LET’S GET MARRIED ╱ michael jackson x black male!oc
part one. in which, jerrod pays his beloved virgo a happy birthday visit, and gives him two birthday presents; one he wasn’t really expecting, and another he really wanted… but he ends up loving both. [this would take place during the time skip between parts one and two, but isn’t considered canon to the main story. it’s just a little fluffy fic!] tags: sub!michael, bratty!michael, otw era, black mlm, light fluff, a little tension, sexual themes
As the clock rolled into midnight and ushered in a brand new day, the answering machine by the French doors leading to the bedroom’s balcony erupted into a frenzy of beeps. Michael yawned softly and rubbed his face, his eyes still heavy with sleep.
He walked with the speed of a snail to the answering machine and pressed play, and LaToya’s voice filled the room.
“Hi, Michael! I know you’re probably sleeping right now, like you always are… hee-hee-hee.”
Michael snickered softly at LaToya’s laugh.
“Well, I just called to wish you a happy birthday. I saw a clip of you and the guys performing on the news at 11 and I thought I should give you a call! I really miss you, Janet does too. Come by the house so I can give you this $799 custom-made present! Call me back later, Michael! I’ll talk to you later, okay? Tell Jerrod and Ayanna I said hello. Okay, bye-bye.”
A tiny smile tugged at Michael’s lips. That was just LaToya’s nature; always thinking ahead, always making sure she was the first to wish him well. But the mention of Jerrod made his chest ache, though.
He knew Jerrod was pretty busy lately, working on his solo music that means so much to him. And Michael loved his passion, he’d absolutely never ask Jerrod to give up on a dream he’d been working so hard for.
Still, the glass penthouse felt so empty without Jerrod.
As of late, it seemed like Michael’s time was spent up waiting for Jerrod than actually being with him. On a night like this, with his new age of 22 only being minutes old, his loneliness seemed deeper than usual.
He wished Jerrod was there next to him.
The thought of celebrating his birthday with LaToya later brought a sense of warmth, a strong reminder of how loved he was, but it wasn’t enough to fill the empty space in his heart.
He let out a quiet sigh as he sank back into the comfort of the silk bed sheets. Sleep was about to calm him again when the ringing of the black rotary telephone above the answering machine interrupted the quiet.
“Oh, God.” Michael frowned, contemplating even getting out of the bed to answer the damn phone. He decided to get out of bed and take the call. “Hello?”
“Hey, Michael, it’s me. Happy birthday, beautiful.”
Michael’s heart fluttered when he heard Jerrod’s voice pick up through the speaker, but instead of getting weak for him instantly like he normally did, he let out a dry “Hmmph.”
“Oh, so you do remember I exist. I thought you were in love with your studio now instead of me.”
Jerrod smacked his lips and groaned. “Aw, come on, Baby Love. Don’t do me like that.”
“I want you here with me, Jerrod...”
Michael’s reply felt restrained, even though his heart pounded wildly because of unsaid feelings. He held the phone by his chest again and closed his eyes, trying his hardest to shut out the memory of Jerrod’s hands on his body. His brain remembered far too vividly what it felt like when Jerrod kissed him and held him tight against his own beauteous body, leaving him breathless. The ache of longing twisted deep inside him.
“I’m here, I’m outside. Come open the door for me.”
Michael’s heart skipped several beats, his entire body warming up. With wide eyes, he went to the balcony and there he was; Jerrod sitting in his shiny jet black Mercedes-Benz, holding his car’s built-in rotary telephone. He looked so damn fine, even from Michael’s far-away view.
After Michael quickly made his way down the stairs, he pulled the door open. Jerrod’s intoxicating presence transmitted through the home. Leaning against the door frame, he was dressed in a sleek all black outfit that hugged his muscle-bound, glowing brown-skinned body. He donned a fresh, neat set of cornrows and his deep brown eyes sparkled with a mix of sincere affection and mischief.
“Hi, Michael,” Jerrod greeted softly. His voice was soft, dripping with that sexy raspiness that Michael knew he couldn’t resist. But for now, he was gonna resist temptation and make it a bit harder for Jerrod.
“Hey,” Michael dryly replied. He didn’t budge from the doorway. “What’s up?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s up’, I came to see you,” Jerrod replied bluntly. “You gon’ let me in my house, babe?”
Michael huffed and stepped back so Jerrod could come in the house. The door clicked shut behind them, locking them in the quiet intimacy of the night.
They went into the dimly-lit living room, where Jerrod placed a bag on the empty coffee table and took out a medium-sized vanilla birthday cake, a bottle of champagne, two glasses, and a little red velvet box that he placed into his pocket.
“Come on, stop acting like you ain’t happy to see me,” Jerrod teased, leaning casually against the deep red sofa. “You look beautiful.”
Michael chuckled, glancing down at his navy blue velvet pajama set as he sat down onto the couch next to him. “No, I don’t.”
“You do, you look gorgeous.”
Jerrod looked over at the younger man, pressing his lips together tightly. He could feel Michael’s energy was off, and he realy could feel it once Michael got up from the couch and went into the kitchen.
“Michael,” Jerrod called out to him, a note of firmness entering his voice. “Stop.”
“You stop, don’t ever tell me to stop!” Michael yelled, crossing his arms across his chest. “This shouldn’t be my first time seeing you in a week ‘cause you’ve been holed up in a recording studio. And I know how important this album is to you but…” His voice cracked, and he looked down. “…I’ve needed you here with me, Jerrod.”
