-O-
Picturebook Romance
A Trolls fanfic
By Dreamsinger
Chapter Thirty-Five
Love's First Kiss
Poppy had spent all day holding herself back, trying to respect his wishes, but when her adoring boyfriend began kissing her hands and saying such sincerely admiring things to her, she couldn't hold out any longer. Every sweet word drew her closer to him, almost sure this time that he wanted this.
As her mouth neared his, his lips parted and a whisper of breath crossed her face. One last time, she met his soft, dreamy gaze, and he nodded.
That was all the permission she needed. Every part of her strained toward him, eager to experience the breathtaking moment of contact she had so longed for.
At the light touch of his lips Poppy held still, squinching her eyes shut to try to contain the burst of joy inside her even as her inner voice squealed, I'm kissing him! I'm kissing Branch! And he's kissing me! Eeeee!
Then he stirred and she half-expected him to stiffen and pull away. Instead he began to move his lips against hers, gently seeking, then found his place, his mouth melding warmly with hers.
Her belly swooped. Her scalp zinged. Hot fizzy liquid filled her veins, and the rest of the world ceased to exist. Even gravity seemed to vanish. Buoyant with bliss, one foot lifted into the air and the other rose onto her tiptoes and she overbalanced and their lips slipped apart with a smack.
Branch lurched back a step as they grabbed hold of one another to keep from smushing their faces together. The young sweethearts blinked at one another, then shared embarrassed chuckles.
Poppy looked for signs that Branch was feeling panicky, but she saw only the same giddy elation she felt, her heart soaring like a kite.
"Guess you wanted that as much as I did," he said with a crooked grin.
"You have no idea!" Poppy gushed, half laughing at the slosh of silly feelings swirling inside her. Her belly was fluttering so much it felt like someone was tickling her insides, and from the goofy grin on his face, Branch felt the same way.
He let out a hum of sheer glee, then turned a little shy. "Um. Was it good?"
Aww, could he be more adorable?
"Good?" she exclaimed breathlessly. "It was better than 'good', Branch, it was magical!" She threw her hands out to the sides."I feel like I'm flying! My heart's still pounding. Here, feel." She took his hand and pressed it against her chest.
He looked startled, then his eyes lost focus as her heart's jubilant dance registered. A slow smile spread across his handsome face. "Mine, too," he admitted as he lifted his hand.
Her own hand was zooming toward him before she knew what she was doing, but at the last second she stopped, hovering just above his pink silk vest. When his welcoming smile didn't waver, she slid her hand inside.
Heated skin. Boingo beats bouncing under her palm. Downy aquamarine flesh flexing in time with deep breaths, thoroughly fascinating her.
Branch glanced down at her hand pressed against his bare chest, and then up at her. His smile deepened, turning invitingly charismatic; so very masculine that a rush of heat filled her cheeks. Bashfully she yanked her hand back and looked down, her upper teeth clamping down on her lip in a foolish grin.
Oh, gosh. Why is it when Branch gets bold, I go all flustered? I'm supposed to be the bold one!
But then she heard him chuckle gently and glanced up to see him giving her a sympathetic look. "I know how you feel. A little overwhelming, isn't it?"
Relief, pride and love flooded her body. Sweet Branch. Of course he knows how I feel; we're still best friends, after all. And I'm glad to see him handling all this so well. Maybe even better than me.
"Yeah, I'm actually pretty nervous," she admitted. "Even though ever since last night, I've been wanting to-"
Memory struck. "Hey! Wait a minute… Branch, whatever happened to that whole 'perfect first kiss' thing?" she reminded him teasingly, the backs of her hands on her hips. "You even made me promise to wait for our first official date, remember?"
One hand came up to rub the back of his neck. "Oh. Right."
"And you know I'm not good at waiting. I've been wanting to kiss you all day." She hopped on her toes to emphasize her words, grinning at the way his cheeks turned becomingly lavender.
Sheepish though he looked, he couldn't quite hide his pleased smile. "Sorry about that. It's just that I - I meant for our first kiss to be a lot more romantic," he explained. "Somewhere really special. I wanted it to be a memory you'd cherish forever."
