Joined
AN: I give kudos to GeorgyannWayson for being an inspirado for this chapter. Many thanks!
Present Day-Years After Day of Destruction
"Well, that's enough for tonight," said the Once-ler suddenly after he finished telling the latest part of the story.
"What?!" Ted exclaimed. "But what happens next? Fiora met your family...you had your first kiss...then what?"
"I think you're a little young to be hearing about what happens."
"Why?" Ted said confused.
"Let's just say I was a young man who was very much in love..." the Once-ler began, smirking a bit.
"And?" What was the Once-ler talking about?
"Well...when a man and a woman love each other, they will do things like...you know..." the Once-ler had an impish twinkle in his eye.
"You mean...?" Ted asked slowly, then realized in shock and disgust. "Aw, really?! You and...Fiora?"
"Hey, don't judge," the Once-ler chuckled mischievously. "It's a perfectly natural thing between two people who are in love. Besides, you're a young man...eventually your time will come when you have those feelings strong enough for that girl you like..."
"Ew!" Ted moaned, his face wrinkled in revulsion.
He did not want to think about this old man having sex, even if the Once-ler was young at the time it happened. It was gross.
"OK!" Ted said hurriedly. "I think I get it now. No need to tell me that part. I'm outta here. See you tomorrow."
The Once-ler chuckled to himself as he watched Ted run towards his motorbike and drive away as quickly as possible. Ah yes. How he remembered that day...he sighed as he remembered that beautiful memory...how perfect it was that day.
Fiora ran off into the forest, really confused and disheartened towards Mother Tree. She touched the giant tree's roots, hearing Her comforting song. The trees joined in her chorus. She didn't like Once-ler's family at all. They were just as Once-ler had described correctly. Now she understood why he never talked about them.
Nothing made sense with humans: they did or said one thing, but then did the complete opposite. After what happened with Once-ler's family, she saw that he seemed a bit resentful having them there, yet he was loyal and they were important to him. If he loved them, then why were they so cruel? That didn't seem right. Weren't families about loving and caring about each other? Why didn't they like her? She did exactly what Once-ler told her to when they got here, but they were mean.
Perhaps the Lorax was right. Humans were complex creatures. She wondered if Once-ler was like that. He didn't seem to belong with his family. He was different from them. He was kind, quiet and happy...they were rude, noisy and cruel.
Once-ler found the forest girl, playing with her purple hair. He figured he'd find her here.
"Fiora...I'm really sorry about this..." he apologized with tenderness and sincerely.
"I...I don't understand," she said sad, playing with a lock of hair. "I thought they would like me...did I do something wrong?"
"You didn't do anything wrong, Fiora," Once-ler said gently. "They're hard to please. That's just the way they are."
"Then, why are they here, Oncie?" she said confused. "It seems you don't like having them here either."
"They're just here to help me with my company. That's all. I don't care what they think about you. Just don't worry about them. The point is, I care about you, Fiora. That's all that matters."
Hearing those words from the human that she had befriended, her teacher of the human world...the young man she had grown fond of since he came.
"Really?" she said, her eyes flooding.
"Of course," he said, cupping her cheek, wiping a small tear away. "I...I love you, Fiora...very much."
The blush came to his cheeks and he sucked in his lips, nervous. He had grown to care for Fiora so much. She made him the happiest man on earth. He liked spending time with her. He loved her loving, kind nature, something he wasn't used to. No one ever cared for him as much as she did. He liked that she didn't think like other people.
Fiora heard what he said. Once-ler loved her? Really? Her heart soared above the colorful tufts of Mother Tree. Her hair became pink as ever and a smile spread across her face. Her spirits were uplifted.
"I...I love you too, Oncie," she admitted. "Very much. I can't tell you how happy I am that you came here...how you showed me things from your world. Truly, your coming here is a blessing from Mother Tree."
"It was just a coincidence," he said with a shrug, more blush on his face as he was told this. But this was quite touching. His heart melted more as the green girl told him these words. It was like poetry from days of old with true expression.
After a beat, looking at the forest sprite, he really wanted to express how much he loved her. But how to approach this? He had never done this before. He was scared himself. His heart was hammering in his chest, ready to explode.
"Could I show you another human custom?" he said with a tremor in his voice. "This may require invading personal space."
"What is it?" Fiora asked, curious of what he wished to do.
With a gulp and blushing redder than a tomato, he asked, "Do you know what a kiss is, right?"
"Of course," she said cheerfully. "I get lots of them from the humming-fish all the time."
He grimaced a little, thinking of fish lips on Fiora...but they were just little pecks from what he saw.
"Well, what does this kiss mean in the human world?" she asked.
"It has many meanings..." he explained. "A kiss on the hand is usually a sign of respect. A kiss on the cheek is used between friends...or two people who really like each other. Um...one on the lips...means you...love them."
"How interesting. Which of these kisses do you wish to show me?"
"Um...well..." he continued to dither, sweat and rub the back of his neck like a bumbling fool. "Could I...just...show you?"
