The air in the Crimson Waste always got hot and heavy on a show night. When the fans and club goers would pack in, filling the empty space with sweat, smoke, and lively attitude. Catra normally loved that feeling. The intensity of a crowd of people, all hot and vibrant, stripping their normal cold weather getups for strappy tops and bare mid-drifts. She felt that air now, except in the bright morning sunlight, the thick air constricted her throat as she took in the bright eyes and hesitant smile on Adora's face.

Moments passed without a word, until Bow sighed and walked past her, brushing Catra's shoulder and giving her a look of general disapproval that sank into her stomach.

"Bow," Catra muttered softly.

"Later," He replied, continuing to Adora with a welcoming smile. Catra heard him whisper something to her that made her smile and the two embraced. Neither sent that same expression back to Catra, who stood alone, staring at them all.

"You look like shit," A familiar voice said from Catra's side, pulling her attention to the lead singer with the soft smile.

"It's been a long night," Catra replied, acknowledging Scorpa with a glance, "If you've come to beg for forgiveness, I'm all out at the moment." She crossed her arms, hoping the disposition of her body promised that everything was fine. Inside, Catra couldn't find a way to slow her heartrate and the air only grew tighter around her lungs. She tried to ignore it.

"I highly doubt that," Scorpia smirked, "But if it's necessary. I'm sorry I left." Catra's eyes remained on Adora, her focus on each inhale and exhale of her lungs. "Catra?"

"Huh?" Catra looked up to find Scorpia staring back with furrowed brows.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. We were just in the middle of something very important and I wasn't expecting," She wasn't sure how to finish that sentence, so many words came to mind. "I just need. I need," The words tumbled from Catra's lips, the last few caught in between heavy breaths. She peaked up, meeting Adora's bright blue eyes, and then there was no air, no escape from the mass of people around her. People who had come to help her but couldn't. No matter how this played out, Catra couldn't perform. She was handing over everything she could on a silver platter, no strings attached, and with no one left to figure out her life but her. It was the plan. "I just need a minute," Catra mumbled, forcing her gaze away from Adora, away from everyone's prying eyes as she stepped away.

"Wait," Scorpia started.

"No," Catra cut her off, walking away from the group as Light Hope appeared around the corner. Inhaling sharply, Catra slipped behind the bar, heading towards the side exit. How they could all breathe in that room was beyond her, but fresh air called to her beyond the doors. Tucking herself down, she made a run for it, escaping into the cool morning breeze and gasping for oxygen to re-enter her lungs. She took a deep breath, leaning over to grip her knees and stop the world from spinning.

"Catra?"

Anger simmered in her stomach, low and coiled at the sound of that voice. Not Scorpia, but Adora. She couldn't look at her, instead keeping her eyes on the pavement while trying to ease the tightened ache around her lungs.

A warm hand pressed to her back, and despite the emotions curling in her chest, the touch eased something. "I have you," Adora said simply, wrapping her arms around the other in a gentle embrace. It wasn't enough. Catra reached for her, pulling them together and gripping Adora into a tightly pressed hug that Adora obliged. Tears threatened at her eyes, but Catra focused on pushing them down, her cheek pressed to Adora's clavicle as she took in air. Adora was warm and strong and Catra inhaled something minty and fresh alongside the smell of whatever air travel Adora had just been on. A familiar smell that both calmed and buzzed at Catra's cheeks.

Neither spoke, as they held there together, within their own bubble of silence. Soon the air began to clear and Catra's breathing returned to normal. Adora continued to hold on, but when Catra released her Adora stepped back hesitantly, allowing the hug to dissipate between them until there was nothing but space between them. Only then did Catra look up at her.

Meeting Adora's eyes was like kickstarting her heart, the muscle clenched in her chest reminding her to continue focusing on her breath. Then the anger returned and whatever hurt or surprise was left in Catra's expression, iced over.

"Why are you here?" Catra asked, heat flaring in her cheeks at her initial reaction. She should have more control than that. Especially with Adora.

"For you."

"Yeah. Sure," She crossed her arms in defiance as a bitter laugh escaped her lips. Adora was watching her, opening and closing her mouth with no words to offer. Catra waited.

"It's true," Adora added, though her voice was quiet and conserved.

"Well. As I've already told Scorpia. You can beg but I'm all out of forgiveness and understanding for the day," Catra raised her eyebrows, waiting for the blonde to walk away, to leave. Daring her.

Adora just nodded, her eyes traveling down Catra's body as she took her in. Catra tightened her arms across her chest, feeling exposed. "What?" She barked back.

"You've been dealing with a lot."

Understatement of the year. Her first thought was to scream back at her ex, to make her feel as terrible as she had felt, but the fight just wasn't in her. "Yeah," Catra said instead, "No big deal. That's life."

