NotJefe • Icky Vicky 🕷️☔️🧸

Please Don't Fight

Please Don't Fight 🙏🙏🙏

PAIRING: mature era!michael x podcast host!reader (afab)

SUMMARY: michael listens to your podcast Off The Record and loves how you give celebrities the space to be themselves. when he insists (with the help of his PR team) to do multiple episodes with you, it turns your world upside down. you expect a polished version of the king of pop, but as you get to know him, you quickly find out there's more to him that his persona on stage.

WARNING: slow-burn romance, mostly fluff but eventual smut, 18+, age gap (Michael is in his 40s & reader is mid-to-late 20s)

PART 1 of ?

WC: ~2.7k

A/N: hiii!! this is my first Michael fic on here, i'm super excited and i hope y'all enjoy it <3 i was inspired to write this AU after listening to my favourite podcast on Spotify earlier this week, and i thought it would be fun to have mature mike on a podcast talking with the reader and it turning into something more 😝

𑣲 . pairing: the jacksons!michael x black!fem!reader

𑣲 . synopsis: After Michael and his family moved to Encino, California, he sees you while shopping at the toy store. After you don’t bat an eye at him, he needs to know more.

𑣲 . content (for this part): neighbors michael and reader, first meet, michael developing a crush, fluff, michael’s brothers teasing him, joe mention (slight) not proofread, ignore mistakes !

ENCINO, CALIFORNIA 1971

featuring: ceo!bucky x fem!reader

ཻུ synopsis: your husband has a demanding job. being a CEO for a multi million dollar company is not easy. so yes of course, he’s always on his phone taking calls. of course, he spends some of his free time in his office catching up on emails or even having zoom meetings. and of course some times he works overtime and comes home late, but what isn’t normal is when you go to his office to drop off lunch that he forgot and walk into his office seeing something you never thought you’d see. based on this request.

cw: angst, hurt/comfort, bucky gets accused of cheating, huge misunderstanding, bucky’s assistant tries to seduce him, bucky is completely obsessed with his wife, reader takes absolutely no bullshit, no use of y/n, small mention of murder, reallyyyy small hint at the end of bucky being a bit dark? happy ending

wc: 1.9k

bucky barnes masterlist ༻ navi

bucky sighs, raking a hand through his already tousled hair.

this new merge that he plans to do with another big company is becoming too much for him to handle.

he just can't understand how something that sounds so simple to do eats up all of his time.

not only does he have to attend more meetings than usual which discusses the costs and benefits of the merge, but he also has to read and sign tons of paperwork which leads to him spending long days at the office and not getting home until you're already asleep.

he misses you.

and he can't fucking wait until this merge is finalised so he can go back to being the normal working husband who is able to be at home in time for dinner.

a knock at his door followed by a high pitched "mr barnes!" breaks him out of his stressed filled haze.

"come in." bucky grunts, his lip curling in annoyance when his assistant strolls into his room.

she plops herself in the chair across from him, dumping the piles of paperwork she had in her hands all over his desk.

for a moment there’s silence, just her biting her lip staring deep into bucky’s soul and bucky just staring back at her in utter annoyance.

he’s been so busy with his company’s future that he’s never even realised how much of a nuisance his assistant is.

she does absolutely nothing useful, and always tries to subtly flirt with him. not enough for him to fire her for inappropriate work behaviour but just enough for him to always make sure his wedding band is on show and that the picture of you and him on his desk is always facing towards the door so that anyone who comes in his office knows that he’s happily married.

“do you need something?” bucky grunts, leaning back in his chair and crossing his hands over his lap.

she stays silent, popping her gum confidently like she’s planning something.

“well?” bucky urges with his hand. “im a busy man so if you have no important information to give me, get out of my office.” and with that, he starts jotting down his signature back down on the several papers in front of him.

"your wife called." bucky's head snaps up, his pen freezing in place at the mention of you. "she said she's on her way to the office. something about you forgetting your lunch when you left this morning."

bucky puts his pen down, leaning back in his chair. "so my wife called and you never thought to redirect the call to me?"

“i was going to.” she starts, pushing herself forward so her breasts are nearly popping out of her blouse. “but you did tell me not to disturb you with certain matters, especially when your busy.”

bucky closes his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose with anger. “and why on earth would i be too busy for my wife?”

she shrugs, standing up and making her way around his desk until she’s standing right over him.

