Chapter 9

It had been A few hours since poppy and branch had breakfast. They continued their morning making love until both trolls were spent, and covered in fluids. Laying in bed together, the two trolls let out sighs of satisfaction and exhaustion. Holding his princess tight at her waist, branch showers her neck and face with kisses. Making her squeal girlishly and giggle. She could feel how sweaty and sticky her body was, so she blocked some of his affections to get his attention. "I think it would be wise to get cleaned up before we head out to start our day, don't you think"? Asked poppy. Nuzzling into her neck, branch chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose so. I have a decent sized bath, if you'd like to take one with me"? She smiled happily. A nice hot bath is what they needed right now and the hot water will help their muscles. 

Traveling past the kitchen area, they came to another corridor lit with translucent mushrooms on the wall. Poppy gasped as they entered a large room, polished wood and stone build against the walls and moss growing on the floors to act as a natural carpet. There was a large stone bathtub in the far end corner that looked sanded and polished, to help against skin irritation most likely. She was amazed by the detail. The bath alone was large enough for two decent sized trolls, maybe more. There were wooden pillars in spaced out columns to support the ceiling from caving in. All carved to look like trees with vines reaching down. She was in love with his handiwork. She knew he was good with his hands, but never knew he was this talented. She stood with her mouth slightly parted, taking in the scenery. Branch noticed the look on her face and was immediately feeling proud of himself. He's never shown anyone his house before, so it was nice to have this type of reaction. "I take it you like it"? He said to her as he makes his way to her side. She flustered for a moment to shake off the amazement on her face. "This is just....amazing, branch! You truly have a gift". She replied to him softly. Branch blushed hard. he was happy she enjoyed it, as well as the compliment.

Making his way to the tub, he pulls a lever above the stone bath and from a trough embedded in the wall, hot steamy water rushed out. Filling the tub quickly. While it was filling, he grabbed a jar from a nearby shelf and opened it. The smell was almost instant, a pleasant floral smell with a hint of something cool, yet salted. Pouring in its contents with two fist fulls. Poppy cocked her head to the side in confusion. What was that stuff and why is he putting whatever that is, into the water? "Hey, branch, what is that"? She asked, curiosity peaked. "This, my lady, is a special mixture of herbs and salt I made. It helps with sore muscles. It's made with lake salt, mint, and lavender pods". He replied to her as he climbs in, pulling the lever once more to stop the water. She joins him eagerly, she wanted to test out this mixture of his. As well as bask in the hot water for a good while. The heat felt good around her legs and waist, she enjoyed the soothing smell from the herbs as well. Branch pulls her close to him by her waist. Softly touching her body under the water, smiling to himself as he kissed her on the back of the head. Poppy laughs softly. "We came in here to get clean, not to get dirty again". She giggled as she tried to get away from him, failing miserably. She spun around, and accidentally grazed his side, causing him to laugh. She hadn't known he was ticklish. She takes another stroke with her fingers just to be sure. Branch laughed again, covering his side with his large hands.  Poppy grinned menacingly, narrowing her eyes. Suddenly branch felt trapped. Oh no. He thought to himself as his ears dropped. "N-no, no, no, poppy, WAI-"! Branch yelled. But it was too late. Poppy pushed his hands away and tickled his sides. Branch flailed about like a fish out of water, laughing loudly and trying to stop poppy's tickling, pushing out some of the water. She wouldn't move her hands, and continued to tickle him harder. "Are you going to give? Huh? I can do this all day long without a break"! She laughed. Laughing hard and hardly being able to breath, branch gave up after a few minutes of this torture. "O-okay, okay! I give! I GIVE! Po-oppy! HAHA! STOP"! She eased her tickling. Letting him catch his breath. Gulping for air, he composed himself. "Okay, okay, you win, you brat". She laughed triumphantly as she crept up to sneak a kiss onto his cheek. 

After their bath, they dried themselves off and retrieved their clothes. Branch gathered his satchel and tools he usually takes with him when he goes out foraging for materials he needs, soon setting out for troll square. Poppy took the first step outside, the sunlight  felt warm and welcoming on her face. The smell of the air filled her nostrils as she took a long deep inhale. She couldn't wait to see her friends. It may had only been a day since she's seen them, but she wanted to show everyone that branch's colors came back. She then paused in thought, HOW exactly was she going to break it to everyone, where she was all night. Let alone explain to everyone how branch got his color back. She couldn't just outright say that she had sex with branch and stayed the night. That would be way to awkward. She had to come up with an idea and she had to do it quick. Sadly, nothing came to mind. Branch came up behind her with a look of concern, wondering why she was quiet for so long. "Pop, are you ok"? He asked her in a nervous tone. "Y-yeah branch, I'm fine. It's just....What are we going to tell everyone? We can't just tell everyone that we.....had... sex". She says sheepishly as she blushes. "How are we going to explain all this? Your colors returning and me being gone all night"? She asked questioningly. Understanding the predicament they were in for, he paused and thought hard about what to do. 

