#would you believe me if i said that branch still isn’t sure if poppy likes him back (you probably would)

[phibsies]

had a thought about the swap broppy dynamic in the first movie last night

[pinkrose787]

Amnesia Branch AU Chapter 6!

Sorry this took so long! I hope y'all enjoy! :D

Ao3 Link:

Chapter 6:

Viva has never seen Poppy this distraught. She’s sobbing. Holding on tightly to an old plush glowbug. “He broke up with me, Viva,” she manages to speak through her sobs. “I can’t believe it. He broke up with me!”

Poppy starts crying harder. Viva pulls her into a hug, which seems to help. While her cries don’t lessen, she clings to Viva like a koala.

This is the only thing that she can do to comfort her sister. Really, it’s the only way to comfort her that she knows. She only recently started to learn how to deal with her own negative emotions, much less someone else’s.

Viva wants to march over to the hospital and give Branch a piece of her mind. Yes, he does have amnesia. But that doesn’t give him a good excuse to hurt her little sister like this.

Confronting Branch would only upset Poppy more. So, Viva sits on the bed with her comforting her the best she can. “It’s gonna be okay, Poppy. He’ll realize that he’s made the dumbest mistake of his life soon.”

“I don’t think he will,” Poppy says with a hoarse voice.

“Of course, he will. You were like the best girlfriend ever to him. He’ll be begging to have you take him back soon.” 

Poppy sighs. She pulls away from the hug. The tears have stopped. If only for the moment. There’s still two lines running down her face. “He won’t. Not after what happened after the reunion with his brothers.”

Viva takes a tissue and wipes away Poppy’s tears. She has been so busy comforting Poppy that she hasn’t had time to talk to Clay about the reunion. If it went badly then Clay is probably really upset about it. But he has his brothers to comfort him. Poppy takes the priority for Viva. Sisters before misters, as they say. 

“What happened?” Viva asks.

Poppy picks the glowbug plush back up and holds it close to herself. She sighs. “I don’t know what happened in there. But it was bad. Bruce and Clay said they didn’t want to be around Branch anymore. And then they left.”

“Woah. Woah. Woah… What? Clay did what now?” Hopefully, Poppy mixed up the name of which ever brother left. But then again, she didn’t. She would never confuse one member of BroZone for another.

“He left with Bruce.” She clutches the glowbug plush tight.

“Are you sure they left? Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Clay wouldn’t abandon Branch again.” Viva hopes that it is a misunderstanding. She can’t think of a single good reason why Clay would leave.

Poppy sniffles. “Mh-hm. They said that they didn’t want to be around Branch anymore. That being around Branch would only hurt him.” She takes a deep shuddering breath. “But they’re wrong. Leaving Branch hurts him more than them staying ever could.”

Rage starts to bubble up in Viva. It’s taking all her self-control not to march over and give Clay a piece of her mind. But she can’t. Staying and comforting Poppy is her number one priority right now.

“Well, I wouldn’t worry too much. They’ll realize that they’re wrong soon.” If they don’t come to their senses very soon, Viva is going to make them.

Poppy sighs. “I hope your right.” She leans against Viva. “For Branch’s sake.”

As much as Viva cares for Branch, given that he’s both her little sister’s boyfriend and her boyfriend’s little brother, she’s getting tired of hearing about how he’s doing. His wellbeing isn’t her concern here. “I know you’re worried about how Branch is, but what about you?”

Poppy blinks a couple of times. “What about me?”

“You’ve been a total wreck these last couple of days. And despite that, you’ve been running around trying to help out wherever you can.” She pulls Poppy into a hug. “Don’t forget to help yourself out too.”

Poppy lets out a yawn. “I know, but I have to. Branch won’t have anyone if I don’t.”

“That’s not true. He still has John Dory and Floyd.” She hugs Poppy a bit tighter. “And you’re not alone either. You have your friends, dad, and of course me. I’m sticking to your side through this whole thing. Whenever you feel tired, I’ll be here for you!”

Poppy smiles a bit. That’s good. Viva feels like she hasn’t seen her smiling much over the last couple of days. “I know.”

Viva lets go of the hug. “You should get some rest now.”

“I’m not that tired,” she yawns.

Her yawn betrays her. She’s on the edge of falling asleep. “Yes, you are. Now, lay down and get some sleep.”

Poppy lays down on the bed. “Alright, but I’m not going to fall asleep.”

It takes only a few seconds for Poppy to start snoring. This is the first time she’s fallen asleep since Branch ended up in the hospital. She deserves this rest.

While she sleeps, Viva climbs out of bed. There’s somethings that she needs to do.

---------------------

The bunker is divided in two. On one side of the bunker is Bruce and Clay. On the other side is Floyd and John Dory. After the events of this morning, the brothers argued for hours upon hours.

Right now, there’s an unsteady truce between the two sides. Not one borne from an understanding of the other side, but rather from an exhaustion that has over-taken all of them after fighting all day.

Clay lies in his bed and stares at the ceiling. Today did not go as he expected it to. At all.

He knew Branch would be angry at them. There wasn’t any doubt about that. What he didn’t expect was the sheer depth of his rage. How easily he could come up with the ways that they had hurt him, and how easy it was for them to hurt him again.

There had always been a guilt deep within Clay about never going back for Branch. It only deepened when Branch and Poppy explained to him what he used to be like before they all reunited. Through the whole explanation, the two of them kept making jokes about what he used to be like.

If someone couldn’t hear the conversation, they would think that they were talking about what happened on a vacation, not a horrible period in Branch’s life. To them, it was all ancient history. To Clay, it felt like it was actually happening. And now, it actually is.

The guilt threatens to consume him. Branch was the most innocent out of all of them. He was a baby. He never did anything wrong to any of them. Hell, he never got the chance to. Yet he was the one that suffered the most from the band’s break-up.

He should have gone back before the escape from the Troll Tree. He thought about going over to visit Branch and Grandma all the time. It wouldn’t have been too hard. Clay still lived in the tree post-breakup. It would have taken him less than twenty minutes to walk over there.

But he didn’t. Despite how easily he could have, he didn’t.

He was too scared that going back there would he would be pulled back to who he was before the breakup. Shoved back into the dreaded role of fun boy.  

His cowardice caused his baby brother’s life to be ruined.

Branch deserved to have what Clay and the other brothers had growing up. He should have been raised by their parents alongside his brothers. One big happy family like they used to be. That opportunity got taken from him when he was just an egg.

If their parents had never been eaten, things would have turned out differently. Clay can see what could have been so clearly in his mind.

The breakup of BroZone was inevitable, but it wouldn’t have happened as soon as it did. They would have kept performing for a few more years. This time it would be fun. Without the stress of their parents’ death, John Dory wouldn’t feel the need to shove everyone into specific roles. Each brother could be who they wanted to be.

When it did come time for the breakup, it wouldn’t have been from an explosive fight. Instead, the popularity of the band would have waned, and the brothers would all decide that they wanted to do something different.

They would all live in Pop Village, even after the break-up. Each brother would have their own pod, except Branch who’d live with their parents as he would be too young to live on his own.

Despite being a former member of the of the most popular boy bands in all of Pop Village, Branch would be like any other kid. He would go to school, make friends, be a troll scout. He wouldn’t spend all his time hiding in fear of Bergens or of other trolls.

Clay’s daydream of what could have been stops when Branch is a child. It’s hard for him to imagine what Branch would be like as an adult, especially after today. His entire life was shaped by the trauma of losing everyone he loved at such a young age.

Even before the breakup, he was still an anxious child. His doctor theorized that Branch might have heard his parents’ screams when they were being take, traumatizing him while he was still an egg. That and none of the brothers were in the best place mentally when he hatched. All of them were still reeling from their parents’ death.

Still, he can see the image of Branch as a child with his vibrant blue colors playing with all of the other children. A giant smile plastered on his face. The way he should have been, but never got the chance to be.

There’s a loud knock at the door. Clay doesn’t answer it. It’s probably Floyd or John Dory, rested and ready to start the argument all over again. How do they not get that they shouldn’t be around Branch right now? Why do they not see that their presence hurts Branch?

There’s a louder knock. “I don’t want to talk to either of you. Go away,” Clay says loudly.

“Clay, open the door.”

Clay shoots up. That’s Viva’s voice, and wow does she sound mad. He rushes over and opens the door. “Hey Viva… What’s up?” He tries to sound nonchalant, but isn’t successful.

Viva looks like she’s ready to kill him. Oh God, Poppy must have told her about what happened today. “Did you really abandon Branch again?”

Clay puts up his arms as though he’s preparing for Viva to lunge at him. With the way she’s looking at him, she actually might. “Well, no. No! I didn’t! What I said was that Branch needs space from us.”

She steps into Clay’s room. Her expression unchanged. “Was it that Branch needed space or that you couldn’t handle being around him?”

His heart is pounding in his chest. She’s never been this mad at him. He doesn’t understand why though. “Us being around him wasn’t good for him. And it’s not like I moved far away. I’m still here.”

“He broke up with Poppy because of you,” Viva says bluntly.

Ah, that’s why she’s so mad. Floyd and John Dory told him about the break-up and how distraught Poppy was about it. “How is that my fault?”

“Because if you hadn’t left,” She pokes him in the chest. Her voice starts to rise. “Then he wouldn’t have gone all abandonment issue crazy and break-up with her!”

“That’s still not my fault. If me leaving was enough for him to break up with her, then he probably was going to do it anyway!”

Viva gets into Clay’s face. He can feel her breath on his face. “He wouldn’t have even thought about breaking up with her if you stayed!”

He refuses to stand down. After all, why should he? He didn’t do anything wrong. “Yes, he would have! He’s my brother! I know more about him than you do!”

“Clearly you don’t if you think that running away is going to help him!”

“What do you know?”

Viva’s brow furrows. Immediately, Clay knows he messed up. “I know a lot okay!” She backs Clay against a wall. “I know that I have regretted not going out and finding Poppy every single day of my life! And I know that if she lost her memory that I would be still be there for her like you should still be there for Branch!”

Clay breaths deeply. “That’s different,” he says quietly, “She wouldn’t be depressed like Branch is. And when you reunite with her she wouldn’t be angry. In fact, she’d be happy. Do you know why? Because you didn’t hurt her like I hurt Branch.”

“I did hurt her!” Viva’s voice cracks from shouting. “I missed out on her entire life, because I was too scared to leave the Hole’N’Fun!”

He hates the fact that she blames herself for what happened. No matter how many times him or Poppy have tried to reassure her that it wasn’t her fault, nothing gets through to her.

Floyd rushes over to Clay’s door. “What’s going on? I hear shouting!”

Oh thank goodness, Floyd’s here. He’s always been good at defusing situations like this. “Hey, Floyd… Could you help me out here?” Clay asks.

Floyd takes a quick look at Clay and then looks at Viva. “Nope. Not getting involved.” He turns and walks away.

There’s more frantic footsteps heading towards Clay’s room. Bruce and John Dory show up at Clay’s door. “Viva’s mad at Clay,” Floyd says to them.

“Oh, I am not dealing with that.” John Dory turns around. “Good luck, Clay. You’re going to need it.” He walks away.  

“Me neither,” Bruce says.

Viva looks away from Clay for the first time since she came over. She zips over to Bruce, blocking his path. “No, you are not going anywhere. You need to call Brandy right now.”

“What?” Bruce looks confused. He glances at Clay as if he has any explanation, but Clay’s just as confused as he is. “Why would I need to talk her?”

“I had a conversation with her earlier about what happened today.” Viva crosses her arms.

A look of pure horror crosses Bruce’s face. He must be feeling a thousand times more fear than Clay has through this whole conversation. “You tattled on me to my wife?” he says quietly.

“I simply told her what happened today. She’s pretty angry. I wouldn’t keep her waiting.”

“Oh no.” Bruce races out of the room. Heading straight in the direction of the holophone.

Now, it’s back to being just Clay and Viva. There is no chance that John Dory and Floyd are going to back Clay up here. The two of them probably think that Clay deserves what he’s getting. Bruce, though being on his side, is too busy talking to his wife. He’s completely alone in this conversation.

He braces for Viva to start shouting at him again. But she doesn’t.

Instead, she lets out a sigh. “I don’t get it, Clay. I really don’t. Back when we were co-leaders, you told me that you regretted not going back for Branch every single day of your life.”

Her voice is so quiet and dejected. It’s such as stark change from the loud energetic voice that Clay’s used to, but not one he’s unfamiliar with. “And after you reunited, you told me that you wanted to make it up to him. That you were going to be there for him when he needed you, no matter what.”

She looks him straight in the eyes. He can see that tears have begun welling in them. “So, what changed? Why are you so ready to leave him behind again? Why won’t you stay like you should?”

Clay is quiet. He can’t think of anything to say. The reasons that were once so solid in his mind, now seem like nothing but pathetic excuses.

“You’re wrong, Clay. Branch does need you. And I think you know that deep down too.”

Clay doesn’t respond. He’s still unable to find his words.

Viva sighs and turns away from him. “I can’t stay any longer. Poppy is devastated right now and unlike you, I am not going to leave my sister when she needs me the most.”

Before she leaves, she looks back at Clay one last time, “Come find me, when you decide to be the brother to Branch that you wanted to be.”

[nellynee]

Trollstopia Blindblogging: episode 7b: Buckin’ Branch

Really can’t help themselves can they? The dressing is nice, but it’s still a “Branch can’t catch a damn break” episode. perfectly enjoyable across the board, from humor to song to lesson. Just... perfectly fine. Competent. Branch and Country centric for those who care. 3.5 out of 5 take it or leave it. 

(Well shoot, Tumblr crashed on me before I could save a draft at about the 5 minute mark of the episode, so it’s gonna be a little trimmed down but we’ll try again shall we?)

if that title isn’t a minced oath I don’t know what is

Thank you, James Cordon, for that lovely, ear piercing note. I legit had to turn down the volume it was actually painful

Noted, we’ve seen this valley before. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be a regular hub of budding commerce, or if it’s just that they can’t think of a good place for pop village scenes other than “A valley” but it is noted.  seeing some hand crafted looking pottery... some clothing...a Funk Troll peddling pies.... that Creek lookalike in the bg....

Cocoa to go go

I mean I heard it before they even said it but they still said it

Branch going all Indiana Jones is so flipping cute. Just imagining sad little Baby grey Branch using it as one of his few forms of play alone... in the woods. OW

Biggie you have an extender arm for hair.... Biggie

fucking look Branch did it Biggie 

Ok Trolls you win my new Starbucks order is “Cocoa to go go”

Do I think “Cutie Patootie” is Holly Darlin common vernacular? Yes. Do I think Holly genuinely would be down to clown if Branch showed even a smidge of reciprocation? Also yes.

For real though ever since Satin and Chenille got hot under the collar over a wet and shirtless Branch in TBGO I’ve hard headcanoned that Branch has the Troll equivalent of very fine bone structure. He’s got a lot of room to clean up, but is also kind of just objectively attractive as a baseline. 

Oh he’s weak to being called special I’ma cry!

“Does that answer your question?” “uuuuuuuh?” that kinda confused shrug on Branch was really well animated. Like there’s a whole ass rotation in that

Branch’s outfit is so stupid cute I love it! He has no shoooooes!

Poppy looks like she’s about to bust a nut trying not to laugh

That’s so mean Poppy he’s just looking for the validation and sense of community he lacks in Pop village! 

For real though I think Branch would find something in Country that he wouldn’t find anywhere else. Not the connection to “sad music” ala the movie. Or at least not necessarily. Really I believe that all the tribes, specifically all but the “traumatized in such a way that they’ve created a culture of faux and aggressive happiness to combat it” Pop Trolls have multifacets to their music that could speak to others including Branch’s complexity. Country was abrasive and sorta violent and a little vitriolic when we saw them in the movie. I like to imagine that among all that aggressive southern style comfort and hospitality is a lot of passive aggressiveness. And from that comes a more friendly sort of ribbing and sarcasm and jabs as inside jokes. It’s using antagonism as inclusiveness. I think he’d find real connections there, and an ability to explore a side of himself that’s shut down very quickly in Pop village

I swear to god if Gust or Holly call someone or thing else special and break Branch’s heart I’m gonna break them over my knee

A very good point for the young'uns. Just because Poppy has called Branch special before doesn't mean it’s got the same meaning to him. Context matters

Her look of horror when she almost calls that troll special is hilarious

“There’s no way he’s using that lingo right....” “Nope”. That’s a big part of the humor of this show. Most shows would write his vernacular off as “lol southern sayings are so long and complicated you can’t even parse them isn’t that funny?” But this show looks suspension of disbelief right in the eyes at this really obvious not jokes and goes “That was weird? Wasn’t that weird?” And yes it was. Even if you don’t laugh, you will get a sense of... comradery from this show? It’s a big point of why it’s been so enjoyable

Pinata lassoing, greased balloon pig catching, adora-bull hugging (aka bull riding). These are all super cute and creative. I especially love the greased pig balloons

Branch at fluffy: awwwwwwww. me at Branch: awwwwwww

It’s Ok Branch. It happens to a lot of guys. Just a little performance pressure is all.

Oh noooooo pooor baby nooooo why were there three of them?

Branch’s musses up hair is a look and I’m here for it

That's a much milder panicked note James Cordon thank you

oh no.....

Gust.... real quick I need you to come meet someone.... real quick don’t worry this is only gonna hurt a lot for a very long time

Ok that is cute tho Biggie’s little hat and his little excited attitude it’s not his fault

That was legit a really good action scene! Branch backing out when it got to much instead of doubling down and causing more trouble, Fluffy’s design, the lack of physical comedy, Fluffy’s little smile at that smooch. 

“I know, I’m just as shocked as you are.” Pffffft ok yeah that got me

Me: furiously scribbling Country notes into my “Biggie is a lullaby Troll headcanons”

James Cordon you are hereby revoked of your cowboy accent privileges

Not what I was expecting for a lesson. Most usually settle for “Yeah I’m not good at this thing I was passionate about and other people are and that’s ok” But shifting over to “Just because it takes you more work than other’s to get the same results doesn’t mean it’s not worth while” is a refreshing take. I do think that a tiny bit of rework, just a few new lines or some shuffling (Gust or Holly mentioning trying again next year, how they’re sorry he didn’t have a lot of time to train, mentioning Biggie’s experience with animals...) could have made it very solid and cohesive, but it does actually work unlike some lessons

[theshy1sout]

Inseparable - Chapter 12

Tags: Broppy, Not rated, Trolls Mythology Au, Slow Burn Fluff

Ao3 here

Notes: This chapter... is twice longer than usual. I just didn’t see a reason to cut it in half. That would be cruel tbh

________________________________________

Everything is fine. Isn't it?

Every day and night is the same, as they used to be... Poppy walks on the hill, this very specific hill they used to climb on to pass the Staff along. Then she meets Branch. He asks for one more night or day to finish the thing he works on. And she agrees. He walks away, with the Staff or without it, and Poppy always watches him for so long.

Why.

Why does this feel so bad? Why does it hurt so much? Everything is fine. Poppy didn't lose anything - she still has her wonderful job, amazing friends, and basically everything the Immortal could dream of. Her teamwork with the god of the Night is just... Temporary pendant. Nothing to worry about. Branch is just making some surprise...

The goddess doesn't know how long she has to wait. Two weeks passed, but what is just two weeks for Immortals? Poppy knows it should be nothing... But it feels like forever.

Why. Why she can't just patiently wait? Why the feeling in her heart, so warm and pleasant earlier, now is so heavy and painful. She can't enjoy anything as much as she used to. Her sweet job becomes a boring routine. She realizes she smiles way rarer.

Why?

Poppy feels like a little child with those feelings. So pitiful. She sits every Night under this oak where Branch showed her a shadow. She plays with an oak leaf in her hand, watching lightning bugs flying around the meadow. Or watching the stars above her. They always make her even sadder. No matter how long she sits there, she never sees Branch. She can see him only for a minute on the hill.

And why? Why is this so sad for her? She used to live without him for so long. She doesn't need him to live or be happy, she used to be happy without him too. Didn't she? It's not the end of the world. It's not even forever. It's temporary, isn't it?

And why, why is Branch so into something? What is this? What did the rainbow inspire him to? What is he making? Maybe something with colors... Poppy remembers a spark in his eyes when he stared at the rainbow. He was so amazed by its colors. Yeah, he is making something colorful for sure. Maybe he dreams about colors visible in the Dark. Cause it is known that during the Night colors fade and almost everything is black or grey. Poppy feels her heart getting filled with new hope. Maybe if she makes something with colors that are visible in the Night, she will get a little bit more of Branch's attention? Maybe he would leave his project and come back to her? She imagines his gentle smile on his pretty blue face. His azure eyes meeting hers. She reminds herself of his touch on her cheek. Cold but so tender and affectionate... She misses him so much...

The goddess of the Day stops the thing she is doing and walks toward the Palace. A hope pushes her in this direction. She wants to believe that not in vain.

* * *

- I don't know - Smidge frowns at a flower. - I'm still not sure about the spikes.

- It needs them to protect itself from critters! - Meadow explains.

- Yes, hurting the critters - Milton adds, putting his hands into the pockets of his lab coat. - I'm also not sure about them.

- But the spikes create a good arrangement with its carmine petals - Satin points out, touching the flower carefully.

- Disagree, sister - Chenille crosses her arms on her chest. - It's too edgy for me.

- It's poetic beauty, not so obvious. I'm bored of doing boring things, let me experiment a bit, sis!

- Well, I really like how it looks now - Meadow, the goddess of plants, gets down to the flower. - If we can make spikes less sharp, can we keep them? I want it to be safe, not like other of my mites.

- Let me think a bit about it - Milton grabs his head with both of his hands. He sighs heavily. - But please, later, not now, I'm so tired of thinking about this flower.

- Oh, you - Smidge pats him in his elbow. She is too short to reach any higher. - We do take a break. Let's just change the topic a bit.

- Thank you...

- Hi, guy!

Immortals turn to the pink, bright lady waving to them on the horizon.

- Poppy! - Satin beams at the goddess walking to them. - What perfect timing!

- Why is it so perfect?

- We need to talk about anything else than that flower - Chenille points at the little plant on the ground.

- What is this?

- We want to create a flower with Rose's name - Meadow explains. - Just for sentimental reasons.

Poppy gazes at slender leaves on dark green stem with little spikes. The carmine petals draw around themselves, creating a beautiful red mosaic.

- It's wonderful - She says, but in her voice and her mild smile is hidden a note of gloom.

- Is everything okay? - Smidge asks, looking at her with worry.

The goddess of the Day forces herself to rise the corners of her lips a bit higher.

- I'm fine, everything is fine. Nothing wrong happened, I'm just... a bit tired.

Immortals look at each other. Poppy is known as a very, very, VERY energetic, vivid, and loud person. At least as a person who never gets tired, especially of her job. But no one says anything.

- So, what do you need from us? - Milton asks carefully.

- Well, I need something light and colorful - The pink face brightens a bit. - Something really visible in the darkness. Something like, I don't know, colorful safe flames? - She turns to the twins. - Can you design something like that?

- Let me guess - Chenille clicks her tongue and lifts her eyebrow. - Another 'surprise' for Branch?

- Well...

- Last time we painted with you the whole sky in blue! - Smidge chuckles. - I mean, it is so gorgeous now, white clouds look amazing on it, but damn it, that was a huge thing!

- Yeah, not mentioning the rainbow - Satin adds. - Poppy, isn't that too much?

- What are you talking about, those things are breathtaking! - Meadow protests.

- She means, giving gifts - The tiny, yellow goddess of Honesty crosses her arms, looking at Poppy. - Do you really need those things?

The pink lady stares at them blankly during their talk. She looks up joylessly at the Gold Sphere. “Do they need those ‘surprises’?’’ she asks herself in her mind.

- I don't know - She says, shyly gets her sight down. - But I like it...

- I mean, gifts aren't a bad thing - Smidge corrects herself. - But if the friendship is only giving gifts, so there's gifts, no friendship, am I right?

Poppy doesn't say anything for a long while.

- Hey - The tiny yellow goddess gets close to her. - I just see, you are sad. And I'm asking what's happening? Maybe I'm wrong...

- Actually, you're right - Poppy interrupts her firmly. Then she closes her eyes and takes a few deep breaths. - I'm sorry, that was too firm... But you're right - She hides her face in her hand. - You are so right...

The awkward Silence falls among them and passes a minute or two.

- So... - Milton tries to ask again. - What happened?

- Nothing - The pink goddess sighs. The wave of helplessness hits her right into her heart. - Absolutely nothing. And I don't understand... Why is it hurt so much...

- What specifically? - Meadow asks shyly.

- This... This nothing... - She gets her head up and looks at her friends with eyes full of tears. - This Silence... Between me and Branch.

- I know it's a really bad question - Chenille frowns. - But why is Branch so important?

- I have no idea! - Poppy speaks a bit too loud. Her lips vibrate, her sight is already blurry. All she knows now is a hint of sadness.

- Okay, okay, calm down - Smidge says softly. - Just tell us what you know, okay? What do you feel?

Poppy sniffs. She wipes her tears from her eyes. Her knees become weak, so she sits down, not caring what the rest thinks about it.

- What I know - She repeats blankly and takes another deep breath. - I know that nothing wrong happened. We created the waterfall to make some kind of infinity rainbow... And then Branch just walked away... He said he works on some big project... Every time I meet him, he begs for a bit more time to finish it... - She clenches her hands on the Staff so tight. - And now... I don't talk with him too much... I mean... At all...

Poppy sniffs once again and wipes another tear from her cheek. Her words are quieter and quieter the more she speaks.

- It's been two... Maybe three weeks. I know it's nothing, so short... And I know it's not forever. He'll have done what he's doing and everything will be as before...

She sighs heavily.

- But that hurts for some reason... I don't know why... I miss walking with him and... And talking and... And just him. I miss him... - She hides her face into her hand once again. - Not sure if he feels the same although...

- Well, that's a weird kind of friendship - Chenille says after a long while of Silence. - I've never heard about friendship that can hurt.

- So the lack of Branch's presence is painful? - Smidge wants to be sure.

- Yeah... - Poppy sniffs, still avoiding eye contact.

- So let me guess, you wanted to make another gift to catch his attention? - Satin asks.

- I guess so...

- So If he comes back to you, you will be happy again?

The pink goddess gets her head up at Milton's questions to look at him humbly. She takes a long, snatchy breath.

- Yes.

- Well then, what happened that he came to you in the first place? - Smidge continues analyzing. - I mean, what did make you talk or something?

Poppy glances at the Staff, reminding the last months.

- I told him what I felt - She says after a while, with a much stronger voice. - About the situation... You know, this whole "greeting" awkward situation I told you a lot.

- You have to tell him what you feel right now about THIS awkward situation! - The goddess of Honesty jumps up with a sudden hit of energy. She throws her little fists in the air. - You have to tell him! You have to fight! - She grabs Poppy's blue dress and yells right into her face. - I don't know what is between you and Branch, but I saw you happy that you were never before and I saw him smiling and laughing and taking part in Sharing like he NEVER was expected to do, and whatever it is YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT, GIRL!

- Okay! Okay! Calm down - Milton grabs Smidge with both his hands and takes her away from Poppy.

- Well, maybe that was too loud - Satin takes a look at the tiny yellow goddess.

- But It was all true - Chenille ends her sister's sentence.

