Chapter Text
Life had felt like a whirlwind since the two trolls confessed their feelings. It was a rollercoaster of emotions for them; exciting and terrifying, but overwhelmingly fun at the same time.
Colder weather had really set in across the village, and Creek started to slowly move a few of his things over to the bunker. It was more secure and equipped to handle snow, making it more ideal to live in for the time being. He wasn’t moving everything, though, as he was too afraid of things suddenly going south. If something happened between them, he wanted to get out as soon as he could with minimal assets to grab. In reality he doubted that would happen, but then again he never thought he and Branch would be together either. Anything was possible, so it seemed.
And besides, he wanted to give Branch his space. Moving in all together may overwhelm him.
But…Creek sighed heavily. He was in his pod, packing a few things to take over to Branch’s. He tried not to do too much heavy lifting, because now he had a delicate parcel to ensure stayed safe and sound.
He reached up and tenderly parted his hair. The egg that rested there was still so new, so small - Creek had discovered it shortly after he and Branch started officially dating.
Was he surprised? Not necessarily. He knew how eggs came to be: a deep love, a true feeling of need and want that sparked the hope of new life. Branch made him feel many things, and that night had been the nail in the coffin for Creek’s love to truly settle into place.
However, he didn’t think an egg would appear this soon. He figured it would take a few more months for it to even be a possibility, but apparently fate had other plans.
It had only been a few weeks, but Creek still hadn’t told Branch yet. He knew Branch wouldn’t deny the egg, but what if…what if it was too soon for him? Did Branch want to make this kind of commitment? He had only just realized his feelings for Creek, but then to be suddenly thrust into parenthood? This was a whole other fiasco that made Creek fearful of telling him. He had to wait until the right moment to bring it up.
When would that be, though? Should he do it soon, when the egg is still young and growing? Or wait, until it almost hatches? He couldn’t wait that long, no - Creek would be nesting in the upcoming weeks. It only took a few months at most for eggs to hatch, and if he was rearranging everything from pillows to blankets to furniture, Branch would surely suspect something was up. He would be intolerable unless everything was just right for him and their new trolling.
“Oh dear,” he murmured. Creek cradled the egg in his hands and stroked it a few times in comfort. The shell had an ombré of teal and green, with a few dark navy strands of hair poking out the top. He imagined the trolling was more likely to look like Branch; his day dreaming always brought him to a mini version of his boyfriend. It made his stomach flip to think about.
Suddenly he heard someone outside of his pod. Creek quickly hid the egg back in his hair and went back to the box on his bed, closing and taping it shut. It was just a couple of things, like Creek’s mirror and brush and a small, crochet’d onesie that he had made last night…
He shook his head, berating himself internally. Even if he didn’t tell Branch about the egg, he would definitely find out regardless due to Creek’s impulsiveness.
The door to his pod opened. He knew Floyd was coming over to walk him back to the bunker, so it wasn’t a shock to see him waltz in.
“Hey,” he greeted, seeing Creek busy at work. “Almost done?”
“I’m just taking this today,” Creek said. He didn’t want Floyd to do much lifting either, as he was still recovering. “Anything sound good for dinner tonight?”
Floyd paused. “Well…I actually need to talk to you about that.”
Creek frowned, confused. “About dinner?”
“About having a family dinner.”
“Don’t we technically have a family dinner every night?” Creek teased, but Floyd didn’t look amused.
“John Dory, Clay and Bruce are visiting…tonight.” Floyd watched Creek’s face, looking for signs of nervousness. “They found out about you and Branch.”
Creek paled. “Oh.” He wasn’t prepared for meeting Branch’s other brothers. Before he and Branch reconciled, he avoided running into them in the village. They didn’t visit that often, but he was wary of what they would think of him. “Do they know about me?” He asked. He fought the urge to touch his hair, suddenly feeling defensive.
Floyd nodded. “They’ve heard the story,” he said. “I’m sorry, JD sent a letter this morning that they were coming tonight. I thought they’d be gone longer, or else we would’ve prepared better.”
“No, no, it’s alright. I needed to meet them anyhow,” Creek said, trying to reassure Floyd. “It’ll be fine. Branch and I have made up and everything is forgiven. If they have a problem, well, I’m sure I can handle it.” He was sure Branch would come to his defense too. He’d stand up to his brothers if any mishaps occurred.
