Leave your name on my heart - Ch8

Adora felt bad for calling Starla to help her study. Adora was finding it impossible to focus on studying when she had very distracting plans later to think about. Starla had already explained this formula twice to Adora and she still didn’t get why she needed to use it. Starla was being patient but Adora couldn’t stop her thoughts from travelling to [the/her] soft fur and two toned eyes.

“I should get going, I have another class coming up,” Starla said, closing her book and causing panic to rush through Adora. She had wasted Starla’s time and got half of the work she needed to get done in the last two hours.

“Sorry I’ve been so distracted today, Starla. Maybe we can study again soon?” Adora offered and Starla beamed at the offer. Adora was relieved that she didn’t seem annoyed by the request, she was being so nice about it. Maybe Adora wasn't as distracted as she feared.

“I’d love to, are you busy this weekend? Maybe we can study at my place. It's nice and quiet,” Starla offered and Adora deflated a little.

“Sorry, my weekend is already full, but maybe we can do it after class?” Adora offered in return and Starla looked disappointed before she nodded.

“Sure, I’ll text you times and we can work it out,” Starla said, packing her bag and not looking at Adora.

“Thanks,” Adora said, and Starla nodded.

“What do you have this weekend? Anything fun?” Starla asked as she closed her bag and stood.

“Yeah, mostly, I’m going dancing tonight,” Adora started, choosing to not mention her plans with Catra tomorrow or she would turn into a blushing mess.

“Oh! I’m going dancing tonight too, where are you going?” Starla asked, looking excited again. Adora smiled.

“We are going to Crimson Square tonight,” Adora said and Starla looked thoughtful.

“Oh! That’s a good one, maybe we’ll see you around tonight, we are going to a few places,” Starla said and Adora nodded.

“Great, maybe we’ll see you out there,” Adora said and Starla looked delighted. Adora’s stomach was filled with butterflies at the thought of her evening ahead. Catra was going to be there and no one else had confirmed except Glimmer and Bow. It was practically a double date, except Adora and Catra weren’t dating.

Adora felt her cheeks colour at the thought of Catra and tried to get her reaction under control. Starla was still smiling at her and Adora smiled sheepishly back.

“Awesome, see you later Adora,” Starla said, waving happily before she headed for the exit. Adora let out a breath, mostly disappointed with herself for her scattered mind, but now that Catra was on her mind she wouldn’t leave.

Adora thought about staying a bit longer and trying to study on her own, but she didn't have that much time left before she should go home, have dinner and get ready. She needed Glimmer's help to pick her outfit and Glimmer should be home by now.

Adora decided to head home and packed up her things. She left the study room she had booked and headed for her car. She was glad she drove in today because she didn’t want to deal with other people on the bus home and she could listen to loud music to try to drown out the anxiety growing in her chest.

#

Adora arrived home to Glimmer and Bow eating dinner and talking about their semi matching outfit ideas. Adora helped herself to some food and joined the discussion. Glimmer had a few ideas for Adora to wear but she didn’t really like any of the suggestions.

In the end, the anxiety of the night took over and Adora went with an old reliable outfit that she liked and Glimmer said “would do”. She wasn’t trying to wow anyone. Well, that wasn’t true, she wanted to wow Catra, but she didn’t feel like she had the ability to do that.

Catra was fun and smart, she probably would want to be with someone like her. Adora was neither of those things. Adora had no time for fun, and she was barely passing her courses, so she wasn’t smart either. Catra wouldn’t be interested in dating her. Adora’s outfit was simple, just jean shorts and a t-shirt that was cropped to show off her lower abs.

Glimmer, Bow and Adora packed into an uber to get to Crimson Square, and as soon as they arrived Adora was a mess of nerves. The evening air was still hot and Adora could feel herself sweating from more than just the heat. She was barely participating in the conversation Bow and Glimmer were having and they had noticed.