- Yeah - Meadow adds. - I think... Well, I'm not the god of Friendship, but I'm sure it's not like Branch just gives up on your relationship. As Smidge said, it makes him happy too.

Poppy looks at her with hope. Her heart starts to beat warmer at those words.

- Sometimes a friend gets lost in something and needs a friend to get him out - Smidge puts her hand on Poppy's shoulder. She's much calmer now, she gives her friend a really wide smile, making the pink goddess chuckles.

Poppy takes a deep breath and her face brightens with a little, but real and genuine smile.

- Thank you. Thank you all - She looks around at her friends. - I'll do that.

- And we'll design this colorful-light-thing - Chenille announces with a smile.

- Just because we like challenges - Satin chuckles.

- I feel like we should call R and B to that project...

- But first, we have to finish a rose! - Meadow protests.

Milton chuckles at his friends and then glances at Poppy.

- It's almost twilight - He tells her. - Go talk to him

- You know where to find us! - Smidge adds, with a little hit in the pink arm.

The goddess of the Day chuckles slightly and stands up with the Staff of the Light in her hand. She looks at the horizon, fearing the first step. Her heart beats with hope and doubts, but she doesn't let her mind think of "what-if"s. She wants to try what her friends advised her. She wants to try, she wants to fight... She wants Branch back...

* * *

Poppy is standing. Oh yeah. She is standing like she never did before! Standing so hard, standing so firm, standing so desperate. The pure bold beams from her statement. She is standing with a goal, she is standing on the hill, on that specific hill, ready to fight, ready to everything. The bloody sky fades behind her back. Oh, the goddess looks like a warrior, no, like a winner already! And all her strength is almost touchable...

...until it washes over her and soaks into the ground with a very first sight of the black hair of the Night.

Weak. Weak is the word her whole shaking body is screaming at her. You are so weak, Poppy.

Branch arrives at the hill without a word. So naturally for the god of the Silence. He views her face blankly. His blue eyes are painted with tiredness. He... He looks so exhausted. So pure. There's not a slightest shadow of a bad intention in his husky voice:

- Poppy... - He clears his throat, and continues calmly. - I know it's a lot to ask... But can you give me one more night and day?

The goddess feels her heart melt. How could she be firm to him looking like that, asking like that?

But then, she knows, it looks like that every twilight, every dawn, and it will still be like that as long as she agrees. So when the blue hand reaches for the Staff, she sets it back, giving him a firm look.

- No - She announces.

- Poppy, I have to start the Night...

- I don't care - She throws and feels her lips shake already.

Branch looks at her with a real puzzlement.

- You don't care? - He frowns. His voice gets a bit husky again. - What does it even mean?

- I am not giving you the Staff - She emphasizes every word.

- But why?!

- Because - Her lips vibrate. - I don't let you hurt me like this anymore.

Her voice cracks a bit. She swallows slowly, not being able to look at his face anymore. But she started it, and she wants to finish, no matter how this conversation will end.

- Listen, Branch - She keeps her breath and voice calm, but her sight is already blurry. - It's... Almost three weeks until our last talk. I feel avoided, ignored. Forlorn. I know it's nothing for us, Immortals, but... After the whole time we spent together... After... Many things we shared... - And now her voice cracks. - I miss you so much...

She gets her head down, not knowing what she is looking at anymore. She just closes her eyes tight and feels a few tears streaming through her cheek. She hasn't known she is that weak.

- Do you even still feel... the same heart thing... Do you? - She whispers.

- No! I mean, Yes! I mean... Oh my goodness...

A gentle touch on her chin gets her head up. His cold hand gets her hair from her face behind her ear. It cups her face and starts drying her tears with a thumb. With a still blurry vision, Poppy feels her hand lift without her purpose and suddenly it touches something. A fabric. And she feels a light warm. And a heartbeat. Rushing, loud, strong heartbeat, so similar to her. Something cold is pressing her hand to that. She blinks a few times and sees... It lies on Branch's chest. Covered by his big, strong, and gentle hand.

- I do - The god speaks, kinda rushing. - I do. I feel. I still feel the same. Please, don't cry.

His hand constantly rubs her cheek. His thumb carefully wipes her eye from tears. His tired eyes are filled with genuine misery.

- Please, don't cry. Please... I am so stupid. I am such an idiot. I was so into... - He sighs heavily, closing his eyes. - ...this dumb project, I... I miss you so much too...

His despairing blue eyes dive into her. He cups her pink cheeks with both of his hands. They are cold and shaking slightly. Oh, they are so cold. Poppy can stop enjoying them, his big blue hands covering almost her whole face. She sniffs and smiles at him. Her heart is beating fast and warm, and she feels Branch's under her hand too. She gets much more than she was wishing for, and she can't help, can't help but smile widely and warm at his beautiful blue eyes.

- You were an idiot - She announces like the happiest news of the year.

- I know - He starts shaking his head with disappointment for himself. - I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you...

- It's ok - She sighs deeply, still smiling. - I mean, It wasn't ok, but now, now it's ok... Just... - She closes her eyes. - Can we stay like that for a minute? I really need this now... - She says, snuggling her face into one of his hands.

Branch doesn't answer, but she doesn't mind it. As long as she feels his beating heart in his chest and his hands embracing her face. The beatific smile doesn't leave her lips. All the worries wash over her. A great pleasant sigh of relief is everything she can say right now.

- Grab the Staff or I never let you go off my face - Poppy threatens, which doesn't sound grimly with her serene voice. She hears a slight chuckle of Branch, and the sweet cover, almost warm now, leaves her face. He takes the Staff from her hand and she lets go of his shirt.

The goddess gazes at him to meet his eyes, to give him a warm smile. But he doesn't glance at her. His head is down, his face is still full of tiredness and misery.

- Branch?

He closes his eyes tight and twists his face. He hesitates a bit after he heaves a sigh.

- I can't hold the fact that I hurt you... - He rubs his eyebrow slowly and leaves his hand like that, covering his eyes. - That was so dumb... So absurdly idiotic... I was too much into this thing, you know, I felt so... Inspired. And...

Poppy steps close to him. Her little pink hand turns his head to face her. He drops his hand and shows her his weary eyes full of tears.

- I just wanted to deserve such a person like you - Words sneak quietly from his lips. He is gazing at her so miserably, deeply disappointed.

But the goddess smiles at him even wider, her eyes are sparkling with sheer enjoyment.

- I don't need gifts - She puts her other hand on his cheek to cup his whole face. - I already have all I need. Right in my hands.

The god blinks. He laughs aloud and genuinely. A single tear drops from his eyes and streams down his blue cheek until little pink fingers wipe it away. He sniffs.

- I miss you so much - He whispers warmly and gruff, smiling, smiling endlessly, smiling so hard and so dumb at happy, sunny Poppy's face, beaming with honest happiness.

She let go of his face, but not of his eyes. The bags under them make him look a little bit different. She wants to let him rest as quickly as possible after she'll fully enjoy his company.

- Can you show me that thing you were working on? I want to curse it for keeping you away from me.

The god chuckles.

- Whatever you want.

They don't walk so far. The cave, where they arrived, is big and dark, only thanks to the Gold Sphere Poppy can see anything. And there are many, many bags filled with weird, magically sparkling substances.

- Go ahead - Branch encourages, seeing curious in her eyes. - Touch it.

The goddess goes to the nearest bag and sinks her hands into its silver content.

- Silver sand!

- Yep, I call it 'glitter'. Cause it's little and it glows.

Poppy chuckles.

- What is this for?

- You take a bit of it - Branch presents. - And powder somebody's eyelids during sleep. It creates dreams.

- Dreams?

- I mean... You can see your dreams during sleep. You can even feel them as if they are real life.

Poppy looks at the glitter flabbergasted.

- And the sleep will never be boring again...

- Exactly.

- That's so amazing! - She cheers.

- Yeah, but it has two faults - He heaves a sigh. - First, it's disposable. After one use it does nothing. Just glow silverly.

- Does it stay on eyelids?

- No, it falls on the ground. It smooths into the soil actually and masses deep under the ground.

- Is it dangerous or damaging?

- No.

- So why is this a fault?

Branch wrinkles his nose.

- I mean, if trolls find it, they would just play with it! - Poppy suggests.

- Play with it?

- Yeah, look - And with that word she throws a bit of glitter in the air. It sparkles so magically, slowly falling on them. She grins at the god's displeased face, making him chuckle.

- Okay, maybe you're right - He dusts the glitter off his capote. - But disposable still means I would have to make it more and more of it... - He looks away, twisting his mouth. - And that's... That's also the part of its second fault... If I want to use the glitter on trolls, I will have to spend all the Night running through the Land and powdering their eyelids...

Poppy blinks at him and then looks down at the glitter on her hands.

- That's why I was kinda desperate about it - He murmurs tiredly. - I wanted to be able to use it every Night... And still, have time for my main responsibilities... - He swallows and looks into the goddess's eyes. - But the most important was for me... To still have enough time for you.

She melts, smiling warmly at him.

- Oh, Branch...

- I know... It came ironically stupid...

She chuckles gently.

- You could tell me.

- I will do it next time - He carefully dusts the glitter off her nose with his finger. - I promise.

- What if we powder it together? - She asks after a while of thinking.

He frowns and hesitates.

- Then I guess, I will have time for my main responsibilities - He gazes at her. - But still not for you...

- I mean, we'll be spending the whole night actually.

- But rushing with my duties, that's ridiculous...

- Well... - She starts slowly and calmly. - The glitter is a genius invention, and if you want to use it and this is the only way, then that will be enough for me.

Branch blinks tiredly before he turns his sight at the bags full of glitter. He is staring at them for so long, thinking in Silence. Then he starts slowly shaking his head.

- No - He decides firmly. - I'm not choosing anything over you.

Poppy smiles widely, even giggle a bit with joy, feeling her cheeks turn red and her heart gets warm.

Suddenly something flares on the night horizon and both of them turn to see what it is. It walks to them unhurriedly, and soon they recognize Immortal's silhouette. His silver, sparkling skin shines like a diamond in the darkness. He stands in front of them with his hand on his hips and grins at them.

- Hi! - His voice echoes in the cave in a weird, extraterrestrial way. - Who are you, guys?

- Who are you? - Branch asks with clear confusion on his face. He turns to Poppy. - You know him?

- No, but... It's nice to meet you! - The goddess tries to be polite and welcoming to the stranger. - My name is Poppy, I'm the goddess of the Day and Light. The guardian of the Staff of the Light and the Gold Sphere on it. And this is Branch! - She points at the god.

- Yeah, I'm also the guardian of those - He shows the Staff in his hand. - As you can see. I'm the god of the Night, Darkness, and Silence.

- Sounds cool - The silver stranger cheers. - And who am I?

Poppy and Branch look at each other confused.

- You don't know? - The god asks.

- I've just come from this weird black hole at the end of the world.

- Oh, the Chaos - Poppy recognizes.

- Ha! So that hole has a name? - The stranger chuckles, and then frowns. - So you don't know who I am?

- We can give you a name! - She beams. - What about Diamonddd....

- ....Guy? - Branch ends. - Guy Diamond?

- Oh, this is a really good name! - The silver god bucks and poses like a model. - It fits me perfectly.

- Okay, let me guess - The blue god interrupts his rhapsodizing. - You're the god of the Glitter?

Guy freezes at those words.

- I have weird deja vu - He points at the bags. - This is the glitter, am I right?

- Yep - Poppy nods. - You know what is it?

- I feel like I know it more than myself - He sinks his hand into silver sand with amazement. Then after a moment, he grabs one bag and shoulders it. - And I know exactly what to do with it!

- Should I warn you that you will have to create more...

- I can produce glitter much faster than you think! - Guy interrupts Branch. - You can leave me all of this, I take care of it. - He points at the cave filled with bags. - And now, excuse me, I have so many trolls' eyelids to powder! - He yells enthusiastically and walks away with a bag full of glitter. They watch his wandering silver silhouette until he disappears on the horizon. Branch turns to Poppy with his tired eyes and shows her a smile full of relief.

- I kinda start liking Chaos - He jokes, making her chuckle. - So... Now when I'm truly free... What do you want to do?

Poppy looks at his weary face, his weak smile, his half-opened eyelids, and grey bag under his faded blue eyes...

- Come with me. I know exactly what to do - She smiles encouragingly.

The goddess brings him to the meadow where she was spending the last few weeks.

- The oak - He murmurs, looking at the huge tree. He recognizes the place where he showed her a shadow and for the first time he took off his capote in front of someone. It is a place with a beautiful view of the stars and the whole Land around. Many little lightning bugs are flying casually above the grass. He yawns loudly when the wave of tiredness hits him without a warning. - What do you want to do with this oak?

Poppy grabs his arm without a word and pulls him down to sit. He doesn't protest. He needs to sit right now. He slumps against the wide oak's trunk and leans the Staff against his shoulder. Then he notices that little warm hands are still holding his arm, so he turns to her with an asking sight.

- You need to rest - The goddess says calmly and warmly, and her sound voice makes his eyelids heavier somehow. - Take a nap.

- But what about the Night? You can't touch the Staff now...

- I won't - He feels his breath get calmer when she speaks like that. Quietly, warmly, softly. - I'll stay awake. You need sleep, even an hour or two. I'll wake you up, so you’ll be able to do your duties later.

He blinks slowly, staring at her little glowing freckles.

- You have a heart of gold...

- Stop talking, you dork, just sleep!

The god smiles amused. He closes his eyes and slumps his head against the tree. He breathes a deep, glad sigh. But before he falls asleep, he feels a warm touch on his cheek pulling his head down, and soon his chin lands on Poppy's shoulder.

- Are you sure I'm not too heavy for you? - Branch murmurs quietly.

The goddess smiles gazing at his blessed face.

- Your head will fall anyway - She whispers, feeling him briefly purring with a sleepy pleasure on her shoulder, like a big tired cat. - Good night, Branch.

She sees him sighing blissfully. Yes, his head is huge and heavy, but Poppy doesn't care. His arm is cold, as much as his cheek, but it gets warmer under the goddess's touch, which is weirdly satisfying for her. It is so pleasant, although she doesn't dare to touch him more, even if it lures her. She respects him so much, she would never do anything without his awareness and agreement.

But to be honest, now, now is a really huge dose of happiness, of adoring and enjoying their company, their talks, and touch. Her heart is filled with peace, with peaceful happiness.

Oh, she missed him. She missed him so much. It is so, so good to have him back.

____________________________________________

Index

[rmg91]

It Shouldn’t Be This Hard

(To Propose To Your Girlfriend)

LOOK! I WROTE SOMETHING! I AM NOT DEAD! Just still distracted by the RP with Autumn. It's too fun, can you blame me? We have such a cute universe happening. Anyway, the muses finally spoke to me and I've been wanting to do a 5+1 for a while now and the right idea came to me. And while this may be a little late it's also my Broppy Day submission. Although when you ship Broppy, everyday is Broppy Day XD

So without future ado, enjoy!

AO3/FF.net

~*~*~*~*~RMG~*~*~*~*~

1.

This was it. This was the night Branch Hawthorn was finally going to propose to his girlfriend of two years, Poppy Meadows. Everything was going to plan and for that Branch was grateful for as he was nervous enough as it was. Both he and Poppy had been able to leave their respective works early to get ready, although Poppy just believed tonight was a fairly normal date night. Then, looking their best and with clear starry night above them, they gotten to Trollington's best restaurant, Chez L'amour, with minimal traffic interference and their reservation had not been lost or given away, things Branch had worried about. Now, with their belly's full of warm delicious food and wine -though Poppy was always quick to assure Branch his cooking was still her very favorite- and dessert on the horizon, Branch was ready to take the plunge.

The mood was perfect, candlelight gleamed and a soft melody was echoing around them and Poppy was looking so beautiful with her bright pink hair pulled up with some strands framing her heart-shaped face and her freckles lit up by the flickering candles and her own bright smile. And her eyes, those beautiful, amber eyes that he just loved to get lost in, were shining with warmth and love just for him. And that was something he still couldn't get over, after all those years of pining and yet so sure he didn't deserve her, he had gotten the girl of his dreams and she loved him. And he hoped she accepted what he was about to ask.

Reaching out across the table, Branch took her hand in his as he returned her smile and hoped the nervousness he felt wasn't obvious. He must have been doing a good job of hiding it so far but he didn't want her to notice now before he had a chance to ask. And maybe it was a little cliché to ask in a romantic restaurant setting but he had spent weeks thinking about this and building up his confidence and he wasn't about to chicken out now. Given her hand a squeeze, he took a sip of his water to wet his throat before speaking, “Enjoy your dinner?” Start small, don't jump into it. All part of the plan.

His gorgeous pinkette grinned and nodded, “Yup! And I can't wait for dessert! I have been dreaming about their triple layer strawberry chiffon cake all week!” She took a sip of her wine before returning his squeeze of their hands before a playful smirk overcame her face and she cupped her chin in her head as she leaned over the table, “You know...You never did tell me why you decided this would be our date destination~ What made you choose the fancy place?”

Branch chuckled and hoped it sounded normal, it sounded off to him, but he simple shrugged and tried not to look away from those wonderful and curious eyes, “What? Can't a boyfriend treat his girlfriend to a fancy dinner once in a while? Plus I know how much you love to dress up, thought it be nice.” And he had a small square box burning a hole in his pocket, just waiting to be pulled out. Absolutely nothing unusual going on. Nope. “And have I mentioned just how beautiful you look tonight? Because you do, absolutely stunning~” He even raised her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles softly to complete his statement.

“Stooop~” She giggled, that perfect sound the best kind of music to his ears as a light blush dusted her cheeks, “Keep talking like that and you might get lucky tonight~”

“I'm already lucky~” And he was. So, so lucky that this brilliantly bright and bubbly woman had not only healed his torn soul and made him want to live rather than just survive but had given her heart fully to him to hold and cherish. Something he did every day so thankfully and would hopefully get to do well into the future together with matching rings on their fingers. Taking what he hoped was a subtle deep breath, for this was it, he wouldn't get a better time to, Branch opened him mouth to begin his speech, something he had been working painstakingly on for months, pretty much since he decided he was going to propose, but was interrupted by the sound of applause.

He and Poppy, who took her hand back to turn around, looked at the reason for it at another table where another couple sat. A brunette man down on one knee was slipping a ring on the happily crying blonde woman's finger as the other patrons clapped for them. Poppy bounced in her seat, adding to the applause, cooing before she spun back around, “Isn't that sweet?! I'm so happy Oak finally proposed! Oh, Daffodil must be so happy! Isn't that great, Branch? Our friends are gonna get married!”

“Y-yeah..Super great.” Branch hoped beyond hope he wasn't being obvious on how he really felt. Of course! Of course the universe would do this to him! It was all going so well! But then of course something had to happen to ruin his plans! Yes, he could still ask Poppy. No, it wasn't Oak's fault for asking his own girlfriend just before he could but he didn't dare take the spotlight away from the other couple. Poppy was right, they were their friends, and while he was sure neither would mind it still felt wrong to Branch to ask Poppy now after somebody else had beaten him to the punch. Sighing, confidence now deflating as he slumped slightly in his chair, Branch decided he'd just have to try another time. It was fine. Completely fine! That decision made, not that it made him happy, the blue-haired survivalist resolved himself to finish off the rest of this night as best he could. Not that Poppy had any idea, she was far too excited to think anything was wrong with him as she pulled him over to congratulate their friends.

And maybe this was for the best, maybe his second attempt would go better?

2.

A few weeks later, some more planning, a few personal pep-talks and Branch was ready to try again. They were currently in her father's backyard, surrounded by all their closest friends, even Gristle and Bridget who managed to make it down from Bergenville, having a simple summer barbecue. Branch was manning the grill, keeping half an eye on the food and the other half on Poppy as she fluttered around their friends, having fun playing games and jamming out to the music Suki had brought along. And perhaps this would be a better proposal anyway. While Branch would have must prefer to propose in a more private setting, which made him wonder why he even thought of the restaurant version in the first place, Poppy would probably enjoy it more if it happened surrounded by the people she loved most. And she deserved everything that made her happy.

Adjusting a few hot dogs so they wouldn't burn, he closed the grill just as his barefooted beauty came skipping over, a cheery smile gracing her lips. Setting down his tongs, Branch easily and happily welcomed her into his arms as she wrapped hers around his neck and gave his nose a fond nuzzle, “Mmm~ Everything smells amazing! Can't wait to eat!”

Branch chuckled warmly, nuzzling her back as he rubbed circles with his thumbs over her hips, leaning closer to her, “Should be ready soon. I know everyone's getting hungry. But first...” He then closed the minimal gap between them, giving her a soft kiss that had her sighing and relaxing in his arms. Sharing a few more soft kisses, and ignoring the wolf whistles from Guy and Smidge, Branch subtly glanced at the grill and decided the food would be okay for a moment. Because he figured now was a good time to pop the question to the queen of his heart as he had her undivided attention. Subtly guiding her away from the barbecue, he distracted her with words and some more gentle meetings of their lips, “Having fun, I take it?”

She giggled, that wonderful, tinkling sound that always spread warmth through him and nodded, “You know it~! I'm so glad everyone was able to make it! It feels like forever since we last did something!” It really hadn't, the Snack Pack was still just as close as they'd always been but Poppy was always one for exaggerating when she could. And well...maybe it had been a few weeks since they'd gotten a chance to just relax and hang out without work or other engagements in the way.

Speaking of engagements....

Branch stopped the careful migration a few feet from the hot grill, in a good spot where everyone would be able to see what was about to happen and carefully nuzzled his and Poppy's noses together, hoping she couldn't feel the sudden rapid beating of his heart, “So I wanted to ask you something..”

“Hmm? Yeeess~?” She hummed, watching him with those sparkling eyes he really did drown in every time he looked into them.

“Well I-”

And for the second time his very important question was interrupted, this time by the back gate slamming open and a familiar voice shouting, “Sup, Losers!!! The party's just arrived!”

“Barb!!!” Poppy screeched happily, tearing herself away from Branch to run and jump into her cousins hold with a very enthusiastic hug. One the punk-rock queen caught easily before swinging the bubblegum princess around, laughing loudly.

“Sup, Popsqueak?! Came to see if I couldn't liven you and your sugary-sweet friends up a little!” The red-pink mo-hawked band leader said, finally putting the other woman down as her right-hand band mate and drummer came up beside her, in a much more subdued manner. “Yo! Boy-Toy! Add a few extra burgers cause I'm starvin'!”

“There's plenty!” Branch cried back as Poppy and the Pack swarmed Barb for greetings and playful jabs. He then sighed roughly, ran a hand through his hair and returned to make sure nothing had burned. It was fine. No big deal. There was still plenty of day left for him to try again. There was just an extra few people around to watch now. As he checked on the food on the grill, moving a few things around and taking the vegetable skewers off, Riff came over after getting his own excited hug from Poppy.

“Sup, man. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, everything's fine.” Okay, mostly fine. But having been around Poppy since they were kids, Branch knew to try to look for the silver living. He'd get another chance later that evening, he was sure. “Just weren't expecting you guys. Little surprised.” More like a little annoyed at the interruption but he'd get over it.

The dark hair drummer chuckled softly, “Yeah...but you know the boss lady. Loves to make a entrance. But hey! We brought beer!” He lifted up a large case of beer as a peace offering. Branch gestured to the cooler behind him, telling him to add some to it and thanked him, mind half on the cooking, half on thinking about when he'd get that second chance to talk to Poppy.

...Sadly for poor Branch, that chance never came.

Having spent the rest of his time at the grill, catching up with Riff, he had soon let everyone know food was ready and the group swarmed up for the delicious smelling entrees. Then as everyone are and laughed and enjoyed, Barb and Riff regaled everyone with tales of shenanigans and adventures of their world tour. Describing the pounding energy of their concert in Brazil to their little hot spring mishap in Japan after a show. Poppy was thoroughly entranced by her cousins tales and completely distracted from Branch's attempts to gain a little attention long enough for him to get the question burning in his throat out. Then of course the pop/rock duo started the karaoke with a bang, which as fun as it was, just distracted Poppy more and didn't give Branch a chance to regain any sort of romantic mood. By the time the sun was long set but the energy of everyone was still high, Branch had given up for the night. There was no way he going to propose tonight, especially after Barb convinced everyone to go clubbing.

They say third times the charm, right?

3.

A week and some brooding later and Branch was ready to start planning again. He needed to come up with a good one too this time, something where they'd be alone, without anyone around and where he'd have Poppy's undivided attention. However he, himself, was slightly distracted and prevented from doing any sort of real planning as he and Poppy were currently passing Saturday night as they were prone to do. Snuggled up on the couch, lights dimmed and watching movies. There was even a light pattering of rain outside to add the cozy atmosphere they found themselves in.

A Rom-com Poppy had been wanting to see was currently playing, the screen flickering image's by as the main character's flubbed another love confession and Poppy snuggled up close to his chest. Branch's head rested on the arm rest, arms wrapped snugly around his girlfriend, rubbing mindless shapes where his hands rested on her waist. He knew as soon as the movie was over they would probably have to move to bed, sleeping on the couch was not that comfortable nor good for them after all, but right now he was in no position to move either of them. Bending his neck, he buried his nose in her pink locks and inhaled the fresh strawberry scent of her favorite shampoo, nuzzling gently. That was when it hit him, they were alone, there was no one or anything to interrupt him and he'd have Poppy's full attention. Yes, his inner romantic cried at the lack of romance but he had learned from Poppy to take the opportunity when it was presented to you, not to shy away. So, taking a subtle breath to calm his suddenly beating heart, Branch got ready to take the plunge.

Starting simple, he murmured softly, “I love you~”

“Mmm~ Love you too~” The pinkette responded in a light and airy voice, settling as deep as she could into his embrace.

Taking a moment to rub her shoulder and place a gentle kiss on the top if her head, Branch began a speech that he'd crafted and re-crafted hundreds of times already it felt like and it never felt perfect. Hopefully though now, he'd find the right words. “I...can't tell you just how lucky I am to have you in my life. You are...the greatest thing to ever happen to me and I am so, so grateful you took the chance on this ragged, broken and gray soul and made life bright again. You...Heh, you are my sunshine, making my days brighter and fuller and more fun than ever before. And yeah, you're crazy with your scheme's and your scrapbooking and leaving glitter everywhere but I wouldn't trade that for the world. Bring on the cupcakes and rainbows because I'm ready...ready to spend the rest of my life with you beside me. Call me selfish but I...I don't ever want to go back to the dark and dull existence. I want you and your sunshine to wake up next to until we're old and bent over and you're still rocking that pink hair. Poppy...I love you so much and if you'll have me, it would make me the happiness man in the entire universe if you agreed to be mine forever. So...I ask you, Poppy Meadows, will...” Deep breath, “Will you marry me?”

There, he'd done it, he finally asked Poppy to marry him and now all that was left was for her to answer and then he could go get the ring from it's place and he could finally see it on her finger. But as the minutes ticked by and he got no answer, Branch was beginning to worry. Had he fucked up? Did he say something wrong? Did she not want to? Was she in shock? Was she trying to find a way to turn him down gently?! Trying not to panic, and failing just a bit, Branch carefully turned his head to look at the woman in his arms, “Poppy?”

And found she was asleep, breath's even and deep and completely dead to the world and the proposal he had just cited.

