ᴄᴀᴛʀᴀ ʀᴀɪɴʙᴏᴡꜰɪꜱᴛ-ᴍᴇᴏᴡᴍᴇᴏᴡ (hisses) wrote in valloic, @ 2021-01-23 12:17:00 |
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As if Catra could ever forget Adora’s birthday. Not to say that she hasn’t tried. It wasn’t as if they were even highly celebrated events back at the Horde - some acknowledgement was warranted but that’s it. A few soldiers and young cadets would sometimes take it upon themselves to commemorate in secret in ways catering to what they fancied, which inspired them to do their own thing. Something just them, an excuse to create little moments and hide away from each other. They learned how to make it special. It was nice, until the glaring obvious details happened - a break up of a friendship that was supposed to outlive anything else around them. She really didn’t know how Adora spent her birthdays anymore. They were probably over-the-top, noisy events with a lot of fucking glitter and sweets that’d constipate her for days. Bright Moon had a way of being so obnoxiously extra and maybe she liked that. Catra didn’t know. Catra didn’t ask, was the thing, and proceeded to go about her time in Vallo without any acknowledgement of the upcoming day. Obviously it didn’t mean she didn’t have a few tricks up her sleeve, but she made sure to keep it on the down low. The years may have changed them, chipped away at whatever innocence they had no idea they had until they immersed themselves head on into a war neither of them started - though she liked to think she still knew Adora. Parts of her, anyway. There were other fragments she was re-learning. And other parts that were completely new, like the whole kissing - Focus. Nope, she wasn’t going to put too much thought into their latest habit. Catra had clearly indulged but she also held back a lot. Half of it had to do with the fact that it was fun to tease and get Adora a little frustrated. The other half was a mix of this is a bad idea and what are we doing, exactly? Whatever. They weren’t talking about it and that was that, even if they were around one another constantly and shared a bed. Her apartment had gone largely unused due to that fact. Well. She at least used it for one thing, and that was for storing a cake she had made for today. A light, fluffy rainbow-confetti cake with sprinkles on top. Adora would notice it in her fridge immediately and she couldn’t have that, could she? Catra was well aware that she had to really rely on stealth that morning, untangling herself from the heavy mess of Adora’s limbs to sneak out and then sneak back in without waking the blonde beast. She was successful in that regard. Which meant she could proceed with the rest of her plan. Cake in hand, Catra hoisted herself onto the bed with impressive grace and straddled her not-girlfriend (barely even friends, remember that) to unceremoniously shove the birthday dessert into her face. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IDIOT!” There was cackling and smearing cake guts all up into her face and hair and everything. She was also prepared to jump off her in about five seconds because there was likely going to be retribution. Worth it. Adora was sleeping deeply these days. It was weird. She rarely slept this soundly at night — for years, she’d been trained to be up at the crack of dawn with the Horde and that was hard to shake. Bright Moon wasn’t anywhere near that strict, but it wasn’t a vacation either. She was fighting a war, and even on her best nights, she was up at least twice stressing over their next plan. She didn’t have that burden here. The Rebellion and the Horde and the war they’d been fighting weren’t a factor. She and Catra were figuring each other out again, getting along perhaps better. Despite largely ignoring their problems and the new developments in their relationship, she was happy with where they were for now. She knew better than to push Catra too far, too fast, especially when things at home had been in such a terrible state. So, she could really sleep, and she was taking advantage of that. At some point, she wanted to go out and get a job, but she was in no hurry. She wasn’t spending a lot of the money she’d been given, and she was putting her focus on Catra. Sleeping beside her every night, feeling her purr against her back, was basically a dream come true. She hadn’t really thought about her birthday. She knew it was coming up, but she wasn’t expecting a big deal. Bow and Glimmer had turned it into a big party when she’d gone to BrightMoon, but that wasn’t really a thing in the Horde. Catra had given her a reaction bar cake a couple of times — the one thing from the portal reality that was the same as their actual real life — but mostly, they just snuck off and spent the day together. Adora would find a way to get them out of training, and they could just hide out in their spot and talk and laugh and be together without worrying for a little while. At best, she figured she would get a happy birthday and maybe they would go out to eat, but she was content without. Just being able to be with Catra on her birthday was enough for her. The last thing she’d expected was to wake