Work Text:
Catra drops her bag just inside her apartment and starts stripping down as she walks to her bathroom. She's had a long shift and she's just dying for a shower to wipe off the gross feeling of the day. She's finally bathing, and the hot water feels so good on her sore muscles.
Focusing on the planes coming in and out of the airport and being one of the only safeguards against them smacking into each other was a monumental task and she just needs to turn her brain off for a bit. She closes her eyes leaning her forehead against the tile. She can still see the blinking green lights from the radar behind her lids.
Just as her body slowly starts to wind down it tenses because the water becomes freezing. She groans loudly glaring at her shower head. Then she realizes the source of her distress—her new neighbor turned on their shower and started singing. She can't make out the sound entirely, between both showers going, but that fucker is singing their heart out to what she's sure is a terrible song.
She groans again and slams her hand on their united wall. For a moment the singing stops and she has peace and quiet again. Then it fucking picks up again this time lower, and she could scream in frustration. She gets out of the cold water, towel drying her hair quickly and shoving on some sweatpants and a shirt. She grabs a notepad from her desk and writes on it.
She doesn't bother knocking, just slaps the damn thing on her neighbor’s door. Her neighbor is showering anyway not like they could hear her. She walks back and collapses onto her bed, ready to put this terrible shower behind her.
Your singing is shit. Please keep it down and it would be even better if you didn't shower and steal all the hot water at 8 AM in the fucking morning. Welcome to the building.
-204
204,
I don't feel welcome by your note. Honestly, it's kind of rude. I'm a morning person and I like to shower. If you want hot water—beat me to it.
Best,
203
She stares at the note in disbelief. She wasn't exactly expecting a petty note back from her neighbor—she was hoping the shame of being a nuisance so soon after moving in would be enough to get them to stop.
"The nerve of some people," Catra mutters under her breath. She didn't notice the note until way later in the day when she comes back from doing groceries on her day off. It's hard to notice—shoved under her welcome mat, a bit crumpled but no less legible.
When she passes by her neighbor’s door, she notices a lesbian flag on her window. She smirks and grabs a pen.
203,
I expected solidarity from a fellow lesbian, but I guess it was too much to hope for. I work the night shift asshole if you're such a morning person then wake up early and shower.
With deep affection (for silence and hot water)
204
204,
I've been told that I have the voice of an angel so you're welcome for giving you a chance to hear it live. I'm glad to know there are more lesbians in the building, even if they’re cantankerous ones. I'll try my best to stay out of your shower time if you forgive the singing. Sound good?
Musically Yours,
203
She shakes her head to keep from smiling. Another day, another note it seems. She laughs at what's clearly meant to be a reconciliatory message. Catra chews her lip as she contemplates it. Her neighbor gave her an opening to send her another silly note, but she wonders if she should. It's a bit weird and maybe she meant it as a rhetorical question.
She thinks about how routine things have been lately, having recently been certified and busting her ass to get to where she is. What's one more note going to hurt? She grabs the fresh paper and starts writing, the words coming to her in real time.
203,
I can guarantee that if there's something angelic about you, it isn't your singing voice. And I'm not a grumpy lesbian (the normal word for it, Professor Smarty Pants) I just like to sleep. Now that I have slept, I realized maybe I was a bit too harsh on someone who just moved into the gayborhood. So, we're good. See you around.
Well rested,
204
There. That would be the end of it, and she can just engage in normal neighbor relations. She leaves the note at her neighbor’s door and leaves to work.
204,
So, I haven't been in town for very long. Do you have any brunch recommendations? My friends want to go, and it would be cool if I could suggest a spot. You know, since I'm part of the gayborhood now. It's the neighborly thing to do!
Hungry,
203
So. It seems that it was not the end of that. Catra plucks the note, this time on a light blue paper off of the door. She doesn't sense creepy vibes from her neighbor, and she honestly has been in a bit of a rut lately basically toggling between work and home.
She shrugs, feeling a bit careless. What's the worst that can happen?
So Catra writes back.
204,
That brunch place blew my mind! And my friends who’ve lived in the city didn't even know about it! I was able to lord my superior knowledge and looked super cool so thank you for that. I've been binge-watching some TV shows, but they aren't hitting the spot. Any recommendations?
