I Can’t Help It
Summary: Dating is going great but there are a few concerning issues that spring up in your relationship that has you questioning a few things. Michael is quick to put an end to that though the method may be a little sinister.
Era/Tag: OTW-Thriller!Michael x Blackfem!reader
Warnings: Mild violence, threatening of self-harm, manipulation, yandere Michael, ooc for Michael, threatening
You and your boyfriend had been together for a year. Then, one day, he came home, frantically packing his stuff, saying he was going to make it big. He told you that he was at work when he got a call saying someone wanted him on the East Coast and would pay for his stay and auditions for a Broadway show. It’s been 2 years since that, and now you’ve heard that he was missing.
The 70s weren't the safest, but that did not stop you from being questioned by the police. They were really nice about the conversation, knowing that he had told multiple people, including his family, about his plans.
The experience still left you with an odd feeling in your chest, something that you carried around so much that your friend, Latoya, was over your moody atmosphere. She made sure that you were going out with her tonight. You’d already been told that it was safe as long as you stayed close to the Jacksons. Encino was the home of legends; the homes were big, the grass was always green, and the streets were clear. There was never any danger here, especially when you were with Latoya.
Though you and Michael were not the closest, you saw each other frequently when you had just moved into the neighborhood. He was the type to watch. He never spoke much in your circle, but his big brown eyes saw everything. His presence seemed to grow stronger the more popular he got, but to you, it intensified once your ex went missing. Michael seemed to be everywhere and far more comfortable while around you.
Your relationship started with conversations. His fingers played with the ends of your curls as you spent hours speaking to him about any and everything. Next thing you know, he was showing you the soundboard in his studio. The hands that grabbed you to pull you into his lap were not hovering as if he lost courage.
It wasn't long before you both started dating, with Michael confessing to you one night. He made sure that your eyes were closed before he worked up the courage to say that he had loved you for a very long time. You could hear his feet shuffle side to side as he shifted his weight, no doubt nervous about your response. You never did understand why he was so nervous, not when you were clearly into him, so it was no hardship to say ‘yes’ to his confession.
Michael was perfect. He's so sweet, treating you to everything from spontaneous dates to small gifts. He loved holding you whenever he got the chance. The first thing he did after a studio session or a video recording was to call you or even show up at your doorstep, ready to lie on your chest to sleep. Michael was very protective, but he never made it uncomfortable. When someone had your attention for too long, he would try his hardest to bring your mind back to him. His lips would wander, followed by his hands, then little whimpers in your ear. It never failed to make you melt, leaving his face covered in your lipstick that he often refused to wipe off. He was just too easy to love and breathe around.
You were so blindsided by the look in his pretty doe eyes that it wasn’t until a year later that you noticed that Michael had some very strange habits.
Like when you would be around other people, Michael’s body would twitch. His hands would hold you so tight that it would start the beginnings of bruises. Michael has also been caught more than once stealing and sniffing your panties. The creepy moments were eclipsed by his most bizarre, yet semi-violent behavior: him muttering threats to others while you slept or when he thought you couldn’t hear.
It was not uncommon to hear him in your ear at night, speaking low and dark about how he would ‘get rid’ of anyone who looked at his girl. How hard he had to work to get you and how you’ll always be his. His breath fanned your cheek as his hands became more urgent, his hips rocking into your ass.
The longer your relationship seemed to be, the more of these instances became apparent. You ignored everything from his slight manipulation to the tantrums he would throw when you weren’t as close as he needed you to be. You just chalked it up to him being his adorable clingy self, as this was his first real relationship.
Michael had other thoughts about the matter. To him, you were his angel, and he was going to clip your wings so that you could never fly away from him. How could he not when you were practically made for him?
The street lamp guided him to you, and there you were wearing his varsity jacket that was clearly stolen from Latoya and somehow ended up with you. The skirt you wore was so short that you looked naked. It was then that it clicked in his mind: you were wearing his brand. You were always his, and by looking so heavenly, it was clear that he was made to worship you.
Michael was not worried that you had a boyfriend. That man was just a rock in his road to you, and getting rid of your loser boyfriend was nothing. He had the resources and the charm enough to make sure that he would never be in the picture.
It wasn’t long before you were in his orbit. Then “Off the Wall” took off and then Thriller exploded. He was needed everywhere that he didn’t want to be.
However, the new level of fame brought on privileges that he never had before with his family fame. So when he heard about your little boy toy that was not treating you right, he knew that he needed to get involved, and he did. Now, you were here. Letting him be who you needed and keeping you safe in his orbit.
