Chapter 21
They cleaned up after breakfast, set up the bedding for the second rinse, and headed out of the bunker to the Troll Tree. As they approached they could see may Smurfs and Trolls alike running around but many were gathered and sitting in front of the platform mushrooms where announcements were made.
On top of the mushrooms were the Snack Pack, singing and dancing as if putting on a performance. To the side of the mushrooms, sitting out of the way, were Poppy and Smurfette. In Poppy's lap was a jar filled of little slips of paper.
"Oh, they're playing Improv," Branch realized.
"Improv?" asked Hefty.
"It's a game a lot of Trolls play when we're little," Branch explained, "You gather a group and pick a random song subject from a jar and then you have to sing a song based on the subject with your group as your backup without any planning or rehearsal. It's to practice watching each other for ques in singing and dancing randomly together, which happens a lot around here as you can imagine."
"And playing as adults?" asked Hefty.
"Basically, a chance to show off," said Branch.
Currently on the make-shift stage DJ Suki was the main singer with Satin and Chenille as her main singing back up. Guy Diamond came in a few times with some "ooo"s while the others were mainly dancing.
"If I could be sweet," sang Suki.
"Sorry boy," chorused Satin and Chenille.
"I know I've been a real-bad girl," Suki continued.
"I'll try to change," Satin and Chenille smirked.
"I didn't mean for you to get hurt whatsoever
We can make it better
And tell me boy now wouldn't that be sweet," Suki sent Guy a flirty look.
"Sweet escape, sweet escape," sang Satin and Chenille.
"I want to get away to our sweet escape
I want to get away, yeah," Suki finished, bowing when the crowd applauded.
"See," Branch suggested towards the stage. "As children that wouldn't have gone even half as smoothly."
Hefty hummed, watching the stage, "Did you play when you were little?"
There was a pause, Branch having to think about it, "Maybe when I was real little but I don't really remember." He looked towards the stage again and sighed, "And speaking of showing off we have a perfect example."
Up on the mushroom, Creek walked up to Poppy to pick a paper.
"Is it possible to lose the game?" asked Hefty.
Branch shrugged, "Not really."
Crossing his arms, Hefty sighed. Maybe at least he'd get a chance to see Creek make a fool of himself even though it wouldn't technically be losing.
Onstage, Creek drew a paper, looked at it and handed it to Poppy.
Standing, Poppy read the paper and shouted to the crowd, "The next song will be on One Sided or Unrequited Love!"
A small scoff escaped Branch, "This ought to be good."
As Creek walked back to the main stage to perform, Hefty could have almost sworn Creek looked into the crowd and his gaze lingered on Branch. Branch didn't seem to notice Creek's gaze but Hefty was clenching his fists under his crossed arms and seething silently, remembering what the purple Troll saying about Hefty having competition for Branch.
Once standing in the center, Creek hummed loudly, setting the tone for the song before he began to sing, "Somebody said you got a new friend
Do they love you better than I can?"
The rest of the Snack Pack joined in, creating the background melody of the song with just their voices.
"There's a big black sky over my town
I know where you're at, I bet they're around," Creek sang,
"Yeah, I know it's stupid
I just gotta see it for myself
I'm in the corner, watching you kiss them, ohh
I'm right over here, why can't you see me, ohh
I'm giving it my all, but I'm not the one you're taking home, ooo."
"You're taking home," the Snack Pack chorused.
"I keep dancing on my own," Creek continued.
"I keep dancing on my own," the Snack Pack echoed.
The background melody went silent as Creek sang, "I just wanna dance all night."
Biggie begin beat boxing a melody as the rest of the Snack Pack went back to singing their melody and started to dance around the stage in circles around Creek, adding twirls and spins every few steps in perfect sync.
"I'm just gonna dance all night
I'm all messed up, I'm so out of line," Creek kept his dancing simple, preferring to look out at the audience and, in Hefty's point of view, look at Branch.
"Stilettos and broken bottles," The Snack Pack sang with Creek.
Creek spun around as he sang, "I'm spinning around in circles."
