The Nyanny - Ch 11

Adora’s days were always long, rising with the sun and carrying Finn around until she left for work and starting her day long before the 9-5 grind. The company needed it, she could pay other people to take care of these things, but it was important to her fathers life work and her own sanity that she kept things under her control.

This day started like any other, meetings, talking with investors, arranging outfits and travel for important events, all very normal. The unusual meeting was one that was dropped on her last minute by the company board members and Adora detested poor planning. The meeting was long, but its goal was clear. The board wanted to invite the major investors to the quarterly meeting to try to convince Adora to accept researching the military applications proposal for her prosthetics. They wanted to mass produce She-ra and if they requested a vote of the major investors they would likely follow the money and vote with the growing support from the board.

Adora hadn’t been in a great mood, and that had evolved into a bad day, but now she was angry. The meeting concluded with the decision to move the meeting to the end of the week and span over the weekend to include as many board members and investors as possible. Last minute planning irked Adora’s strict schedule, and she hated feeling out of control of her own company. She had caved, to keep the peace, but she was soon seeing red. She hung up the call before she had a chance to vent her frustrations and got to her feet immediately.

Adora liked to think she was a calm and rational person, she could use her intercom to ask Mermista to come into the room to discuss the change of plans but anger was bubbling under her her skin and she wasn’t well versed in dealing with such an uncontrollable emotion. The only way she had found was moving her body to expel the energy. Adora walked to her door and yanked it open with far too much force for a calm and rational person.

Mermista was at her desk - as expected - and her eyes snapped to Adora at the sudden sound. Mermista was a picture of calm, perched on her chair, legs crossed and filing her nails into sharp points. Her eyes skimmed over Adora in a quick assessment before she pushed her finger to her earbud.

“I’m going to, like, call you back,” Mermista said, putting down the nail file as she got to her feet. Adora didn’t say a word as she turned and walked back into her office. Mermista followed her and closed the door behind her with a click. “Bad meeting?” Mermista asked, her voice tentative in a way she never usually showed.

Adora wanted to scream but she held it back as she went to her window and looked down at the city below. She took some calming breaths to try to quell the rising tension in her chest. “I’m going to ring Primus’ stupid neck,” Adora said lowly and Mermista huffed a laugh.

“Okay but seriously, I would pay to see that. Maybe you can do it at the Gala, provide some free entertainment” Mermista said, her voice lilting playfully as she approached Adora’s desk to lean against it casually.

Adora’s mind was racing, the Gala would be the first time she would see Primus after this meeting and no matter how it went, it promised to be an awkward interaction. Adora continued with her slow and steady breaths until her heart had stopped racing and her analytical mind could reengage. This was not a good enough reason to be emotional, she needed to act logically to ensure this vote went in her favour. It took several minutes to get her thoughts straight but Mermista waited patiently.

“They want to move the investment meeting up,” Adora said and Mermista quietly hummed as she waited for her to continue. “The board requested the investors vote,” Adora continued and Mermista’s nails started clicking on her phone before Adora voiced her request “I need you to move my flight to Friday and change the hotel reservations,” Adora said, turning to Mermista. She was back in control.

“Are you still going to take Finn?” Mermista asked, glancing up from her phone. Adora had planned to take Finn because the one day meeting was a good excuse to show Finn snow and skiing since they were big enough to learn. Now that the meeting was going to be bigger it would likely take days and it was easy to park Finn in a boring meeting for a few hours, but not a few days.

“Yes, with the investors joining us the meeting will take a few days,” Adora said with a frown. She had hoped to not need to invite Catra on this trip, not only would it make her family talk but it now spanned over her weekend and Catra could have plans.

“There are three first class seats on the red eye, Friday,” Mermista said and Adora sighed.

“I’d prefer Thursday night if possible, and I need to speak to Catra before I book her a flight. It’s her time off,” Adora said and Mermista nodded.

“Thursday night only has two first class seats available, but I’ll call Catra and ask,” Mermista said and Adora wanted to object. She was still unsure what Mermista and Catra’s relationship was but she had no reason to stop them speaking regardless of their relationship.

