Chapter Text
Several months had passed and today was Adora’s birthday. Catra had planned an entire day of things for them to do. But first. She had to wake her up. Adora was not a morning person and it could be really challenging to get her up.
“Hey Adora” Catra said carrying a tray full of food into her bedroom.
“Fffivvvee mroowrr minnuttzzz” the lump in the middle of the bed called back.
“Nope. Gotta get up.”
Adora pulled the blanket off her head and peaked out through half shut eyes. “Is that coffee?”
“Yes, but if you don’t sit up, I’m going to drink it.”
She shuffled up to a sitting position before Catra placed the tray over her lap before sitting in the bed next to her. Catra wasn’t much of a chef but with Bow and Glimmer’s help they had managed to make a pretty nice breakfast complete with waffles, eggs and bacon. Catra had decided to make the breakfast extra special by making Adora affogato, technically a dessert drink but she knew Adora would love it. She loved every food she tried with a somewhat frightening appetite.
“Happy Birthday by the way” Catra said as she stole a piece of bacon.
“Aww you remembered?” Adora said with her big dumb eyes sparkling.
“Well obviously. I mean I am the best girlfriend ever.”
“I mean I guess you’re alright” Adora said with a wink. “What’s in this drink?”
“Just try it dork” Catra snorted. She liked seeing Adora tease her back. She’d been worried that she was too sweet but Adora had a real wild side and could pull some serious pranks.
“Catra….”
“Yes?”
“YOU CAN PUT ICECREAM IN ESPRESSO?” Adora shouted at her before shoving her face into the cup and making ridiculous slurping sounds.
“Yes, you can in fact combine things” Catra said teasingly. Adora never ceased to amaze her with how energetic she could be. How she could smile and everything just felt better inside Catra. And how she could be a totally cute idiot covered in ice cream.
“How have you never told me this before? Can you make this every day? Do you sell this at Horders?” Adora said with the sugar buzz energy of a five-year-old. She had of course managed to get ice cream on her face.
Catra gently grabbed the collar of Adora’s shirt and pulled her in for a kiss, tasting the sweet vanilla gelato and bitter espresso. She gently bit Adora’s lip causing her to draw a slight gasp. Adora grabbed her waist and tried to pull her on top, forgetting the tray was there and almost spilling everything. Catra chuckled and kept kissing her.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADORA!” screamed Bow and Glimmer from the doorway. Glimmer’s face flew into panic as she noticed Catra mostly on top of Adora.
“Bow! Cover your eyes” Glimmer said trying to reach to cover his face.
Catra shifted to sit back down, a little annoyed that they had distracted them. She couldn’t be too mad though since they did help her make breakfast. And she’d have plenty of time alone with Adora later.
“Hey guys! Sorry we were just….having breakfast” Adora didn’t know what to say and started blushing. Catra just snorted at her.
“Right…well we got you presents!” Glimmer said as they both carried in a wrapped box for her.
Catra grabbed the tray off Adora’s lap so she could get up and hug them. Everyone hopped onto the bed to watch her open the gifts.
Adora started very carefully removing the wrapping paper from Bow’s present, trying not to rip it at all. All three of them shifted their eyes between Adora focusing intensely on the task and each other. None of them had been expecting her to be so meticulous. After she was halfway done unwrapping the first box Catra groaned.
“Please Adora….just…please you gotta go faster. This is torture and it’s not even my gift” Catra pleaded.
“But I like the wrapping paper. It’s got little horses on it” she said without even looking up.
Catra sighed and slapped her hand to her face.
“I’m just messing with you guys” Adora said smirking as she ripped through the rest of the paper.
“You’re such an idiot” Catra said giving her a gentle shove and sigh of relief. She would have had to strongly consider breaking up with her if she was going to open every present like that.
Bow had gotten her a red varsity jacket with a heart on the back and a gift card to her favorite sporting equipment store. Adora let out a little excited noise and immediately wrapped herself up in the jacket.
“I love it! Thank you Bow” Adora said giving him an awkward half-sitting hug.
“You’re very welcome. The gift card is from both of us” Bow said hugging her aggressively.
“Open mine open mine!” Glimmer said practically forcing the present between the two.
Adora ripped the wrapping paper off quickly this time. She pulled out a photo frame with a picture of the four of them smiling and hugging from after Adora had won the ninja race. Adora smiled and wiped a tear from her eyes.
“Glimmer I love it. Thank you” she said giving her a hug.
Adora made a grabby hands motion to Catra to bring the food tray back and she went back to eating her breakfast while they hung out.
“Sthoo whaaa wee dooin thuudaayy?” Adora asked with most of a whole waffle in her mouth, a little syrup dribble on her chin.
