#sarilolla's writing

[sarilolla]

So ghost anon got me thinking…

What would happen if Floyd was the only one who couldn’t get to branch in time? I mean he was the only brother to say goodbye and promise to return, but ironically he is also the only one to not meet branch before he passes. I have a feeling that the guilt of never being able to fulfil his promise would tear him apart :3

Hopefully I won’t regret giving u a weapon to rip my heart out (who am I kidding, do as u please with this)

OW? OUCH? I got this ask while I was writing the fight and just oof, it hurt- Thank you for giving me this weapon >:)

Going to turn this into a ficlet, haven't done one of those in a while

***

Branch knew it was unlikely that all four of his brothers would get there on time. The world was big and who knew where four small Trolls could have ended up after twenty years. Laying in bed, he blinked in and out of consciousness, his chest heavy and barely any air managed to get to his lungs. Poppy was by his side, holding his paw tightly, not wanting to let go.

To his surprise, John Dory was the first to arrive. The oldest almost looked grey as he looked at his baby brother, who was resting on death's doorstep. With a push from Delta, he walked into the room, sitting down on a chair on his side. He opened his mouth, but no words came out, not until Barb had pulled Poppy out of the room. The two brothers needed a moment.

"I'm so sorry, Bittie, I… I'm sorry. I should have been there for you, but I wasn't, and…"

Branch took his paw, the younger being so weak, but he needed JD to listen.

"Love you."

His voice was broken and small, but to his surprise, JD started tearing up.

"I love you too. So much. You're my baby brother, and I'm sorry…"

This went on for a while, as Branch's lungs cleared just a bit, and he asked if JD could tell him about the Neverglades, which he did, drying his tears. He hadn't felt this vulnerable in a long time, but for Branch? He would probably beg the Muses themselves for his life to be spared.

Then came Clay. He came inside on his own, Synth and Dante pointing him to the right room. He was shocked, to say the least, that JD was there, and for a moment, all he felt was anger and grief. After a small spat, he calmed down as Branch's tail brushed his own. Right, Branch. They were there for Branch. Their little brother, who was dying.

After a few exchanged words filled with love, both the Iris and Dahlia were cleared from his system, and he breathed just a tiny bit easier, enough that if he had just a bit more energy, he would have been able to hold a conversation. But he didn't, so the two older held it for him, despite their awkwardness and grievances, they were there and they were talking.

Finally, Spruce came. Except it was now Bruce, and he had changed a lot, but he was their brother nevertheless, and while Branch could tell the tension swung a bit in the room, happiness, anger, and grief hanging heavy in the air, he was happy to see another of his loved ones. Just a few hours ago he had almost accepted death, not believing they would come on time, but here three of them were.

JD gave up his spot for Bruce, letting him take Branch's paw, the purple-haired Troll speaking so softly with the youngest, who hummed an "I love you too" in reply. The Zinnia lost its grip, and now… they only had the Queen Anne's Lace left.

But would Floyd get there on time?

---

Floyd had already left Mount Rageous days before, having heard the news on his small traveling radio, and narrowly avoiding being kidnapped, he set out to find his baby brother.

He had made a promise. It was maybe twenty years too late, but Floyd was not one to break a promise. Not now, not ever.

Then he learned that the promise had been put on a timer. Friends of Branch, bounty hunters, had found him, telling him what was going on.

Branch was dying. Branch could be dead already.

They didn't need to tell him twice that he was needed. He just sat silently in the back of their critter bus, eyes distant as memories played on a loop.

Seeing that little bluebell egg hatching. Holding that little baby boy that had been filled with so much joy, love, and music.

Branch was singing before he was talking, he danced before he could walk. He was the sunshine breaking through the grey clouds of grief and horror in that period of their lives.

And he had left him behind. He had given the toddler his vest. The vest had belonged to all their brothers once, and if there was someone who deserved the comfort that the vest provided, it was Branch.

When he came to Pop Village, the place was… sad. Too sad to be filled with Pop Trolls. He saw a grey Troll with a crown on her head sit amongst a group of other dully colored Trolls, her grief so strong it nearly drowned everyone seeing her.

No one noticed him as he walked through the village, and when he asked someone where Branch was, they just shook their head, a sad look in their eyes. Another Troll pointed him to the outskirts of the village.

Floyd had heard from the youngest friends that he had built a bunker, and with a small spark of hope, he looked in the direction they pointed, hoping to see that large rock, but no… There was a field of flowers there.

A Pop Troll graveyard.

And by the freshest mound, holding onto each other, sat three Trolls who were painfully familiar. His brothers. Just not all four of them. Only the three oldest.

A pained scream filled the air.

Floyd's scream.

He had broken his promise.

***

Yeah, ow, this hurt- Hope everyone enjoys the misery as always :,D

[georgi-girl]

1. Animated movies

2. Writing fanfiction

3. Fantasy novels

4. Talking to my friends

5. Sweets

I tag @darkhatkid @fanficwolf105 @sassafras-albidum @cassiewolf @tigerclawstar-shaped-cookie @turtle-toe @sarilolla @inkdropsonroses @lawbreaker13 @deliciousdefendorinternet

What are 5 things that make you happy?

After you answer, pass the question to the last 10 people who reblogged your posts!

Let's spread positivity!

1. Watching Trolls movies

2. Cute puppies

3. My family

4. Watching my favorite videos

5. Drawing anyone's ocs as gifts ^^

@jade-green-butterfly @kingtrollexfan @djkingxxxdm @djmurphy @sweetcinnamonrolls @x-elyssa-x @chaoseclips @synthisuko1757 @artstar1997 @arqu3us @turquoiseblue @sparklijam @tecnocomis00

[evilquotesfromevilpuppets]

Hey, decided to make a side blog for Hello Puppets cause I love them. This blog is gonna have mostly incorrect quotes, but also headcanons, some writing, and updates on my main fic (Ao3, Sarilolla)

Feel free to send in asks about stuff (maybe I’ll do some writing requests in the future)

Also, call me Bee cause that is the name of my main oc for the game (and I ain’t comfortable sharing my actual name, so). Plus, I am a minor, so no weird stuff

[sarilolla]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Poppy Playtime (Video Game) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Huggy Wuggy & The Player (Poppy Playtime), Huggy Wuggy (Poppy Playtime) & Original Character(s), The Player & Poppy (Poppy Playtime) Characters: Original Poppy Playtime Character(s), Huggy Wuggy (Poppy Playtime), Poppy (Poppy Playtime), The Player (Poppy Playtime), Original Non-Human Character(s) Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Until a certain point but uhhh, Chapter 01: A Tight Squeeze (Poppy Playtime), Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Player semi-knew what was happening, Player knew the toys before the hour of joy Summary:

The VHS wires to life, the tape containing a conversation between two employees on their way too short lunch break.

“Hey, Lex? I don’t think I ever got what your job is.”

“It’s a weird one, I know. I… help take care of the toys, make sure they behave and are safe.”

The first voice grumbled, sounding skeptical as he spoke.

“If I were you I would have quit. How close have you gotten to losing any limbs?”