“Thank you, and please push back my next meeting,” Adora said, moving her shoulders to try to dispel the tension that gripped her. She needed to move, to vent, to expel this energy.

“Gym?” Mermista asked, and Adora nodded. She went to the closet in the corner of her office and grabbed her gym bag before she shrugged it onto her shoulder. The ground floor had a gym facility that was well stocked so Adora didn’t need to leave the building to keep up her exercise routine, plus her employees enjoyed it.

“Don’t you have dance class tonight?” Mermista asked as she pushed off the desk to stand and follow Adora to the door.

“I can do both,” Adora said dismissively, as she opened the door for Mermista to go first. Mermista watched her silently but didn’t comment before she returned to her desk.

“I’ll send you the new flights and hotel details once I’ve spoken to Catra,” Mermista said instead.

“Thank you,” Adora said, walking to the elevator and taking it down to the ground level. It was around lunch time so some people were in the gym working out already. Adora went to change, hanging up her suit carefully so it didn’t wrinkle before she changed into her workout gear.

Adora returned to the main room, starting on the treadmill to warm up when her phone rang, stopping her music. Adora had expected the board to contact investors and to hear from a few of her family members. Specifically she was sure that Angella would call and Adam would check in.

There was no way Adam would be able to travel to the snow for the meeting, so he would likely defer his vote to Adora as usual. The cold did not agree with his condition and it exacerbated his joint pain. Adora would never ask him to go through that for the company. She knew Adam agreed with her about the military research and their votes still had control.

Angella’s name flashed across her phone and Adora paused the treadmill. She took a few stabilising breaths before she answered the phone. Angella was usually happy to travel for meetings, even if she found them dreadfully boring but she liked to visit new locations and was particularly fond of skiing.

“Hey Angie, ready for the cold weather?” Adora tried to joke, but her voice sounded tight and too uncomfortable to be casual. She cleared her throat like it would dislodge the anxiety that was still pressing on her chest.

“I’m sorry darling, you know I usually would, but I’ve got something else booked this weekend and with the late notice I can’t change it,” Angella explained with an apologetic tone.

“You’re really not coming?” Adora asked, trying not to voice her disappointment. She wasn’t a child - needing her parental figure there to hold her hand - but she had hoped to see some friendly faces in the crowd of money hungry investors.

“Sorry, I’ve deferred my vote to you. I know you’ll do what needs to be done,” Angella said and Adora’s stomach twisted as the heavy but familiar weight rested on her shoulders.

“You know its a bad look for me to use your vote,” Adora said. It was frowned upon to have Adora used investors votes, but Adams was a different story.

“I know. I’ll have to send a representative. I’ll have to find someone, don’t worry,” Angella fluttered through her reassurance and Adora nodded.

“I was hoping we could go skiing together,” Adora said, her voice sounding more convincingly light hearted.

“You’ve got this covered, you don’t need me there,” Angella said with confidence and although it was meant to reassure Adora that she was more than capable, it made the mounting pressure feel almost suffocating.

“You’re right, I can handle it,” Adora said, despite her trepidation's, failure wasn’t an option, she would handle it. She had no other choice.

“Excellent, I’m too old for all this travel anyway,” Angella said playfully and Adora rolled her eyes even though Angella couldn’t see them.

“Do we have to cancel the Christmas trip too?” Adora asked matching her tone and Angella laughed.

“Goodness no, I am more than happy to travel somewhere sunny and warm,” Angella said, sounding wistful for their trip.

“The destination makes all the difference. I’ll have to let you go, I’m at the gym,” Adora said, her tight chest demanding that she wasn’t stationary any longer.

“You work too hard dear,” Angella chastised gently and Adora nodded.

“I know, I’ll talk to you later,” Adora said and they hung up the phone after a few goodbyes. Adora leaned on the supports of the treadmill and sighed. She would be going it alone after all. She could handle this.

#

Adora couldn’t seem to get the song Catra was dancing to on Monday out of her head. Every moment of silence she hummed it under her breath, or tapped it into surfaces with her fingers. She was singing it now, under her breath as she walked from the Greyskull building to the dance studio. She remembered teaching beginners dance classes at this studio when she was barely twenty. She was sure it was owned by a different company now, the name had changed from French to English in an attempt to get new clients.

