-O-

Picturebook Romance

A Trolls fanfic

By Dreamsinger

Chapter Thirty-Six

The Heart of the Matter

A few kisses later, Branch asked softly, "How are you doing? Still scared?"

"No… I'm wonderful…" she murmured contentedly. The pink troll was far too dreamy to feel any fear. She nuzzled her nose intimately along his cheek, appreciating his comforting closeness as she stood safe within the circle of his arms, his hands lightly on her back.

Poppy sighed in delight, and felt her boyfriend's cheek curve upward in a smile. She wanted to kiss the dimple his smile made, and so she did. From there it was just too tempting not to move that last little bit, and she pressed her lips to his once again and lost track of time.

Typically, Branch didn't. Now that things had been worked out between them, his ever-present sense of duty must have been nudging him. "You know…as much as I'd love to stay here…and keep doing this…we really need to…get going soon…"

"Aww… Do we have to?"

I should have expected this.

Still, it was the nicest way he'd ever requested that she stop having fun, as her sweet, clever man had already mastered the art of smoothly speaking in between kisses. "…We're on Patrol, my love…remember?"

"Oh, right..." As much as she wanted to brush the whole idea of patrolling and the reasons for it out of her mind, she had promised to help him do his weird, nighttime chores. And in exchange, Branch promised that we could take a bath together when we got back…

Sighing, the young queen began the extraordinarily difficult process of convincing her lips that they didn't need to be on his right now, but they were being very stubborn. "How…do people ever stop? …Feels…so good…"

"…I know…"

A few minutes later Branch made what felt like a phenomenal effort and pulled away, leaving his hair tangled with hers. "We really do need to go. I'm sorry."

"No, no, you're right." Poppy prepared herself and pulled her body and hair away, standing completely separate from her boyfriend for the first time in what felt like hours.

It felt awful, like leaving part of herself behind. She shook her head and tried to look away from her boyfriend and his tempting lips, fanning herself with her hand and noting the chilly air wafting over her face with surprise. It didn't feel cold anymore; it actually felt refreshing, after all that heated kissing.

But her arms felt so empty.

As they shared a look of longing, she could tell he felt the same way. Poppy took a step back away from him. Another step and he followed her, wrapping his arms around her, warming the air with his love. She put her arms around his neck and reveled in the feel of him against her. After so many years of being denied hugs, or having her hugs tolerated but rarely returned, having the former village grump be the one to open his arms to her was a temptation she would never be able to pass up.

When her caring boyfriend slid his hand up to the back of her neck, Poppy moaned to let him know how good it felt to her. He responded with a quiet hum of amusement.

Poppy wanted to return the favor. Her gaze focused on the ear in front of her eyes and the memory of the last time she'd shown them some affection made her smile sentimentally. She recalled how he'd snuggled his face against her body and asked her not to stop, and how much pleasure her touch seemed to give him. She reached up to glide her hands over his ears, pressing them back against the sides of his head.

Branch went still, but she sensed no fear in him. He wanted this. He was waiting for her to keep touching him. Love welled up inside her and as she kissed him she wrapped her fingers around his ears, tenderly drawing them through her hands.

His mouth left hers as he gasped and pulled away, his body arching forward to press his forehead against her cheek. Instantly she let his ears go, wondering if she'd gone too far.

"You okay, Branch?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," he answered quietly. "Just wasn't expecting that."

"I didn't hurt you, did I?"

He lifted his head and his blue eyes shone softly in the moonlight. "Oh, no, Poppy, of course not," he reassured her. "You would never do anything to hurt me. I love it when you touch my ears."

He sounded sincere, but she knew all too well how capable Branch was of trying to force himself past his limits. Poppy bit her lip, uncertain. Maybe it's time to back off a little. This is only our first time kissing, after all, and he's doing so well. I don't want to push him too far and risk a setback. Besides, he'd probably be more comfortable doing this back in the bunker, rather than out here in the wide open-

Poppy froze as she suddenly became aware of how exposed they were, standing there obliviously kissing on the path to the village with thick, concealing vegetation all around them. Oh no! Predators! Monsters! Danger!

