That's Why I Love You Chapter 26
I do not own Trolls or any of its characters or the title
*This is a genderbent fanfic of Trolls
Branch was busy doing her daily clean up, she was doing all of the chores that needed to be done. She finished making her bed, sweeping, washing the dishes, organizing her books and survival supplies and now she was washing her clothes.
She stood beside the small stream with a load of clothes beside her. She set up a clothes line behind her, it was held together by the branches on two small bushes. There was also a small pot in front of her, it held water and soap. The soap was made out of herbs and scents she collected from around her. Every time she needed to use fresh water, she would empty the pot onto the grass before filling it up again. The hummingbirds were out scavenging for nest supplies. The glow bugs stood around her and hummed a little as she washed her clothes in the pot. She found herself getting lost in their tunes as she scrubbed and dried the clothes. There was a relaxed and contented smile on her face as she strained the water from the fabric before hanging it up on the clothes line.
"I just to do this and I'll be done for the day," Branch stated.
"Well good for you!" a familiar voice called out.
Branch gasped as did the glow bugs, she quickly turned around along with the small bugs. She was startled by the intrusion but it soon turned to annoyance once she saw who it was. Standing there, with his signature goofy smile, was Cloud Guy.
"Oh it's just you," Branch said.
Cloud Guy walked over to the gray Troll and waved his hand.
"Good afternoon!" Cloud Guy exclaimed.
Branch crossed her arms as her glow bugs friends gathered around her.
"It almost was," Branch pointed out.
Despite the obvious insult Cloud Guy just smiled and even laughed.
"Ha!" Cloud Guy laughed. "The same humor as my sis I see."
Branch rolled her eyes and that was when she noticed that someone was missing from the duo of cloud siblings.
"And speaking of, where is your sister?" she questioned.
"Right here," Cloud Gal stated as she suddenly appeared behind her brother and then she waved her hand at Branch. "Yo."
Despite her annoyance, Branch gave a causal wave to the female cloud. That was when Cloud Guy wrapped an arm around his sister and brought her close to him. He led his other arm high in the air and announced their presence.
"We have returned!" Cloud Guy exclaimed. "The Cloud Twins have returned!"
Cloud Gal gave her twin an annoyed look, she then pinched the arm that was around her. He flinched and brought his injury to himself in order to kiss it. Branch and the glow bugs giggled a little at the action.
"Pipe down dimwit," Cloud Gal added. "She knows who were are."
Once again Branch found herself amused with their antics. After Cloud Guy tended to his nonfatal injury he looked at his twin sister and gave her a smile. And despite her action before he wrapped his arms around her in a quick hug. Surprisingly Cloud Gal didn't seem to mind this time as she just took it. After he was done he walked over to Branch and put a hand on his hip as he stood beside her, he gave her the same flirtatious look he did last time. And once again, Branch didn't know whether to be repulsed or annoyed.
"So what have you been doing today, beautiful?" Cloud Guy stated.
Branch looked away from the cloud as she spoke.
"I've been busy doing my chores," she said. "They've got to get done somehow."
The glow bugs squeaked their response as if they were agreeing with her. They scooted closer to their friend as well, even though they had met the clouds before they still weren't taking any chances. Especially not when Branch was carrying a baby.
"Good to see that you're responsible," Cloud Gal stated. "It's not every day we come across people like you."
Branch just shrugged her shoulders, being responsible was just something she had to learn once she was on her own. Over the years she had become accustomed to taking care of herself, especially when there was no one else to do it for her. She remembered how Queen Peppy used to try and get her to stay with one of the other Troll families but she refused. She didn't like the idea of being put into a place she didn't belong. Not to mention, she knew that no one would be able to understand her or her actions. That's why living alone was easier.
"I'm about to be a mother soon," Branch stated. "I can't have any slouching before the baby's arrival."
"Understandable," Cloud Gal said.
"Yeah totally!" Cloud Guy added.
The glow bugs squeaked and chirped as they agreed with Branch, that was when they gathered around her as she walked back to the wash pot. Branch picked up the wet clothes and started to resume her washing when Cloud Guy walked beside her.
