Chapter 27
Night had fallen by the time Hefty's group made it back to the village. After Papa and Willow made sure everyone was accounted for, Hefty went back to his mushroom. Too tired to unpack, Hefty solely took out the blanket Branch packed for him and put it on his bed before laying down but was unable to sleep.
Being back home just felt off. He hadn't even slept in his own bed for days before he left for the Troll Tree. With the exception of when Branch had locked him out of the bunker, Hefty had been sleeping beside Branch, usually with Branch in his arms.
Tossing around a bit, Hefty plopped onto his side and gazed at his wrist where the bracelet of Branch's hair that Poppy had braided for him still rested. His fingers lightly caressed over the braid as he sighed. He knew this was going to be hard but he had hoped it wouldn't hit him so quickly.
Who was he kidding? Hefty had wanted to turn back the moment Branch was out of sight. He wanted to hold Branch longer, kiss him more, and just be near him. He cursed the distance between Smurf Village and the Troll Tree and hoped the week would go by quickly.
After a night of restless sleep, Hefty ate some of the food Branch packed for him before going on a run to try and clear his head. He must have made three laps around the village when he noticed other Smurfs walking around and starting their day. They were all content to be home, while Hefty just felt like home was missing.
Two or three laps later, Hefty realized there were a few things he could do while he waited for Branch to come to Smurf Village. Taking a turn, he headed for Chef's mushroom.
As always, Chef was in his kitchen when Hefty arrived.
"Good morning Chef," Hefty greeted.
"Good morning Hefty," Chef returned. "You missed breakfast, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, just went for a run," Hefty explained, thanking his friend when Chef poured him a glass of water.
"I saw you go by a few times," commented Chef. He offered Hefty a smile, "You know that expression that the humans are so fond of; distance makes the heart grow fonder."
"Whatever human said that needs their head examined," Hefty said after finishing off his glass, smiling a bit at Chef's chuckle. "Hey Chef, if breakfast is over, why are you still cooking?"
"Have to prepare for lunch," explained Chef.
"This early?" asked Hefty.
"Lots of mouths to feed," shrugged Chef, pouring Hefty some more water.
Fiddling with the glass, Hefty remembered Branch's question as to if Chef or Baker ever got a break. The answer seemed to be no, not even in between meals.
"Can I help?" Hefty asked tentatively.
Chef paused, turning to the strong Smurf, "You want to help me cook?"
"I don't know much about it," Hefty admitted, "But Branch taught me a little and, well, if you have time I would like to learn more and take some of the load off for you."
Chuckling, Chef patted Hefty's shoulder, "That Troll is already an excellent influence Hefty, you chose well."
A blush spread across Hefty's cheeks, "I didn't really choose, my heart did it for me."
"Of course," Chef nodded. "Well, if you want to learn the first thing you have to do is clean up. No Smurf wants sweat on their smurfberries."
"Aye, aye Chef," Hefty saluted and ran off to do so.
Hefty stayed with Chef for a few hours, learning some basics. Chef wouldn't let Hefty do any of the actual cooking just yet but he learned and did a lot of the prep work. He couldn't believe he never thought of all the work that went into cooking, especially on such a large scale. Prep and cooking for one meal basically just lead to clean up then prep and cooking for the next, especially since the workload had just doubled along with the number of Smurfs in the village.
After eating lunch, Hefty helped Chef clean up and promised to come back the next day to learn and help more. There was still another couple of stops he wanted to make before the day was over.
Stopping to grab Handy, Hefty took him with him to go see Laundry Smurf. He found out where Laundry Smurf typically did his work and told them the basics of what Branch had in the bunker and planned to build there.
"That sounds pretty amazing," commented Laundry Smurf.
"How does it work?" asked Handy.
"Um, he explained it to me but I don't think I would explain it right," admitted Hefty. "But Branch is going to need a wall to build it on."
"I can do that," said Handy. "How big?"
"About three Smurfs long and a Smurf and a half high," said Hefty.
Handy nodded, "I'll make it a Smurf thick so it's sturdy," he turned to Laundry Smurf, "Where would be best for you?"
"If it could be alongside where I hang the laundry to dry, that could be just Smurfy," said Laundry Smurf.
