Maybe This is Enough 𓇚 The Onceler x Jon Arbuckle 𓇚

Fifteen

.𓇗.

𓋇JON'S POV 𓋇

My hand grazed the cool skin of fruit inside a sea of silky fluff, a small victory that ignited a somewhat involuntary 'aha!' to fall from my lips. The fruit got plucked, and I got to add one more fruit to the mountain in my basket. Muffled footsteps stomped upon the grass at my side as the Lorax and I made our way through the orchards.

"I'm not sure I like this." The furry orange creature growled.

I was silent momentarily, trying to think of the answer I should give him. I walked over to a stone, setting my basket down before I hopped on top of it, giving myself the height required to reach up and pick another fruit.

"Well— we're only harvesting the tufts—" I murmured.

I plucked the fruit that I was reaching for from its fluffy nest before hopping back down to deposit it in the basket.

"Look, Once said he would never cut down another tree. And he's not the type to break his promises." I tried to reassure the creature. I was only met with a splutter of disbelief.

"You'd be surprised how often people fail to meet your expectations."

I opened my mouth to speak, before promptly shutting it again once my words got lost on the way to my tongue. My brows furrowed, painting the creases of my face with the unsteady feeling that rushed through my veins as I stared at the valley's guardian.

"What?"

The Lorax sighed, stopping and crossing his thin arms behind himself.

"Which way does a tree fall, Jon?"

I could feel my brows screwing themselves together. I lifted a hand to the messy nest of curled hair on top of my head, scratching at it to jog my thoughts into action.

"...er—"

"A tree falls the way it leans. I'm afraid Once isn't watching which way he leans." The creature clarified, a sort of sickening melancholy tone overtaking his voice.

My mouth dropped open by a will of its own. I was quick to shake my head in denial. I knew Once. I knew he wasn't the type to go back on a promise, especially not one of this magnitude. When picturing his eyes, his joyful smile that always seemed to brighten up the area he was in without fail...I just couldn't bring myself to imagine him breaking this promise.

"...listen, I know you're worried, and I get that, but I don't think Once is gonna go back on his promise."

I sighed, getting down on one knee so I could speak to the Lorax on his level.

"I trust him with my life, you know. Have a little faith."

I painted a reassuring smile on my lips for the sake of the creature. However, the Lorax didn't seem to take my statement to heart. I understood that he feared for the safety of the valley, but I truly didn't think he had a reason to. At least not from Once of all people. The creature bowed his head, a heavy sigh slipping out from under his mustache.

"I think you're a good person, Jon, and I think he is too. But both of you need to be careful. Pride can make good people do bad things."

I couldn't help but bark out a laugh. Associating the word 'pride' with Once was like associating chocolate with pasta sauce. The two just didn't go together. I reached over to pick up the basket with both hands, before attempting to stand up on nothing but legs wavering under the weight of a fruity mountain.

"Once isn't prideful. Trust me, he's the furthest thing from it."

I shifted the weight of the heavy basket precariously in my hands. After making sure it was stable, and breathing a sigh of relief that I didn't drop it knowing my butterfingers, I started stepping in the direction of a symphony of running water. A quick pitter-patter of furry feet ran after me.