Well I already can hear some of my readers saying, 'what?! This isn't a Ninja Turtles story!' Well, I am a little nervous. This is my first foray into another fandom. On my daughter's 2nd birthday in February my husband bought her the Bluray 'Trolls' that had just come out. It wasn't something that had my interest when it first came out at the cinema but I was rather preoccupied with my growing girl at the time. Anyway since her birthday my daughter has insisted we watch 'Trolls' at least once everyday. And unlike a lot of the DVDs and programmes that she likes this movie doesn't grate on my nerves when played on an almost constant loop. I absolutely adore it, it has become my second guilty pleasure :) I catch something new each time I watch it. All I can say is that I was inspired and what you're about to read is a result of that and my love of the characters.

So please, do enjoy and if Trolls isn't your thing, don't worry my current Ninja Turtle stories will update shortly. Thank you all dear readers :)

Trolls Fan fiction

Rated T (just in case)

Branch/Poppy

'Still Falling For You'

Chapter 1 Sentiment

Branch had never thought that he would ever get so lucky. He had secretly hoped but never actually believed it. Keeping to himself, sealing himself essentially off from the world around him was the only existence he had truly known. His self inflicted isolation which he subconsciously knew was to prevent himself from getting attachments to anyone that he could potentially lose. That was certainly from his younger self. After the escape from the original troll tree he drifted apart from everyone else, kept away, built his bunker until he was overall seen as the crazy loner who would crash parties and celebrations warning everyone of Bergen attacks that never came. He guessed he could get a little overly paranoid at times.

The sudden memory caused a flush of embarrassment to tint his cheeks but it was short lived much to his relief. He leant against the trunk of the Troll Tree and watched the latest seemingly spontaneous song and dance number reach its climax. A slight smile quirked his mouth as he saw Poppy in the middle of it all. Usually Branch would jump at any chance to sing and dance alongside her but sometimes he just liked to back off and admire her performance. Her uncanny ability to get everyone involved was breathtaking and he never tired of seeing it and he doubted he ever would.

Back when he was still grey that cheery optimism and joyful, never die attitude had irritated him to no end but he'd been a different troll back then, extremely guarded of his feelings and determined to shut everyone out. Although he had to admit that despite all that he'd always felt a pull towards the troll princess, held a suppressed admiration for her constant sunny disposition no matter what the situation. It was a startling revelation when he finally realised it but he couldn't get past his insecurities to act upon it. It was no wonder he became so gruff, surly and sarcastic. A sour mixture of his frustrations and fears combined together created a troll that nobody really cared to be around and at the time that was fine by him.

The only soul that had cared though was Poppy. She had never given up on him and her lovingly made, personalised invitations were a testament to that. Sure, he'd stomped on and ripped up a fair few in front of her but the guilt he felt afterwards had always sent him back to retrieve the pieces when nobody else was around, and endeavour to them put back together. He'd spent hours staring at them, constantly thinking about the troll who'd made them, unable to get that fair smiling face out of his mind. That seemed so long ago now…

"Branch! There you are!"

Snapped from his revery, the once grey troll bobbed his head up as he realised that the singing had finally stopped. Barely out of breath from her recent activities, Poppy came bouncing up to him in her usual carefree way.

"I felt for sure you'd join in that time Branch," she beamed at him.

"How could I enjoy the show if I was part of it?" he lightly teased which caused Poppy to giggle.

Without warning she suddenly seized his hands and pulled him forward. "Come with me Branch," she suddenly said. "I have something for you."

Before he had a chance to answer, the young troll queen was pulling him along. He was about to object but the smile she flashed him was infectious as it was beautiful and he couldn't help but follow her enthusiastic lead.

Poppy lead him up into the boughs of the Troll Tree, higher and higher until the cheerful chatter of the trolls below could no longer be heard. She came to a sudden stop which caused Branch to stagger to an ungainly halt to prevent himself from running into her.

"So why did you drag me all the way up here?" he smiled.

Poppy flourished something from her hair and held it out towards him. "To give you this."

