Codependency

Part 11 // Need you to need me

(Lucky there's a family guyyy lucky there's a man who positively can do all the things that make us laugh and cry he's a family guyyy
TW for toxic relationships, abuse, physical abuse, and other dark topics)

Adora was glad to be back in Catra's room, don't her her wrong. However, Catra couldn't always be there. She was often needed out on the field, leaving Adora locked alone in her room for hours at a time, only being visited by guards who brought rations and water. They never spoke to her, making Adora feel even more isolated. Making her more dependent on Catra's glimpses of attention.

I am lucky, though. Adora reflected, as she pumped her fists at the punching bag that hung from the ceiling. I can spend as much time as I need training now. Catra had been generous enough to have it installed. She said that it was for Adora to keep up her strength if they wanted to use her to win the war, but Adora thought Catra might also be giving her something to do instead of sleeping all day, her wounds having healed enough by now.

With a massive effort, Adora kicked the bag and sent it swinging towards the far wall. It leaned back at her with a heavy force. Adora slammed her fist into it as it reached her, and pummeled it relentlessly until the burden of training had worn her out. By the time she finally stopped, heaving for breath, she found that Catra had slunk silently into the room. She observed Adora with a wary expression, standing stiffly by the closed doorway. Adora lowered her fists to her sides and let her hands relax.

"You're back." Adora said between puffs of breath. Her chest ached from her efforts, and reminded her that she'd become weak. Catra would never respect a weakling.

Catra lifted her helmet over her head and set it on a shelf that sat by the door.
"The rebels are starting to crack." She offered the information.
"They're scattered and aren't looking after their territories. They wasted precious moments in their attempt to free you. Pity we lost the flower princess, though."
Her voice was casual, which filled Adora with the confidence to pursue the conversation further.

"I'm pretty sure you don't need her. You didn't even get into any trouble for her escape." Adora reasoned. Her lungs filled evenly now, having mostly recovered from the exercise.

Catra sniffed disdainfully.
"We don't need any princesses to win this war. It would have been nice to have such a valuable bargaining chip, however."

"Well, don't be too mad at me for letting her go?"
Adora started towards the bed. Rest would help her muscles heal and grow.

"Nuh-uh." Catra stepped over to block Adora from sitting down.
"You are literally drenched in sweat. Shower!"

Adora put a hand to her chest, pretending to look offended.
"What, Horde commander Catra is afraid of a wrinkled blanket?"

Catra thumped Adora in the head with her knuckle, sending her stumbling back a step.
"Don't get cute. I sleep here, too. I sleep right where you like to sit." She pointed at the foot of the cot.

Adora rubbed her sore forehead and gave Catra a cheeky grin. Cute?
"I was going to shower, I just forgot."

Catra crossed her arms, huffing.
"Yeah, that's because you're brain damaged. Now go!" She barked the command.

Adora shuffled off to the small washroom that was connected to Catra's chambers. There was enough room inside to stand, sit or turn around, but not much else. There was a sink and a mirror against the wall that stood inside the shower itself... which made up the entire square room. It was still better to have a cramped private space than to share a shower room, though.