Catra's POV

I was speechless as I replayed what just occurred right in front of me.

"What.. just happened," I asked myself, completely shocked. Hordak now disappeared, leaving me and Adora oblivious in the middle of the parking lot. Shadow Weaver's car was still in front of us but one of Hordak's workers was now moving it somewhere.

Adora seemed to have the same expression as me, her hand softly grazing mine but it was stiff. My gaze now turned back to Adora who was looking in the direction of where Shadow Weaver was taken away. I tugged on her hand a bit.

"Hey, you alright?" I asked.

She simply shrugged and walked us both over to a nearby bench and sat down. It took a bit because the crutches slowed me down, "Want to buy a drink?"

"What do you mean?"

I watched Adora fish for a couple of coins in her pocket and leaned over to the vending machine that I just now noticed was there. She slotted the coins and pressed a few buttons before the sound of a can crashing through the chute. Once the two canes were dispensed, she grabbed the cans and handed them to me.

I raised an eyebrow as I took it from her. Adora casually was plucking up the metal lid and chugged the drink of the soda down.

I looked at the can in my hand and sat down next to her while placing the two crutches beside me. I eventually found the air between us very awkward, "You never answered my question"

"What question?"

"That if you were okay" I reminded, opening the can and drinking it quietly.

"Right, um. I don't know"

"Yes you do, just tell me what's on your mind" I sighed, setting down the coke and forcing her gaze to me by my hand.

Adora frowned and shoved her hands into her pants, "It just seems unreal. Like, I just keep asking the question to myself 'is this real?', and I can't answer it. You have to be feeling a little unsure about all of this"

"You're right, this situation is definitely complicated but I don't know what to do. Hordak said that we just have to forget anything that happened here"

Adora slapped a hand over her face and sighed, "That's exactly the issue. I can't just forget what happened here. I have so many things I wanted to ask Shadow Weaver and I can't"

My eyes softened as I slumped into the seat of the bench to ponder what I should say next.

"That's...I don't know. Life? You can't expect everything to go the way you want. And in your case, you can't get the answers you want because of well..whatever just happened"

"Well, maybe I could've gotten them a little earlier if you just told me the truth instead of keeping everything from me!" Adora hissed.

My jaw was held open for a second then it instantly shut in shame as I looked away. The hand on my thigh was clenched into a fist.

I could tell Adora instantly regretted what she said as she went to reach for my hand but I shuffled away, "Catra- I'm sorr-"

"No more of those. I know It's my fault. You have every right to stay mad at me. And...I know you still love me no matter what. But..something tells me that you need some space. Like..real space to think that if you really want me. I will always wait for you okay? You don't need to pressure yourself to keep avoiding what I did to you. I don't want you to be with me as you continue to think of what I did wrong because you don't deserve that. You shouldn't have to be in a relationship where so much pent up..bad memories still are there" I expressed, quickly wiping a tear away before Adora could see.

Adora seemed shocked by what I had to say as she grabbed my hand out of pure fear, "Catra.."

Her voice was quivering as she added, "I love you..you don't need to tell me that. I spent so long trying to forgive you and I have"

"That's the thing, You shouldn't have to forgive me. I just want you to not be hurting while loving me. Loving shouldn't hurt" I mumbled.

"Loving isn't supposed to be perfect Catra, everyone makes mistakes. And I realized that you were doing it for the better"

I sniffled, "Please..just, give it time. I want you to be sure"

Adora finally let go of my hands as she kissed the top of my head, "Okay"

"Okay?"

She nodded, "But that doesn't mean I'm just going to stay away from you. I'm going to prove to you that I love you even with the mistakes. I can show you that if I love you, it won't hurt me"

