Scorpia couldn't help but scoff as she stood across the street from The Heart Bookstore. The glass windows, which normally had large displays of major sellers and new releases, now had a full pane covered only in posters of The Fright Zone along with the words "Support Local. Dream Big" written beautifully in cursive along the border. She tried to imagine Catra's reaction to it and rolled her eyes the way her counterpart would. Inside though, Scorpia thought it looked rather nice. There was a strange tug in her chest to go inside but still she stood frozen to the spot. There was a thought pulling at her that she wanted to rip out of her skull, but still it sat there, telling her to go inside. Telling her to find Adora.

It wasn't that Scorpia hated Adora, but she had certainly taken a long time to warm up to her and even then, it had been difficult to watch the bookshop owner win Catra over with less than half the effort Scorpia had put in. She took a breath, trying not to remember all the effort she put in, the effort she continued to put in, just to remain her friend. She shook her head, clearing the thought like a bad taste in her mouth. The memory of Catra's expression when Scorpia told her she was leaving etched itself into her mind. Scorpia knew what she was doing but even then, she hadn't been prepared for the emotion she felt. For the emotion she saw, reflected back. Slowly, she took a deep breath of Seattle air and made her way towards the posters. She was pretty sure there was no harm in saying hello. It would be nice break from her thoughts at the very least.

The bell chimed quietly upon her entry, and Scorpia stopped at the threshold, mouth falling open. The bookstore looked to be thriving. A young woman stood behind the counter, her hairstyle similar to Scorpia's although purposefully dyed an almost gray color that hung over half her face instead of slicked back like her own. She offered a smile as she placed two coffees in front of the couple chatting away at a beautiful curved wooden bar that turned into a front desk as it rounded the corner. "Hello," said the woman brightly, "Those are our new releases." She gestured to the table in front of Scorpia, who nodded as she took in the rest of the store. Tons of art pieces hung from the walls, some with price tags, others as demonstrations of their paint nights which occurred "every Wednesday and Thursday" according to the sign. "Most of the art is done by one of our own," The girl continued, "Oh here she is now." The words fell casually out of the woman's mouth and yet Scorpia's head snapped up, her eyes falling to the blonde making her way down the stairs.

Adora's hair was thrown haphazardly up into a bun, with paint splotched on every surface of her clothes and exposed skin. To anyone off the street, they might think Adora walked right out of a book. The perfect heroine to their stories with her big eyes and artistic touch. The idea usually made Scorpia gag, but today it stopped her. There was something different about the blond. Dark circles surrounded her eyes and her cheeks were hollow, darkened even more by pale skin that had clearly not been outside too much. It wasn't what Scorpia had been expecting, and she stole a glance back at the door, wondering if it was too late to get out.

"Scorpia?" a soft, questioning voice.

Apparently, it was. Their eyes met and Adora's questioning expression turned to one of pure happiness, a smile stretching across her cheeks. Scorpia wasn't used to that look, the face of someone who's genuinely missed you. She melted slightly. "Scorpia," Adora said again, opening her arms wide as she bounced over to the other, just stopping short of actually hugging her as they both seemed to realize who the other was. Adora paused, dropping her arms to a handshake, which Scorpia just stared at, sighing. "Oh come here," Scorpia said, scooping Adora up into her arms and hearing a small chirp of surprise. "I'm a hugger," Scorpia continued, both to Adora and to the other worker who was now watching the interaction with wide eyes.

"Netossa this is…" Adora laughed, regaining her footing as Scorpia dropped her back onto the floor.

"Scorpia," Netossa finished quietly, looking now between Scorpia and the posters along the wall where Scorpia's face took up much of the room. She flushed and the singer followed.

"Nice to meet you," Scorpia tossed a wave and a tight smile. Netossa looked like she might vomit. Scorpia continued to stare, wondering how weird this was going to get. She spared another glance at the door although it was far too late to escape. Thankfully Adora pulled her away, laughing quietly to herself as she stared between them.

"I didn't know you were back in Seattle," Adora said brightly, her smile dropped then, turning to one of concern. "Is everyone back? Has something happened?"

"No no. Everything's… fine." Although it didn't exactly sound convincing. Adora continued to stare at her. A customer pushed past them, a pile of books in their hands, and Adora dropped her questioning look, reminded of where they were. "Why don't you come back with me," Adora nodded to her studio, leading Scorpia past the customers and up a set of stairs.