She jerked away from Branch, tensely scanning their surroundings.

"Poppy?"

Branch watched her in confusion as she swiveled her head to and fro, her ears twitching, trying to identify anything suspicious. She caught muted mumbles, trilling whistles, a random song or three, and the undulating footfalls of something with many pairs of legs. There were also some rustling sounds some distance off, but she couldn't be sure what made them. She frowned worriedly. Maybe the wind, but maybe not.

Then she heard twigs snapping nearby and jumped.

"Poppy? What is it?"

She turned to see him giving her a concerned look.

Abruptly making a decision, she took a few jittery steps back the way they had come, hoping he didn't notice the slight tremor in her voice as she said with false cheer, "Hey, Branch, we're all done out here, right? The toastybugs have been fed; so come on - let's head back."

"Whoa, Poppy, hang on." He reached out a hand toward her but didn't move to follow. "I'd like to finish the Stroll Patrol, at least. And maybe also-"

Her ploy thwarted, she groaned and threw her arms up in frustration. "Oh, come on, Branch! Who does chores at this time of night? If they're that important, why didn't we do them earlier? What could possibly be so important that it couldn't wait until morning?"

"You are, okay?" he retorted, glaring into her eyes.

Poppy was stunned silent. The air between them suddenly turned cold, thick with confusion and stress, its horizon a pair of stern blue eyes and a mouth drawn into a hard line.

Eventually she ventured meekly, "I don't understand."

The defiance left his posture. Branch closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "The truth is, Poppy, I had another reason for wanting to come out here."

"What do you mean?"

He came to her and took her hands in his, looking into her eyes with a serious expression. "Poppy, I think something else is going on with you," he said carefully. "I mean, something more than you just feeling embarrassed or upset because of your accident."

Alarm zinged through her body and she stiffened and leaned backward, wide-eyed. "What are you talking about?"

Branch pulled in a huge breath of air and let it out, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. Poppy felt a sharp pang as she noticed that all his old worry-lines had returned to his face as if they had never been gone. Her alarm faded as the need to soothe whatever made him look so distressed took over. "What is it, Branch?"

He looked down at their joined hands, and then back up at her. "Maybe I'm wrong. I sure hope I am, but it's not like I'm inside your head. So before I say anything, I want to make sure. I want you to tell me what you've been feeling since your accident, Poppy. Anything that doesn't feel normal to you. Anything at all."

"What? But, Branch-!" He just finished cheering me up. Bringing back all those harsh vibes is the last thing I want!

"I know it won't be easy, but it's really important. So, please, Poppy. Try." He ducked his head and lifted his eyebrows a little, giving her much the same wistful little smile that had easily melted her resolve like butter earlier. "Come on, you can do it. For me?"

"Branch…" she protested weakly.

Please don't worry about me.

Just like the last time, the reluctant young queen found herself wavering, trying not to give in to his sad little puppy-dog eyes and failing.

I'll be fine.

I hope.

But she knew she wasn't. Maybe after a good night's sleep, cuddled together in bed with her boyfriend, she might be. What had happened today might feel like a dream, easily pushed to the back of her mind and forgotten. But she didn't know for sure. And she didn't want to lie to him anymore.

Besides, forgetting today's events would also mean forgetting about the precious day she'd spent with her wonderful Branch, and she would never let that happen.

-O-

I watched as Poppy struggled with herself, my shoulders sagging. I knew exactly what she was going through. I feel so bad for her.

Finally she sighed and let go of my hands. "Okay, Branch," she said in an uncharacteristically subdued tone. She stared at the ground for a minute, scuffing her toe through the grass. "I don't know how to explain it."

Now that she'd confirmed my suspicions, a disquieting memory surfaced. "Well, earlier today, for just a split second I could have sworn I saw you starting to go gray. But it was dusk and the light was fading. I thought that maybe my eyes were just playing tricks on me."

