That's Why I Love You Chapter 37
I do not own Trolls or any of its characters or the title
*This is a genderbent fanfic of Trolls
He didn't know how he was able to do it, but Branch actually told him more about the books she acquired and read. He had been worried that she would have gotten suspicions. That's why he tried to just casually bring it up in a conversation. He mentioned how smart she was and how she could seem to ready just about anything. And that lead into him asking about which books she was done reading.
And now here he was. Outside of Branch's home, with Pinky and Bluey in tow. The two messenger bugs shined brightly with their beautiful lights as he stared into the window of Branch's makeshift house. He watched the gray Troll as she slept peacefully in her bed.
Poppy couldn't help but be entranced by her light breathing and how her body slowly moved up and down. Then there was her expression, he blushed over how beautifully she slept. Her eyelashes were fluttering as she tried to find a position that was most comfortable for her. Her limbs were aligned perfectly with her bed.
Even the way she slept was perfect and organized. That was Branch for you.
Poppy felt his heart skip a beat, he could watch Branch all day if that was an option. But then he remembered that he was pressed for time. And so, he turned to the two messenger bugs.
"Alright Pinky, Bluey," he said. "You see that book shelf over there?"
The two bugs looked to the area Poppy was pointing to, and they nodded.
"Okay, I need you to get the first book on the top shelf. Apparently Branch likes to put books she's already read on the highest shelves, while the ones she's still reading are on the lower ones," Poppy explained. "Can you do that for me?"
Pinky and Bluey made chirping sounds, indicating that they were okay with the assignment. Poppy smiled at his two bug friends and patted them gently.
"Thank you, but be careful. We don't want to wake anyone up, especially not Branch."
The two messenger bugs nodded before slowly making their way through the window. Poppy simply stood back and watched as Pinky and Blue slowly, yet quietly, flew to the bookshelf. Thankfully, their small bodies gave them an advantage over the situation. They buzzed around the book Poppy was talking about, and he nodded in agreement. That was the first book he wanted to read. And so, the two bugs gently nudged it off the shelf, with them catching it just before it hit the ground.
Poppy couldn't deny that watching the book fall made him very anxious, but he was thankful that it didn't the floor. With that done, Pinky and Bluey flew the book over to him. Poppy smiled as he received his reward, he even hugged the piece of literature close to his body. Then he turned back to his bug friends.
"Thanks you guys, but now I need you to fix that shelf a little. I can't have Branch seeing something that looks out of place. She'll get suspicious if she sees an empty spot on the shelf," he stated.
The two bugs nodded and flew back to the spot, they then spent a minute or two fixing the shelf. By the time they were done, nothing looked out of place. Happy with their work and effort, they flew back to their Troll friend. Poppy patted them both on the head, making them purr a little in response. Poppy chuckled a little at how cute they sounded.
"Good job you two, now let's get back to the tent before Branch wakes up."
Pinky and Bluey nodded, and with that the three walked back to their little home. Branch was none the wiser to their antics, nor was anyone else in the Rainbow Meadow. They continued to sleep soundly and peacefully. All the while, the three snuck back into their tent. As soon as they were inside, Poppy looked at the book cover. Thanks to Pinky and Bluey's natural lights, he was able to see all the details.
Being Kind to Your Body
Poppy smiled over how thoughtful the title was, it was perfect for someone like Branch. And it was the perfect first read for him.
"Alright let's get to it," he quietly declared.
He cracked his fingers and stretched his muscles, before finally opening the book to the first page. He knew that he was in for a long night of reading, but it would be all worth it if he got to help Branch. And so, he started to read the words.
Poppy woke up with the book tucked underneath his head, apparently he thought it would make a good pillow. He let out a small groan as he lifted his head off, only to find the page stuck to his face. His drool acted like an adhesive, much to his embarrassment. He quickly pulled off the page and wiped his mouth free from his spit. He then stretched his sore muscles, watching as Pinky and Bluey slowly started to awaken as well. The two messenger let out tired noises as they flapped their tiny wings.
"Man, reading is draining," he commented. "Sorry guys, I guess I got a swept up in reading."
Pinky and Bluey simply nuzzled him, showing him that it was okay. He petted them a little before fixing his appearance. He also quickly hid the book as well, he fully intending on finishing it. So far, he managed to read a decent twenty pages. And he was happy to say that he had learned some new things about Trolls and their bodies. Specifically the health care of an expectant mother.
With that new information in mind, he decided to help with the cooking around here. He wanted to try to make meals for Branch. She needed a nutritious diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and grains. Not to mention that she had to eat as much as she can, especially when she was this far into her pregnancy. Poppy was determined for Branch to give birth to a healthy baby, and that her body would be as ready as possible.
