Chapter 11

The Trolls had about as much respect for personal space as the girl Smurfs did at their first meeting. They're caressing Hefty's arms and trying to steal his hat for a better look at his hair but he's able to keep that out of their reach. Stormy is protecting Clumsy from being poked by shielding him glaring at the Trolls to keep their distance. Brainy keeps having to take back his glasses from grabby Trolls while Smurf Lily is doing her best to introduce herself to all of them. Poppy protects Smurfette from being overrun but that doesn't stop the staring.

The only Smurfs not being harassed are Papa and Willow. Instead they find themselves surrounded by the youngest of the Trolls.

"You're old," one of the children giggled at Papa.

Papa couldn't help but laugh warmly, picking the child up and letting them poke at this beard, "And you're all the cutest things I've seen since my Smurflings were young."

"Have to say I actually agree with you Papa-thing," Willow smiled, picking up one of the Trollings pulling at her dress.

Hefty tried to ignore the swarm around him, and keep his eyes on Branch but it got increasingly harder the more Trolls tried to get his attention.

"Alright, enough of that everyone," Peppy walked through the crowd and dispersed the crowd surrounding Hefty, putting a hand on Hefty's shoulder. "Our new friends have traveled far and we have much to celebrate. This heroic Smurf who saved my daughter-"

"But Branch," Hefty tried but he wasn't heard over the sound of the surrounding Trolls cheering for him.

"And Poppy's engagement," finished Peppy.

"Dad," Poppy blushed. "We just started dating."

"Your future engagement then," Peppy smiled.

All around them the adult Trolls scattered, starting to set up for a party. With the exception of Creek, even the Snack Pack dispersed to help, seemingly forgetting all about the issues that caused the swarm to begin with.

Branch was nowhere in sight.

"Your boyfriend just threw us to the wolves," Brainy growled.

"Shut up," Hefty snapped, though he was blushing. "He was just freaking out and he apologized in advance."

"It was a calculated move and we were bait," protested Brainy.

"You must forgive Branch," Creek approached the Smurfs. "He's never been good at social interaction. And forgive me as well, I'm afraid I must have made a bad first impression."

"You're not doing all that much better now," grumbled Hefty.

"Hey now, Branch's sudden remission took me by surprise," Creek defended himself. "And I had not realized he could have found a prospective mate and still go gray."

Hefty blushed and cursed Brainy's outburst, "We're not…"

Creek looked him over and smiled slightly, "One sided then? Can't say I'm surprised, you'd have better luck romancing an actual tree branch then our Branch."

Smiling sweetly, Poppy went over to the purple Troll, "Creek, if you can't say anything nice," she gave him a warning look, "Then don't say anything at all."

With a chuckle, Creek lightly tapped Poppy's nose, "boop" and turned to Hefty. "How about a peace offering then? I can tell you which way Branch went."

"Towards his pod?" Poppy asked hopefully.

"Towards his bunker," Creek corrected.

"Where-" began Hefty.

"That way," Creek pointed, "And good luck."

Part of Hefty realized that he probably should make some sort of game plan with Papa on where to meet later or to make sure they stuck close to Poppy but Hefty couldn't pause to discuss it. As soon as he had a direction he ran for it, dodging every Troll that tried to speak or grab hold of him.

A short distance away from the Troll Tree, Branch ran into Pudgy and the other fireflies. They immediately buzzed around him, Pudgy making his way into Branch's hair and giving off little coos of contentment.

"Missed me, huh?" Branch continued towards his bunker, hoping no one tried to catch up and force him to the party he knew his fellow Trolls would soon be throwing. Even when he had colors he avoided them like the plague; they were too loud, too crowded and he didn't want to sing and dance around any of them.

The fireflies buzzed and nuzzled Branch with each fly by. Branch could tell that they wanted a song but they were too close to the Troll Tree. Last thing he needed was for any Troll besides Poppy to know that he could sing. Still the fireflies buzzed and nuzzled, soon blocking his vision of where he was going.

"Fine, you little pests, one song," Branch waved his arms to disperse them but was careful not to actually hit any of them.

Hefty caught up with Branch just as he started to sing, the fireflies soon joining in to create the beat and background vocals, "You must think that I'm stupid
You must think that I'm a fool
You must think that I'm new to this
But I have seen this all before."

Quickly Hefty moved behind a tree to listen. He didn't have much cover to work with in this area but did his best to not be spotted as he continued to follow Branch and sneak peeks at him as he went from one hiding place to another.

