To Set Things Right

Poppy felt ashamed. Standing in front of King Gristle, bandaged up to her neck, with Branch doing the talking. It was humiliating for her as Queen.

She couldn't solve the problem on her own. Gristle and Bridget promised they would re-socialize Barnald and make him understand that a troll diet was unacceptable. Branch squeezed her hand during the friendly royal dinner that was offered as an apology for Barnald's behavior. He must have seen how sad she was behind her happy and talkative facade. He also didn't let go when they returned to the village with small steps with the excuse that she was still sore from the fall.

Poppy hadn't visited the bunker in a long time. She stayed one night at the hospital to go through tests and she insisted that Branch returned home to rest, after all, he had been edgy the entire trip back. She had heard Branch clenching his jaw, almost cracking a couple of teeth.

Of course, Branch didn't tell her that, despite her wishes for him to rest, he had stayed up reinforcing security. The Fuzzlings were warned to double their attention during patrols and the survivalist spent the entire night mapping the forest to find spots to place traps. Safety was a priority. Hair knew how many predators could be around.

The next couple of nights Val and Holly alternated in taking care of her. With their hearts heavy with guilt, they made sure Poppy didn't have to stand from her bed to grab food or water. They also helped a great deal by washing her hair and repatching her side.

The walk back from Bergentown ended too soon. Branch picked Poppy up and jumped in front of her pod, setting her down on her feet like she was made of glass. His hands lingered on her back a bit longer than it was necessary.

"Thanks for bringing me home." Poppy bit her lower lip. The problem with the Bergen was over, but there was still an issue between them. And she wasn't willing to discuss details of their relationship that night. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and got inside her pod.

She didn't notice that Branch didn't go away. He stood there, outside her door, fidgeting quietly as she went through her nightly routine. Poppy made sure her hair was up and partially unzipped her dress until she could reach the bandages.

The dress pooled on her hips. Branch held his breath when he saw her turning to the mirror to inspect the dark purple bruise. Poppy was moving more freely, indicating that the pain had subsided since they were rescued, but it still didn't look healed.

'Just walk to her,' a bolder side seemed to whisper in his ear. 'Walk, hold her, kiss her. She had a terrible day. She could use some hugs.' The sight of her bare back also instigated him to stay. If he was welcomed, of course.

The sound of water running made him realize he had taken too long to make up his mind. Branch sat outside, visible enough so Poppy would spot him, but still half hidden in the dark. The moonlight was bright that night and the stars jealously faded.

It was funny how he used to enjoy watching the Moon but Poppy now was an even more enjoyable sight. If she was around, she'd attract his attention like a magnet and he wouldn't look at the sky again.

The water stopped running and Branch heard the bathroom door opening. Poppy walked out in short doll pajamas with small cupcakes on them. She halted when she saw him there.

"Oh dear," she chuckled nervously. "I thought you had gone home."

"Yeah," Branch stood up again and stepped inside. "I thought I could stay and watch over you."

"I'm fine, Branch." Edgy. The queen reeled edginess and if the survivalist wasn't a perceptive troll, he would have missed the way she clumsily poured herself some tea and loudly clacked the china. "You must rest, too. I've noticed those dark circles under your eyes, Branchfer."

"For starters, I won't be able to grab a wink of sleep if I don't make sure you're looked after." The teacup loudly landed on the saucer. "It's not like I haven't stayed before." If it wasn't clear he was making her nervous intentionally, he took off his shirt and headed for the shower.

He could be overdoing it, but Branch surely wasn't going to let the conversation be delayed another day and he was going to soften Poppy up first.

He felt bad for backing away and disappointing her and then explicitly showing her how wrong she was about befriending a Bergen by herself. He must have lost several relationship points in that past week.

Her avoidant attitude officially confirmed his fears when he stepped back into her room and found her lying down with her back turned to him, pretending to be asleep.

Fine. If she was going to play the grumpy troll, he'd be the happy-go-lucky one. Two could play that role-reversing game.

Branch slipped under the blankets and poked her shoulder. Poppy squirmed but kept her back turned.

"Hug time!" Branch announced before jumping on her and not hesitating in giving her the best hug he could.

It made her giggle.

"What's got into you?" She insisted, but Branch wasn't going to answer. He dove into the crook of her neck and tickled her with his teeth, making her squirm even more as she tried to push him away, uselessly.

"I miss," he retreated, watching her breathless from laughter, "your smiles."

Still halfway on top of her, Branch watched as the corner of her lips turned slightly down as if recalling a bad memory.

"I was wrong. Very wrong." Poppy whispered. Her hand raised to his chest, drawing invisible patterns on his chest to avoid his eyes. "I was reckless by keeping Barnald from you."

Ah… the heavenly sound of hearing Poppy admitting she was wrong. That was something he could cheer on his own with a glass of sparkling underground water. On the outside, he kept a straight face.

"I don't like to be wrong. I don't take it well when I can't end things with smiles and hugs. Since day one you keep showing me that my duty as queen isn't always cupcakes and rainbows."

"I'm sorry," indeed, Branch understood he could be a pain sometimes.

"Please, keep doing that," Hearing that made Branch look questioningly at his girlfriend. "I count on you to show me other ways to deal with a problem, even when I don't want to."

"Are you saying I was right, again?" A side-lopped grin exhibited his teasing pride.

"... now that's a bit exaggerated."

"You are,"

"No."

"Yes!"

