Work Text:
“Nice bracelet!”
“What?” Barb looked around for the voice only to realize it came from a pink-skinned troll beside her. “Oh, my spikes?”
“Yeah, they’re so…shiny-“ Viva said reaching out to poke one. Barb held her arm back and the pop troll realized she’d overstepped her boundaries. She happened to do that sometimes, she bit back a frown.
Seeing the nervousness, Barb looked to make her feel better, “Uh, I like your bracelet.”
Viva brought her arm closer, “This one?” With the rock troll nodding, she continued, “Thanks! I made it myself actually.”
“Really, that’s so metal!”
“Metal?” The pop troll looked confused. She took the statement literally when it was just a compliment.
Barb doubled-back, “Y’know, like cool!”
“Oh? OH! Thanks!” Viva said. She got out bits of coloured thread from her pockets to show Barb. “I could make you one.”
“Oh, that’s not really-“ Barb started.
“Done!” In her hand was a complete friendship bracelet with all sorts of bright colours, intricately braided in a woven pattern. It was unbelievable how she managed to finish it so fast. The gift Poppy had for scrapbooking, Viva had for braiding, and apparently, bracelet making.
She handed it out for the rock troll to take it. “You know I don’t really wear friendship bracelets.” Barb said. It was mostly because she never had a friend who would make such a thing.
“I-“ Viva’s head spiralled, she’d overstepped her boundaries again, hadn’t she? “Well, I mean I can just take it with me.”
Although it was brightly colourful and a bit gauche to the rocker, she took it anyway. She wrapped it, tied it instantly and said, “No- no, It’s cool. I’ll wear it.”
“Okay,” The blonde said with a small smile and a little laugh. A laugh that to Barb felt like the joy of a perfect guitar riff. Her heart beating like the feeling she got belting out to her favourite song. She backed away as she felt a surge of warmth rising to her cheeks.
“Okay.” Barb managed to say and she walked away trying to take her mind off it. Yet, she couldn’t. The bracelet a constant reminder of the exchange. Like a little good luck charm, she kept it on at all her shows, sometimes hiding it below her studded cuff.
It had been weeks since she’d ran into the pop troll, she hadn’t even gotten her name. Almost a month passing until Barb noticed the blonde in the crowd at a concert commemorating when all the trolls united. The pop troll was dancing along with Poppy. She felt the urge to go and meet her out there, her eyes unable to take themselves off the girl.
After the small set, the funk trolls went on and Barb was free to venture out into the sea of trolls. She pushed past some techno trolls, some country, and found the pop trolls. She looked around not able to catch Viva and Poppy. However, there was someone else out in the crowd she recognized, “Branch! Where’s Poppy?”
“Preparing for their part of the concert?” Branch answered a little confused. “Why?” He asked, but Barb had already vanished back into the crowd. Just as the funk trolls finished, she made it out the crowd. She caught her breath as the trolls cheered for the Prince D and the funk trolls. Just as she made it back Poppy was on stage, no sign of Viva though.
“Hey?” A voice said. *Her* voice said. The pop troll.
“It’s you!” Barb said.
“It’s me?” Viva said confused, “You remember?Barb was about to say something but Viva noticed the bracelet peeking below the spiked wrist cuff. “Wait, you kept it?”
“Yeah,” Barb said, tugging at the bracelet to tuck it away.
“Oh, I can’t believe I forgot. I’m Viva.” She said, remembering to introduce herself.
“I’m Barb.”
“*Queen* Barb. Yeah, I saw the show.” Viva said. Barb wanted to facepalm, of course she knew, her name was announced to everyone in the audience.
“This may be a bit strange.” Barb said, not knowing how to say it because she never had to ask anyone it before. “Did you ever wanna hang out?”
“Hang out? I mean, sure! I’d love to!” She’d love too?? Barb’s thoughts raced faster than the beats in one of Riff’s drum solos. Just like that she’d have a new friend, and one she wasn’t gonna let go.