"You know I've noticed how close these little guys are to you," Cloud Guy said. "It's quite cute."
Branch looked down at her bug friends and then back at the male cloud.
"Yeah, they've been with me since the beginning of this crazy journey," Branch responded. "I did them a favor and ever since then they've just kind of hung around me. They're good friends."
"We can see that," Cloud Gal said as she stood beside her brother.
The little bugs smiled at their Troll friend and Branch smiled back. Even though she told them how grateful she was to them several times before, she still wanted them to know that. She really couldn't have done anything without their help; they made it easier for her to leave without causing a stir. But it wasn't just because of them, there were also the hummingbirds.
"Speaking of, where are those other friends of yours?" Cloud Gal asked. "I don't see them anywhere."
Branch gave the female cloud a look; it was as if Cloud Gal read her mind. Maybe she had more in common with the gray cloud than she thought.
"There out scavenging for supplies for their nest," Branch said. "Jewel, the mother, and Tempo, the father, are expecting to mate as soon as they find the right resources. Their children, Skye and Swift, went with them."
"You gave them names?" Cloud Guy asked.
"Might as well, I mean they've done so much for me already, I don't see why I shouldn't," Branch said. "These little critters have names too, isn't that right you all?"
The little bugs jumped up and down in the air, their chirps were filled with happiness. Cloud Guy and Cloud Gal looked amused as the glow bugs scooted closer to the gray Toll.
"Allow me to introduce you to: Flicker, Twinkle, Luster, Flare, Shimmer, Glimmer and Beam," Branch stated as she pointed to the glow bugs.
"Nice to meet you all, you've done a great job at protecting your friend here," Cloud Gal said. "And her baby too."
"Yeah, you guys are awesome!" Cloud Guy said.
The glow bugs looked proud of themselves as they chirped. Branch smiled at how cute they looked as they did so and then she continued to wash the clothes she had left. While she did so, the two clouds engaged her in some conversation. It was mostly the clouds who did the talking while Branch finished with her chores. She would respond every once and a while as they talked but she never interrupted them. She actually found some peace as they talked.
While the Rainbow Meadow was a nice place to be, it was still isolated. It wasn't like Branch didn't appreciate the company of the glow bugs and hummingbirds, but she had to remember that she was really the only person there who could speak using actual words. Sometimes she missed having someone to actually talk to even if it was just something as simple as a greeting. The clouds gave that back to her and she didn't mind.
After a while Branch was finally done with her chores and she started to put the now dry clothes away. The glow bugs helped her while the Cloud Twins followed her, the gray Troll and bugs put away the clothes once they were inside the mushroom house while the cloud siblings waited outside. Once they were done they stepped back outside and beside Cloud Gal and Cloud Guy. But before anything else could happen Branch was surprised to see that her hummingbird friends were back from their scavenging trip so soon. She waved to them and the glow bugs flew around the air once they saw them.
"Hey you guys!" Branch stated.
As soon as they landed Branch could see that the hummingbirds looked a little down. They didn't look as happy as they usually did. Branch slowly walked over to them and hesitantly asked.
"Any luck?"
Jewel shook her head and chirped a little, Branch could see the disappointment in her eyes. She reached over to the mother hummingbird and gently petted her head.
"I'm sure you'll find some next time," Branch said. "These things take time you know."
That seemed to lift Jewel's spirits up and a little as she rubbed her head against Branch and her belly. Just by that action, Branch could see how much Jewel longed to be a mother again. While she already had two beautiful and wonderful children, she wanted more. She wanted to re-experience the joys of motherhood. That was when Tempo came forward and nuzzled Branch as well, Branch patted his head too.
"You're going to be great parents again," Branch stated. "Skye and Pip are lucky to have you and you're lucky to have them."
Th two younger hummingbirds chirped and they flapped their wings. Branch was happy to see that the hummingbird family was happy again. That was when they started to sing and fly around in the air; it was a beautiful scene to watch as their colorful feathers danced with the wind. With one final chirp they flew back into their nest and huddled together. Branch smiled as they did so before turning her attention back to the Cloud Twins.
