Influence

Adora- pov

The rumble of the van awoke Adora. She was alone, she was restrainted and in the back of a Horde van. The last thing she remember was being in the middle of battle, a bot was coming for her and then nothing. She must have lost and been captured. Adora couldn’t see the sword anywhere so they must have taken it from her when she passed out.

After mintues or hours had passed, Adora couldn’t tell in the endless dim of the back of the van, the van came to a halt. It parked and Adora heard the noises of Horde soilders filing out of the van then light flooded the dark van and Adora was dragged out of the van by her bound wrists. Looking around Adora saw that her captors were alot of people she could remember from the Horde. Kyle was standing nervously by the doors of the van, Rogelio was barking order to a group of cadets, Lonnie wasn’t here but many other cadets Adora had met briefly, known and often forgotten their names but their faces were still recognisable to her.

An unknown solider, a couple years older than Adora came up to her and threw her over their solider to carry her into the base. Then all Adora could see for ages was the marching of legs in Horde uniforms. She knew Kyle and Rogelio were behind her, she didn’t know about Rogelio but Kyle could be guilt tripped and she could definitly appeal to his compassionate side if she could just get to him. While the plan brewed in Adora’s brain they had entered the Fright zone and then the marching was on metal and not soil. By the time Adora had considered any route of escape she was already being dropped.

The group of soilders surrounding and carrying her had stopped marching but Adora could still hear the sound of footstep on the metal tunnel coming towards them. Some one was coming for her, to see her. Who would it be? Hordak? Shadow Weaver was gone so if not Hordak the only one important enough would be… No. It can’t be her. First ones, let it not be her.

"Here is our prisoner." Lonnie’s voice cut through the army of soliders surrounding Adora. They moved out of the way revealing...

She was there. She standing there next to Lonnie, like nothing was wrong. Adora wanted to scream but the fabric that had been stuffed into her mouth prevented that.

"Adora..." It was her, Catra. In front of her again. Only inchs from where Adora was. Adora longed to reach out and touch her, her ex-best-friend, the girl she grew up with, her... No, that was the one thing Catra wasn't no matter how Adora hoped she could be.

"Leave us.” Catra barked an order to the crowd and Adora could tell something was wrong with her voice. “I shall deal with the prisoner."

Catra grabbed Adora and easily tossed her over her shoulder and despite the fact that a random soilder had done the same thing to Adora only ten minutes prior it felt so different when Catra did it. The ease with which Catra lifted her and tossed her made Adora’s cheeks flush pink and the view of Catra’s tail gently swishing from side to side as she walked away with Adora did nothing to help that fact.

"Commander!" Lonnie called after Catra, but Catra ignored her.

Catra walked into a room, setting Adora down on a surprisingly comfortable chair before walking back over to the door and locking them in. What was she going to do to her that required locking the door? Adora wasn’t sure if she was apprehensive or excited about what was about to happen.

Catra removed the gag from Adora’s mouth. Adora coughed and got used to being able to talk and move her mouth freely. Catra smirked at her and pushed Adora back into her chair coming up to lean over her. As Catra leaned over her, Adora’s eyes dipped down to the triangle of exposed skin in the centre of Catra’s uniform, before snapping back up to meet Catra’s. Adora loved this uniform of Catra’s, it fit her so well and it clung to Catra’s body in the best ways, although Adora had wished more than once that Catra would wear the same uniform was everyone else. Catra in her uniform was far too distracting, which had more than once been the cause for Adora to lose a fight or training session while they were still cadets. This was one of Adora's best kept secrets although, Shadow Weaver may have caught onto her attraction due to her constant insistence for Adora to not let Catra distract her.

"Hey Adora..." Catra's usual lilting tone was changed slightly less smug and more seductive, unless Adora was making up the shift in her head. Come on Adora less staring more thinking. It was a game right? A ploy, a distraction, it had to be. There was always an ulterior motive, another side with Catra.

"What do you want Catra?" Adora struggled against her ropes and glared at Catra. Adora would not let Catra win whatever game this was.