The second voice sighed, speaking softly.

“It’s fine, Richie. They’re good kids.”

—

Alexis Taylor was not human. That was purely a fact. They had never been, and never would be. Maybe that was why they once connected so well with the man-made horrors of Playtime Co. Now, 10 years after the second worst headache of their life, they return to the factory.

They’re still good kids. …right?

[sarilolla]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Trolls (DreamWorks Movies) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Poppy (Trolls), Juniper (OC), Branch (Trolls), Grandma Rosiepuff (Trolls) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Pop doesn't trust other tribes, Swap in which caretaker survives, Original Character(s), Character Death, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, only characters with bigger roles are tagged, Rewritten work Series: Part 3 of Sarilolla's Dreamworks Trolls work, Part 2 of Trolls: The Living Forest Summary:

Rewrite of a fanfiction I wrote 3 years ago and then abandoned. Trolls 3 reignited my love for this movie series, so this rewritten version will also have elements from that. The structuring is different (and improved), with longer chapters, and adding characters from Trolls 3, so I hope this will be a treat :) Feel free to ask me about this fic, Experiment Pop, and my general thoughts or headcanons about Trolls on my tumblr: sarilolla. Gonna post other trolls stuff too soon -- "Every tribe seemed to do well after the schism. But what did they know when no one met each other? Every tribe had it good, except pop." In this au when Pop escapes from Bergen Town, they don't settle so close to the Bergens. Juniper is the older cousin of the princesses Viva and Poppy, and gets the task of taking the pop string with her during the escape. When things don't go as the pop tribes hope, and both the king and crown princess are lost in the escape, it's up to Juniper and Poppy to keep their tribe safe. Settling in a place where not even the other trolls will find them, how will the relationship between the pop trolls and other music genres be built, broken, or fixed?

[sarilolla]

I am filled with evil so I want to ask, when you finish the main Hanahaki Branch fanfic, would you be up for writing an alternate universe where he took the potion and forgot his brothers? And then they come to see him and he only knows they exist because of old family photos and vaugely remembering that he got a sickness from loving them so much.

How heartbreaking would that be? He had to pick between forgetting them or death and he decided their memories were not worth his life.

If you don't want to write it that's fine, but I wanted to put the idea out there for everyone to enjoy :)

Well, it’s a good thing I’m also filled with evil, because that was planned since the beginning-

I’ve been debated writing three endings, one good and two bad. Cured of Hanahaki and loved, takes the potion and forgetting, or dying. It’s just… if I can add more angst to Branch’s life, I will take it >:)

Hanahaki Branch au (slight spoilers/alternative ending to not finished fic)

And the thing is, Branch would have to push himself to take the potion. His brothers were his hope, his glimmer of joy for YEARS before Poppy seriously stepped in, and Branch also opened himself for more friendships. He adores his blood family, but he has found one for himself now. Plus, it’s been two decades, if his brothers wanted to find him, they would have by now, right?

So he takes the potion. He still has Poppy, he has the Snack Pack, he has Kismet, and he has friends in the other tribes, so he’s not alone. He thinks before he takes it that he can just blame the memory loss on the fact they left when he was two years old, surely that’s an excuse. He doesn’t want to die and leave the other people he loves.

But seeing four strangers a while later, so similar to him and so sure they know him, he’s certain he should feel loss. But he doesn’t. There’s no memories, no feelings, just old Knick-knacks he is sure was important at one point in his life.

And the four strangers who looks like they lost the world when he said he didn’t know them

Anyway, I went on a ramble, that thing will be more filled out and cohesive when that time comes :)

[sarilolla]

What if Floyd came back and got a chance to at least say goodbye to Branch before he dies? What if Branch got to see the brother he's closest to (that being Floyd) one last time before he dies? What if Floyd coming back wasn't enough, but there's enough time for him to tell Branch about what he's been up to the past 20 years before saying goodbye?

Heck yes, let’s do another ficlet (you guys are giving me too much power) Hanahaki Branch au (slight spoilers/alternative ending to not finished fic)

***

Most Trolls avoided Mount Rageous. For a place so obsessed with music, many would think it was perfect for the tiny beings literally made of it, but no. Floyd hadn’t seen many other Trolls around here, and with the rumors of danger lurking around, few stayed for a long time.

He had done a small show, but he thought he saw a group of four Trolls in the audience. They looked familiar in a way, and he wanted to talk with them, if only to talk with fellow Trolls. Walking backstage, he was greeted by two Mount Rageons, and instinctively, he knew he was in danger. They introduced themselves as Velvet and Veneer, and something was just plain wrong.

They tried grabbing him, but something else got him first. One of the Trolls he had seen earlier had grabbed him with his hair, pulling him towards the group, not giving him a chance to thank them or ask questions before he was pushed into a critter bus and they started driving.

They were Pop Trolls, and not just that, they were some of his baby brother’s best friends. He remembered the group of five babies playing in their home while he and the others practiced for Brozone. He was excited to see them, but they seemed worried, happy, and somewhat angry at him.

They were there to find him. Branch was dying, and he needed his brothers. Floyd felt his heart stop for a moment. He just received the news Branch wasn’t dead, and now they told him he was dying? Apparently people were looking all over for the four lost Brozone members. Floyd hoped all of them would be found.

Arriving in Pop Village, he couldn’t even think about his excitement about the fact his people actually had gotten out of the Troll Tree, that they were thriving and alive. He just needed to get to Branch. He was led there by Kismet, and his heart clenched when he realized they led him to a bunker. The hideout.

There were other Trolls around, but he didn’t pay them any mind, eyes zeroing in on the Troll in the bed in front of him. He was older, his fur color a duller than anything he could have imagined for his happy baby brother, and his eyes were focused on the pink Troll who was clutching his hand. Both their eyes went to him as he entered, and he could barely make out the hoarse “Floyd” coming from Branch.

Blink of an eye, and he was at Branch’s side. Shaking, he took his brother’s hand, feeling the callousness of them. They were so much bigger than what he remembered, rougher, and stronger, as Branch squeezed back weakly.

“I came back, Branch. I’m sorry I’m late.”

Branch was just as focused on him as he was, and even with the slight fogginess in his eyes, he seemed acutely aware Floyd was there.

“Floyd.”

“Branch.”

Branch took a deep breath, and it sounded so painful, like something was physically keeping him from breathing. Floyd noticed the flowers that had been placed on the nearby table, many of them bloody in that red-ish pink color all the brothers shared.

“Love you.”

Branch’s eyes were filled with tears, and for a moment, Floyd thought Branch didn’t think he would hear it back.

“I love you too. So much. I’m sorry, Branch. You didn’t deserve this. I love you. I love you.”

He kept the mantra going as Branch coughed, something dislodging in his throat, and his breathing became a little clearer.

By the Forest, it hurt hearing how much pain the youngest was.

“Poppy?”

Branch turned to the pink Troll beside him, who had tear marks down her face.

“Yes?”

“Give us a moment?”

She looked like she wanted to protest, but a squeeze and a look from Branch, she bitterly nodded.

“…a few minutes. I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’ll go look for the others.”

