Chapter 61

Footsteps alerted Creek that someone was approaching him. He had two ideas of who it could be and spoke without looking, "Brainy?"

"How'd you know?" asked Brainy closing the distance and sitting beside Creek on the ground but leaving a respectful amount of space between them.

"Just a feeling," shrugged Creek. Off to the side, he could hear Pudgy and Snappy having their own conversation. Still, his gaze stayed on the moon as he spoke, "Did you hear me singing again?"

"Yeah," Brainy looked up at the moon as well. "I was worried, considering that it's so late and Hefty all but ordered me to go."

Creek hummed, "How is he?"

"As well as can be expected," Brainy sighed, "There was a lot of tears and hugging involved and I don't think Clumsy is going to let go of Hefty any time soon but I think Hefty feels better not hiding that from us anymore."

"And, how are you?" asked Creek.

"It's not about me," said Brainy.

"Perhaps not but I did ask," said Creek.

Brainy looked up at the moon for a while without speaking. When he did it was soft, "Hefty has always been the strong one, looking out for all of us. It never occurred to me that there would ever be a time that he needed someone to look out for him. I especially never thought that he could hide something like that for so long. I wish I could have been there for him sooner."

"You can't be there for someone if they don't let you," commented Creek.

Raising an eyebrow, Brainy turned to look at Creek and waited.

Keeping his gaze up, Creek frowned, "Yes, I am aware of the irony of that statement. Bite me."

"Kinky?" asked Brainy, voice honestly perplexed.

Before Creek even realized it was bubbling up, a burst of laughter came out of him. The laughter felt so odd, almost foreign, but so good at the same time. He had almost thought he wasn't capable of it anymore, "That, that was just," another chuckle escaped him, "I never would have expected that from you; kudos."

Gazing down at Creek, Brainy just smiled warmly.

Finally, Creek looked at Brainy and blinked, "You have hair."

Flushing, Brainy almost reached up to cover his head, "Hefty took my hat."

"Of course, he did," Creek sighed, sitting up for a better look.

While Hefty's hair was styled to be short and buzzed in places, Brainy's hair was a little longer overall. Brainy's hair wasn't exactly straight, looking almost like partial curls. Or rather the best way to describe it was…

"Fluffy," Creek murmured. He wondered if Brainy's hair was as soft as it looked.

Absently tucking some of his hair back, Brainy flushed further, "Um, you can touch it if you want?"

"That's a trap if I ever heard one," commented Creek but his hand raised up anyway. He ran his fingers through Brainy's hair, pausing to twirl some around his finger at the nape of Brainy's neck. "I was right, this was a soft, fluffy trap."

Face flushing further, Brainy's gaze fell to the ground. He couldn't hold back a shiver when Creek ran his fingers over his scalp again.

Feeling the shiver, Creek used his other hand to tilt Brainy's face up to look at him, "Brainy, you don't have to act like you're still interested."

Brainy stared at him, "What?"

"You don't have to pretend that you're still interested in me," Creek clarified. "I appreciate the effort but it's alright to change your mind about-"

Frowning, Brainy reached up and grabbed Creek's cheek's pinching them just enough to stop Creek from talking.

The pinching didn't really hurt but it was a bit awkward, Creek giving Brainy a curious look.

"Why do you have such a hard time understanding this?" Brainy asked, "I like you. I'm not going to stop liking you. I'm not acting. I'm not feigning interest to be nice. I wanted to give you some space and time due to everything that's come to light but that doesn't make me any less interested than I was before. I don't want you to introduce me to other Trolls with accents or anyone else." He swallowed, hands shaking a bit as he released Creek's face but held his gaze, "I'm in love with you whether you accept it or not."

Silently, Creek let go of Brainy's chin and pulled back his other hand from Brainy's hair in order to lightly rub over his own cheeks. He was the one to look away first, "I don't accept it."

"Creek," Brainy tried but stopped when Creek looked at him again.

"You've said it yourself, you never felt this way about anyone before," said Creek. "How do you know this isn't some silly crush or simply lust?"

"I love you," said Brainy.

"Stop saying that," frowned Creek.

"I love you," Brainy insisted.

Turning, Creek slid an arm over Brainy, resting it on Brainy's other side so they were face to face with Creek hovering over Brainy. He noted, with a hint of satisfaction, how Brainy flushed again and leaned back slightly, supporting himself with his arms in a half laying position, but Creek only following to keep it so their noses were almost touching, their lips a breath away from the others. When he spoke, his tone was soft and silky, "Do you even know what a relationship with me would entail?"

