Cooper easily ignored the stares.
He knew that Branch was on his back and clinging to him.
But he didn't mind.
It was comforting to have Branch there.
He would say that to anyone too, he would look them dead in the eye and tell them that Branch's (almost) weightless weight is very comforting to have on his back.
The only thing he didn't like about Branch clinging to his back was the fact he had to keep looking back to check and see that Branch was actually still there.
There was one time he'd looked back and Branch was gone.
He had gone into panic, screaming for Branch, shoving other trolls, flipping tables, breaking down doors.
Until Creek and Poppy had stopped him saying that Branch had gone back to his bunker to get away from the stares.
Which is part of the reason he keeps looking back.
Branch has never liked how other trolls stare at him, especially when he's with a member of the Snack Pack.
Cooper can always see it on his face, his eyes close, his frown becomes more visible, he tries to hide his face.
He even tightens his grip, and depending on how tight his grip gets, Cooper can tell he's about to run.
Speaking of which, Cooper needs to check on that.
Cooper looked at Branch again, feeling a slight pain where Branch's hands are.
He saw Branch's face buried in the fur of his back, his grip becoming so tight his hands are fading to a light grey.
Cooper bit his lip and began to walk towards the royal pod, Branch needs to get back home, to a comfy place.
Cooper then thought about taking Branch to his bunker, he had started to make it when he turned four, yes he was young but he would scream and cry until King Peppy finally gave in.
It had been finished when Branch turned fifteen.
Cooper heard a slight whimper and knew he needed to go to the pod.
The bunker wouldn't have his adopted siblings to comfort him, and Branch needed their comfort right now, not being alone and isolated.
Branch clung to him as he walked into the pod, he moved quick so Branch wouldn't have to suffer with the staring.
He didn't even knock as he walked in, and Creek and Poppy had hurried in the room when they heard someone walking into their pod.
They saw Branch looking ready to have a full blown meltdown.
They hurried over to Cooper who became a loaf. (You know how cats lay down and look like a loaf of bread? He's doing that, he's loafing-)
Creek began to try and loosen his hands, "Oh buddy, I know, let go of Cooper..."
Poppy rubbed Branch's back, "Come on little bro, let go of Cooper, I know you don't mean, to but I think you're hurting Cooper a bit.."
Branch's hands immediately loosened when he heard he was unintentionally hurting Cooper.
Cooper smiled, though it turned into a frown when Branch bit his thumb.
Creek grabbed his hand and pulled it away from his mouth, "We need to break this habit.." he mumbled.
Poppy nodded to Creek, "I agree.."
Cooper bit his lip, there's something more going on here, this is not just a nervous tic.
Cooper hummed as Creek lifted Branch off of him and he stood up, "Well..I wouldn't call that a habit, it would be best to figure out the why...Goodbye!" He said and left.
Poppy held the door open for him while Creek began to talk to Branch.
