Branch's Birthday

(Summary: Branch may have had his true colors returned, but why is he suddenly starting to act grumpier then ever? It's eerily similar to the way he was acting when he was grey… right down to isolating himself from everyone once again including Poppy. Poppy knows his birthday is coming up so maybe she could do something for him on his special day that would stop him from becoming grey once again.)

(AN: Hey all! Thank you for your reviews! I'm glad you are enjoying the story! There's only one more chapter to go as well as an Epilogue! Hope you all continue to enjoy!)


Chapter Four

-Poppy-

Two days had passed since Poppy had last seen Branch, but not because she hadn't wanted to. King Gristle just happened to need Branch's assistance with securing some of the boarders around Bergen Town. This task was keeping him extremely busy and Poppy had her Queen duties as well as planning Branch's birthday surprise, so their schedules just couldn't quite seem to match up. Today though Poppy was supposed to meet with the queen-to-be of Bergen Town, Bridget, to discuss clean up throughout the town now that the snow had completely melted away. She secured an audience as well with King Gristle to join in on discussing the boarder issues, with these plans she was hoping she'd be able to spend a few moments with her boyfriend today even if it was duty related.

As the Troll Queen arrived at Bergen Town castle, Bridget was immediately there to greet her.

"Bridget! It's so good to see you!" Poppy exclaimed. Her bergen friend smiled brightly as she lifted the pink troll up in the palm of her hand.

"You as well Poppy!" The female pair then made their way through the bergen castle corridors, and found themselves chatting about Bridget's upcoming wedding.

"So there was a huge mix up and all of the invitations we received are wrong…" Bridget sighed.

"Gristle has spoken with the bergen's responsible for the mess but we're afraid we won't be able to get them out in time now…

"Leave it to me Bridget!" Poppy exclaimed as they arrived in the dining hall for the tea that was soon to be served.

"Eh? Poppy what…"

"I am a master at making thousands of invitations in a short period of time! Just send me your guest list!" She offered, but Bridget looked at her with worry.

"But Poppy, with both bergen's and trolls being invited… there is just so many…" Bridge was obviously concerned, and did not want to inconvenience or overwork her friend.

"Bridget, have you forgotten the spring festival invitations I just handed out to the bergen's and the trolls?" Poppy mentioned, causing the female bergen to pause for a moment.

"You're right… and it was such a cute invitation… Okay Poppy! I'll leave it to you!" Bridget exclaimed with a big smile.

"Will King Gristle be okay with it?"

"Once I explain everything to him it'll be fine." Bridget assured her friend.

"Anyway enough about me! How are you and Branch doing?" Bridget asked curiously as the two girlfriends relaxed and sipped on the delicious tea. Poppy found herself smiling fondly, yet sadly at the mention on her boyfriends' name. Sadness pricked at her heart, their previous encounter hadn't left her with happy memories but she remained positive that seeing him today would go well, and even if it didn't she had high hopes for her surprise she had planned for him.

"We haven't seen each other in a couple of days, but I am hoping I will be able to see him today." Poppy mentioned, Bridget smiled warmly as she watched her friend in love.

"His birthday is coming up in a few days and I'm so excited! Oh! Actually Bridget, maybe you can help me out a little bit! We may need to get King Gristle in on it too." Poppy started, confusing her bergen friend slightly.

"Eh?" Poppy then went on to chat about her upcoming plans for Branch's birthday and quickly lost all track of time.


-Branch-

Branch had been surprised to see his girlfriend when he entered the throne room in Bergen Town castle; he had not been expecting to see her at all until he had completed his task here. She immediately smiled brightly at him the moment she spotted him, resulting in lifting his spirits a little bit and making his heart race. He had been in love with her for so many years, and she still had this effect on him.

His meeting with King Gristle had finally finished after their rounds for the day and honestly… today he could barely remember a single thing they had talked about. As the days continued to pass since he kicked Poppy out of his home and he had continued not to see her, he was growing more and more anxious. Plus, he would never admit it, but was really missing her presence.

"Branch!" He heard his favorite troll exclaim, pulling him out of his thoughts. He didn't even have a chance to greet her before he was knocked over by the force of one of her fierce hugs. Unlike his demeanor a couple days ago, her actions didn't upset him this time. In fact, he quickly found himself laughing as he returned the welcomed hug just as fiercely. Gosh, how he had missed her.

