Chapter 26

Once Creek left Branch's bedroom, he had no idea what to do with himself. He stood next to the doorway for a while and listened, making sure Branch wouldn't just get back up when Creek left the room. When he was satisfied Branch had actually listened to him he returned to the table, righted the chairs and looked to the remaining presents.

Traditionally, it was unheard of to open another Troll's wooing gifts but Creek felt Branch had put up with this long enough. He opened the last few gifts, wrote the giver's name on an envelope and put the item into the giveaway pile as it was all just more of the same from a Troll that didn't know the first thing about Branch. With a bit of practice, Creek traced Branch's standard rejection on the remaining cards so all Branch would have to do is sign it.

A spiteful part of Creek then went through the envelopes and wrote down all the givers names on some scrap paper. There was an equal divide between boys and girls on the list and he wondered if any of them even gave Branch a second glance when he was gray. He tucked the list into his hair to figure out what to do with it later.

Done with that task, Creek looked around a bit. It didn't feel right to leave before Branch woke up and, honestly, he didn't want to. Eventually he stood and peeked back into the bedroom to check in on Branch.

Looking to be asleep, Branch appeared peaceful, the pale blue returning to his skin as he rested. By his head, Pudgy had nested himself on the pillows and cooed softly in a manner Creek hoped Branch would find soothing.

This was what Creek had intended when he decided to use all the Troll's sudden interest in Branch to sneak him a gift. Truly it had never been intended to woo Branch, Creek keeping his identity a secret, but he had seen the fireflies follow Branch around a few times before Creek heard him sing and knew the slightly bigger one seemed to like Branch the most of the bunch. He had hoped the firefly would bring Branch some comfort and company while that Smurf was gone doing whatever it was that made that Smurf important enough to his village to leave Branch on his own.

It was then Creek noticed Branch's scar on his arm for the hundredth time. That scar had no place marring Branch's skin and though Creek knew Branch had other scars that had nothing to do with the Smurf, Creek blamed the Smurf all the same. At least that was something Creek might be able to do something about.

Tying a bit of hair to the table, Creek used it as a guiding rope so he wouldn't get lost as he explored the bunker. Truly it was amazing to see what Branch all had down there. So many different foods and traps and supplies that truly would be useful if Branch locked himself way from the surface for any given amount of time.

Though Creek was curious as to what was all there, he did his best not to big around too much. He already felt like he was invading Branch's privacy as he was but he was sure Branch would have what he needed without Creek having to leave Branch alone and he would replace what he took at a later date.

Finally, Creek found Branch's medical supplies. He looked through the jars and ointments, pausing when he read the label of one of them. Really, only Branch would be adorable and naïve enough to have lube sitting out in the open with the medical uses on the label. And even though it brought less than innocent fantasies to mind, Creek pushed them aside to keep looking.

When Creek found what he needed he started to mix them together and poured them into an empty jar. He couldn't find where Branch kept his labels but figured Branch would take care of that later and cleaned up before returning to the table with the jar to untie his hair.

With jar in hand, Creek went back to the bedroom, intending to put some of the concoction on Branch's arm. But when Creek was standing next to the bed, he hesitated. He doubted Branch would appreciate Creek touching him while he was sleeping and though Creek had done so many times before, they had been younger and Creek had been unaware of his own feelings at the time. Somehow it felt wrong to do it now, even if it was an innocent gesture meant to help Branch.

Deciding it was best not to, Creek closed the jar and returned to the table to set the jar down there. He was really starting to tread on some dangerous ground here. There was a reason he never tried to spend time with Branch individually, the temptation was too great.

Needing to clear his head, Creek settled on doing some yoga on the ground. Some proper, relaxation yoga rather than the sped-up dance version he often taught in the village. He started with some basic poses just to breath and stretch before moving into some other ones that required more flexibility.

Creek's mind was almost cleared when he heard movement. He paused and peeked between his legs to see Branch standing in his bedroom doorway and staring at him in a sleepy fashion. Quickly turning, Creek stood up properly to face Branch, "You're awake."

"Define awake," Branch rubbed at his eyes and Creek had to hold his hands behind his back to keep from reaching out and hug the adorable Troll. He yawned and looked at Creek, uncertain, "You didn't have to stay."

"I know," Creek acknowledged, twisting his hands behind him. "I didn't want to go though."

"You don't have to worry about me," Branch looked more embarrassed than annoyed, heading for his kitchen.

"I'm pretty sure I do," replied Creek, following. "Friends do that for each other after all."

"Um, yeah," said Branch slowly, digging around for his coffee since the leftover green tea was not going to help him at all right now.

Grabbing the coffee first, Creek pointed to the table, "You go finish signing your rejection cards; I'll make coffee."

"I am capable of making coffee," commented Branch.

"Which is also why you're capable of signing your own name," stated Creek. "Just go get it over with and if you don't mind my messing around in here, I would like to make some lunch. I'm famished and I don't trust that you're awake enough to make anything."

Branch took in a deep breath and released it slowly, "Do whatever you want," and headed to the table to sign the cards.

Sighing, Creek looked around at the options in the kitchen. Surprisingly, though it shouldn't have been a surprise, there was quite the variety. He decided he make something simple solely for the sake of time and carried the two plates with his hands and the kettle of coffee with his hair when he was done.

At the table, Branch had finished signing the cards and stuffing the envelopes and was now inspecting the jar Creek had left there. He looked up when he heard Creek approach, "Was this one of the gifts?"

"Ah no," Creek set down the food, taking the coffee kettle from his hair to properly pour some into Branch's mug. "I hope you don't mind but I did some snooping while you were asleep and found your medical supplies." He had to bite his tongue a moment to keep from commenting on the lube. "I made that to help," he paused and gave into the temptation to rub a finger over Branch's scarred arm, "with this. It will help soften the tissue so the scar will fade more quickly, I even added a bit of lavender oil so it would smell better." He set down the kettle when he thought of something, "I could make a different batch though if you don't like lavender."

