It took two days for Adora to even look at them, never mind talking to them. No, that took four days. Shit, she'd even moved rooms. Poor Violet didn't know what was what, often choosing to stay with Bow and Glimmer for stability. Catra knew she was in the wrong for letting Adora stay with her parents, shit, even talk to them about parenthood, for a week without saying anything. But that display four days ago? It only proved the point that Adora would've blown up and needed it in gentle doses.

Understandably, to be honest. If the roles were reversed, Catra knows she would've done some damage in her rage. She was lucky enough that her parents had actually died when she was a kitten. On the fourth night, Glimmer gave Catra the kick up the ass she needed. "Your wife is hurting, Catra. She's hurting and she's feeling betrayed by the people she thought she could trust," Glimmer said. Catra pushed her stake around. "You need to talk to her," Glimmer stole a chip off of her plate, much to her chagrin. "I've tried, Sparkles. She's barely even looking at me," Catra moaned. Glimmer flicked her head. "Make her then," She said. "Make her listen," Catra's ear twitched. "I've not known Adora even half as long as you have, but I did know her in the hardest three years of her life. You've just gotta make her listen," Catra pushed away her dinner, suddenly feeling sick. "She's stubborn and can be an ass, but she'll always listen. This is just a big fuck up that needs explaining," Catra sniffed, bringing her tail into her lap to stroke it down. "But what if she doesn't want to see me, Sparkles?" Catra was embarrassed by her voice crack. "She doesn't, and that's ok. You're in a spat. But she'll listen to you, Catra," Catra sighed heavily. "What if I send Bow in, too? As a peacekeeper, of sorts? He can balance both of your arguments. He did it for us... countless times,"

So, the following evening, Catra finally broached her stubborn, asshole, wife, backed up by Bow. If it all went south and their tempers clashed, which they often did, Bow was going to be the peacemaker. She felt the need to knock still, despite everything. "Who is it?" Adora's voice called through the thick mahogany. Catra winced. She sounded sore and... and... utterly broken. "It's me," She called back. Silence replied. "Adora, baby, I know you're mad, but I need to talk to you," Catra pressed her hand against the door, desperate to feel her wife's soft skin beneath it. "You're damn fucking right I'm mad," She hissed through the door. "Please?" Catra asked.

The other room was deathly silent for a few moments. "Fine,"

Catra opened the door, stepped in and quietly shut it behind. Adora sat on the window seat, looking out into the castle courtyard where Violet was playing with Glimmer, being teleported and thrown into the air. A glass of water was on the vanity table, alongside a plate of stake. Catra had eaten the stake last night, so it was well over twelve hours old. Catra stepped further into the room, perching on the edge of the bed. Bow stood a few steps behind. His presence alone helped reassure her that she was doing the right thing. "You look thinner," Catra commented. Adora huffed, turning further away from her new company. "I've been eating, Catra, I'm not stupid," Adora turned with a disgusted face, gesturing to the fancy bathroom. "Or did you forget yet another important thing, in that I'm pregnant, fighting a constant battle to not meet our kid early?" She hissed. Catra ground her teeth. "No," She said lowly.

Bow cleared his throat. A warning, if she'd ever seen one.

She sighed. "Look, can I at least explain my side before you go all She-Ra on me and rip my spine out?" She asked. Adora hummed, turning back to the courtyard. "You can say whatever you want. Doesn't mean I'll forgive you," She spoke icily. Bow moved closer. "Adora, please," He implored. Adora's blonde hair swung as she broke her neck to see him. "Hi, Bow," She smiled softly. "Listen, I'm always on your side, but Catra's been beside herself. Can you hear her out, nicely?" Bow tried. Adora's face hardened. "Doesn't really sound like you're on my side," She said. Bow remained composed. "Ok, do it for Vi then," He pulled the ultimate dirty card. Adora's breath caught in her throat. "Don't you throw her at me," She whispered. "I'm not. That poor girl doesn't know whats what with you two arguing. She's been staying with me and Glim. You have to sort your acts out," Catra's jaw ground against itself.

Ouch. Message received.

"Fine. I'll listen," Adora twisted in the window seat, curling up against the wall, back to the glass, facing the duo.

"You're gonna let me speak without shouting over me," Catra said. Adora shrugged. "Maybe. Depends on what you say," She conceded. Catra shook her head. "Fine, fine," She wiped her hands on her leggings. "A message came through at some point. I was only told about it four days before we left," She began. "It was from the King and Queen, asking for She-Ra's help in a potential clone uprising," She gestured for Bow's datapad. "Here, read it," She passed it over. Adora snatched the pad out of her grasp. "Wait, how did any of you read this? You don't understand First One's language," Adora asked with a furrowed brow. Catra reached to take it back. "We've got the translated version on there too," Adora pulled the pad away, levelling her with a deadpan warning. "I can understand First Ones, Catra," She began to read the letter. "Or have you forgotten that too?"

