So I was debating whether or not I should make this content its own story or keep it here, but ultimately I decided to add it onto this. With how this story has been progressing I feel this fic sorta needs to keep its angstier tendencies, and this chapter doesn't have angst amounts equal to the prior two. But I did my best.

Disclaimer: I do not own She-Ra.

Chapter 3.

Adora really isn't planning on sneaking out of her room again tonight.

Of course she's still worried about Catra, and of course she really wants nothing more than to see her again. But the past two nights had been nothing but flukes. If she were to go out again tonight, there's no way Catra would be out looking for her too.

Not again. That would just be too good to be true.

Therefore, after yet another day of celebrations (one of the last, she's hoping), Adora is content to retreat to her bedroom just as the setting sunlight is slanting down through the tall floral ceiling.

She never expected to have a visitor waiting for her.

Especially not this one.

"Catra?!"

"Hey, Adora," she purrs. She's leaning slyly against the wall beside the window sill, tail swishing with a slow hypnotic rhythm.

Adora rubs both of her eyes vigorously, but it isn't an illusion that vanishes when she opens them again.

"Wh-Wh-What are you doing here? I mean, you're really here, right?"

"See for yourself." Catra stalks over to her and pauses at her side, letting her tail curl up beneath Adora's chin. Adora yelps softly.

Yep, this is definitely real.

"B-But how? I-I mean how did you get away from the Fright Zone and get here so quickly and get through the guards-"

"Slow down, princess," Catra muses. "First of all, I knew it'd be worth it to come all the way here just to see the look on your face. Priceless."

Adora realizes her jaw is still hanging halfway down to the floor. She quickly shuts it. Catra laughs.

"Yeah, totally priceless. But to answer your other questions, I was out scouting alone on a skiff and they don't expect me back till tomorrow anyway. As for breaching security here, it was easy when all the guards were giddy and distracted because of your little parties." Her eyes narrow and her lips curve sharply up into a suave smirk. "You should really tell the Queen she should keep a better eye on things. It was kind of ridiculously easy to sneak into this place."

"I'll... bring that to her attention." We could've really been in trouble if anyone other than Catra managed to make their way over here. But since it's just her...

Adora isn't worried. No part of her believes Catra would ever use their secret meet-ups like this to the Horde's advantage.

She shakes her head, still trying to take in the fact that Catra is actually here. Only one word comes out of her mouth next.

"Why?"

At her question, Catra's ears swivel, then droop just a bit. She curls her tail around herself and takes a step back.

"I mean... you said I could come back... right?"

Adora feels her jaw dropping again. To think that Catra's sole reason for coming here wound down to the fact that Adora had invited her...

A trill of joy wiggles in Adora's chest as she throws her arms around her.

"Of course!"

"H-Hey!" Catra hisses and tries to wretch herself free, but Adora's hugging her too tightly. Eventually Catra just pouts and lashes her tail as her hackles fall back down.

Adora indulges herself for a minute before slowly easing back.

"I'm glad you came, Catra. Like, really glad."

Catra pushes her back a step.

"Yeah, whatever."

A moment of silence drifts by, and both girls let the reality settle over them. Eventually, Catra looks back up at her.

"Sooo... what now?"

Adora blinks.

"Uhh..."

"Seriously? You invite me to come back here and then there's nothing to do?"

"Well I can't exactly be giving you a tour of the castle, Catra! And I dunno about you, but I've kinda had my fill of the Whispering Woods for a while." She lowers her voice just a little. "Is... just being here with me not enough...?"

Catra's ears shoot up tall and then flatten immediately afterward.

"I-I didn't say that. Don't put words in my mouth, Adora."

Adora chuckles at how quickly she gets defensive.

"Okay, if you say so. But y'know, I was planning on showering if you'd wanna join me." Realizing how it sounds, she quickly adds on. "I-I mean like a bath, clearly! With our robes on and stuff!"

She can feel fire in her cheeks, and Catra's faces has also gone red as far as her ears.

"You'd better mean that!"

"I do!"

"Good!"

