Peppy brought Branch back to his pod. Branch didn't want to go. He still felt guilty about what he had done, but Peppy insisted, and his grandma always told him that if the king asked you to do something, you do it.
Even though his grandma was gone, he still didn't want to disappoint her, so he went with Peppy.
He looked around the pod, as he walked in. It seemed much different then it had a few days prior. When he was here with his grandma, it seemed happy, and full of life, but now it just seemed dark and lonely.
Branch sighed, looking down, as he closed his eyes.
"You can sleep on the couch tonight. We'll figure out where you're gonna live in the morning." Branch looked at King Peppy, and then walked slowly to the couch, laying down on his side.
Peppy sighed, feeling bad about the situation Branch was in. He had lost his wife, but Branch had lost his Grandma. His only family... and he was so little. He couldn't even imagine what Branch was going through.
"Well..." he said softly. "Good night, Branch."
He walked away to put Poppy to bed, as Branch lay on the couch.
Slowly, Branch reached into his hair, pulling out his snuggle toy, Crocko. He looked at him, remembering the day his Grandma had given him to him.
Flashback
———————
Branch lay in his bed, crying. It was Trollstice three years, and he had just lost his father.
Grandma Rosiepuff walked in, holding her hands behind her back.
"Branch, sweetie... I know it hurts..."
"I miss him, Grandma," Branch cried.
"I know. I miss him too."
She went, and sat next to him on the bed. Branch looked at her.
"I lost my father at a young age to, so my mom gave me this." She held out an old alligator toy. "His name is Crocko."
Branch sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"Crocko?" he asked, sniffling. She nodded.
"My mom told me that no mater what happened... Crocko would always be there to protect me. And now, he'll be there to protect you."
She held out Crocko to Branch, and he slowly took him. He looked into his marble eyes, and then hugged him, tight, as he cried. He felt better with Crocko in his arms, and his grandma by his side.
Now
————
He hugged Crocko tight now, remembering his grandma, and how much he loved her. Crocko had always helped him get through tough times, but now was different. His grandma was no longer by his side. She wasn't even in the next room over, so he could go talk to her, if he needed to. She was gone... and she was never coming back.
Branch cried, squeezing Crocko as tight, as he could in his little arms.
Suddenly, he felt something press up against his back.
He turned to see what it was, and saw Poppy snuggled up beside him, holding a little, blue hedgehog toy.
She sighed, as she lay there, sleeping. Branch looked at her, and smiled a little. He suddenly didn't feel so alone.