Branch didn't notice when the flirting became serious. He also couldn't tell if he dove down to capture her lips or if she lifted her head to greet his. All he knew was that the argument was over when it became a heated kiss.

It was more intense than the last time. Maybe all the tension had piled up for days and it needed release. Or maybe he had managed to put his brain to sleep as his body sprung awake.

He didn't notice what he was doing, but he was vaguely aware that her fingers closed around his as he pinned her hands on each side of her head. Breathing heavily, he dove in to invade her mouth like the last time, granting an approving sound in return.

Her leg raised, caressing his with the inner side of her thigh. It made his body ache with need and Branch hesitantly pulled their lips apart.

"You make me wonder if I'm unfit to be your girlfriend."

Branch stopped.

What?

WHAT?

He didn't jump several feet away from her because his body was trapped by her heels that were hooked on his ankles.

"You always stop." Poppy explained further. "Am I not attractive or-"

"By all that is trolly," Branch's head seemed to spin. He couldn't explain exactly how he felt near her. It was like standing on the edge of a very dangerous place and he wasn't sure if it was a good idea to jump. He loudly groaned and pushed his hips against her, so she could feel exactly what she did to him.

She seemed to stiffen.

Branch gulped. His palms were sweaty, but she didn't lose her grip to release him. Instead, she closed her eyes and raised her hips to rub on him.

The friction was like an electric shock. He could barely hold himself back. Something was getting too near.

Poppy found his mouth again. Her arms wrapped around his neck and Branch blindingly explored her lips, having free hands to caress her sides, finding the edge of her shirt.

He pushed himself against her again. Her breath became shallow and she responded to his kiss so wildly it was nearly indecent.

At some point, he took a blind leap into his desires. When he realized he had a hand over her chest, groping Poppy through her shirt.

Instead of slapping him and calling him a pervert, the pink queen bit her lower lip and turned her head up. Eyes rolled on the back of her head as Branch watched her cheeks flushing as she rubbed against him.

They were in her pod!

Open doors and windows!

Branch cursed the pain he was bound to have as he retreated. Poppy turned to look at him incredulously and hurt.

"I want this," the survivalist said before he was accused of not wanting her. As if it was possible. "But the right way."

Poppy looked confused.

"Away from the audience." He pointed outside where the other pods seemed suspiciously quiet.

The queen seemed to accept his excuse and turned to her side, perching herself on his chest, finding that spot that seemed perfect to adjust her. Safe and sound in the arms of her boyfriend.

"It kills me to stop," Branch gulped nervously, "but you're the queen and I worry about what others may… talk about it."

"Branch…" she signed and stretched. He felt her body rubbing his side. "... you're so overcareful it borders weird."

Silence fell upon them. They could hear the crickets outside and even the smallest sound of their hair softly brushing. It felt smothering. They were tense.

"Were you really worried about the festival?"

They weren't done talking about that, were they? Branch took a deep breath and turned to look at his girlfriend, ready to take the blame for being jealous. But once his blue eyes met her magenta ones, he saw nothing but curiosity and a bit of a smile on the corner of her lips.

"It's not what you think." Branch hurried to answer, but her smile deepened. "You know… I've been under a rock most of my life so…"

"Yes…?"

"Look, I was talking to Demo about how I feel like a lousy boyfriend-"

"Lousy?!"

"Well, yes, let me finish. Then, he said I should be worried because I've never been in a relationship before and as queen you probably had… other partners… to compare me to."

Poppy sat up. The blankets fell on her lap and a strap of her pajamas slid down, exposing her shoulder, which made it really hard for him to concentrate on her furious eyes.

"First!" She raised a pink finger as if it would help her control her temper. "If you feel anything but a loving and caring boyfriend you come to talk to me about it because as your girlfriend, I believe it's my opinion that really matters." She raised another finger, "second, you have no right to be jealous because I was ridiculously trying to get your attention for years only to be rejected over and over again. The one I always wanted to date was you." His heart skipped a beat. Maybe two. If she was saying what he thought she was saying then… they would be each other firsts! "Third!" and at that, she turned around so she was fully facing him. "The Mating Festival is indeed irresistible to single trolls."

His hopes fell as fast as they rose. Branch felt like slapping himself in the face and groaning, but it would look bad for him to panic in front of her so he just bit his tongue to prepare for the news.

"I was out of my mind when the time came," Poppy gulped nervously. "I've got date invites all over the village and Creek was quite insistent." Oh, Hair, she did it with Creek. "So it would be like trapping myself into something I would regret if I attended the festival."

"So… you didn't go?" Branch asked in confusion. He had no idea it was possible. From what he read, a troll would act like they were under a spell and go to the festival. No matter what.

"I went into the forest. As far away as I could." Poppy explained. "I got lost and got eaten by a plant, I think."

"Hair, Poppy!"

"Not a night I'm proud of," she pouted and furrowed at the same time. Quite an adorable expression to see. "As I said, I just wanted you. I still do."

Branch felt like laughing until it turned into sobs. He couldn't tell how happy he was and how ashamed of doubting his girlfriend.

"Can you please promise me that you'll put me out of my misery soon?"

She wasn't laughing. Instead, she looked anxious. Branch knew he had enough of doubting himself.

For some mysterious reason, the most beautiful girl in the whole troll kingdom had chosen him. He was going to stop thinking it was some sick joke or that some cupid had missed the right target and got him instead. He was gifted with her love and so, he would make the most of it.

"I promise I'll make it unforgettable."