Radioactive // Onceler x reader

We started working early the next day and I was helping his family harvest tufts because there weren't enough to start knitting yet. It was a very prolonged process and it got tiring real fast, but it was the best way to harvest the tufts without destroying the trees so I was fine with it. We took a break at noon to get some lunch and relax for a bit, so I made some iced tea and sat down. 

I sat down next to his mother and figured I'd try to get to know her a little. Since I was sort of dating her son now I think making a good first impression was in its place. "Hey, I don't think we've been properly introduced yet. I'm y/n!" I greeted in a friendly matter and she eyed me, looking up and down my body as if she was examining my exterior.

"I'm Isabella, Oncie's mother. A pleasure to meet you, y/n." she grinned and I could taste the insincerity coming from that statement. I guess maybe she wasn't super interested in getting to know me. Before I could say anything else she spoke again.

"How do you know the Once-ler, dearie? Are you one of his workers?" she asked and looked intently at me.

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Actually I'm his.. partner. We just started dating.. hehe." I said as my cheeks flushed red, and his mother seemed unimpressed with the answer. 

"I see, I'd reckon my son had set his standards a bit higher now that he's a businessman, but I guess we all can't be successful." she snorted in a laugh and I furrowed my brows. That was a completely unnecessary and rude response, but I wasn't really expecting anything more from someone like her.

"Haha yeah you're right. I mean just look at him, he's the first person in his family who's successful and attractive. That's impressive." I answered innocently and saw that my response was not to her satisfaction. Maybe it wasn't my place to say that or to insult his mother within the first five minutes we've spoken, but I felt really good now that she's gotten a taste of her own medicine.

"Well, isn't that just delightful." she said sarcastically and got up, strutting over to Ubb and Oncie's brothers. They began talking and I could tell by his uncle's body language that he was uncomfortable and tired of working. I could understand it, he had been pushing that cart all day.

I suddenly noticed that Oncie's mother went over to the right side window of the tent and began talking to Oncie about something. I focused my ears to hear what they were saying.

"Oncie, we've got us a little problem." she said sweetly and looked over towards the rest of us. "problem?" he responded, and she nodded.

"Mhm, see, we're not making thneeds fast enough." she said, and uncle Ubb came over to pitch in. "Harvesting the tufts takes to long!" he said and demonstrated with the twins how inefficient the method was. 

"What else can we do?" Oncie responded timidly, and I started feeling worried. I remembered what he had told me about his mom so I prepared for what she was gonna say next. It was probably nothing pleasant. 

"Well... and this just came to me.. we could always start chopping down the trees." she said and he bolted upright. "what?" 

"Woo! now you're thinking! That would speed things up." his uncle shouted in excitement, and his mother nodded. "but-"

"No buts, Oncie. You're running a business now. You have to do what's best for the company, and your mama." she nagged, not really giving him any room to answer. Oncie looked deep in thought where he was; now was the moment of truth. I clenched my jaw and fists anxiously. 

"Well.. I guess it couldn't hurt to chop down a few trees.. hehe." he chuckled guilty and my heart dropped inside my chest. No.. but he promised. I wanted to run right over and scold him, but I couldn't. I was too tired from all the work, and I wasn't even sure what I would say. His mom hugged him through the window, and I could see a small smile form on the corner of his mouth. He got his mother's approval at last, but at what cost?

"You've made me so proud Oncie!" she says obnoxiously, and his uncle pulls out the finger guns. "Hey, I love this guy!" he said with a cheeky grin as he sends of the twins with a pair of axes. This alerted me and I got up, marching over to the window where Oncie was sitting. He jumped when he saw me and his face flushed with guilt. I gave him an angry stare and folded my arms. 

"You broke your promise." I said and looked directly at him. He avoided looking me in the eyes and mumbled something. "It'll only be a few, I won't take it too far." 

"Not good enough." I sighed disappointed and walked away, not wanting to talk to him right now. I needed to find the Lorax. As I began looking around suddenly I started feeling pain on my arms again, and I realised the chopping had begun. I saw multiple red marks appear on my skin, and I clenched my jaw as I tried ignoring the pain. Though the feeling of betrayal was more prominent right now. After looking for a while I heard a loud scream and saw the Lorax soaring through the sky and landing inside some bushes. I quickly ran over and helped him out, looking at him with sad eyes. 

"So you know." I said and he nodded and we looked back towards the tent in silence. He took my hand and looked at it, seeing the red marks continue to appear. It still hurt, but not so bad that I couldn't do anything. I began coughing a little, worried that this was the begginning of the end for me.