#adora is lawful gay

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Full list of all guaranteed entries for the sword gays showdown so far!

(aka you don't have to submit them anymore, but propaganda is always appreciated!)

One Piece - Zoro has 13 submissions, Kikunojo has 7, Mihawk has 5. There were several other characters submitted as well, but since my limit is 3 characters per fandom the others will get a bonus poll but won't get into the tournament (sorry Law and Shanks, I still love you).

Fandoms with multiple guaranteed entries, in no particular order:

MDZS/The Untamed - Lan Wangji with 6 submissions, Wei Wuxian with 4

The Dragon Prince - Runaan with 4, General Amaya with 6, Janai with 4

Revolutionary Girl Utena - Utena with 7, Juri with 3

Nimona - Ballister with 9, Ambrosius with 7

Avatar: the last airbender - Zuko with 8, Sokka with 5

Star Wars - Shin Hati with 3, Luke Skywalker with 3 as well

Raya and the last dragon - Raya with 4, Namaari with 3

Black Sails - James Flint with 4, Anne Bonny with 3

The scum villain's self-saving system - Liu Qingge with 3, Luo Binghe with 4

The Locked Tomb - Gideon Nav with 8, Camilla Hect with 3

Willow (TV series) - Jade with 3, Kit with 3 as well

Heaven Official's Blessing/TGCF - Xie Lian with 5, Hua Cheng with 4

The Old Guard - Joe with 4, Nicky with 3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Leo with 5, Usagi with 3

2. Single characters (with fandoms listed as well)

Izzy Hands (Our flag means death) - 3

Nico di Angelo (Percy Jackson series) - 5

Haruka Tenou AKA Sailor Uranus (Sailor Moon) - 3

Adora/She-Ra (She-Ra and the princesses of power) - 6

Sasha Waybright (Amphibia) - 5

Pearl (Steven Universe) - 6

Xena (Xena: Warrior Princess) - 4

Diana of Themiscyra/Wonder Woman (DC) - 3

Link (The legend of Zelda) - 6

Inigo Montoya (The princess bride) - 4

Seiji Katayama (Fence comic) - 5 [decided to allow this media despite my initial concerns about the author's past works]

Lady Oscar Francois de Jarjayes (The rose of Versaillles) - 3

Di Feisheng (Mysterious Lotus Casebook) - 3

Hikaru Sulu (Star Trek) - 4

Richard St Vier (Swordspoint) - 3

Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Marvel) - 4

Zhou Zishu (Word of Honor/Faraway Wanderers) - 4

Dave Strider (Homestuck) - 4

Magnus Chase (Magnus Chase and the gods of Asgard) - 3

Castiel (Supernatural) - 3

Adolin Kholin (The Stormlight Archives) - 3

Felix Hugo Fraldarius (Fire Emblem: Three Houses) - 3

Arthur Pendragon (Merlin) - 3

Jean-Pierre Polnareff (Jojo's bizzare adventure) - 3

Kurogane (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle) - 3

Ava Silva (Warrior Nun) - 3

Zagreus (Hades) - 3

Dominique de Sade (The Case Study of Vanitas) - 3

Demoman / Tavish Degroot (Team Fortress 2) - 3

Yasha Nydoorin (Critical Role) - 3

Kaedehara Kazuha (Genshin Impact) - 3

Cassandra (Tangled the Series) - 3

#guaranteed entries #mod speaks #sword gays showdown

[hellothere-war]

[ Adora telling her family she’s a lesbian]

Dad Randor: Finally a child that can get a girl (looks and Adam)

Mom Marlana: What ever makes you happy I will support you!

Twin brother Adam: Yes be how you are for you prideeeeee!!!

Uncle Skeletor: HaHaHa!!! yes yes now I have the power of the gays

Aunt Evil-lyn: oh your gay cool (keeps drinking wine)

Future Sister in law Teela: OMG this is so amazing am SOO happy for you!!!

Adopt sister Krass: Great now am not the only gay in this family.

Gandmother Mara: Am so proud of you!

Gandfather Mrio: What’s a lesbian?

#he man motu #he man skeletor #he man cgi #funny #evelyn he man #evil lyn #Evillyn x skeletor #king randor #randor x marlana #marlana #he man netflix #motu teela #he man krass #king Mrio #she ra adora #adora x catra #spop au #Adam and adora #queen Mara #Mrio x Mara

[swearyshera]

It's beginning to look a lot like... ask time!

@jidblogger I'm also kind of liking the idea that she's trying to save face and boasting that it's not her first murder by going into gory detail - but it's so obviously made up that DT immediately knows she's the kind of person who apologises for swatting a fly.

Season 4 will do a very good job of destroying Catra mentally. Incidentally, Shadow Weaver's lines about Catra's head being broken were changed quite late on (i.e. this morning); the originals had her make reference to Catra being mentally ill and Glimmer's best bet to be "just wait", but that left a bit of a horrible taste, even by Shadow Weaver standards.

Basically! And it's interesting the way you describe Prime, because he's been giving me some issues to think about - so I'd like to open it up to you, the reader, for your thoughts.

I want Prime to be a dick. I want him to be exactly that kind of homophobic, 'i-will-make-you-straight-for-your-own-good', self-important asshole who sees a planet full of queer people and makes that a target. And then I look at the world, I look at the news of 'Don't Say Gay' laws and anti-trans rhetoric becoming more common and I find it so difficult to reconcile making a character on a comedy blog the type of person who is actively harming me, my friends and my readers.

But then I think towards the finale, and how he gets defeated. Isn't it a good thing to show that sort of hatred being beaten? Doesn't it give some hope that we'll win in the end? Do people want to read through episodes where it looks like the anti-queer bigot is going to convert the whole planet to his views if they're rewarded with a satisfying end to his bullshit? Maybe we need to see queer love win out in the face of overwhelming terror.

Comedy can be about puns and slapstick, but it can also be about using humour to deal with difficult stuff. I love both types, but it's the darker end of the spectrum that I enjoy writing most - the scene with Shadow Weaver telling Catra, while she's hurting her, that she sent her a birthday card once, before realising that, no, that was Adora; Entrapta breaking the fourth wall as Catra has a breakdown in front of her. I want to carry on pouring bathos over the painful moments, and giving you emotional whiplash. But I don't want it to be too real to people that it hurts. And of course, I can do that in many ways - I can tone down parts of the planned storyline, I can avoid using specific words (as I do with Shadow Weaver, see if you can guess which one) and specific phrases, I can be really careful with how I do things.

But is that enough? I am in a genuine dilemma and asking for opinions - I may not publicly respond to them all for many reasons, but I'd love to know - should Prime's goal be to stop queer people across the universe? Do we want to see the subtext from the show made text in today's world?

[magicalgirlagency]

Since you've explained why you don't ship KyoSaya, I think you should explain why you don't like MadoHomu as well, to even the odds.

For better context, here's the old ask where I explain why I don't ship KyouSaya.

My pet peeve with MadoHomu is that 99% of the fandom isn't creeped out by it, specially after The Rebellion Story. There's a huge lack of nuance, and it's worrisome IMO.

Like, a majority of people have this black-and-white view of gay people; they think that by being a marginalized minority, any sort of morally reprehensible behaviour that they display is justified. Many people have this romanticized view of gay people in media, and sees them as pure, innocent and sinless saints that cannot do anything wrong, and if they do wrong, it's because the others had it coming and have only themsleves to blame.

And it's not just gay people; any other minority has been flanderized by the media at some point in their lives.

It's basically the same issue that I have with RosePearl (Steven Universe) and Catradora (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power).

May I remind you that these two are MASTER AND SLAVE, and I think I don't need to explain how fucked up this is.

Dude, there's a whole entire blog that documents Catra's abusive behavior towards Adora, and that alone should say something: @anti-catradora-receipts

These ships are all kinds of manipulative and abusive, but both the fandom and the staff don't see it; everything is shamelessly romanticized and seen as beautiful, like a "Love Conquers All" kinda thing. And in Madoka Magica, this is no exception.

Homura has rewritten the universe just so she could be with Madoka, and she actively manipulates everyone's memories just so her personal utopia can remain intact.

"But, wait!", I hear you all cry, "Mami, Nagisa, Kyouko and Sayaka can all live normal lives and be happy, and Kyuubey is paying for their crimes! Isn't that great? Shouldn't we be happy for them?"

Yes and no. Yes, because we get to see Kyuubey suffer; Incubator abuse is always welcome on this here blog. No, because Homura thinks of the other girls (minus Madoka, of course) as afterthoughts as heavily implied in her confront with Sayaka: "All I took was a tiny piece of it [The Law of Cycles]. Just the records of the person that Madoka was before she ceased to exist. Somehow, all of you wound up being pulled in as well. And it seems you can't return to wherever you were before."

And after that, she messes with Sayaka's memories a bit more, so she can't do anything about it, and says this: "We should pretend to be friendly in daily life. If you're confrontational all the time, even she [Madoka] may dislike you."

And speaking of Madoka, it's weird how she is titular character of the original series, and yet no one considers how she feels about Homura's decision. And if you want my honest opinion, I don't think she actually asked for any of this, as she has tried to alert Homura: "Homura-chan, don't! You'll rip me apart!"

To be honest, I don't think Homura sees Madoka as an equal, which it should be the standard for any relationship, romantic and/or otherwise. She created this whole fantasy where Madoka is the weak and helpless damsel in distress that constantly needs protection and saving.

There are even hints of uneasiness and hesitance in Madoka's voice in the second new world, specially when Homura asks her if she considers order important: "Well, I... um... I-I do treasure it. I guess I do think it's kind of bad to break rules becuase you feel like it."

If Madoka REALLY wanted to become mortal again, she wouldn't be so hesitant about it. I mean, she didn't hesitated when she wished for Witch metamorphosis to be erradicated (even though I strongly disapprove of the original ending).

And before I forget, the scenes of Homura's descent into madness had to be redone a second time, because Chiwa Saito's first takes were bordeline yandere. Coincidence? I think not.

"But how can you say it's all romanticized? The whole scene was indeed portrayed to be unsettling!", that is correct, however, the magazine scans and posters see no trouble with the ship:

Why does Madoka seems so helpless? And why does Homura looks so perverse? And why are these two 14yos so heavily sexualized in these? And why is no one freaked out by this?!

And also, I detect a teeny-tiny bit of queerbait in this ship, because during the NitroPlus Q&A panel in Animanga 2013, when Gen Urobuchi was asked if Homura was in love with Madoka, his answer was: "Probably." Noralities' video essay on Magical Girls and queerness touches upon this discrepancy under the Queerbaiting section.

The Rebellion Story had one job, and one job only: To provide fanservice, to please that other half of the audience that thought the original fates of the heroines were cruel and unfair, only for the plot-twist in the end to trample on it. Hell, MadoMagi wasn't supposed to have a third movie; Magia Quartet only came up with it just so SHAFT could keep on milking the cow.

Here's the thing, if you want to see gay relationships being more represented in media, you got to understand that they can be just as messy and complicated as straight relationships are, and they must be acknowledged with the seriousness and urgency that they deserve. Not every relationship is going to be a healthy one.

You know what I want to see in the fourth movie? I want to see Madoka be ANGRY at Homura, I want to see the Cinnamon Roll LASH OUT and TAKE NO PRISONERS. I want to see Homura being called out and her selfishness and I want to see them FIGHT. If this is the path we're taking, then fucking take it seriously, don't sugarcoat that shit.

But Urobuchi is returning for this movie as its writer, so it's best to not create expectations for it. When Urobutcher is at work, we all lose!

(It makes me wonder, though... are there any fanfics where Madoka and Homura fight? Because I'm really interested in reading some of them, since I don't have any high hopes for the movie...)

And last, but not least: Before anyone says that I hate Homura, I just wanna say that this is a lie. I don't hate her, I hate how the stans constantly claim that she hasn't done anything wrong. She DID. She did everything wrong, and then some!

Being gay and/or traumatized is NOT an excuse to do whatever you like. Consequences exist, and anyone, reguardless of origin, orientation/identity, moral alignment and etc., CAN, WILL and SHOULD face them.

We all have suffered and grieved at some point in our lives, and Little Miss "Existence Known As "Evil"" ain’t special. We don't call it a "Karmic Destiny" for nothing.

You're free to like villainous characters, just don't go coddling them like babies, as they are fully capable and aware of their cruelty, and will keep on testing how far they'll go.

Have some nuance. Please, that's all I ask.

[calicoconstellation]

──── ʚ ᓚᘏᗢ 𐑂 ────

❥・🎨 ❛ The Calico Constellation ❜

We are the Calico Constellation, an odd lil family of nonhumans who share a physical body. We are primarily a traumagenic UDD system with a couple endogenic median headmates. Collectively: Calico or Cali

❥・🐾 Quick info

・Collectively uses all pronouns

・An adult

・ADHD autistic synesthete

・Physically disabled

❥・🌈 Identities

・Plural system

・Queer as fuck

・Transpecies & alterhuman

❥・🎶 Boundaries

・Treat us as separate people

・Do not debate us on our existence

・Do not debate us on syscourse

・Respect our individual boundaries

⋆＊⋆ ˚°•̩̩͙⋆✩⋆•̩̩͙°˚ ⋆＊⋆ ˚°•̩̩͙⋆✩⋆•̩̩͙°˚ ⋆＊⋆

❥・💖 ❛ Evren Fae ❜

❛ The most anxious ball of fluff I’ve ever met (affectionate) ❜ -Jace

❥・🌈 Quick info

・Any pronouns (neos and it/its preferred)

・Nonhuman shapeshifter

・Circus performer and theatre kid

・Collects and is obsessed with alpaca stuffies

❥・🫧 Identities

・Genderqueer trans enboy

・Ace and some shade of gay

・Toothless fictionkind

・ Luz Noceda fictionkind

・Alpacalink

・Winged cat therian

❥・☁️ Boundaries

・Always ask to touch unless close

・Ask once before using petnames

・Don’t use the tone tags “/nm” or “/npa” with me please, it triggers paranoia

❀ ~ ♡ ~ ❁ ~ ♡ ~ ✿ ~ ♡ ~ ❀ ~

❥・🦋 ❛ Saffron ❜

❛ The definition of a cottagecore lesbian ❜ -Fae

❥・🌼 Quick info

・She/her and petal/petals pronouns

・An elf angel

・Obsessed with flowers and nature

・Loves yoga and mindfulness

❥・🧚🏻‍♀️ Identities

・Woman

・Lesbian

・Faekind

・Has many clicks - feel free to ask!

