Chapter 58

After the kiss, Hefty and Branch walked to Hefty's mushroom in silence, keeping hold of each other's hands. Once the door behind them closed however, Hefty pulled Branch close to kiss him and just hold him.

Using his hair, Branch set the basket containing their lunch to the side so he could properly hold Hefty back, "How are you doing there, Hero?"

Smiling slightly, Hefty huffed softly, "Not feeling particularly heroic right now."

"Why not?" asked Branch, pulling back slightly to look at his Smurf.

Reaching up, Hefty absently stroked over Branch's cheek, "Lots of things." He pulled back a bit more to look Branch over, "Gargamel didn't hut you or the others, did he?"

"You mean besides that bastard kicking Creek?" asked Branch, smiling slightly when Hefty circled him as if to make sure he hadn't missed any signs of injury from that morning. "He never got near me or Poppy; and you know Briny took care of Creek's injuries."

"I know," Hefty nodded but circled Branch once more, "Never hurts to ask."

Once Hefty stopped, Branch cupped Hefty's cheek, "I'm fine. We're all going to be fine. Like you said, it will just take time." Stepping closer, he held Hefty close, "You're not alone."

Swallowing, Hefty held Branch back, "I'm sorry for not taking you with me to Therapist's."

Shaking his head, Branch stayed closed, "Don't be. I know how it is, being used to dealing with things in your own way. Plus, I've only learned about your pain recently, I don't know what you've done or what you do when you're having a hard time. But I want to learn, I want to help you when you need it, even if it means just waiting for you to come back from whatever it is you need to do."

Again, Hefty swallowed, this time trying to keep his eyes from watering up as he held Branch tighter, "I love you."

"I love you too," said Branch, giving Hefty a squeeze.

Walking with Creek to Tailor's now, Hefty wondered if there was anything he could say to help Creek. He knew the guru was pretty set in his viewpoint that he was somehow damaged by his experience with Brocade and he was not trustworthy to be in a relationship with Brainy. Part of Hefty wanted to keep them apart, knowing how deceptive Creek could be when he wanted to, but he had never seen Brainy so enthralled by a person before.

Sure, Brainy had come a long way from his loud mouth days where he scolded and lectured his fellow Smurfs constantly and quoted Papa non-stop like a ridiculous suck up. The smart Smurf was now better at showing that he cared in other ways even though Brainy would never stop being a know-it-all which caused he and Hefty to butt heads on a regular basis. Still Hefty saw Brainy's inventive, helpful, enthusiastic manner much better than some Smurfs who still tried to avoid Brainy's "long windedness". Maybe that's why Brainy never connected very strongly with any Smurf outside of Hefty, Clumsy and Smurfette, or seem very hopeful in regards to befriending any of the new female Smurfs.

Knowing how caring Creek was towards Branch, with those feelings unrequited, and Creek's protectiveness towards Poppy, that love being platonic, Hefty felt that Creek could be a good partner for Brainy. Even more so, knowing that Creek had defended and even threatened Singer Smurf on Brainy's behalf due to Singer's treatment of Brainy when the two of thing were just friends. Hefty could imagine that Brainy would be adored, well cared for and protected if Creek ever returned Brainy's affections.

And even though Brainy could be a bit thoughtless when it came to feelings it was rarely intentional, manners were a different matter. If Brainy knew there was an issue, he always did the best he could for that Smurf. Like helping Smurfette make a garden when she first came to Smurf Village so she would feel more at home. Or reading to Clumsy the last time he was on bedrest due to a more serious injury. Or yelling at Hefty to drink more water whenever Brainy spotted him working out, once actually surrounding Hefty with cups of water out of spite when Hefty tried to ignore him. The point being, Brainy would never push Creek for anything he would be uncomfortable with, especially knowing Creek's past.

They could be good together. Brainy's feelings were obvious once Hefty saw them together but Creek's were muddled, like it was whenever Hefty tried to figure him out.

"So," Hefty started, not sure if he should even say anything but not liking staying silent any longer, "You and Brainy, huh?"

Glancing at Hefty, Creek's expression was blank, like it was becoming more often then not, "You don't have to worry, I have no intention of pursuing your not-brother, brother."

Hefty sighed, "I'm not against you two dating."

"I thought you had better instincts than that," commented Creek.

"Could you not do that?" asked Hefty.

"Do what?" asked Creek.

With a frown, Hefty suggested towards Creek, "This, this thing you do to avoid answering my questions; trying to make me mad so I get off track. You do it whenever I've tried to talk to you about Branch and now you're doing it with Brainy."

Stopping, Creek seemed to contemplate what Hefty said. Then he spoke softly, "I'm sorry."

After a few blinks, Hefty just stared at Creek for a moment, "Well, um, thanks? Look I know you don't feel the greatest about things right now but can you honestly tell me how you feel about Brainy?"

"He deserves better," commented Creek.

"That doesn't answer my question," said Hefty.