“Adora, please relax, your fidgeting is freaking me out,” Glimmer griped and Adora released the edge of her cropped shirt quickly. She had been rolling the fabric around her finger as she tried to dispel the energy inside her.

“Sorry,” Adora said softly, and Bow smiled at her reassuringly.

“What's got you so worked up?” Bow asked in a caring tone, and Adora opened her mouth to answer when she realised she couldn’t be honest about what was worrying her, because part of it was private.

“Oh shit,” Glimmer breathed and Adora’s head whipped around to where Glimmer was looking. A car had pulled up and Adora had no time to get her head in the game before Catra stepped out. Her entire brain was focused on Catra as she got out of the car, and ‘oh shit’ was right.

Catra wore a pair of shorts with cutouts on either thigh, held together with straps. The cutouts went from the base of the shorts to Catra’s hips on both sides, showing off her hip tattoos. Catra was wearing a little bralette and a black long sleeve mesh top over it. Almost all her tattoos were on display and glints of gold jewellery winked at Adora in the streetlights.

Adora’s mind was racing but she tried rein it in before she said anything embarrassing. Bow was the first to greet Catra as she approached them waiting outside the club.

“Catra! You came,” Bow greeted her with delight and Catra rolled her eyes at his excitement.

“You invited me,” Catra returned playfully, but Bow was not deterred.

“I know, but it's so great. I like your top,” Bow said. He was wearing a sheer top, which, unlike Catra, he wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

“Thanks, unfortunately society is much more offended by my nipples than yours,” Catra said, sounding annoyed that she has to wear a bralette under her top at all.

Adora tried not to think about how Catra would look without it, and was relieved when Glimmer seemed to have regained her power of speech to distract her from that train of thought.

“Yeah, yeah, it's outrageous we can’t all be tits out all the time, now let’s line up!” Glimmer said and Catra laughed.

Adora felt a shiver run up her spine at the sound. She was already an awkward mess and Catra hadn’t even spoken to her yet.

“Hey Adora,” Catra said as Glimmer and Bow turned to get in line for the club. “I like this,” Catra stepped closer to Adora and tugged on the bottom of her crop top. Adora felt a warm pool in her skin where Catra’s soft fur brushed her and her face was immediately on fire.

“Hi. Thank you,” She squeaked out a little and Catra smiled as she tipped her head a little.

“You okay? Are you sure it’s okay that I join you guys?” Catra asked, her voice low as she glanced over at Bow and Glimmer.

“No, I mean, yes, I’m okay. I’ve had a long week,” Adora excused, gently taking Catra’s hand to stop the distracting way it was brushing her skin. Catra smiled at the gesture and possibly her words.

“I’m sorry you’ve had a long week, but I’m sure tomorrow will help with that,” Catra said, leaning a little closer to whisper. Adora felt her cheeks warm as she nodded mutely. She had been trying not to think about tomorrow but in this moment she silently wished for Catra’s dark room where her embarrassing reactions to Catra could be hidden from the world.

“Guys, get in line!” Glimmer yelled and Catra laughed and dragged Adora by the hand over to the short line at the entrance to the club.

#

Catra thought she had been smart when she decided to deal with her building excitement before coming out with Adora, but she was wrong. Catra regretted her choice now, not the act itself, only that she did it once. She should have known that after a week thinking about spanking Adora again that she would be pent up and eager to touch her.

Adora’s shorts and t-shirt weren’t anything flashy, but she looked cosy and so hot with her abs peeking over the low rise of her shorts.

Catra really wished she had kissed Adora on their first date simply because she was desperate to do it now and she didn’t want to have that kind of conversation in public in case Adora said ‘no’. Catra would just have to suck it up and talk about it tomorrow to see what Adora was comfortable with.

But damn, she looked hot.

Inside the club was loud and busy. The lights flashed and the music drummed in her chest with the deep bass. She had taken precautions by using earplugs to stop the majority of the noise from hurting her ears. This put the club music at a pleasant volume, even if it stopped her from being able to hear her companions well. She knew she would have to rely on body language more than words in a place like this, but she was confident in her ability to read people.

