Fortune, Fate and Firearms - Ch1

Rating: E

Relationships: Catra/Adora

Tags: Alternate Universe - No Powers, Western, mutual pining, fluff, hurt/comfort, Adora and Adam are siblings, Pov Catra, Pov Adora, Catra is bad at feelings, Adora is in Love with Catra (She-Ra), Catra is in Love with Adora (She-Ra), Trans Adora (She-Ra), Intersex Adora (She-Ra), Brat Catra (She-Ra), Top Adora (She-ra), Modern Etheria (She-Ra)

Catra and Adora were raised to be bad, but without her partner in crime, Adora leaned towards good. She never wanted to lose Catra in the process, but it happened regardless. Ten years later they exploded into each other's lives once more and their spark reignited like there had never been a distance between them.

--

No one questioned her masculinity with Catra on her arm. Even Adora’s subtle feminine features could be ignored in the presence of a beauty like Catra. Her body, her face and even her wicked smile couldn’t be denied. There was a time when Adora thought she was jealous of her friend for being so easily recognised as a girl. She knew better now how she craved Catra.

They stepped into the train cart full of big wigs with even bigger money and Catra was a picture of a lady draped on Adora’s arm. Catra was all playful looks and coy smiles as she drew attention. No one even noticed the woman who arrived behind them. Adora was dressed in dapper, her hair short and slicked back. She hated playing a man in these heists, but she couldn’t deny how she loved to have Catra acting as her girl.

It was an easy game; one they had done a million times before. Bring Catra into the cart, leave her on her own to get her a drink or something to eat. It was as simple as Catra talking to people and letting her sticky fingers do the rest. She lifted like nobody’s business, her claws like hooks, taking everything she wanted.

They only had one backup, Lonnie in a serving uniform floating around with drinks to avoid suspicion. They could be in and out in an hour if they were lucky. If they were very lucky, they might even convince Lonnie to take their spoils home so Catra and Adora could sneak off to their secret spot in these costumes for some alone time.

Adora was drawn back into the moment by a squeeze of her bicep through her stuffy jacket and she looked down. Catra had found her mark. She looked up at Adora with a playful smile, like she knew exactly what Adora had been thinking.

“Could you get me a drink, darlin’” Catra purred in a fake southern accent. It was one of her better ones, but it seemed equally ridiculous on the spirited, wise cracking brunette. Adora smiled at her and lifted her hand from her arm to kiss the back.

“Of course, my dear. I’ll be right back,” she said and stepped away from Catra. Adora headed for Lonnie and paused to get her drinks, taking a sip of her own before she glanced back at Catra. She had already snared herself a man. Her tittering laugh was so flirtatious and fake that it made Adora want to cringe. But it worked, it always did.

“She doesn’t waste time,” Lonnie said, her tone dripping with judgement.

“Why would she? We’re on a schedule,” Adora defended, sipping her drink. She really wanted to get the work done quickly so she could get Catra out of that dress.

“She just loves all the attention, just like you do,” Lonnie whispered. Adora frowned slightly but schooled her face again.

“How do you figure?” she asked, glancing at Lonnie.

“She loves all these men drooling over her, and you love her wrapping around your arm pretending she’s yours,” Lonnie said, her face unreadable. Adora forced down the blush that tried to creep up her cheeks. Lonnie wasn’t completely wrong on that assessment, but she was wrong nonetheless. Catra was hers. Sort of. They’ve never labelled what they were before, but they had been doing…something for almost a year now. Their heated flirting finally overflowed into something physical.

A commotion started and Adora looked over in time to see the man Catra had been talking to draw his gun. Adora acted without a thought, drawing her gun as she approached.

“Drop it,” She growled, pointing her own gun at him as the man glanced at her.

“Mind your business buddy, she’s a thief,” He responded calmly, tilting his chin up like he was better than her. Adora cocked her gun.

“Then call the law and put it down,” Adora demanded, knowing they would be long gone before they showed up.