Again, the Snack Pack joined Creek in singing, "I'm in the corner, watching you kiss them, ohh
I'm right over here, why can't you see me, ohh
I'm giving it my all, but I'm not the one you're taking home, ooo
I keep dancing on-"
The Snack Pack stopped singing along and Creek's voice came out loud and clear as he sang, "My own" long and anguished.
"I keep dancing on my own," the Snack Pack sang.
Guy pulled Smidge to the side and held the top of her hair while rubbing his arm over it. The effect was a beautiful sound akin to a cello.
"But you don't see me standing here
I just came to say goodbye," Creek sang.
For the rest for the song the Snack Pack and Creek sang along together, ""I'm in the corner, watching you kiss them, ohh
I'm right over here, why can't you see me, ohh
I'm giving it my all, but I'm not the one you're taking home, ooo
I keep dancing on my own
I keep dancing on my own…"
The crowd cheered and Hefty frowned when Branch clapped as well, even though the clap wasn't all that enthused.
Ahead of them Creek went back up to Poppy and seemed to be speaking with her.
"What is he up to know?" asked Branch.
"We probably don't want to know," said Hefty. "Let's go visit Miss Frizz or something."
Turning, Branch looked to look at Hefty with narrowed eyes, "Are you going to try to steal that picture of me again?"
Despite himself, Hefty smiled, "Can you blame me? Little grouchy you was really cute."
"I wouldn't put it passed Miss Frizz to spank you if she caught you again," warned Branch, "I don't think she'll care that you're twice her age either."
Before Hefty could counter his vision of Branch was blocked by the jar of papers held by purple hands.
"Care for a go, Branch?" asked Creek, smiling innocently.
As Hefty silently steamed, Branch looked at the crowd now staring at him, "Er, no."
"Come on," Creek insisted, shaking the jar a bit to tempt him, "Give those song pipes a dusting. Just one night of singing after twenty years can't have been enough to satisfy your innate desire to sing."
"My pipes are fine, thank you," Branch pushed the jar into Creek's chest.
Creek shrugged, "Alright, I tried." He offered the jar to Hefty, "How about you then?"
"Creek, Hefty has never played this before and doesn't know all our songs," Branch pulled the jar away from Hefty's vicinity.
"Oh, come on now," Creek almost pouted. "Don't tell me the Smurf is afraid to sing again? One night surely isn't enough to satisfy the need to sing with your mate."
"I don't need an audience to sing with my mate," Branch frowned, paused, then blushed. "P-Potential. Potential mate."
Hefty was about to open his mouth when suddenly he found the jar shoved into his chest and he had to grab it to keep it from falling to the ground and breaking.
"Forget Improv then," said Creek, not paying Hefty any attention. "How about a friendly challenge then? You and me?"
"Forget it Creek," Branch took the jar from Hefty and handed to the nearest Troll in the audience. "We just came to check on things."
"Yes, so glad you could leave your little love bunker to check on us common folk," said Creek, "I suppose we should all be happy you're not screaming about Bergen."
Hefty's hands clenched into fists and moved towards Creek but stopped when Branch put a hand on his arm. He didn't like Creek ad he liked that fact he made Branch look embarrassed and angry at the same, though part of him was relieved that Branch's colors hadn't paled from the bright blue Branch had managed to retain since last night.
"Let's go," Branch said to Hefty, turning to leave the crowd and the staring.
"You're afraid," Creek looked at his nails. "Understandable considering you've only sang with a Smurf who, as you said, doesn't know all our songs."
Branch turned and glared.
Creek smirked, then sang, "Hey pretty baby with your colors on
You give me fever
Like I've never, ever known
You're just a product of loveliness
I like the groove of your walk,
Your talk, your dress
I feel your fever
From miles around
I'll pick you up
And we'll paint the town
Just kiss me baby
And tell me twice
That you're the one for me."
Hefty was ready to strangle the purple guru wanna-be. Branch was his mate, potentially or not. And this jerk thought he could just serenade Branch right in front of him?
