Making their engagment public was a double edged sword, everyone knew and seemed to celebrate the two (but than again Trolls celebrate everything) and while that was enjoyable it also cast Branch into the spotlight because every troll in Trollstopia knew and it would not take long before the news hit the other kingdoms.

Poppy went on about wanting a huge wedding with all the other Trolls there, and the Bergen, claiming she wanted it to feel like a fairy tale. the Brightside was apparently the Rock Trolls were going to some celebration in which he and Poppy decided to tag along, getting away from the city.

while on the beach it seemed, the Rock Trolls were more focusing on the celebration of some former rocker than the relations of the Pop Queen, not that they complained, they got to spend some time on the beach and dance under moonlight.

It was enjoyable as their caterbus, arrived back in Trollstopia, the two getting off, with the other Rock Trolls.

"That was the best concert I've ever been to" Val cheered, praising the Leroy Gold celebratory concert as Branch admitted it was good, having no idea Rock music could be some soft and romantic.

Poppy looked at Val, thanking her and the Rock Trolls for not making them the center of the event, they had hoped to keep their engagement on the backburner of the trip, though Barb found out, honestly in shock but not Suprise that Poppy would be marrying Branch, she promised to throw her the sickest Bachelorette party ever.

However, upon returning to the City the two were swarmed with Trolls of all genres asking how the trip was and a few questions about their Queen and her fiancé.

Poppy told them about the concert, keeping things G-rated and leaving out any mentions of her pregnancy, changing the topic by asking how the city was in her absence. Synth provided her with a clipboard which she looked over, everything seemed in order.

"Well, I better check on my Bunker, and Gary, I Really should not leave him alone" Branch commented, kissing Poppy before leaving, most of the Trolls let out an aww in cuteness before he left.

Upon returning to the Bunker, Branch saw a pile of presents outside. Weird because you were supposed to get presents at the wedding but then Branch remembered that Trolls did not really need a reason to give presents. he picked up the boxes, going down the elevator as he set them on his table to open after he had checked all the systems and tell his controller all about his trip.

After the valves were tightened, the filters were checked, and the handle was jiggled the Bunker was in full operating compacity. Branch walked to the table, opening the first present, reading the card that came with it.

"Yo Dubstep, congrats on Marrying queen P, nothing but love- synth" Branch read, unwrapping the paper, holding a jewel case, inside was a CD with the words 'Broppy Mix' written in marker. Branch found the Mixtape to be a simple gesture, there was no setlist so the songs would be a Suprise.

Branch continued, looking through the presents, most of which were small Pre-Wedding presents, small things but personal and Branch liked unwrapping these gifts, a few years ago he would have just returned them to sender, but he had changed with time.

This would be cut off by knocking outside. Branch rode the elevator up to the exit, standing on the mat was one of the Trolls we would choose not to talk to, standing across from him was the city gur, turned traitor, Creek, who somehow got forgiven by everyone, including Poppy herself.

"Creek, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Branch asked, a bit suprised as they usally avoided eachother. It was clear that Creek was uncomforatble talking with Branch, but he swallowed his pride.

"You would not happen to have any bug bombs would you, my meditation garden has been infested recently and I can't get rid of them" Creek admitted, not dotting around the topic as Branch nodded, saying he had them but why should he help Creek, they guy who sold out the village. he made it clear while the other Trolls forgave him, Branch still remember what he did.

"Branch, that was years ago, and I've changed. I really am sorry for what happened, but it was circumstance, I had no choice" Creek explained as Branch shot a glare at him.

"You had a choice, you 'choose' yourself over the whole village, you should have slid down that Bergen's throat and accepted your death with your integrity intact, you sold out your own people, and then you had the nerve to come back to village and what, just pretend it never happened. I will say this, sometimes Poppy is a bigger troll than I am because if it were up to me, you would be banished" Branch explained as Creek sighed.

"Branch I... you're right. I was so scared and focused on my own survival that I... sold out my friends, my people...I mean I broke Poppy's heart, honestly sometimes I feel what i did does not derserve to be forgotten or forgived, but I am trying to be better.

"Yeah well, I'm just glad Poppy got to see YOUR true colors, because if she ended up marrying you, I can't even imagine" Branch shuddered as Creek looked at him, chuckling a bit at the idea before looking at Branch

something seemed off about his sudden shift in behavior as Branch looked at Creek asking what was going on Creek looked at him, deciding to explain that he never had any intentions of marrying Poppy, even if the Bergen adventure never occupied.

