-O-

Picturebook Romance

A Trolls fanfic

By Dreamsinger

Chapter Forty-Three

Nightmares and Kisses

As she lay snuggled up to her boyfriend, his warm hand rubbing soothing circles on her back, Poppy's wandering mind recalled their recent experience in the bath.

'Sprout and seed pods,' she thought in amusement. It's so Branch; it's perfect. My sweet poet really does have a way with words. Just one of his many fine assets… Poppy grinned to herself. And they are fine. So fine. I know it's not right to compare, but I'm his girlfriend. I get to admire my boyfriend's body, don't I?

Being more social than Branch, Poppy had seen many nude male bodies as a natural part of life in Troll Village. At public bathing pools, or during sleepovers when her friends were changing clothes. It was usually no big deal to see someone's sprout, especially since they were usually the small version. It was considered polite to ignore a sprout when it got big, of course, since everyone (except maybe Branch) had been taught that it could happen for many reasons that were not always under the male's control, and because some trolls, especially inexperienced trolls like Branch, got embarrassed easily.

But the pink troll's greater social experience didn't mean that she wasn't taken by surprise by her own reactions. She'd gotten flustered so many times today, and embarrassed. She'd stammered and blushed a lot, more than she had in a long time; not since her last crush, on Creek. But my ears never fluttered for him, like they did for Branch, when he sprouted. She patted her boyfriend's chest affectionately. I guess that's proof that Branch is special to me.

That's the first time my ears have ever done that. I know it happens when you want to frolic with someone, but I didn't realize it would just happen without me meaning it to. Now I know what it feels like for guys.

That made her feel a little closer to Branch. I wonder how much longer before he's ready to try being even closer? Maybe if I'd been more patient in the bath, we might be doing it right now. I probably shouldn't have just asked to touch him out of nowhere, but I couldn't help it. I saw him and I was like, 'I wonder what it feels like?' and I just blurted it out.

She sighed then and felt his hand pat her back gently, making her smile and press a kiss to his chest through his cotton pajama top. Oh, well. Live and learn, right? I'm sorry it freaked him out, but I'm inexperienced, too. And super curious. That's natural, isn't it? It's not like I could just go around asking guys if I could touch them.

Man-bits were a lot more sensitive when they got big, which was why even in hot weather, guys usually wore some kind of clothing to protect them, even during swimming. Generally only a lover touched him there, when they wanted to frolic. Since frolicking was a very special game played in private, the man and lady parts involved were treated with respect. No one touched them casually.

Of course, she'd had plenty of chances to try frolicking. All of her friends cheerfully participated in Frolic Festival fun, of course. Guy Diamond especially prided himself on being a good lover, even without having what Branch might call a male's 'standard equipment'. At one time or another, not wanting her to feel left out, each of her friends aside from Creek had invited her to join them. She had been pleased to be invited, but she had always politely declined. Her friends were like family to her. None of them had ever made her feel that spark of interest, aside from Creek. And a certain unconventional gray recluse.

Maybe part of the reason she had developed an interest in Creek was because he was the only one who hadn't ever asked her to frolic with him. But she, too, had held back a little, trying not to be too blatantly smitten in his presence. She wondered if he had sensed that, and it had kept him from ever putting a hair over that line. From what I know now about his character, maybe on some level I sensed there was a good reason to hold back. As much as she had admired Creek, in her heart of hearts, she had known he could never compare to Branch.

There were other trolls, of course, and she'd been tempted by more than a few, but one of the drawbacks of knowing all her people so well was that she also knew their shortcomings. Most of the trolls who would make good rulers were already married, or so strongly committed to their chosen professions that having her choose them as the next king would have severely upset their lives. She'd had to be very creative in coming up with reasons not to accept frolic-invitations from the trolls who wouldn't make good leaders, so as not to disappoint them, or worse, break their hearts. The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt someone.

So over the years she had gotten very good at pretending she didn't notice when an infatuated troll was trying to attract her attention, or noticing when she herself found another troll attractive. So good, in fact that she'd even managed to hide her own interest in a particular aquamarine troll from herself!

This whole thing would probably be easier if I'd had some experience of my own, but between Dad's warning about choosing the right partner and that fact I'm always so busy, I guess I'd gotten used to the idea that frolicking was just something that happened to other trolls, not to me. So I didn't really pay it much attention. Except during the Frolic Festival seasons, of course. But even then, it wasn't hard to take care of my body's needs in private, and keep myself distracted by running a bunch of the concession stands so that the trolls who normally ran them could go and enjoy themselves. I was happy to do it, since I didn't really have my eye on anyone except for Creek.