"Oooh! I've missed you!" She voiced his own thoughts as she gave him one last tight squeeze before pulling back to look him in the eyes.

"And I missed you." He confessed, giving her a heart-warming smile. His reactions were so warm and welcoming, Poppy almost forgot how he had acted several days ago and barely noticed the strands of black that could still be found mixed within his royal blue hair.

They remained quiet for a while, just enjoying each other's warmth and gazing into one another's eyes. Gristle and Bridget had quietly retreated from the throne room to allow the troll pair some privacy. After a short while, Branch frowned slightly and broke their gaze as unwelcome memories returned to him.

"Poppy… about the night you came to give me the Spring Festival invitation… I'm…" He sighed, then willed the courage to look her in the eyes again.

"I'm sorry for how I acted that night." He apologized earnestly.

"Branch…"

"I'm just… struggling a bit right now." Poppy accepted his apology with a sad smile.

"I worry and care about you Branch, a lot. If you need me, I'm always here." He smiled back at her.

"Thanks Poppy." The pink troll for now, was satisfied. Branch may still be struggling but she thought of this moment as a step forward. Branch's happiness was returning again and she believed he wouldn't turn grey; those black strands in his hair would surely vanish once she is able to show him what she's been doing for him behind the scenes. Well, that's what she hoped for anyways...


-Poppy-
Three Days Later

Several days passed again with Poppy seeing very little of Branch. It was now the day of the day of the Spring Festival and the day she planned to put her boyfriend's birthday surprise into action. Branch's actual birthday was tomorrow, but she had different plans for them on his day so long as Branch was okay with it.

All preparations were finally complete but not due to her own abilities. None of this could've been accomplished without the help of her good friends and she couldn't be more grateful to them.

Poppy could hardly contain her excitement and slight anxiety over Branch's surprise; she could not wait to see his reaction. She only hoped he wouldn't be mad at her for learning more about him and Grandma Rosiepuff without asking him directly. But, before she could even see Branch today, she had duties to tend to as Troll Queen for todays spring festival activities.

"And with that, I'll finish by saying goodbye winter! Welcome back spring!" Poppy announced as trolls and bergens cheered. Her speech kicked off the celebrations as DJ Suki turned up the music for everyone to begin their dancing and socializing. The Troll Queen walked off of the stage to greet King Gristle and Bridget who had been supporting her offstage and were clapping for her. Her heart sank slightly when she realized a familiar royal blue tuft of hair was missing.

"Very good Queen Poppy! You've always had a knack for speaking for both of our kingdoms." The Bergen King complimented her.

"But… where's Branch? Isn't he usually the first one to greet you after your speech's?" Gristle questioned curiously. Poppy's face fell a little with the mention of her boyfriend she had hoped would be here. Sure, he may have declined her invitation to the Spring Festival, and she didn't expect him to attend still but… after she had spent time with him in Bergen Town Castle a few days ago, she had been so sure that his spirits had been lifted a bit and hoped he would have at least been here to support her during her speech. Apparently she had been wrong…

"Gristle…" Bridget elbowed her fiancé.

"I-It's alright Bridget, there was a slight doubt that he might not be here tonight." Poppy reassured her, but King Gristle only looked more confused.

"He didn't want to attend this celebration due to some personal issues King Gristle. I'm actually on my way to see him now to make sure he's doing okay." She hid her worry behind a smile, not wanting to raise any further concern. King Gristle 'ahhh'd' in understanding before bowing to the pink troll as she made her exit. Poppy curtsied gracefully and waved at the bergen pair with a smile.

"Good luck Poppy!" Bridget called as she disappeared into the crowd.


Poppy finally made it to Branch's front door. She had been stopped several times by other trolls and even some bergen's to congratulate her on her speech as well as thank her for putting together tonight's festivities. What she initially planned to be a quick trip down the Troll Tree, turned into a several hour adventure just to get back to her pod to grab Branch's gift before heading down to his home.

As the Troll Queen approached the familiar entrance, her heart began to beat furiously with anticipation. Not only was she worried about him, but also she was excited to see him again after several days. She only hoped that he wouldn't push her away again. Poppy took a deep breath to calm her nerves before she knocked on Branch's door.

