westlake admirers 𓈒 🎧 ݁ ۪ ୧
thrad!michael x singer!black reader
synopsis: you were an upcoming artist, your producer quincy Jones had you over late night at Westlake studio to record a song for him & michael ends up arriving as well, and when you're recording the song michael seems absolutely breathtaken by your vocals
a/n: song inspired by "I like" by the kut klose, just seen a whole bunch of michael edits to this song 😩, so just imagine this song only being only just you and not the group.
warnings: shy!michael, flirty!michael (?), mutual pining, flirty!reader, slight cursing, michael admiring you from afar & upclose, just enjoy !
It was currently 1 am in the morning, you were in your bedroom papers scattered everyone, sheets filled with music lyrics and other song ideas for your upcoming album. You were currently sleeping finally getting some beauty rest after another long day of going over vocals and lyrics practicing over and over and over until you had enough for the day. Your silk press wrapped in a bonnet, you were extremely comfortable wearing your moomo. You had no plans getting out of your bed for the night.
Until that cell phone rang that was sitting on your vanity, you were still knocked out refusing to get up, it finally stopped ringing just to ring again two minutes later. You groaned rubbing your sleepy eyes trying to rub the sleep away. You threw your covers off your body getting annoyed from being woken out your sleep. You rubbed your left eyes walking over to your vanity picking up the phone sucking your teeth. "Betta be something important." You murmured before placing the phone to your ear finally picking up.
"Hello?" You said, voice annoyed yet groggy.
“morning sunshine.” A voice echoed through the phone, you knew that voice from anywhere. The greatest producer in the entire world right now.
You blinked your eyes trying to blink the tiredness away, you ran a hand down your face sighing. “What is it Q?, do you have any idea what time it is?”
He checks his watch. “mmh close to two in the morning, you able to come in right now? Got a few vocals I want you to do for me.” He smiled even though you couldn’t see it.
“Q….you want me to come in the studio at,” you turned your head to look towards your clock that sat on your dresser. “two in the morning, are you okay?” Your voice slightly annoyed.
“well if you want the greatest album in the world as a woman artist then i suggest you get on up and get dressed, i sent a driver he’ll be there shortly so if I was you I’d be getting up right now.”
“You sent a driver for me without me even sayin’ yes or no?” You sucked your teeth but you knew he was right, if you wanted to be the best there was only sacrifices that came with success and if losing your beauty sleep was in the category then so be it. “I’ll get dressed, I’ll be there in twenty.”
“thank you.” He said then hung up. The line running cold between the two of you now, you slowly placed the phone back down and let out a loud aggravated groan. “why the fuck is this even my life.” You muttered the words under your breath as you stared at yourself in the mirror, still half-asleep.
Twenty minutes that was all Quincy had given you. Twenty minutes to fully wake up, get dressed, fix your hair, grab your things, and somehow look presentable enough to walk into a recording studio at two in the morning.
You shook your head. “This is so irritating.” You looked through your closet to find something comfortable to wear throwing on sweatpants and a fixed tank top. You grabbed your bag and headed downstairs. The driver was already waiting outside exactly when Quincy said it would be. Of course it was.
You rolled your eyes walking towards the car backseat, you got inside looking at the driver, a soft smile spreading across your lips. “Good morning.” You greeted trying to uplift yourself, the tiredness drifting away. The man who was driving you said his good morning back and started driving away.
The drive through Los Angeles was quiet, the streets nearly empty at that hour. You rested your head against the window, watching the city lights blur past. You were tired. Extremely tired, but you knew if Quincy called it was always strictly about music and business, never no games. And if waking up at two in the morning meant being the greatest female artist in the 80s then so be it.
After a while the car came to a stop, you looked out the window looking at the building. Westlake studio. You sighed before stepping out the car thanking the driver before you go. The moment you stepped through the studio doors the familiar smell of coffee and lots of people moving in the hallway evening at three o’clock in the morning now greeted you.
A few people were still working despite the ridiculous hour. You spotted Quincy almost immediately, a soft welcoming smile on your face already. “mornin.” You said walking towards him. He looked completely awake which honestly annoyed you a little bit, how the hell wasn’t this man ever tired?.