Feeling Like Professor Smarty Pants,
203
203,
I can't believe you got me hooked on a cartoon show. How am I supposed to go on knowing this about myself? I'm glad I've never seen your ugly face because I'd punch it. I know it's ugly because only someone ugly would infect me with this interest. Fuck you.
With a Begrudging Obsession for Fictional Characters,
204
204,
I'm glad to hear your work is doing better, you seemed less stressed in your last note. I think any kind of high-stress job can get to even the strongest person. I don't know where you work or what you do, but I'm sure they are lucky to have you. I struggle with stress and turned away from it to pursue something less. I admire that you didn't.
In Awe,
203
203,
Now that your friend feels better, I think you should talk to her about how you want to hang out more. You’re allowed to need and want things from your friends, breaking news! It's just my two cents. And who am I, but the girl you write notes to sometimes? Still, you're a good person and deserve to have what you want.
Holding You in High Esteem (and Knowing your Friend Should too!),
204
It's an odd day when Catra doesn't receive one, maybe even two notes from her neighbor. Curiously, they haven't run into each other—she's not avoiding it, but the longer it goes the more she feels suspense at the thought of putting a face to the name.
It's been three weeks and a rapid flurry of notes when she receives the first note she hesitates to answer since they started writing to each other.
204,
I've been thinking. Isn't it a bit silly that we haven't met in person? I’m just on the other side of the wall if you ever do want to meet.
Yours,
203
Catra stares at the note for a moment some noise building in the back of her throat. Chances are they will run into each other, but it feels like more, having her neighbor ask like this. She’s been looking forward to their notes all day for the better part of a month. Having a secret someone to vent out frustrations and be open with had been game-changing and she isn’t sure if it’s the anonymity that made it feel special.
Catra has great friends she relies on, but there’s something about her neighbor that makes her want to be vulnerable. She’s only felt that way once before. She’s not sure she wants to take a chance that the magic is gone when they meet. But then again, being brave has gotten her this far.
203,
Maybe we can change that. Do you want to go out for coffee?
Waiting,
204
Her neighbor doesn't write Catra for over two days after she dropped off her last note. Every day she checks, wondering what she did to have scared her neighbor off. What started as some random if slightly odd note exchange ended up being the brightest spots in her day.
She kind of wants to knock on her neighbor’s door and figure out why she got ghosted after her neighbor brought up meeting in the first place. She’s stewing so hard she almost misses the green note wedged into the side of her door. She quickly snatches it up and opens it, her eyes devouring the words on the page.
204,
Sorry, I've had a crazy couple of days. I’d like to meet.
Excited,
203
She feels breathless with relief as the knot of worry dislodges itself from her chest. She feels a little silly now, worrying so much when her neighbor's silence had little to do with her. It’s the dead of night now, so she’s careful to be mindful of the noise as she kicks off her boots and heads to her room, not even bothering to shower today. It’s gross but she’ll worry about it when she wakes up.
She feels a thump come from the wall she shares with her neighbor. Catra furrows her brow and stares at it as if she could see through it if she squints hard enough. After the hot water fiasco, they’d both been better about noises.
She hears a strangled moan from the other side of the wall, and she freezes. Catra’s heart beats a little fast as she stares with unseeing eyes. It seems impossible to imagine the noise as anything but sexual. Does her neighbor have a girl over? She doesn't think that their flirting means she has a say over who her neighbor wants to bring home or anything, but it stings like betrayal after the note she just received from her.
She's torn between pressing her ear to the wall and leaving her apartment altogether when she realizes there's only one voice on the other side. She can't be sure but then she hears her moan again this time a little more desperate.
The knot of discomfort loosens and reforms again into a knot of desire. Catra can't help the way her eyes slide shut and she leans her head against the wall. This feels kind of creepy, but she just stands there, palms to the wall, letting the keening noises wash other her.
But then she's knocked back to reality with one simple word heard through the wall.
"Catra."
She stares at it, thinking she must have heard wrong, there's no way. Maybe she imagined her name? She stares at the wall and waits, feeling anxious.