“what are you doing?” bucky asks, his brows furrowing in confusion.

her hands move to the top button of her blouse, unbuttoning the first one and then the second one.

“get out.” bucky rises from his chair, already towering over her despite the four inch heels she’s wearing.

“ive always wondered what it’ll be like with you. tall frame, fitted suit,” she blows out a breath completely ignoring bucky’s words. “your wife must be a lucky woman.”

“get. out.” bucky grits his teeth, “i don’t want to see you back here again. you’re done, you’re fired. how fucking dare you come in my office to try and seduce me, are you fucking insane?” with every word that spills out of bucky’s mouth, his tone gets more sharper, his voice getting louder to the point he sees a small flinch on his now ex assistants face. but he doesn’t give a fuck. where’s her morals, her respect?

“so you haven’t thought of doing me just once?” bucky has never in his entire life thought of dragging a woman by her hair before but at this moment he is definitely considering it.

bucky clenches his jaw, trying to suppress the anger that is slowly overtaking his body. he is tired, overworked and misses his fucking wife and now he has this bullshit to deal with.

“get the fuck out of my building.” bucky snarls, grabbing her arm so he can manoeuvre her towards the door, but just as his hand touches her, the door swings open.

“hey baby, i just wanted to…” your words drift off, the big smile that you had on your face upon entering, falling at the scene you have in front of you.

bucky's whole world freezes.

the utter heartbreak on your face makes his heart squeeze.

he understands how this looks.

his hand tightly wrapped around his assistants arm, her blouse undone making her bra show. his face close to hers, but this whole scene is so misleading that it makes bucky’s head hurt.

“doll—” you shake your head quickly at his attempt to try and explain himself.

how dare he even try and talk to you right now after you can clearly see what was happening.

you turn on your heel, speed walking down the long hallway, trying to get away from your cheating husband.

you hear heavy footsteps and your name leaving bucky’s mouth behind you but you don’t dare look back. you can’t look back. not with the way your heart is squeezing so tight in your chest.

you feel your arm getting yanked back, making your steps falter and your body fall back straight into bucky’s chest.

“please.” you can feel the quickness of his heart beat on your back, “baby please let me explain it’s not what you think.”

your head snaps in his direction so fast, “what the fuck do you mean? i saw it with my own eyes. i just probably interrupted you both until you got to actually fucking.”

bucky looks around at his employees that have stopped at the scene of you accusing him of cheating. without saying a word, he steers you towards a door at the end of the corridor that should be an empty meeting room.

“let go of me!” you yell. “what? you don’t want your staff to know that you’re fucking your assistant?” bucky slams the door shut stopping you from spewing out any more words out of anger.

“im not sleeping with her.” bucky grits his teeth, annoyed that you’ll even think that of him.

"get off of me!" you yank your arm out of his grasp.

“baby.” bucky attempts to calm you down by placing his hand on your shoulder but stops himself when he sees your body slightly flinch at his upcoming touch. “i need you to calm down and listen to me—”

“what do you mean calm down—” your yells are cut off abruptly when bucky grabs you by your shoulders and pushes you gently against the closed door so his face is close to yours. at this point he’s angry. angry that you even thought that he’d want anyone else but you. after years of love and affection that he’s shown you and you really thought he’d do something so absurd.

“listen. to. me.” you clamp your lips shut, your chest rising and falling with anger. but also hurt, you’re so hurt that even though you’ve been yelling at him, that’s just you putting on a brave front. all you really want to do is go home and cry.

“do you know how much i fucking love you? have i not shown you how much i love you? every tiring moment that i am at work, away from you all i fucking do is count down the hours until i come home to you. you. no one else. and yet you doubt me. you doubt me so much that you thought i would ever cheat on you?”

you turn your face away so he can’t see the tears that are forming.

“that in there,” bucky points, “was me firing her. that was me holding her accountable for trying to sleep with me. for attempting to make me desire her when i made it abundantly clear that im a happily married man. and since she was refusing to leave i was just about to chuck her out my damn self, so im sorry that it looked like it was something else but it wasn’t. and im offended that you even thought it was.”

you stay silent, your lip trembling with the urge to burst into tears. you feel angry at yourself for making such a scene out of something so small. god, now your husband is going to have to explain to all his employees that overheard your yelling that he wasn’t having an affair and it was all a misunderstanding but it still won’t stop the gossiping that will be floating around the office before the workday is over. bucky’s reputation just may be ruined all because of you.

