THE PEOPLE’S PRINCESS.
21+! No warnings fr, just a couple makeout sessions . Also, thanks for all the love on the last chapter! I appreciate it❤️😘 A little background, Michael and Kaliyah met in 1988 but he’s been following her art for 6 months previously. This opening scene begins in 1991 (which would be late Bad, early Dangerous era) at an awards show. (Which was the Grammys). Their flashbacks will be in 1988-1989. Enjoy! Ideas and feedback are welcomed! ❤️
TIMING : OCTOBER 1991 PAIRING: BLACK!READER X BADERA!MICHAEL (1988)
ACT II.
“Shit! I can’t find them.” A desperate whine coming from Kaliyah’s mouth, french tips rubbing the items in her clutch. Her husband’s arm draped over her shoulders, his eyes searching the cabinet of the limo hastily. “This is just great, we’re about to pull up.” Michael’s face turning to hers as she rambles on, all too familiar with her curse-filled rants. “The lightning is going to make me go blind, seriously, Michael.” Her voice rising, Kaliyah’s eyes looking past his face and out the tinted window. The limo coming to a complete stop, screams pounding the vehicle from outside, she catches her breathing picking up for the second time tonight. Kaliyah’s chest feeling tighter than usual, his hand dropping to her waist. The assistant’s seated around them making moves to help but his free hand goes up.
“Baby.”
“No, Micheal, it’s always something.”
“I know it feels that way but I will fix this. You’re feeling all the pressure right now, angel.” His fingers brushing the bang framing her face, the palm of her hand touching his wrist. “It’s all this energy around us, we just have to learn how to transmute it.” Kaliyah pats the foundation creasing at her smile lines, a small laugh coming from his lips. He wants to help but she’ll only scold him, believing he’s ruining her makeup. “You look so beautiful, no need to fix anything if I had it my way.” The playful look in his eyes deepening with each second he fixes on his wife.
“Nigga, shut up, you’re making me blush.” Her laugh made him grin, Kaliyah’s hands gliding around his neck and the side of her face smushing up to his. “You’re so sweet, thank you. I love you.” Michael’s head switches to her, nails scratching mildly on the back of his neck.
“Why didn’t you let me say it first? Kaliyah, come on.” She kisses his lips several times, each peck as tender as the next. Her fingers moving to rest on his jawline. She made a movement to pull away, his arm pushing her back into place. “I love you so much.” The final kiss—long, a ribbon of fervor sneaking into her mouth for a second. Kaliyah drawing back, her body releasing a heat that can only be found under the blazing sun. A pressure between her thighs that can only be cured at home, her hands on his face holding back his arduous state and her lips keeping up with his.
“Michael, the assistant’s.” Her voice not sure of itself but his mouth pulling away nonetheless, the skin of their bottom lips sticking together for a moment.
“Right.” He turns his body to them once more, the expressions on their face causing a snicker to escape from his mouth. “Let’s find her glasses…please and thank you.”
“Mr. Jackson, there ready to go—
“I don’t care, the company can wait. She has to be comfortable, the cameras go crazy when they see her.” Kaliyah’s eyes going back and forth between the heated exchange of words. Her heart beating on her temples as she intertwines her fingers with his, Kaliyah’s other hand pressing down the thick fabric of her embellished gown. The corset had been nipping at her waist from the time she put it on, her breast lifted to the sky. The sequin’s glare casting on the roof of the limousine, she could feel the adrenaline increasing in her body. The assistant pressing his finger to his ear—attempting to hear the irritated voices of the coordinators. His face turning red and eyes widened slightly at Michael, her eyes narrowing on the young man. “What are they saying?”
“They’re calling her a brat, Mr. Jackson.”
“They called her a what?!” His body leaning forward as Kaliyah exhales, she rolls her eyes then lays a hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Fuck it, we’re going home.” A few gasps slipped throughout the cabinet, she was familiar with her husband’s rare cursing.
“Baby, it’s alright. I’ll just go out without them.”
“No, we’ll go home and I’ll make a statement. I want you to be satisfied, Kaliyah.” Her hands finding his face again, his stare signaling to her he was beyond angry. “I don’t like when they push your feelings to the side, you’re not a damn brat you just get overstimulated. They can push my feelings to the side but not yours.”
“I know, baby, I know. But the fans wanna see us, they’ve been waiting for hours. It’s the only good thing here tonight, forget them. It’s alright. I promise.” Her voice embracing his, Michael’s eyes glancing out the window. Kaliyah’s manicured nails run down the sleeves of his white blazer, she twirls the ring around his finger. His gaze aiming at her, a close-lipped smile on her lips. “Come on.” He noticed she wasn’t happy, maybe even a little hurt by what they said. It infuriated him, it hadn’t been the only time a group of coordinators found it hard to work with Mrs. Jackson. She was quite the contrary, simple and thankful every single time.
