Catra and Adora had been inseparable since their first day as cadets in the Horde, always sneaking away to find little pockets of freedom in the rigid, cold halls of the Fright Zone. Tonight was no different; they were racing down a narrow hallway, dodging shadows cast by flickering lights. Catra was laughing, her eyes bright with mischief, as she slowed down near the barracks.
"Hey, Adora, bet you can't catch me," Catra taunted, swishing her tail and darting ahead.
Adora grinned, knowing full well she could catch Catra, but she enjoyed the chase too much to end it quickly. They rounded a corner, skidding to a halt as they almost collided with Mira, an older, more experienced cadet who was always looking for trouble.
"Well, well, look what we have here," Mira sneered, crossing her arms. "A couple of little cadets who don't know their place."
Catra's playful expression hardened. "Why don't you mind your own business, Mira?" she shot back, her tail flicking behind her.
Mira stepped closer, towering over Catra. "Why don't you make me, runt?"
Before Adora could react, Mira shoved Catra back against the wall. Without hesitation, Catra lunged at her, claws out. The two collided in a flurry of punches and slashing. Catra was quick and agile, but Mira had strength and experience on her side.
Adora's heart pounded. She knew she had to step in before things got worse. "Catra!" she yelled, trying to break them apart. But Mira shoved Catra harder, knocking her to the ground.
That was it.
Adora's eyes narrowed. "Hey!" she barked, her voice filled with authority beyond her years. She stepped forward and grabbed Mira's shoulder, yanking her back. "Get away from her!"
Mira spun around, anger flashing in her eyes. "What are you going to do about it?"
Adora didn't hesitate. She threw a punch, connecting squarely with Mira's jaw, sending the older cadet stumbling back. Mira tried to retaliate, but Adora blocked her attack and delivered another blow, this time knocking her to the ground. Mira glared up at Adora, wiping a trickle of blood from her lip.
"This isn't over," she hissed before getting to her feet and retreating, humiliated.
Adora turned to Catra, extending a hand to help her up. "You okay?"
Catra took her hand, grinning through a split lip. "I had her."
Adora laughed softly, pulling Catra to her feet. "Of course you did. But I wasn't going to let you have all the fun."
Just then, a cold, familiar voice echoed through the hallway. "What is going on here?"
They froze as Shadow Weaver appeared, her figure cloaked in darkness. Her red eyes blazed with anger. "Fighting in the halls? Catra, I should have known you'd be involved."
Catra's ears flattened, but she kept her defiant gaze locked on Shadow Weaver. "She started it!" she muttered, but the words came out weak and defensive.
Shadow Weaver's gaze was sharp and cold. "I don't want to hear excuses. You're a disgrace, Catra. Always causing trouble, always dragging Adora down with you. Perhaps it's time you learn your place."
Adora felt a surge of anger. "It wasn't her fault, Shadow Weaver. Mira—"
"Enough, Adora," Shadow Weaver snapped. "You should be more discerning about the company you keep." With a final, withering look, she swept away, leaving the two cadets in the dim hallway.
They walked back to their bunk, side by side, the silence between them heavy. Once inside, they both stood by Adora's bunk, neither one making a move to climb into their separate beds.
Catra finally broke the silence, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "You didn't have to do that, you know," she said softly.
Adora turned to face her. "I wasn't going to let her hurt you," she replied. "We're in this together, remember?"
Catra's eyes glistened in the dim light, her tough exterior cracking just a little. "Yeah, but... Shadow Weaver's right. I'm always getting us in trouble. Maybe you'd be better off without me."
Adora shook her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Don't say that. You're my best friend, Catra. I don't care what Shadow Weaver or anyone else thinks. I'd rather be in trouble with you than safe without you."
Catra looked away, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're such a dork, Adora."
Adora grinned. "Yeah, but I'm your dork."
Without another word, Catra slid into Adora's bunk, squeezing in next to her. "Move over," she mumbled, half teasing, half serious.
Adora scooted to the side, making just enough room for Catra to curl up beside her. They lay there, side by side, the closeness comforting after the night's chaos.
Catra whispered, her voice softer now, "Thanks... for everything."
Adora smiled and whispered back, "Always."
They lay in silence for a while, a comfortable, familiar quiet settling over them. Underneath the harsh training and cold nights in the Fright Zone, they knew they had each other. And for now, that was enough.
The moon hung high, casting a silver light through the cracks, as the two cadets drifted into sleep in the same bunk, ready to face whatever tomorrow brought—together.
