Chapter Text
Mick sighed as he stood in the line of the local café in Des Moines. Well, you can barely call it a café. It’s just a shitty coffee place that only gets business because it’s the only coffee shop in Des Moines.
Mick knew he wanted to stay home today. Drink, jam out, watch TV, jerk off, y’know, the usual. But then fucking Sid Wilson called him during one of his only free Saturdays and spent, I shit you not, fifteen minutes convincing Mick to hang out with him and the rest of their little posse.
Mick was going to tell Sid ‘no’ and ‘go fuck yourself’, but then Sid pulled the “Well you’re wasting more time trying to deny hanging out with us than actually hanging out with us”. And unfortunately, Mick couldn’t argue that point.
But when Sid picked him up along with Joey and Chris, Mick knew he’d have to do stupid shit today. And they did, because now they’re on a coffee run because Corey has yet another hangover and bitched at Shawn to pick him up some coffee until Shawn reluctantly gave Sid money so that he could pick up Mick and then grab everyone a bit of coffee.
Chris was doing something stupid while Sid and Joey were laughing at it. Mick, however, was standing in the harsh lighting as he grumbled to himself. The baristas here really needed to hurry their shit up.
Mick had looked around the café/shitty coffee place/knockoff Starbucks to see if he can find literally anything interesting that wasn’t whatever the fuck Chris was doing. Mick looked around for a minute before his eyes landed on one of the people at the café and his eyes bulged out of his skull.
A random man was sitting there. He had long brown hair and a beard was growing in. He had the most beautiful green eyes Mick had ever seen, accompanied by glasses because of course the world decided to know about Mick’s weakness to men in glasses. He had a red flannel on over what seems to be a black tank top, black jeans, and wore out Converse. The sleeves on the flannel was rolled up, so you could see a sleeve of tattoos on his right arm.
Mick was pulled out of his trance by a hard shove by Sid. Mick glared at Sid, but was internally grateful for Sid shoving him since Mick didn’t want to get caught staring.
”Dude, the fuck’s up with you?” Sid asks. Joey suddenly looked in the direction Mick was staring in before gasping. Joey grabbed onto Mick’s arm and started flailing it around.
”Wait, were you staring at him?” Joey asks with a grin. Mick shook his head and pulled his arm back with a blush.
”I— no! Shut up, fuck off!” Mick retorts. Joey looked at the man again before smirking.
”Oh, I know him! He’s one of Corey’s friends!” Joey said, looking at Mick. But before anyone could say anything, Joey began to speed walk to the man in question. Panic immediately set in for Mick. Sid and Chris gave Mick shocked looks before doing mock-kisses in the air towards Mick.
”Mick and a stranger sitting in a tree, k-i-s—“ Mick punched Chris’s arm before he could finish. Chris glared as the three of them looked back up at Joey and the stranger in question.
Joey and the stranger were talking before Joey pointed in Mick’s direction. The stranger looked up and made eye contact with Mick for a few seconds before looking back at Joey and nodding. The stranger eventually got up and walked with Joey to them. Mick’s face immediately got red as he mentally cursed at himself, wanting to run to the bathroom and hide.
Mick, you need to cut this shit out! You’re a thirty year old man acting like a high school gi-
“Hey, guys! This is Jim!” Joey said, gesturing to the man next to him. Mick’s heart got further into his throat. Why did this guy have to be taller than Mick too?
”Hey, man! Nice to meet you, I’m Chris!” Chris exclaimed, holding his hand out. Jim smiled and shook Chris’s hand.
”Nice to meet you too!”
”And I’m Sid, you’ll find out quickly that I’m the coolest one here.” Sid said with a smug tone. Jim let out a laugh as Joey and Chris glared at Sid. Jim’s laugh made his heart flip. Why did he have to have such a cute laugh?
”Hey, I’m Jim.” Jim said, holding his hand out to Mick. Mick got out of his trance once he saw everyone staring at him. He just cleared his throat, shaking Jim’s hand.
”Mick.” Mick mumbled, giving a nod. Jim just smiled and let go, Mick already missing the contact. Shit. He’s fucked.
