felt she had already had.

"No but it seems you already knew that," Adora threw back. This time Double Trouble did chuckle.

"Yes, I suppose I did."

Adora ground her teeth. "What's your point?" She asked finally, running out of patience. Double Trouble looked surprised at her response and moved closer to her, leaning over the table so they were eye to eye.

"I assume Catra told you about the contract we offered her here?"

Adora choked and Double Trouble's face flashed with enjoyment. "Obviously not."

"Here as in…"

"The Crimson Waste, obviously. 6 months. A standing gig and room to re-negotiate after that," They beamed with pride.

Adora took a breath, trying to remain calm. "She wouldn't have decided without talking to me."

"Are you sure about that?" Double Trouble asked.

Adora hesitated. Catra had mentioned something last night, but she couldn't remember what it had been. Her mind briefly ran across a million decisions Catra made without her and felt her stomach drop. "Yes, I'm sure," she replied, although she wasn't sure she sounded very sure at all.

Double Trouble hummed softly and reached a hand out to Adora, gazing at her with pity. "Tell me Adora. Why did you give up your dream here?"

Adora looked away, heat rising in her cheeks, "I had lots of reasons to go home I…I…," Adora's words teetered out and Double Trouble jumped in.

"You would give up everything for her," They gently caressed Adora's hand, tutting at her like a wounded animal. "I understand, Adora. I do. You have done all you can and yet… what has Catra done for you?"

Adora pulled her hand away and stood suddenly, looking scornfully towards the other. "I need to talk to Catra."

"The contract is on her phone," Double Trouble replied, reading her as they raised their eyebrows. "Go ahead. Check if you don't believe me." They both waited, Double Trouble looking at her expectantly.

Adora was tempted. Her hand fell to her bag where Catra's phone was still pocketed. She opened her mouth to refute them but decided against it. They smiled at her and then finished their tea with a gulp and walked back to the edge, leering down at the band below.

"Are you having this same conversation with Glimmer?" Adora spat back as her eyes fell to the rehearsing group. Double Trouble rolled their eyes as they shook their head.

"Bow is welcome to stay of course. They all are," They paused, turning to Adora with a wicked gaze. "But let's not pretend they aren't replaceable."

Adora shook her head and stepped away. She had heard enough. Adora didn't know what she needed but whatever it was, it wasn't going to be found here. She looked to Catra, wanting so desperately to talk with her but found she was terrified of what she would say. Overwhelmed, she suddenly felt a desperate need for fresh air and a walk, her hangover a far away memory. "I need to go," Adora mumbled, pushing past Double Trouble towards the door. They didn't try to stop her, letting her get all the way to the door before adding, "Don't be a fool Adora." She ignored them but thought she heard a laugh as she shoved through the doors. She sprinted down the steps, narrowly colliding with a large mass of purple pigtails on her way down.

"Oh Adora! I didn't know you were coming today," Entrapta's smile quickly turned to confusion as Adora pushed past her with a whispered apology. "Okay see ya?!" Entrapta yelled behind her.

Tears were already starting to blind her vision but she kept walking, turning back only to check that Entrapta hadn't followed her out. Once she felt safe that she was alone, Adora's stomach knotted all over again. She cursed herself for accepting the coffee just as a trashcan came into view. She made a run for it, flinging herself over the edge as bile burned up her throat.

The tears came then, emotion taking over. Adora allowed a few to fall down her cheek before wiping them away. She sniffled and rubbed at her mouth, cleaning off any residue of coffee and the contents of her stomach. She wasn't sure what to feel. She trusted Catra and didn't want to go through her things and yet her fingers itched for the truth. Adora wanted desperately to believe in her girlfriend, and yet Double Trouble's confidence tripped her up. Slowly she reached into one of the pockets and pulled out her girlfriend's cell. She took a guess on the passcode, choosing Catra's favorite number, and suddenly found herself face to face with Catra's emails. She sighed as she clicked the one from Double Trouble.

