Work Text:
Viva and Branch have a lot in common, Poppy thinks.
Left behind at a young age meant they had to grow up fast and become adults before they could even be teens. Their abandonment issues showing through with how they seem to be in a constant state of anxiety when left alone or feeling left out, of both clinging and pushing away with the fear of being left alone again to fend for themselves. Their fear of Bergens, still present even if Poppy had worked hard to get the Bergens to stop eating them and in the end befriending them. Branch was okay with just gristle and Bridget, and Viva was only okay with Bridget. He still jumped if suddenly surprised, and she downright ran away if she thought she was in danger. Since coming back, Branch introduced Viva to his bunker, who proceeded to fawn and ask questions that in turn sent Branch into a happy, dare say giddy rambling session with her. It lasted for hours, hidden away in his bunker until they tired themselves out from their shared interest. People they shared. often , poppy finds them somewhere giggling and rambling, like little trollings playing games. They always shared this look, like telling each other some inside joke only they're in on and even getting affectionate; hugging, shoulder slaps, side jabs, even just casual hand holding.
Someone else they shared besides Poppy was his brother, Clay.
Branch is his baby brother, and viva is his best friend. Clay always had this approving, happy look whenever both viva and branch hovered around him. Such a loving look on his face as he teases branch and jokes with Viva, when they’re both together and getting along.
It was a while before the happy pangs of cute cute cute when seeing her boyfriend and sister together became sickly sweet dripping into her heart and making her taste bitter things.
She knew Branch for years, and it took those years and a few life threatening moments in order for Branch to finally open up to her, to regain his true colors and for them to start a romantic relationship. It took years for her to finally get into Branch’s heart.
Viva…it was just a couple weeks ago, since they found her, and it took days for them to start acting almost like best friends…she doesnt want to discredit branch’s development, it took years for him to move past his personal trauma and he was more open to friendship, and meeting new trolls because of her efforts. Of course he’d take to her better, because he was already happy with his brothers’ coming back and because Viva was her sister. Of course he would take to her easily, because she’s clay’s best friend. It’s the same the other way around- as much as viva is happy to meet more trolls she’d taken branch better because he’s clay’s baby brother, and already knew a little about him since clay apparently liked to talk about the only brother he never had any bad feelings with. Of course they would get along well when they share many personal interests and pasts.
It’s why, after a long time of thinking, crying and grieving, she decided…she should let Viva have Branch. They’ve been through so much, and they deserve to have someone who will understand them better than anyone, it will be hard, but she wants them to be happy, because she loves them dearly. Her own happiness us just a small price to pay.
Branch looked so sweet, smiling and waiting for her to speak up, “What did you want to talk about?” he was worried for her, coming closer and trying to gaud how she’s feeling and growing concerned at the pain etched over her expression. She stepped back when he reached for her, and she has to look away from the sudden fear and hurt passing over his face. “Branch…” she steels herself, willing her tears away and she faces him head on, deciding it’s for the better, “I’m breaking up with you.”
Okay, shit, excuse her laguague. She hadn’t wanted to say it so harshly, so upfront, but there’s no turning back now. “W-what?”
She sucks in her breath, and it takes every fiber in her being not to kneel and beg for his forgiveness, tell him she didn’t mean it and do whatever it takes to make it up to him. “It’s for the best. I want you to be happy, branch. You’re always telling me to stop, and listen, and pay attention, and…im doing this for you branch, because you deserve someone who can understand you better than i can.” branch looks tiny in front of her, wilted and hurt as he snaps back an automatic, “you don’t get to decide what’s good for me.” before he mumbles, “and I don’t understand.” he fiddles with the hem of his vest, hunching over himself as his bout of anger falls flat. Her heart twists, and she clears her throat, “You and Viva.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You both went through so many things alone and share feelings I can never share with you. You need someone who can understand you, branch, and that’s not me.” Surprisingly, she doesn’t have to try and hold her pain in anymore. She feels numb, and reassures herself it’s for her sister, and for branch. “I love you so much I have to let you go so you can be happy, branch. We can still be best friends! I’ll always be here for you, but I think… our relationship wouldn’t last.” Branch only stands and listens, and while the anger isn’t really coming back, a familiar bitterness comes, and he looks a little greyer as he turns around and walks away without a word. Fair, she thinks. It’s a lot, and he’s no doubt hurt, but he’ll see what she means, and she’ll be able to move on knowing he’ll be bouncing back and happy at viva’s side.
She finds Viva next, or rather, Viva finds her, with a peculiar expression on her face as she comes up and fiddles with her fingers. She must have picked up that habit from branch, and that thought alone leaves a bitter sourness in her mouth. “Hey, uhm, did something happen with branch? He came to the bunker and was all sad and grey…im worried.”
