There might be something after all, to the crazy talk about the vulnerability of an open heart being worth the risks. It's so contrary to everything Catra believes, goes against every bit of indoctrination she's ever received. Even now, Adora's breath mingling with hers as she repeats professions of love, there are pieces of Catra that rebel and strain against how deeply she feels them. When Adora shivers against her and Catra's hand slides to cut the band that keeps her hair tied, there's a part of her that urges her to grab a fistful and pull instead of carding her fingers through the now-loose strands. When she moves her other arm around Adora's back, curling her hand against the blade of her shoulder, some instinct tells her to stretch her claws and dig them in instead: to protect herself and hide her weakness.
Adora's had that same training, she'd understand if it were too much for Catra to handle. --But Adora has had that same training, and she's still able to do this; able to let herself blanket Catra in her love, able to accept from Catra as much as she can give. And if Adora can do it - then Catra's going to do it too. She can't let Adora beat her at this.
So she lets her shoulders shudder when Adora finishes an I love you with her name, lets herself feel how concrete and real that makes it and how it drives a pang through her chest. She lets the backs of her nails glance up the back of Adora's neck and further up, lifting her hair between her knuckles, before unfurling her fingers to press and knead lightly against the crown of her head. And with no small amount of willpower, Catra makes the conscious and determined choice to slide her hand on Adora's shoulder blade onto her arm; and then down to her hand, cupping it with her own. Catra has to break the kiss, chest rising and falling faster than before, to turn her head enough to press the back of her ear into Adora's palm, eyes opening just enough to glance at her levelly. She hasn't outright requested anything like this since they were kids, but Adora does it for Melog all the time, and she loves any excuse to touch Catra. She'll surely oblige.
no subject
Adora's had that same training, she'd understand if it were too much for Catra to handle. --But Adora has had that same training, and she's still able to do this; able to let herself blanket Catra in her love, able to accept from Catra as much as she can give. And if Adora can do it - then Catra's going to do it too. She can't let Adora beat her at this.
So she lets her shoulders shudder when Adora finishes an I love you with her name, lets herself feel how concrete and real that makes it and how it drives a pang through her chest. She lets the backs of her nails glance up the back of Adora's neck and further up, lifting her hair between her knuckles, before unfurling her fingers to press and knead lightly against the crown of her head. And with no small amount of willpower, Catra makes the conscious and determined choice to slide her hand on Adora's shoulder blade onto her arm; and then down to her hand, cupping it with her own. Catra has to break the kiss, chest rising and falling faster than before, to turn her head enough to press the back of her ear into Adora's palm, eyes opening just enough to glance at her levelly. She hasn't outright requested anything like this since they were kids, but Adora does it for Melog all the time, and she loves any excuse to touch Catra. She'll surely oblige.