up sputtering and covered in something…sweet? Was that cake?! She blinked rapidly, pieces of frosting falling off her eyes until she could focus on the smirking culprit hovering over her. She wanted to be angry, but despite Catra’s unorthodox method of waking her, she was more shocked than anything. “You are so mean,” she laughed. She wiped at her face with both hands and lunged forward, determined to grab Catra and get her revenge. Catra was always a slippery one, speed topping strength when it came to skillset. It was what allowed her to evade Adora’s grasp and wriggle her way off the bed. Frosting didn’t get on her either - yet. That’d be a bitch to scrub off her fur. “Oh please,” she scoffed, stepping backwards with arms behind her all coy. Her flirtiness had gone up a bit lately with simpering lip nibbles, the come hither eyes that dared Adora to come catch her if she could. It was the same dynamic out in the battlefield; she always did have a way of luring the great She-Ra to her. “I woke you up with cake for breakfast. That’s gotta be one of your top dreams. Too bad I never got a taste - it looks good.” The language could be construed as suggestive, too. This game with Adora was fun. “Maybe you shouldn’t have wasted it by shoving the entire thing into my face.” Adora peeled her shirt off over her head, dragging a good amount of the chunks of cake off with it as it hit the floor. She threw back the covers and slipped out of bed, still wiping what she could from her face with her hands. This wasn’t going to come out without a shower, but that could wait a little longer. “Feel free to come lick some off,” she offered. She was definitely heeding those come hither eyes. She usually got kisses in the morning and today, she’d gotten cake — and not even cake she could eat. She intended to rectify that. Well, wasn’t that a bold suggestion. Catra quirked a single brow, tongue gliding over a fang as she mulled that over. “Maybe,” she shrugged, leaning up against the wall as her eyes raked up Adora’s newly shirtless form. Not a view she was unfamiliar with, but the baggage weighing heavily between them and context made the experience different. Sounded like she was presenting a challenge, though. “Seems kind of messy, don’t you think?” Her tail began a rhythmic, slow swish from side to side. Catra was even purring, but it was almost too smug. “Getting sticky just seems like a hassle. You’ve really gotten so spoiled lately.” “And whose fault is that?” Adora retorted. She could admit she’d gotten spoiled. She had Catra’s attention whenever she wanted after three years of fighting, and she was enjoying it. Things were calm between them, and Adora was soaking it all up. Living together (which they were, essentially, despite Catra having her own apartment) in a world not bogged down with war seemed to be doing their relationship a lot of good. “Come here.” She wasn’t Catra levels of quick, but with just a few steps, she had the hem of Catra’s shirt clutched in her caked hands. Considerately, she kept them there instead of being outright mean and rubbing it into her fur. She’d rather her little act of revenge be good for both of them. “Don’t I get a birthday kiss?” she asked, pulling at Catra’s shirt. “And maybe a cake we can actually eat?” So entitled, wasn’t she? Catra snorted, trying to pass off as indifferent as she allowed Adora to close in on her. Her tail shot out, skimming up and down her thigh. Her being shirtless was distracting but she kept her stare leveled with those blue eyes. “The birthday girl gets two cakes?” she questioned, hands slipping out from hiding to grip her waist. Her thumbs brushed against her hip bones, sometimes even slinking right underneath the waistband of her sleep shorts. “I could swing that. Maybe. Not like I went all out and planned the day for you or anything.” A complete fucking lie, but whatever. Catra was going to gift her that kiss she’d been whining for - tilting her head up to fit their mouths together, moving slowly. Gently. They had a chance to practice frequently now, and these moments weren’t so clumsy anymore. Kissing Adora was easy. It was actually a little terrifying. Adora’s heart fluttered just from the touch of Catra’s hands on her waist, a little shiver zipping up her spine whether thumbs traveled a little south from her hips. There had been nothing more physical than kissing and their usual cuddles and hugs, but the temptation got a little more palpable every day. It could be difficult, sleeping with Catra wrapped around her and wanting her so badly, but she was happy enough not to push her luck. As much as a part of her wanted to deepened the kiss and press their faces together so Catra would be assaulted with cake and frosting too, the kinder side of her won out. She let the kiss linger for just a minute before gently breaking away. “Did you really plan the whole day for me?” There had been no indication Catra even remembered her birthday up until the cake smash, so she was genuinely surprised and kind of touched. Catra tried not to whine or seem needy as the kiss came to an end. She was too cautious not to come