Fortune, Fate and Firearms - Ch3

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.

--

Adora felt pretty cocky as she returned to the party. Catra was back. After ten long years of being a world away, she was finally home. Not only was Catra back in the south but she let Adora touch her like she used to. Like they did when they were young and Adora was in love, desperately trying to paint those feelings onto Catra’s skin because she was too much of a coward to say it to her face.  She wished they had more time for their trist and alot more privacy so she could lay Catra bare and relaxed waiting for Adora to worship her. She wanted to show Catra how much she missed her, her chest too full of happiness and emotions she had kept in a cage for ten long years. Adora wished she wasn’t in this stupid dress she could have given them both a deeper and more satisfying reunion to unite to.

What they got would have to be enough to keep them satisfied until they saw each other next. But stars, Adora wanted to see Catra as soon as possible and after so many years apart no one could deny they still had chemistry.

Adora didn’t know what kind of play Catra was running but Adora would never blow her cover and put her in danger. If the woman with Catra was Horde then she was the enemy and Adora couldn’t risk putting Catra in the firing line. The Horde might still believe that Adora was dead, but it didn’t make her any less of a target if they found out they were wrong.

Adora knew, or hoped, Catra would keep her secret. They had always protected each other when they were kids. Even if they didn’t always see eye to eye they took care of eachother. What Adora needed was to get Catra alone so they could get back on the same page. Adora didn’t care that Catra was still with the Horde right now, all she wanted was to talk to her and hear all about her time away. Adora wanted to hold her, kiss her and make love like they used to. She desperately needed to know that Catra was still her Catra.

Adam spotted Adora immediately as she entered the hall and rushed to meet her. Adora's smile faltered when she saw her brother; this would be hard to explain. She prayed that he didn’t see her leave with Catra, even if she knew he wouldn’t make a scene.

“Where have you been!” Adam whispered with concern as he arrived in front of her. Adora tried to think of a reasonable explanation for her absence but couldn't think of anything believable.

“Uh, out?” She offered lamely as she rubbed the back of her neck, trying not to disturb the fancy curls that laid there.

“What happened? You’re bleeding!” Adam said, his eyes going to Adora’s neck where she had completely forgotten that Catra had sunk her teeth into her. The dots of red were a stark contrast against her tanned skin as they pebbled on the surface. There was no use denying it.

“Oh, I guess I am,” Adora said, trying to look down at her own neck without any success.

“Come with me,” Adam said, pulling Adora further into the house and away from the party.

“Adam, it’s really not that bad, stop worrying,” Adora said, the dull ache in her skin would make a pleasant reminder to keep her satisfied until she met Catra again. Catra was closer than she had been in years and Adora wasn’t about to let her go again without a fight. The attraction was still burning between them so Adora would find a way to show Catra that they were perfect together, even now.

“Did I see you leave with the Captain?” Adam asked sitting her down in the bathroom so he could put disinfectant on her wound. Adora thought about the question for a moment. She was a bad liar, even to those who didn’t know her well. She didn’t see a point in denying what was clear as day.

“…Yes” She said slowly, looking at Adam’s troubled face for a hint of what he was thinking.

“Adora…” He started much more gently. “I know you can handle yourself, but you must be careful. She’s a very dangerous woman,” Adam said softly and Adora felt her body flood with warmth at the idea. She had known how dangerous Catra was all her life, until she was newly an adult, so she was excited to find out how she had grown in the years they had been apart.

“I know,” Adora said, her eyes losing focus as she thought of Catra’s deadly claws. She hadn’t used them which, fair, Adora’s dress was expensive and she needed to keep herself presentable to return to the party, but Adora wished Catra had. Catra's claws digging into her skin as she lost control from her pleasure was one of Adora's favourite feelings in the world.

“She has a savage reputation, and I hear she can shoot faster than you can blink,” Adam warned as he dabbed her shoulder gently with a cloth. He was such a gentle man and it really showed in how he considered others. Adora was proud of her brother, but she didn’t need his gentle hands, she wasn’t a baby or a real lady, she could take the pain better than most.

