"Adopted By" Oneshots!

Better Together

AN: This oneshot is dedicated to one of my amazing queerplatonic partners- MichaelMellsBathroom! Happy 11 months, my love!

Year: 2025
Book: Adopted by Heathers
Catlynn and Red's Age: 24

Song: Better Together by Jack Johnson

Catlynn's POV

There's no combination of words I can put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing, but I could try for your heart

"Red?" I said as I walked into my apartment, kicking off my shoes and hanging up my jacket. "Red? I'm home."

"Hey Kit." Red said, emerging from our room in a pair of sweatpants and what I was pretty sure is one of my T-shirts. "Sorry about the shirt, I just missed you and-"

"No, honey, don't apologize. It looks cute on you. You know, it used to be my moms." I said, gently wrapping my arms around Red's waist and pulling her in for a kiss.

"You're too cute, Kit. I actually have a surprise for you." Red said.

"Oooh, what is it?"

"You're going to have to wait, love." Red said, shooting me a wink.

Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a shoebox of photographs with sepia-toned loving

To pass the time while Red prepared whatever surprise she had for me, I went into the living room and pulled out a group of photo albums. One of them was mine, it was a gift for my ten-years-with-Elle party two years ago and contained a bunch of family pictures from the past ten years. The second one was mine and Red's, my brother gave it to us as a wedding gift.

I giggled and looked through all the pictures of Red and I together, and some of them were even from middle school when we first met. I smiled at how young we looked then, and how much we've grown into the women we are now.

Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard?

"Hey." Red said, sitting down next to me. "Whatcha looking at?"

"Hey babe, just some photo albums. Is my surprise ready yet?" I said, gently elbowing Red in the side.

"Not yet, Kit, you're gonna have to wait." Red said. "Hey, did I ever tell you I'm proud of you?"

"Proud of me? For what?" I said, blushing.

"For living. For waking up every morning with a smile on your face. You've been through so much, Kit, more than anyone should ever have to go through. You're a badass woman, Catlynn Sunshine McLemore-Ashley, you really are." Red said, taking my hand.

It's not always easy, and sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together

"You saved my life." I said under my breath, launching myself into Red's arms. "You really did, you and my mom saved my life."

"I'm so glad. I'm so grateful for whatever turn of events caused the two of us to meet, because to be completely honest, I think we needed each other." Red said, hugging me tightly.

I smiled at my wife, burying my face in her neck and giggling.

Mmm, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together

"Hey Kit?" Red said.

"Yeah?"

"I hate to interrupt our cuddling session, but I have your gift. Wait here." Red said, getting up, kissing my forehead, and then going into our room for a little bit.

She came back out with a picture frame and put it in my hands.

It was a framed picture of Red and I the day we met. In band class that one day, I remember Cesca taking a picture of us and then later telling us it was because she thought "we looked cute together."

"Red...this is..." I said, not being able to finish the sentence before breaking into happy tears.

"I love you, Kit. I love you so much."

"I love you too, my starlight."