"I spend too much time thinking about who I'm supposed to be," Tori sang, taking her crown off and looking at it. "I play by everybody's rules that don't seem right to me." She put it back on, turning to face her throne. "I'm cool and polite on the outside, when I get a chance I run and I hide. If your eyes are closed it's hard to see."
Adrien fastened his eyes to her, spellbound by her everything. Her voice, her face.
"What if I back down now, 'cause I'm afraid of what might happen?" Walking towards her throne, she gazed at it. "What if they turn away, when I show them who I truly am?" She put her hand out and ran it over the gold work of the throne. "What if I lose my breath when I throw those big doors open? Or tonight, just tonight. What if I shine?"
Adrien tentatively approached Tori, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her towards him.
Tori leaned back into Adrien. "Should I even care? They're all sitting there and everyone's staring at me. If I step out in the spotlight, maybe I'll be set free. What if I back down now, 'cause I'm afraid of what might happen? What if they turn away when I show them who I truly am? What if I lose my breath when I throw those big doors open? Or tonight, just tonight. What if I shine? I…shine…"
(btw this is the original song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q25T9LZoDak)
(Coolio)
Adrien ran a hand through her hair, rocking her gently back and forth. “You’ll be great,” he murmured. “You'll be fantastic.”
"I spend too much time thinking about who I'm supposed to be," Tori sang. She turned around to face Adrien, smiling. "But what if I sing out loud? Because anything can happen. What if I stand up proud and I show them who I truly am? They're gonna call my name and I'll throw these big doors open. 'Cause tonight, just tonight. I'm gonna shine. I…shine…"
Adrien smiled, leaning in to softly kiss her on the lips. When he pulled back, his eyes were twinkling.
Tori booped Adrien on the nose, smiling. "Hey, um…every Queen needs a King?"
Adrien flushed red, scratching at the nape of his neck. “I’m the cooks son.. they’d never let me.”
"Who's they? I make all the decisions now. You know my grandmother was my grandfather's tutor, right?"
Adrien bit his lip, considering this. "Tori– I want to be with you, really I do, but I don't want to hurt your reputation more than I already have."
"The last thing you've done is tarnish my reputation. If Emilia has told you that, she lies. Don't listen to her."
Adrien smiled sadly. “You’d be ridiculed by the kingdom. Do you really want that?”
"I don't care what happens, Adrien. I honestly don't. Can't you see that?"
Adrien finally relented, his feelings for Tory overpowering his reasoning. You're selfish… the little voice in the back of his head whispered, but he ignored it and pulled her to him again in a kiss.
Tori stopped him before their lips met. "Hey, you're not doing anything wrong. The worst they worst they can legally do is make me relinquish the throne to Noah, since he's the older twin. And that wouldn't even be that bad."
Adrien pulled back with a tiny frown. "I guess…. but does Noah want the throne?"
"None of my brothers want the throne for the same reason I don't. But we'd do it for the good of the Kingdom, like I did."
Adrien swallowed, nodding. “Do you have any other relatives who might want it?”
"We don't interact with many relatives, so I wouldn't know. But none of them would be even allowed to take the throne unless all of us were dead."
“Oh.” Adrien remained silent for a minute. “If you’re sure you want me.. then I’m yours. But if you ever grow tired of me, don’t hesitate to leave me behind.”
"I do want you, Adrien. Even if it isn't as a lover, at least as a friend." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his forehead.
Adrien hugged her to him, brushing his lips across her temple. "I'm glad."
Tori stood back on her feet. "Now, I was planning on doing archery after this. But that is difficult to do in this gown."
Adrien held out his elbow for her to take. “I can take you to your room if you want to change?”
Tori took it daintily. "That would be awesome," She said regally, as a joke.
Adrien laughed quietly, beginning to lead her carefully through the halls to her room. "Do you want me to leave?"
"Not leave, just stay outside my door. I'll be done soon."
Adrien nodded, doing as she instructed while his mind wandered over everything that had just happened.
