Hey, friends! Sorry it's been so long! I've tried to make up for it by having a longer chapter this time, with some hopefully exciting developments! Although a lot of sappy nonsense is definitely involved. Also, I need some opinions on how detailed to get with the love scenes. I'm waffling; I definitely won't do anything super graphic like I did with my Wreck-it Ralph stories, but I could either skip them almost entirely, or put in a little of them, depending on how uncomfortable people might be with Who-on-Elephant love. Please either review or PM with your opinion. I want to give people what they want! Anyway, enjoy the chapter and keep writing!
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Chapter Six
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The Mayor stared at the light fixture hovering over his mattress, glinting in the darkness. He felt like a traitor in this bed; a strange mixture of jealousy and guilt swirled inside him, hidden by the darkness. His stomach ached, his palm fur was damp with sweat, and his head was spinning.
I love my wife! he thought miserably. I love my family! It was true, but behind that voice was another that traitorously whispered, and I'm falling in love with Horton too...
As he thought it, his eyes landed on Sally's face. He felt absolutely awful as he saw that her eyes were closed, her features relaxed in repose.
She was guiltless.
It was completely ridiculous that he should be envious and resentful of her for being able to so openly show affection to the elephant without fear, even more so when he considered that he probably felt awkward because... Well, the affection he wanted to display wasn't exactly appropriate. That must be why even a simple hug set his heart hammering in his chest, making him nervously look about to see who might have noticed his discomfit.
And that's what made this jealousy so ridiculous; it was hypocritical, he knew. Besides that, what were the chances his wife actually had any romantic designs on their new friend? What Who would lust after an elephant?
No one but me, Ned reminded himself, sighing and rubbing a hand over his burning eyes and turning on his side, away from Sally. Disgust was added to the mix now; everyone new he was odd, but sometimes his oddness left him feeling dismayed and unsure.
These feeling had been easier to deal with when they were misty clouds, floating on the edges of his mind, distant and ethereal. Seeing Horton, his constant presence in Ned's life, had solidified them. Each time he saw the elephant, each time he heard his voice, his feelings flared in his heart. This couldn't continue, but he also couldn't just dismiss Horton; where could he go? He didn't have anyone else.
The only thing he could think of was to try to avoid Horton as much as possible. It made sense to him; increased contact had made his cravings worse. Less contact would certainly have the opposite effect.
He'd start tomorrow. Things had to get easier. They couldn't possibly get harder...could they?
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It was a very strange thing to be able to see so much daylight, but no sun. It was something Horton still hadn't adjusted to in his few short weeks here, and he still searched the sky for a glowing orb every day, and his twin every night. This morning, before the sun came up, he squinted into the darkness, eyes shifting from one corner of the sky to another instinctively to find the moon.
The squeak of a door brought his attention back down, however, and he saw the dark form of Ned McDodd closing the front door as quietly as possible before turning to the street. The sight of him sent the same, now almost familiar sensation of longing and anticipation and he stood, smiling.
"Morning, Mayor," Horton whispered loudly, lumbering over. "Headed to work early?"
The small man jumped and looked up guiltily. "Oh...yes. I ...uh..." He looked around in confusion for a moment. "I've missed a lot of..evenings..recently, being home to spend time with you- I mean, the kids- and- Aren't you usually asleep right around now?"
"Nah, I'm an early-riser," he bragged, drawing himself up slightly. "I was just looking for the moon."
Ned frowned. "For...the what?"
"The moon. You know..." Horton stopped and blinked. "Oh, I guess you don't know. It's.. uh... In the Jungle of Nool, when it's dark outside, there's this big glowing silver ball that floats in the sky. It starts on one side and over several hours moves over the entire sky until you can't see it anymore."
The Mayor seemed entranced. He watched Horton describing the moon to him with a look of worshipful fascination. "That's amazing," he breathed, glancing at his own sky as though he could see the orb Horton spoke of.
"There's also the sun during the day, much much brighter. It moves the same way as the moon." The elephant stopped for a moment, gazing into the Who's wondering face as he searched the completely black heavens. His words seemed suddenly more important, like some of his own awkward emotions could be shared, and he leaned in closer. "Some say... the sun is chasing the moon. They say he loves her and tries to catch her, but she's too fast... and she doesn't look back, so she never sees him calling to her." As his words died, he found the mayor turning to him.
