That's Why I Love You Chapter 25

I do not own Trolls or any of its characters or the title (I also do not own the song "To Be With You")

*This is a genderbent fanfic of Trolls

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! This is a little gift to celebrate the holiday! Also I want to give a shout out to a fellow fanfiction write Pen-chan (Pen-Woman)! She's the one who told me about the song you're about to read in this chapter! XD

Also this chapter is going to be in a somewhat different format than what I've been doing so far. This time you're going to see it from both Poppy's and Branch's perspectives.

And now, without further ado… the chapter!

A week. That's how long it had been since Poppy had been out on his own with the messenger bugs. He decided that this was a good time to write to his mother about his recent journey. And so, there the Prince of Trolls was, he was sitting on a stump with a scrap of paper and pencil in his hands. Pinky and Bluey were sitting right beside him as he wrote.

Dear Mom,

First, I want to say that I'm sorry that I haven't written to you sooner, it's been a crazy week for me. Second, if there's one thing I've been missing the most its hug time. Besides the messenger bugs there's no one else for me to hug.

How have you been? I can say that it hasn't been an easy journey for me. It seems like no matter where I turn there's always something either trying to eat me or trip me. Don't worry though, I've set up a camp for myself for the time being, at least until Pinky comes back with your letter. Once I receive word from you I will head out once again.

I'm not going to deny it Mom, it hasn't been easy. At first I was relying on finding clues from Branch. But now, I've lost track of her. It feels like I'm going around in circles at this point. I'm not giving up though, I may not be a survivalist like Branch but I can try. I'm managed to come this far and I'm not turning back.

Anyways, I just want you to know that I'm fine and I'm safe. And I miss you. You, the Snack Pack, the Trolls and the village… I miss you all and not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I love you and everyone else.

With love,

Your Son and Prince Poppy

Poppy folded the letter and placed it in an envelope before handing it to the pink messenger bug.

"Here Pinky, I'm trusting you with this," Poppy stated. "Go as quickly as you can and come back as quickly as you can. Bluey and me will be here waiting for you. Remember the place and go."

Pinky nodded as he took the letter, he then started his journey back to Troll Village. One good thing about messenger bugs was that once they had a location in mind, they never forgot it. This was no exception. Poppy let out a sad sigh as he watched the messenger bug fly back to the place he called home. He actually wished that it was him going back instead of Pinky. He missed that place, he missed Troll Village. It was a home he thought he would never have to leave, but he was wrong and it hurt like crazy to know that. He slowly turned to the remaining messenger bug, Bluey.

During the time they had been staying with him, he had come to learn more about them. And one thing had learned about the small bugs was that they had genders; Pinky was a boy while Bluey was a girl. And sometimes he could have sworn that there was more between them than he thought. Sometimes he would catch them flying around together and squeaking some lovely melodies. But he never had the chance to ask them about it.

"Do you think that they're mad at me?" Poppy asked her.

Bluey looked at the pink Troll with a puzzled look. There was an expression filled with sadness on Poppy's face, his eyes were wishing for the place he called home. Even though he wasn't going to give up on searching for Branch, that didn't make it any easier. He missed his home, he missed his mother, he missed his friends, he missed Creek and he missed the Trolls. He missed everything back at Troll Village; even hug time wasn't the same. Whenever his bracelet would light up he would resort to either hugging himself or the messenger bugs.

As much as he tried to stay strong and be brave, at the same time he wasn't invincible. He had feelings and sometimes he had to let those feelings out. At times like this he envied Branch a little. The gray Troll was an expert at not expressing her emotions. She always knew how to not let people or situations get to her. He wished he had that ability right now because this was getting so difficult. And he wondered if it was because of these traits that made it easier for her to leave.

Not to mention, he had been questioning himself a lot lately. He had been wondering if he was doing the right thing or if his home was turning on him now that he wasn't there. There were so many doubts running through his mind. He felt like he was losing sleep because of it, he couldn't keep his thoughts together. His mind was running nonstop and he couldn't do a thing to stop it. At times like this Pinky and Bluey were good company to have, the little bugs eased his worries and they seemed to be applauding for him. This was one of those times.

Bluey squeaked as she nuzzled herself against Poppy, the pink Troll couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Thanks," he said. "I just feel like I'm disappointing them."