But she was sure interested now!

I'm so excited to finally be about to experience everything I've missed out on! I know most trolls' first time isn't with the one they eventually marry, but some trolls' are. I hope it's okay that I'll be Branch's first, and he'll be mine. And yeah, some previous experience might have made our first time together go more smoothly, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. Anyway, practice makes perfect, right? I'm sure Branch will want to practice until he's a master at it, just like everything else he does.

A slow, suggestive smile spread across her face, and she pressed her cheek against his warm body, blushing just a little.His heartbeat, his soft breaths gently stirring her unbound hair, and the feel of his chest rising and falling under her ear began to lull her to sleep. She had one last, pleasantly amorous thought before she drifted off. I know I won't mind…

-O-

Sleepy and content, I lay on my back with my snoozing girlfriend nestled against my side, resting her head in the hollow between my arm and body. Her warm little hand on my chest had periodically drawn light curlicues over my heart, which I found both stimulating and soothing; a reassuring reminder that she was here. That she was with me, because she loved me.

She'd also draped one of her legs over mine, as if I were a giant body pillow. She wasn't kidding about wanting to be in close contact with me all the time, I thought in amusement. Maybe we won't need the other pillows after all.

Of course, when it came to Poppy, I was the same way. I wanted her close to me. I was blissfully happy to be cuddled together with my love, lovingly caressing her back, running my fingers over her fuzzy silkfleece pajamas whenever I wanted to. Not only did it feel pleasing to me, I knew she loved it when I did that.

I'd even linked my hair with hers out of sheer instinct when she was licking my ear a few minutes ago. And totally driving me wild. I've never felt so alive! What a rush! If I'd had wings, I'd have burst into flight.

My heartbeat quickened. I closed my eyes, relishing the memory of the most intimately thrilling experience of my life. The thought itself brought a gentle tingle that added to the mildly pleasurable sensation I was currently enjoying, where my sprout was pressing lightly against my clothing under the blanket. It wasn't a full sprout; more of a halfway state that made me somewhat sensitive to touch, not nearly as much as when I was my full size, but I liked the feeling.

Sprouting again already. A wondrous grin spread over my face. Wow. This part of me is certainly making up for lost time. I can't believe I used to go for months during my bunker years without sprouting. That really says something about my mental health back then. My books say it can really affect your desire to frolic. I didn't realize that. How could I? It was all I'd ever known.

I wondered if I should be bothered by that, but at the moment I was feeling too content to mind.

I wonder what Poppy would do if she were awake and happened to bump into me? I thought idly. Would she get all shy, or just politely ignore it? Or…well, I don't think she'd make a move on me, not after what happened in the bath. Although she was pretty cool about the whole thing. Calmer than I was, much as I hate to admit it, even if she did say she hadn't been planning on us frolicking just yet.

Which is weird, now that I think about it. I felt a flicker of uncertainty at that. Usually I'm the more cautious one. When did Poppy get so hesitant? Is it because of her anxiety?

Or it is more for my benefit? That makes more sense, but… Then again, she could be more shy than she's letting on. I have to keep reminding myself that even though she's had more exposure to the idea than I have, she has the exact same level of experience as me: none. Yesterday, when she confirmed that she's never even had a boyfriend, I knew it was true, since I've known her my whole life, but somehow it still surprised me. I mean, not even any frolic partners? Even at a Frolic Festival? I can't imagine she hasn't had plenty of offers. Who wouldn't want to be with her?

Hmm... Maybe I ought to find out more about why she hasn't frolicked yet. She said it's because she was the princess and couldn't pick just anybody, but then, King Peppy usually has at least one partner every mating season. So that can't be the reason. Or not the only reason, anyway.

Maybe she's not one hundred percent sure she even wants a life partner. King Peppy's never had any permanent attachments that I know of since he lost Queen Daisy, and he's always seemed so happy and full of life. He raised Poppy without a life partner, so it might seem pretty normal to her. Because of all the families I stayed with, I've seen lots of different family setups. I let out a quiet note of humor through my nose. It's funny that for once, I'm the one with more social experience, in what most trolls would consider the standard family model – two parents, trollings, and sometimes extended family members.

She could have other doubts, too; doubts she doesn't want to admit to. It was a disquieting thought. Like, the other trolls might not accept me as king. Or her dad might change his mind about letting me date his daughter. Or she might worry that I'll lose interest in her and end up pushing her away again. Of course I wouldn't, but it's a reasonable fear for her to have.

I had similar fears.

