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Chapter Text

Adora and Catra had both been orphaned as young children, and they grew up together along with three other kids roughly the same age in a group foster home. Unfortunately, their “caregiver” was the most horrible woman to walk on Etheria. She was a drunk, and she verbally and physically abused all five of the children. She also had a special vendetta against Catra for some reason. When they were thirteen, the five of them had finally had enough, and concocted a plan to rid the world of “Shadow Weaver” as they called her, for good. One night, after school, when Shadow Weaver was especially drunk, the kids waited for her to fall asleep on the couch, and then enacted their plan. Rogelio and Adora used their strength to barricade all the doors so Weaver couldn’t escape. Kyle and Lonnie collected everyone’s valuables and some food and brought them into the front yard. After all the exits had been barricaded except the window on the second floor, and all five of the teenagers were outside, Catra used her lighter to set the bushes in front of the house on fire, and the rest of the house was burning within minutes. THat night, Shadow Weaver was pronounced dead. Unfortunately for them, that meant they would have to be re-fostered, and more than likely split up.

Luckily for Adora, a rich family adopted her pretty quickly. The Moon family, who had been rich since their town, Brightmoon, had been founded hundreds of years ago, had been looking to expand their family, and fell in love with the young blonde upon sight. Since she was the first to get adopted, she didn’t get to find out what happened to the rest.

///// Two years later

Adora, despite missing her friends from her awful first home, was given a pretty nice life. Over the past two years, the Moon family had helped her begin her transition, and she gained a sister. Glimmer and Adora became inseparable very quickly, and the two were getting into trouble for their shenanigans. Adora’s new parents also had so much love to give, a complete 180॰ from what she had gotten from Shadow Weaver. Angella Moon was a doctor, and could easily care for any wounds Adora received when playing sports, something that she found she loved to do. Adora especially loved soccer. Micah Moon was a therapist, which was also very helpful for Adora. It was through speaking with him that she realized she was trans and more, and began to heal from the many traumas that came from being raised by Shadow Weaver for a decade.

Today was her first day at Brightmoon High School. Glimmer was so excited for the first day of their freshman year she was bouncing with every step, and ready 15 minutes before anyone else was awake. Micah happily drove the two to school, after he and Angella shared a cup of coffee. Glimmer wore her signature purple dress with purple leggings underneath, and Adora wore a plain white sweater with a red bomber jacket over it and normal jeans. When they pulled into the parking lot, Adora realized the school was massive, being in one of the biggest cities on this side of the Salineas Strait. The doors alone were nearly twice Adora’s height. Then again, she was only fifteen and had some growing to do. Adora was also a couple inches taller than Glimmer, and she couldn’t imagine how it felt for her to look at the massive doors. Micah waved as he drove the family van out of the parking lot. 

There were four middle schools that split up the Brightmoon area’s residents, but they all fed into this high school, and as Adora walked through the halls with Glimmer, they saw so many new faces that it was rare that they recognized someone. Adora and Glimmer had their first two classes together, which was a huge relief for Adora, given how shy she could be when meeting new people. Glimmer and Adora’s first class was geometry, and Glimmer immediately made friends with a girl named Mermista. Mermista was very pretty, her dark blue hair complemented her dark skin well, and it fell in such nice curls. The teacher began class with a greeting and introducing himself as Sargeant Cobalt. He had been in the military, but eventually found himself enjoying a teaching career after his service, he explained. Then, he handed out some paperwork. One sheet was his class syllabus, and the other was a list of clubs and the rooms they met in, something Brightmoon High made all teachers give out as a way to make sure students were given opportunities in the social aspect of high school. Glimmer pointed out the LGBTQ club to Adora subtly, and winked at her. Glimmer even offered to go with Adora so she didn’t have to go alone, and Adora was more than thankful. 

Their next class was biology, and the teacher’s appearance screamed geek. She was short, about the same height as Adora despite being an adult woman, and had huge purple ponytails. She wore red goggles on her forehead, a purple t-shirt and extremely worn jeans with a typical lab coat over it. “Hi, class! My name is Entrapta Hordak, but you can just call me Entrapta! If that last name feels familiar to any of you athletic kids, that would be because my husband is Coach John Hordak. I am the host of the robotics club, and also the head of our school’s science department!” She squealed. 

The rest of the first day was pretty much the same. Most of the teachers (other than Cobalt) didn’t lecture or assign any work, simply introduced themselves and allowed the students to introduce themselves to their classmates. Glimmer made friends everywhere she went, and Adora just kind of shyly tagged along. After school is when things got interesting. Right after their last class of the day, Glimmer walked Adora to the LGBTQ club, being held in the class of Drew Taipan, also the acting teacher and director of all the school’s plays. Adora stepped into the room and immediately froze, having seen a face she had not seen in a long time.  

“Catra?”

