Sparks

Adora sits at a table in the lounge of the bar area, a drink in her hand as she scans the area for her friends when she catches the eye of a magicat staring over at her. She breaks the stare when the magicat does not. Looking away for as long as she can, which isn’t very long, before she finds herself drawn back to the magicat.

This time the magicat isn’t looking at her.

She’s engaged in a lighthearted conversation with another blonde woman with flowers in her hair and a pink dress that looks more like a gown than something one would wear out. The other woman is also tanned and slender, as they continue to speak with smiles and the occasional laugh. At one point, the other blonde playfully slaps the magicat on the shoulder after something was said as the pair laugh at an inside joke.

Adora looks back at her drink and sighs, wondering where her friends are, she glances at the time and realizes that she should have known better, her friends are always… fashionably late. Especially now that they’ve gotten together, it’s like the pair can’t seem to keep their hands off other and seem to lose track of time, which understandable, but she wishes that she didn’t agree to come out, feeling like the third wheel while they try to play wingman to her frankly non-existent love life.

Her thoughts are broken off when someone clears their throat, Adora looks up and sees a smartly dressed man, a tailor-made suit and a face that looks like it came straight out of a fashion magazine cover as he smiles down at her, “Is this seat taken?”

He gestures to the chair across from her and Adora shakes her head, “No. You can have it.”

Without wasting a second, he puts his drink down on the small table between them, unbuttons his jacket and sits down, the same smile on his face as he leans forwards and picks his drink up once again, this time leaning back to sip it, feigning boredom as he does so.

Adora sips her drink as she leans back in her seat and continues to look for her friends when the man interrupts her thoughts for a second time, “I haven’t seen you in here before.”

Taken a little by surprise by the sudden start up of a conversation, Adora turns her head to look at him as she replies, “I don’t usually come here.”

He smiles wide, like he’s found an opening, “Oh, is that so?”

Adora nods politely, hoping that will indicate the end of this conversation, unfortunately her friends are still no where to be seen and this man doesn’t seem to be put off by her indifference as he pushes on.

“What’s your name?” He asks, trying a different tact as he leans forward and sticks his hand out for a handshake, “Mine’s Oliver.”

Not wanting to be rude, Adora reaches over and shakes his hand, “Adora.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Adora.” He says, holding onto her hand just a little longer than required, Adora gently pulling her hand free from his, “And may I ask what a lovely woman such as yourself is doing here all by herself tonight?”

Adora cringes slightly, “I’m waiting for my friends.”

Oliver sits back and sips his drink once more, “That’s nice. Me, on the other hand, I’ve had a long day and just needed to unwind.”

Adora nods once again and lets her eyes wander around the room, thinking about whether she should just walk away from this conversation, instead she sighs, perhaps chatting wouldn’t be so bad to pass the time until her friends arrive, “That’s nice.”

“Yeah.” He agrees cockily, “Been up since 4am this morning to hit the gym before work.”

Adora tries not to grimace as Oliver flexes a little, “Early.”

He shrugs like it’s no big deal, “I work in that big building across the road, I’m the floor manager of my sector.” Oliver brags, “Reckon I’m going to be promoted to senior manager by the end of the year.”

Adora nods again, “Okay.”

He flashes a fancy and expensive looking watch at Adora, pretending to look at the time and then takes another sip, “What are you into?”

“What do you mean?” Adora asks with a quirk of an eyebrow.

“Like hobbies. Or sports.” He shrugs as he clarifies, “I’m into lifting weights. Not really into cardio, ruins my gains.”

Adora doesn’t even chuckle at that, “Uh, nothing really. Just… hanging out with my friends.”

“Oh, come on.” Oliver rolls his eyes unbelievingly, “There’s got to be something you like to do when you’re not working.”

Adora shrugs.

“Do you like working out?” Oliver asks like he’s just got the best idea, “Because I can spot you in the gym or something. Or we can workout together.”

“Uh… no thanks. I’m good.” Adora politely declines.

