-O-
Picturebook Romance
A Trolls fanfic
By Dreamsinger
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sweet Affection
As she looked at the peaceful faces surrounding her, the queen in Poppy sensed that it was a good time for a healing intervention. "Doctor Plum, why don't you and Branch make plans to have a good long talk soon?" she suggested.
Plum looked uncertain. "He won't avoid me?"
Poppy was astonished. "Of course not. Why would you think that?"
"Well…"
"Oh." The pink troll let out her breath in a sheepish hiss. "Scratch that, I get it. No, he won't avoid you. Not anymore."
"Then maybe we could talk while I'm examining him," the doctor said thoughtfully.
Poppy made a noise of puzzlement, and the doctor elaborated, "He hasn't had a checkup in ten years, after all."
"He hasn't?" Poppy sputtered, and then she blinked and put a finger to her chin as she said thoughtfully, "Well, yeah, I guess he wouldn't…"
"Yes, well, I can't check for potential problems if he won't come to see me once in a while."
"Definitely," Poppy agreed, pointing both forefingers in the doctor's direction and clicking her tongue against her teeth. "Okay, I'll make sure Branch comes to see you for a checkup soon. He should probably see the dentist, too…" she mused. Then she said hastily, "Not that he has cavities or bad breath or anything! Actually… Did you ever notice what a beautiful smile he has…"
She let her voice trail off, a flurry of happy images converging in her mind, already shaping themselves into adorable scrapbook pages. Branch grinning gleefully as he rode his boingo fruit, Branch beaming at her as they worked together to guide the Double-Helix dancers, his cute little smile when he blushed, and one of her favorites, the gentle tilt of the gray troll's lips as he murmured his true feelings for her for the very first time. So many delights from the troll whose entire smile repertoire had once consisted solely of Smug, Sarcastic and/or Mocking.
Her knees went weak as the urge to Scrapbook overcame her, wishing Branch was here to snuggle up against while she created another masterpiece, but then the doctor asked her, "Speaking of potential problems, does Branch still have trouble sleeping?"
"Trouble sleeping? Well, he said something about insomnia last night while we were in-" Poppy clamped her mouth shut so fast her teeth clicked, her cheeks burning as she looked away. Does she think we slept in the same bed? Do they all think we were…
Doctor Plum didn't seem to notice her rosy-cheeked face. "Any nightmares?"
Plum's question tugged her attention away from her embarrassment. "Nightmares? You know, now that you mention it, I think he mentioned having nightmares about the spiders that almost ate me on the way to Bergentown."
"Then you might try singing to him, or humming, when that happens."
Acorn began to put away the examination instruments as the doctor pulled a pad of paper and pencil from her hair and began writing on it. "From what I recall, Branch has a history of troubled sleep. It was a common concern among many of his foster families, but it hadn't been a problem with my friend's family. Nana used to stroke his hair and hum softly to him to help him sleep. During his Incident I remembered that and managed to calm him down before he hurt himself or someone else."
Poppy felt a strange, poignant mix of heartache for her sweetheart's sad past and gratitude for Plum's new support. "Thanks for the tip, Doctor."
That was probably something else that bothered her about Branch. I wasn't there when he woke up in the hospital pod after being so badly hurt, but I heard he was really scary, screaming and fighting to get free and hitting everyone with his hair. No wonder she was so worried about me dating him.
And no wonder he got so relaxed when I finger-combed his hair this morning… Poppy let herself melt into the memory of running her fingers through his thick, silky locks, and his soothing hands stroking her own hair, and oh how she needed to see her boyfriend again!
The doctor tore off a sheet of paper and handed it to Poppy. On it were the names of a group of songs that Poppy recognized, mostly lullabies usually sung to trollings. She giggled, picturing herself singing them to grown-up Branch as he snuggled down in bed in pink bunny pajamas and a fuzzy favorite blankie. Aww. How cute!
"Oh, thank you, Doctor!"
"You're welcome," she said cheerfully. "Of course, those are just examples. I'm sure he'd be happy to hear you singing him his favorite songs, whatever they are."
"Right," Poppy said happily, and then paused. Wait. What is his favorite song?
"All right, dear, then you're free to go."
"Thanks." She gladly took a few steps toward the door, and then realized something and turned back. "Um, one more thing. If you wouldn't mind, could you come back with me to let everyone know that I'm officially okay? You know how our people tend to worry about me."
Plum laughed. "That's fine, if you don't mind waiting a few minutes while Acorn and I finish up here. Why don't you wait outside? You can enjoy the lovely sunset."
"Sounds great!"
Poppy skipped happily out the door. Her father followed her as she used her hair to sling herself onto the nearest tree branch, the stimulating nip of the cool late-afternoon breeze wonderfully refreshing as it brushed across her skin and through her hair, tickling her ears.
The young queen sat contentedly on the branch, swinging her feet and letting go of all the day's cares, just living in the moment. This time around she was able to appreciate the scrapbook-worthy view of her beautiful village, golden and glimmering in the last light of the day.
