it's hard to get boundaries right.
mature m. jackson x reader. it's natural for relationships to have their moments. some aren't so pretty. raw, unfiltered, messy arguments led themselves to a bitter argument. one thing that didn't cross your mind was how it really got to michael.
i know i just gave you guys fluff. but this is angst. haha. this drabble contains established relationships, communication issues, angst with comforting endings.
Emotions naturally overtook you, enough to warrant an unnatural, different reaction. With clenched fists and tight muscles, you raised your voice dauntingly towards Michael.
In the moment, you weren't thinking.
For a second, the sight of Michael's hands shaking drew you out of your outburst. Evidently, you could catch the uncertainty coursing within his movements.
How he abruptly pivoted away from you, pacing down the hall with his head hung low.
Michael's demeanor seemed frenzied, as if he knew nothing better than to storm off before he said something equally heartbreaking. The abrupt bang of the door shook the ground, only feeding into your guilt as Michael walked away.
"Michael, wait," you felt a twist in your gut. A sensation of shame right after the adrenaline leaves your body.
A sense of immediate culpability drove you bolt after him, hands finding the doorknob and twisting. The door didn't budge, earning a breathy sigh from your lungs.
Fear struck you, prompting you to knock twice.
"Please," Michael's voice called. "I'm busy." He whispered, the telltale signals of hurt laced in each word. Hesitantly, you called out.
The guilt made you hold your tongue, quelling more of what you had been close to saying. Michael didn't react.
Given time alone, you spent hours cleaning already spotless countertops and sweeping floors repeatedly. Distracting your mind from the shame that replayed continuously.
The disappointment intensified the longer it went on. There was no reasonable excuse for your actions; Michael didn't deserve such treatment.
The realization that you had lashed out at someone who would do anything for you only emerged afterward. In the moment, frustration clouded your perception of Michael's intentions.
Yet, you couldn't help but feel disappointed in yourself, as causing him pain was never your intention.
"Hey." Michael's voice caught you by shock, prompting you to turn on your heel. Before you had any chance to step closer, he crossed his arms over his chest and sighed.
"Hey," you whispered, the sentiment of remorse weighing heavily in your bones. Michael could sense it off you from the bedroom; he heard each clatter of silverware, plates, and the whirring of the vacuum for hours.
Swallowing, your eyes met his. Michael's eyes weren't filled with hate. Far from it, he seemed open. Understanding, yet caught by surprise. Still, as if it happened in the moment.
"Please, don't bash yourself." Michael began, his voice direct. Not demanding, more as if he were reiterating an unspoken boundary.
"I know you didn't mean to do that," he sighed, averting his eyes from yours. "Which is why I'm not mad, yeah? S'just not something you do, what'd I do? You don't gotta yell."
Tears welled in your eyes, compelling you to stare down at your feet while you ran your palms down the fabric of your pants. Nodding, you brought a hand to wipe the tears away. It didn't feel right to cry, but you were ashamed.
Michael didn't hesitate before stepping closer, hating to see tears disarray the perfection on your features. Tilting your chin up to meet his gaze, he sighed and brushed his thumb at the wet streaks of tears.
"M'sorry, I don't know what to say. I don't have an excuse. I don't." The words left your mouth in shaky incriminations, probing to find the next. "And," you swallowed thickly, shaking your head.
"I don't know why I yelled at you."
A guileless certitude, you couldn't glance into his eyes. As much as Michael redirected your stare to his, you bit down on your bottom lip, trembling.
"I'm not asking you to explain yourself..." Michael's voice dropped to a whisper, cupping your cheeks in his palms. Finally, you locked eyes with his and sucked in a breath.
You'd felt as if you were to lose Michael in the heat of the moment, you didn't want that again.
"I just want you to understand."
A pause, you exhaled deeply.
okay... i know this ended abruptly. but it's half of a fic. i'm testing the waters cause i kinda didn't like this one...
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