Metallica one shots and headcannons

Just trust me, you'll be fine❤‍🩹 (James Hetfield one shot)

The rain had started an hour ago, its soft patter against the windows now a constant hum, mixing with the quiet of the apartment. Normally, I would find it soothing, the rhythmic sound a reminder of cozy evenings spent together, but tonight, it only made the silence feel heavier. It felt as though the whole world was on pause, as if the rain, too, was waiting for something to break.

When James walked in, I felt it instantly—the weight of his presence had shifted. There was no excitement in his steps, no smile, no spark in his eyes. His usual energy was gone. Instead, he moved like someone carrying an invisible burden, his shoulders slumped slightly, his hands buried deep in his pockets as though to keep the rest of himself from escaping.

I watched him from the couch, noting the way he hesitated before meeting my eyes. Normally, he would greet me with that easy, crooked smile, but today, he just seemed lost. Something was wrong, and I knew he wasn't ready to talk about it yet.

"Come here," I said softly, my voice quiet but firm. The invitation hung in the air, gentle but clear. I didn't need him to speak; I just needed him to come closer.

He stood there for a moment, uncertain, his eyes flickering between me and the space around him. But then he nodded, crossing the room in a few slow strides. He lowered himself beside me, his movements stiff, and before I could even blink, he shifted, his head resting gently on my chest as we both lay back on the couch.

The silence stretched between us. His body was tense, his breaths shallow, and I could feel the weight of whatever was bothering him pressing down on both of us. His arms were tucked tightly by his side, like he was trying to hold himself together, trying to keep whatever he was feeling at bay.

I ran my fingers through his hair, letting the soft rhythm of my touch calm the both of us. I knew he needed time. But it didn't take long for me to feel his body start to tremble, his chest heaving against mine, like he was fighting to keep it all inside.

I waited, breathing with him, letting the minutes pass. And then, without warning, he broke down.

A sharp, strangled gasp escaped him, followed by a soft, shaky sob that he couldn't hide. His body jerked against mine, and the tears came without any warning, his shoulders shaking as his breath hitched.

I tightened my arms around him, pulling him closer, cradling him like I could shield him from whatever it was that was tearing him apart. His sobs were muffled against my chest, but the rawness of them hit me like a punch. This was more than just a bad day. This was something deeper, something he'd been carrying for far too long.

I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, my hand running gently over his back. "It's okay," I whispered softly, my voice steady, but thick with emotion. "You're safe here. Just let it out."

He clung to me, his body shuddering with each tear that fell. I didn't say anything else; I just let him cry. The pressure, the weight of everything he was holding, needed to be released, and all I could do was hold him until he felt it.

Eventually, the sobs started to slow, the tension in his body beginning to ease. He pulled back slightly, lifting his head from my chest to look at me. His eyes were red, his face streaked with tears, but I could see the exhaustion in his gaze.

I cupped his face gently, wiping away the tears still clinging to his skin. His lips trembled, and I could see the fear in his eyes—the fear of being vulnerable, of being *weak*. But there was something else, too. A deep ache, the kind that comes when you've been carrying something too heavy for too long and you're just too tired to carry it alone anymore.

"James..." I whispered softly, my thumb brushing over his cheek. "What's going on? What's hurting you right now?"

He hesitated for a moment, and I could feel the weight of his thoughts, like he wasn't sure if he could say it out loud. But then his voice broke, low and raw.

"I'm just... so overwhelmed," he confessed, his words barely a whisper. "With the band, with everything... I feel like I'm not enough. Like no matter how hard I try, it's never enough. I can't keep up with everyone's expectations. And I'm scared. I'm scared that I'm failing, that I'm not good enough for you, for them..."

He swallowed hard, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts, as if the weight of his thoughts was too much to put into words. "I don't know if I can do this anymore. Everything feels so... empty. Like no matter how much I give, it's never enough."

I felt a sharp pang in my chest. James had always been the one everyone leaned on. The one who worked tirelessly, the one who held it all together. But I could see now, that in trying to hold up everyone else, he had forgotten to take care of himself.

I pulled him closer, my hands running soothingly through his hair as I pressed my cheek to the top of his head. "You don't have to be perfect, James," I said softly. "You don't have to be everything for everyone. You're enough, just the way you are. You're my everything."

He buried his face in my chest again, his breathing still shaky, but his grip on me tight, like he was afraid to let go.

"You don't have to carry it all alone," I continued, my voice calm but full of conviction. "I'm here. You're not alone, okay? Not now, not ever. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."

He sniffled, his tears slowing down, but the fear still lingered in his eyes. "But what if I'm not good enough?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, like he was afraid I might hear him too clearly.

I cupped his face in my hands, guiding him gently so that our eyes met. Then, without thinking, I kissed him—soft, slow, a simple reassurance. My lips lingered on his for a moment, a soft promise that everything would be okay. When I pulled away, I rested my forehead against his, our breaths mingling.

"Just trust me," I said softly, brushing my hand through his hair, letting the warmth of my touch offer him something to hold onto. "You'll be fine, my love. You're more than enough. I see you. All of you, and it's more than I could ever ask for. I'm so proud of you, James."

There was a long, quiet pause, the only sound between us the soft beat of our hearts, the rhythm of us simply being together. And then, after a moment, he lifted his head, his eyes softer now, and a small, hesitant smile appeared on his lips.

"How did I get so lucky?" he whispered, his voice full of quiet awe. "You're the best thing I have. How did I get so lucky to have you?"

I smiled softly, my heart swelling at his words. "I'm the lucky one," I whispered back, my fingers brushing the soft skin of his cheek. "We're both lucky, because we have each other."

His smile deepened, and for the first time that night, I saw a flicker of the James I knew—the one who was strong, who was capable, but also vulnerable and real. And in that moment, as the rain continued to fall outside, it felt like everything was going to be okay.