Disclaimer:
I do not own Trolls, all rights go to Dreamworks. This is the first chapter of my own writing from the original fanfic Lone Concert by Dawnbuneary. Hope y'all enjoy.
Poppy could not stop thinking about what had happened yesterday. First she was feeling jealous. She thinks; all of that over the fact that Branch was singing those amazing songs about another girl, then she was wondering if she was actually starting to gain a crush on the grey troll, and finally when that last song ended she was blushing. And not just a little but a lot. So much so that the twins wouldn't stop teasing her about it till she got home. She barely got any sleep because anytime she would start to drift off her mind would start to go to Branch and he would start to sing one of those beautiful songs but this time he was singing it to her and just her. Like he had written it just for her. She felt her heart starting to swell and it scared her just how much she liked it. Branch then reached his hand out for her to grab it so she could dance with him. She could almost feel his hands on her and she liked it. What had woken her up was when he started to lean in for a kiss and noticed she wasn't stopping him. She woke up sweaty and startled. She could still feel his hands on her arms and she placed her fingers to her lips almost wishing it had been real. Poppy was beginning to get really confused because she thought she knew what a crush felt like but this was way more intense than anything else she has ever felt. She was wondering if she should tell her friends what she was feeling but it also felt really personal. She was starting to understand why Branch didn't want to admit who this girl was.
Poppy eventually did get out of bed and headed straight toward Satin and Chenille's pod. She entered the twins' pod and the two were working on a dress for an upcoming wedding. It looked beautiful. "Hey Poppy." Satin started. "What can we help you with today?" Chenille added. "If you give us a minute we are almost done with the dress." Satin continued. "Then it can be picked up for the Giggles Wedding (this is the clown wedding where Branch ruins the cake to)." Chenille finished. "Ok take your time." Poppy said, sitting down in the waiting room. She was really nervous about this but she felt that if any of her friends would know about what is going on with her it would be the twins. Before Poppy knew it the twins were done and the dress had been picked up. "So what did you need?" Satin said. "Ok. Um. Oh how do I even start?" Fast. Slow. "Um. Ok. I think I like Branch." Poppy rambled out. The two stood there silent for a minute. "Could you please repeat that." Chenille said with a smile. Poppy was shaking now. Why was this so hard? "I think that I might like Branch. I don't know, I haven't felt like this before. It just feels so intense. Do either of you have a clue on what's going on." Poppy said, defeated slumping back into the chair. "I mean I don't even know. It might just be a crush but this feels different."
The twins looked at one another then back at Poppy before racing to embrace her in a hug while squealing. Poppy was caught off guard that she didn't quite understand what all was happening. "Girl. We've known that you had feelings towards him for a while now." Chenille said. "Yeah it was really obvious to those who were looking." Satin added. Poppy stood there wide eyed now blushing profoundly. "It was obvious. Do you think he knows?" Poppy asked worriedly, placing her hands on her cheeks. This was bad. This was really bad. She can't like Branch. He was her friend and he was with or at least wanted to be with another girl. This is terrible. Noticing their friend's panic they took action to calm her down. "Would it be a bad thing if he found out?" Satin asked. Poppy looked at her. "Yes, he's in love with someone else remember and this could ruin any bit of friendship I do have with him." Poppy explained. The girls just sighed. "Well what are you going to do then?" Chenille asked. "I don't know yet but for now please don't tell the others that I like Branch." Poppy said as she opened the twin's pod door to reveal all of her friends who were eavesdropping on them. They had seen Poppy enter the pod and were going to meet up with her before they heard the conversation that was going on. "Too late for that." Cooper said.
