#chapter announcements

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Hail Mary, chapter 14: There's something weird, and it don't look good

A vicious grin parts Catra’s lips as she steps closer, encroaching on Adora’s space in a way that makes her gut flip, and not in a good way. “Having a good time?”

Adora sizes her up warily, weight on her back foot. She doesn’t like this. Catra’s energy is all off. Weirdly aggressive, even compared to her hostility earlier today.

Not wanting to exacerbate whatever this is, she answers noncommittally. “Yes?”

“Good,” snaps Catra. “Thought you might be getting lonely up here. Wouldn’t want that.”

Okay, she’s definitely mad. Why is she mad?

Wait, why is she here?

Keep reading

Things get heated at the social experiment, in more ways than one. Adora struggles with her feelings of isolation and guilt. Entrapta inadvertently sows chaos. Catra roars in guns ablazing, prompting a bitter showdown that leaves Adora reeling.

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Demons, chapter 35: Moral Support

CONTENT WARNING for blood and mentions of self harm/attempted suicide

It’s only on Catra’s third afternoon in the infirmary that Adora is finally pulled away for a significant period of time. Their post-lunch Go Fish battle is interrupted by the ringing of her tablet, a call from Bow to help drive the Horde out of Thaymor again. Why anyone still lives in that doomed border town, Catra has no idea.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Adora asks Catra as she tidies up the cards, eyes full of earnest concern.

“Adora, I’ll be fine,” Catra groans, exasperated. “I can handle being alone for a few hours.”

“No, I know you’re fine,” clarifies Adora, holding her gaze and lifting a placating hand. “I meant is it okay that I’m leaving you to go help Bow and Glimmer? I don’t want you to take this the wrong way.”

Catra’s gut tightens, but she ignores it. “It’s part of the deal,” she deflects, waving this off. “They protect us, we protect them. Tit for tat.”

Keep reading

Catra’s attempts to hide her vulnerabilities falter under stress. A healer urges her to try therapy. Scorpia hovers, Lonnie plays guard dog, and Catra makes a discovery.

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Hail Mary, chapter 15: Morals Schmorals

CONTENT WARNING for sexual themes and underage drinking

“I’m Adora’s best friend, it’s my job to look out for creeps.”

“If you insist...” they remark, trailing off in that nonchalant yet teasing way that indicates they have something juicy to say.

“What?” she snaps.

Shrugging casually, they disclose, “I witnessed their little pre-mating ritual. Didn’t hear much from afar, but it looked mutual to me.”

“Mating? Please,” scoffs Catra. “Adora’s never even kissed a girl.”

DT hums. “Never a bad time to start.”

Keep reading

Catra handles rejection about as well as you’d expect. DT makes a proposition and strikes a nerve (or two, or three). Glimmer and Catra find out just how much they have in common.

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Hail Mary, chapter 13:  You're Not You When You're Hangry

CONTENT WARNING for forced labor, food deprivation, and threats of violence. Also, poop.

“Uh…” Adora fidgets, eyes fleeing the scene. “You were going to Entrapta’s early to help set up, right?”

Oh, that’s priceless. Catra scowls, glowering at this ungrateful idiot who has the fucking nerve-

“Rub it in, why don’t you?” sne snarls.

“No, I mean…” Adora shifts her weight, hands winding in the hem of her shirt. “You want me to call her and let her know? Maybe I could even go, help out instead.”

Catra sighs heavily, shoulders slumping as she shakes her head. “Adora, your wrist is fucked,” she says, gentler than she meant to. “Don’t risk making it worse.”

Frowning down at the wrapped wrist, Adora rubs it self-consciously as her shoulders begin to droop. “I just… I want to help.”

“Well you can’t.”

Keep reading

Catra clings to her latest grudge despite her own misgivings. Ms. Weaver goes too far and gets a taste of her own medicine. Entrapta makes a surprising proposal.