They both take a few breaths to recover, refusing to make eye contact for a moment. Catra eventually heaves a sigh as her fur lies flat again.

"But as nice as a pretty princess spa at the heart of the enemy's camp in the middle of the night sounds, I think I'm gonna have to pass."

Adora smirks. "Who said it was at the heart of the enemy's camp?"

Catra raises an eyebrow. Adora grabs her hand.

"Here, follow me."

She starts to lead her across the room, around the canopy of her bed. Catra's fur starts to stand on-end again.

"Adora, where they heck are you-"

"Right here! Ta-da!" She turns Catra around to reveal the other half of her bedroom, the part with her vanity, desk, bath, and-

"I-Is that a waterfall?!" Catra shrieks.

"Yeah, I was kind of in shock about it the first time, too. But you get used to it!"

"How in the hell did I not notice this was here last night?"

"Well, you were kind of famished and fatigued and severely injured."

"Good point."

Adora lets go of her hand as Catra walks forward slowly toward the edge of the pool, marveling at the glistening waterfall up above. Adora bets she can't remember the last time she had a calm, relaxing shower. The Fright Zone didn't exactly care for going the extra mile to ensure their officers' bathwater was warm, after all. Catra had never really liked water to begin with, but maybe just this once...

"Well?" Adora prompts her. "What do you say?"

Catra stands at the edge of the water, tail swishing. When she finally does turn to look back, Adora can tell she's blushing, just a little.

"I mean... I guess..."

Adora smiles stupidly.

So they each take a moment to disrobe in private behind the bed's canopy, leaving on only the underlying fabric wrap that covers everything necessary for a public bathing experience. Adora even takes her hair out of its ponytail so it can breathe a little.

She's gotten used to wearing only her robes like this considering how frequently she'd get to relax with Glimmer and Bow.

But when Catra emerges from behind the canopy, showing more skin than Adora can ever remember, she feels her heart stop for a second.

Catra's wraps cover only as much as Adora's do, leaving her legs bare beneath her knees and most of her stomach exposed. Her arms and shoulders are completely uncovered as well, save for a few straps that cross down over her chest. She's even removed her headpiece, revealing a wily hairline framing her face. Her ears are lowered nervously, and her tail won't stop twitching, so she curls it around herself to keep it still.

Adora is left utterly speechless, long enough that Catra eventually looks up to find her gawking.

"H-Hey! What's your deal, Adora?"

"Huh? O-Oh nothing, sorry! You just look... nice..."

Catra's ear flicks and her gaze travels briefly over Adora.

"You too, I guess..."

More silence, broken only by the soft rush of the waterfall. Adora eventually steps up and offers her hand. Catra quietly accepts.

As Adora leads her toward the water, Catra scans the misty surface of it a bit scrupulously.

"Hey, Adora? Are you sure this water is for showering?"

"Huh? Oh pssh, yeah of course it is! I mean probably."

"Probably?!" Catra yanks her hand away. "Adora, have you seriously been living here for how many weeks now and you don't even know where you can bathe?"

"N-No, no! The waterfall is definitely for showering!"

"Then why do you have a separate bath?"

"Th-Th bath is for baths, and the waterfall is for showers. Obviously, Catra."

Catra doesn't seem convinced. She flicks an ear.

"You really have no idea, do you?"

"I definitely do. Here look." Adora scurries over to her vanity and picks up a little bundle of leaves and flowers. "Glimmer's aunt sent this to me. It's supposed to go in the water and make it super warm and relaxing."

"Are you sure that isn't just for the bath then?"

"Catra, please. Just let me believe I'm right and that the waterfall is actually for showering and I haven't just been contaminating innocent peoples' drinking water all this time."

Catra just stares at her, incredulous.

"You are unbelievable. But whatever."

Adora lets out a breath before taking the leaf bundle with her back to Catra. She drops it into the pool of water with a soft splash.

The leaves and flowers untangle and disintegrate into the water, warming it up and turning it a shade of light purple. A pleasant scent of lilac and lavender fills the room. Adora sighs out loud, and even Catra's nose un-wrinkles a bit. Adora offers her hand again.

"Well... shall we?"