But first, he had to start the day. And so, he stretched some more before crawling out of his tent. He fixed his clothes and hair before turning to find an unsightly image waiting for him. There, sitting around the fire pit, was Branch with the glow bugs and the Cloud Twins, Cloud Gal and Cloud Guy. In their hands were cups filled with some sort of warm fluid. The steam seemed to fill the air and accent Branch's beauty, but then he was reminded of pesky being known as Cloud Guy. Immediately, his expression went from calm and relaxed to annoyed and deadly.
"Cloud Guy," he growled.
It seemed like the three had heard him because they all turned to face him. As soon as he laid his eyes on the pink Troll, a smug smile spread across Cloud Guy's face.
"Wow, if looks could kill," Cloud Guy remarked.
That only served to pester Poppy even more, Pinky and Bluey sensed his obvious discomfort. But that all changed when Branch greeted him. Her baby blue eyes graced him, and the small action made his heart flutter. She then took a sip of her drink as she stared at him.
"Good afternoon Poppy," she commented.
That caught the pink Troll off guard. Noon? Afternoon? He then looked around him to see that the sun was higher than usual and that everything else seemed to be alive and awake. All except for him and the messenger bugs.
"Afternoon?" he asked. "It's already afternoon?"
"Looks like someone decided to sleep in today huh?" Cloud Guy asked as he chugged down his beverage.
Poppy gave him an annoyed huff before walking over to Branch. He had to do his best to ignore him. The last time he allowed this cloud to get to him, he ended up chasing him around the Rainbow Meadow with a stick. And so, he chose to sit by Branch and hold her attention to himself. Luckily, that's just what he did as she stared at him.
Also, she did something unexpected. She reached beside her leg and pulled out another cup of the hot beverage. She held it to out to him, he gave her a puzzled look in response.
"For me?" he asked.
Branch simply nodded.
"I made enough for everybody," she commented. "I guess it's lucky that you just woke up, otherwise it would've gotten cold."
Needless to say that he was more than surprised about the action. But he gratefully accepted the cup. He looked inside to see tea leaves and some lemon slices. It was so warm, just like the feelings in his heart at the moment. Branch was the only one who could make him feel this way. Even when she didn't mean to do something, she still did it anyway without expecting any kind of reward. She was such a kind and considerate, despite her objections.
"I had trouble sleeping last night," he said. "I'm still getting used to the meadow and what not."
At that statement, Branch saw an opportunity to encourage Poppy to leave. So far, he had only been at the Rainbow Meadow for a few days now. It wasn't even close to the due date, but Branch was still not comfortable with him being here. Every day that passed presented a new opportunity for Poppy to discover the truth. She knew that she made a deal with him, but she had hoped to convince him to return sooner before the baby's birth.
"That wouldn't be a problem if you just went back to Troll Village," Branch said.
Poppy gave Branch a sad look, it hurt his heart to hear her mention that. During his time here, he was hoping to somehow convince Branch to return home with him. But so far, it didn't seem like the thought crossed the gray Troll's mind. She looked so content with staying here. And that hurt him.
It hurt him to know that she was happier here, in a strange world, rather than in her real home, among her own kind. It also hurt him to know that he hadn't done enough to make Branch feel comfortable and accepted in Troll Village. In the end, he had failed Branch too many times. More times than he liked to think.
"No," Poppy replied. "Not until the baby is born."
Branch rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh, it was worth a shot at least. Typical Poppy, as stubborn as always. Instead, she continued to sip her beverage. Her glow bug friends seemed to sense her discomfort as they nuzzled their small bodies into her legs. She gave them a reassuring smile before returning to her beverage. Poppy then followed her example by taking a sip of his own drink. But that's when the Cloud Twins decided to speak up on the matter.
"What are you guys talking about?" Cloud Gal asked.
"Some sort of deal or something?" Cloud Guy added.
Branch couldn't help but smile at her cloud friends before gesturing to Poppy and herself.
"As a matter of fact it is," Branch replied. "Poppy and I made a deal when he first found this place… rather expectantly might I add."
Poppy almost choked on the drink as the memories came rushing back to him. His face brighten with blush once he recalled that day. He had seen Branch naked! He spotted her in her most vulnerable state. And that image was forever sketched in his mind, he didn't think he would ever forget it. Strange enough, he actually hoped that he wouldn't. He blushed more at that thought.
Her gentle curves, her radiant skin, her soaking hair… her full beauty was out on display for him to see. But that's when he remembered something else, there had been another to see Branch in such a state. The father of her baby, he had to have seen her too. And at that thought, he couldn't help but feel a little envious.
He didn't know why, so he just continued to sip on his drink as Branch talked to the Cloud Twins about their predicament.