“I am the law,” the man snapped back at her. Everyone was just watching. Not a sound could be heard. What a bunch of cowards.

“I’m not going to warn you again,” Adora said, her finger ready to end his life if he so much as moved to harm Catra. Catra to her credit seemed much calmer than Adora in the face of the barrel. She had her hands up showing she wasn’t holding anything with an innocent smile on her face. She looked calm but her tail was still, and her ears twitched with every sound. She was ready.

Adora’s gun suddenly went off, shooting the man in the chest and blood sprayed the train cart and some splashed onto Adora’s face. A scream behind her brought Adora back, she had no memory of pulling the trigger. Catra and Adora’s eyes met, both wide with shock and fear.

“C’mon!” Lonnie yelled from the door to the train cart. Adora’s hands were shaking as she grabbed Catra and sprinted for the door. They got out to the divider of the carts and Catra quickly followed Lonnie up the ladder to the roof. Adora followed Catra, helping to steady her while they ran down the carts to the end of the train. After three carts they were at the end of the train. Adora looked towards the engine, no one was following. There was a bend coming up so the train would have to slow a little.

Lonnie went down another ladder and readied herself to jump off the side of the caboose. Catra followed and Adora was last again. Once Lonnie jumped Catra turned to Adora and grabbed her by the face to kiss her firmly. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, but it was everything she needed to remove all thoughts from Adora’s mind. When Catra jumped from the train all Adora could do was follow.

-

Adora woke with a start, sitting up on her bedroll and startling Swiftwind who was tied up nearby. She looked around, dazed from the dream and the ghost of Catra’s touch on her skin. It was a memory more than a dream. One her mind replayed for her often enough to torture her. It was the first time she had killed someone trying to protect Catra. The memory was a nightmare wrapped up in such sweet memories of the woman that it often returned at night.

Even after so many years apart, Adora could never truly shake Catra. She had lost the chance to show her the depths of her affection when they were still together. Maybe if Adora had told her, Adora might have followed her when Catra went West instead of staying behind to make her own name.

Adora shook her head. There was no use dwelling on the past. Even if it was the only place she could have Catra now.

Adora rubbed her face to get the last of the sleep away. The sun would be up soon so she could at least get an early start on her journey home. The feeling of Catra’s body pressed against her side was still fresh in her mind as she forced herself out of bed. It would be burnt into her mind for days to come.

She easily packed away her bedroll and billy before trying to convince a sleepy Swiftwind. It was a challenge all on its own to get him moving before the sun. Adora spent twice as long as usual getting his saddle on while he shuffled and made a nuisance of himself.

“We’re going home boy; I’ll even get you some of the good feed” Adora bribed and with a nicker from Swiftwind she knew they had a bargain. Once Swiftwind was saddled up she turned him eastward as she set out for the rebellion camp in the Rocky Mountains. She was still half a day out, but with the ghost of Catra on her she had plenty to torture herself with on the journey.

Adora arrived in the rebel camp in the height of the day. It was hot and the air in the mountains was still and almost suffocating. She and Swiftwind sauntered leisurely into camp. The camp was made up of temporary buildings and large tents which had seen better days. Families, runaways and supposed criminals made up their community. As she rounded the outer edge of the camp, she was greeted by several people milling about as she took Swifty to their makeshift stables. The man who tended the horses staying at camp came to meet Adora. She advised him of her bargain with the dusty white terror and received a chuckle of understanding. Swifty was a racehorse in a previous life and he insisted on the finer things.

After parting with her temperamental companion, she headed into the camp. The tents had seen better days, they were years old and heavily weathered but they remained sturdy. Their temporary housing was tall enough to stand inside, and the doors to most were open. Let in the little breeze that whispered between the cliff faces of their current hiding place. They were obscured by the surrounding country and there were only two ways into the canyon. They kept those entry ways guarded day and night to ensure the safety of the people that travelled with the rebellion.

Adora entered the inner ring of the camp which held the firepit that was surrounded by the tents of the most venerable people in their group and young families. She was almost immediately greeted by Glimmer who popped out of a tent when she heard Adora greet another rebel member.

