Chapter 14

The kiss was gentle, unsure, but exploring. One of Branch's hands stayed on Hefty's cheek as the other gripped Hefty's shoulder. Then Hefty slid one arm around Branch's waist while the other hand cradled the back of Branch's head. Both tried to get the feel of other, each falling deeper into it.

Both had forgotten that they had an audience until a sudden, loud cheer caused them both to jump and break the kiss.

"Wow," Hefty said dazedly, taking all of Branch in.

Before him Branch was brighter than Hefty has seen him before. Branch's skin was teal with a bit of an aqua undertone but Hefty couldn't really be sure, Branch just seemed more colorful and bright the more he looked at him and it shifted even in the pale moonlight. Branch's hair was also longer and shifted into the royal purple/blue that Poppy braided into Hefty's bracelet.

"You're beautiful," Hefty whispered, smiling at the plum now shading Branch's sparkle freckled cheeks. Had those been there before? He couldn't find himself to care, leaning in to kiss Branch again.

"Branch," Poppy cried, tackling Branch and jumping onto his back and clinging like spider, almost knocking them and Hefty over but Hefty managed to keep them all upright. "You've got your colors back!"

Surprised, Branch looked at his hand, awed by the color. He hadn't seen it since he was a child. Slowly he smiled and turned the fullness of that smile to Hefty who only fell more in love.

"And you're smiling," Poppy practically cooed. She turned to Hefty, hoping down from Branch's back, "See, I told you, you could do it."

Unable to keep it in, Hefty chuckled, "Thanks Poppy."

All around them Smurfs and Trolls gathered in to congratulate them. Many Trolls held up their arms to Branch's to compare and try to figure out his colors. Most of them were too star-struck by Branch to pay Hefty much mind but Hefty really didn't mind it.

"Who knew Branch would have such brilliant colors?" Creek asked, suddenly standing at Hefty's side.

Though Creek had helped plan and do backup for Hefty, there was something about him that Hefty just didn't like, "I did."

"Of course," Creek appeased, "Though you might have a bit of competition coming your way. Now that everyone knows Branch's colors and heard him sing, he's quite the catch. And I get a feeling you're not moving here to keep an eye on… things."

Hefty glared at Creek, "Was that a statement of intentions?"

The purple Troll laughed, "Heavens no, not even I am centered enough to deal with that clouded aura on a regular basis. And I can guarantee you, despite those lovely colors on the outside, Branch is still very much clouded on inside."

Pushing back the urge to punch Creek, Hefty hid his clenched fists into crossed arms, "Whatever there is, we'll deal with it."

"We'll see," said Creek.

Around them the music started up again.

Smiling, Branch began to sing, "Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody," He turned his smile to Hefty and held out his hand,
"With somebody who loves me."

Deciding it was best to ignore Creek, Hefty smiled and took Branch's hand to dance with somebody he loved.

For Hefty's "training" with Poppy, Hefty learned about twenty songs and copied as many dance moves as he could handle. In pursuing Branch, Hefty only used about half of the songs but was still surprised by how many crazy songs Trolls had that the Smurfs never knew existed. Still, it didn't much matter when Hefty got to dance with Branch for all of them.

Even impromptu Troll parties went on as if the night was never going end. It took the giant group being distracted by Poppy's singing as a means for Hefty and Branch to finally slip away from their attention and leave the party.

Almost as soon as he were sure they were out of everyone's sights, Hefty pressed Branch against a tree to finally kiss him again. This also gave the added bonus of being able to cover Branch with his body and as press close as he wanted.

Wrapping his arms around Hefty's neck, Branch kissed Hefty back, unable to contain the moan coming out of his throat like a purr. Nor could he suppress his gasp when Hefty responded with a growl, pressing closer and deepening the kiss with this tongue.

Really, Branch had no idea what he was doing. He had never dated any Troll before or read romance for an idea of what it was like. The closest he came was listening to Poppy gush about her own experiences but those were always about how they felt, never how they worked. He half wondered how Hefty knew what the heck he was doing.

Still, Branch did his best to keep up, imitating Hefty where he good. And really, Hefty tasted really good. Not like anything in particular that Branch could name but just good. He'd continue like this until someone stumbled upon them if it wasn't for the annoying fact that he still needed to breath.

Breaking apart, both of them gasped for air but couldn't separate for long. Each giving the other, smaller, lingering kisses between pants.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get sick of doing that," Hefty grinned in such a way that made the fluttering in Branch's stomach return but it wasn't unpleasant anymore.

"Try saying that after we've kissed at least a dozen times," Branch couldn't help but tease. They had really only had two kisses, Branch refusing to count the one in the bunker where Branch freaked out and locked Hefty out to avoid the whole situation. There really was no avoiding it now and it made Branch nervous to no end.

