Chapter Text
The beautiful rose bloomed from the planet, bursting vibrant red in front of the little Prince’s face. It echoed down in his heart, just like love. It hurt so good as the petals unfolded one by one and started to sing, quiet and melancholy.
“If you want to love me... then darling, don’t refrain.”
“I love you.” Steven answered earnestly. “But who are you?”
“I’m Axl,” the rose said moodily. “I’m going to make you hurt.”
“But you are beautiful. And you just asked me to love you.”
“Madness only makes sense in song. It won’t last.”
The rose suddenly looked unsure, wrapping itself back around as if to hide from the Little Prince’s piercing blue gaze. They were like two spinning planets of water. Too much gravity to get trapped in. Axl was scared of getting his thorns wet.
“Go,” He suddenly snapped, the tips of his petals darkening in a scowl.
“Just leave me now. I can see you want to.”
“I don’t.”
Steven said honestly. He wanted to hug Axl, thorns and all. But something about the fierce pride in Axl’s trembling frame held him back. Axl was not scared of being hurt. Axl was scared of doing the hurting.
“Please. I already lost a lover.”
“I’ll go. But where?”
“Where the paper cranes lead you. Where your heart goes when there’s nothing around for it to hold onto & grow. Isolated wilderness, little Stevie. Not here with me.”
Steven leaned up on his tippy-toes and stole a kiss from the rose anyway. Soft and chaste and innocent. His little popcorn curls bounced like sunbeams, tickling Axl’s cheeks that were suddenly wet with dewdrops.
Steven left before Axl could plead him to, once more.