Oliver nods and Adora thinks that he’s done. She watches him down the rest of his drink and thinks that he’ll get up and find someone else to chat up, but instead he leans forward and looks at the drink in Adora’s hand, “Can I get you another drink, Adora?”

Adora looks down at her drink, “Oh, no thank you.”

“What about if I buy you dinner?” He smirks like he’s being suave and before he can throw out the next line, someone else interrupts and Adora is about to lose her cool at this newcomer.

Only she doesn’t as she just stares wide eyed at who’s just walked over to her, a hand held out to her as the newcomer grins down at Adora, “Sorry, princess. I got held up with a friend. Are you ready to go?”

Oliver looks between the pair, “Wait…”

Adora quickly stands up after taking the magicat’s hand that she had seen from before and smiles, “That’s okay, babe.”

The magicat leans in closer and whispers into Adora’s ear, “Do you want to come with me over there to where my friends are?” and then presses a soft kiss on Adora’s cheek.

Adora turns her head, her eyes widen just a little more at the act before she nods.

As the magicat is about to pull Adora off and away, she turns around to the man, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation with…?”

“It’s fine.” Adora quickly says before Oliver can say anything, “We were just chatting.”

The magicat grins at him, a threatening look on her face as she stares him down in a challenge, before turning back to Adora, “Okay. Come on then.”

The pair up and leave, the magicat leading Adora over to where the slender and tanned blonde woman is still standing and then notices another much larger scorpini woman next to her and realizes that they are probably a couple from the way the larger woman’s arm is wrapped around the slender woman’s waist.

“I can walk you out if you want.” The magicat offers, “Or you are more than welcome to hang out here with my friends and I for as long as you want.”

“Very welcome.” The slender blonde smiles warmly at Adora.

“Thank you.” Adora blushes at the offer, “My friends shouldn’t be too far away.”

“That’s cool.” The magicat says with a nod, “Did you want another drink?”

“Oh, I, I probably shouldn’t.” Adora replies with another blush, “I’m not too good with my alcohol.”

The magicat nods, turning to her friends, “What about you guys?”

“If you’re buying, Wildcat.” Scorpia replies with a grin, “We’ll take 2 of the same, please.”

“Sure thing guys.” The magicat laughs before she realizes something and turns to Adora, “My bad. These are my friends Perfuma and Scorpia. Entrapta is lurking around somewhere… and I’m Catra.”

Adora waves to them dorkily, “I’m Adora. It’s nice to meet all of you.”

Scorpia waves back just as enthusiastically before her eyes drop to Oliver chatting up another woman, “Was he bothering you, Adora?”

Adora shakes her head, “No. He’s harmless. I think, anyways.”

“Judging from the body language of that woman he’s talking to now, I think it might be time to have him removed.” Catra glares over at him and the way he’s leaning into this new woman’s space, “Scorp.”

“On it, Wildcat!” Scorpia presses a quick kiss to Perfuma’s cheek before calmly making her way over to Oliver, tapping him on the shoulder as the trio watches how it plays out.

Catra turns to Adora once Scorpia escorts Oliver out, “Well, now that the suit is gone, you can go back to whatever you were doing. You’ve got no obligation to hang out with me to keep up pretenses.”

“Oh.” Adora says taken aback, “Uh, okay.”

Catra turns back around as Adora reaches over and taps the magicat on the shoulder, “Hey, Adora?”

“Can I … hang out with you?” Adora asks nervously, biting her bottom lip waiting for an answer.

Catra drops her gaze, “You want to hang out with me?”

Adora nods.

“Uh, sure.” Catra shrugs nonchalantly, “You can hang out with me if you want.”

“Cool.” Adora grins so dorkily that it makes the magicat chuckle, “I mean, yeah, uh, whatever.”

“Sure.” Catra laughs once more before leaning back against the bar, “So, waiting for someone?”

“Not exactly.” Adora replies trying to be casual, “My friends are being… fashionably late as per usual.”

