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Chapter Text

The sight of Smurfette, alive and well, filled Brainy with two very different emotions. Joy at seeing one of his closest friends back from what was essentially death, and heartbreak at the realization that Hefty and Smurfette would pick up where they left off. Likely at a much faster pace after the girl smurf’s near-death experience. 

The nerdy smurf chastised his negative emotions firmly, before rushing over to hug Smurfette.  After all, he’d decided over the course of their adventure that any feelings he had for a certain muscled smurf had to be squashed down as far as they could go — or eliminated altogether.  In fact, he had an experiment in mind if ignoring them didn’t work.  

Either way, it wouldn’t be fair to interfere with Hefty and Smurfette’s budding relationship. 

“Brainy!” 

The sound of Hefty’s firm voice saying his name was enough to make Brainy’s heart skip a beat.  Moments later, the bookish smurf found himself at a loss for words as Hefty’s strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.   

Mmmm… he smells so good, Brainy thought, before Hefty’s next words surged over him like ice water. 

“Smurfette is alive! Isn’t this wonderful!”

The bodybuilding smurf released Brainy, smiling at him with that idiotically charming grin.  There was a sparkle of happiness dancing in his eyes that Brainy couldn’t bear to put out.  So, shoving down his mixed emotions, the bespeckled smurf smiled and nodded, not trusting himself to speak as Hefty’s gaze returned to Smurfette.  

He’s utterly be-smurfed with her, the scholar acknowledged to himself.  He seeks her like a sunflower following the sun.  I have no right to get in their way.  Smurfette touched down lightly, and both Hefty and Clumsy rushed to meet her.  

“What is wrong with me?  No other smurf gets attached like this,” Brainy whispered under his breath.  A wry smile brushed across his lips.  Well, that’s something Hefty and I have in common, Brainy thought.  Other smurfs play around, but at the end of the day, they’re happy to return to their individual mushrooms, and their regular lives.  But he wants to wake up next to her… and I dream of waking up next to him.  It isn’t fair.

“You coming, Brainiak?” Hefty called over his shoulder.

“Yes!  Wait for me.”  Shoving his feelings as deep as they would go, Brainy rushed to rejoin his friends. He internally reminded himself that everything was fine.  Smurfette was alive, Smurf Village was safe, and Brainy could focus on pretending that his heart didn’t break a little bit more every time Hefty said the girl smurf’s name. 

Chapter Text

It was a crisp, sunny morning when the female smurfs said their goodbyes to the (mostly) male smurfs of Smurf Village.  “I would love for Smurflily and Smurfstorm to visit your village more often.  After all, Smurflily will be Willow Smurf someday, and she needs time to grow into her role.  Smurfstorm trained for years under my soulmate, and will make a fine Smurf Protector someday,” explained Smurfwillow calmly.   

“Soulmate?” Smurfette blinked back at the older woman in surprise.  

“Yes.  Although, I’m not sure if your male smurfs have the same concept,” said Smurfwillow.  The white-haired smurf gestured to the two girls standing at the head of the smurfette group.  Smurflily had already taken charge, while Smurfstorm surveyed the upcoming route for any signs of danger.  “Smurflily and Smurfstorm were delivered to Smurfy Grove in the same basket, as are all soul-mated pairs.  Of course, there is only one soul-mated pair per generation, as we are tasked with the responsibility of raising the other smurfettes, and ensuring they can protect themselves.” 

“And Smurflily will one day take your place as leader?” the blond smurf asked.  

Smurfwillow nodded.  “Yes.  Smurfstorm has already taken on the responsibilities of Smurf Protector, in all but name.  Someday she will earn her moss green hat and stockings.  Now, I must go, Smurfette.  We have a long journey ahead of us.” 

Papa Smurf waved to the younger smurfs as he walked through the village.  With the girl smurfs all heading back to Smurfy Grove, things were finally getting back to normal in Smurf VIllage.  

“How exciting!” 

“Imagine that.” 

“It seems awfully suspicious that Smurflily will take Smurfwillow’s place.  Imagine if one of our smurfs had to take Papa Smurf’s role… it would be utter chaos!” 

The crimson-hatted smurf paused to listen more closely to the conversation he’d happened upon.  Smurfette was the center of attention, with her close friends gathered around her.  Brainy was continuing to ramble about how Papa Smurf couldn’t simply be replaced by a mere smurf, when Smurfette noticed the real Papa Smurf’s presence. 

“Hi, Papa.  Can we ask you a few questions?” the blond wondered aloud, slipping out of the group to stand before him. 

Papa Smurf smiled kindly.  Smurfette was always such a bright and cheerful young smurf.  He’d never considered the possibility of having a daughter until she’d stumbled upon their village, and now he couldn’t imagine a life without her presence.  He didn’t know what he’d have done if they hadn’t been able to save her…  Well, there was no use dwelling on a future that would never come to pass.  “Of course, my dear.  Ask anything you’d like.”

“Did our village ever have a Smurf Protector?” the girl blurted out.  Her three friends crowded around her, all eagerly waiting for the older smurf’s response.

“What?” A Smurf Protector?  No, they’d never had one of those.  But the name was awfully similar to their former Protector Smurf, despite the fact that none of the young smurfs in the village knew about him.  

“Willow Smurf told me all about soulmates, so I was wondering if our village has soulmates, too,” Smurfette explained.

“Oh, I see.” Papa Smurf pondered how to respond.  If the other smurf village had soulmates, then it was highly likely that Smurfwillow and this so-called Smurf Protector were soulmates.  “Smurfwillow didn’t mention that she had a soulmate…” 

“Her soulmate died years ago.  She was a warrior called the Smurf Protector,” said Smurfette.

“Smurfette told us that she wore a moss green hat and dress.  It’s kinda like how Smurfwillow wears red, like you, Papa Smurf,” said Clumsy, gesturing to his unique outfit.  

Green clothes… that did sound like their Protector Smurf.  Papa Smurf sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck.  He had hoped to keep the truth to himself for a little while longer, until Hefty and Brainy were a little bit older… a little bit wiser.  “Have you told anyone else?” 

Smurfette’s smile drooped.  “No, just Brainy, Hefty and Clumsy.  Did I do something wrong?” 

“No, not at all,” Papa assured her.  He waved for them to follow him back to his hut.  “Come with me.  We have a lot to talk about.” 

“What we are about to discuss will change things,” Papa Smurf said, once the fire was lit, and the younger smurfs were seated in a circle on wooden stools.  His gaze flowed around the group, coming to rest on Brainy and Hefty.  They were sitting next to each other, directly across from him.  Next to Hefty was Smurfette, while Clumsy had taken a seat next to Brainy.  

“No matter what I say, remember that you always have a choice.  Don’t let this talk of soulmates make you feel like you have to do anything about it.  It shouldn’t make you feel obligated to pursue something you both aren’t interested in equally,” said Papa Smurf, trying to keep his tone calm and even, despite the butterflies in his belly.  

“Why do you keep looking at me and Hefty, Papa Smurf?” Brainy asked, ever the inquisitive one.  

The bearded smurf sighed deeply.  “I had hoped to tell you when you were older… when you were wiser, but it seems I have no choice in the matter.”  Papa Smurf leaned in, his gaze fixed on the bespeckled nerd.  “Brainy Smurf… someday you will be the new Papa Smurf.” 

“What?” (Hefty)

“No way!” (Clumsy)

“Oh my…” (Smurfette)

Brainy gaped back at him, trying to process his words.  “Me?  But I’m not… like you.” 

Papa Smurf stood up, and took several purposeful steps forward to rest his hand on Brainy’s shoulder.  “That is where you are wrong.  Before I was Papa Smurf, I was like you.  I was once called Brainy Smurf.” 

“You were a Brainy Smurf!” Hefty nearly shouted.

“What’s going on in here?” an unexpected voice piped up from the partially-open window.  All heads snapped toward the sound as their voices chorused, “None of your business, Nosy!” 

“Well, alright…” Footsteps made their way past the front door, leaving them alone again. 

Clumsy Smurf broke the silence first.  “I thought Brainy Smurfs had to wear glasses, and sound like know-it-alls all the time.  Come to think of it, you do act like you know everything, Papa Smurf.”

