All this time, she's been certain she can't. That being She-ra doesn't leave space for Adora. That the world needs She-ra anyway, so it's fine if it's Adora who's tossed to the side, because at least She-ra can save the world.
At least She-ra can save the people she loves.
But Catra's here, looking miserable, voice so upset, and she's upset because of Adora, and the words Adora's saying, and--
With the need to be truthful still running through her veins, all Adora can whisper rawly, sincerely, is:]
I... I want to... [She just doesn't know if she can.
She doesn't know if She-ra will give her the strength to do that. But if Adora could have one single thing, one sliver of happiness... it would be this.]
[and there it is. a tiny sliver of hope. enough to alleviate the tension in Catra's shoulders, to get her ears to perk up a little more. her chest still feels tight and her face hot and the corners of her eyes sting ever so slightly, but. . . Adora has given her something]
[and she can work with that]
[she lifts her good hand to rub at her yes as she sits down again, tail curling behind her]
So try.
[it's a request, not a command. try. for her own sake. . . for Adora's sake. . . try to be happy]
Don't tell me something so big and then say that you can't.
Catra's... trying, she's trying so hard for Adora's sake too, and Adora winces, dragging in a slow breath. She still doesn't know--what if this all falls apart the moment she goes home, when she has to be She-ra again?
But... all Catra's asking for is for her to try, and that's so little to ask for after everything.
What does Adora want? Adora wants--]
I want... to go on a date with you this week. [AHA.
they are kind of already on a date
don't bring that up.]
I want to... to be able to be with you, Catra. To just--live our lives. Together.
[Is...that okay? Is that enough? Is it okay for her to want this, even knowing everything?]
[for Catra, whose only wish in the entire world was for this exact same thing. . . it's more than enough]
[the rest of her ire melts away, relief flooding her expression when Adora actually listens, actually says what it is she wants rather than what it is she thinks she has to do. She-ra isn't here, so it's not an issue that either of them can tackle head on right now, but. . .]
[for now, in this very moment, this short-lived but precious moment, they can have this]
. . . okay.
[time to act cool Catra!! time to act super cool!!!]
[the words are still there, still fighting to come out, the urge to spill them so strong that Catra has to suck in a sharp breath to stop herself from speaking. but despite the extra push she has from. . . whatever force this is that is making her be honest for a change, she swallows them back. and instead. . .]
[. . . okay. okay! despite the hiccup, this is. . . happening! it's happening!! it's happening and Catra finds herself perking up a bit, ears swiveling forward]
Okay. Yeah. Okay. I mean-- sure, it doesn't really matter, as long as it's just us, but-- like. You know.
It should be at least a little-- what do they call it?
Romantic, or something.
[IT'S FINE IT'S COOL SHE'S PLAYING IT COOL, HER CHEEKS ARE TOTALLY NOT RED]
[there's no pause this time as Catra takes that hand, grasping it tightly. she flashes Adora a smile-- something genuine, not one of her patented smirks-- before she tugs against that hand to guide Adora towards the farm]
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All this time, she's been certain she can't. That being She-ra doesn't leave space for Adora. That the world needs She-ra anyway, so it's fine if it's Adora who's tossed to the side, because at least She-ra can save the world.
At least She-ra can save the people she loves.
But Catra's here, looking miserable, voice so upset, and she's upset because of Adora, and the words Adora's saying, and--
With the need to be truthful still running through her veins, all Adora can whisper rawly, sincerely, is:]
I... I want to... [She just doesn't know if she can.
She doesn't know if She-ra will give her the strength to do that. But if Adora could have one single thing, one sliver of happiness... it would be this.]
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[and she can work with that]
[she lifts her good hand to rub at her yes as she sits down again, tail curling behind her]
So try.
[it's a request, not a command. try. for her own sake. . . for Adora's sake. . . try to be happy]
Don't tell me something so big and then say that you can't.
Tell me what it is you want.
[DO IT RIGHT ADORA!!]
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Catra's... trying, she's trying so hard for Adora's sake too, and Adora winces, dragging in a slow breath. She still doesn't know--what if this all falls apart the moment she goes home, when she has to be She-ra again?
But... all Catra's asking for is for her to try, and that's so little to ask for after everything.
What does Adora want? Adora wants--]
I want... to go on a date with you this week. [AHA.
they are kind of already on a date
don't bring that up.]
I want to... to be able to be with you, Catra. To just--live our lives. Together.
[Is...that okay? Is that enough? Is it okay for her to want this, even knowing everything?]
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[the rest of her ire melts away, relief flooding her expression when Adora actually listens, actually says what it is she wants rather than what it is she thinks she has to do. She-ra isn't here, so it's not an issue that either of them can tackle head on right now, but. . .]
[for now, in this very moment, this short-lived but precious moment, they can have this]
. . . okay.
[time to act cool Catra!! time to act super cool!!!]
Then let's go. Just you and me.
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She can't, in good conscience, just ignore it.
So, weakly, she smiles too, and:]
... Are you sure this is okay? [Because if things go badly back home, it'll be Catra who's hurt again.]
1/3
Adora-- [and now she's back!! to being!! exasperated!!]
Don't you get it? The only thing I've ever wanted is--!
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[the words are still there, still fighting to come out, the urge to spill them so strong that Catra has to suck in a sharp breath to stop herself from speaking. but despite the extra push she has from. . . whatever force this is that is making her be honest for a change, she swallows them back. and instead. . .]
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Of course it's okay. Okay? Because I also--
[. . .]
I want--
[PLEASE!! OUT WITH IT!!!]
. . . I want it, too.
["it" being "THE DATE"]
[1/3]
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[3/3]
... Really? I mean--uh. Then--! Yeah! Let's... go on a date! Right now! Wherever doesn't really matter to me, I just... wanna. Y'know. Go with you.
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Okay. Yeah. Okay. I mean-- sure, it doesn't really matter, as long as it's just us, but-- like. You know.
It should be at least a little-- what do they call it?
Romantic, or something.
[IT'S FINE IT'S COOL SHE'S PLAYING IT COOL, HER CHEEKS ARE TOTALLY NOT RED]
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Uh huh? Romantic? Sounds good to me. Like what kinda romance? We could, uh...
[what's romantic]
... what's something you've always wanted to do?
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Uh.
[a beat]
[. . . and then she grins, one of her patented wicked Catra-is-up-to-something grins]
Steal one of the farm vehicles.
[THE FARM UTV]
[HOW IS THAT ROMANTIC]
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but like
also... the parallels... it feels like old times.
Adora pauses... and then shrugs.]
Yeah, okay. Let's do it.
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Bet I can finish my smoothie before you.
[TIME TO CHUG THIS THING AND GET BRAIN FREEZE]
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[CHUG CHUG CHUG
the real question is who gets a brain freeze first.]
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[and after it sets in, she hisses a little and clutches her head with her good hand, laying said head down on the table as she RIDES IT OUT]
Ooooooh maaaaaaaan. . . brain freeze is real!
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AMUSEDLY.
As she casually sips her smoothie.]
Well.
You almost won. [there there.]
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Whatever. There's always next time.
[and with her smoothie finished, she places the glass down on the table and stands]
Ready for our super romantic date?
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[ROMANTIC DATE TIME.
Adora offers Catra her hand.]
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[there's no pause this time as Catra takes that hand, grasping it tightly. she flashes Adora a smile-- something genuine, not one of her patented smirks-- before she tugs against that hand to guide Adora towards the farm]
[to steal]
[a UTV]
[closes eyes. rom. . . ance. . .]