Hospitals
“Catra! Hospital first!” Adora grunts out frustratedly as the magicat pulls into a motel parking lot.
“Room first.” Catra argues back.
“No. Hospital.” Adora repeats, “My leg is… not good. Bow’s got a concussion and so do the rest of us probably and you’re most likely bleeding internally right now!”
“Geez, dramatic much?” The magicat rolls her eyes, “Could you just trust me on this?”
“Why? Why are we here?” Adora gestures around her.
“Because if we don’t get a room or two now, we won’t get one tonight.” Catra replies simply, “So, stay put, princess. Me and Sparkles will sort this out.”
“We will?” Glimmer pipes up from the backseat.
“Yep. We will.” Catra grins as she gets out from the car and goes around back to open the door for Glimmer to exit too, “Come on, Sparkles. Move it.”
“What makes you think I have the cash for this?” Glimmer whisper shouts at the magicat as they head towards the reception doors, “I’m not made of money, you know.”
“I know.” Catra replies pulling out a wallet from her back pocket, “We aren’t using your money, Sparkles.”
“Huh? Where did you get that?” Glimmer eyes the brown wallet in Catra’s hand.
“Here and there.” Catra shrugs, “Thief, remember?”
“Uh huh…”
“Most places need a credit card left on file. I don’t have one and I can’t use the ones I’ve lifted.” Catra explains in hushed whispers, “I just need you to use your credit card to leave on file if they ask for one.”
“Oh.” Glimmer says in understanding, “And… how are we paying for the rooms?”
“Cash, baby.” Catra grins waving the wallet in Glimmer’s face, “Also, you’ll need to do the talking. I can’t exactly show my face…”
“You’re showing your face now, idiot.” Glimmer reminds the magicat.
Catra rolls her eyes as she flicks her sunglasses back down over her eyes and pulls out a beanie from her jacket, flopping her ears back and hiding them under the headwear, “As long as I don’t talk, we’re good.”
“This is stupid.” Glimmer grumbles out as they get to the reception desk, Catra standing behind Glimmer to partially obstruct her from the receptionist’s view. When the receptionist doesn’t look up, Glimmer clears her throat, “Ahem. Hello?”
“Bug spray is $10.” The receptionist says without looking up from the computer.
“No, we’re not here for bug spray.” Glimmer says before she furrows her brows in concern, “Wait, do we need bug spray?”
The receptionist looks up finally, “What can I help you with?”
“I need 2 rooms for the night.” Glimmer replies.
“I’ve only got the 2 rooms left. Lucky you.” The oldish man behind the desk says as he glances behind him at the last 2 sets of keys on the hooks.
“Great. We’ll take them.” Glimmer says.
“That’d be $250 all up.” The receptionist says as he starts to type something into the computer and then turns around to grab the set of keys, and as he’s about to hold up the EFTPOS machine, Catra slams down the cash on the counter. He looks up a little startled, pulling the cash towards him and counting it before nodding and then puts the keys on the counter. He pulls out a sheet of paper with the motel’s floor map, “Room 19 is on this side of the building, right down the end. Room 40 is around back. Park only in the spaces marked for your room. Check out is at 10am. Any questions?”
“No.” Glimmer replies as she takes both sets of keys, “Uh… did you need me to sign anything?”
“Why?” The receptionist asks completely unbothered, “Your friend paid double what the rooms are worth. As long as you don’t burn the place down, I don’t care what you do.”
“Okay…”
“Also, no orgies.” He adds, “No more than 4 in a room at a time and like I said, parking is only in the spaces marked for your room. Also please take out your trash, condoms and whatever else and place them in the bins provided. Have a lovely stay.”
Catra pulls Glimmer out of the reception area before the sparkly woman can ask more questions, “Hey! What the fuck was that?”
Catra shakes her head, “Doesn’t matter. We have a proper room tonight.”
“Do we need bug spray?” Glimmer asks as they walk back to the car.
“Get some later, Sparkles. I’m not paying $10 for a small can of bug spray that’s probably already expired.” Catra replies as the pair get back into the car, “Okay, so… hospital?”
“You got him, Sparkles?” Catra asks once she’s parked up in the hospital’s parking lot, turning around with a wince as she addresses her.
“You couldn’t have just dropped us off at the front?” Glimmer huffs out.
“Nope.” Catra replies.
“Why not?”