Poppy froze, looking like a deerwing in a caterbus' headlights. "Uh…" The guiltily quavering voice was a dead giveaway.

My shoulders sagged. "So you did," I said sadly.

"Branch, I don't want you to worry about me, really-"

Poppy cut herself off as I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. No more secrets.

"Sorry." She sighed and admitted, "No, you weren't seeing things. And that wasn't the first time that I started to go gray. I've been fading off and on since it happened."

"How many times?" I asked worriedly. "Does the doctor know?"

"Yes, I told her and my dad and Nurse Acorn. They were very sympathetic." She shrugged, and I could see she was trying to act nonchalant. "Now, don't freak out about it, Branch. I mean, you were gray for twenty years, and you're fine now, right? Besides, it's only happened three times-"

"Three times in three hours?" I yelped, and she flinched.

I waved my palms in her direction. "Sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice at you. It's just…" I ran a hand through my hair, blowing out a stressed breath. "Poppy, I'm supposed to be your boyfriend. Your partner. Your equal. I need to know these things," I said in concern.

"I know. I'm sorry!" Distraught, she put her face in her hands.

There was a long moment of awkward silence. "Poppy, I… I'm sorry, too." I held my arms wide open. "Come here, Sunshine," I said warmly.

There was nothing more inviting to a troll than a pair of outspread arms, as I well knew. Especially to this troll. Poppy looked up and that brilliant smile of hers appeared, as if from behind the clouds. She held out her arms and came to me and I lovingly wrapped my arms around her and began to stroke her back. She responded by cuddling close, her eyes going soft and dreamy.

I said softly, "Look, Poppy, I know you're used to taking care of others, but if we're really going to be together, you need to let me take care of you once in a while. Because I worry about you, you know?"

"I know. Sorry." She gave me a rueful smile.

I let her go and booped her nose gently. Her smile brightened even more.

"Go ahead, Poppy," I said encouragingly. "You can say anything you need to say. Take as long as you need. I'll be patient."

"Thanks, Branch," she said softly. "Well… Ever since it happened, I've been thinking and feeling things that…don't make a lot of sense to me. Like, I'm worrying about things that I never used to... I don't… It feels weird, it feels like…like…" She let out a strained huff of air, fumbling for words.

How I wished there was something I could do to help her! But right now, the only thing I could do was be a good listener.

"I guess, overall, the main thing is that I… I don't feel like it's safe anymore."

"What isn't safe?"

"I don't know. Nothing, really. That's the weird part. I just don't feel safe."

Chills went up my spine to hear such familiar words coming from the mouth of the one I loved most. I'd said the exact same words, to dozens of trolls over the years, and none of them ever understood.

"Is that why you didn't want to leave the bunker?" I asked carefully.

Realization slowly dawned on her. "Yeah… I think so. You know, it's like I suddenly turned into you, or-"

Suddenly she stiffened and grabbed hold of my vest. "Oh my gosh, Branch, is this what it's felt like for you all these years? Heart palpitations, sweating, wanting to cry all the time? My tummy's been bothering me, and my muscles are all in knots. And worst of all is this…I don't know, this awful background tension, this feeling of sheer dread like something's wrong even when you know nothing is! I mean, I know I'm safe, that there's no danger here, and yet I know there is! Why do I feel like this, Branch? Am I going insane? What's wrong with me?"

It was a desperate cry for help, mixed with exasperation. I'd never heard her talk like that, not ever.

Self-deprecating language, I thought distractedly. Not typical of troll speech and especially not like Poppy to say something like that. Even though I'd been expecting something like this, I was still shocked at the depth of despair from the very troll who personified 'positivity'. "Poppy…"

Something in her eyes changed as realization dawned. "Now I understand what you meant, Branch, that time when you said you 'don't relax'. It's not that you don't relax; it's that you can't relax, isn't it?"

