Lonely Limos
Summary: 1996... Just before the HIStory world tour, Michael and girlfriend!reader caught themselves in a quarrel. Instead of renewing their relationship, Michael leaves without a trace. Yet, on the other side, business doesn't halt for you.
TAGS: Fluff/Cheesy romance/A kiss happens/HIStory era!Michael/Reader is a popstar/2nd Person fic
A/N: Hello everyone! It's been about 6 years since I've written fanfiction, so I apologize if my writing appears messy/unintelligible. This idea came to me in a dream and needed to share this with the girls 😔 <3 I also apologize if this story is short.
Thank you!
1996
Through a large window near your side the bed, the sun's rays pierced through the floating curtains, reaching your eyes for you to witness the bright orange shimmer lighting up you and Michael's master bedroom. Your limbs stretched under plush, silky sheets before you were reminded of Michael's absence as you reached over to his empty side of the bed. It had been more than a week since you last spoke to him, the phone didn't even ring at night. He always called late at night from his hotel after shows, telling you about how many fans were there and just in general how the performance went overall.
The argument you two had wasn't over anything severe or problematic for your relationship. If anything, you found it childish. It wasn't really making you overthink about who you are as a person. However, you weren't sure how it appeared in Michael's eyes, which made the claws of guilt trace your spine. You stared at yourself in the mirror, face dripping wet after you splashed away the memory. A long sigh escaped your lips cut off by the black phone chiming in on your thoughts as you quickly dried off your wet face with a rag, lightly jogging over to the phone and snatching it off the switch hook, placing it against your ear carefully with your heart beating wildly in your chest. "Hello?" You quietly answered, anticipating to hear Michael's soft tone, only to be disappointed by the rough voice of your manager, Allen, informing you about tonight's awards ceremony and performance scheduled for you that night. Quarrel or not, business didn't wait up.
"Y/N, just reminding you about the AMAs tonight. Really hoping you can make it." Your shoulders tensed at the thought of having to perform with these worrisome feelings inside you. "Yes, Allen! Oh my god, I'll be there.." You replied, your fingers coming up to massage your temples. "Great." You could hear the smirk in Allen's voice, "I've already recited your schedule to you, the limo will be there by 4:00, don't leave no later than that!" He repeated for the ninth time this week. "I'll be there." That man Allen knew how to push your buttons and tease you like a mischievous older brother, no matter what was happening in your personal life, Allen always snuck in ways to annoy you. But you knew he meant well despite reminding you constantly that your schedule was full for the day.
Makeup - 5:30
Dressing room - 6:20 to 6:45
On stage - 7:00
After party - 9:00
This was the first time Michael had ever done this throughout your two year relationship. Him leaving without uttering a word rattled in your mind. Well, two can play at that game. You couldn't let yourself just sit in a big house and look pretty. Tonight's AMAs was your key to giving it your all on that stage.
Cameras were shoved in your face the second you stepped out of the limo, the diamonds twinkling around your neck reflecting off the camera flashes almost just as bright as your gorgeous smile. The public was always impressed by how easily you strut in platform stilettos, especially the way you danced in them on stage without fail! You posed in front of the cameras, adjusting your white faux fur shawl elegantly draped around your forearms, paparazzi asking nonstop questions about you and Michael. You chose not to answer any of them, practically writing your name on that carpet and leaving a big impression on national television.