Poppy raced past her friends to clear her head. She didn't think it was awful to like Branch like this. She actually thought it was really nice. But she had to put his feelings first. He was her friend and how would he act if he knew that she has feelings for him? He'd probably run. Or hide in his bunker. Or run to go hide in his bunker. Before Poppy knew it she was back at the beach where she and Branch had hung out on prier. She sat down in the sand staring at the sky. Soon her friends slowly came up behind her and sat next to her. "Poppy. Are you ok?" Biggine asked gently. Poppy just nodded, not breaking eye contact with the sky. "You kind of just ran out." Guy Diamond said. Poppy just let out a sigh before finally turning to her friends. "Yeah I just needed a moment to think." Suki was the one to walk up and grab Poppy's hands forcing her to look at her. "So you like Branch."
"That's the thing I don't know. Maybe. But I can't really do anything about it. I don't even know why I even brought it up in the first place." Poppy said, retreating back into herself. "Well you had felt that it was important." Satin suggested. "And you needed to talk things through to get a better idea of what you were feeling." Chenille continued. "So the question is has it? Have your feelings for Branch changed or are you still unsure?" Suki finished. Poppy sat there long and hard about it. "I think I'm still unsure. Maybe I'm just reading too much into nothing. " Poppy said. While all of this was going on Creek was coming closer and closer to losing his cool. Poppy was developing feelings for Branch and he was pretty sure Branch also liked Poppy. Even though Creek was supposed to end up with her. Well if she was unsure about her feelings let him help her make them clearer. "You're right, no need to rush into anything too soon." Creek was right. She didn't need to have the answer right now and besides there was still the little thing of Branch BEING IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER GIRL! Poppy thought calmly.
"You're right, Creek." Poppy said. "Not to mention he is obviously in love with another girl." Cooper said with no tact. This only made Poppy sigh. "Ok so maybe it would be a bad idea, but for now you just work on making progress on being his friend. Later if you still feel like this towards him we can figure something out. Ok?" Suki said, trying to reassure her friend. "Yeah. Wow, who knew I could have a mental breakdown this early in the morning?" She said with a giggle. As she made her way to stand up and walk back to the village they heard a noise in the bushes.
Before any of them could do anything Glitz flew out followed by Branch who was not expecting the group in front of him to be there. Glitz saw Poppy and flew straight towards her, knocking her down. "Glitz no. I'm sorry Poppy." Branch said racing towards her starting to help her back up as Glitz was still nuzzling her. "It's ok, Branch. I actually needed a little hug from this guy. Everyone, this is Branch's pet Glitz." Poppy introduced the glow bug. The Snack Pack all said hi to the little bug. "So what are you doing here?" Poppy asked, still petting Glitz. "This one wanted to go on another walk but is usually too scared to go on one by himself." Branch said, staring at the glow bug who just shamelessly started to purr in Poppy's arms. "Well you know maybe if you are busy one day and he needs a walk I could take him." Poppy suggested. Branch gave her a light smile. "I think he would like that thank you." Branch said right before he noticed they had an audience. "You know if you wouldn't mind Glitz could hang out with you and you can just bring him back to the bunker later I got to go." Branch said feeling a lot of eyes on him. "Ok. You sure you don't want to hang out with us?" Poppy asked hopefully. "No. Um, just stop by when you can to drop him off." Branch said nervously, feeling really awkward about everyone watching him. He quickly turned to the glow bug. "You be good for her." Branch said to the glow bug who just nodded before walking off.
"What was that?" Creek said snippily. "That was Branch opening up more. I can't believe he just invited me to just drop by his bunker." Poppy squealed, completely forgetting her troubles from earlier. They soon became a distant memory and the Snack Pack was not going to mention it any more. All except for Creel who was going to make sure that Broppy did not come to be. But for now he would grin and bear it. Glitz flew up and towards Mr. Dinkles. "Mew." Glitz looked at the worm curiously. "Sqeak." Mr. Dinkles looked at the glow bug. "Mew." The two went back and forth for a bit and the others were just so taken with how cute it was. "Um. Poppy not to judge Branch or anything but he did train them right?" Biggie asked nervously. "Biggie. If Branch thought Glitz was dangerous one he wouldn't have him as a pet and two he wouldn't leave him with me. I know that much." Poppy said. "So no you don't know if he has trained him." Biggie said back to the princess. "No, but I would highly doubt he would leave with me if he wasn't so there's that." That was enough to convince Biggie.