"well....we tell them the truth". He said proudly. She had a slightly shocked look on her face. Confused as to why he would want everyone to know what happened. "We don't have to tell anyone what we DID exactly (smiling at her with a raised eyebrow) but we can tell them the truth. All of it. I took you to the lagoon, taught you how to swim, and we went back because it was too late. As for my color, we can tell the truth there too. I told you my feelings, as you did with yours. However, lets just make it known that I slept on the couch. Okay"? He spreads his arms, inviting her in for a hug. She gladly accepted, nodding in agreement. Hugging him tightly, with a kiss on the cheek. Interrupted by his voice, she paused. "And by the way, If they ask you what we are, tell them the truth with that too". She ended the hug and back up slowly, to look at him in confusion. He looks down on her with soft eyes. "Together". He said sweetly with a tender smile. She smiled widely, jumping up and down in happiness. She ran to him, almost knocking him over while wrapping her arms around him, giving him a deluge of kisses. He couldn't resist it, he loved feeling her lips all over him. However, they  needed to get a move on with their day. Either wise, if things continued going the way they are, they wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

"Okay, o-okay pop, come on, we need to head to the square and make sure that everyone knows you're ok. I'm sure your dad is worried". Branch said as he gathered his footing from the kiss attack. "You're right, lets go"! She instantly grabs his arm and holds it against hers, making their way to the square. Walking up to the square, poppy can see cooper and smidge playing kickball, Dj and guy diamond are tuning a remix of one of her new songs, the twins fawning over a new jumpsuit they had designed, and biggie has a camera in his hand about to take yet another picture of his beloved pet worm Mr. Dinkles. Poppy ran up to the section of the square her friends were in, excited to see their reaction to branch's transformation. "Hey guys"! She yells. The pack all turn their heads to the sound of her voice as soon as she spoke, faces frozen. Holding her arms open, she was waiting for them to move. Almost instantly, they all screamed "POPPY"!  as they rushed to her, piling on top of her in a hug pile. Branch was taken aback by their reaction to her. It had only been a full day that she was gone. They missed her that much? He chuckled to himself, glad that she had such devoted friends. They all laughed together, almost crushing poor poppy. Moments later, they all climbed off their friend, hugging her for real and giving her breathing space. She was happy her friends were glad to see her. All of the pack had been asking questions at the same time, overlapping over one another. "Poppy, where on earth have you been"? Biggie asked, almost worried, still holding his camera with Mr. Dinkles on his shoulder. "Hey everyone, I'm sorry if I worried you, I've just been, spending time with branch". She gestures to in his direction, signaling for him to come closer. At first he was nervous, wondering if they would go back to treating him as an outcast. But, with her smiling at him with confidence, he stepped forward. 

Wearing a nervous smile, branch stepped forward and greeted them kindly. "Hey, everybody". In a nervous laugh. The whole pack stood frozen, mouths jarred, and stares blank. Biggie dropped his camera, which caused it to go off in the drop. At first, branch thought it was a bad idea, no one said a word. Until the silence was finally broken. "Branch?! Is that you"?! exclaimed DJ. Nodding his head in agreement, not a second goes by afterwards that the pack dog pile him with hugs and excitement. Guy diamond was the first to congratulate him. "You're so beeeee-autiful with you co-lor"!! His auto tune voice made it hard not to laugh. Cooper and smidge gave him high fives, while the twins complimented his shade of blue to be very "in", asking him his measurements. Biggie and DJ we telling him how they could barely recognize him. Branch felt his heart jump at all the reactions he was getting. They accepted so easily. They were happy, willingly hugging him, congratulating him. 

 The small crowd of trolls were barely parted before DJ asked how it happened. "How did this happen? How did you get your color back"?! She asked eagerly. Smiling softly, he walked over to poppy. "Well, I just, had a little help". He says as he takes her hand in his. The whole pack gasped in awe. Poppy blushes, almost too shy to show her full face, which is usually not in her character. "Oh. My. GOD! Poppy, are you guys-"? DJ asked excitedly, practically trembling from how anxious she was to hear the answer. Branch looked to poppy, giving her a "go ahead" gesture with his head. Nodding, she then looks to her friends, smile widely. "Yep, we're together". The whole pack burst aloud with happy shrieks and cheering. DJ came up to poppy's side. "I KNEW you two were feeling something! I KNEW IT! That night at his party, the way you two looked at each other? TOTALLY adorbs". She said almost too excitedly. Branch stepped in closer. "Party? what party"? He asked. "Um DUHHH! It was your surprise birthday party poppy planned for you. Remember? The way you hugged her when she gave you your present"? Satin pointed out very particularly. Branch remembered. He almost forgot about the party. How thankful he was to not only poppy, but the rest of the pack for all that they did. "Yeah man, we all knew that SOMETHIN' was brewin' with both of y'all". Cooper added. "We just didn't know it would happen, now". Chenille finished. 

"Well I for one, am very happy for you two, and so is Mr. Dinkles"! Biggie says as he holds up his beloved, top hat wearing worm, "Phew". That being said, the pack gather together in a group hug, mumbling congratulatory cheers to the new couple. "But so help me if you hurt her I'll smash you with a rock"! Hissed smidge. Chuckling to themselves they all dismissed her threat. "Take it down a notch smidge, I think she'll be in good hands, branch is pretty decent when you get to know him". Biggie replied. The others all nodded and agreed happily. It made branch feel good to hear him say that. He couldn't believe it. He had friends now. Real friends. And he had poppy. Today was allot to take in. He felt his eyes beginning to get misty. He held back the tears with high amounts of effort, so no one would see him shed a tear. After a moment in the group hug. poppy broke the silence. "Oh, guys! I should go see my dad! He's probably worried and may have another lesson for me today, we should get going"! All agreeing, the pack let the trolls off on their way to see the troll king. 

Poppy and branch began to make their way to the palace, When a purple, green haired troll stood on a mushroom overlooking the square. A fire burned in his eyes over the site of the no longer grey troll. Glaring at him holding hands with poppy. He has got to separate them. But how?  

End of Chapter 9