Her dad said quietly, "I'm sorry I blurted out your secret in front of Plum and Acorn. I didn't realize you wanted to keep your relationship private."
She gave him a fond, mellow smile. "Everything's cool, Dad. Actually, I've been wanting to ask you for advice. About relationships."
"Go on."
"Do you really think I'm making the right choice?"
"Well, you made quite the compelling case, my dear child. But when it comes down to it, only you and he can decide whether you're truly right for one another. If it helps, you're doing exactly what you should be doing, getting to know and understand one another the way life partners –and lovers- should."
Poppy nodded with a crooked grin, blushing up a storm. This was new territory for them both. It was embarrassing, but she was glad she had him to turn to for romantic advice. Some of the things she did confused even herself.
"Dad, why did I act like that just now? Flaring my hair at Doctor Plum – that's not like me at all."
He chuckled. "Well, Poppy, any troll will get a little defensive when they're protecting their mate."
"My mate?" Astonishment morphed into dizzy delight. My mate! He called Branch my mate! All in a tizzy now, the pink troll slapped her hands to her cheeks, squealing with embarrassed glee and drumming her heels against the tree branch. Her father gave a jolly belly laugh, seeming almost as happy as she was.
Doctor Plum and Acorn came out to join them. Poppy and her dad got up as her dad added, "Also, if Branch should happen to be a little intimidated by the idea of being the next king, I can tell you from experience that it gets easier with experience." He chuckled gently at his own joke.
"Tell him that no one is expecting him to be perfect. A king - or queen - is still just a troll who doesn't know everything. Someone who makes mistakes. As I said, I deeply regret that it took me four years of trial and error to finally choose Jaunty and Courtley, who were the right trolls to be his foster parents, and it might have taken even longer if not for some valuable advice - from a good friend."
Peppy turned to Plum and held out his arms, and the doctor hugged the older troll fondly. "Thank you, Plum," he said gratefully.
"Of course, Peppy. I just wish I'd seen the solution sooner," she said as she released him.
"What solution?" asked Poppy.
Her dad replied, "Well, darling, I'd avoided asking Jaunty and Courtley to take care of Branch because they'd never seemed to want trollings of their own. Also because both of them, especially Courtley, had emotional issues because of what we all went through when we were the bergens' captives. They'd been the trolls I relied on most for dangerous missions, you see, so I didn't want to put too much pressure on them."
"But Plum here convinced me to ask them, and although at first they were unsure, everything turned out splendidly. They understood him; he understood them. I hadn't seen them so happy in years, and I'll always be grateful to Branch for that, even though ultimately he decided to move on himself. And after he left, they finally chose to have their own trolling."
"So Branch changed their lives for the better! He'll be so happy to hear that. Oh, thank you, Doctor Plum." Poppy hugged the older female, who responded warmly. "From Branch, too. You made the right choice back then. And I believe I am, too."
As she let go, the doctor took Poppy's face in her hands, searching her eyes. "I hope so, dear."
Her father concluded, "So it's important to remember to lean on the trolls around you when you need help. Neither of you has to go it alone."
"I know what you mean," Poppy said cheerfully. "Our friends are so awesome; they helped us spend the day together without interruption, and we didn't even ask them to." She sighed happily. "I really want to do something extra-special to thank them for that. Today was so wonderful…"
"Are you sure that you don't want a party? It would be so much fun!"
Poppy bit her lip, dancing in place. "Ooo, I'm really tempted! But no; no parties. Not yet."
"Aww." Her dad gave her a disappointed pout, his lower lip sticking out through his shaggy mustache. "How much longer?"
"I don't know, Dad. It's barely been a day since we became a couple. Hopefully not much longer."
Her father sighed patiently. "I understand."
Something else occurred to her. "Besides, as fun as they are, Dad, parties are commonplace here in Troll Village; nowhere near as rare and special as exploring the land behind the golden door."
The pink troll smiled dreamily as she fondly recalled the memory of the scrapbook her boyfriend had created the night before, as well as the unexpectedly poetic flair his narration had taken.
"Golden door?"
Her dad looked puzzled, but she only smiled enigmatically, hiding her inner giggle as she remembered the way he'd told her about her own 'secret' relationship. It's not often that I get the chance to stump him!
But then he gave her a sly look. "That's not the only reason you want us to keep quiet about your relationship, is it?"
"What do you mean, Dad?"
"You just want to keep him all to yourself, isn't that it?" he said teasingly, ruffling her hair.
Poppy turned red as a strawberry. "Daaad!"
Peppy chortled so hard his big belly shook. "I understand. I remember what it was like when I fell in love with your mother. Suddenly she was the most important troll in the world to me, and I wanted to spend every day at her side, just the two of us."
"That's how I feel about Branch," Poppy said wonderingly. "As if there aren't enough hours in the day to be with him. I almost wish…"
"That you weren't queen?" her father said quietly.
