Chapter Text
FOUR YEARS LATER
“Glenallen Glenn!”
Catra winced, how could she not. “This poor bastard's name is Glenallen Glenn?”
“Shh,” Glimmer chided her, clapping all the while trying not to laugh. “Don’t be rude - that’s someone’s child.”
“You think his middle name is Glen too?” Bow asked, though not at all in the secondhand embarrassment tone that Catra had. No, Bow was entirely too serious. “Glenallen Glen Glenn, triple G!”
Instead of clapping, Catra pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “There’s nothing cool about being called -”
“Shush! There she is!” Glimmer pointed and Catra’s eyes found Adora standing just beside the podium.
Her heart soared with pride, the strangest and most welcome feeling in the world. It had been a painfully long four years, but somehow they’d survived it.
Adora looked so damn cute. Wearing her long, blue graduation gown and cap to match - she had her hair down because she couldn’t fit the ponytail and the poof under her cap. Much to her dismay and much to Catra’s delight. Hair down Adora was far and away her favorite look.
She looked a little anxious with each step she took towards the podium, like she might have to give a speech or something - which she didn’t. But Catra knew Adora wasn’t a huge fan of being the center of attention and the crowd here today was pretty massive.
Still, Catra beamed when Adora scanned through the crowd to find her. Their eyes met and Catra waved at her slightly, earning a smile and a wave back just before her name was called.
“Adora Grayskull!”
The only thing louder than Glimmer’s cheering was Catra’s own - it surprised even her, but seeing Adora step up on that stage and grab her diploma, one Catra knew Adora had been through hell to earn, was one of the happiest moments of Catra’s life.
She whistled as loud as she could, cheering and screaming with Glimmer at her side. Catra glanced over just enough to make sure Bow was taking a thousand pictures like Catra had expected him to.
He was, she loved that boy.
When Adora’s eyes found her again, Catra felt the tears swelling up. They shared a smile and then Adora shuffled off stage and returned to the group of fellow graduates, clutching her diploma tightly to her chest.
Catra covered her mouth, now fully crying like a big fucking baby - but she didn’t care.
“She made it,” Catra said, turning to Glimmer who was smiling at her.
“You both did.”
Jesus they were so sappy and obnoxious and Catra hated how much she loved all of them.
The rest of the ceremony went on pretty smoothly - Catra caught herself more than once just watching Adora, Staring at the back of her head as a few professors spoke and some videos were shown - this place was a little bit obsessed with their sports because most of the graduating athletes got their own little video packages
Still, Adora was bouncing on her feet, swaying from side to side and just genuinely happy. So much so that Catra had to resist the urge to run over there and stand next to her.
Despite Catra’s growing belief that this graduation was going to last forever, it did eventually come to an end and once the caps were thrown and the music was playing, Catra had waited long enough.
She stood up, slipping through the crowd as she kept her eyes on Adora. It was like some fucking movie shit when their gazes met. Adora smiled, as bright as the damn sun and Catra full on sprinted towards her.
Catra jumped, not caring who was watching or what the rest of the stadium might think, she leapt into Adora’s arms.
Adora, of course, caught her easily - she’d been training in fitness and walked onto the school's basketball team so she was in even better shape now than ever.
“God you look so stupid in that outfit,” Catra said, her voice overflowing with affection.
Adora laughed. “It’s so hot too, I can’t wait to be out of it.”
Leaning back, Catra held her arms around Adora’s neck and stared at her. “Oh yeah? Is that a proposition, Grayskull?”
“You say that like you’re surprised I want you.”
That was another thing Adora had been working on, her confidence and her desires. She even had a ‘wants’ board with things she wanted, things that she could be selfish about.
Her first year at school was so hard because Adora’s shyness was almost crippling. She followed her assigned roommate around like a lost puppy and did so many things she didn’t want to, only because she was too much of a disaster to say no.
So when she ended up calling Catra outside of a night club, in tears and covered in a drink someone spilled on her, that was when Catra made her first official trip to Florida.
It was on that trip that they made Adora’s first ‘wants’ board.
There was also the very tense conversation Catra had with Adora’s roommate that Adora didn’t know about, but it was Adora’s roommate coming to a basic understanding that if anything bad happened to Adora that Catra wasn’t above murder.