Branch tilted his head quizzically. "Another gift Poppy?" his face fell slightly. Over two and a bit months that the trolls had started to re-live in the tree, Poppy had given him at least a dozen gifts, each one lovingly made or thoughtfully sought out and as much as he appreciated each and every present he was at a loss as to why she kept doing it. Seeing her everyday, watching her dance and smile was gift enough for him. He just didn't know, even now how to reciprocate her selfless generosity.

Branch noticed her beaming smile falter for a second as she waited for him to take it from her. Not wanting to disappoint her or to see a frown upon that lovely face, Branch took it up and briefly admired the soft purple and green bows and wrappings. 'Just so Poppy,' he thought with inner smile.

"You don't have to keep doing this Poppy," he uttered, looking back up into her magenta eyes.

Her smile became more gentle and she gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. "But I want to," she said softly.

Branch looked back down to the gift and let out the smallest of sighs.

"I-I guess there is another reason," Poppy suddenly said which made Branch catch her gaze again. "Remember a few weeks back when you helped me organise the trek back to the old troll village? I know everyone gathered the things that they needed or cherished to take back. I noticed you never went back to your old bunker," Branch broke eye contact at the comment, suddenly feeling terribly uncomfortable.

Poppy canted her head and tried to regain his gaze, "I-I think I understand why but I just thought it was sad that there wasn't anything you wanted to retrieve, you know keepsakes and stuff like that?"

Branch's feelings threw up a sudden wall and he tried to hide behind it, something the old him used to do practically all the time. He stared at his feet and nervously ran a hand up his opposite arm. He didn't want to think about that lonely place any more than he had too. He never wanted to be alone ever again and to cross that threshold into that quiet, empty place filled him with an almost tangible cold dread. He didn't want to be reminded of the old troll he used to be.

"Branch?" Poppy had practically tilted her whole body sideways to try and get him to look back at her. It was almost comical but at that moment Branch couldn't bring himself to smile. She finally righted herself and brought out a hand that lightly caught the side of his glittering, bright teal cheek. Unable to refuse her touch Branch finally looked back at her.

"What I was trying to do was to create some new keepsakes for you, something to make new memories with. It was never my intention to make you feel uncomfortable."

A small smile started to creep along his mouth. "Oh Poppy," he uttered, sliding a hand over the pink one that still rested on his cheek. "I don't need new keepsakes to make new memories with. You do that all on your own. It's all I need. All I'll ever need as long as you're there."

The most beautiful smile that Branch had ever seen Poppy pull spread across her features. "Okay then, no more new keepsakes," she slid her hand down and pressed Branch's hand down on top of the last present she'd given him. "But this isn't new. I thought you might like to have it."

Branch frowned at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Open it and see."

A beat passed and Branch unwrapped the gift, feeling it a pity that he had to rip the wrappings and undo the ribbons that had looked so splendid. However as the wrapping fell away and the gift was revealed, the present's decorations were suddenly the furthest thing from his mind. He let out a small gasp and felt the tiniest shiver travel down his spine. "Where, where did you find this?" he uttered, his hands starting to tremble slightly.

"Here in this tree. I asked my dad where you used to live," she folded her hands behind her back and swayed every so slightly from side to side like a child trying to please their parent. "D'you like it?" she asked hopefully.

Branch drew in a shuddering breath as he felt the faintest lump begin to bloom in his throat. His light blue eyes grew glassy as a sheen of tears threatened as he stared at Poppy's gift. A comb. A small wooden comb with a rose carved in the centre. He pressed a fist to his mouth, not trusting himself to speak. He suddenly understood why Poppy had brought him all the way up here to give it to him. Her thoughtfulness shining through once more. It was his Grandma's comb.

A tear escaped before he could stop it and he felt Poppy move closer to him. "Branch? Branch I am so sorry, I-I just thought it would make you happy," her face was wrung with guilt.

Without warning Branch threw his arms about her as more tears sought their freedom. "I am happy Poppy," he sniffed, feeling her warm embrace envelop him. Even after all this time Branch had yet to summon the courage to return to the part of the tree he had once called home as a child. This was the best present Poppy could have ever given him. "Thank you Poppy," he squeezed her tightly. "Thank you so much."

He felt the troll maid press her head lovingly against his own as she whispered, "You're very welcome Branch."

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