Adora offered no response, just a nod. She too seemed like she couldn't bear to maintain Catra's eye contact, like the very act hurt her. Instead, she looked at the sidewalk, at the busy street and the people walking the sidewalk in front of them, just outside of their little alcove. Adora looked pale, her cheeks more hollow than normal with darkness rimmed around her eyes. Catra's heart kicked again. She wanted to touch that cheek, to pull the color back to Adora's face. It reminded her of when they were kids. A prime example of the type of body change that came with pain and sadness. Perhaps, in this case, heartbreak.

As if Adora could read her thoughts, her head snapped up, catching Catra's eye and whatever thought was held behind it. "Would it help?" Adora asked, causing Catra to turn her head in question. "If I begged for forgiveness. Would it help?"

"Probably not," Catra replied, determined to hold her ground.

"Not at all?" Adora stepped towards her, her pupils growing as her eyes fell to Catra's mouth, to her shifting looks. The air left Catra's lungs again but it had nothing to do with the air and everything to do with the blonde still moving towards her. Catra couldn't seem to move, her feet planted squarely in place, stuck there.

"I don't think you should move any closer," The words came out softer than Catra intended but it still gave Adora pause.

"For what it's worth. I am sorry," Adora's words washed over her. Then there was a warm hand pressing lightly into Catra's cheek. Catra didn't dare move, not even an inch. Adora's palm wiped something from Catra's face, something wet and her eyes went wide as the realization hit that they were tears. She tried to turn away, to hide herself, but Adora stopped her, that warm hand now firmly holding her in place. "It's okay," Adora whispered. She looked like she was in pain, her eyes mapping out every inch of Catra's. "I'm so sorry, Catra. I'm so unbelievably sorry."

"For what?" Catra whispered back, because the pair were so close she could smell the mint of Adora's hair, "For leaving again? For continuing to…" She paused before saying that thought. For continuing to break my heart. This time Catra did step back, pulling away from the warmth of the other. "I am all set without you in my life, Adora."

"I don't believe you." Adora raised an eyebrow at her, challenging her. The look gave Catra pause. This wasn't normally how Adora was. Adora wasn't a push-over, she never had been, but she always was with her. She always let her have what she wanted. Even if it meant the cops got called. Catra's chest clenched again. "Well that sounds like your problem," Catra raised her eyebrows in return and once again found them inches from each other, like they couldn't pull apart. Her face fell, just for a moment, as she met Adora's eyes. There was so much emotion in them, too much, as if Catra could sense the apology bursting in Adora's chest. They stayed like that, stuck in a bubble of their own world.

"I need to go back inside," Catra repeated, mostly as a reminder to start moving.

Adora nodded, "I hope you don't mind but Entrapta brought us up to speed." Catra's head spun to her.

"What did she tell you?"

Adora smiled, "That you gave up your spot in the band so they could keep playing here. That you found out what a snake Double Trouble really was and did what you do best." She smiled at her. Not bothering to add what that really was. "She also mentioned how good of a friend you've been." There was a gentle gleam in Adora's eyes that softened Catra, however slightly.

"I'm doing what I need to do. For the people in my life that cared enough to stick around," Catra knew the words would sting, but watching Adora flinch gave her no satisfaction. All it made her want to do is take it back. "I," She started, knowing she couldn't open that door without fully opening it, she couldn't start this without it somehow ending and if there was one thing she couldn't handle right now, it was another ending. "I need to go inside."

Adora nodded and it was like the spell was broken. The noise of the city returned, as did the sound of the door opening, and Entrapta's head poking out. "I'm coming," Catra nodded, pulling herself together as she turned to the door. Entrapta held it open for them, her gaze shifting between the pair.

"I'm sorry we didn't wait for you," Entrapta said, pulling Catra back towards the stage, where thankfully it looked like the group had decided to stay, based on how many people were now involved. The choice loosened Catra's chest. The thought of walking back into that meeting room was enough to send her home.

"Alright. I'm here," Catra started, offering an apologetic smile towards Light Hope and noticing a lack of Double Trouble in the room. She cast a glance around but found no indication of them.

"There's no need," Light Hope smiled in return. She stood, offering a handshake to Catra.

"What do you mean?" Catra eyed the outstretched palm in confusion.

"We're gonna take it," Lonnie said quietly. Bow stood silently with his arms crossed until Lonnie elbowed him. Hard.

"Ah," Bow shot her a look, "Yes we're going to take it." He looked sadly at Catra. "But only on one condition."

"Which is?" Catra rolled her eyes, waiting for Bow to ask for a drum solo or perhaps he was mad enough to ask Catra to never return to the band. A slight dip of anxiety fed at her.

"Scorpia comes back," He said softly, smiling at the lead singer. A smile almost broke out on Catra's lips, looking between them all.

"I guess that's fine," Catra answered, offering a tentative smile at Scorpia that was whole-heartedly returned. She failed to mention that the deal always included Scorpia, if she wanted it to.

"I mean it's not even Catra's decision anyways but whatever," Lonnie muttered between them all, causing Catra's death glare to fall on her. She raised her hands in surrender.

"We're in too," Entrapta smiled, her bandmates nodding in agreement.