Catra shrugs, but accepts.

"Yeah, sure, fine."

Adora leads her to the water's edge and steps in, feeling tingles of warmth spread through her ankle and up to her shin.

"Yeah, it's definitely for showering, see? Cuz there are a couple little steps right here and a bench you can sit on and just soak in." With her justification given, she gives Catra's wrist a tug.

But Catra resists a little. Adora notices her ears are flat again and her tail is bristling. She'd always been fine with small personal baths and actual shower stalls. But Adora can understand why a large pool like this might intimidate her.

After all, Catra had nearly drowned in one when she was younger. She'd never told Adora she couldn't swim at the time because she hadn't wanted to appear weak, and it had nearly cost her her life.

But now, Adora's lips curve into a small smile as she brushes the pads of her fingers softly over Catra's hard knuckles.

"It's okay. It's not that deep."

"I know that!" she snaps. "And besides, I'm not scared of water anymore."

"Though you did look a little seasick back when you followed us to Mermista's palace."

"Shut up." As if to prove herself, Catra steps down into the water beside Adora. She instantly stiffens and swallows back a yowl, and Adora tries not to chuckle.

"Come on," she says. "Just take it one step at a time."

Keeping Catra's hand in hers, Adora guides her down into the water.

Catra jolts and hisses under her breath at first, especially when the water starts to soak the fur at the base of her tail. Adora does her best not to laugh, not wanting to set her off.

Their feet touch the marble bottom of the pool, and the water reaches up to their stomachs. Catra keeps as much of her tail above the surface as possible for the time being.

Adora gives her a moment to adjust. Luckily, the herbs Glimmer's aunt had sent her seem to be working nicely. The water is twice as soothing as it usually feels, and the scent of flowers makes Adora giddy. She gives Catra's hand a squeeze underwater.

"See? Isn't this nice?"

Catra snorts.

"Whatever..."

"You know you like it. I sure do. I'm so sore from picking apples for Swift Wind all day... Come on, let's sit for a while. There's a bench thingy. So yeah, this is definitely for bathing and stuff."

She leads Catra to said bench and sits herself down, letting the water rise up to her shoulders now. Catra remains standing, but she doesn't let go of her hand. Adora chuckles and coaxes her down slowly.

By the time Catra's resolved herself to sit down beside her, she's managed to stop hissing for the most part. When she finally does settle down, Adora presses up to her side.

"See? You're fine, Catra."

"I can't believe I'm doing this," she mumbles. "I can't believe I'm taking a hot bath in the Queen of Bright Moon's castle. Maybe I'm the one who's brain-damaged..."

"Catra, would you calm down for five seconds? You're the one who came back here, aren't you?"

"And I am seriously starting to regret that."

"Are you? Come on, when's the last time you had a nice warm bath? No one's gonna come barging in. I made sure to lock the door this time."

Catra gives her a deadpanned look before heaving a sigh.

"Yeah. I'm brain-damaged for sure."

"Catraaa~" Adora nudges her shoulder and entwines her fingers with hers beneath the water. Catra turns her head sideways and refuses to look at her, but she squeezes her hand back anyway.

The misty warm water splashes softly around them, and the healing herbs soak slowly into their skin. Adora leans back and lets out a long sigh.

Even Catra feels her own muscles relax a bit, though she'd never admit how good it feels. All of her bruises and scratches from previous combat training seem to fade away little by little. The only thing she doesn't like is how strong the scent of flowers is. She can't smell Adora.

Begrudgingly, Catra slouches against her and rests her head on Adora's shoulder. It takes Adora by surprise.

"Catra? Are you okay?"

Catra sighs.

"Just... shut up for a second, okay?"

Adora is quiet for a moment as she looks down over her. Beneath the surface of the water, Catra's fingers curl into hers. Content that she's all right, Adora relaxes against her, gently resting her head on Catra's.

For a while, they let the silence take over and don't try to disrupt it. It almost feels too good to be true. Like the previous nights, they're alone together, but unlike them, this time there's no pain involved.

Well, maybe a little.

But for the most part it's calm and healing.

