Hi, guys!
So, a new fanfic zone for me! My sister introduced me to Trolls a few years ago, but honestly, Branch and Poppy were the only reason I cared for it. At first! But they've grown on me a lot! I don't own Trolls, Dreamworks does.
Love Broppy so much! Branch is such a cinnamon roll in a turtle shell! And Poppy is our adorable firecracker of energy and joy. What's not to love?
So, here is my first Trolls fanfic, hope you like! Lots and lots of Branch/Poppy fluff!
This story takes place between the end of Trolls World Tour and before the beginning of Trolls Band Together.
Just, don't come after me with your cloud-impaling sticks, Branch! Pretty please? I only write this because we all love you so much.
"Aren't you coming, Queen Poppy?" One of the littles of the trolls asked sadly.
"Oh, I'd love to, Jenny." Poppy sighed, stooping down to the small purple troll with red hair and taking her hands. "I love berry picking! But I have to help with some of the other preparations for the Berry Festival."
"Won't be the same without you, Aunt Poppy." Tiny Diamond remarked.
"Aww, thank you, Tiny." Poppy smiled warmly. "But you'll all have fun. Besides, Branch will be with you. He's fun, right?" She threw her boyfriend a flirtatious look.
He was double-checking his pack for any supplies they might need. Branch had insured that they would be prepared for anything! He'd packed fresh energy drinks to prevent dehydration, a First Aid kit which included an epinephrine pen! The whistle bracelets that he was going to distribute to all of them in case any of his friends wandered off and got lost-no exceptions! Everyone would be assigned one-, charcoal in case they needed to smudge it on their faces to camouflage themselves from predators, his pocketknife and his spiked club, glittery chocolates in case any of the girls cried for no reason, a shoulder sling for Biggie to carry Mr. Dinkles in while the big blue troll picked berries, and bright orange paint for Tiny's feet and his hair in case he was misplaced. He'd also packed some fruity granola bars should anyone become hangry from empty, rumbling tummies-there was sure to be a lot of them!-, and his secret trip wires that he would set up around their perimeter so that they'd be alerted to any danger.
His berry-picking army consisted of Biggie and Mr. Dinkles, Guy Diamond and Tiny, Satin and Chenille, Cooper and Prince D, and seven younger trollings-not counting Tiny-Jenny, Honey Lemon, Pita, Maple, Shimmer Boy, Chris, and Colin. Seven little kids to keep track of, on top of everybody else! They were his responsibility! Their safety was more important than having fun, and Branch was going to make sure that nothing happened to any of them, not even a little knee scrape! Not on his watch!
Alright, so some people thought he was still a paranoiac, but life could get ugly really fast, unexpectedly and one must always be prepared! And he was the man of preparation! Branch, crazy prepared! Always.
Branch glanced up at Poppy and smiled. "Branch can be just as much fun as me, right?" Poppy asked excitedly.
"Sometimes." Chris shrugged, rolling his eyes.
"Hey!" Branch feigned offense.
"I like you better, Queen Poppy!" Maple exclaimed, tugging on said monarch's skirt. "Can't you come with us?"
"Yes. Please come with us, Queen Poppy!" Branch begged dramatically, folding his hands together for theatrical effect. His smile was playful, but his eyes were pleading. He knew she had queenly jobs to take care of, but he agreed with Tiny! It wouldn't be the same without her. Branch really wanted her to come join them on this fun field trip. She always lightened everything up and brought everybody together.
"Oh my gosh. You all need to stop!" Poppy shook her head, smiling. "You don't know how badly I want to go! But duty calls. And a good queen never shirks her duty! Remember that."
"Aww, man." Everyone groaned in unison, including Branch.
"Now, now. I don't want any long faces." Poppy scolded sweetly. "You know I can't stand long faces!" She pulled a gruesome scowl, and all of her friends giggled. "I'm counting on all of you to find and bring me back the biggest, juiciest, sweetest, tastiest, prettiest berries ever! We're going to make this year's Berry Festival the most magnificent! Oh!" She threw a sly grin. "And there will be prizes!"
"Prizes?!" Cooper and Prince D's eyes lit up, as did the little ones'.
"Oh, yes. There will be a prize for the most berries, the sweetest berries," Poppy explained, "the juiciest berries, the tastiest berries, the prettiest berries, and the biggest berries! Now, who's going to be the first one to come back and receive their prize?"
"I will! I will!" The kids shouted excitedly, jumping up and down.