“Really? That’s good,” Adora said, and Adam finally placed a bandage over the cut with some tape as he scoffed.

“Good!? Adora, what’s wrong with you?” he asked, looking confused and horrified. Adora snorted at his expression.

“Nothing, it's impressive is all,” Adora said, shrugging her shoulders, sending her curls bouncing at the abrupt movement.

“Did she give you this?” Adam asked his eye going to Adora’s neck again as a blush crept onto his cheeks. Adora felt her own face colour at his embarrassment. She really didn’t want to get into this but apparently, they were.

“Uhh…yes” Adora confirmed, and he sighed with exasperation before he squared his shoulders.

“Adora! She's been sent here to deal with the rebellion. To handle you!" He said and Adora chuckled at the thought of Catra ‘handling’ her.

"She can try," Adora said, unable to hold back the smirk pulling at her lips. Adam blushed darker at the impropriety.

“What about your girl? I thought you were lovesick and pining!” Adam said with woe, like this romantic tale had been ruined by her actions. Adora laughed and smiled fondly at her brother's romantic heart.

“Adam, that is my girl,” Adora said, and Adam’s mouth fell open in absolute shock. He tried to make sounds and even smiled a little at the idea that Adora’s love had come home. But he couldn’t quite get his brain in order to choose a single reaction.

“W-what? How? She…” Adam said and then closed his mouth. His brows furrowed in confusion. Adora waited patiently for the questions she knew were coming.

“Adora, she’s not that soft hearted girl you knew,” Adam finally concluded seriously.

“Yes, she is,” Adora said without a doubt. Adam looked at her solemnly, like he didn’t believe her.

“How do you know that?” Adam asked, genuinely curious and hopeful that this story was a happy one.

“Because, she wouldn’t let me kiss her,” Adora said with a lopsided grin as Adam only looked more confused.

“Adora, that doesn’t make any sense,”

“It does, but it's hard to explain,” Adora said standing up to look down at her brother as she put her hands on his shoulder. “I know her heart. Trust me Adam,” Adora said imploringly and Adam looked into her eyes for a moment before he sighed.

“I do trust you. You know her best I suppose, but please, promise me you’ll be careful,” Adam asked and Adora nodded her head.

“Of course, I’m always careful,” Adora promised.

[...]

Swiftwind was a sure-footed stallion. He never stumbled or misstepped while weaving through the high country on their way back to camp. The mountains were jagged like towering walls and had hidden dead ends or cliffs waiting to catch the unaware. Adora knew these mountains because Mara had taught her every inch of them when Adora took over the name of She-ra and she used the cover to protect their little band of outlaws.

Adora returned to the camp after spending a relaxing four days with Adam. She loved her precious time reconnecting with her brother and it was a rare chance to just exist in her own skin for a moment. She had a chance to forget about the world outside and all the pain people were in for a few days. She had missed Adam so much and she hadn't realised she was missing such a fundamental piece of herself in his absence. She promised to visit him again in a fortnight, but now she was eager to return to her home.

The camp was loud and dirty. It was full of animals and lacked amenities, but she wouldn’t trade this part of her life for the world.

She loved the smell of camp, the animals, the dirt and the burning heart fire at its centre. The sound of children playing as they ran between tents. Hearing them laugh and seeing them completely unafraid was music to her ears.

They were a community and a family in this camp and they took care of each other. Everyone had their role to play, even if they weren’t in the line of fire like the rebels themselves. They had tailors, farmers, blacksmiths and even a retired sheriff amongst their group. They were mostly made up of civilians these days but the rebels did everything they could to keep them safe.

Adora filled her lungs with the smell of burning wood and dust. It smelt like home and it filled her with a sense of calm and cleared her head. Adora had a lot to think about but she was not fortunate enough to have free time when she was at the camp. She would have plenty of time to think under the starry sky of the Crimson planes where she could let her mind wander to the two-toned eyes she had missed.

“Adora! You’re back,” Glimmer said with excitement as she bound up to her like a puppy. Adora smiled and pulled her hat from her head to push back her hair.

