Pairing:

Bits of OncelerxNorma

Warning:

The fact this fanfiction exists at all as a legitimate attempt at writing for the Lorax Movie, not the meme. So...beware.

Note:

You must think the author's lost their mind. Fair point. But in their defense: they have fond memories watching this movie when they should have been too old to care, but had to babysit younger relatives who adored it. Is the original book and the special based on that message better? Of course. But the author hardly believes children watched young Onceler cutting down trees happily and went on to become anti environmentalists. Believe it or not, The Lorax is not the worst thing in cinema history from a moral standpoint. To them even if it fails at giving a message, a movie is just a movie, and you can enjoy what original story it came from without your care for it being diminished.

TLDR: the author fails to understand the human race, please send help.

. . . . .

Making Changes

Chapter One

. . . . .

The clock ticked in its mocking tone.

The clock hands remained on twelve o clock, exactly noon.

The Onceler's hand, sweating inside one of his faithful green gloves curled on the knob.

The Onceler did it just a few weeks prior, so he didn't know what stopped him.

Ultimately, the time would reach twelve o one, and Onceler turned his back to the door and crumpled against it. He felt his age long ago, expecting that sudden force to leave a terrible ache in the morning but for now...now he was just being ridiculous. He dreaded having to pick himself off the floor if he slumped and curled up helplessly. Living alone gave him enough time to notice all of his own quirks and that was his go to position when troubled. Instead he tried not to stand so tense against the door as if being a living barricade against the harsh reality outside.

Nature was being restored as he stood there worrying. Onceler saw it himself...although now he wasn't so overwhelmed with emotion he could process being outside again. When he turned to see what had to be Theneedville's whole community he felt like he could faint from terror. They were far more concerned about the state of the newly planted seed to realize he was responsible for all their problems but he didn't take a risk and instead fled back to his house. That might have been a panic attack on its way but it was thwarted in this one square of living space.

Ted and the girl, Audrey, they were catching him off guard with visits. Traveling all the way out here was far less dangerous without O'hare in the picture but it still took time. That didn't seem to bother them while Onceler had far more instances of drowsily opening his curtains in the morning to see Audrey's smiling face staring back like a slasher movie killer. He had his share of rude awakenings in the past but seeing people so early in the morning was far more eventful than necessary, so he scolded them lightly...at least to hide his self consciousness at being a basket case.

"You're still going to live all the way out here?" Audrey asked, less peppy than usual as she made herself comfortable on the edge of the platform.

Onceler remained standing at the window, arms folded as he tried to be casual. She had completely startled him as he just rolled out of bed and let his feet touch the floor. She gave no indication she noticed he didn't have time to at least wrap a blanket around his pajamas or wash his face but somehow he was left cringing when he wasn't slouching.

The only clear fact was Audrey not leaving until the question was answered. But one, two minutes passed and all Onceler did was let the silence hang and hopefully let that be a reply in its own way.

Audrey eventually slammed her palms on the platform, stood as she could barely hold in a sigh. "People aren't going to be mad if you come back into society. I mean yeah, not everyone's going to like it but this isn't about them. You can't prefer this isolation to being around people, life...when I think how it must've felt to be alone that long, I just feel sad."

A certain word rang even louder in Onceler's mind. He made a grave mistake in covering his mouth as it repeated, giving away his real emotion in time for Audrey to turn her head and catch him.

"You're sad because you're really not a gruff loner kind of guy." Audrey stated, eyes shining.

Her words were like a dart perfectly aligned and stabbing a bullseye.

But if any of his mother's teachings truly stuck, it was the one about emotions being a bad thing. That didn't freeze the ugly trio of shock, denial, and embarrassment flaring up.

"Shouldn't you be in school or something?"

"Um...weekend?" Audrey said lazily, folding her arms behind her head.

Onceler glared at her, but there wasn't any malice behind it. She knew it too; her shoulders began shaking with a fit of silent giggles the longer they made this pointlessly intense eye contact. Onceler would end this encounter abruptly by yanking the curtains shut and sinking into the nearest chair. He'd been out of practice socializing it was actually exhausting.

Footsteps came closer to the window. Onceler snapped his gaze over there as Audrey's silhouette appeared behind the curtains. "Seriously we can find you a place in Theneedville. Ted talked it over with his mom and grandma, and they're willing to take you in to get you back on your feet."

Excuses already rushed to the tip of Onceler's tongue. He would feel like a bum taking advantage of their hospitality. He had a strict diet. He had a snoring problem. But none of these carried enough weight to shoot down the offer. The fact Ted wanted to help him was touching, but...

But what?

He didn't have an answer.

Onceler finally managed to leave his self imposed prison for what Ted and Audrey hoped was for real. It didn't have an epic soundtrack leading up it even though his only luggage was his old guitar hanging by a worn strap behind his back just in case his aged fingers decided to finally perform the chords they used to. His legs were like jelly climbing off the platform and he knew the kids noticed with their quick exchange of worried looks. Well they didn't have to worry. Onceler did enough of that once he was on land, adjusting his jacket with the frailest dignity and walking ahead of them.