The studio had been entirely transformed since Scorpia last saw it and she hardly recognized most of the art. New sculptures and paintings hung along the edges or lay in neat piles leaned against the walls. In fact, almost all of the art looked new. There was a stack of canvases and easels in the corner that must be used for their paint nights. Adora was mumbling to herself about the mess and shoving things around, so Scorpia took a moment to walk around.

She had seen Adora's art before but somehow the pieces in this room seemed different. There was raw emotion here. Palpable even to an outsider. There were calm paintings of ships and islands but even these had streaks of red that embodied an unknown fight or perhaps protection. Scorpia smiled to herself. She had never been one to truly understand art until she met Perfuma. She touched a finger tip to the edge of the painting and thought of the flower child back in New York. It calmed her. There was one painting she did recognize. It was hanging in the center of the wall, right across from Adora's desk. A tech-eske heart with blue and silver paint. Again, some red paint had been added. It was rather mesmerizing.

"Scorpia," Adora's voice drew her attention back. The blonde was leaning against her desk, her ankles and arms crossed. She was staring at her, pretending to look calm but Scorpia could see her fingers twitching, the tightness in her jaw. Scorpia was glad to see her agitated. After all, she had done damage too. Adora huffed, hoping this would get the other to open up but Scorpia just smiled in return. "If she's not okay please tell me," Adora said when it was clear the other was content without speaking. Scorpia scoffed in return.

"Seriously? Of course she's not okay. She hasn't been okay for weeks," Scorpia gave her a pointed stare, "Not that you've minded." Adora met her eyes, with shock at first but then her face fell, the fight leaving her as quickly as it came. "I never meant to hurt her."

"Well, you did," Scorpia snapped back.

"Is that what this is about?"

"Not everything's about you Adora," Scorpia rolled her eyes. They stood in silence, Adora tapping her foot lightly against the floor. After a moment her eyes returned to Scorpia's, her head cocked. "So, are you going to tell me then?"

"Tell you what?"

"Why you're here," Adora's tone had softened, along with her eyes. The corner of her mouth lifted.

Scorpia paused. She wondered if yelling at Adora would really make her feel better, really thought about what it would feel like to have it out with the blonde, but she knew it wouldn't help in the long run. In fact, Scorpia wasn't sure she was even mad at Adora, now that they stood together, enemies to friends. The thought that had pulled her into the bookstore came back to her. That Adora should know everything. She shoved it down but the words itched at her throat. She needed to talk to someone. Adora was waiting patiently as these thoughts washed over Scorpia and after a moment, Scorpia lifted her chin, deciding she was ready. "I left the band."

"Oh," it was clear this wasn't what Adora was expecting to hear, but still she looked concerned, upset even. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"Why?" Adora quirped, leaning forward with interest.

Scorpia avoided Adora's gaze now, staring mostly at the floor with her hands in her pockets. "Because I'm going to go back of course."

"Of course," Adora repeated, waiting, her eyes roving about like she was trying to figure out a solution to the math problem in front of her.

"It's just Double Trouble sucks," Scorpia began, rubbed a hand down her face as she resolved into the story, "They're slowly pulling Catra away from the rest of us and she's just letting them. She won't listen to any of us. She's barely talked to us since you left." Adora flinched and Scorpia paused to rake a hand through her hair. "The truth is nothing I say helps. Nothing I do works." She didn't want to say it, but the words kept coming, everything she had been feeling, everything she knew was true. "The truth is, as much as I care for Catra, I care more about this band. And what this group needs is for Catra to hear us," Scorpia chewed on her lip. "And the only person she's going to listen to is, uh, well. you." The last few words came out slowly and awkwardly but once they were out, Adora looked at her with understanding.

"That's not true."

Scorpia held in her laugh. "You have no idea how much I wish it wasn't true. I don't get it. You two. I mean what does she even see in you?"

"I…"

Scorpia swiftly cut her off, "I mean why did you leave her? I was just starting to like you. We all liked you. And then you abandoned us. I mean… her."

"I didn't mean to abandon you, Scorpia."

"Not me. Obviously not me," She fidgeted, she had said too much, gone too far into that thought. Scorpia backed away again, this time noticing a painting of a bleach blonde singer stuck behind a few others. She paid no mind to Adora as she walked over and pulled it out, looking down at the painting of herself, lit up from behind like a silhouette. "What's this from?"

