Chapter 67

When Creek leaned back against him, Brainy felt an instant surge of happiness accompanied by a pang of guilt. That guilt deepened when he couldn't help but nuzzle Creek's hair and wrap his arms across Creek's chest to better embrace him. He hated that this moment of closeness was brought to him by Creek's pain but he couldn't help but soak it in, wishing he could take Creek's pain away, if only for a little bit.

Hands squeezing Brainy's arms around him, Creek stayed in the moment a little longer. When he opened his eyes, he pulled forward, making Brainy release him and sit up again, but instead of moving away, he turned and went to his knees. His hands now gripped Brainy's legs on either side of him and he looked at Brainy's lap before up at the Smurf's face.

Watching Creek, Brainy wasn't sure why Creek moved to face him like this or the searching look he was now being given. Almost on instinct, he reached out and cupped Creek's cheek, caressing under Creek's eye with his thumb.

Sighing, Creek released Brainy's legs and folded his arms over Brainy's lap instead. Though he didn't bow his head, his gaze fell downward, "Brainy, I know you've told me why you like me but I just don't understand it."

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

"Please, let me finish," said Creek, waiting until Brainy nodded to continue, "I can understand you liking my voice and me physically but I've done nothing to win your affections. I've, in fact, done everything in my power to turn you away and you still try. I even tried surrendering to you last night, twice, and you did not accept." He leaned his forehead against Brainy's stomach, making Brainy's hand slip from his cheek to rest on the back on his neck, closing his eyes. "I don't understand what you want from me or why."

Hair tickled Brainy's hand as he thought of how to phrase his answer. Just as he opened his mouth, the door to his mushroom slammed opened.

"Good Morning," Poppy bounced in but stopped at the sight of them. Her face turned darker pink, almost red and her hair rose up to cocoon her, Brainy able to see that she covered her eyes right before her hair hid he from view. "Oh, my poor, sweet, innocent eyes!"

Sitting up, Creek rolled his own eyes and muttered, "Sweet, yes, innocent is debatable."

"This is why you knock at people's doors," Branch shouted from outside.

"What are they doing?" asked Clumsy, eyes covered as he peered into the mushroom.

"Nothing as far as I can tell," grumbled Stormy, looking directly at them.

Standing, Creek turned to the group, "Nothing was happening. Poppy, come out of your hair."

The cocoon of hair swayed a little as Poppy shook her head, "Nah-uh, I need to get that image out of my brain."

Shaking his head, Creek offered his hand to Brainy without looking, assisting him to his feet once he felt the Smurf's hand in his, "Have it your way. You can stay here and torture yourself but we have better things to do."

Slowly, Poppy peeked out of her hair, hair bolting back into its regular state as she grinned, clasping her hands together and bouncing on her feet, "You're holding hands!"

Turning, Creek glanced at his hand still holding Brainy's from assisting Brainy to his feet and quickly turned back to the bouncing princess, "Poppy-"

"This is so great," Poppy bounced, "I was a bit worried when Branch told me what happened last night but if it led to you two finding your way together-"

"Poppy," Creek tried again, frowning as he released Brainy's hand.

"And why do Smurfs wear hats when their hair is so cute?" Poppy covered her mouth a little as she turned. She walked towards Brainy, lifting a hand, "Do you mind if I-"

Creek grabbed Poppy's wrist and turned her towards him, making her take a good look at him this morning.

Poppy looked into the dull gray of Creek's eyes and swallowed nervously.

"That's enough Poppy," Creek stated, "What have I told you about jumping to conclusions?"

"Um," Poppy racked her brain a moment, "Leave the jumping to the frogs?"

"Exactly," Creek sighed, "You walked in on nothing, Brainy and I aren't together and you can't just go around touching people's hair." His tone turned teasing, "Even when it's very cute, very soft and fluffy hair."

Frowning, Poppy narrowed her eyes at Creek, "Now that's just mean."

"It's what I am," stated Creek, "Now are you going to leave Brainy's mushroom in a dignified manner or do you have to be handled like a child?"

"Creek, have I ever been dignified?" asked Poppy.

"Not touching that one, love," Creek shook his head and suddenly crouched down, scooped Poppy onto his shoulder, stood and walked towards the door.

Hanging over Creek's shoulder, Poppy was trying very hard not to laugh, "I will pet the fluffy hair, you cannot stop me!"

"Touch Brainy's hair and I'll mess up yours," said Creek, walking out of the mushroom.

"Feeling possessive there, Creek?" Poppy giggled.

"More like protective; goodness what you'd do in your overexcitement," Creek stopped walking and turned back to see if Brainy had followed.

After a moment, Brainy came out of the mushroom, Snappy and Pudgy flying around him. His hands were fiddling with his hair and eyes were darting around, looking around at the others, as he nibbled his lower lip.

Humming, Creek turned to Hefty, "I think it's time you returned Brainy's hat."