His deep blue eyes were staring into Horton's aquamarine ones, lost and confused. "What happens when the moon sees the sun?" he rasped hoarsely. "What does he... she do?"
Horton thought about that for a moment, his face screwing up in concentration. "I don't know," he admitted finally. "No one ever told me that part."
The mayor looked extremely disappointed, his entire being drooping. "That's too bad," he said quietly.
Horton felt awful. Clearly his exciting new emotions were not shared by his friend, and explaining them must have really hurt Ned, judging from his expression. "Want a ride to work?" he offered, trying to change the subject.
"I don't think that's the best idea," Ned replied, his words slow and measured. "I could use some time alone. To think."
"Okay. Have a great day, buddy!"
Horton's happiness rang too false to convince anyone, least of all Ned, who had put considerable unconscious energy into learning his friend's behaviors well. He watched Horton sadly lumbering under his shelter, mind a jumble. He had spoken truly; some time to clear his head was definitely in order.
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Hesper hated high school.
Of course junior high had been awful too, but she had harbored some small hope that once she hit high school, she'd be able to befriend some other Who's that were at least not total imbeciles, like her classmates had been so far. Someone who was cool, not the usual vapid schmoes she was confronted with everyday.
It was a foolish hope, illustrated by the idiocy of her fellow students so far during her freshman year. She sat next to Harper as the other girl spoke with her friend Whitley about their Chemistry homework. Hesper had decided earlier that fall that Whitley wasn't as distasteful a person as some others around them and tolerated her presence well, though she didn't deign to speak to the girl much.
While her twin and Whitley went over the answers together, she moodily scrawled various images as they came to her; a dead rabbit, various strange faces, a fairy with furry bat wings. In the upper right hand corner she inked a gothic clown with long pigtails and black tears running down her fuzzy white face.
"Hey, Max, come here!"
Hesper's gaze shot up to see Whitley's tall older brother walking carelessly over. She scowled and ducked back behind her pad, pointedly ignoring him. Max was a senior, the star quarterback in the Who High Whoball team. If she had one problem with her twin sister's friendship with Whitley, it was that she was forced into involuntary social situations with the worst of the worst here. She huffed and pointedly ignored him.
"Hey, sis," he said, patting Whitley on the shoulder roughly. "Having fun nerding it up over here?"
"Oh, very funny. I just wanted you to know that I'm going home with Hesper and Harper tonight so I don't have to sit here waiting for Whoball practice to be over," she informed him primly. "I'll walk home from there."
He shrugged. "Whatever. I'll see you at dinner I guess."
After a few moments of silence, Whitley voice rang out, her tone distainful. "Are you just going to stand there staring creepily at my friends all day?"
Hesper glanced up curiously and saw the older boy looking directly at her, and he presumably had been for several moments. "What?" she grated out harshly. She'd never liked attention; that's why she always wore dark colors and had her bangs in her face, never spoke unless spoken to. Hesper was feeling suddenly uncomfortable and exposed, and reflexive defense was rudeness.
When he met her eyes his light orange facial fuzz flushed slightly, then he looked irritated. "Nothing. I wasn't staring... Get back to your lame doodles or whatever they are, you little freak." With that, he huffed away, back to a circle of fellow Whoball players and cheerleaders.
Hesper looked back down without responding.
"Oh, Hesper, I'm so sorry!" Whitley squealed, looking mortified. "I can't believe he-"
"It's fine." She stared unseeing down at her artwork, turning the page. "I expect that kind of crap from jackasses."
Whitley giggled and turned back to Harper, while Hesper covertly watched Max's retreating back as he reentered the school.
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Though the day was long and tedious, it had at least given Ned some time to think. It was obvious, Ned decided as he signed off on his three hundredth release form, that things were out of control, and drastic measures needed to be taken.
