The Once-ler x Reader (Finished)

part fo' 🦴

A/N: RAHHHHHH, LET IT GROW 🗣️🗣️🗣️ LET IT GROWWW 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

The next day arrives, you get breakfast and put on some new clothes. All you can think about is the onceler, and what happened yesterday. With a touch of nervousness and excitement, you head out, making your way towards the forest.

As you approach the familiar surroundings, you catch sight of the Lorax perched on a tree stump. He notices your presence and jumps down, his bushy eyebrows furrowing. "Back again, huh?" he grumbles, though there's a hint of curiosity in his voice.

You give him a nod, mustering up the courage to engage in conversation. "Yeah, I'm here to visit The Onceler," you explain, hoping he'd let you go.

The Lorax studies you for a moment, his stern expression softening slightly. "Well, just make sure you don't cause any trouble or harm to the trees," he warns, his voice tinged with protectiveness.

"Don't worry, I'd never do something like that. This place is really beautiful," you assure him.

The Lorax seems to ponder your words before nodding approvingly. "Alright then, but I'll be keeping an eye on you," he states, pointing a finger in your direction.

You give him an uncomfortable smile.

You accidentally forget about going to the Onceler's place and sit down next to a tree. you take a deep breath and the smell of fresh air fills you with joy. You feel the sun hitting your skin, and you close your eyes.

Lost in the moment, you fail to notice the figure approaching from a distance. It's the Onceler, and his eyes widen with awe when he sees you enjoying the sun. He slowly takes a few steps closer to you, not wanting to disrupt the moment.

You finally become aware of his presence, and open your eyes.  "Oh, hey! Sorry I got distracted." you say and sigh.

He joins you and sits down next to you. his gaze fixed on the trees. "Yeah, it's beautiful," he murmurs, his voice filled with awe.

He closes his eyes, tilting his head back in a moment of contemplation. You can't help but gaze at him, a smile slowly spreading across your face. "Hey, aren't you gonna go try to sell that thneed?" you inquire curiously. His eyes flutter open, meeting yours with a mixture of surprise and disappointment. "Uh... no," he responds, attempting to mask his frustration with a laugh.

"Come on, Onceler, you've only tried twice. I believe in you," you offer, wrapping your arm around him for support. His eyes widen slightly, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Thanks," he stammers, visibly flustered. "Just give it time," you reassure him, gently rubbing his back.

With a determined nod, he stands up, a renewed sense of purpose in his gaze. "Alright, I can do this," he murmurs to himself. You rise from your spot, mirroring his optimism with a cheerful smile. "Thank you, Y/n," he expresses, his gratitude shining through. In a spontaneous gesture, he moves in for a hug, and you gladly reciprocate, embracing him tightly.

As he releases you and takes a few steps back, a surge of excitement fills the air. "Okay, I'll see you later. I need to sell a THNEED!!!!" he exclaims with enthusiasm, his anticipation palpable. With a wave goodbye, he hastens his pace, eager to embark on his mission.

You watch him go, you feel proud of yourself for helping him cheer up and sit down again.

(I HAVE THE PINK HEART HELLO????? 🩷)

---

Barely an hour later, you're talking with the animals and hear a rustling noise, turning your gaze towards the source, you spot Onceler approaching, a hint of disappointment etched on his face. He is covered in tomatoes once more, a visible reminder that his efforts to sell the thneed has been another fail..

You walk over to him, a smile on your face starts to appear. The animals start playing a card gane

"Hey, Onceler," you say softly, your voice filled with empathy. "I'm sorry to see things didn't go as planned. But, it's not the end of the world. Sometimes it takes a few tries before people truly appreciate something."

Onceler looks at you, a mix of gratitude and frustration in his eyes. "I know, Y/n," he replies, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I'll try tomorrow."

You reach out and gently place a hand on his arm, offering comfort through your touch. "That's good," you assure him. "If it doesn't work out, it's okay to give up. But if I were you, I wouldn't. You're smart, and giving up is just giving them what they want."

He nods, a glimmer of determination returning to his expression. "You're right," Onceler admits, a touch of gratitude in his voice. "I will try one more time and maybe I'll get lucky."

"Okay, Once. I know you'll be able to do it." you say sincerely. "If there's anything I can do to help, whether it's spreading the word or brainstorming new ideas, please don't hesitate to ask."

A small smile tugs at the corners of Onceler's lips. "Thank you, I really mean it," he replies gratefully. "Having your support means a lot to me. My mom usually says harsh stuff."

(Bro got mommy issues)

You both lean in for a hug, but Onceler suddenly freezes midway. His eyes lock onto yours, and you notice a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. His gaze travels up and down, as if he's lost or something.

Confusion clouds your expression as you furrow your brows, unsure of what's happening. "Once?" you inquire, seeking an explanation. Onceler's apology is accompanied by a slight shake of his head. "Sorry, I was thinking about something," he murmurs.

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A/N: the last two chapters were kinda goofy I'm so sorry :[ and this one was shorter than the others.