"Catra."
She steps away from the wall as if it burned her. How the fuck does her neighbor know her name. She doesn't think it through she just walks out of her own apartment and straight to her neighbor's door.
She doesn't hesitate she pounds the fucking door, filled with anger and confusion. There isn't any explanation that makes fucking sense but she's getting one.
Her neighbor opens the door a little and she sees one blue eye peek out before hearing a familiar grunt of surprise. The door swings open fully, and she feels her heart stop.
"Adora?" It's the same girl she knew but different. She's still tall and blonde, muscular in a way that always made Catra's mouth dry. Notably, her grip is tightening around a small robe she’s wrapped around herself. Her neck is exposed, showing a flush creeping down her chest and Catra remembers exactly what she interrupted by knocking.
"Catra?" Adora looks confused but not gob smacked like Catra feels. She nervously reaches up to touch her neck but stops mid-way, gripping the robe again.
"What—you're my neighbor?" She can barely wrap her head around it. Her ex from college, the one that left her with piss poor excuses right before graduation—that’s her neighbor?
"I—yes that's me," Adora says as she crosses her arms. "Do you want to come in?" She offers, taking a step back, blue eyes pleading.
"I kind of want to yell at you," Catra responds, her filter gone. She's still trying to connect the dots between all the flirty and heartfelt notes she exchanged with her neighbor and Adora, a woman she hasn't seen in three years but certainly never forgot.
She has the nerve to roll her eyes. "Well come in and yell at me once I put on some clothes."
Another realization sinks in. "You're not surprised to see me. You knew it was me." Catra accuses, taking a step toward the door.
Adora winces at that, sending her the same pleading look. "Cat just—clothes, please. I'll be right back, and we can talk about whatever you want." Catra thinks that if she wasn’t wrapping the robe around herself she'd see Adora's blush run down to her chest.
While she waits, she paces Adora’s living room. It's so Adora it makes her bite her lip eyes roving over every nook and cranny. She has all kind of eclectic sports memorabilia, art, and pictures. She takes a closer look at her collage and sure enough, Catra makes an appearance in some of the college ones.
What is Catra even doing here? She should go back to her apartment and never speak to Adora ever again. But something keeps her feet grounded on the carpet.
She's had questions about that breakup for years and damn if she isn't going to settle a few of them tonight. She looks up at Adora and she pads back in wearing a tank top and a pair of shorts. She looks just as good as she did in college, which is kind of disappointing.
She gestures for Catra to sit on the couch. "So, this is a little weird." She does that thing where she runs her hand through the back of her hair nervously, a tic at one time Catra found endearing.
"Did you know it was me the whole time? Did you know I lived here?" She demands to know.
Adora balks at the accusation, taking a step back. "Absolutely not, I swear! How could I have even planned it? You left the first note Cat." She reminds.
Catra relaxes at that, realizing that does make sense. Still, she crosses her arms. "So, when did you know?" She challenges. “Because obviously, it was before the last five minutes.”
"Three days ago." She admits readily. "I saw you walking down the hallway and into your apartment. I thought I lost it for a second there." She admits.
"Then why didn't you say anything then?"
"I—I was going to but then you left that note. Saying we could get coffee." She looks at Catra with the same earnestness she did when they had dated. "I didn't want to disappoint you. I wanted to talk to you face to face "
Catra puts her hands up in the air, exasperated. She can talk about how she intended on speaking to Catra all she wants but that isn’t what happened. "Well, how do I think I feel now? When I heard that?"
Adora furrows her brow. "Heard what?"
Catra blushes, feeling a little silly at how embarrassed she feels when she didn’t really do anything. "You—what you were doing earlier Adora you—you said my name."
Adora’s confusion clears but then she looks so red Catra is actually concerned she might pop a blood vessel. "No, no you didn't—you heard me—" She lets out a distressed noise from the back of her throat as she covers her blushing cheeks. She thumps the wall beside her. "These fucking walls are so fucking thin it's ridiculous."
"That's what got us in this mess in the first place, princess." Both of them freeze as the nickname passes between Catra’s lips.