Adora closes her eyes, but tries not to let her conscious fade. She keeps her mind busy by letting it wander all the way back to her childhood back at the Horde. She can still recall the day she'd discovered Catra couldn't swim...

. . .

"Adoraaaa!"

"Oof-! Catra!"

Rude awakening is putting it lightly when your energetic half-feline roommate rouses you by jumping on top of you and landing her full weight directly onto your chest.

Catra leans down close enough for Adora to feel her breath and stares into her eyes.

"Adora? Are you ready?"

Adora wheezes and glares up at her.

"I will be... once you get off..."

"Oh, right. Sorry." Catra crawls off of her and pulls Adora up by her wrists, then gets immediately back to gushing. "I can't believe it, Adora! Today's gonna be our first solo scouting mission together! If we do a good job on this, it'll be enough to ensure we pass our exam and reach the next level of our training!"

By now Adora's regained her breath. She can't help but smile seeing Catra so fired up about this, and she is too.

"Yeah. We're gonna do awesome today, Catra. We'll be Force Commanders before you know it!"

Catra grins.

"Hell yeah."

They grab hands and squeeze tight, eager to get started.

After getting ready and having a light breakfast, they head off to receive their official orders from their squad captain. The cadets had already chosen the pairs they wanted to be split into, but Catra keeps her tail curled around Adora's hip anyway, just so everyone knows she's taken.

As soon as they have their orders, the two of them take off on-foot through the Fright Zone to cover their designated section. All the while, Adora keeps a confident, steady stride, while Catra jumps and leaps like an excited cub.

"Oh man, oh man, this is it!" she squeals. "This is our big chance, Adora! We just have to scout for an hour and report back! It'll be a piece of cake!"

"But don't forget we'll have to handle any issues that come our way."

"Pssh, come on. It's not like we ever have anyone stupid enough to invade us. But even if we did, we'd kick their butts."

Adora grins.

"Yeah. We would."

They make their way to their post, which is on the very outskirts of the Fright Zone, fairly close to the Whispering Woods itself. The terrain here is jagged with rocks and debris. Adora makes sure to tread carefully, but Catra just keeps leaping around like always.

"Careful," Adora warns her. "The ground's not very stable here."

"It's fiiiine. You gotta stop worrying so much, Adora."

"I'm just being cautious. I don't want anything to go wrong on the day of our evaluation."

Catra just huffs, but seems to remember the seriousness of the situation. She straightens up and walks normally beside Adora now as they continue patroling. Nothing seems amiss as far as they both can tell. Adora's starting to think Catra was right.

Maybe this will be a piece of cake...

They walk for a while without incident, keeping quiet to observe their surroundings with their eyes and ears. Adora naturally falls into step behind Catra, whose senses are much keener, but she stays on high alert nonetheless.

In addition to paying attention to her surroundings, Adora pays close attention to her partner's body language. Catra seems at-ease for the most part-

-until they reach a large chasm filled to the brim with gray water. Catra stiffens a bit and takes a step back, wrinkling her nose. But Adora is glad to see it.

"Great. I need to cool off a bit." She kneels down beside the water's edge and scoops some into her hands, then splashes it onto her face. Catra's tail bristles.

"Adora, don't get so close like that." She puts a hand on Adora's shoulder and pulls her back. Adora pouts.

"Why not? It's fine, Catra. It's just water."

"Still..."

"I think you need to cool off a bit too!" She turns around and splashes Catra right in the face.

"Hey!" Catra scrambles away. Adora laughs.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Catra grumbles and shakes herself off.

It's then when she hears something moving past the sounds of Adora's giggling. Ears twitching, Catra snaps her head up.

"Adora, shut up."

"Huh?"

"I said be quiet!"

Her tail lashes and her hackles raise in contrast to her upper body, which leans down into a crouch. Adora stands up slowly and listens.

But Catra hears it first – whatever it is. She steps back to shield Adora, but Adora moves up to stand beside her instead.

With the water at their backs they turn to face the steaming metal debris at the edge of the Fright Zone. The sound comes closer and closer, until Adora can hear it too.