"Aww…" Heat rushed from her heart through her whole body, making her hair tingle. "I understand," she said softly. "But I'm glad you changed your mind. I really needed that kiss. For a lot of reasons."
"I know. Me, too." Branch spread his hands in the air, quietly sincere. "Poppy, you know I can't bear to see you unhappy. I love you with all my heart, and I would do anything to make you feel better."
"Oh, Branch…" Touched beyond measure, the young queen squiggled and clasped her hands together over her chest as her overheated heart threatened to become a puddle at her feet. "Well, that makes two of us. There's nothing I want more than to see you happy, Branch. And speaking of happiness…"
She reached for his hands, standing nose-to-nose with him as she once had, with his beautiful turquoise and ultramarine blue colors shining so bright in that dark bergen pot, bringing light and hope to heal the broken spirits of his people. To heal her broken spirit. Then, and now.
"You know, Branch, when I was younger, I couldn't really understand why you saw the world the way you did. So negatively, as if danger was lurking in every shadow. I thought you were wrong to see it that way. But now I know it was because I'd just been lucky enough never to have to deal with any real problems. Serious problems, heavy problems, life-or-death choices, the kind that can make you lose faith in the world – and in yourself."
"But you had faith in me, Branch, and you promised to be there for me, every time I faltered." She looked deeply into his eyes, appreciating the compassionate man behind them all the more. "And you've more than kept that promise."
She caressed the palms of his hands with her fingertips. "So you see, you're my sunshine too, lifting my spirits just when I need you most. Like today. Even if we hadn't kissed, I still would have cherished all the wonderful memories we made today for the rest of my life."
"Poppy…"
Poppy placed her hand on his cheek, bringing her own face intimately close as she whispered, "But we did kiss. And it was romantic." She gave him a secret smile. "I mean, what could be more romantic than having our first kiss on this beautiful, magical night under the stars?"
He brightened. "Really?"
She nodded, and he sighed in relief, his face softening into a tender smile.
Poppy was glad that such a simple truth could make him so happy. Yeah, it was romantic…but that would have been true no matter where we shared our first kiss. Who would have guessed it meant that much to him?
Branch put his own hand over hers on his cheek, a dreamy look on his face. Poppy began to get that deliciously eager feeling again. Her gaze fixed on his mouth, so tempting in its closeness.
He noticed. Up went his eyebrows, and he licked his lips. At the sight of his tongue some ancient instinct made her lick her own in response, and he looked just as captivated. His eyelids began to drift downward as he eased his face toward hers, only to snap open as he pulled in a quick breath and stepped back, looking up.
"Not just stars."
"What?" she murmured, only halfway paying attention. She wanted at least one more kiss tonight before he started second-guessing himself.
With Branch, progress tended to be two steps forward, one step back. Poppy could never decide whether it was more frustrating or enjoyable, since his backtracking meant she still had the pleasure of enticing him out of his shell. He was like a baby bird, so new to all the delights the world had to offer, afraid to try. But then he did.
And he soared.
"Poppy, look!" Branch pointed upward.
Reluctantly Poppy changed her focus from his lips to the air above their heads. A delicate flow of beautiful, iridescent sparkles was floating from their hair into the sky.
Instantly a huge grin spread over her face. "Hey, we're blooming…"
"Whoa." He sounded awed.
She should have recognized the sensation - cool, tingly ripples passing pleasantly over her scalp - but then, a lot of things made a troll's hair tingle. Like the touch of a certain loving boyfriend's hands, combing her hair every morning, maybe…?
Branch's eyes aimed upward and he angled his dark hair forward to watch the sparkles emerge. "You know, this is the first time I've ever bloomed. Well, if you don't count when I first got my colors back."
Poppy blinked. "It is? Wait, what about this morning?"
"This morning?" He gave her a puzzled look.
"Yes, in my pod. You started to bloom. A little bit, anyway."
His jaw dropped. "I did? When was this?"
"While I was finger-combing your hair, and you got all relaaaxed and mellowww…" She smiled fondly at the memory.
Stunned, he put a hand to his sparkle-decorated hair. Poppy's smile faded. "Wait. You mean you really didn't know?"