With that our agreement was settled

~~~~~~~~

Adora was really trying. She wasn't lying when she said she was going to prove that my love for me wasn't causing her any pain at all. She'd go out of her way to text me every morning that she loves me, coming up to me at lunch more often, and getting plans out of the way with Glimmer so she could make them with me.

"I love you" Adora had said one day with such honest sincerity. It was at an awkward moment too. I was about to take a bite out of my sandwich too.

My mouth was gaped open as the contents of the sandwich slipped out between the 2 slices of bread.

"W-Why did you say that so suddenly?"

"Because...I just do, I love the way you eat your sandwiches" She complimented, reaching over the brush off some lettuce that was on the side of my mouth.

My ears were hot red as I responded to the compliment, "Y-You don't need to flatter me so much"

In fact, flattering had become an amazing skill for Adora these days. She had become such a great flirt it was harder for me to come up with things to say.

"But I love you so much, how could I not?"

I rolled my eyes at that now as I grabbed a piece of bread and chucked it at Adora playfully, snorting as I watched it stick to Adora's forehead instead of just bonking off of her. Adora responded just as playful as she chucked the bread back at my face.

That day was fun.

~~~~~~

Sex.

That was a topic that Adora brought up sometimes but for some reason, I could never bring myself to do it with her because of the conversation back when Shadow Weaver disappeared. I haven't heard much of what happened to her and well in fact nothing. Life seemed a bit easier without her and Adora and I seemed a lot freer.

But back on topic, Adora found it essential for me to..have sex with her apparently. She believed that for her to show how much she loves me was through not just emotional but through physical. Don't get me wrong, I totally agree but every time Adora kept coming close to trying I seemed to shut off.

I never understood myself in those situations but every time it would happen Adora would just simply smile and tuck us both into bed as if nothing happened. Adora was so accepting and willing to back down at any moment, I felt like I was taking advantage of her.

"When do you think you are going to be ready" Adora would ask on some nights as we watched some of her random cartoon shows. Her hands would run through my hair as she awaited my answer.

I would shrug and lean into her, "Whenever the time comes I guess. When you're ready of course"

"But I am ready!"

I shushed her with a single finger and pointed to the T.V to distract her, which surprisingly would work. The topic would switch so fast which I was very grateful for.

But of course, It wouldn't disappear forever, she would continue to bring it up throughout different points of the night. Some even when I was dead tired in bed from the movie marathons and study sessions that would jampack our day.

Simply snuggling into the crook of her neck, I would satisfy her with the answer of, "I promise I will tell you when"

~~~~~~~

I had gotten a part-time job at Tim's burgers once I was cleared to have my cast taken off. Something DT told me one day along the lines of "you need to grow up and get a job, in 2 years you are going to be 18. At least get some bank before you go off to college". DT was surprised when I listened to their advice and got hired at my favorite burger place. The owner had known me since I was a kid and hired me right on the spot. The first few days were definitely tough since the workers were giving me assignments left and right. But the fast changes and the direct orders became natural.

"Come home, I miss you" Adora texted me on a night during my late shift.

I almost dropped everything and ran out the door at that single text but there was still so much left to do before I could do so. Something warm bubbled in my heart as I read the word 'home'. Another little thing Adora changed after the conversation that night. She would refer to her or my house as just 'home'.

"Still lots to do, I'll be home soon" I replied back, stuffing my phone into my back pocket and lived through the longest few hours of my life.

Motorcycling after work was the best feeling ever after being stuck in that stuffy kitchen for hours that seemed endless. The wind that would push against my body would be refreshing as I rode back home.

Eventually, I parked my motorcycle and wiggled my head out of the helmet. My hair was I frizzled mess when I checked my reflection in the mirrors of the motorcycle. I narrowed my eyes and raked a hand through my hair to make it look a bit more presentable. Not that Adora cared. She would welcome me back into the house with a happy grin and open arms.

I knocked on the door a bit hastier, due to being a bit impatient and needy for Adora's warm embrace that would always welcome me back from a long day at work. Surprisingly no one came to the door when I knocked for a good minute.

"Adora?" I called out a bit worried.

A frown instantly came onto my mouth when I twisted the knob to see that it was the door was unlocked. My heart sunk when I pushed the door open to see no one was there to greet me.

"Adora!" I called out again but louder, slipping off my shoes and cautiously making my way upstairs to see a light on behind the closed door to our room. I tiptoed my way over to the door and held my breath for a couple of seconds before shoving the door open.

My knees almost gave out at the sight of Adora on the bed with a bunch of petals around and lights. There was a table that looked like it had some sort of drink and food. My eyes finally darted back to Adora who had a dress on.

"W-What's all this.." I muttered, unable to find my voice.

Adora giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck after she forced my hands to her hips, "If I recall..we never finished our dance at homecoming because of a little dilemma.."

I gulped and squeezed her hips, "Y-Yeah.."

"What? Cat got your tongue? Not like it?"

I instantly pulled her into a hug and spun her around, "No..no, I love it. It's just.."

"I know...It's cheesy. It's absolutely cliche but-" She began.

I swiftly cut her off and pressed my lips to hers, "Stop overthinking so much and let me finish. I just don't know what I did to deserve this"

"You. Just you being you. I love you for you..and I want to love you without any limits" She replied, leaning down a bit to nuzzle the crook of my neck.

My mouth couldn't work at that moment as I stared at the petals, the food, everything Adora did for me tonight. I couldn't keep the tears in as I shuffled closer and sniffled into her hair.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry"

"Happy tears" I reassured, pressing her body closer.

Tears and a lot of talking were done that night, but most importantly. I was able to believe that I could love Adora without her being constantly haunted by my terrible mistakes.

Adora held my face as she pressed her forehead to mine, "I don't think I'll ever forget what happened between us and the bad decisions that were made, but that doesn't mean I should stop loving you. I couldn't if I tried because you mean the world to me Catra...I love you, alright?"

More tears streamed down my cheeks as I pressed a weak kiss to her lips, "I love you too"

And...I think you can imagine what else happened that night.