Papa Smurf narrowed his eyes, slightly annoyed. “Thank you, Clumsy.”  He turned his attention back to Brainy, who was trying to process this sudden information.   “Things will change when you become the next Papa Smurf.  They changed for me,” Papa assured him gently.  

“What does all this have to do with soulmates and protectors, Papa Smurf?” Smurfette asked.

Papa Smurf took a step back, intensely aware of the young eyes following his every move.  “When I was a young Brainy Smurf, our village had a Papa Smurf and a Protector Smurf.  They were easy to recognize.  Papa Smurf looked like… well, he looked like me.” He gestured to his red leggings and cap.  “Protector Smurf, despite his white hair and goatee, as well as his green hat and leggings, was always the strongest smurf in our village.  His duty was to protect us from harm — to lead the attack or plan the escape, if ever it was necessary.” 

“He sounds like my kinda guy!” Hefty flexed his muscles, showing off his heart tattoo.  Next to him, Brainy’s eyes darted over, admiring the stronger smurf’s physique.  He just as quickly looked away, pretending like nothing had happened. 

“Yes, I thought you’d like him,” Papa Smurf chuckled knowingly.  “As I mentioned, I was once a Brainy Smurf, and like every Brainy Smurf before me, I was brought to the village in a double-basket with my soulmate.  We were together from the moment we were born.” 

“What was his name?” Clumsy asked, brimming with curiosity.  

“I’ll… get to that in a moment,” said Papa Smurf.   

“Oh, no,” said Smurfette, pressing her hands to her chest.  “Did something happen to him?” 

“Yes,” Papa Smurf sighed.  His thoughts returned to memories of the past.  His soulmate, the older Hefty Smirf, had been an outrageous flirt.  Watching his soulmate chasing after the former Vanity Smurf had hurt him deeply.  

“You belong to me, and no one else!” he’d snapped, hands on his hips as he silently dared Hefty to deny their connection. 

“You don’t have a right to tell me who to care about.  Maybe if you were less stubborn and opinionated, I’d actually like you, Brainy!” Hefty had shouted back.  

They’d argued many times, but their final disagreement had led to Hefty storming out of the village.  That was the last time Brainy Smurf (who would one day be the sole leader of the Smurf Village) would see his soulmate.  To this day, he was still filled with regret for his own possessive nature.  If he’d just held in his feelings, and left Hefty alone, Smurf Village would still have a Protector Smurf to keep them safe from their enemies.  

Papa Smurf took in a deep breath as he sat back down on his stool, and tried to explain.  “One should never feel obligated to be with another smurf.  Being told we were soulmates all our lives, well, it didn’t end well for us.  I won’t go into the details, but we had an argument, and Hefty left…”  Papa Smurf froze as the other smurf’s true name left his lips.  No use trying to hide it now. 

“He left the village, and never returned.  I never knew what happened to him.  At least, not for a very long time.  I became Papa Smurf on the night my Papa Smurf and Protector Smurf took their last breaths.  The following day, a basket was delivered to Smurf Village.  You came to us… alone.” Papa Smurf turned his gaze to the younger Hefty Smurf.  “It was at that moment that I knew my… our former Hefty was truly gone.” 

“Oh, yeah.  Brainy didn’t arrive until a few years after that,” Hefty said, rubbing his chin at the memory.  The younger smurf had arrived with a pair of round spectacles, and a book tucked into the folds of his blanket.   

Papa Smurf nodded.  “Yes.  This is why I never told either of you the truth.  I did not want you to feel like you had to prove anything, or be together if that was not your choice.  Whether you are soulmates or not is clearly unknown.  If the feelings never grow, I know you will still be great leaders for the next generation.” 

“Oh, Papa…” Smurfette and Clumsy echoed sadly. 

Papa Smurf held up his hands to calm them.  “Don’t worry, children.  All of this happened a long time ago.  We cannot change the past, but we can move forward toward a brighter future.”  The older smurf pushed himself to his feet.  A twinge shot up his lower back, prompting him to attempt to rub out the pain.  Getting old wasn’t what he once thought it would be.  “It’s late, and we all need to get a good night’s rest.”  He held open the door to his mushroom, and let Smurfette and Clumsy out first.  He held out a hand to stop the other two smurfs from leaving.  

“Brainy… Hefty… Now that you know the truth, it would be best if I start training you on your duties as the future leaders of our village.  I know you’ll both do your best.” 

“Yes, Papa Smurf,” the pair agreed.  They stepped out the door, and Papa shut it slowly behind them.  The weight of the years pulled him toward his single-smurf, where he roughly took a seat.  His eyes were moist as he wiped a hand across his face.  “Oh, Hefty.  I wish I could take back the things I said when I was young and foolish.”  Sliding under the covers, Papa Smurf turned over to face the wall, and fell into an uneasy sleep. 

(A little backstory:  The smurfs usually gift the new Papa Smurf and Protector Smurf with a double bed as a housewarming gift, as they leave most of their belongings in their former houses for the next Hefty and Brainy Smurfs.  Papa Smurf insisted on a single bed when baby Hefty arrived.  A large, empty bed would have reminded of his lost soulmate)

“So… should we go to Baker Smurf’s mushroom to see if he’s got any dinner leftovers?” Clumsy asked, turning eagerly toward his friends.  

“You know, I’m actually pretty tired.  I’m going to head home,” Brainy stated, rubbing the bridge of his nose.  

“Oh, alright then.  What about you guys?” Clumsy turned his cheerful smile on the other two smurfs.  

Hefty opened his mouth to answer, but found himself cut off by Smurfette. “You know, I think Brainy has the right idea,” the girl smurf said, letting out a yawn.  “It’s been a really long day.  I’m going to hit the hay, as the humans say.” 

“Oh, yeah, me too,” Hefty agreed.  He was a bit hungry, but he always kept a few protein snacks in his mushroom, just in case he got the midnight munchies, followed by a midnight workout routine. 

“Oh, okay.  I’ll see you all later,” said the youngest smurf, trudging away from them toward Baker Smurf’s home.  

“Yeah, see you later,” Brainy grumbled, his eyes fixed to the ground as he walked off toward his own mushroom house. 

“Night, Hefty,” said Smurfette.

“Night, Smurfette.”  The older smurf turned to say goodnight to Brainy, but the nerd was already long gone.  “Okay then.”  Shrugging his shoulders, he began to lightly jog in the spot, before taking off at a faster pace toward home.  Might as well get a workout in before bed. 

Chapter Text

Brainy was avoiding him – Hefty was sure of it.  Before Papa Smurf’s big news, Hefty hadn’t gone a single day without seeing the little nerd around town.  And now, a week after that conversation about protector smurfs and papa smurfs, Brainy was still nowhere to be found.  

“See yah later, Brainy!” 

Clumsy!  Hefty dashed across the courtyard, and nearly ran the klutzy smurf over as he raced around the corner.  

“Woah!  Hi, Hefty!  I didn’t see you there,” said Clumsy, smiling brightly up at him. 

“Hi, Clumsy,” the muscled smurf commented quickly, his gaze darting down the street behind the younger smurf.  To his annoyance, Brainy was nowhere to be seen.  

“Are you looking for Brainy?  You just missed him.”

“Yes, that seems to be happening a LOT,” Hefty grumbled, his eyes narrowing.  

Clumsy immediately gasped, grabbing the taller smurf’s arm.  “Are you playing hide and seek?  Can I play, too?” 

“Clumsy, we’re not…” Hefty lit up as a stray thought crossed his mind.  “You know what… yes, we are playing hide and seek.  But it’s a special game.  You and Brainy need to hide together, and I’ll find you.”

“This is so exciting!” Clumsy shouted, nearly tripping over the smurf behind him as he rushed to hide.  “Don’t forget to count to 100!” 

“Oh, I’ll be counting, alright,” Hefty muttered under his breath. “I’ll be counting down the seconds until I catch Brainy, and find out why he’s avoiding me.” 

“Why did you drag me into this barrel again?” Brainy asked, feeling his glasses becoming askew.  Somehow he’d managed to end up sitting at the bottom of a wooden barrel, with the younger smurf standing next to him.  

