multifandom oneshots/preferences

lxi. time--jim root (slipknot)

a/n: there's got to be something wrong with me with the amount of jim root stuff im writing  

also this is a long one, so strap in cuties <3

Freshman Year

"Want some gum?" the shy boy next to you pulls a pack of gum from his bag. 

"Oh, sure," you nod and take a piece from the pack. "Thanks."

In all the 4 months you've sat next to him, James has hardly said a word to you. You're sure he's a good guy, I mean, he did just give you gum, but he's never been outwardly nice or mean to you. He just sits next to you in English class and appears in a few other classes. 

"Mh-hm," James hums as he runs a hand through his hair and pops his own stick of gum into his mouth. "I like your shirt, by the way."

You glance down at your Black Sabbath shirt. "Oh, thanks."

Then your deskmate pushes back his flannel to reveal the same shirt. 

"You too, man," you smile. 

"Did you actually go to the concert?" James raises an eyebrow. 

"No," you look away with a chuckle. "I bought it secondhand."

"Me too," he admits, giving you both a laugh.

So the band shirt thing finally worked in attracting a friend. It's only been 3 years of being a music connoisseur. 

Over the next few weeks, James warms up to you more. He goes from a little wave in the hall to actual conversations between classes. You become familiar with each others' friends, learn about each others' hobbies, all the shit you do when you acquire a new friend. His laid back nature always helps you to unwind and puts you at ease, a quality you admire in him. 

Senior Year

You and Jim have escalated. In the halls, you're either with your small friend group or James. You call him to do homework together, get snacks with him after school, and listen to music together in his car. Over the past three years, you have no doubt become important parts of each others' lives. 

It'd be a lie to say that there weren't times where you pined after Jim. There were small periods occasionally when you'd watch him push his curtain of hair back and it would give you butterflies. Sometimes you thought he was a bit too handsome when he smiled or when he was simply doing work in class and you'd catch a glimpse of the perfect candid shot of him.

James never told you that he'd have moments like that, too. He'd do little things he knew would make you laugh, like tugging the loop of your backpack back and quoting shows you liked. But, as they do, the feelings would come and go, and James simply assumed he thought of you as a close friend. 

...

You sit down next to James for the start of your math class. 

"If I hear another goddamn word about winter formal, I'm going to nuke this shithole," you complain.

"Still no date yet?" James raises an eyebrow.

"No--but that's not the point. The point is that it pisses me off when there's one single international topic of conversation. Remember when Cliff Burton died?"

"Hey, c'mon man, don't slander Cliff like that. He didn't die in a car crash for you to compare him to a high school dance. I'll go with you if you need a date."