Suddenly Poppy whipped her head to the side. I tensed, swiveling an ear to the side, but all I heard was the soft footfalls of some nocturnal animal that was peacefully going about its business, humming a piping little tune. Nothing to be concerned about.

Yet when Poppy looked at me again, her eyes were stretched so wide the whites showed. Her hands dragged at my vest as her voice spiraled ever higher. "Why does it feel like something's going to pounce on us any moment now? I sound totally crazy, don't I?"

"Whoa, whoa, hold on, Poppy." I pushed my own fears aside as I moved to calm her impending panic. I put my hands over hers and said in a deliberately kind-but-rational tone, "You may have a problem right now, but there's nothing wrong with you. And I think I know what's going on."

"Really?" Looking a little calmer, she released the death grip she had on my vest. In the back of my mind I wondered if the delicate silk would need to be ironed. Can you iron silk, or would that ruin it?

"What kind of problem?" Poppy asked me.

"Well, I know it's not a common problem in trolls, but I think you're having an issue with anxiety."

"Anxiety? You mean, I'm just scared?" She crinkled her nose.

"It's more complicated than that, but essentially, yes. It's not exactly surprising, considering what happened today." I gave her a sympathetic look. "I've been there. Fortunately, anxiety can be managed. The important thing to remember is that while it may feel uncomfortable, it can't hurt you in and of itself. It can cause you to make hasty decisions, though, so it's important to seek objective feedback before making any drastic life choices. I mean, yeah, if your anxiety is present for more than six months, it can become chronic; known as 'generalized anxiety'-"

Poppy interrupted my inadvertent lecture. "Okay, I get that, but why am I scared? I mean, it would make sense if I was afraid that I was going to choke again. But like you said during dinner, I've been eating and drinking normally and it hasn't bothered me at all. So why would I be afraid of, well, nothing?" She flung her arms out to the sides.

"It's a perfectly normal response to all kinds of trauma, actually," I explained. "Usually, it's only temporary. Especially in cases like yours, where we know the cause of your anxiety and that it's not likely to happen again. Because I'm pretty sure you learned your lesson, right?"

She nodded emphatically, her topknot whisking through the air in a flurry of magenta.

I gave her an approving smile. "So all you need to do is make an effort to live a normal, stable life," I said reassuringly. "As long as nothing really horrible happens to trigger it, your anxiety should gradually go away on its own. Everything is going to be okay, Poppy."

"Really? It's going to go away?" Her tight shoulders began to relax in relief.

I nodded. "It should, yeah. In any case, you're not likely to develop a full-blown case of generalized anxiety. After all, you're Poppy; the happiest and most positive troll in Troll Village, right?" I winked as her as I sang, "'Get back up again…'"

Her eyes brightened and her lips began to curve upward. Encouraged, I shifted to a light, teasing tone. "It's about time that relentless optimism of yours paid off."

My adorable girl gave me the brilliant smile that always made me feel as if I were bathing in a sunbeam, so glorious and warm my heart fluttered in my chest.

Poppy twirled around and did a joyful little hop-skip in the grass, then threw her arms around me and squeezed me tight. "Oh, thank you, Branch! What a relief! I feel so much better now!"

I pressed my lips affectionately to the side of her head. "Glad I could help, Sunshine."

Poppy kissed my cheek in return. "I think part of why I was freaking out so much was because I didn't understand what was happening to me. But now that I know what it is, and that it's really going to go away, I won't stress out so much over it."

"There you go. I know you can do it, and I'll do everything I can to help in the meantime." I began to caress her back, and felt her melt into me.

"Oh, yeah… That definitely helps," she purred.

I smiled and kept up the gentle stroking. "Is there anything else I can do?"

She was quiet for a moment, then declared, "Well, like I said earlier, I really do feel safer with you nearby. Especially when we're touching. So I'm gonna need lots of hugs, even more than usual."

"Lots of hugs? Oh, no." I pretended to be dismayed, checking her face to be sure she knew that I was kidding.

She did. "Hey, I'm under doctor's orders, remember?" she joked. "Someone has to look after me, and you volunteered. Can't go back on it now.

