[Hey, the sun's setting and, over the rainbow hills, it's actually kind of a pretty sight. Tenten shifts a little closer to Catra, then raises an arm.
Hesitates.
And drapes it over Catra's shoulders. She's not pulling her in close, it's just for comfort. Let her know she's not alone.]
You know you're valued. And I don't think Adora will willingly leave you again.
I'll have to, when this is all over. Because I can't leave my other friends to fight in the war alone. But I'd like to think, somehow, that we'd get to see each other again someday.
[ Catra does not bristle. She leans against Tenten, shifts her weight a little. Slowly, her head drops over to rest on Tenten's shoulder. She swallows--feels a tinge of something sad, unhappy. The feelings that these memories dredge up aren't fun ones. A moment later her own arm wraps around Tenten, as if it might help hold her there. ]
Tenten had thought, kinda hoped really, that she would be. Idly, she runs her fingers over Catra's bicep, feeling the softness of her fur. She's never actually touched Catra before. Not outside of bumped shoulders, playful nudges, or in the gym during spars or obstacle courses or something like that.
It's... nice. Catra herself smells nice, too. Kind of like the cats back home. She rests her cheek on the top of Catra's head and closes her eye, letting out a long, wistful sigh.
A flush instantly creeps up Tenten's face and she fights to maintain a proper ninja-like bearing. Squealing over how adorable this is will not fit the conversational tone.
But she wants to.]
The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Don't apologize for it. Just enjoy it.
[Tenten closes her eyes. The fact that she's heard these words before doesn't take any of the sting out. But she's... She's a little less emotionally raw right now.
And Catra's admitted she loves her. Just... in a different way. And she can live with that. She gives Catra a squeeze with her arm, patting her shoulder reassuringly.]
I've had some time to think and. Well. I do owe you an apology. I handled that whole thing really badly.
[She leans away a little, but only so she can twist a little, despite the discomfort, and look Catra in the eye.]
I love you. But I'm not going to demand your love.
[She'd honestly thought about it for a bit. Thought of asking Adora to back off so she'd have a shot. It probably wouldn't've worked.]
If you can only give me so much of your heart, give me what I already have? I can be content. All I want is to be with you and for you to be happy. That Adora has more of your love? I won't lie, I'm jealous. I wish it were me. But I'm not going to hate her or fight her over it.
Not because you're not worth it, but because none of us wants that fight. [She grins a little, closing her eye and cocking her head.] Besides, there are worse people to be second best to.
[ Part of her wants to say 'If Adora wasn't here...' but then, she doesn't know if that's true. Maybe she could have made new relationships with enough time apart. She thinks of the Crimson Waste. How she had been happy, for about five seconds. ]
You've got that part right. I was always happy being second best to her, as long as she was there for me to be second best to.
[ She closes her eyes, feels the weight of Tenten against her. ]
You were under a lot of stress. And I know how it is to feel trapped, so. I accept the apology.
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no subject
Hesitates.
And drapes it over Catra's shoulders. She's not pulling her in close, it's just for comfort. Let her know she's not alone.]
You know you're valued. And I don't think Adora will willingly leave you again.
I'll have to, when this is all over. Because I can't leave my other friends to fight in the war alone. But I'd like to think, somehow, that we'd get to see each other again someday.
no subject
It'd be nice.
[ She seems smaller, more subdued. ]
I'm glad I met you, Tenten.
no subject
Tenten had thought, kinda hoped really, that she would be. Idly, she runs her fingers over Catra's bicep, feeling the softness of her fur. She's never actually touched Catra before. Not outside of bumped shoulders, playful nudges, or in the gym during spars or obstacle courses or something like that.
It's... nice. Catra herself smells nice, too. Kind of like the cats back home. She rests her cheek on the top of Catra's head and closes her eye, letting out a long, wistful sigh.
Now if only her heart would stop pounding.]
Same here. I wish we'd met earlier.
Thank you for putting your trust in me.
no subject
I.. Have to start somewhere.
[ There's a small laugh. ]
...I'm sorry.
no subject
Catra's purring.
A flush instantly creeps up Tenten's face and she fights to maintain a proper ninja-like bearing. Squealing over how adorable this is will not fit the conversational tone.
But she wants to.]
The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Don't apologize for it. Just enjoy it.
no subject
[ Catra keeps her voice quiet, considerate. ]
When you say you love me, I don't--it's...
[ She falters, groping for what she's trying to say. ]
I've only ever been in love with Adora. She's like, the only way I know what love really is. But I think I love you too. Just...
[ She hesitates. Wht if this runs Tenten off again? Drives more of a rift between them? For once, it's not what she wants. ]
I don't know if it's in the way you want me to love you. And I don't know if I--
[ She sighs. Tries to focus on her words. ]
I'm still getting used to Adora loving me, I guess.
no subject
And Catra's admitted she loves her. Just... in a different way. And she can live with that. She gives Catra a squeeze with her arm, patting her shoulder reassuringly.]
I've had some time to think and. Well. I do owe you an apology. I handled that whole thing really badly.
[She leans away a little, but only so she can twist a little, despite the discomfort, and look Catra in the eye.]
I love you. But I'm not going to demand your love.
[She'd honestly thought about it for a bit. Thought of asking Adora to back off so she'd have a shot. It probably wouldn't've worked.]
If you can only give me so much of your heart, give me what I already have? I can be content. All I want is to be with you and for you to be happy. That Adora has more of your love? I won't lie, I'm jealous. I wish it were me. But I'm not going to hate her or fight her over it.
Not because you're not worth it, but because none of us wants that fight. [She grins a little, closing her eye and cocking her head.] Besides, there are worse people to be second best to.
no subject
You've got that part right. I was always happy being second best to her, as long as she was there for me to be second best to.
[ She closes her eyes, feels the weight of Tenten against her. ]
You were under a lot of stress. And I know how it is to feel trapped, so. I accept the apology.
no subject
[She laughs, then leans her head back on Catra's. A part of her really, really wants to scratch those ears. But now's not the time.
Without Catra, she could be content. Even happy. But she knows she'd be happier with the older girl.
Hey, she tells herself. At least you won't live long enough to worry about it when you go back home.
She laughs again, trailing off into a silence, and decides to just enjoy the moment here while it lasts.]