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Adora leans back, sun shining on her face as she lets the wind blow through her fingers. Finn is doing the same, looking at her through the wing mirror, smiling wide with Catra’s bubble gum in their mouth as they put their arm all the way out of the window. Catra turns around, one hand on the wheel as she sticks her tongue out.
There’s something magic about the moment. Despite the stuttering engine of the old car and the crack across the dust covered windshield, Adora is hopeful. Besides, with how good Catra looks in those aviators, and the giant smile across Finn’s face, how could she not be?
*****
The floorboards creek in the way that always puts Catra on edge. From the looks of the place, no one has been here in months (which is exactly why she and Adora chose it to begin with) but that doesn’t settle her nerves. Something is off, something she can’t put her finger on. The beam of her flashlight swipes across the room, taking in the half-eaten sandwich that has started to mould. Adora’s flashlight settles near the ceiling, illuminating a giant spider.
Adora chuckles lowly, shaking her head as she steps further into the room. She looks back in a way that Catra can’t help laughing at. There is something about the dopey smile in her eyes that makes Catra fall in love with her all over again.
*****
Adjusting her shirt as she climbs out of the car. She waits until Finn has turned to watch Catra blow bubbles with her gum to subtly pull the gun from her waistband and move quickly towards the gas station. Her face is plastered next to the door, “wanted” printed above her picture in bold. It feels like an insult, because the only people who truly want her are back in the car waiting. She rips the poster off the wall and grips it in her hand as she walks in the gas station.
Her hand shakes as she makes her demand, but the poor cashier doesn’t notice. In fact, he does his best to not look at the old revolver. If he did, he might have seen the empty cylinder. He looks almost apologetic as he hands over the paper bag. It’s lighter than she would have liked, but it’s enough to get them further west, which is her only goal right now.
She thanks the cashier as she leaves, it’s only polite.
As she runs back to the car, she watches Finn almost spit their gum trying to blow a bubble like Catra. She throws herself in the back seat, poster still clutched in her hand as Catra turns over the engine and pulls away.
*****
They press forward through the house, ignoring the fluttering moths as they cross into the living room. They both stop in their tracks, aiming their flashlights at the middle of the room, where an old, thin mattress is strewn. There’s a scratchy looking blanket tossed across the floor and a tattered bear dropped in the middle.
Catra takes Adora’s hand, a silent expression of concern. Maybe this house wasn’t as abandoned as they thought. They follow a trail of still-wet blood drops on the floor to a closet. The door has almost caved in, and there’s something that Catra is sure is a boot print on the splintered wood.
*****
They’re stopped, and Adora doesn’t care whether it’s the old engine needing a break or their own choice. In the shade of an old tree, they lay on the hood of the car, breathing in the fresh air around them.
Finn is settled in Catra’s arms, where they always are. They’re asleep, Adora thinks, and for the first time their face is unburdened as they snooze. No crinkle in their brow, no fast breathing, just serenity.
*****
Adora’s hand squeezes in Catra’s. They don’t say anything; they don’t need to. As they get closer, they can hear it, the muffled sniffles. Stepping forward quietly, Catra moves her flashlight to peer in the cracks, and she sees it.
The tear-stained face of a child.
They’re six or seven, if Catra had to guess, but scrawny. Their lip looks like it just got done bleeding, and the expression on their face says that they just got done crying.
Catra squeezes Adora’s hand back.
*****
Finn is on their tip toes, jumping to look through the window. They turn to Adora excitedly when they see their favourite brand of cereal on the counter. Adora works the screwdriver, popping open the sliding door quickly before anyone passes by. Finn is inside before Catra can tell them to be careful.
They share a look, rolling their eyes as a smile settles on both of their faces. It had been a hard week, sleeping in their car every night on the side of whatever road they’d found themselves on by the time night fell. More than a couple of times, Adora and Finn would have to push the old car so Catra could get the engine going. It was hard work, but Finn still giggled when they had to chase the car and jump in after Catra had got it in second.
They deserve their favourite cereal tonight.
Catra enters next, chewing on the arm of her sunglasses as she gives the place an approving look. The mail has piled in their mailbox and the front yard is overgrown, and Adora spares a thought for the owner and where they probably are as she roots through the cabinet for bowls.
*****
Catra looks at Adora, unwilling to break the silence, but conversing with her expression anyway. Adora’s face mirrors her own, so Catra takes it as permission.
Turning off her flashlight, Catra crouches down, moving the broken door to the side to make room for the kid to crawl out. She reaches forward, gently wiping away the tear stains on their right cheek.
They crawl forwards, squinting against the light Adora is still holding.
*****
Finn manages to open the cereal box, spilling only a little on the ground as the bag splits. As they fill three bowls equally, Adora grabs the stray pieces from the floor, throwing them at Catra as she casts her eyes around the room.
There isn’t any milk so they eat it dry, but they act like it’s the best meal they’ve ever had. It’s a routine they’ve developed; Finn’s idea, if Adora recalls correctly. Eager to help, they take the bowls from Catra’s hands, running them to the kitchen and dropping them next to the sink.
Adora takes the opportunity to lean over, pressing a gentle kiss to Catra’s forehead and basking in the smile that follows.
The smile drops when they hear the sirens.
*****
The kid settles in Catra’s arms, their grip on her other hand as tight as hers is in Adora’s. Their tears begin to fall again, and Catra’s heart breaks.
They’re alone, Catra knows that much, and the look in their eyes is so familiar its almost like she’s looking in the mirror. The situation is all too familiar, and if she believed in magic she would think she’s gone back in time, walked into her own past. It’s wretched, and horrible, but the moment feels precious. She shares a look with Adora, who is still gripping her hand tightly. Adora knows too, she’s been here too.
It feels like fate. A chance, perhaps, do what she wished someone would do for her all those years ago. To be whisked away to a better life, a better family. It’s not right, not legal, but as the child nestles further into her chest, Catra knows she isn’t strong enough to make another choice.
*****
They’re pressed under the window as the noises outside get louder. More sirens, more demands, more threats. Too much. Finn is pressed into Catra, held protectively in one arm as the other reaches out, taking Adora’s hand into hers. They share another look, sadness in their eyes as they make the decision they weren’t strong enough to make before.
They aren’t strong enough now, Adora knows they aren’t, but the guns pointed in their direction mean that of their two options, this one draws less blood. Adora squeezes Catra’s hand again, leaning forward to drop a kiss on the side of her mouth, then the top of Finn’s head
Adora steps out first, arms in the air as she blocks Catra and Finn with her body in case the cops get trigger happy. One of them steps forward, pulling her arms behind her and locking on the cuffs. Catra receives similar treatment, and a sigh of relief wells in Adora’s chest as they wrap a blanket around Finn.
As they pull Adora into the back of one of the cars, Catra leans over, pressing a gentle kiss onto Finn’s cheek before she is pulled away. The door slams and the engine starts.
She watches through the dusty glass as they drive her away.