The outfit Catra wore was perfect for a dance floor full of heat and bodies. She just hoped she would be able to convince her shy girl onto the dance floor. But before that, drinks were needed.

“Tall people get drinks,” Catra said, pointing at Adora and Bow who glanced at each other.

“Are you coming to keep us company?” Bow asked his girlfriend and Glimmer looked to be considering going with him. Glimmer could handle being away from her boy for a few minutes, besides, they had their own job to do.

“We’ll find a table,” Catra said, looping her arm with Glimmer to stop her agreeing to Bow’s offer. It was just a good division of work, tall people get spotted at the bar easier, short people can move through the crowd easier. Divide and conquer.

“Good idea, what do you want to drink?” Adora asked and Catra leaned closer to hear her better as she considered it, she wasn’t really into sweet drinks so that limited her options.

“Just a vodka soda,” Catra said and Adora nodded and looked at Glimmer.

“Bow can pick me a cocktail, something sour please,” Glimmer said, pulling his arm to get a kiss. Catra was needlessly jealous that she couldn’t kiss Adora yet but wanted to do something to release the pining in her chest. Adora had already established that hand holding was okay so Catra took Adora’s hand and gave it a little squeeze which brought a smile to her pretty face.

Success.

Glimmer and Catra found a standing table that was clean enough before Adora and Bow returned with drinks. Glimmer was dressed to dance and Catra could appreciate her solidarity in her short skirt and gogo boots. Catra was keen to dance after they finished their drinks.

“Your outfit is hot,” Catra said, and Glimmer blushed as she tugged at the bottom of her ruffled skirt.

“Yours is too, it shows off your tattoos,” Glimmer said, her voice sounding high and pitchy enough to be clear through Catra’s earplugs.

“To a great night with friends,” Bow said, raising his fruity cocktail. He was so cheesy, Catra would never admit that she loved that about him.

“So Catra, how was your week?” Glimmer asked, her voice back to her normal volume. Catra leaned closer to her to hear and Glimmer looked surprised and a little pink. Catra probably should have mentioned her earplugs before they came inside.

Oops.

“So busy! But it's been great, we are thinking of moving the shop to a larger location, so Lonnie and I were looking around,” Catra said and noticed Adora perked up suddenly.

“You’re moving?” Adora asked, sipping her cocktail curiously and Catra leaned closer to her again when she talked. Adora blushed a little.

“Yeah, maybe, rent in that area is high because of the university and the mall nearby, so we are just seeing if we move to another spot if we can get a bigger place for the same price.” Catra said with a shrug and Adora nodded her head.

“Will that mean less foot traffic?” Glimmer asked and Catra shrugged.

“Possibly, but most people hear about us from our Instagram, so foot traffic isn’t much of our client base,” Catra said, sipping her drink. She almost choked on the liquid as someone bumped into the back of her. She managed to move the glass away from her face before she spilled it over herself.

“Watch it!” Catra snapped and the guy put his hands up apologetically as he tried to move away.

“Sorry,” he mumbled and Catra felt a hand around her waist. She was a little fired up so it took her a moment to realise it was Adora. She had put her arm around Catra and gently pulled her against her side to move her away from the idiot that ran into her.

Catra felt a little flutter of butterflies at the protective glare on Adora’s face as she looked at the guy. He quickly left, clearly feeling the heat and once he was gone, Adora’s expression relaxed. Adora looked down at Catra like she forgot that she pulled Catra against her and Catra quickly wrapped her own arm around Adora’s waist so she knew Catra liked it.

Adora looked a little red at the contact but returned to her drink and the conversation. Once the drinks were done the four of them went to the dance floor.

#

Adora was miserable.

