It didn't surprise him.
Not at all.
Branch had been clinging to him since he'd been alone.
Creek didn't mind Branch clinging to him, it just made it a bit more difficult for him to do stuff.
Even if he was trying to play with Branch, the younger troll wouldn't let him go.
He didn't blame Branch for any of this, it was just a bit...
Frustrating...but only sometimes!
Creek sighed quietly as Branch whimpered, he really needed to go to the bathroom!
Creek didn't blame Branch for this clingyness, not at all, he was abandoned by his brothers and he'd seen his Grandma get taken by a bergen!
So Creek understood why.
He just can't figure out how to calm the now sobbing four year old.
He sighed again and picked Branch up, "Listen, look at me and listen, okay?"
Branch looked at him and nodded, pausing his tears for now.
Creek smiled, "I would never wanna leave you. Ever. Never ever ever!" He said as he rubbed his face against Branch's neck making him giggle.
Creek smiled wider, "There's that happy face...now Branch, I need to go to the bathroom, please wait here, okay? You can gaurd the door! You can know exactly when I leave! Does that sound okay to you?"
Branch thought about it then nodded, "I trust you!" He said with a bright smile, his colour becoming a bit brighter.
Creek smiled and set him down, "Good! I'll be back soon, just stay here and don't wander off, got it?"
Branch nodded again, "I promise!"
Creek walked into the bathroom.
While Creek did his business, Branch sat outside the door, looking like a cat ready to pounce.
He needed to be prepared in case Creek did try to run away.
As he waited patiently for the six year old, he got scared as terrible thoughts filled his head.
But soon after, the door opened and he saw Creek.
He launched his body at Creek who quickly caught him.
Branch whimpered, Creek told him he would be back and he is!
But Floyd promised...
And he wasn't back.
Floyd wasn't back.
And that's when Branch knew.
Floyd was never coming back.
Was he?
Branch began to sob as Creek panicked and ran towards his adoptive father's pod.
"Papa! Papa!" Creek yelled, carrying Branch.
King Peppy opened the door immediately and noticed his middle child carrying Branch.
"Creek? What's going on?" He asked as Creek ran inside.
Creek set Branch on the couch and shook his head, "No idea! I just walked out of the bathroom and he jumped at me and started to cry!"
King Peppy hurried over as Viva and Poppy ran out of their shared bedroom to see what was going on.
Branch just continued to sob as King Peppy kneeled in front of him.
Creek walked over to his sister's who looked shocked and worried.
Viva lightly smacked Creek, "What did you do?!" She whisper yelled as she watched Branch cling to their father.
Poppy looked like she wanted to run over and hug the sobbing boy, but she held herself back. Barely.
Creek shrugged, "I-I have no idea! I made a deal with him so I could go to the bathroom and I f-followed through with it, I didn't even attempt to playfully run away! So I don't know why he's crying..."
Poppy winced and grabbed Viva's hand and put her other hand over her heart, "Hurts.." she whimpered and tapped where her heart was.
Viva nodded and knelt down, "It hurts to see him cry?"
Poppy nodded.
Viva and Creek knew how that felt, Poppy was their younger sister, despite Creek being adopted, and it hurt their hearts to see her cry.
It also hurt their hearts to see Branch cry.
