Are you my Step-Dad

Another day, another time for Hordak to spend time for himself at his favorite Coffee shop. Sitting outside in his favorite spot where he would be able to socially observe people and gather data for Entrapta later.

Today of all days was a busy day for apparently Dryl was hosting the She-Ra today for some festival. Hordak didn't like festivals, and while he would be by Entrapta's side during the official duties he wanted to have a moment or two to himself before having to deal with public appearances.

Beign, the lab partner of the Princess of Dryl, Hordak was always by Entrapta's side during public functions. Entrapta herself wasn't always happy during these moments, making big speeches and all that but she always was able to bring some sort of energy to it. Especially last month during the first ever Dryl Science for the local school children. Apparently it was the biggest one and quite a success. Hordak couldn't help but smile as he saw how excited Entrapta was to see all the young cadets of the Kingdom explore the sciences. He himself couldn't help but be proud for these little ones.

Hordak always admired talen and saw one strive to their full potential. Even in the Horde he always tried to promote talent whenever he personally saw it. One of the reasons he so willingly gave Catra the Force Captain promotion that was originally meant for Adora. That was before he realized how much of a mistake that would be. But her test were still quite high and objectively speaking her skills were useful.

Regardless it was just nice to be a little alone and take a sip of coffee.

"Lord Hordak"

Hordak flinched, he turned to look and see a familiar looking blonde girl in a red jacket walking up to him. It was the She-Ra herself, Adora.

"She-Ra" Hordak nodded.

"Um...You can call me Adora" She blushed, smiling nervously.

"Oh...Adora" Hordak nodded, "And you may just call me Hordak, I have not been your Lord for few years now"

"Right sorry Lord, I mean...Hordak" Adora looks at the chair and Hordak nodded, "Sorry, I just wanted a moment to myself before I go into the crowd"

"I see…" Hordak's eyes widened as he realized something, "Is Catra here?"

"Yes, but she's helping Entrapta get her hair caught in one of the eternal gears of her supercomputer"

"I see" Hordak muttered, not liking the idea of Catra being near Entrapta, "Yes, that happened last week, took me and Emily a hour to untangle her, but she loves to get into the Supercomputer to see the eternal mechanics of it all"

Adora coughed slowly sitting down after a moment of awkward silence, "So...how are you"

"I am fine" Hordak said, "And you?"

"Oh...Fine...Fine…"

It was an awkward conversation to say the least, Hordak and Adora hardly talked. In fact the last time they really were near each other was after the war when she had freed his mind of Horde Prime. Ever since then the two of them had gone their own way. Hordak in Dryl, Adora and Catra in Brightmoon. Not that he had anything against her. If anything he didn't really feel anything positive or negative. The one thing he could question was her choice in partner with Catra, but from what little he knew their history was one where he could understand even if he didn't like it.

However that was not his place, so he never mentioned it.

"Um, Hordak" Adora scratched her chin, "I-I have a question that I've been wondering for a while"

"I see, well hopefully I can answer"

Adora chuckled nervously, "Ha ha, yeah...Um...Are you my step dad"

Hordak paused, taking his drink and eyeing her closely now, "What?"

"Well I mean you found me as a baby and took me into the Horde and well people tell me that's kinda like a dad…" Adora scratched her chin nervously, "I honestly have no idea what a dad really is, I mean I see Glimmer and King Micha together so I go off of that but I never had a mom or dad. Guess the closet thing I had to a mom was Shadow Weaver but um...yeah...that...not always fun"

There was a moment of silence between the two of them now. Hordak took a sip of his coffee. However as he did his mind went to the day he found young Adora upon the fields where the energy readings of portal had been discovered. It had been a strange day. He remembered how his mind went into thinking that Horde Prime had found him. How excited he was at the prospect of Prime returning and showing him what was accomplished on Etheria. But instead all he found was a young child.

Hordak remembered though that he did not express anger or frustration, but instead...Interet, confusion, and remembering how this tiny thing looked upon him not with fear, but with a smile.

"Adora…" Hordak sighed, "I could not say with honesty what emotions I felt when I found you, as you know...things like that did not nor still don't come easily to me"

Adora nodded looking at Hordak with genuine intrigue.

"However…" Hordak took another breath, "If I could interpret what I remember...when I saw you it was...interest...and...understanding"

"Understanding? Adora asked.

"Yes" Hordak nodded, "I-I understood you, though not as much as I should have. But I felt...I knew you were like me, lost...confused, alone in a world that was not your own. In some ways Adora, we are very much alike".

"We are?" Adora asked.

"I think so" Hodak nodded, "Entrapta told me much of your story after the war...I She-Ra not a weapon made by the First Ones?"

"Well, kinda at least the She-Ra I first turned into" Adora said looking like she was trying to put the pieces together, "The She-Ra I turn into now I think is like...the real one or something? It's weird?"

