Trolls 3.0

Lullaby

A/N: An idea by FandomKingdomGirl on AO3 as well as pixarchan :)

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Nobody realized how much of a distance it was to their first stop, until the sky began to turn a gradient sunset color, and then gave way into night.

They had set out in the morning, traveling all day without rest, and it had taken its toll on the caterbus. Rhonda stretched out each of her four green legs and then flopped down on the ground, letting out a great big yawn. John Dory seated himself next to her and patted her fondly, the caterbus letting out a happy little purr in response.

Poppy in the meantime had nursed a fire, supplying wood to it so that it continued to keep them each warm. Sleeping bags were being set up by Branch around it, so they could all turn in for the night and be readily re-energized once tomorrow came.

"Ooo," Tiny Diamond said, seeing the setup. "Are we gonna be telling scary stories?"

"No," Poppy shook her head. "We're gonna go to sleep."

"What?" Tiny said, like he couldn't believe it.

"It's way past your bedtime," the Pop Queen said matter-of-factly.

"A man doesn't need bedtime!" Tiny Diamond pouted, crossing his arms.

"Oh, yes you do!" Poppy said. "How else are you gonna grow up to be big and strong?"

"Aunt Poppy, I'm already big and strong, see?" He flexed the teeny little muscles he had on his arms and Poppy sighed.

Branch could tell she was tired. With how energetic she was throughout the day, it all came crashing down at night. A fussy child was not something she would rather deal with right now when there was a nice, comfortable slumber awaiting her. So Branch stepped in to help.

"Proud of your boy

I'll make you proud of your boy

Believe me, bad as I've been, Ma

You're in for a pleasant surprise,

I've wasted time

I've wasted me

So say I'm slow for my age

A late bloomer, Okay, I agree..."

Branch sang just loud enough so that it could be heard over the crackling of the flames, and other nature sounds around them. Poppy glanced at him with delighted surprise, always charmed to hear his voice, but Tiny Diamond wasn't sharing her sentiments exactly.

"A lullaby?" he said. "Nice try, but that never - " He broke off, yawning suddenly, and realizing that it just might be working. Seeing that it was, Branch continued.

"That I've been one rotten kid

Some son, some pride and some joy

But I'll get over these lousin' up

Messin' up, screwin' up times

You'll see, Ma, now comes the better part

Someone's gonna make good

Cross his stupid heart

Make good and finally make you

Proud of your boy..."

It was clear that Tiny was falling to the sleeping spell, with the way he was bobbing his head and trying really hard not to let his eyes get too droopy. But he was being stubborn. He still had his glittery arms crossed and was sitting up straight. But Branch didn't let it deter him.