Bluey motioned for him to sit down on a rock beside a large tree. He slowly sat down and pondered what had been bothering him lately. She could see that he needed someone to talk to, and since Pinky wasn't here she would do it instead.

"I mean, I just left them. I didn't even properly say goodbye to them either, it was just a sudden decision. But something was telling me that this was the right thing to do," Poppy explained. "I couldn't let the village suffer because of my decision but in the end it feels like I'm doing that anyway."

Bluey listened and she nodded her head.

"Branch is out there and she's alone," Poppy added. "I can't stand for that. I know that Branch has spent her whole life alone, but she can't be alone out here. It's different. No one wants to be alone, not even Branch. I will always stick by that opinion."

He turned to Bluey and gave her a serious look; it was mixed with determination as well.

"I want to tell her that," he said. "I want to show her that as well. Is that so wrong?"

Bluey shook her body; she didn't think that it was wrong. She understood how Poppy felt; she couldn't picture herself being alone forever… especially not when she had someone like Pinky. The pink messenger bug completed her. He made her feel special. She wondered if Poppy felt the same way for Branch, did she complete him? Did he complete her? Poppy continued to speak.

"I'm just so tired Bluey," he stated. "I feel like we're getting nowhere and yet I feel like she's still out there. I feel like she's waiting for me. I know that may sound crazy but I honestly think that."

He then looked up at the sky and thought about his late father. He wondered if his father was looking down at him right now. He hoped that his father was watching over him and making sure that he was taking the right steps. He also wondered if he was watching over Branch too, if he was then he hoped that he would protect her. To keep her safe until he found her and brought her home. He then looked away and pondered some more.

"It's like she's surrounded by darkness," Poppy added. "She's walking in darkness, she doesn't know what to do and she's lost. And then suddenly a light appears and guides here out of it, and she'll be happy because of that light."

Poppy turned his attention back to Bluey.

"I want to be that light Bluey. I always thought that maybe it was going to be me who brought Branch into our village, I thought that maybe I was going to be the one to open her heart and show her the happiness in life," he stated. "And that's why I had to do this. I had to be the one to do it because no one else would want to become that light."

He reached into his hair and pulled out a scrapbook he had been meaning to work on. He hadn't been able to since he was so preoccupied with the search for Branch. Maybe next time he would work on it. He had plenty ideas on what to create for the pages, he kind of wanted to detail his adventures here in the forest. That would make entertaining stories for the Troll children and his friends. Despite the pressure he was under, he chuckled a little at that thought. He could picture everyone calling him crazy if they heard what he had been through here in the forest. And speaking of Troll Village, there was something else that motivated him to do this.

"But it's not just Branch I want to prove something to, I also want to prove something to the rest of the village as well. I want them to see and understand that Branch is still a Troll no matter what and that she is just as important as anyone else. She's special," Poppy said. "It's too bad she wouldn't believe me if I told her that. She would probably just brush me off and ignore me. Typical Branch. But I missed the times she would do that to me. It's not the same without them."

Bluey saw the genuine look on Poppy's face as he said that. She could tell that he really did mean all of those things. She felt sorry that Branch couldn't see that, maybe she would once he found her though. At least she could hope for that to happen. She hoped that they would find her soon. Bluey leaned against the pink Troll and Poppy appreciated the small gesture, he petted the little bug and smiled.

"Thanks Bluey, it really helps when someone listens," Poppy said.

Bluey squeaked and smiled as well. The two traveling companions stayed like this for a while, they just relaxed to the best of their ability. As they did hope they hoped that Pinky would have a safe journey as he traveled back to Troll Village. But in the meantime they would wait.

Branch was out and about along with the glow bugs, it was time for her to look for more supplies. It was already late in the day and she decided to find more herbs that were good for her pregnancy. She had great success as she managed to find some ginger root around the area. That was good for reliving nausea and vomiting, and that had been happening a lot lately. She couldn't help it though since the time for her labor was approaching. But for now, all she had to do was find materials that would be good for consummation. That was when she spotted some lemon balm growing on a tall tree, her eyes widen because lemon balm was just as good as ginger root. Lemon balm was useful for reliving anxiety and it was good for sleeping as well. But it was too tall for her or any of the glow bugs to properly reach; she needed someone bigger and faster. A hummingbird.