"Alright then! Now, everybody go out and enjoy your berry hunting!" Poppy cheered. "Everybody follow Captain Branch! And remember to listen to him! He's in charge and he knows the area better than anyone!" She winked and blew Branch a kiss. He couldn't help crossing his arms over his puffed out chest, and narrowing his eyes proudly.
Their relationship had blossomed from mere acquaintances to frenemies, to allies, to sweethearts. Their lives had changed so much and Poppy absolutely trusted him as a leader, and a protector. He'd won her heart and trust, the same way she'd won his. He wouldn't let her down. He wouldn't fail her! He'd rather die!
"Have fun!" Poppy continued to wave at her friends. "Sing songs, keep your spirits up, don't forget to stay together! Take lots of pictures!"
"Bye, Poppy!" Biggie called as he shifted Mr. Dinkles into the shoulder sling that Branch had handed to him.
"We'll bring you back the biggest, juiciest…" Satin told her.
"Sweetest," Chenille added.
"Tastiest," Guy Diamond winked.
"The biggest berries ever!" Cooper and his brother finished happily.
"Go get 'em!" Poppy howled cheerily. Branch looked back at her one more time. They shared a thoughtful smile, then he turned to lead the others to the perfect berry patch before they already started to get lost.
"Well, let's hope that Maple and Colin don't get lost again!" Suki the DJ stated as she appeared next to Poppy.
"Branch will take care of them. He'll make sure that everybody comes back safe." Poppy said confidently. "Well, come on, girl. We've got a party to plan out."
Branch led the way down the dirt road to the best berry patch he knew of. He'd been down this path many times. Personal experience had taught him which berries in the woods were safe to eat, and which were poisonous. Plus, he knew which kind of critters lurked in these parts of the forest, and which areas to avoid.
His friends sang merrily behind him while he kept an eye out for any danger. He was glad that it was a bright, sunny day so that rain wouldn't cause them problems. He was thankful that his friends trusted him to keep them safe, and actually enjoyed his company now but he still wouldn't be able to fully relax until they returned home later.
Branch pointed out certain plants and other flowers that the others didn't see very often from not traveling through here very often, and also the small schools of harmless little creatures that minded their own business but were picturesque to gaze at. The kids were fascinated, especially Jenny who was rapidly sketching every new creature and plant she saw. She was a curious little thing. The girls picked the flowers and put them in their hair.
"Hey, Branch?" Satin called to him.
"Yup?" He turned to look back at her.
"What is that greenish pink stuff on that tree?" She pointed out a large twig to their right.
"Oh. That's melon sap." Branch explained.
"It's very pretty." Chenille said admiringly.
"It can be drained and used as pod paint." Branch told them.
"Really?" Little Honey Lemon smiled in awe. "So pretty! I want some for my room!"
"Maybe we could use it for our products!" The twins beamed. "Branch, is it safe to use on clothing?" They asked cautiously.
"As far as I know." Branch shrugged. "Unless…you want your clothes to become completely bleached and be as soft as sandpaper." He muttered.
"Oh!" The twins gasped in horror, they actually paled.
Branch snorted. "Sorry, girls. I'm just kidding. Yes, it is completely safe to use as a dye for clothing, as long as you don't mix it with very dark tints. And that, I'm serious about!"
"Oh! Oh, thank goodness!" Satin breathed.
"That wasn't funny, Branch!" Chenille scolded him with crossed arms. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Well, I wouldn't want you to do that. I don't have shock beetles in my First Aid kit." Branch said dryly.
"Shut up!" Chenille growled. The little boys laughed at the exchange.
"Chenille, there are children present!" Guy Diamond reminded her.
"I can show you some time how to drain it and harvest it." Branch offered as an act of apology.
"You will?" Satin's eyes lit up.
"Yeah. I mean, sure. That way, there shouldn't be any mishaps."
"Wow. Thanks, Branch." Chenille smiled.
"Daddy, let me out! I wanna run!" Tiny Diamond whined, peeking outside of Guy Diamond's silver hair.
"Sorry, Tiny Diamond." His dad answered. "But I can't let you do that until we stop, or you'll get lost."
"Got ya covered, Guy Diamond." Branch told him. "Here." He pulled a metal canister out of his pack and handed it to Guy Diamond.
"What is it?"
"Walking, talking exposure." Branch explained. Guy Diamond gave him a quizzical look. "It's spray paint."
"How exactly is this supposed to help?"
Branch fought not to roll his eyes. "Here, let me show you. Tiny, get out here." Tiny gladly hopped out of his parent's hair.
"Yo! Whatcha need, Branch?" Tiny asked.
"Just stand still. This won't hurt a bit." Branch said evilly.