“That I am, anything happened while I was away?” Adora asked curiously as she glanced around the camp.

“Not much, Mady had her baby, so I bet you are glad you missed that,” Glimmer said playfully as she nudged her. Adora nodded her head, she wasn’t keen to listen to a woman screaming in labour, but she wasn’t about to skirt her duties either.

“How is she?” she asked curiously, her feet taking her toward Madison’s tent without a second thought.

“She’s tired, but recovering well, she had Jack about two days ago.” Glimmer said and Adora nodded as she spotted Madison’s tent in the inner circle reserved for families and children.

“I’ll check if she needs anything,” Adora said, and Glimmer nodded with a smile.

“Good idea, I have some other news too when you’re ready,” Glimmer said as they parted ways. Adora went to the tent in question which had the flap open to allow the little air movement in the still canyon floor. With nothing to tap on, Adora announced herself.

“May I come in?” she asked and heard Madison laugh.

“Of course, She-ra,” Adora entered the tent to see Madison up and about, bouncing a tiny baby in her arms. Madison was a Lizard Folk, with metallic blue scales and wore a simple but comfortable wrap dress. She turned to Adora as she entered. Adora would never get used to the look of gratitude and affection on the faces of the people of her camp, it felt so misplaced to be focused on her. Mara and Adora helped people who had nowhere else to go and gave them a place to feel safe again. It wasn't a profitable job by any means but it was the right thing to do.

The Horde was out there taking people's land and livelihoods by force and if the law wasn’t going to do anything about it, then the rebels would.

Madison was from a home where her partner mistreated her, and she fled to save her unborn child. How she came to be with the princesses was a simple story. She had been walking the desert near the mountain canyons in a tattered gown under the blistering sun and Netossa stumbled upon her. She had been looking for their camp and by a stroke of luck, she had come very close. Netossa brought her in, gave her food and clothing and the rest was history.

“How are you feeling? Do you need anything?” Adora asked, her eyes scanning Madison's tent before they came to rest on the bundle in the woman’s arms. Madison smiled.

“We are fine, thank you for asking. Would you like to hold him?” Madison asked and Adora awkwardly opened and closed her hands as she considered the offer. She did want to, but her experience with newborns was limited. “Here,” Madison said, seeing the uncertainty in her and offering her little teal bundle to Adora. Adora panicked only momentarily before gently taking the baby to cradle them against her chest.

The tiny lizard folk blinked open his huge eyes and stared at her silently. Adora smiled down at them and laughed a little.

“They are so handsome,” Adora said, and Madison smiled.

“So handsome,” she agreed gently.

“Do you think you’ll ever have one of your own?” Madison asked curiously and Adora huffed as she brushed her finger over the baby's soft cheek.

“Maybe,” Adora said gently as her mind travelled to Catra for a moment. As a younger woman she had dreams of a family with Catra. Rise to the top of the Horde and starting a family off the backs of their spoils. But it had become clear, after all their vigorous activities not getting Catra pregnant when they were younger, that Adora was likely sterile. Even so, Adora only really needed Catra to have a family of her own. 

Adora rocked Jack for a moment before she smiled at Madison. “I should let you rest,” she said, handing the little bundle back to their mother. “Let me know if you need anything,” Adora said, making her exit from the tent.

She made a few more stops, checking in on people, the old, the young, some families, new arrivals. When she finally got back to her tent, Bow and Glimmer were sitting outside their own tent waiting for her.

“You said you had a report for me?” Adora asked and Glimmer nodded before she motioned Adora into her tent.

The tents were all tall enough to stand inside and Adora had a small table with three chairs for meetings just like this one.

Adora took a seat and Bow and Glimmer did the same. Bow was dressed in his nice town clothes but Glimmer was dressed in her rustling clothes. So, it was hard to preempt the topic of this news.

"Perfume said she saw the new captain around town. She only brought one woman with her." Bow started and Adora felt her jealousy rise as she was reminded of the unknown woman. Catra wasn't one for friends. She didn't like  connections so this woman had to be important to her. Adora shouldn't be jealous but it was a hard feeling to squash without further information.