“We’re playing hide and seek, silly.  Hefty said we need to hide together, and he’ll come find us,” explained Clumsy, lifting the top of the barrel an inch to see if he could spot their pursuer. 

“Hefty!” the nerdy smurf squeaked.  In a panic, he tried to push his friend away, and escape, but only succeeded in shaking their hiding place. 

“Careful, Brainy!  You’re going to tip us over!” 

“I need to get out of here before…” 

The barrel came to a sudden, halting stop, causing the smurfs inside to crash into each other. To Brainy’s horror, the lid slid to the side to reveal a familiar smurf with a smug grin on his face. 

“Well, well, well – Look who I found.” 

Hefty only let go of Brainy’s hand when they reached the edge of the forest.  Turning around, he eyed the younger smurf, who seemed to be doing his best to avoid meeting his gaze.  

“Why did you bring me out here, Hefty?” Brainy finally asked, his arms wrapping around himself.  His gaze remained fixed on the ground between them.  

“I want to know why you keep avoiding me,” the muscled smurf said, frowning back at his friend.  “Is this about what Papa Smurf said?” 

Brainy rubbed his arm, but didn’t look up.  “I just… needed some time to think.” 

“You know it doesn’t matter to me, right?” said Hefty, placing his hands on his hips.  He shot a brilliant smile at his friend, and was pleased when the nerd looked up at him in amazement.  “Just because you’re going to be Papa Smurf someday, and I’m going to be Protector Smurf, doesn’t mean we can’t still be friends.  That whole talk about soulmates doesn’t mean anything.  It’s not like we have to have feelings for each other.” 

Brainy drew in a sharp breath, his eyes widening in panic.  He knows.  He knows!

“I mean, you have your books, and I like Smurfette…” the muscled smurf continued, oblivious to the frustration now growing within his friend at his careless words.  

“Did it EVER occur to you that one of us MIGHT have feelings!” Brainy suddenly shouted, his hands dropping to his sides where they clenched in anger. His normally studious eyes were now narrowed at the stronger smurf. 

“Huh?” Hefty paused, his brain taking a moment to process his friend’s adamant words. “Wait… do you have feelings for Smurfette, too?” 

“What?  Of course not!  She’s just a friend,” said Brainy, flabbergasted at the thought.  

“Then what are you…” 

“Just drop it, alright.  I don’t want to talk about it,” the nerdy smurf said, spinning around to head back to the village. 

“Come on, Brainy.  You heard what Papa said,” Hefty sighed, watching as his friend paused to listen to him.  “It’s okay if we aren’t soulmates.  It’s fine if we don’t have feelings for each other.”

‘But I DO have feelings!” Brainy snapped, spinning around and storming up to the muscled smurf.  His eyes were angry and sad in the same moment, brimming with salty tears.  “I’ve always had feelings for you!” 

“Oh…” Hefty whispered, his feet frozen to the spot.  He was tempted to reach out and pull the other smurf into his arms, as he used to do when they were younger.  Hefty may wear his heart on his sleeve, but Brainy held everything in until it was too much, and then it came out like this — tears and frustration and sadness.  But Brainy had just said he had feelings for him, so perhaps trying to soothe him wasn’t… 

“But you were never interested back.” Brainy insisted, interrupting Hefty’s train of thought.  The bookworm’s thin arms curled around himself for comfort.  “And then Smurfette arrived, and you were clearly head-over-heels for her.  I just… I just wanted to come back from our adventure to our normal lives.  I wanted to try to get OVER you!” 

“Brainy,” Hefty whispered, finally taking a step forward.  The other smurf pulled away sharply before he could even touch him. 

“I just… I can’t deal with this right now.  I need some space,” Brainy said, making the split second decision to head into the forest, rather than back to the village. 

“Brainy!” Hefty called out, watching the younger smurf storm away with a sinking feeling in his heart. 

“No, Hefty!  I need… I need to be away from you, right now.  Don’t even think about following me!” 

Hefty let his arm drop to his side, even as he watched his closest friend disappear into the bushes.  “Brainy…”

Hefty collapsed onto the bench with a groan, barely noticing the other occupant.  

“Hey!  This is my…” 

“Not now, Grouchy,” Hefty sighed.

“But…” 

“I said, not now,” the muscled smurf growled, glaring at the bad-tempered smurf next to him.  It seemed to be a battle of wills until Grouchy stood up from the bench with a huff. 

“Fine, sheesh.  I thought I was supposed to be the grouchy one,” he grumbled, storming off. 

Hefty drew in a deep breath in an attempt to steady himself.  Leaning his head back, he watched the clouds float gently across the sky. One even seemed to have those round nerd glasses that Brainy… Hefty slumped forward, cradling his chin in one hand. 

~ “Did it EVER occur to you that one of us MIGHT have feelings!” ~

I messed up, Hefty thought.  I really messed up.   Brainy’s teary eyes came to mind, causing his heart to clench unpleasantly.  His little nerdy friend had feelings for him.  He’d had feelings for him for a long time, it seemed, and Hefty hadn’t even noticed. 

His mind drifted back to the first day he’d officially met Brainy.  They hadn’t even been properly introduced, but that hadn’t stopped Hefty from dragging the smaller smurf out of the path of a runaway wheelbarrow.  “Why are you walking down the street with your eyes glued to a book?” Hefty had demanded to know, waving at the wheelbarrow that had only stopped when it finally crashed into the side of Paranoid Smurf’s mushroom. 

Despite his near-tragic experience, the nerdy smurf simply adjusted his oversized glasses, and proceeded to chatter on about the book he was reading.  Something about plants, if Hefty remembered correctly.  In the end, it didn’t really matter what he was talking about.  In that brief moment when their eyes first met, the muscled smurf had felt an instant connection to the new smurf.  There was enough of a pull at his heart that he immediately interrupted the other boy’s lecture, and proceeded to introduce himself.  

“Hey, I’m Hefty.” 

“Oh,” the nerdy smurf had said, pausing to really look at his rescuer for the first time.  “I’m Brainy Smurf.”  A small, shy smile had crossed over his lips, even as he clutched his book to his chest, and offered his hand.  Even as they stood there, shaking hands, Hefty knew they would be the best of friends. 

From that day forward, the muscled smurf had gone out of his way to drag Brainy out of his mushroom home, at least several times a week, to encourage him to actually enjoy life outside of his books and experiments. Their duo soon became a trio when Clumsy arrived.  He was just so… well, clumsy, that he needed someone to keep an eye on him.  Hefty and Brainy eagerly pulled the even younger smurf into their group, and the three of them were the closest of friends for nearly a decade. 

And then SHE arrived. The strange smurf that the evil wizard Gargamel had created from a lump of clay.  She was dark haired, and sneaky, and filled with malicious intent. ~Geesh.  I’m even starting to sound like that brainiac.~  From the moment Hefty laid eyes on her, he knew she couldn’t be trusted.  He’d been about to confront her when Papa Smurf approached.  Their smurf leader proceeded to greet her warmly, and extended his hand.  The moment their hands touched, she began to glow.  It was as if a brilliant star had blossomed inside of her.  When the light faded, she seemed like a whole new person. 

Clumsy had eagerly welcomed her into the group, while Brainy, still a bit wary, had wanted to study her.  Hefty, on the other hand, was the one who remained uncertain about the strange, new girl smurf.  His feelings didn’t change overnight, but he slowly became used to her presence.  And, somewhere along the way, he began to notice how cheerfully vibrant she was.  Smurfette could light up a room the moment she walked through the door.  She was fun and eager and full of life.  And that was what drew him to her in the end. 

Yet, now… with the knowledge that Papa Smurf had revealed, and the feelings that Brainy had admitted to, it seemed that he had a choice to make.  He could keep pursuing Smurfette who, now that he was being honest with himself, had never really shown the same interest in him, or he could take the first step down a new path.  A path that, with time, could end with him and Brainy happily in love with one another. 

The thought of the nerdy smurf smiling up at him, allowing Hefty to wrap his arms around his thin shoulders to pull him into a slow, sensual embrace was enough to get his heart racing.  The muscled smurf pressed a hand to his chest in amazement.  “Huh.  How about that.  Maybe I do have romantic feelings for the little nerd, after all.” 