“There you are! Did you find them?” Glimmer asked with excitement as she bounces up to her. Glimmer's clothing was covered in dust and her short hair was fluffy from the humidity, but her eyes were wild with the desire to fight.

“Hi, Glimmer, how are you? I’m doing well,” Adora said sarcastically as she pushed wayward hairs back as she adjusted her hat. Glimmer was 10 years her junior and her enthusiasm for their work was admirable, if not a little annoying at times. These were people’s livelihoods they were protecting; it wasn’t a game as Glimmer so often mistook it.

“Yes, yes, all that. Did you find them?” Glimmer asked again and Adora just grinned. Glimmer squealed with excitement and fist pumped the air. “Yes!”

“Calm down, Glim. Keep your head on straight and tell the others we are moving tonight. The Horde looked like they were getting ready to move them and I don’t want to lose them again,” Adora said, and Glimmer agreed, rushing off to tell anyone who would listen. Adora rolled her eyes affectionately.

Glimmer was a handful, but she didn’t regret her choice to make her the next She-ra, if she was still needed by then. If Adora had her way, they wouldn’t need another She-ra after she was done, they would take down the Horde and the south would be free of their tyranny. But it was always nice to have a backup plan.

Adora continued into camp to where the big fire pit usually had food cooking and found Spinarella stirring a large pot.

“Adora, welcome home,” Spinarella said kindly and Adora tipped her hat gratefully.

“It’s good to be back, what are you cooking?” Adora asked as she craned her neck to see into the pot. It was stew but she couldn’t tell much more than that, so she parked herself nearby on a log.

“Goat stew, it should be ready soon,” Spinarella said with a smile “Will you be staying long this time?”

“Probably not. We will head out tonight and get that head of cattle the Horde took from the Grayskull Ranch,” Adora said with a frown as she dusted some dried mud off her chaps. She could probably do with a bath.

“I guess Netossa, and I should get ready. I feel like we’ll be meeting royalty,” Spinarella said with a giggle and Adora snorted.

“Hardly, they’re just ranchers,” Adora scoffed. It would be of no interest to her to meet the actual queen so meeting some ranchers was far from noteworthy.

“They own the largest ranch in the country, that’s practically the same thing. Have you met them?” Spinarella challenged and Adora frowned at her.

“No, not previously. The Horde doesn’t usually bother them, so we’ve never needed to return their cattle before,” Adora says with a shrug. Spinarella nods quietly and reaches for a bowl.

“I think Mara met them once. Though I could be wrong. This is ready. Did you want some now?” Spinarella asked and Adora grinned and nodded as her focus changed to the delicious smelling liquid being offered to her.

“I better, before everyone else eats it all,” Adora said as she accepted the bowl. “This smells great Spinny,” she said, taking a spoon of the hot broth to blow on it.

“Tastes great too, I’m sure,” Netossa said as she joined them and Adora nodded her agreement as she carefully shovelled the molten liquid into her mouth.

“I hear from Glimmer we are heading out tonight?” Netossa said and Adora nodded her head again.

“Yeah, I found the Grayskull cattle. We need to act before they move them again,” Adora said, blowing on a potato as she glanced up at Netossa.

“Sounds like a plan. Talk around town is the Horde brought in a new Captain, did you hear?” Netossa mentioned idly as Adora ate another spoonful of meat. She glanced at Netossa again as she considered this new information.

“They are starting to panic, which is good for us,” Spinarella said, serving some food for her wife. Adora nodded in agreement.

“It will take time for a new Captain to learn how things work around here. So it will likely give us an extra edge. I’m not worried,” Adora shrugged and Netossa sat down beside her to eat her food.

“Good, so where did the cattle end up?” Netossa asked as she blew on her own spoonful of food. Others had noticed the food was ready and brought their own bowls to fill. Some small children and orphans that were served first to ensure they got their fill.