Branch was silent again, staring at Creek. It almost felt like their first meeting where Branch just stared at Creek for a long time, trying to determine if he was a threat, but now it was more like Branch was trying to figure Creek out and it made Creek nervous.

"Lavender is fine," Branch finally said after what felt like an eternity. "Thank you for making it and thank you for making lunch."

"You're welcome," Creek could finally breath a bit. He refreshed his cup of tea before sitting with Branch. "I'll replace the things I used later."

"Don't worry about it," Branch shook his head.

Lunch conversation was light, Branch asking Creek how he made the concoction and the best way to use it. At one point though, Branch absently reached back to touch his own back, as if having an itch that he couldn't quite reach.

"Are you itchy?" Creek had to smile behind his mug, wondering how Branch stayed single long enough to fall for the Smurf when he was this adorable.

"Just trying to figure out how I'm going to get this on my back," said Branch.

"Your back?" Creek repeated, smile fading. There was more?

"Yeah, the cat-beast got me good there," said Branch, still reaching. "I guess I'll have to ask Poppy to help me, I won't be able to reach it all."

Creek swallowed, "Or, you know, I'm literally sitting right across from you."

Branch stilled and looked at Creek oddly again.

"Poppy can help other times," Creek assured him, trying to avoid Branch thinking too much on it. "But if I'm around I have no problem helping."

"Alright," said Branch slowly, uncertain.

Nodding, Creek stood.

"Right now?" asked Branch.

"Why not, we're done eating, might as well," said Creek, not wanting to give Branch a chance to change his mind. He wanted to see the damage and, admittedly, wanted an excuse to touch Branch for a bit.

Again, Branch stared but, after a moment, relented. He shrugged off his vest and turned so Creek could see.

From how Poppy told it, Branch's arm had gotten the worse of it. But looking at Branch's back, it looked much worse than the scar on Branch's arm. The back scars were angry and numerous and looked like a few had been deep.

"That," Creek started slowly, needing to take a breath, "That cat-monster did this?" He lightly touched Branch's back. "How did you survive?"

"Hefty," Branch replied, "I didn't see exactly what he did but he made it let go of me and caught me before I hit the ground. The cat backed off and Hefty took Poppy and I someplace to give me medical attention. When I was in the clear he got permission to take us to Smurf Village for us to recover. Took Poppy a day she's so resilient."

"Indeed," Creek swallowed again. He hoped Branch didn't notice Creek's hand shaking when he picked up the jar. Part of him still wanted to be angry at the Smurf for being the cause of Branch and Poppy being out there for the cat to attack them but mostly he just felt relief that they both survived and gratefulness to the Smurf for saving them.

After Creek rubbed the ointment on Branch's back, he moved around to put it on Branch's arm as well.

"I can get that," said Branch.

"I already have it on my hand, might as well let me finish," said Creek, taking Branch's hand into his own in order to rise up Branch's arm. He barely kept himself from squeezing Branch's hand as he smoothed the lotion. When he finished he moved Branch's hand a bit to move Branch's arm and inspect his work. "There you go, try to put it on twice a day and it'll help smooth things out. I'll make a bigger batch for you in a couple of days."

"Um, thanks," Branch slowly pulled his hand back. "Where did you learn that?"

"My uncle," said Creek, "He knew lots of herbal remedies and tonics." He absently rubbed the excess ointment onto his hands as it wouldn't hurt as a lotion. "You'd probably enjoy reading his old notebooks."

"Is that an offer?" asked Branch.

Creek chuckled, "Yes that's an offer. I'll bring the first one by with the next batch."

"Thank you," said Branch, pausing to think a moment. "Do you still like studying herbal remedies and such?"

"I haven't kept up as much since his passing but yes, I do," said Creek.

Branch stood and walked over some book shelves. He ran his finger over the spines before selecting one and bringing it over, offering it to Creek. "You might already know a lot that's in here but you might find some things interesting."

Curious, Creek opened it up to find that it wasn't a book but an old sketch book of drawings and notes. He recognized the artwork from when he used to watch Branch draw, and saw as it progressively got better as the pages went on.

Most of the pages were of plants in the area and notes about the colors and what they were good for. There were, however, random pages of things like constellations and things that must have randomly caught young Branch's interest like a firefly and plants that were just pretty rather than useful.

"These are spectacular Branch," Creek couldn't help but smile at the drawings. "You never cease to amaze me."

When Creek looked up, Branch was smiling slightly.

"Is there something amusing about that?" asked Creek.

"No, just, well, Hefty had said something similar," commented Branch.

"Indeed," Creek murmured, looking at the sketches again. He finally made Branch smile and it was because Creek had reminded Branch of that Smurf. All those years of teasing Branch must have seriously destroyed his karma as far as Branch was concerned. "Are you sure its okay for me to borrow this?"

"It's only fair considering you're going to lend me your uncle's notebooks," said Branch. He paused for a moment, sounding uncertain when he spoke again. "Its what friends do, right?"

Looking up, Creek smiled, "Yes, that's one of the many things friends do."

Maybe friendship could be enough. Instead of teasing Branch for his attention, maybe Creek could be his friend again as he had considered them being as children. Being closer to Branch had to be better than being kept at arm's length, right?

Besides it was the Smurf that made Branch's colors really shine and Branch's happiness was far more important than Creek's selfish desires.

But if Creek ever saw Branch go gray and cry over that Smurf again, Creek didn't know what he would do but he was certain it further darken his aura and karma forever.