"I did promise. Oh, well. Can't be helped," I joked back. "It's a good thing I like hugs now."

She let me comfort her for a minute until I chuckled and she pulled away to look up at me. "What?"

"I was just wondering how we should tell our friends about this. I get the feeling you'll end up wearing Smidge for a week."

Her ready laugh made my own spirits soar. "Honestly, if I didn't have you, that would actually be tempting. Buuut, under the circumstances, I think I'll politely decline."

Smiling, I took her hand in mine and began to lead her onward. "Poppy, you know how you're always telling me there's always a bright side?"

"Oh, yeah? And what bright side is that?" she asked playfully.

"I get to spend more time with you. Even better, I get to have you aaall to myself." I let my lighthearted tone deepen amorously. "The beautiful girl whose smile is so bright that for a minute there, she actually made me forget it was nighttime." She had, too.

I winked at my girlfriend and she giggled. Even in moonlight, I could tell she was blushing.

I grinned, thoroughly enjoying myself now. This flirting stuff is turning out to be useful in all kinds of situations.

-O-

Her conscientious boyfriend led her further from the bunker along the outer edges of the village to continue with his Stroll Patrol. After their comforting talk, Poppy didn't really mind.

Besides, most of her attention was on the handsome troll beside her. The terrain was rougher this far from the village, steep and hilly, making it hard to continuously hold hands. Every now and then she would reach toward him, and without him even looking his palm would meet hers, their fingers linking briefly. Sometimes she just moved close enough to bump hips with him.

Branch also seemed to feel the same need touch her. Once in a while he would put an arm around her and momentarily press her close to him. He'd also twined his hair with hers again and showed no sign of wanting to let go, in spite of how vulnerable it must have made him feel to have his 'best form of defense' somewhat compromised.

Holding hair didn't feel particularly binding to her; but then, both of them had allowed their hair to extend somewhat to make a loose, natural bridge between them, similar to the way Satin and Chenille kept theirs. Poppy wondered if it would come to feel so natural that one day they wouldn't even notice anymore. The thought made her smile.

If things had been different, we might have gotten together a long time ago and by now this really would seem totally natural to us. Yeah. I could definitely get used having his strong, steady support with me always, chasing off my fears, just like he did during our first big adventure together…

"Hey, Branch?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for the support back there. I really needed it."

She could hear the smile in his voice. "No problem, Poppy. I'm here for you, always."

"I know," she said softly, loving him. "Same here, Branch, anytime."

She found her mind wandering back to the first time he had taken his place by her side, determined to be there despite the bergens or other daily aggravations that could easily have driven him away.

"Branch, have I ever told you how desperately glad I was to see you when I woke up in that spiders' nest?"

"No…unless if by 'glad' you meant 'obnoxiously cheerful'."

"Yeah, that's right… Wait, what? I was not obnoxious!"

Branch just smirked at her, raising an eyebrow to emphasize his point. Oddly, his sarcasm made her feel better, like things were finally getting back to normal.

"I was just a little hyper. See, maybe I didn't show it, Branch, but I was scared. Really, really scared. I've never been so scared in all my life."

"I knew that."

"So that's why- Branch, you knew?"

"Why do you think I decided to go with you?"

She blinked and said uncertainly, "Be…cause you were in love with me? And because I kinda made you? I let the trolls take over your bunker, and you hated Hug Time. Plus, I was the princess. I figured you'd consider it your duty to keep me safe."

"All that is true. But Poppy, remember; I know you. I knew how much being all by yourself bothered you. While I was following you, listening to you singing to keep up your courage, your voice was trembling. It…really got to me, you know?" His voice cracked a little and he cleared his throat, looking away from her.

Aw, Branch, you old softie.

He continued, "Every time I told myself I was doing something crazy, following you right into the bergens' mouths, you'd start singing and it would hit me – right in the gut – just how brave you were being."

"You thought I was brave?" Poppy was touched.