Chapter Text

Note: Fair warning that there will be some blood and violence in this chapter.  

Brainy lost track of time as he stormed through the forest, shoving branches and leaves out of his way. “Why is Hefty so… urgh!” His mutterings grew more and more erratic, only ending when he walked nose-first into something hard and gray.  

“Ouch!  Who put that… wall here,” the smurf breathed out, staring up at the stone wall that separated their side of the forest from the wilderness of creepy plants, glowing bunnies, and girl smurfs. 

“How did I get all the way over here?” The book-loving smurf peered up through the trees, noting the mid-afternoon sun shining down at him.  “Well, I’m definitely not going through the wall again - especially not on my own.  I’ll just take my time heading back to the village…”  Brainy froze mid-turn as he caught sight of sinister golden eyes locked onto him.  A scruffy orange cat slipped out from under a nearby bush, padding forward until they were nearly nose-to-nose.

“Meow?” 

“Oh my…” Brainy held his breath, his entire body frozen in terror.  If Azrael was here, then Gargamel couldn’t be far behind.  Heart racing, the smurf began to slowly back away from his ferocious adversary, inching closer to the now far-less dangerous wall.  

“Azrael!  Where are you, you mangy beast!” The sound of branches snapping, and heavy footsteps tromping through the dirt, spurred Brainy into action.  

“Raow!” the cat yowled loudly over his shoulder, his golden gaze leaving the smurf for a split second.  It was all the time Brainy needed to spin around, and make a mad dash for the relative safety of the stone wall.  

“What are you growling about, you horrible creature?” Gargamel shouted, finally entering the clearing.  Brainy’s fingers grazed the gray stone of the wall just as the wizard seemed to notice him.  “Is that a smurf?  Yes, get it, Azrael!  Capture that smurf!” 

Breath coming out in short bursts, Brainy dashed to the side as a clawed paw swiped at where he’d been standing a moment before.  Keeping one hand against the wall, he silently begged the stars to find him an opening - any opening - to allow him a safe hiding place.  

Pain flared up his right arm as the feline’s claws raked at him again, this time catching his skin as the paw brushed past him.  Brainy clenched his teeth and continued to run, adrenaline surging through his tiny body.   I should have taken Hefty up on those exercise lessons years ago, the bookworm thought.  The beast was right behind him, and the wall continued to stretch on into the distance… wait, what was that dark patch just up ahead?  Hope burst through him, giving him the final push he needed to dive toward the barely visible opening at the bottom of the wall.  

He was safe - He was safe - He was… 

“YEOWL!” 

The pain from his shoulder was nothing compared to the fire that now burned on his right thigh.  Brainy glanced down as he tumbled the rest of the way into the hole in the wall, catching sight of ribbons of crimson soaking through the gashes in his pant leg.  Bile rose in his throat as his mind shouted at him to seek medical attention before the darkness surrounded him.  

“Azrael!  Stop licking your paw, and get that smurf!” 

The light from the entrance darkened as a long, clawed paw slid into the hole.  Breath trapped in his throat, Brainy stumbled away from the beast’s furious swipes.  His chest ached from running, every step sending pain shooting through him, but still he continued on.  Deeper and deeper into the darkness, until he could no longer hear the wizard’s nasally voice.  It was only when the furious shrieks of the feline had trickled off that Brainy dared to drop to the ground, his back pressed uncomfortably against a wall of dirt.  

Panting for breath, Brainy dragged the cap off his head, and pressed it against the claw marks digging into his leg.  The firepain burst behind his eyelids, nearly forcing him to the ground.  “You can’t pass… out… Brainy.  You’re clearly injured, and… and alone, but you’re safer here… than up there.”  The smurf glanced around, trying to catch a glimpse of light… any light.  Despite his panicked rush to escape the wizard’s cat, Brainy was sure he’d felt the tunnel sloping downward, and veering off to the right.  If the tunnel had gone under the wall, rather than straight through it, it would explain the dirt all around him.  

The darkness made it difficult to pinpoint the direction he’d come from.  What if he went the wrong way, and ended up on the other side again?  The plants were dangerous, and there were no other smurfs to protect him. 

His stomach began to churn uneasily as another thought bubbled up in his mind.  What if he went the right way, back toward home, and ran into Gargamel and his beast?  What if they were waiting for him at the hole in the wall?  What if Azrael had enjoyed the taste of smurf blood enough to disobey his master?  Brainy would be cat food…

Brainy hunched over, angling himself away from his injury as his stomach emptied itself.  The only relief he had was that the darkness kept him from seeing his own weakness.  His brilliant mind, however, was quick to supply him with an endless stream of terrible fates.  Crawling away from his shame, he struggled to keep his cap pressed against his leg as he stumbled deeper into the darkness.  

Chapter Text

“You can’t stop now, Brainy.  You need to find a way home.  You don’t have time to…”  The smurf felt his entire body slump forward as exhaustion took hold of him.  Without a sound, he collapsed to the ground, his eyes drifting shut.  

~Fine, just a little nap.  A little nap couldn’t hurt…~

The morning sun streamed down on Smurf Village, warming each little mushroom house.  Hefty Smurf had been one of the first to rise that day, as he did every day.  His morning routine always finished with a steady jog around the entire village, and usually ended near the well - which was close to Brainy’s home.  Hefty glanced down the street to see his fellow smurfs beginning to pour out of their houses, each eager to start their own daily routines.  Yet the bespeckled smurf’s door remained closed, as if the occupant wanted to forget that mornings existed.  

Hefty took in a deep breath, and nodded to himself as he continued down the next street.  He’d give Brainy the rest of the morning to rest.  The nerd wouldn’t lock himself away all day.  Even if he was upset with Hefty over the whole soulmate feelings thing.  

“Morning, Hefty!” Farmer Smurf called out, giving him a wave as he walked by with his wheelbarrow.  

“Hey, Farmer!” Hefty waved back, and soon found himself greeting other smurfs as he made his way home.  Even as he slipped into his mushroom to towel off, the sounds of Smurf Village filled the air, relaxing him to his core.  Everyone was happy and safe, just as he liked it.

His throat was drier than a desert, and his entire body felt warm despite the coolness of the dirt beneath him.  Those were the first things Brainy noticed as he slowly regained consciousness.  He must have fallen asleep in the tunnel, he realized.  Luckily he still had his glasses.  The smurf tried to push himself to his feet, and hissed in pain.  Oh, right.  His injuries.

Drawing in a shaky breath, he hobbled his way up, leaning against the dirt wall to steady himself.  Without light, he wouldn’t be able to truly assess his wounds.  Wait… what was that funny glow in the distance?  Brainy stumbled a few steps, breathing in sharply everytime he put weight on his injured leg.  “Smurf that cat, and his smurf-hating master.  If they’d just left me alone, I wouldn’t be in this mess.” 

At normal walking speed, he would have reached the other hole in the wall within five minutes.  As it was, Brainy was sure he’d been walking (well, stumbling) for nearly triple that amount of time.  A surge of happiness shot through him as he finally caught a glimpse of the world beyond the wall.  The sight was… underwhelming.  

Despite the bare patch of dirt at the entrance, most of the yard was obscured by long, overgrown grass - dotted with completely normal dandelions.  An aging wooden fence seemed to surround the area, and he could just make out a small, rundown cottage in the distance. Brainy winced as he pushed through the long stalks of grass, clutching his cap in one hand.  He was doing his best not to think about how dirty his usually pristine white cap was, now that it was covered in dried blood and who knows what else.  Wait… why was he walking toward the house again?

The bespeckled smurf paused, glancing back at the stone wall that towered above the forest of grass.  He should be walking along the wall… right?  Brainy pressed free hand to his forehead, hissing at the heat radiating from his skin.  

“You’re fine, Brainy.  You’re just tired, and sore, and likely smurfing of some horrible infection…” A manic laugh echoed the yard, followed by a low, unhappy groan.   “A blood infection.  What a way for a smurf to go.”  The laugh burst out of him again, and Brainy felt his body beginning to sway from side to side.  