"Most magic is" Hordak said taking a sip of coffee, "But my whole life as well was to be weapon as well...To be part of Prime's will"

"Yeah, that must suck"

"Indeed" Hordak looked sad, "And I guess I too must apologize for turning you into a weapon"

Adora seemed confused, "You didn't make me into a weapon?"

"You were to be a soldier in the Horde, is that not a weapon?"

"Well I don't know, it was more Shadow Weaver that wanted to use me, otherwise I would have just another soldier"

"That is still not much of a life" Hordak argued, "I should know, that would have been my life if I was not a defected clone. And the rest of my brothers would still be under Prime's thumb"

Adora nodded, "Yeah but look at them...Becoming part of Etheria society, I saw a few days enjoying the celebrations and partying. Can you believe it...Clones partying...that's awesome!"

Clones partying, that was something in a million years Hordak would have thought he heard. Though part of him could not deny a bit envy but still happiness how quickly the rest of his brothers had been coping with Etherian life, and even more how for the most parts the people of Etheria had taken to them, embracing them, even some helping them out from time to time, taking a few ins for those who could not find homes. Hopefully they will be happy and live good lives.

"Anyway" Adora continued, "Sorry, it was silly of me to ask"

"Hardly" Hordak replied, "I wish I could have been more to you then what I was back in the Fright Zone Adora, I left you in Shadow Weavers care and made a grave mistake that day… It's honestly something I think about from time to time, for when I held you as an infant I...I was fond of you".

"Really?" Adora seemed happy, "So...Can I ask, why did you take me back with you? I mean you didn't have to. Not that I'm not...Well...I'm glad I'm not dead"

Hordak chuckled, "It's alright I know it's complicated for you I'm sure. Perhaps I felt that day that...because we were so similar, I did not want you to feel alone? That you could...Find purpose here even though you were so far away from where you came from like me? Because...If you could find purpose then maybe...Maybe I could have too"

Adora just nodded, "I, I think I understand, and while I can't say thank you for taking me back to the Fright Zone. Not completely, I can at least say...Not everything was bad because of it"

"Indeed, otherwise we wouldn't be here sitting while I drink coffee"

"I guess we wouldn't" Adora chuckled before smiling at Hordak, "I-I hope we could have more of this…

"Coffee"

"Yeah that stuff" Adora nodded, "All my life I only knew about you through stories the officers would tell, or whatever Glimmer would say. I-I wouldn't mind us being friends and getting to know the real Hordak"

Hordak gave a small smile "If you wish, I would like to know the real...Adora"

"Thanks, you know...I've got to make a big speech today for the festivities and stuff and well...I'm sure you'd be there for Entrapta but...I'd like you to be there too"

Hordak blinked, "Me? Wouldn't it be a bit ironic that the enemy She-Ra faced was now standing beside her?" he gave a smirk, testing his sarcasm data he had been acquiring for social chatter.

Adora shrugged, "I don't think of it like that...I think of it as...Two people who were wronged by greater powers coming together and starting a new"

"Yes…" Hordak nodded, "Well, will see, but I will most likely be there for Entrapta"

Thanks Hordak, that means a lot...hey um, can I try some?" Adora asked, pointing at the coffee "I've never had any before"

"Of course"

Hordak handed Adora his cup so she could take a sip, suddenly her eyes grew a bit as she seemed a bit jumpy.

"Oh wow!" Adora beamed, "This stuff is amazing, I feel so energized right now, I think I could run a marathon, in fact...I will" She looked back to Hordak and waved goodbye, "Nice talking to you Hordak, see you around"

She ran off, Hordak just watching as Adora ran through the streets seeming quite frantic all of a sudden and smiled. Hard to believe that was the same baby he had picked up all those years ago. That by taking her into the Fright Zone, while sadly yes, she did subject her to a life under Shadow Weaver's thumb, that after all that instead of having her sword go right through him as he probably deserved in his own mind, instead, she saved him, and forgave him, and even wanted to still be a friend for him.

"BROTHER!"

Hordak looked to see Kadroh arrive, "Brother"

"Hello brother, will you be attending the She-Ra festivities today"

There was a moment Hordak paused before thinking of Adora, and when she was a baby and realizing at that moment just how far she came. Something inside swelled. It took a moment for him to figure out what it was before he realized it was pride. He felt pride for the woman who he picked up as a child and now she was the savior of the universe.

"Yes" Hordak smiled "Yes I am" he got up now putting his Coffee down, "Plus, I believe Entrapta will be making a speech and I want to make sure she doesn't get to nervous when she does"

"Doesn't she normally get too excited and speak too fast?" Kadroh asked.

Hordak nodded, "That too, I can help slow her down a bit if she does"