Chapter 44
Watching Hefty jump at the first chance to escape song boot camp, Poppy almost laughed herself silly. Really, it just reminded her of Branch trying to avoid every hug time for pretty much the majority of their lives. But eventually Hefty would learn, just like Branch did, one could not hide from Poppy forever.
Thanking Tailor for the use of his dressing rooms, Poppy grabbed a pile of raincoats and delivered them to the girl Smurfs, remembering to keep one for Smurfette. She had a mini song off with Smurf Blossom, dancing and splashing each other in the puddles before she went back to Smurfette's mushroom and attacked her with kisses.
By the time they calmed down their kisses, Poppy realized just how late she was for delivering lunch to Creek and Brainy, because Brainy still better be there or else he was in for a royal tickling. Still, she was happy when Smurfette insisted on coming with her and the four of them could eat together in the recovery mushroom.
Unable to stop the skip in her step, Poppy held Smurfette's hand as they walked to Chef's and sang, "I'm singing in the rain, just singin' in the rain
What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds so dark up above
The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love~"
There was just so much to be happy about! Poppy loved Smurfette so much she thought her heart would burst out in its own song each time Poppy looked at the beautiful and wonderful blond Smurf with the gorgeous laugh and sun shaming smile. Branch was in love and soon Hefty would propose and they would be so happy together. Creek was on the road to recovery and soon they could all go back to the Troll Tree and have a party to celebrate.
"Ooh, a rainbow!" Poppy pointed it out to Smurfette, jumping in place.
Smurfette smiled at Poppy, "It's beautiful."
A giggle erupted out of Poppy "You didn't even look."
"There will always be other rainbows," Smurfette's smile only grew, though she blushed softly, "But there's only one Poppy."
Oh, that just made Poppy feel all warm and gooey inside like a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. More happy giggles busted out of her and she couldn't resist giving Smurfette a smooch, "You are the sweetest, I can't even; I wanna marry you ten times."
The blush deepened on Smurfette's face, "W-we just started dating."
"Don't care," grinned Poppy. "I'm gonna marry you so hard!" She took hold of Smurfette's hands and kissed over them. "Just you wait, I'm gonna plan a proposal with the perfect song and biggest dance number you have ever seen! And glitter, can't forget the glitter."
Squeezing Poppy's hands, Smurfette kissed her hands in return, "I don't need any of that, just you and me, together, like this."
Knees suddenly feeling like jelly, Poppy wobbled and leaned against Smurfette, heart pounding and feeling like she was basking in the sun through the rain, "Smurfette?"
"Yes, Poppy?" asked Smurfette, wrapping her arms around the Troll.
"Will you marry me?" asked Poppy, voice soft.
"As many times as you want," said Smurfette.
A tiny whimper escaped Poppy, "I think my heart just exploded with happiness."
Smiling, Smurfette lifted Poppy's face to kiss her, "I do have a favor to ask though."
"Anything for you," Poppy all but melted into Smurfette's arms.
"Could we keep the engagement to ourselves for a little bit?" asked Smurfette. "I think it would devastate Hefty if we started dating and got engaged before him and Branch."
"It's not my fault Branch is stubborn," Poppy pouted.
"Please Poppy?" Smurfette kissed Poppy's temple.
"Anything for you Smufette," Poppy sighed, "But I will need regular kisses and hand holding to buy my silence."
Smurfette giggled, "Now that's a ransom I'm happy to pay."
A few more kisses in the rain later, Chef wasn't sure what to think of Poppy's or Smurfette's practically glowing faces when they finally came in for lunch. He just gave them a basket with food for four and told them not to get sick running around in the rain too much.
Taking Smurfette's hand again as they left, Poppy was careful not to swing the basket too much as she sang, "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
Well I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)."
Inside the Recovery Mushroom was quiet, the rain outside still easily heard as the girls removed and hung their jackets by the door.
"Do you think Creek is sleeping?" Smurfette asked quietly.
"Maybe but I want to check in and talk to Brainy if he is," Poppy whispered back, heading for the bedroom.
On the bed, they could see that Brainy had fallen asleep on the bed but Creek was no longer there.
Poppy opened her mouth, about to a pitch scream.
"Relax Poppy," Creek stopped her just in time, sitting on a chair near the window. He had Pudgy on his lap and Snappy Bug on his shoulder, both insects cuddling up to him, "I'm right here."
"What do you think you're doing out of bed, mister?!" Poppy stomped over but still spoke silently, trying not to wake Brainy.
"Papa Smurf said to stay in bed as long as I could stand and I couldn't stand it any longer," commented Creek, voice sounding tired despite his words.
Slowly, Poppy's frown turned concerned, stepping closer to cup Creek's cheek, "Do you have another bad dream report for me?"