Looking around, Hefty noticed a couple of baskets of wet laundry waiting to be hanged. He picked up both with ease, "Why don't you two get planning and I'll hang these?"
"Are you sure Hefty?" asked Laundry Smurf, sounding bewildered.
"Clothes pins aren't hard to figure out," commented Hefty and headed to where he knew the clothes lines were.
It was when Hefty finished hanging laundry that Clumsy found him.
"There you are!" exclaimed Clumsy, rushing for him. His feet got in the way and he fell over right before he would have reached Hefty. Not to be deterred, he leaped back to his feet, "You have a visitor."
"A visitor?" Hefty repeated, feeling his heart race at the prospect. It had to be Branch, who else could it possibly be?
Clumsy rubbed his arm awkwardly, seeing Hefty's face light up, "It's not who you think it is…"
Quickly, Hefty's heart sank but he cleared his throat to hide it, "Um, Poppy?"
"No," Clumsy shook his head. "I don't remember his name but he's that purple Troll with the two-tone hair."
"Creek," Hefty seethed. What the Hell did that guy want? "Where is he?"
"He's waiting outside the village," said Clumsy. "I ran into him on my way back from getting Smurfberries. He was by the log but he said he knew he didn't have permission to come in so he would wait outside for you. What do you think he wants?"
"Hopefully an ass kicking," growled Hefty, "Because that's all I have for him." He gave the baskets to Clumsy, "Give these back to Laundry Smurf for me, will yah? I have a Troll to discuss matters with."
"Ah, okay," Clumsy agreed uncertainly but he knew better than to try and stop Hefty, especially when he was angry.
Hefty sprinted out of the village and out the hollow log passageway but didn't see Creek when he looked around. He knew Clumsy wouldn't lie so where-
Suddenly Creek was next to Hefty, having come up from behind, inspecting his heart tattoo, "Oh good, the clumsy one sent the right Smurf."
Growling, Hefty swung his fist, wanting nothing more than to hit that smug face that thought he could get away with hitting on Branch right in front of him. Then he had the gall to come here alone and talk like that? He was not going to let it slid anymore.
Side stepping, Creek dodged the punch, "Muscle headed, hit first, think later Smurf… What Branch sees in you I will never understand."
"It doesn't matter whether or not you see it," shouted Hefty. "Branch loves me, and I love him, and you better get used to that because it isn't changing."
"Indeed," Creek frowned, "But that's why you need to come back."
Anger was replaced by confusion and Hefty could just stare at Creek, "What?"
Rolling his eyes, Creek pointed at Hefty, "You," he pointed towards the direction of the Troll tree, "Go back to Branch," he pointed to the ground with both hands, "Now."
"You want me to go back to Branch?" Hefty repeated, unable to understand. Just what was Creek playing at?
"I don't speak Smurf, and I don't know how to make it simpler for you to understand," stated Creek.
Hefty growled, "I got that you jerk, but I don't understand why. I thought you would be thrilled that I was gone."
"Don't get me wrong, your absence has been a pleasure, as short lived as it has been," said Creek, "But I can't stand Branch being miserable without you so if I have to tolerate your presence, it will be worth it if Branch would brighten up again."
Hearing that, Hefty frowned worriedly, "Is Branch alright? Did he, is the gray again?"
"Not when I left but he was for a little bit," sighed Creek. "You must realize how miserable Branch would have to be to break down in front of me of all Trolls."
This didn't seem right. It was obvious that Creek had intentions towards Branch but why would he get Hefty even if Branch was missing Hefty? Creek seemed like the sort of guy that would have used Hefty's absence to try to steal Branch away. So why…
"Why are you doing this?" asked Hefty. "And don't say because you don't like the sight of Branch unhappy. You didn't seem to have a problem with it when you picked on him when you two were kids."
"Did Branch tell you that?" asked Creek.
"Miss Frizz mentioned it," said Hefty.
"Ah, did she tell you that Branch and I used to be roommates when we were first brought to live with her?" asked Creek.
"No," said Hefty slowly, not sure where this was going.
"I'm sure she also didn't tell you how Branch used to cry in his sleep at night and I would hold him and comfort him until he calmed down because she never knew. Not even Branch knows because he never woke up to know that I did it," said Creek, voice raising a bit.
There was no arguing against that. Hefty knew that Branch still did that and could have easily stayed oblivious to it if Hefty hadn't told him.
