Chapter Text
It was early, the sun hadn't even come out, yet Poppy was wide awake. She knew mostly everyone else was asleep, so she decided to freshen up and go for a little stroll.
While walking, she spotted her friend who had recently gotten his colors back and her eyes lit up. She quietly walked over to the troll sitting at the base of a tree with his eyes closed.
"Hi Branch!"
"AH! Don't sneak up on me like that!
And why do you have to be so loud!"
Branch stood up, a hand over his ear.
Poppy rolled her eyes. "A simple 'hey Poppy' would've sufficed. How are you still so grumpy all the time? "
"Just because I've gotten my colors back doesn't mean I'm all happy- go-lucky now you know." Branch said, a little exasperated.
He doesn't know why people (specifically Poppy) thought he'd be completely happy and willing to do everything a happy troll does. Sure, things have gotten way better but it's difficult for him to get used to how things are now.
The hardest thing to get used to however, will have to be the overwhelming amount of feelings and emotions.
He finds himself being eternally grateful for the littlest things the people he now considered his friends would do for him. He cares about them. Heck, even Mr. Dinkles has a little place in his heart now!
And then of course, there are his feelings for Poppy. The ones he suppressed so much when he was drowning in his own bitterness and fear. He thought they had finally disappeared after all this time. Oh how wrong he was. The pink troll had snuck her way deep into his heart and it was to late to get her out. Now he has a really hard time controlling himself around her, especially since personal space clearly didn't exist in her vocabulary.
"I know but you CAN! You've just gotta let yourself go, don't fight it! And before you say anything, I know that's what you're doing." She smirked.
Branch didn't even try to argue because it was true.
"Yeah well, that's only because it's weird to be able to be who I was so long ago." he said.
She stepped closer to him, a little to close for comfort, took his hand and stared intensely into his eyes.
"Branch, it may be hard to adjust right now, but don't forget that you have us, your friends, to help you. You've just gotta want to be completely happy and allow us to assist."
The turquoise troll was touched by her words but he needed to put some distance between them.
He smiled. "Thanks Poppy, you have no idea how grateful I am to have you guys."
Just as he was about to step away Poppy's hug time bracelet went off.
She looked at him with a cheery smile and opened her arms. "Hug time?" she asked sweetly.
Branch decided that yeah, he can allow himself this much even if it might cause him to fall further in love.
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After their (quite long might I add) hug time, the pair went back to the heart of Troll Village to see if their friends were awake yet.
Poppy spotted Suki and the twins, immediately quickening her pace to meet them. Branch took his time and followed.
"Good morning Poppy, hi Branch! " the three greeted.
"Morning!" the pair replied.
"SO! I was gonna wait until everyone was together but I'm too excited so I'll tell you guys now. I'm planning another party but..... "
As Poppy babbled on to her friends, Branch couldn't help but admire her. She always spoke so animatedly, more often than not genuinely happy about what she was speaking of. Her eyes sparkle when she speaks of things that make her happy. And her smile..... She has such a beautiful smile...
"What?" Poppy asked, confused.
It just registered to Branch that he'd said that last part out loud. Seriously?!
"UM I said I've gotta go run a mile! Haha... I'll just..... Go now bye! "
Branch bolted before anyone of them could reply. Doesn't mean he missed the snickers from the three girls they ran into. He stopped running when he was sure they could no longer see nor hear him. Ohh that's just great! That was the best thing he could come up with? He knows he's gonna get a lifetime of teasing the next time he sees them.
Awesome.