michael jackson x girlfriend reader
summary: you and michael love thriller movies, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to being frightened… or his relentless teasing.
content: fluff, suggestive (ish) near the end, but no smut.
“ ‘Cause I can thrill you more than any ghoul would ever dare try~ ”
a/n: I just rewatched the thriller mv/short film for the 100th time and I can’t stop thinking abt the lyrics (line above specifically🫣). I recommend rewatching it before reading this for just the general vibes loll. also mb for literally writing smth new when I have three other works to finish off- someone stop me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⋆｡° ☾ ݁˖ ݁𖥔 .~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The creature suddenly appeared on the big screen, causing everyone at the drive-in movies to jump in fear.
Everyone except for Michael, who was absolutely relishing in the thrill factor.
I instinctively held tighter onto his arm and hid away behind his shoulder, as tension built up in the film.
We were both lying on the bonnet of his red Mercedes-Benz, with blankets and pillows against the windscreen for extra comfort. The mid-summer sun had almost fully set behind us, and the crisp air twined with the smell of warm popcorn.
I heard him let out a breath of amusement as he glanced towards me.
“Baby, you’re missing the movie.”
“Oh no, I can still hear.” I assured, muffled against his candy-apple red jacket, causing him to chuckle quietly, while the audience let out another shriek from whatever was happening onscreen.
“I thought you liked thrillers?”
“I love thrillers!” I defended, still using him as a human shield from the horrors being projected.
Michael gave me a pointed look that I could sense instead of see.
“This is just how I enjoy them?”
“You’re scared.” He said, endearment written across his face.
I lifted my head the slightest bit to peek at his expression, immediately returning to hiding away behind his shoulder once more. Not from fear this time, but fluster.
Since the early stages of our relationship, I always struggled with the intensity of his gaze. The way he looked at me with so much admiration.
His eyes were already so mesmerising; being filled with such love seemed all too much for me to remain calm.
Michael melted into his smile, dipping his head down towards me to whisper: “it’s too cute.”
And because he knew exactly what he was doing- and the reaction he would receive- he added, with a wicked grin: “you have to be careful, Y/n. I don’t think my heart could handle loving you anymore more.”
My brain almost short-circuited.
The way he said it. Too natural.
“You’re too cruel.” I accused, fighting the blush threatening to take over.
“What? Can’t I call my girlfriend cute?” He asked effusively.
“Just watch the damn movie, Michael.” I said, finally returning his gaze in insincere frustration.
That caused him to laugh derisively, seemingly pleased with just how much he affected me. But he did as I instructed and looked back towards the screen with a humoured shake of his head.
It didn’t take long for me to return to clutching onto his arm like a lifeline. However, I didn’t miss the way his expression grew incredibly smug, most likely from how I relied on him for ‘protection’ from the terrors onscreen. Yet I was unable to let go.
If I was being honest, I loved it. I loved how he was someone I could depend on when I was frightened or absolutely anything else. How he always understood me so well; enough to know what I needed without me having to even say a word.
Then, there was a scene where the protagonist, Cary Elwes- one of Hollywood’s heartthrobs, was shirtless and breathless from being chased by a monster.
My girlfriends, who were led on a picnic blanket and the fresh grass near the front, cheered and one even feigned a swoon from the close up of him, causing me to let out a breath of amusement.
Michael didn’t share the sentiment. He looked to the actor onscreen- as if he had personally offended him- then to me to gauge my reaction, with a smidge of jealousy tingling through him.
Because I could practically feel his eyes on me, I laughed lightly to myself and rested my head against his shoulder; wordless reassurance that he didn’t need, but I wanted to give anyway.
He tried and failed to resist the smile creeping onto his face and the hint of red dusting his cheekbones. As if wanting to further close the distance, he moved his arm from between us to wrap around my waist. Quiet possessiveness.
It was nothing new, and yet sparks of heat still flourished from the contact.
My girls at the front turned back to look at me, cheesing and gushing as they did. One of my particularly close friends hit another’s arm and most likely said something about how unfair it was that we were just so ‘stinking adorable together’.
“This was the real reason you wanted to watch a horror movie, wasn’t it?” I said to Michael as if I had caught him out on a secret.
“You told me how much you love thrillers!” He defended innocently, before conceding from the unconvinced look I gave him. “Okay. But was it also an amazing excuse to hold you close?”
I raised my brows, awaiting.
“Absolutely.” He grinned and tilted my jaw up to kiss me.