❥・🕊 Boundaries

・Okay with petnames

・Ask once before touching

・Uncomfy with medical terms, please don’t medicalize

・Don’t use the tone tags “/nm” or “/npa” with me please, it triggers paranoia

♤ — ♡ — ♢ — ♧ — ♤ — ♡

❥・🐾 ❛ Jace ❜

❛ His DND alignment is true neutral. Not because he’s ever nuetral on anything, but because he switches between every extreme so rapidly none of us can keep track ❜ -Fae

❥・🍬 Quick info

・He/him pronouns

・Catlike demon boy

・Proud protector and caretaker

・Enjoys cleaning, looking after others, and philosophical questions

❥・🎃 Identities

・Agender

・Aroace

・Black cat hearted

❥・🕸 Boundaries

・Do not touch

・Do not petname

・Only headmates get to call me nicknames

･｡ﾟ. ✧ : . ☽｡ﾟ✧ﾟ: . ☽｡ﾟ✧ﾟ: .･

❥・🌙 ❛ Catra ❜

❛ I’m the catboy girlboss from your nightmares ❜ -Catra

❥・🐾 Quick info

・He/she pronouns, alternating

・Spiritual Catra fictive

・Extremely passionate

・I don’t do respectability politics. Get over it.

・I love talking about my homeworld, feel free to ask me stuff

❥・💫 Identities

・Bigender tranny

・Demi-aroace dyke

❥・🔥 Boundaries

・No touch

・No petnames

・Don’t disrespect my spiritual beliefs

・Don’t separate me from my source to make me less “problematic”

・Do tell me if you think I’m hot, it’ll make my day

──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────

❥・⚔️ ❛ Adora ❜

❛ You’re such an idiot <3 ❜ -Catra

❥・🦄 Quick info

・Any pronouns just not it/its

・Lawful good

・Loves horses and swords

・Still figuring out this whole system thing

❥・🗡 Identities

・Lesbian

・Girl…?

❥・❤️‍🔥 Boundaries

・Ask once before using petnames

・Always ask to touch

・Not comfortable answering personal questions

꒷꒦︶꒦︶꒷︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒦︶꒷︶

❥・👑 ❛ King Rexie ❜

❛ My sunshine <3 ❜ -Fae

❥・🌟 Quick info

・He/him pronouns

・King Clawthorne fictive

・Syskid

・Loves royal aesthetics and Pokémon

・Extremely extroverted

❥・🐾 Identities

・Fox therian

・Boy but in a nonhuman way

❥・🏰 Boundaries

・Okay with petnames

・Always ask to touch unless close

・Not comfortable answering personal questions

꒷︶꒷꒦ ₓ ˚. ୭ ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ୧ .˚ ₓ ︶꒷꒦

❥・☀️ ❛ Summer ❜

❛ my little sister!! <3 ❜ -Rexie

❥・🧸 Quick info

・ Goes by Summer, Sunny, and Honey

・Testing out pronouns

・Nonverbal and nonscribble

・Syskid

❥・🌻 Identities

・Grizzlybear-hearted

・Vee fictionkind

・Not quite human..?

・Shrugs

❥・🐻 Boundaries

・Nicknames welcome

・Ask every time before using petnames

・Ask every time before touching

──── ʚ ᓚᘏᗢ 𐑂 ────

[seasinkarnadine]

They’re gorlfriends <3 Happy pride!

#pride 2019! #she ra #spop #catradora #kibbitzer reference used #pretty quick doodle #catra #adora #hsau #hs au #modern day au #catra is still a cat #because it is required by law #sorry i dont make the rules #be gay #do crimes #thanks #art #my art

[incorrect-quotes-from-she-ra]

glitra "at least i didnt break any laws"? listen i love these chaotic gays

in honour of halloween, since its the 31st in my timezone!! [happy halloween, yall :D]

---

glimmer is getting really, really tired of seeing catra handcuffed to random trees in the park. one day, her best friend won't play any pranks on halloween, glimmer hopes, but every halloween, those hopes are decimated. maybe she can ask catra not to play pranks as an early birthday present?

it's nine o clock in the night, and the hooligans are already starting to go wild, so every cop on duty and some off-duty are being called in to keep an eye on the chaos. catra isn't even glimmer's first arrest, today. she's arguing with the young cop who arrested her, trying to gesture with her hands, undeterred by her handcuffs.

"hi, catra," glimmer interrupts her raging speech. "what have you gotten yourself into this time?"

the arresting officer looks shocked at glimmer's blasé tone. it's kinda funny.

"nothing," catra protests. "i haven't done anything! and your stupid officer arrested me anyways, sparkles. call her off."

"she's not a dog," glimmer reprimands. "and frosta is good at her job."

frosta looks stunned as glimmer, the chief of police in their small town, compliments her. she stands stock still and salutes. glimmer smiles and waves a hand so frosta can relax. she isn't that type of captain, really.

unfortunately, catra also knows that. and she takes advantage of it every single fucking day.

"shoo," glimmer tells frosta. "and hand over the keys to the cuffs," she adds. frosta leaves the keys with her and hops onto her little scooter, driving away, leaving glimmer and catra alone, in the cold night air.

"so," glimmer starts. "what'd you do?" she wants to get this over with and get at least two hours of sleep, before adora inevitably wakes her up for the 'surprise' birthday party they plan every year.

"nothing," catra grumbles. "look, i just wanted to do something special for your birthday tomorrow, okay? and it seemed like i was pulling off a prank, but i wasn't. come on, sparkles. i promise."

glimmer heaves a sigh. she begins to unlock the cuffs, but pauses. "i'll unlock you if you tell me what you were planning," she says, grinning.

catra tilts her head back and groans, exposing the long line of her neck. glimmer swallows.

"sparkles," catra pleads. "you'll find out tomorrow anyways, let me go!!"

glimmer leans against the tree and twirls the keys on her finger. "no," she says smugly.

there's a long pause.

"i was picking flowers, okay?" catra exclaims. she kicks the grass beneath her feet.

"awwww," glimmer teases. "you like me and you wanted to get me flowers." she moves to unlock the cuffs.

"at least i didn't break any laws," catra huffs. the cuffs are removed and catra massages her wrists, wincing. glimmer takes over, gently rubbing the slender bones and smooth skin.

catra swallows, audibly.

"and," she adds, voice oddly stubborn, "i do like you. a lot. and the flowers were only part one of my plan to woo you, sparkles."

glimmer chokes on seemingly nothing.

"what," she gasps.

catra's still looking at her with that look. like she's making her mind up about something and she's going to say it, fuck the consequences.

"i like like you," catra says. glimmer drops the keys.

catra stiffens up, but she relaxes almost immediately when glimmer surges forward and kisses her.

it's awesome, if glimmer can say. catra's a really good kisser; her hands circle around glimmer's waist, pulling her close, and her lips are dry and a little chapped. it's better than anything glimmer ever imagined their first kiss to be like.

when they finally break apart, glimmer takes catra's hands in hers, intertwining their fingers, cementing her response.

i like you too.

"plucking flowers from the garden is actually against the law, though," she murmurs. catra chuckles.

"but you'll forgive me, right?" she asks, eyes wide and charming.

and, really, how can glimmer say no?

send me a number + character/pairing and i’ll write you a ficlet!!

#glitra #glimmer #catra #spop #she ra #she-ra #spop glimmer #spop catra #catra spop #glimmer spop #spop fics #she ra fics #glitra fics #glimmer x catra #catra x glimmer #glimmer/catra #catra/glimmer #ficlet fills #my writing #asks #prompts for leo

[sometipsygnostalgic]

at least they got chaotic neutral entrapta right

adora is NOT lawful

unfortunately i beg to differ, adora is straight as an arrow in everything except the fact she's gay

adora slowly embraces chaotic good as the series goes on instead of lawful good

[adorascake]

Bright Moon’s and Catra’s albums & track descriptions!

Disclaimer: these are not meant to be *exactly* how i pictured their album covers to look like, but they are concepts, and i like them and wanted to share them<3 also, not all of the songs have descriptions because for some of them i just thought of a name and went “ooh pretty” and left it at that because i have a pea brain. you also need to read chapter 8 for context!

bright moon’s album: Until Tomorrow

theme: coming home

songs:

until tomorrow - kind of like “I’ll see you later my friend” vibes, and “I’ll miss you but we’ll be together always, no matter the place or distance”.

slow fall - falling in love slowly and not realizing it until you hit the ground.

marie antoinette - it sounds cool and glimmer probably has a sick drum solo in it that’s literally the only reason for this.

isn’t it wonderful? - being in a good place; feeling comfortable with yourself and feeling at home with your friends and all that; finally finding belonging and no longer being lost, wandering a barren desert

my dear - talking about how being in love with someone makes you want to wake up every day and call them “my dear” and other cute lovey-dopey nicknames that, if used by anyone else, would make you gag because ew PDA

heaven - all gay artists are required by law to have a song with nods to religion but in a reclaiming it kind of way because of religious trauma and it’s always super gay so yeah that’s what this is honestly.

bed - wanting to stay in bed all day and just be lazy and comfortable; being happy and not rushed at all; it’s very unusual because you’re the type to always be running around and never taking breaks, but now that you’ve met someone, all you want to do is to just stay in bed with them all day long under the warmth and safety of the covers; kind of like being in the “honeymoon phase”.

road trip - wanting to travel the world with your friends and those you love; also the feeling of just returning home and being happy wherever you are as long as you are with the people you love the most; you can travel thousands of miles, but you can make anywhere feel like home if the right people accompany you.

the skies are prettiest wherever you are - it’s relatively self explanatory; being in love and only seeing the beauty in things when the person you’re in love with is around; they make even the darkest of days beautiful and worthwhile.

campfire - not to be confused with the campfire song from spongebob

as long as we have each other ft. catra - holding onto your loved ones; making an unbreakable promise; everything will be alright if you have one another, and nothing bad can hurt you; the person you love is your home because you feel safe around them; meant to be a sister song to “nothing bad can happen” by catra ft. bright moon, a bonus track.

magic treehouse ft. catra - wanting to see the world with your best friend like you’re children again and thinking you could just teleport; escaping the problems of your own life to have fun with your best friend, creating a world of magic between the two of you that cannot be harmed by the outside world.

all this time (it was just you) - one of the songs by adora; it’s about catra and how adora realizes that catra is all she wants in the world, but she had been too blind to see it sometimes.

cottage by the ocean - one of the songs by adora; about wanting a peaceful life with catra where it’s like they are the only two people in the world and nothing else matters except them and their love; they live in a cottage by the ocean where they can collect sea shells and take walks along the water at sunset, just finally being happy and at peace and undisturbed.

in my dreams - one of the songs by adora; how she dreams about the two of them being happy and having no worries. She’s been having reoccurring dreams that have the common theme of having a life with catra; they come home to each other, they do not have to worry about the pains of the world or their pasts, they can do things that are only possible in dreams.

a thing or two - one of the songs by adora; catra has taught her a few things about life, and how those things have changed her for the better; if it weren’t for catra, adora would have been a totally different person, and now adora wants to thank her for being in her life, even if only for a short while, and that she will love her always.

catra’s album: play me out

theme: growth, healing

songs:

space - learning how to not rely on others; independence; loving people but not making your whole life about them

i am me - self love; the journey of loving both the good and bad parts of yourself; accepting who you are; forgiving yourself

aphrodite - literally just how fucking hot adora is and how aphrodite’s beauty doesn’t compare to her (both her physical and non-physical features, and like more subtle and random ones like the way she smiles when she sees catra, how she laughs at her own stupid dad jokes, etc)

play me out (ft. adora grayskull) - just a love song; returning to one another after being apart; learning that you were meant to be together

fuck it - not giving a shit about what other people think; let the people talk and say whatever they want because catra isn’t going to give a damn; she’s just gonna keep living her life by her rules and enjoy it

once upon a time - her childhood growing up with adora, but making it sound more fairytale like and more innocent, even the darker stuff like trauma and losing parents and being abused (“you were my knight in shining armor” type stuff)

demons - Catra dealing with her inner demons, her self hatred, self sabotage, trauma; how those things don’t define the person she wants to be today and tomorrow and every day after

walk in the rain - reflecting on her feelings for adora while taking a walk in the rain; the rain on her skin is refreshing and washes away any lingering doubts and insecurities; she is left feeling anew and lighter and very much in love

steinway - straight up h*rny hours; basically just catra wanting adora to,,,yeah,,,on top of an expensive piano (a steinway, if you will) because classy shit

worship - remember that thing about fighting religious trauma with gay shit? Yeah🖤; real “take me to church vibes” and like “im far from religious but i feel like I’m sinning when i think about you” or “i didn’t believe in religion until i fell in love with you” type shit

promise me this (ft. bright moon) - making promises to the person you love; “promise me that we’ll be the same ten years from now”

muse - inspired by adora being catra’s favorite muse when she’s painting; her muse distracts her from the problems of the world as she creates art

bonus tracks:

nothing bad can happen (feat bright moon) - sister song to “as long as we have each other”

you are my best mistake - reflecting on how she thought adora was a mistake for so many years until she realized she couldn’t live without her and that she would always love her, so she must just be the best damn mistake Catra ever made, and catra doesn’t regret loving her or being with her

coffee stains - the impact someone you love leaves on you, how it lingers like a coffee stain and never quite leaves forever; they will always be a part of you, even if you try your damndest to rid yourself of them; they may not be in your life anymore, but you will continue to see them in the littlest of things because they meant that much to you, and you will always cherish your time with them, choosing to embrace the coffee stain as part of your shirt instead of trying to remove it

#famous au #play me out #ive been dying to share these ahh

[lightdancer1]

To use one example of that realism factor as applied to queer people in my stories

I use three approaches. First, the queer people in these stories are fully rounded people with lives, family histories, interests, histories of doing things, and in all of that they're queer, either lesbian, bi, gay, trans, or what have you. It is a part of their lives and neither all-consuming and a substitute for anything else with the character, nor is it minimized and given only lip service. Meaning, in short, that if two queer characters have sex with each other it gets the same level of attention as straight characters in the story. Short of outright smut stories, it gets treated as a matter of fact part of life, not all of it. Which is how sex and sex lives work in the real world.