The ‘wants’ board was a thing that carried on the last four years. It was always changing and not everything on it happened.
But the first thing on the list and the only thing that stayed on it was Catra. She was Adora’s want and to say it made Catra’s heart soar would be a massive understatement.
“So can we get out of here or what?” Catra asked, untangling herself from Adora’s arms - but keeping their hands locked together. “Shimmer and Shine are waiting for us outside.”
“Adora?” Someone called out to her, a voice Catra didn’t recognize.
An older woman approached them, she had to be six foot five - with a bright white smile and the most incredibly smooth, dark skin. She was a babe and Catra was not afraid to admit this. “Oh, Coach Harper!’ Adora was practically glowing. “I was worried I wouldn’t see you with everything going on.”
“I had to find you, congratulate you - I’m so proud of you.”
The hand holding Catra’s tensed, she was gonna cry if this continued.
Catra gave her a little squeeze and pulled Adora out of it “Oh right! Coach, this is my girlfriend, Catra.”
The woman extended her hand and Catra shook it. She had a ridiculously firm shake. “Catra, so lovely to finally put a face to the name Adora wrote on her wristbands before every practice.”
With a quirked brow, Catra looked over at Adora who had the most adorable shade of red on her cheeks. “Every practice huh?”
“Ugh, shut...shush.” Only Adora would think ‘shut up’ was too vulgar to say in front of her coach.
Coach Harper laughed. “Sorry Adora, I didn’t realize I was spilling treasure secrets.”
“No, no, this is great,” Catra teased. “Maybe we’ll get my name tattooed on your wrist so you don’t have to write it every time.”
Adora didn’t say anything in response, just pouted like a dork. A cute dork. A cute dork who was going to get the crap kissed out of her when they got out of this stadium.
“Anyway, I wanted to let you know that my offer still stands.”
Again, Adora tensed. This time though, Catra did too. “Oh I uh...right. I haven’t really had much time to think about it yet.”
“That’s okay - the season doesn’t start until October so you have time. Just let me know a few months before that so if you decide you want the internship, I can let everyone know.”
Adora nodded, a cloudiness in her expression that Catra hadn’t seen in years. “Of course, th - thanks for everything.” Adora moved into Coach Harper’s arms for a hug and Catra reluctantly let her hand go.
“You’re a shooting star, Adora. I’d love to be even a small part of it.”
Now Adora was crying and smiling and Catra stepped up and put an arm around her waist as Coach Harper moved to talk to someone else.
“Internship?” Catra asked, no blame or insecurity in her voice - she trusted Adora.
“Yeah, she offered me a spot on her training staff a few days ago - I hadn’t really given it much thought and I was going to tell you.”
“I know.”
“Can we talk about it tonight?”
Catra nodded. “Sure, after you’ve been well and thoroughly fuc-”
“Catra!” Adora flushed hard and practically picked Catra up off the ground to stop her from finishing that sentence.
“What? I find out you wrote my name on your wristbands every day and you expect me to take that lightly.”
“Not every day... just every practice.” Adora buried her face in Catra’s shoulder. “I can’t believe she told you that.”
“I’m so glad she did, she’s getting a Christmas card.”
Catra’s whole body was buzzing, it had been far too long since she’d had a morning like this. Adora woke up early, because of course she did, and try as she might, she was just too damn loud to get out without waking Catra too.
This time though, Catra didn’t mind at all. She laid in bed, watching Adora get up to go to the bathroom and as soon as the door shut, Catra made her move. She pushed the blankets down and took off her tank top. She positioned herself against the pillows, wiping at her eyes to wake up fully before Adora came back.
When she did, Adora was stretching her back and yawning. She looked so cute and so...attractive, Catra knew she made the right choice to get up with her.
Adora froze like a deer in the headlights when she saw Catra.
Catra, who had spent the last four years growing extremely confident in herself and how could she not with Adora complimenting her constantly. Catra, who loved to tease and poke and prod her girlfriend every chance she got.
Catra, who always made sure to pay Adora back fully for all the times she made her blush and stammer in public.
“You...you’re…” Adora looked like she was having trouble breathing. “Boobs.” She said and Catra cackled.
“They are, in fact. You spent a lot of time reacquainting yourself with them last night.”
