warning; sickness. loss of appetite. isabella being a bitch. some agression

you found yourself standing alone in the kitchen, bathed in the sad, grey, morning light that streamed through the windows. you were sick, very sick, but that didn't stop you from getting up early. the silence enveloped the room, broken only by the rhythmic sizzle of the pancake batter hitting the hot buttered pan. the aroma of freshly cooked pancakes began to fill the air, a comforting scent that once brought joy to both you, and onceler.

as you stood there, flipping the pancakes with a gentle grace, you couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness deep within. what happened yesterday and the memories of happier mornings flooded your mind, where onceler would be the one standing in this very spot, in the cottage, a vibrant smile on his face as he skillfully crafted a breakfast feast for you, the lorax and the barbaloots.

but now, the roles had reversed. the once vibrant spirit that infused your mornings had dimmed, and you found yourself taking on the role of the caretaker, creating a small comfort in the form of pancakes. it was a bittersweet reminder of how things had changed, how the dynamics had shifted.

your own hunger gnawed at your stomach, a reminder that you too needed to eat. but the thought of preparing a meal for yourself felt like an impossible task. the pancakes sizzled and turned a golden brown, a tempting invitation to indulge, yet your appetite seemed distant and forgotten.

the pancakes, plated and stacked high, stood before you, a delicate tower of golden goodness. but as you stared at the stack, your mind wandered to a time when you both would share these moments together, laughing and savoring the simple pleasures of life.

a heavy sigh escaped your lips as you reached for a plate, placing a single pancake upon it. The once warm and inviting gesture now felt hollow, a reminder of the void that had crept into your shared existence.

as you took a reluctant bite, the flavors danced on your tongue, momentarily distracting you from the emptiness that lingered within. the sweetness of the syrup mingled with the soft texture of the pancake, obviously, oncelers pancakes were still way better than yours.

you sat alone at the kitchen table. the empty chair opposite you served as a constant reminder of his absence, a void that seemed impossible to fill. the silence enveloped you once again. the pancake infront of you wasn't being touched anymore, all your appetite was gone.

"y/n?" startled by someones sudden presence, you turned towards the sound of their voice, your eyes meeting oncelers familiar gaze. he was wearing that same, green tailcoat. he stood there, a figure of both familiarity and distance, his presence bringing a mixture of comfort and unease.

"oh, hey," you replied, your voice soft and tinged with a hint of melancholy. you averted your gaze, returning your attention to the plate of pancakes before you. 

a nervous chuckle escaped his lips as he spoke, his voice laced with cockiness. "you made pancakes, huh? that's new," he remarked, his eyes flickering between you and the stack of pancakes on the plate. there was an air of unfamiliarity to the situation, as if you both were tiptoeing around the elephant in the room.

he reached for a plate and carefully selected a stack of pancakes, the edges golden and lightly dusted with powdered sugar. with a slightly goofy smile adorning his face, he commented, "they look very yum." his attempt at levity brought a flicker of a smile to your lips, though the weight of recent events still lingered in the air.

he settled himself in the chair opposite you. as he took a bite of the pancakes, his expression softened, "damn, y/n. these are pretty good." he says, while he's shoving more into his mouth. "i think you're just hungry" you chuckle, taking the pancake on your plate and putting it on his.

as he finished his breakfast, he rose from the chair, straightening his tie with a purposeful gesture. "today's gonna be a busy day for me," he announced, his voice filled with determination. a heavy sigh escaped your lips, barely audible. "of course," you mumbled under your breath, the words barely escaping your lips.

his brows furrowed slightly, catching the faint whisper of your response. "what was that?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued. with a shake of your head, you dismissed his question. "nothing," you replied, opting not to burden him with your concerns. the weight of unspoken words hung in the air, a silent barrier between you.

he shrugged nonchalantly, seemingly content with your vague response. his gloved hand gently reached out, resting on your shoulder, but a sudden realization struck him. "you're... warm," he observed, his voice filled with concern. his hand left your shoulder and ventured to your forehead, the touch lingering gently against your skin. "y/n, what the heck? you're burning up!" he exclaimed, worry etched across his features.

with tenderness in his eyes, he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, a gesture that conveyed both comfort and concern. "you're not well, and you still got up early? go back to bed," he insisted, his voice laced with a mix of worry and shock. his hand moved from your forehead to your neck, exerting a gentle squeeze that elicited an unfamiliar sensation, leaving you momentarily perplexed.

before you could voice your confusion, a raspy cough interrupted your words, causing a sharp pang of discomfort. "sit back down, love," he urged, his voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos within you. obeying his gentle command, you returned to the chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle upon your weary frame.

