Reverie - Michael Jackson Imagines

For All We Know ✨

Dangerous Era

You stared out the big bay window with a wistful sigh, the rim of a champagne flute pressed gingerly against your bottom lip as you eyed the sharply dressed crowd moving along the lush yard. A purplish sunset looms over the scene, causing the lights from the gazebo to twinkle like individual stars hard been tacked to the ceiling.

The sight of the bride, all dolled up in white lace, swaying gracefully with her groom leaves a sting of tears in your eyes. Everything was absolutely beautiful but still, you couldn't help the fog of melancholy that had clouded your emotions.

"Thought you'd run off somewhere,"

The soft voice you knew well still manages to startle you in your trance. You spin around to face him still taken aback by his striking appearance although you've been in his presence for most of the day.

Michael flashes his unbelievably perfect smile, a short chuckle escaping him. His hair frames his face in perfect curls that rest on his shoulders and in the last rays of dying sun catch on to the big, shiny broach on his sparking jacket.

He looks like a prince straight out of a storybook and any perfect stranger could quickly mistake him for the groom.

You shrug before balancing your glass between your fingers as you try to come up with a reasonable excuse for why you've ditched your best friend's best friend's wedding reception for the privacy of his library.

"Damned mosquitos," you reply. "what about you? Surely you didn't come all the way up here looking for me."

"To be honest, I just need a moment to recharge," Michael sighs. "Plus, I've got a headache from all those helicopters."

Michael and his staff had been working tirelessly for days to make sure Liz Taylor's wedding was nothing less than spectacular. You'd been a little worried if he could pull it off, but he'd managed to impress you and everyone in attendance. Secretly, you'd not expected anything less. You knew Michael was willing to move mountains for Liz.

A short beat passes between you two as you re-adjust your sights to the party going down below, a fore lone sigh passing through your lips. You imagine yourself staring out the window like a sad, pitiful puppy that's been left outside for too long and you're thankful no one below can see you.

"I love weddings," you speak slowly. "it's just, they can be a bit- "

"Sad?" Michael finishes behind you.

You glance over your shoulder, raising your glass at him pointedly. A small smile threatens to stretch across your lips at the fact that you two always manage to be on the same page.

"Precisely," you reply.

"I know what ya mean," he speaks. "when Jackie and Tito got married, I couldn't stand it. Thought it was breakin up the family."

You swallow the lump that's crept up your throat.

"You don't think Larry is taking Liz away from you, do you?"

Michael chuckles.

"Of course not, girl. What me and Liz have can't be undone by marriage. Her happiness is mine too."

"That's sweet," you reply.

The sweet tune of Isn't It Romantic trails up to the window and you feel as if you might burst into tears any moment now.

"You know, I don't think I've ever been in love before. Ever."

You suddenly take a long sip from your glass, a mix of champagne and tears filling your throat.

"Me neither," Michael's soft voice brings you comfort. "I've thought I was before. But it was all in my mind."

You'd been around long enough to witness Michael's romantic misfortunes. While they were few and far between, never the less, the King of Pop still managed to have no more romantic luck than you. It was always the same thing, Michael being on the road and not having enough time to pursue anything long term, or worse, him falling head-over-heels for some woman who was more interested in his celebrity than him as an actual human being.

You, on the other hand, had just never seemed to get the chance to explore what a real adult relationship felt like. You had trouble attracting suitors and grew bored with the few men you did give the time of day. Eventually, you'd just grown tired and had given up, but it was nights like this that re-ignited that secret longing.

"I'm in my thirties, Michael," you almost laugh. "imagine being that old and never having been in love and never knowing if someone's been in love with you. I feel like I'm wasting my life away like this."

Michael is silent for a bit and you're not sure if he's heard you. You figured your pathetic, tipsy ramblings have frightened him and he doesn't know what to say.

"How do you know that?" He speaks.

"I beg your pardon?"

His sudden question makes you lose the plot.

"How do you know that," he repeats, placing his large hand on your shoulders and gently turning your body to face him. "how do you know that no one's ever been in love with you?"

Those big beautiful brown eyes framed by long lashes peer down at you. They're so intense, you have to look away for a moment.

"I just do," you speak. The response is childish and unintelligent. "if I did, I'd be Liz Taylor right now."

A grin tugs at the corner of his lips at your clever quip but quickly fades.

"So, if I told you right now that I'm in love with you, you wouldn't believe me?"

You search his face for a hint of playfulness but can't find it.

"What a cruel joke, Michael,"

It's the first thing that comes out of your mouth and you're used to having a response for everything.

"Y/N, I'm serious," he answers quickly. "I'm in love with you."

It feels as if the air has been sucked from your lungs. There in the dark of the massive library with a wedding reception going down below, your best friend of many years is professing his love for you.

The idea of you and Michael was something you'd never really thought about. You were comfortable being friends and had never pushed the envelop any further. Your mutual friends had suspected something between you at one point or another, but you'd always denied it. Suddenly, you realize that Michael had been the one and only man you'd never grown tired of and the only one you'd ever adored.

"I- I don't know what to say," you choke.

His hands are still gently pressed against your shoulders.

"Say you love me, too." He breathes.

"I do. I do, Michael."

Your arms fly around his neck and he pulls you to him, enveloping you in a warm embrace. Hugging was a normal thing with you but this time, being in his arms felt new and exciting.

There's a whole marching band of butterflies in your stomach and suddenly, you think that maybe all this time you've known what it's like to be in love and never really realized it.

"I know I'm not easy to be with," Michael speaks smoothing your hair with his hand. "and I know I'm probably running the future of our friendship, but I've always loved you."

You pull away from him, the reality of the "I love you" s sinking in. This would mean you and Michael were embarking on a new journey, a transition from friends to lovers. The thought of it was frightening and thrilling and a risk you were willing to take.

You grin.

"Let's just take things slow and natural and see where they go,"

Down below you, a burst of pink and green fireworks has lit up the night sky and you and Michael watch with wonder and hope for a beautiful relationship ahead of you. 

✨