No matter how optimistic I tried to be, I couldn't deny that there was still a chance that her interest in me could fade, as it once had, once the novelty of having the village rebel flirting with her wore off. First we bonded when I helped her recover her colors during the bergen adventure, and now I end up indirectly saving her life again. This could all just be hero-worship.

And while it's true that she needs me right now to help her manage her anxiety, I would do that even if we weren't dating. She knows that. I knew it wouldn't take long for her to bounce back. She always did.

Or she could still fall for someone else. Someone who has more in common with her. She's had crushes before.

I knew it was my insecurity talking. I knew I should probably say something to her, but I didn't want Poppy to think that I was doubting her word when she said she loved me. I knew she did. We were best friends. And it had really hurt me when she questioned my commitment earlier while we were outside on our Stroll Patrol. I didn't want to do the same to her, especially when she was making such an effort to prove I could trust her.

She'd promised to stop without going too far, and she did. Even though I knew she wanted to keep going. Poppy's not one to put the brakes on any type of fun. That's more my department. She's a lot more of a go-with-the-flow type of troll. But I'd been totally lost in the moment. It just felt so good. I've never felt anything like that. If she hadn't stopped, I might have let her go a lot further than I meant to, just like I did yesterday after the bubble bath.

Of course, that turned out just fine. I couldn't help but grin to myself. I've gotta admit, there's a lot to be said for just following your instincts and enjoying the moment.

But she did stop…

My grin faded, and I sighed. All in all, I can't say I'm not relieved that Poppy's okay with not rushing our physical relationship. I'm not ready, and I don't think she is, either. I think that's why my hair blocked her earlier. Part of me still isn't sure we should take that final leap. I mean, it's just so…final.

We only started dating yesterday, and we're already talking lifetime commitment? Even for her, that's a little hasty, isn't it? She could still change her mind. She could decide she likes me better as her best buddy, not her lover.

My brain started skimming faster. What if she has unrealistic expectations about frolicking since she's never had a lover and I end up disappointing her? What if I can't keep up with all her crazy plans? Or she gets tired of having to deal with what she calls my weird habits? Or my issues that she hasn't really seen yet, like my insomnia? Or my nightmares? Or-

Just then Poppy sighed in her sleep and moved against me, nudging me off my trail of dark thoughts. I blinked, then looked around my quiet, peaceful, familiar bedroom, and felt better. There was something so relaxing about being here, in my own home, my own bed, with my body comfortably pressed against the person I adored. I'd never experienced such- Wait. Yes, I had. It had been the same way the one time I'd shared my foster dads' bed. Their mere physical presence, their solid, sleeping bodies, had been just the comfort I needed to ward off my fears. I'd felt so safe and loved, just the way I did now.

I smiled and caressed her back once more, then used my hair to slide the bunny-ear headband from her head, placing it on the bedside table. "Good night, Sunshine," I whispered as I pressed a light kiss against her soft hair. "I love you. Don't worry, I'll keep you safe," I vowed. "I will always be here for you, for as long as you need me. I promise."

Okay, time to reel it in, Branch. Part of me knew full well that I was deliberately being overly pessimistic. Ever since my Trial Run days, coming up with worst-case scenarios had been something of an idle pastime for me. Hey, other trolls do it, even Poppy. Look at her old teaching scrapbooks, the ones depicting evil bergens eating terrified trolls, or the one where Chef rips Poppy's head off. Although, in all fairness, in Poppy's scrapbooks the stories had always had happy endings, with the trolls successfully getting away from the bergens. Mine usually weren't so cheery. Grim victories that proved the viability of my battle strategies, maybe, but not happy victories.

Positive thoughts, Branch, a high soprano voice encouraged me in my head. Come on, you can do it!

Yes, Poppy, I mentally answered her, and grinned fondly. All misgivings aside, Poppy and I really do have a decent chance to be together. I truly believe that.

After all, I loved Poppy dearly, and she loved me. For all I knew, things would work out fine. Whether we stay together or not depends on a lot of things. Some are under our control, like how we choose to treat each other, but some things aren't. My job is to focus on what I can control and hopefully the rest will fall into place.

And if in the end, we do go our separate ways, I can only hope we'll stay good friends. I would be heartbroken for sure; disappointed, miserable, but as long as she was happy, and still wanted to be in my life, I could get over her if I had to.

It would take some time, though. I'd loved her for years, after all. Poppy had only developed an interest in me recently. Well, unless she really did have a crush on me when we were teenagers. She told me yesterday that she thought I was 'cool' and 'good-looking' back then, but that's not the same thing.

