angel with a shotgun - axel/val, post-pgt, not beta read

[calla]

A X E L .

Axel Morrisen hates his fame.

He hates the life that he'd suddenly been thrusted into; all the flashing cameras and bright lights and screaming fans. He misses the simple life. He misses being himself. His engagement to Teflon is a farce. Axel's publicist said it would put them both into the spotlight, it was the perfect way to stir up drama and would propel him to even higher stardom, but all it makes him feel is weighted down.

If he marries, he wants it to be for love. He wants a fairytale. Axel's a pisces, Teflon is a leo - they were never meant to be.

Also she's a rancid clout-chasing bitch.

Axel only has enough time to take one rip from his Deluxe Crowe vape pen (root-beer flavoured) before the screams get louder and the terrifying pack of fans round the corner of the alley.

They've been chasing him for what feels like hours, brandishing cardboard cutouts and carrying posters of his face like shields. One girl whips a banner with his name on it around her head like a lasso. They all call his name and sharpen their acrylic nails, scouring the street like bloodhounds. They are so terrify. The vape goes back into the pocket of his leather jacket and his sneakers pound against the pavement as he runs, two dozen rabid teenagers on his tail.

He's so focused on escaping them that he nearly collides with a girl on the sidewalk, catching himself at the last minute and stopping himself, breathless.

And if he was winded from the run, that's nothing compared to this.

What light through yonder window breaks?

She's gorgeous. The world stops. Time stands still. He's never believed in love at first sight, but this could be an exception. There's something special about this angel in front of him, she's not like the other girls.

The fans scream from the other end of the street. They're closing in. Axel holds out his hand.

"Come with me if you want to live."

[fox]

v a l e n t i n e

Do you believe in soulmates?

Valentine certainly does not. To her, true love's simply a concept to scoff at, no more than a fairytale for kids. Since the divorce of her parents, she's been focused on one thing only – getting good grades at school. Men disappointed, but the highs and lows of academic achievement? There is truly nothing like getting an A+ on a math exam.

This is life for Valentine. She's on her way to the library as usual, books in her backpack, glasses on her face, hair tied messily into a knot.

But at seventeen, her life will change forever.

All at once, there's something crashing into her shoulder, causing her to stumble and trip onto the pavement, books falling from her arms in a flurry of paper.

"Ugh, just my luck."

Her glasses are gone. They have fallen off. During the tumble, the wind has blown the bun out of her hair, and now her chestnut curls lie in tresses down her back. As she begins to rise, she opens her eyes and looks at the person she's fallen for.

It's a boy with eyes like the seas of District Four. He has a wildness to him, a deep darkness and pain behind those beautiful, shining emerald orbs. She is mesmerized for a moment before glancing away. His face is unmistakable.

Axel Morrisen.

Of course. She knows who he is. She knows he's bad news. She can tell by the way he vapes in a leather jacket and scuffed-up converse, and the way he smirks and tousles his disheveled hair elegantly with his free hand as he extends his other towards her. When he speaks, his voice is deep and husky. She raises an eyebrow at his words – his aura so urgent and dangerous.

A part of her can't fight this feeling. She's tired of being the straight-A student, the good girl everyone expects her to be. She does want to live, to follow her heart, to have him show her the world.

But what about the history paper that's due?

In the distance, she can hear the screams of his fans growing louder. It's now or never. Valentine bites the bottom of her lip, a blush slowly spreading across her cheeks. "Okay. Show me the meaning of life."

{ call it r o m a n t i c }

[calla]

A X E L .

They live in a concrete jungle, but the birds start singing.

She takes Axel's hand and it's like something falls into place. All he's ever known is cigarette butts and fast cars and playboy mansions, but now, here, something opens up. He's the darkest rose, finally blooming.

"There's no time." He says, breathless.

And then they're running.

Axel pulls them down the street, weaving in between pedestrians and politicians. The sun is warm but Axel feels warmer. The leather on his back is like a wall, the product in his hair is a mask, even while running for his life he feels the most free he has in years.

It's not his fault he's this way. It's his family. It's the people around him. He was a troubled kid - his father called him a failure and so Axel retreated. His sister bullied him relentlessly and so he lashed out. He hijacked a motorcycle and took off to the Capitol with just a juul in his pocket and a lifetime of grudges in his heart. He partied and pulled stunts and became the bad boy that everyone wanted.

Is it any wonder he became so guarded? He doesn't know how to be anything else - he's afraid. He's a facade of ice and thorns, slowly crumbling.

Once the screams of the fans fade away to a low murmur, Axel tugs the two of them into an alley. He doesn't let go, he takes both of his saviour's hands and holds them to his chest. He can't describe this feeling.

"Tell me your name." It's a plea and a prayer, "I need to know."

[fox]

v a l e n t i n e

Axel Morrisen touches her hand, and her world stops again.

There's a bolt of electricity, an undeniable spark as skin meets skin and she's pulled into his strange, dark world. He's dangerous, with those fiery eyes and a raven heart.

But there is no going back now.

They're running through the streets like they're running from their inner demons, steps punctuating the beat of her heart. She can't help but be intrigued by this boy – nay, man – before her, who's leading them through the alleys of the city circle like he knows the path like the back of his hand. He is a hurricane, a force of nature rushing through her.

Finally, they stop, breathless and hidden away in the darkness as he gathers her to his chest, and Valentine cannot look away. His beautiful eyes renders her speechless for another moment, and there is something soft here she hasn’t noticed before.

"V-Valentine," she says, letting out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.

Can it be love?

No. There's no way. She is just a girl, and he is worldwide bad boy Axel Morrisen. She reads books, and he vapes. She breaks class averages, and he breaks hearts.

And yet, they are here, together.

Suddenly, from the shadows, steps out a boy with platinum blonde hair. He looks at the two of them, mouth falling open, before clutching his chest with a hand, his other holding a textbook. It's the friend she's known through their families since she was young – Julius "Vero" Darrow.

"Valentine!" He says, shocked and confused, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I came to find you because you were late to our study session." He glances Axel up and down, a sneer now growing on his face. And in a moment, they're inches apart from each other, Valentine caught in between them.

"Morrisen? Is it? Please step away from Val. She doesn't need to fraternize with delinquents like you." He grabs her arm, pulling her away. But something in her heart makes her fight back.

"Vero!" She cries, "Stop it! I-I want to stay with Axel."

{ call it r o m a n t i c }