"No, don't return it," Poppy protested.

"You," Creek paused to shake Poppy, who was still over his shoulder, "Don't get a say in the matter."

"Don't cover up the fluffy cuteness," Poppy continued, ignoring him.

As Creek spun around, making Poppy giggle, Branch went over to Brainy, "Nice to see Creek in a good mood."

Fiddling with his hands, Brainy hummed non-committedly.

"He wasn't in a good mood before we arrived, was he?" asked Branch.

Sighing, Brainy shook his head.

Watching Creek and Poppy mess around, Branch thought their childhoods where he would watch them act similarly from a distance, "It's barely been a day since Creek remembered everything, I imagine its going to take a while for things to even out for him."

"I know," Brainy sighed again, "And I don't want to push but there's this line that keeps moving and I don't know where I stand."

Branch was silent for a moment, watching the group. He couldn't help but smile a little, watching Hefty lift Smurfette up to sit upright on his shoulder and grin at Creek in his cheeky matter, "Just continue that trait of Smurf stubbornness and stand by him. If what I saw last night is any indication, you're a lot closer to being the one for Creek than you think."

Blushing, Brainy gave Branch a soft smile, "Thanks," he cleared his throat a little, "Though I think you underestimate Troll stubbornness."

Half his mouth quirking upwards, Branch also raised an eyebrow at Brainy, "I'm pretty sure we could compete on who's people are more stubborn. Surprisingly, Hefty won round one." He smiled a bit more warmly, reflecting back on the song ambush, "I hope you win round two."

Smiling more, Brainy found himself feeling better about the whole thing and with an idea of how to proceed, "Thanks Branch."

When the two of them looked back to the group, Stormy had lifted up a blushing Clumsy to sit on her shoulders.

"Are we having some sort of weird competition?" asked Branch, crossing his arms.

Hefty and Stormy answered "yes" as Creek replied "no".

Rolling his eyes, Creek set a pouting Poppy back to her feet, "That wouldn't really be a fair competition, I imagine Strong Smurf," he paused for Branch to say "Hefty" and continued, "here could carry the lot of us if he could keep balance."

Grinning, Hefty puffed out his chest proudly, "You know it."

"Pick me up and I'll break your nose," Stormy warned him.

"That reminds me of the time Branch nearly broke my nose," commented Creek, rubbing over his nose in remembered pain.

Flushing, Branch gave Creek a mild glare, "We were kids, you tried picking me up without warning, and I hit you in the face on accident."

"You don't have to stick to that story, Branch, Miss Frizz no longer has the power to pod you," commented Creek, chuckling a little when Branch rolled his eyes.

"As fascinating as your backstory is," Stormy joined Branch in rolling her eyes, keeping her hands holding Clumsy's, as he was still sitting on her shoulders, "We should get to breakfast before its lunch."

Nodding, Branch turned to Hefty and laughed a little at the sight of Poppy now on the shoulder not occupying Smurfette, "You already won the 'competition', Hefty."

Careful not to knock her off, Hefty used his thumb to suggest to Poppy, "This one pouted at me."

Absolutely grinning her head off, Poppy patted the top of Hefty's head, "Branch, how come you didn't tell me how easy it was to pull on Hefty's heartstrings?"

As Hefty protested, Branch smiled, "It's not like it's a secret." At Hefty's frown, he smiled more, "He wears his heart on his sleeve after all."

On his shoulder, Poppy giggled, but Hefty didn't hear her over the feeling of pure happiness overwhelming Hefty. Along with the desire to kiss Branch many, many times.

"Again, that's his arm, not a sleeve," Brainy pointed out, adjusting his glasses, "Secondly, Hefty, where is my hat?"

"Hid it," stated Hefty.

"What?" Brainy frowned.

"Hid it," grinned Hefty.

Brainy barely paused, "It's under Clumsy's bed, isn't it?"

Hefty noticeably hesitated, "No."

Rolling his eyes, Brainy awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair, "I'm going to go get my hat."

"Surely that can wait until after breakfast," said Creek.

Looking around at other Smurfs heading to Chef's, Brainy shook his head, "I rather not." He turned to Creek, "There's something I need to talk to Handy about anyway. I'll meet you at Chef's afterward."

Glancing at Snappy, Creek saw the Ladybug looked as surprised as Creek felt but figured if Brainy wanted him to know, Brainy would have told him or invited him along. He felt a little, off, in the situation but knew he had no right to feel that way when he was the one keeping distance between them, "Well, alright."

Giving Creek a soft smile, Brainy said he wouldn't be long and headed to Clumsy's mushroom, followed by Snappy.

Pudgy hesitated, looking between Snappy and Creek but landed on Branch's shoulder when the blue Troll beckoned him, cooing softly.

The group headed towards Chelf's after Hefty put Smurfette and Poppy back onto their feet, much to Poppy's disappointment.