She gave him a startled look that softened into one of shared understanding. He must have felt the same way about Mom. And he was right to. He was only able to be with her for such a short time before… Well, it won't be like that for me and Branch. Between the two of us, we'll be sure to keep us all safe and sound and deal with any threats that come, together, along with our friends.
"Everyone feels that way when they fall in love," her dad confirmed. "It's perfectly natural to become enthralled in one another. Why, that's half the fun, having your world turned on its ear. You'll find a new balance eventually, and in the meantime, enjoy it!"
He began to extend his hair to grasp a branch below them, then stopped. "Oh, and if you need to take a break from being queen for a little while, just ask. I'd be glad to get back in the saddle for a while."
"Aww, Dad, thank you! I just might take you up on that if Branch still has problems with…" She stopped, biting her lip and blushing as she turned her face away.
He gave her a kindly look. "Honey, there's never been a troll quite like Branch, so my final advice to you is to be patient. Be kind. Above all, be understanding. What he needs most is someone who truly understands him, who appreciates him for who he is, and who loves him for being Branch. And I can't think of a troll better suited for the job."
She threw her arms around her father. "Thanks, Dad."
-O-
What's taking Poppy so long at the doctor's? It shouldn't take this long to examine her, should it? Unless there's something worse wrong with her. A chill passed over me. I scanned the part of the village where the doctor's pod was, but there was no movement in the dimming afternoon light, so I reluctantly continued my lecture.
"Now for those of you whose arms may be a little short, or who just feel more comfortable using their hair, I've developed a version of the Heimlich maneuver for hair." Remembering the way Poppy had winced and rubbed her stomach earlier, I added, "You'll need to be careful; our hair is much stronger than our arms…but don't let that stop you from saving a life. Better to be hurt than dead, right?"
As the group made various sounds of agreement, I wrapped my dark purple hair around Biggie. Being the one troll in the village whom no one's arms could possibly fit around, he didn't complain as I gave a couple of quick, forceful thrusts under his ribcage. "Oof!" he gasped, panting for breath.
"Oops! Sorry, Biggie."
"No problem," he said feebly.
Each pair of partnered trolls dutifully copied me, their various theatrical retching noises half funny, half disturbing reminders of what had just happened to my girl.
Unlike the last time I'd given this talk, I didn't bother explaining the testing phases I'd gone through to develop the new technique, remembering earlier today when Poppy had cut me off with a not-so-subtle reminder of one of the basic tenets of public speaking: keep it short and simple. That was all too easy to ignore when I was on a roll, but for once I wanted to keep the extraneous stuff to a minimum. I wanted to be done by the time Poppy returned from the doctor's.
-O-
They look like a flock of wild birds! Careful of her still-tender throat, Poppy quelled the irrational urge to break out into hysterical laughter as she watched half the class inventively pretending to choke. Spitting and gagging, arms and legs flailing in the air… Or like they've all got ants in their pants.
She knew it was strange; considering what she had just gone through, it shouldn't be funny to her. But it is. It so is.
Then she caught wind of a certain belovedly earnest lecturing tone and the pink troll quickened her steps, eager to see her boyfriend again.
"-and remember, I'm asking every vendor to set up a receptacle at his or her booth."
A trolling nearby asked her father, "Daddy, what's a reptacle? Is it like a triangle?"
Branch came into view, still standing on one of the tall, colorful mushrooms that dotted the village green. He continued, "So if you find any stray beads, you can drop them off at any-"
His voice cut off as he caught sight of her. Blue eyes lit up and ears lifted so high that for a moment they matched those of all the trolls around him, practically quivering with excitement. Her beautiful boyfriend was beaming with sheer joy, his smile brighter than she'd ever seen it, and her heart gave a thomp.
"Class dismissed!" Branch took a flying leap off the mushroom, somersaulting twice before dropping down into a perfect three-point landing, one hand dramatically in the air behind him. He bounded through the crowd, his arms outstretched toward her, and then at the last second a flash of alarm crossed his face and he skidded to a stop in front of her. His eyes anxiously scanned her up and down as he demanded, all rapid-fire, "Are you all right? How's your throat feel? What did the doctor say?"
She opened her mouth, but he whipped his hand up in front of her face. "Wait, don't talk. I'll ask you questions, and you signal me with your hair," he babbled.
Poppy couldn't help but roll her eyes and smile. What a mother bird. "I'm fine, Branch," she reassured him. "My throat is just a little irritated, that's all. It's all right to hug me. You won't hurt me."
That was all the permission he needed to swoop her up in his arms, spinning her around in joyous circles. She could feel his pounding heart match her own. Oh, how she'd needed this hug! His warmth, his scent, his breathing against her; she wanted it all. "Oh, Branch. Branch… I missed you so much."
"Poppy." The quiet anguish in his tone made a different sort of lump in Poppy's throat. "Oh, Poppy. My Sunshine."
He'd barely stopped spinning before the two of them were enveloped in a massive group hug from every troll there. Branch let it go on for a while, knowing that she would enjoy all the affection. Poppy also knew that letting them hug it out was the best possible way to ease her people's fears.