Catra's tail began to swish in the air in irritation. She sighed softly, reigning her temper in. A few seconds later, the pad was thrown onto the bed. "So all of you knew?" Adora's voice was quiet, deadly. "Yes," Catra said. "I didn't want to tell you immediately because I was worried about how you'd react," She admitted quietly. "You- you were so sick, and tired and in pain, and we were probably gonna fight some fucking clones again," Catra began to ramble. "In case you hadn't noticed, I'm still sick and tired and in pain," Adora hissed. "I know, please, just let me finish," Catra begged. Adora stood up from the window seat and began pacing. In the last five days, her bump had grown. At least in Catra's eyes. She looked radiant.

"We weren't even sure if this was legit, first of all. Why tell you if it's fake, or-or they were mistaken, and they thought the sword went to another kid? There's no pictures of you as She-Ra, how would they have known?" Catra continued, watching Adora's angry pacing. "I get that," Adora admitted. Catra felt herself relax slightly, thinking they were making some ground. "But what I don't understand is why you made me wait a week, Catra," Adora snapped. Catra looked down. "I... I don't actually have an answer for that," She admitted.

Adora's bare feet audibly skidded to a stop against the marble floors. "I'm sorry?" She hissed. "I don't know, Adora," Catra stood up herself and began pacing. Bow moved to the bed, staying quiet for the time being. "So you knowingly kept me from my parents for a week longer than you needed to?" Adora spun to face her, her nightdress dragging on the ground. "Look at you!" Catra hissed. "You're five months fucking pregnant! You cry over the colour of our daughter's SOCK!" Catra scoffed. "Shit, you exploded when your own father went to touch your arm and threw him into the WALL!"

Oops.

Adora froze. Her chin began to wobble. "Catra," Bow warned. "Shit, I-I'm so sorry Adora," Catra stepped forward. "Don't come near me," Adora hissed, stepping back. Her hand moved to the underside of her belly, a habit Catra had the awe of watching as she grew their baby. "I've had DINNER with my MOTHER, CATRA!" Adora cried. "She's held my HAIR when I've been SICK!" She stepped closer. "I'VE HAD ADVICE ABOUT CHILDBIRTH FROM MY MOM AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT!" She screamed. "The ONE woman I wanted in my pregnancy, and YOU KNEW SHE WAS HERE THE WHOLE TIME!" Adora's voice cracked painfully. "The one woman... right. You'd rather have some stranger that shot you outta her birth channel twenty-one years ago at your side, over your wife?!" Catra scoffed. "YES! SHE'S MY MOM! SHE IS THE ONLY PERSON I WANT!" Adora's chest heaved for breath.

Bow stood in between the two feuding wives. "Ok, you both need a breather," He moved to guide Adora away, but she slapped his hand, turning and stalking to the window. Catra turned, too angry to even look at Adora's blonde locks, frozen on the spot, both hurt and angered by the admission. "You'd really rather have your mom rather than me?" Catra's voice ran before her mind did. Bow turned with a warning glare. Adora was silent. "You would," Catra realised quietly. "Answer me, Adora," She spat.

"Catra, wait a minute," Bow hissed. Catra rolled her eyes. "I don't need you to keep the peace anymore, Arrows. That's long gone," She chuckled bitterly. She turned back, rolling her eyes. "Don't play that card, you're fine, as you've spat several times," Catra mocked, unable to stop it. "Catra, I don't think she's playing any card," Bow warned. "Shit," Adora gasped quietly, hunched over the bump, hands digging into the wooden unit. Catra's brow furrowed. "Are you ok?" She asked, moving closer. Adora gasped, her eyes squeezing shut as a whine broke from her lips. "Bow, get help," Catra hissed, closing the distance. "Stay here," He replied, flying out of the door. "What's wrong? Talk to me," Catra grabbed her shoulders. "Hurts," Adora ground out, a sob bubbling from her lips. "So bad," Catra bundled her into her arms. "You're gonna have to give me more than that," She said. Adora's eyes leaked tears, thick and fast.

"Come on, sit down," Catra guided her to the bed, forcing her down. "Something's wrong," Adora gasped, curling tighter in on herself. Catra sat on the ground, between her legs, rubbing her knees in a weird way of reassurance. "You're gonna be ok," She whispered. "Ok? You're both gonna be fine," She put her hand on Adora's bump. The room was quiet, save for the laboured breathing from her wife and the rapid heartbeat of Catra's heart. "Catra," She was up immediately. "What do you need? Talk to me," Adora's eyes were bloodshot, continuing to pour out tears, thick and fast. "Just hold me," Adora whispered, reaching out for her hands. Catra was on the bed in an instant, wrapping her arms tightly around her wife and unborn baby, holding them tightly.