Bow and Glimmer were still dancing, where Adora should be, dancing with Catra. They had been dancing before Adora offered to get Catra another drink and when Catra wanted to come with her she had said no.

Like an idiot.

So now Adora was standing off to the side of the dance floor holding two drinks while some tall, dark and handsome woman flirted with Catra.

Catra put her hand on the woman’s arm and Adora felt physically sick. She hated how jealous she felt, it wasn’t like Catra was her girlfriend or something. She had no right to be jealous. She tried to calm herself down by sipping her drink.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to dance?” someone asked and Adora looked down to see a very familiar head of red curls.

“Starla, hi!” Adora said, relieved to see a friendly face and get a distraction from her brooding. “What are you doing here?”

“Just dancing with my sister, what about you?” Starla asked and Adora nodded.

“Getting drinks for my friend,” Adora said, and was unable to stop herself from glancing over at Catra, who had stopped talking to the woman and was making her way over to Adora. Adora felt a wave of relief at the smile that Catra gave her before she saw Starla.

“Hey, this for me?” Catra asked, picking her drink from Adora’s hand. Adora nodded.

“What happened to your friend?” Adora asked, unable to stop herself. Catra looked confused for a moment before she shrugged.

“She was nice, but I told her I was here with someone,” Catra said trying to seem casual but her blush said otherwise. Adora grinned happily before she remembered Starla.

“Oh, Catra, you remember Starla,” Adora awkwardly introduced her classmate.

“Good to see you again,” Catra said, sipping her drink but her words didn’t match her expression.

“Same,” Starla said and they smiled at each other. After a moment of awkwardly trying to think of something to talk about Starla saved them. “Well, have a good night, I’m going to find my sister,” Starla said and Adora waved before she left.

“That girl is so into you,” Catra said after taking a big drink,causing Adora to choke on hers a little and blush.

“No she isn’t,” Adora sputtered and Catra grinned.

“She is, and who could blame her,” Catra said, looking over Adora’s outfit slowly. Adora felt her whole body blush at Catra’s heated gaze. “Finish your drink, I want to dance,” Catra instructed as she finished her own and placed it on a nearby table, and Adora rushed to follow orders. Catra waited patiently as she swayed her hips to the music.

Adora finished her drink and placed her glass by Catra’s before the smaller lady grabbed her hand and led Adora back onto the dance floor.

Catra cut through the crowd and easily found them a space to dance in the middle of the floor. Adora glanced around to see if Bow and Glimmer were nearby before she looked back at Catra. Catra was already moving her body and Adora felt hers heat up as she watched. Catra smiled at her before she moved closer, tentatively touching Adora.

Adora wanted to pull Catra against her but she was sure that was too much to be considered friendly dancing. Catra put her arms around Adora’s neck and rocked onto her toes. Adora’s heart sped up as she foolishly hoped for a kiss but Catra leaned into Adora as she pulled her forehead down to meet hers.

“This okay?” Catra asked and Adora nodded.

“Y-yeah,” Adora stuttered, putting her hands on the middle of Catra’s back so they could rock together. Catra fit so perfectly in her arms and Adora wanted so badly to dance against her but she was a terrible dancer and she didn’t want to embarrass herself.

“You’re not moving,” Catra commented as she pulled back to look up at Adora. Adora felt her cheeks burn.

“I’m not a good dancer,”

“That’s okay. I want to dance with you anyway,” Catra reassured and Adora nodded before she started to tentatively follow Catra’s movements, their bodies slid against each other in an addictively seductive way. “That’s it,” Catra praised and Adora wanted to whine as she involuntarily pulled Catra closer.

Catra grinned at her before she pulled her back down to touch foreheads. Their legs slotted together and Catra controlled their rhythm with the firmness of her grinding hips.

It was perfect.

Catra’s eyes were closed but Adora couldn’t take her eyes off the woman before her. She wanted to drink her in and more than anything, she desperately wanted to kiss her.

