Trolls: Broppy One Shots

The Truth

Branch caught sight of Poppy storming off in tears, she shoved her way through the other Trolls in the village and disappeared into the forest.

Branch: Poppy?

He didn't know what was wrong and followed her into the forest, it took him some time before he finally found her sobbing under a tree. He crawled over to her and sat next to her.

Branch: Hey...

Poppy turned to Branch for a moment but then covered her face again still crying. Branch put a hand on her back trying to comfort her. What was bothering her? Usually, she wouldn't push Branch away, no matter how much she wanted to, but she seemed to be ignoring him.

Branch: What's the matter? How can I help?

Poppy sniffed and took a handkerchief out of her hair wiping her eyes. Branch couldn't stand to see her like this and kissed her cheek.

Poppy: I'm sorry...

Branch: Don't apologize, just talk to me, what's bothering you and what can I do to make it better?

Poppy looked around for a minute before crawling onto Branch's lap and hugging him, despite it not being Hug Time.

Poppy: I just talked to my sister...

Branch: About what?

Poppy: ...My mom...

At that point, Branch was all ears, he knew how Poppy got whenever her late mother was brought up.

Poppy: ...I asked her about what happened to our mom and she told me everything...Branch, I'm the reason she's gone!

Branch: What do you mean?

Poppy: She was taken by the Bergens trying to protect me, they were so close to taking me away and she stepped in...but that costed her her life. She shouldn't have done that, Branch, then she would still be here today! She's gone because of me!

Branch didn't like hearing that from Poppy, she sounded like she was blaming herself for something that happened when she was too young to remember.

Branch: Poppy...

Poppy: You don't get it, Branch, this is my mother we're talking about, I never got to know her because she died trying to save me! I could've had so much time with her if-

Branch: Poppy, look at me!

Poppy suddenly gasped when Branch cupped her face so she was looking right at him.

Branch: You really think I don't know that feeling? How do you think I felt when I lost my grandma? How do you think I felt when my brothers walked out on me?

Poppy looked down and she looked as if she was about to cry again. Branch placed a hand on her cheek and kissed her nose.

Branch: I'm sorry I snapped like that, don't be upset. I know that your emotions run really high when you're upset.

Poppy: I-It's okay...

Branch then stood up and helped her to feet, they strolled by the river hand in hand, Branch occasionally glancing over at Poppy making sure she wouldn't break down again.

Branch: I spent my whole life blaming myself for things my family did, my brothers fought all the time and that caused them to split up, I thought that I was to blame. And I definitely blamed myself when I lost my grandma to the Bergens...it's the whole reason why I didn't sing for a long time.

Poppy nodded remaining silent.

Branch: Can I tell you a secret?

Poppy: Uh huh...

Branch: You can't sit back and predict someone's actions, no one can.

Poppy: But you're Branch, you have a survival bunker for potential disasters.

Branch: Pfft, that's different, that's for defense, I'm talking about the choices people make. No one can predict what they do, just like in our cases. I never thought my brothers would abandon me...nor that I would lose my grandma while I was still young. And you couldn't imagine losing your mom so soon.

Poppy looked down, Branch did have a point, but she still felt the doubt lingering in her head.

Branch: Think of it this way...if we hadn't lost our loved ones, you and I wouldn't be here today. Your mom would be alive...but where would you be?

Poppy gasped as soon as Branch said that, she stopped walking feeling horrified about the possible outcome. Branch turned around and took her hand in his trying to ease her pain. He kissed her hand lightly.

Branch: It's okay, the past is the past, we can't change it. Besides, we owe them everything, look at us.

Poppy: I...guess you're right. Still...I feel like I should've at least tried to do something to help her. So she would still be here today.

Branch: But you were a baby, there wasn't much you could do, there wasn't much I could do for my grandma either, I was just a kid. We were both very young when these things happened.

Poppy nodded looking down at her feet, Branch kissed her on the cheek getting her attention again.

Branch: Something good came out of both cases, we're together. We wouldn't even be here if not for them. Believe me, I still miss my grandma very much, but I also owe a lot to her, she gave up her life to save mine, and so did your mom for you.

Poppy wiped away her tears and hugged him tightly, giving him a quick kiss on his lips before burying her face in his chest.

Poppy: I don't know what I'd do without you, Branch...

Branch: Me neither, Poppy...me neither.