“Huh.” Catra nods, “Walk with me to the bar?”

“Okay.” Adora smiles as she follows the magicat to the bar.

Catra orders drinks for herself and her friends before turning to Adora, “What about you, Adora? My shout.”

“Oh, uh, no thanks.” Adora politely declines.

“I can get you anything.” Catra grins, “Soda. Water.” The magicat leans in like she’s telling Adora a secret, “I can even get you… sparkling water.”

The absurdity of that last one makes Adora lean back and laugh, “Really? You can?”

“I can get anything.” Catra repeats with a confident shrug, “So? Does the last one interest you?”

“Can you add a slice of lemon or lime to it?” Adora challenges.

“One of each?”

“You choose.”

Catra turns to the bar tender, “A sparkling water with a slice of lime as well.”

The bar tender nods and gets the drinks sorted as Catra grins at the blonde. Adora smiles back, pushing back a few stray hairs from her ponytail that have come loose behind her ear as Catra hands over her drink, “Thank you.”

“No problems.” Catra grabs the other three drinks and heads back to Perfuma, “Here you go.”

“Thanks Cat.” Perfuma smiles at the magicat, “Go on home once you’ve finished your drink, me and Scorp can finish up and close up tonight.”

“Are you sure?” Catra asks, her eyes and body starting to feel heavier with the prospect of an early night.

“Yes. You’ve been here since 5am. Go home.” Perfuma insists, “Scorpia and I have closed up enough times without you.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure. Go home, Cat.” Perfuma insists, the magicat chugs her drink and places the empty glass on the table.

Catra nods, “Alright, twist my arm.” She looks at Adora, “Will you be okay?”

“I should be.” Adora replies as she once again scans the room for her friends, “I mean once my friends get here…”

Ding!

Adora pulls her phone out from her pocket and reads the message and then groans.

“What’s wrong?” Catra asks as she waves over to Scorpia.

“My friends aren’t coming.” Adora breathes out annoyed, “They ditched me.”

“Oh. That sucks.” Catra says, “If you want, I’ll buy you a real drink.”

Adora chuckles a little sadly, shaking her head and taking a long swill of her drink, “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Think I’m going to call it a night and head home.”

Catra smiles, “Yeah. That sounds like a pretty good idea.”

“Hey Wildcat!” Scorpia comes back over and pats the magicat on the back, “Heading off?”

“Yeah, big gal.” Catra nods, “Your missus is making me leave.”

“I am.” Perfuma confirms with a nod and crosses her arms over her chest, “Go home, Cat.”

“I’m going!” Catra puts her hands up, “See you guys on Monday.”

Scorpia pulls Catra in for a hug, “Take care. Text us when you get home!”

“Will do.” Catra grins, “Hey, where’s Traps?”

“Somewhere.” Perfuma looks around, “She texted me about checking through security footage and she’ll be there all night.”

“Great.” Catra nods not really sure what to do with that information before turning to Adora, “I’ll walk you out, Adora.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that…” Adora starts.

“I insist.” Catra holds her hand out to the blonde, “Come on.”

“Okay.” Adora relents and takes Catra’s hand before turning to her new found friends, “It was nice to meet you guys.”

“You too!” Scorpia grins back, “Don’t be a stranger! Come back soon!”

“It was really nice to meet you too, Adora.” Perfuma smiles at the blonde, “Take care.”

“Thanks.” Adora nods and then lets Catra pull her to the exit.

“Do you need a ride home?” Catra asks as they stand outside in the cool air, “I can drive you home if you want.”

“You have a car?” Adora asks back.

“Yeah. It’s a bit of a junker, but it gets me from A to B.” Catra shrugs.

“Have you been drinking?” Adora looks at the magicat trying to discern it for herself.

“No. I don’t drink when I’m working.” Catra replies with a yawn, “Actually I’ve stopped drinking altogether as I realized it messes with my insides.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, took me a while to figure out why I felt like absolute crap.” Catra laughs to herself, “And here I thought it was just a really bad case of hangover.”