The group started to walk back to the village and Glitz was just loving this attention even though it was a lot and they knew they would be exhausted. It was a nice change of pace but they also knew that they love the slow pace with branch more but this was really great. Glitz was just buzzing around Poppy really loving the strawberry bubblegum scent on her and Glitz was pretty positive that this was Branch's girl and Glitz loved her. While Poppy played with the glow bug the Snack Pack started talking. "I don't think he is going to sing tonight but maybe tomorrow are we still going to go hear Branch sing?" Smidge asked. Poppy then panicked. "Shush. Branch can understand Glitz." The Snack Pack realized what she meant by that. Glitz could tell on them to Branch and that would not end well at all. But unfortunate to them Glitz was quick and caught on immediately. Glitz then gave Poppy a disappointed look. "Glitz I know what you are thinking. I think. I know it's wrong to spy on Branch when he is singing personal songs. But we just can't help it. We just love his music. But we promise only we know about this. We aren't going to tell the village or any other troll. Branch get's to decide when he sings in public." Glitz looked at Poppy unsure what to think. "I promise the last thing I was to do is hurt Branch." Poppy said honestly. Glitz felt the sensority in her voice and believed her. They flew and nuzzled into her cheek. Poppy giggled at the action. "But you have to promise me to not let Branch know we watch him sing please. I don't want to break his trust. And we can't just not listen to him sing. I just can't." Poppy whispered the last part of her plea.
Glitz thought about it for a moment. They hated lying to Branch but they also understood Poppy's point. So in the end Glitz agreed to help keep their secret. They also hoped that the two will get the courage to come clean to each other about other things. Later on Poppy realized that it should be about the time for her to get Glitz back home to Branch so she said goodbye to her friends and made her way to the bunker with the glow bug.
Poppy and Glitz made it back to Branch's bunker and she knocked on the Go Away mat. "Branch." She didn't have to wait too long since Branch was expecting her this time. He opened the mat and helped her down on the to elevator platform. "So did you two have a good day?" He asked a little awkwardly. "Yeah we had a blast." Poppy said looking back at Glitz. "Oh really what did you two do?" Branch asked suspiciously. "Squeak!" Glitz began to answer. Poppy was a little nervous about what exactly Glitz was saying since she couldn't understand them like Branch could. "As Glitz finished their explanation Branch just gave a subtle chuckle. "Well it sounds like you had fun." Poppy let out a sigh she didn't realize she was holding. "You ok?" Branch asked noticing Poppy's off demeanor. "Glitz didn't cause too much trouble for you right?" He asked concerned.
Poppy shook her head no. "No nothing like that I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night." She said thinking back to her dream desperately trying not to blush. "Oh do you want to sit down?" Branch asked pulling out a chair. "Sure but maybe somewhere more comfy?" She asked shyly. Branch just gave her a smile and lead her to his living room area where she plopped down onto the sofa. "So what's new with you?" She asked trying to get more information out of him. It was also just really nice to talk to Branch and not be expected to do anything or throw a party or always be the one to lift up the mood. Yes she wanted to get him to be happy again but she never realized just how nice it was to not be what every troll expects you to be. If that makes since. Poppy was confused as to what this feeling was, among other things. Branch was a mystery and she was determined to solve it.
"Um. Nothing really. Just fighting security around the village make sure no predators will get any of the trolls in town." Branch said. It was then Poppy realized something. Branch isn't just some paranoid grouch. He really did care about the village and helping others the best he could. He just wants everyone to be safe. When Poppy thought more about it it just warmed her heart more. She was really liking who Branch was both with and without his songs. Sure he could tone down some of his antics but at the end of the day he wasn't a bad guy. Poppy noticed that she had probably been staring for a while and she needed to say something. "So was that what you've been doing all day?"