Just when Hefty was about to find out if Creek had rainbow blood too, Branch stepped forward and began to sing, "Nah to the ah to the no, no, no
My name is no, my sign is no, my answer is no
You need to let it go, you need to let it go
Need to let it go
Nah to the ah to the, no, no, no
My name is no, my sign is no, my answer is no
You need to let it go, you need to let it go
Need to let it go
Nah to the ah to the no, no, no."
Wait, was this the challenge thing Creek was talking about? Just going back and forth in song like Hefty and Branch had? Even if it was, Hefty didn't appreciate Creek using a love song and looking at Branch that way while he sang.
"Hey baby boy, I've been watching you all day (all day, all day, all day)
Man that thing you got behind you is amazing (amazing, amazing, amazing)," Creek sang, having the nerve to catch Hefty's eye and actually wink.
Hefty's blood boiled. There was no way he imagined that.
"You make me want to take you out
And let it rain (let it rain, let it rain, let it rain)
I know you got a man but this is what you should say
Why don't you tell him that I'm leavin' never looking back again
You found somebody who does it better than he can
No more making you cry, no more them gray skies
Boy we flying on the tree tops (tree tops)
And I'm leavin' never looking back again?
So call you shawty and tell him you found a new man
The one who's so, so fly
The one that keep you high
Have me singing all night, night, night
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, man he got me singing
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh," Creek dance while he sang, still simple moves in order to keep his eyes on Branch but still smoother and more coordinated than anything Hefty could manage.
Part of Hefty knew that Branch thought Creek was a jerk. According to Miss Frizz Creek had picked on Branch when they were young but they also had some good history that spanned over years while Hefty had barely known Branch a month. Hefty knew that Branch loved him but Hefty was not a Troll and could not sing and dance like Creek. Hefty lived far away and would far outlive Branch given current circumstances. He tried to swallow it all back as he looked to see how Branch would reply.
Unaware of Hefty's concerns, Branch rolled his eyes at Creek and sang, "Oh, oh
A scrub is a guy that thinks he's fly
And is also known as a busta (busta)
Always talkin' about what he wants
And just sits on his pseudo-guru ass
So, no, I don't want your number
No, I don't want to give you mine and
No, I don't want to meet you nowhere
No, I don't want none of your time and
No, I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me."
When Creek chewed his lower lip and didn't respond, Branch smirked. He turned and took Hefty's hand to leave with him.
"Turnaround," Creek sang and Branch froze. "every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you're never coming 'round."
Branch's grip on Hefty's hand tightened, making Hefty turn away from glaring at Creek to look at Branch. All of his anger at Creek put aside when he saw the look on Branch's face. He could only describe it as haunted as the bright blue rapidly started to drain into gray.
"Turnaround, every now and then I-" Creek stopped singing when he saw Branch's hair starting to shrink into black. He stepped towards him, "Branch?"
"Just back the Smurf off," Hefty shouted, no longer able to contain it. He let go of Branch's hand to push Creek back.
Hefty probably would have punched Creek and not stopped if Branch hadn't chosen that moment to run and run fast.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean," Creek started but stopped the moment Hefty zeroed in on him with the coldest yet most intense glare he had ever received.
"Just back off," Hefty seethed, emphasizing each word like its own sentence before turning and running after Branch.
There was no describing the relief Hefty felt when he got to the bunker and the door had been left open. He jumped in without looking and almost landed on Branch who must have gotten to the bunker and just plopped down against the nearest wall, partially sitting on the still unread letters.
Branch was curled up tightly against the wall, ears drooping and couldn't quite look at Hefty, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I shouldn't have-"
"Hey," Hefty called gently, fitting himself against the wall next to Branch and putting an arm around him. "You have nothing to apologize for. But what happened back there? Can you talk about it?"
Silence stretched on for a long time, Branch stiff in Hefty's hold. A shuddering breath escaped him and he slumped against Hefty, "That, that was the song I was singing when…"
Branch's voice cracked and he didn't continue, but he didn't need to. Hefty knew enough to understand what Branch was speaking of. The event that had defined Branch for most of his life; the moment he lost his Grandmother and shouldered the blame for her demise.
