Hardships

The Faults of a Hero

Adora's POV:

I watched over Catra as she slept, I watched every little thing she did. The way her ears twitched every now and then. The way her brows furrowed and her lips up-turned revealing her canine teeth everytime she grunted. The way her chest rose and fell when she snored gently and quietly.

I put a hand on her hand and watched as she slept peacefully. "Adora! I-", I whirl around and quickly shush the rude intruder before being met with Glimmer. Glimmer's eyes widen and she puts her hands up in defense and says quietly, "Sorry! I didnt know she was asleep!". I sigh and look back down at the sleeping girl.

"Adora, you dont have to watch her. She'll be ok here", Glimmer says softly placing a hand on my shoulder and sitting down next to me. I sigh and say, "I know but", I turn to Glimmer and continue, "I cant leave her again. After everything shes been through and the things she's done people are going say and do things and I just want to be there to defend her". Glimmer nods and says, "I understand that, and I can tell you now that there is still alot of speculation against her in the camp. Dont get me wrong, I know she's changed. And she plans on changing herself for the better but others dont quite believe her when she says it".

I look back at Catra, sleeping so peacefully and say softly, "They have to understand what I didn't before. The reason she did what she did was because she always believed that she was someone that needed to be controlled or contained. While, I, on the other hand was always the star. Plus the shit Shadow Weaver put us through. Put her through. And then I-", I took a shaky breath before continuing, "T-Then I left her when she needed me most. I let her become her worst self. I made her succumb to her darkest thoughts and left her alone i-in them. In all honesty, she was never like that as a kid. Catra was always so funny, energetic, and passionate as a kid. That changed when Shadow Weaver started punishing her for the littlest things. I noticed it but I was too high on my high horse to ever stop it.  Shadow Weaver always favored me and I loved it. I loved it so much that I didnt even stop and think to understand how much pain and suffering Catra had gone through. A-And she was-", I felt tears burning in my eyes and I looked at Glimmer to see her eyes starting to water as well. "S-she was always there for me. T-Took the fall for everything. Even when I left her. Not the other way around. I f-failed her as a friend. I left her, my childhood bestfriend for two people I just met. Dont get me wrong I dont regret meeting y'all I just wish I had taken her with me".

Glimmer nods and takes my hands in hers and says comfortingly, "I believe you did what you thought was right. I know what you mean Adora. I feel for Catra too, I could tell when we were on Prime's ship she was haunted by the sins she committed. She revealed her true selves to us multiple times yet we failed to embrace it and labeled her a Monster. Hell, everyone did. I understand now why she did what she did and in the end she paid for the consequences harshly. She's still paying for them and I dont think its quite fair for our friends to be just automatically assuming that she'll betray us just for her past actions. I pled to Frosta, Perfuma, and Netossa to let her roam the camp freely but they dont believe that she's changed. Bow and I have tried to convince them but they want nothing to do with her unfortunately. The only reason that they want her to stay is because she literally ate poisonous berries".

I sigh and say, "I know, but once shes awake Im going to fight for her chance to stay here. Im taking her to our mission to Mystacor. If they cant see how shes changed through her words then they'll see how much she changed through my trust". Glimmer nods and says, "I agree with you, taking her to Mystacor would be a great idea". I nod and say, "Im just worried about one person". Glimmer nods knowingly and says, "Yeah, there will be alot of tension there". I nod and look back at Catra.

"Why dont you sleep with her? You've been watching over her since the morning... it's literally midnight now Adora. You sleep with her on the bed and I'll make sure the guards or any people in camp do anything ok?", Glimmer says placing a hand on my knee. I go to protest only to be interrupted by my own yawn and agree in defeat. I get up and lay down next to Catra, wrapping my arm around her torso and laying my head on her chest I was welcomed by the warmth of her body and it quickly reminded me of the warmth of her embrace when we were kids. Oh how much I had longed for that warmth again.

I sigh and pressed a kiss to her cheek and whispered, "Im sorry for wronging you before". I closed my eyes and nestled my head in the crook of her neck and murmured, "Good night Catra". And falling victim to exhaustion.

To be continued...