She nodded, a little scared. She trembled as she gazed into Once-ler's blue eyes. The beads of sweat on his forehead. His tousled starless night hair, wanting to touch it. He leaned towards Fiora very slowly, and his nose brushed against her. He puckered his lips nervously. She looked tentatively at his lips, unsure at first...and allowed him to touch his lips on hers.
So alien and strange! Fiora had never experienced such a thing before. And from a human! The sensation of his lips were soft and so warm. She was not used to such a touch...the fishes often did this but it was only short, cold pecks. She closed her eyes and found herself enjoying Once-ler's lips. The feeling was mutual for Once-ler. Fiora's lips were silky as the Truffula foliage. He pulled away slowly and swallowed.
"H-how was that?" he faltered, lowering his head.
"Oh...could you do it again?" she replied, her hair pink. "I liked it."
He gladly obliged. It was their first kiss. They found it quite pleasing. Mostly the kiss was close mouthed...eventually becoming softer, warmer...until he dared himself to taste her: like clean fresh water! Her floral scent enveloping him: a mingle of jasmine, roses, and water lilies on a summer's day. Quite pleasing to him. Fiora felt a slithering invasion in her mouth, which she pulled away immediately. Oh! It felt like a small fish wiggling in her mouth. This touch was so unfamiliar to her.
"S-sorry!" he apologized bashfully; he was red from his ears to his speckled cheeks.
"What was that?" she said, absolutely breathless.
"It was just my tongue," he said beaming. "I didn't mean to scare you...sometimes it does that weird thing."
She giggled. After a beat, she spoke shyly, "I want to show you something, Oncie. Don't tell anyone."
She closed her eyes and Once-ler watched as Fiora's pale green skin turned a pale flesh tone, the vines and leaves faded completely and her hair was a shade of like one of the reddish-orange trees. Her ears remained the same. The silvery specks on her cheeks glittered in the sun. She opened her green eyes, staring back at him. He was amazed as he beheld Fiora in a sort-of human form. This had to be more magic. She giggled as she looked at Once-ler's face.
"You're staring," she laughed. "Isn't that rude?"
"Er...sorry," he apologized. "Wow! How come you've never done this before?"
"I saw no reason to. I think it might've had something to do with me reviving you...not sure why. I just figured I'd surprise you." She paused as she looked into Once-ler's eyes. "Would you like it if I stayed this way?"
He shook his head no. "I like you just the way you are, Fiora. Green skin and all."
There was more laughing between them as she transformed back into her old self.
"Fiora? Could I ask you...something...?" he said, blushing. "I...I know we haven't known each other for very long...but...I want to ask...if I could spend the night with you..."
"You mean sleep in your bed?" she asked. "Isn't your family here?"
"We could stay here."
"You won't be uncomfortable in my tree?"
"I was very comfortable the last time I slept here," he assured. "Mother Tree is cozy."
Fiora giggled as she heard Once-ler tell her this. "Yes she is. Do you need to get your pajamas? I do like those orange bunny ones you always wear."
Once-ler smiled to himself. Yea. Those were his favorites too. He made them himself. But upon hearing those words when he asked his request, he figured that's what she was thinking.
"That's...not really what I mean," he said slowly, a bit embarrassed.
"Then, what do you mean?" she asked confused.
How was he supposed to explain that what he wanted was to do was something very intimate without scaring her? He felt a bit guilty since the Lorax told him Fiora didn't understand human customs...especially something like this. Yet she was getting used to them a little. Some intimate moments were clumsy or embarrassing. And she hadn't run away nor gotten angry just yet.
"Well..." he began slowly, trying to think of a way to explain. "What I mean is...well, you know where baby animals come from, right?"
"Oh!" Fiora said as she understood. This is what Once-ler meant. Her hair turned a shade of pink. "You wish...to mate? Oncie...I've never done anything like that before..."
"Well, neither have I," he admitted a bit embarrassed, yet relieved she didn't laugh at him. "But I know...in my heart...I want it to be with you...but if you don't, it's OK."
Fiora lowered her head a bit. It was quite a request. To mate with a human? Yet, she thought about all her time in the forest, wondering if there were other sprites besides her. All the animals had their own kind...except her.
"Oncie," she said softly. "Do you remember when you first asked me if there was anything in the world I ever wanted?"
He hummed a bit as he remembered when they sat by the campfire, eating marshmallows and singing songs. She had told him she was content with what she had and absolutely no interest in material possessions. He wondered what changed her mind...what did she want?
"Well, you know that I love the forest and everything here. I mean it's perfect here...but, the truth is it's not. For the longest time, I've been really lonely and always wanted another here. Someone to love me...and I could love that someone back. Maybe you are the other I've always wanted."
Once-ler had never been touched by such words. Fiora only wanted someone to love. He wanted to cry when he heard this...his heart was melting.
"So...yes, Oncie," Fiora said. "I will be happy to...be yours if you will be mine."
Once-ler was so overjoyed to hear he would be with the forest sprite. The one who loved him. The one who cared about him.
"I would be...happy to be yours, Fiora," he said.
