ONCE-LER VALENTINE'S SPECIAL:
It's been another long day. Despite the celebration that's intended for lovers, there's still plenty of hustle just like in any other occasion. The hustles, the usual come-and-go. An unsolicited feeling of boredom with the burden of mundanity is lingering throughout. You're lost in the Limbo of your mind.
After the eternal has subsided, it is finally time to be off from your part-time job at an instrument repair... A few hesitant taps catch your attention.
Before you, The Once-ler himself - albeit it might as well be a statue of him considering his petrified state. The gaze of his azure irises dart all over, occasionally meeting your own, the sanguine blush of his cheeks make his freckles more prominent
The guy has been lingering in the back of your mind for a couple of hours and even days prior, though given that you two aren't much more than working partners it could feel unwarranted to have made the approach yourself. You can't dwell on thought too long before he begins
Once-ler's brows curl up as he hands you the bouquet he didn't bother hiding well at all.
His speech is tender yet thrilled as he makes the confession:
If it hasn't been clear enough with the amount of personal issues he's been sharing recently, he's had feelings for you for a while. There's a lot of hustle in his life as well, having to get around various part-time jobs to sustain himself; the disapproval and mockery of the townsfolk upon him offering his Thneed publicly haven't exactly been a source of comfort. But you have. There's still plenty to consider, and he makes it clear that understanding his feelings―platonic or romantic―for you is rather confusing. Yet there's no denial that his affection is genuine.
You don't notice, but the palpitations of his heart bursts and flutter underneath his clothes. The soothing scent of roses flutters about too, gently scattering the two of you as you stand in proximity...
Eight roses, carefully picked... There's a chance that he might been the one who gathered them from a bush... He's been known for cutting on plants anyway. Their petals bend and twist in an endless twirl, their spines have been thoughtfully cut away. You lean closer to inhale their enchanting perfume. Your eyes glistening at the sight...
He's also brought chocolates?
You're aware that Once-ler tends to be short on money to spend, you know, given that his Thneeds are currently very disregarded...
Once-ler's face begins to brighten up, not only from a smile but as he's slowly getting confident with this interaction. He tries to control his timid grin as you receive the golden box. They're not the cheapest kind. He's certainly giving a lot here.
For a while, you're left speechless... What could be said anyway? You've gotten too caught up with your own worries, and now him pouring out his heart in that way just makes it all hard to process.
You begin by expressing gratitude: not only for the devoted gesture, but for his determination too. It's definitely a bold move and, of course, there's the need to consider whether you could work out well together. Neither of you are familiar with closeness. Regardless, you're willing to give it a go. You express that this all feels like the plot of a carefully constructed dream.....
In that case, YOU must really be the guy of my dreams!!
That was the last straw. He hides away as you chuckle at his dorkiness. It's all so corny, but the way you compliment Once-ler's essence it makes it completely worthwhile.
Wow that was goofy. Anyways, here's some extras!!
~ You two decide to go out for the day. You offered to take a photo of him along with his gifts. The moment of his smitten gesture is now forever sealed in time.
Oh, that derpy little smile is what was missing !
~ You invite him to have a couple of chocolates. He refused and was adamant about you having all of them. In the end, he did try one or two...
~ After teasing him jokingly about the vast amount of times he stuttered whilst expressing his feelings, you pucker up and lean closer... He gets more flustered than ever
Perhaps, in the possible future you too might share together, a full-on lipstick kiss attack would be an appropriate way to proceed - after all, his silly reaction is to die for !
(quite literally. Bro looks unhinged yo)
Happy late valentine's to all my folks 💞