Swallowing, Brainy's eyes darted to Creek's lips.

Creek smirked, "That would be part of it, yes, but there would be so much more. As horrible as all of this has been, I am not sex repulsed. I know how good it can feel; the heat of two bodies joining, twisting and moving together."

Face flushing again, Brainy shivered slightly, struggling to hold Creek's gaze.

Lifting his arm from across Brainy, Creek lightly caressed over Brainy's waist above his pants, listening to Brainy's breath hitch as his fingers grazed upwards to dance over Brainy's stomach, "I wouldn't mind if you were just interested in my body. I'd have no problem taking you to bed and showing you the heights of pleasure that you didn't even know existed until you wouldn't be able to get out of said bed the next day because you'd just feel boneless with the residual hum of pleasure still coursing through you."

Breath hitching again, Brainy's eyes shut and his arms shook in supporting him.

Sliding his hand further up, Creek rested it on Brainy's chest, "But your heart is not safe with me Brainy." He waited until Brainy looked at him again. "I've lied to you since our first conversation. You don't even realize how cruel that test of mine truly was or how much I've manipulated you." His hand moved up to cup Brainy's face. "How I'm manipulating you right now: my proximity, the tone of my voice and each touch designed to throw you off balance. Could you really love someone who has done nothing but lie and manipulate, even to themselves, for years?"

Eyes closing again, Brainy swallowed and breathed to calm himself. He reached up and cupped Creek's hand on his face before opening his eyes and locking his gaze with Creek's again, "I love you."

This time it was Creek who released a shaky breath. He tried to pull away but Brainy wouldn't let him.

"It would be a different story if you didn't like me," Brainy commented, still holding Creek's hand over his cheek. "If you didn't like me, I'd have nothing to try for, but you've only tried to turn me away and make me give up. Never once have you said that you didn't like me."

That could be the out Creek was looking for. The chance to save them both the heartache this would inevitably lead.

But Creek looked at Brainy's kind eyes, his hopeful expression. Creek remembered Brainy's sweetness, his excitable mannerisms while talking about something that interested him and the way Brainy bit his lower lips whenever he was nervous. Talking with Brainy, his smiles, his worry, even the way he would call Creek a jerk and his innocent outlook.

Creek felt Brainy's thumb caress over his hand and knew he couldn't lie, not about this, "I like you." He sighed and looked downwards, "I wished I didn't but I do."

Smiling, Brainy turned his head and gave the palm of Creek's hand a light kiss.

The gesture made Creek shiver and look up again, "This still isn't going to happen."

Brainy's eyes widened, "But-"

Creek slipped his hand free from Brainy's and covered his lips with a finger as he sang, "One more kiss could be the best thing
But one more lie could be the worst
And all these thoughts are never resting
You don't know how much you deserve."

Pulling back, Creek got to his feet and walked away, "In my head is much a mess now
All this pain falls on me
In this world there's real and make believe
And this seems real to me."

Stopping, Creek turned to look back at Brainy, watching as Brainy stood as well, "You love me but you don't know who I am
I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand
And you love me but you don't know who I am
So let me go
Let me go."

As Creek turned back away to continue walking away from Brainy, Brainy bit his lower lip, but only for a moment, before reaching out with his voice, "Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine."

Surprised, Creek stopped and turned to look at Brainy again.

Still nervous, Brainy continued to sing, "I'm leavin' my life in your hands
People say I'm crazy and that I am blind
Risking it all in a glance
And how you got me blind is still a mystery
I can't get you out of my head
Don't care what is written in your history
As long as you're here with me

Slowly, Brainy began to walk towards Creek, "I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me."

Creek stared at him, "Brainy, did you memorize all the songs on my MP3 player?"

Fiddling with his hands, Brainy tried another song, "Moon appears to shine and light the sky
With the help of some fireflies."

Hearing him, Pudgy trilled and flew up, staring to harmonize some music for Brainy wo sing along with.

Smiling softly, Brainy sang a bit more confidently, "I wonder how they have the power shine, shine, shine
I can see them under the pines
But don't hesitate 'cause your love won't wait hey
Ooh baby I love your way every day
Want to tell you I love your way every day
Want to be with you night and day uh yeah-"

"That wasn't your que to continue," Creek frowned, shooting Pudgy annoyed look for betraying him yet again, then faced Brainy. "This isn't happening."

Now Snappy joined in, buzzing her wings with some music she had recorded at some point.