"onceler, i'll be okay, like you said, it's gonna be a busy day for you." you protested weakly, your voice strained and laden with raspiness. a concern filled his gaze as he clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "that doesn't mean you can't rest," he countered, his voice filled with unwavering discomfort. "come on, let's go back to our room."

nodding in reluctant agreement, you followed him, leaning your head against his sturdy frame for support. each step felt heavier than the last, your body yearning for the comfort and solace of your shared space. the elevator carried you upward, the gentle hum providing a fleeting respite from the tumultuous thoughts swirling in your mind.

once you reached the familiar confines of your room, he guided you tenderly towards the bed, his movements a delicate dance of concern and care. with utmost gentleness, he tucked you in, ensuring your comfort and security. leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to your forehead once more, his love and worry evident in the gesture.

"please, don't get up, okay?" he implored softly, his voice a gentle plea that echoed through the room. you nodded weakly, your body sinking into the soft embrace of the blankets. the weight of exhaustion pulled at your weary limbs.

as he lingered by your side, a silent guardian in the face of your vulnerability, you couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude. in his presence, the world faded into the background, replaced by a quiet refuge where his care and love enveloped you like a warm embrace.

as he received an unexpected phone call, you watched his expression shift, a flicker of concern crossing his features. he bit his lip, torn between the urgency of the conversation and his commitment to you. "sorry," he muttered, his voice tinged with regret. "this is important, okay? i'll be back soon." 

a sigh escaped your lips, a silent protest against the sudden shift in his attention. more important than you? the thought lingered, though you quickly dismissed it, reminding yourself of the complexities of his world. nodding in resignation, you mustered a smile, attempting to convey understanding and support. he mirrored your gesture, his own smile carrying a hint of apology.

with a sense of haste, he swiftly left the room, leaving you in the solitude of the empty space. the remnants of his presence lingered in the air, his absence felt like a void within your heart. lying there on your side, you couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions, a peculiar fuzziness seeping through your thoughts.

seeking warmth, you nestled deeper into the cocoon of warmth provided by your blanket. time stretched out before you, minutes blending into hours, yet he remained absent. restless, you turned to your phone, seeking a temporary escape in its glowing screen. hours slipped away, marked by the ticking of the clock, each passing minute a reminder of his prolonged absence.

fatigue settled over you, weighing heavy on your weary body, yet slumber eluded your grasp. tiredness seeped into your bones, a weariness that begged for respite, but the restlessness in your mind held you captive. you yearned for the embrace of sleep, for a brief moment of reprieve from the worries and uncertainties that plagued your thoughts.

the passage of time blurred, the outside world seemingly distant and insignificant. yet in the midst of the quiet solitude, a sense of longing grew within you. a longing for his return, for the reassurance of his presence by your side.

the sound of the door creaking open drew your attention, and with a flicker of hope, you turned your head, expecting to see onceler returning. however, your heart sank as you realized it was his mother, isabella, standing there instead. an exasperated sigh escaped your lips, and you lowered your gaze, bracing yourself for whatever she had to say.

"y/n!" Isabella's voice rang out, her tone falsely cheery. you mustered a polite smile and replied, "yes, ma'am?" her smile faltered, her brows furrowing in disapproval. "you got my oncie late to a very important meeting," she accused, her voice laced with annoyance.

rolling your eyes inwardly, you put on a kind demeanor and responded, "listen, he insisted on bringing me upstairs and everything, okay? i told him to go, but he didn't want to." it was the truth, and you hoped she would understand. 

isabella's expression hardened, her smile dissipating completely. "well, he told me you got him late," she retorted. your heart skipped a beat, and you felt a wave of disbelief wash over you. he had blamed you? the accusation hung heavy in the air, shattering the trust and understanding you had believed you shared.

"excuse me?" you replied, your voice betraying a mixture of shock and hurt. sitting up, you raised an eyebrow, seeking clarification. isabella facepalmed, her frustration evident. "don't act all dumb!" she exclaimed. "oh, I get it now. you're doing this on purpose, aren't cha? you just want all o' his attention!"

the accusation struck a nerve, and for a moment, anger flickered within you. but you quickly quelled the rising emotions, refusing to stoop to her level. "can you just... leave me alone?" you pleaded, your voice tinged with weariness. you longed for a moment of respite, for the chance to gather your thoughts and regain your composure.

isabella, however, seemed determined to push her narrative further. her tone turned sharp and cutting as she continued, hurling verbal daggers at you. "you're nothing but a distraction," she sneered. "you've taken him away from his responsibilities, from his family. how dare you?"

her words pierced through your defenses, each one landing with a painful sting. you refused to show her that though, you had endured enough, and the last thing you wanted was to give isabella the satisfaction of seeing your vulnerability.