“baby, please look at me.” your eyes snap to his at the utter softness of his voice, completely different from the harsh tone he just used on you which you can’t fault him for. you did technically blame him for something he never even did. that will make anyone break character, no matter how calm of an individual they are.

and yes your husband may not be the most patient man, and yes he’s almost always grumpy but never with you. he’s never even raised his voice at you before, hes always treated you with tenderness and affection and you had the audacity to accuse him of cheating?

gosh you feel sick.

“im sorry.” you whisper, your voice hoarse and scratchy from all the screaming you did.

his hand comes up to palm the side of your face, his head leaning down so you’re both eye to eye. “i know, doll. it’s okay. look why don’t you go sit down in my office while i deal with a few things and then we can go home together?”

you sniff, wiping away the stray tears that must of fell. “i don’t want to go back out there, it’ll be embarrassing.” you wince, hiding your face in his chest.

bucky lets out a small chuckle, despite the situation. “baby, if anyone’s going to be embarrassed it’ll be me.”

“i said i was sorry!” you whine, clutching his shirt tighter. “also now that i found out she tried to seduce you, i have the urge to go out there and beat her ass.”

“now as much as that’ll be extremely satisfying, ill hate to have my beautiful wife go to jail for attempted murder.” you shrug in reply, placing a sweet kiss on your husbands lips.

“well then let’s hope that when we get to your office, she’ll already be out of the building.”

“oh she will be.” bucky grunts, his jaw clenching at the mere thought of his ex assistant still wandering the halls of his building.

she better hope that bucky never sees her again, because after what she did today, how she made you feel, she’s lucky that she even got to keep both of the hands that she used to touch him.

BIGHEADED BABY — mini series masterlist 𝜗𝜚

ⓘ A very cutesy bad!michael x exlover!reader mini series based on this request !

This mini series includes ⋆.˚ smut 1st chapter , fluff , angst , ghosting , secret baby/toddler , exes to lovers , unexpected reunion , accidental romance , protective!michael , domestic fluff , miscommunication , very sweet baby , kisses , & happy ending.

ִֶָ🪽་༘ 001.

ִֶָ🪽་༘ 002. (nothing here yet!)

ִֶָ🪽་༘ 003. (nothing here yet!)

might be more parts idk yet..

(sfw version)

Baby Daddy!Jackie who knew you were expecting before you did. He had seen his mother pregnant plenty of times that he knew how to recognize the signs. Your breasts were more tender and you went to the bathroom a lot more than you used to. He was over the moon when you finally started noticing so he could innocently suggest that maybe you should go to the doctor and see what could be the problem.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who indulged every (sane) craving you had. The strangest food one being waffles topped in cottage cheese, pickles and ketchup. For 3 weeks, you would throw a fit if you didn’t have it every night. When it came to the non-food cravings, he put his foot down when you started mentioning pennies to suck on and freshly mowed grass because absolutely not.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who couldn’t wait to tell his brothers you were expecting. Everybody in the family loved you because they thought you were Jackie’s soulmate. Mother Kate even knitted the baby a onesie. Jermaine, Marlon and Michael fought over who would be the baby’s favorite uncle, while Tito sat quietly, knowing it would be him. (It was indeed Tito.)

Baby Daddy!Jackie who attended every single check up and ultrasound appointment when he could. He would be so pissed off when he had to be on the road and you needed to be at an appointment. He made sure one of his sisters went with you when he couldn’t be there. He was so very involved in your pregnancy. He had the appointments tacked to the big calendar in the living room. All of the important milestones were noted as well.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who cried when you found out that you were having a boy and declared you wanted to name the baby after him.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who loved your pregnancy glow. He fell in love with you again every day it seemed like. Sometimes he would sit and stare at you until you had enough and got onto him about it.

“Baby, what’s the deal? I look crazy or something?”

“No, of course not, mama. Why?”

“Your eyes bout out your head and sitting on my shoulder you staring so hard.”

“It’s not my fault you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t help it.” This was how he found his way into some nookie more often than not. You were not immune to his charms.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who was obsessed with your growing belly. He always had his hands on you. He was in love with the way your body transformed while growing a life.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who liked to sing to your belly as you fell asleep every night. A particular favorite of the baby’s was “Darling Dear”.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who gifted you a set of necklaces and earrings with the baby’s birthstones as a push present. You still debated on whether he did that to butter you up to the idea of another baby but you banished the thought immediately.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who let you break every bone in his hand during labor.