Second, there is a diversity of body types, appearances, and multiple types of queer people. Including specific efforts to include people who get left out in real world discussions. Two of my main original characters in one fandom are a butch lesbian and the bi lover of a deceased (or not) canon character. One of them is a survivor of one of the roughest, most brutal units in her society's wars and comes out of it with a wee bit of an Eddie Blake from Watchmen vibe. She works as a foil to the canon character she's usually shipped with and the two embody the gap between ideal societal self perception (canon character) and much more unpleasant reality (original character).

The other is the partner of a deceased character in many stories but not in all of them, who sticks together with the other person in the triad.....and while bi and a man he also has a hypermasculine macho aura that is in its own way a blatant bit of queer performance art that subverts the pretense which is no small part of how he gets away with it under the Sozin laws. He's basically a gender flipped de Maupin for the Sozin era who's basically 'fuck your rules.'

And of course there's Azula, who is neither butch nor femme, but somewhere in between with a clothing choice that's both/and and not either/or.

In the Sailor Moon fandom Kunzite and Zoisite are portrayed as gay in both past lives and the present, and no less badass than their canon selves. They're both very pretty men in one way, but also showcasing that pretty/femme gay men can be every bit as badass as the more conventional 'macho' types.

Haruka and Michiru are written in a specific way that goes for a different approach to standard fandom. The Kaiohs do not like Michiru's gayness, so she gets booted out and lives with everything provided for her but nothing from her family but that. She is 100% gold star lesbian, and a femme hyper-feminine lesbian.

The Tenohs do accept Haruka, who is butch, lesbian, but like lesbians in real life she did date a man and her first relationship was with a boy. Said character sometimes shows up and isn't entirely reconciled to Haruka being gay, in some storylines, and is entirely accepting in others (and not actually the main villain in any case but more of a sitcom arch nemesis for Michiru in the sense that he sees himself as this and she barely deigns to notice his existence at all).

So in this sense it subverts things in standard Sailor Moon style that the more obviously gay character is the one who has full heartwarming familial acceptance and the lipstick lesbian is the one who got kicked out and 'we don't talk about Michiru'ed.

With Adora and Catra, they're both gay as I write them, with Catra being more butch and Adora more in between/not really giving a damn about clothes. Adora is 100% Catra-sexual, Catra spends a lot of time in denial of feelings that drive her actions and which shape their dynamics in the Magicatra AU while giving Catra the Mistress of Mixed Signals moniker in a way that makes, of course, things fun to write. LOL.

There are a variety of different experiences and realities with this in real life, and I aim to capture that in fiction while using it to amplify that sense of realism.

#lightdancer comments on tropes #queer characters in my stories #magicatra au #sailor moon stories #atla aus

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

Adora sneaking off with Queen Glimmer’s paperwork, turning it into a wall collage like she did with the prom stuff, then excitedly showing it to her girlfriend. Glimmer almost fainting until she realizes that hey actually the color-coded string and sticky notes system really DOES make everything a lot clearer! Cut to the Brightmoon secretaries fleeing with stacks of documents in their arms as their new Queen gleefully sets her girlfriend loose in the filing cabinets  

Angella passes by, does a double take, and decides that she and Micah need a vacation right now immediately. Meanwhile Queen Glimmer signs a new law in rainbow gel pen as Adora marks it with a sparkly gold star sticker. The reign of the disaster gays has begun 

#spop #glimmadora #glimmer #adora #queen angella #micah sees the sparkly stickers & latches onto the doorway like a limpet #until he get his very own sheet of them #first one goes on angella's cheek~

[n7punk]

All She Gives (Not Enough): Fic Notes #2: Timeline

I posted one of these for SLAS, but it’s kind long to be in the fic notes, so here’s the written out timeline I used to plan the fic. Because it was used for planning, some of these bullet points might make no sense to someone else. The final chapter is mostly missing from this because it was more spread out and I didn’t need to plot it out since it was more nebulous.

                            Chapter 1: Fall semester.

Week 1:

             Sunday: Gala/meeting

             Friday: Adora booking/Catra checking

Week 2:

             Sunday night: date

                            Chapter 2:

             Monday: talking terms

             Wednesday afternoon: tech delivery

             Thursday night: talk to Hope

                            Chapter 3:

             Friday afternoon: Catra comes over. Makeout

             Saturday: breakfast, frosta, glimbow, moving, glimbow, being comfy

Week 3:

                            Chapter 4:

             Sunday: confident make out, talking about public.

             Monday: Flowers

             Wednesday: cookies, Glimmer’s birthday. (December 1st)

             Thursday: study make out

             Friday: moving Catra’s stuff

             Saturday: lunch with hope, basically a proposal. (political event)

Week 4: Sunday 5th.

                            Chapter 5:

             Monday (and every weekday): cufflinks

             Saturday: bikini. (winterfest drive)

Week 5: Sunday 12th.

             Sunday: suits

             Wednesday: surprise stay-over

             Thursday: move out (15th)

                            Chapter 6:

             Friday: resort, Mermista, hot tub makeout

             Saturday: resort, virginity

Week 6: Sunday Dec 19th.

                            Chapter 7:

             Sunday: return from resort, first time, photos.

             Monday morning: tail sex, Adora’s Karma:tm: moment.

                            Chapter 8:

             Monday: glimbow debrief.

             Tuesday: flowers.

             Thursday: Lonnie confrontation.

             Friday: Adora plays music, talking about Winterfest.

             Saturday: Secret sex (Winterfest begins).

Week 7: Sunday Dec 26th.

             Monday: Strap, song building.

             Tuesday: singing.

             Thursday: dinner with hope.

             Friday: 31st/New years eve party, strapping.

Week 8: Sunday Jan 2nd.

                           Chapter 9:

             Thursday: mirror sex, adora ain’t slick but catra’s a moron.

             Friday: adora “holy fuck I love her im going insane what do I do”, Catra asking to stay.

Week 9: Sunday Jan 9th.

             Monday: Catra-Lonnie talk (classes begin for the school of law (10th)).

             Tuesday: Adora writes.

             Friday: Asks about a date.

Week 10:

             Sunday: goes on a date (Jan 17th).

             Tuesday: play for hope. (Jan 19th, Adora’s 26th birthday).

             Friday morning: Adora is a big gay.

             Saturday: party w/ friends.

             Saturday night: play for Catra.

                            Chapter 10:

Week 11:

            Sunday: slow sex, group chat, new arrangement terms. (Jan 24th).

Meta:

Ref & Extra #1: NYC Housing

Ref #2: Adora’s statement

Cut Content #1: Perfuma’s introduction, Chapter 6

Fic Notes #1: Chapter Notes

Other meta: Frosta, Adora’s humming, fanart of Catradora at the resort.

#asgne #ficmeta #fic notes

[adoracats]

DID SOMEBODY SAY MODERN SOCIAL MEDIA SPOP AU

part 1 > part 2

[image 1: Adora’s twitter profile

Banner: a photo of sunflowers

Icon: A blond girl looking over her shoulder, down towards the camera. She is wearing red-rimmed sunglasses and a white t-shirt with a red trim on her sleeve.

Title: adoraaa

Status: edit profile

Twitter handle: @she_ra

Bio: “🏳️‍🌈💖🌹; horse insta: [link]; sword insta: [link]”

Location: Brightmoon University

45 Following, 29.3K Followers]

[image 2: Glimmer’s twitter profile

Banner: A girl wearing red lipstick and reflective sunglasses running a hand through her short hair. Her head is tilted away and she’s staring off-camera.

Icon: A close-up shot of girl with short, dyed gray hair wearing a red and blue striped shirt. She is smiling towards her shoulder, which is slightly hunched. Her eyes are closed and her hair is covering half of her face.

Title: glimmer ✨

Status: following / follows you

Twitter handle: @glimmoon

Bio: “my name is glimmer and i SPARKLE; pre-law crim major 💕”

Location: Brightmoon University

Link: instagram

52 Following, 52.8K Followers]

[image 3: Bow’s twitter profile

Banner: a pink banner that reads “stay positive” in loopy script

Icon: a profile shot of a boy with curly black hair smiling downwards

Title: Bow ❤️

Status: following / follows you

Twitter handle: @heartbow

Bio: “Bow · he/him · trans; Mechanical Engineering major at BMU. Designated holder of the braincell”

Location: Brightmoon University

89 Following, 17.3K Followers]

[image 4: Perfuma’s twitter profile

Banner: a colorful array of flowers

Icon: a close-up shot of a girl with a neutral expression and long blond hair standing in a field. She’s wearing an off-the-shoulder dress and red lipstick. Her eyes are closed and her head is tilted slightly towards her shoulder.

Title: 🌸 💕🌷𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔣𝔲𝔪𝔞🌷💕🌸

Status: verified / following / follows you

Twitter handle: @blossomgirl

Bio: “Protect our planet 🌎 ❤️”

Location: Brightmoon University

Link: plumeriaproject.com/volunteer/

247 Following, 35.9K Followers]

[image 5: Mermista’s twitter profile

Banner: A low-angle shot of a girl with long dark hair. Behind her is a clear blue sky. She is wearing a yellow shirt and is holding a yellow rose, which obscures her entire face.

Icon: a faded picture of a dark-haired girl leaning against a yellow wall. One of her arms is wrapped over her head, brushing back her hair. She is wearing red-rimmed sunglasses that glint in the photo.

Title: 🌊🌊🌊

Status: verified / following / follows you

Twitter handle: @mermysteria

Bio: “i’m a cool kid 😎 💙 💫 💅🏽 💕”

Location: Brightmoon University

Link: instagram

48 Following, 40.6K Followers]

[image 6: Sea Hawk’s twitter profile

Banner: A photo of a burning ship

Icon: A canted close-up photo of a couple in the shower. A boy with soapy hair is squinting and making fish lips at the camera. A dark-haired girl is smiling into his cheek, gripping the other cheek with a soapy hand.

Title: SEA HAWK

Status: following / follows you

Twitter handle: @seashanties

Bio: Theater major at BMU. Prone to starting fires. Glossly in love with @mermysteria. WILL spontaneously break out into song.

Location: Brightmoon University

74 Following, 28.3K Followers]

[image 7: Adora’s twitter feed

Tweet 1: Sea Hawk

9 minutes ago

“The bone is NOT broken 💃🏻 🎊 🎉”

14 replies, 1 retweet, 28 likes

Tweet 2: Scorpia

08/21/2020

“Aren’t girls just 😍💕💐😌💝🥺❤️😤👏💘🙏😭🤧💫😇🌹🤩🙌💖🥰👁💗✨🔥😘👍🌸☺️💓”

132 replies, 6.5K retweets (retweeted by user), 16K likes (liked by user)

Tweet 3: Mermista

22 hours ago

“brb gonna scream till my fucking vocal chords explode”

382 replies, 22K retweets, 56K likes

Tweet 4: Glimmer

08/19/2020

“but at least i’m cute”

675 replies, 38K retweets (retweeted by user), 68K likes (liked by user)

Tweet 5: Perfuma

19 hours ago

“My new roommate: *lifts a 30lb box w/out breaking a sweat*

Me, a weak gay: 😳🤲❤️”

24 replies, 4.8K retweets, 12K likes (liked by user)]

[image 8: Twitter thread

Main tweet: Perfuma

“My new roommate: *lifts a 30lb box w/out breaking a sweat*

Me, a weak gay: 😳🤲❤️”

24 replies, 4.8K retweets, 12K likes, Twitter for iPhone

Published at 11:14 AM on 08/22/2020

Reply 1: Adora replying to @blossomgirl

15 hours ago

“When she goes 💪 💥: 😍😍😍”

81 retweets, 5.2K likes

Reply 2: Glimmer replying to @she_ra

15 hours ago

“just @ huntara already smh”

2 retweets, 22 likes]

[image 9: Twitter thread

Main tweet: Adora

“Left my roommate alone for two hours and she wrote “pussy” across our ceiling with a hundred glow-in-the-dark stars. Don’t know whether to be mad or impressed.”