“You’ll have to finish your breakfast and find out. Are you two about ready to go?” Catra asked.
“Gotta change but almost ready….We’ll uh catch y’all later” Bow said making finger guns and backing out of the door. Glimmer looked at him, looked back at them, gave a shrug and left the room. Catra groaned. This was going to be a long day. The best day. But a long day.
“So don’t make a big thing about it but I need you to wear something today.”
Adora raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Oh yeah? You want me to dress up for you? I’ve got my white and gold outfit in the closet if that’s what you meant.”
“No, you idiot. I mean yes. But not right now. Here. Just put this on when you’re done being covered in syrup. I’m gonna go change and help clean up the kitchen” Catra said as she left a bag of clothes on the end of the bed for her.
Catra went to the bathroom and looked at the pile of clothes. She sighed. The things she did for love. She put on the western style red plaid shirt, jeans, a belt with a stupidly big buckle, black cowboy boots and black cowboy hat. She checked herself out in the mirror, whipping her tail back and forth out of annoyance. Adora better love this or she was going to throw a fit. She went out to the kitchen and found Bow and Glimmer in similar outfits. Glimmer had chosen a purple shirt with pink fringe, how she found that is a real mystery, and light tan cowboy boots. Bow was wearing a fringed suede leather vest unbuttoned with a white shirt underneath and matching fringed boots. He tipped his hat with one hand while the other stayed tucked into his jeans.
“Mornin’ ma’am” he said with a terrible fake accent.
Catra just stared at him. “Is he gonna be like this all day?” she asked Glimmer.
“Yessss” she responded, drawing out the sound while wrapping an arm around his waist.
The three of them were only waiting for a few moments before they heard some muffled excited screams from Adora’s room. There were some thuds and then stomping as Adora came flying out of the room in her outfit. Glimmer had helped Catra pick out a white western style tank top, dark jeans, red cowboy boots, and a palm leaf cowboy hat. Adora ran out, nearly falling, before leaning against the wall and shooting off imaginary finger guns. She blew the even more imaginary smoke from the barrels of both guns before smiling, jumping and grabbing all three of them in a big hug.
“I have no idea why we’re dressed like this, but I love it!” she said, her voice muffled as she squeezed them all.
“Oh we’re not doing anything. We just wanted to look stupid today” Catra said.
Adora let go and looked a little sad but still smiling.
“I’m just kidding you dummy. Are you ready to go?” she said as she put her hand out.
Adora did some happy wiggling motions and grabbed her hand.
“Yeehaw” Bow yelled.
Thaymor Ranch and Trail Ride was just a short bus ride out of Brightmoon proper. Catra had worked in secret, with the help of Bow and Glimmer, for several months to set everything up for today. The more she got to know Adora they more she realized she was a total horse girl. It was embarrassing for Catra to admit she liked a horse girl but at least Adora had many redeeming qualities.
As soon as they got there and Adora saw the horses she started losing her mind. She went from super excited to embarrassed and shy. Was she really fan girling over a horse? Seriously, so embarrassing for Catra.
The employees set them up each with their horse for the ride and helped them get up into the saddle. Catra laughed when she saw they had put Glimmer on the smallest horse they had, a tan hafinger. Catra was riding a black quarter horse, bow was on chestnut thoroughbred, and Adora was on a white quarter horse.
Catra could hear Bow whispering how much he loved his horse and gently stroking its neck. Adora was just sitting there with her hands on the reins, smiling with her mouth open. Catra rubbed her face and laughed. She had no idea why she liked this group of people so much.
The ride was pretty enjoyable and relaxing Catra had to admit. Her horse seemed to have a very lazy attitude and she was fine with that. They stopped after a couple of hours to have a lunch that was prepared by the ranch workers. There was a little time before they had to start riding again so Catra and Adora went and laid down to watch clouds. Adora rolled onto her side and pressed a kiss into Catra’s cheek.
“Thank you. This has been so much fun and really sweet of you.”
“Yeah well don’t tell anyone but I’m actually kind of enjoying this” Catra said as she traced her fingers along Adora’s arm.
“Your secret is safe with me… horse girl.”
“Okay. Nope. Just cause it’s your birthday doesn’t mean I can’t murder you.” Catra pushed Adora over and sat straddling her. She tried to be angry, or at least fake being upset but Adora looked so incredibly happy and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She gave her a quick peck on the lips before helping her up.
The last hour of the ride was uneventful other than Glimmer’s horse stopping to poop. She looked horrified as the rest of them just laughed and kept going. They took a few photos of Adora on her horse, hugging her horse, brushing her horse, etc. before they headed to catch the bus back into the city. Everyone fell asleep on the ride back, Catra snuggled up into Adora’s side.