“It’s okay baby, just squeeze my hand as tight as you want.” He grimaced.

“Shut up, Sig. I was gonna fuckin’ do that anyway!”

“You are so right. Don’t know what I thought this was,” he conceded.

He didn’t even give it a second thought because he knew that the outcome would be worth it when he got to hold his son for the first time. He would have the memory of cutting the umbilical cord for the rest of his life. He couldn’t believe he had been given a gift so special.

Baby Daddy!Jackie who definitely didn’t plot and plan in the back of his head on how to get you pregnant again soon. He may not have wanted the big family he grew up with but he couldn’t dismiss the appeal of having a house loud with the sound of little feet and laughter. To him, that’s what dreams were made of.

a little bump in the family

.☘︎ ݁˖ pairing . thriller!michael x f.blackreader —

.☘︎ ݁˖ premise . being Michaels wife and soon to be mother, you embrace the joys of pregnancy while visiting his family. With warm atmosphere, laughter, and your cute pregnancy outfits, you find comfort in being doted on.

.☘︎ ݁˖ contains . fluff, no smut, kissing, humor.

Encino, Hayvenhurst 1984

the sun steamed through the windows of michael’s family room, casting a warm glow over the cheerful living room. Laughter filled the air as relatives swapped stories and shared inside jokes. You adjusted your adorable maternity dress, a floral print that clung just right to your eight-month baby bump, and felt a sense of contentment wash over you. Your hair neatly styled, and comfortable shoes because Michael had insisted she shouldn’t be walking around in anything that made her uncomfortable.

Michael always notice the little things.

“was she tired?”, “did she need water?”, “was she hungry?”, “was she comfortable?”. And everyone in the family found it sweet how quickly he would appear whenever she even slightly shifted.

Michael was across the room, animatedly talking with his siblings, Marlon talking his ears off about how he got a new girlfriend downtown somewhere. Michael listening his eyes sparkling with joy, the way he listened to everyone so intensely always made everyone feel so safe that’s why you fell in love with him because he made you feel safe, and also because you loved him deeply of course. The way he spoke about you and the baby made your heart swell. You could see a future filled with happiness, and you were ready to embrace it. The aroma of a delightful feast wafted through the air, making your stomach rumble, you gingerly settled on the couch, placing a plate of snacks carefully on your belly. This was your new safe zone—a perfect makeshift table while you enjoyed the warmth of family and food.

As the evening went on, the chatter slowly faded into a soft hum, and you felt the weight on your eyelids. It was all too cozy; how could anyone resist? Just as you were about to drift off, you heard michael’s laughter ringing through the room. “You should see her, everyone!” he called, turning to face the group. “She’s got my baby on standby!, look at that pretty little bump” he said looking directly at your stomach, a warm brilliant smile spreading across his face.

you blushed, feeling like the center of attention, which you secretly loved. His family all chuckled. Janet speaking up, “she’s so cute” she said clasping her hands together a bright smile spreading across her face, if anyone couldn’t wait to be an auntie it was Janet, lord that girl was desperately excited more excited than you and you were carrying the baby. But you loved how all of his family adored your stomach and you. ”hey now,” you mumbled playfully, “don’t knock it til’ you’ve tried it” laughter erupted around you, adding to the warm atmosphere. Michael laughed a bit plopping down next to you, as instinctively you leaned your head on his shoulder. Feeling suddenly tired, you always felt tired these days. Your eyes became heavy, michael noticed that before anyone else. And the next thing you know you were asleep.

Sure enough you were curled up on the couch, one hand resting protectively over your stomach, your plate carefully moved aside. The whole room softened. There was something peaceful about seeing you there—someone who had become part of the family, someone everyone cared about, preparing to bring a new life into the world.

a gentle hand on your shoulder stirred you awake hours later, close around to two hours later now that the living room cleared out. It was michael, his expression soft with affection. “Hey, sleeping beauty,” he said, his voice a warm embrace. “I thought you were gonna eat the food, not let it eat you”. You chuckled softly, blinking sleep from your eyes, “well, I’d say my belly did a fine job for multitasking,” you replied, patting your bump gently.

“always so resourceful,” he smiled, leaning down to plant a kiss on your forehead. “You ready to go home sweetheart?” He helped you slowly sit up, making sure you were comfortable before grabbing your things, of course the family immediately started reminding her to be careful.