Gaze falling to the ground, Creek shrugged, "It doesn't matter how I feel."

"Creek," Hefty reached out to touch Creek's shoulder but stopped at Creek's flinch. "How you feel matters."

"Then please drop it," said Creek, keeping his eyes pointed downward.

Sighing, Hefty nodded, "Alright, for now at least."

They continued on, Tailors soon in sight up ahead. Oddly enough, Smurfette was poking her head out the door but dove back in when she spotted them.

"That's weird," commented Hefty.

"You need to spend more time with Poppy," stated Creek.

"What do you mean?" asked Hefty.

"Smurfette was obviously being a look out," said Creek, "Poppy is up to something she doesn't want one of us to know; the question is what and which one of us it's for."

"Well it's Poppy, right?" asked Hefty, "It can't be too bad."

"You need to spend more time with Poppy," Creek repeated, looking faintly amused as he headed into Tailor's mushroom.

Inside Poppy was humming and jumping around on Tailor's measuring platform, grinning from ear to ear with an air of accomplishment. However Brainy was sitting, more like plopped onto a chair as if he just fell in it, looking utterly exhausted while Branch was sitting on the floor, not bothering to make it to a chair, and frowning at Poppy. Smurfette was watching Poppy, pretending like she hadn't just been a lookout and Tailor was humming along to Poppy's tune as he worked on some white cloth.

"Poppy, what did you do to them?" asked Creek.

"Nothing," Poppy sang, leaping off the platform to rush over and hug Creek. "How did this session go? You were gone for a while, is that a good thing? You don't look any grayer, so that's good at least. How are you feeling? Do you need a bigger hug? Group hug?"

As Poppy took a breath to continue, Creek gently covered her mouth with a finger to silence her, "The session went fine, it gave me a lot to think about and you need to learn to pause to get answers to your questions, love."

Smiling, Poppy kissed Creek's finger, "No promises."

Walking over to them, Smurfette smiled softly as Creek lowered his hand to hug Poppy back, "How are you feeling, Creek?"

"It's hard to describe," Creek admitted, "But maybe I'll have a better idea after I mediate on it." He noticed everyone suddenly looking at him in alarm and sighed, "I can meditate without trying to suppress my memories, you all don't have to look so spooked."

"We're just worried," commented Branch, Creek silently glad that Branch seemed to be staying at pale blue now.

"Thank you, but I promise not suppress it again," said Creek, "I don't want you all worrying yourselves worse over me."

Standing, Tailor held up a pair of white pants without the feet attached like with Smurf pants. He walked over and offered them to Creek, "I don't know what's going on but Branch said you probably wouldn't want me measuring you for new pants right now. If these fit you alright, I can take the measurements from your yellow pants to make a proper replacement before giving them to Laundry Smurf to clean."

Creek glanced over at Branch, then turned to Tailor, "Thank you." He released Poppy to take the pants, "I'm assuming you have dressing rooms here?"

Nodding, Tailor pointed over to a off shoot hall, "Right down there."

Taking a few steps, Creek paused when Poppy still hadn't let go of him, "Poppy, should I be worried about you trying to see me naked?"

Sticking out her tongue, Poppy blew him a raspberry, "Seen it."

"I hardly think taking a mud bath together as children counts," commented Creek.

"So, we were still naked," said Poppy.

Raising an eyebrow, Creek turned to Smurfette, "Are you okay with Poppy seeing me naked?"

Blushing, Smurfette shook her head.

Immediately, Poppy released Creek.

"Hmm, you're a lot easier to manage now that you have a girlfriend," stated Creek.

"How dare you," Poppy huffed, "I am unmanageable!"

"Whatever you say, princess," teased Creek, heading towards the dressing room. He paused by Brainy's chair, perfectly aware that Brainy had been silently watching him since he came in. "Should I be concerned that Poppy damaged you in some fashion?"

Face turning darker with blush, Brainy shook his head, "She was just being Poppy."

"That's what I'm worried about," said Creek, heading to the dressing room and closing the door behind him.

Standing, Branch walked over to Hefty, kissing his cheek before asking, "So, how did it go, from your perspective?"

"Good, I think," said Hefty, "There's a long way to go but he isn't fighting or ignoring Therapist Smurf. Creek even talked with him a little bit alone at the end."

"Hefty, how can you report on Creek's progress if you leave the room?" Poppy scolded him with a frown.

"I'm not telling you anything they discussed," pointed out Hefty, ignoring Poppy's comment on him being a horrible informant, "And my leaving the room was progress."

Before anyone could ask anything further, Creek came out of the dressing room wearing the white pants, which were a little tighter than his yellow yoga pants but seemed to fit fine otherwise. His expression was faintly amused.

"What's so funny?" asked Branch.

Setting down his yellow pants, Creek raised his arms in a "ta-da" fashion, "Behold, the monochromatic Troll." He closed his eyes and slowly did a 180 so they could see that there wasn't a spot of color on him anywhere without his eyes open.