Published at 02:25 on 08/22/2020, Twitter for iPhone

14K retweets, 46K likes

Reply 1: Glimmer replying to @she_ra

8 hours ago

“😇”

1.6K retweets, 24K likes

Reply 2: Bow replying to @she_ra

8 hours ago

“The dedication 😭🙏”

3.5K retweets, 20K likes]

[image 10: Tweet from Adora

“Every night I lay in bed and look up at the stars and wonder, “Why am I still friends with Glimmer?”

Published at 10:42 PM on 08/22/2020, Twitter for iPhone

32 retweets, 589 likes]

#she ra #spop modern au #spop social media au #spop au #she ra and the princesses of power #spop #catradora #adora #glimmer #bow #catra #scorpia #perfuma #mermista #entrapta

[nazumichi]

hmm. glimmadora, catrouble and zukka

Let’s go in reverse order, I wanna talk zukka.

Ok so I love the energy the atla fandom has gotten when critiquing zutara, because there’s some genuinely racist, colourist, and misogynistic shit going on there. It’s great to see. Now do zukka 🔪

The zukka fandom, like most big ship fandoms, is pretty insufferable. They treat headcanon as law (Zuko is gay and if you ship him with a woman you are homophobic uwu we don’t hate women), and push aside characters like Mai and Suki to make zukka a thing, which is just. Not it. Lots of them treat Sokka as this uncultured water tribe kid, and Zuko as a big enlightened guy who is just “an awkward little turtleduck”.

IDK I’m not saying all zukkas are bad, I know quite a lot and they’re awesome people, but we should criticise zukka like we criticise zutara, please. I think the ship itself is okay, I won’t deny that they would work well, but it’s just kind of there for me. Not my fave, but hey, it’s okay.

The dynamic Catra and Trouble have is just so interesting and just so fun. I really like the whole villains being evil and mean and also being close dynamic. They genuinely like each other, at least, enough for Trouble to be brutally honest with her and enough for Catra to enjoy and seek out their company. (Seriously when was the last time she genuinely laughed).

I think noelle missed an opportunity by nerfing Trouble and having them appear in a joke episode, and just made Catra magically forget knowing them?? For some reason?? Their betrayal was a big turning point in her arc but she’s got Adora now so I guess that’s all that matters. Idk, they could’ve really helped each other, help Catra realise that maybe some things do matter more than revenge, and help Trouble realise that feelings and connections aren’t weaknesses.

Glimmadora may be my absolute favourite, who knows. I really like how trusting they are with each other, how comfortable they are. And it really shows the difference between a healthy friendship or relationship as opposed to an unhealthy one. When they fight, they still care for each other, which is just really nice to see.

They just work so well and their dynamic is so sweet and I just wish they’d gotten more, both in the show and in fandom spaces, because let’s face it, any Adora relationship that doesn’t involve Catra is just shoved aside now, and it’s really sad.

#zukka crit? On my blog? Perhaps #raii talks a lot #atla #spop

[mcatra]

Catra works at Burger King pt 3

catradora in ther modern party clothes!

AO3

pt1/2

Catra was currently studying in the library, trying to work her way through a math problem. 

Her place didn't have internet, so she usually alternated between the school wifi, the public library, and Burger King. Lonnie usually let her study in the break room when the libraries closed up. 

Her phone pings with a message, obviously from Adora. 

Catra picks up her phone and unlocks it, eyebrow raising when she sees the message. 

Adora: 

Wyd? 

Catra sighs. Of course that airheaded jock texted like a frat boy. As much as she wanted to leave her on read, a deal was a deal. 

Catra: 

Studying. 

Adora: 

So diligent! You're so cool, Catra :) 

Adora: 

I'm weightlifting right now! Gotta work off all those BK calories 💪

Great, maybe she will leave her alone to go do her workout. 

Adora: 

[image.attachment]

Catra almost drops her phone when she sees the photo Adora sent. It was a shot of her by the mirror, and she was flexing with a dumbbell. She was wearing a black crop top, which framed her abs perfectly.  What was she doing, getting flustered over what, a gym rat photo that looked like it belonged on a Tinder profile? After much gay panic and debate, Catra takes a photo of herself with her middle finger up to the camera. She taps ‘send’ angrily. 

Catra: 

[image.attachment] 🖕 She doesn't get a response for a few minutes, which was odd. Usually Adora typed back at the speed of lightning. 

Ping. 

Adora: 

wow Ur rlly hot  Catra looks at the text, slack jawed. What the hell? 

Adora: 

Oh my god I am so sorry. That was Glimmer, she took my phone. 

Catra could almost scream, but she was in a public library. She settles for furiously chewing her out, sharp nails flying over the keyboard. 

Catra: 

Plz make Ur excuses more believable. It's so unoriginal I can't even post this on r/OopsDidntMeanTo. 

Adora: 

I really didn't mean to 🥺

Adora: 

I mean 

Adora: 

Glimmer didn't mean to  God, Adora was so stupid. Yet here Catra was, blushing like a fool. When she doesn’t answer for a while, her phone starts pinging again with notifications. 

>Adora liked your photo

>Adora liked your status >Adora reacted to your comment >Adora liked your photo

It goes on for another 23 times and Catra scrolls through it, dumbfounded. Unblocking her was a mistake. 

---- 

As promised, Adora would visit her garage when her shifts were over bringing groceries. In exchange Catra would cook, as it seemed like Adora would burn water if she tried. 

It started off as a weekly thing, but in a true Adora-like fashion it ended up like this everyday. They would talk for hours, catching up on their lost years together. 

Adora talked about all sorts of things, like how hard it was adjusting to the soft beds at first and how she requested a hard one. She told her about the contents of the letters she would send to Catra that never went received. Catra just listened, gratified to hear that Adora missed her in their time apart even half as much as she did. 

They would sing the little songs they invented back when they were kids and make up whole new ones as they waited for the food. Adora even started learning how to cook after watching Catra, and she would barge in uninvited with new recipes. The food tasted better with company, and Adora took great pleasure in piling her seconds. 

Catra would show her the local dumpster and they would go scavenging for items they needed. She taught her how to repair the things they found using Youtube tutorials, and how to disinfect them. It was fun watching Adora try to haggle for prices at the market, or her face when she realized she had to use the outhouse to go to the bathroom at Catra’s. 

Days bleed into months, their easygoing friendship making Catra feel at peace for the first time in forever. 

Right now they were currently in their trial exam period, which functioned both as practice for their final exams and half of their final marks. They were sitting in the library, chatting about their future majors. 

Catra taps a pencil to her chin. ‘Let me guess, you want to do art. No, art history.’

‘Political science, actually! Did you know Eternia University has  the  number one ranked Political Science course in the entire country?' Adora says, flipping through the uni coursebook. 

'Wao, future leader of the free world huh? That's kinda hot.' Catra teases, while Adora swats her in embarrassment. 

'What about you?' 

'Double degree of Law and Social Work.' Catra replies. 'Cliche I know. But I just want to be in a position where I can sue the shit out of Shadow Weaver. The system is corrupt, and there's thousands of kids being abused.' 

'Wow, you're so cool Catra.' Adora says in awe. 'You're so smart, you'd definitely get in.' 

'Damn right.' She scoffs, crossing her arms. 

'You're gonna love Eternia. I went to their open day, the campus is gorgeous. Oh my gosh we could dorm together!' 

'Gross, who'd want to be  your  roommate?' 

'You  would.' 

'Ew, you're so full of yourself. Anyway get off me, I have work soon and I need to get changed.' 

'Ah yes, the cute Burger King apron. I never get tired of it.' 

They would always flirt back and forth like this, but nothing ever came out of it. 

With her friendship came the feelings that she had repressed long ago, unknotting and resurfacing like they had never gone at all. However she had no idea if Adora even liked her in that way, given how affectionate she was with Bow and Glimmer. She was popular with boys and girls alike, but she never dated anyone. Catra never dared to ask. 

Once Adora had fallen asleep in Catra's bed, and the brunette had woken up to the other girls arm around her and their feet tangled together. It reminded her of when they shared the bed as kids, but now they were grown up and this kind of thing didn't have an innocent meaning anymore. Having her there made her heart race and her palms sweaty.

She had wanted to kiss her then. She wanted to kiss her now. Catra wanted every single morning to end up like that. 

-- 

Adora:

Your birthday is soon! Did you want anything?

You  , Catra thinks, like a huge sap. 

Catra:

My sanity back. 

Adora: 

Oh my gosh, we could throw you a party at my place! You’re turning 18 right? We could go out drinking! Angella has this amazing vintage wine collection and I could make cocktails!  

Catra receives another wall of text, basically planning the entirety of this birthday party with Bow being the DJ and how Glimmer could make these buns that were to die for. Adora starts going through the entire party guest list until she has to cut in. 

Catra: 

lol calm down 

Adora: 

Does this mean Ur on board? 🎉

Catra: 

yes fine since you won't shut up about it 

Adora: 

AAAAAAAH YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️ U WILL NOT REGRET THIS 

DW I WILL PLAN EVERYTHING <3333 

💗💖💖😻

The excessive amount of heart emojis make Catra grin dumbly into her palm. 

She's glad they're not video chatting, or Adora would've already taken a screenshot. 

---

It’s the day of her 18th birthday, and she’s nearing the end of her shift. The best friend squad were waiting for her at their usual table so they could give her a ride. 

‘Hey Catra. Can I speak to you out back?’ Lonnie asks, gesturing outside. 

What the heck, did she do something wrong?  It’s been pretty peaceful as of late, and Catra tries to remember if she had done anything to Kyle recently. She nods, chucking her apron at the back as she tries not to notice Adora’s eyes following her. 

 Catra goes out to the back of the store, the night air nipping at her shoulders. Lonnie waits for her there, biting her lip.

‘What’s up? Don’t tell me you’re giving me a raise.’ Catra jokes. 

Lonnie looks conflicted, and she takes a big breath. 

‘I’m sorry but our store isn’t doing so well. I know you’re turning 18, and that means we can’t afford to keep you on anymore.’

‘What…?’ 

Catra felt numb, like she wasn’t really there in the back alley with Lonnie. It felt like an out of body experience. She could only stare at her, betrayed. 

Like Lonnie could read her mind, she tries to correct herself. ‘It wasn’t my decision, it was Octavia’s.’

Of course it was. Her regional manager was the reason she could never just swipe food while she was working. Octavia never liked her, she always reviewed the security cameras and told her off for goofing around. She must’ve known the door incident was on Catra’s shift, and what really happened despite Adora’s cover up. This ‘layoff’ was just an excuse to get rid of her from a financial standpoint. 

‘Thank you for all your hard work over these past 3 years. I know you’re going through a rough time, so we will of course give you a recommendation.’

Catra just nods. 

She returns to her shift, robotically going through the motions. Catra doesn’t even say anything sassy when Adora asks for a burger with no patty and no onions and no sauce, only cheese on bread.

The lack of a clever comeback to their gag routine has Adora concerned. ‘Are you okay?’ 

Of course she wasn’t. How could she be? She was going to have to vacate her garage space, not like she had anywhere to put her furniture in. What the hell was she going to do? 

‘I’m fine.’ She says, even though tears were threatening to burn a hole in the back of her eyelids. ‘Just...rough day.’ 

‘It’s your birthday! The party will cheer you up.’ Bow says brightly. ‘I have the sickest playlist of all time, you're gonna love it.' 

'My mum isn’t home so we have free reign over the entire house! Come on girl, let's get you changed!' Glimmer crows, too excited about the party to pick up on Catra's mood. 'Makeover time!!' 

The two of them force her into Glimmer's Mercedes, on their way to buy every alcohol imaginable from the bottle shop before they go to her house. 

The last thing Catra wanted to do was play dress up or even go to her party, but Adora had planned for so long for this. It would definitely ruin the entire night if she refused to go. 

Out of all the times they had hung out, she’s never been to Adora’s house. She leans her head against the window when they drive into the fancy part of town, by the lakeside with the multi-million dollar yachts parked in the water. 

That still doesn't prepare Catra for when security lets them in through the black gates to the biggest mansion she’s ever seen. There were fountains, perfectly manicured lawns, a tennis court, and was that  a helicopter pad?! 

It was incredible, she had only seen this kind of luxury in the movies. So Glimmer was rich , rich. No wonder she was put out that Adora had her 18th birthday at Burger King. 

Catra looks at Adora with a dumbfounded expression as the attendants let them in, and the blonde looks almost embarrassed when they have to get into an elevator to go to her room. 

Glimmer picks out a hybrid of clothes from her and Adora's closets. The walk-in wardrobe is huge, like a department store full of designer clothes, shoes, jewellery and bags. 

Her wardrobe alone is the size of Catra's home. The brunette suddenly understands why Adora cried upon seeing her concrete garage space. Looking at it, she wanted to cry too. 

Glimmer sets her down on her huge poster bed as she brings out a checkered crop top, ripped black garter shorts and an expensive looking black leather jacket with a gold trim. While Catra reluctantly gets changed, Glimmer picks out a pair of black strappy heeled boots and a hair straightener to battle the bush on Catra’s head. 

She sits still while Glimmer goes to work on her face, bringing out an entire Sephora’s worth of makeup. When Catra looks in the vanity mirror, she almost doesn’t recognize herself. Her eyes were framed with false eyelashes, a swooping cateye, smokey eyeshadow, sharp contour and her lips were now cherry red with bold lipstick. Glimmer applies the finishing touches with silver rings and clip on piercings. 

She hears Adora inhale with shock from the staircase in her bedroom. 