Unaware of his audience, Branch continued, "I'm never gonna let you close to me
Even though you mean the most to me
'Cause every time I open up, it hurts
So I'm never gonna get too close to you
Even when I mean the most to you
In case you go and leave me in the dirt."

There was a pause, hesitation, Branch skipping a few lines before continuing, "Baby, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true

I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)

I know you're thinking I'm heartless
I know you're thinking I'm cold
I'm just protecting my innocence
I'm just protecting my soul."

As Branch sang he continued to walk further away from the Troll Tree. There were no dance moves or even a spring in his step, but Branch's gray did nothing to effect Branch's voice and how it drew Hefty in.

Soon the song was over as Branch came upon a large rock. He lifted open a hatch door in front of the rock and looked around at the fireflies, "Alright, you got your song, now go home."

With happy buzzing and cooing the fireflies each gave Branch one more nuzzle before flying off and Hefty quickly ran out of his hiding spot and towards the Troll.

Without the fireflies buzzing so close to his ears, Branch heard Hefty's approach and turned to look, blinking in confusion, "Hefty?"

"Hey," Hefty stopped a little short of Branch. "Room for one more?"

Branch hesitated, "Aren't you mad at me?"

"For what? Sic'ing a bunch of rabid Trolls with no regard for personal space on me?" Hefty faked a laugh, "That wasn't terrifying at all." He gave Branch a little smirk, "Let me into the bunker and I might consider forgiving you."

Absently swaying the door, a bit, Branch considered it, "But don't you want to go to the party? It's going to be in your honor, Hero."

"No regard for personal space," Hefty repeated. "Besides, I much rather hang out here with you."

Branch drummed his fingers on the door before giving a nod, "Alright, hop in."

Grinning Hefty strode over and slid into the bunker, the floor a little further down than he expected but still close enough to the door that climbing out wouldn't be difficult. Still it was much smaller and emptier then he was expecting.

After Branch slid in, he closed and locked the bunker door.

"This is it?" Hefty couldn't help but ask.

Rolling his eyes, Branch pushed Hefty deeper into the room, "I've been making this place since I was five; what do you think?" He pulled a lever and huffed a little laugh at Hefty's startled laugh as they started to move down.

"Wow," Hefty murmured, watching as they continuously passed rooms of supplies before reaching what seemed to be the bottom. This main room had some supplies as well but seemed to be Branch's living area and was much brighter and warmer than he expected.

Still there a few things that were exactly what Hefty expected. A desk and chair in the corner by some shelves, a table with only one chair near a little kitchen that had numerous shafts to vent it, and more rooms that branched off of this one. It could be easy getting lost down here and Branch only had what he needed for one person, not expecting to entertain.

Looking around, Branch realized this as well. He didn't have a couch or anything here, the only one he had was at his pod and he never expected to need another one at his bunker.

"I guess this way," Branch lead Hefty to his bedroom and sat on his bed.

Hefty tried not to think too much of it as he sat beside Branch. They had shared a bed many times before this and it was just sitting together. But that had been the Recovery Mushroom bed and this was Branch's actual bed. It felt different being together here.

"So," Branch stared at his feet, not sure of what to say, "Did they leave any Smurf survivors besides you?"

Chuckling, Hefty relaxed a bit, "Yeah but Brainy is miffed at you so you may want to apologize to him again later. Though Papa and Willow might thank you; they were swarmed by all the kids and were having a ball when I left them."

"At least they enjoyed it," commented Branch.

"Well, the little Trolls were really cute so Papa and Willow were powerless to resist," Hefty smiled when Branch let out a soft chuckle. "You know, a little you would be cute too."

Branch frowned, "Don't make me regret not sic'ing more Trolls on you."

"I'm being serious," Hefty gave Branch a little nudge, "You could also do it solely to spite those jerks who doubt you."

Silently, Branch turned to stare at Hefty, not sure what to think, "You want me to have a kid with Poppy?"

Hefty sighed and shook his head, "Not really but Smurfette is my friend, my best friend, I don't want her to lose her chance at happiness because Poppy has to fill her princess-ly obligations. Hopefully it would be a one and done sort of deal."

Branch blinked, "One and done?"

"Um," Hefty blushed. "You know," he put his hands together a moment before separating them, "And out comes baby."

Now Branch blushed, "You think Poppy and I would have to have sex, like rabbits, in order to have a child?"

"Don't you?" asked Hefty.

Quickly Branch shook his head, "Oh god no. We don't get our children via storks but we don't have kids like that."

"Then, how do you?" asked Hefty.

