Yearning, Learning - [Catradora Drabbles] [Returns 09/29/23]

25 - Midnight Snacks

To counter their worries and the endless, anxious thoughts that follow them, the two stay up and choose to watch whatever shows and commercials the hotel's television services offer them, but not before going out for some snacks to pass what's left of the night eating and talking. It's almost eleven when they both leave their room, and -- by the time they make it back -- it's almost midnight. Adora proceeds to dump everything they've bought on the nearby dresser while Catra stores the drinks away in the fridge. They then sit down in bed and one of them takes the remote, cuddling next to each other when everything's set up.

Ironically enough, the first channel they come across with when turning on the television is a documentary on sea life, directed by none other than Sea Hawk. The mood is far more upbeat and cheery in comparison to their current situation, so the pair agree on switching to the next channel for an alternative. The sound goes from normal to far-too loud for how late it is, urging Catra to fumble for the volume buttons and quiet down the commercial promoting the same place they're both staying in.

An idea pops into Catra's mind before she can switch on to a different channel. Soon enough -- and before doing anything else -- she takes a few candies from the snack pile, places them between her and her wife, and pushes them all closer to the center similar to how it's often done with poker chips in the movies. "Bet you ten candies the next channel's gonna be about water -- or something related to it, at least." She meets Adora's gaze and grins, winking in the process.

Adora accepts the bet with a nod and collects some stray sweets for her to use next, all while biting back her smile in an attempt at making herself seem more like a professional. She then takes the remote and closes her eyes before pressing the button, though the audio by itself reveals what the channel -- or rather, commercial -- is about. The one on screen talks fast as he tries to fit as much information as he can into what looks like a cheap and old water filter with the most basic functions possible. Not even the enthusiastic voice nor the smile the man tries to maintain can help cover the fact it's a relatively faulty water filter like any other knockoff, but labeled as a unique product from his company.

Both women group the candy pieces together and chuckle when they realize how silly it is to have bet on the same thing.

Thankfully, Adora sets the next bet, one where they have differing thoughts on. Their improvised game continues until they're both out of candy to place further bets on and ends when they're both too full to eat what little's left. No savoury snacks remain and only two small piles of sweets stay waiting.

The two nearly synchronize as they reach out for the candy piles. One takes the other's favourite, and -- with shy smiles -- they unwrap the candies and feed them to each other, giggling midway. It's an unplanned situation gone right and inspires them both to smile, relax, and forget about problems that can't be solved just yet.

They share a kiss, motivated by the weight that's lifted off their shoulders.