"Tonight? Someone to drink with." Catra pushed the bottle to Adora's lips to which she pressed them shut preventing Catra from giving her the alcohol, that Catra knew very well that Adora didn’t drink. Adora could have indulged Catra, let her have what she wanted, but in case Catra was playing with her it was better to be vigilant.

"Fine, more for me then, princess." Adora watched as Catra knocked back the rest of the bottle.  Of course, Catra would call her that. Catra always was one to highlight the differences between them, as if she knew what Adora was thinking and was underlining all of the reasons they couldn’t work. Adora knew they couldn’t, her and Catra were explosive as they were as enemies, as girlfriends? They would burn down the world. But despite this knowledge Adora wanted to have the privilege of wishful thinking, fantasising of a future that could never be.

Glancing behind the magi-cat Adora could see piles of empty bottles scattered around Catra’s desk and her brows furrowed with concern. What was driving Catra to such extremes? Maybe there was no game, maybe Catra was simply drunk. But why? And did that made the way she was looking at Adora better or worse?

"Have you drank all of those? Tonight?" Adora looked at Catra, her eyes were blurry, dazed and something else. Hungry, Adora recognised that emotion. It was the same hunger in Catra’s eyes whether it was for vengeance, food or … Adora?

"Uhuh. Why? Princesses don't drink?" Catra says, her tone teasing. Catra had always been the one introducing Adora to new things, the more rebellious one of the pair, Catra had always made Adora feel like a goody-two-shoes, a prude, a tattletale, whatever it was. And maybe she was, but Adora had always immediately jumped at a challenge, a chance to prove that she wasn’t whatever Catra called her. Catra thought that it was because Adora was a naturally competitive person, Catra though she was taking advantage of one of Adora’s natural traits. This wasn’t true, Glimmer and Bow couldn’t bring out this side of Adora. It was only for Catra, becuase Adora would follow Catra to the edges of the earth, do things she had never dreamed of doing if only to make Catra proud, happy, impressed or all of the above.

As for Catra’s question, the princesses did drink, but Adora had never joined Glimmer and Bow for a cup of Perfuma’s weird plant alcohols, just as she had never joined Catra in sneaking bottles of Shadow Weaver’s secret stash. Adora still just didn’t like the taste… or how it made her feel so vulnerable, something she just couldn't afford to be, especially around Catra. Not that she would tell Catra any of that.

"Never this much."

"I wouldn't have if you would have had some." Catra smirks at Adora curling her tail around Adora’s thigh dragging her forward.

Adora was well aware that Catra was trying to guilt trip her. And maybe did still work just a little bit. But she couldn’t let Catra know that. Adora knew she couldn’t deal with the situation she was currently in if she drank. She needed to have full access to her mind... even if the way that Catra’s tail brushed dangerously close to Adora’s core was slowly chipping away at her sanity, more than a sip or two of whatever Catra was offering her ever could.

"I'm not drinking with you, Commander."

"So official…” Catra trailed a hand down Adora’s face, ever so gently. “So uptight, yet I know the real reason you won't touch a drop. Because you are a lightweight and you don't want to be drunk around me..." Catra’s tail drags up and down Adora’s legs. It tickles in the way that was perfect, it was a touch that was so entirely Catra that Adora shivers and has to hold down a gasp. Adora would never admit it to Catra but Adora loved Catra’s tail and ears more than any of her other body parts because they were so uniquely Catra.

"What does that have to..." Adora said, in an attempt for to get Catra to stop talking. Oh, this was terrible and Adora would never admit it but a small part of Adora was thinking of much better uses for Catra’s mouth. Damn it, Adora get it together. She couldn't afford to think like that, not in this situation.

"Are you afraid of me, Adora?"

Afraid? No. Turned on? Yes. Adora could barely prevent herself from begging Catra to just kiss her already, she wanted her so badly. She had for so long waited for Catra, for her whole life she had waited. So Adora could be patient for a bit longer, she had to be patient just a little longer.

"No." Catra is so close to Adora now, yet it’s not enough for her, it will never be enough for Adora. Adora gulps and she watched as Catra's eyes follow the motion down her throat.