Catra turned around and her mouth dropped open. “Hey, uh, what do you go by now?” Catra asked. She knew immediately who Adora was, but didn’t want to use Adora’s deadname, which is all Catra had ever known her by.

 “Adora.” Adora stated.

“Hey, Adora.” Catra spoke. “Who’s your friend?”

“This is my sister, Glimmer. She came to support me.” Adora explained.

“It’s true, I’m just an ally!” Glimmer said, shaking hands with Catra. “I’ve heard a lot about you!” Glimmer stated, causing Adora’s face to redden.

“You have?” Catra teased, watching as Adora reddened. 

Before Glimmer or Adora could respond, Mx. Taipan caught everyone’s attention. “Ahem, spotlight on me!” They called. “I am Drew Taipan or, as some people call me, Double Trouble; non-binary actor and theater director. I’d like everyone to take a seat. Catra, would you come stand next to me?” They asked. Catra walked over, and then turned towards the class. “Catra is going to be our club leader this year, so I’ll have her introduce herself first, and then we’ll take volunteers until every one of you has introduced themselves. I want your name, pronouns, and anything else you’d like to say.” They continued.

“Hi, I’m Catra, she/her, and I’m a lesbian.” Catra announced to the class. 

Glimmer volunteered to go next. “Hi, I’m Glimmer, she/her, and I’m an ally, here to support in any way I can!”

A black boy stood up next. “I’m Bow, he/him, and I’m trans. I also have gay dads.” Glimmer’s eyes were sparkling as she looked at him, and Adora elbowed her teasingly.

A redhead with a mustache already starting to grow announced dramatically, “I’m Sean, but most call me Sea Hawk! He/him, and I’m bi.” Mx. Taipan laughed at the nickname, and offered him a role for an upcoming play.

A beautiful tan-skinned girl with blonde hair went next. “I’m Perfuma, she/her, and I’m trans.”

A really tall and muscular girl, especially for a teenager, stood next. It was immediately clear as she spoke that she was a teddy bear on the inside. “Hi!!! I’m Scorpia, she/her, and I’m a lesbian. Also, I give great hugs!”

Adora was the last to stand. “Hi, I’m Adora, she/her, and I’m trans.” Catra clapped louder than anyone else. Mx. Taipan gave out a community resources pamphlet and an invite to the theater class, and then sent all the kids on their way. 

“Hey, Catra, can I get your phone number?” Adora asked, as they walked out of the building together, Glimmer lagging behind to talk to Bow.

“Of course, ‘Dor. Hope you don’t mind if I call you that for short.”

“I don’t mind. Glimmer calls me that too most of the time.” Adora explained.

After switching numbers, Catra hugged Adora. “It’s good to see you again. See you tomorrow, Adora.” Catra whispered into Adora’s ear, before she pulled herself out of the hug and walked away. 

“B–Bye, Catra.” Adora stuttered, feeling like she was about to melt.

Chapter Text

A woman sat across the room from a young Adora, who was still yet to realize she was a girl. “Adam, I’m Dr. Lahr, and I’m here to talk to you and your friends about what happened, and Officer Mullahey is here to supervise, and try to piece together a police report about what happened. Can you tell me what happened last night?”

“Weaver was drunk, as usual. She hit Catra, and Catra tried to run but Weaver began barricading us in the house and… and…”

“It’s okay, Adam, take your time.” Dr. Lahr said softly.

“We ran upstairs, me and Catra. Next thing we knew, Lonnie was telling us to get out of the windows upstairs, that the house was on fire!” Adora cried. She knew it was a lie, but it was the only way to keep herself and her fostermates safe.

/////

“So, what happened to Lonnie, Rogelio, and Kyle?” Adora asked, sitting on the football field with Catra during lunch. 

“Lonnie is here, at BMHS. She got into a new family a week after you. Kyle and Rogelio were taken in by some lonely old rich man in Salineas a week after that.”

“Glad to know they’re okay. Where… where did you end up?” Adora asked.

“Not many wanted to adopt or foster a Magicat with issues, so I stayed in the foster center for a couple months, but I eventually got out. DT lets me stay in their spare room, and in exchange I help out in the theater.”

“So that’s how you and Mx. Taipan had the club ready to go on day one of freshman year.” Adora stated, putting it together.

“Yeah. They can be a little bit much, at times, but it’s really not that bad, especially compared to…”

“Hey, Catra, she’s gone. We’re all okay now.” Adora whispered, immediately trying to comfort Catra. They had all had a rough time, but Adora always felt bad that Catra was Shadow Weaver’s favorite to pick on. Catra got hit the most, and Adora vividly remembers sneaking extra food into her and Catra’s room for nights when Shadow Weaver was truly ruthless.

“Thanks, ‘Dor.” Catra sighed, a purr starting to form in her throat. Adora giggled.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve heard that noise.”

“Shut up or you won’t hear it again.” Catra teased, faking a pout.

“I like your purr though.” Adora responded. Then, the bell rang.