"She'll be all right," Doctor Plum announced reassuringly when the hug broke up. "But someone should stay with her for the next few days, just in case."
"I will," Branch said instantly. "I promise I won't leave her side."
Everyone stared at him, then at her. A little embarrassed, a little bit puzzled, the pink troll shrugged agreeably and then gave the doctor a curious look. She didn't say anything about me needing-
Plum winked at her, and Poppy gasped in pleased surprise and then coughed a bit as the unexpected rush of cool air hit the raw patch in her throat. She's giving us an excuse to be seen together!
"Poppy?" Branch gave her a panicked look.
She registered alarm on many other faces and struggled mightily to control the urge to cough again. "I'm fine," she managed to say clearly enough to calm most of them, but Branch was still watching her warily.
Doctor Plum made a thoughtful noise. "Hm… You'd better eat only soft foods for a day or two. And…no singing until tomorrow."
At this, everyone gasped. Poppy did too, then coughed again. Her mouth was watering in reaction and she had to swallow and clear her throat before she could joke weakly, "Oh, well. Doctor's orders, right?"
Branch squinted at her and she wondered what he saw in her face. Then he glanced around at everyone and seemed to register the concern on their faces.
Her boyfriend's posture changed. He straightened up and even seemed taller somehow as he raised his voice and spoke with calm authority. "Okay, everyone. We all had a bad scare, but Queen Poppy is going to be just fine. I'll look after her, I promise. So let's all go back to the festival and give her the chance to collect herself, okay? And thank you all for your concern."
She watched with admiration as everyone began to obey him, their faces full of contentment. She could sense their trust in him, and it filled her with pride.
He saw her beaming at him. "What?"
"Look at you, stepping up to take charge," she teased.
He looked uncomfortable. "Well, someone had to, and you and your dad were both kind of out of commission for a while…"
"I know, Branch." She stepped forward and put a hand on his, meeting his eyes as she said sincerely, "Thank you so much."
"Sure, um - I mean, you're welcome." As Branch blushed and looked to the side, pleased at her praise, Poppy shared a smile with Plum. Yes, he really is that adorable when he's embarrassed.
Poppy noted the open interest in the doctor's expression as she studied the troll that she and the rest of the village thought they knew, the troll who was so much more than he seemed. Sometimes the most unlikely people have a talent for leadership.
As he continued to grow, Branch was going to surprise a lot of trolls.
Her boyfriend addressed the three trolls who had accompanied her. "I want to thank you all for looking after Poppy."
From his earnestly appreciative tone, it was clear that Branch considered himself responsible for his girlfriend, as if she were already a member of his family. The three trolls exchanged glances, then smiled back at the aquamarine troll.
"Of course. We love her too, Branch," her dad said softly.
He stiffened. "What?" he said sharply, as he spun to look at Poppy. She gave him a sheepish shrug, and a shadow crossed his face. Slowly he turned back to face them, his shoulders hunching. She knew he was waiting for someone to object to his courtship of their queen.
But when the three trolls only regarded him kindly, he blinked in confusion, his guarded stance loosening a little. Poppy stepped up next to him and took his hand to remind him that she was there for support. He gave her an anxious, questioning look and she gave him an encouraging nod in return.
"It's all right, my boy," her dad said soothingly. "We support Poppy's choice."
"Really? I - I mean, you do?" he stuttered, looking like he couldn't believe his ears.
The three trolls nodded. Her boyfriend's shoulders slowly relaxed, his breath easing out of him as his eyes closed momentarily in relief. When he raised his head, his smile of deep gratitude made his face unexpectedly beautiful. His sky-blue eyes shone with joy. "Thank you."
Her father chuckled, the same reassuring laugh that had comforted Poppy through a thousand worries of her own. And now Branch will have him to turn to as well.
Acorn had a big, silly grin on his face. "No problem."
"Anytime, Branch," Doctor Plum responded gently.
There was a brief silence. Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone to say something, until finally the doctor looked at the setting sun and said briskly, "Well, we'll leave you to it, then."
"If you have any questions, my boy, my door is always open," her dad said warmly.
He walked away, and Acorn and the doctor nodded cordially and began to follow him.
Branch took a step forward, still holding onto Poppy's hand. "Oh, by the way, Doctor Plum?"
"Yes, Branch?"
"I just remembered; I need to make an appointment for a checkup. I've been meaning to do it for a while now, but something – usually by the name of Poppy-" he gave her a teasing glance "-always comes up."
Plum asked, "So you weren't avoiding me?"
"No, why?" He sounded puzzled.
The doctor shifted her gaze to where Poppy was beaming at her, then shook her head, smiling now as she arranged to meet up with Branch the following week. "I'm glad you said something. We have a few things to discuss, young man."
"Oh?" he asked curiously.
Poppy caught on and covered her mouth with her free hand, half embarrassed, half amused.
Branch looked back and forth between the two females. "What?"
Plum's violet eyes were twinkling. "I think I'll leave you in suspense for now. Don't forget our appointment, all right?"