Branch nodded sitting down on the other end of the sofa leaning back into it. He laid his head back, closing his eyes. He was probably tired, Poppy thought as she looked at the side of his face studying it. Almost wishing he was sitting right next to her with his head leaning on her as she held him. Nope. Poppy no. He likes someone else. "So last you said that there was someone you liked." Poppy started. "Yes and last time you tried to get me to tell you by telling that you liked Creek." Branch added. Poppy quickly sat up to look at him. "I don't like Creek. At least not like that." Branch opened his eyes and stared at her. "You don't?" Branch almost sounded hopeful at that. "No. I don't." Branch was taken back by that. "Well I'm pretty sure he likes you." Branch said, explaining his confusion. Poppy went wide eyed and began to blush, placing her hands in her palms.
Branch was put off by this action. "What's wrong?" He asked starting to see her shake with laughter. He bet was from embarrassment. "I thought he was gay." Poppy admitted. Branch froze at what she had just said. Part felt that was the best thing he has ever heard. He couldn't help but burst into laughter. "It's not funny." Poppy shouted with a mock pout. She trying everything she could to not join him laughing. "It kind of is. You never asked him or he never came out to you did he?" Branch asked. Poppy shook her head. "No. As a friend you don't ask that you just accept them as they are and when they are ready be there for when they do come out." Poppy explained. By now the laughter had died down and the two were just sitting on the sofa facing one another.
"So why haven't you told her you like her yet?" Poppy asked insistently. Branch scooted closer to her on the sofa. "Well answer my question and then I'll answer yours." Branch proposed. Poppy grinned excited to finally be getting somewhere. "You said you like someone and it's not Creek. Correct." Poppy nodded her head. Where was he going with this. "So have you told this troll that you love him?" Poppy's heart stopped for a moment. Love. Was she really in love with him? No. No. No. It wasn't love was it? She thought it was just a little crush. But maybe it is more. "No." Poppy eventually said. "Why not?" Branch asked smugly. "Ok I get it. It's not as easy as just saying it." Poppy admitted. "Thank you." Branch said, leaning back into the sofa. "I don't want to act like it's a bad thing to fall in love. It shouldn't be." Poppy said, determined.
She was looking at the ground when she said this so she missed the look on Branch's face. He was taken back by her comment. He realized that maybe she was right. "Me neither." He whispered back just loud enough for her to hear. This drew her attention and now she was looking at Branch. She briefly looked at his lips then back at his blue eyes. The two started to lean into one mother without realizing it. "Poppy I…" Branch tried to say. "Branch." Poppy whispered hopefully. Their lips were so close but before they could touch a squeak snapped them back to reality. Glitz didn't mean to ruin the moment but he was just too excited and buzzed around their heads happily. The duo flinched back, both blushing heavily. Poppy realized that she needed to get home. "I have to get going, see you tomorrow." She said, rushing out of the bunker. Branch was still reeling from what just happened. "See you tomorrow." He managed to mumble out. Lightly touching his lips. "Squeak." Branch looked at the glow bug. "Sure. You're sorry. Did you have a good time with her?" Glitz nodded back. "Squeak." Branch blushed at his friend's question. Yeah I did too." Branch then got up and walked over to his desk. With his song book and just started writing.
The next night Poppy and the Snack Pack were making their way to the clearing. Poppy had kept quiet about the almost kiss if you can even call it that. She was just so confused about everything. Then they all heard a voice. "Ok, ok. Glitz I'm done." They heard Branch's voice as they got to the clearing with the mushroom they camouflage themselves so they wouldn't get caught. They couldn't wait to hear this new song and luckily for them they didn't have to wait long. The music started and Branch placed aside his notebook to start singing.