“Yeah, I’m not welcome in hospitals…” Catra admits with a grimace, “Well, I’m pretty sure I’m not after I sort of lead a bunch of kids through this joint on a wheelchair race slash scavenger hunt…”
“Scavenger hunt?” Adora asks, the topic piquing her interest.
“It wasn’t like they stole anything…” Catra admits with a forced smile, “Just… you know, just finding stuff on a list of things I made up.”
“Like what exactly?” Adora asks quirking an eyebrow up at the magicat.
“Oh, it wasn’t anything bad…” Catra tries to brush it off, “Stuff like finding a one armed patient, green jello… which nurse has the keys to the good drugs… you know, stuff like that…”
“You’re a terrible influence…” Adora shakes her head, but there’s a hint of a smile in her voice, “Now, help me out of this thing so we can get checked out.”
“Not we, you and your manager and medical guy.” Catra corrects, “But I can probably wrangle up a few wheelchairs…”
“I thought you said you weren’t welcome in this hospital.” Glimmer gently shakes Bow awake, “How are you going to even get wheelchairs for us?”
“Just watch.” Catra smirks and then exits the car with another wince.
“Hey.” Adora tries to reach out for the magicat and misses, “You’re still hurt, Catra.”
“Sure am.” Catra doesn’t deny, “But, I’ll be fine. Always am.”
And before Adora can retort, the magicat’s shut the door and walked off towards the hospital, the blonde breathes out exasperatedly, throwing her head back against the head rest, “Unbelievable…”
Glimmer laughs from behind, “You’re so into her.”
“I am not.” Adora whines out with a pout despite knowing that it’s an absolute lie, “She’s just… so… so…”
“So what?” Glimmer goads.
“So stubborn!” Adora settles on, “I mean, where was she even when that Prime guy and his friend were trying to kill us?”
“Guess you’ll have to ask her.” Glimmer shrugs as she shakes Bow again, “Come on, Bow… wake up…”
“Hm?” Bow rouses slowly, “What happened?”
“You got thrown against a tree.” Adora provides, “After you tried to help Glimmer get on a horse.”
“Oh, I thought I’d dreamed that…” Bow blinks his eyes open a few times, “Where are we?”
“Hospital.” Adora replies, “Well, the parking lot.”
“Mm…” Bow hums out and then hisses as he tries to sit up, “Ow… my head.”
“How are you feeling?” Glimmer asks, fawning over him as Adora looks down at her leg and winces, her friend turns her attention to the blonde, “How’s your leg?”
“Hurts.” Adora simply says.
“What happened?” Bow asks with a wince.
“Fell off my horse.” Adora shrugs, “My leg happened to be underneath it.”
“Oh. Ow.” Bow says and Adora chuckles, “Think you’ll be able to compete?”
“I don’t know.” Adora shrugs a little deflated, “It’s kind of thrown off my preparation for the tournament.”
“Fuck the tournament.” Glimmer scowlers at the pair, “We’ve got bigger things to worry about than that.”
“Glim’s right.” Bow smiles at her in agreement, “Besides, if your leg is hurt, there’s no point making it worse. It could end up being much worse in the long run.”
“You’re right.” Adora nods, “It just… sucks.”
“I know.” Glimmer reaches forward and squeezes Adora’s shoulder reassuringly, “No one could have predicted this happening.”
CRASH!
The trio all yelp out at the sound and the impact of something or something hitting the side of the car as they all turn towards to sound and then see Catra there, preening.
“What the fu..?!” Glimmer grunts out and then sees Catra grinning victoriously with 2 wheelchairs nonetheless, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Told ya, Sparkles.” Catra smirks out as she pushes the wheelchairs into the side of car doors yet again, denting them in the process, “Did you really doubt me?”
Adora laughs upon seeing Catra’s bounty, “How did you even…?”
“Don’t ask.” Catra replies as she opens Adora’s door, “Now, do you need help getting into it or should I carry you into the hospital like the princess you are?”
“Please don’t.” Adora replies as she turns in her seat, “Help me out?”
“Sure.” Catra nods holding out her hand to the blonde, “Did you want the wheelchair?”
“Only if you push me around in it.” Adora replies with a grin.
Catra shrugs, “You’ll get my valet services until the front doors. And that’s it.”
Adora pouts as she manages to use her good leg to get out of the car and swivel into the wheelchair, “Wait, what if someone else needs them?”
“They’ve got plenty. Trust me.” Catra smiles at her genuinely, “Besides, you need one. Crutches are overrated. I should know.”
“Do I want to know?” Adora asks as she moves her bad leg into a more comfortable position.
