The music died down hours ago. Everyone had left, and she gave the command for guards to dissemble, too. It probably wasn't the smartest idea – telling the people whose job is to protect you to just go away _right after _the coronation ceremony.

But Glimmer doesn't care. She was tired, and way too overwhelmed to handle the rhythmic sound of heavy boots behind the door as armed servants walked across the corridors.

The queen hadn't acknowledged the other person in the room as she walked closer, only noticing her presence when hands were placed on Glimmer's shoulder, and a careful smile followed. An unspoken question, wondering if she's okay.

She is, probably. It's hard to say with everything going on.

Glimmer sighs, giving an exhausted chuckle in return. Adora tilted her head, catching the emotion. Without knowing what else to do, she leaned even closer, bringing their foreheads together – just like she did right after they escaped alternate reality. _Right after…_

Glimmer closes her eyes, hoping to forget everything for only just a moment. It's quiet. It's familiar. It's safe.

It's only a few seconds before she lifts her hands, locking them behind Adora's neck and pulling her closer for a desperate hug. The princess squeals in surprise, but quickly snaps out of it, moving her hands from the queen's shoulders to embrace her in return.

Glimmer hears Bow's voice somewhere in the distant hallway, not quite catching the words. She can hear Castaspella too, speaking in a quiet, empathetic voice. She only hides her face in the crook of Adora's neck, trying to breathe steadily.

She doesn't want anything to do with that. Not right now. Not after everything.

This whole party – the one that is supposed to be some happy event – wrapped around her heart too tightly. The implications of the future are too much to think about.

They part a minute later, and Adora looks around, noticing that the room is now completely empty. Soft flames dance on burned down candles, flashing last patches of light on the white marble floor.

She looks back at Glimmer, their gaze locking.

– If you need more time to process everything, I could go to my room tonight? No one will bother you. – Adora proposed quietly.

– No, – Glimmer answered instantly, clenching her hands around Adora's arm. Adora gave her an uncertain look, clearly sensing that Glimmer is _not, in fact,_ okay. It's not like she was trying to hide it anyway.

Adora nodded slowly, her gaze drifting to the castle windows. Evening moon is already setting down, its last shining rays fading into deep, foggy blue of starless night.

– Being alone right now is definitely the _last_ thing I would want. And besides, – The queen chuckled. – You moved your bed out of your room like ages ago, where would you sleep?

Adora looked away, the guilty expression that meant she was hiding something slipping onto her face.

– _Adora_, you weren't thinking about sleeping on the floor, were you? – Glimmer catches on instantly. Adora lets out a defeated whine.

– …Well, maybe. I know you don't like it, but what's the big deal anyway? It's normal practice in the Horde, to prepare soldiers for any conditions. I mean, _I_ was fine, but I guess-

– And what did we say about _preparing soldiers_? – Glimmer interrupted, voice firm but encouraging.

Adora sighed, mumbling the words she heard so many times:

– We don't do that in Brightmoon, everyone deserves to live in the best conditions…

– That’s right, – Glimmer nodded. – And you're not supposed to sacrifice your needs for others.

Adora's gaze dropped to the floor, and for a long moment, she said nothing. Glimmer hesitated before speaking up her next words, but thought it could worth the risk. So she proceeded, voice getting quieter:

– Listen. I just don't want to feel more alone than I am already. And… _I know you don't either.__

Adora flinched at the reminder, looking away quickly. Glimmer didn't need to explain what she meant; the implication was clear. They haven't talked about what happened between her and Catra, but they didn't need to. Glimmer can see the consequences of that linger for the past few days – that fight in the portal, and the feeling of being completely _alone _in that struggle, which seems to be stuck in Adora's hollow, forced smile.

Glimmer somehow managed a smile, despite the depth of it all. She knows how that feels now. Losing someone who once felt irreplaceable, someone who you thought would be here forever. Adora did a great job of distracting her, even if unintentionally, and right now it was helping more than ever; otherwise she would be locked in her room right now, crying and refusing to attend the coronation or any other so-called "party". She just wishes she could do the same for Adora.

Wind howls from the outside, sending the candlelights into another dance – the last one for tonight. As the blaze fades, leaving a faint smell of smoke behind, Glimmer pauses, breathing in the cool air of a new day, finally taking a step away from the room. She didn't have the perfect words to make Adora feel better – she never could – but she knew what to offer: her presence. She never liked being alone.

– Come on, – She says, sliding her palm into Adora's and leading her out of the room. – Let's go rest. We don't have to be left alone with _that _just yet.