“We do love them…we’ll go but I want you to know I see you. I will be making that statement.” That only meant that the company would be catching serious heat in the next coming days. Michael’s team getting out first causing the crowd to shift wildly, a group of security standing by for the two to exit. He came out first, the flashes bombarding Michael. A light so bright you could see it from moons away, a forced smile on his face, he waved. Shrieks hurled his way repeatedly, his hand reaching for Kaliyah. Her fingers grasp onto his, the ring on her finger refracting in seconds. The flashes doubling as she stepped her heel on the concrete, lifting herself up, a look on her face that no longer resembled the situation in the limo. A confidence that appeared stronger when the door opened. The screams popping at her ears, Kaliyah clings to Michael’s side, her assistant grabbing at the ends of the gown as they gracefully move through the crowd hand in hand. A grin on her lips, she blows kisses toward their supporters.
It took Kaliyah a while to get comfortable with her husband, her brain being rewired over the past years when it came to the fact that she’s in an everlasting union with Michael Jackson. It took them a while to consummate their marriage, her nerves all over the place whenever he touched her. Being around him and chatting was never the problem, it was the intimacy of it all. The chemistry was intense, it was too much. After Wembly, the dates he took her on were countless—his little way of showing his dedication and easing her into him. The enveloped invitations stopping her in her tracks every time she’d step out to paint the world again. Kaliyah didn’t believe she could overcome those jolts of excitement until he showed her she could, a cold October night was all it took. Kaliyah and Michael walking down the sidewalk, leaves rustling past them and people leaning onto the showcasing windows of shops talking amongst themselves. “There’s so many Michael Jackson’s out here tonight, they won’t even suspect you.” Michael dressed down in his Smooth Criminal outfit, shades around his eyes and Bill trickling behind in a disguise of his own.
Extra security was on standby down the street, a car running and willing to pull up to whatever building they race out of. A couple cosplayers walking by, Kaliyah sharing a look with Bill. Her lips pursing as if telling him ‘told you so’. He shakes his head then looks away briefly, she turns to Michael, her eyes looking at his tense shoulders. “You really take a risk doing this for us, huh?” He looks down chuckling, his gaze switching to focus on hers.
“It’s nothing, Kaliyah.”
“It’s honorable.” The neon glare of the passing sign paints a shade of red over his face, Michael licking his lips as his fingers tug the fabric of her long-sleeved shirt. A smile creeping onto her lips, they didn’t realize they came to the front of a night club. The doors swung wide open, the hot air inside casting a warm blanket on the two, their heads facing the bouncer sitting down. People in costumes walking out, some entering with a pep in their steps, Rock Steady being performed by a live band and singer. The beat cascades into the atmosphere, a strip of notes swirling around Kaliyah’s body. “This is my song!” She pulls him inside, a smile coming onto his face at her explosive excitement. Bill following behind, the two of them pushing through the costume-filled crowd with their movements attacking the bass. Michael grabbing ahold of her hand and tugging her in, Kaliyah gasps out of surprise.
“Rock steady, rock steady, baby.”
“Let’s call this song exactly what it is.”
“What it is, what it is, what it is.”
“It’s a funky and low down feeling.”
“Follow me.” He draws her into him—hands guiding her hips and Kaliyah’s movement coming into harmony with his. They dip left and right with the tune as the singer’s long belts ring in their ears. Michael taking off his jacket and tossing it to the side as the heat from the room begins to engulf him. His hand grabbing hers to twirl her body around swiftly, a smile spreads on her lips. Kaliyah’s back resting on his chest as they rock once more. “You ready?” His voice hitting her ear softly, not being able to form her words she nods hesitantly, his grin grazing her cheek. “Trust me, angel.”
“Michael, I do trust you. I’m nervous, you’re the greatest entertainer of all time.”
“I’ll guide you.”
“You better.” The trumpets going off in the mix, the low lights making the dance floor look like a jazz bar. The drums dropping to the ground and Michael waltzing Kaliyah across the floor, one hand on her hip and the other holding her arm out. He moved instinctively but his arms conducted her around effortlessly. Her body beginning to unwind to the jumping beat—he swoops her down her hair reaching towards the floor. Michael lifts her back up hastily not giving her the time to catch her breath—he shuffles them across the floor once more. Her hips rocking freely and Kaliyah’s arms snaking up his chest then wrapping around his neck, the cheering individuals around them seeming to vanish one by one. It was difficult to hold himself back, he wanted to fully engulf her in his craft. A piano drowning over the beat gradually, the lights lowering over their clothing. “You did amazing.”