“No, you are not dying here,” the bookworm stated firmly.  He turned to the right, and began to push himself through the grass.  The headache that had been slowly building up until that point was beginning to hammer the inside of his skull.  The late-afternoon sun was suddenly glaring down at him in bright flashes against the green and brown grass.  

“How long was I asleep in the wall?” Brainy grumbled, shoving aside another blade of grass.  His fingers brushed something cool and textured, forcing him to halt in his tracks.  Shouting in fear, the smurf fell back as a giant crow loomed over him, its wings spread menacingly.  

“Brainy?” Hefty knocked on the door again.  Still no answer.  “Come on, Brainy.  I know you’re mad at me, but we need to talk.”  The muscled smurf glared at the still-closed door, before reaching out to jiggle the handle.  It was unlocked, as most mushroom houses were.  Well, except for Paranoid Smurf’s house - he always locked his door.  

“I’m coming in, Brainy.  And don’t pretend you’re not home; I already checked all your normal places.”  Hefty stepped into the other smurf’s house, ignoring the discomfort in his stomach.  There was an unspoken rule in Smurf Village - you never entered another smurf’s home unless you were invited inside, or in the event of an emergency.  “Brainy?” 

The bookshelves still lined the walls, and the nerd’s lab table was as disorganized as ever.  Hefty’s eyes drifted to the small, single smurf bed at the far end of the room.  The covers were neatly tucked in, which meant that Brainy was definitely not lazing about in bed.  “Where the heck is  ~my soulmate~   that guy?  I’ve looked everywhere.”

“Brainy?” Smurfette’s voice called out from the front yard.

“Uh, no.  He’s not here,” Hefty admitted, sheepishly closing the door behind him as he stepped out of the house.  

“Papa Smurf wants to begin his training, but we haven’t been able to find him,” said the blond smurf, clearly concerned.  

“That’s right.  We’ve looked EVERYWHERE!” said Clumsy, gesturing to the entire village.  “I didn’t even see him at breakfast this morning.”

“That’s weird.  He usually wanders by the table to at least grab an apple to eat,” said Hefty, stroking his chin.  

“Clumsy said you were playing hide and seek yesterday.  Where did you last see him?” Smurfette asked.

Hefty winced.  “Actually, he was avoiding me, so I told Clumsy we were playing hide and seek.  Anyway, we may have had a bit of an argument, and he stormed off into the woods.  I just assumed he’d come back, and was avoiding me again.” 

Smurfette’s eyes widened.  “Hefty, what if Brainy didn’t come back?  What if he got lost or hurt or…” 

Clumsy gasped loudly, waving his arms.  “What if he got captured by Gargamel?” 

Doubt began to cloud Hefty’s mind.  What if his friends were right?  What if Brainy had gotten lost or taken?  What if HE was to blame for Brainy’s disappearance.  “We have to tell Papa Smurf,” the older smurf announced, brushing past his friends as he made a beeline for the elder’s mushroom home.  

Brainy cringed back, covering his face with his arms as he waited for the savage beast to attack him.  In his haste, his glasses had slipped from his face.  At least he wouldn’t have a clear view of his imminent death.  

Seconds passed, then a minute.  Brainy’s rapidly beating heart began to slow, prompting him to fumble for his glasses.  His fingers closed around the metal frames, and he let out a sigh of relief as he slipped them back on.  Nervously, the bookworm glanced up, expecting to see a feathered avian inches from his face.  Instead, the creature continued to loom from behind the thin wall of grass, only visible in gray patches.  

“What the smurf?” Brainy pushed himself painfully to his feet, leaving his dirty cap on the ground.  With a tense breath, he pushed the grass stalks aside to find himself peering up into the face of a crow carved from stone.  “Seriously?  Who leaves a stone crow in the middle of their yard?”  Pushing past the statue without touching it, the smurf was surprised to encounter several more stone animals - a bunny, a squirrel, and even a dragonfly.  And by dragonfly, he meant a literal ‘Forbidden Forest’ mini flying dragon.  “Well, I guess I really am on the other side of the wall.” 

The sunlight was beginning to hurt his head again as Brainy pushed through the grass that appeared to be at least three times as tall as he was.  How long was this yard?  He was just trying to get back to the wall… oh, wait.  Brainy glanced around again, catching sight of the wall over his shoulder.  Had he been going the wrong way the entire time?  “Curse this smurfing  injury,” Brainy snarled.  How did he manage to get so turned around?  He wouldn’t get back to the village until after dark if this kept up.

“Papa Smurf always says that a smurf should never give up.  Well, I’m not giving up.  I’m going to get home or smurf trying… Although, I really hope I don’t drop smurf from exhaustion and hunger.”  The bespeckled smurf kept his eyes on the wall as he reoriented himself, and began his long journey through the grass.  

“Another bunny, another squirrel… and is that a hedgehog?” Brainy shook his head, only mildly impressed by how lifelike the stone animals were.  They were all positioned in a way that suggested they were carved mid-run or mid-flight, although some had tumbled over into the dirt - likely due to the passage of time.  What really made him uncomfortable was the terror on their faces.  If they’d been real animals, he’d have wondered what they were running from.  

“Well, at least there are no smur…fs?”  As if summoned by his words, there he was.  An honest-to-goodness stone smurf appeared to be running right at him, frozen in mid-jog.  There was a determined look on his face, and was that a mustache and a thin beard?  “A goatee.  So that’s what those look like,” Brainy mumbled, reaching out a hand toward the statue that was a bit taller than him.  And goodness, the statue certainly seemed stronger than the average smurf.  Blue fingers trailed over the smurf’s stone chest, noting the slight warmth that was likely left behind by the slowly setting sun.  

“I wonder…” Brainy couldn’t help but stumble around the stone smurf, taking in all its familiar features.  There was even a little carved heart on it’s bicep, just like Hefty’s.  That was so strange.  Brainy’s fingers couldn’t help tracing the little heart, even as his own heart began to ache.  “Hefty…” Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to drip down his cheeks.  He’d been so focused on his injuries and trying to get home, and this strange, strange place, that he’d barely thought about his soulmate.  And now he couldn’t stop thinking about him.  Wiping at the tears now running down his cheeks, Brainy rushed forward and threw his arms around the stone smurf.  “Hefty!  Papa!  I just want to go home!” 

Unbeknownst to the little smurf, blue sparks had begun seeping from his hands.  As the sparks touched the statue, the stone began to crumble.  Beneath the stone, blue skin was slowly being revealed.  

“Brainy’s been missing since last night?  That isn’t good.”  Papa Smurf paced back and forth in front of them, stroking his beard as he considered the situation.  “Hefty, gather the village.  We need everyone out there looking for him.” 

Hefty puffed out his chest, giving the elder a salute.  “Yes, sir, Papa Smurf.”  He rushed out the door, already calling out for everyone to meet in the center of the village. 

“And don’t forget the buddy system.  I don’t want anyone running off on their own.  If Gargamel is behind this, then we’ll show him what happens when he smurfs one of our smurfs.”  Papa Smurf turned to Smurfette and Clumsy.  “I want you two to gather a few volunteers, and head for the wizard’s tower.  If Brainy is there, DON’T attempt a rescue on your own.  Return to us, and we’ll make a plan.” 

“Of course, Papa Smurf,” the pair echoed, racing out the door.  

“Oh, Brainy, what have you gotten yourself into,” Papa Smurf sighed.  A familiar ache was building in his chest.  This situation was far too similar to the day he’d lost his own Hefty - only in reverse.  

Chapter Text

 “Hefty!  Papa!  I just want to go home!”

That voice… Where had he heard that voice before?  It seemed so familiar to him.  The smurf struggled against the fog that was enveloping his senses.  His entire body felt numb, but a tingle of energy had begun to spread through him at the sound of that nerdish voice.  Nerdish?  A blue face appeared in his mind, staring up at him through black-rimmed glasses.  

“I know you,” the smurf whispered, focusing on the other smurf’s disappointed frown.  He was drawn out of his thoughts as something wet splashed against his chest.   Someone was holding him close, even as they continued to cry.  Someone very familiar.  

“Brainy?” 