“I’ll set them straight,” Floyd said, offering his assistance. Creek was grateful for him, too, happy to have an ally in this moment of uncertainty.
He lifted the box and carefully walked to Floyd. “Let’s go face the music.”
“Wait-“ Floyd reached out for Creek. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Creek recoiled. He held the box between them, making a barrier. It surprised both Floyd and himself - he never backed away from Floyd’s touch.
But now he had the egg. Their egg. Branch’s egg. He couldn’t risk it getting damaged under any circumstance.
“I’m fine,” Creek said quickly. He gave Floyd a smile. “I am. It’ll be alright. Come on, let’s go.” He rushed past the other troll to the door, ignoring the worried look of his friend.
****
Floyd knew Creek was hiding something.
The purple troll had been elated the first few days after he and Branch became official. But that was a few weeks ago, and now…
Now, he really seemed to be glowing, but awfully skittish if he got too close. He looked and appeared as healthy and vibrant as ever, but quick to move away. Floyd didn’t know what happened and he wanted to ask, however now his brothers would be joining them at the bunker and it would only add stress if Floyd pushed too much.
Branch didn’t seem to notice a difference. Floyd guessed he wouldn’t though, because Branch was the only one Creek allowed close now. When they arrived back at the bunker, he was prepping for their dinner. He kissed Creek and hugged him in greeting; nothing seemed amiss. Creek didn’t pull back or push him away, but leaned into the contact instead. Floyd scratched his head. Was it because they’re a couple now, or something else?
“So Floyd told you?” Branch asked Creek. The purple troll had set the box down in another room - away from prying eyes - and walked back into the kitchen, sitting at the table. “I didn’t mean to have them surprise you-“
“No worries love,” Creek said, smiling fondly at Branch. He watched the grey troll - or rather blue troll, as he had a shade of light blue all the time now - work around the kitchen. “Anything you need help with?”
Branch shook his head and stirred something in the pot that was simmering over the fire. “I’m just trying to figure out how to triple this recipe. Six trolls is a lot to feed when there’s no potluck…”
Floyd chuckled. He watched Creek from the corner of his eye. He was fiddling with his hair, playing with a few strands. Nothing too abnormal…
“They said they’d be by around sundown,” Floyd mentioned. He looked up at the bunker’s entrance. “Should I go up and watch for them?”
The sound of the lift started then, and the three trolls looked up to see JD, Bruce and Clay coming down into the bunker.
“That answers that question,” Floyd said. Creek suddenly felt clammy, nerves kicking in.
The three brothers looked similar to Branch, yet nothing like him at the same time. Bruce’s demeanor seemed welcoming; he smiled at Creek with warmth, which he appreciated. Clay also smiled, although he looked a little nervous. JD, though…he smiled looked nothing but intimidating.
Creek fought the urge to reach up and cover his hair. It’s okay, they’re okay…
“So, this is your new boy toy, B?” JD spoke first. He sauntered over to the table where Creek and Floyd sat, eyeing the purple troll.
Branch came over to them, rolling his eyes. “He’s my boyfriend, JD.”
Bruce and Clay walked over next and reached out to shake Creek’s hand. “What my brother meant to say is that it’s nice to meet you,” Bruce said. “Sorry, we don’t let him out much. His manners are a little rusty.”
Clay and Floyd snickered at the comment. JD glared at them. The tension eased a little, but Creek moved a little closer to Branch.
Branch coughed, drawing their attention away. “Dinner’s almost ready. Are you guys staying the night, too?” He looked to his brothers.
Clay shook his head. “I’m gonna find Viva after dinner. When I told her we were visiting, she tagged along. She wanted to hang out with Poppy.”
Bruce spoke next. “I’m just staying for the night, if you don’t mind, then I’ll head out with JD in the morning. Brandie said I could stay for a few days, but I don’t want to overload you guys. It seems like you have a full house.” He looked towards Creek, and his eyes darted up to his hair - just for a second, but it was a second too long for Creek.
Does he know? Creek held Branch’s hand, giving it a small squeeze. He needed a little grounding. Bruce couldn’t know…right?