“call when you make it home,” Katherine told him, “we will,” michael promised. As they walked toward the door, Michael kept one hand nearby, making sure she didn’t have to carry anything. “You know everyone here loves you, right?” He said quietly.

You looked up at him, “i know” she said one hand on her back “and they love that little baby too” he added, “I really love how everyone’s so excited” you said with a sheepish smile. Michael looked down at her, his expression gentle “me too.”

outside, the evening air was cool as they headed towards the car, she leaned against him comfortably, still waking up from her nap, while Michael opened the door for her, “comfortable?” He asked. You smiled “very.”, a smile still plastered on his face “good,” he said closing the door carefully.

Best Friend! Michael Series!

Summary: 2 weeks into the friendship Michael finally reveals his identity to you.

Tags: just fluff with a side of angst

A/n: After almost 8 years of having Tumblr, I FINALLY KNOW HOW TO DO GRADIENT TEXT!! Prepare to be sick of me. Thank you all so much for the first part of this series! I'm glad all of you like it so far ☺️

Wc:1.5k

The boy named Michael came back the next day. And the day after that, and the one after that. Soon, he had unintentionally implemented himself into your everyday life. Sitting on the bench where you two first met. 

After a while, you started calling Michael a friend. 

Sometimes he would be there before you left school. Which made you wonder what school he went to that allowed him out so early.He had said he was home-schooled, but didn't want to explain anything further than that.

He still wore sunglasses and a hat around you.At least  he took your previous words into mind and actually picked a hat that looked nice. 

You didn't question why he didn't show you his face. You thought maybe it was a…quirk of his. Shy with crowds. You had a cousin like that so you didn't really bring it up unless Michael did. 

You didn't really care about it all too much. Eventually he will show you what he looks like when he looks like.

You two talked about a lot of things. Books, movies, and he brought things from his home to show you. 

You met Bill properly as well. Even though in your head you still called him ‘Bill the Nobody’. One afternoon, you finally asked Michael the question that’s been rolling around in your head. 

“Is Bill your dad?” You asked. 

“No, but I wish he was,” Michael softly said. “ Sometimes I like to pretend that he is.”

You tilted your head.

The way he said it made you feel very sad. 

But he never really seemed to talk about himself a lot. He would answer your questions if you had any about him, but he kept them to strictly an answer. You know that he comes from a big family. Got a bunch of brothers and sisters that get on his nerves to no end. 

He talks about his mother sometimes.

But he never talks about his dad. You never bring it up because you know how that feels. 

“Whose that lil boy you were talking to?” Your mother asked one day, looking at Michael like how Bill looked at you. Usually, Michael would be gone just before your mother came to pick you up. 

“A friend from school.” 

“Hm. Haven't seen him before,” she murmured. She turns towards you with an eyebrow raised

“Since when you start talkin’ to lil boys?” She teased. “ He your boyfriend?” 

“Mommy, that’s gross.” Michael? Ew. No way Josè. He is a friend who is also a boy, but he is most certainly not your boyfriend. 

You don’t do boyfriends. You've seen how the girls from the high school act around them. You thought the teenage girls had some type of disease whenever a boy kissed them or looked at them with that funny look in their eyes. 

A disease you don’t want at all.

You don’t even know what he looks like! 

“Mhm. Alright.” 

She couldn't hide her smirk when you waved to Michael as the car passed by him. 

Now whenever your mom picks you up from the park she strains her neck to try to get a glimpse of your “little boyfriend” she likes to call him. No matter how many times you tell her you two were just friends.

It was a Friday when things changed drastically. 

When you walked to the park that afternoon, Michael was standing anxiously. Not sitting down like how he usually is. 

Before you could say anything he pulls you to a tree mumbling something about how he “can't believe he is doing this.” 

Now you two were sitting behind a tree. Hidden away from the lively park. With him reeking of paranoia.

“Michael, this is ridiculous.” You remarked. “Why do we need to hide in order for me to see your face?” 

“ Cuz people gon’ freak out when they see me.” 

“ Okay, you is not that cute. “ You scoffed. You wished you had his confidence. “Well, hurry up, I ain’t got all day.” 

He sighed. His hands slowly coming to take off his sunglasses. Agonizingly slow.

“Oh my god, Michael, you’re slower than a turtle.” You drawled. “Hurry up!”