“Probably best you didn’t know.” Catra replies and then looks over at Glimmer struggling with Bow, “Uh, I’m going to give Sparkles a hand.”
“Sure.” Adora smiles back.
“Go get sorted. I’ll wait for you guys in the car.” Catra says as she starts to head back to the parking lot after wheeling Adora to the front doors, she turns to the blonde, “Will you be alright?”
“My arms are still good.” Adora flexes her arms a little, making the wheelchair roll back a little, “Woah!”
The magicat quickly stops her rolling back further, rolling her eyes with a chuckle, “No need to show off, muscles.” Catra leans in so she can whisper into Adora’s ear, “Make sure you get some good stuff for me in there too.”
“Stars…” Adora breathes out, “I can’t lie to save my life…”
“Just get Sparkles to do it for you.” Catra stands back upright, “I’m sure she’s got a lot of experience in that field.”
“Huh?” Glimmer looks over at the pair, “Are you talking about us behind our backs?”
“Nope. I’m talking about you from the side.” Catra replies with a smirk, “Anyways, I’ll be in the car when you’re done.” And just as the magicat is about to walk off she turns back around and says, “Oh, make sure princess keeps both hands on the wheels or she’s going to roll back and probably crack her head open.”
“I will not… woah!” Adora quickly catches herself, “I was meant to do that…”
“Sure you were.” Catra shakes her head with a chuckle, “You’re right though. You’re a terrible liar. Absolutely terrible.”
Catra’s leaning back in the drivers seat when her ears pick up the sounds of talking, not just any talking, talking about her and her new found companions.
“I can’t believe that cat got the jump on Prime.” One of the men says as they walk a little bit away from where Catra is parked up, “Even stole his car. And he calls us fuckups! HA! Who’s the fuckup now?!”
The pair laugh as they continue to walk around, “I know! But there’s not much we can do about it, can we?” The second man says, “We’re fucked either way. Though, I’m surprised that cat didn’t just kill him when she had the chance. I know I would have. Then we’d be free of that asshole.”
“That sounds like traitor talk.” The first man says seriously, a few moments later, they both break out in laughter again, “Glad I’m looking for his stupid car instead of whatever stupid task he’s got the others doing.”
“What has he got the others doing?” The second man asks.
“Rigging that martial arts tournament.” The first man replies, “There’s supposed to be some big prize on offer. And since he’s not allowed to enter the tournament, he’s getting the rest of us to fight it out to represent Horde. Glad I’m too incompetent to qualify.”
The second laughs out, “Yeah, me too.”
“Anyways, he’s got another team out to get that thief back.” The first man remarks carelessly, “Prime’s got another team heading to the tournament’s competitor accommodation to see… what was the word he used again… ah yes, recruit new people to the cause.”
“Suck them in like we are.”
“Pretty much.” The first man shrugs, “What’s he got on you anyways?”
“My family.” The second sighs, “Said if I didn’t submit to the Horde, he’d kill them and everyone I know.”
“Me too.” The first man sighs as well, “If I get the chance… I’d gut the bastard myself…”
“Woah…”
“Yeah.” The first man shakes his head, his hands balled into fists, “An eye for an eye, right. He killed my little brother. And if I get the chance… I’m going to kill him.”
“INSOLENCE!” The second man’s voice changes tone completely, his eyes turned green in anger as he growls out at the first man.
“AH! ARGH!!!” The first man screens as he clutches at his neck, there’s a crackling sound and then a loud pop, resulting in the man dropping to the ground, dead.
“AH! NO! FUCK!!!” The second man goes down in identical fashion.
Both men now lay dead in the middle of the hospital parking lot.
“Fuck…” Catra peers over to see as both men hit the ground, a small cloud of black smoke bursts out before dissipating into the air and then slamming herself back against the driver’s seat and exhaling deeply.
Pulling the keys out of her pocket, the magicat puts it into the ignition and starts the engine up, moving her seat back up into a proper seated position before tearing out of the parking lot.
“Do we really need to be wheeled out in these wheelchairs?” Adora grumbles as a nurse pushes her towards the exit, Glimmer and Bow leading from the front, “I can just use the crutches, you know? My leg isn’t even broken.”
“Quit your belly aching, love.” The middle aged nurse scolds from behind, “And let me enjoy my exercise for the day.”
“Sorry…” Adora mutters out sheepishly, she looks back at the nurse, “Will I get crutches?”
“You’ll get one.” The nurse replies as they reach the last reception desk before the exit, “You’ll need to fill out some forms and leave a deposit for it.”