I felt his smile against my lips, almost melting like honey from his touch alone. And the way he moved: slow, reverent. Savouring the moment.
Sudden cheers told us both that we had an audience. We broke apart and he really couldn’t contain his smile, as I blushed.
“Get a room!” Marlon jeered from the car beside us.
The drive-in theatre was booked and filled only with our close friends and siblings, so no one was disturbed from our chatter throughout the movie.
“Marlon, you’re just jealous that they’re smitten and you’re alone.” My friend countered, causing a round of laughter.
Michael’s hand trailed along my waist, intending to soothe my embarrassment, but having the opposite effect. He knew it too, and couldn’t have looked more pleased with himself.
“Yeah? You wanna do something to change that?” He shot back at her, leaning back against on his arms in an attempt to look nonchalant. My friend instantly blushed, completely stunned, as our friends hollered at the two of them.
“In your dreams.” She denied, setting everyone off again, with many comments of how unconvinced everyone was.
Jermaine clapped Marlon’s shoulder, probably asking if he was going to ‘just take that’.
“Guys, I’m trying to watch the movie!” Another friend interjected, encouraging the others to groan and throw popcorn towards him in jest.
Me and Michael were hunched over in hysterics at our friends’ antics. This wasn’t the quiet date night we had planned originally, but it was so much better. We had our personal moments to ourselves and ones shared with everyone we cared about. A perfect blend.
As the movie came to an end, the credit scene was accompanied by one of Michael’s songs, setting our friends off again, now chanting his name.
By then, the sun had fully set, bringing out a full moon bright enough to overpower the yellow hues from the lanterns hung.
I softly kissed his cheek, filled with pride for him and shamelessly leaving a trace of lipgloss. All that effort and talent; he really deserved every bit of glory that came with it.
His shy laugh after was so mellifluous, so endearing, as crimson shaded his face. I loved this side of him as much as his confident and debonair side, that was becoming more prominent the longer we were together.
It truly was a gift being one of the few to know him beyond the spotlight and glamour.
“Oh, Michael’s completely gone.” Jermaine pointed out, noticing the blush on his cheeks.
“Shut up.” He rolled his eyes humorously.
“What’s that on your cheek?” Marlon teased and the others hooted. There really never was a dull moment when all our friends were together.
“Courtesy of my lady.” Michael showed off proudly and I laughed.
“You’re both so in love it makes me sick.”
“Aw, stop it Marlon. You’re making them get all flustered.” My friend cooed, absolutely not helping the situation.
“Just look at them.” Our friends all gushed.
Me and Michael weren’t doing well with all the excessive attention focused on how much we adored the other, with me hiding behind my hands in humiliation and Michael scoffing in amusement and looking away.
“You guys are too much,” he laughed, sliding down from his car bonnet and holding his hand out to help me down too. He then addressed directly to me: “come on, let’s leave them to it.”
All at once, everyone yelled out complaints.
“Heyyy, don’t be like that.”
I hugged my girls, saying goodnight, as Michael tidied the blankets and pillows away into the backseat his car.
“He clearly just wants to be alone with Y/n.” Jermaine leered, as Michael reached out for my hand as if being apart was physically taxing.
“Couldn’t you tell before?” He asked satirically, before turning around to rush off with me, laughing as we did, before anyone could make another comment.
“You two lovebirds have a nice evening.” The old ice cream man, whom we both recognised well from our frequent visits, said with a pointed look.
“Have a nice night.” I responded with a laugh, as Michael paid for a portion sized tub of ice cream to share between us: a scoop of salted caramel for me and vanilla for him. Just like always.
As we walked through the empty streets, soft lights lit up the path along with the glowing moonlight. So serene, and yet the chill from the movie still stayed with me.
A rustle behind us had me snapping around. Michael noticed immediately and chuckled, instantly swinging his arm around my shoulders in comfort like it was instinctive.
“It was only a movie.” He tilted his head knowingly.
“And it did a great job frightening everyone half dead,” I retorted and pointed my wooden spoon towards him. “Just don’t blame me if I call you at midnight for the next two weeks scared out of my mind.”
“Maybe that was my goal all along. My mastermind plan.” He mused, taking the spoon off me for himself before I could take a bite.
“You love it.” He grinned, and I didn’t deny it.
“What was that?” Michael suddenly turned to look behind us.
“Michael?” I still had a smile on my face, but concern slowly replaced it.
“There’s something out there.” His eyes fixed on the only area void of light, completely engulfed in darkness.