He leaned towards Fiora and kissed her softly and passionately, enveloped by the floral scent. Once-ler's hand cupped the back of her head, his thumb brushed the bumps of the vines on her cheek. Their noses brushed against their cheeks. Fiora relaxed a bit, allowing herself to taste Once-ler's lips...his mouth...her own hands went to his shoulders, then up his neck until threading her fingers through his soft hair.
When Once-ler opened his eyes again, Fiora's skin was fair...her near-human form.
"Do you still want me to stay this way...forever?" she asked. "I can if you want to."
"No," he said gently. "Just...when we do this is fine. Otherwise I still love you just the way you are, Fiora. It'd be easier...without the leaves scratching."
She chuckled with a smile, her cheeks flushed. He caressed Fiora's cheek...oh! he couldn't believe how soft it was! Like the rose petal. Softer than anything he ever felt. Her eyes looked scared yet trustful...she knew Once-ler wouldn't hurt her. He was a kind man...shy and handsome. She saw the goodness in his blue eyes.
She heard Mother Tree singing joyfully and Her colorful tufts fluttered down upon the young loving couple. She blew at a fluttering tuft that fell between them, giggling.
"Mother Tree," Fiora said. "She's giving Her blessing, Oncie."
Once-ler smiled as he felt a tuft land on his nose, twitching it to get it off, making Fiora giggle.
They shared another passionate kiss, embracing beneath Mother Tree and Her shower of fluttering tufts. Once-ler's trembling fingers reached for the straps of Fiora's dress and gently slid them toward the edge of her graceful shoulders...then, it was nothing more than a green pool. Fiora stood there completely naked in front of him, so composed with her green eyes. Once-ler's mouth dropped open when he beheld Fiora's graceful shape of soft feminine planes. Not a single flaw except for those scars on her right leg and her left arm.
"You're...more beautiful than I could imagine," Once-ler whispered in awe.
"Do you wish...to be alone?" she asked, knowing he was embarrassed to be naked.
"No," he admitted. "It's fine this time. You can look at me."
Next, he undressed, carelessly tossing his clothes on the ground. Fiora's cheeks burned as her green eyes wandered, drinking in his features: so pale and slender. Graceful. Lean muscle in all the right places.
"You're...perfect, Oncie," Fiora said softly as she beheld him. Once-ler's speckled cheeks reddened. He always felt embarrassed by his body.
Soon, the two youths began to explore each other, first with eyes and then hands. Fiora looked at Once-ler...he was scared, just as she, but full of love. They joined beneath the shade of Mother Tree...the sun bright and warm upon them. Fiora touched Once-ler's starless night hair, staring into those sky blues. Her companion. Her love. Her mate.
As they knelt on the grass, Fiora rained worshipful kisses upon his face, nuzzling his hair and forehead, smelling his essence: youthful and so clean. Then ran her hands down his back, feeling the angles of his shoulders, the curves of his ribs. His flesh was so soft and smooth! He did the same with his own hands on her flesh, her flowing hair covering most of her back, kissing her neck. She threw her head back, enjoying Once-ler's lips upon her.
Soon they lied down. He was trembling like a leaf as he climbed on top of the girl, his arms were shaking under his weight, staring into those mossy eyes...lost and entranced. Once-ler felt the scar on Fiora's leg...the first cut.
"Are you...ready?" he asked with a tremor in his voice.
Fiora sucked in her lips, wetting them nervously, touching his neck and shoulders, her hand on his cheek and stared into those sky blues, full of love and tenderness. She could only nod, trembling.
Soon, the first push came. Fiora whimpered a bit since it hurt...but Once-ler was gentle. Soon the pain was long forgotten. Neither of them had experienced the most wonderful thing in the world. Fiora and Once-ler cheek-to-cheek...the soft moans between them. Fiora heard Mother Tree sing Her blessings of their joining with utmost joy. Her children joined in joyful chorus.
While Once-ler made love to her, he could hear singing...whispering voices full of joy. Strange. He wondered...could it be? The trees! The trees were singing! It had to be Fiora's magic! He could hear them and it was the most beautiful sound he ever heard!
Soon intense passion claimed them both...and they cried out with utmost pleasure in the vastness of the forest: Fiora's fingernails dug into Once-ler's back while he gripped her tightly, burying his face into her neck, buried in the floral scent of Fiora's hair. The two of them shuddering.
In the midst of their passion, Fiora and Once-ler's minds traveled somewhere dark. They saw two shapes of a boy and a girl, chasing each other playfully...then, they danced...then embraced and their tails joined in a golden light...their souls bonded...
"Oncie," Fiora whispered softly, threading her fingers through his hair. "In the eyes of Mother Tree, we are joined upon Her blessing. I am here with you...to be with you...to be yours as you will be mine."
After their joining, the two of them laid on the grass side by side, naked, enjoying the sun's warmth and the afterglow. Fiora and Once-ler interlaced fingers, staring at each other, in silent contentment, touching noses. All was perfect in paradise.
"I love you, Oncie," she said in a silvery voice.
"I love you, Fiora," he whispered, staring adoringly at her.
They were unaware that Brett and Chet had followed him...they reported back to their mom what they had found...not of what had seen between the two lovers, but they had found...a gold mine...