Catra's too anxious about their mission to notice it's a familiar sound. Adora recognizes it soon enough. Their 'intruder' is really nothing more than one of the Fright Zone's own security robots on patrol. She sighs in relief.

"Catra, it's just a bot. You're too uptight about-"

"Watch out!"

Catra gives her a hard shove, and Adora stumbles and falls to her knees. At the same time, the bot reveals itself, proving they were never in any actual danger.

But the shove Catra had given Adora had caused her own foot to slip on a wet rock. With a stuttering yelp she falls backward and lands with a loud splash right in the water. Adora laughs.

"Jeez, Catra! You are such a scaredy cat sometimes!" The splashing water eventually settles behind her. She shakes her head and sighs again. "Come on, Catra. Get up. Our shift's almost over so we can head back."

She stands up and brushes herself off as the security bot wanders away. But she still doesn't hear her partner getting up behind her.

"Catra, come on. I said we can head back now."

Still nothing. Adora turns around and quirks an eyebrow.

"Catra?"

The water is still and dark behind her. Adora's heart clenches.

"Catra? Catra-?! Oh my gosh, don't tell me-"

She jumps right in without a second thought, squinting past the cold stinging darkness of the swirling water.

Catra has sunk several feet down already, her eyes barely open as bubbles fly up from her mouth. Adora kicks her legs hard and reaches for her hand, grabbing her wrist tightly. She struggles to fight against gravity and the water already weighing Catra down, trying desperately to turn them around and start pulling her back up. She tugs Catra up to her side and swims with all her might.

It feels like minutes before her fingertips finally breach the surface. She grabs onto rocks and yanks herself up, and Catra along with her. Adora sputters and spits water as she hauls Catra out behind her. But the only sounds she hears are her own.

Adora drags herself onto solid ground and pulls Catra up with her. She isn't moving and her eyes are shut. Her head rolls limply to one side.

Adora's heart clenches in her throat.

"Catra? Catra?!" She brushes her fingers over her partner's face but she doesn't stir. Adora hunches forward to rest her head on Catra's chest. She can hear a floundering pulse, but there's no air. She isn't breathing.

Adora frantically clamps her hands together, balances them at the center of her chest, and begins pumping.

"Catra? Catra, please. Please, no-"

She pushes again and again and again, feeling tears brimming up and stinging her eyes. They drip down one after the other and land on Catra's cheeks. Adora pushes a little harder.

"Catra, C-Catra-"

You can't- You can't leave me-!

"Hhgk-"

Suddenly Catra's body heaves beneath her palms and she sputters. Adora sobs in relief and quickly helps turn her onto her side.

Catra vomits mouthfuls of water, hacking up everything that doesn't belong. It leaves her gasping, shaking violently beneath Adora's touch.

Adora feels the fear and adrenaline drain from her veins as the relief takes over and surges up.

"Catra-? Are you okay?" She holds her up and supports her, patting her back firmly to help her cough and breathe. Catra wheezes heavily against her, her hair and fur and clothes all soaked through. She doesn't say anything or lift her head.

Adora can't take it.

"Catra? P-Please say something."

Catra shakes her head slowly and drags in a few more ragged breaths. She lifts her head slowly to look up into her eyes.

"Ah... Adora..."

"Oh, thank goodness..." Adora throws both arms around her and pulls her in tighter than ever before. "Why... Why didn't you ever tell me you can't swim...?"

Catra exhales and clings to her back.

"I... didn't think it was important..."

It isn't much longer before they break down and cry together in each other's arms, scared and relieved and ridden with guilt for all different reasons. Catra can only say the same words on repeat.

"Sorry... S-Sorry, Adora..."

Adora locks both arms around her back and squeezes her.

"Hey... it's okay. You're okay. That's all that matters."

"No..." Catra gasps. "Wh-What if we fail our assignment because of me? Wh... What kind of Horde cadet can't even swim...?"

"Hey." Adora eases herself back and cups Catra's face, having her look up into her eyes directly. "No one else has to know, okay? I can teach you. You'll pick it up in no time." She smiles and hugs Catra tenderly. "Till then it'll be our secret. Okay?"