Once they got back to the apartment, they all decided to take showers to get the dust off and change back into regular clothes. Bow decided to keep wearing his outfit because of course he did. Adora had just finished her shower and Catra was in her bedroom waiting for her.
“Hey while you were showering, I got a call from Scorpia that she needs me to stop by and fill out some paperwork. I’m really sorry but do you mind if we head over there before dinner tonight?” Catra asked.
“Yeah no big deal. I mean it’s not like I know what you have planned anyways.”
It took them a little bit longer than normal to get dressed because Catra got distracted by post-shower Adora, but they finally were leaving. Bow and Glimmer’s door was closed and Adora seemed confused when they didn’t say goodbye. Catra told her they’re probably taking a nap.
Catra let Adora walk into Horders first and watched her jump as everyone shouted.
“Happy Birthday!” came from everyone inside.
Catra had organized a big surprise party and had managed to get all of their friends to help. Perfuma had donated some flowers for decoration, Spinerella and Netossa had set up some games, Sea Hawk and Mermista brought food, and Scorpia and Lonnie had gotten decorations put up. Entrapta, Bow and Glimmer were there too. Catra being the manager had put up a notice that the store was closed for the day and bought a bunch of gelato to make affogato for everyone.
Adora started crying really hard and Catra looked concerned.
“Hey what’s wrong?” she asked turning Adora to face her.
“This is just the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me” Adora said through sobs. Catra hugged her and kissed her forehead. Once Adora got ahold of herself she went around hugging everyone in the room.
Everyone was having a great time at the party, enjoying the music and food. Catra watched Adora enjoying herself as she made coffee drinks for people. She cut off Adora after the second affogato for fear that she wouldn’t sleep for two days. Adora was sad until she handed her a cup full of whip cream and caramel sauce.
Catra leaned against a wall just enjoying a moment of peace to herself.
“Hey Wildcat. You did a great job with this party today” Scorpia said as she came to sit in a chair next to her.
“Thanks for all your help Scorpia. How’s everything with Perfuma?”
“Oh it’s great! She’s great and we’re thinking of moving in together when the lease ends.”
Catra didn’t respond. She hadn’t thought about her lease ending in a few months. And with Scorpia leaving that meant she’d have to find a new roommate.
“Hey. Maybe you should talk to Adora about living together” Scorpia said. She was too good at reading Catra’s thoughts.
“Yeah. Maybe.”
“Won’t know till you ask Wildcat” Scorpia said with a shrug and excused herself to go mingle.
Catra stayed there just thinking. Could she really picture herself living with Adora? Waking up every morning with her and not having to split her time between their apartments? She was nervous but smiled to herself picturing what their life could look like together. She was still lost in thought when Adora grabbed her arm and pulled her out to dance to a slow song. She pressed their foreheads together and put her arms up on Catra’s shoulders.
“Catra thank you so much. Seriously. This is the best day I’ve ever had” Adora said with her eyes closed and smiling. Catra leaned her head against Adora’s shoulder and hugged in tighter, their dance becoming just a slow rocking back and forth motion. She didn’t respond as she enjoyed the ephemeral beauty of the moment.
The night went on and eventually people started to leave. Catra worked on cleaning up the shop as Adora said her goodbyes. Scorpia and Lonnie stayed to help but she let them go pretty quickly since they had set up everything for her. She was just about finished with the dishes as Bow and Glimmer were the final people to leave. Adora waited outside for her as she locked up for the night. She grabbed a blanket she had left there and they started to walk back to the apartment hand in hand.
“Hey, I know it’s late but I’ve got one more place to take you if you’re up for it” Catra said.
“I had sooo much espresso. I’m ready for anything” Adora responded with a squeeze of her hand.
Catra led her over to Whispering Woods and into the forested area. It was almost pitch black but Catra’s eyes easily adjusted as she led Adora through to a large grassy clearing. She put the blanket down and they laid down to look up at the stars. After a few minutes of laying there just holding hands and enjoying the night sky Catra sat up and pulled a jewelry box out of her pocket.
“This is for you too. Happy Birthday Adora” Catra said handing her the box. Adora sat up and opened it revealing a small gold heart necklace. Adora didn’t respond and Catra got nervous that she didn’t like it.
“Um I know you didn’t wear jewelry a lot, but I thought you might like it. If you hate it I can return it and”
Adora stopped her mid word by pushing her over and kissing her. Adora’s hand gently stroked her cheek.
“I love it. I love you” she whispered between kisses. Catra melted into it, feeling the weight of Adora on top of her.
She was still nervous about asking Adora to live with her but for tonight none of that mattered.