He let his hand drop as he nodded, but didn't speak.
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry…"
Hairblooms were rare and elusive. No one had ever been able to make one happen on purpose, although it was known that emotions were important. Happiness, peacefulness, wonder. Thrills and triumph. Desire, pleasure, and of course, love.
Hairblooms were more common between lovers. Some compared hairblooms to a peacock's display, an earnest hope of attracting the attention of the troll one desired most. Others said it happened to them when they were feeling deep trust and mutual closeness with a good friend or family member, or after winning a game or a sports competition.
No matter the reason, hairblooms were seen as a sign that something special was happening. And Branch had missed out on that.
Her shoulders slumped as she admitted, "I guess I was so entranced I didn't want to interrupt the moment, but if I'd known it was your first time, I would have said something. I'm so sorry, Branch."
Branch read her dismay and straightened up, shrugging a shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Poppy," he reassured her. "If I didn't notice, I didn't notice. I'd rather remember right now as my first time, anyway. After all…"
Softly, he crooned,
With love's first kiss
His joy flowed free
For all to see
She melted. "Aww, there's my sweet poet," she cooed warmly, beaming at him as it really began to sink in. "Wow, you bloomed for me, Branch!"
"And you bloomed for me, my love." Branch placed a hand on his chest, gazing at her with such honest adoration that Poppy felt she could fly into the sky herself and join in the extraordinary dance taking place above them.
She needed to kiss the lips that spoke such tender words just for her. Poppy took his face in her hands and began to lean toward him. She watched his eyes close and his lips pucker, only for him to stumble forward when Poppy suddenly said, "Oh!" and abruptly let him go.
"What's wrong?"
"Branch…" She stepped back, eyes huge as she watched the graceful flow of hairbloom sparkles from each of them meeting and merging in graceful harmony. Shimmering iridescent waves and lazily curling spirals drifted above them for brief, ethereal moments, like glitter come to life, before fading away.
"Poppy?"
"Branch! Look, we match!" she said excitedly. "We have the same hairbloom sparkles."
"What?" His gaze snapped upward and she heard his gasp, and his hushed words. "We do. We really do."
Instinctively she reached out to twine her hair with his. Her boyfriend responded readily, winding his long strands around hers. As always, his hair felt good against her own, strong and sleek and belovedly familiar.
At the intimate contact, a new flurry of bright sparkles emerged to decorate the night sky. The pink troll watched the exquisite display with starry eyes. So beautiful… I'm so happy. A wide smile spread across her face as she enjoyed the delicious shivery-cool tingles all through her hair, like mint snowflakes, and the rest of her was feeling pretty great, too.
From the pleasurable smile he wore, Branch was enjoying the feeling as well.
Poppy sighed contentedly and felt herself settle down. There was something very calming about literally feeling someone you loved close to you. Safety and security. I wonder if this is how Satin and Chenille feel?
The young sweethearts held hair for a long moment before Branch asked quietly, "Poppy… I don't really understand much about blooming, but do you think that's why my hair got longer this morning without me realizing it?"
She caught the hint of shyness under his curiosity and turned to see him gazing at their airborne love letter to each other, dancing sparkles reflected in his eyes.
"Could be," she agreed, her voice getting a little husky as she thought back to that beautiful moment, loving it all the more now that she knew just how special it had been. "You were responding to being touched by the person you love. I remember it felt like your hair didn't want me to let go."
"Really?"
"Yeah... And I really didn't want to let you go, either." She blushed a little as she recalled, "When your hair bloomed, I couldn't help but kiss it."
At first he looked touched, but then one corner of his mouth went up in the familiar smirk she had grown to love. "Oh, so then I'm not the first one who broke our promise."
"Oops." She put a hand on her hip. "Aw, come on, Branch, kissing your hair doesn't count."
One eyebrow lifted, and his voice lowered seductively. "It does if your kiss made me bloom."
And just like that, she was back to flustered-Poppy, blushing hotly as she blurted out, "Actually, I kissed it because you were blooming. Not to say that I wouldn't have kissed it anyway." She glanced at him from the corners of her eyes. "Among other things…"
Poppy delighted in the way his eyes lit up at that, as if even now, he was still surprised and pleased that she could be interested in him. She loved making him feel wanted.