“Finally,” he said. “Took you long enough.” He laughed “come on. I’ve got something I want you to hear.” He let you farther into the studio. You were talking about the melody he wanted you to try when you suddenly noticed someone sitting a few feet away.
You stopped dead in your tracks, like seriously you stopped dead in your tracks. It was Michael Jackson. Thee Michael Jackson. The same man you admired because of his amazing footwork and amazing performances. And oh my gosh that amazing soft voice he carried. It was like you saw a ghost your jaw dropping just a bit, this was your first time ever meeting Michael Jackson, you’ve meet plenty of celebrities but never Michael jackson which was an complete shock to you.
He was sitting quietly near the console, dressed casually instead of all the fancy outfits he wear. He was listening to everything some other producer was saying. You hadn’t expected him to be here at this hour. Michael noticed you looking and immediately gave a small, polite shy smile as if he knew you already.
Quincy glanced between the two of you. “Michael, this is the artist I’ve been telling you about. (Name) meet Michael, Michael meet (name)”
You looked at Michael, making direct eye contact with him he looked even better up closer as if he was an angel who snuck on earth it was breathtaking. You extended your hand out. “Hi Michael, it’s nice to meet you.”
he looked down at your hand then back at your eyes, he was a gentleman yet also a big flirt to the ladies. So accepting a handshake from a girl as beautiful as you?, unacceptable. He spread his arms out embracing you in a friendly manner hug. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well (name)” he said then stepped back enough to look at you after you two stopped hugging.
Quincy just stood there watching letting the two of you greet each other, you damn near would’ve thought you were gonna pass out. He smelled amazing. He was tall. He was breathtaking. You seriously thought you were hugging an angel for a second. After you two separated from the hug you smiled and nodded your head.
Michael smiled as well a bit. “I’ve heard some of your work.”
You looked at Quincy. “You’ve been talking about me?”
“Only good things” Quincy chuckled a bit. “Enough talking, let’s work”
You walked into the recording booth and slipped the headphones on, your lyrical notebook sat directly in front of you on a stool so you could see your lyrics that you had scrabbled on pages with other ideas. Your foot tapping on the floor, your hand tapping lightly on your thigh as you practiced lowly before the music even started.
Quincy and Michael sat behind the booth on chairs, Quincy dealing with the equipment while michael just sat there like he had no time in the world, you thought it was odd at first which made you completely more nervous because thee michael jackson is sitting in your recording session right now. The person you admired dearly.
“You ready?” Quincy asked you pressing down on a button that allowed you to hear him from behind the booth. “Yeah, I’m ready.” You said nodding your head lowering your head closing your eyes giving yourself a prep talk before the song began. “You’re confident, you’re strong, you’re beautiful, and you work miracles on everything you create.” You muttered.
Quincy just sat there and watched giving you time. After a few minutes he pressed the button again. “You ready now?” He asked. You raised your head and nodded. The instrumental began. You closed your eyes and began singing.
“tender lovin it’s what I want, don’t wanna rush it nah,” you started singing keeping your eyes focused on your notebook. “let’s take it nice and slow honey, caress my body and hold me tight, don’t let me go baby, until I get enough ooh.”
The room became completely silent, michael had been casually listening at first. But within seconds his expression changed. He leaned forward slightly.
You continued singing resting your notebook on a stool propt up so you could still read it. “baby tonight the loving is right, you know how I like it, yeah. You know just what I want, babyy.” Your voice wasn’t loud. Didn’t really need to be loud honestly.
“I like the way you tease me, I like the way you squeeze me, I like the way you touch me,” you pressed both your palms on the headphone muffins closing your eyes the lyrics just flowing out your mouth. “I like the way you sex me.”
Your voice carried lots of emotions naturally, moving effortlessly through the melody. “Turn down the light baby, take off what you have on, let’s do it to the music, come bring your lovin on, my body’s yearnin for you baby, for a taste of your love. Only you can fill this appetite, come satisfy my love.”
Michael felt as if he was hearing an angel on earth, his eyes watching you the entire time you sang. You looked beautiful in his view, no. You looked breathtaking just like how your voice was breathtaking. You still didn’t look up from your notebook refusing to make any eye contact with Quincy or michael.