Unless she's been fantasizing about me this whole time? Now there's an intriguing thought. Maybe she's been dreaming about me all these years- No, wait she told me the dream she had yesterday was the first one that had ever made her want me. She said it was the first time she'd ever felt like that about anyone.

Hm. Hard to believe that's true. Not even during mating season? Not even I am immune to the occasional hottie dream. How did she manage that, by thinking only of cupcakes and rainbows?

The thought amused me. It was hard to feel negative when I had living proof that my own fondest dream had come true, safe and warm in my arms. My foreboding thoughts subsided to vague uncertainties, and I felt the warm arms of sleep reaching to hug me. With one last question, I willingly let them envelop me.

What exactly did she dream about, I wonder?

-O-

"Branch!"

Poppy's terror-stricken voice echoed through the trees.

"Poppy?" I called, frantically scanning my surroundings, but seeing only vast swirls of thick, hazy mist. "Poppy! Where are you?"

"Help! Branch! Help me!" My left ear pitched toward her panicky tone, and I took off, pounding over the pale lavender-gray grass. I dodged trees, giant mushrooms and boulders. I flung my black hair out to snag tree limbs, hurtling myself blindly through the air toward the sound of her never-ending cries.

"Stay where you are! I'll save you!"

Finally I reached a clearing and stopped short, my heart jolting in terror. "Spiders!" I yelped. A huge, ragged bundle of white yarn lay on the ground, with Poppy's distinctive magenta topknot sticking out of one end. Hovering over it were the immense purple-and-poison-green forms of five of the biggest, most evil type of spider predator in the forest: the Giant Tarantapuff.

"No." Recognition chilled my guts. I knew them. I knew this scene. This is a dream. I'd fought these spiders before, countless times. Sometimes Poppy lay hidden in a ball of spider silk, sometimes lying unconscious in plain sight. Sometimes she was calling to me, sometimes she was ominously silent, and sometimes mutely appealing to me for help.

I knew I should ignore all this. I knew it didn't matter what I did or how I fought them, they just kept. Coming. Back!

But I couldn't. It went against everything I was, to leave the troll I loved to be eaten. Rational or not, I just couldn't do it. In some dreams, I fought and fought, and never got near her; other times I defeated the spiders, only to have her vanish just as I reached her. Or she would disappear from my arms.

Sometimes the spiders weren't threatening her; they were guarding her, as she lay asleep in a bed in the middle of the forest with her back to me. Again I would fight, but no matter how many of the spiders I beat, another would appear to block my path.

Poppy never moved. I didn't know if she would accept me or reject me. Sometimes I managed to make it to her bedside, but when I reached for her, the bed would fly into the sky, taking her out of my reach.

I always woke up frustrated, and usually, I was sprouting. I came to understand that these frustration dreams represented my desire for Poppy, and how I never seemed to get anywhere with her in real life. I knew I never would, if I didn't tell her how I felt.

-O-

Someone's distress woke her. "Poppy…"

She was in the dark, curled up with someone. "Wha?"

"Poppy, where are you?"

"Branch?" She snapped awake, vaguely recognizing his bedroom. "What's wrong?"

"Stay… I'll save you," he moaned, his hand aimlessly brushing against her back.

She blinked. "Are you having a dream?"

He was breathing in short, quick pants. "Spiders."

"Uh oh. A bad dream," she concluded. She pressed her hand to his chest and started to shake him to wake him up.

"No," he said, and she pulled her hand back.

"Branch? Are you awake?"

He didn't answer, but his face, what she could see of it in the light from the dim mushroom nightlight, was strained, his eyes squeezed shut, his teeth bared. Then he whimpered, and the pitiful sound almost broke her heart.

My poor sweetheart. He warned me that he had nightmares, but he didn't say what to do if he had one. Poppy bit her lip. "Oh, Branch… What do you need? What should I do?"

The ear closer to her twitched, as if he had heard her. Encouraged, Poppy said soothingly, "I'm right here, Branch. What do I do? Wake you up? Sing?" Oh, wait, that's right! Doctor Plum said to hum to him. "What will make you feel better, Branch? A lullaby? Ooo! Even better - I know the 'perfect' song!"

Poppy began to hum the refrain from a very special song, a song she already loved dearly - their song.

I love that you're perfect, perfect for me; so perfect together, I truly believe we were made for each other…

Right away Branch began to calm down. His panting eased, and his restless movements slowed, then ceased. Poppy began to stroke his hair, recalling how much it relaxed him. It didn't take long for the stress lines on his face to smooth out, and his eyebrows were no longer bunched together. She hummed for a while longer just in case, loving the feeling of running her fingers through his silky locks, and when she stopped, her boyfriend showed no signs of troubled sleep.