"Really?' Cloud Guy responded. "What kind of deal?"
"Troll anatomy is a very complicated subject," Branch said. "I don't know if you're aware of this but Trolls technically don't give birth to the babies themselves. Instead, they give birth to a pod that hatches the baby."
"Fascinating," Cloud Gal commented.
"Indeed. You see Trolls are pregnant for about five months, then they give birth to the pod. Then we have to wait another two months before the pod hatches."
"Dang, that's such a long time," Cloud Guy remarked. "Are you hoping for a boy or a girl Branchie?"
Branchie? What kind of nickname was that? Once again, Poppy was getting annoyed with this cloud. How dare he address Branch with such informality! But Branch didn't seem to mind as she continued to sip her drink and look to her friends.
"Honestly, it doesn't matter to me," she said. "I just want a healthy baby."
Despite being annoyed, Poppy couldn't help but smile at Branch's statement. Ever since discovering Branch was pregnant, that was a topic that hadn't crossed him. He had almost forgotten about baby genders. A boy or a girl, he could honestly see Branch being a mother to both of them. He wondered what they would look like. Would they have Branch's baby blue eyes? Or her hair? Her personality?
There were so many possibilities for that child. But no what they were, Poppy knew that Branch would give birth to a beautiful baby. His narrowed with sadness once he realized that he would never get the chance to see that baby. If he didn't manage to convince Branch to return to Troll Village with him, she would stay here with the pod. And that pod would hatch in his absence.
Despite their deal, he wanted to see the baby. He wanted to take them into his arms and hold them. He didn't care if the child wasn't his own, they were Branch's, and that's all that mattered to him. Because of that, he already loved the child and he would've liked to get to know them a little more before he left.
And that made him all the more determined to convince Branch to return home. He just hoped that it would happen sooner than later.
"Have you thought of any names yet?" Cloud Gal asked.
"Some," Branch admitted. "But I'm not too sure about them."
That caught Poppy's attention.
"Names?" he asked. "What kind of names?"
Once he said that, Branch looked a little hesitant to tell him any more on the matter. She even looked away from his direction. But he couldn't understand why she reacted this way.
"Nothing too special," she simply said. "I wanted a thoughtful name for my child… and I think there's one I might go with."
"Really?" Poppy asked. "What is it? What is it?"
But before Branch could say anything else on the matter, Cloud Guy interrupted by wrapping his arms around Branch's shoulders. Needless to say that Poppy was startled by the sudden action, but then his shock turned to annoyance. He glared at the male cloud, but he didn't seem to be paying attention.
"That's our Branchie for ya," Cloud Guy commented. "Always prepared for anything and always thinking ahead. Unlike some Trolls."
Poppy couldn't resist growling a little due to the way the cloud referred to Branch. Our Branchie? He didn't know her as well as he did! He had grown up with Branch, they were practically neighbors. There were things she shared with him that she didn't share with anyone else. And to hear the cloud refer to her in such a manner made him sick.
If anything, it should be his Branch. His Branch, his one and only! Not to mention, that he was insulting his character once again!
But instead of lashing out like he did last time, he decided to use his words. After all, trying to physically assault the cloud ended up being a waste of time. He got away thanks to Branch and his twin sister.
"Hey, I may not be a survivalist like Branch, but I managed to find her on my own didn't I?" he questioned.
The Cloud Twins, the glow bugs, the messenger bugs and Branch all seemed to contemplate that thought before reaching an agreement.
"That's true," Branch replied. "I'm still surprised by that."
Poppy smiled, he felt a sense of victory over that fact. At least now the male cloud knew that he wasn't some pushover. He didn't take Branch's disappearance with a grain of salt. Granted, he should have figured it out sooner. But he had been given no reason to think that Branch would leave so suddenly, especially without saying goodbye to him of all Trolls. Despite their rocky relationship, he thought that maybe she respected him at least that much. He guessed he was wrong about that though.
She just left, and he was left to face the heartache of her sudden disappearance.
But he pushed those thoughts away from his mind as he remembered that she was here, she was by his side. And hopefully it would continue to be like that. He had to find a way to make it so.
"You know," Branch started. "Just how were you able to accomplish that?"
"Accomplish what?" Poppy questioned.
"Finding me," she added.
"Oh."
It just occurred to him that he never actually told her about his month long journey here. Not to mention all the clues he found during that time. And so, Poppy decided that it was better to show her rather than just tell her. He reached into his hair and pulled out the biggest clues she left behind. Branch and the others watched in earnest as he did so. Within seconds he had what he needed and showed them his findings.
A patch of clothing, some hair, a tool.
Branch immediately recognized all three of the items. She then let out a sigh before face palming herself. If it was possible, Branch might've kicked herself as well.
