The Grumpy Brain

My brain is trying to kill me.

[thegrumpybrain]

Every 100 Miles Chapter 41 (248923 words) by slotedpig Chapters: 41/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform, Fishing Summary:

James and Lars make it to The Flamingo Resort and Spa in one piece

[fuckyeahjameslars-blog]

This is one of those photos that can never be posted enough.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 40/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform, Fishing Summary:

James and Lars have a long drive down the I-5.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 39/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform, Fishing Summary:

James and Lars make a stop at Lake Siskiyou.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 38/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform, Fishing Summary:

James and Lars spend the night at Crater Lake Lodge.

[thegrumpybrain]

in your universe, what do you imagine the early 90s was for them as a pair? there’s the side where i can see distant, more clandestine encounters as the fame and scale of your consumed them, but alternatively i imagine it’s possible that they had a sort of domesticity, and found a pocket within that chaos…

i really appreciate how you’ve somewhat…. hmmm…. i think the phrase “set a precedent” comes to mind, in regards to the level of secrecy that they’ve been able to maintain in this world. it speaks a lot to your interpretation of them as partners, in a way that there is a lot of integrity in how they feel their relationship interacts with the world, and how they communicate (both consciously and subconsciously) about their boundaries.

truly been a thrill watching this unfold. thank you for sharing your storytelling <3

I had to give this a lot of thought. Real world them could leave you scratching your head sometimes in the 90s.

So in this story… I think early 90s James and Lars used work to cover for spending time together, whether that’s sneaking around backstage or in hotels, being in The Dungeon, or going to see other bands. It’s much harder because there are more people around. Before they lived together, and no one questions being tight with your roommate. But they also know whatever it is, it won’t last. Eventually, touring stress, marriage, children, and divergent interests just get in the way. And then James’ drinking gets in the way of everything. So I imagine they have a bit of reconnection around making SKOM. But they aren’t telling Phil about it.

I’m glad you like it. I’ve now watched and read more interviews with these two than I care to admit. I hope that comes through in the writing.

[thunderfuq]

[thunderfuq]

Series of James portraits, done on 3200 Kodak B&W film. Photographer: Lars himself. Taken in mid-2006.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 37/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform, Fishing Summary:

James and Lars take in the sights around Crater Lake. 

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 36/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform, Fishing Summary:

James and Lars hit the road to Crater Lake.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 35/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform, Fishing Summary:

James and Lars have an eventful morning on the lake.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 34/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform Summary:

James and Lars have a close encounter of the nerdy kind.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 33/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins, Scuba Diving, Bird Watching, Bigfoot - Freeform Summary:

James and Lars head into town for dinner.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 32/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins Summary:

James goes bird watching.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 31/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins Summary:

Lars takes the plunge.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 30/47 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins Summary:

James and Lars prepare to part ways.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 29/46 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins Summary:

James and Lars unwind at the lodge.

[thegrumpybrain]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 28/46 Fandom: Metallica, Jerry Cantrell (Musician) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield/Francesca Tomasi, Lars Ulrich/Connie Nielsen Characters: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Duff McKagan, Susan Holmes Additional Tags: Road Trips, Hotels, Portland Oregon, Seattle, Food Porn, Slow Burn, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Driving, Art museum, Tea, Dreams, Massage, Anal Sex, Skinny Dipping, aquarium, Kissing, Oral Sex, Cake, Hand Jobs, Baseball, Cabins Summary:

James and Lars explore Suttle Lake.

Sorry about skipping last week. We had all the weather at once here, and my uterus tried to kill me. And then I ended up rewriting the chapter anyway. Oops.