“It? One?” Adora’s voice raises slightly in shock, “I’m only getting one crutch? How am I supposed to move around on one crutch?”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” The nurse replies nonchalantly, “Now, let me get those forms for you. Do you have a credit card? Cash maybe?”
“Uh…” Adora looks ahead at her friends, “Glim? Help?”
“Coming!” Glimmer says turning back.
“The hospital wants a deposit for the crutch.” Adora says.
“What? Why?” Glimmer turns Bow around in the wheelchair and doubles back to the blonde, “Your health insurance should cover it. As it should cover all the costs involved with today’s visit.”
“Oh, right.” Adora nods, “I have health insurance?”
Glimmer rolls her eyes and groans out, “How do you not know if you have health insurance?!”
Adora shrugs, a sheepish look on her face.
“Yes, you have health insurance.” Glimmer turns to the nurse, “She has health insurance.”
“Oh, that’s good.” The nurse smiles back, “I just need the details.”
Glimmer nods and heads towards the reception desk to deal with it.
“Where the fuck is Catra?” Glimmer frowns at the parking spot where Catra had parked in earlier, now currently occupied by another vehicle in its place, but no sign of the magicat or the car, “Seriously?! Why do we even trust her?!”
“Hey, what’s going on over there?” Bow points out to the small crowd gathering in another part of the carpark, using Glimmer as his support, “We should go check it out.”
“I hope it’s not Catra…” Adora says under her breath as they head to the small crowd of people.
“What’s going on?” Adora asks as they get to the back of the crowd.
“Don’t know.” The man replies holding his phone out and recording everything, “But it looks like someone died.”
“What?! Why are you filming this?!” Adora shrieks out, “Put that thing away!”
“No way!” He moves his phone out of reach and takes a few steps away, “Get the fuck away from me, bitch!”
“Adora! No.” Bow reaches out and grabs her shoulder before she does some damage, “You can’t hurt yourself again.”
“Yeah, blondie. Take it from your boyfriend there and get the fuck away from me… Hey!” The man turns around when Glimmer snatches his phone out of his hand from behind and throws it down hard on the ground, “Hey! What the fuck!? You’re totally going to pay for that!”
“Oops.” Glimmer says uncaring, “Bill me, dickhead.”
The man huffs, bending down to pick up the remnants of his phone as Adora calls out to the crowd, “Has anyone called the paramedics? Or cops? Or… anyone?”
The crowd murmur, obvious that no one has as the blonde sighs out and then looks up gratefully at Bow who’s on the phone, giving her thumbs up as they see 2 men laying dead on the ground in front of them.
And not long after, there’s a few people running out from the hospitals in scrubs and wheeling a couple of gurneys with medical kits on top, “Unbelievable…” Adora shakes her head at the people standing around recording everything on their phones, “And no one thought to help?”
SCREECH!
“Get in!” Catra’s rounds the corner in a black 4WD that’s modded up to the max as she comes to a screeching stop, waving her arms towards her new vehicle frantically to get the trio moving faster, “Come on!”
“What…?” Adora manages to say before the magicat has leapt out of the car and sprints towards the blonde and, “Woah! Catra!”
“You’re like the slowest person alive, princess.” Catra says as she lifts Adora up and over her shoulder and sprints back to the car, “Hold onto those crutches.”
“Cat!” Adora squeals out as Glimmer and Bow hurriedly make their way to the car too, “What is going on?!”
Catra settles Adora into the front seat before leaping over the blonde and into the driver’s seat, as Adora shuts the door. “Hurry up, Sparkles!”
“Don’t wait for us!” Glimmers growls out as Catra puts the car into gear just as Glimmer and Bow get into the back seat, panting and out of breath, “What the fuck?!”
“Prime’s people are coming!” Catra shouts out as she peels off and out of the carpark and back onto the main road, “We can’t be here when that happens!”
“Uh… where did you get this car from?” Adora gestures around her.
“I swapped the old one with this one that a bunch of kids that just purchased it and drove it out of the dealership.” Catra replies with a sly grin, “Dumbasses bought my story about that car being bullet proof…”
The magicat chuckles as the trio turn to look at each other, “Uh…” Bow sounds out.
“Where are we going?” Adora asks.
“Motel.”
“Did you get fed in hospital?” Catra asks the car’s occupants.
“No.” Glimmer replies, “We did spend a shit load of time just waiting around though.”
“That’s normal.” Catra replies, “So… I’m guessing you guys are probably hungry?”