Biting back a silent groan, Branch tilted his head over the arm rest and stared at the ceiling. Of course, why wouldn't this happen?! The universe truly must hate him if it had allowed him to finally ask Poppy only for her to be asleep and having missed the entire thing. Great, just effing great, now he would have to get up the confidence to try again and after three failed attempts he was starting to think maybe he shouldn't. But, as the beautiful girl in arms would tell him, he needed to get back up again and not give up. And it said something about her impact on him when he knew after a little time moping about the newest failed attempt he would do just that.

Besides, he couldn't fail four times in a row, right?

4.

Another few weeks later and Branch was in the midst of planning something the would surely be his best plan yet when Poppy had decided a spontaneous camping trip up in the mountains would be fun. Unable to deny her but secretly lamenting the lost chance of being able to ask her under the fireworks display that was happening that weekend, Branch had agreed. So they packed up the car and drove off for a weekend spent in nature. Which normally would have thrilled Branch but he was still sort of disappointed in the loss of another romantic plan.

However, even though she had no idea she had off railed another proposal attempt, Poppy still managed to cheer him up with her natural exuberance and joy. And the more he thought about, a proposal under the stars with nothing but the quiet sounds of nature around them would be better anyway. He wouldn't have to compete with the sounds of the fireworks and worry about whether Poppy would hear him correctly or not. Yeah, this would be far better and far more romantic. So by the time they reached the campsite, Branch was in a higher mood then when they left, plans already formed around what he'd cook and how he would go about creating the perfect mood.

Arriving at the campsite in the late evening, Branch decided he'd wait until the following night to enact his grand plan, he'd waited this long after all. So he and Poppy went about building their campsite, throwing up the tent and while she piled the sleeping bags, blankets and pillows they had brought into a proper nest, he went to find them some firewood. Soon they had a nice cozy fire to sit by and after a quick meal of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, they were cuddled up in Branch's chair, Poppy having abandoned hers in favor of his lap. And having his loving, cheerful, kind girlfriend snuggled up in his lap had almost made Branch abandon all plans and just propose right there, he stopped himself. Waiting one more day wouldn't kill him, plus Poppy was already half asleep and he didn't want a repeat of his attempt on the couch. So, picking her up and carting her off to get settled in the tent, he quickly doused the flames before joining her, falling asleep with her in his arms and images of tomorrow night dancing in his head.

Too bad he hadn't foreseen the incident that had occurred the next day.

After a morning spent cuddling, flirting and in all good mood, something Poppy made sure to tease him about saying she had been right that the trip would be a good thing, his pink whirlwind had suggested a little hike after lunch. The day was perfect for it, sunny, a little breezy with fluffy white clouds drifting by in the sky, so Branch had agreed. Never mind that he was looking forward to the evening once the stars came out. So packing up some water bottles, trail mix, a few energy bars and gummy candies, they had set off on the local hiking trail.

Poppy of course either filmed or took pictures of anything she saw that she liked, which was almost any flower or butterfly that passed by and Branch was content to just let her be herself, in far too good a mood to be his usual sarcastic self. Well, almost, he did try to act normal as to not tip Poppy off. But she had still noticed something and when she asked him what had in such a good mood, he simply replied with why wouldn't he be with her by his side? Which had earned him a giggle and few kisses as she called him a flirt. Which, really, he wasn't going to deny that because he was flirting, the thought of finally, finally asking her to marry him making him almost giddy. Yes, he was still nervous as hell but this was the forth time he was trying and he'd be damned if he was going to let that stop him again.

Eventually they had arrived on top of a cliff overlooking the forest, the sight rather breathtaking. After a moment of admiration, Poppy was back to taking pictures and talking about nice everything was and Branch nodded and smiled back at her but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't help as he watched Poppy gush as she was prone to do but to imagine the future, with her walking down the aisle in a gorgeous dress made by the twins, veil fluttering behind her as all their friends and family watched. And then she'd step up to him and exchange vows before they were dubbed husband and wife and he just knew she'd jump into his arms for that kiss as everyone cheered for them. Of course that little daydream soon came to a bursting stop with the next following of events.

There had been a rustling of bushes and before they knew it a deer was jumping out and running off, making both of them jump. Poppy had let out a little squeak and unfortunately for Branch, as he jumped back shocked out of his fantasy, he had gone a little too far and part of the cliff broke from under him, making him off balance and tumbling down to a lower ledge.

“Braaaaanch!!!” Poppy's scream echoed in his ears as he groaned, trying to regain his bearings.

“Branch, are you alright?!” Poppy cried down at him, worry clear in her voice.

“Y-yeah..I'm fi-Aaagggh!!!” Branch groaned, barely having sat up before having to clutch at his arm. Carefully pushing himself up, he pulled his hand away to find it covered in blood and groaned again as he covered his wound back up to stem the bleeding. Great, just fucking great. He was injured. And all because of a stupid deer. At least Poppy was okay. Looking up to check on her, his vision swam briefly and another moan of pain escaped him. Great, he probably had a concussion too.

“Branch! Branch, are you okay?!” Poppy was asking again, having wiggled her way down the steep incline to kneel beside him. She made a noise of distress of seeing him hurt and carefully cupped his jaw in her hands, “Hey. Hey, what can I do to help? Are you hurt anywhere else?!”

“I-I don't...” He hissed as pain pulsed through him, “Don't think so...Might have a concussion though...” He cursed under his breath before telling her to look in his bag for bandages, taking that brief moment of distraction to pat the inside pocket of his vest to make sure the ring was still safe. Which it was, so at least there was that.

Poppy quickly dug into his backpack, finding his first aid kit and pulling out the gauze roll. “Can you move your hand?” She asked softly, cringing at the sight as he did so, “Oh dear...That-That looks really bad....” She sniffed and Branch was about to start comforting her, telling her it probably looked worse than it was but she began to carefully move his sleeve away, causing another hiss to escape him. “Sorry...” She mumbled, wrapping his arm as quickly and gently as she could, sniffing and blinking back tears.

“Hey...” He said, squinting at her because damn his head really hurt, “It's gonna be fine. Please don't cry, Sunshine..”

“I know, I know...I just....that was so scary.” She wiped at her eyes and sniffed again, making Branch want to hold her and comfort her until she calmed down but it hurt to move just about everything. So he did the only thing he could at the moment and carefully brushed his knuckle over her knee, murmuring it was going to okay.

It was about then that someone was calling down to them and they looked up to see a forest ranger had found them. After Poppy explained what happened and that they could use a little help, she quickly finished wrapping his arm up. The next series of events happened rather quickly, at least they did for Branch who's consciousness was starting to go in and out a little and he struggled to stay awake. The ranger had help them off the ledge before helping Poppy carry him back to their camp, where she quickly began to pack everything up. The ranger assured her that he'd keep anything that was left behind and they could come get it later and that getting Branch to a hospital was most important. So then began Poppy's slightly frantic drive to the nearest hospital as Branch had continued his battle with staying awake.

In the end, everything was indeed alright. Branch had to have a good fifteen stitches in his arm and had to stay over night for observation because of the concussion but other than a few other scrapes and bruises, he was fine. But the incident had once again derailed any proposal plans that once he was patched up and allowed a moment alone, Branch had cursed the universe for. Couldn't he have one attempt not go awry?! Yes, sure, there had been other times he could have asked but damn it all, he wanted to do it right! He wanted a romantic scene to ask the love of his life to be his wife and not have it be an off hand mention or after a serious injury!! Was that too much to ask for?! Apparently it was.

So, slumping back into his pillows, Branch stewed and cursed the universe. And eventually started planning attempt number five.

And it had to work, it just had too!

5.

Once it was apparent that Branch was fully healed and recovered about a month later, Poppy suggested another weekend trip to celebrate, though this time it was to the beach. Branch wasn't completely set on the idea, worries of how another proposal attempt could be ruined swarming his head, but once again he really couldn't deny Poppy anything. And she was so excited to go see the sea and enjoy the scenery, ever after he pointed out that the weather wouldn't really be right for any swimming. But ever the optimist, Poppy had said there was lots more to do than just swim and so they made reservations at a hotel and went off for a weekend by the sea.

And as he predicted, the weather had been on the cooler side and slightly overcast but that hadn't stopped Poppy from convincing him to travel around all the shops the little ocean town had to offer. And he had to admit, once again, that she was right. It hadn't been all bad walking along the boardwalk and stopping by whatever little shop or stand caught her attention. Plus her excitement was so genuine and true, Branch couldn't help but eventually relax and have fun too. So they spent the afternoon slipping in and out of various stores, some with pointless, cute nick-knacks, some with clothes and accessories that he and Poppy threw on for selfies or she modeled for him, other with oddities such as seaside myths. They had enjoyed some sea-salt ice-cream at some point before dipping into a little hidden book store and then they stopped for a dinner of fish and chips.

Now they were walking down the beach, hand in hand with Poppy happily swinging their arms between them as the sun sank slowly over the horizon. And Branch had to admit, now would be a pretty good time to try again. They were alone, the few other people on the beach far enough way that they wouldn't somehow get in the way, the setting was calm and relaxing with the sounds of waves gently lapping at the shore as the setting sun painting the sky beautiful pinks and oranges, and Poppy was none the wiser to burning the question that had been lodged in his throat for months now. And nothing was going to stop him now. So, stopping and playfully swinging her around so he could pull her into an embrace, Branch pulled her close for a soft kiss.

When they parted, Poppy giggling lightly as her eyes shone with love, Branch calmly stated, “I love you~”

“Heehee~ I love you too~” Poppy giggled, leaning in for another kiss that Branch was happy to return before the slowly parted once more.

“So there's...something I wanna say...” And ask but he didn't want to give it away just yet. And boy did he hope she didn't notice how his heart had started pumping in his chest. This was it, he finally going to ask Poppy to spend the rest of their lives together and even though this was his fifth attempt, the nerves had returned like it was that first try again.

“I'm all ears, My man~” The pinkette said with a grin, nuzzling her nose against his as she settled her arms around his neck.

Deep breath and ignore the flush that came anytime she called him 'her man', “Well...you see..” Please don't let her notice just how stuttering he was becoming, “You are...the greatest gift I could ask for and I-” And before any more could be said a loud, long horn of a boat sounded, causing both to jump and to look toward the ocean where in the distance a ship could be seen. Huffing, and not about to let one measly horn blast stop him, not this time, Branch tried to continue as Poppy giggled lightly, “Right. As I was saying...” Another deep breath, he could do this, “I love you so much and-” Another three blasts of the horn stopped him again and he glared at the ship as Poppy started to laugh quietly. “Anyway. What I'm trying to say, Poppy, is-” And another long, drawn out horn had him groaning before calling out toward the sea, “Oh come on!!!”

Poppy was now full on laughing, laying her head on his chest as he stewed about the stupid boat, before getting a slight grip on herself. Reaching up, she cupped his face and ran her thumbs over his cheeks, “Branch. Hee~ Branch, it's okay! Let me guess, you have a new poem for me?”

He did but that wasn't what he had been about to say. Still he grumbled, looking off to the side, “Maybe...” He also had a proposal he just couldn't seem to get out before something went wrong.

“Then...~” Poppy started, bringing his face back towards her so she could nuzzle their noses together again, “Why don't we go back to our hotel so you can tell it to me where we won't be interrupted? And then you can tell me all my favorites as you...do other things to me~” She then sealed her offer with a deep kiss. One Branch sank into with a sigh but not without lamenting silently the derailment of yet another proposal. Sure, he supposed he could always try again later that night but something in his gut told him it wouldn't be the right time. He just wanted to propose to Poppy in a romantic setting without anything stopping him! Was that too much to ask for?! Apparently...

“Come on,” Poppy murmured, eyes glazed with want as she pulled away, “We can go take a nice warm bubble bath as you recite your newest piece to me~”

Branch hummed and let her take the lead back to their hotel, still brooding over his latest failure. This was five times now he had been stopped and it was starting to wear down his confidence that he'd ever be able to ask her. Which meant it was probably time to ask for help from her dad and possibly Suki and Smidge if he actually wanted to succeed. Sighing quietly to himself, he squeezed Poppy's hand and hoped that the next attempt would finally be the one.

He could only hope, right?

+1.

Poppy hummed a joyful tune as she walked down the hallway to her apartment, another day of party planning behind her. She still couldn't believe some days that she got to do one of the things she loved most for a living! And she was her own boss! Well...sort of...Sky Toronto was still sort of her boss, sort of her partner but that didn't matter! She got to help people plan out their very best parties! And it was soooo satisfying! Especially after long days like today when her clients had a specific vision they wanted done. Which was fine because everyone deserved to have whatever they wanted to be happy with the party they were throwing but boooy, did it tired her out! But that was fine too because she was now home where her wonderful boyfriend hopefully had dinner waiting for them.

Coming up to their door, and smiling as she always did when she caught sight of their door plaque she'd made, she opened it up, singing proudly, “I'm hooooome~!” Before a fantastically delicious scent hit her nose and she groaned. “Ooooh my goooosh~!” She quickly dropped her purse and came around to the kitchen as her stomach gave a rumble, “That smells amazing! Did you make enchiladas?!”

Branch chuckled, that warm, fond sound that always melted her insides a little as he finished pulling the dish out of the oven, “I did. I even made them...chicken enchiladas like you said you wanted.”

“Yeeeessss~!” Poppy hissed happily, “Yes, yes, yes! I am starving!” She excitedly through her arms around him once his hands were free in a tight hug, “You are the best boyfriend ever!” After pulling him down for a quick, grateful kiss, the pinkette pulled away for a little happy dance. “Oooh, I can't wait to dig in! What else did you make?!”

Another one of those warm, fond chuckles came from the blue-haired hottie she had a claim on and he gestured to the stove, “Some Mexican Rice and..” He led her gaze to the table where some different dips and chips sat, “Some sides.”

“Aaaah~! Yes! Your guacamole is the best!!!” Poppy scurried over and took a chip full of green dip, humming in delight at the tangy taste and did another little happy dance as she stuffed another chip into her mouth. “Gosh! D'ish ish shooo goood~!”

“Do you maybe want a plate full or do you wanna continue dancing in place as you eat over the table?” Branch asked, amusement ringing through his tone.

“Oh, haha!” Poppy responded, hands on her hips, “I can't help it! I told you I am staving! Mrs. Sparks ran me all over town looking for just the right party venue and I barely had time to eat lunch. But I did!” She added quickly knowing he would scold her for not eating lunch. “Anyway, once we finally found the right place, I started throwing out ideas for decorations and food and I think we've got a nice solid base now!”

“Sounds like you a had a busy day.” He grinned as she nodded, stuffing another chip into her mouth, “Also sounds like you might need a margarita.”

“You made margaritas?!” Poppy cried, excitedly, looking at him with wide, happy eyes. Oh, she officially loved this man!!! “Can we have them blended?!” She asked, bouncing happily when he nodded and turned to get the pitcher out of the fridge, telling her to get the blender out. “Yeessss~!” She cheered, already halfway to the cabinet to pull out of the appliance. As she set it out on the counter and watched him place the pitcher on the table before getting in the freezer for ice, the thought that this was her life, that she had such a wonderful, thoughtful and sweet boyfriend by her side made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And that she wanted this for the rest of her life. She wanted to come home after a long day to dinner or even surprise him in return with the same, she wanted long, cuddly movies nights and lazy mornings in spent in bed. She wanted picnics and romantic date nights, days spent at home filled with laughter and singing or the occasional quiet as they both worked on their respective hobbies. Games nights with friends and maybe, just maybe...one day an adorable child that looked like the two of them. Poppy wanted it all with Branch right by her side in every way possible. So without really thinking about she suddenly said, “Marry me.”

“WHAT?!?!” Branch sputtered, pulling out of the freezer with a wide eyed, shocked expression, staring at her like she had lost her mind.

It took a moment for her to actually realize what she'd said but then she was beaming and nodding, bouncing over next to him, because yes, she very much wanted to marry this man, “You heard me! Marry me!!”

Branch stared and kept staring and eventually he hid his face in a hand as the freezer door closed and Poppy was beginning to worry when his shoulders began to shake. At first she thought maybe he was crying but then the quiet chuckling came which soon turned into full blown laughter and he was leaning against the fridge to support himself. Poppy pouted at him and crossed her arms, “I'm serious, Branch! Don't laugh at me!”

He tried and failed to say something a few times, each times getting cut off by more guffaws then before, before he gestured for her to stay where she was and turned to go down the hallway. Poppy was very confused, and a little hurt, that he was laughing because she meant what she'd said but she didn't have time to think much more on it as he came back, still chuckling. Standing in front of her, he finally got a grip on himself and grinned at her, stray snickers still coming and going as he reached out to cup her cheek, “I'm not laughing at you, Sunshine. Promise. I'm laughing because...” He took a deep breath before cupping his hands around something and bringing it into her view, “Because I've been trying to ask you the same thing for months.”

Poppy gasped, hands flying to her mouth, as she saw the small velvet box opened on his palm containing the prettiest ring she'd ever seen. A golden band that held a round, sparkling blue topaz in it's center, flanked by two smaller pink gems, the metal band twisted around them to hold them in place. “Oh Branch...” She sniffed, grinning behind her hands, because of course that was the reasoning behind his sort of off behavior the last few months, before crying, “Yes!”

He smirked at her, blue eyes twinkling, “Pretty sure that's suppose to be my line. You did ask first.”

“Oooooh!!!” She growled, well and truly starting to cry now as she grinned winder than ever before, “Just-Just shut up and put that ring on my finger!!”

“So demanding.” He cooed, smile just as wide and eyes damp as he did just that. Giving her hand a look that said he was finally happy to see that ring on her finger before he brought it up to lay a kiss on it.

Then they were both laughing and Branch was scooping her up and twirling her around, hugging her close. Poppy cried as she laughed, burying her face in his shoulder, the unbelievable feeling that she was engaged coursing through her as Branch spun them around. Soon he stopped and she lifted her face to see he was crying and grinning she as she was and she felt another giggle come before they both leaned in for a kiss. Kissing him with all that she had, they stood there, her in his arms as they moved their mouths against one another's as their tears mingled. Pulling back, both breathless and smiling and so, so happy, Poppy looked into Branch's eyes and chirped, “I love you~!”

“I love you too, Sunshine.” He grinned, the expression lighting up his face like she loved to see, “And I will for the rest of our lives.”

“Good~ Because so will I~” And she pulled him for another celebratory kiss and another and another before they were both laughing and twirling again. And eventually they got to that dinner, now a celebratory one, and made plans to tell everyone the following day but for now...for now they were just going to bask in the haze of excitement and happiness that surrounded them as they looked toward a very happy and bright future together.

~*~*~*~*~RMG*~*~*~*~

Always gotta go full cheese at the ending right? Anyway, this was obviously done a tad differently than I normally do just because I tried to keep within Branch's perspective and then Poppy's when I normally write both in conjecture to each other and it was a bit of a challenge but I'm really happy with how this came out! And I hope you all enjoyed it too!

Until next time!

[geekgirles]

A Scorned Lover

This is an analysis on Creek’s character in @tipolover22 ‘s fanfic Betrothed (an Arranged Marriage! AU). Please, keep in mind that this analysis contains important spoilers of the fic, so if you haven’t read it, I’d suggest you do it before reading this. 

And with that, let’s begin.

The reason behind this analysis is, basically, that I love writing papers on characters with complex personalities, hidden intentions, and twisted reasons for their actions. And @tipolover22 ’s depiction of Creek in Betrothed has potential for all those points.

If you’ve read Betrothed (which I’d recommend you do before reading, since it’s not going to be spoiler free), then you’re certainly aware of Creek’s role in the story. The simplest way to describe his character so far would be “love rival”, or as Branch put it in chapter 10, “ […] He was made for the sole purpose of being a pain in his arse.”

Of course, if it were that simple, I wouldn’t be doing an analysis on his character, as much as I love a good love triangle (especially when I know for sure which pairing is going to be endgame). 

So let’s dive in into Creek’s portrayal, shall we?

To understand a person’s motivation, we must know their past, the reasons that once forged said motivation.

In Creek’s case, he had everything he could’ve ever dreamed of before the arrival of the Forest trolls: he was a valued member of Troll Village, he had a close bond with the Snack Pack, and, most importantly, he was Poppy’s one and only. His life could not be better.

But that all changed the day Poppy agreed to marry Branch. 

Judging by the flashback from chapter 3, not even in a million years could have Creek imagined losing Poppy to someone else, even if that someone else was, at that point in time, the rest of the Valley Kingdom. And I’m saying this because in the previous chapter, that is to say, chapter 2; the Rainbow trolls seemed to be aware of the upcoming royal wedding, even if they weren’t sure if it was true or not. Creek was also aware of it, but he never connected the dots about Poppy marrying someone else–in spite of the dire times they were facing–, until she broke the news to him herself.

Denial or obliviousness? Only time will tell.

It’s easy to understand why he’s so bitter towards Branch, even at the beginning of the story. 

However, the thing is, he was never disrespectful towards Branch up until chapter 10. No. Every time they interacted Creek treated Branch with relative respect. Even if their interactions were enough to make Branch dislike him based on what the guru talked to him about.

So you might be wondering, if Creek had just lost the love of his life to someone who didn’t even treat Poppy fairly, then why didn’t he show signs of hostility before?

If you ask me, I believe that is because he thought he still had Poppy’s heart until she told him to move on. The one time he showed disdain towards Branch before that was when he told Poppy “He doesn’t deserve you.” Back in chapter 7.

And back then, as painful as it is to admit, he was right. Branch didn’t deserve Poppy then. He was rude to her, he ignored her, he never tried getting along with her, not even once. Of course Creek would be ticked off at the sight of losing his beloved to someone who didn’t value her half as much as he did!

But why didn’t he confront Branch about it? I have several possible reasons, in fact.

This one is obvious; if he ticked off Branch, especially pre-character development Branch, he was in for a world of pain.

He still had a façade to maintain. If he let it drop, he could lose credibility among the village, and with Poppy, pretty quickly.

This is where my mind goes crazy: because, maybe, he believed that if Branch and Poppy never got along, then she would either ditch her husband for him, or ask for a divorce. Either way, Creek wins.

Based on that last theory, as frustrating as it was to witness his love interest in a marriage that didn’t lead anywhere, it was exactly what he needed to get Poppy back! As I see it, Creek was patiently buying his time until the day came that Poppy couldn’t take it anymore, where he’d step in to sweep her off her feet one more time.

What he didn’t count on, however, is that, not only Branch would actually try to please Poppy for the sake of their marriage, but that he, too, would fall in love with her, hence, becoming active love rivals. 

And if we add to the equation that Poppy was warming up to her husband as well… Things certainly spiraled out of control for Creek.

The foundation of my theory is actually Creek’s last line in chapter 13: he expected a divorce, maybe even a war. Whatever it took to have Poppy back. 

(This isn’t written down word by word, but you get the gist).

Having Branch as a love rival made things all the more exasperating for the guru. The possibility of never getting back together with Poppy was now more tangible than ever! Which led to him becoming some sort of antagonist, although I believe he is still far from being the fanfic’s Big Bad.

Ever since Branch fell for Poppy and did his best to make her happy, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Creek, his world started to crumble little by little. And the day Poppy actually refused to kiss him (chapter 13), he was finally forced to see the truth, even if Poppy didn’t know it yet, he had lost her forever. She was no longer his, but Branch’s.

Unfortunately, that realisation has only made him more bitter, instead of allowing him to let go.  

As of chapter 19, Creek’s negative emotions had finally caught up to him, beginning to consume him. Now he’s as grey as he feels. And his feelings for Poppy have become a double-edged sword. 

He now uses what he knows about Poppy as leverage against Branch, knowing of the consequences the prince’s actions could bring to his marriage. And even if he can no longer have Poppy, watching the one “responsible” for his distress losing everything, everything that once was his, is enough for Creek.

But, despite all this, I still believe hope for Creek is not lost. 

Despite the trouble his actions have caused for Poppy and Branch, he’s portrayed as being almost as much of a victim as the royal couple. 

It was explicitly mentioned in chapter 19 that Creek has got abandonment issues originated from growing up as an orphan because his and Cybil’s mother had them too late in her life. Given that established character trait –which I’d bet my right arm he hasn’t shared with anyone besides Cybil or, perhaps, another close friend of his–, I’d say it is safe to assume that is exactly what he’s going through when it comes to his current situation.

He feels Poppy abandoned him, instead of realising there’s nothing else she could’ve done to keep her people safe and her relationship. But because Poppy is still the object of his affections, he blames Branch for his misfortune as a result of his bitterness and jealousy.

This is a very deep portrayal of Creek, if I may say so myself. And one whose roots make a lot of sense.

The two times in his life he’s been “abandoned” were because of reasons that were out of his control: his mother’s declining health and the predators from the forest.

In Creek’s eyes, he’s not at fault for anything! Then why must he be the one suffering?! And, to be honest, till chapters 10-11, he was right; losing Poppy wasn’t his fault. He shouldn’t have had to suffer like he did.

What I’m trying to say with this is that his portrayal hints on a future redemption. Of course, I could be wrong. I don’t know when it’ll happen, how it’ll happen, or if he’ll do something selfish, and stupid, and horrible before he finally sees the error of his ways (perhaps that’ll be this universe’s version of his betrayal?). But I do believe he’ll change for the better, maybe even with a certain Glitter troll by his side ;)

Guess we’ll just have to wait and see what @tipolover22 has in store for us. And I, for one, can’t wait ;)

[ruinins]

—  ϟ  ›  ( bae suzy, cis woman, she/her )  ⋆  you know , the gossip in london is insidious , and gossip about a HALFBLOOD ( SEER ) like SYBILL TRELAWNEY seems to constantly be afloat. what i know for a fact , though , is that they’re a TWENTY THREE year old DRAGONOLOGIST who graduated as a RAVENCLAW from HOGWARTS. someone they went to school with told me that roaring flames just tenderly brushing your cheek, the subtle wrongness of a reflection in the mirror, crackling records playing on a phonograph, the gentle flickering light of a firefly, and a million glittering pieces of a broken crystal ball & THE LOVERS always reminded them of HER. maybe that’s why the WITCH has publicly declared their allegiance to NO ONE ? 

x

NAME : sybill trelawney ( no middle name ). NICKNAMES : none, technically, but she does have a korean name she uses at work—sihyeon—which her mother gave her. DATE OF BIRTH : march 9th, 1958. HOGWARTS HOUSE : ravenclaw. ZODIAC SIGN : pisces sun, scorpio moon, sagittarius rising / year of the dog. AGE : twenty - three. GENDER / PRONOUNS : cis woman & she/her. SEXUAL ORIENTATION : bisexual, biromantic. PLACE OF BIRTH : belfast, ireland. EYE COLOR : dark brown. HAIR COLOR : black. HEIGHT : 5’4. SCARS : scar on her lower back ; burn scars littering her arms.  ETHNICITY : korean. PARENTS : trelawney, silvius ( father ); trelawney, victoria née kang ( mother, muggle, † ). SIBLINGS : only child. MARITAL STATUS : single. OCCUPATION : dragonologist. LANGUAGES : english, korean, some mandarin chinese.