Branch smiled softly, looking at her like she was the most important thing in the universe, gently letting her hand go.

“I love you.”

“Love you too. Don’t leave me, Branchifer.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Poppifer.”

She hugged him, before leaving the room, the two brothers left alone.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner.”

“You didn’t know.”

“Still, I made a promise and-”

“Floyd.”

Branch voice was stern, if strained.

“You’re here now.”

“I am. I love you.”

They rested their foreheads together, Floyd too scared to hug him too tightly with how labored his breathing was.

“Tell me what you have done. I want to hear it all.”

And he did. Floyd told him about the first years out of the Troll Tree, performing for his solo career, singing in front of new Trolls, learning different music, going to Mount Rageous, and how he was nearly kidnapped hadn’t he been saved by Branch’s friends.

While he talked, Branch looked more and more tired, his eyes slipping shut at one point, but Floyd knew he was listening with how hard he still held his hand. Poppy returned after a while, not looking any better in the slightest, taking Branch’s hand again.

Then they were silent, listening to Branch breathing. How it stuttered and stopped at times, how it sounded like each one would be his last.

Floyd had arrived, sure, but the Hanahaki had deep roots now. One flower being taken care off, it didn’t have the effect they wanted. The effect they needed. They needed all the flowers gone. They needed their older brothers.

They didn’t arrive in time. Despite everyone’s best efforts, Poppy and Floyd sat there when Branch took his last breath. Waiting a beat, a moment, a few seconds that turned minutes, the two still held onto Branch’s hands even as the grip had gone slack.

Floyd broke down completely when they finally arrived, just a few hours too late.

***

I ruin all the happiness for these tiny creatures, and for what? My own amusement? Despicable.

Hope y’all enjoyed this ficlet too. I think I have pretty much decided who’s picking up Floyd in this alternate timeline for my au lol

[sarilolla]

What if Branch chooses not to drink the potion and instead spends the last moments of his life fondly looking back on the good times he had with his brothers before BroZone had split and dies listening to their songs and holding onto the last family photo that was taken of him and his brothers? After all, these memories would probably be too precious to part with.

Oooo yes (sorry this became almost a ficlet so enjoy!)

Hanahaki Branch au (slight spoilers/alternative ending to not finished fic)

Branch couldn’t make himself drink the potion, and now he was on that stage in the illness were it wouldn’t work anymore either. He loved too much, simply put.

His brothers wouldn’t return, he knew that by now. They weren’t found, despite the best efforts of the people around him, who he knew cared about him. He hated leaving them behind, but life is never merciful. Poppy, who was his rock, perhaps even his soulmate, sat by him as his life slowly faded.

People coming in and out of his bunker, people he trusted. Others were out, desperate to find his brothers. If he could talk to them, tell them he loved them, he could live. They had no other option anymore.

Music played. He had insisted. Poppy, after some persuasion as she didn’t want to worsen his condition, lend him her personal collection of Brozone albums. He only had one he had managed to save. Songs from before he hatched, and some after was there in the background. He wanted to even humm along, but the flowers and vines in his lungs made it nearly impossible to breathe.

Propped up by pillows in his bed, he was weak, terribly weak. But Poppy was by his side, helping him hold a picture taken a long time ago. Four teens and one baby. He loved them. He would die for them.

Passing away meant going from Poppy’s secure and grief filled hug, to grandma’s warm embrace, seeing two other Trolls he never got to meet but loved him just as much.

Brozone didn’t show up until the funeral, all grief stricken and panicked at the news of their baby brother. Be it bounty hunters, tribe leaders, Kismet, Snack Pack, hell even the Bergens had made their way out to find the brothers, all four were brought home just too late.

Poppy couldn’t bring herself to look at them.

***

That became a ficlet, and as an alternative ending it will eventually be expanded with more pain >:)

[sarilolla]

what if brozone did save branch in time but is still very weak and needs recovery?(a little good ending after some good angst, i think-)

Oooo yes, love that, so.... ficlet time! Angst and fluff lovers, come get your food!

Hanahaki Branch au (slight spoilers/alternative ending to not finished fic)

***

Branch being stubborn wasn't just a him thing. It was a family trait. Loving a lot was also a family trait, ironically enough. And all five of them loved each other. More than they had gotten to tell each other for a long time.

That was why they were so desperate to get to Pop Village, to Branch, as all four of them were explained what was happening to him. Branch was dying, out of love for them. That was downright painful to learn. All four had wanted to go home at one point. Wanted to reunite at one point. All four had been back at the Troll Tree once, finding the destruction, grieving a childhood lost, a family lost.

But they could finally find each other again. A small thought in the back of their head made them wonder if they reunited by one of them almost dying in every universe, or if this one was just cruel. It didn't matter. Branch mattered.

Floyd arrived first, rushing to his baby brother's side, nearly ignoring the pink Troll sitting at his other side. Kismet had found him, and the critter bus they had driven in now needed a serious break, but he was there. Branch was the most lucid then, and while he still struggled to talk, the Queen Anne's Lace had turned to dust inside him as he heard the words "I love you" from the brother he was closest to so many years ago.

Bruce was next. Brandy had practically pushed him out the door herself when the bounty hunters arrived with the news. His baby brother was dying, and there was no time to lose. Arriving in Branch's bunker, he found the two youngest, one in bed sickly, the other keeping his tears and anger inside and hidden to the best of his ability. Poppy left at that point, letting them talk. She was more confident her Branch would survive now with two of his brothers there. It would at least give him a few more hours. For Bruce, "I love you" came as easy as breathing, to both of his brothers. Branch's breathing came a tiny bit easier when the red Zinnia disappeared, but his eyes were a bit too foggy for their liking.

John Dory had been found by some old friends as he was camping. He honestly never thought he would see Delta again, but here she were. Not for him though, not directly. She was there because of Branch. She was one of the few Trolls who knew about his brothers, who knew how important they were to him. Getting Rhonda on the trail to Pop Village instantly became first priority above everything.

Clay was skeptical and scared when the two Bergens arrived, and worried when he saw Trolls with them. Viva, understandably enough, attacked the couple, and all of Putt Putt were ludicrisly confused as to why the Trolls with them were defending them. An accidental namedrop of Poppy and Branch, and the two leaders of the scared little village finally listened. Viva was ecstatic to hear her sister was alive, and that the Trolls, the Snack Pack as they called themselves, were some of her closest friends. Apperantly Bridget was nearly her sister, which was odd, but she could work with that. Clay, however, froze when he heard why they were looking for him specifically. Branch was dying. He needed his brothers. He hadn't left Putt Putt in years, but for one of his brothers? He would do anything, even get past his fears of sitting with a Bergen on her motorcycle.

John Dory and Clay arrived nearly at the same time, and were practically pushed into the bunker by the Pop Queen without the elevator even meeting them. As quick as the two could, they arrived in Branch's bedroom. All five of them were together again. Clay was quicker to the youngest bedside, while JD stood there in shock. His brothers had grown so much, all of them, and here the youngest, the baby of the family, was dying.

