a/n: just a cute little one-shot!
Summary: You attend the Grammys with your husband Michael. He’s been under a lot of stress lately with the media and the rumors being spread. ‘You talk weird, you bleach your skin, you’re such a recluse’ But tonight he tries to forget all that. After all he has a beautiful date beside him.
Warnings: no warnings really just some MJ fluff, maybe a little sad Michael but it’s a good ending :)
Word count: about 2k I think :p
It’s was the 1993 Grammys. The speakers boomed with corny jokes from the hosts and familiar names of fellow artists being called out. Michael sat impatiently, biting his lip and tapping his foot. At this point with everything happening in the press, media, and corruption within the industry- Michael was nearly at his wits end. But still he showed up. Not for the press or for gossip. But for his fans.
“Michael?” Suddenly, your soft voice pulled him from the ocean of thoughts threatening to drown him. “I brought you a drink, dear. Are you doing alright?” Michael turned back to face you and took the chilled glass gently. His fingers brushed yours and his eyes raked up your body. You had a lovely gown on. Made to match him perfectly. it was a gorgeous form fitting white dress with intricate glass beads and pearls. His eyes follow the curve of your body and the beautiful design on your dress. Drifting from your hips to your waist, stomach, chest, shoulders-
A low hum sounded from the man sitting beside you and his brows furrow. “Baby, these straps keep falling.. who was your stylist tonight they should’ve fixed this.” A slender fingers slipped beneath the strap resting against your upper arm. Gently, he lifted it back into place, his finger and the pearls brushing against your skin as he moved. The strap is settled onto your shoulder, exactly where it belonged. Michael was a perfectionist about himself and his music. But when he corrected your outfits or fixed your hair- it was never because he was nitpicking. No, he just wanted the best for you because he thought you deserved it.
“It’s fine honey. Besides no one is even looking at me when you’re beside me.” A flirtatious grin spreads between your rosey cheeks as you nudge his side. But Michael frowned slightly and looked away. And for a moment you see a faint blush. “Baby.. you have no idea how good you look tonight. Men are looking at you with starving eyes.” His hand slides from your back to your waist. Tender and careful. He’s not being possessive. Just protective. And it makes your heart swell. You lean towards him, wishing the arm wrests weren’t in your way so you could lean into your partners side.
A gentle squeeze before he moves his hand away again, resting it on the back of your seat.
Normally Michael was very conversational during these things. Tonight he was quiet and tense.
There’s not many breaks during the ceremony but when there are everyone stands. Bathroom runs, snack breaks, and lots of talking. “Mike! Good to see ya man.” Wanya Morris, one of the memebers from boyz || men, clasps Michael’s hand in his own and pulls him into a hug. They performed tonight. “You too, you too!”
“It’s nice to see you looking like yourself.” Wayna’s hand lingers on Michael’s shoulder for a moment followed by a smack on his back. After he’s released Michael places a hand on your waist. A gentle pull to bring you forward physically and socially into the conversation. “And look at your lady! You look great as well honey!” Your hand is taken into a firm yet gentle handshake. It was nice when people came to mingle. You liked the strange normalcy these artists got to feel when given the company of each other. They understand each other best.. for the most part anyway. Wayna and Michael catch up for a bit before a voice crackles onto the speakers again, reminding us the commercials were nearly over.
The night goes on, awards handed out left and right. Michael won the Grammy Legend Award, his sister Janet presented it to him. It was a nice moment and when Michael was up on that stage he looked so happy. He starts his speech and everyone leaned in to listen. The way he talked was so beautiful.
“And I’d like to thank my sister Janet and most of all my beautiful wife-“ he smiles in your direction and a hand is offered next to you. When you look up you’re met with a smiling security guard. They take your hand and lead you to the stairs. Gracefully you lift your dress so you don’t trip.
Cold beads slide off your shoulders. Damn, the straps are slipping again. You know better than to try to adjust them on stage. Just leave it be no one will notice. Michael stretched out an arm to welcome you into a hug. You lift your arms feeling a sudden tension on your forearms from the motion.
The sound came first. A loud pop followed by pearls scattering to the floor. You gasp. No sooner than you hear the pearls bouncing off the ground you’re being pulled into Michael’s chest by his strong arm. After the pearls stop rattling the room feels silent. Only the faint drumming of your heart can be heard.
“Now it’s a party!” Garry Shandling, the host of the event, yells trying to lighten the mood. Silence turns to laughs from the crowd.