"Whoa, whoa now!" Tiny backed away. "Hold up a minute, bro! Just what are you planning to do to me with that thing?"
"It's to keep you safe."
"It's for your own good, Tiny Diamond." Guy Diamond said softly.
"You might wanna hold him still." Branch suggested.
Guy Diamond held his son tightly between his fingers, as Branch carefully spray painted Tiny's hair and the bottom of his feet a bright, neon orange. At first, Tiny fussed and carried on about his beautiful hair but then he giggled because the paint being sprayed on his feet tickled his toes.
"There." Branch said with satisfaction. "This way, everybody can easily keep track of him. Oh, you can keep the paint. You might need it again."
"Thanks, Branch. Now I won't have to worry so much about Tiny when I can't see him!" Guy Diamond smiled gratefully.
"Does that mean I can run now?" Tiny asked.
"Yes, but don't go ahead of everyone." His dad said.
Tiny's burst of energy didn't last long. They'd walked about four yards when he said his feet and legs hurt and he complained about being tired, whining for Guy Diamond to carry him. They were nearly to the berry patch when there was a squabble among the littles and it had to be mediated. Maple and Honey Lemon cried that Shimmer Boy and Colin were pulling on their hair. The boys denied it of course. Branch threatened to send them home without picking berries if they weren't telling the truth, then they confessed. After apologies were made, the children were separated to each walk alongside a different grownup.
"Here we are!" Branch announced. The group cheered. "Whoa! Whoa! Wait! Wait, guys!" He shouted, waving his arms. "First of all, does everybody have their whistle bracelets?"
Instead of answering with a simple yes like normal people would, everybody blew on their whistles. Branch winced painfully as the high pitches hurt his sensitive ears. "Alright! Alright! Stop! Stop!" He hollered. Ahh, that's better. Blissful silence! "Okay then." He sighed, shocked he could hear anything at all! Well, one good thing about that: at least the whistles definitely worked.
"Alright. Guy Diamond? Biggie? Cooper? Prince D? I need you all to help me establish a safety perimeter. Nobody goes beyond the cloud berry trees? Understand? It's not safe." Branch said firmly. "They are like the knight guard trees here. And if anyone gets the crazy idea that it would be fun to prank everyone by scaring them into thinking you've gone missing-" He mainly eyed the little boys, fixing them with his most menacing glare.
"We won't!" They squeaked.
"Better not." Branch said coldly. Maybe he was being a little too intimidating. But the children especially needed to understand how dangerous it was to not follow the rules!
Soon, Branch's trip wires were in place yards away around the entire berry patch, and they formed bucket lines with partnered teams, the berry picking began. Of course, the trolls under the reign of Queen Poppy couldn't do any group projects without bursting into song. Branch would've preferred the silence to just enjoy the weather, but singing did keep the work flowing smoothly and faster, even he had to admit. They were making good progress! Funny part was a lot of the clusters of berries were all larger than Tiny Diamond!
From time to time, Branch scanned the area once over to make sure everyone was accounted for and no harm on the horizon.
Hug time was the hard part. Several of the young trollings had been stuffing themselves full of berries, so the sticky stains of purple, blue, red, green, yellow, pink, orange were splattered on their faces and little hands. So when they gathered together, there were complaints of sticky hands, and mouths. Branch handed out rags and water for them to clean up. Should've known better. Ten minutes after getting clean, the kids were soon painting themselves with berry juice again. Go figure.
Not only that, but some of the littles were beginning to grimace and sit around and groan, holding their middles. Branch sighed, shaking his head in amusement. Looked like they were in store for an abundance of tummy-aches. Well, luckily, he'd brought some remedies for that very purpose! And best of all, they didn't taste like scum brought up out of the ground.
Branch glanced around again to count heads. Something felt off. He ran through their names in his head. "Hey, where's Jenny?" He asked whoever was in earshot.
"She was sitting under the blackberry hedge a few minutes ago." Guy Diamond pointed out.
" 'Kay, thanks." Branch nodded gratefully. He made his way over to the blackberries to double check that Jenny was where she was supposed to be. She was a responsible girl. She of all people wouldn't wander off, disobeying the rules!
"Jenny? You over here?" He called.
Then all of his hairs stood on end and chill ran down his spine. His intelligent ears twitched as they picked up on something a bit far off. At first, Branch hoped that what he heard was just his mind whirling in worst case scenario. But then he heard it again, and multiple echoes of it!
He had to get everybody to safety, and fast! It had been a couple years since he had heard that sound, but it was one he remembered well!
And it wasn't good!