Clay whispered a mantra of "I love you" to Branch, who barely managed to make eye contact with him to return the words. But even with the green and yellow Dahlia turning to ash inside him, his breathing was still stuttering, stopping, hurting. His eyes closed, and the other three pairs in the room snapped to John.

He didn't know what to do. Or, of course he knew what to do. He had to go over and tell his dying baby brother that he loved him. His brothers urged him over, and slowly he unfrooze, sitting down by Branch's head, so he would hear. Hear the "I love you", the apologies, the grief, the guilt. He even started rapidly apologizing to the others in the room, all three of them quiet as the oldest unraveled in front of them. He didn't stop until he felt someone look at him, one of Branch's eyes lazily opened. Quiet, so quiet he wouldn't heard it hadn't all his focus been on Branch, he whispered back.

"I love you."

And the multi-colored Iris had died. Branch's breathing didn't clear immediately, but slowly, it eased up. The roots were disappearing, the vines no longer pressing at his throat, and the petals turned to ash where they had grown in his mouth.

His eyes slipped shut, and for a moment they all panicked, until realizing he was sleeping. He was recovering. He was alive.

All five of them sat together, the youngest sleeping soundly, and even as a fight had broken them apart two decades ago, the only feeling they now had was relief, happiness and love. They were here, they were together, and while they had their own lives, they would stay together. No more disappearing, no more almost losing each other.

Branch was alive, and so were the rest. And if they had their say, it would stay that way for a long time.

***

God, that was crushing but so relieving to write- I hope you liked it! These brothers live in my head rent free fr

[sarilolla]

Ooh! How about Clay being the third and last to arrive before Branch dies? And Viva reuniting with Poppy that way and her reaction to Branch's death and his brothers' grief considering she knows what it's like to essentially lose a sibling?

And JD arriving too late? How would he react upon realizing his controlling nature essentially sealed his baby brother's fate?

Ooof ouch, that hurts- Ofc I will write that >:)

Hanahaki Branch au (slight spoilers/alternative ending to not finished fic)

***

Life in Putt Putt Village was calm yet vigilant. Being co-leader meant Clay did many tasks around the golf course, and he for one excelled at the “boring” tasks. Life was calm, until it wasn’t.

The golf course was made by Bergens once upon a time, and there was always a possibility that one day they would show up. The Trolls in the village were quiet as a couple came through the doors, commenting on the eeriness of the place. Viva led the attack, tying them up, which seemed to surprise them, but they didn't directly fight back. The *Trolls* with them argued against their capture though.

After a few very tense moments, they got to talking. The group insisted they were friends with the Bergens, who were the young king and queen, and it was very hard to believe.

Two of the Trolls were speaking together, and Clay and Viva froze upon hearing two names.

"Told you we should have brought Poppy with us. She would know how to convince these Trolls about at least listening to us," the short yellow one said, and the glitter Troll shook his head.

"You know she wouldn't have left Branch behind in his condition."

"Fair enough."

"Wait, wait, wait, what?"

And the explanation came. Something about Poppy and Branch saving the world twice, but that Branch was sick, and had been for a long time. Clay wanted to scream when he heard which illness he had. Hanahaki. He had read a book about it when he was younger, a tragic love story, but to think his baby brother had it? That was worse than every sad book he had ever read combined and tripled. He had to go!

Reluctantly, they let the Bergens go, and tentatively, Viva and Bridget bonded over Poppy. Clay just wanted to get to Branch. People were out looking for the rest of his brothers, and even if he had been angry with them once, he would face them for Branch.

The trip from Putt Putt to Pop Village felt like it took years, even if it was only a few hours. Clay was too focused on where he was supposed to get to his baby brother, he barely noticed Viva reuniting with her dad. It was teary, and he was happy for her.

When he got to the bunker, a pink Troll with fuschia hair left, and she resembled Viva a lot. It had to be Poppy. Her eyes lit up stepping off the elevator, and from what Clay had learned, Branch had built the bunker himself. It was very impressive.

"Clay?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Poppy. Branch is on the lowest floor. Someone will point you the way to his door. Floyd and Bruce are there too."

He nodded, not questioning the name, and headed down as quickly as possible, not missing her little mantra of "There's still hope.".

A purple aquatic-looking Troll with pink hair was sitting down in what looked like a living room, comforted by a shorter Troll with wings and pink hair, who pointed him to a door. Walking up to it while wringing his hands, he took a deep breath before knocking, and a voice he could recognize anywhere told him to come in.

Three of his brothers were inside, and all looked happy to see him. His focus was however immediately on the one in the bed, who was blinking at him sleepily. Branch was an adult, but he looked so small like this. It didn't feel right. Branch was their bright, happy baby brother. Not... not this.

Closing the door, he rushed over to Branch's side as Floyd gave him the space to do so. Both middle and youngest brothers were looking at each other, and Clay wanted to squish that too-tired look out of his face.

"Hey, Bittie B."

Branch wrinkled his nose at that, and Spruce chuckled.

"He insists it's Branch now. Made the mistake myself."

"Oh."

"And, by the way, it's Bruce now. Changed my name a few years back."

"Very fancy, I like it."

It was so nice being back with his brothers. He had thought they were dead a long time, but no, here three of them were.

"Clay..."

Branch said, and Clay's attention snapped back to him. The way his voice was so small and fragile made his heart hurt.

"I'm here, B."

"Love you."

His breath caught in his throat, before he nodded, "I love you too."

With the confession, Branch's breathing cleared a bit, and the collective relief in the room was palpable. It still wasn't clear, it was still stuttering, and the realization that they needed John Dory to come soon hit hard.

"Tell me what you did outside the tree," Branch asked him, and he looked at the other two.

"He asked the same of us," Floyd shrugged, and Bruce nodded, "Tell us what you've been up to Clay."

"Well, first off, I'm now a licensed CPA, and..."

He talked about his travels, finding the Putt Putt Trolls, being co-leader, and everything else he could think about. None of his brothers seemed judgemental that he had stopped being "The Fun One", but more... proud of who he was now.

Poppy returned after a while, holding Viva's hand. Both looked both happy and sad, and Bruce gave up his spot on Branch's side for Poppy. The two youngest looked at each other, Poppy brushing his chin carefully just to check on him, earning a soft hum.

Viva stood slightly to the side, before Clay looked at her, offering a spot beside him. Floyd was once again holding Branch's hand, and Viva took Clay's as Branch's breathing became weird again. His eyes slipped shut, and Clay looked between Branch's face, and the hands that still held onto Floyd and Poppy.

They were getting slack, and his breath was getting unnoticeable except for the weak stuttering to it. Holding onto that slightly raspy sound as the only proper sign Branch was alive, wasn’t fun. This wasn’t something either Fun-Clay or Serious-Clay could handle, not really.

Viva’s paw slipped into his when the sound stopped. The entire room was silent.

Branch wasn’t alive anymore. He wasn’t with them anymore. He was gone. Viva held his hand, but also held onto Poppy as she started sobbing. Floyd moved around the bed to sit between his older brothers, leaning into Bruce’s side as Clay clutched his hand.

They hadn’t saved their baby brother.