Hefty pulled Branch closer and rubbed over his back. He attempted to lighten the mood, "Want me to beat up Creek? I'd be more than happy to break his nose for you."
Silently Branch shook his head. Slowly he released his knees to half hold onto Hefty, speaking softly, "Just, just don't think less of me."
"Why would I-" Hefty began, but paused when he felt something wet fall onto his chest. It only took a second for him to realize that Branch was crying. Not crying in his sleep when he had no choice but crying while awake and in front of Hefty.
Quickly, Hefty turned a little so he could put both arms around Branch and just hold him close. He began to whisper assurances, over and over again, not knowing if Branch heard a single word of them.
When the tears stopped, Branch remained silent. Hefty thought maybe Branch had fallen asleep until Branch reached across him to pick up one of the letters they were sitting on. He absently looked the envelope over before holding it up to Hefty, "Read to me?"
Hefty took the letter but hesitated, it was one from Poppy, "Um, this might not be the greatest time…"
"Please?" asked Branch and Hefty was powerless.
Opening the letter Hefty began to read, "Dear Branch, I told Hefty there was no way in the world that you were going to read any of these letters. If you did you would know we plan on tricking you out of your bunker and Hefty is going to woo the pants off of you through song and dance. I will bake you double chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting later. Love Poppy."
Again, Branch didn't say anything. Hefty was thinking maybe he should warn Poppy that Branch might try and kill her when he felt Branch move, his shoulders shaking slightly.
Unable to contain it, Branch busted out laughing. It wasn't a small laugh either. The laugh was loud and unrestrained, and being against Hefty's chest did nothing to muffle it.
It didn't seem appropriate and Hefty really tried to hold it in, but he couldn't contain his laughter either. He was just so relieved Branch wasn't crying or plotting homicide that it was like a shot of awkward adrenaline running through him. Plus, Branch's laugh was music to his ears and he couldn't help celebrating the sound of it a bit?
"W-Why are you laughing?" Branch asked though his laughter, still unable to stop.
"B-because you're laughing," Hefty laughed, in a similar situation.
"Argh, stop, you're making it worse," Branch only laughed harder.
"I can't," laughed Hefty, close to falling over.
By the time the laughter calmed down, Branch had slid down and his head was in Hefty's lap and Hefty, whom only managed to stay upright due to Branch's weight on him, stroked over his hair between random chuckles. Above them the bunker door was still open, letting in the sunlight and warming the room, the atmosphere around them quite comfortable despite the earlier stress.
"Are you sure an old guy like you wants to sign up for all of this baggage?" Branch asked, though he didn't move from Hefty's lap.
Hefty chuckled, "Don't make me laugh again, my sides still hurt." He continued stroking Branch's hair, "And I want all of you, the good and the bad." He paused and smiled, "Would you like me to repeat everything I said last night?"
Blush spread across Branch's face, Hefty able to see it due to it going up to his ears, "I think I can remember it."
"Good," Hefty went back to stroking Branch's hair, "Though I don't mind repeating it whenever you want. I may find more things to add later."
"You're impossible," said Branch, but he didn't sound displeased.
"That's me; Hefty Impossible Smurf," said Hefty.
"I thought it was Optimist," said Branch.
"That's me; Hefty Impossible Optimist Smurf," agreed Hefty.
"You're name just keeps getting longer," teased Branch. "And you forgot Doofus again."
A chuckle escaped Hefty and he groaned, "What did I say about making me laugh?"
Ignoring the question, Branch concentrated on the feel of Hefty's hand in his hair and wondered what he did to get so lucky. It almost had to be something from some previous life because he could think of nothing in this one that would have earned him even a chance with someone as kind and noble as Hefty.
Parts of Branch's brain buzzed with things he should be doing. He should be going down to the bunker to hang the bedding to dry. Then he should go back to the Troll Tree and pinch or hug Poppy, maybe both.
Instead Branch closed his eyes and basked in the love he felt for Hefty Smurf.