Welcome back!

I hope you like this chapter! This one was hard for me to write, and it isn't my best work compared to others. I like the ending but the next chapter I love and want to post that one so here is this one!

I don't own trolls but Rose is my OC.

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Poppy placed the last batch of cupcakes in the oven, smiling as Rose licked the spoon the icing was in. "Don't eat it all! We need it for the cupcakes when they cool." Poppy picked her up, smiling as Rose put the spoon down and hugged her. It had been a couples hours since they started baking, and Poppy was happy to see Rose was enjoying herself as she helped bake. Poppy hugged her back as she walked over to Branch, seething his ears were down as she walked towards him. "Branch? You okay?" She asked, seeing Branch jump in the chair.

Branch quickly looked behind him. "I need to get you a bell." He placed a hand over his heart to calm himself down as he heard Poppy giggled.

"Sorry, I thought you heard me. Are you okay though? You look a little down, and stressed." She placed a hand on his shoulder.

He nodded. "I'm fine. I didn't realize the other trolls would have this many questions. There's a lot of generic ones, but there's a lot from the pop trolls as well." He handed her a couple, seeing the letters asking why Branch was always ruining parties and running through town screaming about Bergen's when he was grey. "It made me realize just how I acted." He sighed, having only gone through half the bag.

Poppy frowned, sitting in a chair next to him and placed Rose on the table. "When I was out there were people asking if it was true that there were other trolls who turned grey like Rose. I didn't mention anything about it being you, but I think some other trolls may tell those who didn't know." She placed a hand on his, squeezing it gently.

"I figured it would get out sooner or later. It's not something I can hide, or was trying to. It was nice having trolls who didn't know me back then." He sighed again, before moving the already read letters to a pile off to the side. "I can finish those another time." He looked at Rose who was looking at the kitchen timer waiting for the cupcakes. "We should tell her now." Branch whispered to Poppy, who nodded.

Poppy looked at Rose, taking a deep breath before she spoke. "Hey Rose, do you know what a funeral is?" Poppy asked her, taking her hand gently. Rose turned to her, shaking her head.

Branch moved his chair closer to Poppys so Rose could see both of them without turning her head much. "A funeral is like saying one last goodbye to those who passed." Rose stopped at his words. "Everyone who knows your parents will gather tomorrow to say thank you, good bye, and to say they love them." Branch did his best to explain. He watched as Rose lowered her head. "I know it's hard, and it will be sad, but I think you should go. If you don't want to, you don't have to. If you want to watch from a distance, we can do that as well." Branch offered, knowing she was nervous about other trolls.

Poppy gently squeezed her hand. "We want you to know what to expect if you do go." Poppy said, causing Rose to slowly look at her. "If you do go, a lot of trolls will come up to you and say 'sorry for your loss' or 'my condolences'. Everyone will gather around two closed caskets, and some may give speeches and share stories." Rose looked up at her more which Poppy saw. "After everyone has said what they wanted to, everyone goes and has a special gathering to celebrate their life. There will be food, and maybe more stories. Tomorrow will be a sad day, but everyone gets together and helps each other grieve. It will show just how many trolls cared about you and your parents."

Rose looked down after she finished, before slowly nodded. "You want to go?" Branch asked to make sure, seeing her nod again. "If at one point you feel it is too much, just let me know. You can hide in my hair or we can leave." He said, giving her options seeing her nod again. "That's good. I know it will be hard, but you aren't alone." He gently placed his hand over hers and Poppys, so Roses hand was between theirs.

Rose stared at their hands, her mind still processing the conversation as she gripped their fingers in her hand. She turned their hands over to look at Poppys hand under Branch's, curious at how much bigger Branch's hand was. "What are you doing?" Poppy asked, seeing her lift their hands. Suddenly a ting sound went off in the kitchen, indicating that the cupcakes were finished. Poppy smiled and stood up, taking her hand back gently. "The cupcakes are ready! We have to wait for them to cool first." She went and pulled out three different pans for the various flavours. She could hear Branch talking to Rose more about what will happen tomorrow and answering any questions she has. As she listened and started prepping the strawberries, soon she stopped hearing Branch's voice and glanced over to see Rose hugging Branch's arm tightly.