"Well I guess we should be going too," Cloud Gal stated. "We just wanted to see how you were doing; everything seems to be fine here."
Branch looked a little surprised over that statement; they came here to check up on her? They were practically strangers and yet they wanted to do something like that for her. For some reason she felt a little happy over that.
"Aw we have to leave?" Cloud Guy whined. "So soon?"
"We don't want to be a bother to her bro," Cloud Gal stated.
Cloud Guy pouted.
"But we aren't bothering her she hasn't told us to go away or anything."
"He has a point," Branch said.
The brother and sister looked at Branch with puzzled looks on their faces. Branch looked away from them in embarrassment but she continued to speak. The glow bugs smiled a little at her shy actions. They could see how much these clouds had an effect on her.
"I mean… how would you all like to stay for the day?" Branch suggested. "I mean if you don't have anything else to do… plus it's dangerous to travel at night."
Cloud Guy's eyes widen with happiness and he couldn't contain his excitement. He jumped up and down and around the group.
"We'd love to!" Cloud Guy exclaimed. "Isn't that right sis?"
Cloud Gal just shrugged her shoulders and she seemed to agree with her younger twin.
"Why not? We've got nothing else to do," Cloud Gal replied. "Might as well enjoy the stay here before we get going again."
Branch smiled and she motioned for them to join her in her house, the glow bugs followed them inside. That was when Cloud Guy gazed in awe over how neat and complex Branch's mushroom house was. He couldn't keep his eyes, or his hands, off the objects inside. He looked around curiously like some sort of pet. Thankfully, Cloud Gal managed to keep him from destroying anything. Once that was over, Branch gave the cloud siblings a tour of her home. Cloud Gal was especially amazed with all the organization Branch had.
However, there was one place that was unorganized and that was the dining room table. There were some books that laid on the table, most of them were the ones she took from the library before she left Troll Village. There were also some notepads filled with various notes about her home and her pregnancy. Branch looked a little embarrassed over the mess; she wasn't used to having any guests here besides the glow bugs. Plus, she wanted to be sure that she was as prepared as possible when the baby came along.
"Sorry about that," Branch commented. "I like to keep things like that within hands reach."
"We don't mind," Cloud Gal said.
"Let me clean up a little here and we can sit down," Branch added.
With that said, Branch placed the supplies back on the selves, with the clouds help, before they did anything else. Once the space was empty they all sat down and talked some more while the glow bugs listened. Branch talked about how intricate and detailed her old home used to be. She also talked about how she kept her current home so organized. Cloud Guy and Cloud Gal listened and they never interrupted her as she spoke. Branch was honestly enjoying the Cloud Twins company as they just sat together and talked. It was something she wasn't used to because nobody ever took the time to listen to her before.
Time passed and soon night fell, that was when Branch made her dinner while giving the clouds each a cup of water. The clouds didn't really eat solid foods; their diet mostly consisted of liquids. The glow bugs went outside in order to eat their dinner, this was so that they wouldn't make a mess out of Branch's home. But they never strayed too far away. And so they all ate their dinner in peace.
"After having dinner, sometimes I like to just sit outside around a camp fire," Branch stated as she finished her last bite. "Sometimes I enjoy a nice cup of tea as well."
"Tea?" Cloud Guy asked.
"Their organic teas, mostly made out of herbs and roots," Branch responded. "Ever since I was a kid I've liked to experiment with flavors."
"Sounds like an interesting hobby," Cloud Gal said.
"It is," Branch replied. "Especially if you have someone there to try it with you."
Branch thought about the pink Troll once she said that, she remembered how he always wanted to try new flavors she created. Ever since she gave him that tea, he was curious to see what else she could create. She recalled all the times he gave her a childish look of awe whenever she did that. She smiled at the memories and that was when the male cloud spoke.
"Let's do it then, I want to see your talents in action," Cloud Guy stated.
"Are you sure?" Branch responded. "You may not like it, it's ginger root tea today."
"Of course, I'm always up for a date with a pretty girl," Cloud Guy said.
Branch looked at the male cloud before turning to his twin sister.
