✷ ...meet coincidentally when you happen to be at the culvers studios at the same time. and michael happens to be a huge fan of yours. you're working on a new movie, and he's shooting for a music video. as soon as he hears that you're on the same studio grounds as him, he instantly has someone escort you to their set. he warmly shakes your hand, and the conversation flows so effortlessly that the crew has to remind michael he's at work. but michael doesn't want you to go already, so how does he get you to stay? simple: "i'll pay double whatever they're giving you."
✷ …sleep in extra late whenever they get the chance, which isn’t very often. from being away on tour, it’s really the only time michael can get adequate sleep. “needed this so bad, baby,” he’ll drowsily murmur with his arms wrapped around you in bed, eyes gently shut. his voice is lower and quieter like he’s drifting off. waking up in the mornings, sun high in the sky with your legs draped over the others, is the best part. you love rolling over and seeing him in a way that nobody else gets him.
one morning, michael forgot he’d invited his mother over at ten to introduce you to her. it was meant to be a formal affair like mother deserved, but she instead walked in on michael’s shirtless body draped over yours, covered by a thin blanket. “mother!” he gasps when he notices her, followed by your name.
✷ ...enjoy reading the press and tabloid coverage of them. without an official announcement or any public spottings of you two, they don't have much to go on. it heavily relies on anonymous sources and dramatized speculation. “listen to this one!” michael laughs from bed as you sort through your walk-in closet. he reads out loud. “the king of pop and america’s new favorite actress seem to have hit it off well, according to a camera man at culvers. could this be the beginning of hollywood’s most famous pair?” you laugh rather loudly, “the beginning? they’re about six months late.”
✷ …finally go public at the 1991 oscars. your presence is called for—you’re nominated for best-supporting actress. and who’s there at your side? “it’s him! it’s michael!” the paps shout once they spot him on the red carpet. his arm around your waist, his suit completely altered to match your dress. you enter the main event together, and even your peers can’t help but ogle. later in the evening, when your win is announced, michael jumps up in joy and pride before you can even process the moment.
the media coverage on the event lasted months, but it pulled attention away from your victory, which michael could see upset you. so, in his next interview, when oprah tries to ask him about you, all he says is, “did you see her in ‘12 rounds’? she was phenomenal. i’m lucky to be with someone so talented.”
✷ …can’t go anywhere in public—maybe you should’ve expected it with the world’s favorite man—but the best part is that michael still makes an effort to. you love trying new restaurants; he takes you to the best ones. when there’s time, you like to explore museums; he buys all the tickets for the day. and if he can’t take you somewhere, he brings it to you. private chefs at neverland, a new animal at the petting zoo—he even got madonna to come over and sing a few songs for you while he played piano.
✷ …always talk about the other one when separate. for michael, he’ll find a way to bring you up to anyone—interviewers, makeup artists, friends on the phone—without even saying your name. he tends to ramble: “…y’know, my girl, she likes diamonds, and she looks real pretty in them too….but it’s rubies that do it for me. you know i like red…” meanwhile, you try not to mention him in public to the press. they already get enough of him and god forbid you want some for yourself. but your coworkers? just about any and all of them know that you’re utterly infatuated with michael.
a/n : this was inspired by @luvingkiku’s hc, i luv luv luv her fics! i'm feeling a michael and rubies continuation for next time...