off as, uh, desperate. She had some clingy tendencies but they could be reeled in to save face. The kissing had to be actively stopped before they veered into more dangerous territory - they could flirt with that line, but not cross it. Crossing it would be a terrible fucking idea. “It’s not like I had anything better to do,” she grumbled defensively, lips still somewhat pressed into hers as she began to push Adora back towards the bed. Catra wanted to stake claim on her lap, damnit, even at the risk of getting a little frosting stuck on her fur. “Definitely not because I like you.” It was a sentiment stated so often throughout the years that it lacked heat, or any ounce of sincerity. Though - well. She could argue that in a sense it was actually kind of true. “Obviously not,” Adora chuckled. She allowed herself to be pushed back down onto the end of the bed, making room for what Catra clearly wanted from her. She even took the initiative and pulled her into her lap, tilting her head up to look at her. “Tell me what you planned?” She honestly couldn’t even take a guess. Vallo was so expansive with so many different places to go and things to see and do. Activities were a little more limited back in Etheria, even moreso in the Fright Zone. She was excited to see what Catra had decided was the best way to celebrate. Catra was always comfiest straddling her lap, fucking sue her. Her shirt caught a smear of cake frosting here and there but she was okay with sacrificing the fabric for the sake of closeness. “We have a tour set up with one of the animal shelters so you can make goo-goo eyes at dogs,” she informed, reaching up to swipe a bit of cake from her cheek. “Then dinner reservations where they perform with weapons while serving you, something like that.” She licked the sweetness from her fingers, and sucked the last of the icing from the tip of her claw. What, did Adora think she’d give into her request of licking it off her? Hah, no, she wished. She was welcome to watch her do it to herself, though, It was tasty. “After that?” A shrug. “I figured we could walk around, see what’s out there. We could go dancing, maybe.” “Really?? All of that sounds amazing!” Adora wasn’t sure which part she liked the best. The entire thing sounded incredible, and she was a little stunned Catra had taken the time to plan something like this just for her. She knew how considerate and perceptive Catra could be, but birthdays had just never been a big deal back in the Horde. She was expecting just some one-on-one time here at the apartment, and she was okay with that. This was better. And watching Catra eat cake off her fingers? It wasn’t as good as having her facelicked, but, uh. She was enjoying the show, maybe a little too much. She may have stared for an extra long minute before blinking back into awareness. “Are we going home with a dog or just browsing?” she questioned, deciding to focus there first to get her head back on straight. She had mentioned possibly getting a pet during Catra’s hug-fest, but she hadn’t expected any real follow through. She just appreciated the sentiment and the support. Catra pulled her finger out of her mouth with a pronounced pop. “Probably browse,” she decided after a moment of pause, though if there was one Adora really wanted then who the hell was she to tell her no? It was a surprise to know she’d been thinking about a pet to begin with. It felt so…normal, and personal. Adora wasn’t ever someone who wanted much for herself - or at least someone who never liked to admit what she really wanted, anyway. Arms wrapping around her neck, she went for another kiss. A few of them, actually. Lazy, small ones with a little bit of tugging on her bottom lip. “Don’t you wanna be prepared when you bring one here? You’re gonna need to get a few things.” “Well, yeah,” Adora agreed, mumbling the words against Catra’s mouth. She didn’t know if she’d be able to go look at puppies without actually bringing one home, but she would try. She wasn’t sure why she’d suddenly started wanting a pet, but now that she had this kind of normal life, it just felt like the next logical step. “Do we have a schedule to keep? I need a shower before we go anymore. As nice as your wakeup call was, I don’t really want to go out covered in birthday cake.” She lifted the hand that wasn’t resting at Catra’s waist and returned it to her face, scrubbing more of the frosting away with a balled up fist. Hey, Catra was proud of that wakeup call. Adora took it surprisingly well, and even seemed kind of - happy about it, she guessed? It was the first birthday period they’d be spending together without the threat of shadows watching, looking for any excuse to tear them apart. “We have time,” she hummed, pushing that fist away so she could resume that kissing, thanks. Her hands cautiously skimmed over her front, resting on the plane of her stomach - she could feel the outline of her abdominal muscles beneath her palms and fingertips. It was a good spot to be in. “You don’t need to shower right now, do you?” And she was purring, low and soft. She was enjoying the taste of the cake through Adora’s