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Demons, chapter 36: Destiny

CONTENT WARNING for panic attacks, an autistic meltdown, and both external and internalized ableism.

“Well, it’s great to see you,” says Spinnerella, not even a touch of irony in her voice or smile. Are these two seriously married? “How are things in Dryl?”

“Um… fine?” Adora fidgets, somehow shrinking further. “My old squad joined us, so we’ve been getting them settled in.”

”We heard,” remarks Netossa. Adora must not be imagining the slight edge in her tone, because Spinnerella gives her a look and she sighs, rephrasing her comment. “It must be nice, having everyone back together.”

“It is,” Adora says flatly, arms crossing as she stares her down. That’s closer to the welcome she was expecting from Netossa, though why she’s even trying to be nice is beyond Adora.

“Hey!” Swift Wind’s cheery voice breaks the tension as he bounds up to them. Adora can’t help but smile as he leans in to nuzzle her cheek, prompting her to wrap her arms around his neck. “There’s my sacred partner in crime-bashing!” he greets her overenthusiastically, even for him. “How you been?”

“Uh, fine?” she says, pulling back and eyeing him warily.

Keep reading

The Alliance is nice to Adora and it's weird. Entrapta has a dream come true. A devastating truth sends Adora into a tailspin.

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Demons, chapter 34: Anchor

CONTENT WARNING for references to physical and emotional child abuse

The sharp scrape of nails against Adora’s scalp pulls a deep groan from her throat. Her heavy eyelids refuse to budge, but her other senses start kicking in quickly. The scent of Catra’s fur wafts into her nostrils, her heartbeat echoing into her ear. Shoulders relaxing with a sigh, Adora smiles into Catra’s ribs and burrows deeper, kickstarting a deep rumble in Catra’s chest. Catra’s fingers resume their movement in her hair and she hums happily, rubbing her cheek against the soft sheet between them.

Her brain takes its time coming fully online, but as it does Adora starts to pick up other smells. Antiseptic. Blood. The content smile slips from her face and she tilts her head up, squinting her bleary eyes.

Catra flashes a toothy smirk in greeting. “Hey, Adora.”

Keep reading

Adora and Catra debrief and decompress after a close brush with death, exchanging apologies, assurances, and comfort.

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Hail Mary, chapter 10: Reciprocity

CONTENT WARNING for references to and threats of physical abuse.

When Catra turns back and finds Adora squirming in her jersey, trying to wrestle out of it with one hand, her stomach tightens. Shuffling closer, she mumbles, “Uh, you need some help?”

Adora shakes her head stubbornly. “No, I can do it.”

She proceeds to get more and more tangled up, practically strangling herself with her collar. It would be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic. Catra waits impatiently for her to wear herself out, cleats tapping on the floor. Finally Adora deflates with a sigh, head stuck somewhere near her armpit, and Catra repeats emphatically, “Do you need some help?”

She can just hear Adora’s pout in the way she mutters, “Yes, please.”

Keep reading

Catra shows her teeth and stakes a claim. Adora is a difficult patient and Catra relishes a rare chance to be her hero.

[johannas-motivational-insults]

Hail Mary, chapter 12: Impossible

CONTENT WARNING for blood, drug use, and vague depictions and threats of abuse.

“Catra, look,” Adora starts again, squeezing softly, “I appreciate you standing up for me. Really.” Smirking to herself, she admits, “Honestly, I was kind of impressed.” Turned on is more the word for it, but she can’t exactly say that.

Catra’s eyes flit up, a spark of hope in them. And Adora hates to smother it, but…

“But the way you did it caused so much trouble for you, for the team. Would it kill you to take this seriously?”

Eyes hardening, Catra pulls her hand away. “I know what I did, Adora,” she states, all but devoid of emotion. “I knew the consequences. It was still worth it.”

Keep reading

Adora struggles to understand Catra's self-destructive choices. Catra feels disrespected and lashes out. Lonnie gets high and gives good advice badly.