Valium

New Beginnings, Friendship & Family

Axl hauled Valerie inside, not breaking off the kiss. He couldn't bear to separate himself from her. Locking the door quickly behind them, he made his way into her house – not knowing where to go. All he knew was that he was kissing her desperately and that he couldn't get enough of her. Val clung tightly to him with her hands knotted in his hair, pulling him towards her as much as she could. Without knowing how, they ended up in her kitchen and Axl gently laid her on top of the kitchen table. Out of breath by now, they began to stare at each other, unsure of what to do next.

Suddenly Val let out a loud giggle – just like that. His eyes softened then and he too had a trace of smile playing across his lips.

Valerie was certain that this wasn't happening for real. It just couldn't. 

When she saw and heard about Axl, she had no idea how he was or could be. All she knew was what he showed to the media – the ruthless and gifted front-man of a famous rock band. Knowing him a little bit now, her perception had surely changed. There was something much more to this man than how he treated others in general and what he showed them on a daily basis. He was a passionate human being – one who was showering her with so much attention.

She couldn't remember the last time anyone had done that, except Aunt Anne. 

Oh, how she missed her! Her Aunt Anne was the only person living in the world who understood her. After Val's parents had passed away, she took care of her. She was a beautiful person – inside and out. But tragedy struck when her husband left her for another woman. Val had never quite seen someone change as drastically as her aunt had. She went from being a joyous, fun-loving woman to a dull, depressed one. The transition was heart-breaking but her aunt had still loved her, as much as she could. However, Val decided to move out as soon as she felt like she could take care of herself. That's just how she was.

It's me who can't love anyone, Val thought.

"What's so funny, hmm?" Axl whispered, getting closer to her. He began to place soft kisses all over the side of her lips and jaw.

"I don't know, Axl. This. Us. I..I haven't ever been this close to anyone. Ever. And you'd think that it is an exaggeration but it really isn't. It's hard for me to let people in – I feel like I'm more comfortable alone. But with you it feels different. I just can't explain it so well, I guess."

He didn't know what to say after hearing that. He was amazed at the confession. At first she hadn't looked like someone who was so private but then again, appearances can be deceiving. It made him genuinely happy since he too, cared a lot about his privacy. Although he had countless friends, he didn't particularly enjoy the company of people at all times. Axl was known to be extra private when it came down to his personal life and he admired her for being similar in that regard.

"Say something, Axl." Val looked him straight in the eye. What is he thinking?

"For the record, my name is William. It's W. Axl Rose, short for William Axl Rose." 

He blurted out suddenly. What the fuck? He hated his name since it reminded him too much of his god-awful childhood. He didn't know why he had just told her that. But the strange thing was – he didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable while telling her. It was almost as if he wanted to. He wanted to tell her everything and he wanted her to do the same. The invisible trust that had grown between them took his breath away. He still couldn't see what it was that made him feel this way.

"William. Ah, I wouldn't have thought so. Very classic British. But thank you, William, for sharing this piece of your life with me. I'm guessing not many people know this?"

He laughed out loud at that. "No, they most certainly do not. I don't remember the last time someone called me William. Even my sister and brother call me Axl now. Just Izzy sometimes, that too because he wants to fuckin' annoy me. And god knows how much I hate that." Since Axl and Izzy were friends ever since their good old days in Indiana, only he was the one entitled to joke about his name and also get away with it. And Axl always made sure to point Izzy's name out as well. Because that is who they were – Jeff and Will from Lafayette, Indiana.