Chapter Text
The lights dim, casting a dark hue on both the stage and audience. The Wembley Stadium goes dark, leaving fans confused. Red lights silhouette the man on stage as the last song begins to play…
The audience gasps upon hearing the opening beat, immediately breaking into cheers. His band follows along to the song they’ve practiced many times before.
The typical performance includes dancing, yet for this one he’s frozenly posed holding the microphone.
One look toward the audience, at her, and you can see the joy in her eyes. She begins singing along with the crowd, although some may not consider it a royal act.
It wasn’t on the setlist. He said there wouldn’t be time for it. He snuck it in. Michael Jackson had tailored his setlist for her.
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Just about 3 hours earlier, she had pulled him aside backstage.
“It is an honor to meet you, Michael” Princess Diana introduced.
“Well, it’s an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness,” Michael Jackson responded.
Suddenly her voice dropped to a faint whisper.
“Tonight, are you going to play Dirty Diana?”
“Oh… well, no, I took it out of respect for you, because I knew you were coming.”
“That’s my favorite song! Would you be able to add it for tonight?”
“Aw, I wish I could, but I can’t put it back in… It’s almost showtime. I’m truly sorry,” Michael muttered.
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Yet here it was, right in front of her. Diana’s favorite song playing through her ears, live. The guitar, drums, and, the most soothing of it all: his voice.
The lights are flashing now, and the expressive dance moves of Michael’s 1988 present on stage.
Diana’s husband, Charles, sneers, telling her to act like the royalty she is.
“It’s not that important, Diana. Have some decency.”
Her smile drops at her husband’s words as she turns her head to glance at him.
It didn’t go unnoticed.
Once her head turns back, she finds herself locking eyes with MJ. A smile teases her lips as he winks. At her.
He pauses his dancing except for one foot, which is tapping along to the rhythm. He sings through the rest of his body’s stillness toward Diana. The eye contact remains strong. Michael’s gentle eyes and sweet smile protrude as he sings. No more than 5 seconds of song has passed, but it feels longer— minutes, even.
Holding the microphone in one hand, he slowly outstretches his arm, raising it to the fair princess. Diana responds by gently putting her right hand to her heart, and the contact never falters.
More flashing lights.
As he lowers his arm, he lingers toward Diana just enough before he turns and dances to the other end of the stage to finish out the night.