Her honesty was rewarded when Branch cleared his throat and hinted, "Well, then, speaking of kissing…"
She caught on and enthusiastically moved to do just that.
Boing went their noses. They blinked at one another.
"Sorry," they said together.
They tried again. Boing.
Boing.
Branch's mouth puckered to one side. "You know, maybe being in sync isn't always so great."
Poppy laughed and suggested cheerily, "Let's take turns. I'll kiss you, and then you can kiss me."
"Why do you get to go first?"
"Uh…" Poppy thought fast. "I owe you a kiss. You won last night's scrapbooking contest, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. I guess I should let you pay off your debt." He shrugged a shoulder and added airily, "Oh, and as I recall, you owe me an unscheduled Hug Time hug, too."
"Oh, right. Even better!"
She slid her arms around his body, using her convenient hold on his hair to gently guide his mouth toward hers. How good his lips felt, so warm and responsive, so thrilling! Her belly began to tumble and her knees felt weak. The young queen squeezed his hair lightly, grateful for his steady support.
Branch made a muffled groan mostly through his nose, since his mouth was currently occupied, and Poppy shivered in excitement as a warm puff of air tickled her cheek. She hugged him harder, pushing her lips ardently against his and he backed off just enough to break contact.
She didn't have time to feel more than a hint of worry that she'd scared him off before he murmured, "My turn," and came right back, kissing her soundly.
Their first few kisses were clumsy and fumbling, but it didn't take long to learn to coordinate their movements, as good partners did.
Branch brought one hand up to cup her jaw, his thumb stroking across her cheek and sending rivers of sensation clear across to her ear. When his other hand came to rest on the back of her neck, the heat and pressure felt so good on the last of the knots left from her earlier distress that she moaned out loud. Her boyfriend responded by kneading gently, and she moaned again, rolling her head and pressing it against his hand to encourage him. She loved this kind of attention from him, after so many years of being shut out. She wanted it to go on forever.
Lost in a dreamland somewhere between desire and contentment, the pink troll mused, Mmm, I could do this all night…
-O-
Oh, how I'd wanted this.
Sharing intimate kisses with the sweetest troll in all the village. Lovingly caressing her, her skin so soft beneath my fingers, her lips softer yet.
Hands grasped the back of my vest and instinctively my own hands moved to her hips. She made a soft sound of pleasure, letting me know she was okay with what I was doing. Happily I let myself enjoy the gift of her kiss until a bright light passing over my tightly-closed eyelids made me open them to see a hairbloom spark drifting by just above our faces, waking a long-forgotten memory.
-O-
When I was younger, I'd been scornful of the whole idea of hairblooms.
They were ridiculously unpredictable, randomly appearing whenever the natural phosphorescence of our hair created festive displays of light in all sorts of colors and patterns. During each mating season, which the trolls celebrated (of course) as joyful festival seasons that lasted an entire month each, hairblooms were especially prevalent. They were welcomed with typical trollish enthusiasm.
Yet like so many other things, it seemed like only I saw the potential drawbacks. "Stupid light-shows. They're so useless," I grumbled to Leafe once, a few months after I came to live with him. "Worse than useless."
"Why would you say that?" he asked.
"Oh, it's all about love and other mushy stuff. I mean, it would be one thing if you could control the display, but you can't. People seem to think they're so great, but they never think about how hairblooms give away your location. You might as well be asking a bergen or a predator to eat you. It's totally crazy."
Leafe sighed the way he often did when I managed to totally miss the point during my homework lessons.
I frowned. "What?"
"Branch… Hairblooms can have more meaning than just being a 'useless light-show', you know."
"Oh, yeah? Like what?" I challenged him.
"Well, trolls in love often bloom together, right? From a relationship and mating standpoint, while matching hairblooms don't necessarily ensure compatibility, it's considered a very good sign nonetheless."
I opened my mouth to sneer at that, but then closed it. Both Leafe and Cherry Blossom and Jaunty and Courtley had matching hairblooms, and there were no couples I knew of that were more compatible.
"Huh."
