Love Me Like You Do

..:: Twenty-One ::..

Slight trigger warning, brief mentions of the allegations and descriptions of vitiligo. But not in anyway as to disrespect Michael or the condition.

"Let me show you something," Michael's voice appeared to tremble.

"What is it?"

Closing the door and locking it behind them, Michael began removing his clothing piece by piece. A deep sigh passed his lips as his body was slowly exposed to Sarah's eyes. This was never easy for him, explaining his condition with the progress of the vitiligo.

But he truly felt this was the time, with someone whom could be fully trusted.

Michael's fingertips pulled the white v-neck up and over his head, chest fully exposed. Soft caramel blotches laid bare, his chest rising and falling rapidly with a touch of anxiety.

"I trust you, Sarah." He wept. "This is one reason why I feel like a monster."

His fingertips trace an area with disgust, eyes falling closed with a whimper of sadness. Soon he held his arms out, showing the patches covering his forearms.

Opening his eyes as a single tear escaped, Michael bit back a moan of despair. This condition has been tearing him apart from the inside for decades, only to be constantly belittled and made into target for lewd and disgusting comments.

Sarah gasped, reaching out to caress him with a touch so tender, tracing invisible and intricate patterns. "Oh, Michael..."

Another trembling sigh and he slowly opened his eyes. Sarah had to know, to be able to see past what has been said about him. His trust was fully and completely with her, there was not a single doubt in his mind she was capable of hurting him.

"You only saw just the beginning earlier," Michael swallowed hard. "But this is me, this is part of who I am. Part of me that's never been accepted by anyone."

She sighed and pulled Michael into her arms, face buried against his shoulder.

And in turn Michael's arms went around Sarah, hiding her tight against his chest, afraid to let go.

"Please never feel the need to hide from me, Michael."

Tears stung the corner of Michael's eyes, as he released the breath he had been holding. For the first time, he truly felt understood and welcomed in ways he never dreamt would be possible.

"I accept every part of you," she whispered, cupping Michael's face in her hands. "You are beautiful, please believe that."

Michael fell to his knees, embracing Sarah around her waist, weeping against her stomach. So much weight has been coming off his shoulders at such a rapid pace that he had become dizzy, his legs unable to hold his weight. Sobs wracked his body, shoulders trembling with each cry.

"You are too good to be real, I've only dreamt of this."

Moving to kneel before him, Sarah once more cupped his face within her trembling hands, brushing each tear away as they continued to fall. Gazing deep into Michael's misty browns she began to cry as well, as her heart began to break.

"I've never met a more perfect man, a more perfect human being. You are all I have ever dreamt of and more."

He managed a smile, leaning against her forehead. "But I'm a damaged man, you still don't know the whole story. And I don't want it to scare you away."

"Nothing can scare me away," Sarah caressed his lower lip tenderly. "Yes, I've seen what the media has done. But they will never see what I am seeing now. Not now and certainly not ever."

A sigh passed Michael's parted lips, hands moving to grasp her shoulders. Silence came between them, as they simply gazed into each other's eyes with love and adoration. Michael stared so deep, so passionately into her that she began to tremble.

Sarah softly gasped at the intensity, fingertips tracing the soft skin of his stomach, feeling the muscles contract and a soft moan escape his lips. They simply enjoy the silence, the presence of each other.

Moving to remove his slacks, Michael exposed the full length of his legs, moving to sit upon the bed. Again soft caramel splotches dotted his skin, a flush coming to his cheeks.

"It's all over me, Sarah." Michael whimpered. "And I've been humiliated so many times, especially when-"

"Shh," Sarah whispered, still kneeling before him. "I know, but that still doesn't change how I feel about you."

"Sarah-"

Her lips pressed soft and fleeting kisses along his thigh just below the hem of his boxer shorts, fingertips once more caressing invisible patterns upon his skin. Michael gasped, biting his lower lip in response. He was nervous, but now how he normally would be.

Sarah closed her eyes, running her hands down his knees, along his calves, resting atop his feet. Ever so slowly moving back up along his body, she gazed up into his now softened brown orbs.

"I love every part of you, I've always loved you. But now, I have fallen totally and completely in love with you, Michael."

Michael soon found himself upon his back, as she hovered above him. Oh, the way her hair spilled over her shoulders was an absolute turn on and breathtaking all at once. Unable to resist he curled a hand behind her neck, drawing her into a kiss so tender, so deep.

"I love you," Sarah whispered. "I love you."

"I love you more and more. Thank you for loving me, Sarah."

They continued to kiss and caress each other, simply enjoying the presence of each other. As the last remnants of sunlight faded behind the western skies, the bedroom briefly painted in soft shades of orange and pink. The mood was set, bit all they did was lay in the comfort of each other's arms, at a loss for words.

Words were not needed, touch and warmth was all either of them could ask for.

Michael gazed up at the ceiling, caressing Sarah's shoulder as she lay upon his chest. Her fingers curled along his collarbone, trailing patterns along his skin. It was taken straight from a novel, straight from a dream.

"Please stay just one more night."

"You don't even have to ask, I just can't leave you now."

Once more they met in a kiss, enveloped within each other's warmth.