Radioactive // Onceler x reader

For the next week the Onceler and I ended up sharing the bed every night, and I got a hunch that he might actually be into me. Maybe that was wishfull thinking, but sometimes he would hold my hand and other times he'd come really close to my head when we were talking. I mean, we began giving each other good morning and good night hugs. I was almost convinced, but unless one of us made the first move I couldn't be 100% sure. 

On a sadder note, for this entire week the Onceler had not been able to sell his thneed, and each day he arrived at home his body was more and more covered in tomatoes. I had tried to come with him a few times but usually we got separated by the crowd when he was performing. I had stayed home today, and was sitting outside with the Lorax playing card games.

"You've done good with Beanpole, y/n! He's not that bad, I'll admit. Seems like the two of you are a perfect match." the Lorax said approvingly to me, giving me a thumbs up. I blushed at the last part and looked away.

"We're just friends if that's what you're wondering, nothing more nothing less." I stated seriously, but he was clearly not convinced and broke into a laugh. To be fair I was probably trying to convince myself more than him. "I've never seen a pair of friends act like that, you've gotta be kidding... You are, right? I mean, there's obviously something there." his laugh turned to confusion, as if he genuinely didn't know neither of us had confessed to each other. 

"There's nothing there, okay? I wish there were, I really do! I love him, I-" my hands quickly went over my mouth, shocked at what I just said. I really said it, even after countless tries to make myself believe otherwise. The Lorax gave me a smile that just said 'told you so' and I couldn't help but smile myself. 

"I do, I actually do love him! Eek- maybe I shouldn't do that. What if he starts hating me or think I-I'm dumb-" my mind started overthinking the situation instead of enjoying the feeling of being in love for the first time. The Lorax facepalmed and jumped onto my knee, staring me directly in the eyes and pointing a stern finger at me.

"Don't you start thinking like that. Even a grumpy old creature like me can tell when two people are in love. You should tell him, or maybe I will." he said, folding his arms. "You wouldn't." I aswered daringly and he raised a brow. "Oh yeah? Let's see." he said and nodded his head in the direction of the trees, showing that the Onceler was on his way back to the tent. 

"Okay! Okay, I'll do it... just give me some time will you?" I whispered in panic, and the Lorax gave me a cheeky grin. I rolled my eyes and he jumped down, returning to his cards. The Onceler came over and I noticed his thneed was gone. A joyful spark ignited inside me as that must've meant he finally sold it. 

"Hey, where's your thneed? Did you sell it?" the Lorax questioned the Onceler who sat down next to us. 

"Hey, yeah, no, ah, no. No, didn't sell it. Turns out it's ahead of it's time, I guess." he chuckled sadly and looked at me. I put my hand on his shoulder in sympathy and gave a smile. "Hey, you gave it your best shot, right? What more can you do? Come on, take a seat, we'll deal you in." 

He smiles and looks at the cards. "Ah, what are we playing?" 

"We're playing poker." the Lorax replied and dealt him in. We played for a little while and did our best cheering the Onceler up. It was eventually time for dinner so we went ahead and made pancakes for everyone. Lorax and a handful of other creatures joined us and we served around nine rounds before everyone was satisfied. Everyone was laying on the bed, groaning as they were so incredibly full. Onceler and I stood by the kitchen counter and talked. We looked at each other for a moment, just admiring each other. I could see his eyes look at my lips and I thought this might be it, but all of a sudden the entire ground began shaking and everyone got distracted and worried what was happening. 

We hurried outside followed by the other creatures and stared in absolute horror as a gigantic crowd emerged from the hilltops. Instinctively Onceler and I hurdled together for safety reasons, not letting our eyes leave the slowly approaching crowd. They were all singing and doing a simple coreography, and the song was about the thneed. Every single person in that crowd had come here because they wanted to buy the Onceler's product. 

The people flocked around us and we got separated, they lifted the Onceler up while I was pushed aside, out of the circle. I could see pure excitement in his face as everyone were praising him. "Awwh yeah, we're in business baby!" he hollered and raised his arms into the air. I glanced over to the Lorax who wasn't looking to happy about all this. 

The Onceler fetched his phone and started dialling someone. "Mom, hey, it's me! I told you I was gonna be a success! you need to bring the whole family here, right now. We're gonna be rich!!" he shouted excitiedly into the phone before noticing the Lorax' look.

"What? I'm gonna need all the help I can get. Don't worry." he chuckled nervously. 

It took a while before the crowd dispersed and we could go back to the tent in peace, and I was feeling pretty exhausted. The Onceler however was more energic than ever after that boost. He had been sketching and planning for his family to arrive in the morning when the sun eventually set. I was getting ready to sleep and saw him still sitting by his desk, looking out the window, probably daydreaming about something. 

I decided now was the time for me to make a move.