Chapter Text
Branch sighed as he picked up a stick to add to the heaping pile he already had stuffed under his other arm.
"Sticks, check." He mentally checked off the list he had made that morning.
Life had been peaceful for the trolls. They weren't being eaten in any morbid holidays anymore, the world of trolls were all tolerant of one anothers music, and Branch had what he thought was an impossible dream. His brothers. Sure, they didn't live in the bunker with him like he had originally imagined, but they kept in touch and visited fairly often. And that alone was more than he ever thought possible.
Branch and Poppy were growing quite close as well. They kissed. On the mouth. Although just once, Branch was still soaring high. And with the courting week approaching, the once grey troll was hopeful that this would be the season he and Poppy would take their relationship to the next level. Living together. Temporarily as a trial run. The thought had made Branch anxious, but he couldn't think of a morning more beautiful than seeing Poppy laying beside him. The image in his mind had a dumb smile pull at his lips.
Making his way back to his hidden door to his bunker, humming some cheesy love song he'd never admit to enjoying, he went over his mental list of supplies to survive the courting week.
-Stout Berry juice to last a week for 2. Of course in 2 flavours, both favourites of each that would enjoy them.
-A weeks worth of supplies to create the most romantic, amazing meals Branch could cook. He had been searching through the dusty library for the perfect meal plans.
-Candles, for ambience at the dining table and bathroom so they could enjoy a hot soak-separately!
-Poppy's favourite flowers(second favourite actually, since she has allergies), scattered throughout her favourite rooms. He avoided the bedroom to avoid any awkward forwardness.
-And entertainment. Poppy needed lots of entertainment. Games, music, movies, and some short books since reading didn't agree with her short attention span.
Everything was perfect. Besides the fact he hadnt asked her to spend the week with him yet. In his head, he had a very romantic way to ask, something to truly surprise and woo the pink haired lady of his dreams.
Opening his door, he was just about to take a step inside.
"Branch! Just the troll I was hoping to see!" Poppy hurried over, a bright, beautiful smile on her face that could make angels cry.
Branch though, flinched at the sudden yell, dropping some of the sticks he had gathered and almost falling down the couple stairs to his elevator. Graceful as always.
"O-oh? You hoped to-uh” he clears his throat. “What's up?" He knelt to pick up the sticks quickly, a blush growing on his cheeks at his fumble. She never seemed to notice, but he would replay this moment over and over later.
"Okay, so, as you know, the start of courting week is tomorrow, and you'll never guess what happened!"
Branch felt his chest grow tight. This could be good, and bad. Good for her, but not so much for him.
"What..?" He asked tentatively.
"Bridget asked me out for a girls week!" She squealed and jumped excitedly. "She knows I'm always super stressed out during this week, trying to plan things, watch over things, and never really having any time to myself. So this is going to really help I think. My dads covering for this week, but I have Smidge helping him out too. Ah, I'm so excited! I've never been on a girls camp out before! There'll be late night campfire songs and stories and s’mores and-...”
Branch gave his best fake smile as he listened to her rambling, feeling his stomach drop and mood sink faster than the titanic. Giving soft, acknowledging nods, he tried to look attentive as her fast words began blurring together.
"Ohhh, great… yeah, no, that'll be so great. You'll have a great time. Super great.”
"She hasn't told me where we're going yet, and you know how much I love surprises! I hope it's not the-"
"Yeah, cool, sounds great. I'm uh, really busy, and you gotta go pack! Hope the trip goes well. Travel safe, and you relax! Get lots of relaxing… I'llsee you when you get back, bye!"
Branch turned quickly and scurried into his bunker, waving off her seemingly confused goodbye. She'dbe worried about him for a bit, but with the attention span of a hummingbird, would focus on something new and exciting.
Branch clutched the sticks close to his chest like they'd somehow rectify the issue. He was such an idiot. Of course he didn't ask her before, that's what a smart person would have done. And clearly Branch wasnt that. Riding the elevator down, he groaned nearly the whole length.
"You dummy… big big dummy! Ugh, of course she's going on a retreat with her super caring friend!"
Once he put away the sticks, he tried to ignore all the flowers and decorations he had hanging around the underground home, and went to flop in bed. Technically, it wasn't even night yet, closer to noon, but Branch was ready for sleep. He was done with the day and wanted this week over already.