"The new captain is a woman who goes by the name Cateye. Which is a bit on the nose if you ask me since she's a feline hybrid." Bow continued and Glimmer snorted.

"Pretty unoriginal" Glimmer agreed and Adora tried to hide her smile, if they only knew the pretty ridiculous name this nickname covered.

"But Perfuma also said she heard about horses rustling from the Thaymor ranch so we have ourselves a new target," Bow said, tipping his hat playfully. “The Horde is collecting horses for something, so it's definitely in our best interest to take them off their hands,”

"Good, let's have a look around" Adora said, if they could get those horses back to their owners it would be a big disadvantage for the Horde and that's what Adora liked to hear.

[...]

Adora loved it out on the Crimson planes. The warm red sand beneath her feet and the stars glittering up above.

Camp life was nice, but she had so many responsibilities and people relying on her. Out on the planes she was her own woman and it reminded her of younger, carefree days. In those days she only had one loyalty and that was Catra. Despite how Shadow Weaver wanted to mould Adora and Hordak saw something great in her, it wasn't enough to keep her on their side without Catra holding her hand.

Adora sighed into the night air. She had another reason to want to get out of camp, she didn't want to stay too long because she knew Catra wouldn't find her there. But she wondered how long she would have to wait. She hoped it wouldn't be long.

Adam wrapped her dress around herself, but it wasn’t enough to stop her shivering from the cold. The back of the carriage had a terrible draft and was practically empty. Adam had been slipping in and out of consciousness during most of the trip but now she was awake and could focus her eyes in the darkness.

Across the wagon was another girl, she was little and fluffy with feline ears and a tail. Half of her mass was her hair and she looked warm. Adam crawled slowly over to her. The girl’s beautiful two-toned eyes shone in the darkness like a beacon, and it made her easy to find in the dark. She looked suspicious as she curled closer into her knees to protect herself.

“I’m scared,” Adam offered shamelessly. She needed a friend, and this little girl was the only one here. The two-toned eyes rolled as a clawed hand reached out and took her own.

“Don’t be a baby, I’ll protect you,” the girl said firmly, and Adam felt her heart bloom with affection for the smaller girl. She carefully sat beside her, not getting too close just in case it wasn’t welcome. The girl closed the gap between their sides and the warmth that bloomed there made Adam immediately warmer. Adam sighed with relief as she finally managed to stop shaking.

“My name is Elizabeth, but I don’t like it,” Elizabeth said as the claws on her hand lightly pricked at Adam’s skin. It was almost a soothing reminder that someone was there with her.

“I don’t like my name either,” Adam said, she hated her name, it was wrong because it was a boy’s name, and she wasn’t a boy.

“What would you like to be named?” Elizabeth asked curiously and Adam stopped to think. She always said that she would swap names with her twin if she ever had the chance. She liked Adora’s name. She didn’t know if she would see him again but maybe he could have Adam instead now that she was gone.

“Adora,” Adam said nervously.

“I like it, Adora is a pretty name,” Elizabeth said and Adora beamed.

“What name would you like to have?” Adora asked curiously and the girl made a face as her feline ears flicked with contemplation.

“I don’t know, what do you think would suit me?” Elizabeth asked and Adora grinned.

“Catra,” Adora said proudly, and Elizabeth took a moment to think about it.

“That’s stupid,” Elizabeth said and Adora pouted “I love it,” She concluded. She offered her hand to shake. “I’m Catra,” She said proudly as her smile spread infectiously.

“I’m Adora, nice to meet you,” Adora said, feeling a weight leaving her chest as her true name slipped into place like a missing puzzle piece.

“Nice to meet you, Adora. Stick with me and I’ll keep you safe,” Catra promised and Adora giggled before she hugged the little cat girl tightly with excitement. Catra giggled too as her tail lashed and she held on tight.

“Promise?” Adora asked shyly.

“Promise” Catra said firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

Adora groaned as she shifted in her bedding and tried to extend her dream by hiding her face from the rising sun.