summoning the strength within you, you straightened your posture and met isabella's gaze with a resolute look. "i don't deserve this," you said firmly, your voice filled with quiet determination. "i've always supported him, loved him, and yet you choose to see me as the problem. i'm not here to take him away from anyone. i just want him to be happy."

isabella's face twisted with contempt as she scoffed at your words. "happy? you don't even know what that means. you're just a burden, holding him back from achieving his true potential."

her words cut deep, and you felt a knot forming in your throat. but you refused to let her see how much her cruel remarks affected you. with a quiet resolve, you turned away, retreating back into the refuge of your solitude.

isabella's voice faded into the background as you focused on regaining your composure. the room felt suffocating, and the weight of her words hung heavily in the air. yet, amidst the turmoil and the hurt, a quiet determination simmered within you. you vowed to stay true to yourself, to rise above the negativity, and to protect the love you shared with onceler, even in the face of adversity.

her voice grew louder and more piercing with each passing moment, and her face contorted with anger. "he doesn't even love you! you're nothing but a leech, sucking the life out of my son!" isabella spat, her words dripping with venom. "he's always distracted, always worried about your well-being!"

her words stung, piercing through the fragile shell you had built around yourself. the tears welled up in your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. instead, you clenched your fists, trying to find the strength to stand up for yourself, you're not sitting on your bed anymore.

"you don't get to define my worth. i may not be perfect, but i've always supported onceler. i've stood by his side through thick and thin. can you say the same?"

isabella's expression contorted with rage. without warning, she lashed out, her hand connecting with your cheek in a sharp slap. the force of the blow sent you reeling backward, the pain radiating through your face.

anger surged within you, overpowering the hurt. you met Isabella's gaze, your eyes burning with defiance. "you're nothing but a bitter woman who can't stand the fact that her son found happiness. i won't let you ruin that for him."

isabella's face turned crimson with fury as she took a step closer, her voice dripping with venom. "you think you can talk back to me?" isabella's eyes narrowed at you, "who are you to him anyway? a gold digger using him for his money? he doesn't love you, you know that right? you're just a passing phase for him."

feeling your blood boil, you speak up, "that's not true! he loves me and i love him!"

Isabella scoffed, "love? you wouldn't know what love is! you're just a kid who thinks they know everythin'. he's too good for you! you're just usin' him for his money!" she spat, her face contorted with rage.

you felt a surge of anger and frustration rise within you. taking a deep breath, you looked straight into Isabella's eyes. "isabella, you know nothing about our relationship. your bitterness blinds you to the truth," you said firmly, your voice laced with conviction.

"you were never there for onceler, and you make that so obvious. you were a terrible mother, always putting your own selfish desires above his well-being. it's no wonder he found love and happiness outside of this toxic environment," you continued, your words cutting through the air.

isabella's face twisted with disbelief and she took a step forward, her eyes burning with fury. "how dare you say that to me? i raised him! i sacrificed so much for him!"

"no, you manipulated him. you never supported his dreams or showed him any love. all you cared about was your own image and controlling him," you retorted, your voice steady despite the anger bubbling inside you.

as Isabella shut up, you stood there, feeling a mix of confusion and disbelief. just as you were trying to collect your thoughts, onceler appeared at the doorway, his eyes filled with concern and worry. he glanced at his mother, who was now sobbing uncontrollably, and then turned his attention to you.

"what's going on here?" onceler asked, his voice wavering with uncertainty.

you opened your mouth to speak, but isabella beat you to it. through her tears, she managed to choke out her words, painting a distorted picture of the events that had just transpired. she lied about you mistreating her, even going as far as accusing you of physically assaulting her.

"oh, oncie! i can't believe she would do this to me!" isabella cried, clutching onto onceler's arm. "she's been treating me horribly, saying the most terrible things. and just now, she attacked me!"

onceler's eyes widened in shock as he looked at you, searching for answers. your heart sank at the realization that isabella's manipulative lies had taken hold of his trust. you desperately tried to find the right words to defend yourself, but your mind felt clouded, unable to form a coherent response.

"y/n, is this true?" onceler asked, his voice filled with doubt and disappointment.

tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at onceler, the person you loved with all your heart. the weight of the situation felt unbearable as you tried to find a way to convince him of the truth, to make him see through the web of lies that isabella had spun.

but the words wouldn't come, and you found yourself at a loss. it was as if your voice had been stolen, leaving you silenced and helpless in the face of isabella's manipulations. the room fell into an agonizing silence, the tension thick and suffocating.

onceler, torn between his love for you and his loyalty to his mother, took a step back, his expression pained. "i... i need some time to think," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

as he turned and walked away, your heart shattered into a million pieces. the truth was within your grasp, but the weight of Isabella's lies had pushed it out of reach. in that moment, you felt the overwhelming sense of helplessness, not knowing how to bridge the gap that had formed between you and the person you loved most.