"I would tell him that this is not a date but he probably wouldn't listen to me anyway would he?" Branch asked Cloud Gal.
"Definitely not," she answered.
"Well then might as well clean this up before we do that," Branch stated as she stood up from her seat.
She took her food ware along with the cups and placed them in the sink, she then poured some water over them along with soap. She rinsed again and again until they were clean. After she put them away, she was surprised with another visit from the glow bugs.
"Hey you guys," she greeted. "Want to help me with some things?"
The glow bugs were more than happy to help as they chirped. Branch placed some cups on their backs along with a jar filled with the ingredients needed for the tea. She also asked for Cloud Gal and Cloud Guy to help, they happily agreed as well.
Cloud Guy and Cloud Gal helped with the setup of the camp fire while Branch gathered some wood. Cloud Gal carried the pot and Cloud Guy carried the water. They set up the arrangement one by one, Branch placed the wood in the fire pit and she quickly started a fire. After that Cloud Gal placed the small pot in this holding area while Cloud Guy poured the water inside. Once the water was heating inside the small pot, Branch poured the ingredients inside it. She then used a wooden spoon to stir them together for several minutes until the smell was perfect. She took a small spoon full out and blew on it a little before sipping it. She relished in the taste before giving her nod of approval.
"Okay, it's done," Branch stated.
That was when the glow bugs carried the cups to her, one by one Branch filled them up. She knew that the hummingbirds had no interest in nourishment like this so she didn't have to worry about them. Either way they were already sleeping in their nest, after a long day of searching she couldn't blame them for being so tired. The glow bugs squeaked their yawns as well; they were becoming equally tired as the hummingbirds. As soon as Branch handed the refreshments to the clouds and herself they decided to call it a night. They crawled over to her and squeaked their goodnights to her.
"Goodnight to you all as well," Branch said as she patted each and every one of them.
The glow bugs then turned to the clouds and squeaked to them as well. The clouds looked confused and Branch couldn't blame them. She chuckled a little before speaking.
"They are saying goodnight to you two," Branch stated.
The Cloud Twins now understood as they looked at the small critters and said their goodnights as well.
"Aw thanks little guys," Cloud Guys. "Goodnight to you all too."
"The feeling is mutual," Cloud Gal added.
With that the little bugs crawled to their home and huddled together, within seconds they were asleep. Branch smiled as she saw how relaxed they looked as they slept, it was one of the wonders of the Rainbow Meadow. It was a place where anyone could let go of their past troubles and come together in peace. She never had a chance to do that back at Troll Village or in her bunker. But here, she was free and she couldn't think of a better home for her baby than here.
However, she had a feeling that some would disagree with her about that… especially the baby's father.
But she forgot about it as she took a sip of her tea. The two clouds followed her example as they took sips of their own. As soon as the tea entered his mouth Cloud Guy gave his approval to the gray Troll.
"Wow this is delicious!" Cloud Guy exclaimed.
"And healthy too," Cloud Gal added.
"Thanks," Branch replied. "These last few weeks I've been researching some proper beverages for me to drink, I want my body to be as strong and healthy as possible when the baby arrives."
Once the gray troll said that there was a moment of silence between the group. It was as if the clouds remembered that Branch was pregnant and that was when Cloud Guy asked the question that had been bothering him ever since he met Branch.
"You know," Cloud Guy started. "I know that it's a touchy and sore subject for you but I'm just curious."
Branch turned to the male cloud.
"What?" Branch questioned.
"Well it's just that you said that you were from a village, of Trolls I assume, but you're all the way out here," Cloud Guy explained. "I know my sis said that it might have something to do with your baby and all but does it have anything to do with the father as well?"
Branch's eyes widen when he asked that and she slowly turned away from the cloud. She wondered if it was that obvious. These clouds didn't even know her and yet they were able to read her like a book. She was especially surprised that Cloud Guy was able to put it together just as quickly as his sister. But to be fair she didn't really worry about them knowing her secrets, it's not like there were any other Trolls for them to tell. She would rather have a complete stranger know her secrets rather than anyone in Troll Village… and that included Poppy.