“I don’t really drink much or at all.” Adora admits.

“Lightweight, huh?” Catra jests and laughs when Adora cutely pouts, “Sorry. I don’t really have a foot to stand on since I end up puking when I start drinking.”

Adora laughs at that, “Okay. Where’s your car?”

“Right there.” Catra points to her car parked right out the front of the venue, “Perk of starting at stupid o’clock.”

Adora laughs again, “Why exactly were you here so early?”

Catra walks Adora towards her car, manually unlocking the door with her key and then opening it up for the blonde, “In you go.”

“Thank you.” Adora gets in and pulls the seat belt across and buckles it in as Catra gets in next to her, “So? 5am?”

“Oh, yeah.” Catra puts the key into the ignition, “Deliveries. I was here to receive deliveries this morning.” The magicat pulls out her phone and puts it on the mount attached to the dash, “So, where to?”

Adora leans over and puts her address in, “It’s not too far, is it?”

“No, princess.” Catra replies with a slight roll of her eyes, “It’s actually where I’m headed too… wait…”

“What?”

“No, it’s ridiculous.” Catra shakes her head with a laugh.

“What is?” Adora asks not sure what is so funny.

“I think we live in the same building.” Catra replies with another shake of her head at the coincidence, “Crazy, right?”

Adora smiles, “Maybe. Kind of.”

“Well, in that case, I’m not going to need the maps.” Catra declares and pulls off onto the road, she turns to the blonde, “Can I ask what floor you’re on?”

“I’m on the top floor.” Adora replies, “And you?”

“You won’t believe this.” Catra barks out another laugh.

“Stars…” Adora laughs too, “You’re kidding, right?”

“No.” The magicat glances over at the blonde, “How have I not met you?”

“I only just moved in a week ago.” Adora admits, “I haven’t actually spent the night in my apartment yet.”

“Oh, why’s that?”

“I’ve never stayed anywhere by myself and this would be the first time.” Adora replies, “My stuff is moved in… but I haven’t actually stayed the night alone in my apartment.”

“Hm.” Catra nods, “Where have you been staying?”

“At my best friends.” Adora says, “Though… I don’t think they want me barge in on them tonight…”

“Fair enough.” Catra replies, “If you want, I can keep you company for a bit. Or you can come to my place for a bit.”

Adora bites her bottom lip before blurting out, “I’m not having sex with you.”

“Uh… okay.” Catra replies taken aback by that, “I wasn’t… uh…”

“Sorry…” Adora looks down at her hands in her lap, “It’s not that I don’t want to… it’s just…”

“Yeah… no, I got it. No sex.” Catra repeats, “I wasn’t… that wasn’t what…”

“It’s okay.” Adora grabs Catra’s hand that closest to her that’s gripping onto the shifter, “Can we… can we get to know each other first before jumping into bed?”

Catra gulps down and nods, “Whatever you want, Adora.”

“Thank you.” Adora relaxes back in her seat, “I would love your company tonight if you’re still offering it.”

“I am.” Catra nods her head.

“My place or yours?” Adora asks with a grin on her face, waggling her eyebrows in the process making the magicat laugh.

“You’re ridiculous.” Catra says through a fit of laughter, “And you’re going to make me crash if you don’t stop being so ridiculous.”

“I am not.” Adora pretends to pout.

“Sure you are.” Catra replies, “We can figure out who’s place once we get there. We just have to make it there first.”

Adora smiles back at the magicat when Catra turns her focus back to the road, “You’re cute.”

A light blush appears on Catra’s face, “No, I’m not.”

“Yeah, you are.” Adora continues to smile as the magicat growls lightly at her, and then she decides to push her luck when they come to a red light, the blonde leans over and presses her lips softly against Catra’s cheek, the magicat turning her head in question to the blonde who shrugs back, a dorky smile on her face as she says, “That makes us even.”

“For now.” Catra smirks over at the blonde.