Realistically Ted's scooter shouldn't have been able to support two others, one being well over six feet and drawing his legs up as far as he could to avoid a nasty injury. But somehow it did. No one said a word during their journey not just because it wasn't eventful, it was just awkward rather.

. . . . .

It was evening by the time they arrived back to the city. Audrey was dropped off at her home, hair going in every direction and eyes gleaming from the speed. Ted swooned over her regardless, clearly thinking his following her to the door and being motionless in awe as she shook his hand had been a good move for their nonexistent relationship. Onceler didn't have the heart to say anything, let Ted's head get lost in the clouds as they finished the journey to his home.

Onceler had been so lost in his own head all that time anyway. When they passed by people coming home from work he would instinctively duck though his getup would raise questions among residents old enough to remember. He had expected his first entry to be much worse and...it wasn't so bad. Yet.

Ted parked his scooter and gave the doorbell a ring as Onceler was busy studying the neighborhood around them. As Onceler was thinking how he could not even guess what part of the land they were in currently the door whooshed open as a woman called out to Ted.

Onceler stepped back feeling awkward watching the woman fuss over her son for a moment. He wanted to say he felt a little empathy as Ted tried to pry himself out of her arms. It wasn't from lack of trying and more so he didn't know the feeling.

"I'm fine Mom! Fine!" Ted whined a lot more childish than he obviously meant as he freed himself. As his mom composed herself as well he turned to Onceler and gestured to him. "That should be the last time I have to ride so far out if we can help Onceler find a home."

"Oh yes..." Ted's mom looked to Onceler for the first time more lukewarm than he expected. Onceler was frozen under scrutiny as she approached him, hands posted on her hips. "You're the fellow Ted went to help for about regrowing trees. The businessman."

That was the kind of motherly behavior Onceler was used to. His throat felt dry and scratchy as memories of his own mom flashed through his mind. But he hadn't spoken to her in years, and she happily pretended he didn't even exist to send letters to.

Ted stepped in between them as if sensing a brewing storm. "Mom, you gave me permission to let him stay with us. Are you really going to interrogate him after he's spent decades alone?"

Ted's mom sighed, grabbing him by the shoulders lightly and holding him close. Onceler took it as a sign he needed to remember who he was dealing with if any of his old ways hadn't completely gone away and provided a negative influence. That was fair.

"I don't want to make you feel unwelcome, mister Onceler. It's just that ever since Ted found out the history and pulled all those dangerous stunts with O'hare...well, I worry about him." Her gaze didn't lose its steel but Ted's mom did sound genuine.

"Understandable, ma'am." Onceler stammered beyond his control, forcing himself to smile through crushing nervousness. "Your son helped give the final push to get me out of isolation, but I know it was dangerous. I won't ask Ted- Or you- Or...I'm just looking for a roof over my head, a bag of marshmallows if you can spare that, a cushion on the floor-"

"Helen!" An elderly, female voice snapped.

Onceler couldn't help making a startled noise and leaning away as a tiny older woman appeared out of thin air next to him fuming. He looked to Helen and Ted to see if they found this unsettling, Helen was clearly trying not to roll her eyes as a cane was pointed at her. Ted seemed unaffected.

The little woman stood as tall as she could, similarly quirky curls bobbing. "Let the poor fellow rest before unpacking so much!"

Onceler was just standing there, hands still held up and blinking slowly but he almost felt relief at her interference. She looked up at him over her shoulder, face instantly more curious and he again forced a smile and opened his mouth just in time for a cane to point to him.

"You come inside this house and rest. You'll be needing a full stomach and energy to get through the unfortunately mandatory conversation we have in store." She said so matter of fact, but also with a gleam in her eye Onceler couldn't place. He just knew he had no choice but to nod obediently alongside Helen, although her impish grin before she turned and strutted to the house made wonder if anyone else felt the random heat wave.

Helen cleared her throat once the older woman made her exit and caught Onceler and Ted's gazes. "Well we would be poor hosts if we kept you standing here all night. Do come inside mister Onceler; I hope you like spaghetti, because that's what we have on the menu tonight."

"That's fine, um...yeah I'd like that." He was serious. His stomach rumbled on cue, much to his piling self consciousness as he followed Helen and Ted who hopefully didn't hear.

Ted decided to try a peacemaker role changing the subject and talking excitedly about the growing grass and clearing sky he saw just behind the old barrier to his encouraging mother who just let him. If he was trying to fully sell her on the idea of him as their guest he could tone it down slightly. It was tough for Onceler to see beyond a cynical point of view that maybe Audrey's concern for the environment had rubbed off on him enough he genuinely wanted it to thrive now.

The night had just begun, and the way Onceler saw it he still had enough time to potentially get thrown to the streets.