Further encouraged, Brainy attempted to dance as he sang, his steps looking technically correct but without the smoothness of a seasoned dancer, "You and me, we come from different worlds
I like to laugh at you when you talk about Smurf girls."

Jaw dropping slightly, Creek was surprised to hear Brainy alter the lyrics. This was more than simple memorization.

"Sometimes you're crazy and you wonder why
I'm such a baby 'cause this distance make me cry
Well there's nothing I can do
I've been looking for a love like you," Brainy continued to sing.

Creek sighed, annoyed that he didn't see it earlier, "You had Song Boot Camp, didn't you? I give you points for determination but you do realize that Poppy may maim you for doing this without her here to watch, right?"

Brainy froze for a moment, considering it but pushed on with another song, "If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd stop those things that hurt you
And you'd stay
If I could reach the stars
I'd give 'em all to you
Then you'd be free to love, just like you used to do
If I could turn back time."

"Still trying to rewrite those stars?" Creek verbally jabbed at him with a mild glare, "You don't want to play this game with me, sweetheart, I don't play fair."

Almost as if in challenge, Brainy sang on, "All I want is to feel this way
To be this close, to feel the same
All I want is to feel this way
The evening speaks, hear it say-"

Stepping forward, Creek cut Brainy off with his own singing, "You're so cute, teasing me
So you're blue
but I can't take a chance on a Smurf like you
That's something I couldn't do
There's that look in your eyes
I can read in your face
that your feelings are driving you wild
Ah, but boy you're practically a child."

Not giving Brainy the chance to protest, as Creek could see that he wanted to from his face, he grabbed Brainy and began to dance them together. But unlike during Hefty's Song Boot Camp, Creek gave Brainy no ques so he could follow him along. It was more like Brainy's first attempt to sing to Creek, Creek controlling the dance to throw Brainy off balance, "Well I can dance with you honey
If you think it's funny
Does your Papa know that you're out?
And I can chat with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
Does your Papa know that you're out?"

Managing to turn a bit in Creek's hold, Brainy got better footing so he could better dance with Creek rather than be pulled along by him, "Some people long for a life that is simple and planned
Tied with a ribbon
Some people won't sail the sea 'cause they're safer on land
To follow what's written
But I'd follow you to the great unknown
Off to a world we call our own."

Turning his hands, Brainy held Creek's more securely, "Hand in my hand and I promise to never let go
We're walking the tightrope
High in the sky
We can see the whole world down below
We're walking the tightrope
Never sure, never know how far we could fall
But it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking the tightrope

With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you."

Frowning, Creek looked into Brainy's eyes, "It doesn't matter what I say
So long as I sing with inflection
That makes you feel, I'll convey
Some inner truth or vast reflection
But I've said nothing so far
And I can keep it up for as long as it takes
And it don't matter who you are
If I'm doing my job then it's your resolve that breaks."

Brainy gazed into Creek's eyes in return, "We haven't known each other for very long
Your heart's been aching but you're too hurt to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it."

Now it was Brainy leading the dance, "I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling
Gotta make you understand

Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you."

Creek shook his head, taking the dance back into his control and upping the tempo, "Now listen to me, Brainy
Before you ask me to love you
They call me heart breaker
I don't wanna deceive you

If you fall for me
I'm not easy to keep
I might tear you apart
Told you from the start, baby from the start
I'm only gonna break break ya break break ya heart
I'm only gonna break break ya break break ya heart
I'm only gonna break break ya break break ya heart
I'm only gonna break break ya break break ya heart."

Brainy stopped trying to follow Creek's dancing, making them both stop entirely. For a moment, Creek thought he might have finally gotten through to the Smurf but Brainy only reached up to touch his face as he sang, "I hear your name whispered on the wind
It's a sound that makes me cry
I hear a song blow again and again
Through my mind and I don't know why
I glad to feel so strong about you
Like happiness and love revolve around you

Trying to catch your heart
Is like trying to catch a star
So many people love you baby
That must be what you are."

Slowly Creek smile but it was not a warm smile. It was one that made Brainy feel wary, those feelings confirmed when Creek's voice took a seductive tone to it, "I love myself, I want you to love me
When I feel down, I want you above me
I search myself, I want you to find me
I forget myself, I want you to remind me

I don't want anybody else
When I think about you, I touch myself," Creek smirked when Brainy's entire face turned a darker shade of blue,
"Ooh, I don't want anybody else," Creek made his voice sound breathless, almost moaning,
"Oh no, oh no, oh no~"

Eyes impossibly wide, Brainy looked like he could die from embarrassment.

