I genuinely believe Axons were not made to be hostile.
I think it's quite clear papa made them with all the love in his heart for his family. The point is not violence (that's Clea's job lol). I think their approximate locations right in front of the Paintress is a deliberate choice so she has no choice but to see them. To be reminded of her true family and his love for her (the beautiful sirene.) and knock some sense into her.
I'm so glad at least one of the Axons was spared and cannot be canonically hurt 🙏🥺 (same as Goblu. But that's a different topic.)
And I'm absolutely certain The Hauler was no different. It wasn't meant to be hostile until its confrontation with Simon 😔🥀
This ties into my very unpopular theory that I can accept to be wrong, but depending on when the Axons were made, I wouldn't be surprised if Old Lumiere is actually part of the Axon? I don't think Aline in her grief cared much for details more so than just having her boy and family back and pretend that nothing happened. The artbook DID confirm the first she ever Painted was Verso, then everyone else.
There is also the strange white & red petals tree in Lumiere. Of course we saw it change to all red once all Chroma went back to Renoir, making it entirely his domain. But maybe it can also mean they both had a hand in the creation of Lumiere too in different times? After all, he did try everything even sharing her grief, but she never snapped out of it. Leaving him no choice but violence. (aka inciting the Fracture)
(Again this is all depending on when the Axons were made. I personally think that happened very early on before he got trapped at the very least.)