Off Script

A Quiet Build

"I fucking love this," Michael said, voice low, his hand still tracing lazy circles against the bare skin of my back.

I smiled, head tucked against his shoulder.
"Not sick of us yet?"

He scoffed.
"Sick of what? Trying to lock down forever? Not a chance."

I pulled back just enough to look at him.
"You've been using the F word a lot lately, sir."

He smirked, eyes half-lidded as he studied me.
"Yeah... does it scare you?"

There was a flicker in his expression — not fear, exactly, but something close to it. Like he was bracing for me to pull back.

I shook my head, gently cupping his face in my hands.
"Relax. I'm not the others."

That stopped him.

His eyes softened. I leaned in and kissed him — slow, deep, the kind of kiss that was more than affection. It was reassurance. I felt his hands slide to my hips like he didn't want to let me go.

When I pulled back, I hesitated.
"Can I be honest?"

He sat up a little straighter, legs brushing mine under the sheets.
"Always."

I took a breath.
"You want to know why going public really scared me?"

That got his full attention. He reached over and turned the lamp on, then shifted so he was facing me completely.

"Talk to me."

I toyed with the edge of the blanket, chewing my bottom lip.
"Okay, so... I've done my research—"

"Oh boy," he grinned, already knowing where this was going.

"No, for real." I met his eyes.
"I swear I'm not crazy, but... it kinda seems like everyone you've been linked to in the media — like, once it goes public or the rumors start — it just... dies out. The relationship. The connection. Sometimes fast. But always after it gets loud."

Michael blinked at me, stunned.
"Shit, Mina. Why didn't you explain that before?"

I shifted toward him on the bed, hugging my knees.
"Because how the hell was, I supposed to say, 'Hey Michael, went down a rabbit hole of your dating history, and uh... seems like shit always hits the fan after you go public'?"

He laughed, rubbing his hand down his beard.
"I mean, you could've said exactly that."

I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, and incorporate the fact that I have a six-year-old who already calls you Mr. Michael like it's his job? It was a lot, Michael."

His grin softened, and he moved closer, resting his hand over mine.
"First of all... I've lived that pattern. You're not wrong. I've seen shit get weird the second cameras catch feelings. Or fans start speculating."

He paused, eyes locked on mine.

"But you? This? This is different."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I already know how it feels to lose you in theory — and I hated it. If it came to losing you for real? I'd unravel."

I swallowed. Hard.

"You and J.C. changed something in me," he added.
"It's not just about proving people wrong. It's about protecting what we got. Making it last. And if that means keeping parts private, we will. If it means fighting through the noise, we will."

He kissed the inside of my wrist.
"But I'm not scared of the curse, Mina. Not with you."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.