Poppy, it had been a while since she thought about that name. She thought that she had finally found some peace with the matter but she knew that she could never get him out of her mind or heart completely. She knew that and to an extent she was okay with that as well.
"To an extent, yes," Branch stated.
"I knew it!' Cloud Guy exclaimed. "Star crossed lovers who were destined to be together!"
Branch almost choked on her tea as the male cloud said that while Cloud Gal laughed a little.
"Bro, you need to stop reading those fairy tales of yours," Cloud Gal stated. "This isn't a story and this most certainly isn't a drama."
Cloud Guy gave his sister a pout.
"Hey I call it like I see it," Cloud Guy said. "I may not know who managed to capture this lovely lady's heart but I can tell that the Troll must truly be something special. I mean who else would be able to win over a girl like this?"
Cloud Guy wiggled his brow at Branch once he said that and she gave him an annoyed look. But a part of what he was saying was true. Not just any Troll was able to win over her heart and love. There was only one Troll that captured her attention, and it was the same Troll who she knew that she could never be with. She had the most history with him and yet there was still so much he didn't know about her. Only because she refused to let him in. She knew what would happen if anyone got close to her, she was afraid that they would meet the same fate as her beloved grandfather. And even now she still feared for her child, she wanted to make sure that she did everything right.
"We're not star crossed lovers, but it would never work out either way," Branch stated.
Cloud Guy gave her a puzzled look.
"Well why not?" Cloud Guy questioned.
"Look at me," Branch said as she gestured to herself.
Cloud Guy looked and he was still confused, he honestly couldn't see what the problem was.
"What about you?" Cloud Guy asked. "You're beautiful, smart and talented. What Troll wouldn't fall for you?"
Branch rolled her eyes; she obviously didn't believe what he was saying.
"With opinions like that the other Trolls would think that there's something wrong with you," Branch said.
Cloud Gal smiled a little over that statement.
"Trust me when I say that's the truth," Cloud Gal replied.
Then the female cloud's face became serious.
"But he's right though… in a way at least."
Branch looked at Cloud Gal as did Cloud Guy, they both wanted an explanation on what she meant by that.
"Looks don't count for everything you know," Cloud Gal stated. "Only a shallow and superficial person only takes looks into consideration and pays no attention to personality."
Branch and Cloud Gal gave each other a silent look, they both agreed on that. After a few seconds Branch just shook her head, even though she believed that as well she knew that others didn't. Poppy's attraction to Creek was just physical, he always doted on how pretty Creek's looks were. And while he would talk about Creek's personality from time to time, Branch didn't consider that to mean anything. How could it? After all, it was a fake personality. Creek put on a show while in front of others, but she knew Creek's true colors. She had seen and experienced it for herself. She still bore the mental scars from those encounters. Creek was smarter than Branch gave her credit for, she knew how and where to hit where it hurt the most without actually laying a hand on that person. In this case and as always it was her. Branch was sure she probably did it with the others but never in front of them, knowing Creek she would probably just keep it to herself but say it out loud when no one was around. Yeah, that sounded like Creek alright.
"Well that's just the way the world works… especially in Troll Village," Branch responded. "All of the Trolls there have colors that go beyond the rainbow. But me, I'm the only gray Troll around."
"So you're one of a kind," Cloud Guy commented "That's rad."
Cloud Gal rolled her eyes and took another sip of her ginger root tea.
"Ignore him," Cloud Gal quickly stated. "But I can see your point of view, it's unfortunate to see that some people would rather go on looks than personality. There are some people in this world who can possess a high level of beauty but still have awful personalities."
"But then there are people who may not think much about themselves but have the kindest hearts known to this world," Cloud Gal added. "I can see that one of those people is sitting right beside me and my dopey brother."
Cloud Guy nodded his head and
"What's he like?" Cloud Guy asked. "I want to know more about this mysterious Troll."
This time both Cloud Gal and Branch rolled their eyes at the male cloud. He was treating this as if it was some sort of love story, well Branch knew better than that. This was no love story because Poppy and she would never be the prince and princess of a fairy tale. Maybe he would be the prince, but she most certainly would never be the princess.