There, in an attached document written in clear legal terms, was the contract with Catra's signature. Adora bit at her lip and felt her legs go weak as she sat herself on the curb, her eyes mesmerized by the proof in her fingers. She gasped when the phone started ringing in her hands and quickly shoved it back into the bag. Talking to Catra was too much right now. Instead Adora rubbed her hands against her cheeks, groaning and hoping it would solve her problems. Unfortunately, five minutes later, Adora still hadn't moved and felt 0% better. Grumbling, she shoved her hands into her pockets and froze. Her fingers wrapped around a tiny key. A key not just to the art museum, but the studio. Her shoulders fell, relaxing for just a moment. Adora promptly stood and switched directions, heading straight for the brick building that offered an escape, trying to keep her mind far away from the ringing in her bag.

By the time Adora got to the studio, the sun was well up in the sky and the museum looked busy with art students and teachers wandering about. Adora took the stairs, avoiding the crowd, and gasped when she took in the studio space. There were windows that lined a whole wall and small art pieces scattered along the gray paint. Plants hug around every corner and it was clear which side belonged to who. Adora's smile softened as she took in Mermista's assumed desk. It was tidy but filled with photos and trinkets. A small sculpture of a mermaid sat on the corner, her hair blowing back into the wind as her head escaped water. An ipad and computer were both plugged in and Adora assumed they were what Mermista worked on for her digital art.

In comparison, Perfuma's corner looked more like Adora's studio back in Seattle. Large intricate pieces of work took up the space, some half done and filling an entire corner. Two easels were set up beside it, although one looked to be unused and Adora gently ran a finger over the edges of it, smiling despite herself. There were empty canvases on the floor and Adora picked one, searching for paint and grinning in excitement when she found an entire cabinet filled with every color she could dream of.

A million different paintings came to mind with the emotions that swam in her mind but finally her stomach started to settle, and clarity came to her. She took a breath and brought brush to paper. If she couldn't have Catra, at least she would have this.

Despite her emotions, her hands remained steady as she dipped her brush and brought it across the fabric, starting with a blue pop of color that would quickly be shaded in to show the walls of the building. She painted the lights, the curtains, and the crowd taking her time with her work. Her phone buzzed but she ignored it, her attention on finishing what she started. With a last dip of her brush she added the red shadows to Catra's cheeks and Scorpia's lips. At last, she sat back with a smile, satisfied with her work and aware that the sun had already set. She would have to leave soon.

Not only had she missed lunch but also dinner, and any last moments she could've spent with Catra. Her heart sank but Adora also wondered if it was not for the best. She left the painting where it was, on Perfuma's stand, giving it one last look over before placing Catra's phone on the desk and scribbling a note to place underneath it. The key went on top along with the disposable camera Adora had forgotten to share. She took one last look, happy with her work, and then stepped outside without a second glance, sending a text to Glimmer that was time to say goodbye.

/

Catra paced in front of the restaurant as Adora's friends called her and recalled her, all to no avail. "Maybe she'll call us?" Perfuma offered softly, looking to Catra for confirmation. Catra snatched Perfuma's phone away with a growl.

"Don't you think she would have done that by now?!" She yelled, taking deep breaths to control her temper. Perfuma gave a worried glance to Mermista, who rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure she's fine," She added.

"How would you know?" Catra threw back, turning her anger on Mermista, who kept a calm face.

"I just know," She said vaguely, her eyes falling to her phone for just a moment. Catra's gaze lit up.

"Wait… You know where she is," Catra said, louder than expected. Mermista bit her cheek. "Tell. Me." Catra grabbed her by the shoulders, trying not to dig her nails menacingly into this girl's arms. Mermista glanced around, looking slightly nervous and hoping someone else would answer. When no one did she sighed and handed over her phone, already open to Adora's shared location. Catra recognized the studio immediately. "Let's go."

"Wait!" Mermista pulled Catra back and Catra had to keep herself from hissing at the other. "She must have gone there for a reason."

