It had never occurred to Scorpia what she would do after the war ended. Heck, she didn’t think the war would ever end! At least- not in her lifetime. She had been born into the Horde, raised by them after her mothers passed, the Frightzone was all she had ever known. At least, until she realized she needed the Rebellion’s help. She had to save Entrapta, and if Catra wouldn’t help, she would find it elsewhere.
Her time with the Rebellion was amazing! She got to fight bots and clones, she got new powers, and she had real friends! She met Perfuma, a person Scorpia swore was a beacon of light, love, and flowers. Every moment they spent together Scorpia could feel her emotions for the Plumerian grow. Especially after their night at the Enchanted Grotto. Sure- she had wound up chipped and a temporary slave to Horde Prime, but she had saved Perfuma and her friends in the process! Bow and Entrapta had turned off the chips in the end, and Catra and Adora stopped Prime with the power of their love. It was so sweet! Now though, a week after the war, they were all still huddled up in their camp hidden in the Whispering Woods. The damage Prime had done to their planet had been extensive, and lots of work had to be done before they could return to their homes.
Except, the Frightzone was Scorpia’s home. It used to be her family’s kingdom, the Scorpioni Kingdom, and it was now a polluted wasteland. She wasn’t sure where she was going to go once the other kingdoms were fixed enough for the princesses to return to their kingdoms. She sighed softly as she watched the camp move around her. Mermista was pretending not to listen to Bow playing his lute while Sea Hawk sang along, her hand gently caressing Frosta’s hair as she slept, her head in Mermista’s lap. Glimmer was resting with her head against Bow’s shoulder, while Catra and Adora were sitting on one of the mats in the corner, the former curled up in the blonde’s lap as they quietly talked to Spinnerella and Netossa. Melog was curled up between the couples, sleeping peacefully.
“Scorpia?”
Flinching, Scorpia looked up to see Perfuma approaching. The blonde sat down next to her, smiling at her.
“Is everything okay? You’ve been sitting over here alone for almost an hour.”
“Me? Oh, I’m fine, Perfuma. I was just- people watching? Is that weird? I dunno, I just- don’t really know what to do to help.”
“You worked really hard today.” Perfuma smiled, resting her hand on top of Scorpia’s pincer, “You should be proud of yourself. Brightmoon could be ready to move back into next week at this rate!”
Blushing, Scorpia glanced away, “Heh, yeah I guess so.”
Sensing there was more on her mind, Perfuma scooted a little closer, “Is there something else on your mind?”
“I…” Sighing, the scorpioni glanced at the blonde before returning her attention to the floor of the cavern, “I’m not really sure where I’m gonna go after we pack up the camp. I know the Frightzone is my home, and I wanna rebuild it to the kingdom it used to be, but it’s gonna take so much time. It’ll probably be months- heck, probably years before it’s inhabitable! I just- I’m trying to figure out what to do.”
“Oh… Scorpia, you’re more than welcome to stay with me in Plumeria.” Perfuma smiled, squeezing her pincer lightly.
“Really..?” Scorpia blushed, smiling slightly as she looked towards the blonde.
“Do you remember what we promised each other the other night?”
“How could I forget..?” Scorpia smiled. Just three nights ago, the two had quietly confessed their feelings for one another, promising to always be there for one another and to help each other through any new challenge that arose.
“Right, so what makes you think I would leave you alone without a home?”
“Well I- I wasn’t trying to imply that I just- well I guess I don’t really know what I was thinking?” Scorpia gave a short laugh, looking away.
“Well, I would be honored to have you stay in Plumeria with me. Ooh! We can build you a beautiful cottage underneath my tree house!”
The thought made Scorpia smile, “I would like that, actually. Yeah. Yeah! Ooh, we could add flower boxes in the windows!”
“And ivy growing along the roof!” Perfuma added, the two laughing softly to themselves so they didn’t disturb the rest of the camp.