"we were just two young trolls having fun, I mean yes I like her but...marrying the princess, as fairy tale as it is, I had no desire of being her husband" Creek explained as he looked at Branch, reminding the survivalist that he did not work well under pressure.

"As Poppy's Husband that means the second you slide that ring on her finger you become King of the Pop Trolls, and that is huge job and responsibility, I could never handle that, like I said, we were only having fun, flirting and frolicking around, I had no intentions of ever making it serious between us" Creek explained.

Branch honestly had not considered that, he knew he could not turn back now, the engagement was already announced and if he backtracked the city might actually riot. and the fact that he put a baby in the Queen cemented the fact he had to go through with it, despite how hard the job would be.

"I get It's a big job but what we have is real and I'm going to be there for her as an equal, I'm not like you who was just using Poppy for fun, I thought you betraying the village what your heel-turn but you've always been a horrible troll" Branch explained as he thought over the topic, a realization coming over him.

"Wait, you're telling me you and Poppy... you know" Branch replied as Creek shrugged his shoulders, simply holding a bug bomb and leaving. The guru always had a way of getting under Branch's skin.

Branch slunk down, with the revelation of his fiancée being used goods, Creek's used goods none the less, it didn't change any of his plans, but it felt like a blow to the gut. he rode the elevator back down to his bunker, looking at the wrapped presents on the table, he wasn't in the mood to open them right now as he headed to his bed, deciding to take a nap.

It was a few hours later when Poppy rode the lift down, with a picnic basket. she got a lot of gift baskets congratulating their engagement and it was too much food for just her, she mentioned she was thinking a fruit platter, with them sliced up with toothpicks. they could even throw to get a little party to serve them as she made way to his bedroom.

"Hey Branch, something the matter?" Poppy asked, setting the basket down as she asked to lay beside him on the cover, branch was twiddling his thumbs, looking at the ceiling. explaining that Creek stopped by. Poppy asked if he said anything about the engagement, but Branch said he was only looking for bub bombs.

"You used to be with Creek, right?" Branch asked as Poppy nodded, before the whole him selling everyone out bit. she did not like focusing on the negative parts of life, but she acknowledged it and made note of how Creek was genuinely trying to make amends. Call her soft but Poppy always chose to see the good in people.

"We were talking, and he told me something, it might not be my place to say it, but he mentioned he was only using you for fun, he never had any intentions of getting serious with you" Branch explained as Poppy looked at him, asking what he meant. Branch went on about what Creek said, having no desire to be King.

Poppy was a bit surprised but did not dwell on it, she was with Branch, and He would be the next King, not Creek regardless so in the end it did not matter. Branch looked at her, explaining that he had never thought about being the King, he knew it happen if he married Poppy but never considered all the work that went into it.

In Truth Branch admired how Poppy was able to balance everything, her duties, her friendships, her relationship with Branch, he was worried he might not be cut out for being King, but he could not just walk away from it.

Poppy gave him the warmest hug, saying he would do great, you're always there with me, helping with work, even improving my plans, not much will change and trust me" Poppy said leaning it, kissing him.

"I know you'll be a good King" Poppy promised as Branch felt more at ease, looking at Poppy, saying he had another question for her as she laid alongside him. Branch took a breath, saying it might be uncomfortable, but he had to know.

When you were Creek, did you two ever do it?" Branch asked, knowing the topic was taboo but Creek never gave him a straight answer as Poppy clammed up, before taking a breath, agreeing to be honest with him.

"It was just after my 18th party, me and Creek had been together for three years. he said he wanted to make the day special, I was young and naive, so yes, we snuck off and... did stuff" Poppy admitted, seeing Branch a bit affected by the confession.

"If it any consolation, he was not really that good, he barely lasted and put himself first, you know my spots and are clearly the better lover" Poppy added as Branch looked at her, the fact actually did not bother him as bad as he thought, pulling her in for a kiss, even if he wasn't her first, he was hers now.

(A/N: so, I wanted to do a chapter with Creek consider he and Poppy used to be a thing, also I'm torn on his character, I believe Branch is justified in not liking him for selling out everyone, but I do believe that he deserves a shoot at redemption as he acted out of fear, especially if he's trying to make amends)