Catra chokes a small sob against her shoulder, but nods.

"Okay..."

Adora makes sure to warm her up as much as possible, hugging Catra until her clothes are dry and ruffling her hair until every last drop is out.

By the time they make it back to their commander, they've plastered on the usual intense Fright Zone cadet expressions. They give their report, pass their assessment, and take another step up the ranks together.

In the following weeks, Adora and Catra take every opportunity to sneak out together and go to the pool. Adora holds her hands and helps her submerge, teaches her how to breathe, how to kick her legs and move her arms.

Catra gets nervous the first time Adora lets go of her, so nervous she swims her way straight back to her. And then she realizes she can swim.

They rejoice, hug, laugh.

And before they know it they're sneaking away for midnight swims together as often as they can...

. . .

Adora opens her eyes as the memories fade, and finds herself back in the present. Catra is curled up at her side, cuddled into her shoulder and hugging her loosely around her stomach now. She's breathing softly, fast asleep.

Adora's eyes fill with fondness as she lightly rests her chin on top of Catra's head and wraps both arms around her shoulders.

Why can't it just stay like this forever...? It isn't fair. Why can't she break away from the Horde like I did? What's stopping her...? Was it because I betrayed her trust? Is it my own fault...?

She feels her throat tighten a little, and a small sob works its way out.

Just stay here. Don't leave me anymore...

Then again, maybe it's best she got a taste of her own medicine.

Adora bites her lip and closes her eyes, holding Catra closer. Not a moment later she feels her stir.

"Mn... Adora?"

Catra lifts her head, already remembering where she is. Her ears flick curiously as she rubs a hand over her eyes, not at all embarrassed about the embrace she has on her. Adora quickly wipes her eyes too.

"Sorry. Did I wake you up?"

"No," Catra yawns. "But I felt like... something was wrong. You okay?"

Adora almost falters and lets the tears fall. But she holds them back and inhales deeply.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

Catra blinks tiredly before curling back up into her shoulder.

"If you say so..."

The bath water and herbs must've made her sleepy, because Adora's never seen her this relaxed before. Especially not in enemy territory.

She savors Catra's closeness for a while longer, curling her fingertips through her wet mane of hair and petting all down her back. Before long, a purr starts to rumble in her chest, sending little vibrations across the surface of the water.

Adora keeps telling herself just one minute longer...

At last she feels it's finally time to get out. She nudges Catra gently until she blinks her eyes open and sits up on her own.

"Come on," Adora murmurs. "Let's get out before we become raisins."

She takes both of Catra's hands and guides her back up the steps, then offers her a towel. They dry themselves off in silence.

Catra can't stop her eyes from traveling up Adora's back. She winces when she sees the long red scratch marks still etched into her skin. Guilt surges up and tightens in her stomach at the sight of it. She isn't sure what comes over her, but her body moves on its own in that moment. She takes a small step forward and wraps both arms around Adora from behind.

"Sorry..."

Adora is too surprised to even ask what she's doing before she feels it for herself. She feels Catra nuzzling against her back before slowly drawing her tongue up over her shoulder blades. She licks the wounds softly, as if in repentance. Adora remains still and says nothing.

Catra doesn't stop until she's covered the length of every single scratch mark, then she hides her face in Adora's shoulder. Adora turns around slowly and holds her without saying a word.

Eventually, they part and retreat back to their clothes to change.

Adora finishes up by retying her hair, which had been quick to dry. But when she looks back to her old partner, Catra is still trying to shake her own mane of hair dry. Adora picks up her towel and pads over to where Catra is crouched on the floor, finishing up with fastening her belt. Adora drops the towel on Catra's head, earning a hiss.

"Hey! What're you-"

"Just be quiet for a sec, Catra."

Adora begins to gently massage the towel through Catra's hair to soak up any excess water. She kneads her fingers in and ruffles a little, but not enough to tangle it more or yank at it. Catra sits hunched over in a brooding manner, but her curling tail gives away how much she's actually enjoying it.