"On one condition as well," One of the bandmates added, before leaning in to a mumbling crowd of First Ones. "Okay two conditions," They corrected, "One. That Double Trouble has no say whatsoever." They all nodded. Light Hope nodded in return. "And two." They turned to Catra, "Performing here is no favor from us. We live here. We will always support local." Catra looked around. "Was that the condition?"

They all laughed. "No, I'm afraid not. The condition is that well," They looked to each other, with unreadable expressions.

"That you write us a song," Entrapta finished with a smile.

Catra gasped, which sent the room into an eruption of responses. "I would be honored." The ache in Catra's chest grew, the tears once again prickling behind her eyes.

"Then it's settled then," Light Hope nodded, "Congratulations to both bands, as well as myself for bringing you all together. Catra rolled her eyes. "And Catra," Light Hope added, "The contract will be for 3 months. In that time, The Fright Zone may choose to return to Seattle, or we can rediscuss a contract," Light Hope once again held out a hand, "I look forward to arguing with you at that time, should you return."

Catra took it, smiling genuinely for her band, smiling for Entrapta and for their somehow success. The Fright Zone was smiling too, matching Catra's. Only half smiles, for they knew this also meant goodbye. Catra looked up, avoiding her friend's gazes to stop herself from feeling any more than she already was. A flash a green caught her attention from the mezzanine. Double Trouble. "Will you excuse me for just a moment?" Catra asked, as politely as she's ever asked anything. They all nodded, feeling the emotional rampage of the room, but Catra's fire had returned as she headed for the stairs.

She found Double Trouble seated in the farthest row, having probably moved away from the edge when Catra spotted them. Catra made eye contact as she approached and Double Trouble rolled their eyes but otherwise made no attempt to move. "What more could you possibly have to say?" They drawled, leaning back into their seat.

"Nothing left to say," Catra smirked, "I won after all."

"Did you? Performing here are you? I've heard differently," Double Trouble raised their eyebrows. Catra didn't bother to react as she plopped down in the adjacent seat.

"So do you still have a job here then orrr," Catra chuckled.

"Of course I do," They smiled, "Maybe not at the moment but even Light Hope can't keep me away for long."

"Shame," Catra added and Double Trouble flashed them a grin. They sat in silence for a moment and Catra wondered if she should leave them be. After all, she had done enough damage for one day.

"You know Kitten, you and I do have a lot in common." Double Trouble was watching her, their smile relaxing into one of general ease."And now we have one more thing in common." Catra turned to them then, her brows furrowed in hesitant interest.

"What could I possibly have in common with you?"

Double Trouble leaned in close, their eyes flashing brightly, a smile curling over the edge of their mouth. "We are both without purpose. We are both alone."

The thought sunk into Catra's skin, but it did not gnaw at her the way it normally would. She had purpose. She was not alone. Adora's familiar scent came to mind, her openness to hold her even when they were nothing. "Perhaps you're right," Catra shrugged, watching Double Trouble's expression twitch with unsatisfaction. Then they did something unexpected, they smiled.

Catra hardly saw a genuine smile on DT's face and the expression caught her off guard. They made it worse by laughing a loud, bellowing laugh, that brought tears to their eyes. "Oh kitten. It's really over. And what a fight you had." They shook their head.

"Thank the gods that it's over," Catra rolled her eyes, and heard DT break into a chuckle once more.

"I'll be back you know. I never back down from a challenge."

Catra smiled then, her lips curling up into a genuine and fearsome grin. "I would expect nothing less."

They nodded to each other, sitting for another moment in silence. The exhaustion was starting to hit her though, and she felt it was almost time to let go of her role here. At least for the moment. With a sigh, she went to leave, pausing only for a moment before leaving Double Trouble for good. "I have one more question for you," Catra said, turning to the other. DT rolled their eyes. "Did you call Adora? To distract me during this?"

Their classic side grin sliding up in one cheek, their expression unreadable as Catra waited. "As much as I would love to take credit for the idea if it did distract you at all - I would not have done that."

"Why not?" Catra asked, trying to hide her curiosity.

Double Trouble looked her over, and Catra's jaw clenched. "There are many reasons I wouldn't have called Adora but the short answer is that I am no fool. One of you is plenty to fight. Together," They paused, shaking their head, "Together I stood no chance."

Catra waited, her eyes burning into theirs and trying to read if it was the truth or not. Double Trouble just looked at her warily, the glint of their eyes softened beneath exhaustion, as if the fight was now over for them as well. At least for now. "You mean that don't you?" Catra asked, with shock and slight surprise.

They laughed. "I think I have shared enough."

The pair nodded and then Double Trouble stuck out a hand towards Catra, a surprise in itself that tugged at Catra's heart. Whether or not she wanted to believe it, she had felt a familiarity with Double Trouble and now her chest ached at the sense of loss. A sense of loss for a friend, her band, a portion of her future. There was something else there too, though. A flutter of possibility as she looked down, catching a peak of The Fright Zone, of Light Hope, and the person she knew waited for her below – Adora. She smirked and slid her hand into Double Trouble's. "Until next time." They shook.