Adora lowered her head shyly, Catra was so in love with her. “Heh, yeah I...I really should stop talking so much during...that.”
“Sex, Adora,” Catra sat up a little. “And no you shouldn’t. You may not be great at dirty talk, but you telling me how sexy I am over and over again is...well it works for me.”
“You are,” Adora smiled. “Are we…?” Adora was practically bouncing on her heels.
Catra readied herself. “Of course we are, dummy.”
That was when Adora pounced.
So that was why Catra was buzzing as she stepped out of the shower two hours later. They’d spent that time reacquainting even further and for the first time in four years, there was no time limit left on being together. No future date when Adora would have to go back. No more semester breaks or long weekends. No more voice chats or nights spent on the phone with each other - falling asleep and forgetting to hang up.
Now, they had all the time in the world.
After drying off and gathering up her clothes, Catra realized she was missing something and stepped out of the bathroom to search for it.
“Adora, have you seen my bra? I know you’re strong but if you could stop throwing it across the room every -”
It was only after almost finishing her sentence that Catra caught sight of Adora nearly falling off the bed with her laptop in her hands.
“Sorry, Mara! I think Catra’s on the phone or something.” Adora is shooting literal daggers with her eyes at Catra
Who can only laugh in return. “Oh shit,” Catra said, covering her mouth.
“Good morning, Catra.” Mara said in a voice that clearly showed she did not believe Adora’s on the phone story.
“Hey, Mara.” Catra called back as she found her bra on one of the little chairs in every hotel room that nobody ever sat in. “Adora woke you up early too, huh?”
Mara laughed. “I was already up, but she did call earlier than expected.”
“I was excited to talk to you!” Adora defended herself, even though she didn’t have to.
“I know. It was great to hear from you. I’m sorry again about missing the graduation but I just couldn't take the time off.”
“That’s okay!” It really wasn’t and Catra knew that. She’d talked to Adora for four hours on the phone about it when Mara said she couldn’t come.
Catra didn’t have a full understanding of what Mara’s life was like outside of a few things Adora had told her. She knew Mara cared about Adora a lot, but she sure did have a bad habit of disappointing her.
“Have the two of you decided what’s next? Back to Bright Moon?”
Adora shared a look with Catra - it was not something they had fully discussed yet. “We’re still working out the details,” Catra said as Adora couldn't seem to find her voice. “For now, we’ve got a seven day beach trip with a couple of Adora’s friends -”
“ Our friends,” Adora rolled her eyes. Catra specifically called them Adora’s friends for that reaction.
“So we’ll sort it all out on the beach.”
Mara nodded on the screen, looking off to the side at something else. “Sounds good, listen Adora, I really should get to work, but I’m so proud of you and happy for you and I hope you’ll make it out to Crystal Castle soon for a proper celebration.”
Adora smiled, it was tight and her back was tense, but Catra was sure it didn’t translate over the call. “I will, thank you, Mara. Love you.”
“Love you too, Dodo. Take care Catra!”
The call ended and Adora held her laptop for a few seconds, just staring at the blank screen.
Catra sat down next to her, making their way too soft hotel bed bounce. ‘You okay?”
Adora nodded way too fast. “I’m fine, Mara’s been super busy so I figured I’d call early so I could catch her. Probably went a little too early.”
“You are an early bird,” Catra pecked her cheek. “You sleep okay though? I know you were kind of wound up yesterday.”
That made Adora smile. “You did all you could to wear me out last night.”
“That is my job, is it not?”
“No, you’re a freelance songwriter and part time barista.”
“I’m an Adora-bender and that’s what I’m putting on my resume.”
Adora threw her head back. “You’re so full of yourself. Like I was just putty in your hands all night - I got in some good moves too!”
“You did,” Catra was too stubborn to lose their fake arguments. “But I still got you there faster.”
“What, are you keeping time?” Catra just shrugged, she wasn’t, but giving Adora a little motivation never hurt. “You’re such a brat, do you know that? Maybe I’m just pacing myself - trying to enjoy the moment and all the cute little noises you make.”
Catra crossed her arms defiantly, a plan already being set in motion. “I don’t make any cute noises. There’s nothing cute about me.”
Adora’s smile glowed. “You are the cutest.”