lips like, a lot. “I guess not,” Adora agreed. She was actually pretty content where she was. Catra was kissing her, purring in her lap, hands wandering over her skin. She could deal with the cake a little bit longer if it meant she got to feel this. She deepened the kiss, stroking down Catra’s sides. Staying like this all day would have been more than enough for her. “Did you have something else in mind?” she teased, nipping at Catra’s bottom lip. “I mean, you know I like to be busy. Have some structure in my day.” It was part of why she needed to hurry up and find a job, but that was another day’s worry, not today’s. Kissing up on Adora like this was proving it wasn’t the best way to keep herself clean. Smears of frosting here and there were unavoidable, especially on her cheeks - a bit on her nose too, noticed from the periphery of her vision. The temptation to lick her had grown, if only to make her pout and leave her a little high and dry. “The day’s relatively open,” she chuckled huskily. “In case there was something specific you wanted to do - I honestly have no idea how your birthdays have been lately, and I didn’t want to bog your day down by stuff you maybe didn’t want to do?” Catra tried dancing around the heavier topics lately. They’ve had their share of emotionally charged conversations that brought them to tears, and more was probably to come if they continued on this path of trying to fix things - but she also didn’t want to angst too much about how she had missed Adora’s last few birthdays. Nothing would change the fact that it fucking sucked and that it was mostly her fault. “Well, all the things you mentioned sound amazing,” Adora assured her, tracing her fingers down the front of Catra’s shirt. “I definitely want to do them. But I’m really just happy I’m here with you. The past few years…” She shook her head, kissing the side of Catra’s jaw. Her birthdays had different in Bright Moon, nothing like their private celebrations growing up together. They were both good in their own ways, but the Bright Moon parties had never felt really right. Not without Catra. “I missed you,” she finished softly. “I missed you a lot. I’m so glad we get to be together for this birthday. Hopefully for yours too, when it comes.” That was months away, and she didn’t know what would happen between now and then. But she liked it here, more than she’d thought she would. It was nice not to have to be The Hero all the time. Yeah. The past few years. Say no more. Catra wasn’t sure how the hell she was supposed to fix her wrongs away from Etheria but she was at least starting with Adora, so. That was something. Her body stilled at the kiss to the jaw, at the soft confession that made her insides flutter. It definitely hadn’t felt as if Adora had missed her when she made the decision to defect. Catra had seen herself as a mere afterthought, an oh yeah, she’s there detail that was heartbreakingly insignificant. Adora found a destiny and she ran with it, and acclimated seamlessly with strangers overnight. Was it selfish to still feel hurt about that? Probably. Feelings were illogical things anyway and she had a lot of strong, messy ones. But the more she spent with Adora like this, pressed close together without the pressure of war closing in on them, the less it stung. Catra could almost believe she was needed. Maybe even wanted. A hand slipped behind her to grab her hair to tug her head back a bit, exposing the smooth column of her throat with a smatter of white icing. Catra wasn’t reciprocating those words even if they rang true to her too and instead, chose to reply with kisses and suckles to her neck. Adora had wanted her to lick some of the cake off - this was her giving into what she wanted. “If we’re here that long,” she commented after a moment, purring into her pulse. “But I wouldn’t mind if we were. We don’t know how it’s going to end for either of us once we get thrown back into our timelines.” Adora knew staying here was a big ‘if’. At least every few days since they’d gotten here, there had been lists of people who had disappeared popping up in her messages. Probably two dozen had disappeared in the short amount of time they’d been here. The worst part of it was that there didn’t seem to be any reason, no cause. Being here didn’t make sense, leaving here didn’t make sense. The entire place’s existence seemed like it should be impossible. She didn’t want to leave. She never thought she’d be able to let go of the war and all that accompanied it, but she was enjoying being without responsibilities for the first time in her life. There were periods where she felt bad for that, drowned herself in guilt and worry, but with Catra around, those times never lasted too long. “I know,” she agreed, brushing her thumb across a tuft of fur just above the neckline of Catra’s shirt. “I’m okay not finding out for a while.” She felt a little guilty saying so, but she tucked the feeling away. Right now, she just wanted to be happy. With that in mind, she kissed Catra again before lifting her up and flipping her onto her back on the bed, pinning her down with a wild, playful smile. She