Chapter 5

It had been over an hour that branch and poppy had left the bunker. Their hike through the woods had been a mostly pleasant one. Although, no matter how many times poppy asked branch where they were going, he always replied with a "You'll see soon enough" retort. She was so anxious to see what he had in store for her. More-so, her heart was pounding knowing she was going to spend the entire day with branch. Alone. She was both intrigued and nervous. They had known each other since they were children, but Branch was always distant whenever she tried to get close. But that never stopped her from always attempting to make him smile.

They came to a rocky hillside that was secluded in an overgrown gully. She could smell water and earthy tones in the air. Branch stopped poppy before she got too close to a patch of elephant ear plants. "Okay poppy, we're here, but close your eyes real quick ok? It IS a surprise after all". Smirking sheepishly, she slowly closed her eyes. For a moment, he admired her pretty face, her rosy pink cheeks and sparkling freckles always made him feel like time stopped. Branch quickly snapped himself out of it, making sure she really couldn't see anything, he then parted the patch of elephant ears. Taking her hand nervously, he led her inside to where he gave her permission to open her eyes. Instantly, her eyes widened to see a massive clearing where a decent sized lagoon (for a troll) with a cascading waterfall lay. Sunlight cutting through the branches and adding golden rays of light. The smell of water and earth filled her nostrils, reminding her of branch. She felt so serene with not only the atmosphere, but the sounds of the roaring waterfall and the wind pushing through the trees. Her eyes glistening up with tears as she brought her hands to her mouth in amazement. This was hands down the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and couldn't wait to explore.

"Oh branch! This is so beautiful"! Poppy exclaimed happily, running over to the edge of the water, looking around like a child getting a present on christmas. "I never thought I would find something as beautiful as you...yet here it is...". Branch said to himself, close enough in proximity where poppy could still hear him. Poppy thought she misheard him at first, then turned to face the handsome grey troll. "W-what"? Poppy asked, with  both longing and confusion. The strangest of combinations. Realizing he said it aloud, he fumbled over words and quickly changed the subject. "U-uh-uhm, well I thought that you would like this. I found it when I was looking for Yggdrasil leaves, the plant will only grow near water. They purge poison and help with blood flow. And I thought that maybe you would like to, swim with me"? Poppy looked at him with a warm and welcoming smile. The fact he even thought of her made her happy. No one has ever done something like this for her before. However, there was one small problem. Moments later branch walked to the bank of the lagoon and sat down his satchel.

"Oh, branch, you're so sweet (statement causing him to blush) but, there's a small.....um...problem". Sadly looking to the ground. Branch, confused, came closer to his princess. "What's the matter poppy? Is there something wrong"?  Still looking to the ground, she twisted her toes into the sand, making a small hole. "No branch, well, not entirely....I....I-I...don't know....how to.....you know...how to....swim". Too embarrassed to face the grey troll, she hung her head in shame.

Branch softened his gaze, and gently took her chin to look into his eyes. For the first time, she fully looked into his eyes, and she found them to be lovely. Beautiful cerulean irises that were as clear as fresh water. She found them to be mesmerizing. Feeling difficult to look away. The look in his eyes made her feel comfort. "Well then, I'll teach you, come on, lets get started"! Branch went to his satchel and began to rummage through, as if looking for something specific. "Hold on branch, I don't have anything to wear in the water".  Branch waving her over to him, hands her a bright blue bathing suit set. The bottoms having strings dangling on the sides with miniature blue and pink flowers, and the top with blue and pink flowers on a one shoulder strap. It was made from a soft material that felt like it was smooth as butter. Poppy quite enjoyed how it looked. But wondered where he got it. Did he get it from another female troll? A slight feeling of jealousy hit poppy in the back end of her mind. "What is this? Where did you get this from"? poppy asked while holding up the suit pieces in her hands. "well, I didn't know if you had one or not. And if I asked you if you did, it would have ruined my idea. So, I simply made you one myself. You've always looked so lovely in light blue, so I...made a suit for you in the same color. I....Hope you like it". Stammering over his words, his cheeks flushed, turning his head to avoid her eyes. 

Poppy stood there, bewildered. He made this, just for her? All for a surprise day at a lagoon? This was probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for her, as well as the compliment about how she looks in blue. "Are you kidding? I love it! Can I try it on"?! Branch looked almost eager for her to try it. " Sure, I'll wait here by the water for you". Giving a satisfied smile, she runs over to a large rock at the end of the sand away from the water nearby lush plants, then using her hair to create a large orb around herself to change. A few minutes passed, branch took off his vest and entered the water until it hit his knees. He always wore shorts so he didn't need a suit. The water was warm and pleasant to the skin, crystal clear, and clean. Suddenly, he heard poppy shout in his direction. "Okay branch, I'm done! And hey! It fits perfectly"! Turning to his name being called, his eyes met poppy, only, she was looking much more fine than he'd ever seen her. The suit hugged her curves and showed off her slender legs and belly. Her breasts were supple and well round, even though you could never tell with her normal dress on. Branch just stood there in awe, admiring her beautiful body, and feeling his heart pound. He could feel his face begin to get hot and flushed. She looked so sexy to him, he didn't expect to see her looking this good. Poppy stopped when she noticed the look on branch's face. He looked almost the same when her and the group threw the party for him. Only this time, it was her he was looking at. And this, made her feel something. But she couldn't place it. She enjoyed the way he looked at her however, she felt her cheeks begin to flush over. She enjoyed the warmth in his eyes. 