“Down by the old mine. They were well hidden by the cliffs. The Canyon they are in is one way in and one way out. All we’ll have to do is take out the lookouts and we can just run them down to the plains. Might take a while though,” Adora explained before finishing the last of her stew and leaning back with a warm feeling of a full belly.

“Sounds easy enough. Let’s hope there are no surprises, but we’ll be ready,” Netossa nodded and Adora smiled and adjusted her hat as she stood.

“That was beautiful, Spinny,” Adora said dropping a kiss to Spinny’s cheek and rinsing her bowl in the nearby water bucket. Spinny smiled.

“Get your own wife,” Netossa said with a grin.

“I’ll try,” Adora laughed and headed to the other side of the camp towards her own tent. She had some planning to do for the night’s activities.

[…]

It was suspicious how stealing back the cattle went off without a hitch. The rebellion knocked out the guards, got the cattle moving and drove them down to the flats by sunup. It was too easy.

Swifty and Adora were at the back of the herd, keeping a watch behind them. She expected someone to be following but no one did.

Adora shifted in her saddle nervously as she kicked Swifty into a trot to reach her nearest comrade.

“Mermista, I’m going to circle back, see if we lost any,” Adora said to the bored looking woman who nodded.

“Knock yourself out,” she said with a shrug and Adora tipped her hat before kicking Swifty into a gallop to retrace their steps.

She spent maybe an hour doubling back without any sign of man or beast before she decided to give it up. Maybe the fates were just on their side today. She just couldn't seem to shake the feeling of being watched. She cast her eyes along the horizon and came up with nothing, so she turned Swifty back to follow the herd.

[…]

Adora and posse arrived at the Grayskull ranch by sundown, and the riders quickly moved the cattle into a maintainable circle while Adora headed for the homestead. It was a large three building homestead with a three-story white house in the centre.

Before she even reached the first building a red-headed woman approached her on foot. Her hair was like fire under the setting sun.

Adora tipped her hat respectfully. “Evening ma’am,” Adora said with a friendly smile. The woman stopped a few meters away and eyed Adora suspiciously.

“That wouldn’t happen to be our cattle, would it?” the redhead asked. Adora nodded.

“Just returning what was lost,” Adora said with an easy smile as Swiftwind shuffled under her, wanting to move.

“I take it you’d be She-ra then?” The woman asked and Adora nodded her head. The name was a legacy at this point, Adora was the third She-ra and she wore the title proudly. The rebellion had been named Princesses as a joke by papers which they decided to own. There were worse things to be called than a Princess on horseback. Much of the rebellions were women of unconventional means so it suited them well enough.

“That’s what they call me,” Adora said, leaning her arm on the saddle to lean down slightly so she didn’t tower over the woman quite so much. The woman seemed to flush at the action and Adora watched with curiosity.

“Mister Grayskull will want to speak to you,” The woman rushed to explain and motioned for Adora to follow her.

“Thank you kindly,” Adora said, straightening up and following her to the largest house in the homestead. Adora dismounted and simply dropped Swiftwind’s reins on the ground. He nickered but stayed put. He was a smart boy.

Adora followed the woman inside and she pointed at Adora’s shoes. “Off,” she said firmly and Adora gave a lopsided smile.

“Yes Ma’am,” she said, kicking off her boots near the door. The woman nodded, seeming happy that she didn’t fight her, but her eyes slimmed over the rest of Adora’s dusty clothing and seemed to deem them unsalvageable. She motioned for her to follow into the sitting room.

“Have a seat. I’ll get the Mister,” she said, wiping her dirty hands on her apron and heading further into the house.

Adora looked at the nice seating arrangement and decided it was far too expensive for her to sit on, so she remained standing. She looked at the paintings on the wall, her eyes drawn to a family portrait of a red headed woman and blonde man with two very young twins.  Something felt weirdly familiar about the painting and Adora looked at the red headed woman carefully. A strange sense of longing and pain filled her chest as she looked at the woman's stern brow.

She heard footsteps coming down the hall and turned away from the troubling painting towards the noise. She took her hat off and waited for the owner of the house.

