NSFW. Go to AO3 if you're old enough to read it.
Chapter 46
The mushroom was dark besides the light coming from the dying fire, rain still tapping against the window but lighter than the rain had fallen during the day. All around the slumbering pair was peaceful, the air filled with the sound of their breathing.
With the fire going out, Branch awoke with a shiver, pressing closer to Hefty's warmth. Still he was unable to even consider moving enough to pull some of the blanket over them, even less so to put more wood on the fire. All he could do was smile.
Hefty was his mate now. Branch was Hefty's mate. They had called each other that before but it was truly official now. The slight soreness was nothing compared to the overall tingling happiness coursing through his body; he almost thought it was impossible for him to go gray ever again.
Adjusting slightly, Branch looked up at Hefty and smiled more, watching his Smurf's sleeping face. Even while asleep, Hefty was holding him so closely and securely that Branch didn't think he could get up even if he wanted to and he didn't have a problem with that.
Snuggling close to Hefty again, Branch enjoyed the feeling of love and contentment just wash over him. Before he knew it, he was humming but it just made him smile.
Trolls sang when they were happy after all and he couldn't imagine being happier.
"I've been hearing symphonies," Branch sang softly, letting his eyes drift closed,
"Before all I heard was silence
A rhapsody for you and me
And every melody is timeless."
Branch felt Hefty shift, possibly waking up but he made no effort to stop singing, "Life was stringing me along
Then you came and you cut me loose
Was solo singing on my own
Now I can't find the key without you."
Waking up to Branch's singing made Hefty smile. He gave Branch a gentle squeeze and kissed his forehead but stayed silent and kept his eyes closed to listen.
"And now your song is on repeat," Branch continued to sing,
"And I'm dancin' on to your heartbeat
And when you're gone, I feel incomplete
So if you want the truth…"
Branch paused for a moment, kissing over Hefty's heart, "I just wanna be part of your symphony
Will you hold me tight and not let go?
Symphony
Like a love song on the radio
Will you hold me tight and not let go?"
Opening eyes, Hefty smiled at Branch, loving the sight of Branch nestled in his arms almost as much as the feel of it. Having Branch naked and singing for him? There was nothing that could be better than this.
Feeling Hefty's gaze on him, Branch shifted a little so they could be face to face. He looked into Hefty's eyes and smiled as he sang, "I'm sorry if it's all too much
Every day you're here, I'm healing
And I was runnin' out of luck
I never thought I'd find this feeling
'Cause I've been hearing symphonies
Before all I heard was silence
A rhapsody for you and me
(A rhapsody for you and me)
And every melody is timeless."
As much as Hefty loved listening to Branch sing, his Troll was just too beautiful and tempting not to kiss. He leaned in and claimed those lips, kissing them gently before they could sing another note.
Kissing back, Branch couldn't help but chuckle as they parted, "Hey..."
"Hey," Hefty smiled, kissing him again, then hummed. "You feel a little chilled."
"I'm pretty sure the fire is going out," commented Branch.
Shifting, Hefty looked at the fire, "So it is; I'll add some more wood."
"But that would require you moving," Branch nuzzled against Hefty's chest, not quite willing to let go just yet.
Smiling, Hefty couldn't help but nuzzle back, "I'll come right back."
"Nope," Branch shook his head, "Your mate is clingy; get used to it."
Chuckling, Hefty played with the hair at the back of Branch's neck, "My mate."
"Your mate," Branch smiled at him.
Leaning in, Hefty kissed him again, "You know, out of the options, I thought I'd be the clingy one."
"You are," Branch kissed him, "On a regular basis. I'm fine with being clingy on special occasions."
"Ah, so this was a special occasion?" Hefty teased.
"What else would you call it?" asked Branch.
"The second-best day of my life," smiled Hefty.
"What's the first?" Branch wasn't sure if he should expect something silly or something sappy. Knowing Hefty, it could be both.
Hefty grinned, "The day you marry me."
Apparently, Branch was still very much capable of blushing but he chuckled, lightly shoving at Hefty's chest, "Doofus, you can't pick something that hasn't happened yet."
"Nah, I'm keeping it," Hefty took Branch's hand and kissed over the Lock Ring. "What's yours?"
"What?" Branch asked, absently using his thumb to caress Hefty's hand.
"What's the best day of your life?" asked Hefty.
"Not including today?" Branch had to think about it. Most of his life had been the same gray blur, color being reintroduced to his life through Poppy but really brought out to shine by Hefty. It would be hard to pick just one but he knew a moment that would hold a special place in his heart for the rest of his life, "The day of the song ambush."
Unable to help it, Hefty chuckled, "You sap."
"Learned it from you," Branch jokingly stuck out his tongue at him.
Chuckling more, Hefty rolled Branch onto his back and hovered over him, "Can't say I mind that at all, Siren."