It Started With A Whisper (And That Was When I Kissed Her)

Too Close For Comfort

Adora's first assumption that Catra's family owned the hotel was stumped when she first actually went inside. The hotel was owned by a nice woman named Madame Razz. She was often sweeping and she was very happy. She also tended to mistake Adora for her daughter Mara even though they looked nothing alike.

Catra's room was nice, it was pretty much a suite. Which made Adora feel less bad for Catra. She obviously had things under control to an extent if she could afford a suite for long term.

Once she reached Catra's room she knocked on the door. It took a minute, but Catra answered the door, seemingly surprised. She looked tired, sad even. "Look I'm not in the mood for an impromptu make out session."

"Good, because I'm not either." Adora told Catra, letting herself in. Catra frowed a brow. "Then what are you here for?"

"My company was requested via little sister, Princess Elizabeth." she tried to courtesy, but just ended up falling on the ground. "Idiot." she heard Catra retort.

"Want to talk about it?" she asked Catra. Catra shook her head. "Honestly I just want snuggles." She admitted sheepishly. That usually wasn't something Catra would ask for, she usually didn't love being touched. But Adora wasn't complaining.

"Did you eat?" Adora asked, knowing Catra would forget to do things if she was stressed. Catra didn't answer, enough to know that Catra didn't eat. "I brought snacks, I could probably grab something from the diner area down stairs if you want. My treat."

"Did Em tell you to baby me?" Catra questioned. Adora snorted. "Nope. She told me you were upset and I decided to baby you."

"I don't need to be babied."

The biggest thing Adora had learned about Catra is she is a stubborn little shit. She doesn't ask for help and she doesn't take handouts.

Catra could quite literally be hanging off a cliff and decide to fall instead of accept help.

"Catra." Adora said in her stern voice. "I, your fake girlfriend, order you to let me get you food so you don't die. That'd be really hard to explain to your sister."

"Fine." Catra grumbled. "Don't take too long."

Adora nodded and went back downstairs after Catra gave her a key card so she could get a discount.

*

Catra decided she'd shower while she waited.

She stood under the water for a while, thinking. She was having a moment. One of those moments where she had fallen into a pit of depression. Technically, it had going on for a little while. But she has a habit of hiding things until she's at her breaking point. Which was now.

Catra would never admit it, but she was secretly happy Adora had shown up. She'd have to thank Emerson for that later.

She grabbed the soap and started lathering up her body as she thought some more. A lot had been going on, and she hated how she was reacting to it.

Her whole life she had been taught that acting like she was made her weak. But it was the only way to cope.

Once Catra finished rinsing herself down, she turned off the shower and proceeded to step out of the shower. She grabbed a towel and exited back to her room where she Adora sitting on her bed.

"You know, this is much more comfortable than I remember." Adora told her. Catra laughed a little. "Maybe because we always go to your house when isn't here. And they got new mattresses."

Adora humed softly, "Now eat." she demanded, giving her a bunch of goodies and savory foods.

"Thank You. I guess."

*

They lied on a single bed together. It was quiet, but a comforting silence. Adora had been holding Catra for a little while now, kissing her forehead every so often. This always made Catra purr. That purr. It was amazing. It made everything so peaceful.

"It's my birthday today." Catra finally spoke. Adora sat up. "Catra! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't like my birthday." Catra said in a low whisper.

"My mom died seven years ago today."

'So that's why Catra's acting like this.'

"Catra. I'm really sorry."

"I have mixed feelings about the whole thing." Catra spoke in honesty. "I mean of course I miss her. But our relationship was really hard on me. She had addictions, and while she never hurt me or let me get hurt, I should've never been put in those situations in the first place. It fucked me up." She paused. "When she was sober, she was the best person ever. But when she was hooked, she'd go to all these places to get shit from other people, bringing me with her. Telling me to wait in the car or making me hide in my room when a dumbass would come, threatening to shoot up the house because she didn't pay them. She died a little while after she gave birth to Emerson. It was a hard pregnancy and due to all the things she was on during the pregnancy, she didn't make it. I loved my mom and I miss her. But as a child, I should've never had to deal with that. I shouldn't have constantly been in danger. I've already grieved her, now I just kind of feel numb"

"Catra, I."

"You don't have to say anything. Just stay with me, please."

"What about your dad?" Adora had found herself asking, she probably shouldn't have. But she was curious. At the mention of her father, Catra seemed to just cry more.

Adora held Catra tighter, "Hey. It's okay. You don't have to tell me."

Catra turned around, nuzzling her cheek in the crook of Adora's neck. It was a nice feeling, one Adora shouldn't have been excited for.

After a while, Catra had fallen asleep in her embrace. Adora didn't want to risk moving or waking her up. And Catra specifically asked her to stay. So she did. She planted a small kiss on Catra's forehead because letting herself relax and fall asleep.