This contains a bit of angst. Mention of a nightmare, description of verbal abuse by SW. I can't go too long without angst, it seems XD Enjoy :)

It wasn't abnormal for Adora to wake up to an empty bed during the night. It didn't happen every night, thankfully, but when it did, Adora knew by then to not panic. The first couple of times, she all but had a panic attack, thinking Catra was dead or ran away. Catra had to calm her down and explain the situation.

Catra was riddled with nightmares. The dreams varied on the topic. Some nights she'd wake up kicking and screaming, clawing at an invisible threat. Some nights Adora had to wake her up because she was crying in her sleep but couldn't wake herself up. Some nights, Catra woke up quickly and without causing much commotion. On those nights, she'd stay up, tossing and turning, trying to go back to sleep without success, or she'd leave the room and find someplace up high.

It was an instinct she'd had for as long as she could remember. She liked the solitude of being up above the rest of the world, where no one else would get her. Someplace to be alone.

So, when Adora felt the barely warm, empty sheets beside her, she knew exactly where to go. Getting up out of bed, she grabbed a throw blanket, slipped on a pair of shoes and ventured out into the dark hallways. The only ones awake at the time, were the night guards. They silently greeted her, pointing her in the direction of the missing magicat.

Just as she'd suspected, Adora eventually climbed up the stairs that led to the moonstone tower. The glow of the magical stone softly illuminated the chamber. Looking around, Adora caught sight of her girlfriend. Catra was sitting on the edge, looking out at the kingdom. Melog was sitting beside her.

The purple feline-like creature turned towards Adora. They chirped in a greeting, shrinking down in size. Adora took that as a sign to play it safe.

"Mind if I sit with you for a bit?" She asked.

Catra shrugged, not turning to look at her. Melog, on the other hand, walked up to Adora. They didn't touch her, but sat and looked at her, then Catra. Adora got the message. She walked up to where Catra was and took a seat next to her, though didn't touch her. She knew Catra had to be the one to initiate the contact.

So, she just sat there, blanket wrapped around her, silent. She had Melog in her lap, petting them to keep her hands busy while she waited. Staring out into the distance, Adora realized the sky was no longer a dark blue color, but was beginning to be a dark pink and light blue color. It was almost sunrise. How long had Catra been out here?

Adora pursed her lips to keep silent.

"It was Shadow Weaver this time."

Adora turned her head at the sound, looking at Catra. Catra stared on ahead, as if nothing had been said.

"She was... berating me. The usual shit. That I'm no good, useless, dragging you down, a waste of your guys' time, a horrible, selfish bitch, should've gotten rid of me as a kid, stuff like that."

Adora hated hearing her talk so casually about that stuff. None of that was true and Catra didn't deserve to be told that. However, Catra seemed to accept it. As a fact of life. When she got this way, it was important to argue against it and make sure Catra knew that no one else felt that way about her.

"None of that true, Cat. None of it."

Catra looked down at the castle grounds below. Adora wished she could read Catra's mind. It was hard to read her at times. Times when Adora needed to know her thoughts the most.

Adora leaned over, trying to catch Catra's gaze.

"Hey. Please look at me." She requested softly.

Catra eventually lifted her head enough to look at her. Catra had a certain look in her eyes. Pleading. Pleading that somehow, Adora was right. That those awful things in her head were wrong. She needed them to be wrong, but she just didn't know. After a lifetime of abuse, reality was skewed for her. She couldn't trust her own mind or those around her. However, Adora had to try and fight to get through to Catra. Just like how Catra does for her.

"She was wrong about you, Catra. You're worth it to me. You're everything to me and you deserve to be loved. You are precious and unique and fuck, I love you."

Adora huffed a sad laugh. She held the eye contact, a soft smile on her face.

"I love you, so much, Catra. You're so strong and beautiful and deserve so much more than what you had to go through. You're smart and loving and lovable. You are worthy of love. You are not the things she said you are. You are so much more."

A tear ran down Catra's face. She wiped it away immediately. Adora opened up her arms, inviting Catra for a hug. Catra slowly scooted over, until Adora could wrap her in her arms, Catra's head burying in the nape of her neck. Catra clung to her, her claws pricking at her back. Adora could feel tears dripping onto her shoulder and shirt, but didn't say anything about it or move.