-O-
And now Poppy and I were a match! I was really happy about that. I'll take all the good signs I can get.
I couldn't help but smile into the kiss. Poppy felt it and leaned back to look at me, her own eyes bright with happiness. "What are you thinking about?"
"How amazing it is that we match."
"I know, right?" She bounced in place.
I chuckled. "So what are you thinking about?"
"Kissing the most handsome troll in the village," she said promptly.
I laughed out loud, reveling in the thrill that passed through me. I'd had no idea how much joy it would bring me, to know that someone wanted me. I didn't even bother to stop the sappy grin that spread over my face as I shrugged and said playfully, "Well, I guess I could oblige the queen..."
Her eyes widened and she stiffened in my arms, instantly putting me on high alert. Hastily I let her go and took a step back, uncoiling my hair from around hers. "Poppy, what's wrong?"
Her brow wrinkled, forming the worry-lines that bothered me because I was getting used to seeing them there. In a troubled voice, she asked, "Branch, you aren't just going along with all of this because you think it's what I want, are you? Because I'm the queen?"
My mouth dropped open and I stared at her in shock and confusion. "What? No, of course not."
Her little face was full of doubt and the fear of rejection, two emotions I knew very well, although it still surprised me to see them in the troll I'd always thought was so self-confident. In the back of my mind I was glad that she finally felt comfortable enough with me to share such qualms.
Then an awful thought struck. Is she having those qualms because she's dating me?
"Wait, did I do something to make you think that?" I asked in concern, my anxiety building. "If I did, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."
"No, no, it was…" Poppy glanced away, "…just something Cooper said."
I let out a disgusted huff. "Cooper. That explains things."
Trying not to grind my teeth, I pressed the heel of my hand against my eyebrows to ward off a tension headache. Restraining the urge to say something about our insensitive wacko friend that I'd probably regret later, I merely asked, "Poppy, how much bad advice does Cooper give out?"
"Um..."
From the uncomfortable grimace on her face, she knew exactly what I was talking about. While there was no denying Cooper could be clever, and cared deeply for his friends, he could also be totally random at times. He often spoke before he thought, and his sense of humor was often mystifying. Truthfully, Poppy seemed to love his off-the-wall nature most of the time, but even she couldn't deny how it sometimes caused problems for other trolls who trustingly followed his lead without thinking themselves. Even she did, sometimes. And it looked like this was one of those times.
"…A lot?"
"Yes, Poppy. A lot." I shook my head. "Cooper's wrong. I'm not with you because I want to cater to the queen. What you are is irrelevant; I love you for who you are. To me, you are Poppy, my best friend. The only person who's always been there for me. The only person who's never abandoned me. I want to be with you more than anything in the world," I vowed with quiet intensity.
"Oh, Branch…"
Her eyes were shining as she gave me a bashful smile, and impulsively I added, "And I'll never leave you. Unless you want me to."
I winced as a pang of uneasiness hit me. I hadn't meant to say that last part out loud, but it was too late to take it back.
Her face softened into compassion. "Of course not, Branch. I want to be with you, too. I love you."
Poppy spread her arms and I swooped her close, needing to feel her against me. Needing her arms around me, her sweet scent filling the air I breathed, and her breath on my skin. I guess she's not the only one who feels insecure.
"I love you, too, Poppy."
-O-
As Branch clung to her, she could feel the tension in his body. He was upset.
Poppy berated herself for her thoughtless words. I didn't mean to question his loyalty. I know he loves me. He'd never have told me about his past if he didn't feel close to me, if he felt like he couldn't be vulnerable with me. Now I've gone and made him think I have doubts about him.
How could she help? What would make him feel secure again? What would help him relax back into the easy, unquestioning familiarity they had enjoyed all day?
She smiled slyly. What else?
"Hey, Branch?"
"Hm?"
"Would you sing to me?"
He was still for a moment. "What, right now?"
"Well, the doctor said I can't sing until tomorrow, so…" she said persuasively, and that seemed to be enough of an explanation. She could practically hear his thoughts. 'Of course she wants to sing, she's Poppy.'
She felt him sigh against her. Patiently, he asked, "Okay, what do you want to hear?"