CARD CORRESPONDENCE: sybill’s card is the lovers, reversed, representing her doubts in herself, her career, the people who surround her, and how cynical she’s become.sybill has always been littered with self-doubt. for herself, for the lineage she’s been born into, for her dubious gift that everyone insists isn’t really there. having no one believe in you takes a toll on a witch. she’s haunted by a need that never leaves her, a need to prove herself and her sight, a need that has only worsened with time ( no one knows how nauseating it feels, to face a portrait of the great cassandra trelawney after receiving a dreadful in divination ). there’s something to be said about fake it until you make it, but sybill never quite manages to make it. slowly, the doubt has been sinking its claws into her, and she’s been shrinking away from her wants and focusing more on other things, practical things––her aimless job, her aimless life.

 until recently, sybill wandered through life with a certain naivete. it’s served her well, like most things in life that aren’t the second sight. but then, she let someone close, let herself believe they cared about her, let herself open up only to be stabbed in the back. figuratively and literally, by the scar that still stings whenever she reaches behind to brush her hands over it. she’s changed, become aware of the snakes in the grass––become aware that they don’t always look like snakes. this mistrust in others is slowly bordering on paranoia, but she can’t seem to make it stop. people call her a falsifier, a manipulator, a fool; why shouldn’t she meet energy with energy, insult with insult, distaste with distaste ? 

ministry file / pinterest board  ( EYES TW for the board ) / playlist

tw: murder ( mentioned, also attempted murder ), neglect ( ? ), parental death ( skip paragraph beginning with ‘sixteen’ ! )

zero.

you don’t know this, you’ll never know this, but it was your father who named you. hunched over your laughing mother and clutching your tiny fist between his fingers, tears streaming down his face, he pleaded sybill, call her sybill. an oracle of delphi born anew. in a few weeks, you will both be the subject of controversy: the girl who’s birth ended the pureblood trelawney line, and the pureblood who fell for a muggle. but for now, you are loved.

eight.

you live in a cottage, small and hidden, tucked into a nook of ireland where there are more animals than people. this is purposeful. your father has a manor in london, a hanok in korea, but it is this cottage where the three of you can live at peace. your father is gone most days; you have no idea what he does. instead, your mother teaches you things, practical things. “what if you lose your magic; how will you cook then ?” you think her reasoning is silly, but you play along - even if your father comes home to a look of distaste when he sees you manually scrubbing dishes.

something happens to you. you’re outside, playing, when you reach out to pet a cat that’s just appeared - and a haze settles in. fog clouds your mind, your sight; there’s nothing. no darkness, no void: there is just nothing. and then there is your mother, frantic, choking on tears as she shakes you. later, your father will grin. “has my little sybill inherited cassandra’s gift ?” he’s joking, of course. no one in the family has had cassandra trelawney’s inner eye in generations. 

but when you’re taken to a healer, nothing is wrong. nothing they can find, anyway. and a spark lights in you.

sixteen.

your mother is dead. your mother is dead. taken from you while you couldn’t protect her, while you were in school; your father insists he took his eyes off of her for just a second, but you don’t believe him at all. he’s always wanted you to be more witch than muggle. he’s never understood that she’s both, in a way, and that that’s okay. you wonder if he killed her or if he sent someone to do it, instead. either way, he is a coward and a fool and you hate him; this, you tell him.

the next christmas break, you don’t visit home.

eighteen.

you don’t come home for summer break, either. you don’t come back at all until after graduation, to face cassandra trelawney’s portrait and beg for guidance. for help with your gift. the gift that has abandoned you, it seems, along with your mother. 

you apply, young and naïve, for the position of divination professor at hogwarts. as if anyone would hire you. the rejection stings, but what hurts more is having to face your father. he seems to have planned this outcome all along, and when he offers to help you find a realistic job using his connections, you want to do the filthy muggle thing and punch him.

you take his offer, however, when he reveals it’s in korea. away. that is what you need. away from him, away from london, away from that damned portrait. a week later, you’re in seoul. a week after that, you’re a dragonologist-in-training.

twenty two.

you travel, often. your specialty is hatchlings, and the reserve has begun to branch out, so they send you on missions to other reserves - get an egg, bring it back. in one of your travels, something happens, something unexpected: you meet someone. they’re charming, kind. when you tell them about your gift, their eyes light up. they believe you. you trust them fast.

you don’t see them often, but when you do, it’s incredible. you think they might be something special. you want them to be something special.

then, that night. you’re not sure what happened. everything is a haze; you’d been feeling like that for hours, feeling wrong. they were aggressive. they wanted something. and that fog, the one that had only flickered to life once every few years, was returning. for a moment, you knew nothing. and then you knew blood. the taste of iron, the way it stuck to your fingers. they’d stabbed you. surely, they had; there was no one else in your home, no blood but yours staining your floors.

your father is the one that finds you by a stroke of fate. takes you to a healer. you live, but something in you dies. 

if you ever see them again, they will wish they’d finished you off with the killing curse instead.

twenty three.

you’re back in wizarding london. it’s been years. technically, you’re here for work - “the macfusty’s have to have a hebridean black egg, sihyeon; do well and find us one.” - but you seem to have fallen right into a budding war. you don’t want anything to do with it. you will go in, get an egg, and get out before anything terrible happens. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS 

hogwarts friends / enemies / bullies  ––  for, um, obvious reasons, sybill wasn’t terribly popular at school. i’m literally down for anything from hogwarts, from close friends who drifted after her mother died to people who terrorized her for making prophecies and being a “false seer”, to those she finessed with her you’re going to die in a week-type proclamations.

THE STABBY STAB  ––  so when i was coming up with this i very much wanted sybill to be stabbed instead of cursed bc a) stabbing is something that can be So Personal and b) it’s more of a muggle thing, and it’s fitting for someone who does often to things the “odd”/muggle way to find her ( almost ) end in the same way. i really..... don’t have much else for this connection; the way i visualized it, this person was probably looking for a seer for Some Reason, and whatever sybill told them during her vision - bc she did have a Real Prophecy that night - it wasn’t something they wanted to hear. or something they wanted to get out. sybill definitely had romantic feelings for them, but this obviously didn’t need to be reciprocated - the relationship could’ve been 100% platonic. does this character regret The Stab ? did they kind of want her to live ? are they prepared for the suplex she’ll give them On Sight ? 

ruin me, ruin us, and i’ll let you  ––  this is, incredibly enough, not a romantic connection. i mentioned in my now-deleted gonetalk post that i love platonic soulmates; this is that. whether they connected instantly or they had to slowly get accommodated to each other, i want someone to have an Unbreakable Bond with sybill. they don’t have to already be friends, maybe it slowly happens, but eventually they’d both do anything for each other. if u have read the poppy war series, yes this is very much a wc based off of rin and kitay, those are the Vibes i’m going for.

this town’s only big enough for one cowboy  ––  I DON’T THINK THERE’S ONE YET BUT IF U ARE PLANNING A SECOND CHARACTER..... . .. picture this: someone who’s a seer who is actually competent, and can actually prophesize well instead of Whenever The Inner Eye Wants To. the jealousy ! the rivalry ! the mocking ! the shame ! GIVE IT TO ME NOW....

family friends ? family ? cousins ?  ––  i have sybill’s family being purebloods up to her, so i’d imagine she has a few distant family members or family friends running around ?  i imagine her father runs in pro-death eater circles but isn’t one so !

[kchuarts]

Flowers in Blood

A/N: This ones a sad one I ain’t gonna hold you on that. Also the ending isn’t very cliffhangery? It will be though. It will be. 

Summary: Sometimes Jonathan Pine needs to be held in return. 

Warnings: GRAPHIC WAR / DEATH SCENE

Taglist: @lucywrites02​, @shiningloki​

Chapter 8: Black Rose 

The crime lord took a drag from his cigarette, puffing out smoke before answering. “I have my ways, you should already know that.” his lips pulled up into a smirk. Roper waved two fingers at one of his guards to bring him a glass of wine. “So I heard you and good ol’ Danny boy have met. Nasty bloke he is.” Roper takes another drag from the stick. 

“I am not here to have idle chat, Roper.” Pine looked behind him, making sure the door was still shut and Katie was hopefully out of ear shot. “Just tell me first how in the hell you managed to crawl out of the hole you hid away in and what you want from me.” His blue eyes kept glancing over to the door, debating if he should let the young woman in his flat that he had to step outside. 

Richard chuckled into the phone, taking a hold of his wine and sipping it. “I’m not going to repeat myself, Pine. You should have heard me the first time.” He took another sip of his expensive beverage before setting it down. “I’ve come to give you a ring and tell you that you’re off the hook. I’ve taken care of what Natalie wants from you within a few hours after your departure. She’s got the biggest of smiles on her face right now because of it too.” A knowing smirk touched his lips again, sinister intentions gleaming in his eyes. 

Pine huffed and opened the door for a moment, holding his phone away from his mouth. “Katie? I’m gonna step out for a smoke for a bit. I shouldn’t be more than ten minutes.” Dragging her into the mess known as Richard Roper was one of many things that Jonathan didn’t want to meddle her into. He put the phone back up to his ear, fast walking out of the flat as fast as he could. 

“Katie?” The older man mused, chuckling and pursing his lips as he inhaled from the white stick. “You’ve moved on fast if I’m assuming correctly. I thought you and Jed would have eloped after the stunt you pulled with me, shaming me for a few years.” He flicked the ashes into a tray and frowned at the memory of just a few years back. It was certainly interesting to know that Pine potentially had a new love interest. Roper noted this in the back of his mind and would ask Daniel about this new woman later on. 

Jonathan lit a cigarette of his own, taking a drag before lowering his voice as he was outside. Anger and hot smoke ignited inside the agent's chest at the mention of his past lover. “You should know that the life I lead isn’t meant for time to play romance or settle down. Now tell me what the fuck do you want. I can’t say I’m overly thankful you took care of something I had started planning ideas for.” He took another drag, eyes scanning the crowd for any onlookers that could be eavesdropping. 

“Bollocks! Come off it, Pine I know you better than that. You certainly didn’t have your finalized plan of shutting Poppy down within a fortnight, so I went ahead and took care of it for you!” Richard leaned back in his seat, staring out of his villa balcony. Like he had said, Roper had his ways of working his way back into the land of crime and managed to get his private island home back. “I’m not trying to kiss ass and earn points with you, I’m playing devil’s advocate at the moment. I did it because you have bigger problems ahead of you and Daniel was tired of waiting around for Natalie and her drug addicted squabble to actually do something. You can certainly cross Poppy off your list now because Bloodroot is now taking over.” He clicked his tongue and reached over to grab a file, “Sometimes I wonder about these Americans and their tenacity to get the job done. Feisty ones they are, I’m sure you understand just as much as I do.” He hinted at Jed once again, still sour over that whole debacle. “Oh and you needn’t worry about Natalie’s boys watching you anymore, in fact you should be more worried if Belladonna could be creeping nearby. Luckily for you, I haven’t called any of my men to keep tabs on you… Yet.” 

The Crime Lord’s slight cryptic speak was beginning to drive Jonathan crazy and he just wanted to hang up right then and there. However, if what Roper said was true then this meant he could return the call to Angela and find out what she dug up on that thumbdrive and note. “I can only wonder when that will be.” He hissed, exhaling smoke and flicking the ashes. “So you only called me just to tell me that you handled my situation but that you’re also in cahoots with Belladonna’s leader? Brilliant. What a waste of my time. Next time you even think about calling me, be sure that I don’t have your number being tracked resulting in putting you away for good.” He pulled the phone away from his ear and hung up, jaw clenched tightly. Pine knew DAMN well that Roper was up to something more nefarious than he led on. It wasn’t out of the kindness of his own cold heart that he’d do Pine a favor after what he did to him. He wanted something and whatever that something was wouldn’t be good. 

“Well?” Daniel narrowed his gaze at Roper sitting across from him. 

Richard gave a knowing smirk and nodded, “He’s suspicious but I think he took the bait.” He reached for his wine and leaned back again, sipping it. “Now we just wait for when that stupid woman sends him off to South Korea or Japan. Bloodroot is currently enroute to Tokyo?” 

The Greek man nodded, his arms folded across his chest. “They are to meet up with Wisteria and possibly Daphne if The Tigress decides to get off her lazy ass and make the trip. From there, they will be discussing new trade routes and deals now that Poppy has been taken care of.” Daniel sneered at his former English branch. 

“What of your sister? The Wolfsbane branch?” Roper raised a brow, curious as Abbadon’s area was not brought up. For as long as Richard had known the siblings, he rather liked the younger sister as she was quick and took no shit. He thought that she was better suited to be leader of Belladonna instead of her aggressive older brother. Daniel was too brash and never thought of how his decisions would impact his business after he leapt. It worked out eventually but with too many mistakes and messes. 

Amber eyes gleamed with dark fury, “What about my traitorous sister? Of course Wolfsbane is out of the question.” Daniel scoffed and gave a slight snarl. “Because of her little performance in Moscow and now with Poppy gone, we have to work even harder with just four instead of six branches.” His eye twitched from irritation. The night of the gala still infuriated Daniel as he had blindly put his trust into his sister and was played right into her trap. She knew Pine would be there and had been hiding her desire to break free of the family business until then. That is the reason why her son, Nikolai, was locked away in a cage in an unknown location in order to keep tabs on her. However, this did not appear to be enough and so Daniel decided that having two big branches was useless. “So do you have anything else to tell me, Richard?” He exhaled hotly and raised his brows. “Anything that may perhaps calm my rage? News of successful weapon sales? New whores shipped from Seoul? Pine’s new partner?” A sick smirk cracked across his tanned lips. 

“Oh.” Roper inwardly rolled his eyes at Daniel’s insatiable thirst for a perfect harem. Sure, Richard enjoyed a woman’s company from time to time but, Daniel was rather disgustingly obsessed with it. He even saw first hand that his respect of women was zero to none, hence why his wives were covered in bruises. “Well yes, I believe he mentioned her name was Katie? Don’t you have… Twelve wives already?” He raised a brow but would rather not hear the details. 

Daniel got up and clapped his hands, beaming pervertedly. “I much prefer that over Natasha. That was her little nickname back in Moscow. Mmm “Katie” yes I do enjoy that.” He frowned slightly at Roper as he heard the hint of disgust in his ally’s voice. “Thirteen is just another number, no? I have collected wives from all over! Egypt, Germany, Canada, Thailand, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, Spain, Africa, France, Australia… I need an all American girl to carry on with my little theme I have going on.” His smirk returned and a very obvious erection stood out. “Now, when you hear news of their fated arrival to the land of the rising sun, let me know and I will discuss plans to lure them to the den of The Tigress. She may be a lazy bitch, but she knows what she does and performs it well. Oh and Roper-” He turned around, smirk gone again. “Do not let me regret bailing you out or it is your head I will take as payment.” 

--------------------------------------

Police sirens blared as several cars pulled up to the abandoned warehouse out in the woods. Angela stepped out of one of the cars as she had been informed that this crime was another piece to her case. “Jesus H. Christ-” She muttered, covering her mouth with her sweater sleeve upon seeing the blood bath. 

The entirety of Poppy were currently being dressed in body bags as just hours ago, they had been slaughtered brutally. Natalie Baylor’s appearance was by the far the worst with her eyes gouged out and her mouth split from ear to ear. On each member of the drug organization there had been a Belladonna flower carved into their forearms complete with a small bouquet of the said plant. What was more gruesome was that many of the members, Natalie included, had the equally toxic berries stuffed into their mouths by the handful. 

“So I’m gonna assume this is the higher ups. God save the Queen, they’re going after their own crew.” Angela pondered, walking carefully around the corpses. Natalie’s clenched fist particularly caught the Director’s attention and she asked for a pair of gloves to inspect the late woman’s body. “Thank you dear” She took the gloves from a paramedic and slipped them on, carefully opening the stiffened hand. It had been around four hours since the discovery of the murders, so rigor mortis had already settled in. Much to Angela’s lack of surprise, there was indeed something held. The older woman removed the paper and frowned in concentration, waving a police officer away as they tried to escort her off. “I’m part of this investigation, Angela Burr? Haven’t you heard of me?” She shook her head as the officer gave her a bit of an attitude. “Bugger off.” She cursed under her breath before returning to the strange piece of parchment. What she read made her blood run cold. 

Considering that you’ll be the first here, my dear Angela, I dedicate this work of art to you. The higher ups of Belladonna have so graciously allowed me to walk a “free man” once more. All I had to do was take care of these spineless oafs for them so that your dogs could continue to sniff their way along the investigation. Take this as a warning that I am watching and should you reveal anything that this note contains, the same could happen to you. I’d like to think of this as a little game and see how long it takes before someone slips. Have a lovely evening, my dear. 

-An old friend  

It was wrong of her to do, but Angela quickly shoved the piece of evidence in her pocket and growled. She knew exactly who this was and was not happy in the slightest, “Roper.” 

---------------------------------------

The moment Jonathan stepped back inside, Katie was already in bed and sound asleep, snuggled into the sheets. Pine couldn’t help but think of how adorable the brunette looked all tucked in and cozy. He sighed deeply, figuring that now with Roper’s odd involvement it would be safe to give his boss a ring. It still puzzled Pine though with Richard suddenly appearing out of the blue and giving them some leeway. There had to be more than just this, Jonathan was certain that Roper wanted something, he would just have to find out as soon as he could. Shaking his head, Jonathan makes his way to the bathroom and tends to his nightly needs before making his way to bed. He would think more on the case tomorrow morning with a more clear and concise mind. Carefully, he peels back his sheets and slips into them without waking Katie up. Thankfully, the young woman seems to be a rather heavy sleeper as Jonathan’s arms wrapping around her body does not seem to disturb her. Pine was more than happy to have Katie in his arms and would never turn something like this down as her body molded perfectly to his. Leaning over, he turned the lamp off and adjusted his position. With the soft patter of rain hitting the window, soothing darkness, Katie’s warm body, and lovely scent; Jonathan found himself asleep within minutes. 

-flash- 

“GO! GO! GO!!” The sergeant of Pine’s squad screamed as the Taliban were firing at them. 

A younger Jonathan frantically looked around, the sound of gunfire ringing in his ears for a moment. “CAM!? CAM WHERE ARE YOU!?” He screamed for his friend, hiding behind a bullet ridden wall for cover as a pipe bomb blew. Cries of pain from his companions had suddenly become louder than the explosions and rain of fire. He was not about to leave his best friend behind to die. “CAMERON!?” Pine threw himself from out of his hiding place, only to be forced to army crawl as bullets from each side whizzed above him. He had to hold back a scream as a child soldier fell dead right in his eyesight. Anything that he had eaten that day made its way up and covered Jonathan’s front as a reaction to seeing this innocent child fall victim to war. There was no time to stop as Pine continued to army crawl, using the dust from the area as coverage. 

“Pine-” A voice moaned out hoarsely. 

What Jonathan saw next made his stomach drop. Cameron was tied to a post with a large handmade timer bomb stabbed into his hands. “N-No, Cam.” He felt breathless as he quickly made his way to his dying friend. Almost immediately, he tried to undo the ropes securing Cameron, struggling as his vision was blurred from dust and smoke. 

The brunette man gave a bloody smile to his best friend and laughed weakly. “Hey i-it’s ok. I’m gonna be ok, Jonathan.” He coughed, shutting his eyes and continued to smile through the pain. 

Jonathan began to cry hard, tears trailing down his dirt ridden face. “No! I won’t let you die!! I’m gonna get you out of here and, and patched up. Your sister is waiting for you, Cam!! I won’t allow you to die!!” His bruised fingers ripped away at the bindings as fast as they could. “I know that your parents give two shits less about you, but your sister needs you!! Katie needs you!!” He sobbed, seeing he only had less than two minutes left. If only he hadn’t gotten into a stupid argument with Cameron over a week ago, none of this would have happened. Cameron wouldn’t have stormed out for a smoke, wouldn’t have gotten kidnapped, wouldn’t have gotten beaten, and wouldn’t have to die. Deep down, Jonathan knew it was too late to save his best friend but his frantic state wouldn’t allow him to see the truth before him. 

Cameron shook his head slightly, “It’s too late. M-My legs.” He coughed, nodding down to them. He saw Jonathan’s blue gaze look at his gored limbs in horror. The terrorist group had practically severed them off down to the bone and even a bit through it. To make matters even more painful, his achilles tendons had been ripped out. 

01:00 

00:59 

“NO!! I CAN’T!!” Jonathan breathed harder and growled as he fought a losing battle in order to save his friend. 

“JONATHAN PINE!!” Cameron shouted, getting his attention. His bright green eyes shimmered in the ray of sunshine that tore through the clouds of war. “Go. I’m dying for m-my country. I need you to run. Run as fast as you can and don’t look back. Please. Live on for me and if you ever meet little fox, make sure she doesn’t get into too much trouble.” A tear slid down his bruised face as the bomb was down to thirty seconds. “GO!!” He wailed at Jonathan, watching his friend get up with remorse and look at him one last time before taking off. Cameron shut his eyes, smiling and waiting for death to take him. “Thank you, for everything.” 

BOOM!

-flash- 

A young girl with brilliant green eyes stands before him. “My name is extremely Irish, it’s corny I know. I’m Katie O’Connor” 

His heart stopped as soon as she spoke her name. So he wasn’t dreaming after all when Angela said that a “Katelyn O’Connor” would be accompanying him. This was her; Cameron’s little sister. Little Fox. 

-flash-

“JONATHAN!! JONATHAN HELP ME!! I DON’T WANNA DIE!!” Now it was Katie strapped to a pole instead of Cameron. 

Jonathan shot up, gasping for air. His hands shook as he looked at them in the moonlight. The clock read 3AM once he glanced over to see how much sleep he had gotten. 

“Pine?” Katie spoke softly, adjusting her position so that she was facing him. Around 2:30AM, Katie had been woken up by sounds of whimpering and slight thrashing from the man next to her. She had tried to wake him up, but with no success. Her brother’s name kept slipping from Pine’s lips in a panic and he even broke out into a full on sob. What had he truly seen that day? 

The dark blonde haired man froze up at the sound of her voice and turned to face her, swallowing to soothe his dry throat. “Did I wake you? I-I apologize for whatever you may have heard.” He took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair. It had been a while since he last dreamt of that day. How horrific war truly was and how unnecessary that mankind craved it as a means of justification. His brows knit together as he felt Katie pull him down slowly. He felt her arms wrap around him as she pulled him close to her, laying his head upon her chest. The sound of her heartbeat made Jonathan wrap his arms around her in return and start to sob into her chest. His body shook as he cried softly, not holding back his emotions. 

“I forgive you… About Cameron. It wasn’t your fault.” She whispered into his short blonde locks, her fingers gently massaging his scalp. “We still have a long way to go before I completely forgive you, but I understand now that you tried to save my brother.” She shut her eyes, feeling tears of her own burn them. One witness to Pine’s nightmares of past war was enough for Katie to forgive and let go of her false grudge against Jonathan. A sort of peace had come over her upon her words and a soft smile graced her lips to know that Cameron wasn’t in pain and that he died heroically. Katie held Jonathan a bit closer that night, with both of them succumbing to sleep shortly once more. They had a big future ahead of them in taking down Belladonna, but they would do it together as she needed him and he needed her.

[poppibranchlover]

Nine Lives, One Fight - Part 14

The story: Deep in the forest of Troll Town, there lies a mysterious tiny purple mushroom that has a secret magical ability. King Peppy calls this mushroom forbidden for all Trolls to go near it. One day, while Branch is out in the woods doing his survival research studying, he encounters it and, not knowing it is a regular mushroom, decides to harvest it and bring it home. But in the next morning, its magic effects transform him into a small blue cat! After being sent to the animal pound, his girlfriend, Poppy, finds him and decides to adopt him, although not recognizing it is Branch. Desperate to finish his research project due for a special event invented by Poppy, Branch is forced to learn how to behave like a pet cat and must figure out what caused him to become one.

The wait is OVER!!! You already seen what had happened in Part 13. Now get ready for Part 14!:

Poppy headed for the direction that leads her to Branch’s heavily-fortified underground bunker. When she finally made it, she grinned to herself. Branch’s bunker was the most helpful resource she would always need!

“I bet I can just borrow some materials from Branch,” she said. “Maybe he’s got something to show me for the party!”

She went on to knock on the bunker door again, but forgetting that Branch isn’t responding inside several times, Poppy searched for a way how to get inside. “Is there a secret passage that can help me get in?” she asked herself. “I wonder how Branch can get in?”

From her backpack, Branch the kitten watched her examining his home. With a burst of speed, he jumped out of the bag without her noticing and hugged his beloved little underground territory. He was finally relieved that he was home at last!

“Ha-ha! Yeah!” Branch cheered. “At last! I’m finally back home! I knew Poppy would think of me! My plan is finally working!” Then he placed his paws around his bunker’s rocky surface, looking around for an access to get in. He added “Now all I need to do is unlock the entrance passcode so we can get inside!”

Just then, Wiggles the bunny popped out of the bushes and hopped his way to greet his friend.

“Hey, kid!” he chirped. “So you’re glad with your “going back home” plan, huh?”

“Yep!” Branch told him proudly. “My plan is working, Wiggles! When Poppy goes into my bunker to ask for my help, then that will distract her!” After saying that, he snickered to himself. Wiggles joined in too.

“I knew I would count on you,” said Branch. Then he continued looking for some secret access buttons around the rocky wall. “Come on. See if you can help me find something to get in!”

“Clever kitty,” Wiggles said simply. “Just think about it. Using a metal crowbar can help break into your house.”

“What? No, we can’t just use that!” Branch corrected him. “That’s dark.” All of the sudden, he felt something made of metal and said “Found it!”

What he was touching in a corner was a big red button. Pressing it with his paw, an electronic coding box appeared from the left.

Branch pushed in a few buttons, punching in a secret code that grants access into the bunker. (Branch actually made that code for himself since living in isolation in his beloved home.)

Finally, after he pushed the last dial, the small rectangular green screen has words flaring “Access granted! You can come in, Branch!”

Branch grinned. After all that planning he took, he is finally able to get inside his cozy underground home!

Meanwhile, Poppy is still looking for a way to get in the bunker when suddenly...

SHWOOK!!!

Branch’s brown mat, which said GO AWAY!, quickly opened, allowing trusted access.

Poppy was so startled after the mat disappeared, and after a moment, she said cheerfully “Wow! That’s great! Thank you, Branch!” She called down into the bunker entrance, thinking that Branch had activated the passcode from inside.

Branch and Wiggles scrambled back inside Poppy’s backpack as she made her way into the bunker.

Descending down to Branch’s room via using the elevator, Poppy looked around, trying to find her boyfriend. Once again, she called his name really loudly, but yet again, there wasn’t a response.

“Hmm? It seems like Branch is quite busy all this week throughout town today,” Poppy said with a simple shrug. “Maybe I can find some of his supplies to borrow from his bunker!”

She walked over to Branch’s studying table and placed her backpack down beside it. Then she zipped open her bag to comfort her pet cat, who meowed with concern.

Poppy stroked Branch’s blue hair, smiling and telling him gently “Stay right here, Mr. Tickle. I’m gonna look for Branch so I don’t want any commotion in his place.” Then she kissed his forehead and walked off, leaving Branch love-struck at her.

But instantly, Branch snapped back into reality, realizing what it needs to be done. He got out of the backpack and hopped onto his desk. All of his studying materials required for setting up his Show-and-Tell project were still laid out here.

“She’s distracted!” said Branch. “Now’s my chance to gather all of my stuff!”

Wiggles climbed out of Poppy’s backpack to follow him. “Hold up there, mister!” he protested. “How are you going to do this? You were just not that good when your owner is talking with two twin-haired girls!”