A tall blonde man appeared through the door and Adora felt her chest tighten again. He looked tired but strong, standing about the same height as Adora, perhaps a bit shorter. He had a mop of blond hair which he had tied back at the nape of his neck with a black ribbon. He was dressed well, in fine clothing his ranch no doubt allowed him to afford.

He paused as he looked at Adora. She knew she was a mess, which is why she didn’t sit on the chairs, but he stared at her like he’d seen a ghost. Adora wasn’t sure what to make of it, so barrelled ahead, as she did best.

“Mister Grayskull, I’ve come to return your cattle,” she said with a slightly forced friendly smile. His staring was a little creepy. The man blinked at her before his eyebrows knitted together in a frown. He seemed confused, so Adora sought to clarify for him. “The ones the Horde stole a few weeks back?” Adora offered as if he wouldn’t have noticed the 300 cattle missing from his ranch.

“Adora?” the man asked and Adora bristled, she didn’t give out her name much anymore, preferring to use her alias to avoid the Horde finding out she was a turncoat.

“It’s She-ra actually,” Adora said firmly, her hand moved to her belt, she had left her rifle on Swifty without a second thought, but maybe she was too careless.

“Are you sure? You look a lot like…my sister,” The man said and Adora’s eyes widened. She looked at the man square in the eyes for the first time and recognition bloomed. She hadn’t seen her brother in almost 25 years, but those were his eyes. Adora felt her chest tighten as she looked the man over before her, saying a name that was long dead to her ears.

“Adam,” the smile that grew on his face was so familiar she couldn’t hold back her watery laugh.

“Adora, I can’t believe it. I thought you were dead,” he said, stepping closer and opening his arms. Against her better judgement Adora stepped closer and they shared a tight embrace. Adora laughed heartily and slapped his back.

“Adam, what the hell?!” Adora crowed and pulled back, holding his shoulders as he grinned at her. “No wonder I couldn’t find the bloody Grayson’s Ranch, what happened? Are Ma and Pa…?” She asked and felt her stomach drop at the solemn expression on Adam’s face.

“They died about five years ago. They got sick. We did everything we could, but it wasn’t enough,” Adam said with a sad smile. “It’s such a relief to know you are alive, they would be so happy,” Adam explained and Adora nodded. She had a difficult relationship with her parents before she ran away, more so with her mother who didn’t understand her. Especially because she didn’t understand her as a ‘her’. She shook her head and refocused on Adam.

“You took my name like we always planned,” Adora smiled affectionately at her brother, and he grinned back. “I see you did the same,” Adam said back softly and clasped her shoulders.

“Stars it’s so good to see your face, I’ve missed you,” he said pulling her into another hug which she returned tightly. She hadn’t known family in such a long time and even this scrap was enough to fill her with glee. Her brother, her twin.

When they pulled apart again Adam’s face was less excited and more concerned.

“She-ra?” he asked softly and Adora shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. Like she wasn’t the leader of the rebellion fighting the Horde occupancy in the south.

“That’s what they call me,” Adora said with a lopsided smile that only made Adam frown.

“Fighting against the Horde is dangerous, you’re an outlaw” Adam said and Adora nodded slowly.

“I’m aware, but it’s the right thing to do,” Adora said simply, and Adam didn’t look any less worried.

“After Ma and Pa died…the Horde helped us out, which is why I changed the name. It’s not really a family ranch anymore…” Adam started, looking ashamed. Adora held back her judgement, but she couldn’t stop the frown those words created. “That’s why they usually don’t bother us, we have an arrangement.,” Adam said, shrugging like it wasn’t a huge problem.

“What kind of arrangement?” Adora asked firmly and Adam met her eye with the same intensity.

“They get a cut, considering how much the ranch makes these days, it doesn’t make a substantial difference, but it’s a lot of money,” Adam said with a frown. “I introduce them to other high-income families, and they broker their own arrangements. It’s perfectly legal,” Adam said and Adora snorted.