pressed their lips together for another long kiss before breaking away to rub her still mildly-frosted face against Catra’s. Revenge — finally. Ohhh, she was waiting for this. Catra let out a mrrrrrp at their positions being flipped, knees squeezing her hips and there it was, the spread of frosting over her fur. She already had little spots here and there - they could be scrubbed off with a washcloth - but now it was probably best she bit the bullet and showered. “I hate you,” she groaned, allowing it to happen because it was her stupid fucking birthday and - whatever. It had been a calculated risk and she decided it was worth it for the kisses. Worth it for that smile too, a pink warmth spreading across her cheeks. “I have to actually shower, you know that? I take forever to dry. You’re gonna brush me.” “Like that’s some kind of punishment?” Adora grinned and kissed her pink, freckled cheeks. “I would be honored to brush you. I like it when you get all fluffy.” Catra didn’t usually get dirty the way humans did, so her showers had been much sparser throughout their time growing up together. But when she was forced to, she totally puffed out. It was one of the most adorable things Adora had ever seen. “Let me shower first,” she suggested, kissing Catra’s shoulder, then up into her neck. “I’ll be quicker and then I’ll be ready for you when you’re done. Okay?” God, could she stop purring. Catra’s catlike tendencies were traitorous. It was why she actively suppressed them during the war - the ways she could express fondness was deemed a weakness. Adora kept getting the brunt of it and it was only going to inflate her stupid ego even more. “I can shower at my place,” she grumbled, turning her face in hopes she could catch her lips. “Orrrr maybe not, since you’d have to brush me wearing a towel and I’m not walking back here almost naked. Ugh. Damnit.” Then she’d just have to actively avoid getting an eyeful of Adora with little to no clothes. Cool - she could do that. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen it all already but she also wanted to dodge the temptation to put her mouth on other parts of her. Making out and cuddling was complicating things. “If you really want to shower at your place, I can meet you there,” Adora offered. Catra was over here all the time, so she didn’t mind if she showered here. But if she was more comfortable showering in her own apartment, that was fine, too. Adora would be quick enough to get herself cleaned up and dressed and make her way over there if that was her preference. “We can have breakfast delivered there, if you want? Since you didn’t leave enough cake for either of us to actually eat when you smashed it in my face.” There was a small, playful pout following that. What she’d tasted during the smash was really good and she was sad it was wasted, but she had to admit it was a good way to wake her up. “There’s cake here!” Catra argued back and to make a point, her claws scrambled above her head to reach the parts of the bed covered in cake chunks. Finding a decently sized one, she shoved it into Adora’s mouth and into the rest of her face, hah. Seriously, they could probably eat some of the big chunks off the bed before she made Adora throw it all into the laundry machine thing (as if she’d do it herself, pfft). “I’ll just shower after you, dummy, and if you’re craving more food I can get that ordered,” she snorted, licking her fingers clean from the latest assault with dessert. “Can’t believe I’m stuck doing all this shit when I don’t even like you.” Okay, so maybe there were big enough chunks to be shoved into her mouth without any warning — and wow, it really did taste amazing! Maybe she’d let Catra salvage what she could while she went and showered. She had gone days dirtier than this during the war, but she really had gotten spoiled since they’d come to Vallo. And not just when it came to getting kisses. “You totally like me,” she retorted, kissing the corner of her lips. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave without telling me.” Nope, Catra was not letting the flame of spite get out of control on that comment - she was going to be better than that. Trying to be, anyway. So her response was merely a roll of her eyes and a playful shove that pushed Adora of her. She stayed, of course. And the day went smoothly. Like, it was nice? They did happen to salvage some cake to eat after their respective showers and actual breakfast. Some lazing on the couch was involved due to Catra’s insistence, and Adora brushed her to the sound of some chef on television calling some poor sap an idiot sandwich and cussing people out in a strange accent. Food shows were actually interesting - cooking was wild and half of the ingredients were so outlandish that she could swear they were making it up. Early afternoon activities consisted of that animal shelter visit, which was interesting. The smell was honestly fucking awful thanks that delicate nose of hers but overall it was fine - maybe even cute, to see Adora fawn over all sorts of animals. Catra personally had no interest in getting slobbered on by the