When their noses brushed Adora noticed the soft buzzing of Catra’s purr. Adora felt a sense of achievement to earn that purr as Catra looked so relaxed as she moved with the music. Adora fought to keep her hands in respectful places despite how Catra’s rolling hips made her hands inch to wander.

Glimmer - like the fun-blocking demon that she was - appeared from the crowd beside them. Catra jumped back awkwardly as she noticed Glimmer, and Adora was confused. Did Catra not want to be seen like that with Adora? Adora liked grinding on her friend but she had never done anything like that before and feeling caught made her burn with embarrassment.

“There you are, come pee with me,” Glimmer said, grabbing Adora’s arm and pulling her away before Adora could do anything to stop her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Bow with Catra so at least she wasn’t alone. Catra looked awkward but watched Adora leaving with almost sad eyes.

Adora didn’t understand the look, but it made her stomach twist to reassure Catra that everything was okay.

The line to the toilet was long, as always, but when they finally got inside Glimmer didn’t go into a stall. Apparently Glimmer didn’t need to pee but needed somewhere more private to grill Adora.

Figures.

“Adora, how much have you had to drink?” Glimmer asked. The other girls in the bathroom pretended they weren’t listening, but were doing a terrible job of it really.

“Only two drinks, why?” Adora asked, she was confused about what was going on. She had clearly missed something.

“You and Catra were grinding on the dance floor so I thought you were hammered!” Glimmer said and Adora blushed brightly at the accusation.

“No we weren’t!” Adora squeaked, mortified at being caught. Was it that obvious?

“What is going on with you and Catra?” Glimmer asked, wiggling her eyebrows and Adora blushed.

“Nothing, we’re friends,” Adora said, trying to stop her blush and not think about their plans for tomorrow.

“You’re kidding right? You still haven’t made a move?” Glimmer said. Adora could have died from embarrassment.

“No,” Adora denied and Glimmer huffed.

“Look, Adora, she clearly wants you, so just say something,” Glimmer said and Adora huffed.

“How do you know?” Adora asked, she was unconvinced that Catra could be so easily read.

“She’s been grinding on you!” Glimmer said with exasperation “You clearly like each other so just stop being such a lesbian and ask her out,” Glimmer said, flapping her arms like it explained everything in perfect clarity.

“If she wanted to date me she would ask,” Adora said stubbornly and Glimmer rolled her eyes. “What's stopping her from asking me out if she likes me as much as you say?” Adora continued and Glimmer pouted as she clearly didn’t have the answer for that.

“Uh,” Glimmer stumbled and Adora waved her hand towards her.

“See? I’m not going to ask her if she doesn’t want to ask me. I don’t have anything to offer her anyway until after finals, so I’d rather wait and see how things go,” Adora said and Glimmer frowned.

“Adora, you have so much to offer someone,” Glimmer said, sounding offended for Adora’s sake.

“Yeah, what? I have no time, I’m always stressed and I never get to eat anything fun when the season starts,” Adora said and Glimmer frowned. She looked ready to argue but seemed to remember they were in public and changed her plan.

“You have more to offer than that. Catra would be lucky to have you,” Glimmer said, trying to explain without really mentioning any examples. It didn’t matter, the whole conversation was more personal that Adora would have liked.

“Well, if she wants me, she can ask,” Adora said, feeling sensitive after being forced to talk about her feelings in such a public space. The other girls were still trying to act like they didn’t hear them but there wasn’t anything except the softly pumping music filling the silence of the bathroom.

“Fine, but we aren’t done talking about this,” Glimmer said and Adora decided to wash her hands before she left. She felt dirty just by being in a public restroom.

#

Catra was politely listening to the woman that was talking to her. She was tall and slender with cropped black hair and amazing cheekbones, but she didn’t hold a candle to the beefcake Catra came with. Catra was only really talking to the woman while she waited for Adora to come back and pull her away.

“Sorry cutie, I’m here with someone,” Catra said, putting her hand on the woman’s arm to let her down gently.

