Chapter Text
Branch sang and danced for the first time in a long time, Poppy’s hand in his, moving to her and the beat like they had practiced together for years. He hadn’t been so synchronized with someone in so long, it was like something had broken off in his chest and he could breathe again. Like something instinctual was opened back up. Her eyes were alight in a new shine and he suspected his were as well as he harmonized with her for the first time.
It felt perfect.
His color was so vibrant in that moment, a blue shadow cast on everything around him. Every time he saw his fingers beyond the glove, he tried not to stare in awe.
He was so happy.
It was a performance only pop trolls could pull off.
And it was infectious. Even the Bergens started to move and dance in their own, slightly awkward way. They would learn.
Branch laughed, delighted, as Poppy and him spun each other around.
He saw her grin.
He matched it.
He did that. He made her smile.
Branch had no idea how it happened, but at some point, there was a lemon, grill, Rhonda and fire involved as Chef, stuck inside, fell out of the castle and off the steps, flames licking all around her.
Cooper caught his eye and winked at Branch, when he tossed the match.
“Wait. Is Creek still in the fanny pack?”
At first, no one said a word.
“Oops.”
***
Poppy was Queen.
Several days later, when things settled down and the village was well into rebuilding, Poppy was crowned queen. She stood atop a mushroom while her father, Peppy, gave her a stunning new crown and announced her rule.
Branch had never heard such loud, joyful cheer. And for once, he was a part of it.
She went up to him and took his hands, dragging him up with her. The mushroom shot up, towering over everyone and giving them some kind of moment to themselves. It was alright, everyone else was too busy celebrating.
“What do you know, a High Drop Mushroom,” he noted as he glanced around, vaguely interested. It was hard to tell sometimes.
She laughed.
He smiled back. He owed her something. A couple of things really and perhaps it was the time. “I know it’s not hug time yet but well…I think I owe it to you,” Branch said with a welcoming gesture. “Not too big to admit I’d want it.”
“Now that I am Queen, I decree, that hug time… is all the time,” she giggled.
He could get used to the hugs.
“I also kind of owe you a new ukulele,” Branch added, laughing awkwardly as he pulled away.
“Pffft… I have like, a million and five.”
Not one like this, he thought, as he was already pulling out a new ukulele out of his hair, decorated in natural swirls of plants, flowers and a stunning night sky on the stem. The moon on it practically glowed. She gasped
“Branch…how did you…where did you…it’s stunning,” her eyes were wide and interested as she looked around the instrument.
“I spent… all night on it,” he confessed.
“This looks different? Where did you get this?”
“I made it. Sort of.”
“What?”
“Yeah, my brother got into carving for a while and started it…” Branch said, drifting off with a shrug. It had been tucked in Rhonda for more than just a couple of years. “I just kind of finished it. And then painted it. Trust me, he would definitely want you to have it.”
He would have loved her.
Gotten along like a pod on fire.
“It’s…it’s amazing.”
“And the plants that are painted on it are ones that are safe to eat. Just as a reminder,” he added, pointing around to varying plants he had painted on the sides and edges.
She laughed. “I love it. So much. It’s so you.”
“I love you,” he replied.
“I love you too,” she smiled warmly. It felt like she was practically glowing. There was something about the two of them that was different. He was just glad that they were friends. “Some day, when you are ready, I’d love to hear all about your brother.”
Branch’s heart softened. Oh how much his brother would have loved her. They’d be so embarrassing to him, obnoxious and annoying but in the end Branch is pretty sure he’d secretly love it anyways. “I’d love to tell you.”
There is a genuine feeling to things she says to him that makes her so easy to believe. And he knows he can believe her. She keeps staring at him, giving him every inch of attention and keeping herself so earnest. “I know I never got to meet him or know him but I think…I think he would be really happy for you.”
“I know.”