Poppy was pleased. "Well, that worked. I guess nightmares won't be so much of a problem for you anymore, sweetie." She kissed his cheek and snuggled back down against him. "I'm so glad."

-O-

The wind blew by my cheek, bring with it the soft notes of a tune I knew very well, sung by a beloved voice I knew even better. ...perfect for me…

"Poppy."

I closed my eyes as a rush of love flowed over me, a swirling, tingling flurry of warm thoughts and feelings. When I opened my eyes, the hands I held before me were a bright blue-green color. I swooped my hair down in front of me. Vibrant ultramarine-purple.

Happy colors.

And I remembered. Poppy did accept me. She asked me if I was in love with her, and I told her the truth. I told her I loved her. I did it! And now we're together!

"Yeah!" My heart pulsed a bold, bright pink in my chest as I thrust my hands into the air. "Whoo! I did it!"

The spiders stood before me, their many eyes pointing in different directions, still trying to pinpoint the source of the most beautiful voice in the world. I put my fists on my hips, one corner of my mouth tilted into a cocky smile. "Okay, you spiders, time to get out of my way. It's all over. Poppy knows I'm in love with her. And she told me she's in love with me, too."

"Oh?" the largest spider rumbled. "So." It gestured a long, slender leg in Poppy's direction and vanished, along with its brethren.

Poppy stirred in the bed that had appeared out of nowhere, my own bed. She sat up and held out her arms. "Branch." Her face was glad welcome. I went to her, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her passionately. She melted against me, and my last nagging worry faded like the night does in the sunshine.

How long we kissed, I didn't know. We were in dreamland. It could have been minutes, or hours. I didn't care. I was her boyfriend. We were together. I wanted her, and she wanted me.

Then at some point, I realized something. The spiders are gone. I had finally defeated them for good; I was free to love Poppy as much as I wanted. And if this is a dream, I concluded with a sly grin, I don't have to worry about anything. I can do what comes naturally. Here, I could let myself be the bold lover. I could give her pleasure and make her squeal with delight.

I swept her against me with one hand, looking deeply into her shimmering, rose-colored eyes. "Poppy," I murmured, and slid my other hand down her side, coming to rest on her hip. "My love."

"Branch," she sighed softly, and reached out to run her hands down my bare chest, gazing at me with long-lashed, heavy-lidded eyes. Her smile was nothing like her usual bright beam. It was soft and intimate, meant only for me, Branch. Her lover.

I leaned forward to kiss her once more, and she kissed back, twining her hair with mine. One hand came up and stroked my ear, making me squeeze my eyes shut and moan with pleasure.

Then I felt a shove against my chest. What? My eyes popped open to see that both of us were naked now, and she was gazing at me with focused heat. "My handsome captain," she said in a playful, sultry tone, and drew me in for a kiss.

But before our lips could touch, another shove jolted me back, and I started to fall off the bed, windmilling my arms. I caught a glimpse of her amorous face before I went over backward.

-O-

I snapped awake. It was dark, and Poppy was pushing me.

"What the- Poppy." One of my legs was sticking out over the edge of the mattress cushion, with the rest of me soon to follow if- "Hey, Poppy, quit shoving, there's plenty of room; if you'd just move back a little-"

"Can't breathe!"

"What?" Fear flashed through me and instinctively I lit my hair up full blast, squinting in pain at its burning glare. Quickly I dimmed it again until I could see.

Poppy lay on her back, her eyes squeezed shut, gasping for air.

"No no no, not again! Poppy!" I shouted, my voice cracking as I grabbed her under the arms and lifted her into the air. I shook her, hoping to dislodge whatever it was, then swung her around to face away from me and sat her on my lap. Just as I pressed my hand under her ribs, feeling for the right spot to force the air out of her, she came to life.

"Branch? What are you doing?" She waved her arms and turned to give me a wide-eyed look over her shoulder.

"Poppy?" I blinked at her, registering the fact that she seemed to be having a normal reaction to being yanked out of sleep, shaken, and manhandled. In other words, she was terrified. "You're all right? I thought… I'm sorry…"

Compassion filled her eyes. "Aw, Branch, you must have had another nightmare. Don't worry; I'm fine."

"I did?" I let go of her. "Wait, what do you mean, another nightmare?"

She slid off my lap next to me, and took one of my hands in hers. "You woke me up earlier, talking about spiders in your sleep. I figured you were having one of the nightmares you and Doctor Plum warned me about, so I hummed our song to you, and you calmed down and went back to sleep. You must have had another one, dreaming that I was choking again."