—

Far enough away that it was a problem, an increasingly greying Troll sat behind the wheel of his most trustworthy companion.

“We’ll get there in time. We have to get there in time. I can’t…”

John’s voice broke off, his mutterings barely heard by the other two Trolls inside Rhonda. He never thought he would see those two leaders work together, but they had, to find him. So he could help save his baby brother.

His brothers were probably already there, and John Dory had to make it there in time. Tell his baby brother he loves him. Tell all his brothers he loved them. Apologize for being a massive jerk when they were younger. If he hadn’t, maybe they would have stuck together. Branch would know he was loved. He wouldn’t die.

Suddenly, a small *ping* made its way into his ears. Pulling out the small hug time bracelet, he looked at the now open flower.

It had belonged to Branch. He had fastened it himself around his tiny wrist on the youngest first birthday. John had found it when he visited the destroyed remains of their home.

The forget-me-not shone so innocently, and yet… John knew it hadn’t pinged him for hug time.

***

*bonks you* Did you guys know that if any of the brothers got Hanahaki for Branch, our beloved boy would be the Forget-me-not? Little baby boy who loves his brothers above all is the flower meaning “Don’t forget me”? Isn’t that just swell?

Also, headcanon that hug time bracelets are given on the first birthday by a family member. They're not actually made of the different flowers, but they're modeled after them. And as mentioned in the main fic, Branch lost his at one point before or during the escape.

So yeah, Bridget, Gristle and the Snack Pack finding Clay, Viva, and the Putt Putts, while not specified here, it's Delta and Barb who finds John. I mentioned in this ficlet that Country and Rock had interacted with the oldest brother, so they set off to find him. I don't know why I decided to add that Synth and Dante Crescendo sitting there keeping watch of Branch, I haven't watched much of Trollstopia at all, but it just felt right. (Also, Clay never interacted with other genres, and neither have any other Putt Putt, so he doesn't know they're Techno and Classical)

So, yeah, that was another dose of angst. Alternative endings counter: 7. Alternative endings were Branch dies: 6

[sarilolla]

So it's the same,(branch not taking the potion and dying) but the others did find brozone and came to the bunker before branch died and tries to save him?

Ooo yes (come get your Branch angst everyone)

Hanahaki Branch au (slight spoilers/alternative ending to not finished fic)

So as I have mentioned in my fic, there’s a point where the Hanahaki has created so strong roots inside the body, the potion won’t work anymore.

Branch is a stubborn Troll. Always has been. Love was no exception. Especially for his brothers. That was why he had let it go this far. Even with the adventures he and Poppy had done, he still hadn’t found them. But he held into that hope.

That would be his undoing. He is at the point in his illness where the potion simply won’t work anymore. Dr. Moonbloom confirmed it, and it was like the flowers and vines inside him tightened their grip on his lungs.

Poppy organized search parties as soon as she knew, which was immediately after he left the doctor’s office. Both the Country and the Rock Trolls had had encounters with both John Dory for some reason, and both tribes were willing to help. They heard from some indie Trolls that Floyd had last been heard from moving towards Mount Rageous, and Kismet set after him, the boyband desperate to help their Branch. Gristle and Bridget had heard rumors of an old abandoned golf course made by some Bergens, and how there was a possibility Trolls lived there, hopefully a brother was there. And some of the bounty hunters had met Bruce on Vacay Island, going there.

Finding them all wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, especially for Bridget and Gristle, and Kismet. The Bergens had to promise they were only there to try to find someone from Brozone to save the life of their friend, and while Clay was skeptical, he joined them, Viva worryingly following, a bit at ease from how fond Bridget was of Poppy. Kismet had a long road trip, but they knew Floyd would go home for Branch, they remembered how close the two youngest Brozone brothers were. In Mount Rageous, they had to help Floyd dodge Velvet and Veneer. All brothers come when they learn Branch is dying and he needs them. He don’t need Brozone, he doesn’t need the Perfect Family Harmony, he just needs his older brothers and being able to tell them he loves them. Hear them say it in return. There’s no question about it, there will be a family reunion.

Back in Pop Village, Branch can’t even leave his bed anymore, struggling to move, or even breathe. Poppy’s at his side at all times, holding his hand and saying loving words like a mantra. He’s tired, barely keeping his eyes open when he hears someone say “they’re here.”

He wants to open his eyes, want to see them, but he’s so tired. He’s been dealing with this since he was 10. He thinks he deserves to rest now.

Someone is holding his hand, even as he can’t breathe. There’s voices, but he can’t make them out. He’s slipped too far already. His breathing, stuttering and struggling, doesn’t help, even as more people surround him.

One person is holding the hand not occupied by Poppy’s, another has a hand on his arm, he thinks there is a hand on his leg, and the final person is checking his pulse.

He can’t open his eyes. Hearing fades until he can hear his grandma’s voice, plus two unfamiliar but just as loving voices, and they’re welcoming him with tears.

John removes his hand once he is sure he can’t feel Branch’s heartbeat anymore. They were close, so close to saving their baby brother. When his arm falls to his side, the rest of them understand. Floyd holds his hand tighter, wishing life would come back into those calluses hands. Clay is quiet, not moving the hand on Branch’s arm, and Bruce looks just as shellshocked from where he’s sitting by Branch’s legs.

Poppy sobs. Her Branch is gone. They were so close, so close to saving him. And now he’s gone. At least he looks relaxed now. To think Death’s gentle touch was the thing that would smooth out those stress lines. She doesn’t want to look at his brothers, don’t want to acknowledge them, and lets her own brother move her away eventually, and she hides with Cooper and the rest of the Snack Pack. Their Branch is gone. Forever.

***

Hehe another ficlet. Like the others, this could be expanded, as I want to introduce more relationships and dynamics in my fic first. But yeah, now we have two death scenarios

Branch angst my beloved

Feel free to send more asks, this au is rotting my brain right now, and I love to share about it (shout out to my sisters for listening to my rambling)

[sarilolla]

Winter break for a week now, let’s goooo

I’m gonna try to write a lot, hopefully work on some of my more neglected trolls fics (sorry hello puppets but the tiny creature brainrot is real), and maybe develop a new thing?

So hopefully at least one or two hanahaki updates this week, and one chapter or more for both experiment Pop and different beat.

Maybe start on one of the concepts I have shared before here, but I’m also working on a fic based on a song (a Branch-centric au, who would’ve guessed?), it’s a pirate au and it’s based on “Tale of the Shadow” by Sail North (I’ve written a draft for the first chapter which is heavily tied to the actual songs so I guess spoilers for the “prequel” bit). Pirate au also has some ocs to fill out the crew, but they’re not heavily focused on. So I think the two new projects I might work more on eventually is the Pop World Tour and the Pirate aus

So since I have a lot of free time, feel free to send me asks about any of my aus or opinions on the movies (haven’t watched the two series so can’t say anything on that) and the characters (I also kinda wanna do a character and ship bingo so feel free to ask me on those)

[sarilolla]

Chapter 2 of “Experiment Pop (NEW VERSION)” is out now

[sarilolla]

Giving a smartphone to puppets from the 1980s is a good idea, right?