Michael was sure that he had you wrapped up in such bliss that you never realized that he was now your only way out. So imagine his surprise when he saw you going through his diary. A secret place where he detailed every plan to get you.
“Michael…. What is this?” You whispered out. You couldn’t even look at him.
“Don’t worry about that.” his presence suddenly became closer. You flinched slightly when he snatched the book back and quickly hid it in another part of the desk that had a lock on it. “That’s not important…. D-did I scare you? I was going to tell you but I…”His voice trailed off when he saw the expression on your face.
You looked at him like you’ve never seen the real Michael.
He sighed heavily, putting on a charming smile and opening his arms to you. “Mama, come here. You’re scaring me.” He said while walking toward you.
You stepped back enough that you could put a hand up to his chest, not quite close enough to touch but enough for him to stop. “Don’t come near me.”
Your voice quivered. The implications of the situation were something that you never would have associated with your sweet boyfriend. “Michael… is that diary true? Did you kill my ex just to get together with me? Did you plan all this, including a way to lock me in your room?”
The question lingered in the air. It seemed as if your world had crashed, and the look in Michael’s eyes was enough to tell you that this life was ending. Drawing a deep breath, you shuffle enough to see the door to his room.
Michael’s smile strained as his fist closed and opened. “You’re not leaving me.”
"I did not say that."
"No, but you thought it. I can see it because I know you!"
You raised a placating hand, “Michael, this is serious. You're scaring me! I think this is too much. I think we both need to cool down.“
Michael rushed forward, wrapping a hand around your throat with tears streaking down his face. His lips quivered as he inhaled, as if air was new to his lungs. “Don’t you ever say that again.”
His hand tightened on your throat, and a sob left his chest. “Y-you love me. You told me you loved me. You can never stop loving me. I won’t let you. NO! YOU ARE NOT LEAVING ME! I WOULD LET YOU!” Michael let go of your throat and rushed to the dresser that was near the window of his room.
Your breath hitched as you saw what he grabbed from the top drawer. “Michael, this isn’t funny! Put the knife down!”
Tears flooded his face as he blinked rapidly; the knife was only inches from his throat. “You can’t leave… You can’t. I-I know I'm a monster, but PLEASE! I'M SORRY! I know I shouldn’t have hurt you, but please!”
“Michael,” you put your hands up while walking slowly to him, only for him to back himself up against the wall. “Baby, stop this.”
Michael shakes his head, making your heart lurch as the knife barely scrapes his sensitive skin. “NO! You’re gonna leave me. I need you! I-I love you…I lo-love you so much!” His hiccups only made the knife more and more unstable, causing you to freeze when you spotted the red of his blood rising out of a small cut.
“I’m not leaving. I would leave, baby. Just put it down and come here.”
Michael’s grip on the handle loosened enough for you to rush forward and throw the knife away from both of you. Michael was shaking when he wrapped his arms around you, leaving a damp spot on your shirt as he cried into your neck. “I’m sorry. I’ll be better, just please don’t leave me.”
Your hand gripped his shirt tightly as the other one patted the base of his hair. “I’m here, Michael. Please don’t ever do that again. My heart cannot take you being hurt.”
You felt a nod before more sniffles sounded in your ear, “I won’t, mama. I’ll be better a-and treat better than anyone you’ve ever met. I’ll never do anything that you don’t like. Just stay with me.”
Michael locked eyes with the door standing behind you. There was no way you knew what was in there, but you would soon enough. He was just one step closer to having you forever, and now that he had tested your loyalty and your heart, he knew it was time for his plans to escalate. He knew that you loved him too much ever to allow him to hurt himself, and he also knew that this was the perfect way to keep you in this grasp. There was no way he would allow you to leave him, and he needed to make sure that the thought would never cross your mind again.
He’s going to make you so deep in love with him and only him that you would agree with the plans in his diary. Michael estimated that by the end of the year, the only place you’ll ever want to stay is the room that he built especially for you just on the side of his own. The plans were drawn up years ago with you in mind, and when he had Hayvenhurst remodeled, it was something that he took charge of personally. He collected every one of your likes and dislikes. He handpicked and put together every decoration and every piece of furniture. He made sure that the room was padded enough to be safe and bolted from the outside, but most of all, he was sure that you were going to love it, just as much as he loved you.
And Michael loved you to death.
Note: I hope some people enjoy this! 🖤 ❤️