Maybe Catra loved hearing that, maybe she’d go to her grave with that secret. “Nope, I’m a badass loner girl with a heart of stone.”
“Yeah?” Adora leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Is that so?” She then moved to her jaw and trailed a kiss down her neck.
“Don’t write a check you can’t cash, Dodo . I know you know that we have a flight to catch in an hour.”
Despite what she said, Catra let herself be laid back on the bed. “Guess I’ll have to try and beat the clock then, huh?”
“You’re late!” Glimmer’s shrill voice made Catra wince.
“Sorry, it’s my fault,” Adora was so quick to take the blame. Even if this was technically her fault for getting Catra all worked up, she didn’t have to take the brunt of Glimmer’s travel panic. “We’ll be okay - they won’t take off without us...right?”
“Oh they absolutely will if we don’t hurry,” Bow said, hoisting up a few bags over his shoulder.
So they did, the best friend squad all ran as fast as they could, poor Glimmer a tick or two behind everyone else and at some point it became a race for first place between Adora and Catra.
A race they both lost because Bow had longer legs and didn’t stop to try and sabotage anyone along the way like Adora and Catra did with one another.
Once they made it onto the flight and got all their bags stowed away, Catra pulled out her laptop to take a little time to write. She had so much on her mind - so many words jumbled in her head in need of release. She was happy, more than she had been in maybe ever. The future felt so...open - like she could wake up and do anything she wanted.
When she glanced over at Adora to spill out some bullshit about how good she was feeling, she saw her girlfriend looking tense.
More than that, Adora looked upset - her leg bouncing and her eyes unfocused.
“Hey, Adora?” Catra called, but Adora didn’t immediately look at her. “Adora?” Catra touched her arm and Adora jumped a little.
“Oh, sorry,” she smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Sorry...lost in my own head.”
Catra closed her laptop a little. “You wanna talk about it?”
“No, I know you’ve been wanting to write, it’s not a big deal.”
She wasn’t buying that. “Come on, my writing can wait - it’s a long flight. Talk to me.”
Adora took a deep breath, something she did when she was gathering her thoughts. “I think I’m just...I feel weird about leaving.” She shook her head. “Graduating.”
“Sad?”
A shrug. “Maybe, I don’t know how to describe it. I’m relieved and happy and...proud -”
“As you should be,”
That earned a smile, Catra felt like she won the damn lottery. “It’s just been such a huge thing, you know? This was my plan - my big plan and I put so much into it. Now it’s...done and I’m here and I don’t know how to feel about it.”
Catra reached over and took Adora’s hand. “Does any of this have anything to do with that offer from your coach?”
“No,” Adora said with a surprisingly matter-of-fact tone. “I’m not going to take the offer.”
“You’re not?”
She shook her head. “It’s too much travel. Going to and from games and across states and stuff. It’s a huge commitment and I just finished a huge commitment. I had my big dream realized, now I want to be close to you for a while and let you chase something. Support you the way you supported me.”
That made Catra’s heart swell, even if she had absolutely nothing major on her plate. “You know you don’t owe me anything, right? Supporting you through school and all of this wasn't something I expected to be paid back.”
“I know, and that’s why I love you so much, but I do mean it when I say that I want to stay close to home - wherever that ends up being.”
Catra smiled, suddenly hating how awkward these plane seats were and how hard it would be to lean over and kiss her girlfriend. “So you’re just a little nostalgic for college life?”
“Maybe,” Adora frowned. “I think it’s just...a lot of emotion and everything from the last few weeks all catching up with me.” She closed her eyes, but her smile returned. “I did it, you know?”
“Fuck yeah you did,” Catra kissed Adora’s knuckle. “Gran would be so proud of you.”
Adora shook her head quickly. “No no, don’t do that, don’t make me cry.”
Catra laughed, “sorry, I just thought you should know.” Adora took a few steadying breaths and let Catra’s hand go, instead shuffling as close to Catra as the seat would allow.
“Go back to your writing, I’m okay - I’ll be asleep in like five minutes anyway.”
“Okay, I’m writing a song about you, you know?”
Adora’s eyes lit up so much it almost made Catra wish she wasn’t just setting up for a joke. “You are? What’s it called?”
“Speed racer.”
That earned Catra a playful shove in the shoulder and a pout. “Catra! You’re the worst!”
Almost.