~~~~~~~~

Today didn't seem like a good day. It had been a couple of days since the passionate night I shared with Adora and I couldn't be happier. Except, when I had gotten home from a slow day at work, aching to lie down in bed with Adora and sleep, Adora seemed way too in thought.

Even before I stepped into the house and was welcomed by Adora by her usual hug, it seemed off and tensioned.

As Adora worked on a few of her history assignments, I started a playful tug at the back of her shirt to get her upstairs. Maybe she needed to release some steam? But instead, she simply turned her head and smiled before going back to work.

I frowned and pulled her earbuds out of both of her ears gently, "Talk to me"

Adora finally sighed and turned her body around, "Someone texted me"

"Who's 'someone'" I said with a raised eyebrow as I watched her grab her phone and scroll through her messages.

She held the phone up to my face as I read the messages in horror, "Shadow Weaver texted you?!"

She nodded and slammed her phone down onto the table, "And she wants us to help her get away from Hordak. She-She's locked up and..kidnapped basically."

"Th-The nerve.." I muttered but then my eyes narrowed and tried to read Adora's facial expression. My eyes instantly widened as I grabbed her face to look up at me, "Stop it. Y-.. We aren't going to"

"Catra.."

"No!"

My hands dropped to Adora's as I kneeled, "Adora, don't let her brainwash you. Please. You don't know what Hordak is capable of. We're free remember? If we let her back into our lives then god knows what she could do"

Her hands clutched mine, "I can't stand back and do nothing. I know..she killed my mother. I know she killed my father and almost me with her. I know what she put us through but I can't just do nothing about her. She gave me a home and you too, she gave me a life that no one else probably would have. If she didn't mean something to me I would've just deleted that message and said fuck her. But I can't! I just can't"

I chewed on my lower lip as I heard her rant, "Adora..do you understand what you're getting into"

"Yes, and I know for a matter of fact that If I let this go...I won't ever be able to forgive myself. No one..deserves what Shadow Weaver is probably going through. So...If you don't want to come with me that's fine, and if you do...It won't change anything"

I sucked in a harsh breath, "As if I'd let you go alone"

"I wouldn't have gone alone, either way, I contacted my brother"

My eyebrows raised, "And he's going to help?! Knowing that she killed your parents?!"

"He has the same mindset as you, but he knows how much this means to me so he's willing to help out"

"Well..the more the merrier I guess" I mumbled.

All of a sudden I was pulled into Adora's chest as she cradled my head in my arms. My jaw clenched as I wrapped my arms around Adora's lower half. "This is the last thing we ever have to do for Shadow Weaver, I promise"

"You promise?"

"I really promise this time"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Alright, so the next chapter is probably going to be the last chapter before a possible epilogue. This story really has come a long way ;-;