Sighing, Creek nodded, "Brainy is rather concerned about them."
"Brainy is a smart Smurf," Poppy smiled.
"He wants me to talk to Therapist Smurf," said Creek.
"I take back what I said," Poppy frowned again.
"Branch seems to think Therapist does something useful," pointed out Creek.
"Branch has a coffee addiction," said Poppy.
"And you have a sugar addition," said Creek, "Among other things."
"I don't want that Smurf anywhere near another one of my friends," said Poppy, "Branch always comes out of talking with him paler." She gave him a serious look, "If you came out gray, I would probably be the first Troll to ever murder someone."
"Now Poppy, just because we don't know of any Troll ever doing that I doubt you'd be the first," commented Creek, "Besides, Branch would hold you back."
Poppy huffed, "He would too."
Walking over, Smurfette held Poppy's free hand, "Therapist Smurf does what he does to help Smurfs." She smiled, giving Poppy' hand a squeeze, "And Trolls. I promise he would never hurt anyone on purpose."
Thinking it over, Poppy turned to Creek, "Do you want to talk to Therapist Smurf?"
"I'm unsure," Creek admitted, "But I said I would think about it."
"Well I support your decision not to talk to him," said Poppy.
"Poppy," Smurfette tried to give Poppy a disapproving face but wasn't sure how effective it was while still holding her hand.
"Or whatever decision you make," Poppy quickly corrected herself.
Smiling slightly, Creek shook his head, "Thank you, Poppy." After a pause, he turned to Smurfette, "Do you know the other girl Smurfs rather well, Smurfette?"
"Pretty well but we're all still getting to know each other," Smurfette admitted.
"Do you know of any that might be interested in dating Brainy?" asked Creek, "He deserves someone nice."
"Like you?" asked Poppy.
Creek rolled his eyes, "I am not nice. Just ask Branch."
"You are very nice," protested Poppy.
"We've never dated," said Creek.
"And whose fault is that?" asked Poppy.
"Forgive me if I thought dating someone I thought of as a sister would be weird," commented Creek. "Besides, I thought you were going to end up with Branch, remember?" He would have poked Poppy in the side again if she hadn't jumped back when he reached forward. "And you should thank me for not taking you off the market before you met Smurfette."
"Excellent points," nodded Poppy, "And thank you, oh wise Troll."
"Your attempts at sarcasm are painful," said Creek, "In more ways than one."
"Poppy, did you use to have a crush on Creek?" asked Smurfette softly.
Poppy's eyes went wide and she shouted, "Change of subject!"
Shouting in return, Brainy fell off the bed.
"Oh, sorry Brainy," apologized Poppy.
"Yeah, that isn't going to help him in not fearing you," commented Creek.
"Jerk," Brainy grumbled, staying hidden on the other side of the bed.
"See," Creek suggested towards himself, "Not nice."
Poppy giggled, ignoring Creek, "Brainy is scared of me? That's so cute."
Slowly Brainy peeked over the edge of the bed at them, or, in reality, at Creek, "Why are you out of bed?"
"Relax Nurse Smurf, I just needed to use the washroom and take a break from constant sleeping," said Creek, "My ribs feel fine."
"Aw, you two are acting just like Branch and Hefty did at first," Poppy beamed at them. "Maybe we'll have a triple Troll/Smurf wedding?"
"I'm not sure Hefty would be willing to share his wedding," commented Smurfette, "I know I'm not."
"How about separate weddings but one giant reception party?" asked Poppy.
"Poppy, please don't compare Brainy and I to Branch and his Smurf. Or lump us all together," Creek shook his head at her. "Brainy and I are just friends."
"For now," grinned Poppy.
"We aren't playing some sort of weird match up game," Creek frowned at her. "You can't just pair me with Brainy because we've spent some time together."
"In bed," Poppy grinned wider, "Alone together, while he takes care of you."
"When we get home, I'm hiding your romance novels," stated Creek.
"No touching my Miss Scarlets!" Poppy wagged a finger at him. "Or I'm hiding your… where do you keep your karma?"
"You can't hide someone's karma, love," Creek sighed, "But if you find mine, please throw it away. I can only imagine I'm being punished for some unholy deed I've done in another life for you to carry on like this. But you're not just harassing me, you're harassing Brainy who's only been trying to be nice."
Brainy looked up from his book, "I'm sorry, I stopped listening at the wedding talk."
"See!" Poppy and Creek cheered at the other, only beginning their argument all over again.
Watching Brainy return to staring at his book, Smurfette squeezed Poppy' hand before letting go and going over to the bed to sit next to Brainy, "Hey, are you okay?"
Glancing over at the Trolls, Brainy noted that they were too busy arguing to be listening to them before he turned to Smurfette, "It's just hard to listen to, you know?"