"I developed the pictures Catra took on her disposable camera so I could paint them. That's one of my favorites," Adora was speaking soft and slowly, as if speaking to an animal that might run off if she wasn't careful, "Listen. When I left a few years ago, I wanted to explore myself on my own. I thought I needed to in order to be successful. I realized while I was there that I was deeply in love with Catra. I also realized I wasn't as good without her. She was like, my muse. I abandoned my whole world there to come back for her."

Scorpia listened, although her eyes remained on the painting, her fingers tracing lightly against the red lines of her painted body.

"I worried that if I stayed with Catra now…"

"That she would do the same? Abandon her career for you?" Scorpia guessed.

Adora laughed. "At first, yes, but now that I'm home I think it's much worse than that. When I found out she had accepted more time at the club. That she didn't care if I was a part of it, it was actually the opposite. I would give up everything for her, but she had already done what I couldn't. She was successful all on her own. She didn't need me. It hurt." A tear rolled down Adora's cheek, barely noticed by Scorpia except Adora's hand flew quickly to her cheek to brush it away. "I'm an idiot. And selfish."

"Thank you for saying that," Scorpia smiled.

"What?"

"The idiot and selfish part."

Adora laughed. Scorpia joined her. She put the painting down, finally joining the open spot next to Adora, both leaning against the desk, shoulder to shoulder. "You two are messy."

"Just a bit," Adora admitted with a shake of her head.

"You know. You are successful without her," Scorpia's eyes once again roamed the room. It was true, Adora had talent.

"Yeah. I guess in the end we both got what we wanted."

"Did you?"

"Did I what?"

"Get what you wanted?" Scorpia asked. Silence fell between them, Adora's smile fading away. Scopia took a breath, "Do you still love her Adora?" She thought the question would burn in her mouth, but it fell out natural and with interest. Surprsingly, genuine interest.

Adora nodded, "Yes."

"Then come back with me. Tell her."

Adora shook her head. "Weren't you listening? It won't make a difference, Scorpia. She doesn't love me."

"Of course she loves you!"

"Did she tell you that?"

"Well," Scorpia paused. There was shuffling below and it was distracting Adora, she walked over, seemingly unbothered by Scorpia's questions. She seemed to have her mind made up. Scorpia's stomach knotted. "No, she didn't. Because she didn't have to. She didn't choose between her career and you, Adora. You chose for her."

Adora's cheeks flared. "I didn't…"

"You did. So do you stand by it? Your decision?" Scorpia raised her eyebrows.

"Well, no but.."

"Then fix it," Scorpia stood, wondering if this would be enough. If this would get Adora to the airport. "Or let it go."

Adora looked bothered and hurt, her jaw tight. "I hear you Scorpia."

"Do you? Then come to the airport. Come back with me."

"I can't just leave."

"Figure it out!"

"Enough Scorpia! I hear you."

"Fine," Scorpia answered defiantly, taking one last look at the picture of herself, the heart on the wall, and then peering down below to the glass panes filled with the Fright Zone posters. "Don't pretend you're done Adora. Look at you, you're a ready built hero. Be one."

Adora stood, stunned to the spot. "Please go Scorpia."

"I was already leaving," Scorpia turned, pausing for a moment longer, "My flight's in 2 days. I'll send you the info." Scorpia hoped it was enough, that the unsaid was still there, between them. Come, be a hero. Don't, and let Catra go. Adora wasn't looking at her, but she turned her head slightly, an indication she had heard. Scorpia nodded, and with that she walked out of the store, her fingers crossed, the tightness in her chest loosened slightly. Regardless of if Adora showed up, Scorpia felt something else as well. A lightness in her chest that wasn't expecting to get from her conversation with Adora. She had needed that talk to finally let go of Catra, and she smiled at the thought of returning to her own blonde artist back in New York. Of a chance to start fresh with Perfuma at her side. For The Fright Zone, she had done all she could though, the choice was up to Adora now.

Two days later, bags in hand, Scorpia said goodbye to Seattle, awaiting anxiously for the other as she made her way through TSA. She needn't have worried though, for Adora was already seated at the gate, her expression nervous as she chewed on her lip. Upon seeing Scorpia though, it calmed, and the pair smiled to each other. Neither mentioned the decision that was made, nor the fear that Adora wouldn't show. They simply nodded to each other, two friends, preparing to help another. With that, they headed off to New York.