The bunny was referring to the encounter with Satin and Chenille from earlier. Branch shook his head and told him “I’m sorry. It’s just I had to learn how to control my instincts. If she finds out I’m ruining the bunker, she’s gonna send me back to her pod for the rest of my life!”

Branch swore he couldn’t let that happen. As a normal Troll, it was easy to do his task, but now that he was a cat, it is going to be a tough challenge than he used to think about. Besides, now he thinks being distracted by the red dot from the fashion twins’ presentation was a bad idea.

“If you don’t want it happen,” Wiggles instructed. “Please just act like...”

“A normal Troll?” Branch asked, making a face. “Yeah, don’t worry. I got this.”

Branch leaped away from his table, making his way to his closet of survival gear in a corner. He found one of his survival backpacks and dragged it out of his closet with his mouth.

He placed his backpack beside a basket of blueprints and turned to Wiggles, giving out some orders. “Alright. The plan is to pack all of my supplies so I can bring everything I need to complete my Show-and-Tell project!” he said. “I have no time to waste right now.”

“Now that’s more of a good plan!” Wiggles said cheerfully, if a little dopily. “So how can a kitten carry a large bag that big?”

Branch studied the shelves full of supplies and equipment. Gathering materials was just hard work for one tiny little cat. “Just wait and see,” he told Wiggles. “I’m not supposed to sit around and lick my paws all the time only to realize I need to finish my errand. Help me with the top shelves while I gather the bottom ones.”

“Got it, kitty!” Wiggles agreed. Then he and Branch started getting to work, reaching for the shelves, grabbing some supplies and blueprints with their teeth and packing them up into Branch’s bag.

Meanwhile, Poppy entered Branch’s bedroom, hoping to see any sign of him. Looking around, she called “Anyone home? Branch? Are you here? I just want to borrow something from you!”

Once more, no answer. It’s just one deserted bedroom. A random cricket chirped in the background.

“Branch?!” Poppy called for him even louder. But there is still no response. Where is Branch? And why he is not in his bedroom either?

“That’s just so odd,” Poppy muttered to herself. “I bet he must have went out again. But has he been ignoring me?”

Poppy isn’t so sure to believe, thinking maybe her brain was playing tricks on her. But she knew Branch was working super busy right now, so she searched around the room for anything to borrow from him.

She approached to a corner, where she found some shelves stocked with more of Branch’s things. He had stored every single one of them, such as jars, food, rocks and sticks.

Gasping with great awe, she took a jar of pickles from one of the shelves and said “At least I’ll just take some stuff from here. Hopefully Branch will find out when I approach him outside.”

Back in the living room, Branch and Wiggles are almost finished with packing supplies. The cat was holding a blueprint scroll in his mouth as he prepared to put it into his backpack.

Wiggles was concerned about the backpack, which is now growing more larger and larger due to many of Branch’s stuff being stored inside. “You sure you’re gonna carry a lot of that because kittens are so small compared to a Troll!” he told him.

With his mouth full of the blueprint, Branch said “Don’t worry about it. I got this under control.” He opened his mouth to drop the scroll into the bag...until a sweet voice interrupted him “I’m here, Mr. Tickle!”

Branch’s ears twitched to hear who was speaking. Turning around, he gasped when he saw Poppy approaching him, carrying the pickle jar she had collected.

Branch quickly closed his backpack, hoping that Poppy won’t see what he was doing, as all Trolls know that animals don’t act just like them. “Oh no!” he cried. “I hope I have everything I need!”

Wiggles peeked into the bag, checking if they had all the required materials needed. He pointed out to some books and building tools inside and told him quickly “I think that’s everything else! I gotta hide!”

“Okay, get in here! Quick, before she finds out!” Branch whispered sternly, opening his bag for a split second to let Wiggles hop inside as quickly as he can. He closed the bag just in time before Poppy was towering in front of him. She seemed confused on what he was up to right now, so Branch displayed a guilty expression on his face.

“Um...what are you doing with Branch’s backpack?” asked Poppy, putting her hands to her hips. She thought her cat seemed to be acting crazy.

Branch plastered his two front paws on his bag’s lid, attempting to cover it. “Meow! Meeow! Meow, meow!” he meowed nervously with mild embarrassment, trying not to scratch his backpack with his claws.

Poppy raised an eyebrow, suspicious of what is going on. Before she can stop him, Branch rushed to her side and purred against her side. “PUUUUUUURRRRRRRR….. PUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRR….”

That was good enough for Poppy to be more distracted. Losing interest at the brown backpack, she placed her hand on Branch’s soft blue fur to pet him while feeling his body vibrate at her rear side. “Oh…hahaha! Okay, okay!” she laughed while getting snuggled by her cat. “I know what you’re telling me! That’s good! You’re a good kitty!” 

Poppy patted Branch on the head and picked him up. Then she puts him back into her backpack, adding “I think we’ve done enough for today. Let’s just go back home!”

She prepared to leave, but then Branch peeked out, grabbed his brown backpack filled with his stuff with his mouth and struggled to fit it inside her bag. Just when Poppy thought she was able to lift her bag with all her strength, she can clearly notice how heavy it is now.

“Whoa! How can my bag get so heavy at the last minute?” she wondered to herself as she struggled to make her way to the elevator. “I hope I can make it home with everything else needed! I just hope it isn’t the pickle jar inside that making it too heavy!”

But thanks to the weight of Branch’s backpack inside her own backpack, Poppy thinks it’s going to take a while to get home. She is starting to get exhausted from all that bag-carrying. From inside Poppy’s bag, Branch smiled cockily to himself and his own bag of survival gear, certain that his plan is going on full motion.

                                              To Be Continued...

                                           Stay tuned for Part 15!

[trashyswitch]

Marvin’s Favorite Spell

Marvin has a favorite spell he's been testing for a while. When Marvin wakes up in a playful mood, he decides to try it out on his friends for the first time!

This fanfiction was loosely based on @franklyshipping​‘s series: ‘Marvin the Mischievous’. I added my own twist to it and everything. The only similar thing is the fact that Marvin is the main character, being all mischievous and stuff.

Marvin is a magician. We all know this. But did you know, he also has a spell book? Marvin's spell book was filled with many spells. Levitation spells, transformation spells, love spells, and millions more! But, there's one specific spell that Marvin keeps bookmarked with the words 'BEST SPELL' on the top of the bookmark.

That spell, is an Invisibility spell.

The invisibility spell is pretty self explanatory: Make yourself invisible. When mixed together, the powder can be initiated by sprinkling it onto yourself. It can be used for hiding things and sneaking around, but it's mostly a fun spell that you can use to mess with your friends. You can make them think the house is haunted, have them believe they have powers, or maybe just make them think they're having bad luck today. All of those possibilities can be achieved through the invisibility spell.

Marvin has been trying this spell out for a while now, in the comfort of his room. No one has seen him turn invisible yet. He's memorized the powder mix, and tested it out just on his own. This way, he's practiced his ability to sneak around quietly and used the powder whenever he pleases. That way, he can use it on his friends without posing any threats or harm. That's the last thing Marvin would want to do to his friends.

This morning though, Marvin woke up in a really playful mood. He almost immediately felt it since the moment he woke up. He wanted to play with someone. Mess with someone. Tickle someone...

Hmm...Tickling isn't a bad idea. Tickling while invisible seems like a genius plan! Marvin, you're a genius! For once in your life, you're a genius!

Marvin pulled out his spell book, and opened it to the bookmarked page: Page 138-139.

'Invisibility Powder

Mix together the following: -1 Fern Leaf -1 tbsp of Dried poppy seeds

Add: -1 tsp Slippery elm powder -1 tsp Myrrh -1 tsp Marjoram -3 small fresh Dillweed branches

Add 9 drops of almond cooking extract with enough spring water to make everything barely moist, and mix in well. Place in a ceramic bowl, spreading as thinly as possible, and dry the mixture over low heat, stirring it occasionally, until it seems lightly browned. Pour back into mortar, and grind again. When finely powdered, store in a clear glass container. It will keep its power for years. Sprinkle, just a little bit, on yourself, objects, or in a place to be made invisible.' Marvin read.

Marvin followed the instructions, placing everything in like he practiced. Then, Marvin placed it into a small bottle. Before putting it away, he sprinkled some onto himself. Then, he put a cork stopper onto the bottle top, and put the bottle in his pocket. Very soon, he could feel the powder taking effect. The moment he couldn't see his reflection in the mirror, he was ready.

Marvin walked out of his room, making sure no one was walking by. He walked out of his room quietly, and began to walk. He walked around the entire house, keeping in mind where everyone was. Thankfully for Marvin, no two people were in 1 room at the same time. This made it easier for Marvin to consider who would be watching his attacks. After memorizing where everyone was, he went to the first victim's location: the kitchen. It was Jackie.

Jackie appeared to be eating a protein bar while leaning on the island. Marvin decided to wait a couple seconds for Jackie to finish his protein bar. Once Jackie finished his protein bar, he threw away the wrapper, and jogged up to his workout room. Quickly slipping through the door as to not raise suspicion, Marvin got into the workout room. He's seen the workout room before, and has watched Jackie workout. He usually started with weights.

Marvin watched as Jackie loaded up the bar with weights, before laying onto the bench set. Grabbing the barbell, he lifted it off the barbell rest, and started lifting, lowering and counting. Marvin walked around the mats that were on the floor, and snuck up behind the barbell rest. After placing the barbell back onto the rest, Marvin decided to attack. He scratched a single finger, into the back of Jackie's neck.

Jackie let out a surprisingly high pitched squeal! Marvin had to retreat his hand to stop himself from laughing. "What the-" Jackie muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. After brushing off the tickly feeling, Jackie decided to pick up the barbell, and do a few more lifts. In the middle of his lifts, Jackie felt a tickly feeling right on his abs.

"AAah! Whohoho's thehehere?!" Jackie asked through his giggles, as he placed the barbell back onto the rest before he lost energy. Marvin retreated his hand, and tried to think of another spot to tickle. Looking down, he noticed that the back of his knees were exposed, thanks to the space between the bench cushions. Marvin smirked as he quietly snuck up to the spot, and laid on his back underneath the bench. Marvin let Jackie do another round of curls, before poking and prodding the bottom of his knees with both his index fingers.

"Hehehehey! Shohohow yohohoursehelf!" Jackie ordered. Marvin removed his fingers. "I demand you to show yourself immedi-" Jackie yelled, before being interrupted by the returning ticklish feeling under his knees. "AAhahahAHAHA! Whohoho ahahare yohohohou?!" Jackie asked through his giggles and spouts of laughter. Jackie tried to sound intimidating, but the ticklish laughter was a lot more controlling than Jackie could've predicted. And unfortunately for him, laughing while making demands didn't intimidate even the most cowardly of villains. Marvin smiled, and decided to try something out. He crawled up to Jackie's shoes, grabbed onto his ankle, and brought his other hand up to his pocket. Marvin grabbed his bottle of powder, and sprinkled some powder onto the shoe. Very soon, the powder took effect and made the foot on the inside appear. He lifted his hand, poking and prodding the now-visibly socked foot.

"Whahahat the hehehehell?! Hohohow are yohohohou dohohohoing thihihis?!" Jackie asked through his light laughter. Jackie was so confused. What was even going on right now?! For Jackie, his foot still felt like the shoe hadn't left his foot at all. So, Jackie thought the criminal was tickling his feet through his shoes. How was this person tickling him through his shoes?! So much for trying to cover his feet up.

Marvin soon found where his toes were, and dug his pinky toe under his toes.

"AAAAHAHAHA! NAHAHAT THEHEHEHERE! PLEHEHEHEASE NAHAHAT THEHEHERE!" Jackie begged. Wow...Jackie was already begging?! His toes must tickle a lot, to be begging THIS soon. Marvin smiled and moved his fingers to the inner arch of his foot.

"IHIHI CAHAHAHAN'T BREHEHEHEATH!" Jackie yelled. Marvin smirked before removing both hands. He grabbed the powder once again, sprinkled some on, and watched as the shoe became visible once again. Standing up, Marvin eyed up his slightly tired victim. After a couple more seconds of breathing, Jackie got up, walked into an open space in his workout room, and got himself into a defensive stance.

"I demand you show yourself to me immediately!" Jackie demanded. Marvin rolled his eyes, and shook his head with an eyebrow slightly raised. "If you refuse to follow my orders, then I'll have no choice but to arrest you." Jackie warned in as serious of a tone as he could muster.

Marvin just about snorted at that remark. He sounded so confident, talking to a 'criminal' he couldn't even lay eyes on! How much damage does he think he's gonna cause? How do you attack something that doesn't even have a visual to aim at?

Marvin decided to mess around with him. He ran around, dodging every attack Jackie attempted. Every time Jackie attempted an attack, he would wind up hitting nothing and stumble. That was when Marvin would attack.

Jackie threw a punch and lost his balance for a moment. Marvin ganged up from the side and wiggled his fingers on his exposed side. "EEEEK! Knohohock ihihit ohohohoff!" Jackie said.

Next, Jackie attempted a few punches in one direction. Marvin pretended to silently yawn, before walking up behind him and shoving his hands into Jackie's armpits.

"NAHAHAHAHA! COHOHOHOME OHOHOHON!" Jackie bursted out. His arms came crashing down, as he let out fits of laughter. Pretty soon, Jackie lifted his arms and ran away from the tickly fingers.

To try and land something, Jackie tried a roundhouse kick. This ended up backfiring however, as when his foot came up, Marvin just caught the leg in midair, and wiggled his fingers under his knees again.

"STAHAHAHAP THAHAHAHAT! LEHEHET MEHEHE GOOHOHOHO!" Jackie begged. It was starting to occur to Jackie, just how impossible this fight was gonna be. What was he supposed to do?!

Marvin let go of his leg and walked around him. Jackie decided to wait for the criminal to attack first. So, he waited. Marvin could sense what Jackie was planning. So, he circled the man, poking every ticklish spot he could find. He went for the sides, abs, stomach, neck, back, underarms, knees, and even a couple to the neck. Jackie reacted with either a squeal, a giggle or a yelp each time.

Finally, to end it all off: Marvin went behind him, and drilled his fingers into his hips. Jackie's reaction was priceless! He let out a super loud squeal and absolutely howled with laughter. It didn't take long for Jackie's knees to buckle and hit the ground. His hips were a death spot for him, and no one actually knew this except for Schneeplestein. Or so he thought...

"SHNEHEHEHEHEEP! IHIHIS THAHAHAHAT YOHOHOHOU?!" Jackie asked through his hysterical laughter. Marvin frowned at this, and dug his fingers harder into his hips.

"OHOHOHOHOHO GAAAAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Jackie screamed! He couldn't even properly speak anymore, he was laughing so much! Finally, Marvin finished up. He removed his fingers and walked away. Jackie's whole body collapsed onto a mat, utterly exhausted from the ticklish treatment he was just put through. Was it Dr. Schneeplestein?! If so, how was he invisible? Hopefully, he would get some answers soon...

Marvin's next target, was Chase Brody. Chase was playing video games in the gaming room. Yes, the Egos had a gaming room. The house came with an extra bedroom, which they converted into a gaming room. And in that gaming room, Chase was sitting in front of the big computer screen, playing Burnout Paradise on his Xbox. Marvin slightly opened the door, and checked to make sure he wasn't spotted. Once he was all clear, he opened it a bit more, and squeezed his body through the small opened wedge of the door before closing it.

"LOOK OUT EVERYONE! YA BOY AVERAGE, COMING THROUGH!" Chase shouted, just about giving Marvin a mini heart attack. Marvin jumped about 3 feet in the air, and almost yelled in surprise. That was close...

After calming himself down, Marvin tried to think of how to get his attention. Perhaps turning off the TV might be a good start? Marvin looked around, and found the remote halfway across the room for some reason. So, he grabbed it and turned the TV off.

"What the- COME OOOONN! I WAS SOOOOO CLOOOOSE!" Chase whined. while Chase was complaining, Marvin quickly removed the batteries, put them in his pocket, placed the remote back down and stepped aside. "Where's the remote again?" Chase asked himself. Chase looked around, and soon found the remote on the couch. He picked it up and clicked the power button.

It didn't turn on. Chase clicked it again. Nothing...Confused, he watched the remote as he clicked the power button...none of the buttons were lighting up...strange...

'did the batteries die?' Chase thought. He turned it around, and started to remove the lid from the battery compartment. Suddenly, Chase felt a poke against his stomach. Chase jumped backwards as his voice went wobbly for a moment. Okay...that was weird. He lifted up the battery lid, and noticed something: There were no batteries.

Chase placed the remote down, pulled out his phone and started texting a group text of the roommates in his house. Once the text went out, he placed the phone down. As he was bending down to pick up the remote, he felt a sudden push. Chase winded up losing his balance, and sitting on the ground.

"Alright, who's messing with me- Hehehehahaha! Hehehehey! Whohoho's tihihihihickling mehehehe?!" Chase said, bursting into a fit of giggles. Marvin smiled as he tickled his stomach. It's a good thing he's invisible right now.

"Hellohohohoho?! Who's-" Chase asked, before being interrupted by his own squeal. Marvin had started squeezing and lightly clawing at the sides of his tummy. "WAHAHAHA! NOHOHO! ANYWHEHEHEHERE BUT THEHEHEHERE!" Chase yelled, bursting into more laughter. It seems Chase was ticklish on his tummy. But what about his belly button?

Marvin dipped his finger into his belly button, and swirled it around. "EEEEEEK! NAHAHAT MY BEHEHELLY BUHUTTON! EEEEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" Chase begged, turning his body onto his stomach. Marvin frowned. His barrel roll had caused Marvin to lose a couple tickle spots. But, not all hope was lost. While he was there, Marvin decided to try his back muscles around the spine. He used his index finger and his thumb to push against the muscles beside his spine. He would give his muscles a little wiggle, before lifting and pushing his fingers against the spine an inch lower each time. At first, there was less reaction and more questions.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this? Heck, what are you even trying to do? Give me a back massage?"

But the lower down the spine that Marvin got, the more laughter started to show up.

"Wahait! Nahat any lohohower! Plehehease doOHOHOHO- OHOHOHOHO MY GAHAHAHAD! HAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAVE- HAHAHAVE MEHEHEHEHERCYYY!" Chase shouted. His eyes had widened to the size of saucers, before shutting tightly as his fists pounded the floor almost aggressively.

Marvin decided to let him go...for now...He removed his hands and decided to instead, very lightly scratch the back of his neck. This seemed to allow Chase a chance to breath, but still caused some giggles to leave his mouth. "Hahahahahaha! Hahaha...heheheheh..." Chase giggles. The man seemed to be calming down, and surprisingly...Chase was starting to relax.

Chase still had no idea what was going on. He didn't understand how he was being tickled without anybody actually there. But because it involved tickling, he didn't really mind it. Though the laughter was forced, it still made him feel happy. Marvin removed his fingers completely and stood up. He was glad that he could make someone genuinely happy through doing this, but he still had a mission to attend to. So, he grabbed the batteries from his pocket and placed them on a corner table near the door. With the batteries in sight, Marvin left the room.

Marvin walked around, heading for the next target: Henrik's office. Now, Henrik was an interesting one. He had an in-home doctor's office in a small room, that had a door connecting his office to his bedroom. He liked working on medical based things, so Marvin would have to be careful he doesn't damage or ruin something of Henrik's in the process. Marvin already knew where Henrik's worst spots were, but wanted to start off easy. So, he snuck up behind him, waited for him to place something down, and fluttered his fingers on the back of his neck.

"WaAAAh!" Henrik yelped, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, embarrassed by the sound he just made. Despite what just happened, Henrik gave the back of his neck a little scratch, and went on with his day. However, he only managed to do this for 5 seconds because suddenly, Marvin drilled his fingers into the sides of Henrik's stomach. This caused a squeal and a giggle to leave his mouth, before he turned around and put his hands up in front of him in self defense. Though it was an attempt, this proved to be pointless, as Marvin snuck up behind him once again and drummed his fingers on Henrik's ribs.

"AAaahahahahehehe!" Henrik laughed and squirmed, falling to his knees as he protected his ribs with his arms. He didn't really understand what was going on, but he wondered if the thing could be grabbed. So, he attempted it. When Marvin would tickle Henrik, Henrik would let himself laugh and try to reach for the spot. It took quite a few tries, but Henrik manged to get something in the middle of his laughing. "AHahahahaha! Gahahatcha!" Henrik cheered through his giggles.

Marvin's eyes widened. How did he know?! Did he know who it was?! Marvin stayed quiet as Henrik felt the thing he was holding. He felt the palm, the wrist, the individual fingers and even the nails.

"...A human...An invisible human." Henrik muttered to himself. Before Henrik could discover anything else, Marvin grabbed his arm with his free hand, and pushed him. He watched as Henrik protested and pulled at his arm, but walked backwards, following him. After a bit more pushing, Marvin felt Henrik's back hit the wall behind him.

"Vhat on earth are you trying to do?!" Henrik yelled. Marvin let his arm go and skittered his fingers on Henrik's ribs again. "Vahahahahait! Ehehexplahahain yohohoursehehelf!" Henrik ordered through his laughter, letting go of Marvin's hand as he succumbed to the ticklish trap. Marvin added his now free hand into the mix, wiggling both hands' digits on Henrik's ribs. Henrik's laughter heightened and grew louder, and his knees started to give way.

Slowly, Henrik was falling and Marvin was bending down, following him down the wall. As Henrik finally hit the ground, Marvin moved his hands to the front, digging into the front of his ribs and into the core muscles. As Marvin expected, Henrik threw back his head and stretched out his legs. "NOHOHOHOHOHO! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Henrik reacted. He squirmed around, trying to get the mysterious hands away from his ticklish body, but to no avail. Marvin decided to take it up a notch, by switching his hand tactics to clawing and quick vibrating.

The reaction from Henrik was absolutely hilarious! "SCHEHEHEHEHEIßE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHALT! BIHIHIHIHIHIHITTE!" Henrik yelled through his hysterical laughter. Henrik was starting to revert to his native language! That rarely ever happened!

Marvin realized that this was a sign to stop very soon. The doctor kicked, he squirmed, he shook his head, and he swatted at the clawing hands. But nothing could stop the mysterious hands from tickling him. Marvin decided to try out two more spots before he stopped. Marvin moved his hands up to Henrik's armpits first.

"AAAAAAAAAAHH! NEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEIN!" Henrik shouted! His arms had clamped down, trapping his hands under his arms. Maaayybe he should've tried the neck first...

Marvin stopped his fingers, and patiently waited for Henrik to let his hands go. When he did, Marvin shot his right arm up and lightly wiggled his fingers on Henrik's neck.

"Ohohohokay...okahahahay...Zhat's behehetter...Zhahahank yohohou..." Henrik said through his much more calm giggles. Marvin to completely stop, and give the poor man a break. He was afraid he might've gone overboard.

Marvin stood back up, and stared at the exhausted Henrik, who was deeply breathing on the floor. Feeling slightly bad, Marvin went over to the sink, got a glass of water and handed it to him. Henrik smiled, sat back up and took the drink.

"Zhank you...you didn't have to do zhat..." Henrik said, placing the paper cup beside him. Marvin smiled to himself, before leaving the room.

Next, was Jameson Jackson, or JJ/Jamie for short. Henrik looked around, but couldn't find JJ in his room. Strange...he was there earlier...Perhaps he moved?

He walked around for a while longer, soon finding JJ in the living room. He appeared to be working on a jigsaw puzzle of a street with old cars, and a farmer riding a horse. So far, JJ had the cars on the street filled and was starting to put together the hotel building, with the black car parked in between the buildings. Noticing a piece that fit a certain space, Marvin waited for JJ to look away. When he looked away, Marvin grabbed the puzzle piece, and fit it in quickly, before retreating and looking again. JJ looked back at the puzzle, and placed a piece...

'Wait a second..Wasn't that previously an empty space?' JJ thought to himself. Thinking he was losing his mind, JJ ignored it, and started looking around for another piece. While JJ was collecting a few more pieces, Marvin had grabbed a couple pieces and fit them in the right spot. JJ placed a piece in, and noticed it was...already filled? What? JJ looked at his own piece, looked around, and realized where it was actually supposed to go. Placing it in, he tried to wrack his brain to find out when he put that piece in. But...he couldn't recall putting it in at all!

While JJ was thinking, Marvin grabbed a pile of puzzle pieces, and started dragging them together to form a letter.

JJ reached for a pile of pieces, but felt nothing. Looking up, he noticed that the small puzzle pile he made earlier, was missing! Thinking they fell on the floor, he looked under the table...

No puzzle pieces. Looking back up, something caught his eye! A collection of puzzle pieces spelling something out:

'Hi' it said.

JJ's eyes widened, as he leaned away slightly. Is someone messing with him? If so, who?

JJ decided to try something. He pulled a pen out of his jacket, and made a notebook appear in his hand. He used the notebook to write a message.

'Hello.' JJ wrote. He placed the pen and paper on the other side of the table, and worked on the puzzle while he was waiting. After a couple more pieces were placed, JJ looked up to the notebook.

Nothing.

Perhaps he really was losing it. JJ looked back down at his puzzle, and looked around for the pieces of the Hotel sign in his puzzle.

Suddenly, a sound filled his ear...just for a moment. JJ looked up, to see the pen on top of the paper, rather than beside.

...Perhaps, he wasn't losing it? JJ looked at the notebook, and widened his eyes at the strokes of ink below his.

'Cool puzzle!'

JJ looked around him. To the right: no one. to the left: no one. behind him: no one. all around him: an empty room.

JJ narrowed his eyes. He grabbed the pen, wrote something down before placing it down in front of him.

JJ waited. He needed to know. Is there a ghost he wasn't aware of? Who else knew about this ghost? Why was there a ghost in here? What was its na-

JJ's thoughts stopped there, when suddenly...the pen started rising up! JJ jumped back in total shock! GHOST!

Despite what JJ was thinking, Marvin was picking up the pen, and writing down something before dropping the pen and letting it click against the paper. JJ looked at the notebook, and hesitantly picked up the paper with his shaky hand. He grabbed the notebook, watched the pen slide off the notebook and onto the table, and read the paper:

'Look behind you...' it read.

JJ bit his lip, nervous about what to see. He slowly turned around, clenching the notebook with his shaky hand. He opened his squeezed eyes, and looked...

A glove? Scratch that...two gloves were floating in front of him.

One of the gloves waved to him...JJ, not knowing what else to do, waved back.

Eager to get this show on the road, Marvin, with his gloves on, started wiggling his fingers. JJ raised an eyebrow, confused as to what 'wiggling fingers' meant.

The gloves flew towards him, and started examining JJ. One glove grabbed his hat and lifted it off his head, while the other glove felt his hair and ruffled it. JJ, slightly annoyed, grabbed his hat and plopped it back onto his head.

Marvin's gloved hand, now free of the hat, placed its finger on JJ's neck, and scratched the side of his neck. JJ let out a squeal and curled his neck instinctively. With the other gloved hand, Marvin scratched the other side of his neck. JJ scrunched his shoulders, a toothy grin showing up on his face as he tipped his head back. Marvin's fingers continued scratching, until one of the fingers got under the jawline. JJ let out another squeal, as his own hands came up to swat at the gloved hands. The gloved hands didn't budge however, as the other gloved hand only went for the other side of the jawline. JJ threw his head back as his giggles grew a little louder. Marvin smiled to himself. it's working!

