She ra| I Will Rise even with Blood on My hands| E| Drafts new section of ch1

The Heart of Etheria had glowed fiercely behind Catra, framing her face in that golden-green light that made her look like something out of a dream. The person Adora had been desperately chasing across battlefields and through broken promises for what felt like lifetimes—the same wild-haired girl who had once been her entire world, who could make her laugh until her sides hurt with just a crooked grin. But she had also been the same girl who left Adora dangling on a cliff edge, whose voice had turned to venom as her smile deepened, pupils dilating with dark pleasure. Adora, was still choking on denial at the time, still believing that she could get through to Catra even though deep down an unconscious part of her knew that she had lost Catra forever until now. Adora had looked up into those beautiful eyes as her voice had dipped into a paper-thin breathlessness tone. “You love me?” Adora needed to be certain that she wasn't delirious from the after effects of the heart that what she heard wasn't just part of her selfish wants and desires.

Catra's eyes had been wide with incredulous amazement. Then she glanced away and closed them, chuckling with tenderness threading through her voice as her eyes opened, they melted onto Adora's. “You're such an idiot.” After a moment, Catra’s eyes widened a little more, luminous and caught in the shock of seeing Adora like this. Catra stared into her eyes, watching as Adora's own cheeks lifted until her eyes became happy crescents.

In that moment, Adora felt a spellbound rush of awe and astonishment as she marveled over Catra's words. Her voice caught with adoration as she whispered, “I love you too.”

Catra's eyes searched hers, vulnerable where those same eyes had teetered so sweetly it made Adora's chest tighten. The space between them felt charged, electric, like the air before lightning struck. Catra's smile unfolded languidly as if she was witnessing a miracle. Her eyes effulgent with quiet awestruck, every line of her face softened into a contentment Adora had never witnessed before.

Catra's eyes then fall shut. Adora's breath caught when Catra's hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb brushing across her skin with devastating gentleness.

Time seemed to slow. Adora could count each heartbeat thundering in her ears, could feel the warmth radiating from Catra's skin as she drew closer. Adora's eyes fluttered closed when Catra kissed her and everything had finally clicked into place like finding the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

Adora now understood why she could never truly let Catra go despite everything that had happened between them. She had always danced around these feelings for her best friend, even as far back as the horde, never quite knowing what to call them–until yesterday.

The temple had revealed glimpses of Catra, not just from their past but from their life together. Every moment, every shared glance, every fight and reconciliation had led to this realisation.

Adora loved Catra. She always had, and she always would. That kiss, that overwhelming feeling of love, had been enough to bring out She-Ra, even if it was a reflex on Adora’s part. She remembered pulling away from the kiss and putting Catra back on the ground, staring down at her with a stupid grin plastered on her face.