"Of course I did. And no matter how much I tried not to, I couldn't help being impressed. When you took on the responsibility for keeping our people safe, you earned my respect. Your actions were those of a true queen."

"Wow. Thank you," she said humbly, her cheeks rosy with pleasure. "You know, maybe I was acting a little obnoxious, now that I think about it. I was just so relieved to see you, the very troll I wanted most by my side. All my confidence and optimism came rushing back. But Branch, I don't think it would have happened if you hadn't been there."

Her boyfriend smiled proudly. "Sure it would have. And once you got there, you would have wanted to help not just our friends, but the bergens, too. You'd have seen how miserable they were and you'd have wanted to help them any way you could. I know it. It's one of the things I love most about you."

"Aww, Branch… You're so sweet."

"Thanks, Poppy, but you're the sweet one."

"No, you are."

"No, you are." He booped her nose. "You're as sweet as sugar cookies."

She booped him back. "Oh, yeah? Well, you're as sweet as…as…snickerdoodles!"

"Snicker-what?" He giggled adorably and Poppy experienced a rush of sheer euphoria.

"Hey, Branch?"

"Yeah?"

In a burst of high spirits, Poppy grabbed her boyfriend's face and squished his cheeks, popping her foot into the air behind her while she gave him a great big enthusiastic smooch. "Mmmwah! Oooo, I love ya so much, my little Cutie-Patootie!"

"Your what?" Branch sputtered, but she could see the hint of amusement he was trying to hide.

"You're my main squeeze, don'cha know?" She gently hugged her hair around his and he hugged hers back, smiling and looking down. Was he blushing? In the moonlight it was hard to tell. She began to sing, "You're my Love Muffin, my Snuggle Bunny…"

"Poppy… You're not supposed to sing…" he protested weakly, but she could see he was enjoying this. As always, the harder Branch tried to suppress his joy, the more determined she became to wheedle it out of him.

"My sweetheart, my Snookums, my Cinnamon Roll…"

"P – Poppy…"

"Oh, you're my Honeywumpus…"

Branch lost it, roaring as hard as he had last night, his usually serious face transformed into wide-cheeked joy.

Poppy cracked up herself, laughing so hard she had to bend over and clutch her stomach for support. Oh, how she loved to see him happy!

She was secretly pleased at his joyous reaction. It takes a lot to get Branch going like this. She looked forward to finding even more ways in the future.

"I should call you Honeywumpus from now on," she said gleefully.

Instantly Branch stopped laughing. "No! Please don't." His voice cracked and he cleared his throat.

"Aww, but why not? It's cute!"

"It's embarrassing! And everybody will know for sure that we're dating."

"Oh, right. Still, I wanna have something special to call you by, like the way you call me 'Sunshine'."

"What's wrong with something traditional, like 'sweetheart', 'honey', or 'dear'? Something that won't make me want to die of shame if you call me by it in public."

"Nothing. Those are all fine, it's just… I love the idea of calling you by a special nickname, that's all. It makes me feel close to you."

He relaxed a little. "Oh. Well, in that case, feel free to keep trying. When I hear one I like, I'll let you know."

"Ooo!" She was quick to see the possibilities of this new game.

He held his palms out toward her. "Just - try to keep it subtle so nobody figures out what you're doing, okay?"

"You got it, my little Shmoopsie. 'Subtlety' is my middle name."

Branch covered his eyes and groaned.

-O-

Author's Notes:

So for Picturebook Romance, it occurred to me that while there are a lot of stories where Branch has a breakdown, very few that have Poppy developing any kind of mental or emotional problems. She gives the impression of being happy and well-adjusted, but put her through a trauma – a very personal trauma that she had to go through on her own – and she might just develop some problems, like anyone else might. And deny them, as many people do. Branch is the one with the problems, not her.