“That might be legal, but them running carts full of medicine off the road and selling it back to the people at three times the price is still against the law,” Adora said, crossing her arms as she looked down her nose at her brother.

“I know, I know that not everything they do is lawful, but we didn’t have a choice at the time, we needed help, or we’d lose everything,” Adam said as his shoulders slumped. Adora nodded. She didn’t want to give him the third degree, but she wanted answers.

“If you have an agreement, why did they take your cattle?” Adora asked with a frown as Adam shrugged.

“I’m not sure, I think their new Captain might have made a mistake,” Adam said and Adora scowled.

“I’m starting to think I should meet this new Captain,” Adora said, and Adam smiled.

“She is coming to a party I am having in a few days; you are more than welcome to attend” Adam offered and Adora snorted. “You would have to keep your guns at the door though,” he said with a firm look.

Adora considered the offer, she hadn’t dressed in dapper since the last time she had ran a heist with Catra, but she hadn’t worn a dress since she was 8 years old. Adora wouldn’t mind trying that again, especially if she could go undercover to find out more about this new Horde Captain.

“I think I’ll take you up on that offer” Adora said, and Adam beamed with delight.

“May I introduce you as my sister? I would love everyone to meet you,” Adam said earnestly and Adora smiled and nodded.

“My face isn’t well known, so I don’t see the harm in it,” Adora said, and Adam looked delighted.

“Excellent! Come, let's deal with the cattle then you must tell me all about what you have been up to,” Adam said motioning outside and Adora followed.

[...]

It was almost comically easy to introduce Adam to the rebellion. No one showed him their faces to ensure his safety but Adam and Adora’s resemblance to each other was undeniable.

Adora explained that she would meet them back at the camp after the party, electing to spend time with her twin and catch up on the time they had lost.

Adora was sitting in a nightgown by the fire with her brother sitting in an armchair to her left. They both had a glass of brandy as they stared into the fire in silence. Teela had retired to bed not long before and Adora was surprised to find that it was not Adam’s room she stayed in. They were clearly besotted with each other but Adam was holding himself back.

“How did they die?” Adora asked into the silence and heard Adam move and sigh softly.

“There were plenty of sick people around at that time, Ma and Pa were just some of the unlucky ones,” Adam said like he had said those exact words a million times.

“I understand if it's too hard to talk about, but if you're willing to share, I’d like to hear it,” Adora said softly, moving to cross her legs so she could get one foot closer to the warm embrace of the fire.

“You deserve to hear it…It came out of nowhere to be honest, we hadn’t seen many people. Pa had a few business meetings and Ma met with a woman from town. It took days for the sickness to start, but it happened so fast. They both deteriorated quickly and within a week they were gone,” Adam said softly and Adora nodded solemnly.

“I wish I could have seen them before they died,” Adora said softly, her eyes prickling painfully as she sipped her brandy for something to do.

“They talked about you still, they tried to be better after you ran away,” Adam said softly and Adora nodded her head. They had talked of her mothers change of heart when her ‘son’ ran away and her ‘daughter’ wanted to be called her son. She had been a better mother to Adam than she had been to Adora.

Adora couldn’t blame her mother for not knowing better and trying to raise the twins based on the bodies they were born with. It wouldn’t have been so wrong if the twins hadn’t been special. What was wrong was when faced with the reality of their situation, they should have listened to the twins when they told them that their bodies were not a reflection of their true selves.

“I am glad to hear it, I hope they went in peace,” Adora said softly and Adam hummed softly as silence settled between them again.

“I can’t believe you were with the Horde for so long,” Adam said gently and Adora nodded.

“Yeah, it wasn’t all bad, but I’m glad I left,” she said with a shrug. She still did things against the law but at least she was doing it for the people and not for Prime. That sat easier on her conscience.

“Sounds like you had one good thing there at least,” Adam said and Adora could hear the smirk in his words. Adora leaned forward enough in her chair to glare at her brother's dopey face. He chuckled. “Don’t look at me like that,” Adam scolded and Adora huffed as she sat back in her chair. They were silent for a few minutes as Adora’s thoughts carried her away.

