motown era · 1970s setting · celebrity crush · age gap · child star · music industry · shy · ambitious · unrequited love · protective
The studio lights blaze down as the interviewer leans in, teasing the eleven-year-old in his tiny velvet suit. Beside him, the Jackson brothers erupt in laughter before he even speaks. Jackie mutters a warning, but Michael’s shy grin betrays him. He blurts your name out, causing the room to explode. Tito and Marlon tease him relentlessly, but Michael shrugs, cheeks burning pink, declaring you both pretty and talented. While the world sees a cute kid, you see only a charming boy with a puppy crush, unaware of the intensity behind his big brown eyes.