Branch placed a hand on her back gently as he held her. "If you have any other questions, write them down." He said, before he could smell the cupcakes and stood up. "You started the cupcakes, why don't you finish them?" He brought her over to the kitchen, placing her on the counter next to Poppy who was cutting the stems off strawberries. "What are you doing?" He asked her.

"I'm cutting the strawberries so they can fit inside the cupcakes!" She said happily, seeing Rose watching her excitedly. Rose's eyes were still a bit red from crying, but her excitement was clear as she watched Poppy.

Branch started reaching towards the already made chocolate icing, about to put some on his finger before he felt something hit his hand. He quickly retreated his hand, frowning as he looked at Poppy who smirked, her hand lowering to her hip. "What was that for? I just want some icing."

"You will have to wait until it's on a cupcake mister! So, either go sit down or help me." She moved her hip so it hit Branch's teasing, winking at him.

"Fine, I'll help." He took a step towards her so their arms were touching as he started copying her. He heard Poppy giggle as she leaned against his side gently, giving her a soft smile as he started icing the cooled cupcakes.

Rose held her drawing of her cupcake designs, seeing Poppy grin. "Oh I like those!" She handed Rose a piping bag for the vanilla cupcakes. "Here, you should try and make them!" Rose happily took it and tried making flower designs on her cupcake, but none of them came out as she wanted.

Branch saw the frown on Rose's face as she stared at her cupcakes, then she saw Poppys perfect cupcakes. "What's wrong twig?" He asked her, seeing her hold up one of her cupcakes. "What's wrong with it? It's a very nice flower." He said, before holding up his cupcake. His chocolate cupcake had chocolate icing and no other colour on it. Rose covered her mouth, holding back a laugh as Poppy burst out laughing. "Hey! Why are you laughing." He frowned, looking at Poppy.

"N-nothing! Nothings wrong, it's a very good first try! Maybe add some extra colours though." She said between laughs, not able to hold it in. Soon Rose joined her, laughing with a smile on her face. Poppy almost stopped laughing when she heard Rose laugh, but kept laughing along with her.

Branch stared at Rose, before he playfully pouted. "Come on you two, it's not that funny." He said, before Poppy stuffed one of his all brown cupcakes in his mouth, getting the brown icing everywhere in his face. Branch stood there shocked, his eyes moving go Poppy who quickly took a step back as she laughed. Rose started laughing louder, holding her side as she almost toppled over from laughing. Branch's eyes narrowed, taking some icing from one of his cupcakes and putting it on Rose's nose, who stopped and stared at her nose full of icing before she started laughing more. Branch smirked before his eyes went to Poppy. "You better start running sunshine." His voice low as he spoke.

Poppy gasped before she took off running as Branch quickly followed. Poppy circled the table, staying on the opposite side as she panted in excitement getting ready to bolt in either direction. "You have a little something." She motioned to his whole face. "There." She laughed.

"Just wait till I catch you." He warned, a smirk on his face.

"Catch me if you can, sweetheart." She winked and blew him a kiss. She heard him let out a small growl in frustration as she took off to the living room and circled the couch. Poppy laughed, running from him before she stopped when she couldn't see him. Poppy looked around on either side of the couch, then at Rose who was eating cupcakes. "Don't eat too much Rose." Poppy said, before she started squealing when she felt arms going around her. "Wait! Where did you go?!" She tried to escape his grasp but couldn't.

Branch smirked, kissing her cheek causing the icing to smear on Poppys cheek. Poppy giggled as Branch led her to the kitchen, seeing Rose eating a cupcake. "Is the cupcake good?" He asked, seeing her nod as she ate. He looked down to see two other cupcakes had disappeared. "How many have you had?" He asked, seeing her hold two fingers. "So that's your third one? How about we stop at three?" He said, still holding onto Poppy.

Rose pouted, and finished her cupcake. Branch looked at her as he let go of Poppy, and went back to decorating the rest of the cupcakes. Poppy stared at him, still slightly cautious on why he let her go so easily. She went back to decorating as well, keeping an eye on Branch as she worked. They soon finished and Branch went to the bathroom to clean his face. Poppy looked at Rose. "I think I got off easy. Why is that?" She questioned, looking back in the direction Branch went off in. Rose looked at her confused, before she licked icing off her fingers.