"Because you like Creek?" Smurfette asked softly.
Brainy nibbled his lower lip, looking over at the purple Troll again, then nodded, "Yeah, I like Creek."
Really, Brainy wasn't sure what attracted him to Creek at first. The whole thing started back at the Troll Tree at their very first meeting.
Sure, Creek was pretty but nearly all the Trolls were physically appealing in one way or another. Brainy hadn't even noticed Creek initially as he was trying to figure out why the silvery Troll, now known as Guy Diamond, was all shiny and why it was acceptable for him to run around naked.
Then Creek spoke and Brainy felt what he could only call a draw. The purple Troll's voice was just so, Brainy couldn't even describe it but he liked it. Even when Creek was accusing the Smurfs of being responsible for Branch turning gray, Brainy almost took the blame for the chance Creek could speak directly to him, despite having nothing to do with it.
After Hefty ran off to find Branch, Brainy was perfectly happy following around Creek for a bit of a tour of the Troll Tree. It allowed Brainy just to listen to Creek talk but every time he tried to speak his mouth went dry and he found himself hanging back a bit just to observe.
Even during the tour, Brainy could see that Creek was rather popular among his fellow Trolls. He had numerous friends outside the Snack Pack and even more admirers that all listened when he spoke. Brainy doubted that anyone ever told Creek to shut up or interrupted him or ignored him and Brainy couldn't bring himself to speak to him at all.
Before that night's party, Creek helped arrange dinner for the visiting Smurfs along with Poppy. At one-point Creek asked Brainy a couple of questions that Brainy just nodded to, still unable to speak.
"A quiet one, aren't you?" Creek had chuckled, the sound doing weird things to Brainy's heart. He lightly patted Brainy's shoulder, which burned pleasantly at the contact, "Have a good dinner," and left them to help finish party preparations.
They had few direct interactions after that. Yet each time the Smurfs were out and about, Brainy's eyes searched for Creek and kept his ears peeled for his voice.
The whole thing just felt so foolish. Why was Brainy so captivated by this Troll? What was with this magnetic pull that had him continuously seek Creek out?
During the song ambush, Creek sang but it was just one voice out of several playing back-up for Hefty. The voices sounded good together but it didn't affect Brainy much.
But then the Trolls played Improv and Brainy heard Creek sing on his own, loud and clear and feelings Brainy never felt before came rushing to the surface. There had been so much at once it had simply been overwhelming and Brainy couldn't put a name to them.
"So beautiful," Brainy overheard Singer comment to Painter, "I think I'm in love."
Love? That sounded right somehow but that couldn't be. Brainy had yet to even speak to Creek, how could he be in love?
Brainy did his best to push it back but the more he watched Creek dance and heard him sing, the stronger those feelings swirled inside of him. Even when Creek sang obvious love songs to Branch, Brainy felt all the more pulled in by that voice.
"Hefty," Brainy called to the strong Smurf, speaking to him on the trek home. He had given up going home earlier several times for the chance to talk to him. "How were you able to hear Branch sing from so far away?"
"I have no clue, Bro," Hefty admitted with a shrug but smiled so warmly in a way Brainy had never seen before Branch came into the picture, "His voice just called to me."
The next day, Brainy posed the question to Papa Smurf.
"It's possible Hefty and Branch have a soul bond," Papa Smurf theorized, pausing their lesson to think the matter over. "Soulmates that fate brought together through Branch's singing when they may have not met otherwise."
"So, if a Smurf felt drawn in by a Troll's singing, could they also be soulmates?" Brainy fiddling with the plotted flower he had been attempting to make bloom.
"It's possible," Papa nodded, giving Brainy a knowing look but didn't comment on the matter further when Brainy let it drop.
Honestly, Brainy wasn't sure if he believed in soulmates. There were so many factors in what made a person who they were and so many things that happened in their lives that could change everything in an instant. There was no way there was a destined person for someone, unless maybe you had multiple possible soulmates that only aligned together under the right circumstances but didn't that negate the idea of soulmates entirely?
And why would fate be so cruel as to put a Smurf together with a Troll? Not only did their species live far apart but the Smurf would long outlive the Troll several times over.
Still, Brainy felt miserable thinking that he might never see Creek again. The Troll had no reason to come to Smurf Village and Brainy had no reason to return to the Troll Tree unless he followed Hefty and Smurfette the next time he visited their respective Trolls. Even then he had no reasonable reason to give them for him to tag along.
Loud knocking at his door disturbed Brainy from his thoughts and he was shocked to find Poppy there with Clumsy and Smurfette, whom Poppy had found on the way to Brainy's mushroom. He was more shocked to find out Creek had come all this way only to be captured by Gargamel but part of him felt hopeful too.
Maybe fate was giving him a chance?