Adora liked this studio for its closeness to her work, which meant she didn’t have to get a driver to take her. Finn had enjoyed the classes when they were three, but she was sure they had been too young for the attention span needed for a long class. Finn wanting to dance again filled Adora with pride to share something so important to her with her child.

Adora was excited to have Catra joining the class, not only to help keep Finn enthusiastic about this new skill but also to share it with Catra. She wondered if Catra would be a natural, she had moved effortlessly to the music on Monday. Her slender, toned frame was completely under her control, even if she was doing a silly dance. Adora was interested to see if she was able to use that control to master ballet.

Adora arrived at the studio and went to the changing room for her third outfit change of the day. Slipping into her old leotard was like wearing a second skin. It was tight and restrictive but the pressure on her body was familiar and comforting. Maybe dancing was just what she needed after such a long stressful day.

Adora put her suit in the bag, far less concerned about keeping it unwrinkled now that this was her final stop for the day. She slipped her coat back over the top of her uniform and walked to the practice room.

The room was large with mirrors all around the outside and support polls both against the wall and freestanding in the centre of the room. There were a lot of other mothers there, people she was sure she had taught once upon a time. But she didn’t feel the need to smile until she saw Finn and Catra.

Catra was talking to the teacher of the class, Adora recognised her from the website she had used to confirm their booking. As soon as Finn saw Adora they started to bounce on their feet and Adora smiled as she crossed the room. She could hear whispers around her but she knew from experience that she didn’t want to listen to whatever they were saying.

#

Catra was nervous about their first dance class. She knew she was going to be terrible, but she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of all these rich people. She knew Ms Grey’s family were unusually kind for being so wealthy but she didn’t want to deal with the backlash of real rich snobbery that she had already experienced in her life.

Catra tried not to look at the other mothers with their kids, she was far from the only non-human here, but they were the only Magicats and it was hard to ignore the looks of delight some kids got when they saw her kind. Catra smiled at their excitement but hoped they knew better than to ask to pet their tails or ears.

Catra noted that Finn and herself were dressed differently from the other groups, her own baggy jumper hiding her workout clothes from the cool evening air outside. Finn wore a big, baggy shirt and with tights underneath for maximum movement. But Finn was fussing with their clothing and Catra crouched to help them arrange the layers more comfortably against their fur. They stood patiently as she worked and once she was done they looked happier.

“You must be Ms Grey,” the instructor said coming over and Catra stood to face the woman.

“Catra D’riluith,” Catra corrected. It was an easy mistake to make, but it made Catra cut a glass smile.

“Oh, I apologise, your friend must have made the booking,” The woman said, looking down at her tablet to click something.

“It’s fine,” Catra smiled and noted how Finn gripped her sleeve to hide close behind her leg. It was rare that Finn felt shy around new people but Catra was pretty certain that her own reaction to the woman was colouring the kittens response. Catra decided to be friendlier at least to put Finn at ease.

“Do you have any dance experience?” The woman asked curiously as she looked back at Catra, offering a small smile to the shy blond.

“No I don’t,” Catra said, feeling only slightly inadequate as the woman looked over her clothing. Putting on a happy demeanour was going to be harder than she thought. Catra and Finn were the only ones not in leotards and tights, with some pairs already doing warm up stretches. Catra had no idea what they were doing.

“That’s fine, this is the beginners class,” the woman stated obviously and group of women nearby started whispering with excitement.

“Is that Adora Grey? Whats she doing here?” One woman asked and Catra looked to the door to see Adora looking around. “Do you think she is helping teach the class?” The other woman asked in barely a whisper.

Adora spotted Finn as they started bouncing in spot at the sight of their mum. Adora came over to join them with a small smile. She took her gym bag off her shoulder and picked up Finn to give them a big hug. Catra smiled at Adora and looked back at the instructor who looked completely starstruck.

“Adora Grey,” The woman whispered like a prayer and Adora noticed the instructor for the first time.

