Rotten on the stem, your green body turned to gray, and the thorns were growing soggy, yet your appearance was still pretty on the outside.
Foul mess that left us all with our noses closed, wilted flowers with a bit of charcoal, and roots dangling at the ends.
Mold-like cheese matched what you were becoming, yet we still hung you in that vase.
We let you sit there observing us as we cried and screamed, calling for help, we knew we couldn't help you. Bacteria tainted your insides, and we couldn't scrape it out. We couldn't save the petals that were falling, and we couldn't stop you from becoming another dead victim.
Another dead flower that would be thrown in the trash and soon replaced with a better-smelling and much livelier version.
Goodbye, Little Flower.
Sorry, your life was wasted.
He sat by the cold river, letting the water rush upon him, crimson tainting the clear color as his heart ached.
Millions of tiny bees surrounded his chest's inner core, and his eyes were puffy, swollen, and red.
He couldn't face his reflection or bear to look at the scar that now made him who he was today. His brain struck with a sickly plague that made him long for a simple touch of warmth that was kind with no bounds.
One who fed him when he was ill and lay with him when he was in mourning, who smiled so brightly that it made his heart drum. Drum louder than the echoes of the forest, an internal curse that he didn't mind having until now.
Burns of fire ripping through his chest, worse than the wounds on his body, hell, even death would be less painful than this fate, but inside, he knew he deserved it.
After everything he put her through, it was selfish to think she could fix the evil inside of him, the mistakes that a broken soul made.
Rain blended in with his tears as he wiped the wet red off his face. It kept pouring, but the rain didn't bother him. Instead, it reminded him of a time when it was raining and she was there to comfort him, a time before the chaos.
He wished he could have stayed in that time, even if they argued, but fairytales don't last forever... Not even in your dreams, we all have to come to reality some day, stressing as it may be, it is the true universe in which our consciousness lies.
A sick and cruel joke, but the objective one.
"Leo, what are you doing out in the rain?"
He turned to the side to face her, a big doe-eyed curiosity sitting on her face.
He winced, "I was thinking of my family, of my mother." "Your mother?" "Yeah, I promised to protect her, but in the end, she ended up protecting everyone from me." He chuckled, "I think she would have liked you especially since you seem to see all the good in people who are obviously irredeemable."
Regina faced the ground, taking a seat next to Leonardo as he continued to speak. "The last time I saw her was in the rain, there was blood all over my face, and it wasn't mind." He felt his words catch in his throat, but continued to recall the memory.
"There wasn't a hint of horror in her eyes, even though she knew I had hurt people from the village. S-she welcomed me with open arms and hugged me tight before letting me go, and I never saw her since then, I don't even know how long it's been. She always had faith that I was going to do great things, help many people, and find a partner that would bring out the best in me."
Leo buried his face within his hands, lying on Regina's shoulder, "She wanted me to have grandchildren since I was her only son, a baby with chubby cheeks, is a healthy one. That was her motto since I was born, and I always humored her with it. I wasn't sure if I would ever take a lover, especially after taking on this curse but..."
His eyes locked with hers, and for a moment, he could see stars pass through her ocean-blue eyes, little gems that carried hope and prosperity. Her mouth opened, but she didn't say anything, just flushed red with clear liquid dripping down her shoulder.
"But, since I met you, I felt as if things could change, I feel as if one day I could see my mother again and heal from the plague inside of me. I know you've never taken on a curse this strong but-" he took her hand in his, the cuts running along her smooth skin sending slight shivers through her spine.
"Sorry about that, I don't have the softest of hands."
She gave a soft smile, "I know, it just startled me for a second, but I don't mind it. Hearing that story made me tear up, but part of it was beautiful, and the other was rather depressing. Though I hope one day, if you see her again, that I may visit as well."
"Only if you can purify this curse", he winked, sitting up, squeezing most of the water out of his hair, both of them drenched yet still enjoying the solitude of nature around them.
"I'll do my best", "I know you can, hell if you believe there's something still good in me, then I know you can do it." She giggled, "Maybe you have a lot of confidence that I can invent a cure, but oddly enough, it motivates me, so I'll cure you, Leo, and show everyone that I can do this!"
She kissed the edge of his hand and gave a thumbs up, "You can count on it!"
When you don't take care of something, it starts to rot, first from the inside, and then it appears outward.
An infection that kills the body slowly but effectively, spreading contagion to ones who are close to it.
So care for yourself and be careful who you let in, for you don't know what infection they are carrying.