The aquamarine troll watched the doctor depart with an expression of bafflement. "Poppy, what just happened?"
The pink troll giggled and turned to look toward the market square, eager to have something a little more substantial to eat than honeymilk. "Oh, you'll see."
"Poppy, what the- Oh, come on!" he whined, letting her tow him toward the smell of food.
She refused to say anything more about the subject, wanting to give him the incentive to keep his appointment, and to have the fun of driving him crazy in the meantime. "It's nothing bad," she finally said when he kept pestering her. "Just be patient."
He only growled in annoyance, but her answering laugh finally coaxed a smile out of him.
"So where are we going now?"
"I'm just going to grab a quick snack. I'm starving."
"Poppy, you can't eat now. You'll spoil your appetite for dinner." Logical Branch was back.
She stopped and gave him a look, letting go of his hand to put hers on her hips.
And then the Branch who was her boyfriend said with an apologetic smile, "I figured we were going to cook dinner together."
"Oh." Well, when you put it like that…
She remembered last night. Cooking with Branch. Having fun cooking with Branch, her boyfriend who loved her. "Well…"
"Unless you just want to eat here at the Beadfest?" Branch looked toward the market square. "I think there are probably still some vendors open."
"No, you're right. I can wait." Somehow.
Just then Fizzy Speckles approached them, looking cheerful. "I just wanted to thank you for teaching that class, Branch. You know, I was really scared by what happened to Queen Poppy, but now that I know what to do if it happens again, I feel so much better now."
His comment sparked a wave of enthusiasm from nearby trolls.
"Me, too!"
"And me."
"Hey Branch, do you have any other lifesaving tips like that?"
"What, you mean like using sparkbugs to revive someone who's unconscious?" he answered.
"Hey, what a great idea!"
"When will you show us that?"
Branch looked a little weirded out at all the attention. "Look, I'm not going to knock someone unconscious just so I can demonstrate…"
Poppy watched with quiet pride as the former loner unknowingly began to forge new connections, chatting for a few minutes with a small group of interested trolls about various health-related tips and tricks he'd picked up over the years.
In the background, Poppy overheard a few comments from departing trolls about the class she'd missed out on – again.
"I never realized Branch knew so many cool things."
"Yeah, he's a pretty smart guy underneath all that paranoia," another commented matter-of-factly, chuckling in a friendly way.
"Yeah," several others agreed.
"It's nice to finally be able to get to know him."
-O-
The other trolls finally said their goodbyes, and then Poppy and I were alone. Well, as much as we could be alone, with rows of colorful tents on both sides and a light sprinkling of trolls strolling by on their way to dinner. The sun was nearing the horizon. Beadfest was over.
But if I knew my girlfriend, today was far from over. Suddenly realizing just how wiped out I was, I closed my eyes, wondering how many more hours of partying we still had in front of us before she was ready to call it a night. Some days I was up for it, but not today. I really just want to go home…
-O-
Poppy watched as Branch stood there with his eyes closed, his ears drooping a little, looking like the day's excitement had caught up with him all at once. Poor Branch. You look like you need a rest more than I do.
Of course, she'd spent the most of the last hour in the doctor's quiet pod, not calling on a long-buried social side to essentially perform in front of an audience, on top of a set of what she was sure were very frazzled nerves.
She gave him a minute, then touched his arm gently. "Branch? Are you okay?"
"What? Why are you asking me? I should be asking you that. I'm so sorry, Sunshine."
Her forehead wrinkled in puzzlement. "Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who's sorry. This is all my fault. I was careless and talking with food in my mouth just like you said not to in your class-"
"You heard me?"
"I watched the beginning, yeah." Poppy hesitated, avoiding his gaze. Should I tell him I lost my colors, or would that just make him feel worse?
Branch knew she was keeping something from him. "What?"
There were too many trolls wandering nearby. Someone would be sure to hear her. "Nothing."
"Poppy."
"I'll tell you later."
He narrowed his eyes. "Is something wrong with-"
Poppy's stomach answered the question for her, growling like a marshbeast. Branch looked down in surprise. "Wow." He chuckled despite himself and put a warm hand to her belly, rubbing it gently. When he met her eyes again his gaze was so soft, so tender, that all at once a different kind of hunger awoke in the young queen.
His tantalizing breath slid past her cheek, itself a caress, and his lips were close, so close. They hypnotized her. All she had to do was lean…a little…bit…closer…
Just as she moved, so did he, snapping his fingers and stepping obliviously back to look around him at the trolls milling nearby. "You know what? Ice cream would be just the thing for your throat right now. A little won't spoil your dinner, judging by the sound of your stomach," he laughed. "Hey, does anyone know where we can get some ice-"
A dozen milky treats instantly appeared in front of her. Poppy looked up at the trolls who were unselfishly offering her their desserts, touched at the love and concern on everyone's faces. "Aww, you guys… Thank you!"