"Liar." Catra lunged forward now sitting in Adora's lap, grabbing her face with her hand. Catra did not let go when Adora’s face scrunched up in feinted disgust, she pulled Adora’s face even closer to hers, so close they were sharing air between them now.

"Your breath smells disgusting." Alcohol hung on Catra’s breath and it felt intoxicating like Adora could get drunk on Catra’s breath alone, scratch that Adora was drunk on Catra. Adora tried to pull away out of Catra’s grip.

"Deal with it, princess.” Catra said gently tracing a claw down the front of Adora's shirt. “We are adults now, these are things adults do."

Adora’s eyes flicked up to meet Catra’s. Adora finally understood what game Catra was playing and it was a dangerous one. Now the real question was, when is the best time for Adora to show her hand?

Adora eyes follow the motion of the feline’s claw down her shirt and notes the wicked smirk on Catra’s face. Adora wanted Catra to lose it and rip open her shirt but she knew she couldn’t say it out right. Because this was a game, and she needed to win.

"I know what adults do.”

“Do you really?” Catra’s hands were in Adora’s hair now, a slight pain that only made Adora more desperate for Catra to speed this game of theirs along. Adora whined slightly and tilted her head backwards to bare her neck, hoping to tempt her best friend(… enemy? whatever they were) into kissing her. “Does Princess Adora get up to all sorts of adult activities in Bright moon?”

“Catra!” Adora blushed, Catra had always believed she was far too innocent, but Adora wasn’t the same girl who had left the Horde. She was She-Ra and she lived in Bright moon. Both of which were facts that meant she could find out anything she wanted to. And Adora had had a field day in the libary learning about all the things the Horde wouldn’t teach them.“Don’t say things like that!”

“Why? You said you did. Or are such things too naughty for princesses to do?”

Adora kept a straight face but to be honest, Catra wasn't exactly wrong, the princess were quite boring, even if she had wanted to do… stuff with the princess they would probably bore Adora. Right in front of her was something much more exciting than the other princess could ever give her.

“I didn’t mean what you are implying. And honestly Catra?”Here it was, this was what would cause Catra’s breaking point. “It is not any of your business what I get up to in my own personal time.” Adora could hardly hold back her smile, she knew that withholding things from Catra would make her take it further. Playing right into Adora’s hand.

“Maybe, maybe not. But it doesn’t matter what is or isn’t my business. Does it, prisoner?” Adora couldn’t hold back a smile as Catra finally caved and sliced open her shirt. “What matters is that you are at my mercy. So you’ll tell me what I want to know.”

“Catra!” Adora gasped. She has won, or rather she was winning. But she was still unbelievably flustered by the reality of her long standing fantasies. Catra was right in front of her, looking at her like she was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Adora knew she was more muscular than the last time Catra had seen her and a small part of her was insecure about whether Catra would find her attractive. But the attention Catra gave her with her eyes over Adora’s chest erased though before it had fully formed.

“What’s wrong Princess? Being with the princesses made you shy?” Catra leaned in closer, whispering in Adora’s ear. “You have nothing to be ashamed about. You are hotter than ever.”

Adora blushed even more this time. Catra’s low seductive voice was better than anything Adora could ever imagine. This was so perfect, even better than any fantasy Adora had ever had about Catra. It was so perfect that Adora could hardly believe it. Was there another level to this? Another game Catra was playing? She had to ask to be sure.

“What game are you playing here Catra?”

“No game this time Adora. This is it.” Catra took her hands off Adora to raise them. “I’ve just got one question for you. Do you want this?”

The realisation set in, Catra was giving her the choice. Adora was in control. This made the game even more exciting, Adora was definitely winning this and he was going to make Catra fight for it tooth and nail.

“I… What sort of a question is that Catra? We are enemies.”

“That’s not a no, Adora. Do you want this?”

Adora was fighting herself at this point. Half of her was already burning with desire and wanted to give in to Catra to let Catra give her what she wanted, what thye both wanted. But the teasing part of Adora wanted to make Catra fight for it more, knowing that the prize would be even sweeter if she did.

