Branch x Reader

Realization

                    "Alright, just a bit more to the left.." Your best friend, Poppy, says as you stand on your tiptoes, holding a painting twice your size. You scoot over slightly to the left, following Poppy's instructions on where to set it against the wall. Poppy had gotten you to agree to help out Satin and Chenille, who have just gotten into painting for some fashion exhibition they were planning.

                    "Ehh.. Actually, it was better towards the right- wait no, maybe just twist it a little?" She tilted her head, rubbing her chin and squinting her eyes. "P-Poppy.. This is,, Heavy. Please just- make up your mind-" You manage to say between breaths. 

                   Suddenly, you feel most of the weight vanish. "Huh?" You look next to you and see a familiar Grayish- Well, now blueish troll, helping you out and giving you a small smile. You smile back, thanking him for the help. 

                   "Ooo, perfect! That's it, you nailed it!!" Poppy exclaims as she squeals with joy, nailing down the painting against the wall. "Thank you, y/n!!! And you too, Branch!" She gives Branch a big hug as soon as you let go of the painting.

                    You stretch your arms and smile at their display of affection, but even though you try to be happy for them, you can't help that funny feeling at the top of your stomach, right between your ribcage. 

You were jealous.

                    It's insane, you know that. Poppy is your best friend, and Branch is her boyfriend. You should be happy for them. She's helping him be a more social, open, better troll. He helps her control her outbursts and become a better queen. They're perfect for each other! But you couldn't help the feeling..

                   You started realizing you had feelings for him about three months ago. You had just gotten out of a relationship with a troll, and you were incredibly sad. You were sitting next to a pond alone, covering your face with your hands, crying into your palms. You were so emotional, you felt like you couldn't breathe.

                   But then, you felt some pressure on your shoulder. You looked up just to see Branch, looking down at you and giving you a small reassuring smile. "I uh.. Heard about what happened." He sat down next to you, sighing. "I'm sorry, y/n.."

                    You said wanted to be alone. You told everyone you needed space. But in reality, you wanted someone to come anyway, to comfort you. And that's exactly what Branch did. You tried to put on a brave face and stop crying. 

                     "I know it's a dumb question but,, how are you?" He seemed genuinely concerned about you, like he actually cared. You didn't get why I mean, sure you guys talked a lot and were "friends", but you always thought he considered you as just "Poppy's best friend".  That completely broke your facade. You started bawling your eyes out again, letting out a loud cry.

                    It surprised Branch, he's never seen you this sad before. Sure, he's seen you cry once or twice, but it was over small dumb things like an animal dying in a movie or your favourite artist cancelling their tour. It was never like THIS.

                   He let out a sympathetic sigh, hesitating before giving you a hug. Now YOU were the surprised one. It took him a while to hug POPPY, and he hugged you this easily??? After a few seconds, you slowly hugged him back, crying into his sleeve. "I-I'm sorry- You shouldn't have to deal with my issues-" you mumbled between hiccups. "No, don't worry. I know better than anyone else that keeping things to yourself doesn't solve anything. I mean, I was ready to live alone for 10 years in my bunker and drink my own SWEAT.." His eye twitched as he remembered his "lone wolf" times. He had come a great way since then. Thank god for character development.

                  "Anyways my point is- I'm here for you. You're not alone, okay?" He gives you a soft playful punch on your shoulder, trying to cheer you up. You let out a small laugh, wiping a tear from your cheek. "Thank you, I really appreciate that." 

                  You both finally get up as he puts his hand on your shoulder, trying to show that he's here for you. "Now, let's go back to the village, I'm not comfortable being in the woods at night time.." His eye twitched again as he looked around. You hadn't even noticed the sun had set, you were too focused on him. ".. Plus Poppy is worried sick about you, y/n. She's probably making you a scrapbook to cheer you up or something. (She was)" He scoffed, smiling. You could see a faint blush on his cheeks, making your nose twitch. You quickly snapped out of it, letting out a half-assed laugh. "Yeah you're right, let's go!" 

                  He was being so nice to you, you didn't even know why. But he actually managed to make you feel better. You felt better just by him putting a hand on your shoulder, you were hoping he wouldn't move away, it really just--

"Y/n?? Helloooo?"

                  Poppy waves her hands in front of your face, trying to get you to come back from your daydreaming. You quickly remembered where you were, the art gallery. "Huh- Oh, sorry sorry, I was um.. Thinking bout something,, ahah-" You laugh awkwardly, realizing that Poppy and Branch are both looking at you. 

                  "Are you okay? You seemed really focused on whatever it was you were thinking about.." Poppy walks closer to you, obviously worried. Branch stood behind her, crossing his arms.

                 "Yeah yeah, don't worry! I was just lost in thought for a moment. Everything's fine, I promise," you assure them with a smile, trying your best to hide your inner turmoil. Poppy seems satisfied with your answer, but Branch continues to watch you with a gentle, concerned expression. 

                  You take a deep breath, pushing your feelings aside for the time being. Now is not the time to let your jealousy consume you.

~~~~~~~~~

A/N: woaahhhhh this is my first time writing a fanfic in YEARS. Hope u liked the beginning, I have a bunch of ideas so I'll def be making more chapters