Adora smiles. It's been forever since she'd gotten to fuss over her. Back at the Horde, Catra would just shake herself off after a bath and be done with it, and it's only because of Adora insistently drying her hair for her that she never got sick from going to bed with a soaking-wet head.

So Adora dries her hair a little longer, and a little more softly now, for all the times she'd missed over the past few weeks. Catra doesn't resist her, and Adora even thinks she hears the beginnings of another purr. But before it can become consistent, Catra moves away and gives herself another shake.

"That's good. Thanks."

Adora isn't sure if it's spite she hears in her voice, or just a bit of irritation due to creeping exhaustion. Even so, she isn't going to give up that easily. As they both stand, Adora manages to catch one of her hands.

"Hold on. There're a few more things I wanna do."

Catra snorts, but can't help being swept away by Adora's whims.

Adora makes a brief stop by her vanity first and grabs a couple of things that Catra can't exactly see before pulling her over to the bed and having her sit. Catra's tail begins to twitch again.

"Adora, what are you-"

"It's fine! Why are you so tense again already? Just relax, Catra."

Adora settles behind her and picks up the seashell comb, an authentic gift sent over from Mermista. It feels like forever since she's been able to pamper Catra, and she isn't going to pass up the perfect opportunity now.

She makes sure to be gentle but firm as she begins combing through her dark hair, starting down at the ends and working her way up slowly. Catra bristles when she realizes what she's doing.

"Adora, really? I can't afford to be-"

"You can afford to chill out and relax for just one night, Catra. Seriously. Take a load off. Consider it compensation for traveling all the way here by yourself while under constant fear of potentially getting caught."

Catra huffs and crosses her arms, but allows the treatment to continue.

Adora happily continues brushing for her, easing the thicker parts of her hair into sections to divide and conquer. Catra pays attention to what she's doing behind her back.

"Hey, I know what you're up to! Don't you dare start braiding my hair right now!"

"Who, me? Pssh, I would never..." Adora quickly clumps all of Catra's hair back together and innocently continues brushing.

And even though Catra mumbles and grumbles, Adora can feel her leaning back ever so slightly into her touch. Her tail continues to curl up, and she can hear the tiny rumbles of a purr that Catra is adamantly trying to keep down.

"Geez, you are so stubborn..."

"What was that?"

"Nothing~" Adora continues for several more minutes, until Catra's hair is smooth and almost even silky. "There." She runs her hands through it a couple of times, knowing Catra's secretly loving the feeling of her hands down her back.

But just when the purr is on the tip of her tongue and ready to slip out, Catra pulls herself away.

"Okay, are you done yet?"

"Not yet!" Adora puts the comb aside and holds up the other thing she'd grabbed - a small silver nail file. Catra blinks.

"Adora, you're not seriously-"

"I am seriously going to file your nails for you. Look." She picks up one of Catra's hands and flattens out her fingers to inspect. Her claws are still chipped and broken like they'd been yesterday, likely from Catra's extensive combat practices. Adora runs her fingers over them very gently, but Catra still winces.

"See?" Adora says. "They hurt. I knew it. Let me help, Catra."

She doesn't move for a moment, but simply holds onto her friend's hand.

Catra's tail lashes behind her, but her eyes have lost their stern warning glare. She just sighs and glances elsewhere.

"Do whatever you want, Adora."

Adora grins and tries not to squeak in her delight; she'd always secretly loved getting to do these things for her.

So she crosses her legs and pulls Catra into the center of the bed with her now before lifting her hand and getting to work.

She goes slowly and takes care in filing each of Catra's claws, being extra gentle with whittling down the broken ones until she can make them somewhat even.

In the past when she'd done this, Catra would often yowl and complain and squirm around. But now she just winces every now and again, and her tail flicks a few times. Adora treads cautiously.

"Y'know, if it hurts, you can tell me."

Catra doesn't look at her.

"It doesn't hurt. I'm fine."

"I didn't ask if you were."

Catra says nothing.

Adora finishes with her left hand and picks up her right to begin the same treatment. When she finishes she regrettably lets go of Catra's hand.

"How's that?"

Catra inspects her claws with mild interest.

"Not bad."