“I’ve got Rhonda, but I’ll come down in the morning for some coffee,” JD promised. “Besides, we need to get to know your boyfriend a little. I don’t think the stories we’ve heard do him justice.”
Creek could imagine the stories he’s heard - traitor of troll village and friend of evil Bergens, probably. Old news that had hoped to steer clear of tonight.
Floyd kicked JD’s leg under the table. “Stop teasing them.”
“Ow! Hey, I’m just saying-“
Creek and Branch both let out a sigh, already over JD’s antics for the evening. Branch squeezed Creek’s hand back and said, “Let’s set the table and I can tell you how Floyd set us up.”
JD looked at Floyd with a raised brow. “You played match maker?”
Clay laughed. “He is the sensitive one, of course he’d be a natural Cupid.”
Floyd rolled his eyes. “Let me tell you, these two idiots…”
*****
The night wore on with Floyd’s retelling of their love story. Creek was a little embarrassed, but all the brothers seemed to enjoy it. They especially got a good laugh out of certain parts, namely when Branch thought Floyd and Creek were secretly dating.
It seemed to go off without a hitch. JD and Clay left shortly after they finished eating. Floyd, too, left them to rest, a little too worn out from being surrounded by all his brothers again. Bruce planned on using one of the spare bedrooms in the bunker - Branch had several, it was easy to get lost, so he was the last to hang around.
The two of them sat at the table while Branch cleaned up the kitchen. They kept talking, but Bruce took over the conversation and told Creek about his life on Vacay Island with his wife and kids.
“It’s amazing, I never thought I’d be a dad,” he confessed. Bruce took a sip of the tea Branch had made them and sighed contently. “My kids are great. They bring me the most joy in the world - aside from Brandie, of course.”
Creek leaned against the table, listening intently to the other troll. He played with a few strands of hair idly.
“No regrets?” Creek asked. “Weren’t you nervous at all?”
“Oh, totally. I still am. But that’s part of it, you live and you learn and you take it day by day. You remind yourself that it’s not just about you anymore, it’s about you and them. Together, enjoying life, teaching them everything you can. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Creek nodded. He looked down at his own cup of tea, losing himself in thought. That was another worry - would he be a good dad? After all he’s done, could he truly raise their child properly? Would his love for them be enough?
Bruce watched him and sighed. He leaned forward and whispered, “I think you guys will do just fine.”
Creek froze, stunned by the comment. So, Bruce did know. He figured it out.
“I- I don’t know-“ Creek stammered, but Bruce shushed him.
“I won’t tell him, but I think you should soon.”
They looked at each other and Creek sighed. He knew he needed to. He needed to stop keeping secrets from Branch, especially one this big.
Bruce patted him on the shoulder and got up. “He’ll be excited,” he said reassuringly. Creek hoped so.
The older troll bid them a goodnight after that, going off to his bedroom for the night. It left Branch and Creek alone, but Creek missed the boisterous noise from earlier. Now, there were no distractions.
“Were my brothers okay?” Branch asked, walking over to him. He sat down at the table and leaned in to kiss Creek’s cheek. “I’m sorry about JD.”
“He was fine,” Creek said, waving it off. “I know what’s been said about me. It isn’t the first and it won’t be the last.”
“He should still know better,” Branch huffed. “But you and Bruce seemed to get along well.”
Creek nodded. He replayed Bruce’s comments over in his head. He understood the turmoil Creek was feeling and let him know it would be okay. It would be; he had to trust that it would work itself out, that Branch would understand and be just as excited as he was.
Branch smiled at Creek. “Did you talk about anything interesting?”
But he couldn’t tell him. Not tonight.
“Yes, he was telling me about their island. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the beach before. I wouldn’t mind visiting there,” Creek said.
He had to keep this secret just a little longer.
“Maybe after the secret gift swap this year?” Branch suggested. “It’s a couple weeks away, then we can enjoy the summer weather after a little snow.”
Creek nodded. That did sound lovely - a beach vacation, a get away for the two of them. “I’d love that,” he murmured and leaned in to kiss Branch. “I bet the blue of the ocean is as brilliant as your eyes.”
Branch rolled his eyes and pressed a deeper kiss to Creek’s mouth.
Just a little longer, and then he’d tell him.
Soon, he thought. I swear…