canine variety and focused more on the cats. Yes, ha ha. So funny because she was basically a catgirl. Whatever. Obviously they didn’t walk out of there with a new companion or anything. It was to give Adora something to mull over, figure out if she wanted something young or older and how big and what they’d possibly need for it. Catra was still indifferent about it. The idea gave a false sense of permanence, like they could set down roots here and live happily ever after. She was sure that wasn’t possible. She was also sure she had never seen Adora look so free before. There was always some pressure keeping her weighed down - either the expectation of her being the model Force Captain or She-Ra swallowing up her identity and needs as a whole. Whatever happened here would probably be forgotten anyway if they disappeared back into their own world, so what was the harm of enjoying this while it lasted? Catra had to keep reminding herself of that. Overthinking just wouldn’t do them any good. Their appetite was saved for dinner, though she almost caved and got Adora a fucking burger so she could shut up about being hungry for five minutes. The wait was definitely worth it. It was slabs of meat served on swords (wasn’t that just Adora’s thing) and there was a show of nunchucks and other side performances involving weaponry. Richie really came through with this suggestion, she’d give him that. They made the grave mistake of sharing the fact that it was Adora’s birthday to the wait stuff because they sang an obnoxious song while surrounding them and Catra had to remind herself that she’d ruin the day if she scratched their faces up for that ear-shattering transgression. The bright side, though? Adora got free dessert out of it. Catra forgave them. “I’ve never eaten that much in my fucking life,” she groaned as they exited the restaurant and hit the city sidewalks. Most of their day was done on foot. The Waypoints made Catra woozy and nauseated so she’d preferred more old fashion transportation, like her own two damn feet. “I think I finally know what the term food coma means? Ugh.” Her hands were shoved into her jacket pockets, though. Not that she wasn’t casually touchy with Adora or anything, but out and about she scaled down the affection - which did include kisses. Catra didn’t really know why. In private she didn’t have issues getting clingy. In public, it would just seem they were something they weren’t? It was fine. This was totally fine. Any inkling of doubt Adora had ever had about how well Catra knew her — after the war and the time they’d spent apart — was laid to rest and buried six feet under as they went through everything she’d planned for their day. She got a good breakfast and some salvaged cake after her shower, and she’d really enjoyed the cooking shows Catra put on while she brushed her out. It was oddly thrilling to watch other people get yelled at — but definitely put her off the possibility of working in a kitchen. As soon as they got to the animal shelter, she was immediately immersed in the dogs, She cuddled up to a litter of six-week-old puppies, then visited the older dogs with one of the volunteers, and she loved every second of it. She wasn’t surprised to see Catra lingering by the cats, but for the time being, she refrained from teasing her about it. She was a little disappointed they came out with nothing, but she knew Catra was right in telling her she needed to think about it and make sure she could handle a pet. She was probably getting ahead of herself anyway; they’d been here barely a month, and there was no saying they wouldn’t end up back home, dealing with Horde Prime. Pets would be the least of her worries then. She really thought nothing would top that visit, especially because Catra refused to feed her lunch, no matter how many enticing food carts or restaurants they passed by. But it was all worth it in the end when they got to dinner. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she was served what looked to be an entire small animal on a sword to eat. And then the entertainment! It was all so impressive, and a part of her wanted to go up to them and ask if they would teach her some of their tricks. Maybe next time. “Yeah, I think I’m pretty much full,” Adora agreed with a chuckle. That had been a lot of food, and even her stomach reached capacity sometimes. “That was really, really great, in case I didn’t make that clear. Thank you, Catra.” “Kinda figured you liked it when you were inhaling animal carcass off a blade,” Catra smirked, playfully knocking their shoulders together. Her tail teased up and down her arm, too - lately it would wrap around her wrist a lot more. “I know it was different than what we were used to back then, but.” A shrug. “Not like we had much choice on how we wanted to spend it.” She wasn’t intending to delve into that topic or anything - it was just an observation. The sky had darkened, but the streets were bright. They had ventured into a nightlife sort of scene with music blaring and meshing together from different clubs, the curling smell of flavored smoke filling the air. It made her rub her