When you finally finished the first take, you opened your eyes. Quincy immediately pressed the talkback button. “That’s it.”
“Very good.” He said putting his coffee cup on the table.
You looked toward the control room finally looking up, michael was still staring through the glass, he wasn’t staring at you in a weird way, more like he was genuinely fascinated and amazed by the sound he’d just heard. Quincy noticed, of course he noticed. He knew Michael since he was five years old he knew every emotion and expression on his face like the back of his hand.
“michael?” Quincy said which caused michael to blink snapping out of staring at you through the glass window. “Hm?” He said.
“You got somethin’ you want to say?” Quincy asked looking at michael turning his chair slightly towards him. Michael looked slightly embarrassed, he rubbed his hand on his neck his cheeks warming up.
“No i just…” he paused before finally found his words. “…her voice is really beautiful Q, I never heard something like that before it’s….wonderful y’know.” He looked at Quincy.
You were too busy looking over your notes to overhear what was just said about you, flipping through all the pages and scribbled notes you took down on almost five full sheets of paper. Your hand tapping against your thigh singing a few words lowly.
Quincy leaned back in his chair with a knowing grin, he looked at you behind the glass then his eyes went back to michael. “She’s gonna go places somewhere with a voice like that,” he picked up his coffee cup taking a sip.
Michael nodded his eyes, eyes going to the floor too shy to say anything or even too shy to the point he’d be scared you’ll overhear. “yeah…she definitely will.” He muttered under his breath.
Quincy sighed and pressed the talkback button. “You ready?” You looked up from your notes giving him a thumbs up giving him a confirmation. And the next track began playing through the speakers, Michael quietly turned his attention back toward the booth.
The instrumental started rolling through the speakers again. You adjusted your headphones glancing toward Quincy through the glass. “Same thing?” You asked.
“Same thing,” he confirmed. “But this time, don’t think about the notes, just feel it.” He gave an example with his hand like an ocean wave.
You nodded as the music started to begin. “baby tonight, the loving is right you know how I like it, you know how I want it.”
You continued singing getting through the rest of the verses, you vocals were amazing. Michael remained in the control room, sitting quietly beside the console. He had originally planned on staying for only a little while but the longer you recorded the more interested he became in what you and Quincy were building with this song.
There was something different about your voice, it wasn’t simply that you could sing. Plenty of people could sing. You made the lyrics sound like they meant something.
“Come on baby, don’t you hold back on me, give me everything you’ve got, you know I wanna give you all my lovin, it will be good to the last drop.”
“I like the way you kiss me, I like way you squeeze me, I like the way you hold me tight, I like the way you touch me, I like it when you love me right baby, I like the way you sex me, making love all through the night baby.” You continued singing, your voice slightly faltering a bit.
Quincy noticed it, course he did but he continued letting you sing for a few more minutes.
“Come on, come on baby, I like the way you squeeze me, hold me tight, I like the way you touch me, taking your time, I like the way you see me, come on, come on baby.”
“Give me your love, I like the way you squeeze me, all that I want, I like the way you touch me, and taking your time.” You finished the song, you let it fade naturally. Silence filled the entire room.
Then Quincy slowly leaned forward the talkback microphone. “Again.” He said
You immediately pulled the side of the headphones away from your ear getting slightly frustrated. “Again?” You asked sucking your teeth.
“Again.” He said once again.
“Trust me on this, just do the last part again… more emotion, more feeling, let it flow out.” He said talking into the microphone.
You sighed dramatically rolling your eyes and putting your headphones back on. The track began again. You started singing again pressing your palms on both sides of your headsets. “come on, come baby, I like the way you squeeze me, hold me tight, I like the way you touch me, taking your time, I like the way you sex me, come on, come on baby.” You sang the part again with more emotion than the last time, it sounded beautiful like extremely better than the last time.
When the final note ended, nobody spoke for several seconds. Quincy pressed the button. “That’s the one.”
You smiled your frustration fading away. “Thank God.” You stepped out the booth taking the headphones off and setting them down to the side. You walked toward the console and dropped into the chair beside quincy. “We done now?” You asked.