My confidence shaken, I stuttered, "I- D-did I? I-I could have sworn that you- Wait." I gave her a sharp look. "How did you know I thought you were choking? I didn't say that."

"I…" Her mouth dropped open. "I guess because you were getting ready to give me the Heimlich maneuver, right?"

"Well, yeah, but…" I ran my hand through my hair. "I was half asleep, but I'm sure I saw you lying there, choking. I remember because my eyes were hurting from my hairlight. Besides, you said you couldn't breathe. I heard you. Don't you remember saying that?"

Her eyes went wide, and then she suddenly squinched her eyes shut, a look of distress crossing over her face. I guess she does.

"Okay, just to be sure, you are breathing okay, right?"

She took a big, full breath and let it out, then nodded. "Yeah," she said in a small voice. "I guess it was me who had the nightmare this time."

"Okay, good." I put a hand to my chest where my heart was still racing, willing it to slow down.

"'Good?' Branch!" she scolded, frowning at me.

I clarified hurriedly, "I mean, it's good you're okay. Well, physically." I let out a huge, slow breath of my own. "You about scared the hair off me, Poppy."

"Sorry," she said contritely.

There was an awkward silence. Then both of us said, "Are you really all-" We stopped, and laughed.

"I'm fine," I said quickly. "How about you? Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," she replied. "But I should."

We shuffled ourselves around on the bed to sit facing one another.Each of us folded our right leg inward, and stretched the left one out for leverage, moving closer together until we were touching.

I looked over my shoulder. Poppy really had managed to back me up to the edge of the bed. If this is what sleeping with Poppy is like, maybe I'd better come up with some kind of safety feature to prevent some really rude awakenings. A buffer of some kind. Or just build a really, really big bed.

I lowered my hairlight level a little more, to make things seem more private and intimate, and Poppy hesitantly started to talk. "I was…reliving my accident. Running around, trying to get people to help me. But no one understood what I was trying to say. I was dying, right in front of them, and nobody realized it!"

"Oh, Poppy," I whispered sympathetically, taking her hand and linking my fingers through hers.

"I knew you'd be able to save me, so I looked for you. I looked and looked for you, Branch, but I couldn't find you!"

Guilt twisted in my gut, and I gave her an apologetic grimace, but I kept quiet. This conversation was about her, not me.

"I started to get light-headed, and my lungs hurt so bad! Then my eyes got blurry and the world started going dark and I fell down and- and-"

She started to hyperventilate, leaning forward and pulling her hand from mine to press it against her throat. "B-branch, help me," she gulped, her eyes wide with panic.

I'd been half-expecting this. "I'm right here, Poppy. Calm down," I responded in a deep, soothing tone. "Breeeathe." I pulled her hand from her neck and held it firmly, using the pressure to distract her. "Deep belly breaths, Poppy. You can do it." I rubbed her belly lightly to draw her attention there, and felt her stomach hitching under my hand as she haltingly began to follow my instructions.

I kept my eyes on hers and spoke slowly and reassuringly, as if to my skittish toastybugs. "You're fine, Poppy. It's just an anxiety attack. It can't hurt you. You're okay; you're just scared. It's okay to be scared. You had a really scary dream, and it's perfectly fine to be scared, you can be as scared as you want, but you've gotta remember that it's gonna be all right. You're okay. Nothing can hurt you here in the bunker…"

I kept going for a while. Then I realized she was sitting up straight, breathing normally, and trying to suppress a smile of amusement. I blinked. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. You're just really sweet when you're trying to be comforting." Her tone was pure affection. "My little cutie-patootie. I love you."

"I love you, too." I gave her belly one last rub before sitting upright. "You okay now, Sunshine?"

"Yeah." She smiled and kissed my nose. "I'm okay. Thank you, Sweetums."

I rolled my eyes this time, and she giggled. Well, she's definitely feeling better. She's got her sense of humor back. I eyed her teasing grin, and then recalled the groovy dream I'd just had. "You know, there's a much better way to thank me," I suggested, glancing playfully at her mouth.

Obligingly, she leaned toward me, meeting my lips warmly with her own. I put a hand on her cheek, taking the time to enjoy the sweetness of her kiss. Then I kissed her nose, then her chin. Then I hesitated, as the urge to go further came over me. Just because I think we should hold off on frolicking doesn't mean I can't give her my love in other ways. Besides, it'll take her mind off her nightmare.

