{~Is This Love?~} James Hetfield x Reader

VIII.

I sighed of defeat, James had a smirk plastered on his face. I headed over to Kirk, "You need help with anything?" I asked him, "No, I think I'm good. But also, thank you for earlier."

"What happened earlier? When I told you why women like you?"

"Yeah. I've been questioning it since I joined the band. I couldn't figure out why all of a sudden I was handsome, did I wake up looking different? No one's ever treated me like this before in my life."

(used from an actual interview)

I shrugged, "I think it's just the fact you're getting popular, girls start to want you more. But hey, I think you're cute." His face went pink again, gosh he was easily flustered. He looked back up to me, "I have a question"

"Go for it."

"Are you and James a thing? If you aren't do you like, like him?" he asked me. "We aren't. And honestly, I might have a thing for him. I think he's pretty cute and all, but since I met him he's been so nice to me."

Kirk nodded, "He talked about you a shit ton the day after he met you. I think he's got a thing for you too" I smiled at that, "I don't think he would Kirk, I've barely known him for that long. I don't know if he feels some connection through me because of Dave or something, but I don't know if he does!"

"He definitely does. And what do you mean connection through Dave? Dave Mustaine?"

"Oh so you don't know yet," I laughed a bit, "No, am I supposed to? He your ex or something?"

"Oh god no, he's my brother. Dave, my brother. I don't think he'd have some magical connection through me, cause you know, Dave had some real bad times with the band.."

Kirk just awkwardly nodded, I mean Id be a bit shocked if I met the sister of the guy you took his job from.

James came up behind me, "Jewel, come with me for a second." I nodded, following James to the bland white room again. "What's up?" I asked him, he didn't say anything. He just stared at me.

"Sorry. Never mind. I'll tell you later, I'm sorry" he rushed out of the room, leaving me stranded all alone.

I shrugged it off, following James out the room. I watched him run up to Lars, so I went over to Kirk. "Why's James acting weird? Like I haven't known him too long but he isn't really this strange usually, right?" I asked Kirk.

"Oh I got no clue. James is always weird but I have noticed him being a bit different tonight." he told me.

I had no idea why James was being a bit different. He was being a bit weird at his house, letting me into his house when he was basically naked but acting like it was a regular day, him being more silent, something just felt off.

"Okay guys we started in like, 15 minutes. You all ready?" James shouted to the other 3, they all nodded.

I went over to James, "I'll go to the audience while you guys play. Good luck!"

"Can I hug you for good luck?" he asked me, looking away slightly. "Oh, I suppose." I said, he pulled me into his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist. His body against mine felt nice, so were his hands on my waist. "Thank you." he said, shooing me off the stage now.

I saw Kirk raise an eyebrow at James, James putting his hands up in defence of something.

I went off the stage, standing in front of it now to get front view. The audience area is never usually populated, usually a few people. Sometimes when the band is good, they'll have a crowd of 20 at most.

While waiting for them to start playing, I watch as people come into the bar. More than usual for bands here, lots were coming to the stage area. I was confused, but didn't question it.

—-

After waiting about 20 minutes, James came up to the microphone all ready with his guitar. "Are y'all ready for some thrashing?" he shouted into the mic, people sitting at the bar turning to see why he needed to yell.

They played a few songs, all of them were good. I liked seek and destroy, but Cliff absolutely destroyed it on anesthesia. I stood in front of the stage, lightly bobbing my head to their music. I loved it, I loved Metallica. A new band I could finally enjoy, this was it.

after show sorry for skippy

I rushed into the room where the band was, "You guys that was amazing!" I told them, they all smiled at me. Lars scoffed with a smile on his face, "Was it? I mean it was just a little gig and we didn't have much of a crow-" "Lars please shut up, you guys sounded really good. I've been looking for new music, and this is it. You guys are just, amazing"

James smiled the widest at me, Im glad he felt proud of himself. He deserves it.

"Can you help me pack up and stuff?" James asked me, "Yeah of course." I told him.

He handed me some of his stuff to pack away while he helped Lars. I placed his guitar in the case, as gently as I could. I wouldn't want to damage his guitar, and it's just such a nice guitar. An explorer is definitely his signature guitar.

A few minutes later, everything was packed. All the stuff was in the others vehicles.

"You ready?" James asked me, "Yeah?" I answered, he nodded. No clue why he asked me.

————

"Jewel, hey, wake up!" I jerked awake, at the feeling of James pushing me. "Yeah dude, I get it stop.." I sighed, pushing James out of my way to get out of the truck.

"Do you want to stay the night at my house?" he asked me.

"Uhh.. sure."