Just a few moments ago, he had approved an order to construct a giant building, big enough for an elephant to live in if he wanted. It was time to admit his feelings, now that Horton would have somewhere else to go when he inevitably rejected Ned's advances. If he got them out in the open, witnessed Horton's complete and total rejection, he hoped he would be able to move on. He would ask Horton to be discreet , of course. No one needed to know about his shame but the two of them.
"Hello?"
Looking up in alarm, Ned's eyes darted from corner to corner of his office. He seemed to be alone, so who was-
"Hello? Who's?" came the voice again.
Ned wandered over to the the neglected pipe on his balcony, unused since Horton's appearance, eyes wide. "Hello? This is the mayor," he announced in confusion.
"Oh, Mayor, thank goodness! Have you heard from Horton?"
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Horton stepped gingerly from the lift onto the balcony outside the Mayor's office. "Ned?" he queried, tiptoeing towards the main office. "You needed me?" His stomach was doing flipflops; the pleasantly warm sensations he had felt for days when he was in the Who's prescence had now turned cold and aching. "I got your message! What-"
"Horton!"
The familiar voice had come from the drainpipe, not the office. "Morton?" Horton cried in disbelief.
"Oh, Horton!" Morton cried, sounding relieved. "You've been missing for weeks!"
Horton felt suddenly guilty. "I'm so sorry," he said. "I didn't think... but how could I have told you anyway?" His brow furrowed in concentration. "It's not like anyone but me ever came to talk to the Who's anyway."
"Well, I finally came as a last ditch effort. We had looked everywhere! Even the Wickersham brothers couldn't find you. How did this happen?" Morton definitely sounded deeply concerned.
Horton tried to explain as much as he could, but Morton had no helpful insights. Horton asked how everything was going in the Jungle of Nool, and Morton asked after the citizens of Whoville. Sometime during their conversation, the mayor had appeared at his side, listening with quiet respect as Horton explained all of his amazing adventures.
"Gee, Horton, it sounds like you're so happy. Happier than I even remember you being here.. "
Horton blinked in surprise. "I...uh... I suppose I am!" His chest expanded as he admitted it. "I don't that I've ever been happier than I am here with the Mayor and his family. But... it's probably temporary..."
"Well, I guess I'll spread the word so no one else keeps looking for you.." Morton trailed off. "I miss you. I'll try to come and say hello sometimes until...everything gets sorted out, I guess."
"All right. See ya later, buddy."
Horton turned to Ned, feeling more conflicted than ever. "I didn't even think about the people back home, until now." He lumbered into Ned's office and plopped onto the floor, shaking the whole building. "I feel awful. I miss everyone, and they all thought I was hurt or missing. What a bad friend I've been..."
The mayor stepped tentatively forward, extending a hand in comfort. Hearing Horton talk this way was wrenching him apart. "Horton," he began, patting the elephant on the shoulder. "You are one of the most selfless people I have ever met. There's absolutely no need for you to feel guilty. I didn't think of it either."
"You're a good friend, Mr. Mayor," Horton said. "Even after I upset you this morning, you're still so nice to me. I don't know what I'd have done without you." He began to wrap his trunk around Ned's frame and pull him into a hug, but the Who pulled back from him.
"I'm not as great of a friend as you think, Horton," Ned began, wringing his hands together. Hearing how happy Horton was with him and his family, he was even more loath to tell his friend about his foolish feelings and ruin his new-found home, but he had promised himself he would be honest. And Ned McDodd was nothing if not honest. "I've been...keeping things from you."
Horton looked puzzled and slightly hurt. "You lied?"
"No, no, I'd never lie," he protested, stepping a bit closer. "It's just... We don't have to talk about this now if you don't want to."
Horton considered for a moment, then extended his trunk again, ignoring the Who's protests as he pulled him close. "Whatever it is, Ned old buddy, we've been through worse before," he said quietly. "I don't think you could ever do anything that could come between us."
The simple words warmed Ned's heart as he was enveloped be the warm, surprisingly smooth skin, his head tucked securely beneath the elephant's cheek as his thick arms wrapped around him. He felt like his heart was going to burst right out of his chest, and he unconsciously leaned in to inhale his friend's scent, eyes closing. He tried to form words, unsure what he would say or how to say it, but before he could his lips were pressed against the corner of Horton's mouth.
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TBC