There’s bad feeling in her chest, feelings she is by no means used to. She broke up with branch, because Viva understood him better. Viva had gotten closer to branch in weeks compared to the months it took her. Viva came back, and took her boyfriend from her without even trying. “Why don’t you just ask him? I bet he’d tell you in a heartbeat if you do.” they both flinch hard at the harsh remark, poppy feeling immediate guilt, but she finds she doesnt want to apologize. “P-Poppy? What’s going on?” Branch and viva even started to copy each other to their expressions.
“I…” she stares at viva, long and hard. Her sister, who has done no wrong. How could she snap at her sister like that? It’s not her fault the stars aligned and they grew up in similar enough situations for them to bond over it. Viva only ever wanted her family back and to protect them…she sighs, tired and needing to be alone.”Leave me alone, Viva. go hang out with branch. Im sure you two will figure yourselves out.”
“But-”
“Viva, please.”
She tries to meet her eyes, but poppy turns away. It’s a moment before viva decides to obey and walks away, hesitantly. She's left alone in the small clearing, guilt swallowing her up, but she tells herself it's for the best.
She's sitting by the stream, moping over her losses and past failures her break up with Branch brought up when a voice calls out to her, “Hey, Queenie.” when she turns, she's surprised to find Clay, staring down at her. To his left, Branch holds onto his hand, and to his right, Viva who holds onto his other hand. They look like they've cried, hiding behind Clay and peeking at her over his shoulders. How little and vulnerable they looked… always so open, so raw when they're together. She looks away briefly.
“heard stuff went down, and wanted to know what's up.” while he looks neutral enough, she can hear a defensive and rude edge to his words, and she nods, knowing what this is about already.
Clay turns around, whispers to them before giving them each a kiss on the forehead and sending them away for a bit. They look hesitantly at her, before joining their hands to Poppy's dismay and running off.
He slinks over, steps wide, and drops down to a kneel before properly sitting. He doesn't like to drag conversations, preferring to be direct and honest which she honestly respects of him; his fearlessness and confidence in confrontation.
“After all his talk about not being the baby and not needing us to look out for him anymore, he comes to me crying with Viva, and by the sound of it, you were the reason.” he looks at her, not spiteful or anything, but gentle,and with patience that only comes with being one of the older siblings to younger ones. “So why ‘re ya making my baby sibs cry like that?”
His little siblings. Both Branch AND Viva.
She clenched her fists, and decides it's better to just get over it, “I broke up with Branch.” That got a reaction out of Clay;he sat up straight, his eyebrows furrowed, but she didn't allow him to speak as she followed up with, “and I got mad at Viva for it.”
“Woah, woah. Hold on, what?” He clears his throat, having been taken by surprise, “not cool breaking my baby's heart like that, Pop. Why would you break up with him and get mad at Viva for that?” now his tone is accusing, protective over Branch. She wants to smile at that, but she doesn't.
“it took years for me to get into Branch's heart, and Viva comes and does it in few weeks. They're good for each other. I broke up with Branch because I think he and Viva would make a better couple.” Seconds pass, before she hears a deep exhale, following by a bark of laughter. She turns to him, surprised and slightly offended because of his reaction to her bearing her heart out. “Oh! Poppy, you definitely missed the target. By a lot.”
Okay, ouch. “What do you mean?”
Clay hums, fiddling with his hug time bracelet as he explains, “I'm offended on Branch’s behalf that you would think he would be unfaithful, or think of Viva as more than a sister.” he says, almost teasingly and wanting her to take the bait.
Wait. “Sister?”
“yeah they got close because of how similar they are, but Viva likes to say they're like long lost twins and Branch never denies any of her blabber. I knew Branch since he was born, and when I left I kind of- initially, used Viva to kind of replace him since he was the only one I really missed. Now that I have both Branch and Viva, I still consider Viva a baby sister, as she considers me her big bro.” He then flicks her forehead, chuckling at her small ‘ow’, “Viva would never try and seduce your man, and Branch would never be seduced, because he loves you too much. They love each other as siblings. I thought you of all trolls would understand you don't need to be almost exactly alike in order to make a relationship work. ”
The hand holding, the playing together, their long childish rambles together and how they interact with Clay… “ oh.” Oh god, she totally misread it- it was so obvious and she thought they would start having feelings for each other.
“Looks like you have a lot of apologizing to do.” She turn to him, horrified as she realizes she hurt them for nothing. “ Oh my god I need to do so much apologizing.”
“Don't sweat it. They'll forgive you. Eventually. You're relationship isn't dead though.”
“Clay I'm so sorry for hurting them.”
“Apologize to them not me. But thanks hehe.” he waves her off, and instead pats her head fondly as she starts to freak out over how to properly apologize to them.