Everything ached, from his feet to his head - but worst of all was the ache deep in his core.  Brainy dropped to his knees, so caught up in his grief that he no longer noticed the pain radiating from his wounds.  “Hefty,” he sobbed, pressing his face into his hands.  “Papa…” 

“Brainy?” The voice was barely more than a whisper on the wind, so low that Brainy thought he’d imagined it.  “Brainy?” The voice was louder this time, and something in it reminded him of Hefty’s voice, only deeper.  

Hands curled around his shoulders, pulling him close.  “Brainy, what happened?  You’re hurt.  Who did this to you?”

“Who… who are you?” Brainy whispered, lowering his hands to finally gaze up at the strange smurf that was embracing him.  The sight of the new smurf’s moss-green cap caused him to pause.  Concerned blue eyes stared back at him from a face that seemed older… well, older like Papa Smurf who was older than them all.  

“Did you hit your head, too?”  The goatee-bearded smurf smiled gently.  “It’s me, Hefty.” 

That can’t be right.  This smurf couldn’t be Hefty.  “Hefty doesn’t have a goatee, and he certainly doesn’t wear a green hat or green pants.”  Brainy couldn’t help narrowing his eyes suspiciously at this unknown smurf.  Where had he even come from?  And where was the stone smurf…  Brainy pulled away from the other smurf to peer past him.  The ground was covered in shards of stone, as if a statue had burst apart right in that spot.  “Who are you?” Brainy repeated, even as the pain began to seep through his body again.  

The other smurf followed his gaze to the crumbled stone near their feet.  His fingers trailed up to smooth across his face, realization settling in as he noted the presence of a moustache and beard.   “I’m Protector Smurf now?” the strange smurf whispered in amazement.  

“Wait…” Brainy thought back to Papa Smurf’s story about his past.  “Are you Papa Smurf’s Hefty?  The one who left the village all those years ago, and never came back.” 

“I… yes, I did leave the village,” the other smurf admitted. “Brainy was upset that I was spending, well, personal time with Vanity, and we got into a fight.  So I decided to take a walk to let off some steam.  I ended up going farther than I’d ever been before.  That was when I found this place.” 

“You were a statue when I found you.  What h-happened to you?” the smaller smurf asked, pushing himself painfully to his feet.  He wobbled, his head spinning at the sudden movement.  

“You’re going to hurt yourself even more,” the tattooed smurf admonished, scooping Brainy up into his muscled arms without asking permission.

“Hey!  What are you doing?” the bespectacled smurf shouted.

“Shuuu!  Not so loud.  If she’s still around, we don’t want to get turned to stone,” Protector Smurf said, casting his gaze around the area they were in.  “Right, first things first, we need to get back to the other side of the wall.”  

“I… I think it’s that way,” Brainy said, wincing as the other smurf stepped in the direction he was pointing.  

Concerned blue eyes refocused on the smaller smurf.  A gentle smile crossed the elder smurf’s lips.  “Don’t worry, Brainy.  I’ll get you home safe.” 

Heat lit up the bespectacled smurf’s cheeks even as he curled closer to the other smurf’s chest to hide his face.  “Thank you,” he finally murmured.  

“Don’t mention it.  It’s my job to protect you, after all.  That’s what Protector Smurfs and Hefty Smurfs do.”  

“I suppose that’s true.  Hefty’s always protecting us,” Brainy answered quietly. “I just want to g-go home.  I don’t care if my… if our Hefty wants to be with Smurfette.  I just… I just want things between us to go back to normal.”

The older smurf nodded patiently as Brainy spoke, but paused at the mention of a name he was unfamiliar with.  “Who is Smurfette?  Is he a new kind of smurf?” 

Brainy let out a pained laugh, wincing at the sudden movement.  “N-no.  Smurfette is a girl smurf.  There’s a w-whole village of girl smurfs in the forbidden forest.  S-she isn’t from there though.  S-she’s… special,” the smaller smurf said, even as he felt the lightheadedness overtake him again.  At least he was safe now.  Protector Smurf was a Hefty, after all.  Hefty Smurfs always save the day.

Protector Smurf nodded, and continued to push through the grass toward the wall.  The sooner they escaped this stone garden, the sooner they… The sound of a wooden door slamming against stone caused the older smurf to freeze in his tracks.  

“My eyes may be weak, but my hearing is still fierce.  Creatures trespassing in my garden will be turned to stone!” the old witch shrieked.  Hefty darted forward, racing for the wall with all his might while still holding little Brainy close.

“Who is that?” the smaller smurf whispered.

“The witch who cursed me into a stone statue.”  The familiar heat of her magic closing in on them forced Hefty to dodge to the left, ducking as a blaze of purple fire swooped over his shoulder, hitting the ground ahead of them with a burst of violet smoke.  

“Get out of my garden, you little cretins!” 

Another violet flame struck the ground nearby, nearly causing Hefty to drop his fellow smurf.  Despite her age, it seemed the old hag still had a few tricks up her sleeve.  She was powerful, certainly, but at least her aim was off.  She’d been far more accurate with her magic back when Hefty had first stumbled upon her garden.   If only he could think of a way to divert her attention…

SQUAWK!

Was that a crow?  Perfect!  Sorry, bird, but better you than us, Hefty thought.  He waited until the witch began to cast her spells away from them, and then rushed ahead, pushing through the long stalks of grass.  Without warning, the grass was gone, replaced by dirt and pebbles.  The hole in the wall loomed before them, beckoning them forward.  They were almost…

“Watch out!” Brainy yelled, covering his head as another blast hit the wall inches from their heads.  Protector Smurf tightened his grip, and ducked into the hole. 

A final, ear-shattering blast shook the little cave they were in, making Brainy squeak in terror.  His entire body was shaking from head to toe, even as the other smurf carried him deeper into the darkness, away from the entrance to the garden.  

“We did it, Brainy.  We made it,” Hefty whispered, finally sinking down onto the ground with the other smurf in his lap.  

“I can’t believe we’re alive,” Brainy admitted aloud.  His heart was still racing like a swarm of bumblebees in a bad mood.  

Hefty let out a dry laugh.  “Sorry, kid.  I need a moment.” 

“Are you hurt?” the younger smurf asked immediately, his hands trailing over the taller smurf’s chest.  

“Nah, she missed.  Just tired.”  Protector Smurf leaned his head back against the inner stone wall, soaking in the coolness.  “We can’t linger too long.  You’re hurt, and I am not good at making healing salves.  That was always Brainy’s job… my Brainy, I mean.”

“Papa Smurf hasn’t taught me how to make salves, but I know more about medicinal plants than most smurfs do.  I… ooh,” Brainy trailed off as the dizziness returned.

“Okay, that’s enough rest.  You need a smurfing healer as of yesterday,” said Hefty, pushing himself to his feet while still balancing Brainy in his arms. 

“That’s true.  J-just be careful.  It’s dark, and the tunnel goes down a ways before it heads b-back up.  And Gargamel may still be waiting for me,” said Brainy.

“Tunnel goes down, then up, and watch out for wizards.  Got it,” announced Hefty.  “Oh, hey, can you do something for me?” 

“Anything.” 

Protector Smurf shifted until he could clasp Brainy’s hand with one of his while still cradling him close.  “I need you to focus on your feelings for your Hefty.  Can you do that for me?” 

Brainy’s cheeks flushed red.  “What? That’s… that’s just… why?” 

“It’s important.  Trust me,” said the older smurf.  

Brainy could just make out the other smurf’s twinkling blue eyes from the barest of light brushing past them from the far garden entrance.  “Okay…” The bespectacled smurf closed his eyes, drew in a breath, and concentrated.  A vision of his Hefty popped into his mind.  Bold, daring, handsome… he took Brainy’s breath away.

“There it is.  I knew you had it in you,” Hefty’s voice echoed in his ears.  

Brainy opened his eyes, and gasped aloud.  Their joined hands were… glowing.  The delicate blue glow lit up the darkness just enough for them to make out the tunnel they were standing in.  

“Now hold onto those feelings until we get out of here.  We wouldn’t want the soul-magic to fade too quickly,” said Protector Smurf, pacing down the tunnel away from the garden.

“What is this?” Brainy whispered, trying to pull their hands closer to study the strange glow.

