Chapter Text
Two hours had passed since the 'hug' with Keith. Branch sat sulking on a large stone near a river. He came here whenever he was feeling down. The thick greenery and reflection of the full moon in the water was soothing to the mind.
I can't believe I blew my one chance to hug her on the day meant to hug. . . . There's always next year I guess.
The blue troll knew he shouldn't be worried about this so much, but he had just come to terms with his feelings towards Poppy last week when they were walking together back from the bergen ball game And boy, he fell hard. If he wasn't good at hiding his emotions, the whole village would know about it immediately.
That's how bad it was.
Wonder what would have happened today if cloud guy didn't get ahold of my journal. . . Whatever! I'll get back to the bunker in a while to change Gary's batteries.
______________________________________________________________________________
"You should have seen the look on his face Poppy. I'm telling you the guy's playing mid games with me! I always wanna hold his hand and also.. " Poppy listened to Smidge ramble on about Milton Moss 'playing mind games with her' AGAIN. It was quite obvious that she had a thing for him, but Poppy decided she'd let Smidge find out herself, it felt like it was bound to happen any moment. It was adorable really. She was walking with Smidge back to her pod
"So yeah, I hope next week it's not the same. Anyway, how was your hug day Poppy?" She questioned.
"Oh I didn't hug anyone. I mean, I was going to hug Branch and he wanted to hug me too! But then Keith hugged him..."
"Aw man better luck next time." Smidge said. "Wait, Keith the trolling?!"
"Yeah, it's a long story but oh well." She shrugged.
"I guess it would make sense why he'd want to hug you. Your his BEST friend. He must feel pretty bummed out that he missed it. This is like his first hug day in twenty years!" The yellow troll reasoned. The pop queen was hit with a feeling of realization and then obviousness if that was even a feeling.
Branch is gonna remember this forever. She knew he wasn't really big on physical affection but he must have been really looking forward to today and now he has to wait till next year. "Smidge you're right! I never even thought of that!"
Poppy pondered for a while before speaking. "He did seem really sad on the walk back with cloud guy and I don't want any part of this day to leave a bad imprint on him."
Smidge's pod was in view now and the duo waved each other off before heading out. It was only 7:30 so Poppy still had time to pay Branch a visit before heading home. Funny enough, she didn't see him head to his bunker after he got back to the village. Poppy came to the conclusion that he was probably by the river.
They'd found each there a few times since Branch showed her the place. He said he liked going there to relax and well, it's been their secret place ever since. It wasn't full of critters and birds and not too far from Smidge's home either, to her convenience.
Poppy skipped around the forest area, hoping to find her friend.
Luckily it wasn't too long before she reached the start of the river.
"Branch? Branch, are you in here?" She called out his name, while following the river deeper in the forest. She opened her mouth once more to call him, but saw his silhouette perched on a stone near the river and approached him. Branch noticed her and tried playing it cool. "H-hey Poppifer. What are you doing here?"
Seriously?
Fortunately for Poppy, Branch was a terrible liar and she could see right through his exterior.
'Branch' she replied. He tried to avoid her gaze, but Poppy tilted his head, forcig him to look at her. She sighed, "Branch, hug day is supposed to be a fun day for all trolls." She looked into the river, which looked very majestic under the moonlight. "I know this is your first hug day in twenty years, and I don't want any part of today to leave you with a bad memory, but I'm bummed out too. . . " she paused.
She took his hand in hers and turned to the former grey troll with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "But tomorrow isn't here yet so why not make the best of it!" Branch processed what was going on. Is this really happening right now? After Branch's shock died down, his shocked expression turned into a bashful smile.
"Offer accepted"
For a while they just sat there gazing at the river, still holding hands. The moonlight seemed to illuminate their surroundings in the best way possible and Poppy saw why Branch came here so often. She could see every soft ripple of the water, the crickets were chirping and the trees were swaying.
But Poppy's best view was not of the nature, but Branch. I mean, she always found him attractive, but Oh Lord! At this point, she could count all the moles that scattered on him. A lovely glow was added to every gentle feature that graced his face. His hair shone like the stars above. Hell, even his eyebags looked brilliant (like always). Unfortunately, his words snapped her out of her gaze.
"So what do we do first?"
______________________________________________________________________________
The pair had a BLAST. Together, they shared a nice dinner, danced, and laughed. Poppy of course, had to insist on getting ice cream, so Branch got her favourite- 2 scoops of cookie dough and strawberry.
"Branch!" She whined. "I'm so full! I'm gonna explode if I eat more."
"You did eat half my fries pops."
"Hehe"
Their laughter died down once they reached the river, deciding to pay it one last visit for the day before heading back. "But seriously Poppy thank you. Or I would have been sulking in my bunker now." Branch remarked.
He'd never let anybody know this, but he was secretly hoping for a miracle that maybe, just maybe Poppy would remember their place by the river and come see if he was out there. And after today's outcome, he felt this was the best possible scenario that could have happened. Everything just . . . seemed better with her. As long as she was present.
"No problem Branchiffer!" She said smiling. "But you should never be afraid to ask me for a hug." She said in a more serious tone. He took in the sight of her. The moonlight was working overtime to make Poppy look simply irresistable. Branch wanted to confess and kiss her right there. But he didn't. He just stared at her.
The blue troll knew it was for the best. He didn't wanna ruin their friendship just cause of his stupid feelings. It wasn't like she was gonna go for him anyway. She was way out of his league. It was then that he realized he must have looked dumb just staring at her. She was waiting for an answer. "I won't Poppifer." He said chuckling. She grinned. He took her in his arms and spun her around and she placed her head on his chest, giggling.
They just stayed there, holding each other in a warm embrace. It felt so safe here, and they were in a forest. Poppy was so close to his chest, she could feel his heartbeat. Branch could smell her strawberry scented shampoo he liked so much. It felt like home. At that moment, she decided she was gonna let out some well deserved tension and hoped she wouldn't regret it the next day.
The pop queen released her grip on him and instead put her hands on either side of his head, pulling the two closer. Her lips meet his cheek for a long second before turning quickly to place a chaste kiss on the other. She pulled away from his soft skin slowly, anxious and curious to see his reaction.
Fortunately, the moonlight reflected marvellously , and she could see his cheeks had turned a pretty shade of beet red where she kissed and he looked like he was on cloud 9 with her.
Finally, he looked down at her with a goofy smile and placed a kiss of his own on her forehead, before deciding it wasn't enough and smothered her in several quick and soft kisses. Poppy let out a few giggles here and there, loving the feeling. He pulled her closer to him, embracing her in another hug.
"Happy hug day Pops"
"Happy hug day Branch"