"Seems like I wasn't as thorough as I thought I was when I left," she commented. "I thought I left no trace of myself behind."
Poppy felt a little bad, Branch had obviously put a lot of thought into her departure. And yet he was still able to find her, although it did take some time on his part. He gave her a sheepish smile before rubbing the back of his head.
"Well, to be fair, you were… I mean the only reason I found you was because I decided to think like you," he said.
That caught Branch's attention, as well as everyone around her. She gave him a puzzled expression as well.
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
"I had to think like you, you know I had think about how you do things. Like I figured out that if you were going to leave without warning, you would've done it in the middle of the night. A time where everyone was sleeping and no one would be around."
The gray Troll didn't argue with him, he took her silence as an agreement to his actions. Then he continued with his explanation.
"Then, I figured that you would travel on a path that was heavily cover, and that's how I found your footprints. Apparently, the morning dew prevented them from fading away. Although I will admit that was somewhat worried because I saw another set of footprints beside yours."
However, now he seemed to have the answer to that worry. He looked to see the glow bugs crowding around Branch, they let out little chirps as they nuzzled into her. Branch looked down at them as well.
"The glow bugs," she said.
"Yeah," he responded. "I guess I didn't have anything to be worried then, but they were a helpful clue. So I followed them, and then one thing just led to another. I kept finding more and more clues by thinking like you. But then after a while, the clues just stopped. You seemed to have just disappeared."
But Poppy also had answer to that now as well. He looked up the hummingbirds Branch had made friends with, they were currently singing in their nest. The gray Troll seemed to have made a lot of friends in his absence. Which was ironic seeing as how the other Trolls thought that was impossible. But it was disheartening to know that Branch got along with other creature better than her own kind.
However, he supposed that he should've been happy that she wasn't alone during this time.
"The hummingbirds," she added.
"Yeah, there's that too. And then the rest of the journey was just searching around random areas. As you can see that didn't really turn out too well since I landed in that spider webbing, which just so happened to be taken by the hummingbirds," he stated. "And that's how I got here."
"So the prince has a brain," Cloud Guy commented. "I guess in owe you an apology."
"Got to give him some credit," Cloud Gal added.
Once again, Poppy felt proud and another sense of victory washed over him. He had worked hard to get here, and he wasn't about to turn away now. Especially when he had had to fulfill a promise. But Branch didn't look too impressed by his explanation, rather she looked annoyed. She pinched the bridge between her eyes.
"The idiot prince, whose too naïve to realize anything, somehow managed to find me all through sheer amateur luck" she commented. "Some people live for my misery."
Despite the obvious insult, Poppy couldn't help but smile. It seems like he had proved Branch wrong about something, and this time it was a good thing. He proved to her how determined he was. His smile only increased as he casually pushed the male cloud away from her. Branch didn't have time to react as his arms wrapped around her, he pulled her close to himself and nuzzled his face into her hair. The same big smile was on his face as he did so.
Branch felt her face become heated with embarrassment, and her heart started to beat erratically. She started to struggle in Poppy's grip, but he didn't relent. He just kept holding her, all the while the same smile adorned his face. He was too happy, and she was too miserable. Polar opposites and yet they looked so perfect together.
The Cloud Twins couldn't help but smile at Branch's predicament, along with the glow bugs and messenger bugs. They were happy to see how things were turning for the two Trolls, even if they didn't realize their feelings for one another. But the crowd all silently agreed that they just needed a push in the right direction. It looked like they were going to be the ones to do so, and they didn't mind at all.
Poppy couldn't stop smiling as he entered his tent, Pinky and Bluey were by his side as he did so. It was night once again, and it was time for everyone to go to sleep. But sleeping wasn't on Poppy's schedule at the moment.
Branch had managed to pry herself away from him after several failed attempts, he received a scolding from her. But he was too happy to let it get to him. He felt like had accomplished something today. He had shown Branch how far he was willing to go for her, and he did it in front of everyone. He had proved to them that he wasn't just some prince who sat at the sidelines. He took action when it was needed, and this was one of those times.
Now if only he could get Branch to see that, maybe then she wouldn't have any problems with returning home. But he supposed that he would have to take it one day at a time. And so, he laid out on his sleeping bag, he relaxed his body for several seconds before reaching under his pillow. He pulled out the book he had been reading last night. The very same one he had stolen from Branch.
The look on his face was replaced with determination as he flipped to the page he left off. Pinky and Bluey squeaked at him as they shined their lights on the page. No matter what people said about his weaknesses and no matter what happened between Branch and him, he wasn't going to let her go through this alone.
He would show her that she had an ally in him as well, not just from the creatures around her. He was a Troll she could trust. And so he looked at the first paragraph.
"Okay, time to get back to reading."
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