Unable to contain it, Creek laughed. This time it wasn't a small laugh though, Creek had to let go of Brainy so he could hold onto his sides he was laughing so hard.

Though he still felt like he was having a heat stroke, Brainy smiled. Even in the pale moonlight he could see that Creek's pale gray skin was getting a hint back of purple back to it. When Creek's laughter pattered off into soft chuckles, Brainy moved closer again, taking Creek's hand and softly sang, "I would fly you to the moon and back
If you'll be, if you'll be my baby
I've got a ticket for a world where we belong
So would you be my baby?

Just saying, love can feel like a barren place
And reaching out for creature's faith is,
Is like a journey I just don't have a map for
So baby gonna take a dive and push the shift to overdrive
Send a signal that we're hanging all our hopes on the stars."

Looking at Brainy's hand holding his, Creek softly sang, "What a pleasant dream"

Smiling that Creek sang along with his song, Brainy pulled Creek closer to lead them into a slow waltz, "Just saying

I would fly you to the moon and back
If you'll be, if you'll be my baby
I've got a ticket for a world where we belong
So would you be my baby?"

Though it was short, the dance slowed and their faces start to draw closer to together.

Creek snapped back, the bit of purple he had regained, beginning to fade away again, "Ah, very well done Brainy, you almost had me there."

"Creek," Brainy tried to hold on but Creek slipped from his grip.

"Just give up Brainy," Creek turned away to leave but stopped from Brainy grabbed his hand again. He stopped and waited, almost afraid of what Brainy would say next.

Silent at first, Brainy's eyes searched Creek's face. Softly, he began to sing again, "And I would do anything for love
I'd run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love
I'd never lie to you and that's a fact." With his free hand, he reached up and cupped Creek's cheek,
"But I'll never forget the way you feel right now
Oh no, no way
And I would do anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
I would do anything for love, but I won't do that
No, I won't do that."

Pudgy and Snappy worked together to up the tempo of the music.

Letting go of Creek's face, Brainy lead them into a new dance to match, "Some days it don't come easy
Some days it don't come hard
Some days it don't come at all, and these are the days that never end
Some nights you're breathing fire
Some nights you're carved in ice
Some nights you're like nothing I've ever seen before or will again."

The music slowed and Brainy slowed their dance with it, gazing into Creek's eyes, "Maybe I'm crazy, but it's crazy and it's true
I know you can save me, no-one else can save me now but you."

The tempo raised back up and so did they, "As long as the planets are turning
As long as the stars are burning
As long dreams are coming true
You'd better believe it, that I would do

Anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love, but I won't do that
No, I won't do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of, but I just won't do that
I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of, but I just won't do."

Squeezing Brainy's hand, Creek took over leading the dance, absently amazed how well they moved together when Creek wasn't trying to control everything, "Some days I pray for silence
Some days I pray for soul
Some days I just pray to the god of sex and drums and rock 'n' roll."

Slowing the dance again, Creek held Brainy closer, "Maybe I'm lonely, that's all I'm qualified to be
That's just one and only, the one and only promise I can keep

As long as the wheels are turning
As long as the fires are burning
As long as your prayers are coming true
You'd better believe it, that I would do."

Now Brainy and Creek's voices raised up together, "Anything for love
And you know it's true and that's a fact
I would do anything for love, and there'll never be no turning back."

Reaching up, Brainy cupped Creek's face again, "But I'll never do it better than I do it with you," he blushed at Creek's raised eyebrow but continued, "so long, so long
I would do anything for love
Oh, I would do anything for love
I would do anything for love, but I won't do that
No, no, no, I won't do that."

Hesitantly, Creek's cupped Brainy's hand over his face, "Will you raise me up?

Will you help me down?
Will you get me right out of this godforsaken town?
Will you make it all a little less cold?"

Brainy smiled, "I can do that
I can do that."

Creek's expression became teasing, "Will you cater to every fantasy I got?
Will you hose me down with holy water, if I get too hot?
Will you take me places I've never known?"

Brainy blushed but sang, "I can do that
Oh no, I can do that."

Softly, Creek sang, "I know the territory, I've been around
It'll all turn to dust and we'll all fall down
Sooner or later I'll let you down."

"You won't do that," Brainy assured,
"No, you won't do that

Anything for love
But I won't do that…"

Gazing at Creek, the Troll was unaware of the color returning to his complexion. Instead he slid his hand to the back of Brainy's head, burying his hand into Brainy's soft hair, and pulled him closer for a kiss.