“Hello, sorry. I’m a little late,” Adora said politely, she wasn’t actually late but was right on time.

“Its fine, we haven’t started yet,” the instructor said, looking Adora up and down for a moment before she tipped her head. “Why… why are you…” The woman attempted twice and Adora offered a polite smile.

“In a beginners class?” Adora finished the question for her and the woman looked relieved that Adora didn’t seem insulted by her question.

“Yes, if you don’t mind me asking,” The woman said and Adora shrugged one shoulder as she held Finn against her chest.

“Well Finn and Catra are beginners, so…” Adora said as she put her hand on Finn’s back to motion to them and nodded towards Catra.

“Right, of course,” she said, following the motion to look back at Catra and remembering her existence with a shock.

“We should get started,” the woman said suddenly realising the time and going to the front of the class. Adora put Finn down and took off her jacket. She was wearing a long sleeved black leotard and white stockings. Catra was a little distracted from taking off her own outer layers by looking at Adora’s skin tight clothing.

Stars, she looked amazing. Does she know how good she looks?

“Right, everyone ready? We have a special guest today, Ms Adora Grey and her family,” the woman said and a light colour came to Adora’s face at the introduction and applause. She still crossed her feet and dipped into a bow like a perfect ballerina, despite her embarrassment.

Catra stopped her staring to shuck her own outer layers quickly. Catra’s outfit was very different to the other women. She was wearing black exercise pants and a red crop top. Catra put her clothes with Adora’s and turned back to face the front of the class. She caught Adora’s eye as she was looking at Catra’s clothing and her tail lashed when she couldn’t read her expression. Ms Grey smiled softly before Catra smiled back and the class began.

The whole class went through warm ups, then the positions and names. Finn seemed to remember most of them reasonably easily but they were much more interested in talking to their mother at every opportunity. Adora showed the same level of eager interest in return, talking to Finn while helping to adjust their poses when needed.

Adora was obviously a professional and everyone could see that. Adora moved with perfect practised control of her body and it was breathtaking to witness up close. Catra was sure she spent far too long staring at Adora as she moved. Just like every other woman in that room.

Class was exhausting. Catra’s feet were sore from using muscles she wasn’t used to and her whole body felt like it had a workout. Catra couldn’t imagine how sore she would be if she had to use pointer shoes. Lucky for her, young kids weren’t allowed to use them so their guardians didn’t either. Finn seemed to adapt quickly to the new skill and only needed a little help.

Catra had done some research about what to expect from this class but she didn’t expect when Ms Grey turned from Finn to look at her. The way her blue-grey eyes skimmed over her form should not have excited her the way it did but she was only mortal. Catra wobbled just a little as her knees tried to give out under her heavy gaze and Adora looked back at Catra’s face.

“May I?” Adora asked and Catra wasn’t sure what she was asking for but the answer was the same.

“You may…” Adora gave a small smile before her hand came to her arm and gently adjusted her position. Catra thought that was all she would do but she gently put her hands to Catra’s hips and pushed them back slightly. It was like magic as her tired muscles were relieved by the stronger muscles of her thighs and her shaking stopped. Adora looked at her form before she nodded.

“Perfect,” Adora said and Catra tried to fight a blush as Adora turned her attention back to Finn.

Catra wouldn’t call herself strong, but she was flexible, and it was something she was proud of as a magicat. So when she was given an opportunity to show her flexibility in front of everyone she took it readily.

At the end of the class the teacher challenged everyone to try to lift their leg as high as it went to touch a plate. Ms Grey did it easily, showing off her years of training and easy flexibility.

The other women had varying levels of success but no other manage to complete the challenge. Catra was the only other woman that could lift her leg high enough to match Ms Grey and the instructor. Ms Grey looked impressed that Catra did it with so little effort and Catra was a little ashamed to admit to herself that her mind had quickly devolved into wonder how flexible Adora really was.

Finn was a ball of energy after the class, full of beans until the moment Ms Grey picked them up to carry them outside so they didn’t have to put their shoes back on. Finn went out like a light and Catra helped to carry Adora’s bag while they waited for the car to come and pick them up.