Said all I want from you is to see you tomorrow
And every tomorrow maybe you'll let me borrow your heart
And is it too much to ask for every single day?
And while we're at it, throw in every other day to start
I know people make promises all the time
Then they turn right around and break them
The girls in the group were starting to swoon at Branch's singing. Whoever this girl was, she must really be something.
When someone cuts your heart open with a knife, now you're bleeding
But I could be that guy to heal it over time
And I won't stop until you believe it
'Cause baby you're worth it
So, don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me
'Cause you might mess around to find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free
Branch started to slow dancing by himself acting as though he had a parent. Poppy was assumed he was imagining his mystery troll. She was thinking back to her dream and thought about being the one in his arms as he danced. She really wanted to be the one dancing with him and to sing along side him.
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Now how about I be the last voice you hear tonight?
Poppy was feeling happier that it seems like Branch might actually tell this girl how he feels about her. So why did that also make her feel really sad? Maybe she does like Branch.
And every other night for the rest of the nights that there are
And every morning I just wanna see you staring back at me
'Cause I know that's a good place to start
I know people make promises all the time
Then they turn right around and break them
The bugs and creatures were dancing around Branch creating a beautiful scene. It truly was romantic and it did not help Poppy one bit when it came to figuring out her feelings. And the twins could see it on her face. So did Creek.
When someone cuts your heart open with a knife, now you're bleeding
Don't you know that I could be that guy to heal it over time
And I won't stop until you believe it
'Cause baby you're worth it
Creek looked over at Poppy who could see that she was falling in love with the grey troll. Creek was silently brooding hating the effect Branch was having on Poppy. He needed to do something about this. Even if it meant Branch stayed grey.
So, don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me
'Cause you might mess around to find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just find out that my love was free
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Not such a bad thing to fall in love with me
(Not such a bad thing to fall in love with me)
No, I won't fill your mind with broken promises and wasted time
And if you fall, you'll always land right in these arms
These arms of mine
Don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me
The Snack Pack was swaying along with the music humming along with the melody. Poppy she was just lost staring at the grey troll that was undoubtedly slowly but surely stealing her heart.
'Cause you might mess around to find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Not such a bad thing to fall in love with me
The music ended slowly, Glitz began to buzz around Branch excited about the fact that he sang to the pretty pink troll. Even if Branch still didn't know it yet. "Ok. Ok. I know that song sounds a lot more brave than I feel. I just got inspired by something I heard today." Branch said to the glow bug. "Squeak." Branch blushed at what his friend had just said. "Yes, her. Now can we please drop it and no I don't want to talk about what almost happened." Branch said grumbling. The two walked back to the bunker leaving the Snack Pack alone in the clearing.
"Wow. I think that was the best one yet." Guy Diamond said. "Yeah who knew Branch had moved like that?" Cooper said. The twins were looking at Poppy who was still daydreaming about that song. "Hey girl, are you good?" Satin said. "Yeah you seem really into that song." Chenille finished. Poppy snapped out of her daydream and felt her cheeks heat up; was she blushing again? She has been doing that a lot lately. "I'm fine." Poppy answered back. "Are you still thinking about this morning?" Suki asked curiously. They just turned to her. "I think it might be more than a crush." Poppy said with a smile before walking off. Her friends still had several questions about what she just said. But she wasn't going to answer any of her friends' questions. Creek did not like this at all. He didn't want to break Poppy's heart but if he broke Branch's and had him break her head then Creek could sweep in and pick up the pieces. But right now he needed to put doubt in Poppy's head just like he's been doing to Branch for years.
So here is the first chapter of the added on new fanfic. Hoped you liked it. I have a few more chapters before reaching the point of the first movie. We are about to have some sabotage, some heartbreak, and a little betrayal. Hope y'all are ready. Ready for the truth to come out because if you can't handle the truth…… yeah I didn't know where I was going with that. Just stay tuned for updates. Please and thank you.