“Don’t move.  Just concentrate on your feelings for Hefty.  And it’s soul magic.  My Brainy and I could do this,” the elder smurf said pleasantly, before the blue light revealed his smile dissolving into a frown.  “We could do this when we were younger.  Once we started fighting, the magic didn’t seem to work for us.”

“Hefty and I have never done this.  We didn’t know we were soulmates until Papa told us.”  Brainy hoped he could do this with Hefty when they got back to the village.  It was proof that they were supposed to be together… Oh, but Hefty loved Smurfette.   He and Brainy would never…

“Careful, Brainy.  I told you to think good thoughts about Hefty.  If the light goes out, it will take a lot longer to get you back to the village,” Protector Smurf warned, his pace increasing even as the blue light flickered between their hands. 

“Sorry, sorry.  I’ll try…” Brainy closed his eyes, focusing all of his attention on Hefty.  Handsome, charming, protective Hefty.  The smurf of his dreams.  He imagined Hefty being the one to rescue him from the stone witch.  He pretended that it was his Hefty who was carrying him lovingly in his arms, rushing him off to safety.  

“That’s great, Brainy.  You’re doing smurfy!”

Brainy felt his heart pulse with pride even as they began to move upwards.  The entire trip seemed to take minutes compared to Brainy’s previous journey.  Granted, he had been injured and on his own at the time.  

“We’re almost there,” said Protector Smurf.  

Brainy hesitantly opened his eyes, and nearly cried aloud at the sight of the hole in the wall that would lead them back into the smurfy forest.  Soon they’d be back to the village.  As long as Azrael… “Careful, Protector Smurf!  Gargamel and Azrael may still be out there,” the younger smurf managed to shout before they reached the entrance.  

The green-clad smurf nodded, and slowed his pace.  Cautiously approaching the hole in the wall, he angled his head around to peer out into the forest.  “I don’t see anyone.  They must have given up.” 

“W-we should still be cautious,” Brainy warned, even as they stepped out into the forest on the right side of the wall.

“Don’t worry, kiddo.  I won’t let anything happen to you.  Let’s get you home,” said Protector Smurf.  He paused as they stepped into the first circle of trees.  “Um… which way is home?” 

“Right.  I t-think it’s that way,” said Brainy, wincing as he lifted his hand to point toward a familiar looking boulder.  

“Thanks.  We’ll be home soon.”

Chapter Text

The little smurf in his arms had started to shiver, his eyes drifting closed even though he was clearly trying to keep them open.  “I need you to stay awake, Brainy.  Why don’t you tell me more about what I’ve missed,” said Protector Smurf, even as he scanned the area around them for any signs of danger.  

“Okay.  M-my friends and I snuck over the wall, and discovered a village of girl smurfs,” said Brainy, his voice coming out as a rough whisper.  “Smurf W-willow told us about soulmates.  Then Gargamel attacked and captured us, but Smurfette saved us.  She t-tricked him into thinking she was on his side again.”

“Again?”  Protector Smurf tightened his grip on the smaller smurf. “This Smurfette Smurf was working for the evil wizard?”  

“Well, G-gargamel smurfed her from a lump of clay, b-but then she…”

“Wait!” Protector Smurf froze in his tracks, focusing his entire attention on the smaller smurf in his arms.  “What do you mean a wizard smurfed her?’” 

“Yeah, everyone knows about it.  Even the g-girl smurf village knows.  Gargamel smurfed her in the hopes that she would lead him to us, but then P-papa Smurf helped her, and now she’s one of us.” 

The bearded smurf frowned, his eyes narrowing.  “How do you know she isn’t just waiting for the opportunity to trick you?” 

“She’s not d-dangerous,” Brainy argued.  “She’s our friend.  Hefty likes her, and wants to be with her, and i-if she wants to be with him, then… then I won’t stop them.  They’re my friends, and I should want them to be h-happy.” 

“Why are nerdy smurfs so naïve?” Protector groaned.  “Look, Brainy, as Protector Smurf, it is my job to make sure our village deals with threats and emergencies when they arise.” 

“But Smurfette ISN’T a threat.  S-she’s one of us,” the younger smurf insisted.  

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Protector Smurf stated firmly,  even as he continued forward in the direction of Smurf Village. 

“Hefty… Protector S-smurf, you n-need to promise not to hurt Smurfette,” insisted Brainy, pressing a hand to the older smurf’s chest to get his attention.  

Protector Smurf rolled his eyes.  “Because your Hefty likes her, and you want him to be happy?” 

“NO!.  Because she’s a good person.  Just… try to keep an o-open mind when you meet her.  She’s really very nice,” the younger smurf said, letting his hand drop.  

“Fine.  I’ll try to get to know her first.  But if she’s a threat to our village, your Papa Smurf and I will be having a talk about her,” Protector Smurf huffed.  They traveled in silence for a few minutes, before the older smurf had to let out a laugh.

“W-what’s so funny?” whispered Brainy.    

“Nothing really, but I can’t help thinking of how different you are from MY Brainy Smurf.  You went on a big adventure with your friends, but my Brainy never really liked going on adventures.  He was always studying or experimenting or searching for new magical ingredients.”

“Yeah, I like d-doing those things, too,” Brainy confessed.  “But Hefty and Clumsy are pretty g-good at dragging me out of the house when I’ve been spending t-too much time reading… Oh, we’re here a-already.”

The two smurfs paused at the top of the hill, gazing down at the mushroom houses that made up Smurf Village.  The full moon’s light shone down upon the white hats of the smurfs gathering around a lone red-capped smurf at the edge of the village. 

“I think P-papa Smurf noticed I was missing,” Brainy groaned, curling closer for comfort.  “He’s going to ground me f-forever…”

Protector Smurf began to make his way down the hill, still carrying the bespectacled smurf with ease.  “Don’t worry, kiddo.  Your Papa will be too busy focusing on your injuries, and the fact that I’m alive, to punish you.  Now, let’s head down there before they really start to panic.”

Chapter Text

“Is everyone here?  Remember the buddy system.  I don’t want anyone running off on their own,” Papa announced, standing on a small stump to be seen by all the younger smurfs.  “We’ve already checked Gargamel’s tower, and Brainy isn’t there.  Spread out across the forest.  If we can’t find him, we’ll ask Willow’s smurfs to check the Forbidden Forest.” 

“This is all my fault,” Hefty groaned.  “I should have gone after him.” 

“All that matters is that we find Brainy, and get him home safe,” Smurfette insisted.  “Right, Clumsy.” 

“Right!”  The younger smurf planted himself between them, and grabbed both their arms.  “Together, we’ll find Brainy!”

“Hey, nerdy smurf!  I thought I was the one who was supposed to lead smurf parties,” a deep voice rumbled, startling the group.  

“Who in the smurf..?” Papa peered toward the bushes, even as the silvery moonlight flickered over a green-hatted smurf stepping into the clearing.  In his arms lay a familiar bespectacled smurf.  

“Look!  That guy has Brainy Smurf!” 

“Who IS that guy?” 

“I don’t know.” 

“Anyone ever seen a green smurf before?”

“Wow!  Is that Protector Smurf?” Clumsy yelled in excitement, before snapping his hands over his mouth.  “Oops.” 

“I’ve never heard of a Protector Smurf,” one of the smurfs in the crowd whispered.

“Me neither.”

“He has a little beard, and white hair.  Kinda like Papa Smurf.”

“Well, that’s a lot of new faces,” Protector Smurf sighed.  The smurf in his arms winced, curling closer.  “Sorry, kid.  Let’s get you fixed up.” He stepped through the crowd which parted to let him through, clearly awed by his presence. 

“I’m gonna be in so much trouble,” Brainy mumbled under his breath. 

“You’ll be fine.”  Protector Smurf stopped inches away from the stump, his gaze focused on the red-capped smurf staring back at him in amazement.  “Hey, Brainy.  It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” 

“Uhh, yes… yes, it has.  How is this possible?”  Papa asked, before his attention shifted to their missing smurf.  “Brainy!” The older smurf rushed forward, pressing a hand to the shivering smurf’s forehead.  “You’re burning up.  Is that blood?  What happened, little smurf?” 