”So you’re one of Corey’s friends?” Chris asks, looking at Jim. Jim just smiles and nods in response. Chris nods and gives Jim a questioning look. “So how did you two meet?”
”Well I’m in a band with him and I…” Mick honestly couldn’t bring himself to comprehend what Jim was saying. He got too stuck staring at his lips, suddenly noticing how soft they are. How would they feel if Mick kissed those lips?
Shit. Shit, god dammit. Mick can’t do this again, man.
Mick was knocked out of his trance when they were called up to order their coffee. The five guys leaned on the counter of the coffee shop, waiting for their order. Maybe Mick will never see Jim again or Jim will have a boyfriend or a girlfriend the next time Mick sees him so he’d have to get over him by default. Who knows.
—
Once they all got their coffee, the five guys were cramped in Sid’s car, everyone but Sid holding two cups of coffee. Sid was in the front driving the car, obviously. Chris was in the passenger seat, talking and laughing with Sid. Joey was in the back, talking to Jim. Jim was seated in the middle for some ungodly reason, smiling and nodding along to what Joey was saying. And Mick was crushed in the other seat, being shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh with Jim. Mick’s face was red the entire car ride, ultimately deciding to look out the window instead.
Now you may be wondering why Jim isn’t in his own car. He didn’t drive to the coffee shop! He fucking walked! That’s how close he was to the place! Damn you, strange coincidences.
The five of them eventually got to Shawn’s house and stepped out of the car, continuing to smile as they brought the coffee inside.
Once they got inside, Jim was immediately greeted by Corey before he introduced Jim to everyone. Sid, Joey, and Chris began talking to Paul and Corey as Mick toed off his boots. Once everyone got their coffee, Corey asked Jim what he was doing there, as politely as he could of course. But before Jim could answer, Joey leaned down and whispered something into Corey’s ear. Corey’s eyes widened before standing up and telling the five of them that he needed a minute alone with Mick.
Corey immediately stomped up and grabbed Mick’s wrist with a “I need to talk to you outside” before Mick was pulled out onto Shawn’s porch.
”Are you fucking kidding me?” Corey begins. Mick gives Corey a questioning look before pulling his hand back.
”The fuck’s your problem?” Mick asks, glaring at Corey. Corey took a deep breath before glaring at Mick.
”You seriously want to get with him?” Corey asks, pointing up at Mick. Mick immediately got red. He stuttered before shaking his head with a groan.
”I— I don’t know! Maybe?—“
”Listen, I can’t control who you date. And I can’t control who he dates.” Corey begins. Mick almost rolled his eyes, of course he couldn’t. If Mick wanted to get his dick wet, Corey couldn’t control it. And if Mick so happened to want to move in with Jim, get married, and adopt two cats and name them Arkimicarus and Macklimine, Corey couldn’t control it. “But he’s my best friend. Even before Paul. And I don’t want him to get hurt again.” Corey states. Mick raises an eyebrow. I mean, it makes sense now. But why would Mick hurt this guy?
”What would make me even want to hurt him?” Mick asks. Corey thinks about his words for a minute. Corey sighed before giving Mick a genuine look.
”Listen, that’s not my story to tell. Just— he’s gotten hurt too many times from girls and guys in his life and I don’t want it to happen to him again. He’s a good guy.” Corey explains. Mick gives a small smile, it all made sense now. “But, I suppose I would trust you more than some rando he meets at the store. Just— don’t make me kick your ass, alright?” Corey asks. Mick smiles and nods.
”I won’t hurt him, I promise.” Mick reassures. Corey smiles and nods before they turn around and go back inside.
—
So Mick is pretty much fucked at this point. So apparently this guy is a metalhead, is really nice, and plays guitar. He’s a triple threat.
Mick also learned that he’s from Vegas, rides motorcycles, and has an engineering degree and plans on opening up his own bike shop once he has the money.
He also likes Mick enough to get his number, except he didn’t get it from Mick.
Unknown Number
Hey 🙃
Mick Thomson
Who is this?
Unknown Number
Shit, I probably should’ve started with that, huh lol
Jim Root
It’s Jim, I don’t know if you remember me, but I was hanging out with you at Shawn’s
Mick Thomson
Oh yeah, I remember you lol
Mick Thomson
Who gave you my number?