Hefty's eyes darkened and he smiled more, "More than happy to," He leaned in to kiss Branch again, surprised when Branch pressed a finger to his lips to stop him. "Branch?"

"Hefty," Branch started, unsure, "Are you sure about this?"

'About me,' seemed to be the unspoken question.

Pulling back slightly, Hefty kissed Branch's finger against his lip, gently taking up to hold it and pull it down slightly, "I'm sure."

"But this," Branch hesitated, "This probably isn't going to last."

At first Hefty thought Branch meant them as a couple, but then noticed that Branch was looking at their joined hands. Or rather his own hand in Hefty's.

"Your colors?" Hefty asked.

After a pause, Branch nodded, "I, I love you. I didn't want to admit that but I do. And I'm really happy but I know me. I know I will over think this-"

"Like you are now?" asked Hefty.

"-And I'll find reasons this won't work," Branch ignored him. "Like all those things we talked before about Smurfette and Poppy, a lot of it applies here too. Your village needs you and while there are times I can't stand it; the Troll Tree is my home. I can't leave it, or Poppy, especially if we do end up having a child together."

"Hey," Hefty kissed Branch's cheek, "Nothing says we have to have everything figured out right now. We'll see each other as much as we can and if you have a kid, well, I'll love them as much as I would if they were my kid too."

A small laugh escaped Branch, "Papa Hefty."

Hefty chuckled, "I guess they could call me that if they wanted. And I bet Papa would love to be Grand Papa."

"And Willow can be Grandma-" Branch started with a smile but stopped the moment the word left his mouth. He swallowed back the feelings building up like bile in his throat but he couldn't stop his blue from going a little paler.

"Branch?" Hefty held Branch's face in his hands. "Come on, talk to me."

Hesitation was Branch's first response. He held Hefty's hands over his face and just breathed for a bit, giving a nod after, "A-alright but… can we go back to the bunker first?"

"As long as you promise not to lock me out," Hefty gently teased.

Branch managed a small smile, "I promise."

When they got back to the bunker, Hefty ignored all the unread letters still on the ground under the bunker entrance. They went down the shaft and sat on Branch's bed like they had before, only this time they never let go of each other's hands.

Throughout, Branch had remained silent. Even after they sat, he was quiet for a while, trying to gather up his thoughts. He was aware of Hefty watching him but Hefty hadn't asked Branch again and he appreciated the Smurf's patience.

"We've talked a bit before about how it was just me and Grandma at the old Troll Tree but when we came here I was at a home for orphaned kids," Branch began slowly, trying to delay his actual story for as long as he could.

Hefty gave Branch's hand a squeeze and nodded his head, not wanting to interrupt.

"That's because," Branch hesitated. He never said the words out loud before. Not even when he was found, recently grayed, and asked what happen did he ever say it. The older Trolls correctly assumed Branch's grandmother had been taken and that's all they needed to know about it, to them it was just another day in Bergen Town, not the day they lost the one person they ever knew that loved them.

Branch took in a deep breath, "She was taken by a Bergen," he looked down at the ground, "And it was my fault."

"Woah, hold on," Hefty tried to get Branch to look at him but could only get Branch to turn his head in Hefty's general direction. "You were, what, three or four at the time? How the Smurf could it had have been your fault?"

"Because I was singing," Branch turned his head away, not noticing his blue going paler as he spoke. "I was standing in the open like an idiot and singing my heart out. I was so into song that I didn't hear the Bergen approaching or my Grandmother trying to warn me. Next thing I knew she was pushing me out of the way and when I stopped falling I looked up to see her being carried away and hear her scream. I couldn't… It was all-"

"It was not your fault," Hefty took hold of Branch's face with both of his hands this time. "You were a kid!"

"I was born in Bergen Town," Branch protested finally looking at Hefty again, back to his pale blue. "I was told to always be aware of the Bergen. I should have known better; being a child doesn't excuse that."

"The only ones to blame are the Bergen," insisted Hefty. "And your grandmother wouldn't want you making yourself miserable over this!"

"You don't think I've thought of that?" asked Branch, pulling away slightly. "I'm fully aware of the fact that Grandma did what she did because she loved me and wanted me to live so I could be happy. That if she could see how I've spent my life that she'd be disappointed?

'Knowing that doesn't make it hurt any less! It doesn't make it any easier to let people in because I know how easy it is for me to screw up and get them killed if not lose them simply because I'm difficult to deal with?

'How would you feel if your Papa died saving you?!"

Hefty stayed silent and Branch grayed.

"I'm sorry," Branch said softly, putting his hand on top of Hefty's. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you shouldn't have," said Hefty, but turned his hand to hold Branch's again. "But you're right, I can't understand. Gargamel has chased us for years and caught us a few times but he's never… I've never lost anyone."

