Hardships

Returning Home

*One Month later...*

"Everyone ready?", Catra asks Finn strapped to her chest as she dragged on the last of Glimmer, Adora, Bow, and her's luggage onto Mara's ship that her people transported to the castle. Adora nodded, pressing a kiss to Finn's forehead making the little boy babble. Catra smiles before her eyes caught onto Adora's cerulean orbs.

"You sure you wanna leave so soon babe?", Adora asks putting a gentle hand Catra's abdomen, as she looked up into golden and blue eyes. Catra smiled and nodded and leaned down, pressing a kiss to Adora's lips making the woman sigh against her lips before pulling back and saying, "We havent been back home in a while my love, plus Taron needs someone whos going to be there for them permanently and I believe that Jaki would be the best candidate for that". Adora smiled and pressed a kiss to Catra's cheek and said, "I believe you're right too baby. I think you really made a difference in the short time that you've ruled and that Jaki will continue your work here".

"I will, I promise", Jaki quipped from behind them. Catra and Adora both looked at him before Catra smiled and said, "You deserve this more than me man, you've been fighting for Taron since day one. I believe you'll do whatever is needed to keep it in line". Jaki nodded, turning his attention to Finn and saying softly, "Hako wouldve loved him...". Catra's eyes softened and she nodded whispering, "Yeah.. she would".

Adora smiled, patting Catra's back and saying, "I'll get our room ready okay? Bow and Glimmer are already ready". Catra smiled, leaning forward and kissing Adora chastely before letting her go back up on the ship. Catra turned back to Jaki who was playing with Finn's fingers. Catra smiled and said, "I hate that Finn wont be able to meet his Auntie Ko". Jaki smiled softly, looking at Catra and saying, "Yeah, me too. I miss her everyday".

Catra hummed and poked her finger into Jaki's chest and said, "You dont have to miss her Jaki, because shes with you.. in here". Jaki's eyes widened when he felt his heart flutter. Jaki looked at Catra and said shakily, "H-How'd you do that?". Catra pulled her finger away and said, "I didnt do anything, but that warmth you felt right there was acceptance. You've accepted that although shes not with us physically shes living within us in our hearts. Trust me, I felt the same thing but I had an epiphany of sorts". Jaki chuckles and punches Catra's shoulder and joked, "Im scared to know what that epiphany is".

Catra laughed and said, "Trust me, it was hella confusing dude but it was eye opening". Jaki smiled before he gasped and said, "Wait! Before you go.." as he started digging in his pockets. Catra quirked a brow before Jaki hummed and muttered, "Found it" before pulling out a small leather bag that had the royal brand on it. "What is that?", Catra asked her brows knitting together as Jaki handed the bag to her. Finn was sucking on his thumb, sleeping peacefully against Catra's chest as she opened the bag and spilt them onto her palm.

"Rings...?", Catra asks looking up at Jaki curiously. Jaki nods and says, "Iroh told me to give them to you, they were your mother and father's wedding rings". Catra looked back down at the rings, her eyes wide as she said, "My parents... wedding rings?". Jaki nodded and said, "Iroh, couldnt be here to say goodbye but he wanted to give you a goodbye gift. He thought you shouldve had those, since they were passed down from your ancestors. And you're getting married soon so its perfect". Catra smiled, pouring the rings back into the leather baggie and closed it off before looking back at Jaki and said, "Thanks man, I really appreciate it. Tell Iroh I said thank you okay?".

Jaki nodded and said, "Of course dude, have a safe flight back home okay?". Catra nodded and pulled Jaki into a one-armed hug and said, "Yeah, I will. Dont be afraid to visit us though. Finn needs to meet his uncle Jaki".  Jaki chuckled, pulling back and saying, "I'll take you up on that kitty". Catra laughed before they both went their own ways.

Catra made her way back up the ship and entered the control room where Bow was sitting on the throne. "Finally, you ready bruh?", Bow asks amusedly. Catra rolled her eyes and nodded saying, "Yeah... lets go home".

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"Guys! We're home!", Glimmer yelled as she burst into Catra and Adora's room waking up Finn. Adora groaned and poked Catra murmuring, "Your son is awake". Catra hummed and said groggily, " Finn's yours before the sun rises..". Before they both went back to sleep.

Glimmer groaned and turned on the lights making Catra hiss, Finn cry harder, and Adora groan. "Wake up you lazy idiots! We're home!". Catra growled and threw a book that was on her nightstand blindly at Glimmer hitting her in the face as she yelled, " WE KNOW!". Glimmer growled, making Catra and Adora jolt awake.

Glimmer sighed and said, "Hurry up you guys, Scorpia and them are ready to shit themselves of excitement". Adora nodded, taking Finn as Catra got ready.

We're home they all thought.

To be continued...