Your performance shook the auditorium, even other celebrities were mouthing your lyrics, bobbing their heads to the beat as your glided across the stage hitting every note alongside the phenomenal choreography. Throughout the night you watched others perform with the same amount of support and adoration, smiling each time the camera panned in your direction. It was until you heard your stage name echo throughout the auditorium as they were announcing the Song of the Year award, that you quickly had to come up with a speech, strutting up the stage and shaking hands with the host before carefully holding the platinum trophy engraved with your name in your arms before leaning down towards the microphone:
"First, I'd like to give a special thanks to my friends and family. I wouldn't be here without their support." The amount of clapping and cheering boomed in your ears, making you smile wider before your lips folded as if you were hesitating to say more: "However, I give absolute gratitude towards my biggest inspiration, Michael. I love you, baby." The crowd roared as you waved, knowing there would be headlines for weeks after that line. You rushed to your limo once the broadcast concluded, staring at the paparazzi chasing after you as you rolled out into the streets of Los Angeles on your way to the after party. Rides were never usually this quiet, Michael was always talking to you about something to take your mind off the stress of overwhelming crowds. Your eyes went over to the passenger side window, staring at the tall buildings and palm trees looping above the limousine. Tears blurred your vision as you quickly grabbed a tissue to lightly dab away the tears in order to not ruin that smoky eye.
The after party wasn't any better, you knew no one around you. Snobby rich men would tap on your shoulder to make conversation from time to time as you moved through tuxedos and glitter. After politely excusing yourself, you noticed an empty balcony, creeping your way outside and meeting the full moon standing tall over all of Los Angeles. Your red lips stained the rim of your champagne glass, the soft, muffled beat of R&B music coming from the party inside. As you leaned against the railing, admiring the view in front of you, the door opened behind you. You didn't turn around, thinking it was another person coming out to smoke a cigarette...
"Found you!" You screeched in horror, as Michael's large hands snatched your waist. That finally got you to turn around, Michael looking down at you with a playful smile and his curls falling over his face and shoulders. You didn't know what to say, what to do. Should you hug him or slap him? Neither. You folded your arms, staring at Michael with pouted lips before he chuckled, bringing his fingers under your chin. "Don't be like that, mama, I've been looking for you all night." He whispered. "What are you even doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on tour?" You asked, partially concerned since he's supposed to be in a different country right now. On the other half, you were beaming inside that he was standing in front of you without any mention of the argument you had. Michael shook his head slowly, bowing down to you like prince charming as he held his hand out to you "May I have this dance, baby?"
You took his hand without hesitation, throwing your arms around his neck with your feet moving slowly alongside Michael's against the terra-cotta tiles. You found yourself nervous against his chest, accidentally losing your rhythm and pausing your slow dance. Michael's playful smirk faded, his lips parting again with his eyes never leaving yours. He had this expression of worry and guilt plastered on his face. "I actually didn't have any shows tonight. I flew back here just yesterday because I knew you'd be at the AMAs tonight. I thought it wouldn't be fair to miss your performance when I suddenly walked out that day. I'm sorry, baby, and I promise to never make a decision like that in the future. I love you too much to walk away from an argument that didn't seem all that serious in the first place." He spoke wholeheartedly. "I'm sorry too. I started it anyway and shouldn't have kept pushing your limits."
That heartthrob of a smile spread Michael's lips once more, his body rocking with yours in slow twirls on the balcony. His voice suddenly turned deep and alluring, the one you knew and not the soft spoken Michael that the media and fans heard through decades. "Now, what's all about you and this dress? I recognized that diamond necklace... Because I bought it. But, when I saw you on TV... in this dress—"
Your hands began to loosen around his neck before Michael snatched you up again, bringing you back closer to him. "I almost felt a bit jealous that other people saw you in this tonight. I'm actually hoping to see it again."
You snorted out a laugh, your arms pressed together with Michael's fingers tracing your triceps as he leaned down to press his lips to yours. The atmosphere around you felt fuzzy, for the first time you almost lost your balance in those platform stilettos, quickly catching yourself as he pulled away to admire the dazed expression on your face. You were hoping no one inside saw or took pictures, otherwise you and Michael wouldn't hear the end of it in interviews. "Not too mad at me now, are you, mama?" Michael whispered. "No, not at all. But too be honest, I think it's a little too crowded here for slow dancing." You replied, playfully pulling his gold tie. Michael was always quick to match your energy, taking your hand delicately in his before taking a step back towards the entrance. "You're right, baby. I think it's better if we get out of here. That way, I could take you dancing around the world."