She walked back to the Rainbow Meadow and stood below the nest of the hummingbirds. She saw that Jewel and Skye and Pip looked ready to call it a night. Tempo, on the other hand, was watching over them. She motioned for him to come to her and he didn't hesitate to do so. With her new helping companion she and the rest of the group traveled back to the tree. By the time they reached it the sky was darkening and the stars were beginning to show. But that didn't stop her as she climbed aboard the hummingbird's back and he flew upward. Her glow bugs friends followed her as they did so. She had a smile on her face as she anticipated collecting the leaves for herself.

Night came and Poppy couldn't help but think. It was happening again. His mind was too busy thinking about his family and how he was going to find Branch now that the trail was gone. He was so frustrated but he knew that he couldn't let his emotions get the best of him at this point. He wouldn't be able to think properly if he did so. He needed to calm down; he needed to take his mind of these things. And most importantly he needed to relax.

And there was only one way he did that. By singing.

He needed to sing, it was another way to show how he felt. When he sung he always put his heart and soul into it. The same could be said for everything else that he did. But this time would be different. Normally he portrayed positive emotions, but now he would be portraying negative emotions. He would be singing for the Troll he missed and wanted to find.

He looked up at the starry night sky and slowly walked away from Bluey. Bluey found this strange but she didn't say anything. Poppy was now in the moonlight and he took in a deep breath. To Bluey it looked like he was on a stage, with the moon being the light and the brush being his audience. With his heart filled with emotion and his head filled with lyrics, he positioned himself under the moon. Without a second to waste Poppy opened his mouth and a lovely song soon started.

"I've been alone so many nights now

And I've been waitin' for the stars to fall

I keep holdin' out for what I don't know

To be with you, just to be with you"

Poppy swayed his body a little in a gentle and delicate fashion; he started to dance around the moonlight. Bluey continued not to say anything as he watched the magic occurring before her. She saw how Poppy was dancing as if he had a partner to dance with. Poppy continued to move and he looked up at the moon as he sang the next part of his heartfelt song. As he danced he looked up at the bright moon in the sky. He wondered if Branch was looking at the same moon right now.

"So here I am staring at the moon tonight

Wondering how you look in this light"

He really did wonder what she looked like right now. Did she change at all? Did she look different than she did before? Was she still just as beautiful? He caught himself as he said that, a red blush appeared on his face as he shook that thought out of his mind. He knew that Branch would be mad if she ever heard him say or think that. Well either way, he thought about her and he continued to sing. The next part really got to them because he wondered if it was true.

"Maybe you're somewhere thinkin' about me too"

Wherever she was, he really did hope that she was thinking about him. He wondered if she thought about him as much as he thought about her. She continued to dance with the moon rays hitting him. Bluey admired how beautiful and peaceful the Prince of Trolls looked.

"To be with you, there's nothing I wouldn't do"

That part was especially true. At this point he would have done anything to be or see Branch. Anything.

"And I can't imagine two worlds spinnin' apart

Come together eventually"

Wherever Branch was, he hoped that one day his world would meet hers. He really wanted to be at the same level as her, but more importantly he wanted to become a part of her world. Just like how he wanted her to become a part of him. Forever.

Branch was finally picking at the lemon balm leaves and she put them in the basket she was carrying. There was smile on her face; she was excited that she had more resources to put away for her and her baby. However, as she picked the leaves her mind wandered to one Troll. She hadn't thought about him in a while, she wondered what brought it on. She thought about how he was so far away from her at the moment. But then again she supposed that his world had always been far away from her. He was always out of her reach. But now the same could be said for her as well, she was now far away from his reach as well.

"And I can't imagine two worlds spinnin' apart come together eventually," Branch whispered as she looked through the leaves.

She honestly couldn't imagine their world coming together, they were just too different. He was good and she was bad. He inspired and she destroyed, she couldn't ever be a part of him. She found that somewhat ironic because a part of her and and a part of him was currently growing inside her belly at the moment.

Poppy danced in circles as he sang. Bluey just watched and she did her best to remember the words, as she did so she could sense the meaning behind them.

"And when we finally meet, I'll know it's right

I'll be at the end of my restless road"

He could picture Branch standing in front of him; he could see himself running to her too. He hoped that this road would lead him to her.

