Cacti are striking plants. It's hard to miss the prickly plant hairs and barbed bristles. They are the literal "DO NOT TOUCH" of the plant world. One of the bad boys of Botany. So why do people like them? Most collectors will say it's because of their gorgeous flowers. Every cacti species is capable of producing flowers if given proper watering, fertilization, and light.
The villains and bad boys of fiction are the same. There is not one, living on the page, another character or reader, doesn't think can't bloom. They only need time. Or understanding. Or unconditional love. Someone to listen. Therapy. Just one thing. Whatever that damn one thing is.
The memes are cute, sure.
"Didn't you see the red flags?" "Yes! I thought it was a circus."
"He has five red flags." "Sure. But I'm a Six Flags season ticket holder. WHEE!"
Like WE KNOW the issues are there. But we are willing to look beyond all that because we want the cactus and the flowers.
For instance, LOKI. Yes. All caps. Because Marvel™ had the sheer brilliance to cast Tom Hiddleston as their villain. This man: 
This character plucked an eyeball from a living man's skull, while grinning maniacally. I would let him eat crackers, or anything he desired, in my bed, whenever he wished. He's selfish and self-destructive. Cunning and chaotic. Loki is the epitome of a cactus, and I would bet more viewers would try to save than destroy him.
Writers walk the fine line with our cacti. We can make them attractive. *shrug* But they're all assholes. They have to be. Prickly as hell. No time for anyone. Hateful, usually. Red flags waving in the wind like NO-NO triangles. 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 😁
But then we give readers a glimpse, a small sliver, of their humanity. And we've hooked you. You can see exactly what our cactus can be. You start rooting for this snippy underdog. Celebrating their triumphs. Grieving their sadness.
Suddenly, you love a cactus. And aren't those blooms beautiful?
Always writing*
...isn't Tom Hiddleston absolutely stunning???
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