Michael was still nearby, quietly listening to the playback, when your vocals came through the speakers again for a preview of how you did inside the booth. The studio became full of chatter and laughter about how good you did. When the “come on, come on baby,” part came on you smiled nodding your head looking at Quincy. “That’s that shit right there.” You laughed.
While everyone else was too busy talking your focus shifted towards a certain someone beside you. You turned your rolling chair spinning towards him, “hello to you.” You smiled looking at Michael.
He looked at you almost shocked that you were talking to him, someone as beautiful as you were talking to him?, was he dreaming?, he stayed silent for a minute blinking his wide eyes. Then he snapped out of it. “oh uh…hi” he said softly chuckling a bit at his nervousness.
You giggled at his shyness finding it cute that you had thee Michael Jackson blushing over you. “How are you?” You started off with something casual trying your hardest not to scare him off or anything. “why are you at the studio so late? Thought a superstar like you should be sleeping or somethin.” You said.
“I’m fine,” he said completely avoiding eye contact with you. He shifted in his seat, his gaze fixing firmly on the lit-up mix console as if the lit dials were the most fascinating thing in the room. A subtle blush crept up the back of his neck, contrasting with the cool, effortless superstar aura he usually projected.
You leaned your elbows on your knees, watching him with an amused smirk. "You sure about that, Michael? you seem a bit shy right now.”
That made him glance up at you for a split second, a soft, high-pitched chuckle spilling out before he looked down again. "No, no... it's not that," he insisted softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He fidgeted with the silver zipper on his jacket. "I just... I don't usually see people lay down vocals with that much heart on the very first try. You... you really mean what you sing. It's special, (Name)."
Hearing him say your name so casually sent a sudden jolt straight through your chest, but you kept your cool, tilting your head. "High praise coming from you," you said softly. "Thank you that really means a lot to me actually, especially coming from you oh my gosh my little sister would’ve fainted if she knew I was sitting in front of michael jackson." You said with a soft laugh.
Michael bit his lip, trying to hide a growing smile as he finally met your eyes. “I’m serious, you could go places with that voice of yours."
You giggled, loving the way he turned soft and flustered under your attention. "Well, aren't you a sweet talker," you said smoothly, rolling your chair just a tiny bit closer to his. "So... what keeps you up at three in the morning? Is it always music, or do you just like hanging out in studio control rooms at ridiculous hours?"
"A little bit of both," he said, easing up as a light spark entered his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, watching you carefully. "Music is always in my head, honestly. It never really turns off. But what about you?, did quincy also wake you at odd times of the night?”
"He absolutely did," you laughed, tossing your head back. "I was actually finally get rest then my phone just started ringing and now look where I’m at, finishing a song.”
He let out a genuine, beautiful laugh, his hand covering his mouth for a second. "I'm really glad you did," he murmured, his tone dropping into something surprisingly tender. "What do you like to do when you're not being dragged into the studio in the middle of the night?"
"uhh well i like cooking, i really enjoy makin’ food I also love just staying home and gardening," you said, holding his gaze with a warm smile. "What about you? Do you ever just get to be normal?…well I’m not asking in like an odd way y’know but it’s like you’ve been famous your whole life.”
"I try to," he said softy, looking deeply entertained by you. "I like watching old cartoons, drawing, buying books... simple things, really."
The two of you kept talking like that, completely tuning out the background noise of the studio. Quincy and the engineers were still chatting and adjusting levels in the back, but it felt like a total bubble had formed around the two of you. Michael's initial shyness started melting away into sweet, gentle flirting, his eyes locking onto yours as you swapped stories, jokes, and little secrets about your routines.
"Alright, night owls," Quincy’s loud voice suddenly broke through the atmosphere as he stretched his arms. "It's almost five in the morning. Driver's outside for you, sweetheart.”
You blinked, snapped back to reality. "Wait, already?" You glanced at the studio clock in disbelief. Time had completely flown by while talking to Michael.
"Duty calls," Quincy chuckled, giving your shoulder a affectionate pat before heading out toward the back lounge to pack up.
You stood up, grabbing your bag and smoothing down your sweatpants. Michael stood up right along with you, looking surprisingly hesitant to let the moment end. He rubbed the back of his neck, stepping a bit closer as you swung your bag over your shoulder.