"But this journey, it was worth the fight

To be with you, just to be

Holding you for the very first time, never letting go "

He planned to do that when he found her, even if she didn't like hugs he still planned on giving her one. When he found Branch, that's how he knew that this whole crazy journey would be worth it. He felt like he would take on the whole world for Branch. She had to see that no matter what he would always be by her side, no matter many times she pushed him away.

Branch picked another leaf and stared at it. She wondered more about her lost love. In a perfect world where she was normal and everyone wasn't so judgmental, she would like to think that Poppy would love her the same way she loved him. But she would never know because this wasn't a perfect world. However, if it was there was one thing that she would do if Poppy was hers. She would never let him go.

"Never letting go," Branch stated as she began to pick the right leaves.

The glow bugs and hummingbird noticed the sudden change in Branch's disposition. She looked peaceful and yet conflicted at the same time. It was like she was having an internal conflict. They heard her words and they wondered what they meant. They could hear that there was a deeper meaning behind them.

Poppy stopped dancing and he clutched onto his arms, his eyes were closed and it looked like he was embracing himself. He wondered how he would feel when he found Branch. He could feel the excitement and want surging through him as he contemplated it. It was a familiar feeling, he wondered why.

"What I wouldn't give to feel that way"

Suddenly a quick thought came to him and he felt his head ache a little.

He was holding someone or something, it was very comfortable. His body was intertwined with something, it felt like it was moving a little as well. Not only that but it felt like he wasn't wearing anything. This confused him because he never went anywhere naked. The only times he was naked when he was bathing. And that's not all, his body felt a little sore and stiff. Why? What was going on?

And that's not all, for some reason he wasn't complaining. He didn't mind experiencing all of this. He held onto something with all of his might. He could hear something beating into his ear as well. It had an erratic yet soothing rhythm. He felt at peace as he continued to hold onto the object. The warmth that emitted from it was indescribable, and sweet intoxicating scent lingered all around him.

He didn't want it to end! But for some reason he felt like it had to. Why? Why couldn't it be like this forever? Why?

After a few seconds, it ended and Poppy relaxed a little. But he was now paused in that position as he fell to his knees and he looked up at the moon. Whatever just happened right now, it didn't stop him from singing. He liked what he was feeling; he didn't want it to end. His eyes were now filled with a powerful longing. But for what he didn't know.

"Ooohh

Oh, to be with you"

He then started to move again, he swayed and followed the sooth rhythm of the song. Bluey couldn't help but gently hum the song to herself as Poppy continued to sing and dance.

"Oh, and I can't imagine two worlds spinnin' apart

Come together eventually"

Why couldn't their worlds come together? Who was stopping them? And why was he experiencing all these strange head aches and weird moments? Why was he asking some many questions?

Branch plucked another leaf and made sure that it was clean before placing it in her basket. She felt that she now had enough of the lemon balm leaves. She thought about what she had said earlier and couldn't help but say it again as she thought about how different her world was from the previous one she left. One where she was accepted, and the other where she was an outcast.

"Oh, and I can't imagine two worlds spinnin' apart come together eventually," Branch said.

Branch felt that she had all that she needed here at the Rainbow Meadow. She had resources, friends, her baby and her new life. What more could she ask for at this point in her life? But if that was the case, then why did she feel so empty?

Poppy could have sworn that he saw Branch's figure in the stars, they looked like her. And he couldn't help but reach out for them.

"And when you're standin' here in front of me

That's when I know that God does exist

'Cause He will have answered every single prayer"

He slowly stood back up but his arms were still reaching to the sky. It was almost as if he was expecting Branch to be there. He wished that it was her because then he would finally feel at peace with the world.

"To be with you, just to be with you, yeah

You"

It was always about her, she was different yet special. And he wouldn't want it any other way.

But more than anything, there was one thing Branch wanted the most. She looked up at the night sky and gazed at the moon, she declared what she wanted. It was her hidden secret and the one thing she knew she could never have. Poppy, he was something that she would never have and yet she dreamed about being with him.

"To be with you, just to be with you, yeah," Branch stated in a voiced filled with longing. "You."

Branch finally stopped speaking and she felt more relaxed than she did before. Every once and a while she had to get her secret off her chest. She wasn't worried though since there was none one there to tell or hear it. But that was when she saw the attention she had attracted. Her glow bug friends were around here along with Tempo. She felt a little embarrassed as she sheepishly smiled and rubbed her head.