Next, the gloved hands went up to JJ's ears. JJ squealed loudly, as his head curled to the side to stop the gloves from tickling his ear. When the other gloved hand went for the other ear, all hell broke loose. JJ bursted out laughing, before falling onto his back. Marvin's gloves followed him, dancing his fingers on JJ's tummy and sides. JJ's smile was toothy and wide, and his squirming was increasing rather quickly. Marvin kept his hands on JJ's tummy, making sure to squish and squeeze his toned belly as well. JJ was laughing and giggling, shaking his head, and signing frantically.

'Stop! Stop, too ticklish!' Marvin could understand through JJ's frantic signs. Marvin smiled at the adorable man below him, as he kept one hand on his belly and used the other hand to go back to scratching his ear. JJ's laughter turned to cackles, as he threw his head back and lost his hat.

Suddenly, the gloved hands started spidering his sides, and walked up, up and up across his ribs, and into his armpits! JJ's arms came crashing down as his body swayed frantically back and forth.

Marvin was absolutely enjoying this! So far, JJ has been the most fun to tickle! Marvin knew JJ was ticklish from watching other people tickle him, but he didn't know how ticklish he really was! That is, until now. At this moment, Marvin had JJ stuck being tickled for a while, and he wanted to appreciate it for as long as he possibly could.

So far, it seemed like JJ's most ticklish spots were his tummy and his armpits. Marvin just about died at the cuteness! He placed his gloved hands back onto his ticklish neck, and wiggled his fingers excitedly.

In the midst of Marvin's little attack, his eyes came across the useful item from earlier: the pen. Feeling a wide and mischievous smirk form on his lips, Marvin grabbed the pen, clicked the ballpoint tip open, and started to draw on his neck with the pen! JJ let out an ear-piercing squeal! Marvin could easily tell JJ was enjoying this, and could happily announce that JJ was having the most ticklish time of his life! He continued drawing on his neck, creating little drawings on JJ's neck. JJ was kicking his legs, trying not to squirm too much.

Soon, Marvin decided to give JJ a break. He removed his hands, clicked the pen and placed it aside. JJ stayed laying on the ground, curled in a ball and rubbing his ticklish spots free of the leftover tingly feeling. While JJ was laying there, Marvin wrote a note into the notebook and placed it down. JJ eventually got up, grabbed the notebook and read the words written:

'Thanks for the little tickle session! P.S. You have an adorable smile!'

JJ could feel his cheeks heating up as he tried to hide his growing grin from whoever could be watching. Was he still there? He couldn't see the gloves anymore. So...perhaps he left?

And indeed, he did! Marvin had left JJ a couple minutes ago, and went to find Shawn: his last victim. Now, Marvin was a little nervous about this one. He wanted to leave Shawn till the very end for a specific reason, that he refused to admit. He wanted to think outside the box for Shawn's.

Marvin suspected he was in his room, painting, toy making, something of that sort. Marvin walked up to the open door and looked in: Turns out, he was right!

Shawn was holding a mixing tray, playing with different colors on a blank canvas.

'Man, that painting looked good!' the magician thought. Marvin looked around the room, and settled his eyes on Shawn's desk. On the desk were many cup holders: One for pencils and pens, one for scissors, sharpeners and erasers, one for glue sticks, and lastly: one for paintbrushes. There was a big variety of brushes: From tiny tipped brushes, to large wall paintbrushes. Marvin's lips formed into a mischievous smirk as an evil, ingenious idea came to his head.

Marvin snuck into the room. He walked past the display of toys and the reading chair, and towards the desk. He picked up the container of paintbrushes, and grabbed a small one and a big one from the cup. Just as he was placing the cup back, Shawn had turned around, and noticed that the brush container was moving by itself! Shawn dropped his paint-filled brush and gasped. This got Marvin's attention. Shoot...this wasn't part of the plan...

Marvin decided to quickly improvise. He put 3 of the brushes onto the desk, and carried the second biggest one with him. As he walked up to Shawn suspense-fully, he pointed the brush end at the painter, shaking it back and forth. Shawn jumped out of his chair, and made a run for it. he ran around his room a couple times, before running out the door. Marvin followed him as they entered the hallway.

A wild chase had begun. Shawn took twists and turns to try and slow the paintbrush down, but found that the paintbrush was getting closer and closer no matter what he did. As he tried to look for a place to hide, he realized there was a chair in front of him. Jumping up, he landed on the seat, and took a step onto the table! He took a couple steps on the table, before suddenly: His running came to a screeching halt! He tried to run. His legs were going, his arms were swaying back and forth, but his body wasn't moving! Before he could find out what was going on, his whole body was pulled backwards into an invisible grip!

Shawn yelled, but his mouth was silenced by...what felt like a hand? He tried to fight it, but struggled to keep it up. His fighting slowly turned to squirming as something started tickling him in the mysterious grip. Shawn muffled grunts turned to muffled laughter as his ribs were poked and clawed at. God...he probably looked really weird, laughing and squirming as he floated in the air. Thankfully no one was around to witness this.

As Shawn's muffled laughter continued, he watched as the mysterious creature carried him back to his room, and placed him onto his bed. Shawn attempted to escape again, but was stopped by a body...a body he couldn't see. The only thing he could see, was the hand imprints in his bed. Shawn started to feel around. Originally, he was trying to find an opening. But soon...that thought left his mind as a new thought replaced it: 'Who is this?'. Shawn felt everything he could reach: the arms, the head, the face, the hands, the shoulders, even the chest. It soon dawned on him that this was a human...and telling by the mask he could feel on the person's face, not just any human...

"...Wwwaaaaaaiiit...M-Marvin?" Shawn asked. Marvin's jaw dropped. HOW DID HE-...

Marvin started laughing nervously. "How did you know?" Marvin asked, using his voice for the first time.

"HEEEEYY! It IS you!" Shawn yelled excitedly.

"Yup...it's me..." Marvin said, embarrassed that Shawn found out who he was.

"Why, in the world, are you invisible?!" Shawn asked. Marvin pulled the bottle of invisible powder out of his pocket. Shawn rolled his eyes and let his head fall onto the bed with a smile on his lips. "Invisible powder? Really?" Shawn asked. Marvin pulled the cork off of the bottle, and sprinkled a bit onto his head. Suddenly, his body started appearing, bit by bit.

"...Surprise?" Marvin said awkwardly, before falling into a fit of laughter.

"You were the one controlling the brush?!" Shawn asked, laughing himself.

"Yes!" Marvin replied.

"You were the one who picked me up, and tickled me?!" Shawn asked with a smile on his face.

Marvin looked away, his face heating up and a cheeky grin growing onto his face. "...Maaaaaayybe..." Marvin replied.

Shawn narrowed his eyes and smirked in a mischievous, but curious manner. Suddenly, two hands gripped him. "Come here, ya little shit!" Shawn yelled, before spinning them both around. Now, Shawn was on the top, and Marvin was below him. "You know, you could've told me about your little crush." Shawn declared, grabbing his hands and holding them above his head. As Shawn thought about where to tickle first, he looked up to Marvin. "So tell me: Do you have a crush on me?" Shawn asked, before licking his lips eagerly. Marvin just about died upon watching that. Suddenly, a hand had found his side. Marvin looked down, and saw that it was Shawn's hand...uh oh..."I think someone needs some help confessing..." Shawn teased, clawing at Marvin's side. Marvin bursted into laughter as his body started squirming.

"Hahahahaha! Shaahahahawn! Thahahahat tihihihickles!" Marvin whined through his laughter.

Shawn gasped dramatically. "What?! This TiCkLeS? Perhaps I'd better fix that for you! What do you say, Marvy?" Shawn asked in a teasy voice. Marvin's laughter grew louder, as embarrassment over the nickname took a hold of him.

"DOHOhohon't cahahahall mehehe thahahahat!" Marvin yelled out of embarrassment.

"Hmm...I'll take that as a yes." Shawn decided, before giving Marvin a break. He walked over to his desk, and eyed up the single paintbrush laying on the desk. He knew Marvin was planning to use them on him. So...what would happen if Shawn reverse carded him, and used the paintbrushes on Marvin? Shawn smirked, grabbing the paintbrush from the desk and placing them into his pocket before walking back. Shawn grabbed the tiny brush out of his pocket and lifted up his shirt. Then, he dipped the paintbrush end into Marvin's belly button.

"aaAAAH! NAHAHAHAT THE BEHEHEHELLY BUHUHUTTON! HAHAHAHAHA!" Marvin yelled, bursting into laughter as he tried to squirm away from the paintbrush. Unfortunately, Shawn's brush would only follow the belly to wherever it squirmed to.

"There! That's a lot better." Shawn declared, swirling the paintbrush in Marvin's belly button.

"HAHAHAHAHA! SHAHAHAHAHAWN! PLEEEHEHEHEHEHEASE!" Marvin pleaded. Shawn smirked at the sound. Was Marvin already begging? It certainly didn't take that long.

Shawn gave Marvin another break. He pulled the invisible powder bottle out of Marvin's pocket, pulled off the cork and sprinkled a bit onto his head.

"Wa-wait! Yohou dohohon't know how tohoho use ihihit!" Marvin argued, still giggly from being tickled a moment ago.

"Nah, I get it...See? Not so easy to see now, huh?" Shawn replied, showing Marvin his now invisible hands, holding the bottle and cork in his hands. Shawn placed the cork back into the bottle, gave it to Marvin, and started walking around the room.

"Uuuuhuhuh...Shaaahahawn?" Marvin warned, nervous giggles leaving his throat. Suddenly, a pair of hands had trapped Marvin into a tight hug from behind. From there, Marvin started laughing as fingers started attacking his ribs, tummy and sides. "NAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IHIHI CAAHAHAHAHAHAN'T TAHAHAHAKE IHIHIT!" Marvin shouted, as best he could through his uncontrollable laughter.

"Aww! Come on, really? You can't take a bit of tickling?" Shawn asked.

"IHIHIHIT'S TOHOHOHOHOO MUHUHUHUHUCH!" Marvin yelled back, squirming and attempting to swat at Shawn's hands.

"Oooooh! Okay! So, you like lighter tickles then?" Shawn asked playfully.

Marvin didn't even wait a second to answer. YEHEHEHEHES!" Marvin yelled frantically. Shawn nodded, before stopping his fingers. He didn't let him go, though. He remained holding onto him, and calmly felt the man's deep breaths. He leaned his chin onto Marvin's shoulder as he processed the feeling, slowly closing his eyes to stay focused.

Shawn and Marvin remained like this for a while. Marvin had placed his hands on top of Shawn's, and leaned his head against Shawn's as well. They were both comfortable in each other's arms...

That was, until Shawn blew a raspberry into Marvin's neck.

"HEHEHEHehehehey! I thohohought wehehe were hahahaving ahaha mohohohoment?!" Marvin asked.

"We are! I'm just adding some laughter into the moment!" Shawn replied, before giving Marvin another raspberry into his neck. Marvin bursted out laughing again. When the laughter slowly died down, Shawn would blow another raspberry.

"Shahahahahahawn! Ihihit- AAAHAHAHaha! Ihihit tihihihickles!" Marvin whined, his laughter growing as he was given another raspberry in between his sentence.

"Really? It tickles? Here! Let me fix that!" Shawn decided, before blowing multiple raspberries up and down Marvin's neck.

"NAAAHAHAHahahaha! AHAHahahaha! Yohohohou're soohohoho MEHEHEHEHEAN!" Marvin yelled.

"Mean?! You think I'm mean?! I'm offended, Marvin!" Shawn reacted. Shawn continued to raspberry his neck, but also resumed the clawing on Marvin's tummy and sides again. Marvin threw his head back and bursted out into even more laughter! The more he laughed, the more his laughter turned to cackles! Soon, Marvin's cackles took over his body as he squirmed frantically to get out of Shawn's grip.

"AHA! I've gotcha!" Someone said. Suddenly, a pair of hands had scooped up Shawn, and dragged him backwards a few steps. Marvin got out of Shawn's loosened grip, and took off running to the wall on the other side of the room, before turning himself around.

"HEY! LET ME- EEEEK! HEHEHEHEY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Shawn squealed, before falling into a fit of laughter. Marvin's eyes widened as he gazed at the person. It was Henrik! Oh gosh...He was trying to get revenge on the invisible person!

"Oooh! Does zhe invisible human have ticklish ribs, by any chance?" Henrik teased, before drilling his fingers into the bottom ribs and wiggling them. Shawn's laughter grew louder and higher as he kicked and pushed against the arms that trapped him.

"YEHEHEHEHESS! THEHEHEHEY'RE TOHOHOHOHOO TIHIHIHICKLIHIHISH!" Shawn yelled through his laughter. Henrik rolled his eyes and decided to raise his arms a little higher. He started digging his fingers into the middle ribs, making sure to dig into the sides of the ribs as well as the front.

"GAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! DON"T GO HIGHER! DOHOHOHON'T GOHOHO HIGHEHEHER!" Shawn begged.

"Oh, I'm going higher. Your laughter gets louder zhat vay!" Henrik replied, before dragging his fingers a little higher and digging into the ribs. Shawn's protests continued leaving his mouth, but soon, his squirming had started to die down. Marvin was SO thankful to not be in that situation.

"Now: Let's see who zhis invisible tickler is..." Henrik said, before pulling a bottle of invisible powder out of his pocket. Wait a second...

"Where did you get that?" Marvin asked slightly frantic.

"From your room. Either zhis is a ghost, or zhis is a fellow friend of ours." Henrik theorized, before sprinkling some invisible powder onto the invisible person's shaking head. The powder starting taking effect, as Shawn's body started reappearing in Henrik's arms. "Shawn?!" Henrik reacted, his jaw dropping at the shocking news.

"Yahahaha...whahahat dohoho yohou wahahahahant?" Shawn asked, confused as to what was going on.

"I vant to know why you vere tickling people in zhe house?" Henrik explained.

"Whahahat ahare yohohou tahahahalking abohohohout?" Shawn asked.

Henrik narrowed his eyes, as bits of frustration started to spark inside of him. Henrik decided to dig his hands into Shawn's armpits. "Now's not a good time to start denying. Spit zhe truth out!" Henrik ordered, still tickling him.

Shawn squeezed his armpits shut as he squirmed back and forth. "I AHAHAHAM TEHEHEHELLING THEHEHE TRUHUHUHUHUTH!" Shawn shouted.

"Oh, I doubt that!" Henrik replied, continuing his ticklish revenge on the 'invisible tickler'.

"Actually...he's not lying. Shawn wasn't the one who tickled everyone..." Marvin explained.

"Vait...really? Zhen, vhy vas Shawn invisible?" Henrik asked.

Shawn breathed in as much as he could, but also attempted to speak. "Because *huff* I...was *huff* getting...revenge...*huff* on Marvin. *huff* " Shawn said through puffs of air.

Henrik narrowed his eyes, and looked at Marvin. Marvin was scratching the back of his head, with a wobbly smile on his face. "Yyyyyup...Iiiit was meee..." Marvin confessed awkwardly. Henrik's revenge focused switched, dropping Shawn and running up to Marvin to cover him in vengeful tickles.

"Wait! Hold on- Henrik! We can talk about this, can't we?" Marvin attempted.

"Oh yes, ve CAN talk! Let's talk TICKLES!" Henrik said, before trapping Marvin in his arms and squeezing at his tummy.

"WAAHAHAHAHAHA! HEHEHENRIHIHIHIK!" Marvin yelled, bursting out into hysterical laughter. Henrik's fingers proceeded to dance all over Marvin's tummy, and he soon dipped his index finger into Marvin's sunken belly button.

Marvin exploded with laughter! "PLEHEHEHEHEASE! MEHEHERCY! MEHEHEHEHERCYY!" Marvin pleaded.

Henrik let his lips form into a smirk, before bringing his lips to Marvin's ear. "No amounts of mercy vill be given to you for a vhile. So yust do me a favor: Laugh it aaaaaalll out." Henrik whispered into his ear, before launching the ultimate tickle attack on the magician.

And indeed, Marvin laughed. And laughed, and cackled...and snorted, and let out all his other laughs as well! It was about time that Marvin gets that ultimate wrecking they've all been waiting for. In the end, Henrik took pity on him, and let him go. Then, all was well when Henrik gave him a glass of water.

[purkinje-effect]

The Anatomy of Melancholy, 53

Table of Contents. Second Instar, Chapter 20. Go to previous. Go to next. ...Or maybe not broken enough. TW: mental snap, description of sources of disfigurement and injuries.

____________________________

By the time ‘Choly had crossed the base grounds, G-7 had likely stood idle outside his rowhouse for upwards of half an hour. His new uniform hung gingerly in one of its tendril pincers, in two garment bags. Wheezing hard, he snatched it from the Mister Gutsy and thanked it with a pat on its tendril, then slouched up the porch stairs. Before he even got on the porch, the front door flew open, and Angel came out to try to help him inside.

“Oh, dear, Mister Carey, do forgive me--” He swatted the air angrily at it. “Mister Hawthorne refused to wait a moment longer, and I promised both you and Miss Francis that I wouldn’t leave him alone--”

“JACOB!” Snarling, he mounted the stairs, his head running hot. “What the FUCK was so important that you couldn’t wait on me fifteen GODDAMN minutes! Angel is my fucking WHEELCHAIR--”

Standing stupid in the doorway to his bedroom, ‘Choly stopped in his tracks. Dressed again in his longshoreman’s garb, Sticks sat on the end of the bed with the Vault 111 jumpsuit slung across his lap. The ghoul’s face was all screwed up in what could either have been a smile or a grimace. He sniveled, not looking up to ‘Choly.

“What kind of sick fucking joke is this?” Sticks’s voice cracked, rough enough to nearly sound underwater. Transfixed on the blood stains, his fingers tangled up in the stab hole in the front of the otherwise royal blue bodysuit. “I was right. You are haunting my stupid ass.”

‘Choly hung up the garment bags in the open closet and sat beside him to catch his breath. Unsure what to say, he sat wheezing for some time.

“Jesus Christ,” Sticks continued at a hush with a broken pitch bottomless glare, the grimace falling slack. “Those glasses. If it’s 2077 all over again, why am I still like this--?”

“Hey. Hey, stay with me.” ‘Choly tried to put a hand on Sticks’s, but the ghoul withdrew it and let his attention knot back up in the vault suit. “I got attacked by bloodbugs on the way up Route 3. One of them got me, just under the collarbone. Would have got me through the heart, if it hadn’t been for the surgical corset. If Angel hadn’t had its Nanny tendril and programming, it wouldn’t have been able to administer the Stimpaks it did. I-- You think I got shot in the chest, don’t you?” A weak, defeated laugh escaped him. He loosed his necktie and began to unbutton his dress shirt. “I can show you the scar it left. And I know Angel would hate to produce it, but I did keep the thing’s proboscis. A sort of trophy. Angel! Bring the bloodbug proboscis, will you?”

When Sticks was uninterested in entertaining the spectacle of ‘Choly’s scars, 'Choly got up from the bed and went into the open closet to change into his new uniform. He discarded the service uniform in the floor and put his Pip-Boy atop the chest of drawers, and stood there in his undershirt and underwear by the time Angel approached with the requested object. At first the robot offered it to its owner, but he urged it to hand the foot-long hollow structure to the ghoul instead. It also offered the deathclaw’s paw with tacit displeasure.

“Please tell me we’re not taking these with us,” it complained. “You really must rethink what you keep from the awful beasts that attack you.”

“How-- a deathclaw!” The desiccating clump of mostly bone fell in the floor rather into Sticks’s lap. He brandished the proboscis at him like a knife from where he sat. “No. No, there’s no way you’re standing in front of me alive.”

‘Choly was immune to the gesture, too absorbed in getting dressed again.

“You’re convinced I’m a ghost. Is that it? Maybe I am. It would explain a lot.”

‘Choly leaned nearer his reflection in the broken full-length mirror as he fastened the brass snaps of the high-collar charcoal shirt’s wide asymmetrical strapped placket. He adjusted how the piped edge sat around his neck. Already affixed was the colonel’s eagle. He straightened to scrutinize his transformation progress, and could only continue to wonder whether accepting the promotion was a mistake. Leaning against the frame of the closet door to steady himself, the matching slacks came next. He tucked in his shirt, then argued with his ammo case harness to get the belt through the loops and the suspenders in place. He dragged his combat boots over to the bed to sit and lace them up.

“I guess I’m just struggling with the reality,” Sticks admitted quietly, “that despite everything that’s happened to you, you could possibly still be alive. It’s my understanding that the majority of people who got into the vaults didn’t usually last more than a few years, for the variety of evil shit Vault-Tec did. Forgive me for having such a hard time imagining that you survived two centuries in one, and have somehow managed to keep from getting killed by the Commonwealth ever since, having to crash course it all first hand.”

“Didn’t do it alone.” He pointed at Angel, warming to a grin, and it brought him his Pip-Boy. He folded up his right sleeve and put it back on. “I had to repair Angel for a lot of reasons, you know. Damn if it’s not foolhardy as all abandon, though! You know raiders chopped off its one laser attachment, and even though it only had its saw and pincer, it still ran headlong toward that deathclaw to keep it from ripping up the settlers that the raiders had been trying to kill!”

“If I hadn’t done something, Mister Garvey would have had to contend with the monstrosity all on his own,” Angel stated humbly. “The power armor could have only done him so much good against something so large and so angry!”

“Settlers?” Sticks mumbled after a good moment, spacing out. “There’s settlers in Lexington? They’re not raiders?”

“One of them still fancies himself a Minuteman, if that means anything to you of their substance.” When the ghoul couldn’t help a bittersweet smile, ‘Choly chuckled and patted his knee. “All that happened in Concord, actually-- and they’re living in Sanctuary now, believe it or not!”

Any good humor fell right back out of the ghoul.

"You’re kidding me.”

“Serious. I told them the vault isn’t safe--and it’s not--but they’re--” ‘Choly’s mood soured in kind, himself haunted. “The old woman’s living in Jahani’s house. Jh-- Hhha--” He squinted tight, the words difficult as he tried to divorce his sense of self from what he was now wearing. “Why did the Gutsy earlier insist you’re not a civilian? Liv doesn’t seem especially against disclosing high-ranking military intel in front of you.”

“She hasn’t said anything around me I haven’t heard before,” the ghoul shrugged, unsure how to navigate the ghost seeming more distraught than he was. “And Deenwood doesn’t consider me a civilian because it still thinks of the Furriers as off-base reserve troops. And it considers me a Furrier. And a defector, too, I guess, if we’re being honest.”

Still in the fumes of recalling his ties to Jahani, ‘Choly got up from the bed to retrieve his remembrance poppies from the top of the chest of drawers in his closet, and leaned in the door frame to thread them onto the shirt he had on. He watched Sticks expectantly, hoping for elaboration. Sticks scrunched up his mouth to one side and decided to fold up the vault suit like he’d found it.

“I was the reason for the General’s last major meltdown. Fifty years ago, I nicked a Mark V Pip-Boy from the RobCo Towers. Thought if I had sophisticated enough tech, even I could hack my way on base. But I’m sure you remember that I am and always have been rubbish with computers. She caught onto me immediately. She hit Voire with a metric fuckton of Rad-I-Canned, and had me hunted down so she could throw me in a cell on base. Had my hand ripped off me, and she gutted my Pip-Boy and turned it into... this, as a way of guaranteeing that I couldn’t try to use it against her again.” He made a face at his glove prosthesis, and dropped his hands into his lap. “Still not totally sure how I managed to convince her not to experiment on me anymore than she did. But no, ‘Choly. I swear I wasn’t going through your shit. I had to come back here, and get Angel to start packing up so you wouldn’t lose anything important if she doesn’t let us back on base, and I was in here when it started packing up your closet, and--”

“Why don’t you think she’ll let us back on base?”

“--Because someone gave away the fact you and I knew each other prewar.” He couldn’t contain a glare toward Angel, who flinched in remorse. “I guarantee she suspects some kind of foul play. The fact she’s following through with your requests at all, as closely and correctly as she has, is suspect to say the least. Either she’s that desperate to keep you doing exactly what she wants you to do, or there’s something really, really wrong.” As ‘Choly fished the knee length white overcoat from the other garment bag and put it on, Sticks motioned for Angel to come back in the room from where it had withdrawn to the hall. “Angel, those are legit insignia things, right? You can scan ‘em and tell he’s Alan Carey? A colonel...?” He shuddered, haunted afresh. “Colonel. Good god almighty it just all comes so natural to you, doesn’t it.”

“Oh, yes, of course they’re genuine,” Angel reported, its ocular lenses combing over the nameplate, ribbon rack, and other various brass and silver insignias which all indicated his rank, branch, and tenure. “Though, I’m not certain as to the significance of this addition to your ribbon rack.”

‘Choly withdrew into the closet to conceal a snivel in adjusting his broad collar and fastening the buckling utility belt of the coat about his waist. It wasn’t that he was wearing a uniform--this was his uniform. He’d only had one commanding function during his last active duty, directing the administration and observation of the enlisted troops upon which Deenwood’s military chemists had experimented. But he wasn’t about to admit in the moment that his rank had never put him on the battlefield, and risk planting doubt in his ability to lead where he would need to.

“Please, do forgive me, gentlemen,” the robot continued, feeling like ‘Choly had been stewing in silence. “I don’t mean anything by it, that I refer to you as I was introduced to you. My programming was scripted before it was commonplace for people to change their last names, or omit using them altogether. I know it’s not just you, Mister Hawthorne, who’s nettled by it. Mister Carey can’t stand it either. Maybe it would be for the best, to permit Miss Francis to reset my imprint matrix.”

“She’s not touching your goddamn grey matter,” ‘Choly snapped, rolling his coat cuff as he had his shirt, and buttoning the first three covered buttons of its front. He slipped on the reinforced black leather gloves from its side pockets, and let out an agonized snarl as he punched out the closet mirror. Glass scattered all over the balding carpet. Breathing ragged, he turned in full posture to glare at Sticks. “And who do you think you are, to suppose what comes naturally to me?”

The ghoul shrank on the bed, unable to form a coherent response to the chemist’s apparent derangement. A knock came at the front door, and Angel excused itself to check on it.

“Was it a bad idea to encourage you into this?”

‘Choly’s head fell askew as his arms crossed his chest, incredulous.

“Too late to hesitate, don’t you think?”

“Miss Olivia is ready for us,” Angel reported, returning to the room. Its tendrils curled against its spherical body, recognizing the tension. “Let’s finish gathering the last of things so we can head out, shall we?”

“A fantastic idea,” ‘Choly agreed a little too sharply, despising the likelihood that, despite the duress and consequence of his transformation, today very will might be the last he’d ever step foot on the Deenwood Compound premises.

Go to Next »»»

[twigstarpikachutroll22]

MY  THOUGHTS  ON  ALL  THE  SEASON  6  EPISODES (**SPOILERS**)

Okay, I haven’t said much about Season 6 yet even though it’s been out for several days already. I had a ton of homework so it took awhile for me to finish watching all the episodes and while I was in the process of that I gradually wrote up this long text post with my thoughts on each episode!

BLANK DAY

Wow. So the cliffhanger of everypony being frozen solid didn’t mean anything super big at ALL and the reason turned out to be pretty mundane and every Troll in the village was unfrozen within like two minutes. Okay. Yeah. Cool. Sure. Other word of that nature. :P

XD XD XD

Well played, Dreamworks. Well played.