Truthfully, the bruise on her stomach was bothering her now more than her throat, but every troll offering her ice cream – Hey, now it really is an 'ice cream' date, ha-ha ! – had a hopeful look on his or her face, and she didn't want to disappoint anyone. "Um, wow, so many choices! Uhhh…"
"What's your favorite flavor?" asked Fizzy Speckles eagerly, his red-orange hair bright as a candle flame in the sunset's glowing light.
Seeing the cheerful chocolate vendor again reminded her of something…intriguing. "My favorite flavor? Well gee, you know, it changes every so often. Right now, I'd say it's…" She paused, lifting her eyebrow and shooting a sly glance at her boyfriend. "Caramel chocolate."
Branch's breath exploded out of him in a spray, his eyes bugging out.
She nearly burst out laughing as he coughed and sputtered. I'll never get tired of this… Flustered Branch is the cutest thing ever!
He recovered enough to give her a droll look, rolling his eyes and shaking his head at her with a smile. She winked impishly at him.
"I've got caramel chocolate, Queen Poppy!" Conifer came toward them, bouncing joyfully up and down in front of her as if he'd just won a prize as he waved a slightly-runny brown-and-gold ice cream cone in the air.
Poppy gently lifted it from his sticky hand. "Thank you so much, Conifer."
"Careful, cuz the caramel topping is still hot," he told her solemnly.
"I will be," she assured him, and reached out her tongue to test it. The warm caramel was like liquid gold, just hot enough to invite closer contact, but not hot enough to hurt. Poppy pressed her lips into the soft, flexible surface, closing her eyes as she couldn't help but wish it was something else she was kissing, then took a long, luxurious lick. Part of the warm sugary layer lifted free and slid into her mouth to give her tongue a joyful greeting. "Mmmm…" she moaned aloud, a wide smile of pleasure spreading over her slick lips.
"Is it good?" Conifer asked with wide eyes.
Poppy noticed another pair of wide sky-blue eyes staring at her mouth as if mesmerized. Unable to resist, she ran her tongue across her lips, watched him swallow, and tried not to giggle.
"I'm not sure. Let's try a mix of the two, next," she replied playfully and bent over the cone, her eyes on a certain enthralled aquamarine troll whose mouth was hanging open slightly.
The next bite was even more exquisite, a perfect merging of hot sweet caramel and cold sweet chocolate. She rolled it around her mouth, creamy and rich and oh so delicious! She wasn't pretending when she let out an even louder moan of sheer happiness. "That is so good! Conifer, where did you get this?"
"I made it," Fizzy answered before the trolling could. "I'm so happy you like it!"
"It's marvelous! Thank you, Fizzy! And you, too, Conifer." She beamed at them and they beamed right back. If not for the rapidly melting treat in her hand she'd have hugged them both.
Branch leaned back against a nearby mushroom and crossed his arms, patiently waiting for her with half-closed eyes and an indulgent smile. Poppy sat down on a short mushroom near him, glad to see him starting to unwind. All the trolls near her began to settle down on the grass, too. The pink troll beamed lovingly at her people, knowing that they wanted to keep her company while she ate instead of heading off to their own dinners.
After a minute Branch sat down next to her, relaxing in stages.
The world grew still and peaceful, everything around her turning a gorgeous red-gold with a tinge of hot pink as the last rays of the setting sun played tag with the horizon. Her lightweight clothing fluttered as the wind began to pick up, riffling through the grass and everyone's hair. It was surprisingly chilly after such a warm day; brisk and fresh and tingle-inducing.
Something's gonna happen, she decided. I can feel it. Hopefully something good, since today was… Well. She rubbed her bruise absentmindedly. A lot of stuff went down today. Some of it not so good, but most of it was wonderful.
Her handsome boyfriend was lying on his stomach on the grass, resting his head on his crossed forearms and watching her with the most laidback expression she'd seen on him in a long time.She recalled their peaceful picnic earlier. It's good to take a little break now and then. I think we should probably just head home after this.
She couldn't help but let her eyes trail down his body and wished her fingers could do the same, remembering the soft, fuzzy-sleek feel of his warm skin under her fingers yesterday. She wondered whether he would let her touch him again tonight.
Suppose he does? What if he decides he wants to get used to more than just cuddling? Or I could say it was an experiment. He likes doing experiments…
-O-
Man, a lot went down today. Who would've thought that a single afternoon's curiosity would be worth more than a decade's worth of hard work and preparation when it came to protecting the person I love? If I hadn't found that scrapbook that day…
Branch. Stop. She's okay. I closed my eyes, recognizing the start of another recursive loop. Poppy was alive, and she wasn't likely to repeat that particular mistake again, so… Everything is going to be okay. She's safe.
I decided to send my mind down a different path before I got stuck somewhere I didn't want to go, choosing instead to go back over my intriguing, unexpectedly feel-good conversation with my old friend Cherry Blossom.
Cheery asked me to be a teacher. And she said I could teach Poppy to learn to enjoy the quiet times, like right now. Maybe she's right. Already feeling better, I gave my girl an amused glance as she played up her enjoyment of the ice cream for everyone's benefit, smacking her lips and rubbing her belly.