“Um, hey, P-papa Smurf.  I got attacked by Asrael, and went through the wall, and found Protector Smurf in a weird stone garden.  He was a s-statue, but when I touched him, he c-came back to life.  And he k-kinda rescued me, too,” Brainy tried to explain, stumbling over his words.  

“Stone garden?  Statue?”  Papa shook his head. “Never mind all that.  We need to get you to my mushroom.  I have healing salves there.”  The red-capped smurf turned to address the rest of the group.  “The smurf party is called off.  Everyone back to their mushrooms!”

A gaggle of questions immediately arose from the group.  “No buts, little smurfs.  It’s late, and Brainy needs to rest.  We’ll talk in the morning.  Now, head home, every smurf,” insisted Papa Smurf, shooing them away.  

“Not me.  I’m coming with you, Papa Smurf.  Brainy is my…” Hefty paused, trying to decide his next words as the injured smurf’s gaze landed on him.  The muscled smurf drew in a deep breath, and flashed Brainy a smile.  “He’s MY soulmate, and I’m going to make sure he’s taken care of.  In fact…” Hefty surged forward, holding out his arms to the moustached smurf.  “I want to carry him.”

“Hefty, now is not the time…” Papa began, exchanging a glance with Protector Smurf.  

“Please, Protector Smurf.  Papa Smurf.  Let me take care of him,” Hefty insisted, holding his ground.  There was a long moment of silence, before the green-capped smurf gently set Brainy in his arms.  

“You’re alright kid.  I’m sure you and I will get along just fine,” said Protector Smurf, winking at Hefty.

“If you’re both quite finished,” Papa Smurf huffed, grabbing their newest arrival by the hand.  “We need to get Brainy back to my mushroom as quickly as possible.” 

“Lead the way, handsome,” Protector Smurf purred.

“I… er… em… Let’s just go,” Papa Smurf said, trying to hide his reddened cheeks as he strode forward, tugging his soulmate along.  

“It’ll be alright, Brainy.  Papa Smurf will get you all fixed up, and you’ll be back to bossing me around in no time,” Hefty half-joked in an attempt to hide his concern.

“Yeah…” Brainy whispered, curling close.  Once they were away from the crowd, Brainy couldn’t help but quietly ask, “D-did you m-mean what you smurfed?”

“What?” Hefty glanced down at him.

“Um, you s-said that I was your s-soulmate…” Brainy tried not to get his hopes up.  He was tired and aching from the long journey, not to mention his numerous injuries.  Now was not the time to have a smurf-to-smurf about Hefty’s feelings, but he just couldn’t help asking.

“You ARE my soulmate,” said Hefty firmly.  “And I’m sorry for making you feel like you couldn’t be honest with me about your feelings.  You really had us worried when you didn’t come back to the village.”

“S-sorry,” Brainy said, his gaze flickering away in shame.  

“Hey,” Hefty interrupted, tightening his hold on the younger smurf in his arms.  “I’m just glad you’re safe.  And I meant what I said - you’re my soulmate, and I’m going to take care of you.”

Crimson blossomed on Brainy’s blue cheeks.  “Okay,” he whispered.  

“Hefty, let’s get him inside,” Papa Smurf interrupted.  The muscled smurf did as he asked, not even pausing in his stride as Protector Smurf closed the door behind them. 

Chapter Text

Brainy glanced up from his book at the sound of a firm knocking on the door.  Setting the book on his side table, he made his way slowly across the room.  It had only been a week since the incident, and he still felt like someone ran him over with one of Farmer Smurf’s heavy wheelbarrows.  

The knocking on the door began again.  “Hold your smurf,” Brainy called out, swinging the door open.  Warm dark eyes gazed back at him, a smile crossing over the other smurf’s handsome face.  

“Brainy!  How’s my favorite soulsmurf this morning?” Hefty asked, one hand hidden behind his back as he stepped forward. 

“I’m your only soulsmurf,” Brainy chuckled, crimson dusting his cheeks as the other smurf stepped into his mushroom hut.  

“So you are.  Hey, I brought you something,” said Hefty, pulling out a small bouquet of colorful flowers.  

“Flowers?  Okay, what did you do?” Brainy asked, raising a suspicious brow at his friend/soulmate. 

“Nothing.  I mean, I was kinda talking to Smurfette about some stuff, and she said that humans give each other flowers when they’re dating, so… I thought you might like some flowers,” explained the muscled smurf.  “You do like flowers, don’t you?”

Brainy sighed and nodded, taking the bouquet.  He’d have to find a place to put them.  Maybe one of his bunsen burners, just until he spoke to Pottery Smurf about crafting an actual vase.  

“How are you feeling today, Brainy?” Hefty said, interrupting his thoughts.  The stronger smurf was now eyeing Brainy’s bandages with barely-hidden concern.

“Sore,” Brainy admitted.  “But I no longer feel like I’m at smurf’s door, so that’s something.  Papa Smurf and Willow have been trading recipes for healing salves.  They say I’ll be back to normal in a smurf.” 

“Great!” Hefty exclaimed, rushing forward.  His arms froze inches from pulling Brainy into a hug.  “Sorry.  I, uh, should have asked first.  You’re still healing, and all.” 

“It’s okay, Hefty.  You can hug me, if you want.  Just don’t squeeze too hard,” said Brainy, his face lighting up like a tomato as the other smurf did just that.  

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.  I can’t wait to take you on a real date when you’re all healed up,” Hefty whispered into his ear.  

“A-a real date?  Just you and me?” said Brainy, resting his chin on Hefty’s firm shoulder. 

“Yep.  Just you and me.  Away from the hustle and smurf of the village,” said Hefty, pulling back.  He clasped Brainy’s hand tightly, and brought it to his lips.  “Somewhere special where we can be alone, soulsmurf.”

Delighted shivers ran up Brainy’s arm from the kiss.  Maybe they were moving too fast.  Maybe Hefty would change his mind, and go back to pursuing Smurfette.  Maybe… Lips pressed against his own, stopping Brainy’s anxious thoughts in their tracks.  

“You were doubting me again,” Hefty whispered, pulling back.  “I’m serious about this, Brainy.  I’m serious about you.”  He laced their fingers together, smiling warmly.  “I want to be with you.  I want us to someday be the Papa Smurf and Protector Smurf we’re meant to be.  And I want the entire village to know that you’re my soulsmurf.” 

“Hefty…” Brainy felt his eyes fill with happy tears as the other smurf leaned down to kiss him again.  “Yes…” Yes, that’s exactly what he wanted.  He wanted all those things, and more!

“Brainy, your door is wide open… Oh my!” 

The pair pulled away from each other reluctantly, turning to see Clumsy Smurf standing in the doorway, staring at them with a gobsmacked look on his adorable face.  “Hi, Clumsy,” they said, echoing one another.  

“What’s going on in here?” 

All eyes turned to the window where a pair of binoculars could be seen peering through the glass.  

“None of your business, Nosy!” the three smurfs shouted, glaring at the peeping smurf.  

“Well, alright.  But it looked like you were getting hot and smurf in there,” said Nosy calmly as he walked away.  

“That was embarrassing,” said Brainy, pulling back to put some distance between himself and his soulsmurf.  They couldn’t even have any privacy in their own mushrooms!  Would they have to worry about smurfs trying to sneak a peek when they were… well, doing soulmate things?

“They’re just not used to soulsmurfs like us,” said Hefty.  

Brainy turned his attention to Clumsy who was now shuffling his feet in the doorway, glancing between them and the floor.  “Is something wrong, Clumsy?  Sorry if we startled you.  I’ll remember to close the door next time.” 

“No, no it’s fine.  I just wasn’t expecting you to be… Anyway, Papa Smurf said he wanted to see you, Brainy.  And then Protector Smurf said it would probably be a good time to take Hefty on a scouting mission.”

“I guess that changes our plans for today,” said Hefty.  “Let’s get going, brainiac.”  

“Coming,” said Brainy, closing the door behind them as they left.  

“And after we’re done, we should sit together at dinner,” suggested Hefty, swinging an arm around his soulmate’s shoulders as they strode down the pathway.  

“I’d like that,” said Brainy.  Not that they hadn’t sat together for meals every day since his big adventure, but it was nice of Hefty to bring it up.  His soulsmurf really was the sweetest smurf in the village.