“Alright, I gotta get to class, but I’ll see you at the club meeting this afternoon, right?” Catra asked.

“Of course!” Adora replied with glee.

/////

Adora walked into the club to see nothing surprising. Catra staring at her, a smile creeping onto her face despite how hard Catra tried to be mean and reserved. Glimmer had moved her desk closer to Bow’s, and they were whispering about something. Sea Hawk was bragging about the sailing trip his uncle took him on over the summer. He talked of fighting off some huge sea serpent. The whole club doubted its existence, but it was fun to listen. Perfuma and Scorpia were talking about something too. Adora sat between Catra and Perfuma, and DT came into the room. 

“Spotlight on me!” they announced. “I’ll be out of town next week for an audition, so there will be no meeting next Monday. Today’s meeting, however, will be centered on the very famous, and very lesbian, Huntara Crimson, professional bodybuilder. She will be in town this week, so you may have a chance to meet her, if you’re lucky!”

Adora’s eyes sparkled. She wanted to be a buff woman like Huntara some day. 

/////

After school on Tuesday, Adora went to the gym. She had a feeling that if she was going to run into Huntara somewhere, it would probably be there. She put 80 lbs on the weight bench, and lifted. She did 25 reps, and then added another 10 lbs. Adora had always liked working out, pushups and the like, and had already gained a significant amount of muscle as a 15 year old.

“That’s a lot of weight for a middle schooler.” A deep, but still feminine voice rang into Adora’s ears. She racked the bar, and looked over to see the most beautiful, ripped woman ever. 

“Huntara!” Adora squealed.

“That’s me, kid. And you are…?”

“I’m Adora.”

“It’s a pleasure. Now, mind if I get a turn on that bench?” Huntara asked. Adora stood immediately, and Huntara put on 200 lbs, and benched the bar with ease. “Don’t worry kid, keep at it and you can be as strong as me one day. You have anything on you I can sign?” 

“Actually, yes!” Adora squealed, before pulling a poster of Huntara at the Olympics holding a silver medal for deadlifting out of her backpack.

Huntara chuckled. “You knew I was coming, or are you just that big of a fan?”

“B-Both.” Adora stuttered. Huntara laughed a little harder, while signing the poster. Then, she noticed some photographers outside and decided to duck out the side door to avoid them.

/////

That night, at dinner, Adora told the story of how she got Huntara’s signature on her poster.

“I’m so happy for you, Adora.” Angella spoke.

“How bad did you stutter while talking to her?” Glimmer teased, earning a look from Angella.

“Pretty bad.” Adora admitted.

“Question is, who makes you redder, Huntara or Catra.” Glimmer mumbled. Adora spit out the water she was drinking, some of it through her nose.

“Catra? As in the Catra who lived in the Weaver house?” Micah questioned.

“Yeah, she’s the head of the LGBTQ club at school!” Glimmer explained, Adora still recovering from her earlier comment.

“So, Adora, how are you dealing with that? Did seeing her bring up any unwanted memories?” Micah asked, immediately going into what Glimmer referred to as “Therapy mode.”

“Yeah, it has made me remember a couple things, but I’m fine.”

“Just fine?” Glimmer teased.

“How are things with Bow?” Adora fired back. Glimmer scoffed.

“Bow?” Angella asked.

“Glimmer’s new boyfriend.” Adora explained.

“He’s not my boyfriend! Uncool, Adora.” Glimmer whined.

“That’s enough!” Angella hissed.

“I have an idea, why don’t we invite Bow and Catra over for dinner tomorrow?” Micah asked. Both Adora and Glimmer turned red. 

/////

The next day, Glimmer and Adora got home from school and immediately cleaned everything in sight. Angella had the day off, so she helped the two of them. Micah got home around five. “Look who I found outside!” he called into the house, walking a very nervous Bow into the house.

“Did he say anything to you?” Glimmer whispered to Bow.

“N-No.” Bow whispered back hesitantly.

“Let me guess, don’t hurt Glimmer or else?” Adora suggested. Bow nodded.

Catra however, in true Catra fashion, was fifteen minutes late. The table was sort of awkward, but there was an unspoken gratefulness Adora and Glimmer had to have their crushes over at their house anyways, whether they would admit to themselves it was a crush or not. 

“I completely forgot to get this information, but what are Magicat dietary restrictions?” Angella called from the kitchen.

“I can’t have dairy and certain kinds of fruits and veggies, but I can probably eat most other things.” Catra replied.

“How about carrots, specifically?”

“Those are fine.”

“Wonderful! That means you should have no problem eating my meatloaf!” Angella spoke, so cheerfully it was as if she was singing. Catra’s ears perked up, a subtle sign she was very interested in the dinner. Angella served everyone their plates, and then sat down with them.

Overall, the dinner was much more peaceful than the girls expected. The meatloaf was so amazing even Catra complemented it, despite never really giving compliments.