You wince in embarrassment and bring your hand up to further cover your face. God did your top slip? Did everyone see your chest- Fuck Michael must be so pissed.
“It’s alright, baby. I got you..” Michael mutters his hand instinctively going up to hold the back of your head. Soft fabric is draped over your shoulders. “Don’t worry, Michael got you in time.” Janet whispered before she pulled away. Thank god. You wrap the blazer around your chest like a robe, holding it in place, then lean back slightly. A small wave and a nervous laugh is all you’re able to give to the crowd.
Michael laughs at Garry’s joke but you can tell he’s not happy. “Ahem.. anyways yes I’m so thankful for my wife-“
“So are we!” A man calls from the audience making everyone laugh again. Could this get any worse?
Michael chuckles a little and smiles at the camera and the audience. He moves his hand to your back and pulls you a bit closer. He hates this. Using his free hand he brushes his hair from his eyes and leans towards the mic again. “But truly thank you all. I owe everything to my fans. I love you!” Michael blows a kiss to the camera and waves at everyone until we’re signaled to exit stage.
The large hand on your back guides you down the stairs and through the long hallway.
“God baby I’m so so sorry. Fuck I can’t believe this“ he guides you into an empty changing room and sighs once he shuts the door. Finally for the first time tonight I’m really seeing him.
“They were laughing at you..”
“I can handle the laughing at me, but I can’t stand when it’s you.” He looks so broken right now. Standing infront of you, back against the door, breathing heavy, staring at you with a sorrowful look.
“I should’ve done something about it the first time I noticed those damn straps- god what am I doing?” He runs his fingers through his hair. “And then to call you up on stage. I’m so stupid. This is why I don’t bring you to these things.“
Your stomach drops. “Michael it was an accident.. these things happen” you attempt to reassure him.
“But it happened to you.” his voice raises slightly and he furrows his brows. “Everytime I try to bring you out, go on dates, give you some sort of normalcy in this marriage the world tries to turn it into a spectacle. I cant afford these kinds of accidents!”
You clutch onto the fabric of Janet’s jacket, biting onto your lip. “So what? Am i supposed to just stay hidden away now, just because of a wardrobe malfunction?”
Michael pauses looking at you with wide eyes.
“That’s not what I meant..”
“Are you worried I’m going to embarrass you?” your eyes begin to well up and you chew on your lip harder, threatening to bruise the skin.
“Baby-“ his tone immediately softens “that’s not what I meant at all!” Warmth spread through you the moment he pulled you into a hug. One hand is placed on your back, the other cradles your head. Your face presses into his chest, his shirt drying the couple tears that had slipped down your cheek.
“Everything I do is under the public’s eye. Watched, ridiculed, mocked. They try to ruin me, and I would hate myself if they did the same to you..” he holds you tighter, seeming to attempt to comfort himself as well as you.
“They make fun of how I talk, tell me I’m bleaching my skin- create rumors and lies. I can’t stand it. I dont understand why they’ve turned on me like this I just-“ a break in his voice and a sharp inhale.
“I have to protect you. Be strong for you.. for my fans too. For myself.. but it’s just so hard.” Slowly you lean back to look at Michael. His eyes were glassy, nose tinged pink.
“Michael..” you lifted up your hand and cupped his cheek, using your thumb to brush under his eyes. “You don’t always have to be strong. You talk so much about humanity, don’t forget you’re human too..” you smile pinching his cheek lightly which earns a chuckle from Mike. But his smile disappears quickly and his eyes fall to the floor.
“I don’t.. really care about what happened tonight.” You mumble after what felt like minutes of silence.
“But you were embarrassed.”
“Yeah for like a couple minutes-“ you laugh “but.. I mean you pulled me in before I even realized what was happening. Saved the Grammys from a free burlesque performance.” That earned a louder laugh from Michael. He brings up his hand to cover his face. “That’s.. not funny.” He mumbled with a grin. “You laughed!” You giggle and shake your head.
Michael places his hand back on your waist and smiles at you- then dips his head forward and touches your foreheads together lightly. He closes his eyes and exhales. Both his hands now find their way around you, holding your body close as if you’ll run away.
“I don’t know how to protect you from what people say..” you close your eyes too allowing your breathing to synch with Michael’s.
“You don’t have to. I don’t care what the media says honey.. as long as I have you I’ll be ok.”
Your words practically melted him. His nose wrinkles against your own as he smiles.
“I love you so much baby.”
“I love you too Michael.”