Adora brushes past that landmine. "I didn't know it was you when we first started chatting. I just thought there was this really cute, kind of aggressive girl next door flirting with me. And I had a crush." She admits, her face still covered; the words half mumbled around her hands. "Then I realized it was you and I just wanted a chance to approach you about it without coming off terrible and I kind of blew that."
She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. "What would it matter anyway? It's not like you want me."
Adora moves her hands at that, looking her in the eyes. "Wanting you has never been a problem for me, Catra."
Catra scoffs. "Tell that to my senior year finals." She mutters darkly. She almost bombed her last semester given the way that Adora unceremoniously dumped her in the midst of finals.
Adora shakes her head, pacing a little before turning back. "You really want to talk about that now?"
"I mean why not?” She holds her hands out. “This can't get any weirder can it?"
Adora laughs. "I guess not." She stares at Catra now. She'd forgotten how blue her eyes are. "I'm sorry about how the breakup happened." Adora’s voice is soft, a total contrast to earlier. Catra is taken aback. She wasn't expecting Adora to just apologize outright. "I was under a lot of pressure from everyone about going to the program in Eternia. You remember I went to the school tour the week before?"
"Yeah of course." She remembers how proud she was when Adora got into the best medical school in the country, even though it was clear across from Bright Moon.
"A lot of the kids said they didn't have time to go home at all. Barely even during the breaks. And you got into the apprentice program at the Bright Moon airport around then too." She explained, one hand tugging nervously on a loose thread of one of her throw pillows. "It felt like the whole world was trying to keep us apart and there was just so much pressure. I snapped. I thought if we broke up, then there would be one less person I'd end up disappointing in the long run."
Catra sighs looking at Adora's hunched form. She remembers seeing her like this well—in front of her parents, professors, coaches, anyone she thought she needed to make proud. She just hadn't thought that extended to her too.
"You didn't have to impress me, Adora. I just wanted you to be my girlfriend." Catra says softly.
"I know that now, but at the time everything felt hopeless. I was sparing you from having to deal with my shit, I thought. It was a really bad anxiety spiral.” She huffs out a miserable laugh. “I go to therapy for those now, but twenty-two-year-old Adora hadn't been taught breathing exercises yet." The halfhearted joke just sounds sad.
"Why aren't you still there?" She asks. By all counts, Adora should still be in medical school for another year.
Adora shrugs. "I finished my first year top of my class but I just couldn't go back. I was miserable and I had awful panic attacks at least once a week. I didn't even like it." She has a sad faraway look in her eyes. "I became a pharmacy tech instead. Work normal nine to five helping old ladies make sure their medications work for them mostly."
"Really?" She's surprised; she thought being a doctor suited Adora.
"Yeah. I mean part of it is that I don't thrive under stress like you, Cat. It took a lot of unpacking to admit, but I was upset that I couldn't perform under pressure like you. I mean you make split-second decisions that keep people safe constantly." She tilts her head. "Well, I guess. I'm assuming you’re still working at the Bright Moon airport?"
Catra nods. “Yeah, I recently got officially certified."
Adora smiles big and honest. "That's amazing Cat. I'm so proud of you."
Adora’s smile feels like being under the sun, warm and perfect which is not good for her ability to think clearly.
Catra shakes her head. "This is all a lot. I'm going to my apartment." She isn't sure what to make of everything Adora has told her. She hasn't even finished wrapping her head around Adora being the girl she's been flirting with.
Adora bites her trembling lower lip. "I understand. If you want to talk again, you'll know where I'll be. I won't bother you anymore."
Catra sighs and pulls Adora into a hug. The blonde lets out a startled sound but quickly wraps her up close. Her arms around Catra feel way too familiar but somehow it doesn’t bother her.
"I'm glad you're alright." Catra decides to say.
It's the only thing she knows is true in this whole snarled mess. Even under these weird circumstances, she can tell that her ex is better adjusted and happier. She never wished Adora poorly and although their breakup sucked, a part of her always knew that Adora was dealing with some other demon.
Adora nods, biting her lip. "I'm glad you're alright too." She offers in return. She walks close behind Catra and then steps around her to open the door. She gives her a timid smile before closing her door, leaving Catra on the outside looking back.