“She was,” Adora agreed softly as her heart clenched at the acknowledgement. She never told anyone about Catra except for Mara. The rebellion wouldn’t understand and it wasn’t relevant now that she was so far out of reach. Adora let a long sigh escape her lungs as she rested back into the chair and slid down into the cushions.

“Will you tell me about her?” Adam asked softly and Adora considered resisting. He didn’t need to know of her bleeding heart. She glanced over at him and his eyes were soft with affection. He wanted to support her and who was she to refuse him.

“She was…I mean, she probably still is, a wildfire…” Adora started as her eyes lost focus as she stared into the fire. “She wasn’t afraid of anything. She was full of passion and sarcasm but she had the softest heart under all of that,” Adora said, her lips twitching up at the thought of her.

“She still means alot to you doesn’t she?” Adam asked and Adora sighed before she sipped her drink in thought.

“I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving her,” Adora said softly, like a secret that could break her in two. “It’s been almost 10 years but if she showed up tomorrow I swear…I would never let her go,” Adora said before she let out a small sad laugh. “Pathetic right?” Adora said harshly as she sipped her drink.

Adam snorted at her assessment. “Sounds romantic to me, but also a little sad?” he said softly and Adora nodded her agreement. It was sad. It was her own stupid mistake to not consider she was losing Catra when she disappeared into the mountains chasing the rebels.

Her whole life had been turned on its head and by the time she had sorted out what to do next she was considered dead to the Horde. She couldn’t go back for her possessions and when she tried to find a way to contact Catra she met only dead ends.

“Do you think she’s still with the Horde?” Adam asked softly into the fire and Adora shrugged.

“I hope not, she deserves better,” Adora said with a frown.

“You do too, better than the rebels I mean, you deserve a peaceful life,” Adam said softly and Adora laughed.

“Maybe once my ten years are up, I wouldn’t mind a simple life knowing I’d done everything I could to protect people,” Adora said with ignited passion and Adam sighed.

“What if you don’t make it that long?” he asked, sounding small. Adora looked at him with a frown.

“Are you questioning my skills?” Adora asked playfully and he smiled.

“I just worry, you’re all I have now. I didn’t even know you were alive until two days ago. I’m not ready to lose you again,” Adam said softly and Adora smiled with all the love and affection she felt for her brother's soft heart.

“You won't, I can guarantee that,” Adora said with a cocky smirk that made Adam smile.

“Good,”

[...]

Adora underestimated how hard dressing herself would be. Once she was faced with the many layers and additions that made up her dress for the party she was immediately overwhelmed. She had stared down the barrel of a rifle with less fear than she felt in this moment.

She was standing in her underwear wondering which piece to place first when she heard a knock at the door.

“Adora? Would you like some help?” Teela’s confident voice came through the door and Adora sighed in relief.

“Yes, please,” Adora asked and heard the door click open. She was holding what looked like one of many white skirts as Teela came into the room. “I don’t know where to start…” Adora said with a laugh before she looked up at her saviour.

Teela had stopped just inside the room with something held to her chest, it looked like hard material with way too much ribbon at the back. Teela’s eyes were wide as she looked at Adora’s practically naked form. Teela was so red that Adora was a little concerned she might faint.

“Teela,” Adora said firmly and her eyes snapped up to Adora’s face. “Something wrong?” Adora challenged and Teela looked mortified at being caught staring.

“No, nothings wrong,” Teela squeaked, her confidence rattled. “I think I am just realising something for the first time,” Teela said and Adora’s eyes softened at the woman.

“Adam never told you?” Adora asked and Teela shook her head quickly.

“N-no, he did not. We were told Adora ran away…which, I suppose is correct,” Teela said, her resolve stealing as she got her mind in order.

“Yes, but the Adam you knew was never quite the same was he?” Adora asked as she looked at Teela’s face carefully. Teela nodded her head.