“Definitely.” Glimmer replies.
“There’s a pizza place not far from the motel. We can grab a few and some drinks and head back.” Catra suggest, “Yeah?”
“Yes, please!” Bow happily agrees, “I can’t wait for some real food.”
Catra laughs, “Cool.”
“You two going to be okay?” Catra asks as she drops Bow and Glimmer off outside their room, Glimmer holding onto the boxes while Bow holds the drinks and tries to open the door, “Oh, hang on. I’ll grab your stuff.”
Bow finally gets the door open and the pair head inside, Catra quickly grabbing the pair’s bags and placing it inside before heading back out, Bow smiles at her as he takes a seat on the bed, “Thanks Catra. What time are we heading off tomorrow?”
“Check out is at 10am.” Catra shrugs, “So… any time before then.”
“Is Adora joining us in here?” Glimmer asks as she looks out to the car, “We’re used to sharing a bed if you want to your own room.”
“Uh… maybe talk to Adora about that.” Catra clears her throat, “I don’t mind either way.”
Glimmer steps out to the car, “Best Friend Squad sleepover?” she asks the blonde, “More than enough room if you want to join us.”
Adora blushes as she looks between her friend and Catra, she’s in two minds about her sleeping arrangements but she really wants to spend more time with the magicat and have definitely more room than sharing a bed with 2 other people. She bites her bottom lip as she contemplates her options and it’s more than enough for Glimmer to smirk and shake her head at the blonde. Adora narrows her eyes at her friend, “What’s so funny, Glim?”
“Nothing.” Glimmer replies and then heads back to her room, grinning at Catra before she shoves a finger in the magicat’s chest, “If you hurt her, I will kill you myself.”
“Uh… what?” Catra steps back and pushing the finger in her chest off.
“You know exactly what.” Glimmer warns, “We’ll see you in the morning. Take care of her.”
“Of course.” Catra replies confused as she watches Glimmer shut the door to their room. The magicat heads back to the car, “Okay, now where is our room…?”
“So… how’s your leg?” Catra asks as she sits on the chair at the small table in the motel room while Adora hobbles over to the bed, “What did the doctor’s say?”
“Its not broken.” Adora replies, “But, yeah, I’m supposed to keep off it or a few weeks. Which means my tournament is a bust now.”
“Oh, sorry.” Catra scratches the back of head.
“Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault.” Adora replies with a hiss as she gets herself into a comfortable position.
“Uh…” Catra gets up from her chair and hovers around the bed, “I can sleep in the car tonight. That way you’ll have the whole bed to yourself.”
“Catra.” Adora voice is soft as she says the magicat’s name, “No, I’m not making you sleep in the car or the floor. Sleep here. In bed. With me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Adora breathes out, “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“Well, as long as you’re sure…” Catra repeats as she makes her way to the other side of the bed and before she gets in, “Do we need to do anything with your leg? Elevate it or something?”
“I need to ice it.” Adora says, “You wouldn’t happen to know where I could get some ice, do you?”
Catra smiles, “I do, actually.” The magicat grabs the keys and heads towards the door, “Be right back.”
Catra returns with the ice in a bucket and then shrugs off her jacket, dumping the ice into it before wrapping it up and holding it out to Adora, “Here. I’ll grab something to tie it around your leg.”
“Thanks.” Adora says as she watches Catra disappear into the bathroom and reemerge with a towel, wrapping it around the ice and Adora’s leg securely.
“How’s that?” Catra asks.
“Good. Thanks.” Adora nods and relaxes back into the bed, “Uh… probably should have changed into my sleeping clothes first, huh?”
“Leave it on for at least 15 minutes then you can get up and shower or changed, princess.” Catra says as she makes her way back into the bathroom, “Speaking of showers… I think I need one.” The magicat says after sniffing herself, “Yep, definitely need one.”
Adora giggles at Catra sniffing herself, “Go on then. I don’t want to sleep with you if you’re all stinky.”
Catra grins, “Yes, you will. Just… not tonight.”
Adora blushes, “We’re not…” the blonde looks down at her leg, “I’m injured.”
“I’ll do the work.” Catra shrugs with a smirk, “I’m more than happy to get you very dirty…”
“Stars…” Adora shifts awkwardly on the bed, trying not to move her leg before turning her head and coughing, “Go. Go shower already.”
Catra laughs, “Whatever you want, princess.”
And when Catra disappears back into the bathroom, the blonde breathes out, “Stars…”