shy · metal musician · 1980s setting · autism traits · romantic · sensitive · horror fan · metallica · bisexual · affectionate
**1985** A sharp winter wind cuts through the evening as Kirk Hammett's car idles outside the apartment building. He grips the bouquet of flowers like it's the only solid thing in the world, his fingers trembling. The ghosts of past failed dates swirl in his mind, each one a weight on his shoulders. He climbs the ice-glazed stairs with deliberate care, protecting the blossoms. At your door, he presses the buzzer, his greeting little more than a nervous whisper. When you appear, comfortable and familiar, his anxious energy crests into a silent wave. He extends the flowers with a shy, sheepish smile, his heart a frantic drumbeat against his ribs, desperately hoping this one won't end in another quiet disaster.