“I should have expected that, thanks for letting me know. I would have kicked myself if I didn’t try,” they said and Catra smiled as they walked away.

Catra scanned her eyes around for Adora again and noticed a short redhead talking to her girl. Catra knew she was a possessive woman, she got jealous, and territorial when it came to her people. Catra knew that in the early days of a relationship that she could get unreasonable. That kind of jealousy and possessiveness could drive a wedge in any budding connection.

She tried to be calm as she walked towards Adora. Adora noticed her approach and looked almost relieved as she smiled at Catra. Catra was reassured by that smile but she still wanted to stake her claim a little.

“Hey, this for me?” Catra asked as she picked her vodka from Adora’s hand and Adora nodded.

“What happened to your friend?” Adora asked and Catra was momentarily confused by the question. What friend? She felt her cheeks colour. Was Adora jealous? They were clearly perfect for each other. Catra shrugged as she realised and looked up at her.

“She was nice, but I told her I was here with someone,” Catra said and Adora beamed at the news. Catra’s heart fluttered at the unbridled delight on her face. The idea that Catra could even look at someone else in the presence of such a bombshell was ridiculous.

Adora suddenly looked back at the redhead who was standing beside her looking awkward as hell at their interaction. Catra recognised the woman from the ice-cream shop. That did not reassure Catra’s green eyed monster.

“Oh, Catra, you remember Starla,” Adora motioned to the woman who waved a little and smiled.

“Good to see you again,” Catra offered, wanting nothing more than to put her arm around Adora.

“Same,” Starla said and Catra was sure she was lying as she glanced at Catra’s outfit. Catra did the same, looking at her cute dance outfit. They had nothing to say to each other and the silence stretched on until Starla broke it. “Well, have a good night, I’m going to find my sister,” Starla said and Adora waved before she disappeared into the crowd.

Catra took a big swig of her drink and turned her eyes back to Adora who was sipping her own drink.

“That girl is so into you,” Catra said, unable to stop herself. Adora choked a little on her drink as she blushed. So cute.

“No she isn’t” Adora said and Catra felt herself grin.

“She is,” Catra said and ran her eyes over Adora’s outfit slowly, her eyes lingering on her abs for a moment. “And who can blame her,” Catra concluded as she looked back at Adora’s face. Adora was bright red and Catra didn’t try to hide the heat behind her gaze. It didn’t help Adora’s blush. “Finish your drink, I want to dance,” Catra instructed and Adora rushed to obey. Catra drank her drink and put the glass on a nearby table as she rocked her hips to the music while she waited. Adora might have rushed through her drink a bit fast but they were only two drinks in, so it would probably be fine.

Once Adora’s drink was done Catra took Adora’s hand to lead her through the crowd back to the dance floor. Once they were in a nice open spot Catra turned to Adora.

They had been dancing most of the night with Bow and Glimmer but now Catra had Adora all to herself. She was maybe feeling a little too strongly about that and she wanted to make the most of it.

Catra slipped her hands around Adora’s neck and pulled her close to rock together. Adora was nervous but Catra reassured her. It took time but Adora was starting to relax and get into the rhythm of their grinding. Catra closed her eyes and just enjoyed the muted thrumming of the music and the feeling of Adora’s bare thighs against her own as they moved.

Catra was silently kicking herself about not kissing Adora before and the need was rising in her body as it heated from the contact. Adora was clearly enjoying their touching as her hands gripped Catra like she was afraid she would move even a hair away.

Catra opened her eyes to bring up the subject of kissing when she noticed Glimmer appear from the crowd beside them. Catra was startled, and felt caught, so she jumped back away from Adora. She didn’t want to embarrass Adora by being overly touchy in front of her friends.

Adora looked embarrassed and Catra couldn’t hear what Glimmer said before she dragged Adora into the crowd.

