"the war is over, and we are beginning."

aftermath

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Radiant yellow sunlight poured through the large windows of Brightmoon Castle. Golden orange and yellow rays danced on Adora's cheeks as her eyes slowly opened and immediately became alert. She jerked her body up a bit so she could peer down at the end of her bed. Instinctively, she was looking for Catra, but Catra wasn't there; Instead she was curled up next to her, her face buried in Adora's neck. Her long arms held Adora in a warm embrace as she dozed on. Her expression immediately softened and she smiled a pure smile. Everytime she looked at Catra, the only thing she could think about was how much they had been through. They had both been fighting all their lives, running in circles of betrayal over and over again. But finally, they had everything they had always wanted... each other.

"Why are you staring at me?" Catra mumbled sleepily, suddenly revealing that she was awake.

"Because you're cute," Adora said in a babyish voice, smiling slyly. "I hate you." Adora kissed the top of her head briskly,

"I love you too," She said. Catra's face got hot. She still wasn't used to the phrase even though the girls had exchanged it many times over the past months. It was difficult for Catra to grasp the fact that she was loved not just by Adora, but her new friends that now surrounded and supported her at every turn.

"You're an idiot," Catra said jokingly, pushing her hand into Adora's cheek. They both giggled warmly as Adora flipped Catra over on the bed. "We have to get up at some point," she said sprawled out on her stomach.

"I know," She replied with an unenthusiastic sigh. Catra's frown line tugged her eyelids down as she hung her head. There was a short but thick and self-explanatory silence. Adora noticed this and rubbed her thumb over the other girl's forearm. She knew how hard it was for her each day; Every person in Brightmoon had some form of a memory of Catra or the Horde hurting them, and it showed. No one was openly hateful or mean but their body language, the way they still jumped when she came around, the stares, it didn't matter. Everything hurt in one way or another. But each day it became better. She became better. She started to gain trust, and others started to gain it as well.

"I'm right here. Everyday. I am not leaving," Adora whispered into her collarbone. Catra looked down to the same expression she saw that day. The endless blue eyes that surrounded her and drowned out everything else. The smile that declared her love. Replying with the same gaze, she planted a soft kiss on her lips. In that very moment it was just Catra and Adora.

Just them

in their bedroom

after the war.