"Something special. Oh! I know, how about that new song from earlier?"
Curious now, he released her and asked, "Which new song is that?"
"The one you were singing during your bubble bath." Ooo! In the back of her mind she made a mental note. Take bubble bath with Branch.
"Oh, you heard that?" He rubbed a hand through his hair. "Uh, well, it's not ready yet. It's sort of a work in progress."
"Yes, I thought it was something new. I didn't recognize the tune."
He hesitated, then asked her, "So, what did you think of it?"
"Well, the parts I did hear were really beautiful." She beamed at him. "I can't wait to hear it when it's finished."
His eyes flickered. "Well… If you really want to hear it… I guess could finish it now."
"Really? Yes! First one to hear Branch's new song! Whoo-hoo!" She pumped a fist in the air.
He smiled and turned to walk a few steps away. With his back to her, he confessed, "I was waiting, you know."
"Waiting?"
"To find out how you felt about me. I - I wanted to be sure."
"Aww." Her heart throbbed and she covered it with her hands. My sweet, faithful Branch. "Thank you for waiting for me. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize." She looked at the ground. "Kind of funny, isn't it?"
"What is?"
He turned around to meet her gaze and her heart fluttered inside her. How did he manage to have such beautiful blue eyes even in moonlight?
Her voice went soft and husky. "That the troll who hid his softer side knew how he felt all along, while the troll who thought she hid nothing managed to hide the truth from herself."
Branch gave her a sympathetic look. "Well, to be fair, you've had a lot on your plate lately, being the new queen and all." He chuckled. "Frankly, I'm surprised it only took six months to realize you loved me back, even if I did confess my love to you. In song, yet."
She took his laugh as a good sign and bounced on her toes. "Right. And speaking of singing… Enough with the melancholy; it's time for some music!" She held her palms upward and made little "come on" finger-curls, beaming invitingly at her boyfriend. "I am all ears, my man. Lay it on me."
As she'd hoped, her lighthearted enthusiasm began to spread to her companion. Branch grinned and began to hum and sway back and forth, setting the stage as the natural performer in him began to take over.
The aquamarine troll's melody was quiet and sweet and heartfelt, just like him. Her own heart began to beat harder.
Already she was in love with his song, and he hadn't yet sung a word.
***O***
I know your favorite song
I hear it every day
I see your perfect smile
And everything is okay
He ran a gentle hand along her cheek and she gave him the cute smile he loved so much.
And every time you laugh
You make that little sound
He tickled her belly with a playful finger and she snerked through her nose.
Life is a wondrous thing
For me because you're around
The moonlit troll flowed gracefully around her, keeping her at the center of his world.
So I live all my nights in the dark unafraid
I will never forget you
'Cause our love it won't go away
I love that you're perfect
Perfect for me
So perfect together
I truly believe
We were made for each other
Yeah I know the truth
You're so good for me
I'm so good for you
And I love that you're perfect
You're perfect for me
I love that you're perfect
You're perfect for me
He pulled her into a waltz, stepping and twirling and lifting her effortlessly in his arms with pure adoration in his eyes.
Poppy and Branch had danced together many times, but never quite like this. The feet that had once walked the path as playmates and friends were forging a new path together as life partners, and as lovers.
Just say the word when you're lonely or when you're afraid
And I will be with you to hold you until you feel brave (feel brave)
And if there are times you are troubled and wish things would change
I'll be right beside you to help you make things go okay (okay)
Oh how she wanted to join in, to sing, to show her own love and support for him!
So I live all my nights in the dark unafraid (mmm…)
I will never forget you
'Cause our love it won't go away (away)
Her handsome boyfriend dipped her, and let their foreheads touch. He held eye contact with her long enough to take her breath away before righting them and swirling her off again.
I love that you're perfect
Perfect for me
So perfect together
I truly believe
We were made for each other
She couldn't stand it anymore, letting go of his hand and holding him close, nuzzling into the side of his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned his head against hers.
For a moment, all was still. The world was nothing more than his heart, beating in time with hers, and his sweet, cinnamon scent all around her.
After a long moment, her boyfriend took up his song again; light and delicate now.