This one-shot was requested by psuedonymousrex on Ao3. They wanted the puppets stealing/discovering a phone, so here, enjoy :)

Request - 970 words

No needed TW (as far as I can tell)

Summary:  The Handeemen discovers something far beyond their age and knowledge of technology. Is it stealing if the person who owned it is now a braindead zombie?

---

“What's that?” Nick pointed to the small box in Riley's hand. The scientist eyed him suspiciously, having stolen the thing in her hand from his new host, something she hoped he wasn't aware of.

“I don't know,” she fiddled with it, turning it from one side to the other, almost dropping it as one side suddenly erupted with light.

“What the hell-”

“Language, Riley!”

Daisy had entered the room, as if she knew Riley was about to swear.

“Daisy, look, this… I still don't know what it is, but I am certain I will know with a quick analysis.”

The scientist showed the box that now had gone dark again to the baker.

“Well, get it to light up again! You got scared then.”

“Shut your face, Nick,” Riley said, finding a button on the flat side that she pressed.

“I don't mean to clown, sweetie, but I think you're holding it upside down.”

The thing had lightened up again as she pressed the button, showing a picture of two guys smiling, but as Daisy had pointed out, it was upside down. They turned it, seeing numbers on the screen right above the heads of the guys, before it once again turned dark.

“Damn, this thing can't stay on for more than a few seconds.”

“Give it to me, and I'll find its secrets, you'll see.”

Nick lunged out, snatching the thing from Riley's hands.

“Wha- Hey! Nick, I swear-”

“What's going on in here?”

“Mortimer! I was just trying to do some research on this thing, you see it made this weird noise, like a “ding”. I have yet to find out what it does, however, so the others apparently joined me on this endeavor.”

The magic man himself stood there, eyeing the thing now in Nick's hand carefully.

“Any sign it might be dangerous to us? Or else I don't see why it would cause a fuss.”

“No signs yet, but-”

“Aha, I got it to work! And I'll tell you how, if Riley quits being a jerk,” Nick shouted triumphantly, avoiding the death glare Riley sent him.

“What do you mean by “work”, Nick? Is this a trick?”

Mortimer came up close, watching what Nick made his host do on the thing.

“Well, I simply got my host to try and do something instead as it didn't react to my wooden hands, it worked better than Riley's plans.”

“May I look?”

Nick handed the thing to Mortimer, “Of course, here you are.”

“I was researching that…” Riley pouted, Daisy giving her a light pat on the shoulder, “Don't worry, Riles. You'll get it back in a hurry.”

The two guys were now hunched over the thing, watching as Mortimer's host's hand swiped back and forth on it, and the girls joined them.

“Oh, tap on that thing.”

Tapping on one of the small squares, the thing being green and the face on it kinda looked like an owl.

It filled the screen, showing a green owl.

“Now what is this?”

Tapping on one of the things on the screen, they all jumped as the thing started speaking in a different language.

“Hei, hvordan går det?”

“Oh shit-” “Language, Riley.” “What was that?”

“Norwegian, I believe,” Daisy got her host to tap more on the screen, and the weird voice said more stuff in both English and Norwegian.

“A language learning device then,” Riley concluded, watching Nick tap the screen to stop the language thing.

“What’s this?” He clicked on a black one with a green circle.

Tapping a bit more, a song started playing on it, and Riley flinched back a bit at the sudden noise.

“What the world needs is people like me, to keep the world spinning around.”

“Ah, a musical song. This host had exquisite taste.”

“Debatable.”

The two rivals sent each other a glare, and Mortimer found himself rolling his eyes, tapping the thing to stop the song.

“So not just a translation device, which can be nice. It plays music too, so I wonder what we’ll see next in the queue.”

The next thing he tapped on was green, with a white telephone symbol on it.

“I’m starting to think this is some sort of phone. It’s just weird with everything that has been shown.”

“Are we gonna call anyone?”

“No.”

They left the phone thing as well, opening another one.

Whoever held the phone almost shucked it once again as another loud noise rang from the box.

Swiping up by accident, they saw short video after video, many of them having the same audio in the background, or some game with a mechanical voice telling stories over it.

They were lost in the videos, and then the screen turned black.

“What? Turn it back on.”

They pressed all the buttons, but it didn’t work no matter what they tried.

“Looks like it needs new batteries, although I doubt we have any needed here. Shame.”

Mortimer gave the phone(?) to Riley again, who was trying to hide her pout, and both he and Nick left the room.

“I never get to do my own research in peace.”

“There, there, Riles. Do not shed a tear. How about joining me in the kitchen for a bit? I have some new recipes that I am sure some of your leftover hosts will be a fit.”

She nodded quietly, putting the phone thing away, cursing herself on the fact she had let Nick into her lab and let him see the thing, even if she had stolen it from his host.

Well, it was nice at least, it wasn’t always that they managed to be quiet and enjoy something together. So, all in all, maybe this experiment was a success. Just not the success she had expected.

So she followed Daisy, calling for Rosco on the way, leaving the device on her workbench.

---

My first request :) The apps the puppets discover are Duolingo, Spotify, the Phone app, and TikTok Translation for the Norwegian: "Hei, hvordan går det?" = "Hey, how are you?" (I choose Norwegian cuz I am Norwegian lol) The song is "What the world needs" from Ride the Cyclone the musical

[sarilolla]

The scientist's best friend

This one-shot was requested by Crazy_artists on Ao3. They wanted some wholesome moments between Riley and Rosco :) I am not the best one at pure fluff, so there's some angst, but I hope it's still enjoyable ^^ This one-shot is canon adjacent/compliant

Request - 1174 words

TW: Mentioned anxiety, insinuated self-hate

Summary:

Rosco was made to be Riley's best friend, and that's the only decision she could be happy Owen made for her.

----

“Hey, Owen? Have you thought more about that animal companion idea?” Claire, one of the writers asked.

He had thought about it. Having an animal companion was a classic after all, and even if he wanted his show to be unique, it didn't hurt to bring in some good and common tropes.

“I have. Not sure who would have an animal though. I don't want the animal to belong to the entire group though, if that makes sense?”

“Yeah, I can see that. I wanted to suggest that Riley has the pet. You mentioned how you wanted her to have a form of anxiety, so maybe she has a therapy dog? A friend of mine has one, we can ask for references.”

“That's it! Thank you, Claire.”

He sat down, scribbling down a few ideas. The network would probably not like a full-on therapy dog, no matter how good of an idea it was, but perhaps a stupid but loveable pet to one of his smartest characters would work?

Rosco joined the show quickly after that to big success. But by gods was Owen glad Riley hadn't managed to wake him yet as he ran for his life in the now godforsaken studio.

— “Rosco? Rosco? How are you, my pet?”

They hadn't been alive that long, but Riley already knew that if something happened to her darling dog, she would kill everyone in this studio and then herself.

He greeted her with slobbery licks and kisses, and she let herself giggle, pulling him into a deep hug. His fur was still so soft, even after she had stuffed multiple hosts inside him, and she combed her fingers gently through it.

