Pretty much all NSFW. Go to AO3 if you're old enough to read it.

Chapter 45

After lunch, Branch was finally allowed to wash up a bit, which Branch filed under things to tease Hefty over later. When he was done he didn't put his vest back on, deciding it was a good time to put on that ointment from Creek.

Still sitting on the blanket, Hefty watched Brainy rub the stuff onto his arm, "What's that?"

"An ointment Creek made," answered Branch, "It's supposed to help lessen the scarring over time; I forgot about it yesterday though."

"I see," Hefty said slowly. Considering the short amount of time that they were apart, Hefty knew Creek had to have given that stuff to Branch soon after Hefty left for Smurf Village. He was torn between being angry at Creek for doing things behind his back and grateful for the care Creek showed towards Branch. Knowing Creek's feelings for Branch made it all the harder for him to have any clear feelings on the matter.

Pausing, Branch looked over at Hefty, "Creek doesn't have feelings for me; we've barely even spoken without arguing until recently. And I've already said that it wouldn't matter if he did; I'm in love with you."

Letting out a soft chuckle, Hefty smiled at him, "I know, and I love you too. I guess I'm just curious as to what you'd do if you found out Creek was in love with you."

Branch scoffed, "That would never happen."

"Humor me," Hefty insisted.

Rubbing the ointment more into his skin on his arm, Branch thought about it, "I can't really imagine Creek giving me a wooing gift to tell me how he felt; I don't think he's ever given a wooing gift to anyone."

Yes, because Pudgy totally wasn't a wooing gift from Creek, Hefty mentally sighed, "Then pretend he just told you."

Humming, Branch rubbed the access ointment onto his hands, "There wouldn't be much I could do besides point out the obvious that I didn't feel the same way about him." He picked up the jar and headed back towards Hefty. "It's a good thing that would never happen though."

"Why is that?" asked Hefty, watching Branch sit on the blanket across from him.

"We've just started to be friends again," commented Branch, suggesting a bit to the jar. "And we were sort of close as kids. I guess I rather we continue to be friends then things to be awkward and we stop associating all over again."

"So, you'd avoid him?" Hefty frowned a little. That was exactly what Creek was afraid would happen if his feelings came to light.

Branch shrugged, reopening the jar, "Avoidance and hiding has been my stand by options for problems for the last twenty years."

"I'm glad I'm no longer considered a problem," Hefty smiled softly.

"Oh no, you're my biggest problem," Branch grinned, "You're just worth the trouble."

"Oh geeze, how romantic," Hefty shook his head.

Chuckling, Branch offered Hefty the jar, "Could you put some of his on my back? I can't really reach it all myself."

"You're actually asking me for help?" Hefty stared. He glanced towards the door, "Where's Poppy to scrapbook this when I need her?"

Rolling his eyes, Branch moved to put the lid back on the jar.

"Nope," Hefty quickly grabbed the jaw, "No take backs."

"Doofus," Branch chuckled, kissing Hefty's cheek. "Thanks." He turned so Hefty would have access to his back.

Scooping up some of the ointment, Hefty eyed Branch's back. He really only gotten glances of it since the bandages come off and he really hated those deep angry lines from Azrael's claws. Most of all, he hated the reminder that he almost lost Branch that night.

"Hefty?" Branch half turned, confused when nothing happened.

"Sorry," Hefty mumbled, beginning to rub the ointment on.

Deciding not to push it, Branch faced forward again and rested his head on his hands over his knees. It didn't take long for him to close his eyes and relax, simply enjoying Hefty's touch.

A quiet sigh alerted Hefty of Branch's relaxed state, confirmed when he looked up and saw Branch slumped over his knees and felt no tension under his hands. A soft smile grew on his features and he continued rubbing over Branch's back even when he was done spreading the ointment.

Content, Branch didn't realize how long this had gone on for until he felt Hefty's hand withdraw, only to come back a moment later with more ointment, "Hmmm, I don't think you need to put that much on."

"I already got it on my hand, might as well let me continue," commented Hefty, speaking softly in hopes Branch would stay relaxed.

Humming, Branch stayed still for a little longer but shook his head, sitting up a little, "It's fine, it's okay as a regular lotion so you put the rest on your hands."

Hefty frowned, having wanted to continue to touch Branch but then smiled. He moved closer, kissing the back of Branch's neck, then resettled beside Branch, facing him, and grabbing Branch's other arm to rub the ointment on there.

"I don't have any scar tissue on that arm," Branch pointed out, watching Hefty.

"But it's fine as regular lotion, right?" Hefty smiled at him.

"Yes," Branch nodded.

"Then I see no reason to stop," commented Hefty, reaching for the jar to grab some more of it.

Silently, Branch grabbed Hefty's wrist to pause him. When Hefty turned to him, Branch took the opportunity to kiss him.

The kiss was slow, soft, exploring already mapped out territory but warm in a way that set off butterflies in both of their bellies. When they parted, they smiled dazedly at each other and moved in to kiss again.

-Continued on AO3-