I’m still not totally sure how to feel about a bunch of the things Poppy said to Branch, including “who else could I trust to be so cold and emotionless?” and “you did it! you reduced tradition and nostalgia down to cold hard numbers!”

The part where everypony was presenting their holiday ideas was great though! Biggie’s Snuggle Squid Appreciation Day was just so sweet, Chenille’s sass when she put up Twindependence Day was great, Cooper’s Non-Sequitor Day was SO funny and pretty much my absolute favorite idea out of all of them, and this one line from Guy Diamond just killed me: “Just remember! There’s no shiny...without the heinie!” XD XD XD

HAIRCUFFED

Creek is still insufferable. I mean, stealing fruit somepony else grew and cutting somepony else in line are both jerk moves that everypony finds annoying, you can’t just rattle off something about nature to excuse it. AND YOU DEFINITELLY CANNOT JUST SHOVE SOMEPONY’S SEVERAL THOUSAND PIECE PUZZLE INTO THE FRICKING FIREPLACE. (I may be biased because I just really love jigsaw puzzles but still!)

And, I know Branch’s giant burp during that yoga class would be considered super rude too, but to me it was just plain hilarious. XD XD XD XD (Also, don’t hate me, but I do things like that ALLLLLLL the time...)

That song isn’t one of my favorites from this series but it’s not too bad. And it’s super catchy and keeps getting stuck in my head...

Their whole ploy to get Poppy to untie them? I kinda saw that coming but I kinda didn’t. I mean, the possibility occurred to me and I kept thinking that was what I HOPED they were doing, but they acted so convincing it was just really hard to be sure. HUGE sigh of relief when they finally confirmed it! XD

MARSHTATO FAIRY

That holiday sounds amazing! I wanna celebrate it too!! Even though I don’t have a sweet tooth. And I’m starting to daydream about how my Trollsona-slash-OC would feel about this holiday.

Also, at the point where Marshtato Mary came into the picture, the episode took a direction that I was NOT expecting in the least but that I absolutely loved! The story Branch made up and how they defeated her with all those hugs was just awesomesaucetastic!!!

Overall, I love this episode!

DO THE BIGGIE

Oh man, Biggie was SO relatable in this one!! Also, that song was great! Plus Troll Village is fully comfortable and casual using “they-them” pronouns when needed which is awesoooooome~!

HITTING THE SKY NOTE

Okay, one thing stands out the most here...BRANCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BIGGER PART OF THIS EPISODE. I MEAN, COME ON.

HUG FEST

BRANCH WHY ARE YOU SO RELATABLE OH MY GAH

And...Tug Duluth when she was running all the games was kinda freaking me out by saying so many harsh things in such a cheerful tone WHILE BIGGIE WAS TRYING SO HARD TO WIN HIS BEST FRIEND BACK FGSLASKJDLKASJDL

Sweet happy endings though :-) :-) :-)

CHUMMY SPARKLESTONE

Wow, Guy just, like, hypnotized Cooper into believing he was somepony else entirely? That easily? Wow.

Oh, and Poppy’s British accent...just Poppy’s British accent... :-]

And Satin and Chenille usually bicker so much but in this episode their relationship was actually pretty sweet! :-)

It was kinda fun watching Cooper be a super smart detective for a little while, but DEFINITELY glad he’s back to his normal weirdo self and not ruining surprises anymore.

GIGGLEYUM

The things Trolls have to go through on the journey to get the berries for Smidge’s favorite flavor? **shudder** I can’t begin to imagine how horrible that would be...for anypony, let alone Trolls!!! So glad they didn’t end up going that way...

The catchy musical number was so great!! Although, I was a little freaked out by that one test mixture that made Branch and Smidge both super ripped...I think I just get freaked out seeing anypony super ripped... (Also, as somepony in a YouTube comment pointed out when somepony uploaded the song clip, Branch didn’t even care about the total mess they made in his bunker and just danced and sang along, which is just...wow!)

I love the glittery galaxy color of Giggleyum!

I really wish Branch had been the one to point out the “too much of something sweet” thing. I don’t quite like him being made a side gag instead of being the one to say the sensible things Poppy apparently needs to hear.

But the end resolution of the situation was fairly satisfying. :-)

GLAMPING

Okay, I understood some of the little Trolls’ complaints about all the safety gear. It is a bit much, it’s kind of impossible to move freely and “get yoru dance on” underneath all of that protection. But the berries being “too squishy” and “too round” and them not knowing if the bush was organic when it’s a freaking BUSH? That was just... *shakes head in disappointment* I agreed with Branch on that one.

Um. Have I been spending too much time with the folks in this fandom? Cause I think the shipping part of my brain just kinda zeroed in on the fact that Branch uttered the words “just you, me, and the kids” to Poppy before they set off camping...

Totally understood Branch’s position most of the episode. But I really REALLY loved that reconciliation and how they gave the glamping luxuries to the Mudwallower. So sweet! <3 <3 <3

A FLOWER FOR POPPY

THIS WAS THE SWEETEST EPISODE EVER AND AIIEEE THOSE GIFTS ESPECIALLY BRANCH’S STUFFED CROCODILE AND LORD BEDFELLOW FEATHER OH MY PANCAKE FLIPPING GOODNESS I WANNA CRYhi-hiiiii !!!!

THE PARTIER’S APPRENTICE

Okay, Meadow is adorable and relatable and just absolutely wonderful. And I SOOO love seeing her in action with all the things she can do with her flowers at a party!!! She and Guy are gonna be such great partners!

HAIR BALL

Ahh, I’ve been anticipating this episode so long! A few screenshots may have spoiled something big for me...still, I’ve been so excited to see the moment myself in context with dialogue!

The song is so catchy and there are so many pretty outfits and hairdos!

Poppy looks amazing! The twins look pretty too!

(”Fancy dancing's too stuffy. That’s why I’ll be over here, ALL NIGHT.” Yep, if you ask me, Branch has the right idea.)

Both of Smidge’s Hair Ball looks are cute and beautiful.

Afraid of brownies? XD

I loved how well Guy Diamond took the whole thing, in his own unique way. He’s both a great friend AND a hilarious drama king. Milton ain’t too bad either, I suppose.

And then...OH MY GLITTERGLUE DKLASJDKLASJDLKASJLQJ EOQWEPOQWIEPQRIOEQIRPQINBMNXZBVMXBVMZ BEST TTBGO BROPPY MOMENT EVERRRRRRRRR *faints*

SERIOUSLY THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL ON LIKE A DOZEN LEVELS AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE *faints again*

[hayleysstark]

Title: Pretty Words Words: 2356 Warnings: Swearing Summary: "You know, you really should just tell them. The lucky troll. Come on, Branch, we both know you didn't make up those pretty words on the spot." Missing moment.  Notes: this was not supposed to happen. i don't know why i wrote this. mutual pining is The Good Shit though.

Read on Fanfiction or AO3. 

It's official, Branch decides as he stares unseeingly through the curtain of vibrant rainbow monstrosity Poppy calls Bridget's "Lady Glittersparkles" hair, and he tries to pretend he can't feel everyone's eyes on him or his heart crashing around inside him or his cheeks burning furiously in that stupid obvious purple blush spreading vividly all the way to the tips of his twitching ears. Feeling things is bullshit.

There is one thing, though. Poppy and her friends—at least they're not over there out-and-out staring at him. They're actually making some kind of an effort here, and yeah, the glances they sneak at him every few seconds from the corners of their wandering eyes aren't even in the same stratosphere as subtle, but they're—come on, they're trying, and it's decent of them. Even if they're not very good at it. Even if their eyes have begun to burn holes in him, everywhere their gazes fall, little black voids, cracks and fissures opening in his skin and he wishes he could barricade himself behind his own hair or curl into a ball or even just cross his arms a little tighter, anything to stop feeling so naked, like he just cut his own head open and let them have a look inside which—oh, yeah—he kind of fucking did.

He can still taste the words inside his mouth, on the tip of his tongue, clinging to the corner of his lip. If there was a way to—to spit them out, like spoiled food—spit them out into his hands or into the trash or—well, he thinks, as the Bergen King helps Bridget into her roller skates and she giggles and the sight makes something twinge painfully in Branch's chest and he tells himself it doesn't, at least that stupid poem did someone some good. And—the Bergen King goes to his knees before Bridget, and slowly, lovingly, laces up her skates, and Bridget looks like someone has given her a handful of sunshine and it's not a twinge anymore, it's a twist, a tight coil Branch can't breathe around—and even if she is a Bergen, Bridget deserves some good in her life.

The Bergen King and Bridget link hands, and Branch has to close his eyes, and he tells himself he's only tired.

"Sooo—"

Poppy's voice at his ear and Poppy's breath on his cheek and Branch snaps his eyes open and she's standing at his elbow with her hands clasped behind her back and bouncing on her toes and she's got a huge, obnoxious—adorable—grin on her face and she bumps his shoulder lightly with her own and he wonders if she's actually trying to kill him—

"—you've been holdin' out on us, buddy."

"I—" And maybe Branch's mind is just moving really, really slowly because of Poppy's proximity, but for the life of him, he can't figure out what she means. "What?"

She giggles, and he can't tell if the sound fills up every empty place he's got, or drags his insides out through the gash he made in his own head.

"Those were some real pretty words you were flingin', my man." She raises her eyebrows. "Who knew you were such a romantic?"

"I—I don't—" Okay, if a black hole could just open up right this fucking minute and suck him down inside, that would be great. Please and thank you. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he says, and he knows his voice isn't half as rough or mean as it needs to be. Romantic. Poppy called him a romantic. Death would be kinder.

"Your eyes are like two pools so deep? Come on, no need to play dumb with me, pal."

Branch can't decide if he wants to shut her up with his hand over her mouth, or his mouth over her mouth.

"I just," his tongue feels too heavy, "I just—made that up. O-on the spot. I didn't mean it."

Poppy's rosy cheeks lift a little higher as her smile widens, and he knows she doesn't believe him. "Mm-hm. Sure. Okay." She nods so hard, her frizzy pink hair quivers where it fades smoothly into green-yellow and blends seamlessly with everyone else's. Branch wonders what it would feel to twine his hair with hers. He wonders if her hair is as soft as it looks and if she'd let him touch it if he asked and if it still smells like strawberries since it's touched the other trolls' so much.

And he wonders why he's wondering things that are never going to happen anyway.

He looks away—back to Bridget and the Bergen King, and he sees the soft-spoken scullery maid is still nervously clutching the dirty railing around the rink, to hold herself up even though the Bergen King is promising he won't let go of her hand, promising he won't let her fall. Branch wonders what it would feel like to hold Poppy's hand, and not let go.

"You know," Poppy whispers, "I think you really helped Bridget. Like, a lot." Her eyes are soft, and sparkling like diamonds with a million different colors under the flashing rainbow lights of the rink, and there's no goddamn way Branch is ever coming up for air. "I mean, just look at her! She's really gotten the hang of it now, hasn't she?"

"Sh-she's stuttering up a storm, Poppy." And apparently, she's not the only one. "A-and," Branch continues, quickly, before Poppy can comment on that for herself, "I'm pretty sure she'd have gotten the hang of it without me. She's not stupid. And she had you."

Fuck.

It's way too late to save anything but Branch snaps his mouth shut anyway and isn't that just the fucking name of the day right now—saying everything he means and everything he doesn't want to mean and everything he'd never thought he would—it's like the truth about his grandma had lodged itself in the back of his throat, too big and sharp to swallow down, too horrible, too shameful, to spit out—and now it's gone and there's nothing left—he's got nothing left—no barriers, no roadblocks, nothing to stop the words coming out of him—and God, he has so many, so fucking many—he's kept them inside him so long and now they won't stop coming, they just won't stop coming and Poppy looks at him and she's never looked more like herself than she does in this moment, with her eyes shining and her mouth slowly curling up into another smile—

"That," she says, and there's the barest touch of a laugh to her voice, "just might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Can I hug you?"

"No." He tells himself his heart isn't picking up speed at the thought of hugging her, at the thought of her body pressing against his, and fucking God, Branch, get a hold of yourself. "And you'd better not get used to it." Because if we don't all die a miserable death at the hands of a horrible, bloodthirsty Bergen, I'm going to barricade myself in my bunker until you completely forget my existence because if I have to go the rest of my life with you thinking of that stupid poem every time you look at me, I might as well pitch myself off the side of Bridget's head and shatter my skull on the skating rink right now.

"Come on! You don't want to hug your bestest friend in the entire world?"

"I swear to God, Poppy, if you take one step closer to me, I'm handing you to the Bergen King myself."

"Wow, rude," Poppy huffs, but she retreats a little, and her arms fall back to her sides. "Catch you at Hug-Time, then."

"Don't count on it."

"Aww, come on, where's your way with words gone?" The corners of her mouth start to creep upward again. "Don't tell me that was a one-time thing!"

Branch is pretty sure his face is going to catch fire sometime in the next ten seconds unless Poppy decides to learn the wonderful art of shutting the fuck up. "I don't—I told you—I just—on the spot—didn't mean—"

"Branch," Poppy says, quietly now, and there's something softer about the edges of her smile, when she looks at him. She takes a step closer, and her fingers close around his wrist. His breath hitches and he prays she doesn't hear. "You know, you really should just tell them."

"T-tell—?" Fuck fuck fuck she knows okay can I die now please—

"The lucky troll, of course." She tilts her head a little, to hold his gaze. "We both know you didn't make that up on the spot. And I think if you just—if you just gave—whoever it is—a chance—" She's so close so close so close and he can count every single sparkling freckle on her round pink cheeks and God, what he wouldn't give to kiss each one. "—a chance to know you—to see what I've seen in you—" Her hand slips down his wrist until she's holding his hand holding holding holding his hand and she can feel his fingers shaking and his palms sweating and he knows she can and he should pull away he should really just pull away but he's never wanted to do anything less in the entire world. "—well—" the word's barely a breath in the space between them, "—I think they'd like what they see."

Kiss her kiss her kiss her kiss her and the words echo over and over in his mind in time with the frantic pounding of his traitorous and hopeful heart and everyone's watching them and he shouldn't he shouldn't he shouldn't—he swore he'd never—but he is—he's leaning down and leaning in and here's the crazy part—she's leaning in too—

Bridget falls. Spectacularly.

An earsplitting, headache-inducing screech of her skates against the slick tiles of the rink is their only warning, and then the world is a blur of bright lights and Bridget stammering out apologies and the Bergen King kneeling in front of her, asking her if she's okay, and the unmistakable throb of bruises forming all over Branch's body as Bridget strikes the ground, colors popping in front of his eyes and he's only marginally cushioned by the thick cloud of rainbow hair and there's a strange kind of weight on his chest—

Instinct acts for him, tearing his eyes open and ripping his head back up off the ground—and though the others haven't moved, sprawled where they fell atop Bridget's head, they're not hurt, and he lets out a breath—everyone's all right—no—no, wait, everyone's not all right—where—Poppy—where's Poppy—?

The weight on his chest shifts.

Branch snaps his eyes shut. Why didn't the fall just kill me?

"—I-I'm so sorry, I just—I didn't mean—I'm such a clumsy idiot—" Bridget's trembling voice breaks through his momentary pity party. God, the poor girl sounds like she's about to burst into tears any second. The "Lady Glittersparkles" façade has cracked clean in two—Branch tugs his eyes back open, and makes himself meet Poppy's gaze—tries to tell her, without words, to help Bridget—

"No, no, no, that's okay! It's okay!" The Bergen King smiles down at her. "We all lose control of our skates once in a while, darling!"

Poppy absolutely beams. "Ha! Listen to him! Can't take his eyes off her, can he?"

"I—" Branch tries not to notice the warmth of her breath on his neck. He's not the only one. "Great," he says, a little breathlessly, and it's supposed to be sarcastic but that gets a little lost somewhere between his mind and his mouth and yes, her hair does still smell like strawberries, and she's smiling at him and a second too late he realizes the lift, the ache, in the side of his face means he must be smiling back—

"Hey, Branch?"

His name falls softly as snow from her lips. He tells himself he doesn't care if she ever says it again.

"W-what?"

His own voice is ugly in comparison, all shaky and stuttery and clumsy, like a child still learning how to speak.

"I think you kinda do have a nice smile, too."

Branch's heart stops. Either it's finally hammered its way out of him, and flung itself as far away as possible in a desperate bid for freedom from all the shit Poppy's put it through in the last three minutes alone, or it's just given up, and died in his chest and either way, he really can't blame it. I think you kinda do have a nice smile, too, and his skin is tingling where it's pressed against hers and he needs to say something—something horrible—something that'll make her hate him—

Bridget shifts, and reaches for the Bergen King's outstretched hand—and she starts to stand, and the world is a blur all over again and Branch doesn't know who moves first but the world is a blur of he and Poppy ripping away from each other, ripping back, scrambling away like they can't ever put enough space between them—like repelled magnets, like the touch of one burned the other—and his body aches with the absence of hers and he tells himself it doesn't and now that he can't smell the strawberries in her hair or feel the tingle of her skin on his, it's so much easier to remember why he can't kiss her, why he can't love her, why he can't hold her hand in his or twine his hair around hers or go around telling her she has a nice smile or go around believing it when she tells him he has a nice smile—

"Well," she says, softly, and there's something strangely flat in her voice, in her face, "I guess that's my cue." She slides down Bridget's head, to settle right above the enormous ear, and she doesn't look back.

Yeah. It's official. Feeling things is fucking bullshit.

[theshy1sout]

Inseparable - Chapter 20

Tags: Not rated, Broppy Fluff, Slow Burn Fluff, Trolls Mythology Au

Ao3 here

Notes:  I can't believe I've finally written the whole fanfiction, from the very beginning to the very end. I'd never finished anything in my entire life. And I also wrote it in English! You have no idea how many hard was for me to learn another language. Guh, I'm so proud of myself. I know that the end isn't very satisfying. I mean, I suppose to be a fluff, and yes it is, but the end is a bit... Ambitious? I didn't want to finish it with a kiss, I planned to explain how the strings were created from the very beginning. Tell me your impression in the comments. Thank you for being my reader :)

_____________________________________________________________

- Dad, why do we have to sleep? - A little violet kid hides his face deeper into his father's shirt. - I thought you said once that Immortals don't have to sleep. But we sleep every night! It's... - He yawns. - ...frustrating.

Branch smiles at him, stroking his hair gently.

- I don't know - The blue god admits calmly. - I've never been a child. Ask your mother. She was.

A small girl looks up at the pink goddess, showing her eyes filled with surprise.

- You were a kid and dad wasn't? - She asks aloud.

- Dad came from Chaos - Poppy explains quietly, hugging her daughter a bit tighter. - And I was born just like you. That's why you have a grandpa and others don't.

- So why do Immortal kids have to sleep?

The last question comes from the oldest child, lying a bit aside from the rest. He doesn't like hugging that much. He prefers to sleep alone.

- I don't know, Aster - Poppy turns to him with a smile. - I needed it when I was a kid, that's all I know. We don't know much about immortal kids, they are really rare.

- That's why you are so special - Branch adds, smiling at his kid. He yawns, making everyone, one by one, yawning too. - You really need to sleep now.

- Are you sleeping with us? - A little girl lifts her sparkling eyes.

- Star, do we ever leave you during sleep?

- How can we know? - Aster points out. He really likes discussions. - What if you leave us when we get asleep and come back in the morning?

Star looks worryingly at dad.

- I swear we don't do that! - The blue god declares openly.

- Look, Happy is already asleep - Poppy glances down at the kid cuddled into Branch's arms. She takes a look at her daughter, kissing her on her light pink forehead. - Just close your eyes, little Star.

The girl smiles and listens to her mum. A few minutes later the grasshoppers' concert is disturbed only by calm breaths from children's mouths.

- That was fast - Branch whispers, gazing at his daughter. - What about Aster?

Poppy turns to her left where her son is lying a step or two from them.

- I think he's sleeping too - She announces.

They both look up at the clear nightly sky. They are staring at the twinkling stars for a while, listening to the soft melody of the grasshoppers' song. The light blue moon shines above them, watching the whole Earth from the sky. Everything is pleasantly calm.

- Let's figure it out again - Poppy starts out of nowhere. She doesn't have to explain she means their work. They both think about it most of the time. - What do we know about Love?

- The last time we separated six things it needs to be full and true - Branch starts listing. - Free will, awareness, affection, honesty, attachment, and emotionality.

- Six inseparable parts of Love - The goddess looks at the god, frowning sadly. - And trolls don't have even one of them.

Branch heave a deep sigh. He carefully moves closer to her, trying to not wake up his son cuddled to his right side. He slips his free hand under her head and embraces her shoulders, touching her to him. She has no hand to hug him back, but they both get used to it. They all like a “family” sleep hug, it’s really cozy and warm. Besides Aster, he doesn’t like hugs that much.

- I don’t want to repeat myself on and on, but I’ve already told you - The god says softly, gently touching her ear with the top of his nose. - We can do anything more by ourselves. We have to ask others for help.

- But what can they do! - The goddess huffs. - They will never agree to give trolls free will. It’s too risky. My dad especially will disagree. He told me about Creek and Chaz last time…

She stops, staring helplessly at the stars. From the moment they both became the goddess and the god of Love, they are thought of as the most powerful Immortals. Even if their main mission is to bring Love to trolls and teach them everything about it, other Immortals also come to them for advice and solutions to their problems. They have everyone’s respect and trust, they are welcome with open arms anywhere they go. Their kids are well-known and loved, their names are sounded with a warm smile on face.

If they can’t do something, who else can do?

And giving trolls free will and awareness, giving them an ability to feel and think independently, letting them choose… would open the door to wars and conflicts, like when Chaz came from the Chaos. Do they really want this for trolls?

- Don’t overthink this again - Branch’s low whisper in her ear gets her back to reality. - We all know how risky it is. But tell me honestly… - She feels his hand tenderly caressing her arm. She sighs calmly. Years passed and she’s still enjoying his touch as much as for the first time. - Isn’t it worth it?

Poppy turns to him, catching his sight. He smiles affectionately at her in a way that always makes her melt and want to kiss him. She can’t resist but smiles back gently at him.

- You think it’s so easy… - She says.

- I’m not - He drops his smiles, looking at her seriously. - My first step on the Fest wasn’t easy. But I’ve never regretted it.

She gazes at his blue eyes for a while, thinking.

- And I also needed help back then - He adds, moving his head closer to her. - Your help.

The goddess is still hesitating, staring at him in silence. She touches his forehead with hers. She sighs heavily, closing her eyes. They stay for a while like that, nodding off.

- Do you need one more night to think about it? - Branch asks softly, the care is hearable in his voice.

- No - Poppy says quietly. - You’re right…

- You don’t sound convinced - He points out after a moment.

- I don’t know - She admits. - I have bad feelings about that…

- Things worth effort are always challenging. Look at me and tell me if I was easy to bear at the first meet

Poppy smiles widely.

- It was always hard to not love you - She says, chuckling quietly.

Branch giggles heartily, grinning really wide. He presses his lips against her and they share a long, slow, passionate kiss.

- You’re lucky our kids are hugging us right now - Branch smirks at her when they finally go away. - I would not stop myself in any other case.

Poppy giggles gently, nestling her face into him. She sighs calmly, smelling his warm scent.

- We’ll ask others for help - She announces, now with more confidence. - Tomorrow.

***

- ...and in those circumstances we are helpless.

King Peppy looks patiently at Branch and Poppy from his high throne. In absolute silence, the sounds of kids playing outdoors are really hearable. There are not only Branch and Poppy’s children; after they taught Immortals about Love, many of them start building similar relationships and some of them also have offspring. There are six immortal children now, not counting Poppy. The youngest of them, little Star, as a Peppy’s favorite, is sitting on his lap now, taking an afternoon nap.

- We need your help - The pink goddess looks around, trying to address it to everyone gathered. But no one says anything. Immortals glance at each other, looking for anyone who would know the possible answer. Above their heads, the single thought is floating loudly in silence: “How could anybody know more about Love than the god and the goddess of Love as large as life?”. Poppy glances at Branch helplessly, knowing what this situation means for them.

- Well, if no one has any idea - The blue god starts slowly, looking around. - There’s only one other option. We have to give trolls what they haven’t got yet.

King Peppy opens his eyes widely at him in sudden realization.

- You don’t mean…

- Giving trolls free will. Exactly - Branch nods calmly.

- Is that necessary? - Delta Dawn, the goddess of Justice, asks, crossing her arms on her chest.

- There’s no Love without the free will - The god explains.

- But the ability to feel and think independently opens trolls the door to not only fight with each other - The god of Wisdom, Stacy, points out. - But also to kick out against us.

His speech wakes up murmuring all around.

- Listen, now trolls don’t understand how much we care about them - Branch goes on. - They don’t even know we love them. They can’t love us back. They are empty souls listening to our every order. They are our slaves.

His last words make everybody freeze in silence.

- I’m also scared of what will happen if we give trolls absolute freedom - Poppy finally finds her words, joining her lover’s speech. - They will reject us, fight with us, ignore us, tell us they don’t need our love for them. They will also fight with each other because Chaz’s seeds don’t disappear from their hearts, we all know that. - She holds Branch’s hand, looking into his eyes. - But… How long can we pretend that they love us back? I’m not even sure if they have ever been happy. They’ve never known what happiness is.

Branch smiles gently at her.

- We’ve never let them be themselves - Milton whispers thoughtfully from his seat.

- It’s not that easy - Queen Barb says with a low voice. - Those are very strong powers.

- It would destroy them! - Smidge takes fright.

- Umm… Can I… - Suki lifts her hand shyly to say something. - I’ve already got an idea…

- Tell us - Peppy nods encouragingly.

- We can use music - She beams, smiling unsurely. - I noticed that the feelings I put into my song stay in their souls for so long. If… If you help me I can make music that will be giving them those things partly, stretching it in time.

- Maybe we should put it into an instrument? - Minuet, the goddess of instruments, suggests. - Poppy says there are six elements of Love. we can put them into separated strings.

- We can make a harp then - Laguna, the goddess of Analyze and Math, writes something in her notebook.

- That’s a lot of work - Gust notices. - We will need a lot of hands to help.

- I can help! - Cooper beams.

- And I!

- I’m in.

- Don’t start without me!

Poppy smiles widely, watching Immortals joining in one by one. All fears she had in her heart slowly fade away. She squeezes Branch’s hand, making him look at her.

- You were right - She admits, watching his smile grows wider. - But I’m still scared.

- Me too - He plants a loving kiss on her nose. - But we’re in this together and that’s all I need.

She giggles, adoring his sweet azure eyes. She sighs briefly and nods with a confident smile.

- We’re gonna do this.

***

They were making Strings almost for the whole year. Every single Immortal was concerned. Stacy, Essence, Coffee, Prince D, and Lownote Jones created the violet string of the Attachment. Minuet, Dante, and Trollazart worked on the yellow string of the Awareness. Trolex, Synth, and Laguna made the blue string of Emotionality. Queen Barb, Riff, Val, and Demo created the red string of Free Will. Gust, Holly, Smidge, and Delta Dawn made the orange string of Honesty. And Poppy and Branch were coordinating the work on the last, pink string. The string of Affection.