“He acted alot like…well…his missing sister to be honest,” Teela said with a soft affectionate laugh. “I missed that wild and confident part of Adam for a long time,” Teela continued and smiled at Adora.

“I missed you too Tee,” Adora said and Teela laughed a little as she shook her head to dispel the tears that welled in her eyes.

“Right, enough mushy stuff, let's get this on you,” She said quickly as she stepped forward with the ribbony mass in her hands.

“What is that?” Adora asked curiously and Teela laughed.

“It's a corset, though you already have good shape. You might not need it,” Teela said looking at Adora’s abs as she considered it.

“If you keep flirting with me it’ll make Adam jealous, ” Adora teased and Teela turned a little pink.

“Good, maybe it will make him do something wild,” Teela said looking up into Adora’s eyes with a playful smirk.

“How scandalous, well I’m practically naked if you want to go now?” Adora offered and Teela snorted. Adora’s offer was not serious and Teela knew it.

“You wish,” Teela said and put the corset down to grab another piece of clothing. “Now shut up and put your head through this,” Teela offered and Adora grinned.

“Yes Ma’am,” Adora agreed, following instruction.

[...]

“Stop fidgeting,” Adam whispered to Adora as she wiggled uncomfortably at his side. She had never expected all these layers to feel so abysmal. She already missed her jeans and chaps covered in mud. She didn’t even look like herself anymore. Her hair was done up in ringlets that framed her face and shoulders while the top of her hair was up in a complex style. She felt pretty and she looked pretty but it came at a price.

She felt like 3 out of her 7 layers were not sitting correctly around her waist and it made the firm lines of the fabric stick into her skin. She was used to fabric with give in them so she was unhindered for her work.

Adora decided that dresses were inconvenient. She wondered how Catra had done it so effortlessly when they were younger. Perhaps the magicat was just as uncomfortable as Adora was in the roles they were forced to play.

“Mr Grayskull, lovely party as always,” An elderly man approached and took Adam’s hand in a shake.

“Thank you Mr Talon, I’d like you to meet my sister,” Adam offered and motioned to Adora. Adora had been instructed how to offer her hand appropriately for a lady of her standing but it still felt so awkward to follow the motion and allow the man to kiss her hand. Gross.

“A pleasure to meet you, how were your studies?” He asked. Apparently Adora’s parents had tried to hide the fact that their daughter had run away by saying she had been sent away to study overseas while simultaneously searching for her.

“Quite well, thank you,” Adora lied with a polite smile. The man nodded his head.

“Excellent, excellent, it is important for a woman to be well educated. Especially if she cannot marry young,” The man offered and Adora clenched her jaw in distaste.

“Indeed,” she gritted out. Adam noticed her change in demeanour and motioned the man towards a platter of food to enjoy nearby and the man shuffled away after politely excusing himself.

“I can’t believe that,” Adora huffed with disgust as she tried to calm herself.

“His opinions are a dying one, don’t take it poorly, sister” Adam said, putting his hand on her forearm to offer some comfort. Adam glanced towards the door where some late guests were slowly arriving. He smiled but Adora didn’t pay the new arrivals any mind while she tried to calm her righteous temper with some deep breaths her dress barely allowed.

“Mr Grayskull, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,”

Adora’s eyes snapped to the brunette before them as her raspy voice shot fire through her veins. Her breath caught in her lungs as she realised her eyes weren’t deceiving her. She knew this woman like a piece of her own body.

She couldn’t stop herself from taking her in with a slow gaze. In her wildest dreams she had never dared hope for her return. She drank her in like the sweetest wine, filling her with life she never knew she was missing.

She wanted to take this beautiful woman in her arms and never let her go. Whisk her away from the party to hear all about her life and adventures. She desperately wanted to be closer than any polite society would allow her to be.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss D'riluth” Adam returned light heartedly, clearly unaware of Adora’s racing heart and mind.

She couldn’t deny this was everything she had ever wanted since the moment her love had jumped on that train heading west. She wasn’t going to waste a moment because after all these years her Catra was finally back in the south.