"What do you guys say to one more Best Friends Squad road trip?"
"I'm in."
"Obviously."
"Of course I'm going with you, dummy."
"Then let's do this... together."
The four stood together a few moments more before Glimmer spoke. "Not right now, though, right?"
Catra shrugged. "I could go for a nap."
"Okay, fine," Adora sighed. "We can go to Bright Moon and get some rest."
"Actually," Glimmer started, slipping her hand into Bow's. "I need to check on my dad. I hit him with a lot of magic earlier."
Bow nodded. "I should probably see if there's any news about my dads, too. We'll catch up with you later."
When the new couple left, Melog bounded to Catra's side, and the trio began their walk back to Bright Moon. As they approached, the towering palace peeked out over the trees, and Adora looked to Catra nervously. She wondered what the other girl was feeling. It had only been a couple years since Catra had been here with a small army and ready to destroy the entire kingdom in the Horde's name. She couldn't help but notice Melog shrinking a few inches in size - did Catra also feel small looking at the looming structure?
As they emerged from the treeline, Catra's eyes fixed on Bright Moon's white walls, but Adora's attention remained focused solely on Catra. She kept looking her over, looking for signs of those flashbacks from Horde Prime's chip. Looking for any sign that she'd failed Catra. She didn't say anything on their walk, too nervous she might give away her worries. Adora knew Catra would hate it if she was overprotective. She wasn't the small kid from the Horde or the abused slave of Prime anymore. Catra had saved her - had saved everyone. When she looked into her blue and yellow eyes, the anger and fear that had swam in them for years was not gone, exactly, but overshadowed by a sense of strength. At that moment, Catra turned to her with those eyes, now strong and steady. Adora could feel her face flush. She hadn't had time to process her own feelings, but between holding Catra's lifeless body on Prime's ship, their time on Krytis, and the visions of the future she had just a little while ago, it was clear now that her love for Catra was more than familial. She touched her hand and whispered, "You're home now, Catra. We're home."
Adora led Catra towards the front of the palace, realizing just how little she used the main doors since Glimmer's teleportation tended to be the preferred method of entry. A pang shot through her as she wished Glimmer and Bow were with her now. The two had quickly embraced Catra as part of the Best Friend Squad, though Adora could see already not everyone would be so welcoming. People ran and chatted in scattered groups around the palace grounds - and most of their eyes were on them. Adora had gotten used to being scrutinized first as a Horde defector and then as She-Ra, but the glances now reminded her of her first days here. What's she doing with a Horde soldier, they all seemed to ask. Adora pulled Catra closer to her as they approached the entranceway, glaring at the guards as if daring them to deny the couple entrance. They hesitated for only a moment, and then they were inside.
Adora took a deep breath, but the respite was brief. Guards and makeshift medics bustled through the corridors. There was still a huge mess inside and outside Bright Moon's walls, and it called to Adora. She pushed the feeling back down. You are more than what you can give to other people. Surely saving the world and wiping Horde Prime from existence was worth one day to herself, right?
"It's… it's too busy," Catra mumbled as she grabbed her arm with her claws. Adora snapped out of her daze and refocused on Catra. She thought about how her best friend was probably seeing this place as what Adora had abandoned her for those few years ago. She knew it had been the right thing to do, but still she felt guilty now, in full view of the fountains and pillows that had been her home while Catra had been relegated to the Fright Zone.
She guided the other girl up to her room and hurriedly explained everything as best she could. She showed her the figures Bow had made for them and promised Catra that she would have her own very soon. She showed her the closet of clothes Glimmer had acquired for her, only to be denied by Adora's insistence on wearing her Horde uniform most of the time. It was what she knew best - how to move in it, how to fight in it. Even she had to admit it might be time for a change soon, though. Adora sat on the cot and felt the energy evaporate from her. Her muscles gave out as if finally allowed to rest for the first time. She looked up at Catra and gestured to the padded cot.
"The first bed was really fluffy and uncomfortable, and I, um, killed it." She felt embarrassed admitting that and looked away. She heard Catra laugh softly, and she snapped her eyes up to meet hers. She looked so beautiful when she was happy. Adora hoped she'd be seeing that way more in the days to come. She shrugged her shoulders and pointed to the far side of the room. "And before you ask, no, I don't know what the waterfall is for."
Catra scoffed. "Don't worry, I have no interest in that thing."
Adora watched her graceful movements as she walked over and perched up on the cot next to her. Catra leaned her head against Adora's shoulder purred softly. "Hey Adora, I love you," she said simply.
Adora ran her fingers through her lover's hair. "I love you, too."
A few hours later, Bow and Glimmer teleported into Adora's room.
"We should give them some privacy," Bow whispered. For all we know, they -"
Glimmer put a finger to her lips then pointed to the cot, where Adora lay asleep, mouth agape. At her feet, Catra had curled up and purred softly now in her sleep.
"Let's go." Glimmer grabbed Bow's arm. "I guess Adora can relax when it's with the right person."