When everything is ready, Suki puts all the Strings on the beautiful gold harp created by Satin, Chenille, Guy Diamond, and Minuet. The time is ripe, they need only a delegation. Someone who will handle the Harp to troll. Most Immortals want it to be Poppy and Branch, but they reject it. In that case, everybody votes for their kids to be delegates. But the goddess and the god of Love still persist, that it would be unfair. Finally, they all decide that all six Immortal kids will handle the Strings.

The moment is huge. Everybody’s watching in tension us Peppy and Gust, the god of Order, gather all existing trolls in one place. Six kids present the Harp in front of trolls and then put it down for trolls to reach it. The creatures don’t know what to do at the first moment. They are staring at the beautiful instrument in misunderstanding amazement. The Silence passes for so long and Immortals are patiently waiting. Then, a little shy troll goes from the crowd and unsurely comes to the Harp. He reaches the first string, the yellow one, and touches it carefully.

And then he pulls it slightly and the soft sound of liberatory music peals in the world, freezing all the trolls.

___________________________________________________________

Index

[rmg91]

Meant To Be (In Any Form)-3

I have like 50 other AU ideas to write...I chose to write this instead XD But cuddly fluff can't be denied!! So please enjoy this short and sweet piece that may rot your teeth.

Chapter Summary:  Branch and Poppy enjoy just being adorably soft one rainy morning.

Previous Chapter/Next Chapter; AO3;FF.net

@writerofberk-Soft Broppy fluff? Soft Broppy fluff.

                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~

The morning was an unusual one for Troll Village, for rather than the sounds of happy singing and bouncy music playing, the natural music of rain falling through the trees was what greeted the brightly colored creatures. It was a steady sort of rain, the kind that had some trolls staying inside for longer breakfasts or cuddle time but also light enough for others to venture outside as they normally would, running errands or meeting with friends, all allowing their voices to harmonize with the weather. It was this gentle symphony of sounds, the soft pitter-patter of rain and calm singing, that the queen of the trolls found herself waking up to.

Poppy sighed as she listened to the rain and the distant voices of her people, finding she didn't have the usual urge to get up and start the day with a happy song with her people. No, this morning she was going to take advantage of the weather and stay right where she was, snuggled up warm in bed with her favorite troll beside her, strong arms wrapped around her and his gentle snoring in her ear. And she knew no one would fault her for it, everyone, not just her dad, not just Branch, not just her friends, everyone in the village had been insisting it was okay for her to take time for herself when the need arose for it for years now. And she was finally feeling comfortable with doing so. So yes, today she was taking some time to just be Poppy and to enjoy a lazy morning at home with her husband.

Sighing in contentment, Poppy shifted to sink back into Branch's embrace, thinking she'd let herself fall back asleep before she felt him move. She felt him nuzzle his nose against her shoulder as he gently squeezed her in a brief hug as he began to wake up. Reaching down, she tangled their fingers together as she listened to him yawn before he rubbed his nose up her shoulder to bury it in her neck. Feeling him take a deep breath, Poppy smiled before she felt him began to place soft, slow kisses wherever he could reach without shifting away from her. She sighed happily once more, loving that this was the way Branch woke up beside her and knowing she'd never tired of it.

Branch hummed against her as he began to wake up more before another large yawn escaped him, “Mmm, s'rprised you're not up an' singin' yet.” Not that he really minded getting to wake up with his wife in his arms and making no attempt to leave their warm cocoon of blankets. Maybe he could convince her to sleep in a little today if she wasn't in the usual rush to get up...

Poppy giggled sweetly, squeezing their joined hands, “I've decided we're taking the morning off. It's rainy and all I want right now is some cuddles.”

Branch chuckled, amused his sleepy thoughts were already voiced by Poppy before replying, voice still rough from sleep, “That so?”

“Mm-hmm!” Poppy answered before wiggling around, signaling she wanted to turn to turn over. Once Branch had loosened his hold, she rolled over and wrapped her arms around his waist before tucking her head under his chin and sighing happily as she settled in the new position, “And it's not like we're busy this morning. Your handytroll class and Mandy's craft party isn't until this afternoon. And someone will come find us if there's an emergency before then. So you know, win-win if you ask me~”

“Hmm...Good points.” He murmured before placing another soft kiss on her forehead. Nuzzling his nose into her bangs, he let his hair tangle with hers as he mindlessly rubbed soothing circles on her waist as she sighed softly again and snuggled deeper into his embrace.

Letting the natural music of the falling rain combined with the faraway voices of their subjects fill their room, the royal couple laid there in bed, dozing in and out of consciousness. Poppy's thoughts drifted from upcoming party ideas to how she needed to plan a trip to visit Bridget soon to when to have her next date night with Branch, never staying on topic for long as she rested. Branch's thoughts were blissfully quiet for him as he held his wife close, this morning one of those rare times where he wasn't worrying about things to come or to do, the aquamarine troll just content in the current moment. They stayed there long enough for the rain to fall a little harder before returning to its previously light pitter-patter and would have stayed there until it was time for them to get ready had Poppy's stomach not decided to make itself known.

Chuckling, Branch suggested they get up for breakfast and it was only after he promised to make chocolate chip pancakes that Poppy stopped her pouting. He had even thrown in the reminder they could continue their cuddle session on the couch afterwards. The pink queen had however still been dramatic about getting up which had earned her some of her husband's amused laughter. After pulling Poppy up as they bantered playfully, and a playful seduction attempt, Branch managed to tug her gently out of bed and down the stairs of their tree-house, Poppy giggling the whole way.

Breakfast was made without a rush, Branch taking his time to make sure his batter was well mixed and the pan hot as Poppy sat on the counter, swinging her legs and sipping her morning cocoa. She soon started to sing, a gentle happy song that Branch found himself singing along with, their voices harmonizing flawlessly. Three songs, a quick dance around the kitchen and Poppy doing her best to distract Branch later, there were a stack of semi-perfectly cooked pancakes to be eaten. Sadly there had been a few casualties when Branch had dipped his wife low, getting lost in the deep kiss he had pulled her into when they had been dancing. Poppy quickly whipped up some whipped cream and paired with the fresh berries they had picked yesterday, the two dug into their healthy yet delicious breakfast.

Poppy let out a satisfied sigh after swallowing her last bite and leaning back in her chair, “Mmmm, fantastic as always, my handsome hubby~” She patted her stomach and let out a small burp that had Branch chuckling at her softly.

“Glad you approve,” He replied, finishing up his own plate.

“Always~” She chirped before smirking and placing her elbow on the table to cradle her cheek, “Now, I do believe someone owes me more cuddles.”

Branch rolled eyes, a smirk of his own playing on his lips as he questioned, “Can't a troll finish his breakfast before his beautiful demanding wife monopolizes his time?”

The pink queen placed a finger on her chin like she was contemplating her answer before sighing playfully, “I suppose I can let you do that...But you must repay me in kisses and poetry when you're done. Queen's orders!”

He snickered, “Oh, of course, Your Majesty. Your kindness knows no bounds and your beauty no other. When you-”

“Ah-ah-ah!” Poppy shook her finger at him, trying and failing to look stern, “Poetry after breakfast!”

Branch nodded before the two of them burst into laughter. “You're impossible.” He said, voice warm with fondness.

“And you love me~”

“I do.” He said with a look that never failed to made Poppy feel all tingly and warm and gave her the urge to just kiss him senseless but she resisted...for now.

Once Branch was finished, after making sure he ate the rest of his food slowly just to tease Poppy, and their dishes were in the sink, he playfully hoisted her up on his shoulder and carted her to the sofa. Dropping down dramatically, he let her shift around until their limbs were tangled comfortably together before getting ready to recite some of her favorite poems. However Poppy interrupted him by enacting her plan and commandeering his lips for more enjoyable pursuits. Their lips moved together with ease, Poppy tilting her head just so as she laid on top of him. Pulling away when the need for air became apparent, the pink troll happily took in the dazed look on her lover's face with a giggle. Blinking slowly, Branch lazily smirked up at her before pulling her down for another kiss. She did say she wanted both poetry and kisses after all.

After much kissing, Poppy finally let her husband have his mouth back so he could grace her ears with those sweet romantic words of his. Chuckling quietly, Branch began with a old favorite, the very same one he had used to help Bridget those few short years ago, as Poppy sighed happily against his neck. She felt herself getting sleepy as she listened to his calming voice and snuggled into his warm embrace as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. Gazing tenderly at the troll he loved, Branch carefully pulled the blanket from the back of the couch over them with his hair before humming softly as Poppy fell back asleep. He himself merely closed his eyes and rested there with her comforting weight on top of him, letting the relaxing sounds of the rain wash over him. Yes, he knew he could follow Poppy back into dreamland if he got too relaxed which could make them late for their obligations but...a few more hours of sleep in the arms of his precious wife with falling rain in the background? It was a worthy risk to take if you asked him. And so, Branch shifted deeper in the cushions and held Poppy close as he allowed himself to relax and for sleep to claim him once again.

~*~*~*~*~*~

As I said, something short and fluffy because I wanted to write rainy morning cuddly Broppy XD I was gonna let it be a little longer but then a good ending presented itself so I took the opportunity to end it nicely rather than feel the ending was awkward as I do on other things XP

Anyway! Hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for more!

[darquedeath4444]

The Deity of Spring

Chapter NINE

Evening could not come any faster for Itachi as he and his team sat around, not sure how to pass the time. They had all run maintenance on their weapons, the number one time spender for those in their profession, and now they all hovered around the living room of the house, unsure, as Naruto prowled around for a few moments before he plopped himself down on the couch and lied down.

"Is he going to sleep?" Deidara asked.

"Looks like it," Shikamaru replied. The Nara yawned, and it looked like he would rather like to join the blond.

"Isn't he supposed to go prepare?" Kiba asked, scowling.

"I am preparing," Naruto called, eyes still closed. "I'm resting up for travel."

Itachi heard a soft growl resonating from Kiba's throat and placed a hand on the Inuzuka's shoulder before he could let out a scathing comment. The teen bared his teeth in his direction before he seemed to bring himself back. He shot the blond another glare before he stormed off. Itachi watched him head towards the door, throw it open, and step out, then glanced over towards the blond, who he did not doubt for a second did not know what was going on.

Sure enough, Naruto stretched but did not open his eyes. "Don't wander into the trees~" he called. Kiba slammed the door shut in response and Itachi could swear he saw the blond roll his eyes. "What did I ever do to him," he muttered. "Humans."

"You kicked his dog," Sasori supplied.

"You say that like you aren't human yourself, un," Deidara said, at the same time. "Are you actually not human?"

Naruto sighed, then slowly sat up. "Well, it's kind of difficult to say," he begins, much to Itachi's surprise. "I mean, I look human, don't I? And I act human too. By 'human', what exactly do you mean?"

Deidara glanced towards the rest of the team, but Itachi could tell that Naruto did not really mean harm with his question.

"The Goddess," Itachi said slowly, "she looks human but she is the least human out of all of us, isn't she?"

Naruto grinned. "You got that right," he said. "And yeah, the Teme and I aren't really human anymore. We were, once, but that was a long time ago."

"You barely look older than us," Shikamaru pointed out.

Naruto laughed, and it was the bright kind of laugh that made Itachi feel warmer, so unlike the mocking laugh of cold amusement the blond had first greeted them within the forest. "You might not believe it, but both Teme and I are well into our sixties."

Itachi blinked, not really sure what he had been expecting. Appearance wise, that really did not seem to be the case, but he had a feeling he had expected them to be much older. "There were others before you?" He asked.

Naruto nodded. "All Guardians are descendants of the original pair that stayed with Sakura," he explained. "Teme and I are merely two of many." He stood up and stretched. "Okay, I'm gonna go prepare," he said. "Might wants to go out and make sure your friends actually didn't step into the trees; a lot of those traps were left by our predecessors and none of us can really turn them off."

It turned out Kiba had settled himself just outside the door. He threw a stick towards Akamaru just as Neji stepped out the door and he didn't look up as his dog fetched it and brought it back. Sasori and Deidara glanced at each other, then started a loud argument about art and wandered off to the other side of the garden.

"Are you feeling better?" Itachi asked, and Kiba nodded.

"I thought you'd react more harshly," he said. "You seemed the most adamant out of all of us to return as soon as possible."

Itachi blinked. "There is nothing really we can do about it," he said after a while. "The Goddess clearly has her own agenda, her own rules."

Kiba tossed his stick again and watched Akamaru bound off after it. "I don't know," he admitted. "It's like the three of them have been holed up in this forest where nothing can touch them while the world died to conflict and illness and hunger around them. Even when Kaguya came and shit on us they still did nothing, and it looked like they were planning to continue doing nothing."

"But they agreed to help us," Neji said. "That has to count for something."

Kiba sighed. "I guess."

Neji thought he understood the Inuzuka's frustration. It was obvious from their first interaction alone that Naruto and probably Sasuke had great power, a power he thought could have been used to better the lives of a countless number of powerless people. Still, "There is much more than what we know," he said. "A lot has been lost to time and history, and there is too much we are missing for us to put together a story firm enough that it gives us the right to judge."

Kiba closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He took the branch from Akamaru and ruffled his white fur before standing up. "Right," he said.

Behind them, the door was thrown open and Naruto stepped out. "We're leaving once Teme wakes up," he called. "Sakura brought out more food, so if you want to eat before we depart I suggest you get back in here." He stepped aside to let them through and when Kiba nodded stiffly in thanks, Naruto simply grinned in return.

Sakura came down the stairs as they were eating. The pinkette had changed out of her simple white robes and into a slightly less flowing black outfit. She greeted them politely, then exited the house. Naruto watched her leave, then turned back to wolfing down the food on his plate. The blond had changed out of the lose, baggy clothes he had been wearing into something someone at a religious temple might wear. Shikamaru winced at all the orange but the blond did not seem to notice.

"Teme should be up soon," he told them in between mouthfuls. "Then we can leave."

"Is 'Sasuke' so much of a bastard that you actually refer to him as 'Teme' on a daily basis?" Sasori asked.

Naruto chuckled. "Having to deal with him every day should be illegal," he said. "It's not that people shit in his breakfast every morning; he buys rotten food on purpose."

"I am a saint for dealing with you," a voice growled. "Dobe."

Naruto whipped around, a grin on his face. "You're up!" He exclaimed.

"Not everyone can sleep through storms and your laughter is obnoxious enough to wake up anyone," Sasuke deadpanned. The raven had also changed and was now dressed in what looked to be a dark blue version of Naruto's clothing. "Where is Sakura?"

"Outside," Naruto replied. "She wanted to check on the daisies before we leave."

"We don't have any daisies," Sasuke said. He snatched an apple from the table as he passed.

Naruto threw up his arms and got out of his seat. "Daisies, poppies, flowers," he said. "They're all colorful and pretty." The two of them stepped out of the house but left the door open, and Shikamaru got to his feet when Itachi took the lead and they followed the pair. He was just in time to see Sakura stand up from her crouched position next to a patch of flowers. Now that he thought about it, there was an entire garden behind the house none of them had really had the chance to look at.

"I do not know long it will take Kaguya to notice my presence," Sakura said. "But I am sure she will come after me at some point. How likely is it that we encounter Zetsus on our way to your base?"

"Not very high," Itachi replied. "The base lies directly between here and where Kaguya is approaching from."

Sakura nodded thoughtfully. "If possible, I would prefer we find a place to rest for the night before the sun vanishes behind the horizon."

Shikamaru blinked because that was a really short time they had for travel. He glanced towards Itachi, who was yet to say anything.

"I'll be fine," Naruto said immediately. "I ate a lot today; I can manage a night, really."

Sakura eyed the blond for a second before she nodded. "Very well," she said. "But you will not push yourself."

Naruto nodded. "Promise."

Sakura smiled faintly, then turned towards them again. "Shall we depart?"

Deidara summoned his clay bird and Kiba saw the way Sasuke eyed it with distrust clear in his eyes, even when the six of them clambered onto it without hesitation. "Come with me, Sakura," he said. "I can follow them easily."

Sakura turned towards the raven and nodded. "Okay."

Kiba watched in fascination as black wings burst from Sasuke's back in a cloud of smoke. He easily scooped up the smaller pinkette and spread his wings. "Dobe?"

Naruto made a face. "I'm not flying," he said. "I'll run, 'ttebayo."

Kiba immediately wanted to question how exactly the blond was expecting to be able to keep up with their travel speed but when Sasuke simply nodded, he bit his tongue and refrained from saying anything.

"Are you ready?" Itachi called.

Sasuke glanced down at Sakura in his arms and something seemed to pass between them before the male nodded. "Whenever you are."

The clay bird took to the air and Sasuke gave a massive flap of his wings to follow. In seconds they had risen above the trees and Kiba glanced down to note that the house was no longer visible. Neither was Naruto. "Does he even know which way we're headed?" He asked.

Sasuke, who was hovering a little away from them, nodded. "He can follow our chakra," he said. "He might be stupid but he isn't that stupid. Sakura poked him and the raven grunted. "He is stupid," he insisted. "No too stupid, but stupid all the same."

Kiba glanced down again in uncertainty and was just in time to see a glowing ball of fire break free from the trees.

"He's here," Sasuke said, at the same time. "Lead the way."

Deidara's bird took off in the direction of the Alliance base and Sasuke easily kept up with them. Down below, the ball of chakra that was Naruto stayed directly beneath them.

"We can set up camp before it gets truly dark," Itachi said suddenly, and Kiba glanced at the Uchiha.

"Oh?" Sakura asked. Sasuke flew closer, as close as he could, so that the pinkette did not have to raise her voice.

"Traveling through the dark is not ideal," Neji noted. "And I believe our allies will appreciate us arriving when they can clearly see us."

Sakura tilted her head, as though considering this, before she nodded. "Okay." The two of them swooped downwards, presumably to tell Naruto their plans.

"This...limitation of theirs may cause problems in the future," Shikamaru noted half-heartedly.

"It will be ideal for them to share at least part of the circumstance with us," Neji agreed.

"If we start moving the moment the sun rises tomorrow morning, we'll arrive by evening," Sasori said.

Itachi nodded. "That is the plan."

Kiba glanced back down at the trio. "I wonder how much they can help us," he said quietly. "How much can they improve our situation?"

No one said anything in reply, and Kiba felt torn between satisfaction that that mankind finally seemed to have a way to properly combat a Goddess, and hopelessness of whether or not the Goddess who was supposedly now on their side could stand against the very creator of the lands.

As expected, their return was anticipated. Itachi had contacted Konan through special chakra paper to alert the Alliance of their return and by the time their base could be seen from a distance, Neji could see a crowd of chakra gathered near the entrance.

He wondered how many of them actually expected them to return with a Goddess.

"Are we just going to fly down?" Deidara asked. They had decided on one last rest before they made the final lap of their return journey.

"What else is there to do?" Sasori retorted.

"People are already waiting," Neji informed them.

"We will go down first and give a brief report," Itachi said, then glanced at Sasuke. "Could you join us when I give you a signal?"

Sasuke stiffly nodded. He looked down at the sleeping Pinkett in his arms and shook her awake. He whispered a few words to her before he turned towards Naruto, who nodded in understanding.

Itachi looked around his team and Neji met the Uchiha's gaze with a nod. The older teen narrowed his eyes just a little and turned to look at the base. "Let us go."

Gaara had been present when Nagato of the Akatsuki had brought news from the Deity hunt party. He was currently one of many who had gathered at the gates, eager to see if the best of the Alliance had actually managed to find something that might give them a fighting chance.

"I see them!" Hinata called softly, Byakugan eyes glaring white. "They are approaching."

Soon enough, Gaara caught sight of a single shadow in the sky. Within seconds he recognized it to be Deidara's clay bird and watched it circle above them for a second before it slowly descended. Itachi was the first to step off. The Uchiha bowed at Tsunade before he bowed at the rest of the Kage present. "Hokage-sama," he said. "We have returned."

Tsunade nodded stiffly. Itachi glanced around subtly and the blond woman turned to glare around at the gathered crowd. "Well, what are you all looking at?"

Gaara winced at the lack of tact, but he understood that discussions had to be held before anything was revealed to anyone. He nodded at Temari and Kankuro, who turned and began helping with herding the crowd away.

Once they were alone, Tsunade once again turned towards Itachi. "Well?"

"The Forest of Death was indeed inhabited by the Deity of Spring," Itachi said. "A Goddess, to be exact, and her two Guardians."

Tsunade glanced around and Itachi gestured up into the sky. Gaara guessed the Uchiha was telling them where the Deity and her companions were waiting.

"What did you think, Itachi?"

The Uchiha appeared to consider his words. "The Guardians take their roles seriously. They will probably attack is provoked or threatened. The Goddess appears to be empathetic towards our situation, but she has made clear she has her own reasons for lending us aid. I believe that if our enemy was not another Goddess, we, too, would have been eradicated within the Forest."

"So the Goddess is the reason for the rumors surrounding the Forest of Death?" A asked.

"The Guardians did," Shikamaru piped in. "To be fair, it appears as though most people who went looking for the Goddess, seeking for her help, were not genuine."

Tsunade looked around, and when their gazes met Gaara nodded. She turned back to Itachi. "Will the main tent suffice?"

Itachi nodded, then raised his hand.

Gaara glanced up in time to see something descend towards the earth. Black feathers flew in all directions and a dark silhouette turned towards them. Instincts honed by battle, Gaara raised a hand, sand answering his call beneath his feet, ready to fight.

"Watch it!"

A hand shot out of nowhere and grabbed his wrist. Gaara flinched and yanked his hand free. He whipped around and the gaze of a blond teen, who was suddenly standing next to him. "Where did-"

The blond raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, no need to attack."

Gaara turned stiffly towards Itachi, who looked the slightest bit embarrassed. "Naruto-san," he said.

The blond, Naruto, waved. "What he said," he said. "Nice to meet you, 'ttebayo." He pointed into the settling dust. "The ugly one over there's Sasuke, and the pretty one is Sakura-chan."

Black wings neatly folded themselves on the raven's back, before they vanished in a cloud of black smoke. The other male, Sasuke, nodded stiffly in the direction. The third newcomer, a delicate looking girl, hopped out of his arms. Naruto skipped over to stand to her right while Sasuke planted himself on her left. Gaara saw her green eyes turn towards them, taking them in, before she smiled softly. He had a feeling her eyes had lingered on him longer than the others but maybe that was simply his imagination.

"I am Sakura," she said. "I hear you are seeking my help."

Gaara instantly noticed that, whatever they had been seeking, she was it. The girl, no, Goddess, before him was much shorter than him. Her limbs were thin and everything about her screamed of fragility. Still, there was something about her, perhaps the look in her eyes or the way she held herself, that commanded power.

Gaara glanced over at Sasori, who noticed the look of curiosity in his eyes and nodded in confirmation, the usual laziness gone. Tsunade stepped forward first. "I am Senju Tsunade, one of the leaders of the Elemental Alliance," she said.

The rest of the Kage followed suit with their own introductions. The Deity simply smiled through the tense atmosphere.

Gaara could still sense the curious eyes of the people watching them, though they were much further away. If the Deity and her companions noticed, though, they showed no signs of it.

Tsunade looked at the main tent. "Perhaps we can discuss this inside?"

Sakura nodded, then gestured for the blond woman to lead the way. Gaara caught Sasuke and Naruto share a glance as they moved to follow the pinkette.

Despite not everyone fully believing in the tales of the Deity, the meeting tent had been set up. Tsunade gestured at the single seat that had been put up for the Deity, before she signaled for someone to grab more chairs.

However, Sakura stopped her. "One will suffice," she said. "It is no problem."

Tsunade looked unsure, but joined the rest of the Kage as they took their usual seats around the table. The Deity appeared willing to play human, and Gaara was grateful for that. Until she changed her mind, he would continue to treat her as an equal because he had really no idea how he was supposed to treat a Goddess.

Sakura sat down in the single chair while Sasuke hovered over her shoulder. Naruto plopped himself down on the floor at the pinkett's feet.

Onoki, who had been the most disbelieving towards the plan, immediately turned towards the girl. "You are the Deity?"

Gaara's eyes instantly caught the way Sasuke's hand drifted towards the sword at his hip. Sakura, however, simply nudged him. "I am," she replied.

Onoki scowled and A was quick to step in. "What we mean is-"

"You do not believe me," Sakura cut in.

A nodded stiffly. "No offense, but-" he gestured at her appearance. "You don't look like the strongest thing around."

Naruto snorted, then hissed when Sasuke not-so-subtly kicked him. Sakura continued to smile. "Did you expect me to look like Kaguya?"

The tense atmosphere seemed to get heavier.

"Gods and Goddesses were things of the pasts, legends, until Kaguya appeared," Mei said. "Not all of us were fully convinced we'd even be able to find you."

"And yet, you placed your hope on stories you did on even believe in," Sakura said. "That speaks volumes for the severity of the situation."

Tsunade linked her hands in front of her. "I guess Itachi filled you in?"

Sakura nodded. "I know of the situation," she said. "Though I must tell you, it could have been worse."

Onoki scoffed and opened his mouth, and Gaara knew that the old man was going to rattle off the number of people that had died, the lived that had been destroyed, but Sakura raised her hand in a surprisingly sharp gesture that stood out against her delicate appearance and he froze, almost as though something had compelled her.

"Kaguya was sealed," Sakura said. "And she is not yet at full power. It could have been worse, and there is a possibility it will get worse."

"And is there a way to stop it from becoming worse?" Tsunade asked.

"You stop her from fully regaining her powers," Sakura replied, as though it was the most simple thing in the world.

"And how do we do that?" Gaara asked. He could feel Tsunade's annoyance rising and was reminded of times when he spoke to Shikaku. Only giving answers to questions asked appeared to be a habit of those who knew more than they should. He didn't doubt for a second that the pinkette before him knew much more than the Nara, but they gave off the same air.

Sakura turned towards him and he once again had the strange feeling that she was looking right into his soul. "I cannot say just yet," she said. "It all depends on whether or not Kaguya managed to unseal herself, or if someone else unsealed her." She absentmindedly reached down and ran her fingers through Naruto's hair. "I will need to pay a visit to the ruins of the Otsutsuki clan."

Gaara glanced at his fellow Kage. Mei was the first to speak up. "That was where Kaguya was first seen," she said.

Sakura nodded. "That was where Kaguya was sealed."

"Won't it be dangerous to go there?" Gaara asked.

Sakura tilted her head as though thinking. "I doubt that," she said after a while. "If anything, I believe Kaguya will have vacated from the ruins as soon as possible."

"Why do you say that?" A prompted.

"The chakra of the Otsutsuki and its familiarity with ours made it the ideal place to seal Kaguya. The seals were very powerful, and I highly doubt Kaguya could have destroyed them even if she did manage to escape. Staying near them will continuously weaken her." Green eyes, suddenly cold, glanced over them. Gaara was reminded that despite her appearance, the girl before them was not human. He wondered to what extent she even understood thoughts and feelings. "Besides, she is currently looking for something. Why else did you think she hasn't destroyed you yet?"

Onoki looked ready to fly at the Goddess and Gaara opened his mouth to try and steer the conversation in another direction, but Tsunade beat him to it.

"Is it bad if she finds whatever she is looking for?"

Sakura smiled, and Gaara wondered if the look on her face was a show of emotion or simply movement of human-like facial muscles. "Indeed," she said. "However, until she finds them she will not...no, she cannot destroy you."

Chapter TEN>

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