Branch came back a few minutes late with a clean face and a cloth. He handed the cloth to Rose. "Here, clean off while we put these away." He said as he started moving the dirty dishes to the sink.

Poppy watched his every move, still cautious. "Why haven't you gotten back at me yet?" She asked.

Branch looked at her, before giving her a loving smile. "Why do I need to get back at you? Because of a cupcake to the face?" He chuckled. "It is as you say, right? Making peace with hugs?" He raised his arms for a hug.

Poppy stared at him for a minute, before pouting. "You're lucky I can't say no to a hug." She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly, snuggling into his chest as he hugged her back. Poppy smiled as she pulled back a minute later. "So we're at a truce! Good!" She smiled as she headed to the bathroom.

Branch watched her go around the corner and quickly grabbed Rose. "I never agreed to a truce." He whispered to Rose as he quickly hid in Rose's room. "I taped the faucet so it will splash at her." He explained. Not a minute later Rose heard Poppy scream from the bathroom, causing her to gasp.

"Branch! Just wait till I get you!" Poppy's voice boomed in the bunker, causing Rose to quickly hide under the bed. Branch was laying next to the bed, a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. Footsteps could be heard walking around the bunker as Poppy searches for Branch. "Come out Branch! Look what you did to me! You couldn't have gotten far!" Poppy's voice came, as the door to the room opened.

Branch held a finger to his lips, keeping quiet before he saw Poppy's foot tapping in front of him. Branch felt some water dripping on him as he looked up. He grinned up at her. "Oh, I didn't know you were going to shower sunshine. It's better to do that without clothes though." He said matter of factly.

Poppy glared at him, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at him. "What happened to the truce! We hugged it out!" She exclaimed.

"I did that before the hug. I never agreed to the truce, that was your idea." He winked at her, standing up. "You got a little something." He motioned to the told half of her body. "There." He smirked causing Poppy to lunge towards him. Branch didn't move, laughing as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm so getting you back for this." She pressed her body against his, getting his vest wet.

He shrugged. "It's just water, it's not like it's a cupcake to the face. I still only smell chocolate." He said, hearing a small giggled from her that she tried to hide.

Poppy smiled for a moment before going back to her frown. She couldn't help but looked down at the wet dress and laugh. "I guess you got me back, could have been better though." She took a step back and crossed her arms again. "Where's Rose?" She looked around as Branch pointed to the bed. Poppy looked under the bed, seeing Rose pointing to her. "Did you know about this?" She pointed to her wet hair. Rose slowly nodded, crawling out behind Branch.

"I told her when you went to the bathroom." He picked Rose up, holding her on his hip. "I think it's funny. What about you Rose, was it funny?" He saw Rose shrug before nodding. "What? You think that was weak too?" She gave a small nod, causing him to frown. "Oh come on, she is soaked! It's funny!" He said, motioned to Poppy who shrugged.

"I can just change and I'm fine. I thought I taught you better, Branch." She shook her head, smiling as she left the room.

Branch followed her, curious. "Where are you going? And you don't have any extra clothes." He said, seeing her go to his room. "Why are you going to my room." He followed Poppy as she kept quiet. "Poppy?" He saw her start going through his dresses, before she stood up straight and started undoing her dress. Branch froze, his eyes wide before he quickly covered Roses eyes and spun around. "Poppy! W-What are you doing?!" He stuttered, his face bright red with blush.

"I said I needed to change. You're the one who followed." She said, a smirking on her face as she changed. She looked over to see his back, and grinned knowing she won. She quickly changed into one of his vests and grabbed his Robe that hung on the wall beside her, hanging her wet dress to dry. Once she had it on she took a step towards him, seeing his ears were very dark in colour. She grinned as she quickly took a step in front of him, seeing his eyes were close and a hand covering Roses eyes. "I'm done now." She said, seeing him open one eye and look her over.

"You could have said something." He muttered, swallowing as he looked at her, his face still dark from his embarrassment.