“Did Mermista call you?” Adora asked and Catra turned to look at her in the light of the streetlamp. The night was chilly and none of them bothered to change from their dance clothing, but Adora had used her jacket for Finn instead of keeping herself warm. Catra wished her jacket was big enough to fit Ms Grey’s beautiful shoulders but she was sure her offer would be rejected regardless of the fit.

“She did, we’re going to the Snow, hey?” Catra asked, Mermista had told Catra about the meeting and explained that she could return to the penthouse for the final 4 days of solitude or remain at the snow to enjoy the destination without the need to work. Catra had obviously elected to stay and experience the snow for as long as possible before returning home.

“Yes, we are leaving very early on Friday, and I know you had Finn this afternoon but I can give you tomorrow afternoon off and you can bring Finn into work so you have time to pack, and get things organised for the time away,” Adora offered and Catra shrugged, holding Adora’s the gym bag closer to her chest like it was an oversized plushy.

“I don’t need much time to pack, what should I bring?” Catra asked, she had never been to the snow before, surely it wasn’t as cold as everyone claimed, most species didn’t have fur quite like hers.

“I requested Dee get some clothes for you, so you should have them before we leave, a warm jacket is very important and snow boots,” Adora said and Catra nodded her head “We will be staying in a cabin, because Finn doesn’t like the loud noises of hotels, so we should have some peace and quiet,”

“That sounds nice, I told Mermista that I’d like to stay to enjoy the sights after my services are no longer needed, is that okay?”

“Of course, have you ever been to the snow?” Adora asked curiously as she swayed back and forth as she held Finn.

“Never,” Catra confirmed and Adora nodded.

“Well, you and Finn will be in the same boat, so I’d be happy to show you the sights,” Adora offered easily and Catra grinned.

“Thank you, that sounds good,” Catra agreed and Adora looked into Catra’s eyes.

“Good,” Adora said and smiled before she glanced away quickly. She looked down the road and the headlights of their car lit the street. Once they were warm and situated into the back seat Catra noticed Ms Grey’s leg softly trembling against the outside of her thigh. Catra wanted to do something to warm her up but knew she had nothing to offer. In the end, Adora stopped trembling on her own as the warmth of the car seeped into her bones.

#

Catra didn’t bother to change immediately when they got home. Adora took Finn to bed before retiring to her room for the night. Catra pottered around the house making tea and petting Swifty before she returned to her room with an idea in mind to entertain herself.

She grabbed her new laptop and putting her tea on the beside table to lay on her stomach and type on her laptop’s search engine.

Adora Grey, ballerina.

Catra wasn’t left wanting with articles about Ms Grey and her mysterious disappearance from the stage. She was in the height of her career but rejected a world tour to be the White Swan Queen Odette in Swan Lake along side a (apparently very famous) ballerino. The production continued in her absence but many articles mentioned how the replacement ballerina was not up to the job.

Catra made sure her volume was muted on her laptop before she clicked into the first video of Adora dominating the stage. Adora was more slender than she was now, fitting the delicate shape expected of professional ballerina’s. She had her hair pinned back into a bun without a single strand out of place and her expression was one of concentration and determination as she flowed through her routine.

Catra was captivated as she watched her, in the safety of her room, she could look at Adora without feeling ashamed of her own wondering eyes. Adora was wearing a soft pink outfit with a full skirted tutu that moved as she sprang through her steps. Catra assumed she was following the pace of the music but she didn’t need to hear it to appreciate Adora’s devotion.

The video was short and another played in the queue straight after, another of Adora’s performances. Adora looked beautiful, made up like a perfect ballerina, feminine and strong in her tutu. She looked ethereal but Catra couldn’t drag her eyes away from Adora’s face. The pure enjoyment and tranquillity on her face was breathtaking. Catra didn’t need to be told how much Adora loved to dance, she could see it clear as day.

That video ended and Catra mindlessly clicked on another one, this was her third already, but each video felt like another piece of the puzzle she was making of Adora Grey.

