Part of the Flock- (Flock x Reader)

Axel

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"Axel wake up." Max was standing in the doorway of the boys room, fully dressed, hair pulled back into a sloppy braid. It was still dark outside Axel's window, the sky clear, the waxing moon setting a bright light over the trees. "C'mon, get up. We haven't got all morning. Get dressed, you need to train more." Max disappeared from the doorway and Axel threw the thin blanket to the side of the bed, getting up and checking his watch. 4:30 am. The boy sighed and got dressed in a torn black tee and loose ripped jeans.

"About time! Let's go." Max led the way to a relatively flat expanse of rock on the side of the canyon. The rocks were blue-gray in the moonlight, and gave the whole place a sort of weird sacred type feeling. The air was chilly, a slight breeze from the west, but Axel knew he would warm up quickly when he and Max started their training. He lost sight of Max while admiring the scenery, and looked over the cliff edge for her.

"Max?" He looked up into the night sky, searching for a shadow blotting out the stars. Nothing. "Maximum!" He opened his wings and jumped into the air right as something pummeled into his chest, knocking him to the hard ground and, in turn, knocking the wind from his lungs. He gasped for air and jumped up to his feet in fighting stance, ready to attack.

"Gotta stay on your toes, man." Max said, landing behind Axel, sounding amused. Axel spun around with a kick which Max dodged easily, countering with a punch. Axel blocked it, grabbed Max's arm and yanked her forward, bringing his knee up to her stomach."Oof!" Max leaped back, a hand on her stomach, and grinned. "Good," she praised Axel. "But you'd be dead if I were a real attacker." Axel rolled his eyes, being careful not to relax his fighting stance.

"You learn fast, I'll give you that. But Angel could still take you down no problem." Axel knew what Max was trying to do. She was goading him. Trying to make him attack before thinking. He learned not to do that the hard way a few months back. He had to calculate. Think about what to do, and what his opponent might counter with. Strategize. Axel snapped his fingers, sending a shower of sparks from his hands. "Hey, none of that." Max warned, a smile playing at her lips.

"Why not? You think it's hot," Axel teased, "No pun intended." Max rolled her eyes, but he could see the light blush creeping into her cheeks. Axel grinned and leaped towards her, spinning in mid-air at the last second to send a solid kick to Max's torso. But she was too quick. Stepping to the side, she struck out, punching Axel in his sternum before he even touched the ground. Which he did, a split second later, landing on his back. His breath once more knocked from his lungs. Axel let out a string of colorful words, hoisting himself back onto his feet.

"You really thought you had me there, didn't you?" Max laughed. "You almost did. But you have a tendency to change facial expressions right before you attack. Gotta work on your poker face."

"We cant all be Fang." Axel snapped, catching Max off guard.

"What, are you jealous?" Max joked.

"No." Axel looked down.

"Oh my God, Axel! You are!"

"I- What did I just say?" Axel said, flustered.

"How long?"

"Excuse me?" Axel looked at Max incredulously.

"How long have you had a thing for me?"

"Who ever said-"

"Oh please," Max said, cutting him off. "I know you do. Don't lie to me. So how long?"

"Since you rescued me.." Axel admitted.

"Wow. You mean that your first impression of me wasn't, 'Wow, she's really bossy and/or dirty'?" Max asked, half joking.

"No. Sorry to disappoint but I was too busy with the euphoric feeling of being rescued from 15 years of hell." Sarcasm dripped from Axel's voice as he rolled his eyes. Seconds of silence passed before the boy apologized. "I didn't mean to snap. It's just- I mean you saved me! How could I not- "

Max looked at Axel, wary and confused. "Not what, Axel?"

"Not.. You know- love you."

Max nodded. "I figured."

"You knew?" Axel demanded, face going red.

Max rolled her eyes, "It's not like you were obvious about it or anything."

"Well- I- I did't-" Axel flustered and stuttered for a bit and Max chuckled.

"Axel, it's ok."

"It's- what?"

"It's ok. Because...well I like you too.." Max admitted.

"How long?" Axel repeated the question Max had asked, a smile playing at his lips.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Max admitted with a sigh. "I think I just woke up one day and looked at you and thought, 'Hey, this kid is really cool!'" Max smiled and closed the ten feet of space between her and the boy with a stroke of her wings.

"I am cool, aren't I?" Axel smiled and leaned closer to Max.

"Wh-" Whatever Max was going to say was cut off by Axels lips on hers, stopping her words short. She tensed up, every muscle in her body tightening with surprise. She stood there as Axel wrapped his arms around her, smoothing her feathers down. She relaxed, and kissed Axel back.

A/n: Holy crap! I am so sorry for the awful delay in this chapter! I've been so busy, but @strawhatpatrice has been a jem throughout the whole thing! Thank you so much for your patience and understanding and I hope you liked your chapter!!