Catra was so cute as a kitten. She was full of fire and vengeance and she only became more so as she got older. Adora wanted so badly to find Catra and just be near her again. But she knew it wasn't safe for Adora to find her. She had to wait for Catra to slip away safely so they could meet.

Adora sighed as she aggressively threw her blanket off herself as the sun quickly dispelled the chill of the night. Swiftwind snorted angrily at the sudden movement and Adora forced herself to get up. She ran her hands through her hair and packed up her bedroll as she prepared for her busy day ahead. She was going to find those horses and stop whatever the Horde was planning.

[...]

Adora rode up to the Bright’s homestead. Bow and Glimmer had invited Adora to dinner on their farm while Angella and Micah were visiting from out of state.

Angella and Micah had been part of the rebellion back when Mara ran the show and still offered great insight to their cause. Their large property had the southern railway passing through it, so they often heard details of what cargo was heading south.

It was important information for the rebellion and how Adora had procured Swiftwind. The last time the Horde brought horses south they had gifted a race horse to Hordak from Prime. The rebellion took the opportunity to annoy the big man and took his prized horse out from under his nose. Now he only ever saw his steed when he had a personal run in with She-ra.

Swiftwind much preferred his time in the rebellion, running free and eating good feed. Swiftwind huffed as they stopped out front of the homestead and Adora pet his soft nose affectionately.

“Don’t get into the garden,” she said firmly and his ears flicked forward with interest but she could see he wasn’t listening. She usually didn’t bother to hitch him to a post but she decided to play it safe. He made a noise of objection and she offered him another pet before she headed up the steps to the front door. Adora rapped on the door, taking her hat off and fixing her hair.

It was strange how seeing Angella and Micah brought out her younger self, it was like meeting rebellion royalty but also like seeing your parents. It was a strange mix of emotions.

Bow answered the door and grinned at her as he pulled the door open wider.

“Thanks for coming,” Bow said. He was dressed in his town clothes, a deep blue dress suit with a ruffled pink collar. Adora tried, without much success to brush some of the dust from her own clothing. She had been on the Crimson planes for days looking for the horses that the Horde was collecting and was suddenly aware of how long ago her last bath was.

“Sorry I’m a little late, I lost track of time,”

“That's fine, Angella and Micah only just arrived,” Bow said as Adora took her boots off to walk further into the house with him.

Glimmer saw Adora as she entered the sitting room and put her hands on her hips at the sight of her.

“Adora, you are filthy, did you leave any sand in the desert?” Glimmer asked, she was wearing her town clothes, a pastel pink dress with a million petticoats and a purple jacket. It was a stark contrast from the way Glimmer looked when she was around camp. The members of the rebellion who didn’t have the anonymity of being assumed dead were much more at risk if anyone found out about their hobby, so they often made themselves look as wildly different as possible in their social lives.

“Sorry Glim, I didn’t have a chance to change,” Adora said and Glimmer huffed. Angella and Micah were already sitting in front of the fire in the sitting room and seemed completely uninterested in their daughter yelling at her guest.

“Well, do it now. Dinner is still twenty minutes away, so go clean up in your room,” Glimmer said and Adora rolled her eyes but followed the instructions.

[...]

Adora was crouched behind a jagged rock face. The heat was sweltering even under the setting sun, it seeped into the cracks of the rocks and radiated off their faces like fire. Adora cast her eyes around her team as they waited for Spinny to finish her initial sweep of the area.

Netossa was sitting beside Adora as she waved her hat in front of her face, trying to keep the flies and heat at bay. Bow and Glimmer were perched on another rock nearby, Bow somehow looking completely content in the warmth but Glimmer looked like she was melting into the ground. Adora was not looking forward to putting her mask on for this because it would just add to the heat under her skin.

Spinny appeared on the ridge to their left after some time and soundlessly approached the group.