"I take it that you .... like it then"? She said questioningly. Shaking his head to focus on the water instead of her body, he swiftly glanced away and urged her into the water with his hand outstretched. "Y-yes...it...looks.... very good on you". Happiness swelled inside poppy and a blush streaked across her entire face. She took his hand and went into the water with him. "ok poppy, Now, the first few things I am going to start with are crucial, alright"? Nodding her head to her teacher, she awaited his instructions excitedly. Branch thought her giddy attitude towards learning something new was cute, but also thought that her wonder and need to experience everything was just as amazing she she was. He began by teaching her the basics, balance, breast strokes, kicking while in the water and how to float. Although when they were practicing how to float, his entire body felt hot when he had to hold her waist and belly for balance. Holding onto her slick, wet body against his as she bounced through the water. Branch glanced down when she was practicing to float, only to see how buoyant her breasts were. Almost perfectly rounded and bobbing in the waves of the water. His biggest issue was trying NOT to get excited by this, let alone making sure she didn't notice his glances. At one point, he had to hide his half erection under the water before she noticed. Thankfully, she never did. But, throughout the lessons, they both had fun, but also felt a strong connection with one another. Branch let a few smiles sneak across his face as he continued his lessons, occasionally acting playful. He was happy to teach her how to swim, while having fun doing so. Time flew through the day, neither of the trolls noticed, since they were enjoying each others' company too much. Poppy, being a fast learner, did very well, and soon didn't need branch to brace her anymore. And soon, began to act even more playful. Splashing him randomly, or using her hair to dunk him. "Ah! Hey poppy stop it"! Says branch as he splashes her back. "What? You can't take on a girl"?! She exclaimed. Branch puffed up with a grin and ran after poppy in the water. "Grrr I'll get you poppy, Don't think I can't catch you"! After several hours of playing in the water, branch finally caught hold of her, and pulled her close. But as he pulled, she slipped on a slick stone in the sand, causing her to fall somewhat on branch. But, she broke her fall on his body, which afterwards, she wrapped her legs around his waist and neck to keep from going deeper into the water. Branch instinctively,  caught onto her lower legs to keep her afloat. 

"HAH! Gotchya" he says to her. Both laughed loudly, but began to slowly fade. Both poppy and branch remain in each others arms for several moments. Branch, gazing into her eyes, was reminded on how much he enjoyed looking into those ruby like jewels, easily getting lost in their beauty. And poppy, looking at branch, always thought he was a handsome troll, but getting this close to him, she felt her whole face burn with heat and her heart beat fiercely. Branch, noticing that her arms are around his neck and legs around his waist, he couldn't help but feel the hard lump in his throat and his heart begin to race. Poppy, noticed that his strong arms were holding her from underneath he thighs, she was enjoying their placement. The light of sunset shimmered through thick beams into the water top. Making it glisten like diamonds on the surface. A beam of light landed on poppy and branch. Light bouncing off of the water droplets on her body making it to where she looks as if she is covered in silver dust. Looking down into poppy's beautiful eyes, he had difficulty hiding what was welling up inside of him.

Both trolls remained motionless. Enjoying the sight of one another, as well as being too frozen to really move. Branch Wanted to tell her everything. How much he loved her, how grateful he was just to have someone care about him. How thankful he was for all the effort she had put in for him after all these years. But fear he would make her so uncomfortable held him back. He didn't want to lose her. 

" Poppy..." He said softly, his eyes giving her a warm and loving gaze. "Yes, branch"? she replied, meeting his gaze. "I-I...... uh...." branch simply couldn't gather the words to say it. How much he loved her. So instead, he sighed, and let her down into the water gently. "I... think we should get ready to go, we've been here for hours and it will be dark soon. We should get back to my bunker, it's not safe at night". She was curious as to what he was going to say, but, reluctantly, she agreed to head back to his bunker before nightfall. Since he knew more about the forest and its dangers, she trusted him. Nodding her head, she made her way to the shoreline. Branch watching behind her, admiring every curve as she slowly put her dress back on over her suit. "Way to go man. The ONE time you have a perfectly romantic setting to tell the girl of your dreams your biggest secret, and you choke....Good going". Branch harshly thought to himself. The two trolls gather their things quickly. They were losing daylight and needed to move swiftly. Onward the trolls went to venture home. Poppy looks behind her, admiring the view of the lagoon one last time before she departed. Taking in the beautiful scenery and amazing smell before she left with branch.

End Of Chapter Five