Onceler x reader

Chapter 5: y/n

I woke up to the smell of pancakes. I opened my eyes and looked around to find Once making pancakes and dancing around in the kitchen.

I groaned as I sat up. My head hurt and my eyes felt dry. I blinked a couple times and rubbed them. I stretched my arms up above my head. I sighed as I dropped my arms and looked back at Once in the kitchen. I smiled when I saw his notoriously pink apron.

"Good morning! Want a pancake? At least before they disappear to the forest creatures." He asked, holding a frying pan and spatula.

I nodded, rubbing my eyes again, and pushing myself out of bed. I walked over to the table, running my fingers through my hair to semi brush my hair to a more pleasant look.

He set down a plate of two small pancakes and some syrup in front of me. "Let's start off with something small. So we don't upset your stomach." He said sitting down with his own plate.

I grabbed the syrup, keeping my head down. I wanted to say something about last night but I was too scared to bring it up. Luckily I didn't have to start the conversation.

"You cried last night.." he said quietly, taking a bite of his pancakes. I took a bite also, to stall time.

"I-I'm sorry." I said, my focus set on my breakfast. "I didn't mean to wake you up. I didn't mean to cry.." I started speak really fast when he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, hey. I'm not upset, don't worry about waking me up. It's just are you ok? You haven't been yourself lately. I'm starting to get worried." He said tilting his head to look me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry.." I said again. It was unusual for me to have someone care about me that way he did in that way. It made me love him more.

He got up and kneeled beside me. "I really want to help you, and I haven't asked you about this before, but I think it's what caused last night, right?"

I looked at him, and sighed. I shifted in my chair where I was facing him. "It's a chaotic story, but I had uhm- a fight with some family and friends..." I said and looked away.

"Over?"

"Whether or not I had a say in something that affected me."

"You should have a say in something like that.."

"Yeah I should. But to them, I didn't." I sighed. "My family isn't the best and was gonna wed me off for money. So I left and I ran into a group of friends and they sided with my family instead. So I ran off again and that's when I met you."

He looked at me. "They were going to give you away to a stranger? For money?" He asked in disbelief.

Tw up ahead. Please read with caution!

I shook my head, "someone I know. All too well." I shivered. "He had taken advantage of me when I was younger, like high school age.. and since he was well off, they decided he was a great person to wed me off to for money." I heard Once take in a sharp breath.

"I am so sorry.." he said pulling me into a hug. "I refuse to let you go back to him or anyone. Especially if you don't want to." I tightened the hug before letting go. "I swear."

I looked in his eyes, and I felt safe. "Thank you." I said softly closing my eyes.

I got up and picked up dishes and set them beside the sink. I turned around to stare at Once. "I uh- really appreciate the fact.. that you care about me.. I really do." I said fidgeting.

"There will never be a time when I will never not care about you." He walked over and patted my head. "Now I'm going to go pick some tufts for the thneeds. If you need me I'll be outside ok?" I nodded and he smiled before walking out.