warning; small mention of self inflicted wounds. some depressive thoughts.

you stirred from your slumber as the faint buzzing of your phone invaded the peaceful morning air. with groggy eyes and a slight stretch, you reached out and grasped the device, bringing it closer to your face. as you swiped to accept the incoming call, a familiar voice washed over you, instantly drawing your attention and dispelling any remnants of drowsiness.

with a sleepy voice, you answered the call, feeling a spark of energy surge through you at the sound of his warm and friendly tone. "good morning," onceler greeted, his voice wrapping around you like a comforting blanket. "you must have been tired last night. i didn't wake you up, did I?" you couldn't help but chuckle softly, the sound carrying a mix of amusement and contentment. "kinda... it's okay. it's early, but i'm feeling pretty refreshed now."

"great, i'm glad to hear that," he replied, his voice filled with a sense of genuine happiness. "so, are you up for a little chat today?" you let out a contented grunt, a mix of agreement and a pleasant stretch escaping your lips. "of course. what is it that you wanted to talk about?" you asked, eagerly awaiting his response, curious to see where the conversation would lead.

"well, i was thinking you should come over now," onceler suggested eagerly, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "get some fresh air, exercise, that sort of thing. i was thinking we could go for a walk. the area i live in has some really pretty trees." you nodded, the idea of being outside and surrounded by nature appealing to you. "yeah, huh? sure. i'll be there soon after i finish getting dressed," you replied, feeling a surge of motivation to start the day with a purpose.

onceler proceeded to give you detailed directions to his place, and you listened attentively, mentally mapping out the route in your mind. hanging up the phone, you couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and joy bubble within you. having a scheduled activity with someone who genuinely wanted your company brought a much-needed spark to your day.

with a renewed sense of energy, you rose from your bed and turned on the television, filling the background with familiar noise as you prepared a quick meal of ramen. savoring the warm noodles and slurping the savory broth, you felt a comforting sense of nourishment both physically and emotionally. as you finished your meal, you moved about your apartment, tidying up and putting on your shoes, readying yourself for the outing ahead.

keys in hand, you took a final look around your familiar surroundings, locking the door behind you. the anticipation of meeting onceler and embarking on this adventure together filled your heart with a mix of excitement and curiosity. the day held promises of discovery and shared experiences, and you couldn't wait to step outside and embrace the possibilities that lay ahead.

eager anticipation coursed through your veins as you stepped out into the cool morning air. inhaling deeply, you felt the refreshing breeze invigorate your senses, awakening you to the world outside. each step you took along the sidewalk, the gravel beneath your shoes emitted a satisfying crunch, marking your progress towards your destination.

as you arrived at the designated spot, a gasp escaped your lips involuntarily. the scenery before you unfolded in breathtaking beauty, just as onceler had described. the trees stood tall and proud, their branches adorned with vibrant and whimsical leaves, creating a kaleidoscope of colors against the backdrop of the light blue sky. it truly felt like stepping into a fairytale, where imagination and reality intertwined seamlessly.

your gaze meandered across the landscape, taking in the enchanting sight. but then, your attention was captured by a peculiar sight—a lone tree stump standing amidst the grandeur. frowning, you examined the rocks scattered around it. how could anyone cut down such a lovely thing?

"y/n!" a familiar voice called out, causing you to turn and search for its source. your eyes landed on onceler, who was waving enthusiastically in your direction. with a smile, you made your way over to him, reciprocating the wave.

"you weren't lying when you called this place pretty," you remarked as you reached his side, taking in the breathtaking scenery around you.

"yeah, it is. i could stay here forever. this place is beautiful," onceler replied, his eyes sparkling with genuine awe and admiration. you nodded in agreement, appreciating his shared sentiment. 

just as you were about to continue your conversation, a voice suddenly called "who's this!?", causing you to turn in surprise. searching for the source of the voice, you found no one in sight, until you heard a snap. "down here, toots," the voice chimed in again. you looked down to find an unusual sight—a small orange creature with a yellow mustache standing before you.

"what the hell?" you exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected presence of this peculiar being. glancing at onceler, you noticed his awkward smile, which indicated that he was well acquainted with this colorful character. "i said, who's this? are you friends with beanpole?" the creature inquired, his voice filled with curiosity. a soft chuckle escaped your lips at the playful nickname he had given onceler. "uh... yes! i am, matter of fact," you replied, extending a friendly smile.

introducing yourself as y/n, you braced yourself for more questioning from the eccentric creature. "you aren't here to cut down any trees, are ya?" he interrogated, a hint of suspicion in his voice. feeling a surge of defensiveness, you quickly reassured him, "no way! of course not!" satisfied with your response, the creature nodded approvingly. "okay then, i'm the lorax, guardian of the trees," he proclaimed, asserting his role. he made clear that if you were planning to stay in this area, he would keep a close eye on you. with that, the lorax turned around, striding away towards a log where he settled down.

