Trolls 3.0

Era

A/N: A request by troll_fan_broppy 🙂

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I knew I shouldn't have gotten up today...

Okay, so the statement wasn't entirely true. The wedding of Bridget and Gristle was something Branch knew the day was going to bring, and that certainly was nothing to turn the other cheek to. It was something that had been anticipated for a great while now, by Pop Village and Bergen Town, not to mention the remaining five Troll tribes (who, while not as acquainted with the Bergens, still appreciated a grand festivity and supported the marriage). Plus, getting up everyday meant plenty of singing, dancing, and hugging alongside the one Troll he loved nearly more than life itself - Queen Poppy, whom he was very proud to call his girlfriend. Branch had plenty of friends and acquaintances, but she was really what made it worth rising up out of his bunker and facing the day. Hearing her lovely voice, grooving along with her to the music, feeling her arms wrap around him for a warm embrace. Good, good times.

BUT... if Branch had known what exactly would be in store for him the rest of that day, then absolutely not would he have likely made the effort to leave his underground hideout. If he had known that a Troll would drop out of the sky, crash the wedding, and turn out to be his dork of an older brother John Dory, then Branch would have vouched to call in a sick day, or something of the like. But no Troll could predict the future. It simply brought with it what it brought, no matter how many plans you made beforehand, and certainly not seeming to care about your feelings as it did.

So that was exactly how Branch found himself having the exact opposite of a good time - arms crossed, a furrow on his eyebrows, a frown on his face - and almost starting to be convinced by the statement in his head. If he hadn't gotten up today, then he wouldn't have to be looking at his former-brother's stupid smug grin as he stood there, nonchalantly sipping a caffeinated drink, while observing Poppy bursting at the seams with excitement over the section of the caterbus's interior that they were in.

The Pop Queen squealed with excitement. "EEEE! It's like a BroZone museum!" she exclaimed, hopping from foot to foot, as it was impossible for her to stay still. Not when all sorts of classic BroZone memorabilia was right there in front of her, and not with the knowledge that she would soon enough actually be meeting its remaining members! (A little venture that Branch was not particularly looking forward to.)

"Check out your old outfits," Poppy gushed, pointing at the various magazine, newspaper, and poster clippings as she called them out. "Puffy jackets! Puka shell necklaces! Denim tuxedos!"

Branch did his best to suppress a groan with each one that was listed out. He was very grateful that the fashionista twins Satin and Chenille were not there with them, because if they'd laid their eyes on this, there was no doubt they would already be knitting together all of those outfits and fitting Branch for them.

Ugh... I KNEW I shouldn't have gotten up today...

Suddenly Poppy caught sight of another picture on the wall. "Did you have frosted tips?!" she asked Branch, gesturing to a photo of himself as a baby with the ends of his blue hair dyed a bright white, and an overly satisfied Spruce and Clay next to him showcasing their handiwork. Branch huffed. His hair was nothing to experiment with! He was about to express this, when John Dory's chuckle cut in.

"Don't forget his perm," he added, reaching into his dark aquamarine hair and showing Poppy yet another photo.

Branch couldn't quite see it from where he was standing, but Poppy seemed to get quite a clear view, if her reaction was anything to go by. A gasp so loud escaped her that Branch could have sworn that all the air left her body. Then, in a leap that would put any gymnast to shame, she soared at JD, almost knocking him over as she tore the photo from his hand and held it high above her head like it was a grand prize.

"AHHHHHH! Look at you! You were so CUTE! I LOVE IT!!!"

Surprisingly, Poppy was able to hold still long enough to show Branch a quick glimpse of the photograph, and then making him wish that she hadn't. There he was once again as a baby, his hair this time styled to be puffy like a mini fro, with oodles of little curls to show for.

John Dory cocked his head and looked Branch over while Poppy continued to scream in joy, unable to get over the adorable photo. "Hmm... I think you'd rock that style pretty good now, bro!"

A blush rose in Branch's cheeks. He might've enjoyed the hairstyle at the time, but looking back at it, he felt some embarrassment. "It was an era!" he shouted at him lamely, unable to think of anything else to say, and hoping that he didn't come off too whiny.

John Dory just shook his head in the meantime, tsking at his brother's disagreement with a heavy sigh.

"Tragic."