…Yeah I know the truth
You're so good for me
I'm so good for you…
He began to sway back and forth, leading her into a slow dance, barefoot in the grass, his voice barely above a whisper.
And I love that you're perfect
You're perfect for me (yeah, yeah)
I love that you're perfect
You're perfect for me
***O***
The moment I let the last note die away, Poppy threw her arms around me, kissing me passionately. My head whirled pleasantly before she broke the kiss to give me a great big smile, showing all her teeth.
"Oh my gosh, Branch, you were so groovy! And that is the most beautiful song I have ever heard in my entire life! I love it so much!" she gushed. "What do you call it?"
I took me a second to get my head out of the clouds. "Oh. Uh, 'You're Perfect for Me.'"
I expected her to say something like, "Oh, that makes sense," but instead she went all flirty and said in a deep voice that reminded me of Bridget as Lady Glittersparkles, "You sure are, loverboy."
I felt myself blush. "Thanks."
"In fact…" My lady love gave me a delightfully amorous smile. "You wanna know what my new favorite song is?"
I pretended to think. "Uhhh isn't it 'Trolls Just Wanna Have Good Times'?"
"Bzzt! Incorrect. My new favorite…is the song that just came from the lips I'm about to kiss," she replied, her voice getting silkier as she did just that, putting her hands on the back of my neck and drawing me to her. Carefully adjusting the angle so we wouldn't bump noses, I gladly met her reaching lips with my own.
A river of bliss flowed through me as we shared a few light, feathery kisses, and then a longer one, slow and sensual. My body was humming, tuning in to hers. Her breathing, her scent, her excited heartbeat, syncing with mine.
In a way, kissing was like dancing, or singing. The more I did it, the more natural it felt. Wish I'd known that before.
I had come to love dancing; the sheer joy of throwing myself into action, as if my body was one with the music. But even more, I loved dancing with Poppy. I loved being the sole focus of her world, as she was mine. To have her look only at me, to want to engage with me alone, and no one else.
Singing was awesome, too; feeling the words and melody pour out of me in a rush of glorious, exhilarating sound. I was finally free to express my feelings, to share them with Poppy and everyone around me without fear or shame.
Most of all, I loved to see Poppy's eyes light up when I sang to her. Nothing in this world feels as good as being the one to make her happy, and I'm going to do everything I can to keep her that way. If she wants me to, I will sing to her every day for the rest of my life. I'd lost too many people to ever take her presence in my life for granted.
As I'd promised myself back when Poppy first had her accident, this was my chance to show my sweetheart all the love and affection I'd been holding inside for so very long. I wasn't going to waste it.
No more waiting.
Overcome with feeling, I kissed her again and again until suddenly her body trembled against mine. Immediately I froze, ready to let her go if she wanted, but this time she was only giggling.
"Listen to us." She made kissy-kissy noises and laughed. "We sound like we're eating lollipops!"
I snickered. "We do, actually. Or ice cream," I flirted, bouncing my eyebrows at her.
Reminded of our earlier sweet endeavors, Poppy blushed and nudged my nose with hers."Oh, you."
Then she kissed my nose. "I love you, Branch. I love you so much."
I pressed my lips affectionately to her own cute little nose. "I love you, too, my beautiful Sunshine; she who glows brighter than any hairbloom."
"Aww, Branch…" She kissed my nose again, then each of my cheeks, and then brought her mouth to mine.
With every kiss, a little more of my heart's golden door melted away.
-O-
Kissing Branch was like no activity she'd ever done before, but it was already one of her favorite things ever. Her boyfriend was so much bigger than she that her hands barely met around back, but she liked the feel of his sturdy body against hers, rhythmically tensing and relaxing with each kiss. It was the good kind of tension, though; ready and eager, not overwhelmed or stiff from nerves.
He's such a loverboy… she mused, half in delight, half in wonder.
Never had she imagined the former loner could be so tender. Passionate? Oh, yes. His inner magnetism, the sheer drive and controlled intensity; that, she had always seen. And right now, she could also feel his passion. The hunger that matched hers; his mouth warm and soft and firm all at once. Finally, she was getting closer to him; finally able to feel that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him.