"Sorry guys, I got a little caught up in the moment," she said. "I've never been good at speaking my feelings, I've always just kept to myself at times like that."

It was true, Branch hated her feelings and she always did her best to keep them bottled up inside her. She felt like she was doing herself and everyone else a favor by doing so. By keeping to herself, she felt as if she was protecting herself from the pain the world could give her. She never wanted to experience something like that again.

The glow bugs and hummingbird just gave her a look of acceptance and they gathered around her, they embraced her they did so. Branch giggled over how ticklish they made her feel when they did things like this. She petted them and smiled at her friends. They always made her feel welcome and they always accepted her no matter what she did. She could tell them anything and they wouldn't judge her. She appreciated them so much.

"Thanks, you guys are good friends," she replied. "But I think we should head home now that I have what I came for."

The male hummingbird and glow bugs nodded their heads. Gently and carefully Branch got on Tempo's back and they flew back down to their home at the Rainbow Meadow. The glow bugs followed her as she did so. As soon as they landed she got off and thanked Tempo one last time before he went back to his nest with his family. Branch turned to her glow bug friends and wished them a goodnight as she went back inside her home. She put away her new supplies and quickly went to sleep.

She was completely unaware of the song that had been dedicated to her in her absence.

Poppy ended his dance and he took a bow as he finished releasing his emotions. As he did so Bluey noticed how that last part had so much sadness in it. There was so much raw emotion in his dancing and singing. She had never seen anything like it before.

Poppy was a Troll who was very emotional and sentimental, and here he was pouring his feelings into song. It was a way for him to communicate and feel better at the same time. She couldn't help but consider herself lucky because she had witness such a wonderful performance from the Prince of Trolls. She began to squeak and cheer for the pink Troll.

Poppy looked up to see the only live member of his audience. Bluey was cheering for him and he blushed a little as a result. He forgot that she was there, he couldn't help that she had been watching him this whole time. He felt like such a fool for being seen like that but he couldn't help it. Not to mention the strange occurrences in his mind didn't help with that either. He wondered why he was having moments like that now.

"Did you like it?" he asked. "It's the only thing I could think of for this moment. "

Bluey flew up to him; her blue light was shining through the darkness around them. She could see that there was the same longing in his eyes that she had seen earlier. She knew why he had such a look in his eyes. It was because of who they were searching for.

Branch, the gray Troll. She made him feel this way and she was the reason why Poppy was feeling empty. Bluey may have been a simple messenger bug but she wasn't stupid. Anyone with eyes could see that Poppy cared for Branch in ways that no one could understand. She wondered if the gray Troll felt the same for him.

"I wonder where she is right now," Poppy stated. "Do you think she hates me?"

Bluey looked shocked over that question. Why would he ask such a thing? What gave him that idea?

"Do you think… do you think that I'm the reason she left?" Poppy asked. "I mean, maybe I pushed her too far. Maybe this whole journey wasn't a good idea after all."

Bluey shook her head and got close to his face. She squeaked her opinions and thoughts in an expressive manner. Poppy couldn't believe she was doing such a thing; it was as if she was telling him that he wasn't a fool and that he was doing the right thing. For a little bug she sure had a lot of stamina, he admired that about her. After minutes of Bluey just squeaking, he felt his worries melt away… for now at least.

"Thanks for being here Bluey," he stated. "I now that this isn't what y'all were meant to do but I really appreciate it."

Bluey squeaked and nuzzled herself into Poppy. The Prince of Trolls giggled a little and he petted the little bug.

"I think we should get some rest now," Poppy stated. "Pinky should be back by tomorrow."

Bluey nodded and that was when Poppy got out his sleeping supplies. He placed his sleeping bag and pillow out on the ground, he got in and Bluey laid next to her. Poppy snuggled next to Bluey and they rested for the night, they waited for the return of their other bug friend. But for now, they waited for the morning, Pinky and a response letter. It was all that they could do at this point, but they were surprisingly okay with that now.

Meanwhile, back at Troll Village. The queen stepped out of her pod for her afternoon stroll when she was greeted by the sight of a messenger bug carrying a letter. She smiled as she immediately knew who it was from. She held out her hands and the letter was given to her. She said only one thing.

"Poppy."

That was when she called her people in order to share with them the news her son had brought home.

Please review and leave comments, thank you for your time.