So this story is going to start having more... mature elements to it.

The Safe version is here.

IF you are are old enough to read the Mature version, head over to AO3.

Chapter 30

When Branch and Hefty told the Snack Pack what happened to Creek and where he and Poppy currently were, they wanted to come too. Hefty had to explain that he didn't have permission to bring more Trolls but promised to ask Papa about a future visit. They left after making the Snack Pack promise to stay behind and tell King Peppy what had happened and where they all were in the morning.

"Think they're going to try and follow us?" asked Hefty.

"Definitely," said Branch

To be safe Hefty and Branch took a round-about way to the wall, only heading there once they were sure they left the Snack Pack behind in a location where they could get back on their own. Branch wasn't about to make that mistake again.

Soon after they got to the wall, Hefty tugged on Branch's pack, "Let me carry that."

"Nope," Branch rolled his eyes. The Smurf had tried to take the pack before they even left the bunker but Branch got to it first after distracting Hefty with a kiss. "It's my stuff, I'll carry it."

"Half that stuff is for making improvements for my village, I should carry it," Hefty insisted, tugging at the pack again.

Branch stopped walking and, for a second, Hefty thought he won the argument. Instead, Branch moved in and kissed him.

By the time Hefty recovered, he blinked to find that Branch had walked off ahead of him. He blushed at being distracted again and gave chase, "Stop cheating!"

"Stop trying to coddle me," said Branch. "I'm not sick, injured or anything that makes me incapable of carrying my own pack."

"I'm your mate, I want to do things for you," Hefty insisted when he caught up.

Blushing, Branch turned to him, "You can't do everything for me though. If I want help, I'll ask for it."

"Have you ever asked for help before in your life?" asked Hefty. He chuckled when he saw Branch actually had to think about it.

"Shut up Doofus," Branch blushed worse, walking a little faster.

Hefty grinned, "Alright, we'll do this the hard way."

"What's the- Hefty!" Branch froze in surprise when Hefty actually picked him up and continued on as if Branch and the pack weighed nothing. He swallowed, feeling like he was blushing all over. "Fine, you can carry the pack, just put me down."

"Nope," Hefty give him a triumphant smile, "You had your chance."

Though there was no one around, Branch covered his face in embarrassment. He couldn't believe Hefty could just carry him and his pack like this. And why did he feel a bit excited over it? He already knew Hefty was strong. What was wrong with him?

Chucking, Hefty kissed Branch's forehead.

"Doofus," Branch managed to grumble behind his hands.

It wasn't until they reached the entryway for Smurf Village that Hefty finally relented and put Branch down but took the pack for the little amount of trekking left. When they got through the log, they were greeted by an angry looking Papa Smurf.

"I think I'm about to be grounded," whispered Hefty.

Branch barely kept himself from laughing, "Aren't you a little ancient for that?"

"I'm getting you for that later," promised Hefty.

Clearing his throat, Papa got their attention again, "Branch, why don't you go ahead to Hefty's mushroom? It's late and I'm sure Creek and Poppy are asleep." He eyed Hefty, silently scolding him. "Hefty and I need to talk."

"Um," Branch looked between them, "I actually haven't been to Hefty's mushroom before so I don't know where it is…"

Papa sighed, "Very well," he turned to Hefty, "We'll talk in the morning."

"Yes Papa," Hefty nodded.

The group walked into the village silently, Branch taking hold of Hefty's hand as they walked together. However, Pudgy, who had followed them from the bunker, seemed to sniff the air and wandered off for the time being.

Outside, Hefty's mushroom looked identical to the others but the inside was a bit more crowded than the Recovery Mushroom or Brainy's place. There where weights and other equipment throughout the main room and even one on the bed.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Branch frowned as he pointed at it.

"You and Brainy," Hefty shook his head, setting Branch's pack down next to his, "It's never fallen on me."

"Yet," said Branch. "I'm not getting in that bed until that's safely on the ground where it won't kill us."

Hefty rushed over to the bed and quickly removed the weight, "Alright, it's gone."

Chuckling, Branch walked over to him, "Thanks," and kissed him softly.

When Branch moved to pull back, Hefty held on and pulled him in for another kiss.

Branch moved to wrap his arms around Hefty, making a confused noise when Hefty grabbed his wrists and held them so he couldn't, "Hefty?"

Smiling, Hefty kissed one of Branch's wrists before looking him in the eye, "I believe I have some revenge to act upon."

Before Branch could question it, he found himself being lifted on and tossed onto he bed. He tried to sit up only to be covered by Hefty's body and his lips claimed in a searing kiss. A groan escaped him when Hefty's hands slipped under his vest to caress his torso, panting when the kiss ended only for Hefty to kiss over his face and down his neck, "Th-this doesn't really seem like a punishment."

"Well I'm going to really enjoy extracting my revenge either way," Hefty paused the kissing to lick over Branch's neck, then sealed his mouth over the spot to suck upon it.

Blush lessening slightly, Branch kissed Hefty softly, "So, what brought this on?"

"What do you mean?" asked Hefty.

"This was more than just you getting back at me for calling you old," commented Branch. "You were, um, rather determined about something."

Hefty sighed, smiling as he caressed the side of Branch's face and watched the Troll lean into the touch. How could he explain how terrified he was at the idea that if Creek had said something years ago that he might have never had a chance with Branch? That there were minimally a dozen Trolls competing with him now for Branch's affection? He couldn't tell Branch about Creek but would his jealousy of the other Trolls that were pursuing Branch scare Branch away? He spotted the Lock Ring on his finger and tried to push back his worry as being silly, knowing how much Branch loved him.

"You called me your mate," Hefty said finally with a smile. "You're lucky we made it out of the bunker."

Blushing again, Branch hid his face in the crook of Hefty's neck, "You're lucky I love you, you Doofus."

"Luckier than you can imagine," Hefty kissed Branch's temple.