She glanced at the door, her brow creasing in distress. Where the fuck was Arrows? Catra's thumb rubbed circles on Adora's bare shoulder, brushing past the goosebumps brought on by pain. "Do you still hurt?" She asked softly. Adora pressed her head further into Catra's neck. "So bad," She sobbed. Her tears soaked into Catra's fur. "I-I dunno what's going on," She cried. Catra ground her teeth to prevent her tears from leaking. Adora needed her to be strong.

She glanced at the open door again, deep in her mind. Had their argument caused a miscarriage? Had… had Catra caused a miscarriage? It'd kill Catra if it was true... if Adora miscarried this far into the pregnancy. It'd destroy Adora. She'd never be the same. "Catra, I feel sick," Adora whispered into her neck, swallowing thickly. "It's just the pain," She reassured. Adora swallowed again. "No, I-I-I feel sick," She pushed up slightly. A distinctly selfish part of Catra was glad she felt sick. That meant the baby was probably ok. "Feel sick as in, gonna puke sick? Or feel sick with anxiety?" Catra asked.

The gag she received in answer was sufficient. She swore under her breath, grabbing a tissue bin from the vanity table and holding it beneath Adora's chin. Adora lurched up from Catra's side, throwing her head over the side of the bucket, retching loudly. "Shit, oh my god," She heaved. Catra combed her fingers through her hair, whispering mindless shit into her ear. Adora retched painfully, grabbing the bucket as the force launched her forward. "Adora, slow down, you're gonna hurt yourself," She whispered, pulling some of her blonde locks out of the line of fire. "Um... how long has your puke been golden and... shiny?" Catra asked. Adora wiped her mouth with a shudder. "Um... never," She glanced into the bin, quickly looking away again. Her face dropped several shades as she retched into the bin again. Catra rubbed her back, worrying her lower lip.

Abruptly, Adora pulled her head back out with a whine. "What, what's wrong?" Catra was on it quickly. Adora's jaw ground. "I-I think I've wet myself," She whispered. Catra sighed softly. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. Change the nightdress as well," She stood, putting the bin on the ground and making a note to clean it later. She held her hands out. "Where's Bow?" Catra hissed, watching as Adora hunched over her pulsating abdomen. "It hurts so fucking bad," She whined. Catra gently pulled her forward into the bathroom and flicked on the light.

Immediately, the bright light made Adora seem so much worse. Catra turned her around. "Come on, let's get the dress off," She tugged the creme nightgown off, being mindful of her wife's aching stomach. Her heart dropped into the souls of her feet. "Catra?" Adora's voice was strained. "Um..." She stuttered. "Put-put the dress back on," She'd already begun tugging it over her head. "Why? What are you doing?" Adora hissed. "Come on, we're going to the doctor," She spat. "Arrows is taking too long," She pushed the door open, helping Adora back out. "Why? What's going-?"

Adora screamed, folding in on herself. "Adora, baby?" Catra struggled to keep her upright. "What's happening?" She sobbed. Fuck this, Catra thought to herself. She swung her arms underneath Adora's legs and hauled her into a bridal carry. "Catra, what's happening?" Adora cried, her arms winding around her neck. "Adora, you haven't wet yourself," She turned a corner, beelining for the stairs. "You're bleeding," She hissed, taking the steps two at a time. "Catra, slow down, you're making me dizzy," She moaned. Catra slowed her steps slightly, taking them one by one. Curse being on the third floor...

"Wait, I'm bleeding?" Adora's voice was faint. Uh oh. Her grip began to slacken against Catra's neck. "Adora, stay awake. You need to stay awake," She hissed. "HELP!" Catra screamed, moving quicker. Adora's grip dropped completely. "SOMEBODY! HELP ME!" She ran into a large room. "Please!" She cried. "My wife! She's bleeding!" Several people ran over. "Call the stretcher," One barked. "Put her on the ground, elevate her legs against the chair," Catra complied, stepping away. She rubbed her arms, watching as strangers began doing things to Adora. "Be careful! She's five months pregnant!" Catra cried, being pulled away. "Ma'am, come over here," She turned briefly, seeing a nurse. "Come on. The doctors are going to take care of her... and you need to change your shirt," The nurse was discrete, leading her away. Catra glanced down.

A blood stain ruined the white of her shirt by her abdomen. She clutched the wall for safety. "Ma'am? Can you hear me?" She slid down the wall, bringing her legs up close. "My wife-" She panted. "Is she gonna be ok?" The nurse glanced back. "I don't know. I don't know what's wrong. But the King and Queen's personal doctors are tending to her. She has nothing but the best," The nurse soothed. Catra glanced once more into the large room.

"She's pregnant," She mumbled, her head slamming against her knees as her vision blacked out.