As always, Branch tended to be more open with his emotions after he sang, as if singing and dancing really were the keys to help him free all the deeply sensitive feelings he'd locked away for so long. And Poppy was glad.
Before yesterday, he'd been her best friend. And she was his. Ever since the moment she'd popped awake to see him looking at her with such concern, a pair of sparkbugs in his hands, their two worlds had revolved around one another's, becoming more and more intertwined with every passing day.
Once they'd finally forged that connection, Poppy been able to experience the joys of his passion firsthand. His strength. His dedication. His dynamic energy and well-hidden sense of humor. And yes, his love for her. Even if she hadn't quite known it was romantic love, she'd welcomed all the parts of himself that he chose to share with her.
But this, this gentle loving tenderness… This is new. And even more welcome!
A few minutes later Branch sighed in contentment and began to rub her back, leaning back to ask softly, "Hey, Poppy… Are you feeling better now?"
His caring question made her notice that her despondency was gone; soothed away by his kisses, his smile, his very presence alone. She didn't even mind not being able to sing. "I am. I feel good," she said cheerfully. "Better than I have since…since it happened."
At the reminder, her bright smile faded a little, but it came back as he murmured, "I'm glad. Is there anything you need, Poppy? Anything I can do for you?"
She leaned over to give him a short kiss and he willingly obliged. "This helps. A lot. Also, I… I want… I need to feel you near me. Touching me, kissing me, hugging me. Even just holding hair with you is so comforting. It distracts me, gives me something good to focus on when the bad feelings come."
"Oh, Poppy." His hair swirled around hers, holding it snugly.
His blue eyes studied hers, and then he reached out to delicately lift her chin. He stroked a gentle thumb across her lips and kissed her smoothly. With a contented, "Mmm…" the pink troll closed her eyes and let the heady rush of feelings wash everything else away.
As he drew back, he told her solemnly, "Whenever you get sad or scared, Poppy, think of this moment. Think of me, right now, kissing you like I've wanted to kiss you for you don't know how long."
He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her close to his heart as their lips met once more. She hugged him back gladly, needing his reassuring touch more than she'd ever needed anyone else's. She didn't have to be strong in front of him. She wasn't the queen to him. She was just Poppy, and that was enough.
Author's Note:
You're Perfect for Me is a reference to Perfect for Me, from the second Trolls movie, Trolls World Tour. I changed some of the words to reflect my story and to make it a happy love song, instead of a sorrowful one. You can sing it to the same tune. Feel free to use my lyrics for your own fics if you'd like; I just ask that you credit me for them. I take great joy and pleasure in my creativity and I really don't want someone to think that I copied anyone else's work, okay?
Trolls Just Wanna Have Good Times is also a reference to Trolls World Tour.
The hairbloom concept is a reference to the way Branch's (and other trolls') hair left a trail of sparkles in the air during True Colors in the first movie, sort of like a magical anime girl/princess transformation. It's supposed to look sort of like a miniature fireworks display (although not as crazy and certainly not dangerous or explosive, haha, and the colors and patterns are different for each troll) so it's best noticed in the dark. Branch had his eyes closed while Poppy was combing his hair, so he missed seeing it the first time, but he doesn't really care. Seeing it at night heightened the emotional impact more than seeing it in Poppy's bright, sunny pod would have, anyway.
Many thanks to WildKat25 for her practical and insightful contributions. 😊
I hope it doesn't sound too redundant to have recurring themes. For example, Branch feeling free to show his tender side, and Poppy sensing that feeling of freedom, or each of them being glad that the other is feeling good inside. Poppy letting Branch know she wants him and Branch loving the fact that he is wanted. The idea is that they have begun to attune to each other's wants and needs, and want to meet them. This is what should happen in healthy relationships.
Poppy's comment about how she 'never had to deal with any real problems' is a reference to the Trolls movie trailer where Branch says, "And it's not her fault she's so insanely happy. She's just never run into a real problem before. Until now." Cue the bergen.
The 'barefoot in the grass' is a reference to Ed Sheerhan's lovely song Perfect. I always picture Branch and Poppy dancing under the stars every time I hear this song.