"You saw the pods, right?" Branch paused for Hefty's nod before continuing. "Our pods are made out of our hair and is connected to the lifeforce of the Troll Tree. When two Trolls who love each other live in the same pod a smaller pod will grow off of their shared pod. That smaller pod will grow for a month or two and then open up, um, birthing their child.

'Honestly I'm not really sure how the Tree knows. I mean there have been couples who loved and lived together that didn't want any kids and the Troll Tree didn't grow a pod anyway so it's not automatic. It's like the Tree can sense intentions so I don't know if it would work even if Poppy and I tried. We love each other but we're not in love and I don't really want kids."

Slowly, Hefty reached over and took Branch's hand, lifting it, "Because of this?"

After a moment of hesitation, Branch nodded, "How can I make a child happy if I can't even keep my own colors?"

"Hey," Hefty took hold of Branch's chin with his other hand to tilt it up and make the Troll look at his eyes. "I'm no expert on Troll happiness but, back home, happiness is something you work for and you are working towards it Branch. There are good days and bad days but as long as you don't give up I think a kid would have a lot to learn from you."

"Um, thanks," Branch blushed and looked away.

Faintly they could hear the music start above them.

"Are you sure you don't want to go to the party?" Branch hesitated to ask and refused to look at the Smurf. "You'd hear a lot of singing. And, who knows, maybe you'd find someone… special?"

Hefty blinked and stared at Branch, "Someone… special?"

Slouching a little Branch tried to pull his hand away from Hefty but Hefty wasn't about to let Branch slip away this time.

"Branch, is that what you've been worrying about?" Hefty tilted Branch's face toward him again even though Branch refused to look at him.

Still not looking, Branch also refused to answer but the darker gray covering his cheeks gave him away.

Softly, Hefty smiled, releasing Branch's chin to cup his cheek, "Branch, you have nothing to worry about, I already found my someone special."

Branch finally looked at Hefty, just in time for the Smurf to lean in and kiss him.

The kiss was soft, getting used to the feel of lips under his but Hefty was in heaven. Branch's lips were softer than he imagined and tasted so sweet without even having to add his tongue to the mix. He could do this all day and not tire of it.

But Branch wasn't kissing him back. In fact, Branch wasn't moving at all.

Pulling back, Hefty mournfully broke the kiss to open his eyes and look at Branch, a bit taken back by what he saw.

Branch was staring at him with wide, unblinking eyes that Hefty had never seen so terrified. His skin was splotchy; gray, pale blue, light blue and a bright blue that Hefty hadn't seen before. The Troll's hair was also multiple colors and length, unsure of the state of the Troll's mind and still shifting randomly.

"Branch?" Hefty gently caressed Branch's cheek with his thumb, trying not to worry about the Troll's reaction.

At the sound of his name, Branch jerked back into focus and blinked, finally really seeing Hefty, though his skin and hair stayed jumbled.

"No," said Branch slowly, then came into more focus, jumping to his feet, "No, no, no!"

Branch tried to simultaneously push Hefty away from him and step away but he couldn't. Some of his hair had wrapped around Hefty's wrist and refused to let go no matter how much Branch struggled and pulled.

"Branch stop," Hefty tried to reach for Branch but was pushed away and back onto the bed again. "Branch, please-"

With a shout, Branch reached into his hair and grabbed out a pocket knife, quickly opening it up and cutting the offensive hair off so he could finally get some distance between him the Smurf. Almost absently, he dropped the knife and took a few steps away, frequently running his scalp to try and calm his hair as he breathed hard.

This was not happening. This couldn't be happening. Hefty couldn't have just kissed him. The Smurf couldn't have feelings for Branch. Branch didn't deserve those feelings. Branch destroyed everything he touched with the small exception of Poppy. He couldn't let Hefty do this to himself, to his village where he was needed.

"Branch," Hefty said softly, wincing at how Branch jumped and scampered further away like a frightened animal. "Branch it's okay, just breath. Do you need to get some air?"

"Air?" Branch repeated, almost as if he didn't understand, then nodded, "Yes air. I need air."

The Troll backed out of the room, not taking his eyes off the Smurf.

Cautiously, Hefty followed, trying to give Branch space but also not about to let Branch leave him down there. As soon as Branch was calmer, they needed to talk.

The ride up the shaft was tense, Branch staying as far from Hefty as possible but never taking his eyes off of him, as if he expected to be attacked. Hefty couldn't help but feel that sting and wonder if he had pushed too far too soon even though it had felt so right at the time.

Once they got to the top level, Branch wouldn't go out first, still not wanting to take his eyes off of Hefty. Though something was nagging at him, Hefty relented and climbed out of the bunker first.

When Hefty turned back, the bunker door was closed and locked.