A Healing Rose - Broppy

Chapter Two

Welcome back everyone!
I hope you liked the first chapter. I don't own trolls. I couldn't really think of a unique name for the creature that attacked, so I just went with a regular animal. I'm going to try to update weekly with chapters. I hope you enjoy reading this chapter!

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Grey.

That word rang through Branch's head. His eyes widened when poppy told him, but he was unable to speak. Sure, the village had turned grey before, but this was different. This was similar to why he turned grey. He quickly glanced at his hands, seeing them still blue.

Poppy couldn't take her eyes off him. She has no idea how he would react. Poppy noticed him look at his hands, and gently rubbed them with her thumbs. Her motion caused Branch to look at her. "I thought you should be the first to know..." she spoke softly.

Branch shook his head slightly. "Thank you for telling me. Does she have any other family she can stay with? She shouldn't be alone."

Poppy slowly shook her head. "No, she has no living family left. There are lots of trolls who were friends with her parents. I'm sure someone will be wanting to take her in." She said hopefully.

Branch was quiet for a moment, not looking at her. "You would have to find the right family. It's harder when the kid is grey. She needs to know she's understood. And if she wants space then she needs it given, but also needs to not be alone. It's...complicated." He looked away, sighing. "It's not going to be easy for her or the family. They need to be understanding, and patient. Very patient."

Poppy moved closer to him and held him, feeling his arms and going around her in return. "I'll make sure we find the right trolls for her. I know this is hard on you Branch. I can imagine it's bringing back bad memories. If you want to stay out of it, you can."

Branch shook his head. "No. I'd rather be there, in case something happens." He let her go and handed poppy a pair of slippers. He stood up, looking at her. "Make sure you use the slippers, you don't want to slip."

Poppy smiled at him. "You are such a worry wart." She teased, before placing a hand on his cheek. "Are you sure you're okay Branch? You can talk to me."

Branch smiled softly at her. "I know, and I'm okay." He kissed her softly for a moment. "Are you okay? You have gone through a lot today, and I don't think I even heard the first hug time go off." He looked at his bracelet then looked at her.

She held his hand and nodded. "For now, I will be okay. I have to focus on Rose and the village." She said, before feeling branch tense. "Branch?" She looked at him confused.

"Oh, no. It's nothing." He said, before opening the curtain. "You came from the far bed, is she in that one?" He looked at her. Poppy nodded and led him to where the trolling was. Branch stopped just close enough where he could see Smidge, but not the child.

Poppy glanced at him before she went to smidge. "Is she still sleeping?" Poppy asked.

"She is. The doctor did stop by to check on her, and all was good." Smidge could see Branch around the corner. "Branch? Are you coming in?" She asked.

Branch took a moment before walking in and stopped at the end of the bed. He looked up to see the little grey troll. She was quite small, a couple centimeters smaller than smidge. She had a cast around her left lower arm as well as a few cuts and bruises on her face. Her right arm had an IV cord in it,he looked up to see a couple monitors in the room as well. "She's so young..." he whispered. Poppy placed a hand on his shoulder.

Smidge looked at him. "Do you want the seat?" She asked him, standing up from the seat.

"Oh, no. It's okay Smidge." He said, his eyes not leaving the bed. "Is it just a broken arm she has?" He asked. He glanced at Smidge who nodded. "That's good then, nothing too serious."