It takes her three days to digest what she'd talked about with Adora. As if the universe hasn't played enough pranks on her, she happens to run into Adora not only at their apartment building but in the parking lot and in the building gym.
Each time Adora has given her a soft smile and a sad wave before walking in the opposite direction without a word. Just like she promised, she's polite and gives Catra a wide berth to figure things out in her own time.
It kind of sucks. A part of her wishes Adora would be persistent and smother her if only so she could hold onto something to be angry about.
Instead, she spends her day looking over the notes that she kept in her nightstand drawer. It seems obvious that it's Adora now: the silly jokes, the neat handwriting, even the warm feeling of being seen that she hadn't really found with anyone since. It just never crossed her mind to think about Adora being the one writing her notes when she was supposed to be out in Eternia.
And that’s the other part of the equation—she has to admit that she’s missed Adora since they stopped writing to each other. That breakup had always left a sour taste in her mouth but she honestly didn’t think of Adora often. No, what she missed was the woman she’d recently started opening up to.
She sighs and gets out of her apartment, making her way next door. She doesn’t want to leave things the way they did. She knocks and there isn't an answer. She laughs in disbelief. She finally works up the nerve to come and speak with Adora and she isn't there. She shakes her head and decides to fall back on what's been working for them for the last month.
203,
Swing by whenever you get home.
Don't keep me waiting,
204
She doesn't wait long. Almost twenty minutes after she left the note, she hears the knocking on her door.
When she opens it, Adora is on the other side her weight sitting on the balls of her feet. A small but hopeful smile on her face.
"Sorry, I missed you. I was at the store." She says ruefully as she hovers in the doorway, not really coming in. Her foot just barely grazes the door’s threshold, eyes expectant.
Catra holds the door wider and gestures her forward. Adora walks in, eyes panning one way and another, a small smile landing on her face when she spots the model planes she got Catra for her twenty-second birthday.
Catra sits on her couch and waits for Adora to follow. She turns to look at the blonde. “You should have told me.”
Adora nods seriously. “I know, I was planning on talking to you soon I wasn’t going to—"
“I’m not talking about now.” Catra cuts off. She eyes Adora sharply. “Although that’s definitely something to think about.” She breathes in daring to look up at Adora. “I’m talking about our breakup.”
Adora’s eyes widen. “Oh. Yeah, absolutely.”
“What do you think I’m talking about specifically?” Catra raises an eyebrow. She holds her hand up. “Don’t answer that. You should have told me that you were struggling. Things don’t get bad enough for you to be spiraling like that without you having a chance to loop me in. I thought we were a team.”
Adora nods slowly, seeming unsure if she should respond. After a moment of silence, she leans forward, catching Catra’s eyes. “In hindsight, there was a lot I would do differently. I was young and burning the candle at both ends.”
Catra nods. “Yeah, I think I saw that even then. I just wanted to clear the air.” She clears her throat, looking away. “That said, I’d like to put it behind us.”
“Our relationship?” Adora asks with a raised eyebrow.
Catra nods. “Yeah. We’re neighbors and I—” She can feel herself blushing. “I miss you—your notes.”
Adora’s eyes did that thing where they look impossibly soft and tender. “I miss our notes too.” She says softly with a smile.
“So, friends?” Catra offers shyly, extending her hand.
She’s surprised when Adora pulls her into a bear hug. “Of course, Cat.” She murmurs into her hair. Catra allows herself to melt into the touch for a moment, something that’s so familiar but different that it makes her head spin. Adora pulls back a little, lit up like a firework. “Want to get that coffee?”
Catra had meant it in a different way when she’d first offered it, but now she nods, smiling slightly at Adora’s enthusiasm. “Yeah, ‘Dor. Let’s do it.”
Adora,
You need to let me have Razz’s blueberry recipe. I don’t care that it’s a family recipe. I just ate the last slice, and I absolutely cannot wait until she visits again to have it. Pretty please?
Eternally Razz’s if Only She Gives Me that Damn Recipe,
204
P.S. are we still on for lunch on Saturday? If I don’t get more blueberry pie ASAP, you’re buying.