"Leaving already?" he asked softly, looking down at you with a slight, hopeful smile.
"Duty calls, remember?" you teased softly, smiling up at him. "Unless you want Quincy calling me at two in the morning again tomorrow."
He chuckled, but his eyes held a subtle warmth as he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small pen and a piece of scrap paper from the console.
"Before you go..." he began, looking up at you through his dark eyelashes with that same kind expression. "I was wondering... maybe I could get your number? So I don't have to go through Quincy every time I want to hear your voice."
Your heart did a little flutter, Michael jackson wanted your number?, what the fuck? "You want,” you pointed at yourself. “My number?”
He rubbed the back of his neck being shy again, he was never this used to just getting girls number himself he always had his trusted security bill do it for him but michael realized he was a grown ass man and as beautiful as you looked you deserved to be addressed directly by him. “y-yeah if that’s fine with you I don’t mean to make you uncomfo-“
“oh boy please I could literally faint right now, the hell do you mean uncomfortable.” you laughed. You took the pen from his hand, your fingers brushing lightly against his, sending a warm spark straight through you. You scribbled your home digits down onto the paper and handed it back to him.
He looked at the paper like it was pure gold, carefully folding it and slipping it into his pocket. "Thank you, (Name)" he whispered, stepping into your personal space.
"You're welcome," you said softly.
Without hesitating, you wrapped your arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a warm, genuine tight hug. Michael instantly wrapped his long arms around your waist, holding you close against him. He smelled intoxicatingly good a mix of fresh cologne and soft warmth. He squeezed you gently before slowly letting go, his hands lingering on your waist for just an extra second.
"Get some sleep, okay?" he murmured, giving you a beautiful, radiant smile.
"Only if you do the same," you smiled back, giving him one last playful look before turning toward the studio exit where your driver was waiting.
A month flew by in a blur of final mix approvals, photo shoots, and promo prep. Before you knew it, release day had arrived. Your debut single hit the radio waves, and the response was an absolute explosion.
Every time you turned on the radio, your vocals were blasting through the speakers. Record stores were putting up promotional posters, and Quincy’s vision had proven 100% right the track was an instant hit, soaring up the Billboard charts at a ridiculous pace. Critics were praising your vocal control, emotion, and presence, calling you the breakout female artist of 1985.
You were sitting on your living room floor surrounded by music magazines and charts, still trying to process the fact that your dream was officially coming true, when the phone rang again.
You picked it up, barely finishing your "Hello" before a loud, joyful voice filled the earpiece.
"Did I tell you or did I tell you?" Quincy’s voice boomed. "Top ten on the charts already! You're taking over!"
"I can't even believe it," you laughed, clutching the phone tightly. "Thank you for waking me up at two in the morning for this."
"Never doubt the master plan," Quincy chuckled. "Hold on a second, somebody here wants to congratulate you."
There was a brief shuffle on the line, the sound of the receiver changing hands, and then Michael’s voice came through, filled with genuine excitement and warmth.
"Hey, Congratulations!" he said softly, but you could hear the huge smile in his voice. "I saw the chart numbers today. I'm so, so proud of you.”
"Thank you, Michael," you said, feeling a warmth spread through your chest that had nothing to do with the chart positions and everything to do with him. "It feels completely surreal."
"You deserve every bit of it," Michael said softly, his voice dropping into that sweet, intimate tone he reserved just for you. "I told you that night in the studio... your voice is special. Now the whole world knows it too."
"Well, having you cheer me on from the start definitely helped," you teased playfully.
"I'm always in your corner," he replied gently without hesitation. "Actually... Q and I were thinking we should celebrate. Just a quiet dinner, away from all the noise. What do you think?"
You leaned against the wall, a playful smirk tugging at your lips. "Just Quincy and you? Or are you asking me out, Michael?"
There was a brief pause on the line, followed by a soft, flustered chuckle from Michael that sent your heart fluttering.
"Well... Q can come for the food," Michael murmured playfully, his shy charm shining through. "But I'm definitely asking you."
“well I’ll definitely like that.” You said smiling.
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