“Oh, you're such a good boy. Just the best boy. You're my best boy. I love you so much.”

The dog let out a couple of happy barks, trying to lick his owner again.

“Please, Rosco-”

He managed to lick her, causing her to laugh again, looking up as another person entered the room. She relaxed, seeing it was just Daisy, who was probably here so they could continue to experiment with her Danger mode.

“Hello, Daisy.”

“Hello, Riley,” she smiled, closing the lab door behind her, grinning as Rosco came up to her to sniff her hand, “Hello to you too, Rosco. What a delight it is to see you.”

Rosco gave Daisy a couple of friendly licks as well, before going back to Riley.

“It's wonderful how he is alive as well. I can't imagine you without him.”

“I'm just glad it worked. It took so many tests, but it worked,” she leaned her forehead on the massive dog, saving the feeling for later as she and Daisy started their experiments.

— Riley entered her lab, practically fuming. How could someone manage to fail her test that badly? The felt puppet hadn't even managed to show up, just sat there in the basement watching the old tv.

Placing the now unconscious felt puppet on her workbench, she massaged her forehead, trying to think of how this could even happen. Letting out a heavy sigh, she felt her mood lighten as she heard the shuffling of her dog.

“Oh hello, Rosco.” She cupped his massive head as he came up to her, leaning their foreheads together.

“Today has been a tiresome day, my dear. Can you believe it? Somehow this felt puppet managed to start the tv, watch it for hours, and didn't even show up to my tests. It's quite rude, don't you agree? I told her to show up then and there, and then I had to hunt her down when she didn't show.”

She looked over at the felt puppet. Riley knew she hadn't failed all her tests, but the first one is more of a checking question. “Do you have a name?”

She started asking this question as Daisy and her made new felt puppets, and she couldn't always keep track of who was made by them, or who was from before they were brought to life. If the puppet had a name, usually that meant they were made by someone on the crew back then.

The felt puppet's name was Scout, and she had said it so confidently that Riley had almost halted with her next question. “Do you have any memories of before you were alive?”

She knew this was the first time Scout was brought to life, but the fact Scout apparently didn't have any memories from the show or crew, yet had such a distinct personality, worried Riley, which she expressed to the one listening.

“She is such an anomaly, Rosco,” she brushed her fingers through his no longer soft fur, as he listened to her vent and ramble, “No memories, but a name. Managed to defy our orders. Within reason, she should be removed from all future tests, and yet…”

Picking Scout up again, and letting Rosco sniff her, she was surprised as the giant dog gave the tiny puppet a tiny lick.

“You like her?”

A bark in reply, as Rosco kept staring at the felt puppet.

“Well, good thing that she will get another chance. Even Mortimer found her intriguing enough for another test.”

— It was dark outside, and fairly cold. The stars were out, and since no one cared enough to fix anything around the studio, more than half of the street lamps were out.

Walking alongside the road was a giant dog, who stopped at a lonely bench. Popping out of the stomach was a wooden puppet, who leaned on the back of the bench.

“I'm so sorry, Rosco, I just needed some fresh air.”

Riley looked at her dog who had hunched over awkwardly but still looked at her with love in his eyes.

“It just, it's so much, and I'm not sure how much more I can take. I'm sorry you have to put up with me.”

Rosco leaned forward, bumping their foreheads together. Riley exhaled slowly, leaning into the touch as well.

“What did I do to deserve you? You're too good. Mortimer might want you to be a scary monster, but you aren't.”

She sighed, patting along the small bits of his original fur that was now matted and worn out.

“And I'm just here, being useless.”

Rosco whined at that, licking at her face.

“At least you still love me unconditionally. And I love you unconditionally too. I'm so sorry for all this hurt.”

He leaned down more, resting his head where the scientist's lap would have been if she had legs.

“We should head back soon, the others are going to wonder where we went.”

She scratched his head, “But it won't hurt too much to take some more time together out here. No one checks out this place anyway. This is our time.”

The stars reflected in Rosco's eyes, and Riley looked up as well, seeing a shooting star.

“I'm not one for making wishes, but I wish every moment we had together were as calm as these. I love you, Rosco.”

---

Second request done ^^ I have two more writing requests now, which both have Riley as a main character, so yall like Riley huh (I don't blame you, I adore her myself)

I am still open for requests as of now

[sarilolla]

Scout's first Christmas

I technically made most of this one-shot last year, but never released it, so I changed it a bit for this year. This is set after Bee and Scout left the studio, and before Daisy left the studio (Daisy leaving around march). This is just pure fluff tbh, I wanted something nice :D (Also I got hit with a massive writer's block and tons of school now in December, so the fact this is a modified one-shot and already written is the only reason I can post this). Enjoy!

Not a request - 1856 words

No needed TW

Summary:

Christmas is magical, as they say, but Scout does not have an actual reference point for that, never being awake or alive for the holidays. Bee wanna make sure it's special for her little bestie.

----

It was calm. It was Christmas eve, but none in the household had any rush. The tree was fully decorated, even after Bee had joked about putting Scout on top.

“I’m not an angel!”

“I didn’t say you were. But you’re a star!”

The fireflies almost put her up there, until they just dropped her in Bee’s arms.

“Here’s your star, you dipshit.”

“You know, with all that swearing it’s obvious you’re no angel.”

Scout just frowned at her, until Milo nudged them with the actual star going on top. With some help from the fireflies again, those who didn’t insist on putting Scout on top again, they put the star on top.

“Merry Christmas.”

Bee whispered, hugging the small puppet close.

Scout was quiet, simply staring at the tree. She looked like she was thinking hard, so Bee just kept still.

“I never thought I would experience Christmas, least of all one this good.”

“We’ve barely started the day.”

Scout hummed, turning in Bee’s arms.

“It still has been good. Great even. Very different from what I could have gotten back there…”

Back there. They knew what she was referring to, but it felt wrong to bring that up on Christmas. Sure, they talked about it almost every day, if just a sentence or two.

“Do you know how they celebrate?”

“No. I was never awake long enough to know. To be frank, I don’t think any felt puppet really knows, I don’t think they kept us alive that long, TV or not.”

“Hmmm, yeah. Any other puppet I can remember was the sock puppets. I would love to figure it out though.”

Bee hummed, moving to sit down with Scout in her lap, Milo beside them (you didn’t argue with a shadow dog if it should be on the sofa).

“Unfortunate that I can’t keep the fireflies inside the studio that long, or else we would have known. But it also feels weird spying on them, you know?”

“Guess it will be a mystery then.”

“Yeah…”

—

Later in the day, after watching a movie or two to get away from the conversation, they welcomed Percy, Alex, and Hector at their door.

“Good morning, pixie dust.”

“It’s afternoon, bird brain.”

Percy dragged his hand through his hair, smiling.

“Do you guys plan on coming in or not? It’s fuc-, I mean, it’s freezing.”

Hector bit his tongue, knowing not to swear, as he and his brother’s had a bet that he wouldn’t be able to not swear from Christmas to New Years.

“Ey, Scout? Rematch on Mario Kart?”