I began to trail a series of light, tender kisses along her soft, rounded jawline.With a dreamy smile, my girlfriend leaned her head invitingly to the side. I followed her wordless cue, kissing the side of her neck. I paused again, then chose to move away from her ear. I was trying to soothe her, not arouse her, so I went the other way, across her throat.

Instantly Poppy gasped and pulled away, her eyes widening as her hand flew to her throat. "Don't."

I jerked back. "Sorry! I'm sorry." I held up my hands, my ears laid back tightly against my head. "I am so, so sorry, Poppy." I looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "I'm so stupid. You just told me about your nightmare. I should have known you'd be sensitive about being touched there."

"Branch, don't say that." She put a hand on my shoulder. "You're not stupid. If anything, it's my fault for being oversensitive. I know you would never hurt me."

"No, Poppy, it's not your fault." I took her hand in between mine. "And you're not oversensitive." I gave her a wry grin. "That's me, remember? We can't both be the oversensitive one." I waggled my ears up and down, hoping to look silly enough to cheer her up.

Thankfully, it worked. She giggled, then took my face in her hands and kissed me tenderly. "Oh, Branch. You are such a treasure."

I relaxed, letting my love for her shine in my eyes. "So are you, my love. You are my guiding star, my muse. You are quite literally the very light of my life."

"Aww, Branch…" Her voice had that husky tone I loved so much.

She let her hands trail down my cheeks to my chest, and I put my own hands on her arms. She looked away, and I sensed that something was still bothering her. "What is it, Poppy?"

Her round face was solemn. "Branch, how long do you think it's gonna be before I stop having nightmares?"

Somehow I hadn't expected that question, even though it was a logical one. "Oh, uh, probably not long," I said with false cheer.

She brightened. "Really? So, like, in a week? Maybe less?"

"Oh, sure, I… I…" In the face of her sudden eager hope, I couldn't keep up the charade. I sighed and ran a hand through the hair on the back of my head. "Well…maybe. It's hard to say for sure. My books say that different trolls react to trauma differently. Some, like me," and Courtley, who was still having nightmares years after we escaped from the bergens "take a lot longer than average. But probably, you'll be like most normal, healthy trolls who get over bad experiences in a few months, at most."

"Aww," she said in disappointment. "A few months?"

"At most," I insisted with a warm smile. "It's not that bad, Sunshine. As long as you don't obsess over what happened to the point that you start avoiding situations you used to enjoy, out of fear of having the same thing happen to you again. Believe me, you don't want to make the same mistake I did."

She sighed, then seemed to gather her pluck and swooped a fist energetically through the air. "'Get back in the saddle', eh, Branch?"

"Exactly."

"I can do that," she said strongly. Then her cheer faded, and her shoulders sagged. "I hope. I might need a little help, though," she admitted honestly, as her rose-colored eyes darkened to magenta.

As I looked at her, I couldn't help but wonder how much of her never-ending positivity was just a show she put on in front of others. I felt honored that she didn't feel the need to pretend around me. "Anything you need, Poppy. Just ask. My books say one way to help with nightmares is to rewrite the ending while you're awake, to make it turn out okay," I suggested. "Then practice that in your mind so it can help influence your dream to turn out better."

"Hey, that's a really good idea, Branch." Poppy looked thoughtful. "Well, things did actually turn out okay in real life. I just have to remember the parts where Leafe saved me, and then you came and hugged me, and made me feel safe again."

I felt a lump in my own throat. Oh, Poppy. My sweet girl.

…And sometimes Poppy's positivity was one hundred percent genuine. "Hey, Branch would you mind coming by the class I teach, and talking about this with the trollings?" she asked enthusiastically, her spark back for real this time. "This is good stuff. I know you said you don't want to be a teacher, but it would just be for a few minutes. If you want to," she added quickly. "Just because some of them might be feeling scared because of what happened to me."

"Respect," I declared, gazing at her with sheer admiration. "Spoken like a true teacher – and queen."

"Wow, thank you," she said, blushing with pleasure.

"And sure, I'll come. I'll review the chapter on nightmares before we head out tomorrow."

"Great! Any other advice?"

"Doing quiet, soothing things as part of a normal bedtime routine helps, too. Like reading, storytelling, doing a puzzle, or playing a board game."

"Ooo, we could play Trial Run."

I thought about all the awful, dark scenarios I'd created. Yeah, no. I'm gonna have to write some new game cards that have more potential for brighter outcomes. "Sure, but not tonight, okay?"

"Okay, Branch."

"Are you ready to go back to sleep now, Poppy?"