The next video of Adora was different. Adora looked stressed as her eyebrows pinched in frustration while she danced. It wasn’t a performance, but a video taken on a phone in a studio as she moved through her steps. Whenever she made a mistake she dropped her frame with a frustrated expression before she walked back to her starting spot to begin again.

Catra’s heart ached for her, Adora looked close to tears. She started the dance again, this time it was more controlled, but less flow, going through the motions until the end. She stopped and shook her arms out before she started once again.

The video ended and Catra looked at the date the video was uploaded. Seven years ago. Would she have been with Melody at that time? Catra assumed they had dated for more than a year before they decided to have a child together but she didn’t know for sure.

Catra clicked on another recommended video and realised it was a news report on Mr Grey’s accident. Catra couldn’t hear the words of the report but saw the images flashing on scene of the truck and what remained of the car it hit. When they talked about his family there was a photo that someone clearly took of them grieving in the hospital after receiving the news of his passing. Adora looked inconsolable as she sobbed into Adam’s shoulder as he quietly cried. Adora was heavily pregnant.

It was disgusting to think that someone thought it was appropriate to take a photo of such a vulnerable moment for the family.

The report skipped forward to photos of Greyskull enterprises building before repeating photo’s of the crashed car and the truck. Catra’s stomach turned and she closed her laptop. She didn’t want to see all that. She rolled onto her back and closed her eyes to try to clear the images from her mind.

It was a tragedy what Adora and her family went through made even worse by how kind and sweet they had all been to her. Bad things did really happen to good people. Catra frowned. She hadn’t seen a magicat in the images of the family, was Melody really not there with Adora when she lost her father?

Catra already had a bad opinion of that woman but to think she could be so heartless as to leave her heavily pregnant girlfriend - possibly fiancee - alone while she grieved her father was completely wicked. Adora deserved better than Melody, and she hoped she knew that now.

Catra stared at the light colour of her roof, basked in warm hues of her lamp and bit her lip as she let her mind wander.

Catra felt guilty about thinking this way about a her boss, especially when she was grieving but she couldn’t help but think that motherhood looked good on Adora. Catra hadn’t considered what Adora looked like when she was pregnant but she was beautiful. There wasn’t many images online of her pregnancy, not that Catra had looked or anything. But motherhood suited Adora even now, she just needed more time to enjoy it and Catra desperately wanted to see Adora enjoy her family more.

#

Thursday morning was a mad dash to get everything organised for the trip. She was dead set that she was going to spend 4 days relaxing with Finn and Catra in the snow, she would do whatever it took to get things ready for her break.

Adora remembered that she needed to check Dee had bought what Catra needed for the trip. When she called Dee they had assured her that Catra had everything she needed from the first shop. They told her to check the invoice and let them know if they were wrong.

Adora assumed they were correct but decided to check the invoice for herself quickly. Adora didn’t get far down the list before she saw Dee had bought Catra lingerie and Adora felt her cheeks heat at the thought. She clicked out of the invoice immediately and decided to trust Dee’s word on this. Adora did not need to know that Catra had a red bra in her arsenal.

Adora shook her head to try to dispel the creeping thoughts when her intercom beeped and she hit the button to accept the call.

“Catra is running a little late, the young Princen lost a tooth,” Mermista said in a low drawl and Adora sat up straight in her chair at the news.

“Are they alright?” She asked in a panic.

“They’re fine, she said it was the lose one,” Mermista assured her and she let out a relieved breath as she leaned back into her chair.

“That’s a relief,” Adora said and Mermista hummed.

“Yeah, she’ll be about twenty minutes,” Mermista said and Adora thanked her before the line cut and Adora leaned back in her chair. She had a gift for Finn for their tooth but it was the same gift she had gotten them for all their teeth, maybe it was getting boring? Adora had gold teeth made that replicated the ones that Finn had been loosing, they had a little box they kept the teeth in. Finn thought they were cool but now that they had lost six of their teeth, Adora wondered if the gift was getting old.

Maybe Adora could get something else as a bonus gift for from the Tooth Ferret. She would have to do some research before Finn arrived.