"well..." you turned to onceler, standing right next to you. "you live here, right? have you always been here, or...?" you tilted your head curiously, eager to learn more about his background.

"nope! i just moved here," onceler replied with a cheerful smile, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "and i'm workin' on selling something called... a thneed! come with me, i'll show you!" his enthusiasm was contagious, and you eagerly followed him towards his cozy home, curious to see what this mysterious thneed was all about.

once inside, onceler proudly presented his creation to you. the thneed lay before you, a versatile and peculiar-looking item. "oh...! what does it do?" you inquired, your confusion evident.

"ohoho! it'll change the world, y/n!" onceler exclaimed, his voice filled with pride. "it has a million uses! it can be worn as a swimsuit and used to clean floors!" he swiftly demonstrated its floor-cleaning abilities, skillfully removing a dirt spot with the thneed in hand.

"a-a-ah! but wait, there's more!" onceler continued, his excitement growing. "the thneed is extremely absorbent due to its all-natural microfibers!" he proceeded to showcase its absorbency by plunging the thneed into a cup of water, you watched it effortlessly soak up every single drop.

"and... it also works as a hat!" onceler exclaimed, playfully tossing the thneed onto your head. you quickly yanked the wet thing off, chuckling at the unexpected moment. "wow... that's really... cool, onceler!" you exclaimed, genuinely impressed by the ingenuity and versatility of his creation.

it took you a moment to process the revelation that the fabric of the thneed was sourced from the truffula trees. you looked at onceler, feeling stunned by the realization. "did you... cut down a tree to make this?" you asked.

onceler nodded, acknowledging his past actions. "i did," he admitted, his expression displaying remorse. sensing your concern, he quickly added, "but hey, hey, hey! that was a one-time thing! i've learned my lesson, and i'll never do it again... promise"

you let out a sigh of relief, appreciating his change of heart. "oh, alright then..." you responded, grateful that he understood the importance of preserving the natural world.

curiosity sparked within you as you pondered the future of onceler's venture. "when are you gonna start selling?" you inquired, genuinely interested in seeing his plans come to fruition.

"soon, I hope," onceler replied, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. he sat down on his bed and patted the space next to him, inviting you to join. understanding the unspoken invitation, you took a seat beside him, finding comfort in his presence.

his enthusiasm couldn't be contained as he leaned closer, sharing his thoughts eagerly. "hey, do you work?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

you shook your head, indicating that you didn't currently have a job. observing his widening smile, you couldn't help but feel a sense of hope emanating from him. "well... i know we just met and all, but i really believe this is gonna take off! and when it does, let's, like... work together!" he proposed, his words filled with genuine excitement.

you glanced at him, taking a moment to consider his proposition. lost in your thoughts, you looked down at your hands, a frown forming on your face. "are you crazy? onceler, we barely know each-"

he cut you off, taking your hands in excitement "yeah, duh! but, who cares! it's fun, you have nothing to do, you don't work so we can just hang out.. like, for a while!"

a wave of uncertainty washed over you as you questioned whether it was the right decision to embark on this journey with someone you had just met. you didn't want to burden onceler with your own struggles and disappointments in life. sighing softly, you felt a sense of sadness enveloping you.

"i'm really sorry, onceler, but i'm just not sure about this..." you confessed, your voice tinged with a hint of regret. you looked up at him, hoping he would understand your hesitations.

his face fell, and the sight of his disappointment tugged at your heartstrings. in that moment, you couldn't bear to see him so upset. "actually, i change my mind. i'm down," you declared, definitely not being down. his confusion was evident as he questioned your sudden change of heart. "what?" he asked, seeking clarification.

you shook your head, a smile breaking through the doubt. "i mean, i'm in. i'm in. let's do this," you affirmed, a newfound sense of optimism blooming within you. the thought of embarking on this adventure together filled you with a mixture of anticipation and hope.

the expression on onceler's face shifted from confusion to joy, and he couldn't contain his excitement. he jumped up and pulled you into a tight hug, momentarily catching you off guard. flinching slightly, you became aware of the self-inflicted wounds on your body, reminders of your coping mechanisms during difficult times.

day after day, week after week, and month after month, your friendship with onceler blossomed, you two were basically the bestest of friends now. he proved to be a kind and caring person, always showing genuine interest in your life and asking thoughtful questions. it felt both comforting and unsettling to have someone care about you in such a way. after years of feeling isolated and unimportant, the idea of being valued by someone else seemed odd to you.

sitting under a majestic truffula tree, you found comfort from the pouring rain. the droplets cascaded from the leaves above, creating a soothing melody as they hit the ground. the world around you was enveloped in a serene tranquility, as if time had momentarily paused.

as you sat there, your mind wandered, contemplating the complexity of your emotions. while onceler's friendship brought joy and warmth to your life, there was a lingering doubt within you. the notion of someone caring for you so deeply didn't align with your previous experiences and self-perception. it felt almost unnatural, as if it couldn't possibly be true.

lost in your thoughts, you gazed into the rain-soaked surroundings, grateful for this moment of solitude. the absence of any visible presence, including the lorax, onceler, and the barbaloots allowed you to reflect on your journey and the changes that had taken place. it was just you, the towering truffula trees swaying in the wind, and the gentle patter of raindrops against the leaves.

the rain continued to pour, soaking your clothes and drenching your hair, but you didn't mind. the cool droplets mingled with the tears that welled up in your eyes, a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. 