‘Catra you look incredible !’ She gasps. Adora was wearing this cute backless white dress tied with strings, short enough that it cropped above her knees. She was wearing sparkly wedges to go with it, and her hair was curled instead of her usual ponytail. Her delicate gold sword necklace frames her collarbones. 

Catra’s throat goes dry. ‘Uh- You too.’ 

 Glimmer smirks, satisfied with her work. She gets changed into her own outfit, a short purple tulle lace dress with a white fur trim and a cute Gucci clutch to accompany it. The pink haired girl spritzes them all with her various floral and sea spray scented perfumes before they head back downstairs.

‘Wow you guys look amazing!’ Scorpia marvels, and Adora’s friends voice their approval as well. 

‘Gosh this place is crazy.’ Scorpia whispers to Catra. ‘Did you see their pool? We should’ve just held the swimming carnival here!’ 

Catra opens her mouth to tell her how Lonnie had let her go, but Sea Hawk’s booming voice interrupts them. 

'I challenge you to the ultimate game of BEER PONG!' Sea Hawk announces, spinning the ball on his fingertips. 

Of course this gets everyone's competitive spirit going, and everyone gets into pairs. 

After a few drinks Catra has almost forgotten what she was worrying about earlier, too focused on the buzz. Her and Adora demolish the other teams by a landslide with their impeccable aim. 

Soon the attendants came out with dinner, and it was lavish with every food you could imagine. Lobster, kobe beef, hor d'oeuvres, beluga caviar, kale, and opulent ice cream were all among the plates of food on the table. They bring out a massive 3 tiered truffle cake, the words 'Happy Birthday' written with an oddly crude drawing of Catra. 

'You drew this?' She asks, and Adora nods happily. 'You worked so hard on mine, so.' Catra doesn’t have the heart to tell her that the cake was $7 and the drawing of her forehead was meant as an insult.  They sing the birthday song for her, and this time no one brings up the cake cutting tradition. 

 After dinner they sit outside in the garden around the bonfire Sea Hawk had made. He was drunkenly singing a loud shanty while Bow piled in the wood, fanning the flames. Frosta sips on a mocktail, the only one there who wasn’t old enough to drink yet. The fire flickers and dances, casting shadows around them. 

Catra downs a few more cocktails and jello shots as she waits for Mermista to light up some fireworks. Apparently it was illegal, but Mermista just waved her off, telling her that she’ll just pay the penalty fee as Catra’s birthday gift. Sea Hawk really did rub off on her. 

When she successfully sets them off they light up the sky in dazzling multicoloured sparks. Adora’s friends whoop with glee, taking photos and videos to commemorate the moment. 

Adora's side profile is lit up in the dark, and she looks impossibly beautiful among the backdrop of stars. Longing tears at her chest, Catra wants to hold her hand but her throat feels too tight and she can’t move. The truth was that she knew she had always had feelings for Adora, even back when they were just kids back in the foster home. But like a coward, she could never voice them for fear of Adora leaving her side. 

A loud neighing can be heard from the stables in response to the loud booming noises from the fireworks. 

'Swifty!' Adora says, standing up. The moment's breaks and Catra reels back her hand. 'Stay here, I'll be right back.' 

Her chance disappears, she couldn’t say it after all. She watches her go tend to her horse, feeling stupid. 

‘Yoohoo~, want a rematch?’ Sea Hawk calls out from the patio, pouring vodka into tiny glasses. 

‘Don’t mind if I do.’ Catra replies. She definitely didn’t know her alcohol tolerance levels yet, so it was the perfect time to take that to the test. 

Catra confidently does a whole line of shots, determined to drink herself into unconsciousness. Every time she sees a flash of Lonnie or Adora’s face in her mind, she takes another swig. Everyone is cheering her on, screaming the song ‘Shots’ over and over again, also all drunk out of their minds. Sea Hawk taps out at the 5th drink, and everyone screams at Catra’s flawless victory. Scorpia lifts her into the air to do a victory lap, cheering. 

Adora finally makes an appearance, alerted by the sound of Catra's shrieky laughter as Scorpia swings her around. 

‘Don’t worry, I can take it from here.’ Her school captain says pulling Catra away from her friend. Scorpia just shrugs and makes her way to the food table. ‘Catra, maybe you should slow down.’ Adora tells the giggling girl in her arms. 

‘Noo way.’ She slurs, she was enjoying the feeling too much, the alcohol burning through her body, making her feel lightheaded. The light up disco dancefloor starts to blur into a kaleidoscope of colours. 

‘You got some weed?’ Catra asks, seeing Perfuma light a bowl. The taller girl hands her an already rolled up one and Catra snatches it to take a long drag. The smoke hits her lungs and she starts coughing. 

‘Oi Perfuma, why did you bring drugs? Angella will kill me!' Adora gripes, trying to wrestle the blunt away from Catra. 

‘Aw don't be like that! I made some edibles for you guys to try.’ Perfuma says cheerfully, pointing to the pot brownies. 

‘See? Scorpia likes them.’ She gestures at the other girl, who seemed to be currently tripping out of her mind and eating everything on the table. 

Catra goes to reach for one, but Adora grabs her by the wrist to lead her back inside. 'Alright, you're done for the night. Everyone say bye!' 

‘Byee Catra!’

‘Happy birthday!!’

Adora grabs her by the waist to lead her to her bedroom, Catra wobbling after her in the heels Glimmer lent her. 

'Ugh Adoraaa, don't be such a party pooper. I'm fine.' She moans, leaning heavily on the other girl. 'Don't you have a shift tomorrow afternoon? I don't want you getting hungover or drug tested.' Adora chides, rummaging around the dark for the light switch. 

Catra snorts. 'Oh you don't have to worry about  that  anymore. Got laid off.' 

Adora looks at her in confusion, until realization dawns on her. 'Wait, is that why Lonnie took you outside?' 

'Say, I never got to give you  your  birthday gift.' Catra pushes her hair back, voice sultry as she flings off her jacket. She never pinned herself down as a horny drunk, but here they were. Catra shoves Adora onto the bed, straddling her. Her golden hair spills over the mattress, soft like spun silk. 

'You still want that kiss?' Catra whispers in Adora's now burning red ear. 'My knife touched the bottom.' 

Adora's face now resembled a fire truck, mouth gaping in shock.

'C-Catra, I…' 

Catra presses their lips together, silencing her. She knows she probably tastes like alcohol and weed right now, but she couldn't care less in the moment. Adora's mouth is still slack jawed from mortification, so she takes the opportunity for tongue. She frowns and moves down to her neck when Adora doesn’t return the kiss. 

'Catra, what are you doing-' 

Catra bites down on Adora's nape. The blonde underneath her lets out a soft gasp, arching her back. Her gold manicured nails dig into her shoulder. 

'Stop, you're not thinking straight-!' 

'Sure ain't.' Catra grins, licking a stripe down the base of her neck. Adora’s necklace chain jingles with the movement. There was now an impressive hickey there, blooming violet on her pale skin. She pauses to admire her handiwork. 

'This isn't you talking, you'll, you'll regret this in the morning.' Adora stutters. She's shivering, their hands now laced together, silver rings clanking. 

'I know. I don't care.' She replies, kissing her again. Adora's teeth nick her lip. The alcohol in her system makes her feel lightheaded, confident. No way would she have managed this sober. Adora tastes better than she does, sweet like blueberry soju. Catra's hands wander down further, pulling the strings to untie the back of her dress-

'Catra stop!'  Adora suddenly shouts, striking Catra across the cheek in a deafening  slap . 

Adora's eyes were blazing, almost teary in the dark. Her breathing was irregular, panting in and out. Catra stills, clutching her cheek. The look in her eyes sobered her immediately. 

Adora looks down at her palm, realizing what she just did. 'Sorry for hitting you!' She flounders. 'It's just that, you're only doing this because you’re drunk and upset, right?’

Catra just stares at her before climbing off. Cold realization settles as the fog in her brain clears. 'You're right. Forget it.' 

She sits on the edge of the bed, numbly watching Adora hurriedly trying to re-tie the back of her now wrinkled dress. Her lips are stained with Catra’s red lipstick. Adora catches her looking, and she quickly turns away to smooth down her hair with her fingers. 'You've had more than enough to drink tonight. I’ll get you some water to clear your head.’

She gets up to turn on the light switch, and Catra blinks in the harsh light from the chandeliers.  ‘Come on, let’s get you sobered up, okay?’ Adora leads her to the kitchen on the same floor, gingerly placing her friend on the slippery bar stool. 

The blonde goes to get the chilled jug of infused water from the fridge and pours it into a glass. Adora slides it across the island, and Catra reluctantly takes it. She sips at it, mint and lemon on her tongue. It tasted way better than her hose water. 

‘I’ll uh, pick out some groceries for you since we’re here and all.’ Adora says awkwardly into the silence, turning around to rummage through her pantry. 

Suddenly Catra is brought back to the whole reason why she was sitting here in this oversized mansion in the first place. Their friendship agreement. The one she had just violated. Catra had never felt more stupid to mistake Adora’s kindness and guilt for actual feelings. She felt like a charity case, waiting to collect food from the soup kitchen.

Of course Adora didn't like her back. She just saw her as someone needing to be saved. The product of survival guilt. Catra wanted to whack her head on the corner of her marbled countertop and not wake up. 

Adora takes out a green plastic bag, and starts filling it with everything and anything she can get. Cans, pasta, biscuits, fruits and vegetables. Actually this feeling was more like being one of those poor kids that white girls would pose next to for their Instagram after their trip to Africa.  Did Adora have fun, volunteering to slum it up in her place while she returned here? All she ever wanted her entire life was to be Adora’s equal. 

Scorpia and Sea Hawk's loud laughter and DJ music can be heard downstairs in the garden, beyond the tall golden trimmed windows. The class difference between them stretched like an unfathomable canyon. Living the classy bougie dream until the clock struck midnight and she was back in her run down garage. Except soon she won’t even have that anymore. Why did Adora have to bring her here? It was almost cruel. 

Catra's suddenly overcome with the urge to vomit. She nearly falls off the high chair in her rush to throw up the unholy cocktail of alcohol into the sink. Tears bead in her eyes from the sour taste as she continues to vomit out everything she ate that night. She can feel Adora by her side, patting her back reassuringly.

It was by far the worst birthday she has ever had. 

 --

The morning of, Catra woke up in Adora’s bed with a splitting headache. 

Unfortunately she was  not given the gift of amnesia, as she vividly remembered every last excruciating detail about last night. 

She spots Adora’s mop of blonde hair under a blanket on the floor, even though there were a billion other free spare rooms to sleep in. Adora was probably too afraid to share the same bed as her now.

Catra’s borrowed crop top digs uncomfortably into her skin, and she angrily flings it off her body. The shorts stick to her like a second skin, smelling of tequila. She grabs her old Burger King uniform and puts it on, though even this didn’t belong to her now. 

Adora shifts in her sleep, and Catra lightly steps over her to get to the door. The last thing she wanted was for Adora to wake up. 

As soon as she’s out, she runs out to the elevator and bangs frantically on the buttons until it sends her to the bottom floor. The lift opens with a  ding  and in her haste she almost crashes headfirst into Glimmer. 

‘Oh hey! Are you going to work?’ Glimmer greets. She was in her silk pajamas and slippers, holding a glass of orange juice. 

‘Uh. Yeah.’ Catra lies, trying her best to look natural. 

‘Some party last night huh? Lucky today is a Saturday.’ Glimmer says conversationally, unaware of Catra’s urge to throw her across the room. ‘Hey, what happened to your cheek?’

Catra clutches her face, it still strung from where Adora struck her. ‘Nothing.’

Glimmer raises an eyebrow. ‘Well anyway, did you wanna stick around for  breakfast? The cooks made pancakes, bacon, eggs, the whole deal.' She peeks behind Catra. 'Is Adora  still  not up yet?’ 

As much as Catra wanted to scream  get out of my way she schools her expression to her best customer service smile. ‘Nope she’s still sleeping it off. Anyway I’m gonna be late so I can’t stick around.’

‘Did you need a lift?’ Glimmer asks. It dawns on the brunette she couldn’t exactly run the entire way back home. ‘I’ll ask one of the drivers to take you back so you make it to your shift.’

Catra thanks her lucky stars that Glimmer was still too hungover to drive her. She wouldn’t have been able to dodge her questions if she had. 

‘Yes please.’ Catra says, giddy with relief. ‘Thank you.’ 

‘Ooh and before I forget, Adora told me last night to give you this.’ Glimmer says, grabbing the green bag of groceries off the counter. The shorter girl bundles it into Catra’s arms before she can object. 

‘Get home safe.’ She says, waving as the attendant leads her out the door. 

Catra looks down at the cans of food in her arms and doesn’t say anything.  

 ------

The days leading up to graduation were painful, to say the least. 

They more or less pretend the kiss didn't happen. Adora never brings it up, and neither does Catra. 

She would stare at the ceiling, wishing she had never gotten piss drunk at her birthday and kissed her. Adora was right, she did regret it. It was awful, the look on Adora's face when she slapped Catra replays in her mind and nightmares over and over again. It was mortifying. 

Adora still messages her every 3 days, and Catra still replies, though her words are empty and devoid of banter.  I'm worried about you,  she says.  I'm fine , Catra always responds. 

The brunette continues to humour her to keep the peace, only shutting down when her old job was mentioned. Catra doesn’t allow Adora back into her home again. 

Sometimes they study together, but she can't concentrate when Adora wears her glasses. Her heart hurts, so she cradles her cheek and tries not to remember. 

The hickey she had branded Adora's neck with had been covered with foundation until it faded away. None of her friends had teased her about it, so she clearly had not told a single soul what had happened. 