Wait. My gaze sharpened. Poppy keeps rubbing that same spot. She must be sore there. As soon as we're alone I'm going to ask her about it.
But she seemed to be all right otherwise, so I went back to thinking.
It occurred to me that my talk with Cherry Blossom was the first adult conversation I'd ever had that had gone well. Growing up, I'd mostly managed to squirm out of those kinds of embarrassing talks with my teachers, foster parents, and Doc Whipple. Leafe and I had had a couple of seriously awkward conversations when I was a teenager, but I had not wanted to hear about my roommate's love life.
I'd been barely twelve years old when I'd moved out of Jaunty and Courtley's pod, so aside from a little teasing about whether I had any crushes (I hadn't) we hadn't really gotten around to talking about mushy stuff.
But then, they hadn't really needed to spell it out. They'd loved each other their entire lives, and their casual gestures of affection were easy and natural. I saw them kiss once in a while. Mostly they held hands, hugged, cuddled together on the couch, or gently patted each other's back or bottom. When they wanted to get romantic, they went to their bedroom or some other private place, or waited until I'd left the pod, which I started doing once I began to recognize the signs of impending mushiness.
I complained about it, of course, but I really didn't mind. They were the first trolls who had given me a room of my own. I saw nothing wrong with letting them have their privacy, too. I always made a point of knocking on their bedroom door when they were in there, just in case.
It had even become reassuring to me, how comfortable they were with one another. At the time I couldn't imagine that I would ever be like that, so at ease with another troll, the way I was now with Poppy. When I was around her, the door I'd created to wall my feelings off seemed like mist, like one good puff of air would clear it away entirely someday.
Now I found myself using those same gestures of affection with Poppy, touching her hands, putting my arm around her waist, rubbing her back. I'd never realized before just how much of them was in me, and it gave me hope. Maybe I could help create a loving home like that someday.
Cheery said I'm a natural romantic. She believes that I'm ready to show Poppy how I feel. Maybe I am. Maybe I can. Think positive, like Poppy says. Imagine yourself succeeding. You can do this, Branch. Tonight's gonna be different. Maybe I could serenade her…
-O-
All too soon Poppy was crunching through the tip of the cone for one last burst of icy sweetness. She thanked Conifer and Fizzy one last time and everybody began to leave, off to enjoy the beautiful evening with their families.
Branch waited until the last of them had gone, then got up to sit on his folded legs in front of her. "Poppy…" he said softly, with a serious look in his eyes. "Can I ask you something?"
The setting sun had turned his eyelashes into gold flakes, delicate and beautiful. His eyes were mauve, perfectly complementing his vibrant amethyst hair and turquoise skin.
He was incredibly handsome.
Her heart caught fire. "Yes, Branch?"
Is he going to ask to kiss me? You can't get a much more romantic setting for a first kiss than a beautiful sunset, can you? She licked her lips as she waited breathlessly for whatever he might ask of her.
He opened his mouth, then tilted his head sideways. "How did you not notice that?" He smirked.
"Huh?"
He reached out to lift the arm that had been holding the ice cream cone, revealing streaks of light brown decorating her pink arm almost to the elbow.
"Ah!" She thrust her arm away from her body, anxiously examining her new outfit with her other hand.
"Did it stain your clothes?"
"No." She sighed gratefully and began to get up off the mushroom. "Looks like you caught it just in time. Thanks. Let me just go wash this-"
"Wait." Branch reached out to take hold of the back of her wrist, gently turning her forearm to face him. "There's nobody around. Want me to, uh," His gaze flicked down, then back up at her. He swallowed, his face a mix of nervousness and hope. "Clean it for you?"
Her face went blank with surprise, and then a lovesick grin plastered itself over her face, a giddy titter escaping her lips. "Sure."
He leaned forward, and at the first touch of his tongue she felt her legs go weak with anticipation, dropping her down onto the mushroom. He made eye contact with her briefly, checking her expression, which by the feel of it was all toothy and goofy-looking, but Poppy didn't care. He smiled in a proud, playful sort of way and bent his head over her arm again.
Poppy closed her eyes, tilting her head back as his slightly rough tongue stroked slowly along her skin, hot and slick, leaving behind a trail of tingles that pulled deliciously at her belly and nipped teasingly at her toes. Her breath caught, her heart starting to skip inside her chest.
He did it again, and again, and she found herself leaning slightly back and forth in rhythm to his strokes, as if he were playing her body like an instrument. The same thing had happened when they brushed each other's hair, their bodies syncing with one another's as if to prepare to create a glorious harmony. Even their breaths came as one.
Just when she thought it couldn't get any better, it did, as his mouth slid from her arm to her hand, tickling her tender, sensitive palm with his tongue tip and making her fingers twitch. She giggled, and he answered with soft sound of amusement, not quite a laugh; just a quiet, intimate response to her delight. She knew that only she would receive such a response from him.
