Metallica one shots and headcannons

Breaking the Silence-(James Hetfield one shot)

I adjusted the strap of my dress, twisting to make sure everything sat perfectly in the mirror. The floor-length gown shimmered with every movement, elegant yet bold—exactly what tonight's event required. The gala was a big one—promoting the movie I'd just wrapped, and Robert Downey Jr. was my co-star. Everyone would be there, and though I wasn't exactly looking forward to it, I knew the press would be.

"Hey," I called out, stepping into the living room where James sat with his guitar, strumming idly. He barely looked up as I asked, "Are you sure you don't want to come with me tonight?"

He shot me a look, raising an eyebrow. "And stand around with a bunch of people pretending to like each other? No thanks, babe. Not my scene."

I sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "I get it, but it's important to me. It's Robert's movie. It's going to be a big deal. I need you to show up just once. Please?"

James met my gaze, setting the guitar aside. He came over and cupped my face, his rough hands grounding me. "You know I support you. But I'm better here. You go, be the star. I'll be here when you get back."

I offered a faint smile, but it didn't quite reach my eyes. I had a feeling this would be one of those nights where I'd feel more alone than ever. As I walked out the door, his refusal stung.

The event went exactly as I expected. Photographers shouted, posing requests, while I smiled and waved, doing my best to keep my professional face on. But I couldn't shake the thought of James, somewhere miles away, unwilling to stand beside me.

Robert Downey Jr., ever the charismatic charmer, was the life of the evening. He made jokes with the press, posed for countless selfies with fans, and even interrupted my own interviews with his usual flair. It was hard to ignore him.

Later, during a joint interview, I found myself sitting beside Robert, who was practically glowing in the limelight.

"So, Y/N," the host began, turning to me, "what's it like working with Robert? You two have such great chemistry on screen."

I smiled, shooting Robert a playful glance. "It's great. He's, uh, a bit of a handful, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Robert laughed, leaning toward the mic. "She's being modest. I'm a lot of handful, but she keeps me in check. Honestly, I think it's a crime that we don't get to make more movies together. But hey, I'm just happy to share the screen with someone like her."

I laughed nervously, trying to keep it casual. But the host, sensing the tension, continued. "There's been a lot of talk about your off-screen connection. What do you think, Robert?"

Robert grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "Look, if I had a chance with Y/N, I'd never let her out of my sight. She's too amazing to hide. Honestly, any guy would be lucky to have her by his side. She's the real star here."

The cameras clicked wildly as I forced a smile, trying to mask the discomfort. Robert's words, though lighthearted, dug into me in ways I didn't expect. There was truth there, but also a twinge of something else—something I wasn't sure I was ready to face.