== Synopsis ==
As Long As We Stay Together (if we just stay together) by Herothe Hard Way
A modern Alternate Universe She-Ra and the Princesses of Power fanfic set at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station’s Ice Cube Neutrino Detector. Adora Sherman, an Astrophysics Ph D student struggling with her dissertation, jumps at the chance to spend six months in Antarctica — only to find her research partner is Catra, her former roommate, teammate, and best friend from college whom she hasn’t seen in five years. Battling isolation, storms, and unresolved heartbreak, the two must rebuild trust and face the spark that never truly died.
== Tropes ==
- [[Alternate Universe - Academia]] — Adora and Catra are scientists (an Astrophysics Ph D student and a postdoc) stationed at the Ice Cube lab instead of fantasy heroes.
- [[Enemies to Lovers]] — Former best friends turned estranged rivals must work side by side, reigniting old tensions and hidden passions.
- [[Slow Burn]] — Their reconciliation unfolds gradually across 27 chapters, building emotional tension through every shared meal, experiment, and brush-of-hands moment.
- [[Hurt/Comfort]] — Both carry deep wounds from their breakup and past trauma; they learn to comfort each other again amid blizzards and power outages.
- [[Belligerent Sexual Tension]] — Sharp banter and snarky one-liners between Adora and Catra mask lingering desire and guilt.
- [[Service Dog]] — Swiftwind, Adora’s loyal Samoyed, aids her anxiety and provides moments of soft solace.
- [[Forced Proximity]] — Life at the isolated research station traps them together in cramped quarters, forcing confrontation and cooperation.
- [[Workaholic Hero]] — Adora buries herself in research to avoid writing her dissertation, demonstrating obsessive dedication.
- [[Found Family]] — The mismatched station crew (Glimmer, Bow, Scorpia, Entrapta, etc.) becomes a surrogate family in the polar night.
- [[Academic Rivalry]] — Professional competition intensifies personal conflicts as both vie for recognition under Dr. Angella Brightmoon and Shadow Weaver.
- [[Enemies to Lovers]] — this should show up as a blue link
== Characters ==
=== Adora ===
- [[Workaholic Hero]]: She throws herself into research to avoid her emotions.
- [[Ridiculous Procrastinator]]: She puts off her dissertation as long as possible.
- [[Belligerent Sexual Tension]]: Every interaction with Catra is charged.
=== Catra ===
- [[Tsundere]]: Cold and combative on the outside, secretly still caring.
- [[Friendly Enemy]]: Works alongside Adora, despite their messy history.
- [[Mouthy Kid]]: Sharp-tongued and sarcastic throughout.