twitchy nose. “Anything you feel like doing? It’s not that late or anything - have you thought about something you wanted to do while we’re stuck on a magical island?” Maybe that was most of the appeal, if Adora thought about it. She had so much more freedom here, so much variety. She had loved her birthdays in the Horde with Catra and loved the birthdays that followed in Bright Moon with Bow and Glimmer (as much as she possibly could while in the midst of a war). But there wasn’t much of anything interesting in the way of activities or entertainment. She liked having so many options here. The music filtering out onto the street while they walked sent her mind wandering down one particular pathway. And since Catra had asked if she had anything she wanted to do, she would go for it. The worst she could say was no, and she would still be happy just hanging out with her back at Morningside. “We could check out one of these places?” she suggested. “Sounds like interesting music.” It wasn’t the first time Catra’s passed through here - it was a very social part of the city, lots of dancing and boozing. Some places had flashing colored lights, others were dimmer and full of smoke. She had been inside one bar during her time here but these seemed all locally run and louder than Gallahd. “Awww,” she cooed. “You wanna dance? Because I think that’s most of what happens around here.” Catra was flashing her an impish grin, fangs out and mismatched eyes gleaming. “If you just want me to dip you again, princess, you can always just ask.” Or if Adora felt like lifting her up with one arm like she did with that damn flower princess. Catra vividly recalled that dumb event - she may have been a little jealous having witnessed that. Adora’s heart fluttered in her chest and her face burned at the call-out. “I didn’t want to assume,” she defended herself half-heartedly. Of course she wanted to dance, but she had been attempting to be a little more subtle about it. The last time they'd danced together, it had been more of a game, and not in a good way. She didn’t know if it was something Catra was actually interested in or if it had just been something she’d done because they were at war and it was an easy way to drive Adora crazy at the time. “But I’ll be dipping you this time.” She grinned, recovering her confidence fairly quickly and throwing her arm around Catra’s shoulder. She had been behaving and respecting Catra’s space and lack of interest in PDA, but this wasn’t so bad, was it? And dancing together would involve a lot more contact than this, anyway. Catra tossed her head back for a laugh. "You, dip me?" The arm around the shoulder, she didn't mind - it was familiar, something they'd done often during their younger years. Same with the way her own arm snaked around her waist. "Sure, I'd even fucking pay to see you try. Do we even know how to dance to music here or are we gonna look like idiots?" They weren't terrible dancers judging from that one time that had even been a thing. So, yeah. Dancing. Could be fun. "And are you going to obsess over me on the dance floor?" She was definitely going to call her out on that too. "Having you stalk me was fun. Maybe I ought to figure out a way to set up one of these clubs to blow up to get that kind of attention again." She should not be flirting but - yeah, no, she definitely was flirting. Damnit. Adora rolled her eyes, but it was good-natured. She had acted kind of insane at Princess Prom, but she’d had a very good reason, no matter how paranoid everyone had thought she was acting. She didn’t have that reason now. She and Catra were in a different world, in a good place, and she knew the crack about blowing up the club was just a dumb joke. “In case you haven’t noticed, you have all of my attention,” she retorted, giving Catra’s shoulders a squeeze. “We can watch and figure things out, but you’re totally getting dipped. I promise you that.” Catra noticed but it was nice to have a verbal confirmation. She had frequent bouts of insecurity - some of it illogical and completely fucking stupid - but to have other ones occasionally assuage helped keep her in a better headspace. Made her feel better about whatever the hell was happening between them, at least. “Mmmm, wanna do that one?” Their stroll slowed to a stop so she could show her want she meant. It was a club, loud with a boppy beat and strobe lights and arcade games, even a bar if they wanted something alcoholic. Dancing was happening inside, lots of sways and twirls. It wasn’t anything specifically choreographed; people were just moving to match the song’s rhythm. “It seems upbeat? Which is definitely more of your vibe.” “Just my vibe, huh?” Adora questioned with a laugh. Just from what they could see from the street, the place did look intriguing. Tons of flashing lights and bright colors and people who seemed to be genuinely having a good time, without a care in the world. There was nothing like this back home, at least not that she’d ever seen, and she was curious. “Let’s go!” It was much louder inside and absolutely packed with people, most on the dance floor but some in the