"He's too far out of my reach, he's everything I'm not and I'll never be," Branch said. "Nobody would accept it if we got together."
"How can you be so sure?" Cloud Gal questioned.
"Because he's not just any Troll," Branch stated. "He's the Prince of Trolls and the future king."
That certainly caught the two clouds off guard, their expressions were filled with shock and surprise. That was when Cloud Guy spoke.
"Wow, he's a prince? Lucky Troll!" Cloud Guy responded. "He certainly caught himself a catch!"
Branch gave him an annoyed look, but it also held so much self-hatred. Branch didn't like herself and she most definitely didn't consider herself to be a catch of any kind. Titles like that belonged to pretty Trolls… like Creek. Her hands clenched into fists once she remembered that name and face. That two-faced snake!
"Ha!" she laughed sarcastically. "Are you kidding me? The Prince of Trolls with me? Ha, that's the funniest joke I've heard in my life."
Cloud Guy looked genuinely confused when Branch said that and he touched her shoulder.
"But what about the little one?" Cloud Guy asked in a sincere and curious tone. "Surely that must mean something."
A small yet sad smile appeared on Branch's face as he asked that. It looked as if there was more to the story that he originally thought. But he could see that the past was getting to her at the moment, they hurt on her face said it all.
"This baby was just an accident," Branch admitted. "I can tell you right now that none of us planned for it to happen… but it just did."
Branch paused for a moment to take another drink of her tea before continuing on.
"I never told him about it either," Branch added. "That's how much I knew that it was an accident, I couldn't even tell him about the night we shared together."
Despite the craziness and the heartache, Branch remembered that night fondly. She recalled how Poppy stood behind her and as he whispered sweet words into her ear. His arms slide around her and that was all it took for her walls to come crashing down. The walls she had spent years building had finally failed her as she accepted Poppy's presence. It was a moment of weakness… for both of them. At least she thought that it was a moment of weakness for him, how else would she describe the state he was in that night.
She shook her head and forgot about the memory, despite how sweet it was she couldn't focus on that at the moment. She turned her attention back to the clouds and they could see the look in her eyes. There was a sense of longing in those sky blue eyes.
"Not that he doesn't even remember anyway," Branch said. "That made it easier for me to leave without telling him."
A puzzled expression appeared on Cloud Gal's face, that certainly caught her attention.
"What? He doesn't remember?" Cloud Gal asked. "How?"
Branch blushed a little as she recalled the reason why Poppy and her were together in that kind of situation. To say that she was embarrassed was an understatement.
"Well, let's just say that he wasn't in the right state of mind at the time," Branch said. "I was trying to help him and well… one thing led to another."
The blush on Branch's face increased and the cloud twins automatically knew what she was trying to imply. That was when Cloud Guy wrapped his arm around her in a reassuring fashion, Branch turned to him as a result.
"Hey, no matter know your baby was conceived, it's very lucky to have a mother like you," Cloud Guy said. "I'm sure you'll love it enough for both you and its father. I can see that everything you've done so far is for your child. And you're not selfish for doing so."
Branch couldn't help but smile a little once she heard Cloud Guy said that. Even Cloud Gal looked proud of her brother as she gave him a firm nod. Despite being eccentric and a little naïve, Cloud Guy knew when someone needed reassurance and comfort. And this was one of those times. He could tell that the gray Troll needed to know that she wasn't a bad person for doing what she thought was right.
"That's probably the wisest thing I've heard from you yet," Branch said. "You're kind of helpful when you want to be."
At that a big smile appeared on Cloud Guy's face.
"Aw, you complimented me!" Cloud Guy cheered.
Despite the tension Branch smiled at the cloud and she even patted his head.
"Well don't get used to it," Branch stated. "Because you're still annoying."
Cloud Guy chuckled at that and he brought the gray Troll into a hug. Meanwhile, Cloud Gal watched with an amused look on her face. Despite the duo being strange and different, Branch felt like she could connect with them because of that. After all, she was strange and different too. And she never felt so comfortable with those titles before in her life until now.
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