She grinned. "That wouldn't have been fun." She winked before she headed back to the living room.

Branch let out a sigh he didn't realize he was holding in. "What am i going to do with her?" He whispered before looking at Rose who looked at him confused. "She is just crazy. That's all." He smiled as he started going to the living room where Poppy was sitting on the couch. Branch placed Rose in the ground as she went to the table in front of the couch and started drawing.

Poppy looked up at Branch and held her hand out. Branch took her hand, kissing it softly as he looked at her confused for a moment. Poppy smiled up at him. "Every time I hold my hand out to you, you kiss it. You're so sweet." She brought his hand down and kissed his knuckles as he blushed slightly.

"We're at a truce now, right?" He leaned against the side of the couch, looking down at her as she nodded. "Good. I don't want to have to be on edge." He leaned down and kissed her softly for a moment before he went and sat on the couch next to her, leaning his back on the couch as he closed his eyes.

Poppy leaned against him, seeing how tired he was. "You should take a nap, you look tired. I can cook dinner for us when you get up." Poppy smiled at him.

Branch opened his eyes and smiled back at her as he shook his head. "If I sleep now I probably won't sleep tonight, and since she had a nice nap earlier I don't think she will sleep early tonight." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"All the more reason you should nap. You look exhausted, and I'm here to watch her." She placed a hand on his chest, tracing heart shapes on it.

He let out a small sigh, closing his eyes again. "I guess a small nap wouldn't hurt." He felt Poppy move off the couch. He laid down on the couch, opening one eye to see Poppy with Rose. He yawned as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Poppy smiled as she watched Rose draw for a bit, seeing Branch had fallen asleep quickly. "Hey, how about I read you a story?" She smiled, seeing Rose's ears perked up at the word story. Rose nodded, turning to her as she waited. Poppy smiled and picked her up and went to the chair next to the couch, Rose sitting on her lap. "How about I tell you the story about how the trolls and the Bergen's became friends? I'm sure you heard it, and you would have been a hatching when it happened, but I want to tell you about how Branch and I got through it." Poppy saw Rose's interest peaked at Branch's name, causing her to smile more.

As poppy told her story and how Branch acted at first, Rose started writing causing Poppy to stop her story and see what she wrote. 'Not hear this story, not this part.' She showed Poppy, who nodded. "Branch tried his best to put his past behind him, but I think it's good for you to know how Branch changed, how he changed in front of my eyes. I only put the major parts in the history scrapbooks, but I have my own scrapbook at my house with all of this. Tomorrow we can go see them, and I can show you." She smiled as Rose perked up, nodded as she wanted to hear more. Poppy continued to talk about how she didn't listen to Branch, and how he saved her from spiders. Poppy watched as Rose's eyes lit up when Poppy spoke about their interactions, seeing how she was excited about Branch's poems, and how they did what they could to save everyone. Rose's ears dropped slightly when Poppy got to where everyone turned grey. "When I heard Branch singing for the first time, I didn't believe it. I even rejected the hug he tried to give. It didn't feel real. I finally realized he was singing, after twenty years of being grey. It gave me hope." She said, smiling as Rose stared at her in awe. "When I started singing and saw his true colours, I couldn't help but think no matter what happiness is in everyone. Sometimes you need someone to help you find it." She grinned, thinking of the memory.

Rose listened, yawning as she did her best to stay awake. She felt Poppy slowly move her so she was laying down in her arms. Poppy smiled as she continued her story, seeing her fall asleep at the end. Poppy slowly stood up and brought her to the room Branch set up for her. She set Rose down on her bed and her binder on the side table, smiling as Rose snuggled under the blankets. Poppy watched her for a moment before she slowly left the room and went to the living room to see Branch was still asleep. Poppy smiled and sat on the end of the couch, seeing Branch not wake up. She took a moment before she slowly crawled on top of him, wrapping an around his chest as she hugged him as her other hand gently ran through his hair. She looked at his face, seeing him stir slightly and moan her name softly. She grinned when she heard it and rested her head on his chest. She felt his arm wrap around her, causing her to cuddle into him. She grinned more as she yawned, snuggling into him as she fell asleep.