Yearning, Learning - [Catradora Drabbles] [Returns 09/29/23]

12 - Fairytale

Two months have passed by since their stay at the underwater hotel. Catra's hair has grown longer since then, and Adora's has gained some volume along the way, creating an image not too far from what her dreams showed to her since the day peace was achieved. The two of them have begun taking college lessons to seek other opportunities aside from protecting Bright Moon and its people. They've set aside extra time to train as they usually did, too, all to avoid falling behind in their combat skills while they strengthened their textbook knowledge in the process.

"Did you manage to solve this one?" Adora asks, holding the notebook up in the air as she rolls over to Catra's side. Her girlfriend giggles when being bumped into and pushes her back, feigning to be bothered by her presence and her question. She grins and nods for her to show her the exercise she's having trouble with. "'It's... this one," the blonde adds, pointing at a mathematical formula fitting for the blueprints for one of Bow's creations. "Did you figure it out? I'm kind of stuck here."

Catra furrows her brow and takes the notebook from her hands, squinting at the numbers as she frowns and shakes her head. "I skipped this one." Her eyes wander over to the textbook, a few marks and scribbles already filling up its pages. "...And I might've spent an hour trying to solve it, too."

The two share a laugh and set their notes aside, facing each other as they say, "Should we ask for help?", in unison.

They then share a smile and continue to face each other, tentative silence falling on them.

"What about Entrapta?" Adora suggests, tapping a pencil against her chin.

Catra hums as she gives the suggestion some thought, shaking her head afterwards. "Maybe she knows all about this, but I doubt we can get a simple explanation from her. Asking Bow would be better."

Adora pokes at her waist with her index finger and sticks her tongue out at her, teasing the brunette. "But doesn't she give college classes herself now?" She grins. "I'm starting to think we're both just too slow in anything that has to do with sitting still for more than five seconds."

Catra laughs, replying with, "Old habits die hard." She shrugs. "It feels weird not having training as our main priority."

"Weird?" The blonde fakes shock, enhancing it with a gasp. "This's more like a fairytale!" All too sudden, humor falls from her voice as it breaks, tears showing up on the edges of her eyes. "It's... It's still hard to believe all this is real. And... And that we have the leisure to relax like this, too. I know it's wrong, b- but I still can't help feeling guilty whenever I take the time to do anything else aside from training and watching over this place."

To counter the sudden flood happening on her girlfriend's face, Catra tugs her along for a hug, setting all textbooks and notes aside as she hugs her tight. She presses Adora close to her chest, letting her stay there until she recovers some.

She doesn't say anything in response, part of her fears matching with her own.

Even so, she hugs her tight and doesn't let go, whispering words of comfort until Adora achieves a state of calm. "We'll be alright," Catra mutters, passing her fingers through her hair and unsnapping her ponytail along the way. "And if anything happens, we're not alone, and we'll all make sure to fight for what we have; for... for what we've gained through the years."

Catra feels Adora nod against her, followed by her hands holding strong against her waist. "I love you." She lifts her gaze away from her chest and meets with her eyes, tears still present in hers.

"I love you, too," Catra replies. She closes her eyes and kisses her lips, an action quick enough to go unnoticed were Adora to have hers the same way.

She kisses back, closing her eyes this time as she deepens it, her turn to hug now.