An Unlikely Match (Catradora AU)

Chapter 7

Catra felt a rush as she arrived back home. The set had been perfect, the songs had gone great. She had her arm resting nicely around Scorpia's as they entered her place. Scorpia was quiet but she smiled at Catra.

"That was purrrfect," Catra announced, stretching lazily in her little tipsy state of mind. She moved to Scorpia and gave her a swift kiss on the cheek. Scorpia blushed but said nothing. "Right?" Catra leaned back, trying to read her girlfriend.

"Right," Scorpia added. Catra smiled and tried to give her a proper kiss. "I need... water," Scorpia said. She stood quickly and walked away from Catra. Catra looked at her confused but then just shrugged. She collapsed onto her roommates dark green couch and let her feet dangle off of the edge as she lay her head down. "Oh yeah baby, howl," Catra sang to herself. She smiled in appreciation of her own talent. She didn't check, but she assumed her two roommates were asleep. They were random roommates and not much of talkers.

Since Catra didn't own a single piece of furniture, she had offered to buy the décor for the place when she had moved in a few years ago. They had happily agreed at the time. Catra looked fondly up at the odd array of pieces she had picked out. There were weird sculptures that stuck out of the wall, an odd fake animal head above the stairs, and partly destroyed unmatching lamps on every table that Catra had picked up from their neighbors trash. Her roommates had been less than pleased about the choices but now it just felt like home.

Catra still lay with her eyes closed but peered up when Scorpia didn't automatically return from the kitchen. She wondered about checking on her when suddenly there was loud banging coming from the front door. Catra checked her watch, wondering who would be appearing unannounced in the middle of the night. She hoped it wasn't the cops, not that she had done anything illegal recently. At least she didn't think. She opened the door to find it was not the cops, but a very wet and angry looking girl.

"Adora?" She asked, slightly confused about why she was here, but more confused about why she was drenched from head to toe and looking at her like a maniac.

"Hi," She said simply. Except there was nothing simple about the way Adora was standing. Catra felt worried.

"What are you... how did you know...," Catra wasn't sure what to ask but she briefly glanced behind the door. Scorpia was still in the kitchen. Catra listened as Adora told her why she was here. Catra felt guilt building in her chest. Adora kept going, stopping briefly, but when Catra tried to speak Adora yelled at her again. Catra stopped and tried to be a normal patient person. In truth, she wanted to talk to Adora, just not right now. She tapped her foot impatiently.

"Listen, I don't think..." Catra started but Adora cut her off. Catra bit her lip nervously. Don't say it. Don't bring it up. Not now.

"And then you were at my door."

Please, no. Read my face Adora.

"When you told me you loved me..,"

Catra's heart plummeted. She could see Scorpia now, standing in the kitchen doorway. Scorpia heard Adora and Catra saw her face turn from surprise to anger to disappointment in the flicker of a second. Then, her face returned to a calm expression and she remained where she was. Catra was sure she looked terrified.

"Adora, no," Catra tried to tell her to stop, she needed her to stop. She turned and made eye contact with her girlfriend. Scorpia was just leaning against the doorframe, her eyes turned down.

"It wasn't fair," Adora was saying. She's right, it wasn't fair. "So you just keep writing all the mean songs you want about me. We both know that this is not just about me." Catra looked up at Adora sadly. Scorpia sighed and walked behind her, finally showing herself to Adora.

Catra saw the shift in Adora the second she heard movement. She saw the full range of emotion running through Adora's head as her eyes met Scorpia's. The anger being replaced for fear. Fear that she had, once again, taken something from Catra. Catra wanted to tell her she was sorry. But when Adora backed away, Catra let her go. She would apologize eventually. She heard the quietest of "sorry's" before closing the door and turning gently to Scorpia, the two sharing a moment of understanding. They needed to talk.

"Soo I guess my intuition was right. Those songs aren't just about random ex's, huh?" Scorpia said finally. They were both sitting on opposite ends of the couch, Scorpia switching positions every minute while Catra reached for her and then retracted, feeling uncomfortable. Now, Catra sat at the very edge of the couch with her feet tucked up and her elbows resting on her knees.

"No," Catra said finally.

"Do you even have ex's?"

Catra avoided her gaze, "No."

Scorpia sighed, "Yeahhh I guess I should have figured that one out, huh? Just a big dummy over here."

"You're not a dummy," Catra said quietly, her eyes fixated on a thread that as pulling off the couch. How long has that been there? She twisted it around her finger distractedly.

"Do you love her?" Scorpia asked, eyeing Catra intently. Catra gave her a dumbfounded look.

"No," She said quickly. Scorpia narrowed her gaze, looking into Catra's eyes. Catra wanted to turn away from her gaze but she didn't. She could feel Scorpia looking for something more and hoped beyond hope that there was nothing more for her to find. Catra moved closer to Scorpia, reaching for her hand. "Scorpia, please. It's not like that anymore."

Scorpia didn't look like she believed her but let Catra take her hand, squeezing softly back. Catra smiled at her. "Yes? You understand?" Catra asked, holding her breath. Scorpia looked happy for a moment, with her hand in Catra's, but then it faded.

"It's nice to feel wanted," Scorpia said after a moment. She pulled her fingers out of Catra's and returned them to her lap. "But I'm not sure you've ever wanted me like you want her." Scorpia nodded reassuringly to herself, like she had rehearsed this before. Catra wondered if she had. A large lump seemed to be building in Catra's throat. Scorpia wasn't looking at her. She was just rubbed her hand against her other arm absentmindedly, protectively covering herself.

Catra's heart ached. "Scorpia please."

"Do you love me?" Scorpia asked. The question was so open so honest, and it caught Catra's breath.

"I... I.."

"Yeah... I didn't think so," Scorpia tightened her lips, trying not to look too disappointed.

They talked for a long time, finding themselves going in circles. Catra argued that she needed time, that it didn't have to end. Scorpia clearly felt that time would have no effect on Catra's affections. Catra argued for a chance but Scorpia felt she had already given enough. They had reached an impasse. Scorpia reached up at one point and wiped a tear off of Catra's cheek that she didn't know was there.

"I know you care about me," Scorpia said finally, looking lovingly at Catra, even now, "But I need more than that."

Catra nodded, she couldn't think. Scorpia reached a hand under Catra's chin and lifted her mouth to hers. They kissed, each tasting the salty tears that were running over their faces. When they parted, Catra looked up at Scorpia and Scorpia looked at her and they nodded. It was over.

"What about..."

"The band?" Scorpia finished. Catra nodded. "The Fright Zone is my family. I would like to stay, if that's okay with you."

Catra let out a hoarse laugh and lightly punched Scorpia in the arm. "Of course, dummy." Scorpia gave her an actual smile and seemed to finally take a real breath.

The rest happened in a blur. It was early in the morning when they finally stopped talking. Scorpia was at the door, bag and jacket in hand, holding Catra in a hug and reminding her she gives great hugs. Catra chuckled and whispered a goodbye, feeling a sense of loneliness already. Scorpia pulled away and hesitated before turning back to Catra. "You know, I want you to be happy. I really do hope you find what you're looking for," Scorpia said and without another word left Catra standing on the doorstep, watching her walk away.