"Who is it?!" Came Branch's bark from the other side. Poppy froze and found herself unable to respond right away. That voice almost sounded like he was… he's not grey again is he?! Poppy began to panic, her heart on the verge of breaking and her previous giddiness vanished. How could she not have seen this coming?! How could she not have been here for him to stop this from happening?!

"Branch?! It's Poppy! Are you alright?!" She called frantically. It was silent again on the other side of the door, she tried to calm herself and tell herself that he was just making his way over to his entryway to open the door for her but…

"What do you want Poppy…" He spoke again; he seemed to be just on the other side of the door now but wasn't opening it to welcome her inside. He was no longer barking at her as he had just a moment ago, but his voice was still harsh and guarded.

"I just…"

"I thought I told you I didn't want to come to tonight's festivities!" It didn't take long before he was snapping at her again, pushing her away. Poppy's thoughts raced a mile a minute; she couldn't hold herself back anymore, she needed confirmation on whether or not her boyfriend had lost his colors again, she needed to help him. She reached forward to grab the doorknob and make her way inside while trying to reassure him and calm him down.

"No… Branch that's not why I'm here… Is something wrong? Why won't you open…" Poppy had managed to open his door slightly while she was speaking but had quickly been stopped only managing to open it with a slight crack. Poppy looked up through the crack hoping to see her boyfriend's face poking out behind the door, but was only met with… black hair…

Poppy gasped and her eyes widened, before she could react any further she felt herself being forcefully pushed backwards as the door slammed shut in her face. The force caused the queen to loose her balance and fall painfully on her behind as she clutched Branch's gift in her arms, afraid it might end up damaged.

"Branch!" She cried, not even concerned about her fall, all her mind could think about, worry about, was Branch.

"How many times do I have to tell you… leave me alone Poppy!" Branch shouted and Poppy's heart broke. He had not once said anything like that to her since he regained his colors again. She had failed him… she wasn't there for him… and now…

For a while, nothing was said between the two of them, Poppy remained on the ground where she fell, beating herself up over how she hadn't been there for him when he needed her, and Branch made no movement as he stood on the other side of the door hiding himself from her. Poppy was at a loss on how to handle the situation, Branch had never been that rough with her before, she assumed that he also felt awful and ashamed for allowing himself to turn grey again and really did not want her to see what had happened. But his roughness isn't what made her upset; she was upset because he was pushing her away again, could help him if he would just… extend his had out to her… but he didn't, and to be fair she hadn't checked on him either. A lone tear finally fell from the corner of her eye before she gathered herself and stood up again. There was only one chance she had left to help him, she had failed to be there for him when he needed her the last couple of days, but she wasn't about to back down and give up on him now. Hopefully her gifts could help bring him back. She confidently walked up to his door once again and spoke to him softly.

"No matter how many times you push me away Branch… I will always come back… I'm not giving up on you… I will never give up on you." She confessed, she waited for some sort of response, any sort of sign from him telling her that he needed her but was only met with silence. She sighed sadly as she placed the gift on the ground right against his front door.

"I didn't come here tonight Branch, to ask you to come to the party…" She continued to speak to him even though he would not answer… At least he wasn't shouting at her to leave him alone anymore.

"I actually wasn't planning on attending the festival tonight either a…after my speech…" She choked up a bit as she mentioned her speech. It still hurt her that he had not been there to support her, but she tried to hide that hurt and held back the tears that had threatened to fall.

"I… have a gift for you… in… in honor of your birthday tomorrow…" she continued, finally she heard a clutter on the other side of the door. It had sounded like Branch had suddenly bumped into something nearby. She couldn't help but feel her spirits be lifted a little bit, at least now she could confirm that he was at least listening to her.

"I'll leave it here for you for whenever you are ready to open your door. I'll return to my pod for the night…" She continued more confidently.

"Goodnight Branch, I love you." Without waiting for a response she had assumed would never come, and without saying another word, Poppy spun on her heels and walked away from Branch's home. She no longer felt the urge to cry, although she was a little anxious about her gift. She prayed that it would help him return his happiness once again, and she would return in the morning to check on him. Hey, if she could bring his colors back once, she could do it again… right?


(AN: That's it! I know I left it with a cliff hanger, but I promise Chapter 5 will make it worth it! Have am amazing weekend everyone!)