Catra bites at the scab on her lip from where Adora’s teeth nicked her until it bleeds. She wants to apologize, but the words stick on her tongue and she can't bring herself to talk about that night. 

Catra knew Adora was only here by her side to alleviate her guilt. Shame buries itself under her skin every time she's near her, like she was too embarrassed to even exist in the same space as Adora. She wants to disappear. 

Exams are hard, and without an internet connection after the library closes at 6pm made it difficult to study. In her heart she knew she wasn't going to come out on top. Her ranking had slipped, she wasn't even at second place anymore. Rent was due at the end of the month, and without her Burger King wage she knew she'll be kicked out sooner than later. 

Catra felt stressed and self destructive, and the only thing that kept her from falling off the edge completely was Scorpia. As much as she hated depending on others, she'd much rather her old coworker than Adora. 

Her classmates seemed to like this new, muted down version of Catra who didn't argue and just stayed quiet most of the time. Fighting back was too difficult when all she wanted to do was blend into the wallpaper. All they talked about was where they were going for vacation after graduation, and Catra certainly had nothing to contribute to that conversation.

She felt like crying, all the time. It was agony, wanting to burst out into tears randomly while she sat wasting away in the student council room. Despite herself, she missed Burger King, and she just kept getting ghosted or rejected in her other job applications. Sometimes when she really wanted to indulge herself, she'd go cry silently in the school toilet stall. 

Glimmer notices the change, and she catches her glaring. 'You don't seem as alive lately. Your eye bags are huge.' 

'S'fine.' Catra replies, hiding her hands so she doesn't see how they shake. Honestly Catra couldn't remember the last time she slept.

'Pfft, don't lie to me. Adora's worried about you. You're getting skinnier, and your eyes are always raw. All you do is stare into space.' 

Catra bites down on her nails. Of course she knew that. But she's gone through this before, and she'll do it again. 

'What happened between you two?’ 

‘None of your business.’ Catra replies, shuffling her way to the hall. 

--

 Their graduation ceremony starts off uneventfully. Every student’s parents except Catra’s sit proudly in the audience, eager to watch their kid graduate. One by one they receive their certificate and return to their seats. 

Adora and Catra stand side by side onstage, as Adora makes their final speech as School Captain. Through the blinding lights, she sees Angella waving proudly at her adoptive daughter in the crowd. 

Catra looks at Adora in the corner of her eye. She must look pathetic, lovesick and pining after someone she couldn’t have. 

‘It’s been such an honour serving the entire faculty and students of this school. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing Vice-Captain and all of my prefects. Now I’m proud to hand over my badge to the next School Captain, Frosta.’ 

They go through the rest of the ceremony like that, each member of the student council handing their badges to their successors. 

Soon their Principal comes up to the podium, tapping it once and clearing her throat. 

‘Announcing our honor student, and the winner of the scholarship to Eternia University…’ Castaspella says, turning over the sign card. 

‘None other than our school captain, Adora!’

Everyone starts clapping, and Adora walks across the stage to shake Castaspella's hand. 

Sounded about right. Catra never won against Adora in her entire life. She had already expected this outcome. Like a game of cat and mouse, going over and over for all eternity. 

Adora would excel with her elite education and secure a well paying job. Catra would struggle at the bottom indefinitely, never amounting to anything. She never would, if Adora was still there next to her. When the blonde re-entered her life, everything she had been working towards for years just collapsed. Her job, her home, her School Captain status, her chance at the scholarship, her sanity. 

She had to be wiped clean. A fresh start. 

The flower petals were falling, the streets decorated with a vibrant pink. The other students mill out of the crowd with their parents, chatting excitedly about what was next in their futures. She waits for Adora underneath a tree.  

'Congratulations.' Catra says, when she finally spots the other girl in the crowd. Adora pulls away from Angella’s embrace to meet her. 

'You deserve this so much more than I do.' Adora says, her voice pained like she didn't just win a full ride to her dream university. 'You should take it.'

'It's in your name, silly.' Catra replies, lightly tapping her with her rolled up certificate.

'Besides, I knew you'd get into Eternia, so I never applied.'

Adora blinks dumbly. '...What? Aren’t we going to the same university?’ 

She always was a bit slow on the uptake. ‘Only  you  decided that, stuupid. Say, it's about time we ended this right?' 

‘Catra, what are you...' 

'Our deal. You don't need to feel guilty anymore or bring me anything.' Catra says, her voice sounding like it didn't belong to her. She rummages in her bag, bringing out Adora's spare varsity jacket that she hadn’t returned. 'Here, take this. Thank you for all the help.' 

'What do you mean? You want to stop being friends?' Adora says in disbelief, taking the jacket.  

Catra nods. ‘I can’t continue with the arrangement. I hope you understand.’ 

‘I don’t! Was I the only one who thought we were friends, real ones?’ Adora asks.

‘...That’s right. I never saw you as a friend. You were just a meal ticket to me. Are you happy now?’ Catra snaps back. Shit, that wasn’t what she meant to say. She had planned to end this quickly and painlessly, on a high note.  Trust Adora to put up a fight. 

Something seems to click in Adora’s brain. ‘Is this about the night of the party?’

‘Figure that out yourself.’ Catra replies, turning to walk away. 

Adora grabs onto her arm. ‘Wait! If- if that’s what you want, I’ll give it! Just don't go!' 

This dumb blonde really was offering up her body, out of what? A sense of duty? How stupid. 

‘Is that right?’ Catra says, walking closer to her. Adora backs up until she is pinned to the tree. They’re face to face now. 

‘Can you really do this?’ Catra lifts Adora’s chin by a finger. 

Finally it seems to dawn on Adora exactly what Catra wanted. She swallows, biting her lip. 

There’s a flicker of hesitation, before Adora’s eyes squeeze shut defiantly. The blonde is shaking like a leaf, her breath coming out in panicked stutters from her pursed lips. 

Catra just stares at Adora’s scrunched up face impassively. Her scared reaction was the only confirmation she needed for closure. 

She flicks the other girl’s forehead, and her big blue eyes open in confusion. ‘Chill out, I’m not that evil to do it to someone so unwilling.’

 Adora blinks, clutching her forehead. ‘Catra?’

Suddenly Angella’s voice cuts through their conversation from the car park. ‘Adora dear, are you done chatting with your friend? We have reservations!'

‘Um, I…’ Her old school captain opens her mouth to say something, but Angella's started to lose her patience. 'Adora, how long are you going to stand there? Glimmer is already waiting for us at the restaurant!' 

Catra just smiles tiredly. ‘Take care, dummy.’ 

She watches Adora being dragged off unwillingly by her adoptive mother to the car. 

Catra lets out a sigh. Her phone pings with a message from Scorpia, and she knows it's time to go. 

---

 By the time Angella releases her from their graduation celebration, Adora can feel that it's already too late.

 Adora: 

Please, can we talk? Let me fix this

A pop up appears over the screen. 

Message Not Sent

This person isn't receiving messages at this time. 

Adora sends another message, but they all go undelivered. Catra had blocked her again. Panic spikes through her veins, and she quickly dons on a jacket and grabs her car keys. 

She sneaks out that night, down the familiar winding path through the bush that led to Catra's place. 

'Catra?' She rolls up the garage door, blinking in the darkness. When her eyes adjusted, she found Catra's old home completely emptied. 

All the furniture and items her friend had collected over the years, they were all gone. The little stove where they cooked, the old mattress where they talked late into the night, all vanished like they were never there. 

A single green plastic bag remained on the floor untouched, filled to the brim of food. 

     catra working at BK fanart: 

https://twitter.com/huetrooper/status/1265188930741080064

https://twitter.com/quackelroys/status/1271199987540668416?s=20

https://mcatra.tumblr.com/post/620493235561824256/your-catra-works-at-burger-king-fic-is-great-you

 pt1, pt 2

Catra was currently studying in the library, trying to work her way through a math problem. 

Her place didn't have internet, so she usually alternated between the school wifi, the public library, and Burger King. Lonnie usually let her study in the break room when the libraries closed up. 

Her phone pings with a message, obviously from Adora. 

Catra picks up her phone and unlocks it, eyebrow raising when she sees the message. 

Adora: 

Wyd? 

Catra sighs. Of course that airheaded jock texted like a frat boy. As much as she wanted to leave her on read, a deal was a deal. 

Catra: 

Studying. 

Adora: 

So diligent! You're so cool, Catra :) 

Adora: 

I'm weightlifting right now! Gotta work off all those BK calories 💪

Great, maybe she will leave her alone to go do her workout. 

Adora: 

[image.attachment]

Catra almost drops her phone when she sees the photo Adora sent. It was a shot of her by the mirror, and she was flexing with a dumbbell. She was wearing a black crop top, which framed her abs perfectly. 

What was she doing, getting flustered over what, a gym rat photo that looked like it belonged on a Tinder profile? 

After much gay panic and debate, Catra takes a photo of herself with her middle finger up to the camera. She taps ‘send’ angrily. 

Catra: 

[image.attachment] 🖕

She doesn't get a response for a few minutes, which was odd. Usually Adora typed back at the speed of lightning. 

Ping. 

Adora: 

wow Ur rlly hot 

Catra looks at the text, slack jawed. What the hell? 

Adora: 

Oh my god I am so sorry. That was Glimmer, she took my phone. 

Catra could almost scream, but she was in a public library. She settles for furiously chewing her out, sharp nails flying over the keyboard. 

Catra: 

Plz make Ur excuses more believable. It's so unoriginal I can't even post this on r/OopsDidntMeanTo. 

Adora: 

I really didn't mean to 🥺

Adora: 

I mean 

Adora: 

Glimmer didn't mean to 

God, Adora was so stupid. Yet here Catra was, blushing like a fool. When she doesn’t answer for a while, her phone starts pinging again with notifications. 

>Adora liked your photo

>Adora liked your status >Adora reacted to your comment >Adora liked your photo

It goes on for another 23 times and Catra scrolls through it, dumbfounded. Unblocking her was  a mistake. 

---- 

As promised, Adora would visit her garage when her shifts were over bringing groceries. In exchange Catra would cook, as it seemed like Adora would burn water if she tried. 

It started off as a weekly thing, but in a true Adora-like fashion it ended up like this everyday. They would talk for hours, catching up on their lost years together. 

Adora talked about all sorts of things, like how hard it was adjusting to the soft beds at first and how she requested a hard one. She told her about the contents of the letters she would send to Catra that never went received. Catra just listened, gratified to hear that Adora missed her in their time apart even half as much as she did. 

They would sing the little songs they invented back when they were kids and make up whole new ones as they waited for the food. Adora even started learning how to cook after watching Catra, and she would barge in uninvited with new recipes. The food tasted better with company, and Adora took great pleasure in piling her seconds. 

Catra would show her the local dumpster and they would go scavenging for items they needed. She taught her how to repair the things they found using Youtube tutorials, and how to disinfect them. It was fun watching Adora try to haggle for prices at the market, or her face when she realized she had to use the outhouse to go to the bathroom at Catra’s. 

Days bleed into months, their easygoing friendship making Catra feel at peace for the first time in forever. 

Right now they were currently in their trial exam period, which functioned both as practice for their final exams and half of their final marks. They were sitting in the library, chatting about their future majors. 

Catra taps a pencil to her chin. ‘Let me guess, you want to do art. No, art history.’

‘Political science, actually! Did you know Eternia University has the number one ranked Political Science course in the entire country?' Adora says, flipping through the uni coursebook. 

'Wao, future leader of the free world huh? That's kinda hot.' Catra teases, while Adora swats her in embarrassment. 

'What about you?' 

'Double degree of Law and Social Work.' Catra replies. 'Cliche I know. But I just want to be in a position where I can sue the shit out of Shadow Weaver. The system is corrupt, and there's thousands of kids being abused.' 

'Wow, you're so cool Catra.' Adora says in awe. 'You're so smart, you'd definitely get in.' 

'Damn right.' She scoffs, crossing her arms. 

'You're gonna love Eternia. I went to their open day, the campus is gorgeous. Oh my gosh we could dorm together!' 

'Gross, who'd want to be your roommate?' 

'You would.' 

'Ew, you're so full of yourself. Anyway get off me, I have work soon and I need to get changed.' 

'Ah yes, the cute Burger King apron. I never get tired of it.' 

They would always flirt back and forth like this, but nothing ever came out of it. 

With her friendship came the feelings that she had repressed long ago, unknotting and resurfacing like they had never gone at all. However she had no idea if Adora even liked her in that way, given how affectionate she was with Bow and Glimmer. She was popular with boys and girls alike, but she never dated anyone. Catra never dared to ask. 

Once Adora had fallen asleep in Catra's bed, and the brunette had woken up to the other girls arm around her and their feet tangled together. It reminded her of when they shared the bed as kids, but now they were grown up and this kind of thing didn't have an innocent meaning anymore. Having her there made her heart race and her palms sweaty.

She had wanted to kiss her then. She wanted to kiss her now. Catra wanted every single morning to end up like that. 

-- 

Adora:

Your birthday is soon! Did you want anything?

You, Catra thinks, like a huge sap. 

Catra:

My sanity back. 

Adora: 

Oh my gosh, we could throw you a party at my place! You’re turning 18 right? We could go out drinking! Angella has this amazing vintage wine collection and I could make cocktails!  

Catra receives another wall of text, basically planning the entirety of this birthday party with Bow being the DJ and how Glimmer could make these buns that were to die for. Adora starts going through the entire party guest list until she has to cut in. 

