Chapter 6

All around them there were couples. There were, of course, a few of them that were boy Smurfs with girl Smurfs but also boy Smurfs together and an abundant of girl Smurf couples. In a way, it wasn't that different from all the couples back at the Troll Tree.

Still it was interesting to watch, trying to figure out what it was Smurfs saw attractive in each other. Blossom said she found Tailor sweet. Tailor seemed to adore Blossom's relentless energy. The rest Branch was still trying to guess at.

Part of it was because Branch was distracted by thinking about his session with Therapist Smurf. Such an odd thing to do nothing but listen to other people's problems all day long. Even those he had absolutely no connection to.

At first Branch just listen to Therapist Smurf explain what therapy was since as Hefty hadn't said much about it, except that it would "help". Things like the office being a "safe place" and "doctor/patient confidentiality" were emphasized several times throughout the explanation before it was Branch's turn to talk.

The whole thing had been rather bizarre, Branch not really used to talking to anyone about his problems. He trusted Poppy with a lot but he still couldn't find it in him to tell her why he had gone gray. There were also a couple of times Branch shared things with Hefty but the first time the Smurf hadn't given him a choice and the second, well, at least he knew Hefty better and that talking to him had helped before but Therapist Smurf was a stranger.

"Would it help if I asked questions?" asked Therapist Smurf.

"Maybe," Branch shrugged, sitting up on the strange long sofa. He absolutely refused to lay down and "relax" as Therapist Smurf suggested.

"Why does Hefty think you should talk to me?" asked Therapist Smurf.

"He's concerned about my colors," tried Branch. "Or rather my reaction to them changing."

"Yes, I noticed your hue was not as bright as it is currently in comparison to when you first arrived," said Therapist Smurf. "Why is that?"

It took a little bit for Branch to explore Troll colors. Mostly due to the fact Therapist Smurf would interrupt and ask questions for further clarification.

Once he was sure he understood, Therapist Smurf asked, "So becoming brighter means that you are happier. And that concerns you?"

Previously, in his explanation of Troll colors, Branch hadn't told Therapist Smurf that he had been gray once. Though he suspected the Smurf knew from how he paused writing notes and paid extra attention while Branch explained that part. He didn't say how he sometimes didn't recognize his own reflection, the few times he would take notice, and there had been a few times it scared him how different he looked from the last twenty years.

In a way, Branch understood that it made sense Poppy brought out his first bit of color. She had been trying for most of their lives to make Branch happy and Branch, secretly, adored her for it even when it made him angry. Saving her from the gray fate that he had suffered with for so long as just a tiny payback for all of her efforts but it sparked something in him that Poppy only encouraged for him to let grow.

But Hefty bringing out more color? That Branch didn't understand. Yes, Hefty had saved his, and more importantly, Poppy's lives but Branch hadn't known Hefty for very long. There was a lot Hefty didn't know about Branch and even more that Branch didn't know about Hefty. Why would Hefty be able to bring color out of Branch?

Maybe because Hefty was bold, seeking out the beautiful, Hefty's words-not Branch's, voice that could have meant him harm in a place that was unfamiliar and dangerous for Hefty to be in? Or maybe because Hefty was so stubborn in his desire to help and befriend Branch that he dealt with Branch's constant lashing out for the chance to succeed? Could be because he was strong and brave, risking his own life for Trolls be barely knew fighting against the cat monster? There was also the chance because Hefty was extremely patient and even more kind in taking care of Branch's injuries, feeling horrible for causing Branch pain in what had to be done to save his life, and then his sickness.

Then Branch has spent a lot of consistent time, one-on-one with Hefty, something Branch hasn't really done with anyone for most of his life. Even Poppy he usually had to share with the Snack Pack, ridiculous group name for Trolls that could be eaten any day by a Bergen, if not the entire population of the Troll Tree.

Admittedly the back and forth banter between them was sort of fun. Learning more about Smurfs and Hefty himself was like opening up a whole new world to him. And telling Hefty about Trolls and himself was, honestly, scary but also weirdly uplifting. It was if some of the weight he's been struggling with for years finally become easier to carry.

Then there were two more things Branch found hard to admit. First of all, he found Hefty to be attractive. Hefty's confidence and well-earned body really reeled Branch in once he got passed the bravado. The attraction only got worse when Branch saw Hefty's hair, felt how soft it was and Hefty couldn't stop messing with it once it was free of that stupid hat. Somehow Branch suspected that Hefty knew Branch liked his hair and was playing with it solely to torment him.

Secondly, and worst of all, Hefty made Branch feel safe.

The feeling had been growing for a while after Hefty saved him from Azrael but it made itself known in the sleepy corners of Branch's mind as he fell asleep to the sound of Hefty's voice. He hadn't really felt safe since he fell from the old Troll Tree and heard his Grandmother screaming as she was taken away, not even when he was locked in his bunker.

Surely it was that feeling that had brightened Branch's hue that morning.

But Branch was not safe. Branch would never be safe as long as the Bergen were out there. Not to mention other predators that would love to feast on Troll.

And Branch was a danger to Hefty. Not only did Branch unintentionally lure Hefty away from the safety of his village with his singing but the Smurf already had fought a cat that nearly killed Branch for foolishly going into an unfamiliar part of the forest to avoid making an easily followed path and not stopping Poppy from running off in time. Then Branch sang without thinking in the middle of the very carefully hidden Smurf Village. If Poppy didn't abduct Hefty and start a war, Branch was likely to lead this Gargamel straight to the village and get Hefty killed. Branch would get all the Smurfs killed and there would be no one to blame but him and his moronic singing, just like what happened to Grandma.

"Branch," Therapist Smurf called.

Branch nearly jumped off the stupid couch. He had forgotten where he was. How stupid could he be?

Silently, Therapist Smurf offered Branch a handkerchief.

Confused, Branch reached out to take the handkerchief but stopped when he saw his hand. The blue he had gotten back that morning was fading. Not only that, he could see the gray starting to bleed through.

"No, no, no, no," cried Branch, tucking his arm between his chest and his knees, trying to keep it hidden, foolishly trying to stop the gray from spreading. He was still oblivious to the fact that he was crying, barely able to keep breathing in his panic. "Not again, please not again."

Slowly Therapist Smurf sat closer but didn't not touch Branch, giving him plenty of space, "Branch I need you to concentrate on breathing right now. Forget the gray and just listen to my instructions. Now, breathe deeply in and hold it."

Though it was a struggle, Branch shakily took a deep breath and held it. He breathes out when Therapist Smurf said so and then deeply again. They did this a few times until Branch was calmer and could breathe normally again.

It was then Branch noticed how wet his face was. He half wiped his face on his shoulders, still unwilling to untuck his arms from between his chest and knees. He didn't think he could handle the sight of gray right now.

"Very good," Therapist Smurf commended him, sitting back in his chair. "I don't want to push you but you were very quiet for a bit there before you reacted that way. Would you be willing to share?"

Carefully, Branch took out his arms and looked at them. The gray had faded and he was back to the pale blue he had been when he went to bed.

"I'm not scared of happiness," Branch said slowly, wrapping his arms around his knees now. "I'm scared of the cost."