Chapter Text
It was only hours later but the party was still going strong, the upbeat music literally had brightened the sky over Bergen Town just like it’s streets and painted up the side of the previous dull buildings.
Branch still couldn’t fathom where all the energy was coming from that lent a skip into his step and kept him dancing and singing, it was like he had never forgotten how to do it in the first place. That wasn’t true however, just looking at his Queen by his side he knew exactly where the energy had come from. Every one of their steps was in perfect synchronization and their voices never were out of harmony and just knowing that and having the proof right before him, made his heart swell.
Finally the sun was setting and the party had relaxed into chatter and mingling with the Bergens gathered around the Troll Tree. Branch was relieved, panting and his heart still racing.
Poppy was still by his side and he couldn’t help the adoring looks and smiles he glanced her way.
Poppy stared always back with a soft smile and without realizing it their hands would gravitate to one another and join together warmly.
“Oooh! Congratulations to you both!” Biggie suddenly squealed, breaking the moment and making both trolls look up surprised.
“I knew you two were meant for each other!” DJ Suki trilled happily.
“What? How?” Branch asked with a skeptical smile that was trying to hide just how happy he was with that knowledge.
“Yeah, how?” Poppy echoed.
“Oh, come on, Poppy,” Guy voiced in.
“It was pretty obvious,” Copper added.
“Yeah, girl,” Satin started.
“You were always making special invitations just for him,” Chenille finished with a giggle.
Poppy and Branch exchanged a glance, suddenly blushing and Branch had a bigger reason to blush... He still had every one of those invitations stashed in his bunker.
“And Branch has always had a soft spot for you even when he broke your invitations,” Biggie teased.
“No I did not!” Branch huffed then looked at Poppy and relented with a loud sigh. “Alright, I did…”
“Aww!” Poppy suddenly pulled him into a hug, nuzzling her head under his chin.
Branch chuckled and hugged her back, thinking yet again he could get used to this feeling. Of her arms around him, warm and safe.
“So! Spill!” Satin chimed.
Both looked up from their hug, confused.
“Have you two kissed yet?” Chenille demanded.
“When’s the wedding?” Copper popped in.
“Yeah! You know we got to make you that dress, girl!” the twins exclaimed excitedly.
Both trolls blushed profusely suddenly pulling away from each other.
“Guys!” Poppy groaned embarrassed.
“It’s a bit early for that,” Branch protested glancing at Poppy nervously. “I mean…we haven’t even gone on a date! Or decided what we are…” his heart caught a little at those words. “Much less kissed or even talked about that sort of thing. For hair’s sake we just confessed today!” Branch exasperated his voice getting higher pitched and panicked with every word.
“Well whenever you two decide, I know you’ll make a great King, my lad,” cut in a voice as an orange hand landed on Branch’s shoulder.
He nearly jumped, gulped and looked at Peppy who had snuck up behind them and into the conversation.
“Th-thanks? I guess?” Branch mumbled feeling his stomach starting to go into knots. King?! He certainly hadn’t been thinking that far ahead just yet! Of course he wanted to be by Poppy’s side forever and he was glad Peppy approved… But he honestly hadn’t had the time to think about it just yet with all that had happened today. It was all a bit too much to process and he felt his heart starting to race with all the information suddenly pilling in.
Detecting his panic, Poppy picked up his hands again in hers and pulled him closer and away from her dad.
“You’ll be fine,” she promised, her lips pecking his cheek without a thought. “We can take our time, there’s no need to rush,” she assured, her pink eyes shining as she looked into softening blue eyes as he relax into her touch, blushing harder after the kiss. He smiled with love and gratitude and gave her a quiet nod. His heart was racing for a different reason now, thinking about the kiss she had just given him and by the flustered look in her eyes he could tell she was thinking about the same thing.
“Aww…” The Snack Pack murmured in awe at they stared at the new couple.
Branch frowned, looking at them all in annoyance as the moment was disturbed. “Alright! Enough!” he growled sounding like his old self but brighter. “Poppy,” he said looking at her. “It’s getting late…what are we going to do? Are we all moving back to the Troll Tree?” he asked.
Her eyes widened and she realized what he was pointing out and then she snickered. “Yup, you’ll definitely make a great King,” she teased.
He smirked and rolled his eyes at her, waiting for her to answer seriously.
“Of course we are!” she declared suddenly bouncing.
“But!” Branch interrupted her, pulling her hands so she’d stay still. “None of us have our belongings here or any supplies, food, clothes, medicine...and it’s a two day trip from here to the old village,” he pointed out.
Poppy stopped bouncing, frowning seriously and nodding once. “We have to go get our things back and move them here,” she mused for a moment. “Do you think the Bergens can help us? With them it wouldn’t even take a day to go and come back. We can do several trips so some of the trolls can stay here and start preparing the pods.”
Branch smiled proudly at her and nodded in agreement.
“I’ll go ask King Gristle right now,” Poppy declared letting go of his hands and taking a leap back. “Can you get everyone to start picking out pods to stay for the night, Branch?”
He nodded to her and she let out a happy sound, rushing off.
His face getting more serious Branch turned to the mass of trolls that had slowly gathered closer around them at the base of the tree. Branched jumped up onto a nearby tall mushroom and turned to look over the expectant faces, feeling a bit nervous as they all stared up at him.
He took a breath and smiled, thinking how strange it was so natural to do now.
“Alright, everyone!” he called and all eyes turned to him. “You heard our Queen, we are picking pods tonight to rest in. These don’t have to be your permanent pods!” he added. “Starting tomorrow we are going back to the old village in teams to start bringing our things here. Everyone get in an orderly line on either side of the mushroom and start heading up to get ready for the night!”
He watched a bit surprised as the trolls broke apart and listened to him and started heading for the stairs and walkways that curled up the trunk of the Troll Tree. He smiled satisfied watching them move about and well-coordinated. In the distance he could see Poppy in King Gristle’s hands as she spoke to him which admittedly made Branch a bit nervous.
He knew the Bergens were changed now thanks to Poppy but deep inside he was still a paranoid survivalist troll even if he was a happy one now. It would take some time for him to get used to it and he wished he could shrug off past mistrusts as easily as she did. He couldn’t help but stare admiringly at her and her bright spirit and in turn blush as he realized he was staring too long.
Now that he was alone atop the mushroom and staring out, he could process how much he had changed thanks to her restoring his true colors. He was at peace now even if his old nature was starting to make a fuss under his skin. The overwhelming bliss he felt looking at her easily damped it to silence.
King Gristle bent down and Poppy jumped off waving to him and Bridget as she rushed on back. Branch could feel excitement in his feet, urging him to go rush to her and take her in his arms…
Yup, this was going to take some getting used to.