"But you know that…"

"I know," Mermista's expression softened and she rolled her eyes at Catra. "She's going to love the surprise. I know her. Maybe she just needed a moment to herself." Catra felt the fight leave her body. Adora had already missed lunch and she would be leaving soon. It was now or never and Adora didn't seem keen on the now.

Catra groaned, her attention returning to the lit up spot with Adora's initials. "Please. It needs to be now. You don't understand," Catra's words came out as a plea.

"What's the rush?" Perfuma asked. Catra looked nervously towards Bow and Glimmer. She wasn't sure what Bow had shared yet and she certainly wasn't going to mess that up too. She wanted to hit herself for signing that contract so soon. Sure, she was ready for it but if Adora found out before her surprise, it was not going to end well. She bit her lip as a feeling of uneasiness gripped her.

"I can't wait any longer. Bow, I'll see ya later. Glimmer… Good luck with whatever. You two," Catra sent a sharp nail pointed to Perfuma and Mermista, "Let's go."

Glimmer could be heard behind them giving a sarcastic goodbye as the three set off. Both Perfuma and Mermista grumbled as they headed towards the studio but they still kept pace with Catra, practically running towards the art gallery. Glimmer called Catra but Catra ignored it, trying to get to the building before she took off.

"She's on the move," Mermista said. They were still 5 blocks from the studio.

"No. No no no," Catra left the two behind her, taking off into a sprint towards their target. She could see a yellow cab out front, pulling away just as she reached the edge. "Wait!" Catra screamed to the car that was already pulling into traffic. "Damnit," She mumbled, running into the museum and immediately pushing students out of her way to make it to the stairs. She took them two at a time and pushed through the door into the studio space.

It took a minute for Catra to catch her breath as she looked around the empty room. There was no Adora, just a painting very clearly done by her left on the stand. Catra looked it over, not wanting to touch it in case it was wet. It was the band, playing in the Crimson Waste except Catra's normally fiery expression was softened, her eyes on someone in the crowd. At the front of the painting stood Adora, just the back of her head showing as she too stared up towards the other. Catra smiled at it fondly.

"Oh my," Perfuma said, as the two joined Catra, breathing heavy still from the walk. Catra ignored them, stepping away from the painting when she noticed her phone lying on the desk at their side. There was a note with it and the disposable camera Catra had given her for the holidays. She hesitated at the piece of paper but unfolded it all the same, reading it over.

C,

The pride I feel for you in this moment is without words. To watch you on stage is an honor. It's not just the music or the venue, it's you who tips the world on its side, taking no prisoners in your musical domination.

6 months isn't so long, but we both know it's only the beginning. So, thank you for giving me what you could. Now it's time I give you the same. Take your time, live your life, be the rockstar I know you can be. I need to go home and be with Angella and the life we've built there, and you – Well you need to stay here and build yours.

Don't make the mistakes I did. Don't throw away your dream, Catra. Live it. And maybe someday we'll meet again.

Goodbye for now,

A

Catra's hands shook as she read and re-read. She wanted to crumple it up but couldn't move, her hands as stuck to the spot as her feet. She looked away just for a moment to unlock her phone, the contract still up in her emails. She swore. "What does it say?" Perfuma asked cautiously, looking nervously between Catra and the paper in her hand. Catra clenched her teeth.

"She's gone. She's left me," Catra placed the paper gently back on the table, her eyes falling to the camera. She picked it up, weighing it in her hands and looking it over. With a sigh she turned and flung it pitcher style towards the opposite wall. Perfuma jumped as the camera shattered on impact, breaking open on the floor, revealing it's insides. Catra fell to her knees with a far off gaze in her look. "Would she have gone back to your place?" Catra asked softly.

Mermista made a sound and Catra looked up at her expectantly. "Glimmer grabbed their things… They're probably at the airport by now." Catra nodded, as if this news was nothing of importance. She had caused this, and now she would deal with the consequences. With a huff she stood, her expression hardening before their eyes. With a last sweep of the room and a long look at the painting still waiting expectantly on it's frame, Catra turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her and walking away.