A flower for Poppy AU

Branch was overwhelmed that Poppy, out of the genuine kindness of her heart, managed to find his lost childhood snuggle toy just for him. Poppy is always trying to find ways to make trolls happy, even though she is not obligated to she does it anyway, not because she is the Queen, but because she cares. This gift was to make up for mixing up his and Bridgette's birthdays. She felt so guilty that she had been coming up with ways to make it up to him. When Poppy heard from Branch about losing his toy in the old escape tunnels it gave her the idea about how to ' fix her mistake'.

"I felt a little guilty for forgetting your birthday and not getting you this gift, so think about it as an 'I'm-sorry-for-my-mistake-I-will-do-better-next-time-because-I-care-about-you' gift," she said nervously. Poppy left to do some queenly duties.

Moved by such thoughtfulness of this magnitude, Branch and the Snack pack all decided to give Poppy a thoughtful present in return for all the love she had given them for years. Branch wanted to do it to make up for rejecting her offer to come to the parties she invited him over the years. Those invitations he kept reminded him that someone cared about him even though he had been the village grump for twenty years.

Luckily, they found out the perfect gift thanks to DJ Suki; a gift made from Poppy's favourite flower, glitter carnations. They were able to find where the glitter carnations grow thanks to the help from the former King Peppy

The Snack Pack had made it to the cave of the Grotto of Flowers, and what a relief, they had to go through growlers, birds and kabloom shrooms just to get there "It wasn't easy but we finally made it. The Grotto of Flowers" said Branch triumphantly. It was lavished with an abundance of glitter carnations.

"Okay guys, grab as many flowers as you can and take them home to make a personalised gift for Poppy", Branch ordered the Snack Pack.

"Yes sir", the Snack Pack complied. Not wanting to waste time, each of the trolls rushed to collect an amount that would fit in their sacks. It didn't take that long. Each troll was able to head back to their pod to make their personalised gift. As for Branch, he was thinking long and hard about what to give to Poppy. This wasn't just him giving her a gift, this was him returning her kindness for finding his childhood toy as a post-birthday present to make up for mixing up his and Bridgette's birthdays; returning the kindness she had always offered him, even before they helped Bergen Town find happiness and Branch started singing again and gaining back his true colours. Branch wanted to give Poppy a gift that would mean that he was grateful for the times she tried to come into his heart and was kind to him, no matter how grumpy or cynical he was. Then an idea popped into his head; he gathered his supplies and started making his gift.

On the Day of Poppy's birthday, the Snack Pack offered their personalised gifts.

Chenille gave her a bouquet in a vase.

Satin gave her a crown.

Biggie gave her tea bags with glitter carnation petals inside so that she could enjoy glitter carnation-infused tea on special occasions. He made Mr Dinkles give Poppy the seeds so that she could plant them herself.

DJ Suki gave her a glitter carnations sugar scrub.

Smidge gave her a perfume infused with the flower's petals.

Cooper, Guy Diamond, and Bridgette were told before the party of the glitter carnations to make their personalised gifts for Poppy as well.

Cooper gave Poppy a beret with glitter carnations embroidered on it, Guy Diamond gave her soaps in the shape of the glitter carnation and infused with its scent, and Bridgette had a jeweller make a silver ring with the shape and colour of the glitter carnation with pink gems on the band that would fit her head like a tiara. Even though Satin was upset that she and Bridgette technically gave her the same thing Poppy broke the ice by coming up with a compromise "I'll wear the flower crown for garden and spring parties and I'll wear the metal tiara for formal events". Both girls nodded in agreement.

Poppy was so overwhelmed with joy that her heart soared with love. "Guys, this is incredible. I can never thank you enough. You truly are the best friends I could ask for" and for that, they had a group hug moment. Nothing could be more perfect. Or could it?

As for Branch, a nervous smile was on his face and he was mysteriously holding something behind his back. "Branch, what's wrong?" Poppy asked, noticing he was not joining in. She got loose from the group hug and approached him. Why is Branch so nervous?

"Sorry, it's just..... I have been working hard on your gifts since we found them and before that, I was thinking hard about what to give you. I thought to myself, what do I give to the most amazing woman who stood by me no matter how many times I was grumpy, cynical, and ..." Branch was listing the few things of what he used to be but was interrupted by Poppy.

"Overly cautious, paranoid and a bit of a party pooper?" she said smugly.

"Yeah, that", he blushed at her comment.

"Anyway, here's your gift, I hope you like it", Branch handed Poppy a heart-shaped present wrapped in grocery bags. Poppy was excited to open it. As she gently unwrapped the gift her eyes lit at the most beautiful thing she never thought she could have. Her favourite flower was preserved in the epoxy resin moulded into a heart-shaped lamp. It was as if the universe encased beauty beyond their imagination. Even the Snack Pack were dazzled by its radiance; Biggie even shed a tear.

"Branch, this is beautiful. I love it. Thank you", she gratefully hugged Branch tightly. Both hearts beat in sync as they embraced each other's warmth. "Well, it's the least I could do after you found Croco. And Poppy, it's okay for you not to give me a birthday present, even though you mixed up mine and Bridgette's and found Croco as a makeup present. Don't get me wrong, I love that you found him but the point is, the best birthday present I could ask for is being with you, my best friend." Poppy could not be happier. The sweetest guy she had ever met, better than her fake and traitorous former friend, Creek, had said the kindest words to her filling her heart with more happiness than ever. Poppy gave Branch a stronger embrace which the latter returned; Biggie cried even more and joined in the hug, along with all the Snack Pack who were also moved.

That night, before Poppy went to bed she turned on the lamp. The light created a shimmering pink that dazzled her bedroom. Poppy accidentally knocked the lamp over but not great enough for it to break. She noticed at the bottom of the lampstand that there was a custom engraving that read: "You are the light that shines whenever I am in the darkness. Never stop shining"

For that, Poppy shed a tear. She had a gift from the greatest person she had ever met, who made her heart beat a million times. The Pink Queen went to sleep, dreaming of the handsome troll who may be getting better at winning her heart.