From the beginning hen Creek turned gray, Creek was a lighter gray than Branch ever was. Possibly due to the fast Creek's purple skin was naturally lighter than Branch's blue. And, instead of black, Creek's hair went from a slightly darker gray into white. Now, wearing the white pants, Creek looked more like a lost spirit than a living Troll.

Eyes going wide, Poppy rushed over, hugged Creek, grabbed his yellow pants from where he set them down and took them over to Tailor, "We need pants, STAT!"

"I didn't think they looked that bad," commented Creek, looking at her.

"It's not that," said Branch, "It's just, well, we're not used to Monochromatic Creek."

"And we're never going to be," Poppy quickly added.

Creek looked between them, before landing on Poppy, "Branch was gray for twenty years and even Hefty says this therapy stuff takes time. I might be this way for a while."

"Blasphemy," gasped Poppy, "Branch, gasp with me!"

Branch was trying not to smile, "Sorry, I'm too busy savoring the fact that Creek finally used Hefty's name."

"Slip of the tongue, won't happen again," said Creek, smiling a little when Branch shot him a dirty look.

Chuckling, Tailor turned to Creek, "So for your new pants, would you like them to be just like the old ones?"

Creek shrugged, "I just need something to wear home so I don't really care."

Going quiet, Tailor stared at him.

"Um, I didn't mean that in a rude way?" Creek tried.

"You're giving me free reign?" asked Tailor.

"Pardon?" asked Creek.

"You don't care what I make so I can design what I want," Tailor clarified.

"Sure, I guess," said Creek slowly.

Tailor was silent for a moment before whooping in pure joy and running off to grab his sketchpad and start to work.

"Why do I feel like I've made a horrible mistake?" asked Creek.

"Nonsense," Poppy chuckled, "Hey Tailor, if you have time, you have free reign to make whatever you want for me too."

Stilling, Tailor looked up and stared at Poppy before turning to Smurfette, "Kiss her for me please, thank you." He immediately turned the page to start some more sketches.

Chucking, Smurfette turned to Poppy, "Gladly."

As Smurfette leaned in to kiss her, Poppy made little squeaks of happiness until their lips connected and they wrapped their arms around each other.

Getting up from his chair, Brainy turned to Creek, "It's getting late, do you want to grab some dinner?"

"Is it?" asked Creek, "I guess I was in there longer than I thought."

When their kiss ended, Poppy giggled and snuggled up to Smurfette.

"We should all go get dinner," commented Branch, he turned to Tailor, "Tailor, would you like to join us or for us to bring you anything?"

Creek saw Brainy glance at him and look at the ground. He could tell Brainy had been hoping to have dinner with him alone but he really didn't think that was a good idea.

Still sketching, Tailor shook his head, "Blossom will be coming by to get me later but thank you."

"Alright, have a nice dinner with your girlfriend," Poppy giggled at Tailor's blush as the group headed out. She took Smurfette's hand to hold while they walked.

Hefty and Branch looked at each other and smiled but did not take each other's hands.

Rolling his eyes, Creek grabbed both of their wrists and put their hands together before walking ahead.

As Branch blushed, Hefty and Poppy exchanged worried looks.

Rushing after Creek, Brainy slowed down to walk beside him, "They're just trying to be considerate."

"I know but I'd rather they just be normal," commented Creek. "I've already told them it doesn't bother me any more than it did before."

"I know," said Brainy, "It'll just take time."

"I've been hearing that a lot today," sighed Creek. He turned and looked at Brainy, "As old as you are, I imagine time moves differently in a way. Eventually, Branch, Poppy and I will be distant memories for all of you."

Adjusting his glasses, Brainy nibbled his lower lip, "That might be true but, no matter how much time passes, I doubt any of us could forget any of you."

Creek hummed, "I guess that's sort of a nice thought, though I wish I had something better for you to remember me by than the heartache I keep putting you through."

Blushing, Brainy turned to Creek, "I'll remember more than that."

Staying silent, Creek waited to see if Brainy would continue.

Nibbling his lower lip again, Brainy smiled softly, "You're the first person I've ever felt this way about. Even if it stays unrequited, I'm going to treasure these feelings, always."

Stopping, Creek stared at Brainy before grabbing him and turning him around to look at his back.

"What are you doing?" asked Brainy, turning his head to see Creek as much as he could from the awkward position.

"Just checking something," said Creek, humming after a moment, "I guess you are a Smurf after all."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Brainy, turning to Creek now, confused.

"I was checking your back for wings," commented Creek, walking on without waiting for a response.

Brainy blinked, still confused, before realization dawned on him and he blushed so much he felt like his entire body was overheating.

Peeking out of Brainy's hat, Snappy Bug chirped at him.

"Yes, I realize what that implies," Brainy frowned slightly, "But I sort of doubt he was flirting, all things considered."

Slipping out of the hat, Snappy chirped some more.

"That's just wishful thinking," sighed Brainy, "But, I hope so."