In fact, I was originally going to have Branch be the one to have a breakdown, but giving Branch a relapse doesn't feel right for this story. He already had his big breakdown as a child. Every moment from then on has been a cycle of setbacks and recoveries, of reaching out and withdrawing, of learning and growing, of breaking down and getting back up again, culminating in achieving the true happiness that brought his colors back.

He's not magically cured, of course, but he has done work to change the way he looks at the world. It's a fundamental change that is likely to stick, because he truly wants to see the world from an optimistic viewpoint, as Poppy does.

Since everybody in the world feels anxiety, it makes sense to learn to manage it from those who are better at it. In fact, Branch and Poppy both learn from each other, since Poppy has experience with being happy, and Branch has experience with managing anxiety.

So he would be the best person to know how to help Poppy. He'd recognize the early signs of Poppy developing an anxiety problem and becoming too dependent on the bunker to make her feel safe, (eventually making him recognize his own past dependence, and that he's kind of been outgrowing his bunker lately, which is a good thing since it shows he's getting ready to move on to the next stage in his life).

Additional Author's Notes:

Snickerdoodles are sugar cookies with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. A traditional New England treat. Poppy gets the idea based on how Branch's particular trolly scent reminds her of cinnamon. It will actually become one of her favorite nicknames for him and he gets used to it fairly easily when she explains where she got the idea.

You can't iron silk directly – you need to put it a towel or something between the iron and the silk or the silk can get burned.

So, I did a lot of research on anxiety problems (including some advice from WildKat25 -thank you, as always :) -when I first started writing Branch's backstory, back when he was little Branchkin.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive amounts of worry that take place during the majority of days during a six-month span of time, or longer. (So, Poppy doesn't have it yet, although if it persists, she could develop a problem with anxiety over time.)

Someone with GAD has a hard time controlling their anxiety and often can't pinpoint a particular reason for feeling so unusually anxious, although they often focus their worry on health concerns, money, family, work, etc. Sometimes a crisis can trigger it.

Their anxiety itself can cause physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, digestive and bowel problems, insomnia, restlessness, getting easily exhausted, having trouble concentrating, blurry vision during times of strong anxiety, muscle tension or twitchiness, heart palpitations.

Other common symptoms include irritability, overthinking things, being a perfectionist, having low self-confidence, seeking excessive approval from others, seeing situations as threatening when they aren't, having feelings of foreboding, having a hard time making decisions, and being easily startled or nervous in general. The symptoms are often worse than the problem and can make them avoid any situation they worry about, and can even make them have panic attacks if not addressed.

People with GAD regard uncertainty as too risky, and so they respond by trying to avoid risk, or plan/ control their life situations, as Branch does. (In fact, he and Peppy both do this in Trolls World Tour.) Women are more often affected, but men can develop it, too.

In extreme cases, GAD interferes with daily life, relationships, work, etc. Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand. People can try to control anxiety through self-medication such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or even caffeine. Anxiety can get bad enough to bring on thoughts of suicide. If it's that bad, it's not likely to fix itself, so it's a good idea to reach out before it gets to that stage. Plus, it's easier treat early on.

Thankfully, GAD is definitely treatable and can be managed by various types of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which identifies extreme thought patterns and helps one notice and correct them. I have Branch and Poppy both doing this in Picturebook Romance. Anti-anxiety medication can also help, too, especially for short-term situations like family crises that eventually get resolved.

Keeping a journal, as Branch does, is also helpful to identify extreme thought patterns, what causes the anxiety, and what actions help you feel better. For example, some people, like Poppy, find physical touch does wonders for making them feel better. There are plenty of studies that show that hugs actually reduce the stress hormone cortisol and release oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, the "feel-good" bonding hormones.

I developed GAD a couple of years after I graduated from high school. It was not fun. I think I was on the way to developing agoraphobia, actually. I didn't have a job or friends, so at the advice of my parents' medical doctor I applied for a fast-food job. It allowed me to focus on reassuringly predictable daily tasks and be social, and my boss soon came to prize me for my reliable, hard-working nature. I moved on to another job after a couple of years, but that experience made "the real world" much less scary 😊