"I don't want you to," Branch swore.

"I know," said Hefty, raising his free hand to cup Branch's cheek. "And I hope you know that includes you too; I don't ever want to lose you."

Slowly Branch smiled and his skin returned to a pale blue.

"Hey," Hefty smiled and tried to joke, "This color thing of yours is really handy for telling how you're feeling; almost feels like I'm cheating."

Branch looked down at his hand and sighed, "Split ends, I am a mood ring."

Hefty chuckled softly, and pulled Branch closer to hold him, "You're my mood ring."

"I'm not answering to that," Branch grumbled.

"Moody?" asked Hefty.

"Isn't that too close to Grouchy?" asked Branch.

"Er, yeah, that would be weird," said Hefty, then grinned. "How about Siren?"

Branch didn't reply but Hefty got his answer when Branch turned a lighter blue.

"Oh, you like that?" Hefty teased, snuggling Branch closer when he tried to pull away to blush in his own space.

"Ah, stupid skin," Branch covered his face in embarrassment. "I blame you for this; I never felt so much like this until you."

"You're trying to point out blame but all I'm hearing are things to be proud of," smiled Hefty, kissing Branch's temple. "Though I have to admit, I'm surprised you change shades at all. Poppy made it sound like once you… had your colors back that you'd stay that way."

"Poppy is an optimist," commented Branch, "Or a romantic. Either way I'm just a weirdo among a species of weirdos."

"No arguments, it's part of why I love you, but why didn't Poppy change colors even when she was scared or mad at me," asked Hefty.

"Trolls can be sad, and angry and other things without turning gray. It usually takes a lot of emotions to change colors," said Branch. "I have no idea why mine are shifting so easily."

"Side effect from holding back emotions for so long?" asked Hefty.

"Possibly," Branch shrugged. "Can't say I've ever heard of a Troll staying gray for as long as I did."

Hefty hummed, absently playing with a bit of Branch's hair, "We'll figure it out eventually; together."

"Together," Branch repeated, the idea still so foreign to him. He wondered how long it would take him to mess it up.

"Yeah," Hefty confirmed. "And that means we're going to have to talk to each other about stuff. Like if you're worried about something, don't hold it in. I may not understand right already but I'll try to and do my best to help, okay?"

"Does anything ever bother you?" asked Branch, "This feels rather one sided."

"Eh, problems run away when they take one look at my muscles," Hefty let go of Branch to flex but quickly had to grab him again when the Troll moved to sit up. They ended up falling more onto the bed and Hefty laughed as Branch still tried to get up, curling around him a bit, "I'm joking, I'm joking!"

"You are not," Branch rolled his eyes at him.

"I'm half joking?" Hefty tried again.

Branch mock punched Hefty in the chest, "Muscle head."

"I'm serious," Hefty promised, "I will talk to you if something is ever bothering. Like, I want you to promise to keep your appointments with Therapist Smurf."

"That just sounds like you trying to help me," said Branch, "Like always."

"Oh no, it's for completely selfish reasons," Hefty assured him. "He'll help you figure a few things out and while I know it's not a magical cure all, eventually you will be happier with yourself and that will help you love me more. See, I'm getting the better end of the deal."

"Doofus," murmured Branch but relaxed in Hefty's arms. "But I promise that I'll try."

"Thanks," Hefty kissed Branch softly. "Hmmm, still not tired of kissing you."

"That was only our third kiss," Branch kissed him, "Now fourth, Doofus."

"Is doofus going to be my pet name because I can't say I'm too fond of it," Hefty paused to kiss Branch again. "And doesn't that make six?"

"No, five," Branch grinned, then kissed him, "Now it's six, Doofus"

"It feels like you're missing one," Hefty's next kiss lingered. "Eight, and stop calling me doofus, it's not romantic at all."

"And you thought 'mood ring' would be?" Branch pulled Hefty closer for a deeper kiss.

Hefty hummed, dazed for a moment, "Nine… And I was just teasing."

"Stop counting," Branch kissed him for longer, convinced that Hefty forgot all about it by his love-struck expression when he finally pulled back.

"You started it," mumbled Hefty but moved in for another kiss and another and another.

Later, when Hefty was asleep, Branch laid beside him with his head propped up on arm, bent at the elbow, and couldn't understand how he got there. He couldn't understand what Hefty saw in him, why Hefty fought so hard for him or why he stuck around when Branch couldn't keep his colors for even the full night.

Careful not to wake him, Branch stroke back a bit of Hefty's bangs and kissed his forehead. Maybe he should just be happy with this for as long as it lasted?

"Good night," Branch whispered, settling down to sleep, "Hero."