When he finished with her palm, he took her fingers into his warm mouth one by one, his gentle sucking sending sparks of pleasure along every nerve. She tilted her head back further, breathing harder but somehow managing to keep from moaning aloud. If they were interrupted now there was no telling how long it would be before she could get him to do this to her again. How sweet he was!
-O-
My mouth was filled with the taste of caramel and milk chocolate, with an intriguing hint of a brighter, tangier flavor I couldn't quite identify. Some kind of berry? Maybe one of the fruit-based body washes I'd seen while taking the bubble bath that had led to all this?
Doing this with Poppy wasn't so scary this time, now that I knew more about how she'd react. I took my time, swirling my tongue harder on a couple of spots where the caramel topping had begun to harden, and each time I did, she gasped, a look of rapture on her face.
I had no idea that doing something so simple could make her feel so good. I had no idea that making her feel good would make me feel so good. It was totally worth the risk of being seen.
My own body was starting to react, especially down below, a warm, electric feeling that felt so good that when her arm was clean I moved on to her hand, licking her palm and sucking on each of her fingers, seeking every last bit of sweetness before my time sense warned me that I'd pushed things as long as I dared.
With a final kiss in the center of her palm, I let her hand go.
It took her a moment to realize it was over and open her eyes. When she did, her gaze was soft and deep, her movements slow and sensual as she reached out to slide her damp, sugar-scented hand along the side of my face. I covered her hand with mine and we simply gazed lovingly at one another for a while.
If anyone spotted us, I couldn't tell. I had eyes for one troll only.
-O-
Poppy didn't ever want him to stop, but far too soon it was over. She gazed longingly at her beautiful boyfriend and reached out to cup his jaw, wanting to pull him in for a kiss, but he was looking up at her so adoringly, just the way he once had during the darkest moment of her life that somehow, it was enough.
She had a feeling that Branch would be wonderful lover someday. And unless I miss my guess, 'someday' will be very soon. The thought pleased her.
But she found what pleased her most was that he would take such a risk, doing this to her right out in the open. "Branch," she teased. "Look at you. So bold." She leaned toward him. "I like it."
His sunlit eyelashes made delicate thin shadows that flowed in a pleasing pattern over his face as he blinked in surprise, then gave her a foolish grin. "Thanks."
Ting.
Poppy yanked her hand away from his face as Branch whipped his head around, looking toward the sound of the Hug Time bracelet. Poppy didn't see anyone among the tents, but she caught the brief shuff-shuff of feet through grass, moving swiftly away from them.
Poppy met Branch's eye, hunching her shoulders and whispering guiltily, "Oops. Someone saw us."
Branch looked half scared, half sheepish. "Oh, well. Don't – don't worry about it." His voice wobbled and he cleared his throat. "It was bound to happen sooner or later."
"Maybe they only saw the part where I had my hand on your face."
Branch shrugged, getting to his feet. "Maybe. That's incriminating enough." He sighed. "Well, it's out of our hands now."
Then he opened his arms invitingly toward her.
She looked around self-consciously, then up at him with big eyes. "Are you sure?"
His face relaxed into a brave smile. "About having Hug Time with my girl? I'm definitely sure."
Love filled her chest, and she launched herself off the mushroom into his waiting arms.
Author's Note:
I know the correct quote is 'a mother hen', but the line where Poppy calls Branch a mother bird is a reference to the episode Bye Bye Birdie in Trolls: The Beat Goes On, where Branch gets stuck taking care of some baby birds and comes to love them even though he's terrified of birds.
What do you think Branch's favorite song would be?
So I'm looking for a song that goes with the themes of Picturebook Romance, like being able to show your feelings honestly, getting close to another person for the first time, first love, first time noticing someone in a sexual way, loving someone for being unique, being tolerant of others' differences and looking for the good in people, family, secret love, fairy tale romance, stepping up and trying harder to be someone better, wanting to be the person your loved one can count on, thank-yous, being confused, being sure of your choice, being afraid to trust someone.
If anyone would like to suggest some songs in the comments, I'd be delighted to check them out. I don't plan on turning Picturebook Romance into a songfic, but with approximately twenty more chapters to go, with a relationship that is going to progress quite a bit, (I'm not going to leave their first kiss for the last chapter, haha!) I'd love a few more songs here and there. Especially something quiet I could use as a lullaby that Poppy can hum to Branch if he's having bad dreams.
I like energetic, funny, cheerful pop music and gentler, more introspective tunes, rather than hard/harsh music (by now you probably know me well enough to realize that, huh?), both famous songs and ones by artists no one's ever heard of.
There's a song that I like, called Taking Chances by Celine Dion. I like the version sung by Rachel from the TV show Glee, as it's a little more wistful and poignant. However, the song has one line with a curse word in it. If someone can come up with a line that replaces the line with the curse word and it fits well with the song, especially if it's troll-themed somehow, I'll use it in a future chapter where our favorite Broppy couple sings it to each other, and I'll give the person credit.
If I use more than one song, I'll credit people accordingly, or if I can't fit them in but I like them anyway, I'll mention them in one of my Author's Notes. Thank you, my friends