"hey!" you hear the lorax's voice call out, and you frantically search for its source. eventually, you spot him perched on a branch above, his bright orange figure contrasting against the gray sky. following his pointed finger, you see a log nearby, and he invites you to sit. with a heavy sigh, you comply, seeking comfort in the presence of this curious creature.

"what're y' doin' out here, kid? it's cold, wet, n' gray," the lorax questions, concern evident in his voice. you lower your gaze, feeling a mix of vulnerability and relief in his directness. "i wanted to be alone," you admit softly, allowing yourself to be honest with this unlikely confidant.

the lorax hops off the tree and joins you on the log, his small stature emphasized in contrast to your own. he looks at you intently, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in genuine concern. "you look... down. somethin' wrong? beanpole do somethin' to ya?" he asks, referring to onceler. with a shake of your head, you clarify, "no, it's not him. It's just... everything. i'm scared, you know? scared that good things won't happen. i'm tired of the constant struggle, of feeling... bad. it's like i don't even like myself, and i can't imagine anyone else genuinely liking me either."

as you speak your truth, the weight of your emotions becomes palpable. the lorax remains silent for a moment, seemingly processing your words. his wise eyes, hidden behind his bushy mustache, convey understanding beyond his years. he reaches a small hand out and pats your knee gently, a gesture of compassion that offers solace amidst your turmoil.

"kid, i understand. it ain't easy," the lorax begins, his voice gentle yet filled with conviction. "but listen here, you're not alone in this. life can be tough, no doubt about it, but you're stronger than you think. sometimes, the nicest things come from the unlikeliest of places, and maybe, just maybe, the same goes for people."

his words hang in the air, resonating within your troubled heart. there's a glimmer of hope in his wisdom, a possibility that amidst the grayness, there exists a spectrum of colors waiting to be discovered. the lorax leans back against the log, a quiet strength emanating from him.

"y'know, i've seen this world change. i've seen trees fall and new ones grow. i've seen people come together t' make a difference," he shares, his voice filled with both nostalgia and determination. "and maybe, just maybe, you can make a difference too. start by believing in yourself. start by being kind to yourself. the rest will follow."

you take a deep breath, absorbing the lorax's words like a soothing balm to your wounded spirit. 

the lorax's hand finds its way to your shoulder, providing a comforting squeeze. "whatever it is, kiddo, we'll get through it together. i'm here for you, and so is beanpole, and so are all the little guys running around this place," he reassures you, his observant eyes catch a glimpse of your hidden emotions, and he senses there is more left unsaid. without hesitation, he gently grips your shoulders, his concern evident in his furrowed brow. 

"is there anythin' else you wanna tell me?" he inquires, his tone gentle yet persistent. you shake your head, a mix of hesitation and longing in your eyes. while there's much you yearn to share, now is not the time. his shoulders slump slightly, his expression reflecting a tinge of disappointment. "you don't gotta tell me nothin'. i'm sorry, kid," he sighs, his voice tinged with regret. "don't worry about it," you offer him a reassuring smile, appreciating his understanding and respecting your boundaries.

"let's change the topic, let's talk about the boy you met, those couple of months ago," the lorax suggests with a mischievous grin, redirecting the conversation towards a lighter subject. you can't help but blush at his prompt, feeling a mixture of excitement and uncertainty swirl within you. "onceler?" you confirm, seeking clarification, and the lorax nods affirmatively. "yeah, whatcha' think about him? ya' like him?" he playfully probes.

your cheeks flush deeper, betraying your fondness for the subject at hand. "i... i don't know. he's a really sweet guy, and he's so fun to talk to. we can spend hours chatting," you confess, a genuine warmth seeping into your voice. "but, he's also incredibly cute, and he has this infectious smile. but, he's just so... tall! i mean, i feel like a tiny speck around him," you chuckle, realizing the comical contrast in size between you and onceler. the lorax joins in your laughter, his joviality contagious. "i feel ya. it sounds like you're in love, y/n. the way you just spoke about him... adorable," he teases, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

your blush deepens, and you playfully protest, "can we not talk about this anymore? me and him are just friends okay? nothing more." the lorax smirks, thoroughly enjoying his playful role in the conversation. "nope, not until ya' tell me how much ya' love him," he quips, delighting in your blush. you release a heartfelt sigh, uncertain about the complexity of your emotions. love? were you really in love? the question swirls in your mind, intermingling with insecurities and self-doubt. after all, how could you love someone else when you struggled to love yourself?