“Barely, you don’t have to lie to make me feel better.”
“I’m not, you kept up. A lot of people have found it hard to follow, stop downplaying yourself.” Kaliyah not realizing how close in proximity they’ve become, a horde of royal blue lighting coating them. The nerves creeping into her feet, tangling between the spaces of her ribs, they reach to her chest finally. Michael watched her eyes go empty behind his shades, the greatest entertainer in the world giving her a compliment. “I really don’t want to freak you out…I think the world of you.” He makes a movement to lower his shades, Kaliyah gasps subtly then grabs his wrist.
“Don’t do that, Mike, I’m already on cloud nine.”
“Ain’t no way, for me to love you. If you won’t let me.” The woman behind the microphone singing softly, her eyes peered toward the crowd and the curled beehive on her head under the spotlights. Michael’s hands guiding her arms around his neck and his head lowering to her face. “Michael, please.” Her words soft, fingers brushing lightly on his blue undershirt. The tears swollen at her lids, eyes clear as she watches him carefully. Her hand moving to his chest, his fingers taking her wrist and bringing it close to his lips. A kiss being planted on her skin, Kaliyah’s lips slightly part, she could’ve felt the tingles miles away. “Oh my goodness.”
“It’s okay, give in to me.” His tone quiet and soothing to her ears. Moving closer, he brings her hand back to his neck, his body swaying them elegantly with the music. It was unhealed trauma and he knew it, he just didn’t bring it up. Kaliyah’s chin falling on top his shoulder willingly, needy. Her body swinging with his, mind shutting off as she let him control her actions. His face nuzzling into her neck, the pads of her fingers pulling softy on the ends of his hair. The couples moving around them at the same pace, each with a different story and timeline. Her limbs feeling drowsy with fervent, the more time she spent with him the further she succumbed to his consistent ardency. Their faces meeting together and his lips sweeping across Kaliyah’s. Hands squirming against the back of his neck, her breathing picks up slowly. Bodies close as they could be and hands holding one another tight. “Ooo, baby.” Teeth biting his bottom lip, corners of his mouth lifting at his teasing. His movements tickle her nose, a smile breaking across her cheeks as she begins to laugh, he beams cheekily.
“And if you need me, like you say, say you do!” The woman’s voice increasing gradually, her head turning away from the mic as her swelling notes reach the ceiling. “Oh then, baby, baby, baby…don’t you know that I need you?!” Kaliyah pushing forward, her lips falling onto his shamelessly and his head angling with hers. Eyebrows creased and thoughts roaming rampant, Michael grips her waist unintentionally and her desire communicates with his. She pulls away—his lips catching hers once more, head turned just right and the kiss smooth like waves. A moan slides into his mouth and Kaliyah’s hands pull him in by his undershirt, bodies molded together with a ball of passion growing between them. And when they went out to eat, she was nearer than ever. Shoulders rubbing as they sat, fingers interlaced in the booth. The sign reflecting off the glass and her index finger tracing the rim of his sunglasses. Bill on the other side looking adamantly at his surroundings while the both of them, two scoops of ice cream melting into each other.
Even then, the desire to hold each other gnawed at their fingers. Michael falling foolishly and irrevocably in love with her, he realized in a span of a few seconds. The waitress sitting two milkshakes down on the table, his eyes staying glued to the side of Kaliyah’s face as her fingers reach for her straw. “Allow me.” He grabs the sealed paper, hands ripping open the wrapper then handing the circular piece of plastic her way. She takes it, eyes squinted at him and his brows arched playfully. “Somebody loves you, baby, you know who it is.” The graceful ballad cradling the front of the diner, Kaliyah takes a sip of her milkshake as her eyes remain on his face.
“You’ve got that look on your face, ya know?”
“You can barely see my face.”
“I don’t have to, boo. It’s ya energy.” He coughs up a chuckle, head turning for a moment. Michael looking back upon Kaliyah, he flicks his glasses down on the bridge of his nose. “Michael.” She whispers, eyes bulging at him.
“Is your energy telling you that I’m in love?” She swallows the rest of the ice cream in her mouth, a shade of deep rogue coming to her cheeks. He couldn’t believe he said it but he did, Bill on the other hand could. Michael talked about her all the time, every new fact he learned about Kaliyah went straight to him. With his heart banging on his chest, fingers swirling his straw around the glass of his milkshake. He was anxious, extremely, what would she say? Bill’s eyes on Kaliyah but she couldn’t feel them, she couldn’t feel any of the souls around her but Michael’s and her own. “I love you, Kaliyah.”
“I love you, Michael.”