“They aren’t well guarded, I don’t think they are expecting us,” Spinny said with a smile as Netossa took her hand casually as she spoke. Spinny was silent as the wind and almost impossible to see even in the light of day so she made the perfect person to sweep the area. “The horses aren’t in the stable, they are in the front yard by the house for some reason,”

“Great, did you manage to see the latches they have on the fences?” Adora asked, pushing the stray hairs back off her sweaty forehead.

“Latched from inside with a lock, the fence is probably about 6 feet tall,” Spinny said and Adora nodded.

“Swifty can clear that,” Adora said easily, he had jumped fences much taller in his years with Adora. She could just about believe he could fly.

“Ok, so what’s the plan?” Glimmer asked as she moved closer and crouched beside Adora.

“Focus on the horses, we have the element of surprise. You and Bow hang low and wait until Nets and I can get the gates open. Once the horses are free we drive them towards the mountain pass to block them in,” Adora instructed Glimmer and she nodded before locking eyes with her husband and moving to get into position.

“Alright, Nets, can you keep up?” Adora asked and Netossa smirked.

“Lead the way She-ra” She goaded.

[...]

Adora and Swifty jumped the fence easily. There were about thirty horses in the large paddock.  The horses were a mix of bare backs and some were wearing saddles. Whoever was in the house obviously didn’t plan on staying long.

Adora had her scarf over the lower half of her face and her hat low on her head so only her eyes were visible. She didn’t need to get recognised especially since Swifty was already recognisable with the star branding on his left hindquarter.

Swifty was a friendly boy and immediately attempted to approach the nearest horse to make friends as they entered the paddock. Adora had to steer him into position with a bit more force as she got him walking the perimeter of the yard to get in position to drive the herd towards the gate.

Netossa was busy picking the gate lock so Adora just had to wait for their exit strategy and started the horses moving just enough to get them energised.

Adora’s eyes landed on a large black mare that was having none of it as she stood, practically glaring daggers at Adora. The big girl wasn’t going to move, apparently. Adora had to hand it to their rider for some excellent training, or perhaps it was just the horse's stubbornness. Either way, the big girl wasn’t playing along.

Adora was considering her options while she participated in a staring contest with the black beauty until a shrill whistle did the impossible and the beast trotted over to the entrance of the building. Adora saw the rider mount up and ducked low as she realised she hadn’t been spotted yet. She grabbed the handle of her rifle in her saddle holster for the moment that changed.

From that moment it felt like time had slowed down and everything happened at once.

The gate slammed open, heavy and metal, swinging under its own weight and hitting the fence loudly. The sound startled the horses and the rider. The already excited horses bolted for the gate and into the soft dusk light. The rider yelled and people rushed out of the building but without horses there wasn’t much they could do to catch the herd.

Adora kicked Swiftwind into action and the rider finally noticed her and tried to cut her off from the only exit. Luckily that was not her only way to freedom.

Adora caught the outline of the rider on the warm light of the horizon as they both bolted across the paddock.

That silhouette made her stomach flutter with excitement.  Two toned eyes came into view a moment later and glared daggers at Adora like she was the scum of the earth.

Adora laughed with delight and spurred Swifty onwards. She wasn’t about to let this giant steed outrun them.

When it became clear that Adora would reach the gate before Catra she pulled her pistol and aimed it at Adora.

Adora realised that Catra couldn’t recognise her with her mask on so she did what she believed was the logical thing. She pulled her mask down to show her face to the magicat. She was close enough to see the surprise and confusion on Catra’s face as she paused with her gun cocked in her direction but she didn’t shoot.

The horses didn’t pause for a moment, keeping up their pace as time seemed to still for the riders. Somewhere to Adora’s right she heard Glimmer's voice yell her name.

Her real name.

She would be having words with that girl about the meaning of anonymity, clearly.

Catra’s reaction morphed instantly as she stared at Adora with wide eyes of recognition. Adora moved to cover her face again, winking at Catra playfully before she did. She did always love to surprise her.

Catra slowed her mare and Swifty pulled ahead, carrying Adora out through the gate and into the sunset to meet with Glimmer. They put as much distance as they could between themselves and the Horde safehouse before they headed back into the mountains with their spoils.