"Better than sharpening them on a tree."

"Hey, that was one time!"

"Right." Adora laughs and puts the file on her nightstand alongside the brush. Inevitably, their eyes meet again. Adora smiles. Catra shrugs.

They come to the silent agreement to lie down together.

Catra doesn't opt to just curl up at Adora's ankles either. She lies down right beside her and stretches out her legs, letting her tail drape across Adora's hip. She mutters, softly at first, and Adora just rests an arm over her to calm her down.

She assumes Catra will quiet down before long. But she just keeps squirming and mumbling under her breath, even hissing every now and again. She grumbles and growls until it eventually elevates into a full-fledged yowl.

"Damn it! Why is this happening?"

"Catra?" Startled, Adora inches back to look down at her. "What's the matter?"

But Catra won't let her see her face. She buries herself in Adora's chest and locks both arms around her furiously.

"This!" she cries. "I told myself I wouldn't come back here... that I didn't need-" You.

She digs her claws into Adora's back. Adora flinches and grunts at the sudden pain. And Catra gasps when she realizes what she's done.

"Sorry! I didn't-"

"Hey," Adora pats her shoulder. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean to."

Catra hides herself deeper into the crook of Adora's neck.

"I didn't... I shouldn't have come back... I said I wouldn't. So why...?" The helpless whisper rises up into a broken wail. "Why can't I stay away from you, damn it?! Why can't I just let you go?!"

Her words trigger memories of light and voices in Adora's mind, voices coaxing her to let go... She shuts her eyes and tries to fight off the thoughts.

I don't care! I don't have time for that! Catra needs me now!

She pulls herself back into the present and opens her eyes to find Catra shaking in her arms. She can feel warm wetness seeping into her shoulder. Catra's voice is a pained, heavy whisper.

"Why...? Why can't I just... damn it..."

Adora doesn't know what to say.

She wants to tell her it's okay, that she isn't weak, that her heart is pure-

-that she loves her...

But she feels anything she tries telling Catra now would only make things worse. She'd only get more conflicted, feel weaker, and hate herself even more than she already does.

"I hate it..." Catra rasps. "I hate it..."

Adora doesn't know what she's referring to: her heart? Her feelings? Her relationship with Adora?

Either way, it doesn't matter. Because I'll love you more than you hate yourself.

She wraps her arms around Catra and holds her close.

She's always been the only place Catra felt safe enough to cry. She's glad that hasn't changed. She's glad she can still be there for her, if only a little.

Even if it's only at night when no one else is looking.

She loses track of time, but eventually Catra stills and quiets. Her claws loosen their hold and her tail goes limp. Adora eases back gingerly to glimpse her tired, tearstained face. It shatters her heart all over again.

Only Catra.

Only Catra has ever had such a deep, profound, devastating effect on her.

Only Catra could wound her heart so deeply and so frequently.

Adora strokes her thumb across Catra's freckled cheeks and catches all of her tears.

She doesn't know if this might be the last night she sees her like this, or at all. She doesn't want to do something she might regret.

That's why she doesn't hesitate to leave a soft, tender kiss on Catra's forehead.

"I'm sorry... I really am..."

She hugs her close, cradling Catra's head against her chest with the utmost care.

Adora knows she'll be gone when morning comes. She knows she might never come back.

At least for now she knows Catra still needs her as much as Adora does. But if it's only going to bring them more pain...

Wouldn't it just be better if we... stopped pretending...?

Perhaps they could never be anything more than enemies. Perhaps they were too far gone.

But there's something about Catra crying herself to sleep in her arms that makes Adora think otherwise.

She stays awake for as long as she can, savoring Catra's warmth across her body, her scent in her lungs, and her heartbeat against her own.

She'll be gone by morning.

But for now she's here.

And that's good enough.

Just for now.

A/N: I'm sorry to say I think I'll be ending this one here. How many times can they conveniently sneak out and meet up together before it just feels forced for the sake of the writing? But then again, I might just get another idea or two, so I guess we'll see!

But for next week I'll be posting a new, separate story for them!

Thank you for reading! Please review!