“Very believable.” I acknowledged satirically.
“No, look.” He said, and -because my curiosity got the better of me- I stepped right in front of him to see from his line of sight. Right into that dim corner full of shadows.
My brows furrowed together, trying to distinguish the shapes.
Then, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind and lifted me up, as I let out a shriek of pure fear.
And immediately after, Michael’s hysterical laughter rang right next to my ear, echoing through the cool air.
I let out a sigh mixed with relief and annoyance. He held me tighter, soft curls brushing my cheek, still finding humour in the situation.
“So not funny.” I said and playfully pushed him away.
Clapped his hands together and faced away from me, as if to say ‘priceless’, to which I rolled my eyes at. And just to top it off, he took the ice cream off me, as if it were a victory prize.
“You’re too cute not to tease.” He smiled, nudging my shoulder to close the distance again.
“I won’t be falling for it again.”
“Okay.” He held his hands up in defeat.
“But you know this time of night is the most dangerous, right?”
“Is that so?” I played along just to entertain him.
“Oh, yeah. Ghosts and monsters lurking about- watching our every move,” Michael trailed his fingers down my spine to create a chill. I brushed him off with a laugh. “I guess we have to stay close.”
His arm returned to around my shoulder: warm and comforting.
Suddenly, tentative water droplets fell against the pavement and against my skin, cooling the summer night air.
“Let’s get back to the car.” I said, as the rain gradually increased in fervour.
It didn’t take long for it to quite literally pour it down, and we both began to run back to his car, laughing foolishly all the while.
He took off his red leather jacket to shield me from the rain, with his bare arms above me generating heat against the chill in the air.
His Mercedes-Benz drew closer into view and he opened the door for me to get in first. All our friends had cleared the area by then and had probably returned home. Michael got into the driver’s side, with an exhale of relief. Safe from the weather.
I couldn’t help but admire the sight in front of me: him now in his white shirt- tight in areas dampened from the rain, curls clinging to his forehead, and the moonlight illuminating his features in the most flattering way possible.
“You alright?” His brows creased from the way I stared at him for longer than necessary. A lock of hair fell before his eyes, as he dipped his head in concern.
Devastatingly. Attractive.
I hummed in response, letting a slow smile appear.
And because he was cruel, he leaned over, teasing by lingering just near enough to my lips, then abruptly moved to pull the seatbelt over me, letting my eyes trace his jawline.
The cold impact of distance was instant when he returned to the driver’s side.
“Let’s get you home, yeah?” He said, as if completely unaware of the effect he had, and started the car.
The drive was accompanied by symphonies of heavy rainfall and neon city lights.
Conversation flowed naturally again, as we shared ideas about the thriller we watched, other movies, and more.
But my focus briefly drifted to the way his hand gripped the gear stick.
He had really nice hands.
Michael must have notice the sudden silence, because he glanced over at me and followed my gaze, letting out a breath of amusement after.
“I didn’t say anything.” He defended with a grin that said everything.
Michael parked his car as we arrived at my place all too quickly.
Despite being with him all day, I still craved more of his presence. That was something that never changed for either of us no matter how long we’d been together.
There was also another reason I didn’t want to be alone-
The thunder struck hard in the distance, causing my breath to hitch considering how on edge I’d been since watching the film.
“You’re still scared.” He acknowledged, full of affection.
“And you weren’t even the slightest bit during the movie?” I asked despite knowing the answer.
Michael smiled and shook his head. His eyes flickering over my features. Such a deep shade of honey brown. Holding so much emotion.
I loved the way he was so cavalier. Towards fear. Towards other girls. Towards anything, but me; like he believed the world was truly ours to just enjoy.
And sometimes nothing else mattered.
A flash of lightning highlighted the side of his face, followed closely by another crackle of thunder.
“Will you stay the night?”
The words slipped out before I could second guess myself.
Michael raised his brows, almost incredulously, but very pleased.
Another strike from the storm.
It somehow emphasised the silent tension increasing between us: hot and heavy. Lingering in the air.
“I know you’d protect me from any monster, serial killer, or ghoul lurking in the shadows.” I said sarcastically, easing the atmosphere.
“Protect you?” His eyes darkened at that, like it was exactly what he wanted to hear. “Baby, I’ll thrill you more than any ghoul would ever dare try.”
A response I hadn’t anticipated at all. But-
“You know how much I love thrillers…”
taglist: @a-motherfcking-fish <3 +yourself
