Trolls: Branch's Confession
Branch had just woken up from his knock out.
"Ugh," he groaned sitting up slowly, taking in his surroundings. He was in a cot, made of white cloth, and saw that the walls around him were all... "The walls are made of mud."
"Actually," a familiar voice broke in. "Straw, dirt, sand, clay, to make them mud bricks." Branch met a pair of blue eyes, similar to his, and although his eyes were wide with curiosity his posture read, 'You better have a good explanation for being here. Although the man stood big, with his huge arms crossing his chest, and a stern look to him; Branch did not back down. He attempted to get up, but it was too fast. "Easy there Grumpy," the man's voice hinted with concern. "You're in no condtion to be running around."
Ignoring him, Branch said in a demanding voice, "Tell me the coordinates of this location."
"Easy there, kid," Rudy, Branch was able to recall his name, eyes were twinkling. "No need to get hostile. I'm just a concerned new friend."
"You're right you complete stranger," Branch said with fake enthusiasm. "Of course a person I've never met before could just suddenly be my new friend!"
"Alright kid, I could do without the sarcasm. I have enough of that at home," Rudy smiled. "But I suppose your right."
"I know I am," Branch stated as if it were a fact. "I'm never wrong."
"Of course not."
It was strange to Branch. Never had he had such a long conversation with someone, except Poppy, and felt like he was liked. Well, at least enough not to be insulted by his attitude. Like the people in my town... Wait, Poppy!
He wanted to ask, but there might have been the slight chance that she escaped.
"Look here kid," Rudy looked into his eyes. "I know you want to just get out of here, run wild with your pretty little girlfriend-" Poppy? Branch gave a look of confusion. "-But don't push yourself. Even the strong need to rest sometimes."
Branch heard him but his mind still went back to the girlfriend comment. "Did you capture her too."
"Well I couldn't just leave the Sleeping Beauty out there all alone now," Rudy said with concern. "What kind of person do you think I am?"
"A complete stranger," Branch's voice spoke with hostility. "Where is she?"
"Easy kid, she's in our guest hut. Apparently Mandy recognized her from Trolls."
Mandy... The redhead, it started to click when Branch looked back on yesterday's events. The girl had a family shop back in town. They were nice enough by not talking bad about him whenever he went into their shop.
"Yeah, I'm suppose to be there when she wakes up from her nap," the man turned to leave, but not before saying. "Pleasure to me you, new friend." Branch didn't let his guard down, but did acknowledge him with a nod. "Oh and our village's Dr. Plum will see you. Warning, she 's young and still undergoing her teen years so she might try to have fun with you."
"What village?" Branch said.
"The village of Toys," a girl said walking in. Branch noticed the stethoscope around her neck and band aides in her green hair. "Oh my, aren't you a cutie." She gave a little wink towards the black haired teen.
Branch gave Rudy a serious look. Really?
The blonde man laughed, "I'll be back. Plum try not to tease him so much."
"No promises," was her response as she walked towards Branch. "Good morning handsome, mind taking off your shirt for me."
Branch glared at her.
"Relax pretty boy," she put her hand to his forehead. "Just want to see if you caught any allergic reaction. The tall grasses you hide in is allergetic to some people."
"Well I'd know if I was allergic to something," Branch said defiantly. "Look just take me to Poppy and we'll be on our way."
"Oh are you concerned about your Sleeping Beauty," Dr. Plum teasingly said.
"Wait is Poppy the Sleeping Beauty?" Branch asked on confusion. "Why?"
"Let me tell you, so when Rudy and Mandy had gone to look for Wim, the village's proclaimed Lost Boy, which from the looks of it," she pointed at the slight bump on his head. "Is the one who turned out your lights," she added with a giggle. "And when Rudy found you lying unconscious he noticed Wim, helplessly in love with your Poppy, as he sat watching her sleep."
Branch was able to relate. "I used to watch her from a tree when I was younger," the minute he said that he regretted it because Dr. Plum got a glint in her eye.
"Let me guess, you fell in love with her. So deep into it you started writing songs in your diary because you're a helpless romantic."
He went red. It was true, but instead of songs he wrote poetry.
She giggled. "Now Branch, you don't have to be so modest," she said playfully. "Now just take off your shirt."
"No," he continued to glare.
"Oh come now, don't be shy."
"I'm not being shy-"
"Your blush says otherwise," he frowned and the color in his cheeks went down. "Is because of what I said earlier..."
"Look I just want to get Poppy and leave."
"Well your Sleeping Beauty still might be aslee- Oh, good morning your majesty."
Branch's eyes followed whoever Dr. Plum directed her attention too.
"Hello," Poppy said with an unreadable face.
"Poppy," Branch quickly got off the cot to go towards her, but dizziness over took him when his feet touched the cold ground.
"Branch!" Poppy rushed over to help him but Dr. Plum was already there.
"Careful, Handsome," the doctor said helping him sit down. "Don't want to hurt the pretty face of yours."