Catra: 

lol calm down 

Adora: 

Does this mean Ur on board? 🎉

Catra: 

yes fine since you won't shut up about it 

Adora: 

AAAAAAAH YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️ U WILL NOT REGRET THIS 

DW I WILL PLAN EVERYTHING <3333 

💗💖💖😻

The excessive amount of heart emojis make Catra grin dumbly into her palm. 

She's glad they're not video chatting, or Adora would've already taken a screenshot. 

---

It’s the day of her 18th birthday, and she’s nearing the end of her shift. The best friend squad were waiting for her at their usual table so they could give her a ride. 

‘Hey Catra. Can I speak to you out back?’ Lonnie asks, gesturing outside. 

What the heck, did she do something wrong? It’s been pretty peaceful as of late, and Catra tries to remember if she had done anything to Kyle recently. She nods, chucking her apron at the back as she tries not to notice Adora’s eyes following her. 

Catra goes out to the back of the store, the night air nipping at her shoulders. Lonnie waits for her there, biting her lip.

‘What’s up? Don’t tell me you’re giving me a raise.’ Catra jokes. 

Lonnie looks conflicted, and she takes a big breath. 

‘I’m sorry but our store isn’t doing so well. I know you’re turning 18, and that means we can’t afford to keep you on anymore.’

‘What…’ 

Catra felt numb, like she wasn’t really there in the back alley with Lonnie. It felt like an out of body experience. She could only stare at her, betrayed. 

Like Lonnie could read her mind, she tries to correct herself. ‘It wasn’t my decision, it was Octavia’s.’

Of course it was. Her regional manager was the reason she could never just swipe food while she was working. Octavia never liked her, she always reviewed the security cameras and told her off for goofing around. She must’ve known the door incident was on Catra’s shift, and what really happened despite Adora’s cover up. This ‘layoff’ was just an excuse to get rid of her from a financial standpoint. 

‘Thank you for all your hard work over these past 3 years. I know you’re going through a rough time, so we will of course give you a recommendation.’

Catra just nods. 

She returns to her shift, robotically going through the motions. Catra doesn’t even say anything sassy when Adora asks for a burger with no patty and no onions and no sauce, only cheese on bread.

The lack of a clever comeback to their gag routine has Adora concerned. ‘Are you okay?’ 

Of course she wasn’t. How could she be? She was going to have to vacate her garage space, not like she had anywhere to put her furniture in. What the hell was she going to do? 

‘I’m fine.’ She says, even though tears were threatening to burn a hole in the back of her eyelids. ‘Just...rough day.’ 

‘It’s your birthday! The party will cheer you up.’ Bow says brightly. ‘I have the sickest playlist of all time, you're gonna love it.' 

'My mum isn’t home so we have free reign over the entire house! Come on girl, let's get you changed!' Glimmer crows, too excited about the party to pick up on Catra's mood. 'Makeover time!!' 

The two of them force her into Glimmer's Mercedes, on their way to buy every alcohol imaginable from the bottle shop before they go to her house. 

The last thing Catra wanted to do was play dress up or even go to her party, but Adora had planned for so long for this. It would definitely ruin the entire night if she refused to go. 

Out of all the times they had hung out, she’s never been to Adora’s house. She leans her head against the window when they drive into the fancy part of town, by the lakeside with the multi-million dollar yachts parked in the water. 

That still doesn't prepare Catra for when security lets them in through the black gates to the biggest mansion she’s ever seen. There were fountains, perfectly manicured lawns, a tennis court, and was that a helicopter pad?! 

It was incredible, Catra could only walk in a daze with her jaw dropped on their polished marble floors. So Glimmer was rich, rich. No wonder she was put out that Adora had her 18th birthday at Burger King. 

Catra looks at Adora with a dumbfounded expression, and the blonde looks almost embarrassed when they have to get into an elevator to go to her room. 

Glimmer picks out a hybrid of clothes from her and Adora's closets. The walk-in wardrobe is huge, like a department store full of designer clothes, shoes, jewellery and bags. 

Her wardrobe alone is the size of Catra's home. The brunette suddenly understands why Adora cried upon seeing her concrete garage space. Looking at it, she wanted to cry too. 

Glimmer sets her down on her huge poster bed as she brings out a checkered crop top, ripped black garter shorts and an expensive looking black leather jacket with a gold trim. While Catra reluctantly gets changed, Glimmer picks out a pair of black strappy heeled boots and a hair straightener to battle the bush on Catra’s head. 

She sits still while Glimmer goes to work on her face, bringing out an entire Sephora’s worth of makeup. When Catra looks in the vanity mirror, she almost doesn’t recognize herself. Her eyes were framed with false eyelashes, a swooping cateye, smokey eyeshadow, sharp contour and her lips were now cherry red with bold lipstick. Glimmer applies the finishing touches with silver rings and clip on piercings. 

She hears Adora inhale with shock from the staircase in her bedroom. 

‘Catra you look incredible!’ She gasps. Adora was wearing this cute backless white dress tied with strings, short enough that it cropped above her knees. She was wearing sparkly wedges to go with it, and her hair was curled instead of her usual ponytail. Her delicate gold sword necklace frames her collarbones. 

Catra’s throat goes dry. ‘Uh- You too.’ 

Glimmer smirks, satisfied with her work. She gets changed into her own outfit, a short purple tulle lace dress with a white fur trim and a cute Gucci clutch to accompany it. The pink haired girl spritzes them all with her various floral and sea spray scented perfumes before they head back downstairs.

‘Wow you guys look amazing!’ Scorpia marvels, and Adora’s friends voice their approval as well.

‘Gosh this place is crazy.’ Scorpia whispers to Catra. ‘Did you see their pool? We should’ve just held the swimming carnival here!’ 

Catra opens her mouth to tell her how Lonnie had let her go, but Sea Hawk’s booming voice interrupts them. 

'I challenge you to the ultimate game of BEER PONG!' Sea Hawk announces, spinning the ball on his fingertips. 

Of course this gets everyone's competitive spirit going, and everyone gets into pairs. 

After a few drinks Catra has almost forgotten what she was worrying about earlier, too focused on the buzz. Her and Adora demolish the other teams by a landslide with their impeccable aim. 

Soon the attendants came out with dinner, and it was lavish with every food you could imagine. Lobster, kobe beef, hor d'oeuvres, beluga caviar, kale, and opulent ice cream were all among the plates of food on the table.

They bring out a massive 3 tiered truffle cake, the words 'Happy Birthday' written with an oddly crude drawing of Catra. 

'You drew this?' She asks, and Adora nods happily. 'You worked so hard on mine, so.' Catra doesn’t have the heart to tell her that the cake was $7 and the drawing of her forehead was meant as an insult. 

They sing the birthday song for her, and this time no one brings up the cake cutting tradition. 

After dinner they sit outside in the garden around the bonfire Sea Hawk had made. He was drunkenly singing a loud shanty while Bow piled in the wood, fanning the flames. Frosta sips on a mocktail, the only one there who wasn’t old enough to drink yet. The fire flickers and dances, casting shadows around them. 

Catra downs a few more cocktails and jello shots as she waits for Mermista to light up some fireworks. Apparently it was illegal, but Mermista just waved her off, telling her that she’ll just pay the penalty fee as Catra’s birthday gift. Sea Hawk really did rub off on her. 

When she successfully sets them off they light up the sky in dazzling multicoloured sparks. Adora’s friends whoop with glee, taking photos and videos to commemorate the moment. 

Adora's side profile is lit up in the dark, and she looks impossibly beautiful among the backdrop of stars. Longing tears at her chest, Catra wants to hold her hand but her throat feels too tight and she can’t move. The truth was that she knew she had always had feelings for Adora, even back when they were just kids back in the foster home. But like a coward, she could never voice them for fear of Adora leaving her side. 

A loud neighing can be heard from the stables in response to the loud booming noises from the fireworks. 

'Swifty!' Adora says, standing up. The moment's breaks and Catra reels back her hand. 'Stay here, I'll be right back.' 

Her chance disappears, she couldn’t say it after all. She watches her go tend to her horse, feeling stupid. 

‘Yoohoo~, want a rematch?’ Sea Hawk calls out from the patio, pouring vodka into tiny glasses. 

‘Don’t mind if I do.’ Catra replies. She definitely didn’t know her alcohol tolerance levels yet, so it was the perfect time to take that to the test. 

Catra confidently does a whole line of shots, determined to drink herself into unconsciousness. Every time she sees a flash of Lonnie or Adora’s face in her mind, she takes another swig. Everyone is cheering her on, screaming the song ‘Shots’ over and over again, also all drunk out of their minds. Sea Hawk taps out at the 5th drink, and everyone screams at Catra’s flawless victory. Scorpia lifts her into the air to do a victory lap, cheering. 

Adora finally makes an appearance, alerted by the sound of Catra's shrieky laughter as Scorpia swings her around. 

‘Don’t worry, I can take it from here.’ Her school captain says pulling Catra away from her friend. Scorpia just shrugs and makes her way to the food table.

‘Catra, maybe you should slow down.’ Adora tells the giggling girl in her arms. 

‘Noo way.’ She slurs, she was enjoying the feeling too much, the alcohol burning through her body, making her feel lightheaded. The light up disco dancefloor starts to blur into a kaleidoscope of colours. 

‘You got some weed?’ Catra asks, seeing Perfuma light a bowl. The taller girl hands her an already rolled up one and Catra snatches it to take a long drag. The smoke hits her lungs and she starts coughing. 

‘Oi Perfuma, why did you bring drugs? Angella will kill me!' Adora gripes, trying to wrestle the blunt away from Catra. 

‘Aw don't be like that! I made some edibles for you guys to try.’ Perfuma says cheerfully, pointing to the pot brownies. 

‘See? Scorpia likes them.’ She gestures at the other girl, who seemed to be currently tripping out of her mind and eating everything on the table. 

Catra goes to reach for one, but Adora grabs her by the wrist to lead her back inside. 'Alright, you're done for the night. Everyone say bye!' 

‘Byee Catra!’

‘Happy birthday!!’

Adora grabs her by the waist to lead her to her bedroom, Catra wobbling after her in the heels Glimmer lent her. 

'Ugh Adoraaa, don't be such a party pooper. I'm fine.' She moans, leaning heavily on the other girl. 'Don't you have a shift tomorrow afternoon? I don't want you getting hungover or drug tested.' Adora chides, rummaging around the dark for the light switch. 

Catra snorts. 'Oh you don't have to worry about that anymore. Got laid off.' 

Adora looks at her in confusion, until realization dawns on her. 'Wait, is that why Lonnie took you outside?' 

'Say, I never got to give you your birthday gift.' Catra pushes her hair back, voice sultry as she flings off her jacket. She never pinned herself down as a horny drunk, but here they were. Catra shoves Adora onto the bed, straddling her. Her golden hair spills over the mattress, soft like spun silk. 

'You still want that kiss?' Catra whispers in Adora's now burning red ear. 'My knife touched the bottom.' 

Adora's face now resembled a fire truck, mouth gaping in shock.

'C-Catra, I…' 

Catra presses their lips together, silencing her. She knows she probably tastes like alcohol and weed right now, but she couldn't care less in the moment. Adora's mouth is still slack jawed from mortification, so she takes the opportunity for tongue. She frowns and moves down to her neck when Adora doesn’t return the kiss. 

'Catra, what are you doing-' 

Catra bites down on Adora's nape. The blonde underneath her lets out a soft gasp, arching her back. Her gold manicured nails dig into her shoulder. 

'Stop, you're not thinking straight-!' 

'Sure ain't.' Catra grins, licking a stripe down the base of her neck. Adora’s necklace chain jingles with the movement. There was now an impressive hickey there, blooming violet on her pale skin. She pauses to admire her handiwork. 

'This isn't you talking, you'll, you'll regret this in the morning.' Adora stutters. She's shivering, their hands now laced together, silver rings clanking. 

 'I know. I don't care.' She replies, kissing her again. Adora's teeth nick her lip. The alcohol in her system makes her feel lightheaded, confident. No way would she have managed this sober. Adora tastes better than she does, sweet like blueberry soju. Catra's hands wander down further, pulling the strings to untie the back of her dress-

'Catra stop!' Adora suddenly shouts, striking Catra across the cheek in a deafening slap. 

Adora's eyes were blazing, almost teary in the dark. Her breathing was irregular, panting in and out. Catra stills, clutching her cheek. The look in her eyes sobered her immediately. 

Adora looks down at her palm, realizing what she just did. 'Sorry for hitting you!' She flounders. 'It's just that, you're only doing this because you’re drunk and upset, right?’

Catra just stares at her before climbing off. Cold realization settles as the fog in her brain clears. 'You're right. Forget it.' 

She sits on the edge of the bed, numbly watching Adora hurriedly trying to re-tie the back of her now wrinkled dress. Her lips are stained with Catra’s red lipstick. 

Adora catches her looking, and she quickly turns away to smooth down her hair with her fingers. 'You've had more than enough to drink tonight. I’ll get you some water to clear your head.’

She gets up to turn on the light switch, and Catra blinks in the harsh light from the chandeliers. 

‘Come on, let’s get you sobered up, okay?’ Adora leads her to the kitchen on the same floor, gingerly placing her friend on the slippery bar stool. 

The blonde goes to get the chilled jug of infused water from the fridge and pours it into a glass. Adora slides it across the island, and Catra reluctantly takes it. She sips at it, mint and lemon on her tongue. It tasted way better than her hose water. 

‘I’ll uh, pick out some groceries for you since we’re here and all.’ Adora says awkwardly into the silence, turning around to rummage through her pantry. 