“You’re on.”

Hector and Scout moved upstairs, Milo trailing them. The actual adults stood back, idly chatting about holiday stress and gift shopping.

“And you, bird boy? You excited?”

“I am. Christmas is fun. But with a larger family, it gets a bit chaotic, plus the fact dad had to go to work today. That’s why Hector is with us as well.”

Bee raised her eyebrows, walking upstairs with the brothers following.

“What did he and his friends do now?”

“They discovered we had a vigilante phase, and wanted to try themselves. He almost broke his neck, so mom and dad gave him house arrest. Mom was supposed to keep an eye on him, but an important job thing came in the way.”

He clicked his tongue, and I was tempted to ask if she needed to send some christmas spirits to another Ebenezer Scrooge type. Not that that was her job, but spirits was part of it.

“That’s how it is having such a high position as her. I’m guessing your dad have his own stuff today?”

“Yup,” Percy said, plopping down on the opposite sofa of where Hector and Scout were sitting, “He had his own rounds to do, plus some final gift shopping. And then finally something that needed to be done at the Institute.”

With that he pulled off his bag, taking three gifts out.

“Merry Christmas.”

One for Bee, one for Milo, and one for Scout. That made Bee smile, that her closest friend thought of her new addition to her family as well.

“I won! Again!”

“How do you always win these?”

From the shouts, the Mario kart race was over, and Scout had won.

“It’s called having skills,” Scout smugly said as Hector pouted.

“I have played this longer…”

“And yet, I win, even with my small, puppet hands.”

The banter was friendly, and Hector cracked a smile as well after Alex came over and sat beside him, and he leaned into his older brother’s wing.

“Merry Christmas, guys. Open the presents now, I wanna see the reactions.”

Percy handed the presents to each of them, Milo opening his on his own after shifting to a raccoon. It was a new blanket, blue with silver stars, and he immediately shifted back to his dog form to lay on it. Bee opened hers, a small necklace falling out. It was silver, with a blue, transparent rock hanging from it.

“It’s lovely. Thank you.”

Scout opened her last, a ticket falling out. Her English was getting better, but still not good enough to read what it said. Bee was afraid that at this point it might be something more than just adjusting from the puppet language.

“I can’t read this.”

Bee moved over to her, a smile on her face.

“Should I read it?”

“Obviously.”

“Okay, so it is a ticket. A musical ticket.”

Scout looked at Bee, who was smiling from ear to ear.

“We’re going to a musical? Which one?”

“We got tickets to Matilda the musical. It’s not Broadway or West End, but still a very good one.”

Percy chimed in, both he and his brother’s smiling.

“You deserve to see more of the world, and a musical is one of the best ways to do so. The Corvus family is also joining us.”

Bee smiled down at the puppet, who was silently looking at the piece of paper.

A very small “thank you” was heard, and it was enough for Bee to scoop Scout up into her arms again.

“I hope it’s alright, not too much.”

“Are you kidding me? This is amazing. Thank you. So much.”

Hector looked over at his gaming buddy, “Glad you like it. The gift is from both us and Bee.”

—

A bit later the Corvus brothers had left and it was quiet once more. Lying down on the sofa, relaxing with Scout lying on top of Bee. They had put on another Christmas movie. The Muppets Christmas Carol. Not even Christmas was free from their spite-watching. They had finished all Jim Henson movies and series, at first it was just to spite the Handeemen, but it became more as well.

They both knew why they were watching the muppets now, trying to avoid the thought of how the Handeemen were celebrating if they were celebrating at all.

“Hey, Bee?”

“Yeah?”

“I have been thinking… What should we do with… you-know-who?”

Bee had been thinking as well. They had both agreed that sooner or later they would go get the Handeemen or end them. That didn’t stop the same question from popping up every day, however.

“We can’t do anything today. We’ll have to wait and see for now.”

“It still sucks. Especially knowing they aren’t fully themselves. To think a demon has control over them…”

“A demon we will get rid of.”

They had this conversation every day, in the same tired and worried voices.

“Would you want them to move in, Scout?”

“If they show they can and will change, it might work.”

She wanted an apology as well, but she didn’t want to ask them for it. It should be natural.

“You don’t have to forgive them.”

“I know. I might do if they genuinely apologize. If they show they are truly sorry. But I… I’m not sure.”

“Still, you don’t have to. And if you do, do it for yourself, not them. You’ll have me in your corner anyway.”

“Thanks.”

They continued watching the movie until Bee looked like she remembered something. Putting Scout down on the couch, she left the room.

Coming back a few moments later, she saw Scout whispering to Milo.

“Merry Christmas, Scout.”

She pulled out a gift from behind her back, giving it to the puppet.

Opening it with a smile, she found a blue hoodie with white sleeves. On the back was a white embroidery of a hand showing the middle finger, and on the wrist were marks after stitches. On the front right over where her heart would be, was some writing.

“It just says Scout, but I thought you enjoy the design as well. You know, like a “fuck you” to the Handeemen.”

Scout was stunned, before pulling it over her head.

“I love it.”

Bee sighed in relief, smiling.

“That’s good, it took me a while to get it perfect for you.”

“It’s so soft, I can’t even feel the stitches from the embroidery. Did you make it yourself?”

“Yeah, it was the secret project I was working on.”

“It’s beautiful. Thank you. I fucking love it. I am never taking it off.”

She hugged Bee, feeling so happy about the gift, almost more than the musical tickets. Sure, she was excited to see the show, but this was something handmade for her, something she didn’t even think would ever happen.

She pulled away suddenly, as she remembered something.

“I have something for you as well.”

Hurrying away, Bee couldn’t do anything but wait. Rushing back, Scout held out her gift.

“I got a bit of help from Hector and the twins to get it and the paying part as well, they said it’s fine, so don’t worry…”

“Scout, don't worry. If they said it’s fine, I believe you. Plus, I would be happy if you gave me a gift or not.”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t have gotten you a heartfelt gift like you gave me?” Scout teased, causing Bee to laugh.

“No, no. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying having you here with me is a gift enough.”

She said with a warm smile, causing Scout to turn away to avoid how flustered she was.

“As if you aren’t the best thing that happened to me…” she whispered, barely letting Bee hear it, but she did with the small “aww” that came from her.

“Just open the gift.”

Finally giving it to Bee, Scout observed her carefully to see her reaction.

It was a mug.

“To the best host I’ve had, you are super rad. Our favorite color is both blue, and all in all, I love you.”

Scout watched as Bee just stared at it, and started panicking a bit when she saw she started to cry.

“Do you like it? Is it too much? I mean, it’s all true what it says on it, I got it personalized. I made it rhyme, because of the irony of how we met. And, and I know how much you like your coffee-”

“Scout, I love it.”

Setting the mug down carefully, she pulled Scout into a tight hug.

“Love you too, by the way. Thank you.”

---

Notes:

Happy holidays everyone, I hope you all get something you wanted or have a nice celebration if you do celebrate! :D This year will not have a Christmas one-shot with the full family, but next year I will post something as then I am pretty sure I have gotten to that point in the au where they all live together ^^