Cat,
I hope you had a nice time hanging with Glim and Bow. I know it’s a bit of a blast from the past, but now that we’re hanging out again, I’m hoping we can all hang out. You can invite your friends too! Movies tomorrow, right? Slip me a note, don’t text me the answer like a boring person.
Your Most Fun Friend,
203
‘Dor,
You’ve done it now. Perfuma and Scorpia are totally charmed by you. Even Entrapta wants to see you come around again. Personally, I don’t get the hype but whatever.
Seriously, thanks for coming to help out with Entrapta’s move, I’m not sure what we would have done without the help. Let me treat you to dinner.
Grateful,
204
Catra,
I had a great time last night. Like. Really.
Want to go out again?
203
‘Dor
You know, if you wanted to kiss me so badly, you could’ve just asked before we went to pick up the laundry. I can’t afford to go dry clean only because I can’t bear to run into Mr. Hordak in the washroom now. You’ll be footing the bill, Ms. Pharma.
Horny and Embarrassed,
204
Cat,
If I find another sweater of mine in your apartment, you’re just going to have to give me a key so I can actually have access to my wardrobe. I’m going to Glim’s tonight to hang out, but I want at least three (3) of my sweaters returned. Yes, that includes the oversized BMU one. I don’t care that it looks better on you.
Always Yours (Even if my Sweaters Aren’t),
203
Princess,
I missed you this morning. Next time you have an early shift, give me a kiss goodbye—I don’t care if I just fell asleep. If you ask me about this in person, I’ll deny it.
Cold and Lonely,
204
Cat,
I got the croissants because I need to bring them for work. Please don’t eat them. If you want, text me a list and I’ll bring you whatever you want—yes, even that weird cereal you’re into. Hit me up, baby.
Love,
Adora
P.S. I’m not signing with my old apartment number anymore, we haven’t lived in that building for a month now.
Adora,
I love you, princess.
Yours forever,
Catra
Adora always looks so rumpled while she sleeps, it’s one of her favorite things about the rare morning moments they get to share. She frowns, looking for her headphones to wind down some before going to sleep.
She goes around to Adora’s nightstand, knowing her girlfriend tends to lose her own headphones and borrows hers. As she roots around her drawer, she feels a small box. Finally, her headphones.
But when she pulls it up, it’s not the black headphone case she expects. Instead, it’s smooth velvet and green. She freezes her heart hammering in her chest, her mind racing to the only thing she wants to find within.
“Cat?” She hears groggily from her side. She turns to look at Adora, eyes widening and feeling caught even though she was just trying to find her stupid headphones.
Adora rubs the sleep out of her eyes and leans closer, probably leaning in for a kiss. Then her eyes catch on Catra’s hand, and she freezes.
“I didn’t mean to—I didn’t open—do you know where my headphones are?” Catra finishes frantically.
To her surprise, Adora bursts out laughing, sitting up and swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Her eyes shine so brightly, smiling at Catra as she reaches into the drawer and pulls out a slip of paper.
She puts the paper in Catra’s hand, not bothering to take the box that’s burning her other palm.
“Go on, read the note.” Adora whispers, one of her arms wrapping around Catra’s waist.
She puts down the box on the nightstand and with shaking hands, she opens the slip of paper. Her eyes are met with handwriting she knows better than her own.
Catra,
There’s nothing I love more than you. I’m so thankful that we ended up finding each other again, even if it is in the most unexpected way. I want to start our new beginning the way we found each other again. Will you marry me?
Beyond in Love with You,
Adora
She snaps her head up to look at her girlfriend. Adora is smiling but her eyes are tight with nerves, and she’s started shifting her wait like when she’s feeling impatient. “Marry me?” She asks quietly, sounding like she only has half a breath in her lung.
Catra tugs on the oversized t-shirt Adora slept in, kissing her for all she’s worth. “Of course.” She murmurs against her lips, an unending smile on her lips.
“Really?” She breathes out.
“Yes, dummy.” She laughs. She let go of Adora for a moment. “Hold on.”
She climbs over the bed to her nightstand, and grabs her notepad and pen, scribbling hastily.
Adora,
Nothing would make me happier than being your wife.
Until Death Do Us Part,
Catra