Suddenly Catra is brought back to the whole reason why she was sitting here in this oversized mansion in the first place. Their friendship agreement. The one she had just violated. Catra had never felt more stupid to mistake Adora’s kindness and guilt for actual feelings. She felt like a charity case, waiting to collect food from the soup kitchen.

Of course Adora didn't like her back. She just saw her as someone needing to be saved. The product of survival guilt. Catra wanted to whack her head on the corner of her marbled countertop and not wake up. 

Adora takes out a green plastic bag, and starts filling it with everything and anything she can get. Cans, pasta, biscuits, fruits and vegetables. Actually this feeling was more like being one of those poor kids that white girls would pose next to for their Instagram after their trip to Africa. 

Did Adora have fun, volunteering to slum it up in her place while she returned here? All she ever wanted her entire life was to be Adora’s equal. 

Scorpia and Sea Hawk's loud laughter and DJ music can be heard downstairs in the garden, beyond the tall golden trimmed windows. The class difference between them stretched like an unfathomable canyon. Living the classy bougie dream until the clock struck midnight and she was back in her run down garage. Except soon she won’t even have that anymore. Why did Adora have to bring her here? It was almost cruel. 

Catra's suddenly overcome with the urge to vomit. She nearly falls off the high chair in her rush to throw up the unholy cocktail of alcohol into the sink. Tears bead in her eyes from the sour taste as she continues to vomit out everything she ate that night. She can feel Adora by her side, patting her back reassuringly.

It was by far the worst birthday she has ever had. 

--

The morning of, Catra woke up in Adora’s bed with a splitting headache. 

Unfortunately she was not given the gift of amnesia, as she vividly remembered every last excruciating detail about last night. 

She spots Adora’s mop of blonde hair under a blanket on the floor, even though there were a billion other free spare rooms to sleep in. Adora was probably too afraid to share the same bed as her now.

Catra’s borrowed crop top digs uncomfortably into her skin, and she angrily flings it off her body. The shorts stick to her like a second skin, smelling of tequila. She grabs her old Burger King uniform and puts it on, though even this didn’t belong to her now. 

Adora shifts in her sleep, and Catra lightly steps over her to get to the door. The last thing she wanted was for Adora to wake up. 

As soon as she’s out, she runs out to the elevator and bangs frantically on the buttons until it sends her to the bottom floor. The lift opens with a ding and in her haste she almost crashes headfirst into Glimmer. 

‘Oh hey! Are you going to work?’ Glimmer greets. She was in her silk pajamas and slippers, holding a glass of orange juice. 

‘Uh. Yeah.’ Catra lies, trying her best to look natural. 

‘Some party last night huh? Lucky today is a Saturday.’ Glimmer says conversationally, unaware of Catra’s urge to throw her across the room. ‘Hey, what happened to your cheek?’

Catra clutches her face, it still strung from where Adora struck her. ‘Nothing.’

Glimmer raises an eyebrow. ‘Well anyway, did you wanna stick around for  breakfast? The cooks made pancakes, bacon, eggs, the whole deal.' She peeks behind Catra. 'Is Adora still not up yet?’ 

As much as Catra wanted to scream get out of my way she schools her expression to her best customer service smile. ‘Nope she’s still sleeping it off. Anyway I’m gonna be late so I can’t stick around.’

‘Did you need a lift?’ Glimmer asks. It dawns on the brunette she couldn’t exactly run the entire way back home. ‘I’ll ask one of the drivers to take you back so you make it to your shift.’

Catra thanks her lucky stars that Glimmer was still too hungover to drive her. She wouldn’t have been able to dodge her questions if she had. 

‘Yes please.’ Catra says, giddy with relief. ‘Thank you.’ 

‘Ooh and before I forget, Adora told me last night to give you this.’ Glimmer says, grabbing the green bag of groceries off the counter. The shorter girl bundles it into Catra’s arms before she can object. 

‘Get home safe.’ She says, waving as the attendant leads her out the door. 

Catra looks down at the cans of food in her arms and doesn’t say anything.  

------

The days leading up to graduation were painful, to say the least. 

They more or less pretend the kiss didn't happen. Adora never brings it up, and neither does Catra. 

She would stare at the ceiling, wishing she had never gotten piss drunk at her birthday and kissed her. Adora was right, she did regret it. It was awful, the look on Adora's face when she slapped Catra replays in her mind and nightmares over and over again. It was mortifying. 

Adora still messages her every 3 days, and Catra still replies, though her words are empty and devoid of banter. I'm worried about you, she says. I'm fine, Catra always responds. 

The brunette continues to humour her to keep the peace, only shutting down when her old job was mentioned. Catra doesn’t allow Adora back into her home again. 

Sometimes they study together, but she can't concentrate when Adora wears her glasses. Her heart hurts, so she cradles her cheek and tries not to remember. 

The hickey she had branded Adora's neck with had been covered with foundation until it faded away. None of her friends had teased her about it, so she clearly had not told a single soul what had happened. 

Catra bites at the scab on her lip from where Adora’s teeth nicked her until it bleeds. She wants to apologize, but the words stick on her tongue and she can't bring herself to talk about that night. 

Catra knew Adora was only here by her side to alleviate her guilt. Shame buries itself under her skin every time she's near her, like she was too embarrassed to even exist in the same space as Adora. She wants to disappear. 

Exams are hard, and without an internet connection after the library closes at 6pm made it difficult to study. She tries to use the Mcdonald's wifi but soon just ordering a water cup wasn't enough for the workers to let her stay. It was a fruitless effort anyway, in her heart she knew she wasn't going to come out on top. Her ranking had slipped, she wasn't even at second place anymore. Rent was due at the end of the month, and without her Burger King wage she knew she'll be kicked out sooner than later. 

Catra felt stressed and self destructive, and the only thing that kept her from falling off the edge completely was Scorpia. As much as she hated depending on others, she'd much rather her old coworker than Adora. 

Her classmates seemed to like this new, muted down version of Catra who didn't argue and just stayed quiet most of the time. Fighting back was too difficult when all she wanted to do was blend into the wallpaper. All they talked about was where they were going for vacation after graduation, and Catra certainly had nothing to contribute to that conversation.

She felt like crying, all the time. It was agony, wanting to burst out into tears randomly while she sat wasting away in the student council room. Despite herself, she missed Burger King, and she just kept getting ghosted or rejected in her other job applications. Sometimes when she really wanted to indulge herself, she'd go cry silently in the school toilet stall. 

Glimmer notices the change, and she catches her glaring. 'You don't seem as alive lately. Your eye bags are huge.' 

'S'fine.' Catra replies, hiding her hands so she doesn't see how they shake. Honestly Catra couldn't remember the last time she slept.

'Pfft, don't lie to me. Adora's worried about you. You're getting skinnier, and your eyes are always raw. All you do is stare into space.' 

Catra bites down on her nails. Of course she knew that. But she's gone through this before, and she'll do it again. 

'What happened between you two?’ 

‘None of your business.’ Catra replies, shuffling her way to the hall. 

--

Their graduation ceremony starts off uneventfully. Every student’s parents except Catra’s sit proudly in the audience, eager to watch their kid graduate. One by one they receive their certificate and return to their seats. 

Adora and Catra stand side by side onstage, as Adora makes their final speech as School Captain. Through the blinding lights, she sees Angella waving proudly at her adoptive daughter in the crowd. 

Catra looks at Adora in the corner of her eye. She must look pathetic, lovesick and pining after someone she couldn’t have. 

‘It’s been such an honour serving the entire faculty and students of this school. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing Vice-Captain and all of my prefects.

Now I’m proud to hand over my badge to the next School Captain, Frosta.’ 

They go through the rest of the ceremony like that, each member of the student council handing their badges to their successors. 

Soon their Principal comes up to the podium, tapping it once and clearing her throat. 

‘Announcing our honor student, and the winner of the scholarship to Eternia University…’ Castaspella says, turning over the sign card. 

‘None other than our school captain, Adora!’

Everyone starts clapping, and Adora walks across the stage to shake Castaspella's hand. 

Sounded about right. Catra never won against Adora in her entire life. She had already expected this outcome. Like a game of cat and mouse, going over and over for all eternity. 

Adora would excel with her elite education and secure a well paying job. Catra would struggle at the bottom indefinitely, never amounting to anything. She never would, if Adora was still there next to her. When the blonde re-entered her life, everything she had been working towards for years just collapsed. Her job, her home, her School Captain status, her chance at the scholarship, her sanity. 

She had to be wiped clean. A fresh start. 

The flower petals were falling, the streets decorated with a vibrant pink. The other students mill out of the crowd with their parents, chatting excitedly about what was next in their futures. She waits for Adora underneath a tree.  

'Congratulations.' Catra says, when she finally spots the other girl in the crowd. Adora pulls away from Angella’s embrace to meet her. 

'You deserve this so much more than I do.' Adora says, her voice pained like she didn't just win a full ride to her dream university. 'You should take it.'

'It's in your name, silly.' Catra replies, lightly tapping her with her rolled up certificate.

'Besides, I knew you'd get into Eternia, so I never applied.'

Adora blinks dumbly. '...What? Aren’t we going to the same university?’ 

She always was a bit slow on the uptake. ‘Only you decided that, stuupid. Say, it's about time we ended this right?' 

‘Catra, what are you...' 

'Our deal. You don't need to feel guilty anymore or bring me anything.' Catra says, her voice sounding like it didn't belong to her. She rummages in her bag, bringing out Adora's spare varsity jacket that she hadn’t returned. 'Here, take this. Thank you for all the help.' 

'What do you mean? You want to stop being friends?' Adora says in disbelief, taking the jacket.  

Catra nods. ‘I can’t continue with the arrangement. I hope you understand.’ 

‘I don’t! Was I the only one who thought we were friends, real ones?’ Adora asks.

‘...That’s right. I never saw you as a friend. You were just a meal ticket to me. Are you happy now?’ Catra snaps back. Shit, that wasn’t what she meant to say. She had planned to end this quickly and painlessly, on a high note. Trust Adora to put up a fight. 

Something seems to click in Adora’s brain. ‘Is this about the night of the party?’

‘Figure that out yourself.’ Catra replies, turning to walk away. 

Adora grabs onto her arm. ‘Wait! If- if that’s what you want, I’ll give it! Just don't go!' 

This dumb blonde really was offering up her body, out of what? A sense of duty? How stupid. 

‘Is that right?’ Catra says, walking closer to her. Adora backs up until she is pinned to the tree. They’re face to face now. 

‘Can you really do this?’ Catra lifts Adora’s chin by a finger. 

Finally it seems to dawn on Adora exactly what Catra wanted. She swallows, biting her lip. 

There’s a flicker of hesitation, before Adora’s eyes squeeze shut defiantly. The blonde is shaking like a leaf, her breath coming out in panicked stutters from her pursed lips. 

Catra just stares at Adora’s scrunched up face impassively. Her scared reaction was the only confirmation she needed for closure. 

She flicks the other girl’s forehead, and her big blue eyes open in confusion.

‘Chill out, I’m not that evil to do it to someone so unwilling.’

Adora blinks, clutching her forehead. ‘Catra?’

Suddenly Angella’s voice cuts through their conversation from the car park. ‘Adora dear, are you done chatting with your friend? We have reservations!'

‘Um, I…’ Her old school captain opens her mouth to say something, but Angella's started to lose her patience. 'Adora, how long are you going to stand there? Glimmer is already waiting for us at the restaurant!' 

Catra just smiles tiredly. ‘Take care, dummy.’ 

She watches Adora being dragged off unwillingly by her adoptive mother to the car. 

Catra lets out a sigh. Her phone pings with a message from Scorpia, and she knows it's time to go. 

---

By the time Angella releases her from their graduation celebration, Adora can feel that it's already too late.

Adora: 

Please, can we talk? Let me fix this

A pop up appears over the screen. 

Message Not Sent

This person isn't receiving messages at this time. 

Adora sends another message, but they all go undelivered. Catra had blocked her again. Panic spikes through her veins, and she quickly dons on a jacket and grabs her car keys. 

She sneaks out that night, down the familiar winding path through the bush that led to Catra's place. 

'Catra?' She rolls up the garage door, blinking in the darkness. When her eyes adjusted, she found Catra's old home completely emptied. 

All the furniture and items her friend had collected over the years, they were all gone. The little stove where they cooked, the old mattress where they talked late into the night, all vanished like they were never there. 

A single green plastic bag remained on the floor untouched, filled to the brim of food. 

#she-ra #she ra #spop #catra #catradora #adora #burger king au #fanfiction

[babyprime]

She ra characters based on whether they are a Driving Gay or a Gay That Can't Drive

Adora: can drive. knows fuck all about cars but she can drive. she legitimately referred to it as "purndle" until roasted.

Catra: license was taken for reckless and aggressive driving. was going 90 in a 35 because she thinks speed limits are a challenge.

Bow: can drive but no one likes when he does because he drives like a nervous granny and follows every law religiously. "Click it or ticket" is in his vocabulary. The ONLY one in the squad that knows about cars.

Glimmer: she could in theory drive but she got into one (1) wreck and now her mom doesnt trust her with the keys. to be fair, the wreck was 100% her fault.

Scorpia: not only can she drive, she will give anyone a ride if they ask. default dd every outing. probably keeps snacks, paper towels, lotion, and drinks in her car.

Mermista: why would she drive if she knows people with cars

Sea hawk: 3 accidents last month alone

Perfuma: look at the woman. look at her clothes. look at her. you can smell the incense on her. she bikes. she bikes, and her bike has a coexist sticker on it. I would put money on it.

Entrapta: she doesnt drive but she knows a lot about cars

Frosta: she is 11 years of age

#she ra