Branch couldn't really hear her, his head kept spinning. Why does my head hurt so much.
"Stop talking," he told her holding his head. Then his body started to shake and sweat dripped from his forehead. "Why is this room so... So hot!"
Poppy ran to his side, "Hang in there Branch." She gave his hand a squeeze as Branch's skin tone seem to be growing paler.
"Okay listen Poppy," Dr. Plum took out her medical kit. "I need you to take Branch's shirt off."
Poppy went red. "H-his shirt off?"
"Yes and try not to make skin contact, hands are okay. here," she handed the nervous pinkette some gloves then a pair of scissors. "Here, start cutting, I'll be right back."
"Wait Doctor-"
The doctor was gone. Poppy was left alone with a pair of scissors. She looked down at the panting teen, "It-It hurts."
Sweat started to form and he clenched his teeth. "Fudge'n... Walffles!"
"Shh, it's okay Branch," Poppy tried to sooth him. "I'm here..." she looked down at his shirt. I can do this, I can do this... she fought down her blush as carefully grabbed his shirt and started to cut. She felt his hand grab her side and squeeze, it sent goosebumps on her skin.
"D-don't worry Branch. I'm... I'm done!" The sight of Branch's well toned body almost distracted her from the giant red spots planted in his skin. Her eyes widen at the sight and his body kept shaking uncontrollably.
What do I do? Poppy thought helplessly watching Branch grow pale. His hand squeezed her side again and he whispered, "Poppy-I, I have to confess something to you..."
"You don't have to push yourself," Poppy said with sad eyes as she rested her hand on top of his.
"I need to tel..." He shut his eyes and tried to slow his breathing. "Tell you... Something. Just, just in case."
"Okay," Poppy said gripping his hand, "But there is no just on case, alright!"
"Poppy-"
"You are going to get better! Then we'll both be able to save the whole town!"
"Wow," he managed out weakly. "How do you manage to see the bright side of things?"
"Because, you don't," Branch strained his eyes open to catch a glimpse of her.
"Poppy I've always thought of you..." he took a deep breath. "As my friend." Tears fell from her eyes. "Don't cry happy girl," her heart fluttered at her pet name.
"B-but I thought... You know, since that day," she squeezed his hand. "That you never wanted to be my friend, since I hurt you."
"No. I've always admired you from afar," his eyelids started to close as his body's shaking slowed. "I wanted to tell you that you were always my-"
He stopped.
As did the shaking.
Poppy stood there, horrified when he let out a painful cry. What can I do... The pinkette thought standing there, squeezing his hand.
"Move!" Poppy immediately backed away upon hearing Dr. Plum's command. The doctor sat Branch up and poured a liquid into his mouth. He coughed. His color started to return to his cheeks. His breathing went from ridged to his regular inhales.
"Sorry I'm late," Dr. Plum whipped out some ointment and applied it to his spots. "I takes awhile to prepare the medicine."
Poppy just stared at the doctor.
"Seriously!" Poppy yelled. "You're not suppose to leave a patient alone with someone with no, no medical experience!"
"I gave you clear instructions before I left."
"Yeah, but you can't expect me to know what to do when someone's in pain! Or suffering! Or... or just-"
"Poppy," Dr. Plum said trying to calm the pinkette down. "When there's only one doctor in the village, yes. I need to have faith that others will listen to me and do as I instruct when incidents happen." The doctor disposed of her gloves and sighed, "Look, I'm the only one here that knows about the medical field and I do need help, so all I ask from people is to trust in me. To believe in me to do my job and listen to me." Dr. Plum suddenly looked older than the flirtatious girl from earlier. "Do you understand."
Poppy slowly nodded.
"Good, now listen here," she looked at Poppy. "The best thing you do right now, is-"
"Be here, with him," Dr. Plum raised an eyebrow. "Well, when he wakes up."
"Actually I was going to say keep his chest open, the air would be good for his breathing."
"Okay Dr. Plum."
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me."
"Wait," Poppy asked stopping the doctor. "When your not busy, um can you tell me more about his allergic reaction. And how to make the medicine... in case I need to help him."
"Sure," Dr. Plum gave Poppy a genuine smile. "Sleeping Beauty." Why do they keep calling me that? Poppy thought as she looked back at Branch's body. He's not scrawny, she thought absentmindedly watching the red spots disappear. Thank goodness, Poppy thought squeezing his hand.
"Well, I know when I'm not needed," Dr. Plum said walking out a bit embarrassed at the sight of young love before her. Although, for fun, she said, "Hey, Sleeping Beauty."
Poppy's eyes left Branch's chest as the doctor giggled out, "Try not to eye rape your Beast so much."
Poppy went red and was about to object but the doctor was already out of ear range.
Thxs to everyone who follows my story, I truly appreciate it! I'll be busy this break catching up with all my stories, this one especially! Bridget is coming up along with new characters of the village, stay Tuned.
