Codependency

Part 12 // Nothing happened.

(TW abuse of many kinds)

Nothing happened.

It was only a hug, after all. It was only an embrace.
Maybe it had hurt. Maybe her back had new scars.

Adora was emphatically thrilled anyway.

Catra hadn't only stayed when Adora pulled her close, but had wrapped her own arms around Adora's torso as well. It was not like they hadn't hugged before, they often had only each other for comfort growing up in the Horde together. It was just that things could most certainly be better now and Adora was excited to keep pushing their relationship into something that allowed affection.
Reciprocated affection.

The thing was, Catra hadn't let go. She'd seemed to go limp in Adora's arms after clawing her shoulder blades. Likely some aggressive act of possession before she gave in to the exhaustion from her battles. The magicat was sleeping deeply now. Adora couldn't, she was very tired but much too wired from the fact that she was holding Catra in her arms.

Adora eventually had to force herself to relax.
Sleep. Get stronger. Save the world.
That latter had been her plan since she could remember wanting anything. It was to be her and Catra, calling the shots, always had been. They would finally bring order to the world. The comforting thoughts lulled Adora to sleep.

Rummmble. Prrrrrr.
The vibration roused Adora from her dreamless sleep. Catra lay nestled in her arms, just as when they fell asleep. Catra's flicking tail being the only indicator that she was conscious. Her face was hidden by the crook of Adora's neck. She felt Catra's warm breath tickle her throat.

"You tore my shirt." Adora broke the silence.

Catra stretched, her arms pressing against adora's shoulders. When she relaxed she pulled back enough to look at Adora.
"I'll have to do something for your scratches." She mumbled.

Adora shrugged, admiring Catra's mussed-up hair that draped a few strands across her face.
"It doesn't hurt." She lied.

"It bled." Catra retreated an arm from Adora's back and showed her the tips of her claws, where dried blood sat, flaking away.

"You're a good Force Captain." Adora tried, insinuating that Catra was only acting on discipline, or something that she was supposed to do. Shadow Weaver certainly had no problems picking on the cadets she expected to become great.

Catra gave her a sidelong glance as she rolled over and sat up.
"I'm second in command. I wouldn't have gotten here if I wasn't the best Force Captain."

Adora hesitated, a question on her tongue. Catra smacked Adora's forearm with the back of her hand.
"What?" She prompted.

"When can I fight with you- for you?" Adora blurted, meeting Catra's eye.

Catra pulled completely away from Adora. The emptiness in her arms left Adora yearning to pull Catra back to her, but she didn't. Catra seemed cold now, the subtle kindness in her attitude dissolved.

"You're still recovering, and we can't trust you." Catra snapped.

Adora did reach for her now. She caught Catra's sleeve and tugged it.
"But you can. You can trust me, Catra." She sounded desperate. "I fight for the Horde. That's... how it should always be!"

Catra looked away, pity creeping into her words.
"I meant... Hordak. Can't trust you."

Adora let Catra's sleeve slip from her fingers.
"Oh... I get it. I do, but, like..." Adora fumbled with her words, feeling like an idiot.

Catra tapped her arm again.
"What?"

"I'm so bored, Catra. You're always gone. I just want to be where you are." She admitted.