booths, lingering by the bar, even a few laughing and cheering over by the arcade games. She would definitely check those out later. But right now, she had every intention of doing exactly what she’d promised and tugged Catra out on the dance floor, grabbing her hands and pulling her close. Now that they were inside the loudness took a little adjusting, hence her ears being pinned back against her head but it was fine - she’s handled being near cannons firing and explosions. This was a cake walk. Adora also met no resistance in pulling her close. Anyone who was dancing with a partner danced with them very closely with a roam of hands and grind of hips. Some were a lot more physical in ways that should probably be reserved behind closed doors (deep throating someone with your tongue in public, niiiice), but Catra could get away with grabbing at her waist and keeping their bodies glued against each other. “You step on my feet and I’m moving out of your apartment,” she threatened heatlessly, words raised and said right into her ear so her voice wouldn’t be drowned out by the music. “I won’t step on your feet, I promise,” Adora chuckled. It was easier to make that promise lately, since Catra had been cold enough to keep wearing those boots she’d bought. Even if Adora stumbled, she’d have a layer of protection that should save her. Admittedly, dancing wasn’t anywhere near Adora’s greatest skill. She’d made due at Princess Prom because she’d known what was coming. It was a traditional Etherian dance that she had practiced with Glimmer and Bow. Here, she had to follow along with what everyone around her was doing, so she settled her hands on Catra’s hips and just let their bodies move together with the beat. Scorpia had been her last mentor in dancing, ages ago; gave her the same choreography moves she had to know during that mess in the Kingdom of Snows. These moves were vastly different, a little more sensual but she was good with those kinds of sways. Catra did have those felines moves - the languid slinks, graceful footing. They were always tinted with a hint of seduction. Not that she had experience in that, but she was a skilled hard-to-get tease in a fight. That could be applied elsewhere. Her arms made it around her neck, and she drew their faces closer to knock foreheads. Kissing her would be easy. Adora was right fucking there, and she hadn’t indulged since they left Morningisde. She was tempted to now, tilting her face up and brushing the tips of their noses together. But she pulled back, a little. The song died down. There was a few seconds of quiet before the next one. “How’s this rank on your list of previous birthdays? Be honest, you won’t hurt my feelings.” “Best one yet,” Adora replied without a single second’s hesitation. She had fond memories of nearly all of her birthdays — the ones she’d shared with Catra in the Fright Zone and the ones she’d properly celebrated in Bright Moon with Bow and Glimmer and the Alliance. This topped every single one. Not only was she able to have Catra back in her life, but she didn’t have the looming threat of Shadow Weaver or war hanging over her head. She got to just do normal people things, and she was happy. “Thank you, Catra,” she murmured, closing the distance to press a kiss to Catra’s lips. Short and quick, of course. She knew Catra didn’t want to get too affectionate in public, but they were too close and Adora wanted it and it was her birthday! She could get kisses when she wanted (within reason). Goddamnit. “Ugh, c’mere -” Catra growled, keeping an arm around her neck while her other hand was freed to cup her cheek. She sought her mouth another kiss, this one lasting - fiercer, deeper. They didn’t know anybody here, didn’t owe anyone an explanation. Maybe one day they owed themselves one, but not tonight. Tonight didn’t have to be complicated. Another song started playing but she didn’t sway it to it. She just stayed put on the dance floor like this to savor her lips, maybe a little tongue, before pulling back. “You’re welcome, dummy.” Adora grinned, gripping Catra’s hips and kissing her again. Normally, she wouldn’t push her luck, but these were special circumstances. And Catra had pulled her back in so she figured that was the closest she would get to permission. It thrilled her in a weird way to be so openly affectionate. “C’mon,” she murmured. “Let’s get something to drink, then we can come back. I’m still going to dip you, like it or not.” If she were anymore bold Catra could blurt that she was welcome to do whatever she wanted to her but - nope, she was keeping it tame and sticking to what worked. She kissed her again, hoping to get the message across that she did have permission for at least this. “You can dip me and hold me up with one arm like you did with the flower princess,” she challenged, the corner of her mouth tipped into a smirk. “Definitely game for a drink or two, though.” She twisted around her arms and kept Adora’s hands on her hips - moving them was unnecessary - while she pulled her towards the bar. It’d be a good end cap to an even better day. God, this place was getting her spoiled. |