"I love you." She instead repeated. "You're so strong and worthy of love and peace and happiness. Shadow Weaver is gone and she lost. She has no power over us anymore and I won't let her try to hurt you in your dreams either. I'll go in your head and fight her myself."

Catra giggled through the tears, making Adora smile. Catra pulled away, head down.

"You're an idiot." She giggled.

Adora slowly moved her hands to Catra's face. She raised her head up so they could look at each other. Catra had tears in her eyes, but a wavering smile on her face. Adora frowned.

"You believe her, don't you?" She asked.

Catra looked away, anxiety flashing in her eyes.

"No, hey." Adora shook her head, guiding Catra's gaze back to her. "I'm not scolding you for it. I'm just simply asking if I'm right. You believe Shadow Weaver when she said those things, don't you? You probably dreamt of that because you secretly believe it to be true?"

Catra nodded, breaking eye contact. Adora caressed the cheek, thinking of what to say.

"I love you. Plain and simple. I love you. Everything about you, good and bad. That hasn't changed and I think that you are the best thing to have ever happened to me. I wouldn't lie to you, right?"

Catra shook her head.

"You're a terrible liar." She muttered.

Adora snorted.

"Well, then take my word as something I truly believe. You are beautiful, loving, talented, strong, resilient, worthy of all good things, a wonderful girlfriend, and an amazing person. That's who I think you are and I wouldn't lie to you, so there must be some truth to it, right?"

Catra shrugged.

Adora smiled softly.

"I think the only person here that doesn't believe it, is you. No one else thinks as badly of you as you do. You don't deserve to hate yourself so much."

Catra's ears flattened.

"Sorry, it's a habit, I guess."

Adora shook her head.

"Don't be sorry. You did nothing wrong. Just a little of Perfuma's teachings to remember, right?"

Catra rolled her eyes.

"Repeat after me." Adora began. "I am smart."

Catra huffed, her cheeks blushing.

"I am smart." She begrudgingly repeated.

"I am beautiful."

"I am hot."

Adora scowled at her, poking her side. Catra grinned wickedly.

"I am enough." Adora kept on.

Catra tossed her head back, sighing. After a few seconds, Adora poked her sides again, making her squeak.

"Ok, fine! I'm enough, or whatever!" She relented.

"I am worthy of love and kindness."

"I am... ugh toss me off the building."

Catra was met with a blank stare. Adora waited for her to repeat.

"Let's try again. I am worthy of love and kindness." Adora repeated, a bit more forcefully.

Catra mumbled it under her breath. Adora, happy with her even saying it, nodded in approval.

"Good. Now, can I get a hug and a kiss from my wonderful, beautiful, badass, kickass girlfriend that I love with my whole self?"

Catra smiled. She moved so she was sitting between Adora's outstretched legs. She sat sideways, resting her head on Adora's shoulder, letting her cuddle her, the blanket wrapped around them both.

The two sat like that, in each others' arms, looking out into the horizon. The sky was lightening up, the dark blue lifting, red and orange emerging from the horizon. Eventually, the bright rays of sun peaked out. As dawn came, the sky was filled with color and life.

The sun was halfway over the horizon when Catra let out a yawn. Adora looked at the smaller woman in her arms.

"Wanna head back to bed?" She asked.

Catra nodded.

The two women, along with Melog, got up.

"Adora?" Catra spoke up, taking Adora by the hand.

Adora looked at her expectantly.

"Yeah?"

Catra leaned up and pecked her on the lips.

"Thanks. For everything." She said. "I'm glad you came looking for me. Didn't think you would notice me gone, or care anymore."

Adora shook her head.

"Silly kitty. I'll always come look for you, no matter where you go. I'll always care. I love you."

Catra hummed happily.

"I love you, too. C'mon. I'm exhausted."

They walked back down the tower, hand in hand. Adora made sure to send the others a message to let Catra rest. A mental health day was in order, and Adora could use the excuse to stay in bed with her girlfriend and sleep in.
Perfuma was definitely called in. Adora wasn't sorry about it.

So yeah. Lemme know your thoughts :)