Jim Root
He chooses to remain anonymous 😳
Mick Thomson
Was it Sid?
Jim Root
I’ve been caught lol
Jim Root
But if I’m being honest, I did want to ask you something
Mick Thomson
What’s up?
Jim Root
Would you maybe want to go to dinner with me tomorrow night at the restaurant on fifth and main?
Mick Thomson
I’d love too
Mick would be lying if he said he didn’t freak out when Jim asked him out.
—
Mick freaked out over his outfit for about twenty minutes straight. This would be Mick’s first date in a few years and he didn’t want to fuck it up. He had to text Paul for reassurance and had to text Jim to make sure that he wasn’t going to stand Mick up. After a bit of hype, he finally left to go to this date.
When he got there, he let out a sigh of relief. Jim was there and smiling at him when he got there, which didn’t make Mick blush. Obviously.
Jim got up to hug Mick and Mick was surprised he didn’t combust but hugged Jim back. Of course. They eventually sat down and began going over their menus, mentally kicking themselves in the ass for not starting conversation.
”So, why this place out of every place in Des Moines?” Mick asked with a small smile. Jim immediately got a look of panic on his face.
”I just really like BBQ— if you want to leave, we can—“
”No, it’s fine—“
”You sure?—“
”Yeah— that’s just how I start conversation.” Mick said, letting out a nervous chuckle. Jim relaxed and looked down at the menu.
”So, why me of all people?” Jim asked with a smirk. Mick got red and looked out the window.
”Maybe I’ll tell you on the next date— if there’s another one.” Mick said, trying to sound cool. Jim let out a chuckle before looking up at Mick.
”I was wondering, are you absolutely sure you like me?” Jim asked. Mick quickly looked back at Jim and nodded, causing Jim’s face to turn red as he chuckled. “There is something you should know, though…” Jim began. Mick raised an eyebrow.
”What’s up?” Mick questioned. Jim took a deep breath, putting his menu down.
”I’m trans. A-and I know if you don’t want to be anything more than friends— or you never want to see me again, it’s fine— I thought you should just know, and I—“ Jim was immediately pulled out of his ramble by Mick grabbing onto his hands. They stared at each other for a minute, Mick studying the taller male.
”It’s fine, I don’t care.” Mick said with a chuckle. Mick watched as Jim relaxed, Jim giving a relieved smile to the shorter male.
”That’s good—“
”But what brand of guitar is your favorite?” Mick questioned. Jim let out a confused ‘huh?’. Mick just leaned over the table and stared Jim in the eyes.
”What. Brand. Of guitar. Is. Your. Favorite?” Mick questions. Jim sits there confused, doing his best to croak out a response.
”Uh— Fender?”
”Nope, I can’t be seen with you now.” Mick said, jokingly standing up. But he quickly sat back down. Jim just have an ‘offended’ gasp, shoving Mick with a grin.
”I can’t believe you!” Jim says, laughing. Mick just shakes his head.
”Nope, Jackson is the only acceptable brand of guitar.” Mick says. Jim gives an exaggerated sigh.
”You’re impossible.” Jim says, shaking his head. Mick just grins.
”Get used to it.” Mick says with a shrug. Jim rolls his eyes and starts a new conversation.
—
When the two walked out of the restaurant, they had huge grins on their faces. They were talking about motorcycles before Mick looks at the ground with a sigh.
”So— uh— do you maybe wanna go on another date?” Mick asks. Jim responds by grabbing Mick’s face and pulling him close before locking their lips. Mick’s eyes widened, but he quickly kissed Jim’s back, placing his hands on Jim’s hips. They separated a second later, dumb grins on their faces.
”Sounds good to me. You’re picking the place!” And that’s all Jim says before getting in his car and driving away, leaving Mick stunned. Mick was about to go home when his phone began to ring. Mick answered the call as a familiar voice came on the line.
”So you do any gay shit yet?”
”SIDNEY—!”
And all you could hear was laughing from Sid’s line as Mick internally planned on how he could kill the guy.