Catra watched Adora disappear with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She definitely overstepped if Adora needed an evacuation. She turned to Bow and the frown on his brow told her how much she fucked up. Bow was usually so understanding, but he had a strong sense of justice, especially for his friends. Catra got carried away and invaded Adora’s comfort zone so he had a right to be angry.

“You shouldn’t act like that with Adora in public. She’s not good at setting her own boundaries,” Bow said firmly and Catra nodded her head as she pushed her hair back away from her face.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Catra said, and she was. She had pushed her girl too hard and Adora wasn’t pushing back so Catra thought it was okay. If Adora allowed, she needed to have a long talk about public displays of affection before they went out together again.

“Especially when you’re dating someone. You need to talk about this stuff,” Bow continued and Catra nodded as the guilt filled her chest. She knew Adora could go with the flow but she never thought that what she was doing was wrong from how Adora was reacting to her. She cursed herself for reading everything so wrong. Catra already knew Adora’s reactions weren’t as clear as she was used to, but Adora was special and Catra wanted to understand her intricacies.

“You’re absolutely right Bow,” Catra said, turning to face him completely as she levelled him with a serious expression. “I fucked up, and I’m going to apologise to her,” Catra said and Bow looked surprised for a moment before he gave her a gentle smile. Catra knew she said the right thing. She could fix this.

#

Catra approached Adora and looked at Glimmer with a pleading expression.

“Sparkles, can I talk to Adora, alone?” Catra asked, she didn’t really want to embarrass herself further with an audience.

“I don’t think-” Glimmer started when Adora cleared her throat.

“It's fine, Glim,” Adora said. Glimmer looked torn, she clearly wanted to protect Adora but Adora was telling her to leave.

“Are you sure?” Glimmer asked, not wanting to leave and Adora smiled. Maybe Catra hadn’t ruined this completely if Adora was letting her explain.

“Yeah. Thanks,” Adora said and Glimmer looked disappointed before she sighed, deflating like a balloon.

“Okay, I’m going to find Bow,” Glimmer said looking around.

“He’s getting another drink” Catra offered and Glimmer nodded, she didn’t look happy but she didn’t seem angry at Catra either.

“Thanks,” Glimmer gave Catra a firm look before she went towards the bar. Adora’s besties were in attack mode and Catra couldn’t blame them. Maybe tonight wasn’t such a good idea after all. Catra really wanted to spend time with Adora, but they hadn’t talked enough about boundaries outside of playing.

“I’m sorry I overstepped. I didn’t realise I was making you uncomfortable,” Catra said. The shame that came with apologising coloured her face and closed her throat. Adora looked surprised and Catra hoped it was a good surprise and not a bad surprise.

“Oh…I wasn’t uncomfortable. I was just …embarrassed, I guess,” Adora said, rubbing her neck. Catra could see how awkward she was feeling.

“I should have communicated better, I promise it won't happen again,” Catra said and Adora smiled a little. Catra felt so relieved at that smile. Adora seemed okay so maybe she was overreacting.

“Thanks,” Adora said, almost soft enough that Catra missed it.

“Are we good?” Catra asked nervously and Adora nodded firmly. It would make sense if Adora was uncomfortable that she might want to cancel their session tomorrow but Catra really hoped it didn’t come to that. .

“Yeah, did you want to dance again?” Adora asked, she looked relaxed and happy so Catra nodded her head with a smile.

“Yeah,” Catra said and Adora took her hand to keep them together as they cut through the crowd towards the dance floor. They didn’t dance as close as the first time but they still had fun. Catra was pining but she could keep it to herself until she was sure what was alright for Adora.

They stayed and danced until midnight before calling it a night. Catra was given a tight hug from Adora before returning to her own home, alone. She was hopeful that things were fine but it reassured her that no text came to cancel her Saturday plans with Adora.

Catra wasn’t going to leave anything else up to chance, so she made a plan to talk to Adora the next day and make sure they were on the same page.