#

Catra had finished packing what clothes she had, the jacket Dee had got her didn’t seem as thick as Adora suggested she might need, but she was covered in fur so she would probably be fine. When Finn and Adora arrived home Finn excitedly checked their glass of water with a tooth at the bottom which was sitting on the counter in the kitchen. They were disappointed to see that the tooth was still there.

“The Tooth Ferret doesn’t come in the daylight, they will come when you are sleeping and they will leave you something special,” Adora said to Finn and their disappointment returned to excitement as they had dinner and got ready for bed.

Finn helped Adora pack their clothing for their trip before being put to bed with extra books to help them relax. Catra was tired from her day but waited up till she was sure Finn was sleeping and went out into the kitchen to leave her wooden toy. Adora was in the kitchen pouring out the glass of water and removing Finn’s baby tooth.

“You beat me to it,” Catra whispered and Adora jumped, spilling some water on the counter near the sink. Catra grinned at the light glare she received and Adora dropped a gold tooth into the empty glass before she placed it back on the counter. Catra leaned down to look at the tooth replica with interest before she smiled.

“Very educational,” Catra said with a playful glance at Adora who was cleaning the mess she made.

“They’ll have a full set once they stop losing baby teeth,” Adora informed her, not denying it was a practical gift.

“Your Tooth Ferret is more bougie than mine was, how much are these teeth worth?” Catra said, putting the wooden toy on the counter. Adora looked at the toy curiously.

“The set is about 30 grand. You got something for Finn’s tooth?” Adora said brushing past the price like it wasn’t important just to ask about Catra’s ten dollar toy. She suddenly felt embarrassed by how small her gift was, but it wasn’t the price that mattered, it was the meaning.

“Yeah, loosing teeth is a big deal for Magicats, and the more gifts the merrier, though I can’t really compete with gold,” Catra said, playfully but her words were true. Adora picked up the small wooden toy to play with the moving joints with interest.

“That’s very sweet of you. This is really well made,” Adora said and Catra smiled.

“Yeah, I got it from the markets I go to on Sunday mornings, you should come check it out,” Catra offered and Adora nodded.

“Did you use your company card to pay for this?” Adora asked, sounding suspicious. Catra rarely put anything on her company credit card and it seemed that Ms Grey had noticed.

“No, it didn’t cost that much,” Catra said, shrugging her shoulders but only received a mild glare as Ms Grey considered her.

“Expenses for Finn are work expenses,” She said firmly and Catra rolled her eyes. Yes, it was a work expense if Catra didn’t want to get gifts for Finn, but she did so she used her money to do it.

“Gifts are gifts. I can afford it,” Catra said and Adora looked like she wanted to argue but didn’t push any further as she looked back at the toy. They were both silent for a moment as Adora folded and unfolded the joints.

“Thank you, for getting this for Finn,” Adora said, sounding a little in awe of the gesture.

“You’re welcome, its traditional to give toys like these for lost teeth. Losing teeth is about growing up but growing up doesn’t mean giving up things that make you happy, like toys,” Catra said and Adora looked deep in thought for a long moment before she put the toy beside the glass. She nodded her head with a little frown before she raised her eyes to look at Catra.

“That is a good lesson to teach,” Adora said, her soft blue eyes causing Catra’s heart to flutter. Adora tone was so gentle that Catra’s embarrassment wash away to be replaced by a spreading warmth in her chest. Adora didn’t shy away from the eye contact this time but when Catra felt her cheeks heating up she broke the gaze in an attempt to hide.

“I should get to bed,” Catra said quickly and Adora nodded as she looked away.

“Yes, we’ll see you bright and early tomorrow,” Adora said, her voice sounding a little higher and faster than usual. She turned towards the sink like there was still water to clean but nothing remained.

“Yes, goodnight,” Catra said, trying to hide her returning embarrassment. The subject had changed but this embarrassment was much stronger.

“Night,” Ms Grey threw over her shoulder and Catra quickly returned to her room as her heart raced too fast against her ribs. Catra leaned back against the door and sighed deeply. She put her hand to her chest to try to slow her heart, she was being ridiculous, but she knew one thing was for sure, this crush was quickly getting out of control.