“Well, that makes me feel a lot less stressed about where I’m going now… though I guess I do still need to oversee the Frightzone’s cleaning and rebuilding. I- I have no clue how I want to change it. I know most of the ex-Horde soldiers will probably want to live there, and the clones that were left, and I want them all to feel at home.”
“I’m more than happy to help. I can help manage all of the new plants and flowers that grew when Adora released the Heart’s magic. We’ll make sure everyone feels comfortable and has a place to call home.”
Smiling, Scorpia gently wrapped her arm around Perfuma’s shoulders, the blonde smiling and leaning into the soft hold, “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the help. I have no idea what I’m doing.” Laughing softly, Scorpia looked away, blushing in embarrassment.
Perfuma nods, “We’ll all help you, I’ll help you. What kind of a partner would I be if I didn’t? I know you’ll do amazing things for your people. You’re a beautiful and kind soul.” The blonde smile, a light blush dotting her cheeks as she rested a hand over Scorpia’s chest above her heart.
“Thank you…” Scorpia managed, too many emotions filling her mind to conjure any other response.
“I think we should get some sleep though. We can’t do anything if we’re half asleep.” Perfuma teased, the taller princess nodding in agreement.
“Right- yes, yeah! Of course, we should do that. Sleep.”
“Great! I set up our mats a little ways from the fire pit. Come on!” Perfuma got to her feet, taking Scorpia’s pincer and leading her over to their mats to turn in for the night.
⚔
Scorpia looked around Plumeria in awe as she was led into the village. The landscape was even more beautiful than she’d ever imagined, granted she’d never been there before and she imagined that Adora releasing Etheria’s magic added to the plants and flowers, but still- it was amazing! She looked at Perfuma when she heard her giggling, “What? Did I do something?”
Perfuma shook her head, “No no, your expression is just really cute. You’ve never been to Plumeria have you?”
Shaking her head, the scorpioni continued to look around, admiring the beautiful village, “I haven’t. I think the only kingdoms I ever went to on missions were Salineas, Snows, and Brightmoon? If my memory is right, which, I question that a lot too.” Scorpia blushed, “Not that I had time to admire the scenery in those places anyway-”
“Deep breaths, Scorpia.” Perfuma smiled, placing a hand over her partner’s pincer, “Plumeria is your home now, okay? Whenever you’re here, this is home now too. Okay?”
Smiling warmly, Scorpia scooped the blonde into her arms, blinking away tears, “That means a lot to me…”
“Well, to me, you are not just the muscle. You are so much more than that, a very beautiful light to my life, and I want you to be comfortable wherever you go, but especially in my kingdom.” The two stared at each other, smiling warmly for a moment before Perfuma smiled and stepped back, “Well! I should show you around! Are you up for a tour?”
“That sounds wonderful, yes!”
“Perfect!” Perfuma giggled, clasping her hands together, “Then follow me please!”
Perfuma took her time, showing Scorpia all over her kingdom. She showed her the village fountain where they held their daily drum circle, the treehouses and cottages where the citizens of Plumeria lived, the Heart Blossom, and of course her own home, a mix of a normal house with a secondary floor that spiraled into a large willow tree.
“Plumeria truly is beautiful.” Scorpia smiled, taking a seat on the sofa when Perfuma prompted her to.
“Well… I hope you come to find it home, just like I have. Even if it’s just temporary until the Frightzone is rebuilt..”
“Don’t worry Perfuma, there’s plenty to make Plumeria a home…” Scorpia lightly blushed.
Perfuma smiled, hugging Scorpia again once she understood, “How about we get you settled in properly? It’ll be like an extended sleepover! Just- a personal one for just us!”
Scorpia nodded, following the princess back to her house. She would definitely have to talk with Catra and Entrapta soon. Surely they felt just as out of place as she did with the whole transition. She imagined Catra was having a lot of the same feelings that she was in Brightmoon right now. Still, they each had their people to help them, and right now, she had exactly who she needed holding her pincer and walking her into a better life.