Jerrod frowned, and shook his head, “Baby—”
The irritation had been bubbling up for days, every time Michael crawled into bed alone and stared at the empty space beside him. He hated how much it bothered him, it made him feel so needy. But mostly, he hated how easily unresolved trauma came rushing back whenever Jerrod wasn’t there for him.
“I moved out here to be with you,” Michael continued, his voice hushed. “And lately, it just feels like it’s just me out here.”
Jerrod wore a sorrowful expression. “Baby..”
Trying to maintain his attitude, Michael watched him approach from the corner of his eye. It literally lasted all of three seconds.
Because the moment Jerrod towered behind him and wrapped his muscular, tattooed arms around his shoulders, Michael melted completely. His body relaxed around Jerrod’s before his pride could stop it.
“I love you,” Jerrod murmured in Michael’s ear. “I’ve always loved you.”
Michael hated that Jerrod knew exactly what the hell he was doing. Two soft kisses landed against his temple, then two more landed on each cheek.
“I’m sorry, okay?” Jerrod whispered. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here like you needed me to be.”
Neither of them said anything after Jerrod’s gentle apology. Then quietly, Michael admitted, “You know I really care about you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else in my entire life. I’ve had people say they love me and leave me lonely.”
Jerrod nodded, his arms tightening around Michael’s smaller frame. “I know. I’m not them, Michael. I’m not going anywhere.”
Michael turned around in Jerrod’s arms and kissed him gently. It was only a tiny, five second kiss, but it was enough to soothe the anxiety that had been consuming him all week. He definitely believed Jerrod when he said he wasn’t going anywhere.
When they pulled apart from each other, Jerrod rested his forehead against Michael’s and looked him up and down carefully. “Do you believe me now?” He asked.
“I think you’re making a very convincing argument,” Michael answered with a nerdy tone, narrowing his eyes as though he were seriously considering Jerrod’s question.
Jerrod laughed softly. “You know you believe me.” He poured them two glasses of champagne and motioned for them both to go to the living room. They sat down next to each other on the couch and clinked the glasses, toasting to a wonderful celebration of Michael’s birthday.
“I got you a present,” Jerrod reached down into his pocket to retrieve the small velvet box in it.
Michael eyed him suspiciously. “What is this?”
Michael shrugged and lifted the lid, not thinking much of it. His eyes immediately widened and he shrieked softly.
Inside was a $31,000 14K diamond engagement ring from Europe. Jerrod got it there (for his ex he’d rather not think about) while touring with the Soulquarians back in 1977, and figured it would look better on Michael. His baby did love anything that shimmered and sparkled—even down to his socks.
“I don’t ever want you to doubt my love for you, Michael,” Jerrod whispered, taking Michael by his right hand; the hand that sported a gorgeous diamond ring as well. “You mean the world to me, and I wanna spend the rest of my life with you.”
Michael’s heart started racing so fast, Jerrod could hear it. Nobody had ever chosen him like this, ever. At least not without conditions, or a contract. But here Jerrod was next to him, offering a life with him, a future.
“Jerrod..” Michael managed, blinking rapidly as emotions swirled around in his head.
Jerrod smiled softly. “Will you do the honor of—?”
Michael laughed through his tears. “Baby, are you serious?”
“I don’t do this for too many people, Michael. I want you to marry me… if you’d have me.”
Tears spilled down Michael’s face as he watched Jerrod take the ring out of the box and hold it. He thought about his family, the rules, and the strict expectations that had been instilled in them since he and his siblings were children. But then, he looked up at Jerrod.
The answer was all Jerrod needed. He grinned, exposing his small gap between his teeth, before sliding the ring onto Michael’s middle finger. “I love you,” Jerrod whispered, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to Michael’s lips. It was soft, slow, but just enough to coax Michael into being more relaxed. He pulled back, watching Michael’s reaction with gentle eyes.
Michael’s lips tingled from the kiss, his pulse still racing. But this time, he didn’t pull away. He felt his body relaxing into Jerrod’s embrace, the last little remnants of hesitation and attitude melting away. Slowly, he raised his teary gaze to meet Jerrod’s. “So, are we…? Are we engaged, or something?” He shyly asked, giggling as Jerrod laughed loudly at the question.
“Yeah, we is,” Jerrod murmured, his thumb brushing Michael’s lower lip. “Give your husband-to-be another kiss, baby.”
Michael did as he was told and he closed the gap between them. He kissed Jerrod with a newfound intensity and Jerrod responded the same way, his muscular arms tightening around Michael as he deepened the kiss, pulling him near to his own body.
Their shared kisses grew even more urgent, their hands desperately exploring each other. Michael moaned softly against Jerrod’s lips as he felt hands almost as large as his travel up his silk pajama shirt and caress the warm skin of his back.
Just as the intensity of their kisses reached their respective peaks, the music on the tiny radio installed in the kitchen changed. The slow intro of the sensual O’Jays classic, “Stairway to Heaven” filled the room, matching the energy of the two men.
Michael pulled back from Jerrod’s face slightly, his chest rising and falling rapidly while he caught his breath. His deep brown eyes flickered over to his fiancé, the music taking over now. They both shared a pretty similar look in each other’s eyes—a sweet blend of desire and solid emotion that left them both speechless.
“Jerrod..” Michael managed, his voice quiet yet thick with anticipation while the song set the mood for what was to come.
Jerrod smiled, his lips brushing against Michael’s jaw as he whispered, “Come upstairs with me. Let me make love to you, Michael.”