“What is this? I can not agree without having details…” Adora continued on trying to make Catra say it properly but she was interrupted by Catra grabbing her hair again, tugging hard. And Adora learnt something about herself as the motion only made her more desperate, and forcing a whine out of her throat.

“Adora.” Catra made Adora look directly in her eyes, her lips millimetres over Adora’s. “Do you want this or not? This is your last chance.”

Finally, Adora couldn’t tease anymore, not when Catra was so close to giving her everything she wanted, everything she had dreamed of for years.

“Yes, I want this.” Yes! This was it, at last Adora gave in.

“Good.” Catra growled before Catra moved, colliding their lips together. First ones, Catra was kissing her. Adora had won and the prize was even sweeter than she could ever imagine. She was kissing Catra!

Catra’s tongue was rough and brutal as she shoved it into Adora’s mouth and Adora felt the greatest bliss on Etheria. Just like everything else with Catra and Adora the kiss was a fight, a fight filled with passion and love and yearning that lasted decades. It froze time and space and condensed the word, all of the universes down on that moment of the two of them kissing because nothing could ever be this perfect ever again.

Then Catra let go, removed her lips from Adora’s and the world turned upside-down because Catra was backing away from her. Why, how, what…

“Catra…” Adora began. Catra pushed a hand over Adora’s mouth to stop her.

Adora felt her heart splintering in her chest as Catra silently turned away from her. What had she done? Adora had though she won, she had thought that everything could be perfect, that in the chaos and war that raged outside of ths moment that her and Catra could have something nice. Silly Adora, thinking she could ever get what she wanted.

Then Catra laughed, she doubled over in laughter. Maniacal insane laughter and Adora felt the insanity down to her bones. Because this could not be real. If Perfuma was right about the universe delivering retribution, karma to those who deserved it, what had Adora ever done to deserve this. What could anyone do to deserve to see everything they had ever wanted laid before them like a possibility before it was cruelly snatched away by the one they loved the most.

“Oh, Adora.” Catra’s eyes were filled with love, the sweetest softest look that Catra had ever given her, a side of Catra that only Adora got to see and very occasionally. The side with her walls down, the side of Catra that truly loved Adora, the side of Catra that was hidden so deeply within her heart.

“I can not believe you fell for that…” Catra laughed again, a sound that would follow Adora into her worst nightmares. “But I guess you always were easy to manipulate.”

Manipulate. Catra was manipulating her. Just like Shadow Weaver, Adora’s mum, Catra’s mum… She couldn’t believe Catra would bring her up now. When Catra knew the harm of Shadow Weaver’s manipulation had cause… Was that the game Catra been playing all along? Had Adora’s best friend turned into Shadow Weaver? Had Shadow Weaver done such a number on Catra in Adora's absence that Catra had become her?

Catra cut the rope binding Adora’s wrists and got off her lap. She did each action in such a calm detached manner, nothing like the usual Catra who’s emotions would be injected into each of he movement. Catra got up off Adora and turned away, she hadn’t let Adora see her face since breaking the kiss. Maybe there was some way to change her mind, maybe she didn’t mean it, maybe?

Adora moved forward puting her hand on Catra’s shoulder to try and appeal to her, there must be some way to change her mind. Adora knew she had to try, somehow.

“Catra!” Adora was behind her now, her hand on Catra’s shoulder. “You don’t mean that, don’t do this.”

“Leave Adora. It’s what your good at, which is why I’ll never want you.” Catra didn’t even turn to face her as she said it.

“I…” I’ll never want you… Catra didn’t want her. Catra didn’t want her, at all, that whole time. This was just a game for her. Tears fell from Adora’s eyes. Her feelings, her heart they were just playthings for Catra. This new Catra who was so different from the Catra Adora had known. The old Catra would never have down this to her.

Adora took her hand off the woman she no longer knew. She wiped her eyes and left the room. Only turning around once Adora left the room, left behind the memory of the best and worst night of her life and the ghost of a girl she once knew. Only one thing was clear in Adora’s mind when she walked straight out of the Fright Zone and back to Bright Moon, this was no longer a game… This was war.