“Alright! Alright! Jeez…” 

He takes his hat off and sunglasses.

Then he looked up. You gasped.

A part of your bedroom poster was staring right back at you. 

Michael.

 Little Michael. 

Michael Jackson 

You're friends with Michael Jackson. 

Your friend is Michael Jackson.

Now you feel stupid. How didn't you even notice? You have a poster of the Jackson 5 in your room! You wake up and fall asleep to the sight of their faces. 

You froze up. Eyes open so wide they began to burn. Thinking that if you blink Michael would disappear. Your mouth opened so wide that flies could fly in. 

Michael went to close your gaping jaw for you, only for it to open right back up when his hand left your face. 

“....y/n?” You didn’t respond. Michael goes to scratch his head. 

He waves a hand in front of your face, snapping his fingers near your eyes, your ears. You didn’t react to any of it. 

He bites his lip nervously. 

“I think I broke her. Bill is going to kill me.” He whines to himself. 

Michael sits up on his knees, bracing himself to shake your shoulders. 

“C’mon, y/n snap out of it!” 

“You’re Michael Jackson.” 

“Yeah.” 

“From The Jackson 5.” 

“...yeah” 

“You’re Michael Jackson.” 

“You said that already.” 

“YOU’RE MICHAEL-” 

He cuts you off. Shoving his hand over your mouth

“Shhh!” He hissed. “ You gonna get me in trouble.” His eyes flashed around the park to see if anyone heard you. His shoulders sagged in relief when no one reacted. He takes his hand away. 

“You can't just… say my name like that. People go crazy.” 

“But you're Michael Jackson” You exclaimed.

“I know who I am, y/n!” He matched your tone. “ But not everybody in this park need to know that.” 

You didn’t know what to say. Your head was rushing with so many thoughts.

“Then I won’t get to hang out with you anymore.”

“What? Why?”

“Because once people know who I am it's over. I won't be able to come here to the park and hang out with you without someone shoving something in my face.” 

“I know we’ve only been hanging out for a little while, but…” His teeth pick at his lip.

“But I see you as my friend.” He says quietly. “ My only friend.” 

All you could do was sit and listen. 

“ And I wanna keep bein’ your friend cuz I’m tired of bein’ lonely.” 

He fidgets with his pants. Pulling at some imaginary loose string, his eyes stared at the ground.

For a while, neither of you spoke. 

“Why would I stop being your friend?” 

Michael looks up, you lean back when you see his eyes shining with tears. 

“Because I'm me. People never wanna talk to me unless they want to get near my brothers or have me sign something.”

Michael looks down to the ground.

“But you said my hat was ugly, and that has been one of the best things you could’ve said to me.”

Next thing you know, Michael’s shoulders were shaking. 

He was crying. 

“ You just thought I was just some weird boy who wore a ugly hat, and I don't wanna lose that.”

“I don't wanna lose you.” 

You don't know what to do when someone cries. You also didn't know what to say to make him stop crying. Would it be better if you said something? If you didn't? 

So you pulled him in for a hug.

He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around you, crying into your shoulder.

“Please stay my friend” He sniffed. “I don't want you to leave me too.” 

“Of course I'll stay friends with you dodo head.” You pat his back.” You gotta do more than be Michael Jackson to make me go away. 

He lets out a wet laugh.

“I have an idea.” You say pulling back from his embrace. “Let’s make a promise right here, right now.” You move to sit on your knees. Your mom was going to get on to you for getting dirty on your clothes, but you don’t care.

“A promise for what?” He wiped his cheeks 

“That we’re always gonna be friends. No matter what.” You raise your pinky finger.

He looks at your head, then back at you, searching for something in your eyes that he doesn’t find. Maybe he was looking for lies? Dishonesty? Either way, he doesn’t find it. 

You were being truthful. 

“ Can we be best friends?” He timidly asked. 

You thought about it. Hm. Best friends do sound better than being just ‘friends’, don't they? It has a nice ring to it, too. 

“Yeah, we can.” You smiled. “Best Friends.” 

The two of you locked pinkies and sealed the promise with your thumbs. Around you and Michael, the world kept going, not stopping for a promise that was made with only a sycamore tree as a witness. 

But neither of you cared. Promises were one of the most sacred things a person can do. To break them was to bring bad consequences upon you. 

No matter how young you were, you never broke a promise.

Neither has he.