"Branch has no idea how much it hurt when he would rather go work on that ridiculous bunker then acknowledge me," Creek continued, suddenly unable to stop. He had never said any of this out loud before and it felt like his mouth had suddenly became a broken fossette. "So yes, I picked on him to get his attention. And I know it was stupid, that I never should have done it, but I didn't know what else to do and I've regretted it the moment the first jibe came out of my mouth but I couldn't stop when it finally made him look at me.
'You have no idea how terrifying it was to find him unconscious and bleeding in the woods when we were thirteen. How Branch finally, honestly, spoke to me about his problems but I could do nothing about it because the fever made him forget the entire conversation. Then he rather go back and continuously risk his life for that damn bunker then stay with Miss Frizz… Then to stay with me."
At some point Creek started agitatedly pacing, only pausing to give Hefty a glare, "It was supposed to be Poppy. I saw it from the beginning you know, that she would bring back his colors and that they would fall in love and they would be happy together. Poppy is one of my dearest friends and I couldn't take that away from her, from them.
'But you mocked it all up and I have no idea where I'm supposed to stand or do; even though I know I can't do what I want to because it will just make things worse for Branch and that's the last thing I want. Still it's been so hard to stay in control and I'm completely blaming you and your interference for it. So, you better get your ass back to Branch and make him happy because you know god damn why!"
Hefty stared, watching Creek breath hard and looking like he wanted to cry but refusing to do so in front of him. His mouth felt dry and he didn't want to speak but the words came out anyway, "You're in love with him."
Taking in a deep breath, Creek let it out shakily and spoke softly, "Yes, I am…"
On Creek's wrist the flower bloomed and chimed announcing hug time.
Growling in frustration, Creek ripped off the bracelet, threw it to the ground and stomped on it. Repeatedly.
Another chime caught both of their attentions and they turned.
"Poppy," Creek whispered. He straightened awkwardly. "How much did you hear?"
"Everything," Poppy said softly, slowly walking towards them but keeping her eyes on Creek, her hands clutched together over her chest. "Oh Creek, why didn't you ever say anything? Why would you- Creek you have to tell Branch."
"There's no point Poppy," protested Creek. "I'm not the one that makes Branch happy."
"You need to, if only for closure," Poppy insisted.
"Yes, closure," Creek grumbled. "Branch and I might finally be on our way to being friends again. My confessing will only close that door and make him avoid me."
"But Creek," Poppy tried again.
"No Poppy," said Creek firmly, "I'm not saying a word to Branch and if you do I swear we will no longer be friends."
Poppy stared at Creek. Though she tried to force it back, she sniffled and tears started to gather in her eyes.
His own eyes widening, Creek rushed to her, "No Poppy, don't cry, please don't cry. I was bluffing; a very empty bluff. I'm begging you, please don't cry."
As soon as he was close enough, Poppy snatched Creek into a hug and held him tightly, "You idiot, of course I'm going to cry. You give up your chance to be happy because you thought I was the one who… You stupid, selfless, idiot! You never should have assumed, you should have tried. Now it's too late, you idiot."
"I must object to you calling me an idiot three times in one conversation," said Creek dully, lightly hugging her back. "There's no use crying over spilt milk Poppy, I'll get over it."
"Sounds like you've been trying for a while," sniffled Poppy.
"There's not a time limit on these things," commented Creek. "Even though I thought it was an eventuality, you two being together, Branch was always a possibility before. He's not now and I think that will make things easier, just give it time."
"Creek," Poppy looked up at him, still teary eyed.
"Now don't look at me like that Princess," Creek carefully pulled back from the hug. "Or you'll force me to give you a kiss and I'll have two Smurfs who despise me." He gently tapped her nose with a finger, "Boop."
"I don't hate you," said Hefty, reminding the Trolls that he was there. "I mean, yeah I did, but I can't now." He absently scratched the back of his neck. "I know how I would feel if our positions had been reversed."
"I still hate you," commented Creek, looking away from him.
"Fair enough," nodded Hefty. "Lets-"
"Well, well, well," voice boomed over them. Somehow in all the drama, Gargamel had snuck up on them, Azrael by his side. "What do we have here? A Smurf and two little, new things. This ought to be interesting."