Stormy, after setting Clumsy down as well, turned to Creek, "What's your deal anyway?"

"You need to be more specific," Creek stated.

"Between you and four-eyes," replied Stormy.

"Brainy," Creek frowned, "And it's complicated."

"Love isn't complicated," said Poppy, "You're just making it that way."

"You over simplify," commented Branch. "Let Creek and Brainy do things at their pace, not yours."

"Thank you Branch," said Creek, "Though the way you phrased that makes it sound like you think it's inevitable as well."

Branch took in a deep breath, "Honestly, I think you two would be good together but nothing says you have to end up together." He shot Poppy a look, making her close her mouth before she commented, then continued, "It's whatever makes the two of you happy."

Humming, Creek remained silent, thinking over Branch's words. He really wasn't sure what would make him happy anymore. For a long time, he had always thought of Branch when he imagined a happy future but considering Branch's relationship with Hefty and everything Creek had discussed with Therapist Smurf, his feelings might not even be real and would only harm their friendship to pursue. There were also many times he wondered "what if" in relation to Cinnamon, since he had been happy in their relationship. Or at least he thought he had been. It was hard to say anymore, especially since he had been the one to let the relationship end.

Then, of course, there was Brainy. The Smurf had made his interests clear, as much as it baffled Creek, but that was yet another mess in his mind. Of course, Creek found Brainy to be sweet and quite adorable, especially when he was excited, but was any attraction towards him genuine or was Creek just latching onto Brainy's comfort and kindness? Creek had already spent years clinging to the safe feeling Branch provided when they were children, it would be unfair and cruel to transfer that to Brainy just because Creek could. Brainy deserved better than the dirty, damaged baggage Creek had to offer in return for Brainy's sweet, naïve love.

"Creek," Clumsy, waited until Creek turned to him, "Are you okay? You're sort of staring out into space."

Blinking, Creek looked around himself. He hadn't even noticed that they had arrived at Chef's and sat down to eat, and he had been playing with his, what looked like, oatmeal for goodness how long. He cleared his throat and tried to swallow down his train of thought, "Sorry, I was just lost in thought."

"Thinking of Brainy?" asked Poppy, proceeding to flutter her eyelashes and making, squeaking, kissing noises.

Making a show of rolling his eyes, Creek lied, "Thinking of how to approach Cinnamon about this whole therapist thing."

Twirling around his spoon in his own oatmeal, Branch softly asked, "Are you serious that you want to approach Cinnamon about that?"

"He's the only Troll I can think of that would have the temperament for it," commented Creek, "Why?"

Branch stared at his bowl for a bit, silent, before looking up at Creek, "I think there's something you should know before you talk to him about it."

Not liking where this was going, Creek ate a spoonful of his oatmeal to delay answering, noting the bits of Smurfberries in the mixture, "No offense Branch but what would you know about Cinnamon that I don't?"

"None taken," Branch commented, staring at his spoon, "It's from before you and Cinnamon dated by a few years." He couldn't quite look at Creek when he spoke again, "Cinnamon and I had both been there when Brocade died."

Feeling like his one bite of oatmeal wanting to come up with vengeance, Creek set down his spoon and put his hands together as he just concentrated on breathing, "I hardly see how that matters."

"I thought it was messed up at the time but not what it meant," commented Branch, voice hesitant to speak about it. "I was in Cinnamon's office, trading him herbs that he uses for medicine when Daffodil started yelling at Cinnamon to lock his door. Neither of us had time to move before Brocade barged in, struggling to breathe. Before Brocade even spoke, Cinnamon looked terrified."

"Part giant Troll looming over you in mid-heart attack would be alarming," commented Creek, trying to disregard it but his mind was already spinning with possibilities he didn't want to consider.

"Alarmed yeah, but Cinnamon was terrified," Branch emphasized. "Brocade actually picked Cinnamon up and slammed him against the wall as he demanded treatment. I couldn't get the bastard to let go and he actually stabbed Cinnamon with one of the medicine vials before he just fell over." He finally managed to look up at Creek, "Cinnamon smiled and started to laugh while crying when I said Brocade was dead."

"He could have been delirious from the pain of that bastard stabbing him," Creek tried to reason but it felt too familiar to how he reacted to the news of Brocade's death.

"That's what I told myself for years but, knowing what I do know," Branch started but stopped, unable to continue.

Moving closer, Hefty put his arm around Branch but stayed silent.

Poppy pulled at her napkin over the table, frowning, "Cinnamon and Brocade were the same age, they would have been in the same class at school."

"Wait," Smurfette looked between the Trolls, "Are you saying Cinnamon might have been." She took hold of Poppy's hand, unable to say it.

Creek covered his face with his hands, trying not to think it.

Scooting closer to Stormy, Clumsy whispered, "I feel like I'm missing something."

Putting her arm around Clumsy's shoulders, Stormy whispered back, "You and me both."