She nodded and lay back on the pillow. I let my hairlight go out, and most of the room faded away. In the little mushroom's soft, cozy glow, I leaned down to kiss her good night. She hummed a little as our lips touched, seeming happy and content.

Then she stiffened slightly, and I raised my head. "Poppy?"

She met my eyes, and then lifted her chin, exposing her throat. I gave her a look of concern.

"You sure?"

She nodded determinedly. "Back in the saddle, Branch."

My tone was rich with warm pride. "That's my girl. We'll get though this." I bent my head and delicately traced my lips over her throat, barely making contact. She shivered.

"Poppy?"

"Mmm… More, please."

Encouraged, I pressed a light kiss to the base of her throat. Slowly I trailed my lips upward, hoping I was getting the pressure right. I wanted her to associate this sensation with love and pleasure, not pain and terror.

From the silly smile she was wearing, I was doing a good job. I didn't want to overdo it, though, so I finished by giving her a big, long, sloppy wet lick up her throat. "Delicious!"

"Eww, Branch!" she protested through a fit of giggles. She wiped her throat with the back of her hand with no trace of discomfort, then wrapped her arms around me and pulled me toward her. I laughed and let myself drop down next to her, putting an arm around her and cuddling her close to me.

I was glad she was recovering so quickly. I guess that old saying is true: Bad dreams lose their power when you tell them to others. When I used to have nightmares, I usually couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. I'd get up and pace around my bunker, brooding and exhausted, and be especially grumpy the next day. I guess that's another reason for having caring people in your life. Both of us are going to sleep a lot better after this.

Poppy lay still for a little while, then squirmed and twisted, getting up on her elbow beside me. I rolled onto my back and she leaned over me. The warm light of the single mushroom reflected in her eyes, and I felt myself go dreamy and serene as she placed a fingertip on my cheek, sliding it to and fro. "I never realized how many glitter freckles you actually have, Branch. In daylight they're not that noticeable against your light skin, but right now, with your colors muted, they shine so bright. Like your beautiful heart."

I felt a wave of affection pass through me. She was the one with the beautiful heart.

"How many glitter freckles do you have, Branch?"

"I don't know. I never counted," I answered in a hushed voice, gazing into the lovely, long-lashed eyes so close to mine.

"Here's one," she said softly, then leaned down to kiss it. "And another…and another…"

She kissed every glitter freckle I had, and when she was done, I asked her, "So how many are there?"

"I don't know. I forgot to count." She let out a quiet, intimate little laugh. "I guess I'll have to count them again tomorrow. Maybe every night."

"That's fine by me," I murmured back, my heart so full of love I wanted to stay like this forever.

"Hey, Branch?" she asked, a little shyly.

"Yes, Poppy?" Right then, I was ready to do anything she asked of me.

"What was your nightmare about?"

Oh. Not quite where I thought this conversation was going, but if she really wanted to know…

"It wasn't a nightmare," I said, after a moment's thought. "Not really." I gave her an abbreviated version of events, and let her know how I probably wouldn't be having that particular dream anymore, now that my yearning for her had come true. I didn't want her to worry about me.

"I'm glad. I didn't know what to do at first," she confessed. "All I could think of was to hum our song to you, hoping you might hear me."

I blinked. "'Our song'? We have a song?"

"Of course. The song you wrote for us. 'You're Perfect for Me'."

"I remember that." I melted, a silly grin spreading out over my face. "I heard you humming, and it really helped me." I put a hand up to stroke her cheek. "Oh, Sunshine, what would I do without you? You're my hero." I wasn't even being sarcastic.

-O-

Poppy put a hand over his, stroking it gently, and then turned her face to kiss her boyfriend's palm. "That makes two of us, sweetheart. You saved me from the spiders, so you're my hero, too." She leaned down to meet his waiting lips with her own. "The hero of my dreams."

Author's Note:

"Hottie dreams" – dreams about trolls that Branch thinks are hot and/or dreams that get him all 'hot and bothered'. 😉

Even though from the second movie it appears as if glitter trolls reproduce by cloning, (we never see a mama Guy Diamond, after all) I'd guess they still enjoy other physical pleasures, and also, giving pleasure to their non-glittered partners. So they would still participate in Frolic Festivals, when the partner wasn't looking to make a trolling.

One of the negative thought patterns that leads to anxiety and/or depression is called catastrophizing, like when Branch was thinking up all sorts of worst-case scenarios. He's learned to notice and stop when he's doing it, but sometimes he does need a reminder. Poppy was even able to remind him in her sleep, lol.

Next chapter: the tale of how the Troll Princess developed her Crush on the Gray Rebel 😉